Nokia Siemens Networks has completed a field trial in an urban environment using the new Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. Peak data rates of 160 Megabits per second were realized in this demonstration.
The field trial was conducted in a real urban outdoor environment with multiple users using the new 2.6 GHz spectrum. Nokia says it confirms that LTE performance requirements can be met using 3GPP standardized technologies and it realized data rates of more than 100 Mega bits per second over distances of several hundred meters.
LTE uses OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) and adaptive multi antenna technologies, much like Mobile WiMAX. This field trial was assisted by the Heinrich Hertz Institut (HHI), a n expert centre in the field of intelligent adaptive MIMO/Algorithms.
“We understand the complexity of the LTE and MIMO technology, and it is really amazing how far Nokia Siemens Networks has developed the LTE base station in such a short time,” said Professor Holger Boche from Heinrich Hertz Institut.
The base station, supporting LTE with a 2 by 2 MIMO (Multiple Input / Multiple Output) antenna system having 120 degree sectors, has been installed to support continuous testing activities over the next year. It transmits with 20MHz bandwidth in the 2.6GHz band, for which Nokia Siemens Networks has acquired test licenses in major cities throughout Germany. The spectrum in this band will be awarded to mobile operators in the next few years.
LTE availability is planned for a 2010 timeframe. Both AT&T and Verizon have pledged to convert their cellular networks to LTE in the next 5 years, while Sprint is going with Mobile WiMAX as their “4G” standard.
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