4G Advanced Features and Roadmap Evolutions from LTE to LTE‐A

This chapter describes several LTE and LTE‐A advanced features in the evolution from Release 8 to 10. Some of LTE‐A feature deployments have dependences on other LTE features, as in the case of HetNet with ICIC and SON. On the other hand, some of the LTE features have been introduced at the same time, and in some cases in the same product, as other LTE‐A features. This is the case for LTE category 4 capabilities being primarily introduced in the same devices having LTE‐A carrier aggregation features. Conceptually, the advanced features in both the LTE and LTE‐A roadmap are not deployed as stand‐alone features, or historically tied to an enhancement over previous releases (e.g. ICIC or some SON functions). Hence, the chapter covers the realistic LTE to LTE‐A evolution and the features that have strong dependences, and have been recently introduced in commercial deployments, or aret to come in the near future. The chapter begins with a discussion on the evolution of LTE UE capabilities from category 3 to category 4 devices. Moreover, it presents the main LTE‐A features: carrier aggregation, (CA) enhanced MIMO, HetNet, and relays. It also provides an overview of several features initially introduced in Release 8 and then enhanced in Release 10 and beyond, such as SON. Finallyend of the chapter describes the concept of location‐based services (LBS) in the LTE network, applicable to Release 9, and observes an increasing interest in the market for either security purposes or related commercial application.