Long Term Evolution- Machine-Type Communications (LTE –MTC) is a convenient way of encapsulating the optimization of Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced for Machine-Type Communications. LTE is marketed as 4G: marketed that way because technically it’s 3.9G. LTE -Advanced (LTE -A) is the real 4G because it meets the IT U’s requirements for fourth-generation wireless systems. Cellular networks have transitioned from circuit-switched 2G through to packet-switched 3G, 3.5G (HSPDA) and 3.75 G (HSPDA +), but 4G represents a quantum-sized step. It involves next generation technology like OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) in the air interface and a simplified, flat, all-IP architecture having open interfaces and an Evolved Packet Core (EP C). OFDM is immune to selective fading, resilient to interference, and it makes efficient use of the available spectrum. LTE / 4G networks can therefore accommodate up to 10 times more traffic than earlier generations. In addition LTE supports IP v6, which expands the addressable IP space to an inexhaustible figure.
LTE employs UE (User Equipment) categories to define the performance specification: the higher the category, the higher the data rate. Category 0’s download data rate is 1 Mbps; Category 1’s download data rate is 10 Mbps; Cat 6 is 300 Mbps; LTE -A Cat 8 is set to reach 3 Gbps. Higher categories are driven by consumer applications. A data rate of 1 Mbps is more than adequate for most m2m applications, so why mention these higher figures? Two reasons: one, they indicate that LTE is intrinsically flexible and two; they demonstrate that development work is ongoing.
LTE has followed a well thought-out roadmap with releases providing successively improving capabilities that result in: higher and more consistent data rates for users; higher capacity; and a better overall user experience. It is set to become a common technology standard that will enable economies of scale and have a significant impact on our personal and business lives. Moreover, it’s a ubiquitous communications technology that can deliver the connectivity requirements of the upcoming IoT era. LTE is ideal for IoT applications that need to respond in real-time, e.g. Controlling sensitive equipment, critical smart-grid apps, industrial alarm systems, traffic control systems, and medical devices. LTE ’s low latency can enable connected applications that would not otherwise be possible.
LTE networks were designed to fall back to an earlier generation network if the attached device could not detect a 4G signal. This was an early, mandatory requirement since different countries had different rollout timing and coverage plans. In addition fallback is important since it allows companies to future-proof their solutions. Companies who recognize that LTE technology will be the global standard and who are marketing solutions that have long life times, ten years or more in key segments like automotive, cannot rely on 3G since it too might reach decommissioning status within this timeframe.
Most major backers of LTE preferred and promoted VoLTE (Voice Over Long Term Evolution) from the beginning. The lack of software support in initial LTE devices as well as core network devices however led to a number of carriers promoting VoLGA(Voice over LTE Generic Access) as an interim solution. The idea was to use the same principles as GAN(Generic Access Network, also known as UMA or Unlicensed Mobile Access), which defines the protocols through which a mobile handset can perform voice calls over a customer’s private Internet connection, usually over wireless LAN. VoLGA however never gained much support, because VoLTE (IMS) promises much more flexible services, albeit at the cost of having to upgrade the entire voice call infrastructure. VoLTE will also require Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) in order to be able to smoothly perform a handover to a 3G network in case of poor LTE signal quality
LTE is the first network technology that can comfortably accommodate demanding applications like real-time video surveillance and at the same time provide cost-effective connectivity for low-speed applications. Therefore although these apps have widely different performance requirements, the market will be able to build a wide-ranging ecosystem on a single, wide area communication technology. Moreover, LTE has or will have everything going for it: superior performance; ubiquitous connectivity; scalability; low cost per bit, delivery of whatever QoS (Quality of service) customers require, and longevity.
Despite the enormous potential of the market for smart cars, only 8% of the world’s cars are actually connected to the Internet. Nevertheless, all the top 14 automotive manufacturers, which account for 80% of the market, have a connected-car strategy. This indicates that their strategy is long-term. The requisite hardware platforms are being embedded today in order to launch applications tomorrow, and then at a later date the manufacturer can decide how they need to grow or change.
