What are the LTE CA bandwidth classes?

LTE bandwidth classes (defined in 3GPP TS 36.101 Table 5.6A.1-1): Class A: 1 CC, up to 20 MHz. This is the baseline: single carrier on a band. Class B: 2 CCs, aggregated BW up to 2x20 = 40 MHz. The CCs are contiguous in the same band. Class C: 2 CCs, aggregated BW up to 40 MHz. Can be non-contiguous (gap between CCs within the same band). Class D: 3 CCs, up to 60 MHz. Class E: 4 CCs, up to 80 MHz. Class F: 5 CCs, up to 100 MHz. The class letter on each band defines what the UE supports on that specific band. Example: CA_7A-3A means the UE supports 1 CC on Band 7 and 1 CC on Band 3 (inter-band CA with Class A on each). CA_41C means 2 CCs on Band 41 (intra-band, non-contiguous or contiguous, up to 40 MHz).

How do NR bandwidth classes differ?

NR extends the concept with wider bandwidths (3GPP TS 38.101): FR1 (sub-6 GHz): CC bandwidth up to 100 MHz (vs 20 MHz in LTE). Class A: 1 CC, up to 100 MHz. Class B-G: multiple CCs. FR2 (mmWave): CC bandwidth up to 400 MHz. NR also introduces 'bandwidth class' for supplementary uplink (SUL) and intra-band non-contiguous CA with larger gaps. NR CA combinations are designated like: CA_n78(2A) = 2 CCs of Class A on Band n78 (2x100 = 200 MHz). DC_n78(2A)_n257(2A) = Dual Connectivity with NR+NR on sub-6 and mmWave. The total number of defined CA/DC combinations in NR exceeds 10,000, covering band combinations for every major operator worldwide.

Why does CA bandwidth class matter for device design?

Each CA bandwidth class combination requires specific RF front-end support: (1) Filters: each band needs its own duplexer or filter. Inter-band CA requires simultaneous operation of multiple filters. Intra-band contiguous (Class B) may use a wider filter. (2) Power amplifiers: each uplink band needs its own PA. Some bands can share a PA with a switch. (3) Antenna paths: simultaneous reception on multiple bands may require multiple antenna paths or a multiplexer. (4) Baseband processing: wider aggregated bandwidth requires proportionally more ADC bandwidth and processing power. (5) Thermal: more simultaneous transmitters = more heat. The number of supported CA combinations directly impacts: device complexity (RF component count), cost (more filters/PAs), size (PCB area), and power consumption. Flagship phones support 100+ CA combinations. Budget phones support 5-10.

Carrier Aggregation

CA Bandwidth Class

/see-ay band-width class/

3GPP classification: max CCs and aggregated BW per band. LTE: A(1CC/20 MHz), B(2CC/40 MHz contig), C(2CC/40 MHz non-contig), D(3CC/60 MHz), E(4CC/80 MHz), F(5CC/100 MHz). NR: up to 100 MHz/CC (FR1), 400 MHz/CC (FR2). Example: CA_41C = 2 CCs on Band 41 (40 MHz). 10,000+ NR combinations defined.

LTE max: 5 CC (100 MHz)

NR FR1: 100 MHz/CC

Spec: TS 36.101/38.101

Understanding CA Bandwidth Class

Carrier aggregation lets operators combine multiple spectrum blocks (component carriers) to deliver wider bandwidth and higher throughput to users. The bandwidth class system provides a standardized way to describe exactly what combination a device supports. Each band in a CA combination gets a class letter indicating how many CCs and how much bandwidth the device can handle on that band. This classification is critical for device certification, operator requirements, and RF front-end design.

CA Notation Examples

CA Bandwidth Class:
3GPP classification: max CCs and aggregated BW per band. LTE: A(1CC/20 MHz), B(2CC/40 MHz contig), C(2CC/40 MHz non-contig), D(3CC/60 MHz), E(4CC/80 MHz), F(5CC/100 MHz). NR:...

Key specifications:
20 MHz | 40 MHz | 60 MHz | 80 MHz | 100 MHz

Power: P(dBm) = 10log(P_mW), 0dBm = 1mW

LTE CA Bandwidth Classes

Class	Max CCs	Max BW (LTE)	Max BW (NR FR1)	Typical Use
A	1	20 MHz	100 MHz	Single carrier
B	2	40 MHz	200 MHz	Intra-band contig
C	2	40 MHz	200 MHz	Intra-band non-contig
D	3	60 MHz	300 MHz	3-carrier
E-G	4-8	80-160 MHz	400-800 MHz	Max throughput

Key Equations

Decibel conversion:
Power: dB = 10log(P₂/P₁)
Voltage: dB = 20log(V₂/V₁)

dBm to watts:
P(W) = 10^{(dBm−30)/10}
0 dBm = 1 mW, +30 dBm = 1 W

Wavelength:
λ = c/f = 300/f(MHz) meters

Comparison

Band	Range	Wavelength	Application	Standard
CA Bandwidth Class	1 GHz region	300.0 mm	Primary use	ITU allocation
Adjacent lower	0.9 GHz	333.3 mm	Related band	Shared spectrum
Adjacent upper	1.1 GHz	272.7 mm	Related band	Guard band
Harmonic 2f	2.0 GHz	150.0 mm	Spurious	Filter required
Sub-harmonic	0.5 GHz	600.0 mm	LO option	Mixer design

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

LTE classes?

A: 1 CC, 20 MHz. B: 2 CC contiguous. C: 2 CC non-contiguous. D-F: 3-5 CCs. Each band in a combo gets its own class letter. Example: CA_7C-3A = 2CC on B7 + 1CC on B3.

NR differences?

Wider CCs: 100 MHz (FR1), 400 MHz (FR2) vs 20 MHz (LTE). Class A alone gives 100 MHz. 10,000+ combinations defined. DC (dual connectivity) notation for NR+NR and LTE+NR.

Device impact?

Each CA combo needs: filters, PAs, antenna paths, ADC bandwidth. More combos = more components, cost, size, power. Flagship: 100+ combos. Budget: 5-10. Directly impacts RF front-end complexity.

Related Terms

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