LTE Fundamentals

Little bit of History:

New technologies developed in the last 15 years in telecommunication
brought available transmission rates to a total new level.
Two systems have affected the life of nearly everyone:
Mobile communication via 2G network like GSM
Wired & Wireless data connectivity (xDSL & WLAN IEEE
802.11/a/b/g standards)
3G networks the first step towards a convergence between both
networks

The way to LTE: 3 main 3G limitations

The maximum bit rates still are factor of 20 and more behind the
current state of the art systems like 802.11n and 802.16e/m. Even
the support for higher mobility levels is not an excuse for this.
The latency of user plane traffic (UMTS: >30 ms) and of
resource assignment procedures (UMTS: >100 ms) is too big to
handle traffic with high bit rate variance efficiently.
The terminal complexity for WCDMA or MC-COMA system s
is quite high making equipment expensive, resulting in poor
performing implementations of receivers and inhibiting the
implementation of other performance enhancements.

LTE Requirements Summary

Simplify the RAN:

->Reduce the number of different types of RAN nodes, and their complexity.
->Minimize the number of RAN Interface types.
Increase throughput.
Reduce latency (which is a prerequisite for CS replacement)
Improve Spectrum efficiency.
Provide greater flexibility with regard to the frequency bands In which the system may
be deployed (Frequency Refarming)
Migrate to an optimized PS domain. With no CS domain in the core network
Provide efficient support for a variety of different services. Traditional CS services will be
supported via VOIP etc.
Minimize the presence of single points of failure in the network above the evolved
NodeBs .
Support inter-working with existing 3G systems and non-3GPP specified systems in
order to support handover to from these systems.

All - IP transport network.

Improve terminal power efficiency.

History and Future of Wireless

WiMAX and HSPA/LTE Technology Positioning

Spectrum
HSPA for paired FDD spectrum
LTE initially for paired FDD spectrum
WIMAX initially for unpaired TDD spectrum
Interworking
Tight interworking between 3GPP technologies(HSPA,LTE)
including common network management and handovers
Loose interworking between 3GPP and WIMAX
Terminals and Services
LTE terminals include GSM/HSPA for full coverage
WIMAX/LTE initially in USB modems and embedded in laptops
while GSM/HSPA supports also CS voice
HSPA/LTE/WIMAX for broadband IP services

Original 3G architecture
2 nodes in the RAN
2 nodes in the PS Core Network
Every Node introduces additional delay
Common path for User plane and Control plane data
Air interfaces based on ATM
RAN interfaces based on ATM
Option for Iu-PS interface to be based on IP

Separated path for control plane and User plane data in the PS Core network
Direct GTP tunnel from the GGSN to the RNC for User plane data: Simplifies the core network
and reduces Signaling.
First step towards a flat network Architecture
30% core network OPEX and CAPEX savings with Direct Tunnel
The SGSN still controls traffic plane handling, performs session and mobility management, and
manages paging
Still 2 nodes in the RAN.

l-HSPA introduces the first true flat architecture to WCDMA.

Standardized in 3GPP Release 7 as: Direct Tunnel with collapsed RNC".

Most part of the RNC functionalities are moved to me Node B.

Direct Tunnels runs now from the GGSN to the Node B.
Solution for cost-efficient broadband wireless access.
Improves the delay performance (less node in RAW
Deployable with existing WCDMA base stations.
Transmission savings

LTE takes the same Flat architecture from Internet HSPA

Air Interface based on OFDMA
All-IP network.
New spectrum allocation (i.e. 2800 MHz band)
Possibility to reuse spectrum (i.e. 900 MHZ)

LTE/SAE Key Features EUTRAN 1/2

Evolved NodeB
-No RNC Is provided anymore
The evolved Node. Bs take over all radio management functionality.
This All make radio management faster and hopefully the network architecture
simpler
IP transport layer
EUTRAN exclusively uses IP as transport layer
UL/DL resource scheduling
In UMTS physical resources are either shared or dedicated
Evolved Node B handles all physical resource via a scheduler and assigns them
dynamically to users and channels
This provides greater flexibility than the older system

LTE/SAE Key Features EUTRAN 2/2

QOS awareness
The scheduler must handle and distinguish different quality of service classes
Otherwise real lime services would not be possible via EUTRAN
The system provides the possibility for differentiated services
Self configuration
Currently under investigation
Possibility le let Evolved NodeBs configure themselves
it will not completely substitute the manual configuration and optimization

LTE/SAE Key Features EPC (Evolved Packet Core)

Packet Switched Domain only
No circuit switched domain is provided
If CS applications are required. they must be implemented via IP
Only one mobility management for the UE in LTE.
3GPP (GTP) or IETF (MIPV6) option
The EPC can be based either on 3GPP GTP protocols (similar to PS domain in
UMTS/GPRS) or on IETF Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6)
Non-3GPP access
The EPC will be prepared also to be used by non-3GPP access networks (e.g. LAN. WLAN.
WiMAX, etc.)
This will provide true convergence of different packet radio access system

Module Contents

Network Architecture Evolution

LTE/EPS Network Subsystems
LTE/EPS Networks Elements
LTE/EPS Network Interfaces
LTE/EPS Roaming Architecture
LTE/EPS inter-working with 2G/3G networks
LTE/EPS linter-working with Non-3GPP access technologies
Charging Architecture in LTE/EPS networks

System Architecture Evolution (SAE) in 3GPP

Targets for System Architecture Evolution:
Optimization for PS services, No longer CS Core network
Support for higher throughput (more capacity, higher data rates)
Decrease the response time for activation and bearer set-up (Control plane
latency)
Decrease packet delivery delay (User plane latency)
Architecture simplification when comparing with existing cellular networks
Inter-working with 3GPP access networks
Inter-working with other wireless access networks

LTE /EPS Network Architecture Subsystem s

LTE/EPS architecture is driven by the goal to optimize the system for packet data transfer.
No circuit switched components
New approach In the Inter-connection between radio access network and core network (S1
Interface)