eBooks

Understanding LTE-Unlicensed // July 2015 Sponsored Content Background Given the comprehensive coverage of LTE-U basics and its challenges throughout the rest of this e-book, we will focus on the impact of this technology from a testing standpoint. Our Wi-Fi roots and performance testing expertise allows us to provide unique insights on this. Testing LTE-U Predeployment testing is always important, but never more so than with new technologies— especially those as revolutionary as LTE-U, where technical coexistence presents significant challenges, yet is vital its commercial success. Realizing the full potential of LTE-U will require a thorough and greatly augmented test approach. In the very early days of LTE, we saw the LTE vs. WiMax, co-existence vs. competition debate. While cellular and Wi-Fi didn't necessarily start this way, they had been two nearly distinct worlds for a long time. The first sign of convergence was with Wi-Fi offload, where traditional cellular players began look at Wi-Fi as a means to supplement and enhance the overall user experience. The newest evolutionary milestone in this convergence is LTE-U. Standalone LTE-U performance aside, one of the key areas to test, is the coexistence of LTE-U with Wi-Fi and the overall system performance. Testing technical coexistence in an environment with LTE and Wi-Fi, has to focus not just on mechanisms such as Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) and its variants, but also on overall system performance. Recent studies by the LTE-U forum show that testing overall system performance requires accounting for multiple influencers: the LTE signal, neighboring Wi-Fi access points (AP), Wi-Fi clients and LTE device(s) in a controllable RF environment. Most of the test solutions in today's world are built for single-link, single-technology applications. While we see this changing due to the additional testing requirements necessitated by LTE-A HetNet, it's important that test solutions also evolve to support the testing requirements of LTE-U. LTE-U testing demands a controllable, multi-link, multi-technology environment that can thoroughly but easily assess performance. To explore and exercise the fundamental mechanisms in LTE-U, the testing process must make it possible for users to easily create a multiplicity of test cases and scenarios. This includes measuring relevant and practical metrics that provide insights into actual performance. Importantly, all of these testing requirements must be scalable from a time, complexity, cost standpoint. The logical solution is to develop practical, comprehensive, scalable emulation solutions that address the technical and logistical challenges associated with LTE-U testing. You can no longer rely on single-link, single-technology experiential field testing for LTE-U conformance or performance. Revolutionary technology demands revolutionary testing. n Revolutionary Technology Demands Revolutionary Testing By Vivek Vadakkuppattu, VP of Marketing ®

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