What is ACP?
ACP (Adjacent Channel Power) is a measurement that quantifies the amount of RF power contained in a frequency channel immediately adjacent to the desired transmission channel. It is a fundamental parameter in wireless communications used to evaluate how much energy a transmitter leaks into neighbouring channels, which directly affects interference levels and overall network performance. Keeping ACP within specification is essential for coexistence of multiple carriers and technologies sharing the same spectrum band.
How Does ACP Work?
ACP is measured by capturing the transmitted signal with a spectrum analyser or signal analyser, then integrating the power within the bandwidth of the adjacent channel. The measurement compares the power in the adjacent channel against the power in the assigned channel. Filters matching the channel bandwidth are applied to isolate the relevant frequency ranges. The result is typically expressed in dBm or dBc (relative to the carrier power).
Use Cases
Transmitter compliance testing for 5G NR base stations and UE, spectrum management and interference mitigation, RF front-end design validation, regulatory certification of wireless devices, and multi-carrier deployment planning.
3GPP / Standards Reference
3GPP TS 38.104 (NR base station radio transmission and reception), 3GPP TS 38.101 (NR UE radio transmission and reception)
Related Terms
ACLR | ACPR | SEM | OFDM | EVM
Learn More
This glossary entry is part of the 5GWorldPro Complete 5G Glossary. To go deeper into 5G architecture and technology, explore our 5G Training courses.
