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EN (E-UTRAN new radio)

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E-UTRAN new radio, or simply EN, is a wireless communication technology that is used in 5G cellular networks. EN is part of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization effort, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the standards for cellular networks. The EN standard was first introduced in 2017 as part of the 3GPP Release 15 and has been updated in subsequent releases.

EN is a significant upgrade to the existing Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, which is used in 4G networks. EN introduces several new features and enhancements that enable faster data rates, lower latency, and better overall network performance. In this article, we will discuss the key features and benefits of EN and how it differs from LTE.

Key Features of EN

EN introduces several new features and enhancements that enable faster data rates, lower latency, and better overall network performance. Some of the key features of EN are:

  1. Higher Data Rates: EN supports much higher data rates than LTE. With EN, users can expect peak data rates of up to 20 Gbps, which is significantly higher than the peak data rates of 1 Gbps in LTE.
  2. Lower Latency: EN has much lower latency than LTE. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from one point to another in the network. With EN, latency can be as low as 1 ms, which is significantly lower than the latency of 10-20 ms in LTE.
  3. Enhanced Coverage: EN has enhanced coverage compared to LTE. EN supports higher frequencies, which means that it can cover larger distances and provide better coverage in urban areas.
  4. Better Spectral Efficiency: EN has better spectral efficiency than LTE. Spectral efficiency is a measure of how efficiently the network uses the available radio spectrum. With EN, the network can use the available spectrum more efficiently, which means that more users can be supported simultaneously.
  5. Flexible Network Architecture: EN has a more flexible network architecture than LTE. EN supports a range of deployment scenarios, including standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) modes, which allows network operators to deploy the network in a way that best suits their needs.

EN vs. LTE

EN and LTE are both cellular network technologies, but there are several key differences between them. Some of the main differences between EN and LTE are:

  1. Frequency Bands: EN supports higher frequency bands than LTE. EN can operate in frequency bands up to 52.6 GHz, whereas LTE operates in frequency bands up to 6 GHz.
  2. Modulation Schemes: EN uses more advanced modulation schemes than LTE. EN uses 256-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) and 64-QAM modulation schemes, whereas LTE uses 64-QAM and 16-QAM modulation schemes.
  3. Latency: EN has much lower latency than LTE. As mentioned earlier, EN can achieve latency as low as 1 ms, whereas LTE has a latency of 10-20 ms.
  4. Deployment Modes: EN supports both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) deployment modes, whereas LTE only supports NSA deployment mode.
  5. Network Architecture: EN has a more flexible network architecture than LTE. EN can support a range of deployment scenarios, including centralized and distributed architectures, whereas LTE has a more rigid network architecture.

Benefits of EN

EN offers several benefits to network operators and users. Some of the main benefits of EN are:

  1. Improved User Experience: EN offers faster data rates, lower latency, and better overall network performance, which translates to an improved user experience.
  2. Enhanced Capacity: EN's better spectral efficiency allows the network to support more users simultaneously, which enhances the network's capacity.
  3. Better Coverage: EN's support for higher frequencies enables it to cover larger areas and provide better coverage in urban areas.
  4. New Use Cases: EN's support for low latency and high data rates enables new use cases, such as remote surgery, autonomous vehicles, and virtual reality applications.
  5. Efficient Spectrum Usage: EN's better spectral efficiency allows network operators to use the available spectrum more efficiently, which reduces the cost of deploying and maintaining the network.
  6. Flexibility: EN's flexible network architecture enables network operators to deploy the network in a way that best suits their needs, which enhances their flexibility and reduces their costs.

Deployment of EN

EN is still in the early stages of deployment, but several network operators around the world have started deploying the technology. Some of the network operators that have deployed or are planning to deploy EN are:

  1. Verizon: Verizon was one of the first network operators to deploy EN in the United States. Verizon launched its 5G Ultra Wideband network in 2019, which uses EN technology.
  2. AT&T: AT&T has also started deploying EN technology in the United States. AT&T launched its 5G Evolution network in 2019, which uses EN technology.
  3. China Mobile: China Mobile is one of the largest network operators in the world and has also started deploying EN technology. China Mobile launched its 5G network in 2019, which uses EN technology.
  4. SK Telecom: SK Telecom is a leading network operator in South Korea and has also started deploying EN technology. SK Telecom launched its 5G network in 2019, which uses EN technology.

Conclusion

EN is a significant upgrade to the existing LTE standard and offers several benefits to network operators and users. EN's higher data rates, lower latency, and better overall network performance enable new use cases and enhance the user experience. EN's better spectral efficiency and flexible network architecture also reduce the cost of deploying and maintaining the network. Although EN is still in the early stages of deployment, several network operators around the world have started deploying the technology, and we can expect to see more widespread adoption in the coming years.