LTE Frequently Asked Questions

What is LTE?
What is goal of LTE?
What speed LTE offers?
What is LTE Advanced?
What is LTE architecture?
What is EUTRAN?
What are LTE Interfaces?
What are LTE Network elements?
What are LTE protocols specifications?
What is !oL"A?
What is #$ %all&ack in LTE?
'ow does LTE $ecurit( works?
What is I) *ultimedia $u&s(stem +I*$,?
'ow does measurements work in LTE?
What is Automatic Neigh&our Relation?
'ow does Intra E-UTRAN 'andover is performed?
'ow does polic( control and charging works in LTE?
What is $.N how does it work in LTE?
'ow does Network $haring works in LTE?
'ow does Timing Advance +TA, works in LTE?
'ow does LTE UE positioning works in E-UTRAN?
'ow man( operators have committed for LTE?
What is $ingle Radio !oice #all #ontinuit( +$R!##,?
'ow does Location $ervice +L#$, work in LTE network?
'ow does Lawful Interception works in LTE Evolved )acket $(stem?
What is carrier aggregation in LTE-Advanced?
What is Rela( Node and how does Rela(ing works in LTE-Advanced?
What is LTE?
LTE
i
+Long Term Evolution, is initiated &( /"))
i
to improve the mo&ile phone standard to cope
with future technolog( evolutions and needs0
Login or register to post comments

What is goal of LTE?

The goals for LTE include improving spectral efficienc(1 lowering costs1 improving services1
making use of new spectrum and reformed spectrum opportunities1 and &etter integration with
other open standards0
Login or register to post comments

What speed LTE offers?

LTE provides downlink peak rates of at least 233*&it4s1 53 *&it4s in the uplink and RAN +Radio
Access Network, round-trip times of less than 23 ms0
Login or register to post comments

What is LTE Advanced?

LTE standards are in matured state now with release 6 fro7en0 While LTE Advanced is still under
works0 .ften the LTE standard is seen as 8" standard which is not true0 /09" is more
accepta&le for LTE0 $o wh( it is not 8"? Answer is :uite simple - LTE does not fulfill all
re:uirements of ITU 8" definition0
;rief 'istor( of LTE Advanced< The ITU has introduced the term I*T Advanced to identif(
mo&ile s(stems whose capa&ilities go &e(ond those of I*T =3330 The I*T Advanced s(stems
shall provide &est-in-class performance attri&utes such as peak and sustained data rates and
corresponding spectral efficiencies1 capacit(1 latenc(1 overall network comple>it( and :ualit(-of-
service management0 The new capa&ilities of these I*T-Advanced s(stems are envisaged to
handle a wide range of supported data rates with target peak data rates of up to appro>imatel(
233 *&it4s for high mo&ilit( and up to appro>imatel( 2 "&it4s for low mo&ilit(0
$ee LTE Advanced< Evolution of LTE for more details0
Login or register to post comments

What is LTE architecture?

The evolved architecture comprises E-UTRAN +Evolved UTRAN, on the access side and E)#
+Evolved )acket #ore, on the core side0
The figure &elow shows the evolved s(stem architecture
Login or register to post comments

What is EUTRAN?
The E-UTRAN +Evolved UTRAN, consists of eN;s1 providing the E-UTRA user plane
+)?#)4RL#4*A#4)'@, and control plane +RR#, protocol terminations towards the UE0 The
eN;s are interconnected with each other &( means of the A= interface0 The eN;s are also
connected &( means of the $2 interface to the E)# +Evolved )acket #ore,1 more specificall( to
the **E +*o&ilit( *anagement Entit(, &( means of the $2-**E and to the $erving "atewa(
+$-"W, &( means of the $2-U0
Login or register to post comments

What are LTE Interfaces?

The following are LTE Interfaces < +Ref< T$ =/0832 v 682,
$2-**E <- Reference point for the control plane protocol &etween E-UTRAN and **E0
$2-U<- Reference point &etween E-UTRAN and $erving "W for the per &earer user plane tunnelling and inter eNode; path switching during handover0
$/<- It ena&les user and &earer information e>change for inter /")) access network mo&ilit( in idle and4or active state0
$8<- It provides related control and mo&ilit( support &etween ")R$ #ore and the /")) Anchor function of $erving "W0 In addition1 if ?irect Tunnel is not esta&lished1 it provides the user plane tunnelling0
$5<- It provides user plane tunnelling and tunnel management &etween $erving "W and )?N "W0 It is used for $erving "W relocation due to UE mo&ilit( and if the $erving "W needs to connect to a non-collocated )?N "W for the re:uired
)?N connectivit(0
$Ba<- It ena&les transfer of su&scription and authentication data for authenticating4authori7ing user access to the evolved s(stem +AAA interface, &etween **E and '$$0
"><- It provides transfer of +Co$, polic( and charging rules from )#R% to )olic( and #harging Enforcement %unction +)#E%, in the )?N "W0
$6<- Inter-)L*N reference point providing user and control plane &etween the $erving "W in the !)L*N and the )?N "W in the ')L*N0 $6 is the inter )L*N variant of $50
$9<- It provides transfer of +Co$, polic( and charging control information &etween the 'ome )#R% and the !isited )#R% in order to support local &reakout function0
$23<- Reference point &etween **Es for **E relocation and **E to **E information transfer0
$22<- Reference point &etween **E and $erving "W0
$2=<- Reference point &etween UTRAN and $erving "W for user plane tunnelling when ?irect Tunnel is esta&lished0 It is &ased on the Iu-u4"n-u reference point using the "T)-U protocol as defined &etween $"$N and UTRAN or respectivel(
&etween $"$N and ""$N0 Usage of $2= is an operator configuration option0
$2/<- It ena&les UE identit( check procedure &etween **E and EIR0
$"i<- It is the reference point &etween the )?N "W and the packet data network0 )acket data network ma( &e an operator e>ternal pu&lic or private packet data network or an intra operator packet data network1 e0g0 for provision of I*$
services0 This reference point corresponds to "i for /")) accesses0
R><- The R> reference point resides &etween the A% and the )#R% in the T$ =/0=3/0
$;c<- Reference point &etween #;# and **E for warning message deliver( and control functions0
Login or register to post comments

What are LTE Network elements?

eNB
eN; interfaces with the UE and hosts the )'@sical +)'@,1 *edium Access
#ontrol +*A#,1 Radio Link #ontrol +RL#,1 and )acket ?ata #ontrol
)rotocol +)?#), la(ers0 It also hosts Radio Resource #ontrol +RR#,
functionalit( corresponding to the control plane0 It performs man(
functions including radio resource management1 admission control1
scheduling1 enforcement of negotiated UL Co$1 cell information
&roadcast1 ciphering4deciphering of user and control plane data1 and
compression4decompression of ?L4UL user plane packet headers0

Mobility Management Entity
manages and stores UE conte>t +for idle state< UE4user identities1 UE mo&ilit( state1 user
securit( parameters,0 It generates temporar( identities and allocates them to UEs0 It checks the
authori7ation whether the UE ma( camp on the TA or on the )L*N0 It also authenticates the
user0
Serving Gateway
The $"W routes and forwards user data packets1 while also acting as the mo&ilit( anchor for
the user plane during inter-eN; handovers and as the anchor for mo&ilit( &etween LTE and
other /")) technologies +terminating $8 interface and rela(ing the traffic &etween ="4/"
s(stems and )?N "W,0
Packet Data Network Gateway
The )?N "W provides connectivit( to the UE to e>ternal packet data networks &( &eing the
point of e>it and entr( of traffic for the UE0 A UE ma( have simultaneous connectivit( with more
than one )?N "W for accessing multiple )?Ns0 The )?N "W performs polic( enforcement1
packet filtering for each user1 charging support1 lawful Interception
and packet screening0
Login or register to post comments

What are LTE protocols specifications?

In LTE architecture1 core network includes *o&ilit( *anagement Entit( +**E,1 $erving
"atewa( +$"W,1 )acket ?ata Network "atewa( +)?N "W, where as E-UTRAN has E-UTRAN
Node; +eN;,0
$ee LTE protocols specifications for specification mappings0
)rotocol links are as &elow
Air Interface )h(sical La(er
")R$ Tunnelling )rotocol User )lane +"T)-U,
"T)-U Transport
*edium Access #ontrol +*A#,
Non-Access-$tratum +NA$, )rotocol
)acket ?ata #onvergence )rotocol +)?#),
Radio Link #ontrol +RL#,
Radio Resource #ontrol +RR#,
$2 Application )rotocol +$2A),
$2 la(er 2
$2 $ignalling Transport
A= Application )rotocol +A=A),
A= la(er 2
A= $ignalling Transport
Login or register to post comments

What is !oL"A?
!oL"A stands for D!oice over LTE via "eneric AccessD0 The !oL"A service resem&les the
/")) "eneric Access Network +"AN,0 "AN provides a controller node - the "AN controller
+"AN#, - inserted &etween the I) access network +i0e01 the E)$, and the /")) core network0
The "AN provides an overla( access &etween the terminal and the #$ core without re:uiring
specific enhancements or support in the network it traverses0 This provides a terminal with a
EvirtualE connection to the core network alread( deplo(ed &( an operator0 The terminal and
network thus reuse most of the e>isting mechanisms1 deplo(ment and operational aspects0
see !oL"A - !oice over LTE via "eneric Access for more details0
Login or register to post comments

What is #$ %all&ack in LTE?

LTE technolog( supports packet &ased services onl(1 however /")) does specifies fall&ack for
circuit switched services as well0 To achieve this LTE architecture and network nodes re:uire
additional functionalit(1 this &log is an attempt to provide overview for same0
In LTE architecture1 the circuit switched +#$, fall&ack in E)$ ena&les the provisioning of voice
and traditional #$-domain services +e0g0 #$ U?I video4 $*$4 L#$4 U$$?,0 To provide these
services LTE reuses #$ infrastructure when the UE is served &( E UTRAN0
$ee Understanding #$ %all&ack in LTE for more details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does LTE $ecurit( works?

The following are some of the principles of /")) E-UTRAN securit( &ased on /")) Release 6
specifications<
The ke(s used for NA$ and A$ protection shall &e dependent on the algorithm with which the( are used0
The eN; ke(s are cr(ptographicall( separated from the E)# ke(s used for NA$ protection +making it impossi&le to use the eN; ke( to figure out an E)# ke(,0
The A$ +RR# and U), and NA$ ke(s are derived in the E)#4UE from ke( material that was generated &( a NA$ +E)#4UE, level AFA procedure +FA$*E, and identified with a ke( identifier +F$IA$*E,0
The eN; ke( +FeN;, is sent from the E)# to the eN; when the UE is entering E#*-#.NNE#TE? state +i0e0 during RR# connection or $2 conte>t setup,0
$ee LTE $ecurit( )rinciples for more details0
Login or register to post comments

What is I) *ultimedia $u&s(stem +I*$,?

The /")) I) *ultimedia $u&s(stem +I*$, technolog( provides an architectural framework for
delivering I) &ased multimedia services0 I*$ ena&les telecom service providers to offer a new
generation of rich multimedia services across &oth circuit switched and packet switched
networks0 I*$ offers access to I) &ased services independent of the access network e0g0
wireless access +")R$1 /"))Gs U*T$1 LTE1 /"))=Gs #?*A=333, and fi>ed networks
+TI$)ANGs N"N,
I*$ defines a architecture of logical elements using $I) for call signaling &etween network
elements and )rovides a la(ered approach with defined service1 control1 and transport planes0
$ome of I*$ high level re:uirements are noted &elow<
The application plane provides an infrastructure for the provision and management of services1
su&scri&er configuration and identit( management and defines standard interfaces to common
functionalit(0
The I*$ control plane handles the call related signaling and controls transport plane0 *aHor
element of control plane is the #all $ession #ontrol %unction +#$#%, 1 which comprises )ro>(-
#$#% +)-#$#%,1 Interrogating-#$#% +I-#$#%, and $erving-#$#% +$-#$#%,0 The #$#%
+#all4$ession #ontrol %unction, is essentiall( a $I) server0
The I*$ transport plane provides a core I) network with access from su&scri&er device over
wireless or wireline networks0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does measurements work in LTE?

In LTE E-UTRAN measurements to &e performed &( a UE for mo&ilit( are classified as &elow
Intra-fre:uenc( E-UTRAN measurements
Inter-fre:uenc( E-UTRAN measurements
Inter-RAT measurements for UTRAN and "ERAN
Inter-RAT measurements of #?*A=333 'R)? or 2>RTT fre:uencies
$ee *easurements in LTE E-UTRAN for details0
Login or register to post comments

What is Automatic Neigh&our Relation?

According to /")) specifications1 the purpose of the Automatic Neigh&our Relation +ANR,
functionalit( is to relieve the operator from the &urden of manuall( managing Neigh&or Relations
+NRs,0 This feature would operators effort to provision0
Read Automatic Neigh&our Relation in LTE for more details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does Intra E-UTRAN 'andover is performed?

Intra E-UTRAN 'andover is used to hand over a UE from a source eNode; to a target eNode;
using A= when the **E is unchanged0 In the scenario descri&ed here $erving "W is also
unchanged0 The presence of I) connectivit( &etween the $erving "W and the source eNode;1
as well as &etween the $erving "W and the target eNode; is assumed0
The intra E-UTRAN '. in RR#I#.NNE#TE? state is UE assisted NW controlled '.1 with '.
preparation signalling in E-UTRAN0
Read LTE 'andovers - Intra E-UTRAN 'andover for more details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does polic( control and charging works in LTE?

A important component in LTE network is the polic( and charging control +)##, function that
&rings together and enhances capa&ilities from earlier /")) releases to deliver d(namic control
of polic( and charging on a per su&scri&er and per I) flow &asis0
LTE Evolved )acket #ore +E)#, E)# includes a )## architecture that provides support for
fine-grained Co$ and ena&les application servers to d(namicall( control the Co$ and charging
re:uirements of the services the( deliver0 It also provides improved support for roaming0
?(namic control over Co$ and
charging will help operators moneti7e their LTE investment &( providing customers with a
variet( of Co$ and charging options when choosing a service0
The LTE )## functions include<
)#R% +polic( and charging rules function, provides polic( control and flow &ased charging control decisions0
)#E% +polic( and charging enforcement function, implemented in the serving gatewa(1 this enforces gating and Co$ for individual I) flows on the &ehalf of
the )#R%0 It also provides usage measurement to support charging
.#$ +online charging s(stem, provides credit management and grants credit to the )#E% &ased on time1 traffic volume or chargea&le events0
.%#$ +off-line charging s(stem, receives events from the )#E% and generates charging data records +#?Rs, for the &illing s(stem0
Refer following whitepapers for more details0
Introduction to Evolved )acket #ore
)olic( control and charging for LTE networks
Cualit( of $ervice +Co$, and )olic( *anagement in *o&ile ?ata Networks
Login or register to post comments

What is $.N how does it work in LTE?

$elf-configuring1 self-optimi7ing wireless networks is not a new concept &ut as the mo&ile
networks are evolving towards 8" LTE networks1 introduction of self configuring and self
optimi7ing mechanisms is needed to minimi7e operational efforts0 A self optimi7ing function
would increase network performance and :ualit( reacting to d(namic processes in the network0
This would minimi7e the life c(cle cost of running a network &( eliminating manual configuration
of e:uipment at the time of deplo(ment1 right through to d(namicall( optimi7ing radio network
performance during operation0 Ultimatel( it will reduce the unit cost and retail price of wireless
data services0
$ee $elf-configuring and self-optimi7ing Networks in LTE for details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does Network $haring works in LTE?

/")) network sharing architecture allows different core network operators to connect to a
shared radio access network0 The operators do not onl( share the radio network elements1 &ut
ma( also share the radio resources themselves0
Read Network $haring in LTE for more0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does Timing Advance +TA, works in LTE?

In LTE1 when UE wish to esta&lish RR# connection with eN;1 it transmits a Random Access
)ream&le1 eN; estimates the transmission timing of the terminal &ased on this0 Now eN;
transmits a Random Access Response which consists of timing advance command1 &ased on
that UE adHusts the terminal transmit timing0
The timing advance is initiated from E-UTRAN with *A# message that implies and adHustment
of the timing advance0
$ee Timing Advance +TA, in LTE for further details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does LTE UE positioning works in E-UTRAN?

UE )ositioning function is re:uired to provide the mechanisms to support or assist the
calculation of the geographical position of a UE0 UE position knowledge can &e used1 for
e>ample1 in support of Radio Resource *anagement functions1 as well as location-&ased
services for operators1 su&scri&ers1 and third-part( service providers0
$ee LTE UE positioning in E-UTRAN for more details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow man( operators have committed for LTE?

List of operators committed for LTE has &een compiled &( /"Americas from Informa Telecoms
*edia and pu&lic announcements0 It includes a variet( of commitment levels including
intentions to trial1 deplo(1 migrate1 etc0
%or latest info visit http<44ltemaps0org4
Login or register to post comments

What is $ingle Radio !oice #all #ontinuit( +$R!##,?

Along with LTE introduction1 /")) also standardi7ed $ingle Radio !oice #all #ontinuit(
+$R!##, in Release 6 specifications to provide seamless continuit( when an UE handovers
from LTE coverage +E-UTRAN, to U*T$4"$* coverage +UTRAN4"ERAN,0 With $R!##1 calls
are anchored in I*$ network while UE is capa&le of transmitting4receiving on onl( one of those
access networks at a given time0
$ee Evolution of $ingle Radio !oice #all #ontinuit( +$R!##, for more details0
Login or register to post comments

'ow does Location $ervice +L#$, work in LTE network?

In the L#$ architecture1 an Evolved $*L# is directl( attached to the **E0 The o&Hectives of
this evolution is to support location of an I*$ emergenc( call1 avoid impacts to a location
session due to an inter-eNode; handover1 make use of an Evolved and support *o&ile
originated location re:uest +*.-LR, and mo&ile terminated location re:uest *T-LR services0
Release 9 L#$ solution introduces new interfaces in the E)#<
$Lg &etween the "*L# and the **E
$Ls &etween the E-$*L# and the **E
?iameter-&ased $Lh &etween the '$$ and the '"*L#
%or details read L#$ Architecture for LTE E)$ and LTE UE positioning in E-UTRAN
Login or register to post comments

'ow does Lawful Interception works in LTE Evolved )acket $(stem?

/")) Evolved )acket $(stem +E)$, provides I) &ased services0 'ence1 E)$ is responsi&le
onl( for I) la(er interception of #ontent of #ommunication +##, data0 In addition to ## data1 the
Lawful Interception +LI, solution for E)$ offers generation of Intercept Related Information +IRI,
records from respective control plane +signalling, messages as well0
$ee Lawful Interception Architecture for LTE Evolved )acket $(stem for more details0
Login or register to post comments

What is carrier aggregation in LTE-Advanced?

To meet LTE-Advanced re:uirements1 support of wider transmission &andwidths is re:uired
than the =3 *'7 &andwidth specified in /")) Release 6490 The preferred solution to this is
carrier aggregation0
It is of the most distinct features of 8" LTE-Advanced0 #arrier aggregation allows e>pansion of
effective &andwidth delivered to a user terminal through concurrent utili7ation of radio resources
across multiple carriers0 *ultiple component carriers are aggregated to form a larger overall
transmission &andwidth0
$ee #arrier Aggregation for LTE-Advanced for more details0
Login or register to post comments

What is Rela( Node and how does Rela(ing works in LTE-Advanced?

%or efficient heterogeneous network planning1 /")) LTE-Advanced has introduced concept of
Rela( Nodes +RNs,0 The Rela( Nodes are low power eNode;s that provide enhanced coverage
and capacit( at cell edges0 .ne of the main &enefits of rela(ing is to provide e>tended LTE
coverage in targeted areas at low cost0
The Rela( Node is connected to the ?onor eN; +?eN;, via radio interface1 Un1 a modified
version of E-UTRAN air interface Uu0 ?onor eN; also srves its own UE as usual1 in addition to
sharing its radio resources for Rela( Nodes0