LTE Architecture & Features

The high level network architecture of LTE comprises of 3 levels

• User Equipment(UE)

• UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN)

• Core

The Figure below shows the model of LTE













User Equipment(UE)-Its a device directly used by end user for communication.It handles functions like Call control,Session management,Mobility Management.It consists of the mobile device and data to be sent.

UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN)- We will be discussing about this in coming blogs.

Core-
It consists of SGSN,MME,HSS,PWG,SWG.

• SGSN-It is a Serving GPRS Supporting Node.It is responsile for delivery of data packets from and to the mobile station within its area.

• MME-It is Mobile Management Entity.IT is involved  in activation and deactivation.MME provide control plane function for mobility between LTE and 2G/3G access.

• HSS-Its Human Subscriber Server.It contains user related and subscription related information.

• SGW-Its Serving Gateway.SGW routes server data packets.

• PGW-Its PDN gateway.PGW provides charging support,policy enforcement,packet screening.

Features

• It can offer speed upto 1Gbps over wireless signal for fixed mobile broadband.

• MIMO Multiple IN Multiple Out is an antenna by which by which LTE will boost its capacity.

• It operates both in FDD and TDD modes.

• Increased spectral efficiency.

• Bandwidth upto 20 MHz.

• Reduced cost for operators.