5G ARFCN vs. Frequency: Understanding 5G Channel Numbers

This page explains the relationship between 5G ARFCN (Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) and 5G frequencies. It details the integer used to represent the 5G ARFCN and provides its values for specific 5G test frequencies (TF). You’ll also find links to 5G frequency bands used in various countries, including India, the USA, Europe, China, Japan, and Korea.

The Information Element (IE) ARFCN-Value5GRA is used to indicate the ARFCN applicable for bi-directional (TDD) 5G-RAN carrier frequencies. In dedicated signaling, the 5G-RAN provides an ARFCN that corresponds to the 5G-RA band supported by the User Equipment (UE).

Here’s the ASN.1 structure for ARFCN-Value5GRA:

ARFCN-Value5GRA ::= INTEGER (0..max5GARFCN)

Where,

max5GARFCN INTEGER ::= 262143  -- Maximum value of 5GRA carrier frequency


## 5G xARFCN and Frequency Table

| 5G TF Band       | Frequency Bandwidth DL/UL (MHz) | Downlink Frequency                                      | xARFCN                          |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| 1 (TDD topology) | 28 GHz 850 MHz                  | 27500.5 MHz (Low) 27925 MHz (Middle) 28349.5 MHz (High) | 0 (Low) 283 (Middle) 566 (High) |

**Reference:** V5G.331, Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol specification (Release 1)