Sign in Subscribe

5G Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (NR-ARFCN)

Last updated on 

The 5G Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (NR-ARFCN) is a crucial parameter in 5G (fifth-generation) mobile communication systems. It represents the identifier assigned to each carrier frequency used in the 5G New Radio (NR) standard. Understanding NR-ARFCN requires a grasp of various concepts related to radio frequency channels and their allocation in 5G networks. Let's break it down:

  1. Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN):
    • In mobile communication systems, an ARFCN is a channel identification number assigned to a specific carrier frequency. It serves as a reference to define the uplink and downlink frequencies used by mobile devices to communicate with the base station.
    • ARFCN is typically used in GSM (2G) and UMTS (3G) systems. In 5G, the NR-ARFCN is the equivalent concept but is specific to the 5G NR standard.
  2. 5G New Radio (NR):
    • 5G NR is the global standard for a unified air interface to deliver mobile broadband communication services for a wide range of devices, including smartphones, IoT devices, and more.
    • NR uses a flexible framework that allows carriers to use different frequency ranges and bandwidths, making it adaptable to various deployment scenarios.
  3. NR-ARFCN:
    • NR-ARFCN is used to identify the carrier frequency in 5G NR.
    • It consists of two parts: the Frequency Range (FR) and the Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) within that range.
      • The Frequency Range defines the frequency band in which the carrier is located (e.g., FR1 for sub-6 GHz or FR2 for mmWave frequencies).
      • The ARFCN is a specific number within that frequency range that uniquely identifies the carrier frequency.
  4. Frequency Ranges in 5G:
    • Frequency Range 1 (FR1):
      • This corresponds to frequencies below 6 GHz and includes sub-6 GHz bands. It is commonly used for widespread coverage.
    • Frequency Range 2 (FR2):
      • This corresponds to millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies above 24 GHz. It offers high data rates but has shorter coverage range and may face propagation challenges.
  5. Calculation of NR-ARFCN:
    • The NR-ARFCN is calculated using the following formula:
      NR-ARFCN=NR-ARFCN_Offset+(NR-ARFCN_Number×NR-ARFCN_Spacing)NR-ARFCN=NR-ARFCN_Offset+(NR-ARFCN_Number×NR-ARFCN_Spacing)
      • NR-ARFCN_OffsetNR-ARFCN_Offset is the starting point for a particular frequency range.
      • NR-ARFCN_NumberNR-ARFCN_Number is the channel number within that frequency range.
      • NR-ARFCN_SpacingNR-ARFCN_Spacing is the channel spacing or step size.

NR-ARFCN is a vital parameter that helps identify and allocate carrier frequencies in 5G NR networks. It is part of the broader framework that allows for the flexible deployment of 5G across various frequency bands to meet different use cases and requirements.