5G UE Carrier Aggregation - Bandwidth Class

I.Carrier Aggregation: Similar to LTE, 5G (NR) carrier aggregation also increases the wireless spectrum bandwidth used by UEs by combining multiple carriers. Each aggregated carrier is called a component carrier (CC). In 5G (NR), UEs can support up to 16 contiguous and non-contiguous component carriers (CCs) with different numerologies in both FR1 and FR2 bands. Carrier aggregation configurations include: carrier aggregation type (intra-band, contiguous/non-contiguous, or inter-band), number of frequency bands, and bandwidth class.

II. Bandwidth Class: The carrier aggregation bandwidth class of a terminal (UE) is defined using an alphabetical list of minimum and maximum bandwidths and the number of component carriers it can use.

Key parameters include:

• 5G ​​(NR) terminals support up to 16 contiguous and non-contiguous component carriers (CCs) with different parameter sets when CA is enabled.
• The bandwidth class of a terminal (UE) is an alphabetical list of minimum and maximum bandwidths and the number of component carriers (CCs).
• According to Release 17, carrier aggregation classes in FR1 range from A to O, allowing a maximum aggregated bandwidth of 400 MHz.
• According to Release 17, carrier aggregation classes in FR2 range from A to Q, allowing a maximum aggregated bandwidth of 800 MHz.

III. Carrier Aggregation FR1 Bandwidth Class

• Category A: 5G UEs are configured without carrier aggregation. The maximum carrier frequency band (BWChannel, max) is determined by the frequency band number and parameter set, which defines the subcarrier frequency spacing (SCS). Class A belongs to all fallback groups and allows UEs to revert to this configuration even when carrier aggregation is not in place.
• Category B: Aggregating two radio channels, the total available bandwidth for UEs is between 20 and 100 MHz.
• Category C: Aggregating two radio channels, the total available bandwidth for UEs is between 100 and 200 MHz.
• Category D: Aggregating three radio channels, the total available bandwidth for UEs is between 200 and 300 MHz.
• Category E: Aggregating four radio channels, the total available bandwidth for UEs is between 300 and 400 MHz. Classes C, D, and E belong to the same fallback group (Fallback Group 1).
• Category G: Aggregating three radio channels, the total available bandwidth for UEs is between 100 and 150 MHz.
• Category H:aggregates four radio channels, providing a total bandwidth of 150-200 MHz available to the user equipment (UE).
• Category I:aggregates five radio channels, providing a total bandwidth of 200-250 MHz available to the user equipment (UE). Class J aggregates six radio channels, providing a total bandwidth of 250-300 MHz available to the user equipment (UE).
• Class K:aggregates seven radio channels, providing a total bandwidth of 300-350 MHz available to the user equipment (UE).
• Class L:aggregates eight radio channels, providing a total bandwidth of 350-400 MHz available to the user equipment (UE).  Classes G-L belong to the same fallback group (Fallback Group 2).

IV. Carrier Aggregation FR2 Bandwidth Class

• Category A is a 5G configuration for UEs without carrier aggregation. The maximum carrier frequency band (BWChannel, max) depends on the band number and numerology. Class A belongs to all fallback groups and allows UEs to fall back to this configuration even without carrier aggregation.
• Category B corresponds to the total bandwidth after aggregation of two radio channels, ranging from 400MHz to 800MHz.
• Category C corresponds to the total bandwidth after aggregation of two radio channels, ranging from 800MHz to 1200MHz. Class B is a fallback configuration for Class C; both belong to the same Fallback Group 1 fallback list.
• Category D corresponds to the total bandwidth after aggregation of two radio channels, ranging from 200MHz to 400MHz.
• Category E corresponds to the total bandwidth after aggregation of three radio channels, ranging from 400MHz to 600MHz.
• Category F corresponds to the total bandwidth after aggregation of four radio channels, ranging from 600MHz to 800MHz. Classes D, E, and F belong to the same Fallback Group 2 fallback list.
• Class G corresponds to two radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 100 MHz and 200 MHz.
• Class H corresponds to three radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 200 MHz and 300 MHz.
• Class I corresponds to four radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 300 MHz and 400 MHz.
• Class J corresponds to five radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 400 MHz and 500 MHz.
• Class K corresponds to six radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 500 MHz and 600 MHz.
• Class L corresponds to seven radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 600 MHz and 700 MHz.
• Class M corresponds to eight radio channel aggregations with a total bandwidth between 700 MHz and 800 MHz. Classes G, H, I, J, K, L, and M belong to the same Fallback Group 3 fallback list.