Evaluation of LTE 700 and DVB-T Electromagnetic Compatibility in Adjacent Frequency Bands

The 2012 World Radiocommunication Conference allocated the 694–790 MHz (700 MHz) band for the mobile service on a co-primary basis with other services in Region 1 (Europe, Africa, the Middle East). However, countries of Region 1 will also be able to continue the use of these frequencies for their digital terrestrial television services, if necessary. This allocation will be effective immediately after the WRC-15. The objective of this paper is to assess the electromagnetic compatibility of Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) operating below 694 MHz and mobile broadband (LTE) operating in 700 MHz band. The study contains an assumption of a preferred frequency division duplex (FDD) channelling arrangement which contains confined 2×30MHz block: 703–733 MHz (uplink) and 758–788MHz (downlink). The model consists of two elements, a LTE network and a DVB-T system. An adjacent channel scenario was analyzed in this paper: possible impact of LTE user equipment (uplink) to DVB-T receiver. The Minimum Coupling Loss method and Monte Carlo simulation within SEAMCAT software was used for interference analysis. The Minimum Coupling Loss method was chosen to calculate worst case (most conservative scenario) in order to understand most critical points of these two systems. The Monte Carlo simulations show more relaxed electromagnetic compatibility scenario. During simulations more appropriate propagation model was used (Recommendation ITU-R P.1546), which allows to analyse also non line of sight radio propagation conditions. The results obtained provide the minimum coupling distance required between LTE and DVB-T in the 700 MHz band to maintain the necessary performance level of the DVB-T system.