1xEV-DO Revision A + B

White Paper

1xEvolution – Data Optimized (1xEV-DO)

is a 3GPP2 “cdma2000® High Rate Packet
Data Air Interface” specification.
Since its introduction (Release 0),
Revisions A and B have brought
improvements in the data throughput in
both directions and in the overall network
capacity.

This white paper presents the Revision A

and B concepts for 1xEV-DO and explains
key features.

October 2013 -1MA213_0e

White Paper

Schulz, Donhauser, Bowne

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................ 3

2 Revision A............................................................................... 5
2.1 Overview of key features in Rev A..............................................................5
2.2 Physical layer in Rev A ................................................................................8
2.2.1 Subtype 0 ......................................................................................................8
2.2.2 Subtype 1 ....................................................................................................16
2.2.3 Subtype 2 ....................................................................................................17

3 Revision B............................................................................. 29
3.1 Overview of key features in Rev B............................................................29
3.2 Physical layer in Rev B: Subtype 3 ..........................................................32
3.2.1 Multicarrier concept ...................................................................................32
3.2.2 Forward link ................................................................................................36
3.2.3 Reverse link ................................................................................................40

4 Appendix ............................................................................... 47
4.1 1xEV-DO states ...........................................................................................47
4.2 Abbreviations..............................................................................................47
4.3 References ..................................................................................................48
4.4 Additional Information ...............................................................................49

CDMA2000® is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry

Association (TIA -USA).
1 Introduction
With the implementation of 1xEV-DO Release 0, 3GPP2 has developed the first mobile
radio technology that is based completely on data traffic (packet-switched data, full IP).
Channel widths (1.25 MHz), spectral characteristics and basic concepts were taken
from CDMA2000 1X . The protocol is completely new and the forward link uses time-
division multiplexing (TDM).

Release 0 permits data rates of up to 2.4 Mbps in the forward link. In the reverse link
data rates of 153 kbps were possible. Release 0 was optimized for asymmetrical data
transfers that are tolerant of delays, such as web browsing or data downloads. Delay-
sensitive applications such as VoIP were not covered by Release 0.

Revision A

1xEV-DO Revision A was developed to enhance the forward and reverse data rates. A
large number of changes were made in this transition.

Early termination procedures were added to both the forward and reverse links, so
that the receiving side could acknowledge that a packet had been completely received
prior to the end of the transmission of the packet. This allowed the link to benefit from
rapidly changing channel conditions.

Other changes were made to improve the amount of time that it took to re-establish a
data connection.

More users were supported. Additional packet encoding formats, both smaller and
larger were added. The data rates on both the forward and reverse links improved as
did the end to end latency.

1xEV-DO Revision A supports a maximum theoretical data rate of 3.1 Mbps in the
forward link and 1.8 Mbps in the reverse link.

The architecture of Revision A permits new services, including video telephony, voice
over IP (VoIP) and Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC).

With Revision A different physical layer subtypes are defined. They are called Subtype
0,1 and 2 (see section 2.2 for a detailed description).

Revision B

In Revision B, data rates were further increased with the introduction of a higher mode
of modulation in the forward link, as well as by aggregating multiple carriers
(multicarrier mode).

1xEV-DO Revision B supports multi-carrier operation where a number (up to 15) of

1.25 MHz carriers may be used to create proportionally faster transmission speeds. In
the real world, most implementations of 1xEV-DO Rev B, use 2 or 3 carriers. Additional
packet encoding formats were defined to increase the maximum, per carrier, data
rates to 4.9 Mbps on the forward link.

With the addition of the new forward data rates and the multi-carrier operation, very
high speed data rates could be supported. Essentially, the forward link data rate could
be 'n' x 4.9 Mbps, with 'n' as the number of carriers. In the reverse link 'n' x 1.84 Mbps
are possible.

With Revision B a new physical layer subtype 3 is defined (see section 3.2 for a
detailed description).

This white paper provides an overview of the essential characteristics of the

technology behind 1xEV-DO Revisions A and B. 1xEV-DO Release 0 is described in
more detail where needed to better explain the optimizations or further developments
in Revisions A and B. This white paper assumes a basic understanding of 1xEV-DO
Release 0.
2 Revision A

2.1 Overview of key features in Rev A

Release 0 was designed for asymmetrical usage; for example, web surfing, file
downloads and so on – tasks that primarily involve transferring data from the base
station to the end user (forward link) and that therefore are not overly impacted by
delays.

The main intent of Rev A was to reduce the latency for applications such as voice
(VoIP), PTT or gaming. The focus was also on increasing the data rate (e.g. for
applications like video telephony or video data transmission) both in the forward and
the reverse link.

Revision A is fully backward compatible with Release 0. To ensure this, the physical
layer of Release 0 was implemented in Revision A as subtype 0. The communication in
the system always starts with the physical layer of Release 0 (or subtype 0).

Based on the requirements described above, improvements and adaptations were

made in the physical layer that were then combined into subtype 2. A detailed
description of the physical layer follows in 2.2.

Improvements in the forward link

Early termination

When implementing packet-switched transmission the possibility of early termination

by the base station during the transmission of data packets from the access terminal is
desirable. This would take place as soon as the data packet has been received
completely and without errors. Before the data was transmitted, the MAC layer of the
AT determined the class of transmission rate. The AN then choose, within this class,
the data rate and repetition rate for the data packet to be transmitted, while taking the
RF conditions between the AN and the AT into consideration. However, it is possible
for the conditions to improve during the data transmission, which would make the
originally selected higher repetition rate unnecessary. Allowing the receiver to
terminate unneeded packet repetitions allows the next packet to be sent sooner.

This is why an automatic retransmission request (ARQ) was implemented in the

forward link, with the option of early termination.

Data rates / packet sizes

Additional packet sizes were defined along with additional data rates. For delay-
sensitive services such as voice transmission (VoIP), small packet sizes were
introduced that reduce the latency. This does not increase the data rate. On the other
hand, the introduction of large packet sizes allow higher data rates (up to 3.072 Mbps).
Multi-user packets

Multi-user packets were defined for the forward link. Multi-user packets can carry data
for multiple ATs. The AT is able to distinguish between a single-user packet and a
multi-user packet via the protocol.

Improvements in the reverse link

Subpackets

Subpackets and subframes were newly defined in order to support hybrid-ARQ mode
on the reverse link.

Fig. 1: Subpackets in reverse link subtype 2. A total of 26.66 ms is required to transmit a frame.

In subtype 2, the reverse traffic channel uses an interleaved transmission. The AT

sends these data packets split into up to four subpackets, which in turn are always
transmitted in four contiguous slots in interlaced mode.

The subpackets are separated by two subframes that transmit data from other packets.
This interlaced operation uses time-delayed transmission of contiguous data packets to
create time for responses from the base station.

Data rates / modulation

New packet sizes were defined that provide effective data rates from 4.8 kbps to
1843.2 kbps. Higher modulation modes are also used (QPSK and 8-PSK).

Soft handoff

Release 0 provided a soft handoff between cells. Although switching between cells
interrupted the data transfer, it did not significantly affect applications such as web
surfing or downloads. In Release 0 the Soft handoff is controlled via the DRC channel
(see 2.2.1.2).

To support delay-sensitive applications, a new channel was introduced (DSC; see

2.2.3.2), which transmits the same information as the DRC, but is updated more often.
Protocol changes

Fig. 2: Overview of the protocol stack in Revision A.

Rev A introduced the multiflow packet application in the application layer. This was an
important step to ensure that different applications (VoIP, gaming, etc.) can be active
at the same time.

Special applications were additionally defined in [2] to support testing of the physical
layer. This ensures well defined parameter sets for repeatable testing. The forward test
applications allow testing of the AT’s receiver. The reverse test applications are for
AT’s transmitter testing. For Revision A, these are

● Forward test application (FTAP): (Defined in Release 0)

– Supports Subtype 0/1: DRCIndices 0 to 12: 0 bps to 2457.6 kbps (see Fig. 6)

● Reverse test application (RTAP): (Defined in Release 0)

– Supports Subtype 0/1: Data rate indices 0 to 5: 0 bps to 153.6 kbps

● Forward enhanced test application (FETAP): (Defined in Rev A)

– Supports Subtype 2: Packet type 1 to 37: 4.8 kbps to 3072.0 kbps (see Fig. 14
to Fig. 17)

● Reverse enhanced test application (RETAP): (Defined in Rev A)

– Supports Subtype 2: Data rate indices 0 to 12: 0 bps to 1843.2 kbps
 Hybrid mode / Cooperation with CDMA2000

To support voice and data services, an AT with hybrid mode can operate in both 1xEV-
DO and CDMA2000 networks and monitor the control channels of each network. For
this it has to switch between both networks (if only one RF chain is assumed). Once an
active connection is needed, the AT must switch to that network. Unless the AT is able
to periodically tune away from the active network, there was no way to be active on
both networks at the same time.

With Revision A a new protocol was defined, that allows CDMA messages to be sent
through 1xEV-DO to enable calls, SMS and other network operations.

2.2 Physical layer in Rev A

Rev A specifies three different physical layer subtypes:

● Subtype 0: Corresponds to the physical layer from Rel 0 and ensures full backward
compatibility
● Subtype 1: Incorporates small changes in the reverse link and no changes in the
forward link
● Subtype 2: Incorporates changes in both the forward and the reverse link, and is
therefore the most important subtype in Rev A

2.2.1 Subtype 0

Physical layer subtype 0 corresponds to the physical layer in Release 0. As a result,

Revision A is fully backward compatible with Release 0.

2.2.1.1 Forward link

Fig. 3 provides an overview of the channels in the forward link.

Fig. 3: Forward link channel structure (subtype 0).

Fig. 4: Overview of the channel structure in the forward link (subtype 0). All channels are time
multiplexed and provided with different Walsh covers. The MAC channel uses CDM using the
MACindex to select active AT’s.

All channels in the forward link are transmitted by the use of time-division multiplexing
(TDM).Code-division multiplexing (CDM) is only used in the MAC. A frame is 26.67 ms
long and consists of 16 slots. A slot is therefore 1.67 ms long and is further split into
two half slots, each with a duration of 833.3 µs.

Fig. 5: Slot structure in the forward link. In principle, every half slot always transmits the MAC and
the pilot (idle slot). If data is also to be transmitted (active slot), then two data packets are
transmitted in every half slot.

Pilot channel

The access network continually broadcasts the pilot channel in every half slot at full
power. This provides a reference signal for coherent demodulation of the data and
MAC channels. It is also used to synchronize all access terminals in the sector. The
access terminals detect the available pilot signals from various sectors and select the
strongest. The pilot signal is not modulated (All 0) and is transmitted only using the
I component.

MAC channels

The MAC channels consist of three subchannels that are divided by means of code-
division multiplexing (CDM). For this purpose, they each use one of 64 Walsh codes (0
to 63). Even Walsh codes (known as MACIndices) are sent on the I component and
odd Walsh codes on the Q component. Only 1 bit is transmitted using BPSK
modulation.

MAC subchannel: Reverse activity (RA)

The access network uses the RA bit (RAB) to inform access terminals that it should
decrease its data rate in the reverse link. This is done to reduce the load of the base
station in times of heavy reverse link activity. The RAB channel uses MACIndex
(Walsh code) 4 and is transmitted on the I component. The update rate is adjustable
between 8 and 64 slots. All AT’s with an active connection must monitor this bit. When
the bit becomes active the AT will pseudo-randomly decide if they should lower their
reverse link data rate. When the bit is inactive, the AT’s will run at their ideal data rate.

MAC subchannel: Reverse power control (RPC)

When a traffic channel is active, the closed loop power control system is used in
conjunction with the open loop power control that all AT’s, active or not, use.

For closed loop power control, the RPC channel is used to send power control bits to
each AT that has an active connection, i.e. that they have a MACIndex assigned. The
AN uses the RPC channel to control the amount of power within the ATs reverse pilot
channel. The power level of the other channels on the reverse link of the AT are
controlled via signaling parameters relative to the pilot channel.

Individual active ATs are addressed via their MACIndex (5 to 63). One bit is
transmitted per slot, which results in an update rate of 600 Hz. The AT increases its
transmit power whenever the RPC bit has a value of 0 (up). Similarly, the AT reduces
its transmit power whenever the RPC bit has a value of 1 (down). The RPC
subchannel alternates with the DRCLock subchannel using TDM. Mapping is to either
I or Q, depending on the MACIndex.

Data rate control (DRC)Lock subchannel

The DRCLock informs the AT that the AN cannot receive the DRC channel correctly
from the AT. A value of DRCLock = 0 indicates to the AT that none of the data
specified by the DRC is being received by the AN. This provides the AT with
information about the reliability of the reverse link to the AN, allowing it to find the best
connection possible.
Traffic channel

The traffic channel transports data packets to the access terminal. In Release 0 (or
subtype 0), only one user in the sector can receive data at any given time via the
single-user protocol (SUP).

A data packet consists of 1024 to 4096 bits and can use 1 to 16 slots. The packet
starts with a preamble. The preamble assigns the data to a specific AT via the
MACIndex (5 to 63). The length of the preamble is dependent on the data rate and it is
transmitted only on the I component.

The data rate varies between 38.4 kbps and 2457.6 kbps. Packets are encoded with
multiple levels of processing:

● Turbo coding
● Interleaving / bit repetition / puncturing
● Walsh covering: 16 subchannels
● QPSK / 8-PSK / 16 QAM modulation

Fig. 6 provides an overview of the packets, data rates, coding, modulation and slots
used.

Fig. 6: Overview of data packets in the forward link in subtype 0.

 Control channel

The control channel is used to deliver broadcast messages or dedicated messages to

access terminals. Walsh indices in the preamble are used to differentiate between
control or traffic channels. The packets are 1024 bits in size and are transmitted with
QPSK modulation on 8 or 16 slots (see the first two rows in Fig. 6). MACIndex 2 (38.4
kbps) or 3 (76.8 kbps) is used.

2.2.1.2 Reverse link

The reverse link has a similar structure as the forward link. The frame is 26.67 ms long
and consists of 16 slots, 1.67 ms each. The reverse link supports two types of
channels. Multiple channels of each type can be supported:

● Access channel
● Traffic channel

Fig. 7 provides an overview of the channels for subtype 0 (or Release 0). All channels
in the reverse link are BPSK-modulated.

Fig. 7: Reverse link channel structure (subtype 0 or Release 0).

Access channel

The AT will use an access channel when it does not have an traffic channel assigned.
Typically it is used when:

● the AT wants to register with the network

● the AT wants to start a session
● smaller amount of data has to be sent without setting up a traffic channel
The access channel will transmit a series of pilot only slots, known as the preamble. It
stays at a constant power level. Following the preamble, data and pilot are transmitted
together at the same nominal power level as the preamble only section. Thus, the
power level of the pilot is reduced by 3 dB while data is being transmitted. This can be
seen in Fig. 8.

In subtype 0 (and Release 0), the data is always 9.6 kbps using a 256 bit packet. The
number of preamble slots is set by values in the control channel messaging. A
minimum of 16 slots are used to transmit the data. The pilot sends All 0 on the
16 4
I component with Walsh cover W 0. The data channel uses the Q component with W 2

Fig. 8: Reverse link access channel (subtype 0).

Traffic channel

The reverse traffic channeI is made up of five subchannels (pilot, data, RRI, DRC,
ACK).

Fig. 9: Overview of the channel structure (traffic channel) in the reverse link (subtype 0). RRI replaces
the pilot in 1/8th of a slot. A complex multiplication (quadrature spreading) of I and Q is then
performed with a separate short PN sequence and a user long code (not shown here).

The data channel is present when there is user data to be transmitted. The ACK is
present only for the first half slot if data is being received on the forward link. A packet
is always 16 slots in length. For the pilot, the power is controlled directly as a closed
loop via the forward link subchannel RPC (see above). Messaging is used to specify
the level of the other subchannels in the reverse link relatively to the pilot as well as
specifying the magnitude of the power control steps. Individual ATs are identified by
means of code division using long code masks.

Pilot

The pilot channel provides a training signal to aid the receiver in the AN in
demodulating the AT reverse link. The pilot signal is a series of All 0 bits covered by
16
W 0 and placed on the I component.
Reverse rate indicator (RRI)

The RRI channel reports the reverse link data rate to the AN. It is coded with 3 bits and
sent in every slot of a packet. Available rates are:

● No data
● 9.6 kbps
● 19.2 kbps
● 38.4 kbps
● 76.8 kbps
● 153.6 kbps
16
The RRI channel replaces the pilot in the first 1/8th of each slot. It is covered with W 0
and is placed on the I component, just like the pilot.

Data rate control (DRC)

The DRC channel is used to communicate two pieces of information to the AN:

● It specifies which data rate is to be used on the forward link under the current
channel conditions. This information is coded in 4 bits.
● It selects which AN (sector) should serve data to the AT. This information is coded
using one of eight possible Walsh covers over the 4 bits for the data rate (see
above). This allows the AT to assist in the selection of serving AN’s when the
channel conditions are changing.
16
The DRC is transmitted over an entire slot, but it is offset by half a slot. It uses W 8 on
the Q component.

ACK

The ACK channel uses ACK/NACK to inform the AN about the successful receipt of
packets in the forward link. This requires a single bit that is sent in the first half of the
8
slot. ACK is sent only if data is present in the forward link. It uses W 4 on the
I component.
 Data

Data is transmitted in packet lengths of 256 to 4096 bytes at data rates of 9.6 kbps to
4
153.6 kbps. One packet is always 16 slots. It uses W 2 on the Q component.

The I/Q diagram in Fig. 10 shows the traffic channel over time.

Fig. 10: Reverse link traffic channel (subtype 0).

2.2.2 Subtype 1

The forward link is identical to subtype 0.

Reverse link

Changes in the reverse link affect only the access channel. It provides the following
two data rates in addition to the previous data rate of 9.6 kbps:

● 19.2 kbps (packet length 512 bits)

● 38.4 kbps (packet length 1 024 bits)

The higher data rates are achieved by decreasing the interleaved symbol repetition
interval. When using the access channel with these higher data rates, the power of the
combined pilot and data section can be higher than the power of the pilot only section
(see also 2.2.1.2: Access channel).

In addition, the duration of the preamble can be shortened to maximize the capacity of
the access channel.
 2.2.3 Subtype 2

The majority of improvements in the physical layer for Revision A are contained in
subtype 2. To support these improvements, the existing channel structure from
Release 0 (subtype 0) has been modified and expanded.

2.2.3.1 Forward link

Fig. 11 provides an overview of the channel structure in the forward link for subtype 2.
The ARQ subchannel has been added to the MAC channel. The traffic and control
channels were modified from subtype 0.

Fig. 11: Forward link channel structure (subtype 2). The new ARQ channel is highlighted in red.
Green channels have undergone significant changes.
Fig. 12: Overview of the channel structure in the forward link (subtype 2). All channels are time
multiplexed and provided with different Walsh covers. The MAC channel uses CDM using the
MACindex to select active AT’s.

MAC channels

General changes

128 MACIndices are now available (Release 0: 64). 128 Walsh cover codes are used
for the MACIndex.

The time domain multiplexing was modified (see also Fig. 12):

● RPC and H-ARQ/L-ARQ is transmitted on one component (I or Q, based on the

MACIndex).
● RPC is transmitted in the first of 4 slots and ARQ in the other three slots. The
effectively reduces the RPC data rate to 150 kbps.
● DRCLock and P-ARQ is transmitted on one component (Q or I, based on the
MACIndex, opposite to RPC / H-/L-ARQ).
● RAB is transmitted on the I component and the update rate is 1 bit per slot.

MACIndex 66 to 70 are reserved for multi-user packets.

ARQ channel

This new channel supports reverse hybrid-ARQ mode. It transmits a positive

ACKnowledgment or a Negative ACKnowledgment (NACK) for the data packets in the
reverse link.

Three different messages (bits) are used to implement hybrid ARQ:

● Hybrid-ARQ bit (H-ARQ)

– Transmitted after each of the first three reverse subpackets (see 2.1) are
received
– Selectable coding:
ON-OFF keying (OOK) (+1 -> ACK, 0 -> NAK)
Bipolar keying (+1 -> ACK, -1 -> NAK)

● Last-ARQ (L-ARQ ) bit

– Sent after the last reverse subpacket is received
– Uses ON-OFF keying

● Packet-ARQ (P-ARQ) bit

– Sent 48 slots after the reverse subpackets are started
– Uses ON-OFF keying

Fig. 13: Example of the HARQ mechanism: early termination (physical packet #1 in grey; packet #2 in
blue).

The AT starts to transmit data in the reverse link with subpacket 1. The AN answers two
subframe later on the H-ARQ channel. This happens for the first three subpackets (in
the example the second subpacket is ACKed, the ARQ process can be early
terminated; the AT continues with the next physical packet). As in this example only two
subpackets were sent, there will be no message on the L-ARQ channel. The P-ARQ
channels indicates successful reception vie ACK in subframe n+12.
Traffic channel

Significant changes were made in the traffic channel. Several new packet sizes were
introduced. Shorter packet lengths permit reduced latency times, while larger packets
increase the data rate. The following new packet sizes were defined:

● 128 bits
● 256 bits
● 512 bits
● 5120 bits

The CRC was expanded from 16 bits to 24 bits for all packet sizes. Both the channel
interleaver and the turbo-coder were modified.

The data is allocated to a specific AT via the MACIndex (5 to 128). The length of the
preamble is dependent on the data rate and it is transmitted only on the I component.
64 bi-orthogonal Walsh codes are used for the preamble. AT’s supporting Release 0
only can use Walsh code up to 64. To ensure backwards compatibly walsh codes
smaller than 64 are assigned to them.

Fig. 14 through Fig. 17 show the data packets.

Fig. 14: Overview of data packets in the forward link using subtype 2 for packets of 128 bits (new
packet size).
Fig. 15: Overview of data packets in the forward link using subtype 2 for packets of 256 bits (new
packet size).

Fig. 16: Overview of data packets in the forward link using subtype 2 for packets of 512 bits (new
packet size).
Fig. 17: Overview of data packets in the forward link using subtype 2 for packets of 1 024 bits or
greater (new packet size marked in red).

With the (reverse) DRC channel (see also 2.2.1.2 ), the AT tells the AN, which data
rate can be used by the AN. The DRC just uses an index to a table with predefined
canonical transmit formats (rate sets). The AN then chooses the appropriate rate from
this group set, see following table.
Transmission formats according to DRC, subtype 2
DRC Rate metric slots TX format Data rate
index (kbps) (packet, slots, (kbps)
preamble)

128, 16, 1024 4.8

256, 16, 1024 9.6
0x0 0 16
512, 16, 1024 19.2
1024, 16, 1024 38.4
128, 16, 1024 4.8
256, 16, 1024 9.6
0x1 38.4 16
512, 16, 1024 19.2
1024, 16, 1024 38.4
128, 8, 512 9.6
256, 8, 512 19.2
0x2 76.8 16
512, 8, 512 38.4
1024, 8, 512 76.8
128, 4, 256 19.2
256, 4, 256 38.4
0x3 153.6 4
512, 4, 256 76.8
1024, 4, 256 153.6
128, 2, 128 38.4
256, 2, 128 76.8
0x4 307.2 2
512, 2, 128 153.6
1024, 2, 128 307.2
512, 4, 128 76.8
0x5 307.2 4 1024, 4, 128 153.6
2048, 4, 128 307.2
128, 1, 64 76.8
256, 1, 64 153.6
0x6 614.4 1
512, 1, 64 307.2
1024, 1, 64 614.4
512, 2, 64 153.6
0x7 614.4 2 1024, 2, 64 307.2
2048, 2, 64 614.4
1024, 2, 64 307.2
0x8 921.6 2
3072, 2, 64 921.6
512, 1, 64 307.2
0x9 1228.8 1 1024, 1, 64 307.2
2048, 1, 64 1228.8
0xa 1228.8 2 4096, 2, 64 1228.8
Transmission formats according to DRC, subtype 2
DRC Rate metric slots TX format Data rate
index (kbps) (packet, slots, (kbps)
preamble)

1024, 1, 64 614.4
0xb 1843.2 1
3072, 1, 64 1843.2
0xc 2457.6 1 4096, 1, 64 2457.6
0xd 1536 2 5120, 2, 64 1536
0xe 3072 1 5120, 1, 64 3072
Fig. 18: Canonical transmission formats for subtype 2

Control channel

Like in Release 0, the control channel has the same structure as the traffic channel. As
a result, the new packet sizes for the traffic channel are also supported:

● 128 bits
● 256 bits
● 512 bits

The new data rates use a MACIndex 71 preamble, to identify them as subtype 2
control packets.
2.2.3.2 Reverse link

Fig. 19 provides an overview of the new channel structure. An auxiliary pilot channel
and the data resource control (DSC) channel are new. Additional changes were made
in the data channel, to enhance throughput.

In subtype 2, the access channel is identical to the access channel in subtype 1.

Fig. 19: Reverse link channel structure (subtype 2). The new channels are highlighted in red. Green
channels have undergone significant changes.
Fig. 20: Overview of the channel structure in the reverse link (subtype 2). ACK and DSC are time-
multiplexed and then, together with both pilots and RRI, provided with different Walsh covers and
transmitted on the I component. DRC is located in the Q component. Data undergoes a hybrid
modulation (see below) and is transmitted via I and Q.

Pilot channel

The pilot is the same like in subtype 0, but is not longer time multiplexed with the RRI.

Auxiliary pilot channel

The auxiliary pilot supports the AN with the demodulation during transmission of higher
data rates. It is transmitted one half slot before and after the data packet and uses
32
W 28 on the I component.

Reverse rate indicator (RRI)

The RRI channel reports the reverse link data rate to the AN. In subtype 2 it is coded
with 6 bits and sent in every slot of a packet. It is not time multiplexed with the pilot
16
channel anymore and now covered with W 4.
Data source control channel (DSC)

The AT uses the DSC channel to select which sector has to serve data to the AT. The
DSC is transmitted only during the second half slot and goes into effect one slot after
its transmission has ended. This allows the serving sector to be changed without
interruption.

Data channel

The data rate in the reverse link has been increased by the addition of two modulation
types, QPSK und 8-PSK (BPSK modulation was used in Release 0 and subtype 0). In
addition, the channel is spread orthogonally across I and Q components using another
layer of Walsh covering ("multicoding").

This results in the following modulation formats:

Data channel modulation parameters, subtype 2

Modulation Modulator Walsh Compon Payload
format code ent sizes
128
256
4
B4 BPSK W 2 Q 512
768
1024

4 1536
Q4 QPSK W 2 I+Q
2048

2 3072
Q2 QPSK W 1 I+Q
4096

4 2 6144
Q4Q2 QPSK W 2+W 1 I+Q
8192
4 2
E4E2 8PSK W 2+W 1 I+Q 12288

The I/Q diagram in Fig. 21 shows the structure in time of the reverse link.
Fig. 21: Reverse link traffic channel (subtype 2).
3 Revision B

3.1 Overview of key features in Rev B

Just as the development of Rev A focused on basic improvements, e.g. a reduction in
the latency for applications such as voice (VoIP), PTT or gaming, Rev B efforts are
centered on further increasing the data rate. This is being achieved primarily through
the bundling of multiple carriers ("carrier aggregation").

Revision A is fully backward compatible with Revision A and Release 0. This was
ensured by supporting the physical layer with subtype 0 to 2. The communication in the
system always starts with the physical layer of Release 0 (or subtype 0).

The improvements and modifications to the physical layer were combined into a
subtype 3 and are described in detail in section 3.2.

The features can be characterized as either basic features (mandatory, implemented

via software upgrade) or enhanced features (optional, requires additional hardware).

Basic features

Basic features
Feature Remark

Up to 3 carriers aggregated Symmetrical carrier deployment

Forward link peak data rate n x Rev A carrier Max. 3 x 3.1 Mbps = 9.3 Mbps

Reverse link peak data rate n x Rev A carrier Max. 3 x 1.84 Mbps = 5.5 Mbps

Table 1: Basic features for Rev B

Carrier aggregation

As a basic feature, two or three carriers from Rev A (subtype 2) can be aggregated.
Aggregating three adjacent carriers of 1.23 MHz each covers a 5 MHz spectrum.
However, the carriers can also be distributed over the frequency band. Please note
that the carriers are not required to be contiguous. The distribution is symmetrical in
the uplink and downlink, i.e. the number of forward links must equal the number of
reverse links. The forward link has a maximum data rate of 9.3 Mbps and the reverse
link 5.5 Mbps.
Enhanced features

In addition to the basic features, other features were added, that require a hardware
(chipset) upgrade in both AT and AN.

Enhanced features
Feature Remark

Up to 15 carriers aggregated Symmetrical and asymmetrical carrier deployment

Larger packet sizes

64-QAM modulation on the forward link

Forward link peak data rate n x Rev B carrier 3 x 4.9 Mbps = 14.7 Mbps
max. 15 x 4.9 Mbps = 73.5 Mbps

Reverse link peak data rate n x Rev A carrier Max. 15 x 1.84 Mbps = 27.6 Mbps

Discontinuous transmission / reception at AT DTX / DRX

Table 2: Enhanced features for Rev B

Carrier aggregation

The specification allows up to 15 carriers to be aggregated as an enhanced feature.

The carriers need not be adjacent to one another. Aggregating 15 carriers of 1.23 MHz
each covers 20 MHz spectrum. Distribution can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical,
i.e. the number of forward links does not have to equal the number of reverse links.
Again, the carriers need not to be adjacent to each other. The forward link has a
maximum data rate of 73.5 Mbps and the reverse link 27.6 Mbps.

Packet size / modulation

Larger packet sizes were defined that, together with the newly introduced 64-QAM
modulation in the forward link, allow data rates of up to 4.9 Mbps per carrier.

Discontinuous transmission / reception at AT (DTX, DRX)

DTX allows the AT to switch off the transmitter temporarily for short bursted signals
(e.g. VoIP). This serves also to increase the system capacity for applications with lower
data rates, by reducing the background noise within the system.

DRX allows the AT to switch off the receiver if it knows beforehand about idle slots
from the AN.

Both features were added to improve the battery life.

Protocol changes

Fig. 22: Overview of the protocol stack in Revision B.

Rev B introduced the multi-link multi-flow packet application (MMPA) in the application
layer. It expands the enhanced multiflow application from Rev A to include the
multicarrier options, and it supports quality of service for the various applications in the
different flows.

Subtype 3 was added to the physical layer (see 3.2). (Subtypes 0 to 2 ensure
backward compatibility to Release 0 and Revision A).

Special applications were additionally defined in [2] for tests. For Rev B, the following
are added beyond those already available in Rev A:

● Forward multicarrier test application (FMCTAP): Subtype 3

– Subtype 3: Packet type 1 to 37 from subtype 2, plus 14 optional packet types:
4.8 kbps to 4 915.2 kbps

● Reverse multicarrier test application (RMCTAP): Subtype 3

– Subtype 3: Data rate indices (from subtype 2) 0 to 12: 0 bps to 1 843.2 kbps
3.2 Physical layer in Rev B: Subtype 3
Rev B adds subtype 3 to the three different subtypes 0 to 2 available in the physical
layer in Rev A.

All features can be classified as:

● Basic features: Mandatory for all ANs and ATs

● Enhanced features: Optional features

3.2.1 Multicarrier concept

The introduction of multicarrier mode brought additional requirements for the feedback
channels. In the case of the mandatory (basic) features, the carriers are distributed
symmetrically (number of forward links = number of reverse links) and every pair of
carriers behaves the same as in single-carrier mode. However, if the distribution is
asymmetrical (number of forward links ≠ number of reverse links), the feedback
channels must be multiplexed to ensure proper operation of the system.

No Feedback multiplexing (symmetric system)

For a symmetric system, every forward/reverse pair of carriers functions the same as
in single-carrier mode. This means that every reverse link transmits the feedback
information (DRC, ACK, DSC) separately. This is known as NoFeedback multiplexing
mode. Each pair does its own power control like in a single link.

Fig. 23: Symmetrical division of the multicarrier. Every reverse link serves a forward link.
Reverse feedback multiplexing

This is used when there are fewer reverse link channels than there are forward link
channels. In BasicFeedBack multiplexing (optional), so the feedback from multiple
(n) forward channels must use one or more reverse links. In this case, the individual
feedback channels (DRC, ACK, DSC, “reverse overhead channels”) are transmitted on
a single carrier, separated by n long code masks.

Fig. 24: Reverse BasicFeedBack multiplexing. The feedback is transmitted together via one reverse
link, separated by various long code masks.

EnhancedFeedback multiplexing allows the feedback from up to four forward links to

be transmitted on a single reverse link. To do this, the feedback channels (DRC, ACK,
DSC, “reverse overhead channels”) are separated both using time (TDM) and code
(CDM) and then transmitted with one long code mask.
Fig. 25: Reverse EnhancedFeedBack multiplexing. The feedback for up to four carriers is separated
by means of TDM and CDM and then combined in one reverse link.

Forward feedback multiplexing

When there are more reverse links than forward links, then the forward link feedback
(subchannels RPC, RAB) must serve multiple reverse links. This is done using several
different MACIndices to cover the feedback subchannels:

● Reverse link MACIndex: Multiplexing RPC, DRCLock, ARQ

● RABMACIndex: Multiplexing RAB
Fig. 26: A forward link serving two reverse links. The separation is carried out using different
MACIndices.
3.2.2 Forward link

Subtype 3 was derived from subtype 2 maintaining the same channels and timing. A
number of changes were made to support asymmetric link configurations and some
new data rates. Some changes are handled as optional features.

Fig. 27: Forward link channel structure (subtype 3). Green channels have undergone significant
changes.

To support new, higher, data rates, new packet sizes were added, as well as the
addition of 64 QAM as a modulation type. Due to the need to support asymmetric link
configurations, changes were made in the Walsh codes used to cover elements of the
MAC channel. This increased the number of available MACindices to support feedback
operations to multiple reverse link channels from a single forward link

Changes were made in the packet sizes and in the modulation in the traffic channel, as
well as in the Walsh code in the MAC channel. The preamble was additionally mapped
to the I/Q components differently, based on the MACIndex.
Fig. 28: Overview of the channel structure in the forward link (subtype 3). All channels are time
multiplexed and provided with different Walsh covers. The MAC channel uses CDM using the
MACindex to select active AT’s.

MAC channels

383 MACIndices are now available (Revision A: 128). The number of Walsh cover
codes remains at 128.

The Walsh code is determined based on MACIndex 0 to 383 in accordance with Table
12.4.1.3.2.2-1 from [1]. For example, even MACIndices up to 62 use Walsh code
128
W i/2 .

The MACIndices are typically available for use in the MAC channels as shown in Fig.
29. There are several MACIndices to identify. Because a forward link might have to
transmit MAC channel information for several reverse links, these can be multiplexed
using different MACIndices:

● RAB uses the RABMACIndex from ranges 4 to 63 and 66 to 127

● RPC, DRCLock and ARQ use the ReverseLinkMACIndex from ranges 4 to 63, 66
to 127, 130 to 191, 194 to 255, 258 to 319, 322 to 383

These are different from the ForwardTrafficMACIndex, which is used in the preamble
to address data packets to specific ATs (see the section titled "Traffic channel").
MACIndex
MACIndex MAC channel use

0 and 1 Not used

2 Not used

3 Not used

4 to 63 Available for RPC channel, DRCLock channel,

66 to 127 ARQ channel and RA channel

64 to 65
128 to 129
192 to 193
Not used
256 to 257
320 to 321
384 to 512

130 to 191 Available for RPC channel, DRCLock channel,

194 to 255 ARQ channel

258 to 319
322 to 383

Fig. 29: Use of the MACIndices in the MAC channels.

Traffic channel

Packet size / transmission formats

New packet sizes were introduced in the traffic channel, along with the new 64-QAM
modulation. The packet sizes and transmission formats from subtype 2 must still be
supported. Three new packet sizes have been defined to allow the data rate to be
increased to a maximum of 4915.2 Mbps:

● 6144 bits
● 7168 bits
● 8192 bits
With the (reverse) DRC channel (see also 2.2.1.2 and 2.2.3.1), the AT tells the AN,
which data rate can be used by the AN. The DRC just uses an index to a table with
predefined canonical transmit formats (rate sets). The AN then chooses the
appropriate rate from this group set, see following table. New DRCindices are added to
the existing ones (0x0…0xe; see Fig. 18)

Transmission formats according to DRC, subtype 3

DRC Rate metric TX format Termination Maximum
index (kbps) (packet, slots, Target span
preamble) (slots) (slots)
1024, 4, 64
0x10 460.8 2048, 4, 64 4 8
3072, 4, 64
1024, 4, 64
0x11 614.4 2048, 4, 64 4 8
4096, 4, 64
1024, 4, 64
0x12 768.0 2048, 4, 64 4 8
5120, 4, 64
2048, 4, 64
0x13 921.6 4 8
6144, 4, 64
1024, 4, 64
0x14 1075.2 4 8
7168, 4, 64
0x15 1228.8 8192, 4, 64 4 4
2048, 2, 64
0x16 1843.2 2 4
6144, 2, 64
1024, 2, 64
0x17 2150.4 2 4
7168, 2, 64
0x18 2457.6 8192, 2, 64 2 4
2048, 1, 64
0x19 3686.4 1 4
6144, 1, 64
1024, 1, 64
0x1a 4300.8 1 4
7168, 1, 64
0x1b 4915.2 8192, 1, 64 1 4
Fig. 30: New, optional canonical transmission formats in the forward link, subtype 3. See Fig. 18 for
existing suptype 2 formats.

Preamble
128
128 bi-orthogonal Walsh codes are used for the preamble. Even indices with W i/2 are
128
mapped to the I component and odd indices with W (i-1)/2 are mapped to the Q
component as a bitwise complement. Using this new mapping for the Forward Traffic
MACIndex permits the addressing of up to 255 unique AT’s.
3.2.3 Reverse link

The reverse link remains essentially unchanged from Rev A or subtype 2 with respect
to logical (channels) and timing structure. However, the introduction of the multicarrier
concepts (see 3.2.1) means that the feedback channels DRC, ACK and DSC will
require multiplexing to support multiple forward links. When multiplexing is needed, this
is done by the use of additional Walsh cover codes.

NoFeedback multiplexing

In symmetrical mode, every reverse link has its own forward link, so, just as in single
carrier mode, all feedback channels are transmitted with every reverse link.

Fig. 31: Reverse link in symmetrical NoFeedback mode. Every carrier transmits all channels. UI and
UQ are User Long-Code (LC) PN Sequences for I or Q channels

BasicFeedBack multiplexing

In this mode, both the reverse channels (pilot, data, RRI, AuxPilot) and the reverse
overhead channels (DRC, ACK, DSC) are transmitted over one reverse link for all
forward links. The individual feedback channels may be distinguished by the use of
different long code masks.
Fig. 32: BasicFeedback multiplexing: All reverse overhead channels are transmitted over one single
reverse link. They are differentiated by the different long code (LC) masks.

EnhancedFeedback multiplexing

In this case, the reverse overhead channels are transmitted over a single reverse link
for up to four forward links. That means four reverse links are needed to support the
maximum possible 15 forward links. To do this, the reverse overhead channels (ACK,
DSC and DRC) are multiplexed in TDM and CDM. To support more links, the basic
structure from subtype 2 is extended to use both I and Q components. Additional
Walsh codes are used to codemultiplex them, e.g. to transmit two reverse subchannels
for different forward links are at the same time and on the same component.
Fig. 33: EnhancedFeedback multiplexing: One reverse channel and up to four reverse overhead
channels are combined in a single carrier. This means that at most, four reverse links (with different
long code (LC) masks are needed in order to use all possible forward links.

As a recall from NoFeedback Multiplexing, the DSC channel is time multiplexed with
32
the ACK channel every half slot using a common Walsh code (W 12 ) and mapped to
the I component. The DRC is mapped to the Q component with an offset of one half
slot.

Fig. 34: Channel structure of reverse overhead channels supporting one forward carrier
Two Forward Links

To support two forward links, the additional channels ACK2, DSC2 and DRC2 use the
same structure like the channels for Carrier 1, but are mapped on the opposite
component. That means, ACK2 and DSC2 are time multiplexed every half slot using a
32
common Walsh code (W 12 ) and mapped to the Q component. The DRC2 is mapped
to the I component with an offset of one half slot.

Fig. 35: Channel structure of reverse overhead channels supporting two forward carriers in
Enhanced Feedback multiplexing
Fig. 36: Timing structure of one reverse traffic channel subtype 3 in EnhancedFeedback multiplexing
for 2 forward carriers

Four Forward Links

To support four forward links, ACK1/2 and DSC1/3 are time multiplexed every half slot
32
using a common Walsh code (W 12 ) and mapped to the I component. DSC1 and
DSC3 are alternating every second half slot. The DRC3 and DRC4 are mapped to the I
component with an offset of one half slot. To distinguish between ACK1 and ACK2 and
DRC3 and DRC4 additional Walsh codes are used. All remaining channels (ACK3/4,
DSC2/4 and DRC1/2) are mapped on the same way to the Q component.
Fig. 37: Channel structure of reverse overhead channels supporting four forward carriers in
Enhanced Feedback multiplexing
Fig. 38: Timing structure of one reverse traffic channel subtype 3 in EnhancedFeedback multiplexing
for 4 forward carriers
4 Appendix

4.1 1xEV-DO states

Following figure gives an overview about the states and transitions:

Fig. 39: 1xEV-DO states

4.2 Abbreviations
1xEV-DO 1xEvolution-Data Optimized
3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
3GPP2 Third Generation Partnership Project 2
ACK Acknowledgment
AN Access Network
ARQ Automatic Retransmission Request
AT Access Terminal
bps Bits per Second
BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
CDG CDMA Development Group
CDM Code Division Multiplex
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check
dB Decibel
DO Data Optimized
DRC Data Rate Control
EV Evolution
FCS Frame Check Sequence
FL Forward Link
FTC Forward Traffic Channel
GHz Gigahertz
GPS Global Positioning System
 HDR High Data Rate
HPSK Hybrid Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
HRPD High Rate Packet Data
Hz Hertz
I In-Phase Component
IMT International Mobile Telecommunication
ITU International Telecommunications Union
kbps Kilobits per Second
kHz Kilohertz
LCM Long Code Mask
LSB Least Signification Bit
MAC Medium Access Control
Mbps Megabits per Second
MHz Megahertz
ms Milliseconds
NAK Negative Acknowledgement
ns Nanoseconds
PER Packet Error Rate
PN Pseudo-Noise
PPS Pulse per Second
PSK Phase Shift Keying
Q Quadrature Phase Component
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
QoS Quality of Service
QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
RA Reverse Activity
RAB Reverse Activity Bit
RAN Radio Access Network
RF Radio Frequency
RL Reverse Link
RPC Reverse Power Control
RRI Reverse Rate Indicator
RTC Reverse Traffic Channel
Rx Receive
TIA Telecommunications Industry Association
TDM Time Division Multiplex
Tx Transmit
UTC Universal Coordinated Time
VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol
µs Microsecond

4.3 References
[1] 3GPP2 C.S0024; cdma2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification;
Version C.S0024-B v3.0; June 2012 {Revision B}

[2] 3GPP2 C.S0029; Test Application Specification (TAS) for High Rate
Packet Data Air Interface; Version C.S0029-B v1.0; March 2008 {Revision B}
4.4 Additional Information

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