LTE Training Document

Index
1. Introduction
2. LTE Key feature
3. LTE Network Elements(Architecture)
4. LTE Network Interfaces
5. LTE-Channel



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 general
improved performance.
LTE Introduction
WCDMA
(UMTS)
HSPA
HSDPA / HSUPA
HSPA+ LTE
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 using MIMO, these additional signal paths can be
used to advantage and are able to be used to increase the throughput.




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
LTE-UE
Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN)
MME
S10
S6a
Serving
Gateway
S1-U
S11
PDN
Gateway
Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
S1-MME
S5/S8
Evolved
Node B
(eNB)
cell
X2
LTE-Uu
HSS
MME: Mobility Management Entity
LTE
Gateway
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
Radio Admission Control
eNode B Measurements
Collection and evaluation
Dynamic Resource
Allocation (Scheduler)
eNB Functions
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 MME
Transmission of Broadcast Info (System info, MBMS)
Evolved
Node B
(eNB)
cell
LTE-Uu
LTE-UE
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.
Evolved Node B (eNB)
Evolved
Node B
(eNB)
MME
Serving
Gateway
S1-U
S1-MME
S11
HSS
S6a
MME Functions
Non-Access-Stratum (NAS)
Signalling
Idle State Mobility Handling
Tracking Area updates
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 updates
and attaches
Signaling coordination for
LTE Bearer Setup/Release & HO
Subscriber attach/detach
Control plane NE in EPC
Mobility Management Entity (MME)
It is a pure signaling entity inside the EPC.
LTE uses tracking areas to track the position of 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
It generates and allocates temporary ids for UEs
Evolved
Node B
(eNB)
MME
Serving
Gateway
S1-U
S1-MME
S5/S8
PDN
Gateway
S11
S6a
Serving 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.
At a given time, the UE is connected to the EPC via a single
Serving-GW
Packet Buffering and notification to
MME for UEs in Idle Mode
Packet Routing/Forwarding
between eNB, PDN GW and SGSN
Lawful Interception support
Serving Gateway Functions
Mobility anchoring for inter-3GPP
mobility. This is sometimes referred
to as the 3GPP Anchor function
Local Mobility Anchor Point:
Switching the User plane to a new
eNB in case of Handover
Packet Data Network (PDN) 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 more than one PDN-GW
MME
Serving
Gateway
S5/S8
PDN LTE
Gateway
S11
S6a
Policy Enforcement (PCEF)
Per User based Packet Filtering (i.e.
deep packet inspection)
Charging Support
PDN Gateway Functions
IP Address Allocation for UE
Packet Routing/Forwarding between
Serving GW and external Data Network
Mobility anchor for mobility between
3GPP access systems and non-3GPP
access systems. This is sometimes
referred to as the LTE Anchor function
Packet screening (firewall functionality)
Lawful Interception support
Home Subscriber Server (HSS)
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.
Permanent and central subscriber
database
HSS Functions
Stores mobility and service data for
every subscriber
MME
HSS
S6a
Contains the Authentication Center
(AuC) functionality.
LTE UE Categories
Qualcomm first chipset has 50 Mbps downlink and 25 Mbps uplink
All categories support 20 MHz
64QAM mandatory in downlink, but not in uplink (except Class 5)
2x2 MIMO mandatory in other classes except Class 1
Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5
10/5 Mbps 50/25 Mbps 100/50 Mbps 150/50 Mbps 300/75 Mbps Peak rate DL/UL
20 MHz RF bandwidth 20 MHz 20 MHz 20 MHz 20 MHz
64QAM Modulation DL 64QAM 64QAM 64QAM 64QAM
16QAM Modulation UL 16QAM

64QAM 16QAM

16QAM

Yes

Rx diversity Yes Yes Yes Yes
1-4 tx BTS tx diversity
Optional MIMO DL 2x2 4x4 2x2 2x2
1-4 tx 1-4 tx 1-4 tx 1-4 tx
LTE-Channel
Upper Layers

RLC

MAC

PHY
Logical channels
Transport channels
B
C
C
H

C
C
C
H

P
C
C
H

M
T
C
H

M
C
C
H

B
C
H

P
C
H

D
L
-
S
C
H

R
A
C
H

U
L
-
S
C
H

P
B
C
H

P
D
S
C
H

P
H
I
C
H

P
D
C
C
H

P
C
F
I
C
H

P
M
C
H

P
U
C
C
H

P
R
A
C
H

P
U
S
C
H

M
C
H

C
C
C
H

D
C
C
H

D
T
C
H

UL DL
Air interface
D
C
C
H

D
T
C
H

Physical channels: These are transmission channels that carry user data and control
messages.

Transport channels: The physical layer transport channels offer information transfer
to Medium Access Control (MAC) and higher layers.

Logical channels: Provide services for the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer within
the LTE protocol structure.
Logical channels
BCCH Broadcast Control CH
System information sent to all UEs
PCCH Paging Control CH
Paging information when addressing UE
CCCH Common Control CH
Access information during call establishment
DCCH Dedicated Control CH
User specific signaling and control
DTCH Dedicated Traffic CH
User data
MCCH Multicast Control CH
Signaling for multi-cast
MTCH Multicast Traffic CH
Multicast data

LTE Channels
Transport channels
BCH Broadcast CH
Transport for BCCH
PCH Paging CH
Transport for PCH
DL-SCH Downlink Shared CH
Transport of user data and signaling. Used by
many logical channels
MCH Multicast channel
Used for multicast transmission
UL-SCH Uplink Shared CH
Transport for user data and signaling
RACH Random Access CH
Used for UEs accessing the network
LTE Channels
Physical Channel
PDSCH Physical DL Shared CH
Uni-cast transmission and paging
PBCH Physical Broadcast CH
Broadcast information necessary for accessing the network
PMCH Physical Multicast Channel
Data and signaling for multicast
PDCCH Physical Downlink Control CH
Carries mainly scheduling information
PHICH Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator
Reports status of Hybrid ARQ
PCIFIC Physical Control Format Indicator
Information required by UE so that PDSCH can be
demodulated (format of PDSCH)
PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel
Uplink user data and signaling
PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel
Reports Hybrid ARQ acknowledgements
PRACH Physical Random Access Channel
Used for random access



LTE Channels
Radio Resource Control (RRC) States
From a mobility perspective, the UE can be in one of three states.
LTE_DETACHED
LTE_IDLE
LTE_ACTIVE













LTE_DETACHED
LTE_ACTIVE
LTE_IDLE
OFF
Power Up
Registration De-registration
Inactivity New Traffic
Timeout of
Tracking Area
Update/PLMN
Change


UE States
LTE_DETACHED
Power On
Registration (Attach)
LTE_ACTIVE
Allocate C-RNTI, S_TMSI
Allocate IP addresses
Authentication
Establish security context
Release RRC connection
Release C-RNTI
Configure DRX for paging
LTE_IDLE
Release due to
Inactivity
Establish RRC Connection
Allocate C-RNTI

New Traffic
Deregistration (Detach)
Change PLMN
Release C-RNTI, S-TMSI
Release IP addresses
Timeout of Periodic TA
Update
Release S-TMSI
Release IP addresses

LTE_DETACHED state is typically a transitory state in which the UE is powered-on but is in
the process of searching and registering with the network.

LTE_ACTIVE state, the UE is registered with the network and has an RRC connection with
the eNB. In LTE_ACTIVE state, the network knows the cell to which the UE belongs and
can transmit/receive data from the UE.

LTE_IDLE state is a power-conservation state for the UE, where typically the UE is not
transmitting or receiving packets. In LTE_IDLE state, no context about the UE is stored in
the eNB. In this state, the location of the UE is only known at the MME and only at the
granularity of a tracking area (TA) that consists of multiple eNBs. The MME knows the TA
in which the UE last registered and paging is necessary to locate the UE to a cell.
Thanks