Evolution of cellular

technologies

1. Introduction to GPRS
1.1. What is GPRS ?
1.2. GPRS access interfaces and
reference points
1.3. How is GPRS seen by external
networks and GPRS users
1.4. Air interface resources
1.5. GPRS characteristics
1.6. Applications

1.1. What is GPRS ?

Part of GSM phase 2+
Packet Radio Service
General

General -> not restricted to GSM use (DECT ?, 3rd generation

systems ?)
Packet Radio -> enables packet mode communication over air
Service, not System -> existing BSS (partially also NSS)
infrastructure is used

many new network

Requires
elements into NSS
connections to external
Provides
packet data networks (Internet,

X.25)
Main benefits

Resources are reserved only when needed and charged

accordingly
Connection setup times are reduced
Enables new service opportunities

1.2. GPRS access interfaces

and reference points
R reference point
TE

MT

MS

Um

Gi reference point
GPRS network 1

PDNs or
other networks

Gp

GPRS network 2

GPRS provides packet switched connections

from MS to packet data networks (PDN)
Different operators GPRS networks are
connected through Gp interface

1.3. How is GPRS seen by

external networks and GPRS
users?
HOST
1 5 5 .2 2 2 .3 3 .5 5

GPRS
SUBNETW ORK
SUBNETW ORK
1 5 5 .2 2 2 .3 3 .X X X
" R o u te r "
SUBNETW ORK
1 3 1 .4 4 .1 5 .X X X

SUBNETW ORK
1 9 1 .2 0 0 .4 4 .X X X

C o r p o r a te 1
R o u te r

HOST
1 9 1 .2 0 0 .4 4 .2 1

Local
a re a
n e tw o r k

P acket
D a ta
nn ee twt wo rok r k

R o u te r

C o r p o r a te 2

( In te r n e t)

Local
a re a
n e tw o r k

HOST
1 3 1 .4 4 .1 5 .3

1.4. Air interface resources

An example of occupied TCH
capacity by CS traffic during
busy hour with n% blocking
GPRS "steals" any TCH
capacity not used by CS
traffic

Free
Capacity

Capacity occupied by CS traffic

1.5. GPRS characteristics

GPRS uses packet switched
resource allocation
resources allocated only when data is to be
sent/received

Flexible channel allocation

one to eight time slots
available resources shared by active users
up and down link channels reserved separately
GPRS and circuit switched GSM services can use same
time slots alternatively

Traffic characteristics suitable for

GPRS
Intermittent, bursty data transmissions
Frequent transmissions of small volumes of data
Infrequent transmission of larger volumes of data

1.6. Applications

Standard data network protocol based

GPRS specific protocol based

SMS delivery (GPRS as a bearer for SMS)

IP based applications
WWW, FTP, Telnet, ...
Any conventional TCP/IP based applications
X.25 based applications
Packet Assembly/Disassembly (PAD) type approach
Point-to-point applications
Toll road system, UIC train control system
Point-to-multipoint applications
Weather info, road traffic info, news, fleet management

2. GPRS architecture
2.1. Interfaces, reference points and
network elements
2.2. Functional view on GPRS
2.3. Subscription of GPRS service
2.4. New network elements
2.4.1. GGSN
2.4.2. SGSN
2.4.3. Other elements
2.4.4. GPRS backbones

2.5. GPRS Mobile classes

2.6. MS multislot capabilities

2.1. Interfaces, reference

points and network elements
SMS-GMSC
SMS-IWMSC
MAP-H

SM-SC
MAP-C

Gd
MSC/VLR
Gs

A
TE

MT
R

MAP-D

Gb
BSS

Um

HLR
Gc

Gr
SGSN

Gp

Gi
PDN

GGSN
Gn

MAP-F
EIR

GGSN
Other PLMN
Signalling Interface
Signalling and Data Transfer Interface

TE

2.2. Functional view on

GPRS
BTS

R/S

Um

Packet
network
PSTN

BSC

MSC
Gb

Packet
Inter-PLMN
network
Backbone
network

Serving GPRS
Support Node
Gn
(SGSN)
Border
Gateway (BG)
Intra-PLMN
backbone
network
(IP based)
Gp
Firewall Point-ToMultipoint
Service
Center
(PTM SC)

Gn

Gr

Gs
Gd

Gr
Packet
SS7
network
Network

Gs
GPRS
INFRASTRUCTURE

HLR/AuC

Gd

EIR

Corporate 1
Server

MAP-F
Router

Gateway GPRS
Support Node
(GGSN)

Firewall

Gi.IP
Gi.X.25
Firewall

Data
Packet
network
network
(X.25)

SMS-GMSC

Data
Packet
network
network
(Internet)

Local
area
network

Corporate 2
Server

Router

Local
area
network

2.4.1. Gateway GPRS

Support Node
GGSN
located at one of the MSC
Typically
sites
One (or few) per operator
functions
Main
Interface to external data networks
Resembles to a data network router
Forwards end user data to right SGSN
Routes mobile originated packets to right destination
Filters end user traffic
Collects charging information for data network usage
Data packets are not sent to MS unless the user has activated the
PDP address

2.4.2. Serving GPRS Support

Node
SGSN
connected with BSC,
Functionally
physically can be at MSC or BSC site
for few BSCs or one (or few)
One
per every BSC
SGSN can support BSCs of
One
several MSC sites
functions
Main

Authenticates GPRS mobiles

Handles mobiles registration in GPRS network
Handles mobiles mobility management
Relays MO and MT data traffic
header compression, V.42bis data compression,
TCP/IP
error control MS- SGSN (ARQ)
Collect charging information of air interface usage

2.4.3. Other elements

BG (Border Gateway)
(Not defined within GPRS)
packets from SGSN/GGSN of one operator to a
Routes
SGSN/GGSN of an other operator
protection against intruders from external
Provides
networks
DNS (Domain Name Server)
addresses from ggsn1.oper1.fi -format to
Translates
123.45.67.89 format (i.e. as used in Internet)
Charging Gateway
Collects charging information from SGSNs and GGSNs
PTM-SC (Point to Multipoint -Service Center)
Multicast (PTM-M): Downlink broadcast; no
PTM
subscription; no ciphering
Group call (PTM-G): Closed or open groups;
PTM
Down/up -link; ciphered
Geographical area limitation

3G Overview
3G is created by ITU-T and is called
IMT-2000 IMT-2000, International Mobile Telecommunications

Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

CDMA 2000 - Code Division Multiple Access 2000
UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
time division duplex- code division multiple access
Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access
Universal Wireless Communications
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications

Service Roadmap
Improved performance, decreasing cost of delivery
Broadband
in wide area

3G-specific
3G-specific services
services take
take
advantage
advantage of
of higher
higher bandwidth
bandwidth
and/or
and/or real-time
real-time QoS
QoS

Video sharing
Video telephony
Real-time IP
AAnumber
number of
of mobile
mobile
Multitasking
multimedia and games
services
services are
are bearer
bearer
WEB
browsing
Multicasting
independent
independent in
in nature
nature
Corporate data access
Streaming audio/video
MMS picture / video
xHTML browsing
Application downloading
E-mail
Presence/location
Voice & SMS
Push-to-talk
Typical
average bit
rates
(peak rates
higher)

GSM
9.6
kbps

GPRS
171
kbps

EGPRS
473
kbps

WCDMA
2
Mbps

HSDPA
1-10
Mbps

GSM Evolution to 3G
High Speed Circuit Switched Data
Dedicate up to 4 timeslots for data connection
~ 50 kbps
Good for real-time applications c.w. GPRS
Inefficient -> ties up resources, even when
nothing sent
Not as popular as GPRS (many skipping HSCSD)
Enhanced Data Rates for Global
GSM
Evolution
HSCSD
9.6kbps (one
mprovement in data rate on short
timeslot)
distances
GSM Data
Can fall back to GMSK for greater
Also called CSD
distances
GSM
GPRS Combine with GPRS (EGPRS) ~ 384 kbps
Can also be combined with HSCSD
WCDMA
General Packet Radio Services
Data rates up to ~ 115 kbps
EDGE
Max: 8 timeslots used as any one time
Packet switched; resources not tied up all the
time
Contention based. Efficient, but variable
delays

UMTS
Universal Mobile Telecommunications
System (UMTS)
UMTS is an upgrade from GSM via GPRS
or EDGE
The standardization work for UMTS is
carried out by Third Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP)
Data rates of UMTS are:
144 kbps for rural
384 kbps for urban outdoor
2048 kbps for indoor and low range outdoor

UMTS Frequency Spectrum

UMTS Band
1900-2025 MHz and 2110-2200 MHz for 3G
transmission
In the US, 17101755MHz and 2110
2155MHz will be used instead, as the
1900MHz band was already used.

3G rel5 Architecture (UMTS)

IP Multimedia
2G MS (voice only)

CN

CS-MGW

A/IuCS

Abis

Mc
BSC
BTS
2G+ MS (voice & data)

Gb/IuPS

IuCS

MSC Server
Gs

VLR

PSTN

Mc
C

PSTN

GMSC server

SS7
H

ATM
Gr

IuPS
RNC

Node B

Nc

RNS
Iub

CS-MGW

Nb

BSS

HSS

AuC

IP/ATM
Gc

Gn

Gi

SGSN

3G UE (voice & data)

IM IP Multimedia sub-system
MRF Media Resource Function
CSCF Call State Control Function
MGCF Media Gateway Control Function (Mc=H248,Mg=SIP)
IM-MGW IP Multimedia-MGW

GGSN
IM-MGW

IM

Gs

PSTN

IP
Mg

MRF

Mc
MGCF

CSCF

IP Network

UMTS Network Architecture

UMTS network architecture consists of
three domains
Core Network (CN): Provide switching, routing
and transit for user traffic
UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network
(UTRAN): Provides the air interface access
method for user equipment.
User Equipment (UE): Terminals work as air
interface counterpart for base stations. The
various identities are: IMSI, TMSI, P-TMSI, TLLI,
MSISDN, IMEI, IMEISV

UTRAN
Wide band CDMA technology is selected for
UTRAN air interface
Base stations are referred to as Node-B and
control equipment for Node-B is called as Radio
Network Controller (RNC).
Functions of Node-B are
Air Interface Tx/Rx
Modulation/Demodulation

Functions of RNC are:

Radio Resource Control

Channel Allocation
Power Control Settings
Handover Control
Ciphering
Segmentation and reassembly

3.5G (HSPA)
High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) is an
amalgamation of two mobile telephony protocols,
High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and
High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), that
extends and improves the performance of existing
WCDMA protocols
3.5G introduces many new features that will
enhance the UMTS technology in future.

4G (LTE)
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution
Next Generation mobile broadband
technology
Promises data transfer rates of 100
Mbps
Based on UMTS 3G technology
Optimized for All-IP traffic

LTE

Background of LTE
key requirements was defined for the new
system
Packet-switched domain optimization
Roundtrip time between server and user equipment (UE)
must be bellow 30ms and access delay below 300 ms
Uplink peak rate 75 Mbps
Downlink peak rate 300Mbps
Improvements to mobility and security
Terminal power efficiency improvements
Capacity increase compared to 3GPP release 6
(HSDPA/HSUPA

Comparison of LTE Speed

HSPA vs LTE

Advantages of LTE

Major LTE Radio Technogies

Uses Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing (OFDM) for downlink
Uses Single Carrier Frequency
Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA)
for uplink
Uses Multi-input Multi-output(MIMO)
for enhanced throughput
Reduced power consumption

OFDMA & SC-FDMA

The LTE air interface uses Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Also to reach the agreed
data levels multiple input / multiple output (MIMO)
technologies, together with high rate modulation
OFDMA is used in the downlink of LTE but for the
uplink Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple
Access (SC-FDMA)
OFDM-based technology was chosen for the following
reason
it can achieve the targeted high data rates with
simpler implementations involving relatively low
cost and power-efficient hardware

multiple input / multiple output

(MIMO)
To minimize the effects of noise and
to increase the spectrum utilization
and link reliability LTE uses MIMO
technique to send the data. The
basic idea of MIMO is to use multiple
antennas at receiver end and use
multiple transmitters when sending
the data

LTE impact on network

architecture
The LTE network architecture is an overall
flat architecture
It consists of an e-Node B and SAE
gateway. This network is based on a TCP/IP
protocol with higher service levels like
voice, video, messaging, etc. built on it.
Based on this, feasibility studies related to
All IP networks (AIPNs) were started in
2004 by the 3GPP

LTE Architecture

LTE Introduction
3G LTE evolution
Although there are major step changes between LTE and its 3G predecessors, it
is nevertheless looked upon as an evolution of the UMTS / 3GPP 3G standards.
Although it uses a different form of radio interface, using OFDMA / SC-FDMA
instead of CDMA, there are many similarities with the earlier forms of 3G
architecture and there is scope for much re-use.
LTE can be seen for provide a further evolution of functionality, increased
speeds
and generalWCDMA
improved performance.

HSPA
HSPA+
LTE
(UMTS)

HSDPA / HSUPA

Max downlink
speed
bps

384 k

14 M

28 M

100M

Max uplink speed

bps

128 k

5.7 M

11 M

50 M

Latency
round trip time
approx

150 ms

100 ms

50ms (max)

~10 ms

3GPP releases

Rel 99/4

Rel 5 / 6

Rel 7

Rel 8

Approx years of
initial roll out

2003 / 4

2005 / 6 HSDPA
2007 / 8 HSUPA

2008 / 9

2009 / 10

Access
methodology

CDMA

CDMA

CDMA

OFDMA / SC-FDMA

In addition to this, LTE is an all IP based network, supporting both IPv4 and IPv6.
There is also no basic provision for voice, although this can be carried as VoIP.

3GPP LTE technologies

LTE has introduced a number of new technologies when compared to the
previous cellular systems. They enable LTE to be able to operate more
efficiently with respect to the use of spectrum, and also to provide the
much higher data rates that are being required.
OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex): OFDM technology
has been incorporated into LTE because it enables high data bandwidths to
be transmitted efficiently while still providing a high degree of resilience to
reflections and interference. The access schemes differ between the uplink
and downlink: OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access is
used in the downlink; while SC-FDMA(Single Carrier - Frequency Division
Multiple Access) is used in the uplink. SC-FDMA is used in view of the fact
that its peak to average power ratio is small and the more constant power
enables high RF power amplifier efficiency in the mobile handsets - an
important factor for battery power equipment.
MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output): One of the main problems
that previous telecommunications systems has encountered is that of
multiple signals arising from the many reflections that are encountered. By

When using MIMO, it is necessary to use multiple antennas to enable

the different paths to be distinguished. Accordingly schemes using 2 x
2, 4 x 2, or 4 x 4 antenna matrices can be used. While it is relatively
easy to add further antennas to a base station, the same is not true of
mobile handsets, where the dimensions of the user equipment limit the
number of antennas which should be place at least a half wavelength
apart.

Architecture Evolution: With the very high data rate and low
latency requirements for 3G LTE, it is necessary to evolve the system
architecture to enable the improved performance to be achieved. One
change is that a number of the functions previously handled by the
core network have been transferred out to the periphery. Essentially
this provides a much "flatter" form of network architecture. In this way
latency times can be reduced and data can be routed more directly to
its destination.

LTE specification overview

It is worth summarizing the key parameters of the 3G LTE specification. In view
of the fact that there are a number of differences between the operation of the
uplink and downlink, these naturally differ in the performance they can offer .
PARAMETER

DETAILS

Peak downlink speed

64QAM
(Mbps)

100 (SISO), 172 (2x2 MIMO), 326 (4x4

MIMO)

Peak uplink speeds

(Mbps)

50 (QPSK), 57 (16QAM), 86 (64QAM)

Data type

All packet switched data (voice and

data). No circuit switched.

Channel bandwidths
(MHz)

1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20

Duplex schemes

FDD and TDD

Mobility

0 - 15 km/h (optimised),
15 - 120 km/h (high performance)

Latency

Idle to active less than 100ms

Small packets ~10 ms

Spectral efficiency

Downlink: 3 - 4 times Rel 6 HSDPA

Uplink: 2 -3 x Rel 6 HSUPA

Access schemes

OFDMA (Downlink)
SC-FDMA (Uplink)

Modulation types supported

QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM (Uplink and

downlink)

LTE Key Features

Evolved NodeB (eNB)

No RNC is provided anymore

The evolved Node Bs take over all radio management functionality.
This will 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 Network
Architecture
Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN)

Evolved Packet Core (EPC)

HSS

MME: Mobility Management Entity

S6a

LTE-UE

Evolved
Node B
(eNB)

MME

X2
S1-MME

S11
S5/S8

S1-U
cell
LTE-Uu

S10

Serving
Gateway

PDN
Gateway
LTE
Gateway

Evolved Node B (eNB)

LTE-UE
LTE-Uu
cell

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 Mgmt. MME-UE

Connection

It is the only network element

defined as part of EUTRAN.

It replaces the old Node B / RNC
combination from 3G.
It terminates the complete radio
interface including physical layer.
It provides all radio management
functions
An eNB can handle several cells.
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.

Radio Admission Control

eNode B Measurements
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
User Data Routing to the LTE GW.

Transmission of Paging Message coming from MM

Transmission of Broadcast Info (System info, MB

Mobility Management Entity

(MME)
HSS
Evolved
Node B
(eNB)

S1-MME

MME

S6a
S11

S1-U

Serving
Gateway

MME Functions
Control plane NE in EPC
Non-Access-Stratum (NAS)
Signalling
Idle State Mobility Handling

It is a pure signaling entity inside the EPC.

Tracking Area updates

LTE uses tracking areas to track the position of

Subscriber attach/detach

idle UEs. The basic principle is identical to location

or routing areas from 2G/3G.
MME handles attaches and detaches to the LTE
system, as well as tracking area updates
Therefore it possesses an interface towards the
HSS (home subscriber server) which stores the
subscription relevant information and the
currently assigned MME in its permanent data
base.
A second functionality of the MME is the
signaling coordination to setup transport bearers
(LTE bearers) through the EPC for a UE.
MMEs can be interconnected via the S10
interface

Signaling coordination for

LTE Bearer Setup/Release & HO
Security (Authentication,
Ciphering, Integrity protection)
Trigger and distribution of
Paging Messages to eNB
Roaming Control (S6a interface
to HSS)

Inter-CN Node Signaling

(S10 interface), allows efficient
inter-MME tracking area update
and attaches

Serving Gateway
Evolved
Node B
(eNB)

S1-MME

MME
S6a
S11
S5/S8

S1-U

Serving
Gateway

PDN
Gateway

The serving gateway is a network element

that manages the user data path ( bearers)

within EPC.
It therefore connects via the S1-U interface
towards eNB and receives uplink packet data
from here and transmits downlink packet data
on it.
Thus the serving gateway is some kind of
distribution and packet data anchoring function
within EPC.
It relays the packet data within EPC via the
S5/S8 interface to or from the PDN gateway.
A serving gateway is controlled by one or more
MMEs via S11 interface.

Serving Gateway Functions

Local Mobility Anchor Point:

Switching the User plane to a new
eNB in case of Handover

Mobility anchoring for inter-3GPP

mobility. This is sometimes referre
to as the 3GPP Anchor function

Packet Buffering and notification t

MME for UEs in Idle Mode

Packet Routing/Forwarding
between eNB, PDN GW and SGSN
Lawful Interception support

Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway

MME
S6a
S11

PDN Gateway Functions

S5/S8

Serving
Gateway

PDN LTE
Gateway

The PDN gateway provides the connection

between EPC and a number of external data

networks.
Thus it is comparable to GGSN in 2G/3G
networks.
A major functionality provided by a PDN
gateway is the QoS coordination between the
external PDN and EPC.
Therefore the PDN gateway can be
connected via S7 to a PCRF (Policy and
Charging Rule Function).
If a UE is connected simultaneously to
several PDNs this may involved connections to

Mobility anchor for mobility between

3GPP access systems and non-3GPP
access systems. This is sometimes
referred to as the LTE Anchor function
Policy Enforcement (PCEF)
Per User based Packet Filtering (i.e.
deep packet inspection)
Charging Support
Lawful Interception support
IP Address Allocation for UE

Packet Routing/Forwarding between

Serving GW and external Data Netwo

Packet screening (firewall functionali

Home Subscriber Server (HSS)

HSS

MME
S6a

The HSS is already introduced by UMTS

release 5.
With LTE/LTE the HSS will get
additionally data per subscriber for LTE
mobility and service handling.
Some changes in the database as well as
in the HSS protocol (DIAMETER) will be
necessary to enable HSS for LTE/LTE.
The HSS can be accessed by the MME via
S6a interface.

HSS Functions
Permanent and central subscriber
database

Stores mobility and service data for

every subscriber
Contains the Authentication Center
(AuC) functionality.

LTE vs UMTS
Functional changes compared to the
current UMTS architecture

LTE Release 8 Key Features

(1/2)
Highspectralefficiency
OFDM inDownlink
SingleCarrierFDMAinUplink

Verylowlatency
Shortsetuptime&Shorttransferdelay
Shorthand
overlatencyandinterruptiontime

Supportofvariablebandwidth
1.4,3,5,10,15and20MHz
47

LTE Release 8 Key Features

(2/2)
Compatibilityandinterworkingwithe
arlier3GPPReleases
FDDandTDDwithinasingleradioac
cess technology
EfficientMulticast/Broadcast

48

Evolution of LTE-Advanced
(4G)
Advanced Multi-cell
Transmission/Reception Techniques
Enhanced Multi-antenna
Transmission Techniques
Support of Larger Bandwidth in LTEAdvanced

49

LTE-Advanced (4G)
Peak data rates up to 1Gbps are
expected from bandwidths of
100MHz. OFDM adds additional subcarrier to increase bandwidth

50

LTE vs. LTE-Advanced

51

Conclusion
LTE-A helps in integrating the existing
networks, new networks, services and
terminals to suit the escalating user
demands
LTE-Advanced will be standardized in
the 3GPP specification Release 10
(LTE-A) and will be designed to meet
the 4G requirements as defined by
ITU
52