What is Long-Term Evolution (LTE)?

Quick Definition: LTE is a high-speed, low-latency wireless communication standard that can enhance IT infrastructure with its robust and scalable connectivity solutions.

As the need for data on the go continues to grow, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) has become an essential standard for high-speed, low-latency, reliable wireless data applications. For IT and networking pros, understanding LTE is critical for managing a modern infrastructure. 

It is increasingly becoming an essential service whether for backup internet for the office, primary service for a remote location, IoT devices, industrial settings, or any application where traditional wired or wireless applications don't make sense.

Today, we'll explore LTE, its history as a significant advancement from previous mobile technologies, its technical architecture, and how to install and configure an LTE network.

What is Long-Term Evolution (LTE)?

LTE (long-term evolution) is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals. Compared to previous 3G technology, it provides significantly faster data rates and improved network capacity. It is part of the 4G network technology and serves as the foundation for modern high-speed mobile communication.

Historical Background and Evolution

LTE began as a project of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a group of standards organizations founded to develop the older 3G/UMTS standard. After 3G, it continued work on the next generation of cellular systems, which became LTE.

Standards groups like these are essential to many areas of IT, engineering, and other fields as they brainstorm solutions that can more easily be standardized across the world, instead of every company developing their own. 

The 3GPP foresaw the need for a future standard with bandwidth, reliability, and coverage above and beyond what 3G could provide. LTE was the solution. It was first proposed in 2004, publicly demonstrated in 2007, and commercial deployments beginning in 2009.

Key Features and Benefits of LTE Technology

LTE was a huge step up from the previous 3G and UMTS standards, with speeds peaking at 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, compared to 3G's usual max speeds of 40 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up. LTE also improved the latency of 3G connections, dropping the average response times from 200ms to 10ms. The importance of this improvement for real-time applications cannot be overstated. 

The improvements brought by LTE mainly come from its efficient use of the allocated radio spectrum. LTE uses a larger frequency band than 3G, allowing more space to send and receive signals. It also utilizes the spectrum more efficiently, with wider data channels that enable a single connection to carry more data. Additionally, channels can be combined to double the bandwidth for a single connection.

LTE adopted an all-IP networking system, reducing complexity and improving efficiency. By eliminating separate voice (circuit-switched) and data (packet-switched) circuits in favor of an all-data network, operations are streamlined, costs are lowered, scalability is increased, and interoperability with other IP-based networks is enhanced.

The Technical Architecture of LTE

The details of an LTE network aren't that different from the TCP/IP network you already run. Let's briefly explore the network components, protocols, and RAN architecture that make LTE work.

Network Components

An LTE network consists of several hardware components. On the user side, User Equipment (UE) such as smartphones and modems connect to the LTE network. These devices connect to the eNodeB (Evolved Node B), which acts as the base station, managing radio communications between the UE and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). 

The EPC functions as the network's brain and traffic controller, managing connections and authentication from UE, routing and forwarding data packets, and handling connections between UE and external networks.

Protocol Stack

The LTE protocol stack is organized into layers, very similar to the OSI model. The physical layer handles transmitting and receiving of raw data between devices, while the MAC layer handles scheduling and error corrections.

The radio link control (RLC) layer manages error correction and segmenting/reassembling packets (like the OSI transport layers). The packet data convergence protocol (PDPC) layer handles compression and encryption. Finally, radio resource control (RRC) is later concerned with managing and maintaining connections.

Radio Access Network (RAN) Architecture

The LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture includes all the hardware and protocols described above. Like a LAN or WAN, this architecture describes how all these moving parts team up to provide highly efficient, scalable, and flexible operations between LTE operators and customers.

How do you Install LTE Infrastructure?

Next, we'll explore how to get your LTE infrastructure up and running, both on the hardware and software sides.

Hardware 

Setting up an LTE network involves several essential hardware components. These include eNodeB units (the base stations facilitating wireless communication), antenna for transmitting and receiving signals from UE, and fiber optic or microwave links from eNodeBs to the EPC (evolved packet core). 

Software Requirements

LTE infra also requires specific software and licensing. The eNodeB base stations run their own operating systems and applications for managing communications. EPC software running on your own servers handles all the core network functions.

Installing eNodeB and EPC Components

For any wide-area wireless solution, device placement is key, and LTE is no exception. eNodeB units should be placed on rooftops with good line of sight and connections available to power and the backhaul network.

Next, assign IP addresses to the eNodeBs and ensure they can communicate with the EPC and other network devices. Depending on your network, this might involve configuring VLANs, routing, and firewall rules.

Once the eNodeB is connected to the network, the EPC software must be installed and configured appropriately. These configurations can be very complex; working directly with the software vendor to ensure correct configuration is key as each solution varies.

Once everything is installed and configured, test the connectivity between your eNodeBs and ECP components to ensure communication is solid. The devices and software should each have their own built-in testing processes. Working with the vendors again is recommended to ensure performance.

Configuring an LTE Network

Configuring an LTE network involves a few important steps to ensure peak performance. Initially, an admin must configure eNodeB and EPC nodes by setting frequency bands, power settings, and handover thresholds. These features all individually have a great effect on UE (user equipment) performance, so getting these settings correct is critical. Further tweaks and optimizations will ensure network stability and maximum coverage.

Implementing robust security measures is also essential. Strong encryption, user and device authentication, and access control policies all work to protect your network. Also, QoS settings will prioritize certain kinds of traffic and prevent individuals from using more than their fair share of bandwidth. Testing these policies after implantation gives you a chance to verify connectivity and service areas and stress test the network.

Integrating LTE with Existing IT Infrastructure

Ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure, especially legacy systems, is crucial for your new LTE networks to work seamlessly with current corporate networks or older cellular connections. Careful planning allows for a gradual migration to the new LTE infrastructure while maintaining functionality with older systems.

Additionally, integrating LTE with your IP-based network will reap big benefits. As LTE supports a variety of IP-based applications, a seamless integration will ensure your needs for high-speed internet and services like VoIP and videoconferencing will work better than ever. 

Final Thoughts 

To conclude for today, LTE provides major improvements in wireless data with better bandwidth, latency, and reliability. For IT pros, understanding this technology can enhance your network's robustness and efficiency, improving user experience. Integrating LTE into your network also helps future-proof it as the demand for fast and reliable data grows.

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