Cellular wireless networks, based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) long-term evolution (LTE) standard, are expected to provide true mobile broadband experience beyond the capability of existing high-speed packet access (HSPA)-based 3G systems. Similar to WiMAX, the key enabling technologies are based on orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), while the uplink is based on SC-FDMA. Scalable form factor, low power consumption, programmability, and low cost are seen as key requirements for LTE basestations as mobile operators strive to reduce their CAPEX and OPEX. Increased productivity and time-to-differentiate are also key for OEMs looking to introduce successful products and get an edge on their competition.
Altera‘s LTE portfolio enables basestation OEMs to design with agility and design for volume from the beginning. Altera is building on its WiMAX OFDMA systems expertise by providing an exclusive combination of high performance, low power scalable silicon, low latency intellectual property (IP), productivity enhancing tools, and development boards. Basestation OEMs can now leverage the performance, power, price, and productivity benefits provided by Altera’s offerings and focus their efforts on product differentiation. Figure 1 provides an overview of a typical LTE basestation.
Figure 1. Typical LTE Basestation Block Diagram
Notes:
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A/D = analog-to-digital
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D/A = digital-to-analog
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DDC = digital downconverter
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DPD = digital predistortion
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DUC = digital upconverter
Altera’s versatile portfolio of 40- and 65-nm FPGAs and HardCopy® series ASICs enable highly integrated system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions meeting stringent power budgets and significantly lowering total cost of ownership for wireless basestation OEMs. These highly integrated, single-chip implementations allow flexible and scalable architectures for baseband PHY, RF/IF processing, and high-speed CPRI and OBSAI serial links supporting multi-standard, multi-mode MIMO WiMAX and LTE configurations.
