LTE FDD, TDD, TD-LTE Duplex Schemes

LTE has been defined to accommodate both paired spectrum for Frequency Division Duplex, FDD and unpaired spectrum for Time
Division Duplex, TDD operation. It is anticipated that both LTE TDD and LTE FDD will be widely deployed as each form of the LTE
standard has its own advantages and disadvantages and decisions can be made about which format to adopt dependent upon the
particular application.
LTE FDD using the paired spectrum is anticipated to form the migration path for the current 3G services being used around the
globe, most of which use FDD paired spectrum. However there has been an additional emphasis on including TDD LTE using
unpaired spectrum. TDD LTE which is also known as TD-LTE is seen as providing the evolution or upgrade path for TD-SCDMA.
In view of the increased level of importance being placed upon LTE TDD or TD-LTE, it is planned that user equipments will be
designed to accommodate both FDD and TDD modes. With TDD having an increased level of importance placed upon it, it means
that TDD operations will be able to benefit from the economies of scale that were previously only open to FDD operations.

Duplex schemes
It is essential that any cellular communications system must be able to transmit in both directions simultaneously. This enables
conversations to be made, with either end being able to talk and listen as required. Additionally when exchanging data it is
necessary to be able to undertake virtually simultaneous or completely simultaneous communications in both directions.
It is necessary to be able to specify the different direction of transmission so that it is possible to easily identify in which direction the
transmission is being made. There are a variety of differences between the two links ranging from the amount of data carried to the
transmission format, and the channels implemented. The two links are defined:

Uplink: the transmission from the UE or user equipment to the eNodeB or base station.

Downlink the transmission from the eNodeB or base station to the UE or user equipment.

Uplink and downlink transmission directions

In order to be able to be able to transmit in both directions, a user equipment or base station must have a duplex scheme. There are
two forms of duplex that are commonly used, namely FDD, frequency division duplex and TDD time division duplex..

Note on TDD and FDD duplex schemes:

In order for radio communications systems to be able to communicate in both directions it is necessary to have what is termed a duplex scheme. A
duplex scheme provides a way of organizing the transmitter and receiver so that they can transmit and receive. There are several methods that can be
adopted. For applications including wireless and cellular telecommunications, where it is required that the transmitter and receiver are able to operate
simultaneously, two schemes are in use. One known as FDD or frequency division duplex uses two channels, one for transmit and the other for
receiver. Another scheme known as TDD, time division duplex uses one frequency, but allocates different time slots for transmission and reception.

Click on the link for more information on TDD FDD duplex schemes

Both FDD and TDD have their own advantages and disadvantages. Accordingly they may be used for different applications, or
where the bias of the communications is different.

Advantages / disadvantages of LTE TDD and LTE FDD for cellular

communications
There are a number of the advantages and disadvantages of TDD and FDD that are of particular interest to mobile or cellular
telecommunications operators. These are naturally reflected into LTE.
COMPARISON OF TDD LTE AND FDD LTE DUPLEX FORMATS
PARAMETER

LTE-TDD

LTE-FDD

Paired spectrum

Does not require paired spectrum as both transmit

and receive occur on the same channel

Requires paired spectrum with sufficient frequency

separation to allow simultaneous transmission and
reception

Hardware cost

Lower cost as no diplexer is needed to isolate the

transmitter and receiver. As cost of the UEs is of
major importance because of the vast numbers that
are produced, this is a key aspect.

Diplexer is needed and cost is higher.

Channel
reciprocity

Channel propagation is the same in both directions

which enables transmit and receive to use on set of
parameters

Channel characteristics different in both directions as a

result of the use of different frequencies

UL / DL
asymmetry

It is possible to dynamically change the UL and DL

capacity ratio to match demand

UL / DL capacity determined by frequency allocation set

out by the regulatory authorities. It is therefore not
possible to make dynamic changes to match capacity.
Regulatory changes would normally be required and
capacity is normally allocated so that it is the same in
either direction.

Guard period /
guard band

Guard period required to ensure uplink and downlink

transmissions do not clash. Large guard period will
limit capacity. Larger guard period normally required
if distances are increased to accommodate larger
propagation times.

Guard band required to provide sufficient isolation

between uplink and downlink. Large guard band does not
impact capacity.

Discontinuous
transmission

Discontinuous transmission is required to allow both

uplink and downlink transmissions. This can
degrade the performance of the RF power amplifier
in the transmitter.

Continuous transmission is required.

Cross slot
interference

Base stations need to be synchronized with respect

to the uplink and downlink transmission times. If
neighboring base stations use different uplink and
downlink assignments and share the same channel,
then interference may occur between cells.

Not applicable

LTE TDD / TD-LTE and TD-SCDMA

Apart from the technical reasons and advantages for using LTE TDD / TD-LTE, there are market drivers as well. With TD-SCDMA
now well established in China, there needs to be a 3.9G and later a 4G successor to the technology. With unpaired spectrum
allocated for TD-SCDMA as well as UMTS TDD, it is natural to see many operators wanting an upgrade path for their technologies
to benefit from the vastly increased speeds and improved facilities of LTE. Accordingly there is a considerable interest in the
development of LTE TDD, which is also known in China as TD-LTE.
With the considerable interest from the supporters of TD-SCDMA, a number of features to make the mode of operation of TD-LTE
more of an upgrade path for TD-SCDMA have been incorporated. One example of this is the sub frame structure that has been
adopted within LTE TDD / TD-LTE.
While both LTE TDD (TD-LTE) and LTE FDD will be widely used, it is anticipated that LTE FDD will be the more widespread,
although LTE TDD has a number of significant advantages, especially in terms of higher spectrum efficiency that can be used by
many operators. It is also anticipated that phones will be able to operate using either the LTE FDD or LTE-TDD (TD-LTE) modes. In
this way the LTE UEs or user equipments will be dual standard phones, and able to operate in countries regardless of the flavor of
LTE that is used - the main problem will then be the frequency bands that the phone can cover