This carrier aggregation function uses multiple frequencies in one band to increase both the peak and average data speeds, reaching the 3GPP standards of 300 Mbps for downloads while targeting future speeds of 1 Gbps.
The recent explosive increase in mobile data transmissions, such as video streaming, is driving an urgent need to secure wider data bandwidths. The narrow frequency bands currently used for mobile communications are inadequate for streaming large volumes of data like video to many users, and mobile carriers are deploying carrier aggregation as one technology for solving their capacity problems. Network Operators offering LTE services worldwide are now planning carrier aggregation rollout with the first North American services scheduled sometime this year. Development of commercial mobiles requires deployment of PTCRB and GCF approved tests systems for assuring objective RF and Protocol Conformance Tests meeting the 3GPP standards for terminal quality.
With this new world-first PTCRB carrier aggregation test case approval, Anritsu’s market-leading ME7873L RF Conformance Test System expands their GCF/PTCRB-approved support for LTE into the LTE-Advanced test market. Anritsu’s future plans include expansion of the number of GCF/PTCRB test case validations for LTE terminals supporting carrier aggregation.