2/15/2018 LTE Network Architecture Diagram

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LTE Network Architecture Diagram FEATURED VIDEO

By RCR Wireless News on MAY 13, 2014 Evolved Packet Core (EPC), LTE, Software

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The Best LTE Network Architecture Diagrams

Wireless operators are rapidly expanding their LTE networks to take advantage of additional e ciency,
lower latency and the ability to handle ever-increasing data tra c. RCR Wireless presents a collection of LTE
network architecture diagrams.

This diagram from standards body 3GPP shows network evolution from GSM to LTE. The core technologies
have moved from circuit-switching to the all-IP evolved packet core (moving left to right). Meanwhile, access
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has evolved from TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) to OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple
Access) as the need for higher data speeds and volumes as increased. Enterprise IoT Editorial: AI and Machine Learning –
Making IoT Work for Telecoms

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2/15/2018 LTE Network Architecture Diagram

According to Chris Pearson, president of 4G Americas, there are currently 101 commercial LTE deployments AT&T focuses on connected pallets to improve
around the world. “That’s one of the fastest mobile broadband technology deployments ever,” Pearson logistics

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Ceragon’s diagram of basic LTE architecture demonstrates how LTE attens network architecture.  The
previous Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) for connection between the GPRS network and the Internet,
and the Serving GPRS support node (SGSN) for delivery of data packets from nodes within its reach, are
replaced by an all-IP structure.

Previous generations of technology relied on a “hub and spoke” design where tra c from all base stations
(NodeB) was sent to the Radio Network Controller (RNC). The diagram illustrates that in LTE, the enhanced
nodes (eNodeB) have direct connectivity with each other (known as x2 tra c) that enable peer-to-peer
applications without reaching deep into the network.

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This LTE network architecture diagram (larger version) comes from testing company Breaking Point
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Systems. Again, it illustrates the connection points from the end user on the left, to the evolved base to deploy NSA 5G NR?
stations (eNodeB) and then tra c to and between the MME and SGW (Serving Gateway), to the HSS (Home
Subscriber Servier) and ultimately to the Packet Data Network (PDN) on the right.
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2/15/2018 LTE Network Architecture Diagram

  FTTx: C-RAN, Fronthaul and Remote Radio Heads

University of Bristol and Lund University Partner to

This diagram from Juniper Networks shows the relationship of the LTE radio access network (RAN) to the Set World Records in 5G Wireless Spectral E ciency

LTE Evolved Packet Core/System Architecture Evolution, with the PGW (packet data network gateway) Smart City Use Cases and Trends
connecting the EPC to the Internet in the user/data plane, which carries users’ data tra c. Dotted lines
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represent network connections within the control plane.
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“Once past the cell site, it’s all IP,” said Kittur Nagesh, senior director of service provider solutions for Juniper
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Networks. “The migration to all-IP architecture mean better spectral e ciency, and a seamless migration
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for both CDMA and GSM is possible with LTE. There’s also a roadmap to higher performance.”

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Interphase Networks’ diagram shows the complex reality in which LTE exists, where it must interact with
pre-existing network elements, including 3G networks (and small cell deployments) and Internet Multimedia
Subsystems (IMS). Real-world implementations are where the complexity and di erences of LTE
deployments show up. The MME (Mobility Management Entity, located in the blue 4G area) authenticates
wireless devices and is involved in hand-o s between LTE and previous generations of technology.

LTE-Advanced HetNet, or heterogeneous network. Image courtesy of 4G Americas.

This image from 4G Americas illustrates the future of LTE deployments, as the technology moves into later
releases. A heterogeneous network, or HetNet, is a multi-layer, multi-mode, multi-band network
architecture. HetNets involves the use of standard base stations (macro sites) to cover wide areas;
microcells to cover individual buildings; picocells to o er wireless on the scale of separate oors of a
building; and femtocells to cover small areas such as individual apartments/homes, home o ces or home
businesses. The goal of HetNets is to optimize spectrum use, increase network capacity and coverage,
reduce capital and operating costs, and provide a consistent user experience. Future challenges for LTE
HetNets include backhaul for the small cells and e ective use of interference cancellation so that the
various overlapping cells do not interfere with one another.

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