MBSFN in LTE

Radio spectrum is often organised (and sold) as paired spectrum – a block of spectrum in a lower frequency band and an associated block of spectrum in an upper frequency band . This arrangement of frequency bands with one band for the uplink and one band for the downlink is called paired spectrum.

5G NR supports carrier aggregation with 16 CCs . Carrier aggregation of LTE and 5G NR carriers is also possible which is known as Dual Connectivity (DC).

In unpaired spectrum, asymmetry may be provided through the use of unequal duty cycles in the time domain for uplink and downlink. In paired spectrum, asymmetry is also possible via the deployment of unequal bandwidths for uplink and downlink.22 Tem 2011