LTE Essentials

Duration: 1 day

Download brochureThe course provides all the key information about LTE system in a nutshell without going into the technical details. It starts with explanation of the background behind LTE and presentation of the LTE system overview inducing architecture, IP connectivity, QoS, and new radio access. Then, practicalities are addressed such as: achievable performance, current status of spectrum auctioning and equipment availability. The course is concluded by discussing possible LTE services and comparing LTE to other broadband systems.

LTE System Overview

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course provides an end-to-end overview perspective of the LTE system, including the Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC). It begins with a detailed presentation of the architecture of E-UTRAN and EPC. Then, E-UTRAN fundamentals are considered with explanation of OFDMA, SC-FDMA and MIMO. Subsequently QoS topic is used as a transition into EPC topic, where NAS protocols and signaling, security and cooperation with IMS are addressed. The course outlines all the key LTE cross-system procedures such as network attach / detach, handover, paging, call setup etc. The final chapters outline roadmaps for the new releases and address the interworking issues.

LTE PHY Layer

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course focuses on the physical (PHY) layer of the 3-GPP E-UTRA FDD system. It describes in detail the architecture of the two nodes of the E-UTRA, namely Evolved Node B (eNB) and User Equipment (UE), by discussing every single component processing block and the generated signals.

This course is heavily based on the LTE PHY Lab (link), which is a state-of-the art Link Level Simulator. Thanks to that, there are multiple options for creation, generation and observation of all the FDD LTE PHY channels and signals. 

LTE Antennas

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course explains in detail all the aspects related to implementation and deployment of the advanced antenna systems for 3GPP-LTE, starting from Release 8 and ending up at Release 10. Special attention is given to explanation of numerous techniques related to Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), such as spatial diversity, spatial multiplexing, single-user MIMO, multi-user MIMO and beamforming. The course also addresses the issue of how MIMO systems can impact the network performance, including coverage, capacity and reliability.

The course utilizes a number of hands-on practical exercises using the following tools:

• Propagation prediction tool to depict MIMO channels and angular spread,
• LTE PHY Lab – a Link Level Simulator applied to observe MIMO-related signals of the LTE air interface.

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LTE Air Interface

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course focuses on the LTE air interface and explains in great detail all its functions and processing blocks. It contains logically structured topics covering E-UTRAN architecture, key techniques used in E-UTRA such as OFDMA and SC-FDMA, LTE Layer 1 processing, Layer 2 and 3 functions and all the important radio interface procedures. Special attention is given to the LTE PHY layer (Layer 1), where the architecture of the radio frame is examined with all the corresponding channels, resource mapping options and procedures. A thorough overview of RRC, PDCP, RLC and MAC protocols is given, where MAC operation is especially highlighted due to its importance in the E-UTRAN operation.

The course utilizes a number of hands-on practical exercises using the state-of-the art LTE PHY Lab – a Link Level Simulator applied to observe signals, channels and frames of the LTE air interface.

LTE Protocols and Procedures

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course provides a complete overview of the LTE protocols and procedures covering completely E-UTRAN and partly EPC signaling. It follows the top down approach, investigating LTE signaling corresponding to the layers from L3 down to L1, including NAS, RRC, PDCP, RLC, MAC and PHY. Subsequently, signaling related to the new interfaces, namely S1, X2, S11, S5/S8 and S10 is explained in great detail. The course is concluded with the presentation of the IMS nodes and key procedures and discussion of interoperability with other 3GPP and non-3GPP networks.

LTE Advanced

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course highlights and explains all the technical enhancements brought by the LTE Advanced. We start by reviewing 3GPP E-UTRAN Rel. 8 and introducing features of Rel. 9. Then, Rel. 10 enhancements are discussed, which include PHY and MAC modifications (with 8x8 MIMO and Carrier Aggregation being the most prominent examples), procedural improvements and the concept of relays. Additionally, architectural enhancements are presented including Home eNB, Heterogeneous Networks and SON. As some features sneaked into Rel. 11, we address them too; they include Cooperative Multipoint Transmission and Reception and Mobile Relays concept.

In addition to the solid theoretical treatment of this topic, we provide practical deployment considerations, as well as show real LTE Advanced signals generated with the state-of-the art LTE PHY Lab – a Link Level Simulator.

TD-LTE PHY Layer

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course is dedicated to the TDD (Time Division Duplex) version of the LTE system, also known as TD-LTE. It provides an in-depth description of the TD-LTE PHY layer. The course describes in detail the architecture of the two nodes of the TDD E-UTRA, namely TDD Evolved Node B (eNB) and TDD User Equipment (UE), by discussing every single component processing block and the generated signals. Special attention is given to all the differences between TDD and FDD (Frequency Division Duplex).

This course is heavily based on the LTE PHY Lab, which is a state-of-the art Link Level Simulator applied to generate and observe TDD waveforms, signals, channels and frames of the LTE air interface. 

LTE RF Planning

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course explains in detail the process of LTE radio network planning and design. After outlining the fundamental background, including radio propagation and E-UTRA radio interface architecture, it considers coverage and capacity planning tasks focusing on those aspects, where LTE planning process needs special attention due to the new radio interface. These include consideration of multiple antenna systems and new methods for frequency reuse and interference management. Recommendations for configuration of the key radio procedures and consideration of the interoperability issues close the course.

The course utilizes a number of hands-on practical exercises using the following tools:

• RNP tool to prepare coverage plots,
• 4G System Lab – a System Level Simulator to reflect various frequency reuse concepts and business case options,
• LTE PHY Lab – a Link Level Simulator to observe signals, channels and frames of the LTE air interface

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EPC Protocols and Procedures

Duration: 3 days

Download brochureThe course provides a complete overview of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) protocols and procedures covering both EPC signaling towards E-UTRAN as well as towards IMS direction. A thorough consideration of IMS protocols, procedures and services is presented. Security in EPC and IMS is discussed with great detail. Then, Policy and Charging Control for EPS and IMS is discussed. The course is concluded with the explanation of EPS Interworking with other networks, which includes discussion of S3 and S4 interfaces, as well as presentation of the representative interworking cases. 

LTE Parameters and Optimization*

Duration: 3 days

The LTE Parameters and Optimization Training is under development and will be available soon.