WCDMA / HSPA / HSPA+

WCDMA / HSPA / HSPA+Technology Overview

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) networks based on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) have been deployed worldwide as 3rd generation mobile communications systems. UMTS provides a clear evolution path to high speed packet access (HSPA). HSPA refers to the combination of high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) and high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA). HSDPA allows data rates up to 14 Mbit/s in the downlink. HSUPA makes uplink data rates of 5.76 Mbit/s possible. HSPA also boosts capacity in UMTS networks and provides significant latency reductions.

In order to exploit the full potential of WCDMA 5 MHz operation, the performance of HSPA based radio networks will be further enhanced in terms of spectrum efficiency, peak data rate, and latency. HSPA+ includes downlink MIMO operation, higher-order modulation (downlink 64QAM, uplink 16QAM), and protocol improvements specifically allowing a high number of “always on” users to be supported in the network. Peak data rates reach approximately 28 Mbit/s in the downlink and 11 Mbit/s in the uplink with round-trip times below 50 ms.

Rohde & Schwarz provides a complete product portfolio for W-CDMA/HSPA: digital standards on general-purpose equipment such as the R&S®SMU and the R&S®FSQ; dedicated communications testers, e.g. the R&S®CMU200/300; protocol testers such as the R&S®CRTU-W; and complete conformance test systems, e.g. the R&S®TS8950W. Specifically, we are closely working with our customers to implement the latest developments such as HSPA+ in accordance with their individual needs.

Deployment Scenario

The advantage of HSPA and HSPA+ is their excellent integration into the UMTS architecture. HSPA and HSPA+ also operate on the existing UMTS frequency bands. Eighty percent of UMTS networks worldwide also support HSDPA whereas HSUPA is currently in its deployment phase. The combination of HSDPA/HSUPA and HSPA+ in future will benefit all applications in which large volumes of data are transmitted in both link directions. Moreover, UMTS provides highly efficient support for CS voice services.

Key Parameters

WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+
Frequency Range Show / Hide
I)
UL: 1920 MHz - 1980 MHz
DL: 2110 MHz - 2170 MHz
II)
UL: 1850 MHz - 1910 MHz
DL: 1930 MHz - 1990 MHz
III)
UL: 1710 MHz - 1785 MHz
DL: 1805 MHz - 1880 MHz
IV)
UL: 1710 MHz - 1755 MHz
DL: 2110 MHz - 2155 MHz
V)
UL: 824 MHz - 849 MHz
DL: 869 MHz - 894 MHz
VI)
UL: 830 MHz - 840 MHz
DL: 875 MHz - 885 MHz
VII)
UL: 2500 MHz - 2570 MHz
DL: 2620 MHz - 2690 MHz
VIII)
UL: 880 MHz - 915 MHz
DL: 925 MHz - 960 MHz
IX)
UL: 1749.9 MHz - 1784.9 MHz
DL: 1844.9 MHz - 1879.9 MHz
X)
UL: 1710 MHz - 1770 MHz
DL: 2110 MHz - 2170 MHz
Modulation UL: Dual BPSK, 16QAM (HSPA+)
DL: QPSK, 16QAM (HSDPA), 64QAM (HSPA+)
Multiple Access WCDMA
Duplex (Uplink/Downlink) FDD
Channel Bandwidth 5 MHz
Peak Data Rate 2 Mbit/s
14 Mbit/s (DL, HSDPA)
28 Mbit/s (DL, HSPA+)
5.76 Mbit/s (UL, HSUPA)
11 Mbit/s (UL, HSPA+)

Standardization

UMTS WCDMA/HSPA/HSPA+ is being specified in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). 3GPP release 99 contains the first WCDMA specifications. HSDPA and HSUPA have been introduced in 3GPP release 5 and 3GPP release 6, respectively. HSPA+ forms part of 3GPP release 7. The following link provides access to 3GPP specifications: http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/