|
|
 |
|
Viewing report
|
|
|
|
The Mother of all Network Benchmark Tests Volume 3 - Detailed Performance Analysis (the LTE edition)
Signals Research Group, LLC, Jan 2012
Over the last several months Signals Research Group has been conducting a network/technology benchmark study of all of the leading next-generation wireless technologies, as exemplified by operator deployments in North America. 'Signals Ahead: The Mother of all Network Benchmark Tests ' is a series of three reports:
Volume 1
Network and Technology Performance
Volume 2
Quantifying the User Experience
Volume 3
Detailed Performance Analysis
The three reports 'Signals Ahead: The Mother of all Network Benchmark Tests ' are included with any paid corporate subscription to Signals Ahead, or can be purchased separately.
NEW! A fourth report will be published in February 2012: this report is included if you purchase this report or the complete set of reports.
ABOUT VOLUME 3 - DETAILED PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
This reports provides a deep-dive analysis of how LTE networks perform today as exemplified by operator deployments in North America, and to a lesser extent Europe. Specifically, the focus is almost entirely on AT&T and Verizon Wireless, as well as Alcatel Lucent (ALU) and Ericsson (ERICY). It also includes at least some analysis of Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) and Huawei from previous testing that we have done – the latter based solely on Clearwire’s demonstration LTE network. Finally, the “Chips and Salsa” analysis from a previous reports is extended by comparing and contrasting the performance of different dongles and LTE chipsets.
A companion report intended to be publish in early February will provide similar analysis for the HSPA+/DC-HSDPA networks, thus directing the attention on AT&T, T-Mobile, Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, and Alcatel Lucent.
Key takeaways and observations discussed in far more detail in this report and/or in our forthcoming HSPA+/DC-HSDPA report include the following:
- The differences in downlink throughput that we observed on the AT&T and Verizon Wireless LTE networks had absolutely nothing to do with the underlying RF conditions or with network loading. Instead, we attribute the differences entirely to …
-The differences in uplink throughput that we observed in our LTE network testing were vendor specific and they represent a critical differentiator that exists today. Based on the underlying test data, the throughput differences were due to …
- Infrastructure suppliers have taken different approaches regarding which form of MIMO (e.g., OL-SM or CL-SM) they want to implement first. More importantly, they have different philosophies regarding how aggressively they want to use MIMO.
- Frequency selective scheduling (FSS) is an important means of driving network efficiency and maximizing the SNR to drive higher individual data rates. Unfortunately, not all vendors currently support the full capability and ICIC (Inter-cell Interference Coordination) is just around the corner.
- 64QAM and spatial multiplexing are two key enablers of higher data rates. We provide test results that span frequency bands (e.g., 700MHz and 2600MHz), continents and vendors to quantify how frequently MIMO is being used at 700MHz versus 2600MHz and how frequently 64QAM is being used with LTE versus HSPA+. We conclude that …
- Throughput during a cell handover is important for delivering a consistent user experience, but it requires a degree of network optimization. We demonstrate material differences between two infrastructure [HSPA+] suppliers, as well as between two [LTE] dongles/chipsets.
- In addition to performance during a cell handover, we demonstrate that there were material performance differences between different LTE dongles, as well as between different LTE chip-sets – a nice continuation from our last “Chips and Salsa” report.
- DC-HSDPA leverages two separate radio channels but for one infrastructure supplier it had a very difficult time maintaining both radio channels, especially during a cell handover, thus relegating DC-HSDPA to a semi-portable technology.
- There were noticeable throughput differences between the three HSPA+ suppliers once we normalized the results for a given channel condition and network loading. One infrastructure supplier, in particular, did much better than its peers.
- 64QAM and 14 HS-PDSCH codes are required, among other things, to achieve the peak data rates associated with HSPA+. We found that one infrastructure vendor’s solution was limited to only 13 HS-PDSCH codes [26 HS-PDSCH codes with DC-HSDPA].
REASONS TO BUY
This report is critical for operators trying to understand how to market their broadband wireless service offering as well as how they should prioritize their network optimization activities in order to achieve the best possible user experience for their subscribers. In addition to mobile operators, this report provides invaluable insight to application developers and content providers who require a greater appreciation for how network performance characteristics impact the user experience.
SIGNALS AHEAD SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Signals Ahead is a research-focused product that is published on a periodic basis. Its clientele include all facets of the wireless ecosystem, including some of the largest mobile operators, the top handset suppliers, the major infrastructure vendors, subsystem suppliers, semiconductor companies and financial institutions, including Wall Street, Private Equity and Venture Capitalists, spread across five continents.
Product samples
A sample for this product is available. Please Login/Register to download this sample.
Also available
The Mother of all Network Benchmark Tests. Volume 1: Network and Technology Performance
The Mother of all Network Benchmark Tests. Volume 2 Quantifying the User Experience
The Mother of All Network Benchmark Tests Volume 4 - Detailed Performance Analysis (the HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA edition)
|
|
|
|
