Carrier Aggregation, CA is an essential element of 4G LTE Advanced enabling much higher data rates to be achieved by combining two or more carriers
LTE Advanced Carrier Aggregation, CA, is one of the key techniques used to enable the very high data rates of 4G to be achieved.
By combining more than one carrier together, either in the same or different bands it is possible to increase the bandwidth available and in this way increase the capacity of the link.
Carrier aggregation, CA requires many different features to be implemented to enable it to operate effectively, as the two channels are likely to have very different characteristics, especially if they are on different bands.
LTE carrier aggregation, CA, enables the most to be made of the available radio spectrum. Often bands are small as the availability of spectrum is limited in the sectors required and as a result, many country administrations have released as much as they can but this may only be as small bands. Carrier aggregation seeks to be able to utilise this and large bands equally effectively.
Carrier aggregation is supported by both formats of LTE, namely the FDD and TDD variants. This ensures that both FDD LTE and TDD LTE are able to meet the high data throughput requirements placed upon them.
