5G Throughput Calculation

Throughput is one of the most critical KPIs for evaluating the performance of a 5G network. It directly reflects the data rate a user can achieve under specific network conditions, making it a decisive factor for user experience, service quality, and network capacity planning.

In simple terms, throughput is the amount of user data successfully transmitted over a communication channel per unit time, typically measured in Mbps or Gbps.

Why Throughput Matters in 5G

5G New Radio (NR) has been designed to deliver significantly higher throughput compared to LTE, not just to support faster downloads, but also to enable advanced applications such as:

• Ultra-HD/8K video streaming
• Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
• Massive IoT connectivity
• Autonomous vehicle communication
• Low-latency, high-bandwidth industrial automation

From a network operator’s perspective, throughput is not just a measure of speed; it is also a measure of spectral efficiency, network utilization, and return on spectrum investment. The higher the throughput per Hertz of spectrum, the more efficient the network.

Types of Throughputs in 5G

There are two distinct types of throughputs that need to be understood:

Theoretical Throughput-The maximum possible data rate achievable under ideal network conditions, assuming:

• No interference
• Perfect channel quality
• 100% resource allocation to the user

Useful for network dimensioning, lab testing, and validating hardware capabilities. Rarely achieved in real-world deployments due to environmental and operational factors.

User-Perceived Throughput-The actual data rate experienced by the end-user during real-world network usage.

Influencing Factors:

• Scheduling policies – how resources are shared between users
• Interference from neighboring cells
• Radio conditions (SINR, fading, mobility)
• Protocol overheads

A true indicator of QoE for subscribers.

Key Network Parameters That Affect Throughput

The actual throughput in a 5G NR system is influenced by several interdependent parameters, including:

Parameter	Role in Throughput
Bandwidth (BW)	More bandwidth → more resource blocks → higher potential throughput.
Subcarrier Spacing (SCS)	Determines how many symbols can be sent in a given time, affecting slots per second.
MIMO Layers	Multiple spatial streams increase parallel data transmission.
Modulation Scheme	Higher modulation (e.g., 256QAM) carries more bits per symbol.
Coding Rate	Determines the proportion of transmitted bits used for actual data versus error correction.
Overhead Factors	Control signals, reference signals, and guard bands reduce the available capacity for user data.

General 5G Throughput Formula

reference – 38.306 – 4.1.2 3gpp

The peak physical layer throughput in a 5G NR system can be estimated using the following equation:

This formula calculates the maximum achievable data rate based on physical layer resource allocation and transmission configuration. Each term corresponds to a specific physical parameter defined in 3GPP specifications (primarily TS 38.104 and TS 38.211).

Step-by-Step Throughput Calculation Example: 100 MHz, 30 kHz SCS, 4×4 MIMO, 256QAM

Step 1 – Bits per PRB per Slot: Bits/PRB/slot=12×14×8×0.93=1,247.04 bits

Step 2 – Bits per Slot (All PRBs): Bits/slot=1,247.04×273=340,430.92 bits

Step 3 – Bits per Second (Single Layer): Bits/sec=340,430.92×2000=680,861,840 bps (≈681 Mbps)

Step 4 – Apply MIMO Layers: 681 Mbps×4=2.724 Gbps

Step 5 – Apply Overhead Factor: Assume 25% overhead: 2.724 Gbps×0.75=2.043 Gbps

Final DL Throughput ≈ 2.04 Gbps

Factors Reducing Real-World Throughput

Even when theoretical throughput is high, practical results are affected by:

• Scheduler allocation (UE doesn’t always get 100% PRBs)
• CQI fluctuations (channel quality feedback)
• Interference & SINR degradation
• Mobility & handovers
• Carrier Aggregation limits
• UE category restrictions

Throughput calculation in 5G NR is a multi-parameter process involving spectrum configuration, modulation, coding, MIMO, and overhead deductions. Understanding this allows engineers to:

• Predict network capacity
• Plan spectrum utilization
• Set realistic performance expectations

By using the formula and step-by-step approach above, along with 3GPP parameter tables, network planners can accurately estimate achievable data rates for any deployment scenario.

Throughput calculation in 5G is a vital metric that helps network planners and engineers estimate data capacity and user experience. By understanding each parameter—RBs, modulation, code rate, symbols, and layers—you can estimate peak and realistic throughput levels under different scenarios.

References

• 3GPP TS 38.306 – Defines max modulation, MIMO layers, and code rates for UE capability.
• 3GPP TS 38.101-1 – Lists NRB values for different bandwidths and SCS configurations.
• 3GPP TS 38.211 – Describes physical channels, modulation, and resource grid structure.
• 3GPP TS 38.213 – Covers control overheads like PDCCH, DMRS, and TDD slot configuration.
• 3GPP TS 38.104 – Specifies the maximum number of PRBs for a given bandwidth/SCS.
• 3GPP TS 38.300 – Provides overall 5G NR architecture, slot structure, and services.