Prepared By: Ahsan Hashmi

April 9, 2003

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Technical Overview

Table of Contents Topic Statement ............................................................................................................................................ 2 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 2 Overview.................................................................................................................................................... 2 UMTS Data Rates ..................................................................................................................................... 2 UMTS Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 2 UMTS Spectrum ........................................................................................................................................ 3 UMTS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE ........................................................................................................... 4 PACKET SWITCH NETWORK ..................................................................................................................... 5 Overview.................................................................................................................................................... 5 SGSN......................................................................................................................................................... 5 GGSN ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 CGF ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 UMTS UE PACKET SESSION .................................................................................................................. 7 SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................................... 9 REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................ 10

Figure 1: Data Transfer Rates for Mobile Communication Technologies [10].............................................. 2 Figure 2: Frequency bands for UMTS [7]...................................................................................................... 3 Figure 3: UMTS Network Architecture [7] ..................................................................................................... 4 Figure 4: Packet Switch Interfaces [6] .......................................................................................................... 5 Figure 5: CGF Charging Transfer ................................................................................................................. 6 Figure 6: UMTS Attach.................................................................................................................................. 7 Figure 7: PDP Context Activation ................................................................................................................. 8 Figure 8: Web Server to UE .......................................................................................................................... 9

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System Topic Statement

April 9, 2003

The intent of this paper is to provide a brief introduction of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) and to focus on Packet Switch network elements especially SGSN & GGSN and their roles during end-to-end packet data call flow.

INTRODUCTION
Overview Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is the next generation mobile communication system. It is the evolution of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks. It is one of the significant new systems being developed within the framework defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The ITU started the process of defining the standards for Third Generation Systems, referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000). In 1998 Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was formed to continue the technical specification work. The 3GPP now develops and maintains the technical specifications for UMTS. The ITU defines the characteristics of 3G systems collectively known as IMT-2000. UMTS uses the Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) radio technology. UMTS offers enhanced data rates of approximately: [8], [10] 2 Mbps Indoor and low range outdoor 384 kbps Urban outdoor 144 kbps Satellite and rural outdoor

UMTS Data Rates

Figure 1: Data Transfer Rates for Mobile Communication Technologies [10] UMTS Purpose Current wireless or mobile systems, despite their evolution, are still constrained in terms of data rate they can offer and their flexibility to manipulate complex, yet userfriendly multimedia service. That is, the GSM network was designed primarily for voice, with a small data capability. The evolution of mobile data technology coupled with the increased need for users to be mobile has created a customer requirement for truly rich wireless data service. Continued on next page

2 of 10

April 9, 2003

UMTS Mobile Telecommunication System

INTRODUCTION, CONTINUED
The UMTS addresses the current mobile systems issues and is designed to deliver graphics, pictures, video communications, and other multimedia information as well as voice and data services to mobile wireless subscribers. UMTS has a wide bandwidth that will allow higher call volumes and will support multimedia data applications, e.g. video and photography. Furthermore, UMTS has the capability to support circuit and packet data at higher rates than previously available. This will result in higher capacity, quality and data rates. [7]

UMTS Spectrum

Adequate access to spectrum is a key requirement for the development of the UMTS. Figure 2 shows the IMT-2000 spectrum situation in some countries and areas. The Europe and Japan has decided to implement the UTRA UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access System air interface in the paired bands 1920 1980 MHz and 2110 2170 MHz. Europe has also decided to implement the UTRA in the unpaired bands 1900 1920 MHz and 2010 2025 MHz. North America has no new band allocated to UMTS yet, but operators plan to offer UMTS services on the PCS band. [7]

Figure 2: Frequency bands for UMTS [7]

3 of 10

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

April 9, 2003

UMTS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

UMTS as a whole can be divided into three major networks. UTRAN Universal Mobile Terrestrial Radio Access Network Circuit Switch Packet Switch

Figure 3: UMTS Network Architecture [7] All communication channels within the UMTS network are divided between Control and User Planes. Control Plane Carries all Control/Signaling messages between entities within the UMTS network. User Plane Carries only the user data from the UE (User Element) through the network.

4 of 10

April 9, 2003

UMTS Mobile Telecommunication System

PACKET SWITCH NETWORK

Overview UMTS packet switch network consists of following network elements. 1. Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 2. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) 3. Charging Gateway Facility (CGF) 4. Operation & Maintenance Center (OMC) 5. Billing Mediation Devices (BMDs) 6. Other network elements include Routers, ATM Switches, DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, Firewall and Web servers.
SMS-GMSC SMS-IWMSC E Gd MSC/VLR A UE Uu UTR Gn Gs Gb SGSN Gp GGSN Other PLMN Signalling Interface Signalling and Data Transfer Interface Gf
D

SM-SC C HLR

Gr Gn

Gc GGSN Ga

Gi PDN Ga Billing System

SGSN

CGF EIR

Figure 4: Packet Switch Interfaces [6] SGSN The Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is a key element in UMTS core network, which provides the appropriate signaling and data interfaces. These include connection to an IP over ATM based network towards the GGSN, SS7 towards the HLR/EIR/MSC, TCP/IP or ATM towards the UTRAN as shown in Figure 4. The SGSN performs several functions such as authenticating the mobile, register it with HLR, authorizes services and maintains connections establishment and termination. On the UTRAN side, the SGSN can be connected to many Radio Network Controller or RNCs and on the network side the SGSN is connected to many GGSNs, which are Gateways to various services and packet data networks (PDNs). Continued on next page

5 of 10

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

April 9, 2003

PACKET SWITCH NETWORK, CONTINUED

The SGSN provides a point-of-attachment for the UMTS mobiles. UEs access the UMTS network through the SGSN. Once the UE access the SGSN, a logical link is establish between the SGSN and the UE via the RNS. The SGSN is responsible for transport of packets to / from UE. In order to do this it must keep track of the current location of each UE attached to it. [6]

GGSN

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is the element in the UMTS network that provides the doorway to whatever services the mobile has subscribed. For instance, if the mobile users wireless data service provides access to a given ISP then the SGSN connects the mobile to the GGSN attached to that ISP. The GGSN is then the anchor point for the duration of the data session such that if the mobile moves to a different location area and thus to a different SGSN then the SGSN and GGSN coordinate the move such that the same GGSN is still providing the connection to the outside world. Thus the main function of GGSN is to accept the data from the SGSN, apply the appropriate service processing functions and policy-based IP services to the data, and sends the data to its destination. The service processing functions that GGSN provides are: authentication, authorization, encryption, compression, Quality of Service (QoS), and accounting. The GGSN provides connectivity with external packet data networks, and is connected with SGSNs via an IP or ATM based UMTS backbone network. The GGSN performs the UE address management and activation. It is responsible for the allocation of an address to the UE if required. The GGSN also activates the UE address so that traffic packets may flow from and to the UE address. When required, the GGSN may interface with the HLR in order to obtain the location information for the mobile. The GGSN is designed such that minimal interpretation of external data protocols is required. [6]

CGF

The role of CGF In the UMTS packet switch network is that when the data communications are made, the SGSN and GGSNs keep track of applicable charging information. The CGF collects this charging data records (CDRs) for a given set of SGSNs & GGSNs and makes the data available for collections by a billing system that charges end users (or content providers) for the service.

GGSN CGF SGSN Ga Interface UDP/IP FTP over TCP/IP

Billing System

Figure 5: CGF Charging Transfer

6 of 10

April 9, 2003

UMTS Mobile Telecommunication System

UMTS UE PACKET SESSION

When the User Element (UE) is first powered on it performs the carrier, PLMN and cell selection. Once the UE performed the initial setup, it then informs the network of its presence and indicates that it would like to make itself available for packet data service. Therefore UE performs attach to the SGSN. On receiving the attach request from mobile station, the SGSN performs the following functions in consultation with the HLR. Authorization The SGSN verifies the UE subscription to the UMTS services by checking the UE subscription information with HLR. Authentication The SGSN then authenticate the UE by verifying the identity of the UE. The process of verifying the identity of the UE is known as authentication. QoS Subscription The SGSN then checks which QoS service the UE is requesting. The SGSN determines whether it can provide that QoS service while still providing the levels of service already promised to other attached users. Location Tracking Once the SGSN has decided to accept an attachment, it keeps track of the location of the UE as the UE moves around in the coverage area. The SGSN needs to know where the UE is in case a packet arrives and needs to be routed to the UE. Attaching to the SGSN can be treated as the logical connection between the UE and the SGSN as shown in figure.
Logical Connection HLR

RNC

SGSN

GGSN

IP Network

PC

Figure 6: UMTS Attach

Continued on next page

7 of 10

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

April 9, 2003

UMTS UE PACKET SESSION, CONTINUED

After having executed the GPRS attach, the UE can activate the Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context, which would then allow the UE to begin transferring the packet data. The SGSN determines the appropriate GGSN to forward this request based on the input parameters from the UE. The SGSN uses the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP-C) which sends a create PDP context request message to the GGSN. The GGSN allocates a PDP address for the UE and sends a create PDP context response back to the SGSN. At this point another GTP-U tunnel is established between the SGSN and GGSN. The GTP tunnel remains until the PDP context is deactivated. The GTP tunnel is used to send packets through the UMTS network. Each tunnel has the Tunnel End Point Identifier (TEID). The GGSN assign two types of PDP IP addresses to the UE. Static IP Address Static IP address is assigned to the subscriber at subscription time. This IP address remain assigned to the user for the duration of his / her account with the carrier. Dynamic IP Address The Dynamic IP addresses are assigned by the GGSN when a PDP context is activated. The GGSN is assigned a pool of addresses for dynamic allocation to the UEs. Once the PDP context is activated, the GGSN creates a new entry in its PDP context table and generates a Charging Id. The new entry allows the GGSN to route PDP PDUs (Packet Data Unit) between the SGSN and the external PDP network and to start charging. The GGSN hides the mobility of the UE from the rest of the packet data network and from the computers connected to the packet data network.
HLR

PDP Context

RNC

SGSN

GGSN

IP Network

PC

Figure 7: PDP Context Activation It is important to understand the difference between the UE attaching to a SGSN and a UE activating a PDP address. A single UE attaches to only one SGSN, but it may have multiple PDP address active simultaneously. Each of these PDP addresses may be anchored at a different GGSN. [6]

Continued on next page

8 of 10

April 9, 2003

UMTS Mobile Telecommunication System

UMTS UE PACKET SESSION, CONTINUED

Once a UE has attached to the SGSN and activated the PDP address, it is ready to begin communicating. For instance, the UE gets the PDP IP address 86.62.112.10 from the GGSN and it wants to access the Yahoo web server at 216.109.125.66, the UE request is first routed through the SGSN and GGSN before reaching to the Packet Data Network. Likewise, packets sent from the Yahoo server first traverse the Public Packet Data Network and reach the GGSN that anchors the PDP address. At this point, the GGSN forwards the packet to the SGSN to which the UE is currently attached. Below is the packet flow diagram from the Web Server to UE.

HLR

RNC

GTP-U

SGSN

GTP-U

GGSN

IP Network

Yahoo Server

Src: 216.109.125.66 Dest: 86.62.112.10 IP Payload

Src: SGSN IP Add Dest: RNC IP Add TEID (RNC) Src: 216.109.125.66 Dest: 86.62.112.10 IP Payload

Src: GGSN IP Add Dest: SGSN IP Add TEID (SGSN) Src: 216.109.125.66 Dest: 86.62.112.10 IP Payload

Src: 216.109.125.66 Dest: 86.62.112.10 IP Payload

Figure 8: Web Server to UE

SUMMARY
The market wants information, and in all forms whether it be voice, pictures, video, music or text. People want the information while they are traveling, sitting at home or shopping in the mall. The UMTS delivers the information on their mobile devices or personal laptops while they are on the move. UMTS is now recognized as the main opportunity to provide mobile broadband multimedia services for the mass market in future, emphasizing their broadband capability. This new fascinating technology allows users to be connected all time so there is no time wasted with dialing up and logging on, instead the user can automatically receive emails and application data while staying online. It is the system that provides low-cost, high-capacity mobile communications with global roaming capabilities.

9 of 10

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

April 9, 2003

REFERENCES
[1] 3GPP TS 22.101: UMTS Service Principles [2] 3GPP TS 23.101: General UMTS Architecture [3] 3GPP TS 22.960: Mobile Multimedia Services [4] UMTS Forum http://www.umts-forum.org [5] Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Homepage www.3GPP.org [6] A Technical overview of UMTS, published by Award Solutions [7] UMTS basic network architecture http://www.morawek.at/Arbeiten/Umts/Umts.html [8] Overview of GPRS and UMTS by Cisco Systems http://www.cisco.com/ [9] 3G Tutorial, UMTS overview by UMTS World http://www.umtsworld.com/technology/overview.htm [10] UMTS data transfer diagram by Source O2
http://www.sourceo2.com/O2_Developers/O2_technologies/UMTS/data_transfer_diagram.html

[11] Evolution of Mobile Communications by IEC http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/umts/topic01/html

10 of 10