NSA Coverage Gap Calculator (NR vs LTE Anchor)
Where does your 5G NSA service stop working, and why?
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NSA Coverage Gap Calculator (NR vs LTE Anchor) by TheCalcTools
How the NSA Coverage Gap Calculator (NR vs LTE Anchor) works
Enter the maximum allowable path loss for NR downlink, NR uplink and the LTE anchor’s uplink (from the link budget calculator).
The tool converts each to a range using the 3GPP UMa NLOS model at the NR and LTE frequencies.
In EN-DC the NR downlink works only where the LTE anchor connection also holds, so the usable range is the smaller of the two.
The formula
Worked example
Using the default values shown in the calculator:
| NR downlink MAPL (dB) | 128 |
|---|---|
| NR uplink MAPL (dB) | 118 |
| LTE anchor uplink MAPL (dB) | 134 |
| NR frequency (GHz) | 3.5 |
| LTE anchor frequency (GHz) | 1.8 |
| UE height (m) | 1.5 |
- NR downlink range at 128 dB MAPL: 447 m; NR uplink at 118 dB: 248 m.
- The LTE anchor’s uplink reaches 895 m; usable EN-DC range is 447 m.
- Verdict: NR uplink is the weak link: NR UL works only to 248 m, so beyond that the UE must rely on LTE uplink.
Result:
| NR downlink range (m) | 447 |
|---|---|
| NR uplink range (m) | 248 |
| LTE anchor uplink range (m) | 895 |
| Usable EN-DC range (m) | 447 |
| NR UL deficit vs NR DL (dB) | 10.0 |
| What limits 5G | NR uplink is the weak link: NR UL works only to 248 m, so beyond that the UE must rely on LTE uplink |
Frequently asked questions
Why can 5G NSA show 'NR' but have poor speeds at the edge?
NR downlink may still be strong, but poor NR uplink or a weak anchor causes retransmissions, SCG failures and low throughput.
What improves NR uplink?
Lower NR band or supplementary uplink, uplink carrier aggregation, antenna and RRH placement, power-class-2 UEs, lower TDD UL slot offset and reduced interference.
Sources and further reading
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This calculator gives estimates for information only. Check important results independently before you rely on them. See our disclaimer.