LTE EPC Overview

LTE RPESS
LTE EPC Overview

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LTE EPC Overview

Nokia Siemens Networks Academy

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LTE EPC Overview

Module Objectives
After completing this module, the participant should be able to:

List the LTE/SAE main requirements

Underline the LTE/SAE key features
Review the 3GPP specification work concerning LTE/SAE.
Describe the LTE Network Architecture
List the key functionalities of the evolved NB
Understand the protocol stack implemented on EUTRAN
interfaces

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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

The way to the Long-Term Evolution (LTE): a 3GPP driven

initiative
LTE is 3GPP system for the years 2010 to 2020 & beyond.
It shall especially compete with WiMAX 802.16e/m
It must keep the support for high & highest mobility users
like in GSM/UMTS networks

The architectural changes are big compared to UMTS

LTE commercial launch has started early 2010.

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What are the LTE challenges?

The Users expectation

..leads to the operators challenges

Best price, transparent flat rate

Full Internet
Click-bang responsiveness

reduce cost per bit

provide high data rate
provide low latency

User experience will have an

impact on ARPU

Price per Mbyte has to be reduced

to remain profitable

Throughput

Latency

Fa

2-3

cto

or

r1

ct
Fa

HSPA

Cost per MByte

LTE

HSPA

LTE

UMTS

HSPA

I-HSPA

LTE

LTE: lower cost per bit and improved end user experience
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LTE EPC Overview

LTE = Long Term Evolution

Next step for

A true global roaming technology

GSM/WCDMA/HSPA
and CDMA

Peak data rates of 303

Mbps / 75 Mbps

Enhanced consumer experience

Low latency 10-20 ms

Scalable bandwidth of

Easy to introduce on any

frequency band

1.4 20 MHz

OFDM technology
Decreased cost / GB

Flat, scalable IP based

architecture

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LTE EPC Overview

Schedule for 3GPP releases

Next step for

A true global roaming technology

GSM/WCDMA/HSPA
and cdma2000
Specification:
UMTS/
WCDMA

HSDPA
IMS

HSUPA
MBMS
WLAN IW

HSPA+
LTE Studies

LTE & EPC

LTE-A
studies

LTE-A

3GPP
3GPP Rel.
Rel. 99/4
99/4

Rel.
Rel. 55

Rel.
Rel. 66

Rel.
Rel. 77

Rel.
Rel. 88

Rel.
Rel. 99

Rel.
Rel. 10
10

2003

2005

2000

2007

2008

2009

2011

year

LTE have been developed by the same standardization organization. The target has been
simple multimode implementation and backwards compatibility.
HSPA and LTE have in common:
Sampling rate using the same clocking frequency
Same kind of Turbo coding
The harmonization of these parameters is important as sampling and Turbo decoding are
typically done on hardware due to high processing requirements.
WiMAX and LTE do not have such harmonization.

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LTE EPC Overview

Comparison of Throughput and Latency (1/2)

Enhanced consumer experience:

Peak data rates of

- drives subscriber uptake

303 Mbps / 75 Mbps

- allow for new applications

Low latency 10-20 ms

350
300

Mbps

250

- provide additional revenue streams

Max. peak data rate

Downlink
Uplink

Latency (Rountrip delay)*

200
150

GSM/
EDGE

100

HSPA
Rel6

50
0
HSPA R6

Evolved HSPA
(Rel. 7/8, 2x2
MIMO)

LTE 2x20 MHz

(2x2 MIMO)

LTE 2x20
MHz (4x4
MIMO)

HSPAevo
(Rel8)
LTE
min max

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200 ms

DSL (~20-50 ms, depending on operator)

* Server near RAN

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LTE EPC Overview

Scalable Bandwidth
Scalable bandwidth

Easy to introduce on any

frequency band: Frequency
Refarming
(Cost efficient deployment on lower

Scalable bandwidth
of 1.4 20 MHz

frequency bands supported)

Urban
2.6 GHz

LTE
UMTS

2.1 GHz

or
LTE

2.6 GHz

LTE

UMTS

2.1 GHz
2006

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2018

2020

2018

2020

Rural
UMTS

900 MHz GSM

LTE

or

2006
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LTE

GSM

900 MHz

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

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LTE EPC Overview

Increased Spectral Efficiency

LTE efficiency is 3 x HSPA R6 in
downlink
HSPA R7 and WiMAX have Similar
Spectral Efficiency

OFDMA technology
increases Spectral
efficiency

bps/Hz/cell

All cases assume 2-antenna terminal reception

HSPA R7, WiMAX and LTE assume 2-antenna BTS transmission (2x2 MIMO)
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0.0

Downlink
Uplink

Reference:
- HSPA R6 and LTE R8 from 3GPP R1-071960
- HSPA R6 equalizer from 3GPP R1-063335

HSPA R6

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ITU contribution from

WiMAX Forum shows
DL 1.3 & UL 0.8 bps/Hz/cell

HSPA R6 +
UE
equalizer

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HSPA R7

WiMAX

LTE R8

- HSPA R7 and WiMAX from NSN/Nokia

simulations

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LTE EPC Overview

Reduced Network Complexity

Flat Architecture: 2 nodes architecture

IP based Interfaces

Flat, scalable IP based

architecture

Flat, IP based architecture

Access

Core

Control

MME

IMS

HLR/HSS

Internet
Evolved Node B

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Gateway

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE/SAE Requirements Summary

1. Simplify the RAN:
- Reduce the number of different types of RAN nodes, and their complexity.
- Minimize the number of RAN interface types.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Increase throughput: Peak data rates of UL/DL 50/100 Mbps

Reduce latency (prerequisite for CS replacement).
Improve spectrum efficiency: Capacity 2-4 x higher than with Release 6 HSPA
Frequency flexibility & bandwidth scalability: Frequency Refarming
Migrate to a PS only domain in the core network: CSFB for initial phase
Provide efficient support for a variety of different services. Traditional CS services
will be supported via VoIP, etc: EPS bearers for IMS based Voice

8. Minimise the presence of single points of failure in the network above the eNBs S1Flex interface

9. Support for inter-working with existing 3G system & non-3GPP specified systems.
10. Operation in FDD & TDD modes
11. Improved terminal power efficiency
A more detailed list of the requirements and objectives for LTE can be found in TR 25.913.
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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE/SAE Key Features

EPS ( Evolved Packet System ) /
SAE ( System Architecture Evolution ) /
LTE ( Long Term Evolution )
EUTRAN
EUTRAN
(( Evolved
Evolved UTRAN
UTRAN ))

IP
IP Network
Network
EPC
EPC (( Evolved
Evolved Packet
Packet Core
Core ))
IP
IP Network
Network

IP
IP Network
Network

OFDMA/SC-FDMA
MIMO ( beam-forming/
spatial multiplexing)

Evolved Node B /
No RNC

PS Domain only,
No CS Domain

HARQ

IP Transport Layer

IP Transport Layer

Scalable bandwidth

UL/DL resource
scheduling

(1.4, 3, 5, 10, .. 20 MHz)

QoS Aware
3GPP (GTP) or
IETF (MIPv6)

QoS Aware
Self Configuration

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Prepared for
Non-3GPP Access

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LTE EPC Overview

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 will make radio management faster & hopefully the network architecture
simpler

IP transport layer
E-UTRAN 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

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them dynamically to users & channels

This provides greater flexibility than the older system

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE/SAE Key Features EUTRAN (2/2)

QoS awareness
The scheduler must handle & distinguish different QoS classes

Otherwise RT services would not be possible via EUTRAN

The system provides the possibility for differentiated services

Self configuration
Currently under investigation

Possibility to let Evolved Node Bs configure themselves

It will not completely substitute the manual configuration & optimization

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE/SAE Key Features EPC (Evolved Packet Core)

Packet Switched Domain only

no CS 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.

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LAN, WLAN, WiMAX, etc.)

This will provide true convergence of different packet radio access system

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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

Standardisation around LTE

Collaboration agreement established in December

1998. The collaboration agreement brings together a
number of telecommunications standards bodies: ARIB,
CCSA, ETSI, ATIS, TTA, and TTC.
More in www.3gpp.org
Next Generation Mobile Networks. Is a group of mobile
operators, to provide a coherent vision for technology
evolution beyond 3G for the competitive delivery of
broadband wireless services.
More in www.ngmn.org

LSTI
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LTE/SAE Trial Initiative. Is was founded in may 2007 by a

group of leading telecommunications companies.
Its aim is to prove the potential and benefits that the LTE
technology can offer.
More in http://www.lstiforum.com/

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LTE EPC Overview

From 3GPP Specs into Commercial Launch

Historically, 1.25-1.5 years from the specs approval until backwards compatibility
(ASN.1) with HSDPA and HSUPA
Historically, 1.25-1.5 years from the backwards compatibility until commercial
launch with HSDPA & HSUPA
LTE backwards compatibility: 03/2009. First commercial launch: 12/2009

HSDPA

1.5 years

1.5 years

2
2003

2004

2005
1

HSUPA

2
1.25 years

1.25 years
LTE

2
2008

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0.75 years
3
2009

2006

2010

2007
3

1.25 years
1 = Specs approved
2 = Backwards compatibility
3 = 1st commercial launch

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LTE EPC Overview

3GPP LTE Background (1/2)

Milestones

End 2004
March 2005
December 2005
March 2006
September 2006
December 2007
March 2008
December 2008
Work item
started

2005
Feasibility
study started

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3GPP workshop on UTRAN Long Term Evolution

Study item started
Multiple access selected
Functionality split between radio and core agreed
Study item closed & approval of the work items
1st version of all radio specs approved
3GPP Release 8 Stage 1 specifications were frozen
3GPP Release 8
Work plan
approved

2006
Multiple
access
selected

Stage 2
approved

2007
Feasibility
study closed

Stage 3
approved

2008
Radio Specs
approved

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LTE EPC Overview

3GPP LTE Background (2/2)

Schedule
2009 2100 & 2100/1700 MHz frequency bands selected; Release 9
2010 Additional frequency bands added (700, 800 & 2600 MHz). Inter-RAT
Mobility. LTE capable devices

2011 Network Sharing. Self-optimized networks. Part of 3GPP Release 9.

Release 10 (LTE-Advanced)
2008

Demonstrate
LTE Air
Interface
Performance

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2009

Operator
Trials. Friendlyuse networks

2010

LTE Networks
Launch:
commercial
solution
available

2011

Large Scale LTE

Networks.
VoIP service
optimized.

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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

Network Architecture Evolution

HSPA

Direct tunnel

I-HSPA

LTE

HSPA R6

HSPA R7

HSPA R7

LTE R8

GGSN

GGSN

GGSN

SAE GW

SGSN
RNC
Node B
(NB)

SGSN

SGSN
RNC
Node B
(NB)

Node B +
RNC
Functionality

Flat architecture: single network element in user

plane in radio network and core network

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MME/SGSN

Evolved
Node B
(eNB)

User plane
Control Plane

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SAE: System Architecture Evolution

SAE GW: Serving Gateway +PDN Gateway

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LTE EPC Overview

Evolved Packet System (EPS) Architecture - Subsystems

The EPS architecture goal is to optimize the system for packet data transfer.
There are no circuit switched components. The EPS architecture is made up of:
EPC: Evolved Packet Core, also referred as SAE
eUTRAN: Radio Access Network, also referred as LTE
EPS Architecture
LTE or eUTRAN

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SAE or EPC

EPC provides access to

external packet IP networks and
performs a number of CN
related functions (e.g. QoS,
security, mobility and terminal
context management) for idle
and active terminals

eUTRAN performs all radio

interface related functions

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE/SAE Network Elements

Main references to architecture in 3GPP specs.: TS23.401,TS23.402,TS36.300

Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN)

Evolved Packet Core (EPC)

HSS

eNB
Mobility
Management
Entity

Policy &
Charging Rule
Function

S6a

MME

X2
S1

S10

S7

E
MM

Rx+
PCRF

S11
S5/S8

S1-U
LTE-Uu

LTE-UE

PDN
Serving
Gateway

Evolved Node B
(eNB)

SGi

PDN
Gateway
SAE
Gateway

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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

Evolved Node B (eNB)

eNB Functions
Inter-cell RRM: HO, load balancing between cells
Radio Bearer Control: setup , modifications and
release of Radio Resources
Connection Mgt. Control: UE State Management,
MME-UE Connection
Radio Admission Control
eNode B Meas. collection and evaluation
Dynamic Resource Allocation (Scheduler)
IP Header Compression/ de-compression
Access Layer Security: ciphering and integrity
protection on the radio interface
MME Selection at Attach of the UE

Only network element defined as

part of eUTRAN.
Replaces the old Node B / RNC
combination from 3G.
Terminates the complete radio
interface including physical layer.
Provides all radio management
functions
To enable efficient inter-cell radio
management for cells not attached to
the same eNB, there is a inter-eNB
interface X2 specified. It will allow to
coordinate inter-eNB handovers
without direct involvement of EPC
during this process.

User Data Routing to the SAE GW

Transmission of Paging Msg coming from MME
Transmission of Broadcast Info (e.g. System info,
MBMS)
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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE Radio Interface & the X2 Interface

LTE-Uu interface

(E)-RRC
User PDUs
PDUs
User PDUs
PDUs .. User
(E)-RRC User
PDCP
PDCP
RLC
RLC

TS 36.300

MAC
MAC

eNB

LTE-L1
LTE-L1 (FDD/TDD-OFDMA/SC-FDMA)
(FDD/TDD-OFDMA/SC-FDMA)

LTE-Uu

X2-CP
(Control Plane)
TS 36.423
TS 36.422
TS 36.421

(Application Part)

User
User PDUs
PDUs

GTP-U
GTP-U

SCTP
SCTP

UDP
UDP

IP
IP

IP
IP

L1/L2
L1/L2

L1/L2
L1/L2

X2
TS 36.424

TS 36.421

TS 36.420

eNB
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Air interface of LTE

Based on OFDMA in DL & SC-FDMA in UL
FDD & TDD duplex methods
Scalable bandwidth: 1.4MHz - 20 MHz

X2 interface
Inter eNB interface
X2AP: special signalling protocol

X2-UP
(User Plane)

X2-AP
X2-AP

Functionalities:
In 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.
Logical interface: doesnt need direct
site-to-site connection, i.e. can be
routed via CN as well

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UDP: User Datagram Protocol ( L4 Transport Layer)

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LTE EPC Overview

S1-MME & S1-U Interfaces

S1 interface is divided into two parts:

S1-MME
(Control Plane)

S1-MME interface

NAS
NAS Protocols
Protocols

Control Plane interface between eNB &

MME

S1AP:S1 Application Protocol

MME & UE will exchange NAS signaling

TS 36.413

S1-AP
S1-AP

TS 36.412

SCTP
SCTP
IP
IP
TS 36.411

L1/L2
L1/L2

via eNB through this interface ( i.e.

authentication, tracking area updates)

S1 Flex: an eNB is allowed to connect to a

MME

S1-U
(User Plane)

eNB

maximum of 16 MME. (LTE2, RL20)

User
User PDUs
PDUs

TS 36.414

GTP-U
GTP-U
UDP
UDP

Serving
Gateway

IP
IP

S1-U interface

TS 36.411

User plane interface between eNB & Serving

Gateway.

Pure user data interface (U=User plane)

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L1/L2
L1/L2

TS 36.410

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LTE4: Multi-Operator Core Network (MO-CN): An eNB can be connected

simultaneously to the different Evolved Packet Cores (EPCs) of different operators,
and shared by them.

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LTE EPC Overview

Module Contents

LTE Requirements
LTE Key Features
LTE Standardization
LTE Architecture
Evolved NB functionalities
EUTRAN Interfaces
LTE Summary

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LTE EPC Overview

LTE: What is new?

new radio transmission schemes:
OFDMA in DL
SC-FDMA in UL
MIMO Multiple Antenna Technology
New radio protocol architecture:
Complexity reduction
Focus on shared channel operation,
no dedicated channels anymore

new network architecture:

More functionality in the base
station (eNodeB)
Focus on PS domain
Flat architecture (2-nodes)
All-IP

Important for Radio Planning

Frequency Reuse 1
No need for Frequency Planning

No need to define neighbour lists

in LTE

OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access

SC-FDMA: Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access
PS: Packet Switched
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