AirCore

Comprehensive LTE Core Network

Network-in-a-Box
Evolved Packet Core (EPC) solution for
LTE network operation and management

AirCore
AirCore provides smooth network
connectivity of LTE User Equipment
and seamless mobility.

AirCore EPC
eNodeB
mobile component
fixed component

Carrier Grade LTE Core Network Solution

The EPC provides enhanced service control and provisioning,

and ensures efficient use of network resources. The EPC
components provide the functionality of access control,
packet routing and transfer, mobility management, security,
radio resource and network management. The AirCore EPC
is an integrated solution consisting of MME, Serving GW,
PDN GW, HSS and PCRF components, or any combination of
these, providing Network-in-a-box functionality. Airspans
AirCore is a low-footprint LTE mobility platform supporting
from 50 up to 200,000 simultaneous attached subscribers

Airspans AirCore system is the Long

Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Packet
Core (EPC) enabling intelligent,
reliable, rich services and security for
the fourth generation operators.

The EPC is designed to provide an all-IP, flat

architecture which provides high throughput and
reduced latency. EPCs reduce costs and support
real-time media-rich services with enhanced
quality of experience while also providing
interworking with legacy 2G/3G networks
connected via SGSN. The EPC controls all of the
components of a 4G network including macro,
micro and pico base stations and the user devices
they communicate with.

(active and idle), and offers one of the best performance-toprice ratios in the industry. AirCore supports fixed, mobile
and nomadic subscribers.

AirCore provides:
Support for multiple access network types and interfaces
Seamless, flexible evolution from non-LTE networks
End-to-End Quality of Service (QoS)
Session and subscriber management
Security
Voice and data integrity
Accurate billing, accounting and reporting
Seamless mobility, roaming and handovers
Support for multimedia services
Proper packet routing and filtering

Network-in-a-Box

AirCore Differentiators

AirCore is a state-of-the-art family of

products, enabling the comprehensive
management and operation of LTE
networks.

and mobile subscribers ranging from 50 to 200,000 in

AirCore supports a wide range of networks

including very small, rural networks; large,
urban networks; specialized industrial
applications; or anything in between.

Multi-scenario deployment Support for static, nomadic

number.
Low-footprint, low power consumption, scalable LTE
Mobility Platform
Distributed Architecture Flexible licensing and low costs
allows distributed architecture according operator needs
Optimized CapEx Complete EPC network components in
a single Network Element (single binary). Components can
be enabled/disabled as per deployment needs.

AirCore is a single component which

integrates a large number of capabilities
to fully manage the functionality of every
aspect of a mobile, wireless network. All
EPC modules can be located in a single box
or separated according to network operator
requirements.

Flexible Licensing model based on number of subscribers.

Multiple combinations to serve varied subscriber
ranges
Easily scalable low up-front capital investment;
upscale after building user base
Software-based upgrade model uses same hardware
to support higher number of subscribers

AirCore enables system management

including fault management, configuration,
monitoring, performance and security. It is
an easily scalable, seamless EPC solution
to fit the needs of any LTE network
operator.

Easy Interoperability Exposes open standard interfaces

enabling quick interoperability with standards-based peer
vendor nodes.
Easy Manageability Network-in-a-Box solution reduces
the complexity of the network layout and presents an easy
to manage device with CLI/SNMP/GUI/Web

AirCore distributed EPC Architecture

THE EPC CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING SUBCOMPONENTS:

HSS (Home Subscriber Server): is a central
database that contains user and subscription-related
information. HSS stores user parameters, information
to authenticate the subscriber and the services a
user is allowed. It also contains the subscriber profile
such as QoS profile, access restriction and roaming
capabilities. The HSS may include an Authentication
Center (AuC) which generates authentication vectors
and security keys.
SGW (Serving Gateway): routes and forwards user
data packets, while also acting as the mobility anchor
for the user plane during inter-eNodeB handovers
and as the anchor for mobility between LTE and other
3GPP technologies. It retains information about the
bearers when the UE (User Equipment) is in idle mode.
It manages and stores UE contexts, e.g. parameters
of the IP bearer service, network internal routing
information. It also performs replication of the user
traffic in case of lawful interception. Network may
include several Serving Gateways, each handling
different data bearers at different times.
PGW (PDN Gateway): provides connectivity from
the UE to external packet data networks by being
the point of exit and entry of traffic for the UE. The
PGW performs policy enforcement, packet filtering,

charging support, lawful interception and packet

screening. Another key role is to act as the anchor for
mobility between 3GPP and non-3GPP technologies
such as WiMAX and 3GPP2 (CDMA 1X and EvDO).
MME (Mobility Management Entity): The MME is
the key control-node for the LTE access-network that
processes signalling between the UE and the core
network. It manages establishment, maintenance and
release of bearers and the connection, authentication
(by interacting with the HSS) and security between
the UE and the network. The MME Performs mobility
management, like tracking UE location and handover,
and manages subscription profile and service
connectivity. It checks the authorization of the UE and
enforces UE roaming restrictions.
PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function):
performs QoS, access and charging related control.
The PCRF is policy based and authorizes bearer
and session establishment and modification. Only
one PCRF is assigned to all the connections of one
subscriber, has access to subscriber profiles stored in a
database, and provides the QoS authorization (for QoS
class and bit rates) that determines the data flow and
ensures it is in accordance with the users subscription
profile.

AirCore Models
AirCore 10xx - For small deployments up to 5k subscribers
Standard Server
Dual Power Supply
1 GB Interface
Redundancy support

AirCore 20xx - For medium deployments of 6k-20k subscribers

2U carrier grade rack mount server
NEBS-3 / ETSI Compliant
Long life support
Dual AC or DC power option
Short depth, ruggedized chassis
Telco alarms
3rd party hardware RAID option
Redundancy support
10 GB Interface

AirCore 30xx - For large deployments of >20k

aTCA Shelf (2, 6 or 14 Slots)
Data processing cards
N+1 Data processing card redundancy
One or two shelf manager, one or two switches
RTM for 1GbE, 10GbE and Telco clock support
NEBS-3 / ETSI compliant
Long life support
Two redundant DC power entry modules (PEM) - (-40V to -72V DC)
Telco alarms (fuse failure, reverse voltage indicator, etc)
4 x hot-swappable fans, front to rear cooling
10 GB Interface per blade

Interfaces

S1-MME (eNodeB and MME)

S1-U (eNodeB and S-GW)
S1-C (MME and eNodeB)
S5/S8 (S-GW toward P-GW)
S6a (MME and HSS)

S8 (S-GW in VPLMN and P-GW in HPLMN)

S10 (between MMEs)
S11 (MME and S-GW)
SGi (P-GW and packet data network)
Rx (PCRF towards AF)

Gx (PGW towards PCRF)

Gz (SGW/PGW towards CDF)
Gn (PGW [functioning as GGSN[ to SGSN)

COMPONENT FEATURES (RELEASE 10 COMPLIANT)

MME Features

IPv4/IPv6/IPv4v6 PDN Type

Service Requests and S1 Release (exit and enter idle-mode)

Default & Dedicated bearer establishment

Multiple sessions for each IMSI (Max 11 bearers per session)

Tracking Area Update - no MME/SGW change, only SGW

change, MME & SGW Change [UE initiated]

Ciphering and Integrity Protection of NAS messages

UE Attach & Detach [UE initiated]

Network initiated disconnect & detach [PGW initiated bearer

release, HSS initiated subscription withdrawal]

PDN Connectivity & Disconnect [UE initiated]

System and Subscriber Tracing

PGW & SGW selection

Lawful Intercept

Handover - X2, S1, inter-SGW, inter-MME

EMS with web based local/remote management

PGW and SGW Features

UTRAN/GERAN/GPRS Network Support

Lawful Intercept

Multiple session, Multiple bearer support

Default & Dedicated bearers

- IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6 UE address

SNMP v2/v3 Management

- IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6 UE address

Lightweight data path (common with SGW when collocated)

PGW Features

S-GW Features

Combined PGW+GGSN functionality

UE Initiated Bearer Resource Requests

Dynamic Policy - filters, screening and bit rate based on

allocation from PCRF

Online/Offline charging

Tracking Area Update support

Static/Dynamic policy support

SGW handover support

Offline Charging

Security: IPSEC through pre-shared keys on S11, S5/S8, Gz

UE and network initiated dedicated bearers

Static/Dynamic IP addresses allocation from local configured

IP pools or external DHCP server (IPv4/IPv6)

Operator configuration of charging support for home, visited

and roamed subscribers

Multiple Data path support with single control plane

System and Subscriber Tracing

Volume and Time based Online Charging (Rel 2)

Quota Time Management

PCRF Features

HSS Features

LTE & 3G deployment

Operator configuration of APN Profile, IMSI profile, IMSI data

Policy management

Pure LTE deployment (non IMS support)

IPv4/IPv6 signalling

White list of roaming partners (PLMN-ID)

UE IP address with IPv4 and IPv6

Location query of subscriber using dynamic update locations

System and Subscriber Tracing

AKA based authentication (key generation and distribution)

Alarms

Persistent storage in secondary database

Dynamic policy through AF

Multiple operator support (using unique PLMN-ID)

Multi operator support

Subscriber Bulk Configuration

Flexible policy control

Scalable Architecture

LTE and GGSN policy control

System Tracing

Open interface for customer specific additional policy control

Management Interface

Open interface for DPI based policy control

CLI

Policy rules delivery to PCEF

C Based APIs

GBR and non-GBR bearers

Web-Based Interface

Default and Dedicated bearers

For more information about Airspan, its products

and solutions, please visit our web site:
www.airspan.com
or email:

About Airspan

sales@airspan.com

With over 500 customers in over

100 countries and as a top vendor
for carrier-class broadband wireless
solutions, Airspan is recognized
as a leader and pioneer in 4G and
broadband wireless technologies.

Airspan has sales offices in the following countries

Finland

Poland

Russia

United Kingdom

United States

Australia

India

Indonesia

Japan

Philippines

Sri Lanka

Dubai

South Africa

Headquarters
777 Yamato Road, Suite 310
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
USA
A-AC-0912

Providing an expansive product

portfolio, Airspan offers customers the
widest selection of 4G products in the
industry with an unsurpassed level of
technology to benefit their business
case. Airspan has solutions spanning
the 700 MHz to 6 GHz frequency bands.

Contact Airspan today!