Sign in Subscribe

5G/4G ARFCN Calculator

Last updated on 

ARFCN Basics:

ARFCN is a way to identify individual channels in a mobile communication network, both for uplink (mobile to base station) and downlink (base station to mobile). Each channel corresponds to a specific frequency, and the ARFCN value helps in channel allocation, management, and tuning in a network.

4G (LTE) ARFCN:

In 4G LTE networks, ARFCN is used to define specific frequencies within a bandwidth. For FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) LTE, the uplink and downlink frequencies are different, and ARFCN helps in specifying these frequencies. The ARFCN values for LTE are computed based on the carrier frequency and the LTE standard's specific formula.

5G ARFCN:

5G introduces new frequency bands and channel structures compared to 4G. Thus, a different ARFCN calculation method is required for 5G NR (New Radio) networks. The 5G ARFCN is used to identify specific frequencies within the 5G NR spectrum.

Technical Details:

The calculation for ARFCN values differs between 4G and 5G due to their different frequency bands and specifications. Here's a simplified breakdown:

4G (LTE):

  1. Formula for 4G ARFCN:
    �����=(�������������������������−������)/�ℎ������������ARFCN=(UplinkorDownlinkfrequency−Offset)/ChannelSpacing
    • Offset: This is a constant offset value, which varies based on the LTE band.
    • Channel Spacing: It's the frequency difference between two adjacent ARFCN values, usually 100 kHz or 50 kHz based on the LTE band.

5G (NR):

  1. Formula for 5G NR ARFCN:
    �����=(���������−���������������������)/�ℎ�������������ℎARFCN=(Frequency−LowestFrequencyinBand)/ChannelBandwidth
    • Lowest Frequency in Band: This refers to the starting frequency of the specific 5G NR band.
    • Channel Bandwidth: The width of a single channel in the 5G NR band, e.g., 100 MHz, 200 MHz, etc.

Calculators:

Various online tools and software solutions provide ARFCN calculators to convert between frequency values and ARFCN numbers for both 4G and 5G networks. These calculators simplify the process by automatically applying the correct formulas based on the input parameters like frequency, band, and bandwidth.