Abstract

"LTE Hands-On" is a comprehensive laboratory manual designed to provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with a practical understanding of 4G LTE systems. The book bridges theory and practice by guiding learners through step-by-step experiments that cover the core aspects of LTE networks, from user equipment registration and PDN connectivity procedures to advanced topics such as channel quality indicators, link adaptation, and network planning.

The manual emphasizes experiential learning using modern software-defined radio (SDR) platforms and open-source LTE implementations. Students gain exposure to both control-plane and user-plane traffic flows in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), visualization of LTE time–frequency domain signals, and live transmission of OFDM signals. Additionally, the book provides in-depth analysis of synchronization signals (PSS, SSS, PBCH), cell reference signals, and FFT-based frequency domain studies essential for understanding LTE’s OFDM architecture.

By including network design and path loss analysis across standard propagation environments (UMi, UMa, SMa, and RMa), the book equips students with a holistic view of LTE system performance under real-world scenarios. Each experiment is structured with clear objectives, requirements, procedures, and analysis, making it suitable as a reference manual for universities and engineering colleges in India and beyond.

This book serves as a bridge between theoretical wireless communication courses and hands-on laboratory practice, preparing students to understand, analyze, and experiment with modern 4G LTE networks.

Aravind Kilaru, KL University, Vijayawada
Prabhu Chandhar, Chandhar Research Labs Pvt Ltd, BaSig Wireless Laboratories Pvt Ltd