Difference between LTE-M Cat-0, Cat-M1, Cat-M2 device categories

This page compares LTE-M Cat-0 vs Cat-M1 vs Cat-M2 and describes difference between LTE-M Cat-0, Cat-M1, Cat-M2 device categories.

Introduction:
LTE-M follows 3GPP specifications similar to LTE technology. LTE-M stands for Long Term Evolution for Machine-Type Communications. It is mainly developed to fulfill cellular IoT device objectives such as low device cost, deep coverage, longer battery life, higher cell capacity and so on.

LTE-M Cat-0

• It is specified in 3GPP Release-12.
• Peak data rates: 1 Mbps in DL and UL (Cat-1 supports 10 Mbps in DL and 5 Mbps in UL)
• Number of Receive Antennas : 1 (Cat-1 supports at least two antennas)
• Optional: HD-FDD (Half Duplex Frequency Division Duplex)
• Bandwidth: 20 MHz
• Device power class: 23 dBm

LTE-M Cat-M1

• It is specified in 3GPP Release-13.
• Supports cost reduction features of Cat-0 and in addition following.
• Duplex modes: HD-FDD, FD-FDD, TDD
• Peak data rates: 800 Kbps (DL) and 1 Mbps (UL) using FD-FDD mode and considering scheduling delays. 300 Kbps (DL) and 375 Kbps (UL) using HD-FDD and considering scheduling delays.
• Number of receive antennas : 1
• Bandwidth: 1.4 MHz
• Maximum DL/UL Bandwidth: 6 PRBs (1.080 MHz)
• Higher modulation scheme: 16 QAM
• DL/UL coding scheme : Turbo code
• Max. supported spatial layers: 1 in DL/UL
• Maximum TBS : 1000 bits (DL/UL)
• Device power class: 20 dBm
• This category of LTE-M low cost device supports CE Mode-A (Mandatory) and CE Mode-B (Optionally).

LTE-M Cat-M2

• It is specified in 3GPP Release-14.
• Bandwidth: 5 MHz ( offers transmission in PDSCH and PUSCH using 24 PRBs instead of 6 PRBs ).
• TBS : 4008 bits (DL), 6968 bits (UL)
• Peak data rates: 4 Mbps (DL), 7 Mbps (UL)



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