LTE EARFCN to Frequency Conversion Explained

This document explains the conversion between LTE EARFCN (E-UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) and frequency. It provides formulas, calculators, and tables to facilitate this conversion. We will cover both downlink and uplink EARFCN calculations.

Understanding LTE EARFCN

LTE EARFCN is a number ranging from 0 to 65535 used to identify a specific frequency channel in the LTE spectrum. The relationships between EARFCN and carrier frequency (in MHz) are given by the formulas below.

LTE EARFCN to Frequency Formula

The following equations define the relationship between EARFCN and frequency:

• Downlink Frequency:

  $F_{downlink} = F_{DL\_Low} + 0.1 \cdot (N_{DL} - N_{DL\_Offset})$

• Uplink Frequency:

  $F_{uplink} = F_{UL\_Low} + 0.1 \cdot (N_{UL} - N_{UL\_Offset})$

Where:

• $N_{DL}$ is the downlink EARFCN
• $N_{UL}$ is the uplink EARFCN
• $N_{DL\_Offset}$ is the offset used to calculate downlink EARFCN
• $N_{UL\_Offset}$ is the offset used to calculate uplink EARFCN
• $F_{DL\_Low}$ is the lowest downlink frequency (MHz)
• $F_{UL\_Low}$ is the lowest uplink frequency (MHz)

The following table shows the EARFCN to frequency conversion for both the downlink and uplink directions in an LTE network. You can also use an EARFCN calculator to avoid manual calculations.

EARFCN to Frequency Conversion Table

E-UTRA band	$F_{DL\_Low}$ (MHz)	$N_{DL\_Offset}$	Downlink EARFCN ($N_{DL}$)	$F_{UL\_Low}$ (MHz)	$N_{UL\_Offset}$	Uplink EARFCN ($N_{UL}$)
1	2110	0	0-599	1920	18000	18000-18599
2	1930	600	600-1199	1850	18600	18600-19199
3	1805	1200	1200-1949	1710	19200	19200-19949
4	2110	1950	1950-2399	1710	19950	19950-20399
5	869	2400	2400-2649	824	20400	20400-20649
6	875	2650	2650-2749	830	20650	20650-20749
7	2620	2750	2750-3449	2500	20750	20750-21449
8	925	3450	3450-3799	880	21450	21450-21799
9	1844.9	3800	3800-4149	1749.9	21800	21800-22149
10	2110	4150	4150-4749	1710	22150	22150-22749
11	1475.9	4750	4750-4999	1427.9	22750	22750-22999
12	728	5000	5000-5179	698	23000	23000-23179
13	746	5180	5180-5279	777	23180	23180-23279
14	758	5280	5280-5379	788	23280	23280-23379

LTE EARFCN to Frequency Conversion Calculator

Visit following link below to try our LTE calculator to calculate frequency as per LTE EARFCN input provided.

• LTE EARFCN to Frequency Conversion Calculator

Continue Learning 4G LTE

• 4G LTE Basics Tutorial
• 4G LTE Architecture: Network Elements and Interfaces
• LTE Frame Structure
• LTE Channel Types: Logical, Transport and Physical Channels
• LTE Protocol Stack: User Plane vs. Control Plane
• 4G LTE Physical Layer & its modules
• LTE Frequency Bands: FDD, TDD and E-UTRA Bands
• LTE Carrier Aggregation & its benefits
• 4G LTE Network Security
• LTE Cell Search Procedure
• LTE UE Uplink Network Entry : Random Access Procedure
• LTE Paging Procedure Mechanism and Call Flow