Timing Advance to Distance Calculator (LTE / NR)
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Timing Advance to Distance Calculator (LTE / NR) by TheCalcTools
How the Timing Advance to Distance Calculator (LTE / NR) works
Pick LTE (or NR at 15 kHz) or the NR subcarrier spacing and enter the reported TA value.
One TA step equals 16 × 64 × Tc ÷ 2^μ of round-trip time, where Tc = 1 ÷ (480 kHz × 4096).
Distance is the round-trip delay times the speed of light divided by two.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| Technology / subcarrier spacing | LTE or NR 15 kHz |
|---|---|
| Timing advance value (TA) | 12 |
- Distance per step = 78.07 m.
- TA 12 means the UE is between 937 m and 1,015 m from the cell, with a round-trip delay of 6.25 µs.
Result:
| Distance per TA step (m) | 78.07 |
|---|---|
| Minimum distance (m) | 937 |
| Maximum distance (m) | 1,015 |
| Round-trip delay (µs) | 6.25 |
Frequently asked questions
What does TA = 0 mean?
The UE is within about 78 m of the antenna (for LTE). The base station sees TA 0 for any distance below one step.
What is the LTE maximum range?
TA 1282 corresponds to about 100 km, the practical LTE limit without extended-range features.
Sources and further reading
- 3GPP TS 36.211 / 36.213 / 36.101 (LTE)
- 3GPP TS 38.104: NR base station radio transmission and reception
- Wikipedia: Timing advance
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.