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Channel raster and synchronization rasterV16.5.0

Toolbox: Converter between frequency / ARFCN / GSCN / Channel raster / Synchronization raster
  • Input: frequency [MHz] or NR-ARFCN, or GSCN
  • What it does:
    • convert between frequency, NR-ARFCN, GSCN.
    • Identify the bands (if any) that include the frequency.
    • For each GSCN, calculate the corresponding values of M and N.
    • Find out the channel raster, possible values of ΔFRaster, and SS block SCS.
    • Calculate the closest frequency values that lie on global frequency raster, channel raster, global synchronization channel number, and synchronization raster.
Frequency [MHz]bandNR-ARFCNChannel raster [kHz]ΔFRaster [kHz]NR-ARFCN on channel rasterGSCNSSB SCSGSCN on sync raster
valueFrequency [MHz]valueFrequency [MHz]valueNMFrequency [MHz]valueFrequency [MHz]
2500155000012500.005750032499.8562492499.75

Terminologies:

  • NR-ARFCN: denoted by NREF, range from 0 to 3279165 (99.99996 GHz). The distance between neighboring NR-ARFCN is ΔFGlobal.
  • ΔFGlobal: granularity of the global frequency raster, which is the distance between neighboring NR-ARFCNs. It has the value of 5k/15k/60k for sub 3GHz / FR1 beyond 3GHz / FR2, respectively.
  • Channel Raster: defines a subset of RF reference frequencies that can be used to identify the RF channel position in the uplink and downlink. ΔFRaster equals 1 or 2 times channel raster, which means only a subset of the channel raster (which is a subset of the global frquency raster) can be used to deploy uplink or downlink channels.
  • ΔFRaster: band dependent channel raster granularity, which may be equal to or larger than ΔFGlobal.
  • GSCN: the global synchronization channel number denoted by SSREF. The distance between neighboring GSCN sets (for sub 3GHz case, one GSCN set corresponds to 3 GSCNs that are separated 50kHz apart) is 1.2MHz / 1.44MHz / 17.28MHz for sub 3GHz / FR1 beyond 3GHz / FR2, respectively.
  • Synchronization Raster: indicates the frequency positions of the synchronization block that can be used by the UE for system acquisition. It is defined for each band, which is a subset of GSCN. The distance between neighboring synchronization rasters is typically 1/3/16 GSCNs for FR1, and 1/2 GSCNs for FR2, with the exception that some bands have a pre-defined set of GSCNs.
  • The granularities for different terms satisfy: Synchronization Raster > GSCN > ΔFRaster ≥ Channel Raster ≥ ΔFGlobal. By ">", it also means the larger value is an integer multiple of the smaller value.

NR-ARFCN and channel raster

The global frequency channel raster defines a set of RF reference frequencies. The RF reference frequency is used in signalling to identify the position of RF channels, SS blocks and other elements. The global frequency raster is defined for all frequencies from 0 to 100 GHz. The granularity of the global frequency raster is .

RF reference frequencies are designated by an NR Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (NR-ARFCN) in the range of

  • FR1: [0...2016666]
  • FR2: [2016667...3279165]

on the global frequency raster. The relation between the NR-ARFCN NREF-Offs and the RF reference frequency FREF in MHz is given by

FREF = FREF-Offs + ΔFGlobal(NREF - NREF-Offs)NREF = (FREF - FREF-Offs) / ΔFGlobal + NREF-Offs

where FREF-Offs and NREF-Offs are given in TS 38.101 Table 5.4.2.1-1.

Table 5.4.2.1-1: NR-ARFCN parameters for the global frequency raster
Frequency range (MHz)ΔFGlobalFREF-Offs (MHz)NREF-OffsRange of NREF
0 - 30005000 - 599999
3000 - 24250153000600000600000 - 2016666
24250 - 1000006024250.0820166672016667 - 3279165


The channel raster defines a subset of RF reference frequencies that can be used to identify the RF channel position in the uplink and downlink. The RF reference frequency for an RF channel maps to a resource element on the carrier. For each operating band, a subset of frequencies from the global frequency raster are applicable for that band and forms a channel raster with a granularity ΔFRaster, which may be equal to or larger than ΔFGlobal.

The mapping between the RF reference frequency on the channel raster and the corresponding resource element is given in Table 5.4.2.2-1 and can be used to identify the RF channel position. The mapping depends on the total number of RBs that are allocated in the channel and applies to both UL and DL. The mapping must apply to at least one numerology supported by the UE.

Toolbox: Table 5.4.2.2-1: Channel raster to resource element mapping
Resource element index k06
Physical resource block number

Channel raster entries for each operating band

FRchannel raster [kHz]FrequencyIΔFRasterFor frequency bands with two ΔFRaster, the higher ΔFRaster applies to:
110020I × ΔFGlobalchannels using only the SCS ≥ the higher ΔFRaster and SSB SCS == the higher ΔFRaster
15≤3GHz{3, 6}
>3GHz{1, 2}
260>24GHz{1, 2}channels using only the SCS == the higher ΔFRaster and the SSB SCS ≥ the higher ΔFRaster
Both
Every Ith NR-ARFCN within the operating band are applicable for the channel raster within the operating band and the step size for the channel raster in table 5.4.2.3-1 is given as <I>.

Table 5.4.2.3-1: Applicable NR-ARFCN per operating band
NR operating bandChannel raster (kHz)Step sizeΔFRaster (kHz)Uplink Range of NREFDownlink Range of NREFReleaseFR
n110020100384000-<20>-396000422000-<20>-434000r151
n210020100370000-<20>-382000386000-<20>-398000r151
n310020100342000-<20>-357000361000-<20>-376000r151
n510020100164800-<20>-169800173800-<20>-178800r151
n710020100500000-<20>-514000524000-<20>-538000r151
n810020100176000-<20>-183000185000-<20>-192000r151
n1210020100139800-<20>-143200145800-<20>-149200r151
n1410020100157600-<20>-159600151600-<20>-153600r161
n1810020100163000-<20>-166000172000-<20>-175000r161
n2010020100166400-<20>-172400158200-<20>-164200r151
n2510020100370000-<20>-383000386000-<20>-399000r151
n2610020100162800-<20>-169800171800-<20>-178800r161
n2810020100140600-<20>-149600151600-<20>-160600r151
n2910020100143400-<20>-145600r161
n3010020100461000-<20>-463000470000-<20>-472000r161
n3410020100402000-<20>-405000402000-<20>-405000r151
n3810020100514000-<20>-524000514000-<20>-524000r151
n3910020100376000-<20>-384000376000-<20>-384000r151
n4010020100460000-<20>-480000460000-<20>-480000r151
n4115315499200-<3>-537999499200-<3>-537999r151
15630499200-<6>-537996499200-<6>-537996r151
n4615115743333-<1>-795000743333-<1>-795000r161
n4715115790334-<1>-795000790334-<1>-795000r161
n4815115636667-<1>-646666636667-<1>-646666r161
15230636668-<2>-646666636668-<2>-646666r161
n5010020100286400-<20>-303400286400-<20>-303400r151
n5110020100285400-<20>-286400285400-<20>-286400r151
n5310020100496700-<20>-499000496700-<20>-499000r161
n6510020100384000-<20>-402000422000-<20>-440000r161
n6610020100342000-<20>-356000422000-<20>-440000r151
n7010020100339000-<20>-342000399000-<20>-404000r151
n7110020100132600-<20>-139600123400-<20>-130400r151
n7410020100285400-<20>-294000295000-<20>-303600r151
n7510020100286400-<20>-303400r151
n7610020100285400-<20>-286400r151
n7715115620000-<1>-680000620000-<1>-680000r151
15230620000-<2>-680000620000-<2>-680000r151
n7815115620000-<1>-653333620000-<1>-653333r151
15230620000-<2>-653332620000-<2>-653332r151
n7915115693334-<1>-733333693334-<1>-733333r151
15230693334-<2>-733332693334-<2>-733332r151
n8010020100342000-<20>-357000r151
n8110020100176000-<20>-183000r151
n8210020100166400-<20>-172400r151
n8310020100140600-<20>-149600r151
n8410020100384000-<20>-396000r151
n8610020100342000-<20>-356000r151
n8910020100164800-<20>-169800r161
n9015315499200-<3>-537999499200-<3>-537999r161
15630499200-<6>-537996499200-<6>-537996r161
n9110020100166400-<20>-172400285400-<20>-286400r161
n9210020100166400-<20>-172400286400-<20>-303400r161
n9310020100176000-<20>-183000285400-<20>-286400r161
n9410020100176000-<20>-183000286400-<20>-303400r161
n9510020100402000-<20>-405000r161
n9615115795000-<1>-875000795000-<1>-875000r161
n257601602054166-<1>-2104165r152
6021202054167-<2>-2104165r152
n258601602016667-<1>-2070832r152
6021202016667-<2>-2070831r152
n259601602270832-<1>-2337499r162
6021202270832-<2>-2337499r162
n260601602229166-<1>-2279165r152
6021202229167-<2>-2279165r152
n261601602070833-<1>-2084999r152
6021202070833-<2>-2084999r152

GSCN and synchronization raster

The synchronization raster indicates the frequency positions of the synchronization block that can be used by the UE for system acquisition when explicit signalling of the synchronization block position is not present.

A global synchronization raster is defined for all frequencies. The frequency position of the SS block is defined as with corresponding number GSCN. The parameters defining the and GSCN for all the frequency ranges are in Table 5.4.3.1-1.

The synchronization raster and the subcarrier spacing of the synchronization block is defined separately for each band.

The resource element corresponding to the SS block reference freqeuncy is the 120th resource element, i.e. the one in the middle of the SSB.

Table 5.4.3.1-1: GSCN parameters for the global frequency raster
FRFrequency rangeN rangeM rangeSS Block frequency position SSREFGSCNRange of GSCN
10 - 30001 - 24991 - 3 - 5N * 1200kHz + M * 50kHz3N + (M-3)/22 - 7498
3000 - 242500 - 147563000MHz + N * 1.44MHz7499 + N7499 - 22255
224250 - 1000000 - 438324250.08MHz + N * 17.28MHz22256 + N22256 - 26639
Both

Synchronization raster entries for each operating band

The synchronization raster for each band is given in Table 5.4.3.3-1. The distance between applicable GSCN entries is given by the <Step size> indicated in Table 5.4.3.3-1.

Table 5.4.3.3-1: Applicable SS raster entries per operating band
NR operating bandSS Block SCS (kHz)SS Block pattern1Range of GSCN (First, Step size, Last)ReleaseFR
n115Case A5279-<1>-5419r151
n215Case A4829-<1>-4969r151
n315Case A4517-<1>-4693r151
n515Case A2177-<1>-2230r151
30Case B2183-<1>-2224r151
n715Case A6554-<1>-6718r151
n815Case A2318-<1>-2395r151
n1215Case A1828-<1>-1858r151
n1415Case A1901-<1>-1915r161
n1815Case A2156-<1>-2182r161
n2015Case A1982-<1>-2047r151
n2515Case A4829-<1>-4981r151
n2615Case A2153-<1>-2230r161
n2815Case A1901-<1>-2002r151
n2915Case A1798-<1>-1813r161
n3015Case A5879-<1>-5893r161
n3415Case ANOTE 5r151
30Case C5036-<1>-5050r151
n3815Case ANOTE 2r151
30Case C6437-<1>-6538r151
n3915Case ANOTE 6r151
30Case C4712-<1>-4789r151
n4030Case C5762-<1>-5989r151
n4115Case A6246-<3>-6717r151
30Case C6252-<3>-6714r151
n4630Case CNOTE 3r161
n4830Case C7884-<1>-7982r161
n5030Case C3590-<1>-3781r151
n5115Case A3572-<1>-3574r151
n5315Case A6215-<1>-6232r161
n6515Case A5279-<1>-5494r161
n6615Case A5279-<1>-5494r151
30Case B5285-<1>-5488r151
n7015Case A4993-<1>-5044r151
n7115Case A1547-<1>-1624r151
n7415Case A3692-<1>-3790r151
n7515Case A3584-<1>-3787r151
n7615Case A3572-<1>-3574r151
n7730Case C7711-<1>-8329r151
n7830Case C7711-<1>-8051r151
n7930Case C8480-<16>-8880r151
n9015Case A6246-<1>-6717r161
30Case C6252-<1>-6714r161
n9130Case A3572-<1>-3574r161
n9230Case A3584-<1>-3787r161
n9330Case A3572-<1>-3574r161
n9430Case A3584-<1>-3787r161
n9630Case CNOTE 4r161
n257120Case D22388-<1>-22558r152
240Case E22390-<2>-22556r152
n258120Case D22257-<1>-22443r152
240Case E22258-<2>-22442r152
n259120Case D23140-<1>-23369r162
240Case E23142-<2>-23368r162
n260120Case D22995-<1>-23166r152
240Case E22996-<2>-23164r152
n261120Case D22446-<1>-22492r152
240Case E22446-<2>-22490r152

  • NOTE 1: SS Block pattern is defined in clause 4.1 in TS 38.213
  • NOTE 2: The applicable SS raster entries are GSCN = {6432, 6443, 6457, 6468, 6479, 6493, 6507, 6518, 6532, 6543}.
  • NOTE 3: The following GSCN are allowed for operation in band n46:
    GSCN = {8996, 9010, 9024, 9038, 9051, 9065, 9079, 9093, 9107, 9121, 9218, 9232, 9246, 9260, 9274, 9288, 9301,
    9315, 9329, 9343, 9357, 9371, 9385, 9402, 9416, 9430, 9444, 9458, 9472, 9485, 9499, 9513}
  • NOTE 4: The following GSCN are allowed for operation in band n96:
    GSCN = {9548, 9562, 9576, 9590, 9603, 9617,9631, 9645, 9659, 9673, 9687, 9701, 9715, 9728, 9742, 9756, 9770,
    9784, 9798, 9812, 9826, 9840, 9853, 9867, 9881, 9895, 9909, 9923, 9937, 9951, 9965, 9978, 9992, 10006, 10020,
    10034, 10048, 10062, 10076, 10090, 10103, 10117, 10131, 10145, 10159, 10173, 10187, 10201, 10215, 10228, 10242,
    10256, 10270, 10284, 10298, 10312, 10326, 10340, 10353}
  • NOTE 5: The applicable SS raster entries are GSCN = {5032, 5043, 5054}
  • NOTE 6: The applicable SS raster entries are GSCN = {4707, 4715, 4718, 4729, 4732, 4743, 4747, 4754, 4761, 4768,
    4772, 4782, 4786, 4793}