LTE Network Architecture

LTE Network Architecture

LTE Network architecture is structured to provide:
Smart platform for 4G services and applications Natural IP connectivity to IP based networks, services and applications Easy integration of network elements from different vendors Easy integration of third party services and applications Allows sophisticated charging schemes Scalability Tight QoS control Build in QoS mechanisms and interfaces
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3G Vs. LTE Network Architecture

3rd Generation
Circuit Switch Networks Circuit Switch Core Packet Data Networks Circuit Switch Networks IMS Packet Switch Core Packet Switch Core

LTE
Packet Data Networks

Radio Network Controller

Radio Access Network - RAN

NodeB

NodeB

eNodeB

eNodeB

The Bigger Picture

2G, 3G Circuit Core CS networks
Non 3GPP Access

User Mgmt IMS Domain Evolved Packet Core

Applications IP networks

LTE eUTRAN

Core Network

The LTE-EPS is part of a bigger picture of next generation network architecture for IP based services and call control where the IMS plays a central role: Common authentication, authorization and accounting framework Common media control and network management - Common policy enforcement rules Can easily serve roaming subscribers Open application development framework

LTE/SAE Terminology
EPS- Evolved Packet System The EPS provides access to external packet IP networks and performs CN (Core Network) related functions. The EPS is sometimes called: SAE System Architecture Evolution EPC- Evolved Packet Core No circuit switched components Direct connection between the base station (eNB) and the Core Network (No RNC) eUTRAN LTE Radio Access Network
UE UE

IMS/PDN

EPC

eNB eUTRAN

eNB

UE User Equipment

EPS/SAE

LTE Architecture Elements and Interfaces

E-UTRAN Evolved Packet Core-EPC
HSS Home Subscriber Server

eNB

MME

SPR S6a Sp

Policy and Charging Rule Function

PCRF Rx+

Uu

X2

S1-MME Gxa S11 S1-U S1-U S5/S8 Serving Gateway SAE Gateway PDN Gateway Gx

Uu
eNB

SGi

PDN

X2

Packet Data Network

Separation between control and data entities and interfaces Allows separate scale up for data increase and for increase in subscriber number Allows distribution of data supporting entities while centralizing control supporting entities
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A UE May Connect to Multiple PDNs

A PDN is established when the UE attaches to the network The UE uses APN (Access Point Name) to define the required PDN Otherwise, the network assigns the default APN of the UE (stored in the HSS) For each APN connection the UE have different IP address
Facebook

Each PGW serves a single PDN A PDN may be served by multiple PGWs
PDN Gateway

PDN# 1 Internet

YouTube Others

IP Address #1 IP Address #2 Serving Gateway PDN# 2 Operator Portal PDN Gateway IP Address #3 PDN# 3 IMS PDN Gateway Voice SMS Others Video Music Games

UE

E-NodeB

LTE Architecture Elements and Interfaces

E-UTRAN
HSS
Home Subscriber Server MME

SPR
eNB PCRF Serving Gateway

X2

AF X2
eNB PDN Gateway PCRF Packet Data Network 1

PDN 1

X2 Uu

AF Uu
eNB Serving Gateway MME PDN Gateway

PDN 2

1. Most system elements are not hard nailed to each other but can be routed to support different portions of the system. 2. Supports Pooling, weight factoring, load balancing

Packet Data Network 2

PDN Connectivity and the Transport Layer

Two IP layers: PDN connection IP layer (EPS entities as UE, PDN GW etc.) Transport IP layer (routers, switches etc.) The PDN connection is not aware to the transport IP layer network techniques as required (Diffserv etc.)
Application layer PDN Connection layer IP UE Transport layer Application layer UE IP Connection IP Layer2 Layer1 Serving GW IP Layer2 Layer1 Router IP IP Layer2 Layer1 PDN GW 9 PDN

LTE Roaming Home Routed Traffic

Home Network Provides Data connectivity
HSS Gx SGi P-GW S8 Visited Network vPLMN S-GW UE Cell eNB
S1-U

PCRF Rx+ PDN

Home Network hPLMN

S6a

MME
LTE-Uu S1-MME S11

Case 1: Home Routed Traffic Access of the UE to the PDN is routed through the Home Network. Also called Remote Breakout.

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LTE Roaming - Local Breakout

Home Network Provides Policy
HSS hPCRF Rx+ Home Network hPLMN AF may be associated with eithr the hPCRF or vPCRF
S6a S9

MME
LTE-Uu S1-MME S11

vPCRF Rx+ Gx SGi

Visited Network vPLMN AF

UE

Cell eNB

S1-U

S5
S-GW P-GW

PDN

Case 2: Local Breakout UE can access the PDN network directly from the vPLMN rather than traffic being routed through the hPLMN. The hPCRF communicates the allowed services and the authorization of resources to the vPCRF. Th evPCRF may accept or reject but not change the hPCRF authorized services
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