LTE Protocol Stack Overview

LTE Protocol
Stack Overview

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The OSI 7 Layer Model
Application Layer
Presentation Layer
Session Layer
Transport Layer
The Network Layer
Data Link Layer
The Physical Layer
Services and Bearers in the E-UTRAN
The LTE Protocol Stack
The User Plane and Control Plane Protocols
The Control Plane
Protocol Stack Summary and References

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The OSI 7 Layer Model

Dating back to the late 1970s the OSI (Open Systems Integration) Model was formulated by the
International Standards Organisation as a means of organising data communications between
computers. The aim was to provide a means whereby many different sorts of systems from a
variety of manufacturers would be able to communicate with each other reliably, economically
and efficiently. The reference model is not a communication standard as such, but does provide
a structure into which internationally agreed standards may be fitted.
Each of the layers is associated with particular well-defined aspects of communication between
the communicating machines or applications. The concept is of communication between
corresponding layers at each end of the link and indeed this peer-to-peer communication is
the reality of the model. However in a practical sense, messages are passed from the
application (residing above the model), down through the various layers in descending order,
transported across a physical interconnecting link, and passed back up through the layers in
ascending order at the receiving entity. Each layer (in descending order) at the transmitter adds
its own information in the form of a header. At the receiving end (in ascending order) each
layer header is removed as each layer completes its responsibilities until eventually the
required data is passed to the receiving application.
At the upper end of the model, Layers 7,6 and 5 are generally classed as being associated with
Information technology rather than telecommunications. These layers are concerned with the
issues such as the semantics, presentation and organisation of the data rather than the actual
transport of the data. In many modern communication protocols these 3 layers are often
grouped together or are simply left out of the protocol stack. A brief explanation of these layers
is offered:

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OSI 7 Layer Model

Application

Application

Application

Application

Presentation

Presentation

Session

Session

Transport

Transport

Network

Network

Data Link

Data Link

Physical

Physical
Physical link

Layer Headers
Application

Data

Application

Presentation

Session

Transport

Network

Data Link

Physical

P
S
T
N
Dl
PH

Fig. 1 OSI 7 Layer Model

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

Application Layer
This can be a misleading term as it is not the application itself. The Application Layer communicates
with the software application and provides communications services for it. It is the interface
between the application and the supporting 7 Layer model. This layer contains management
functions and generally useful mechanisms that support distributed applications. In addition,
general purpose applications such as file transfer, electronic mail, and terminal access to remote
computers are considered to reside within this layer.

Presentation Layer
The Presentation Layer makes provision for a common representation to be used between
applications, thereby making applications independent of syntax. For instance, this layer is
concerned with code and character set conversions and the layout of the data, for example
ona computer screen.

Session Layer
This layer is concerned primarily with the setting up and orderly clearing down of communication
sessions and establishing agreed synchronisation points from which communication may be
continued in the event of an interruption to the session.
The above three layers are not concerned with the actual transport of data and as such are of
little or no relevance to GPRS which, as a bearer service (by definition), is concerned with the
lower layers of the 7 Layer Model. These layers are now examined in more detail.

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Application Layer
Link between the application and the
(communications) protocol stack.

Presentation Layer
Ensuring that the receiving end can
understand the information sent to it.

Session Layer
Concerned with the establishment, clearing
down and synchronisation of
communication sessions.

Fig. 2 Layers 7, 6 and 5

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

Transport Layer
The Transport Layer provides for reliable communications between the communicating entities
on an end-to-end basis.
As a simple example, a Layer 4 protocol might label a sequence of packets such that the
receiving entity is able to confirm receipt of the complete sequence. Should any packets be
missing or duplicated then the Layer 4 protocol would be able to identify this and to take
appropriate action.
A convenient way of explaining the transport Layer is as a division between the higher three
Layers (the meaning of the message), and the lower three layers (the delivery of the message).
Many of the characteristics of the Transport Layer appear similar to those found within Layer 2
(the Data Link Layer). The key differentiator between them is that the Transport Layer works on
an end-to-end basis, whilst the Data link Layer works point-to-point, that is between adjacent
communicating nodes within an end-to-end chain forming a complete communications link.

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Layer 4 The Transport Layer

7

5
4

Reliable End-to-End Link

5
4

1 of 20

2 of 20

20 of 20
Confirmation of Receipt
Retransmission as necessary

Fig. 3 The Transport Layer

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The Network Layer

The Network Layer is concerned with the routing of packets through a communications
network. In the previous section it was described how each node within a network must
examine the addressing within a packet and make a decision about which node to route
thepacket to. This function is operating at the Network Layer. The Network Layer therefore
operates at each node. All Layers above the Network Layer operate solely at the ends of
thelink. The diagram opposite illustrates this point.

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Layer 3 The Network Layer

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Inter Communication Nodes

Communication
End
Point

Communication
End
Point

Fig. 4 The Network Layer

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

Data Link Layer

The Data Link Layer operates at a point-to-point level throughout a communications link.
Asstated previously, its functions are somewhat similar to those of the Transport Layer which
operates end-to-end as opposed to point-to-point.
There are many Data Link Layer protocols many of which can be traced back in origin to IBMs
Synchronous Data Link Control SDLC. Examples include:

High Level Data Link Control HDLC

Link Access Procedure for the D channel LAPD (ISDN)
LAPM (for modems)
LAPF (for Frame Relay
Point-to-point Protocol PPP (dial-up access to ISPs)

A generalised Data Link Layer protocol is shown. It consists of:

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Flags. A unique pattern, usually a single octet which is used to delimit the Data Link
Layerpacket
An address for routing purposes (decision made at the Network Layer)
Control Information which includes numbering of transmitted and received packets such
that corrupted, lost or duplicated packets may be identified and retransmitted as necessary
Cyclic redundancy Check. An error detection scheme used to verify the integrity of the packet

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Layer 2 Data Link Layer

FLAG
ADDRESS N(S) N(R)
01111110

INFORMATION

FRAME
FLAG
CHECK
SEQUENCE 01111110

CONTROL

Layer 2
Point-to-Point
Protocol

5
4

5
4

Fig. 5 Data Link Layer

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The Physical Layer

The Physical Layer relates to the actual physical (transmission) link adjoining two nodes within
acommunication path. Possibly the most common and best known link in this context is the
RS232 connection that is commonly used between a PC and its common peripherals such
askeyboard, printer and mouse.
1.

The RS232 standard defines physical aspects of this link such as:
The numbering of the pin connectors
The physical dimensions of the plug and socket connectors
The voltage levels on the line

2. Within the standard (non GPRS) GSM Air Interface the Physical Layer procedures are
concerned with the processing of data prior to transmission over radio. Such procedures
willbe examined in detail later and include:
Error protection most notably convolutional coding for error correction
Encryption
Burst Formatting
Multiplexing (TDMA)
Modulation
Power control
All of the above are associated directly with the physical properties of the Air Interface link
between the mobile and the base station. As such these functions are the responsibility of
thePhysical Layer.

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Layer 1 The Physical Layer

RS232 D-Type Connector
pin positions
physical plug dimensions
voltage levels

GSM Air Interface

Convolutional coding for error protection

Encryption
Burst Formatting
Multiplexing TDMA
Modulation
Power Control

Fig. 6 Layer 1 The Physical Layer

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

Services and Bearers in the E-UTRAN

Following on from the basic architecture of the E-UTRAN the figure opposite shows the
relationship between end to end services and underlying bearers.
The end to end service is an application level relationship established between the application
present on the UE and a peer application resident on a server or peer device located inside
oroutside the current network. This service is dependant on the underlying connections or
bearers to ensure the required QoS.
The Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer represents the connection between the UE and the
Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and is established through Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signalling.
The QoS experienced by the end to end service is determined by the EPS bearer, when the
EPS bearer is established between the UE and the EPC the QoS parameters and packet
forwarding treatment will be negotiated.
The external bearer is established by the gateway device and the interconnected network.
The radio bearer, S1 bearer and S5/S8 bearers are all established to carry the data and the
entitles managing the bearers will maintain a one to one mapping in order to bind the radio
tothe S1 bearer, etc. All of these bearers are established using their respective Access
Stratumsignalling.

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E-UTRAN
UE

EPC
eNB

S-GW

Internet
P-GW

Peer
entity

End-to-end service

EPS bearer

Radio bearer

Radio

S1 bearer

S1

External bearer

S5/S8 bearer

S5/S8

Gi

Fig. 7 Services and Bearers in the E-UTRAN

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The LTE Protocol Stack

General Protocol Architecture
The protocol architecture is split into two major elements, the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and
Access Stratum (AS). The NAS carries data and signalling directly and transparently from the
UEto the core network, information such as IP data originating at a UE application will be
carried out to the core network via the NAS, NAS signalling will be used to setup and negotiate
the bearers required to carry the IP data. The AS generally provides all of the data delivery
andtransport services required by the NAS across both the Uu and S1 interfaces.
This separation of access and non-access systems allows all of the access functions to be
carried out independently of the core network, similarly the non-access network (i.e. the core
network and end to end functions) can maintain independence from the access functions.
Structure of the LTE Protocol Stack
The stack consists of two principle layers, the Radio Network Layer and the Transport Network
Layer. The functions of the E-UTRAN are supported by the Radio Network Layer, (e.g. Radio
Resource Control and NAS functions). The Transport Network Layer supports the basic
functions of data transport and includes protocols such as RLC and MAC. These can be viewed
as standard transport technologies which are independent of system or application.
The protocol stack also has a vertical separation into the User Plane and control plane. The
Control Plane application protocol manages the process for establishing bearers in the radio
network layer. Typical Control Plane applications may be radio resource control (RRC), S1AP
orX2AP referring to the E-UTRAN interfaces. The transport network layer supports the
transferof Control Plane information in signalling bearers
User data is transferred using data streams in the User Plane via the data bearers established
by the transport network layer. The data is transferred transparently in the network transport
layer using tunnelling protocols.

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Information Transfer in LTE

EMM
ESM

Non-access stratum

EMM
ESM

Radio
protocols

Radio
S1
protocols protocols

S1
protocols

Access stratum
UE

EUTRAN
Radio
(Uu)

EPC
S1

Information Transfer in LTE

Radio
network
layer

Control plane

Transport
network
layer

User plane

Application
protocol

Transport
network
user plane

Transport
network
user plane

Signalling
bearer(s)

Data
bearer(s)
Physical layer

Fig. 8
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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The User Plane and Control Plane Protocols

The User Plane
Figure 9 show the User Plane protocols, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio
LinkControl (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC). These protocols will originate and
terminate in the eNB and UE
PDCP Layer
The PDCP will receive user data from the NAS and forward it to the RLC layer, and vice versa.
Italso provides retransmission, sequencing, and duplicate packet detection for handover when
RLC operates in acknowledged mode.
Ciphering, header de/compression and timer based packet discard are some of the other
functions that this layer provides.
RLC Layer
The principal function of RLC is to provide a layer 2 datalink-like function. The RLC layer will
receive data user data from the PDCP and forward it for scheduled transmission to the MAC
layer and vice versa.
This layer can provide ARQ based error detection/correction, segmentation and reassembly
ofpackets, sequenced delivery of upper layer information (not during handover) and duplicate
detection.
RLC supports 3 modes of data transfer acknowledged mode, un-acknowledged mode, and
transparent mode (AM, UM, TM). Each transfer mode will be selected depending on the
required QoS of the upper later services.
MAC Layer
The MAC layer is primarily responsible for ensuring user data is mapped to the correct channels for
transmission on the physical layer, this process is known as logical to physical channel mapping.
Other functions include multiplexing/de-multiplexing of information from multiple radio bearers,
HARQ error correction, priority handling and scheduling, transport format selection and
padding. The MAC layer can also report traffic volume measurements to upper layers.

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UE

eNB

PDCP

PDCP

RLC

RLC

MAC

MAC

PHY

PHY

Comp/De-comp, H/O
Sequencing, Re-Tx,
Scheduling, Ciphering
TM, AM, UM, ARQ, Seq/Ass,
Seq, Dup Det
Log-PHY Ch mapping, HARQ
Priority handling, Scheduling
Traffic Volume Meas

Fig. 9 The LTE protocol stack user plane

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

The Control Plane

The lower layers of the User Plane and Control Plane share the same protocols, PDCP, RLC,
MAC and PHY, the functions of these layers are the same as for the user plane, the principle
difference being the support of signalling bearers to carry the upper layer signalling and control
messages.
The Control Plane application protocol use across the radio interface is radio resource control
(RRC). The Control Plane also handles messages from the NAS such as mobility and session
management.
RRC is responsible for broadcasting and paging of information as well connection management
and radio bearer control. It also manages the mobility of the user at the radio level and allows
the UE to take and report measurements from the radio system.
The NAS control protocol, which terminates in the mobility management entity (MME) in the
EPC allows the EPS bearer to be managed as well as authentication idle mode mobility services
and co-ordination of paging.

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UE

eNB

NAS

MME
NAS

RRC

RRC

PDCP

PDCP

RLC

RLC

MAC

MAC

PHY

PHY

RRC functions
Broadcast
Paging
RRC connection
management
RB control
Mobility functions
UE measurement
reporting and control

NAS functions
EPS bearer management;
Authentication
ECM-IDLE mobility
handling
Paging origination in
ECMIDLE
Security control

Fig. 10 The LTE protocol stack control plane

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LTE Protocol Stack Overview

Protocol Stack Summary and References

The picture on the opposite page shows the overall structure of the protocol stack indicating
theuser ad control planes. The 3GPP specifications for each layer is also shown.

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User plane

Control plane

APPs

NAS (ESM, EMM)

TCP/UDP

RRC

IP

36.331 RRC Protocol Specification

PDCP-user

PDCP-control

36.323 PDCP Protocol Specification

Radio bearers
RLC
36.322 RLC Protocol Specification

Logical channels
MAC
36.321 MAC Protocol Specification

Transport channels
PHY

36.201 PHY General

36.211 PHY Channel and Modulation
36.212 Multiplexing and Channel Coding
36.213 PHY Procedures
36.214 Measurements

Physical channels
Fig. 11 Protocol stack
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