By Carolyn Taylor, 3GPP MCC
The work item specifies additional channel bandwidth – sub-carrier spacing combinations for each considered band for BS/UEs supporting the wider NR channel bandwidth for a more efficient use of operator’s available spectrum. The band should be a specified NR band, including SUL and SDL bands.
The introduction of the work item is to address the many E-UTRA re-farmed bands. When the E-UTRA channel bandwidths was specified, it contained E-UTRA channel bandwidths {1.4 MHz, 3 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz} [TS 36.101]. But the NR channel bandwidths supports a wider channel bandwidth framework. This means that existing NR bands may be able to include additional channel bandwidth support, which would allow operators to better utilize their available spectrum.
Operating Bands
FR1 NR operating bands
The FR1 NR is designed to operate in the operating bands that are described in Table 1.2.1-1 taken from the specification [TS 38.101-1]:
|
NR operating band |
Uplink (UL) operating band FUL_low – FUL_high |
Downlink (DL) operating band FDL_low – FDL_high |
Duplex Mode |
|
n1 |
1920 MHz – 1980 MHz |
2110 MHz – 2170 MHz |
FDD |
|
n2 |
1850 MHz – 1910 MHz |
1930 MHz – 1990 MHz |
FDD |
|
n3 |
1710 MHz – 1785 MHz |
1805 MHz – 1880 MHz |
FDD |
|
n5 |
824 MHz – 849 MHz |
869 MHz – 894 MHz |
FDD |
|
n7 |
2500 MHz – 2570 MHz |
2620 MHz – 2690 MHz |
FDD |
|
n8 |
880 MHz – 915 MHz |
925 MHz – 960 MHz |
FDD |
|
n12 |
699 MHz – 716 MHz |
729 MHz – 746 MHz |
FDD |
|
n13 |
777 MHz – 787 MHz |
746 MHz – 756 MHz |
FDD |
|
n14 |
788 MHz – 798 MHz |
758 MHz – 768 MHz |
FDD |
|
n18 |
815 MHz – 830 MHz |
860 MHz – 875 MHz |
FDD |
|
n20 |
832 MHz – 862 MHz |
791 MHz – 821 MHz |
FDD |
|
n2416 |
1626.5 MHz – 1660.5 MHz |
1525 MHz – 1559 MHz |
FDD |
|
n25 |
1850 MHz – 1915 MHz |
1930 MHz – 1995 MHz |
FDD |
|
n26 |
814 MHz – 849 MHz |
859 MHz – 894 MHz |
FDD |
|
n28 |
703 MHz – 748 MHz |
758 MHz – 803 MHz |
FDD |
|
n29 |
N/A |
717 MHz – 728 MHz |
SDL |
|
n303 |
2305 MHz – 2315 MHz |
2350 MHz – 2360 MHz |
FDD |
|
n34 |
2010 MHz – 2025 MHz |
2010 MHz – 2025 MHz |
TDD |
|
n3810 |
2570 MHz – 2620 MHz |
2570 MHz – 2620 MHz |
TDD |
|
n39 |
1880 MHz – 1920 MHz |
1880 MHz – 1920 MHz |
TDD |
|
n40 |
2300 MHz – 2400 MHz |
2300 MHz – 2400 MHz |
TDD |
|
n41 |
2496 MHz – 2690 MHz |
2496 MHz – 2690 MHz |
TDD |
|
n46 |
5150 MHz – 5925 MHz |
5150 MHz – 5925 MHz |
TDD13 |
|
n4711 |
5855 MHz – 5925 MHz |
5855 MHz – 5925 MHz |
TDD |
|
n48 |
3550 MHz – 3700 MHz |
3550 MHz – 3700 MHz |
TDD |
|
n50 |
1432 MHz – 1517 MHz |
1432 MHz – 1517 MHz |
TDD1 |
|
n51 |
1427 MHz – 1432 MHz |
1427 MHz – 1432 MHz |
TDD |
|
n53 |
2483.5 MHz – 2495 MHz |
2483.5 MHz – 2495 MHz |
TDD |
|
n65 |
1920 MHz – 2010 MHz |
2110 MHz – 2200 MHz |
FDD4 |
|
n66 |
1710 MHz – 1780 MHz |
2110 MHz – 2200 MHz |
FDD |
|
n67 |
N/A |
738 MHz – 758 MHz |
SDL |
|
n70 |
1695 MHz – 1710 MHz |
1995 MHz – 2020 MHz |
FDD |
|
n71 |
663 MHz – 698 MHz |
617 MHz – 652 MHz |
FDD |
|
n74 |
1427 MHz – 1470 MHz |
1475 MHz – 1518 MHz |
FDD |
|
n75 |
N/A |
1432 MHz – 1517 MHz |
SDL |
|
n76 |
N/A |
1427 MHz – 1432 MHz |
SDL |
|
n7712 |
3300 MHz – 4200 MHz |
3300 MHz – 4200 MHz |
TDD |
|
n78 |
3300 MHz – 3800 MHz |
3300 MHz – 3800 MHz |
TDD |
|
n7917 |
4400 MHz – 5000 MHz |
4400 MHz – 5000 MHz |
TDD |
|
n80 |
1710 MHz – 1785 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n81 |
880 MHz – 915 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n82 |
832 MHz – 862 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n83 |
703 MHz – 748 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n84 |
1920 MHz – 1980 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n85 |
698 MHz – 716 MHz |
728 MHz – 746 MHz |
FDD |
|
n86 |
1710 MHz – 1780 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n89 |
824 MHz – 849 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n90 |
2496 MHz – 2690 MHz |
2496 MHz – 2690 MHz |
TDD5 |
|
n91 |
832 MHz – 862 MHz |
1427 MHz – 1432 MHz |
FDD9 |
|
n92 |
832 MHz – 862 MHz |
1432 MHz – 1517 MHz |
FDD9 |
|
n93 |
880 MHz – 915 MHz |
1427 MHz – 1432 MHz |
FDD9 |
|
n94 |
880 MHz – 915 MHz |
1432 MHz – 1517 MHz |
FDD9 |
|
n958 |
2010 MHz – 2025 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n9614 |
5925 MHz – 7125 MHz |
5925 MHz – 7125 MHz |
TDD13 |
|
n9715 |
2300 MHz – 2400 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n9815 |
1880 MHz – 1920 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n9916 |
1626.5 MHz – 1660.5 MHz |
N/A |
SUL |
|
n100 |
874.4 MHz – 880 MHz |
919.4 MHz – 925 MHz |
FDD |
|
n101 |
1900 MHz – 1910 MHz |
1900 MHz – 1910 MHz |
TDD |
|
n10214 |
5925 MHz – 6425 MHz |
5925 MHz – 6425 MHz |
TDD13 |
|
n10417,18 |
6425 MHz – 7125 MHz |
6425 MHz – 7125 MHz |
TDD |
FR2 NR operating bands
The FR2 NR is designed to operate in the operating bands that are described in Table 1.2.2-1 taken from the specification [TS 38.101-2]:
|
Operating Band |
Uplink (UL) operating band |
Downlink (DL) operating band |
Duplex Mode |
||||
|
|
FUL_low – FUL_high |
FDL_low – FDL_high |
|
||||
|
n257 |
26500 MHz |
– |
29500 MHz |
26500 MHz |
– |
29500 MHz |
TDD |
|
n258 |
24250 MHz |
– |
27500 MHz |
24250 MHz |
– |
27500 MHz |
TDD |
|
n259 |
39500 MHz |
– |
43500 MHz |
39500 MHz |
– |
43500 MHz |
TDD |
|
n260 |
37000 MHz |
– |
40000 MHz |
37000 MHz |
– |
40000 MHz |
TDD |
|
n261 |
27500 MHz |
– |
28350 MHz |
27500 MHz |
– |
28350 MHz |
TDD |
|
n262 |
47200 MHz |
– |
48200 MHz |
47200 MHz |
– |
48200 MHz |
TDD |
|
n263 |
57000 MHz |
– |
71000 MHz |
57000 MHz |
– |
71000 MHz |
TDD1 |
Channel Bandwidth
The Base Station (BS) channel bandwidth supports a single NR RF carrier in the uplink or downlink at the BS [TS 38.104].
The UE channel bandwidth supports a single NR RF carrier in the uplink or downlink at the UE [TS.38.101-1].
Figure 1.3-1 provides an outlook of the possible channel bandwidths that may be supported:
The generic relationship between the channel bandwidth and the guardband is shown in Figure 1.3-2. There is a minimum guardband requirement for each BS channel bandwidth and subcarrier spacing (SCS) and it is calculated accordingly based on the applicable equation. These calculations for BS channel bandwidths are defined in [TS 38.104]. There is also a minimum guardband requirement for each UE channel bandwidth and SCS and is calculated accordingly based on the applicable equation. These calculations for UE channel bandwidths for FR1 are defined in [TS.38.101-1].
Figure 1.3-2
The NR operating bands selected to support additional channel bandwidths
The Release 17 work item was approved at 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #96 in document RP-221212. The NR operating bands selected from that Release 17 work item to support additional channel bandwidths are provided in Table 1.4-1.
For the case of operating band n41, further analysis was needed to address the BS channel bandwidth of 5 MHz for SCS 15 kHz [TS 38.104]. In the initial analysis concerns were presented that suggested that it may not be feasible. The request to add the additional channel bandwidth for operating band n41 was for the consideration of deployment of it in a small block of licensed spectrum. This required further analysis to determine the impact of adding the 5MHz channel bandwidth for operating band n41. The case of operating band n41 was also applicable to the UE channel bandwidth of 5 MHz for SCS 15 kHz [TS 38.101-1]. After further analysis, it was determined that depending on the licensed block size it was feasture to include the additional of 5 MHz channel bandwidths for operating band n41.
An example showing the addition of 5 MHz BS channel bandwidth addition for operating band n41 is provided in Table 1.4-2. Another example showing the addition of 5 MHz UE channel bandwidth addition for operating band n41 is provided in Table 1.4-3.
For the operating band n41 shown in Table 1.4-2 and Table 1.4-3, the BS channel bandwidths and the UE channel bandwidths {5 MHz, 10 MHz,15 MHz, 20 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 35 MHz, 40 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz} for SCS 15 kHz.
Table 1.4-1
|
Band |
Channel bandwidth and SCS |
Justification |
|
n41 |
70 MHz (30-60kHz SCS) |
The amount of spectrum owned by T-Mobile US varies throughout the US, with 70MHz contiguous in some places. |
|
n48 |
70 MHz – DL only (30-60kHz SCS) |
70MHz has already been added to bands n77 and n78. It would make sense to add it also for n48. |
|
n83 |
30MHz (15-30kHz SCS) |
Both 20MHz and 30MHz have been added for band n28, which has the same UL frequency with n83. |
|
n84 |
25MHz, 30MHz, 40MHz, 50MHz All SCS-s |
All listed bandwidths have been added for band n1, which has the same UL frequency with n84. |
|
n80 |
40 MHz All SCS |
40MHz channel bandwidth has been added in Rel-16 for n3, which has the same UL frequency with n80. |
|
n83 |
40 MHz for BS (15-30kHz SCS) |
40MHz BS channel bandwidth has been added in Rel-16 for n28, which has the same UL frequency with n80. |
|
n40 |
90 and 100 MHz for UE 90 MHz for BS (30-60kHz SCS) |
100MHz bandwidth is already supported by the BS on band n40. To fully utilize the bandwidth of n40, 90 and 100MHz UE channel bandwidth are proposed to be added as optional support. |
|
n48 |
30MHz (15-30-60kHz) |
Operators own 3 PAL licenses (30MHz) in many locations as a result in recent CBRS auction in the US. Currently 10/20/40MHz can all be supported using single CC. Adding 30MHz channel bandwidth would allow using up to 4 adjacent licenses without Intra-band CA |
|
n2 |
25MHz, 30MHz, 40MHz (All SCS) |
This amount of spectrum is available to AT&T in key markets in the US. In order to fully utilize the bandwidth of n2, it is proposed to introduce 25MHz, 30MHz, and 40MHz UE/BS RF channel BWs for n2 into specification. Adding the additional channel bandwidths allow for flexibility to optimize channel allocation in particular markets without Intra-band CA given that the available bandwidth varies across markets. |
|
n5 |
25MHz (All SCS) |
This amount of spectrum is available to AT&T in key markets in the US. In order to fully utilize the bandwidth of n5, it is proposed to introduce 25MHz UE/BS RF channel BW for n2 into specification. Adding the additional channel bandwidths allow for flexibility to optimize channel allocation in particular markets without Intra-band CA given that the available bandwidth varies across markets. |
|
n3 |
50 MHz (15-30-60kHz) |
Band n3 might be deployed in China by co-construction and sharing business mode. To further improve the efficiency of Band n3 utilization, it is proposed to add 50MHz channel bandwidth for Band n3. |
|
n71 |
25, 30 MHz (15-30 kHz) |
35 MHz is being added to n71 in the 35 and 45 MHz WI. 25 and 30 MHz should also be added for use where operators have more than 20 but less than 35 MHz of n71 |
|
n46 |
100MHz (30-60 kHz) |
100MHz bandwidth is added to improve shared spectrum throughput and utilization |
|
n96 |
100MHz (30-60 kHz) |
100MHz bandwidth is added to improve shared spectrum throughput and utilization |
|
n102 |
100MHz (30-60 kHz) |
100MHz bandwidth is added to improve shared spectrum throughput and utilization |
|
n40 |
70 MHz (30-60kHz SCS) |
60 and 80 MHz bandwidths are already supported on band n40. To fully utilize the bandwidth of n40, 70MHz channel bandwidth are proposed to be added. |
|
n97 |
70, 90 and 100 MHz for UE 70 and 90 MHz for BS (30-60kHz SCS) |
90 and 100 MHz channel bandwidths have been added for n40, which has the same UL frequency with n97. In addition, 70 MHz channel bandwidth are also proposed to be added for n40. |
|
n79 |
10, 20, 30 MHz (15-30-60 kHz), 70, 90 MHz (30-60 kHz) |
This band is one of the important 5G bands in Korea which is announced for local 5G uses recently. In order to fully utilize the possible channel bandwidth of the national spectrum plan on n79, i.e., 10MHz block, it is proposed to introduce 10, 20, 30MHz, and 70, 90MHz which are not specified for n79 currently. |
|
n41, n90 |
25, 35 and 45 MHz for UE and BS (15-30-60kHz) |
The amount of spectrum licensed by T-Mobile USA varies throughout the country, with 25, 35 and 45 MHz contiguous blocks in some places. |
|
n28 |
25MHz for both BS and UE (15-30kHz SCS) |
20 and 30 MHz bandwidths are already supported on band n28. To fully utilize the bandwidth of n28, 25MHz channel bandwidth are proposed to be added. |
|
n83 |
25MHz for BS and UE (15-30kHz SCS) |
20 and 30 MHz bandwidths are already supported on band n83. To fully utilize the bandwidth of n83, 25MHz channel bandwidth are proposed to be added. |
|
n90 |
5 MHz for both BS and UE (15 kHz SCS) |
To fully utilize the licensed bandwidth of n90, 5 MHz channel bandwidth is proposed to be added. |
|
n26 |
25, 30MHz for both BS and UE (15, 30 kHz SCS for 25, 30 MHz) |
To fully utilize the licensed bandwidth of n26, 25 and 30 MHz channel bandwidth are proposed to be added. |
Table 1.4-2
|
NR Band |
SCS (kHz) |
BS channel bandwidth (MHz) |
||||||||||||||
|
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||
|
15 |
54 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
||||||||
|
n40 |
30 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
|||
|
60 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||||
|
15 |
58 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
||||||
|
n41 |
30 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
|
|
60 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||
Table 1.4-3
|
NR Band |
SCS (kHz) |
UE Channel bandwidth (MHz) |
||||||||||||||
|
5 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
35 |
40 |
45 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||
|
n40 |
15 |
55 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
|||||||
|
30 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||||
|
60 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
40 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||||
|
n41 |
15 |
54,11 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
254 |
30 |
354 |
40 |
454 |
50 |
|||||
|
30 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
254 |
30 |
354 |
40 |
454 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||
|
60 |
10 |
15 |
20 |
254 |
30 |
354 |
40 |
454 |
50 |
60 |
70 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
||
Conclusion
The Release 18 work item was approved at 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #97e in document RP-222629. Currently, one NR band was identified for analysis for supporting additional channel bandwidths The NR band is provided in Table 1.5-1.
|
NR Band |
Channel bandwidth and SCS |
Justification |
|
n8 |
25 MHz for both BS and UE (15 kHz SCS for 25 MHz) |
To fully utilize the licensed bandwidth of some operators on n8, 25MHz channel bandwidth are proposed to be added. |
|
880092 |
Adding channel bandwidth support to existing NR bands |
NR_bands_R17_BWs |
The following requirements were introduced as part of the Work Item:
- Channel bandwidth objectives: Many of the E-UTRA bands that were re-farmed specified E-UTRA channel bandwidth (5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz) To define additional channel bandwdiths for each considered FR1 and FR2 bands. The FR1 channel bandwidths consist of: {5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 25 MHz, 30 MHz, 35 MHz, 40 MHz, 45 MHz, 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 70 MHz, 80 MHz, 90 MHz, 100 MHz} and the FR2 channel bandwidth consist of: {50 MHz, 100 MHz, 200 MHz, 400 MHz}.
- NR band objectives: Channel bandwidth in existing NR band. The band should be a specified NR band, including SUL and SDL bands.
The latest Status report for the Work Item (RP-221213) reported on agreements approved at 3GPP TSG RAN meeting #96 (June 06-09, 2022), on detailed work from RAN4 Working Group.
- See a list of related CRs: select "TSG Status = Approved" in: https://portal.3gpp.org/ChangeRequests.aspx?q=1&workitem=880092,880192
Acronyms:
BW : Bandwidth
BWP : Bandwidth Part
BWChannel : Channel bandwidth
BWChannel_CA : Aggregated channel bandwidth, expressed in MHz
BWChannel,max : Maximum channel bandwidth supported among all bands in a release
BWDL : Channel bandwidth for DL
BWUL : Channel bandwidth for UL
CA : Carrier Aggregation
CC : Component Carriers
FR : Frequency Range
RF : Radio Frequency
SCS : Subcarrier spacing
SDL : Supplementary Downlink
SUL : Supplementary uplink
3GPP Work Plan:
See a listing of all work & study items here: https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Information/WORK_PLAN/ and search for ‘NR_bands_R17_BWs’ in the acronym field of the Excel sheet there.
The text above is largely taken from the Release 17 description document TR21.917 (clause 16), which is a summary based on RP-221054 (NR_bands_R17_BWs).
Working Groups:
RAN4, RAN1
3GPP Release:
Rel-19
Rel-18
Rel-17
See also:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be aware that these pages are a snapshot of the work going on in 3GPP. The full picture of all work is contained in the Work Plan (https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Information/WORK_PLAN/)
Updated: 26/7/2022
Technology
