LTE_ACLR

Measuring ACLR Performance in LTE Transmitters

Application Note

Introduction

As wireless service providers push for more bandwidth to deliver IP services to more users, LTE has

emerged as a next-generation cellular technology with great potential to enhance current deployments of 3GPP networks and to enable signiicant new service opportunities. However, LTE’s complex, evolved archi-tecture introduces new challenges in designing and testing network and user equipment. The commercial success of LTE will depend in part on the ability of all devices to work as speciied. One of the particular challenges at the air interface will be power management during signal transmission.

In a digital communication system such as LTE, the power that leaks from a transmitted signal into adjacent channels can interfere with transmissions in the neighboring channels and impair system performance. The adjacent channel leakage-power ratio (ACLR) test veriies that system transmitters are performing within speciied limits. This critical yet complex transmitter test can be made quickly and accurately using modern signal analyzers such as the Keysight Technologies, Inc. X-Series (PXA/MXA/EXA) signal analyzers with LTE measurement software and signal generators such as the Keysight MXG signal generator with LTE signal creation software.

Challenges of LTE transmitter design

LTE product development is underway, and RF engineers are tackling the many design and measurement challenges this complex technology presents. LTE requires support for six channel bandwidths (from 1.4 to 20 MHz), different transmission schemes for the downlink and the uplink (OFDMA and SC-FDMA), two transmission modes (FDD and TDD), and multiple antenna techniques (MIMO spatial multiplexing, diversity, beamsteering). As a result of LTE’s lexible transmission schemes, the physical channel coniguration has a large impact on RF performance—much greater than in current CDMA-based systems. With performance targets set exceptionally high for LTE, engineers have to make careful design tradeoffs to cover each criti-cal part of the radio transmitter chain.

One important aspect of transmitter design is the need to minimize unwanted emissions. Because LTE will be deployed in the same frequency bands as W-CDMA and other legacy cellular technologies, the 3GPP speciications regulate emissions to minimize interference and ensure compatibility between the different radio systems. The primary concern is control of spurious emissions, which can occur at any frequency. In this respect LTE is similar to other radio systems. However, new challenges arise at the band edges, where the transmitted signal must comply with rigorous power leakage requirements. With LTE supporting chan-nel bandwidths up to 20 MHz, and with many bands too narrow to support more than a few channels, a large proportion of the LTE channels will be at the edge of the band.

Controlling transmitter performance at the edge of the band requires a design with iltering to attenuate out-of-band emissions without affecting in-channel performance. Factors such as cost, power eficiencies, physical size, and location in the transmitter block diagram are also important considerations. Ultimately the LTE transmitter must meet all speciied limits for unwanted emissions, including limits on the amount of power that leaks into adjacent channels, as deined by ACLR.

ACLR test requirements

ACLR is a key transmitter characteristic included in the LTE RF transmitter conformance tests (Table 1). These tests verify that minimum requirements are being met in the base station (eNB) and user equipment (UE). Most of the LTE conformance tests for out-of-band emissions are similar in scope and purpose to those for W-CDMA and should look familiar. However, while W-CDMA speci-fies a root-raised cosine (RRC) filter for making transmitter measurements, no equivalent filter is defined for LTE. Thus different filter implementations can be used for LTE transmitter testing to optimize either in-channel performance, resulting in improved error vector magnitude, or out-of-channel performance, resulting in better adjacent channel power characteristics.

Table 1. Conformance tests for RF transmitters (from 3GPP TS 36.141 [1] and 36.521-1 [2])

Base station RF transmitter characteristics tests36.141 subclause6.26.3.16.3.26.4.16.4.26.5.16.5.26.5.36.5.46.6.16.6.26.6.36.6.46.7Test caseBase station output powerResource element (RE) power control dynamic rangeTotal power dynamic rangeTransmitter OFF powerTransmitter transient periodFrequency errorError vector magnitude (EVM)Time alignment between transmitter branchesDownlink reference signal powerOccupied bandwidthAdjacent channel leakage power ratio (ACLR)Operating band unwanted emissionsTransmitter spurious emissionsTransmitter intermodulationUE transmitter test cases36.521-1 subclause6.2.26.2.36.2.46.2.56.3.26.3.36.3.4.16.3.4.26.3.5.16.3.5.26.3.5.36.5.16.5.2.16.5.2.26.5.2.36.5.2.46.6.16.6.2.16.6.2.26.6.2.36.6.3.16.6.3.26.6.3.36.7Test caseUE maximum output powerMaximum power reduction (MPR)Additional maximum power reduction (A-MPR)Configured UE transmitted output powerMinimum output powerTransmit OFF powerGeneral ON/OFF time maskPRACH and SRS time maskPower control absolute power tolerancePower control relative power toleranceAggregate power control toleranceFrequency errorError vector magnitude (EVM)IQ-componentIn-band emissions for non-allocated RBSpectrum flatnessOccupied bandwidthSpectrum emission maskAdditional spectrum emission maskAdjacent channel leakage power ratio (ACLR)Transmitter spurious emissionsSpurious emission band UE co-existenceAdditional spurious emissionsTransmitter intermodulationGiven the extensive number of complex transmitter configurations that can be used to test transmitter performance, LTE specifies a series of downlink signal configurations known as E-UTRA test models (E-TM) for testing the eNB. These test models are grouped into three classes: E-TM1, E-TM2, and E-TM3. The first and third classes are further subdivided into E-TM1.1, E-TM1.2, E-TM3.1, E-TM3.2, and E-TM3.3 (Table 2). Note that the “E” in E-UTRA stands for “enhanced” and designates LTE UMTS terrestrial radio access, whereas UTRA without the “E” refers to W-CDMA.

3

ACLR test requirements

(continued)

Figure 1. Measurement filters for

ACLR measurements

For UE testing, transmitter tests are carried out using the reference measurement channels (RMC) specified for eNB receiver testing. The ACLR requirement for the UE is not as stringent as it is for the eNB, so our focus will be on the latter.

Table 2. E-UTRA test models (from 3GPP TS 36.141 [1])E-TMNotesTest caseOutput power, occupied bandwidth, ACLR, operating band unwanted emissions, E-TM1.1Maximum power teststransmitter spurious emissions, transmitter intermodulation, reference signal absolute accuracyE-TM1.2Includes power boosting and de-boostingACLR, operating band unwanted emissionsTotal power dynamic range (lower OFDM E-TM2Minimum power testssymbol power limit at min power, EVM of single QAM PRB allocation (at min power), frequency error (at min power)Total power dynamic range (upper OFDM E-TM3.1Power testssymbol power limit at max power with all QAM PRBs allocated), frequency error, EVM for QAM (at max power)E-TM3.2Includes power boosting and de-boostingFrequency error, EVM for 16QAME-TM3.3Includes power boosting and de-boostingFrequency error, EVM for QPSKThe 3GPP specifications for LTE define ACLR as the ratio of the filtered mean power centered on the assigned channel frequency to the filtered mean power centered on an adjacent channel frequency. Minimum ACLR conformance requirements for the eNB are given for two scenarios: for adjacent E-UTRA (LTE) channel carriers of the same bandwidth, E-UTRAACLR1, and for the UTRA (W-CDMA) adjacent and alternate channel carriers, UTRAACLR1 and UTRAACLR2, respectively.

Different limits and measurement filters are specified for E-UTRA and UTRA adja-cent channels, and are provided for both paired spectrum (FDD) operation and unpaired spectrum (TDD) operation. The E-UTRA channels are measured using a square measurement filter, while UTRA channels are measured using an RRC filter with a roll-off factor of = 0.22 and a bandwidth equal to the chip rate, which is 3.84 MHz in the example of paired spectrum operation shown in Figure 1.

ACLR limits defined

for adjacent E-UTRA carriers

ACLR limits defined

for adjacent UTRA carriers

4

ACLR test requirements

(continued)

Setting up the ACLR test

ACLR test requirements for the eNB including paired and unpaired spectrum operation are summarized in Table 3. As of the September 2009 specification release, the ACLR test cases for the UE were not fully complete. However, the UE test procedure is essentially the same as that used for the base station.

Table 3. ACLR base station conformance test requirements (from 3GPP TS 36.141 6.2 [1]). Note that the specification defines the minimum requirement plus the test tolerance (TT)).Spectrum Bands Adjacent Carrier Limits (Min req + TT) * Paired 44.2 dB or -13 dBm/MHz Spectrum Category A E-UTRA UTRA 44.2 dB or -13 dBm/MHz Paired E-UTRA 44.2 dB or -15 dBm/MHz SpectrumCategory B

UTRA 44.2 dB or -15 dBm/MHz E-UTRA (LTE)

44.2 dB or -13 dBm/MHz Unpaired 44.2 dB or -13 dBm/MHz spectrum

Category A

1.28 Mcps UTRA 3.84 Mcps UTRA 44.2 dB or -13 dBm/MHz 7.82 Mcps UTRA 44.2 dB or -13 dBm/MHz E-UTRA (LTE)

44.2 dB or -15 dBm/MHz Unpaired 1.28 Mcps UTRA 44.2 dB or -15 dBm/MHz spectrum

Category B

3.84 Mcps UTRA 44.2 dB or -15 dBm/MHz 7.82 Mcps UTRA

44.2 dB or -15 dBm/MHz

* Relative limits are 44.2 dB = 45 dB min requirement + 0.8 dB TT. Both Absolute and Relative limits are provided. Whichever is less stringent is to be used for the conformance requirement.

Sophisticated signal evaluation tools are available for making complex LTE measure-ments quickly and accurately. Power measurements including ACLR generally are made using a spectrum or signal analyzer, and the required test signals are built using a signal generator. In the following examples, Keysight’s PC-based Signal Studio application connected to an MXG signal generator is used to build the standards-compliant E-TM signal required for transmitter testing. The output signal is connected to the RF input of an Keysight X-Series signal analyzer running N9080A LTE measure-ment application, which is used for signal analysis. This equipment setup follows the simple block diagram provided in the 3GPP LTE specifications (Figure 2). Although the measurement process described here is for FDD operation, the process for TDD operation is similar.

BS under MeasurementTX testTXequipmentFigure 2. Measurement equipment setup (3GPP TS 36.141 [1] Annex I, Figure I.1-1)

According to the specifications, the carrier frequency must be set within a frequency band supported by the base station under test, and ACLR must be measured for frequency offsets on both sides of the channel frequency, as specified for paired or unpaired spectrum operation (Table 3). The test is performed first using a transmitted signal of type E-TM1.1, in which all of the PDSCH resource blocks have the same power, and then again using E-TM1.2, in which power boosting and deboosting are used. The E-TM1.2 configuration is useful because it simulates multiple users whose devices are operating at different power levels. This scenario results in a higher crest factor, which makes it more difficult to amplify the signal without creating additional, unwanted spectral content—i.e., ACLR.

5

Setting up the ACLR test

(continued)

In this ACLR measurement example, Signal Studio is set up to generate a standards-compliant E-TM1.2 test signal. The frequency is set to 2.11 GHz, a frequency that is in several of the major downlink operating bands specified for LTE. The output signal amplitude—an important consideration in determining ACLR performance—is set to -10 dBm. A 5 MHz channel bandwidth is selected from the range that extends from 1.4 to 20 MHz.

Figure 3 shows the eNB setup with Transport Channel selected. A graph of the resource allocation blocks for the test signal appears at the bottom. The Y axis indicates frequency or resource blocks, while the X axis indicates slots or time. The different colors correspond to different channels, with the white areas

representing Channel 1 and the pink areas Channel 2. Both are downlink shared channels, of interest in this measurement. The other colors represent synchroni-zation channels, reference signals, etc.

Figure 3. Resource allocation blocks (at bottom) for E-TM1.2 test signal

Selecting Channel 1 shows the output power level to be at -4.3 dB, so the channel power has been deboosted. The output power of Channel 2 has been boosted and is set at 3 dB (Figure 4). A complex array of power boosting and deboosting options can be set for the different resource blocks from resource block allocation graph. The resulting composite signal will have a higher peak-to-average ratio than a single channel in which all blocks are at the same power level. Amplifying a boosted signal such as this can be difficult, as noted earlier. Without sufficient back-off in the power amplifier, clipping may result.

Figure 4. Boosted output power in Channel 2

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Setting up the ACLR test

(continued)

The test signal is now generated using the Signal Studio software. Because Signal Studio is PC-based, it can be run from the PC-based X-Series signal ana-lyzer. The waveform in this case is created on the desktop of the signal analyzer and then downloaded to the signal generator via LAN or GPIB. The RF output of the signal generator is connected to the RF input of the signal analyzer, where the ACLR performance is measured using swept spectrum analysis. In this example, the signal analyzer is in LTE mode with a center frequency of 2.11 GHz and the ACP measurement selected. At this point it is possible to make a quick, one-button ACLR measurement according to the LTE standard by recalling the appropriate parameters and test limits from a list of available choices in the LTE application. These choices include options for paired and unpaired spectrum, Category A or Category B limits (as defined in ITU-R SM.329), and type of carrier in the adjacent and alternate channels—E-UTRA (LTE), UTRA (W-CDMA), or TD-SCDMA.

Recall that for FDD operation, LTE defines two different methods of making ACLR measurements. In Figure 5, the upper graph shows the case in which E-UTRA (LTE) is used at the center and offset frequencies. The lower graph shows LTE at the center frequency and UTRA (W-CDMA) at the adjacent and alternate offsets.

Figure 5. Two specified methods of ACLR measurement

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Setting up the ACLR test

(continued)

Optimizing the analyzer settings

In Figure 6 the measurement result shows the E-UTRA adjacent and alternate offset channels. For this measurement a 5 MHz carrier is selected; however, the measure-ment noise bandwidth is 4.515 MHz, because the downlink contains 301 subcarriers. The first offset (A) is at 5 MHz, with an integration bandwidth of 4.515 MHz. The second offset (B) is at 10 MHz with the same integration bandwidth.

Figure 6. ACLR measurement result using Keysight X-Series analyzer before optimization

This one-button measurement gives a very quick, usable ACLR measurement according to the LTE standard. While the result in Figure 6 of about -62 dBc is good, the analyzer settings can be optimized to get even better performance. Four ways to further improve the measurement results are (1) optimize the signal level at the mixer; (2) change the resolution bandwidth filter; (3) turn on noise correction; and (4) use a different measurement methodology called filtered integration bandwidth.

To optimize the signal level at the input mixer, the attenuator is adjusted for minimal clipping. The X-Series signal analyzer will automatically select an attenuation value based on the current measured signal value. This automated technique provides a good starting point for achieving optimal measurement range. Signal analyzers such as the X-Series, which have both electronic and mechanical attenuators, can use the two in combination to optimize performance. In such cases the mechanical attenuator can be adjusted slightly to get even better results of about 1 or 2 dB.

Next the resolution bandwidth can be lowered by pressing the bandwidth filter key. Note that sweep time increases as the resolution bandwidth is lowered. For example, with the MXA signal analyzer, sweep time at 30 kHz is 676.3 ms. At a lower 10 kHz RBW, the sweep time is about 6 seconds. The slower sweep time reduces variance in the measurement, but reduces measurement speed.Another step is to turn on noise correction. The analyzer then takes one sweep to measure its internal noise floor at the current center frequency, and in subse-quent sweeps subtracts that internal noise floor from the measurement result. This technique substantially improves ACLR, in some cases by up to 5 dB.

8

Optimizing the analyzer settings

(continued)

Conclusion

Changing the measurement method is a fourth way to optimize the analyzer. In this case the default measurement method (integration bandwidth or IBW) is changed to the filtered IBW method. Filtered IBW uses a sharp, steep cutoff filter. This technique does degrade the absolute accuracy of the power measurement result, but it does not degrade the relative power accuracy, and ACLR is a relative power measurement. Therefore, filtered IBW does not degrade the ACLR result. Using these techniques in combination, an Keysight’s X-series analyzer can optimize the ACLR measurement automatically for performance versus speed via the analyzer’s embedded LTE application. The result for a typical ACLR mea-surement is improved by up to 10 dB or more. Figure 7 shows an 11 dB ACLR improvement after optimization (compared to Figure 6) using the embedded LTE application. For measurement scenarios requiring the maximum performance, the analyzer settings can be further adjusted.

Figure 7. ACLR measurement result using Keysight X-series analyzer after optimization

Standards-compliant spectrum measurements such as ACLR are invaluable for RF engineers developing the next generation radio systems. With LTE, however, these measurements are complicated by factors such as variations in the band-width of adjacent channels, choice of transmission filter, and interaction of RF variables between channels of different bandwidth and different susceptibility to interference. A practical solution is to use a spectrum or signal analyzer with a standards-specific measurement application. This combination can reduce error in complex measurements, automatically configuring limit tables and specified test setups and ensuring measurement repeatability.

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3GPP ACLR A-MPR CDMA eNB E-TM E-UTRA

EVM FDD GPIB IBW LAN LTE MPR

MIMO OFDMA PRACH QAM QPSK

RB RBW RE RF RRC SC-FDMA

SRS TDD TD-SCDMA UE

UMTS UTRA W-CDMA

3rd Generation Partnership ProjectAdjacent channel leakage-power ratioAdditional maximum power reductionCode division multiple accessEvolved node BE-UTRA test model

Evolved universal terrestrial radio accessError vector magnitudeFrequency division duplexGeneral purpose interface busIntegration bandwidthLocal area networkLong term evolutionMaximum power reductionMultiple input multiple output

Orthogonal frequency division multiple accessPhysical random access channelQuadrature amplitude modulationQuadrature phase-shift keyingResource blockResolution bandwidthResource elementRadio frequencyRoot-raised cosine

Single carrier frequency division multiple accessSounding reference signalTime division duplex

Time domain synchronous code division multiple accessUser equipment

Universal mobile telecommunications systemUniversal terrestrial radio accessWideband code division multiple access

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Acronyms

References

[1] 3GPP TS 36.141 V8.4.0 (2009-09) Base Station (BS) Conformance Testing[2] 3GPP TS 36.521-1 V8.3.1 (2009-09) User Equipment (UE) Conformance Specification; Radio Transmission and Reception Part 1: Conformance Testing

More Information

For more information about the 3GPP, visit the 3GPP home page http://www.3gpp.org/

3GPP specifications home page

http://www.3gpp.org/specs/specs.htm 3GPP Series 36 (LTE) specifications

http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/archive/36_series

For more information about Keysight design and test products for LTE visit http://www.keysight.com/find/lte

Keysight LTE application notes and technical overviews:

3GPP Long Term Evolution: System Overview, Product Development, and Test Challenges: 59-8139ENLTE Component Test: 5990-5149EN

MIMO in LTE Operation and Measurement—Excerpts on LTE Test: 5990-4760ENMIMO Performance and Condition Number in LTE Test: 5990-4759EN

N9080A & N9082A LTE Modulation Analysis Measurement Application Technical Overview: 59-6537EN

Learn more about LTE and its measurements in the new book written by 30 LTE experts:

LTE and the Evolution to 4G Wireless Design and Measurement Challenges

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