GSM(Global System for Mobile)

and
LTE(Long Term Evolution)
Network Architecture Overview

Mobile Wireless Network Evolution

Ref. LTE The UMTS Long Term Evolution, From Theory to Practice,
Stefania Sesia, Issam Toufik and Matthew Baker

GSM Network Architecture

Various Interfaces used in GSM

1. GSM Network Architecture

1. Mobile Station Subsystem (MSS)
2. Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
3. Network and Switching
Subsystem (NSS)
4. Operation and Support
Subsystem (OSS)

1. Mobile Station Subsystem (MSS)

TE - Terminal Equipment
TA -Terminal Adapter
MT - Mobile Termination
SIM - Subscriber Identity Module SIM

Ref. Wireless Technology, Protocols, Standards, and Techniques by Michel Daoud Yacoub

GSM Network Cont.

2. Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
BSS is responsible for the radio
coverage of a given geographic region
and for appropriate signal processing.
BTS- Base Station Transceiver
BSC- Base Station Controller

3. Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)

MSC-Mobile Switching Center
HLR-Home Location Register
VLR-Visitor Location Register
AuC-Authentication Center
EIR-Equipment Identity Register

4.Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)

Operation and Maintenance Center
Network Management Center

2. LTE Network Architecture

[Fig] 3GPP architecture evolution towards
flat architecture

Optimization for packet switched services in general, when there is no longer a

need to support the circuit switched mode of operation (IP based)
Optimized support for higher throughput required for higher end user bit rates
Improvement in the response times for activation and bearer set-up
Improvement in the packet delivery delays
overall simplification of the system compared to the existing 3GPP and other
cellular systems
optimized inter-working with other 3GPP access networks
optimized inter-working with other wireless access networks
Ref. LTE for UMTS Evolution to LTE-Advanced, Harri Holma and Antti Toskala

a) System architecture for EE-UTRAN only network

1.
2.
3.
4.

User Equipment (UE)

Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) Evolved
Packet Core Network(EPC)
Services domain

LTE encompasses the evolution of the

radio access through the EvolvedUTRAN(E-UTRAN)
It is accompanied by an evolution of the
non-radio aspects under the term System
Architecture Evolution (SAE) which
includes the Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
network.
Together LTE and SAE comprise the
Evolved Packet System (EPS)

b) E-UTRAN Node B (eNodeB

(eNodeB),
), connections to other logical nodes

Mobility Management Entity (MME) is the main control element in the EPC

c) Serving Gateway (S(S-GW) connections to other logical nodes

d) eNodeB self
self--configuration of S1S1-MME and X2 Interfaces

Global eNodeB ID
Information of the cell specific parameters such as Physical Cell ID (PCI),
uplink/downlink frequency used, bandwidth in use
MMEs connected (MME Pool)

e) 3GPP InterInter-working System Architecture

Configuration
UE - Single radio operation
E-UTRAN - Mobility to and
from other 3GPP Ans
EPC has a central role for the
inter-working system
architecture

Fig. 3GPP Inter-working System Architecture

Configuration