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4G LTE Benefit: 4G LTE modules offers more benefits interims of speed and performance compared to the 3G modules.

Compared to 3G modules, 4G LTE modules offer higher downlink and uplink data rates. See data rate information below.
4G LTE modules will work with very low latencies – less than 5 ms for u-plane and less than 100 ms for c-plane
4G LTE modules supports packet-switched traffic only, so communication is all IP-based.
For network operators, LTE networks offers high spectral efficiency.

4G LTE Standards: LTE standard is controlled by the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). LTE provides an evolutionary path for both CDMA and GSM networks and it overlays upon existing 3G networks. LTE standard is based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) solution. Wider bandwidth solution boots data capacity in high0demand dense urban areas.

4G LTE Speed: Data rates of 4G LTE modules depends on the network conditions and performance of the device. The actual LTE speeds are around 6-10 Mpbps (Downlink) and 5-8 Mbps (Uplink).

LTE Speed

LTE	Downlink Speed Peak	Uplink Speed Peak
Cat 1	10 Mbps	5 Mbps
Cat 2	50 Mbps	25 Mbps
Cat 3	100 Mbps	50 Mbps
Cat 4	150 Mbps	50 Mbps
Cat 5	300 Mbps	75 Mbps

4G LTE Frequency Bands: 4G LTE modules can operate on following bands. The band configurations of the modules are dependent on teh carrier network.

LTE FDD Frequency Bands

LTE Band Number	Uplink (MHz)	Downlink (MHz)
1	1920 - 1980	2110 - 2170
2	1850 - 1910	1930 - 1990
3	1710 - 1785	1805 -1880
4	1710 - 1755	2110 - 2155
5	824 - 849	869 - 894
6	830 - 840	875 - 885
7	2500 - 2570	2620 - 2690
8	880 - 915	925 - 960
9	1749.9 - 1784.9	1844.9 - 1879.9
10	1710 - 1770	2110 - 2170
11	1427.9 - 1452.9	1475.9 - 1500.9
12	698 - 716	728 - 746
13	777 - 787	746 - 756
14	788 - 798	758 - 768
15	1900 - 1920	2600 - 2620
16	2012 - 2025	2585 - 2600
17	704 - 716	734 - 746
18	815 - 830	860 - 875
19	830 - 845	875 - 890
20	832 - 862	791 - 821
21	1447.9 - 1462.9	1495.5 - 1510.9
22	3410 - 3500	3510 - 3600
23	2000 - 2020	2180 - 2200
24	1625.5 - 1660.5	1525 - 1559
25	1850 - 1915	1930 - 1995

LTE TDD Frequency Bands

LTE Band Number	Frequency (MHz)
33	1900 - 1920
34	2012 - 2025
35	1850 - 1910
36	1930 - 1990
37	1910 - 1930
38	2570 - 2620
39	1880 - 1920
40	2300 - 2400
41	2496 - 2690
42	3400 - 3600
43	3600 - 3800

4G LTE Module Form Factors: Since carriers are rolling out 4G LTE networks slowly, 4G LTE modules are primarily used within laptops and tablet devices. For laptops, PCIe is the most common LTE module form factor. For tablet LGA form factor is one option, but many tablet vendors are directly integrating 4G LTE chips on their designs. The adoption of 4G LTE modules in the M2M segment will happen over time as LTE networks offers higher bandwidth and lower latencies.

4G LTE Module Interfaces: Interfaces are capabilities supported by the modules through hardware and/or software. Some of the common interfaces supported on 4G LTE modules are,

Power : Power interface is mandatory for all modules and the supply ranges from 3.0V – 4.5V.
USB (Universal Serial Bus): USB is usually the primary data interface used on 3G modules since it supports higher data rates.
UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card): GSM-based 4G LTE modules will have UICC interface which is based on IS0 7816-3.
Antenna: Antenna connectors are generally available on-board the 4G LTE modules. To improve receiver performance, a diversity antenna connector is also sometimes available on the modules.
GPS (Global Positioning System): Many of the 4G LTE modules have integrated GPS solution. GPS antenna port may be on a separate port or shared with the diversity antenna port.
PCM (Pulse Code Modulation): PCM interface in 3G modules is used for digital audio transfer.
Analog Audio Interface: For devices that require voice support, 3G modules will provide analog audio interfaces.

4G LTE Module Certification

Before the 4G LTE module can be commercially used with in a device, it has go through several certification process.

Global certification Forum (GCF) : GCF enables certification of any mobile device based on 3GPP technologies. GCF certification is supported by leading operators from every region of the world. GCF approval requires both conformance lab testing and field trials.
PTCRB : PTCRB is the North American operators certification body. It provides a framework within which device certification can take place for members of teh PTCRB.3G modules are tested at PTCRB accredited labs which manage the certification process.
FCC : In order to obtain a modular approval teh FCC has identified requirements that must be addressed in the application for equipment authorization. These requirements are specified in this FCC document.
Network Operator Certification: In addition to PTCRB/GCF & FCC, the module should also be certified by the network operator. In fact, the network operators might have industry certifications as a pre-condition for lab entry.

3G Benefit: 3G modules offers more benefits interims of speed and performance compared to the 2G modules.

Compared to GPRS and EDGE modules, 3G modules offer higher downlink and uplink data rates. See speed comparison below.
Latencies on 3G network is considerably better than 2G networks – WCDMA (150 ms), HSPA (100 ms), HSPA+ (5ms).
For network operators, 3G networks provides better use of wireless spectrum compared to the 2G networks.

3G Standards: The air interface standards for GSM-based 3G modules are developed by 3rd Generation partnership Project (3GPP) which is a collaboration between groups of telecommunication associations. For CDMA-based 3G modules, the standards are developed through 3GPP2 group.

3G Speed: The speed of 3G modules depends on the network conditions and the performance of the device. The actual speeds are usually lower than the theoretical speeds shown below,

	Downlink (Theoretical Max Speed)	Downlink (Typical Average Speed)	Uplink (Theoretical Max Speed)	Uplink (Typical Average Speed)
UMTS	384 Kbps	220-320 Kbps	384 Kbps	220-320 kbps
HSDPA	1.8 Mbps	500-800 Kbps	384 Kbps	200-300 Kbps
EVDO Rev A	3.1 Mbps	450-850 Kbps	1.8 Mbps	300-400Kbps

3G Frequency Bands: 3G Modules operate at variety of frequency bands depending on the carrier network. Typically a module SKU will be configured to support certain frequency bands to operate on a certain geographic region or a certain carrier.

Operating Band	Frequency band (MHz)	Uplink Frequency (MHz)	Downlink Frequency (MHz)
1	2100	1920-1980	2110-2170
2	1900	1850-1910	1930-1990
3	1800	1710-1785	1805-1880
4	1700	1710-1755	2110-2155
5	850	824 - 849	869 - 894
6	800	830 - 840	875 - 885
7	2600	2500-2570	2620-2690
8	900	880 - 915	925 - 960
9	1700	1749.9 - 1784.9	1844.9 - 1879.9
10	1700	1710-1770	2110-2170
11	1500	1427.9 - 1447.9	1475.9 - 1495.9
12	700	698 - 716	728 - 746
13	700	777 - 787	746 - 756
14	700	788 - 798	758 - 768
15	800	832.4 - 842.6	877.4 - 887.6

3G Module Form Factors: PCIe is the most common form factor available through many module vendors. However for devices that have size constraints, modules incorporating surface mount technologies such as Land Grid Array (LGA) or Ball Grid array (BGA) offer smaller sizes. Modules with proprietary form factor are also offered by vendors. Lack of M2M module standards is one of the barriers for adoption and there are efforts underway by the industry to address this issue.

3G Module Interfaces: Interfaces are capabilities supported by the modules through hardware and/or software. Some of the common interfaces supported on 3G modules are,

Power : Power interface is mandatory for all modules and the supply ranges from 3.0V – 4.5V.

UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): Some host devices might use UART, though mostly it is used for debugging purpose. UART rates vary from 1200bps to 115200bps.

USB (Universal Serial Bus): USB is usually the primary data interface used on 3G modules since it supports higher data rates.

UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card): GSM-based 3G modules will have UICC interface which is based on IS0 7816-3.

Antenna: Antenna connectors are generally available on-board the 3G modules. To improve receiver performance, a diversity antenna connector is also sometimes available on the modules.

GPS (Global Positioning System): Many of the 3G modules have integrated GPS solution. GPS antenna port may be on a separate port or shared with the diversity antenna port.

SPI(Serial Peripheral Interface) :SPI interface is generally used to connect to the external display devices.

I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit Bus): I2C interface is used to communicate with external display device or storage device.

SDIO (Secure Digitial Input/Output): SDIO interface is used for interfacing with external SD card.

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation): PCM interface in 3G modules is used for digital audio transfer.

Analog Audio Interface: For devices that require voice support, 3G modules will provide analog audio interfaces.

3G Module Certification

Before the 3G module can be commercially used with in a device, it has go through several certification process.

Global certification Forum (GCF) : GCF enables certification of any mobile device based on 3GPP technologies. GCF certification is supported by leading operators from every region of the world. GCF approval requires both conformance lab testing and field trials.

PTCRB : PTCRB is the North American operators certification body. It provides a framework within which device certification can take place for members of tech PTCRB.3G modules are tested at PTCRB accredited labs which manage the certification process.

FCC : In order to obtain a modular approval teh FCC has identified requirements that must be addressed in the application for equipment authorization. These requirements are specified in this FCC document.

Network Operator Certification: In addition to PTCRB/GCF & FCC, the module should also be certified by the network operator. In fact, the network operators might have industry certifications as a pre-condition for lab entry.