Question 1

Will I struggle with interference if I deploy a network in the ISM band?

Accepted Answer

The chances of experiencing interference while using any devices in the 915MHz unlicensed band (ISM) is a distinct possibility. It is entirely dependent, however, upon how many others are using the band nearby. For this reason, deploying a freeRAN™ IoT Network in rural or remote locations is still a viable option, as is deploying in busier locations but for use cases which are low criticality.

Question 2

Will existing Band 8 devices & modules work with freeRAN™?

Accepted Answer

Existing Band 8 devices may not work directly with freeRAN due to frequency mismatches. freeRAN uses 902-928 MHz with a custom FDD setup, while Band 8 operates at 880-915 MHz (UL) and 925-960 MHz (DL), likely needing custom adjustments.

Question 3

What's the benefit of the Band 8 overlap?

Accepted Answer

3GPP’s Band 8 overlaps with the unlicensed 915MHz band, bringing the ability to use 4G devices with existing chipsets which support this band. 
 
Simply configure your device to Band 8 and you can instantly connect to your freeRAN™ base station.  While there is no requirement to change hardware to make this work, the 4G device you are using still requires FCC certification for use in the unlicensed 915MHz band.

Question 4

Can freeRAN™ be integrated with existing LTE or 5G networks?

Accepted Answer

Yes, freeRAN™ integrates with LTE networks via the S1 interface to an external Evolved Packet Core (EPC). It may also support 5G networks if their core accommodates LTE access, potentially upgrading to a 5G core for LTE-M or NB-IoT.

Question 5

Can freeRAN™ switch Use Equipment (UEs) to another band?

Accepted Answer

Yes, freeRAN can likely instruct UEs to switch bands using standard LTE handover procedures, if the network has cells on that band and the UE supports it.

Question 6

What security features are offered by LTE-M/CAT M1 technology?

Accepted Answer

4G LTE CAT M1 (LTE-M) provides authentication via USIM/UICC, AES encryption, integrity protection, and separate security for control and user planes, ensuring secure IoT communication.

Question 7

How many devices can freeRAN™ support concurrently?

Accepted Answer

While not precisely specified due to differing packet sizes and configurations for different use cases, freeRAN™ is designed to operate in 3 MHz bandwidth suggesting it can support from hundreds up to thousands of devices concurrently.

Question 8

What is the maximum output power of freeRAN™?

Accepted Answer

In accordance with the FCC rules for the 915MHz unlicensed band, the maximum transmit power for freeRAN™ is 30dBm (1 watt).

Question 9

What types of synchronization methods does freeRAN™ support?

Accepted Answer

freeRAN™ supports internal synchronization (single units), Precision Time Protocol (PTP) for multiple units, and GPS for outdoor setups.

FAQ