4G ARCHITECTURE

In this blog, the LTE network architecture is explained in terms of the

UE. The reference model is first described, and the U-TRAN and EPC
entities and their functions are listed. Next, are the advantages of LTE
Architecture and the disadvantages of LTE Architecture. The last part
describes a summary of the LTE Architecture.

Introduction
GSM and HSPA are among the most popular wireless standards for
mobile devices and data terminals. They are used to increase capacity
and speed by employing a different radio interface with the core
network. Long Term Evolution is one of them. Devices that support both
GSM and UMTS networks and CDMA 2000 networks can use LTE
frequencies and bands in different countries. Multi-band phones are the
only ones that can use LTE frequencies and bands in all countries where
it is supported.

Mobile phones and data terminals that use the Long-Term Evolution
Standard (LTE) are subjected to wireless communications and high-
speed data transmission standards. The GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA
network technologies are used as a basis. As a result, increased capacity
and increased speed are achieved by simplifying the core network and
adopting a different radio interface.

The high-level network architecture of LTE is composed of the following three

key components:
 1. The User Equipment (UE).
2. The Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-
UTRAN).
3. The Evolved Packet Core (EPC).

An improved packet core communicates with packet data networks such

as the internet, a company’s private network or the IP multimedia
subsystem. The interfaces between the different parts of the system are
denoted Uu, S1, and SGi as shown below:

User Equipment (UE)

The internal architecture of the user equipment for LTE is exactly the
same as that of UMTS and GSM, which is mobile equipment (ME). The
mobile equipment has the following core modules:

1. All communication functions are handled by Mobile Termination

(MT).
2. The data streams are terminated in Terminal Equipment (TE).
3. The SIM card for LTE equipment is known as the Universal
Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). This application is known as the
Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM).
The information stored on a USIM card is similar to that of a 3G SIM
card, including the user’s telephone number, home network identity, and
security keys.

The E-UTRAN (The Access network)

An instance of the evolution of a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access

Network (E-UTRAN) architecture has been illustrated below.
An evolved packet core or ePC controls the various information packets
that are sent between mobile devices and the core network. In contrast to
an eNB, which is a base station that controls mobile devices in one or
more cells, an eNodeB controls radio communication between an
evolved packet core or ePC and mobile devices.

An eNB can perform two main functions when connected to an LTE

mobile device:

 The eBN sends and receives radio signals to and from all the
mobile devices using the analogue and digital signal processing
functions of the LTE air interface.
 The eNB sends handover commands to all of its mobiles at a low
level, controlling their operation.

The EPC allows each eBN to be connected to the S1 interface of nearby

base stations and the X2 interface for signalling and packet forwarding
during handover, but it can also be connected to them via the S1
interface.

A home eNB (HeNB) is a user-owned base station for providing

femtocell coverage in the home. A home eNB is part of a closed
subscriber group (CSG) and may only be reached by mobile phones with
a USIM that also belongs to the CSG.
The Evolved Packet Core (EPC) (The core network)

The architecture of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) has been revealed in
the diagram. Besides, a few elements have not been shown in the
diagram for simplicity reasons. The Earthquake and Tsunami Warning
System (ETWS), Equipment Identity Register (EIR) and Policy Control
and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) are examples of these
components.

The components shown in the above architecture are listed below, with a
brief description.

 The central database that contains information about all the

network operator’s subscribers is known as the Home Subscriber
 Server (HSS). This information is carried over from UMTS and
GSM and is located in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS)
component.
 SGi is used to communicate with the outside world, i.e. packet data
networks PDN, in which the P-GW is located. An APN is used to
identify each packet data network. In addition to functioning as a
GPRS support node (GGSN) and a serving GPRS support node
(SGSN) for UMTS and GSM, the P-GW is comparable to the GSN
and SGSN in packet data networks.
 The S-GW acts as a router between the base station and the PDN
gateway, handling data forwarding.
 A mobile network operator’s (MNO) highest level control entity,
the Home Subscriber Server (HSS), controls the mobile’s high-
level operation through signalling messages.
 The PCEF (Policy Control Enforcement Function) is a component
that is obscured in the above diagram, but it controls policy control
decision-making as well as policy control charging functionality in
the P-GW. The PCRF (Policy Control and Charging Rules
Function) is a portion of the PCEF that controls policy control
charging functionality.
When the two devices are on the same network, S5/S8 is used to
communicate between the serving and PDN gateways. Which of the two
interfaces is used, S5 or S8 depends on the network configuration.

Functional split between the E-UTRAN and the EPC

The graphical explanation provides an overview of the splits between

the E-UTRAN and the EPC in an LTE network.
Advantages of LTE Architecture

LTE technology is highly popular nowadays (2020). This is because of

the growing popularity of 4G smartphones that utilise this technology. A
high-performance air interface for cellular mobile communication
systems has been constructed as part of LTE innovation. The mobile
communications system has been improved as a result. It is a fast data
network. It is used for improving mobile telephone systems.

1. Data and voice can be exchanged between participants using LTE.

Because of packet switching, data and voice can be sent using the
same network.
2. Data sent between the sender and receiver can be high amounts.
3. The better life of smartphone batteries is caused by all data
exchange being done with very little power consumption.
4. It has fast file upload and download speeds.
5. It reduces the load on the network by releasing network usage
faster.
6. Reducing service traffic and favouring fewer crashes is the aim of
this initiative.
7. You can watch live shows, matches, and events using LTE.
Disadvantages of LTE Architecture

4G, also known as long-term evolution, is a fifth generation mobile network. It aims to
offer more dependable mobile broadband Internet services such as a mobile device,
computer, tablet, or laptop. Because of the fast speed and efficiency of 4G, mobile
devices took over the market. To learn more about 4G networks, here is a look at their
advantages and disadvantages.

1. Some cities do not have this service.

2. Signals in transit, such as buses and trains, need to be improved by increasing the
number of towers and introducing new technologies.
3. The complexity of LTE makes it necessary for competent people to manage the
system. They might even need to be paid a higher salary.
4. Old versions of smartphones cannot make use of this technology.
5. The cost of buying new LTE smartphones is high.

Conclusion

LTE architecture is an evolving standard that will be improved in the

future. Although it is still a work in progress, it is promising. The
performance qualities of LTE will show improvement as more LTE-
enabled devices come on board. The information on this blog can give
you a basic understanding of LTE architecture. Apart from that, you can
also read other blogs related to LTE.
GSM and HSPA are among the most popular wireless standards for
mobile devices and data terminals. They are used to increase capacity
and speed by employing a different radio interface with the core
network. Long Term Evolution is one of them. Devices that support both
GSM and UMTS networks and CDMA 2000 networks can use LTE
frequencies and bands in different countries. Multi-band phones are the
only ones that can use LTE frequencies and bands in all countries where
it is supported.