MobileComm Professionals, Inc.

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Our Journey

Evolution of 3GPP Cellular system

4G LTE-A
3.9G LTE
3.75G HSPA+
3.5 G HSPA
3G UMTS
2.75G EDGE
2.5G GPRS
2G GSM

User Expectation

Broadband Acces
Everywhere

Anywhere,
Anytime

Higher Voice
Quality

Lower Prices

Different services

Higher Speed

Operator Expectation
Data Rate and Latency

Architecture

High Data Rate

and reduced
Latency for
multimedia rich
application

Mobility

Seamless
handover
ensuring service
continuity with
legacy system

Architecture
Simplicity and
reduced protocol
complexity

Cost of ownership

Spectrum

Reduced migration
CAPEX/OPEX
Investment
protection by
reusing existing
assets

Greater
efficiency and
flexibility

LTE Offerings
Peak Data rate
100 Mbps DL/ 50 Mbps UL (20 MHz)

Latency: Less than 5 ms

Mobility support
0 ~ 15 Km/h
15 Km/h ~ 120 Km/h
120 Km/h ~ 350 Km/h
350 Km/h ~ 500 Km/h

(Optimized Performance)
(Excellent Performance)
(Average Performance)
(Satisfactory Performance)

Enhanced multimedia broadcast multicast service

Spectrum flexibility: 1.4 MHz ~ 20 MHz
Enhanced Support for E2E QoS

LTE Targets
High data rates
Downlink: >100 Mbps and uplink: >50 Mbps
Cell-edge data rates 2-3 x HSPA Rel. 6 (@ 2006)

Low delay/latency
User plane RTT: < 05 ms RAN
Channel set-up: < 100 ms idle-to-active (fewer nodes, shorter messages, quicker node resp.)
High spectral efficiency
Targeting 3 X HSPA Rel. 6 (@ 2006 )

Spectrum flexibility
Operation in a wide-range of spectrum allocations, new and existing
Wide range of Bandwidth: 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz, FDD and TDD
Cost-effective migration from current/future 3G systems
Focus on services from the packet-switched domain

Network Elements and Functionalities

10

Network Architecture Evolution

HSPA
HSPA R6

GGSN

SGSN

RNC

Node B (NB)

Direct tunnel
HSPA R7

I-HSPA
HSPA R7

GGSN

GGSN

SGSN

SGSN

LTE
LTE R8

SAE GW

MME/SGSN

RNC

Node B (NB)

Control Path
Data Path

Node B + RNC
Functionality

Evolved Node B
(eNB)

EPS Network Architecture

11

X2

CP + UP

LTE-UE

LTE-Uu

eNode B

CP

UP

eNodeB:
HSS:
MME:
S-GW:
PCRF :
P-GW:

eNode B
S1- MME

EUTRAN

S1- U

S10

S11

Evolved NodeB
Home Subscriber Server
Mobility Management Entity
Serving Gateway
Policy & Charging Rule Function
Packet Gateway

SGi

S5/S8

PDN

S6a

S7

Rx+

Evolved Packet Core

Evolved Node B (eNB)

cell

LTE-Uu
LTE-UE

Evolved
Node B

Functions for Radio Resource Management: Radio Bearer Control, Radio Admission Control, Connection Mobility
Control, Dynamic allocation of resources to UEs in both uplink and downlink (scheduling)
IP header compression and encryption of user data stream;
Routing of User Plane data towards Serving Gateway

Scheduling and transmission of paging messages (originated from the MME)

Scheduling and transmission of broadcast information (originated from the MME or O&M)
Measurement and measurement reporting configuration for mobility and scheduling
Scheduling and transmission of messages (originated from the MME)
Performs all Radio Resource Management functionality
An eNB can handle several cells

12

13

Mobility Management Entity (MME)

Pure Signaling Entity inside EPC
Inter Core Network node signaling for mobility between 3GPP access
networks
Handles attach and Detach to the SAE system as well as Tracking Area update
PDN GW and Serving GW selection
Roaming
Bearer management functions including dedicated bearer establishment
MMEs can be interconnected via the S10 interface
It generates and allocates temporary IDs for UEs

AS Security control
Tracking Area list management (for UE in idle and active mode)
Idle UE reachability, Paging
Support for message transmission

S10

S6a
S1-MME
S11
eNode B

S1-U

14

Serving Gateway (SGW)

Manages the user data path with in EPC
Connects via S1 interface towards eNB
Packet routing and forwarding
S11

Connects the P-GW with S5/S8 interface

S1-U

A serving gateway is controlled by one or more MMEs via S11 interface

eNode B

E-UTRAN idle mode downlink packet buffering

Mobility anchoring for inter-3GPP mobility

The local Mobility Anchor point for inter-eNB handover

S5/S8

15

Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway

Provides the connection between EPC and a number of external data networks

UE IP address allocation

S7

Rx+

QoS coordination between the external PDN and EPC

connected via S7 to a PCRF

S5/S8

SGi
PDNs

Per-user based packet filtering (by e.g. deep packet inspection)

UL and DL service level charging and rate enforcement

DL rate enforcement based on APN-AMBR

Lawful Interception
DHCP functions

16

Policy Control and Charging Rule Function (PCRF)

Quality of Service (QoS) coordination between the external PDN and EPC
PCRF is connected via Rx+ interface to the external Data network (PDN)
Check and modify the QoS associated with a SAE bearer setup from SAE or to
request the setup of a SAE bearer from the PDN
Enforces minimum QoS Parameters for packet based on their QoS Parameters
Charging Policy: Determines how packet should be accounted

S7

S5/S8

Rx+

SGi
PDNs

17

Home Subscriber Server (HSS)

Similar to HLR in 2G/3G Network

S10

S6a
S1-MME

With LTE/EPS the HSS will get additionally data per subscriber
for mobility and service handling

The HSS can be accessed by the MME via S6a interface

eNode B

S1-U

S11

Interfaces and Functionalities

EPS Interfaces

19

Gi

Gn

Iu-PS

UTRAN
S3

S10

S4

S11

SGi

S5/S8

PDN
S7

S6a
S1- MME

Rx+

S1- U

Evolved Packet Core

X2
LTE-Uu

eNode B
eNode B

LTE-UE

EUTRAN

LTE Interfaces
LTE Uu
Air interface of LTE, based on OFDMA in DL and SC-FDMA in UL
FDD and TDD duplex methods
Scalable bandwidth 1.4MHz to currently 20 MHz

X2
Inter eNB interface ,uses X2AP special signalling protocol
For an inter- eNB HO to facilitate handover and provide data forwarding
In RRM to provide e.g. load information to neighbouring eNBs to facilitate interference management
S1-MME
Control interface between eNB and MME, Uses S1AP protocol
MME and UE will exchange non-access stratum signaling via eNB through this interface ( i.e. authentication, tracking area updates)

S1-U
User plane interface between eNB and serving gateway
Pure user data interface (U=User plane)

20

LTE Interfaces
S5/S8
This is the interface between the S-GW and P-GW
S8 is used when roaming between different operators while S5 is network internal
S5/S8 is a many-to-many interface
S6a
It enables transfer of subscription and authentication data for authenticating/ authorizing user access to the evolved system (AAA interface)
between MME and HSS

S7
It provides transfer of (QoS) policy and charging rules from Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to Policy and Charging Enforcement Function
(PCEF) in the PDN GW

S10
Interface between MME and other MME
Reference point between MMEs for MME relocation (e.g handover) and MME to MME information transfer

22

LTE Interfaces
S11

Reference point between MME and SGW

SGi

It is the reference point between the PDN GW and the packet data network
S3

It is the interface between SGSN and MME

Enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access network mobility in idle
and/or active state based on Gn reference point as defined between SGSNs
S4

It provides the user plane with related control and mobility support between SGSN and the SGW
Based on Gn reference point as defined between SGSN and GGSN

23

LTE Interfaces
S9

Interface between HPCRF and VPCRF is used in roaming cases

It is used in VPLMN for the enforcement of Dynamic control policies from the HPLMN
S12

Direct Tunnel from the serving Gateway to RNC

S12 is the user plane Interface used for Tunneling user data directly between the S-GW and UTRAN
This Would allow to forward packet data from 3G RAN to the serving Gateway to the PDN Gateway
S2

Provides the connectivity to non 3GPP access network(WLAN, WiMAX, 3GPP2)

SGs
Provides the connectivity between MME and MSS

24

25

EPS Interfaces
Iu-PS

UTRAN

SGSN

Gn

GGSN

S3

eNB

Gi

EPC
S4

E-UTRAN
S6a

Other
eNB

Rx+

S7

S10

S1-MME
X2
S11

S5/S8
LTE-Uu

LTE-UE

CP+UP

S1-U

CP

PDNs

SAE Gateway

eNode B

UP

SGi

Interconnectivity

LTE/EPS With 2G/3G

27

LTE/EPS With Non-3GPP

S2 interface provides connectivity to a non3GPP access network (e.g. WLAN, WiMAX,

3gpp2, Fixed,)

28

Roaming Architecture

30

Roaming architecture with Home Routed Traffic

HSS

PCRF
Rx

Gx

PDN
Gateway

S6a

HPLMN
VPLMN

UTRAN

SGSN

GERAN
S12

S3

S8

MME
S1-MME

S4
S10
S11

E-UTRAN

UE
LTE Uu

S1-U

Serving
Gateway

SGi

Operators IP
services (e.g.
IMS, PSS etc)

31

Roaming architecture for Local Breakout

HSS

H-PCRF

S6a

HPLMN
VPLMN

S9

UTRAN

SGSN

GERAN
S12

S3

MME
S1-MME

V-PCRF
S4
Gx

S10
S11

E-UTRAN

UE
LTE Uu

S1-U

Serving
Gateway

S5

PDN
Gateway

Rx
SGi

Visited
Operators
PDN

Protocols

33

LTE Radio Interface

Control Plane

User Plane
LTE-Uu
Layer 3

Air interface of EUTRAN

Based on OFDMA in downlink
and SC-FDMA in uplink

Layer 2

FDD and TDD duplex methods

Scalable Bandwidth : from 1.4 up
to 20 MHz

Layer 1

Data Rates up to 100 Mbps(DL),

50 Mbps (UL)

LTE X2 interface
X2 - Control Plane

X2 - User Plane

X2
Inter eNB interface
Handover coordination without

involving the EPC

X2AP: Special Signaling protocol
During HO, source eNB can use the

X2 interface to forward downlink

packets still buffered or arriving
from the serving gateway to the

target eNB
This will avoid loss of packets during
inter eNB handover

S1-MME and S1-U Interface

S1-MME:
Control interface between eNB and MME
MME and UE will exchange non-access stratum signaling via eNB through this interface
S1AP: S1 Application Protocol
S1-U:
User plane interface between eNB and serving gateway.
It is a pure user data interface.
Which serving GW a users SAE bearer will have to use is signaled from MME to this User

S1-MME
(Control Plane)

eNB

S1-U
(User Plane)

S10 & S6a Interface

S6a
(Control Plane)

S10
(Control Plane)

S10

S6a

Interface between different MMEs

Interface between the MME and the HSS

The MME uses it to retrieve subscription

Used during inter-MME tracking area updates

The new MME can contact the old MME the user
had been registered before to retrieve data about
identity (IMSI), security information (security
context, authentication vectors) and active SAE
bearers (PDN gateways to contact, QoS, etc.)
Obviously S10 is a pure signaling interface, no user
data runs on it.

information from HSS (handover/tracking area

restrictions, external PDN allowed, QoS, etc.)
during attaches and updates

The HSS can during these procedures also store

the users current MME address in its database.

S11 Interface
S11
S11
(Control Plane)

Interface between MME and a Serving GW

A single MME can handle multiple Serving
GW each one with its own S11 interface

Used to coordinate the establishment of

SAE bearers within the EPC

SAE bearer setup can be started by the

MME (default SAE bearer) or by the PDN
Gateway.

S5/S8 Interface
Control
Plane

User
Plane

PDN

SGi

S5/S8
S5/S8
Interface between Serving GW and PDN GW
S5: If Serving GW and PDN GW belong to the same network (non-roaming case)
S8:If this is not the case (roaming case)
S8 = S5 + inter-operator security functions
Mainly used to transfer user packet data between PDN GW and Serving GW
Signaling on S5/S8 is used to setup the associated bearer resources
S5/S8 can be implemented either by reuse of the GTP protocol from 2G/3G or by using Mobile IPv6 with
some IETF enhancements.

Rx and SGi Interface

Rx
(Control Plane)
Rx
Interface between PCRF(Policy &
Charging Rules Function) and the
external PDN network/operators IMS
Standardized in 3GPP TS 29.214:

SGi

SGi
(User Plane)

PDN

Interface used by the PDN GW to

send and receive data to and

from the external data network
It is either IPv4 or IPv6 based
This interface corresponds to the
Gi interface in 2G/3G networks.
Standardized in 3GPP TS29.061:
Interworking between the PLMS
supporting packet based service
and PDN

UE Categories

40

Features

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Class 4

Class 5

Class 6

Class 7

Class 8

Peak rate DL/UL

10/5
Mbps

50/25 Mbps

100/50
Mbps

150/50
Mbps

300/75
Mbps

300/50
Mbps

300/102
Mbps

3000/1500
Mbps

RF Bandwidth

20 MHz

20 MHz

20 MHz

20 MHz

20 MHz

20 MHz

20 MHz

20 MHz

Modulation DL

64 QAM

64 QAM

64QAM

64 QAM

64 QAM

64 QAM

64 QAM

64 QAM

Modulation UL

16 QAM

16 QAM

16 QAM

16 QAM

64 QAM

16 QAM

16QAM

64 QAM

Rx Diversity

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

MIMO DL

Optional

2x2

2x2

2x2

4x4

2x2 or
4x4

2x2 or
4x4

8x8

All categories support 20 MHz

64QAM mandatory in downlink, but not in uplink(except Class 5 & 8)

41

UE Categories
All categories support 20 MHz

64QAM mandatory in downlink, but not in uplink(except Class 5 & 8)

Peak Rate
DL/UL

RF
Modulation
Bandwidth
DL

Modulation
Rx Diversity
UL

MIMO DL

Max. No. of DL-SCH TB Max. No. of UL-SCH

bits per TTI
TB bits per TTI

Class 1

10/5 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

16QAM

Yes

Optional

10296

5160

Class 2

50/25 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

16QAM

Yes

2x2

51024

25456

Class 3

100/50 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

16QAM

Yes

2x2

102048

51024

Class 4

150/50 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

16QAM

Yes

2x2

150752

51024

Class 5

299/75 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

64QAM

Yes

4x4

299552

75376

Class 6

301/50 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

16QAM

Yes

2x2 or 4x4

301504

51024

Class 7

301/102 Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

16QAM

Yes

2x2 or 4x4

301504

102048

Class 8

3000/1500
Mbps

20 MHz

64QAM

64QAM

Yes

8x8

2998560

1497760

Key Features
Multiple Access Scheme
DL: OFDMA with CP
UL: Single Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) with CP
Adaptive Modulation and Coding
DL/UL modulations: QPSK, 16QAM, and 64QAM
Advanced MIMO spatial multiplexing techniques
(2 or 4)x(2 or 4) downlink and uplink supported
Multi-user MIMO also supported
Support for both FDD and TDD
H-ARQ, Mobility Support, Security
Scalable bandwidths, from 1.4MHz up to 20MHz

42

43

HAPPY LEARNING
MobileComm Professionals, Inc.
www.mcpsinc.com
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