Here’s a question for LTE Radio designers both on the network and the terminal side that I can’t find a good answer for in the documents I have read on LTE so far: In the 3GPP E-UTRAN standards documents, both Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) is defined. It is often said that the implementation of the two different modes is very similar. Other sources point out that LTE will first be deployed in bands assigned for use with FDD. So I wonder if TDD will have a similar fate as UMTS TDD, which was specified, but never used on a large scale!? From my point of view, LTE TDD will only get a real chance if it is part of the first release of base stations and terminals. So here is my question: Does anyone know if TDD mode is part of mobile devices from day 1 and if so which market TDD mode addresses?
One thought on “A TDD/FDD Question for LTE Radio Designers”
Comments are closed.
I believe the TDD mode will have two main target markets.
1 China, the LTE TDD mode will be based on the TD-SCDMA. The Chinese will hopefully not make the same mistake with LTE as they did with 3G. The TD-SCDMA networks are still not commercial.
2. Compete with WiMAX for companies that does not have that in their portfolio.
Ericsson has announced that their LTE demonstrator base station is TDD and FDD capable. On the mobile side… I doubt that it will be in the first release .