ARFCN stands for Absolute Radio-Frequency Channel Number. It is a unique number or code which is assigned to all the radio channels and used to find the exact or absolute frequency of the radio channel. This term was initially proposed for GSM and gets on updated with the evolution of new technologies. For example, it is called UARFCM for WCDMA/UMTS. Then, renamed to EARFCN for LTE/E-UTAR. And finally, updated with NR-ARFCN for 5G New Radio (NR).
One can refer to 3GPP specifications 38.101-1 and 38.101-2 to learn more about the 5G NR-AFCN. The purpose of the tools provided on this page is to convert 5G NR ARFCN to Frequency and vice versa.
5G NR ARFCN to Frequency Conversion
NR ARFCN can be converted to NR frequency using the following formula or equation:
$$F_{REF}=F_{REF-Offs}+\Delta F_{Global}(N_{REF}-N_{REF-Offs}) $$
Here,
$N_{REF}$ and $F_{REF}$ represent the NR-ARFCN (INPUT) and 5G frequency (OUTPUT), respectively. Please refer to the below tables to check the values for $F_{REF-Offs}$, $\Delta F_{Global}$, and $N_{REF-Offs}$.
Let's understand this with an example:
Let 5G NR ARFCN is 222000. Then, the above tool will produce the output NR frequency as 1110 MHz.
5G NR Frequency to NR ARFCN Conversion
5G New radio frequency conversion to NR ARFCN can be done using the following equation or formula:
$$N_{REF}=N_{REF-Offs}+\frac{(F_{REF}-F_{REF-Offs})}{\Delta F_{Global}} $$
Please check the below example to understand:
Let the 5G NR Frequency is 1110 MHz. Then, the above tool will produce the output as 222000 (NR ARFCN).
NR-ARFCN parameters for the global frequency raster are shown below for your reference:
Enjoy this free online tool!