WIRELESS AND MOBILE

COMPUTING
MINOR II ASSIGNMENT

P Rahul Sai
411558
1. Write a short note on UTRAN and its functions

A: UTRA standards for UMTS radio access and UTRAN for UMTS radio access network and
they cover the elements of the radio access network including elements like what used to
be called the base transceiver station and the Base station controller, eetc.
tc.

Sometimes the UTRAN, UMTS terrestrial access network was also referred to as the Radio
Network Subsystem, or RNS.

UMTS radio access network, UTRAN

The UMTS Radio Access Network, UTRAN, or Radio Network Subsystem, RNS comprises
two main components:

 Radio Network Controller, RNC: This element of the UTRAN / radio network subsystem
controls the Node Bs that are connected to it, i.e. the radio resources in its domain.. The
RNC undertakes the radio resource management and some of the mobility management
functions,
nctions, although not all. It is also the point at which the data encryption / decryption
is performed to protect the user data from eavesdropping.
 Node B: Node B is the term used within UMTS to denote the base station transceiver.
This part of the UTRAN contains the transmitter and receiver to communicate with the
UEs within the cell. It participates with the RNC in the resource management. NodeB is
the 3GPP term for base station, and often the terms are used interchangeably.
In order to facilitate effective
tive handover between Node Bs under the control of different
RNCs, the RNC not only communicates with the Core Network, but also with neighbouring
RNCs.
Frequency division and time division duplex
In view of the fact that transmissions have to be made in both directions, i.e. in both uplink
and downlink. It is necessary to organise the way these transmissions are made. Two
techniques are used to ensure concurrent or near concurrent transmissions in both
directions: frequency division duplex and time division duplex.

 UTRA-FDD: The frequency division duplex version of UTRA uses a scheme whereby
transmissions in the uplink and downlink occur on different frequencies. Although this
requires double the bandwidth to accommodate the two transmissions, and filters to
prevent the transmitted signal from interfering with the receiver. Even though there is a
defined split between uplink and downlink, effective filters are required.
 UTRA-TDD: The time division version of the UTRA uses uplink and downlink
transmissions that use the same frequency but are timed to occur at different intervals.
Both UTRA-FDD and UTRA-TDD have their own advantages and disadvantages and
therefore tend to be used in different areas.

While the UTRA-FDD and UTRA-TDD both belong to 3G UMTS and are contained within the
3GPP standards, they may have some slightly different parameters for their transmissions.

UTRAN functions
Admission control

Congestion control

System information broadcasting

Radio channel encryption

Handover

SRNS moving

Radio network configuration

Channel quality measurements

Macro diversity

Radio carrier control

Radio resource control

Data transmission over the radio interface

Outer loop power control (FDD and TDD)

Channel coding Access control

2. Explain about UMTS domains and interfaces

A: A UMTS system can be divided into a set of domains and the reference points that
interconnect them. The UMTS network architecture is partly based on existing 2G network
components and some new 3G network components. It inherits the basic functional
elements from the GSM architecture on the core network (CN) side. The core-network
elements are connected to the radio network via the Iu interface, which is very similar to
the A-interface used in GSM. The major changes in the UMTS architecture are in the Radio
Access Network (RAN), which is also called UMTS terrestrial RAN (UTRAN). There is a totally
new interface called Iur, which connects two neighbouring Radio Network Controllers
(RNCs).BSs are connected to the RNC via the Iub interface.

UMTS terrestrial RAN (UTRAN)

UTRAN consist of Radio Network Subsystems (RNSs). The RNS has two main elements:
Node B and a Radio Network Controllers (RNC).

Node B:

 The Node B is responsible for air-interface processing and some radio-resource

management functions.
 The Node B in UMTS networks provides functions equivalent to the base transceiver
station (BTS) in GSM/GPRS networks. UMTS operates at higher frequencies than

GSM/GPRS and therefore the signal coverage range is less.

Radio network controller (RNC):

 The RNC is responsible for control of the radio resources in its area. One RNC
controls multiple nodes B.
 The RNC in UMTS provides functions equivalent to the Base Station Controller (BSC)
functions in GSM/GPRS networks.
 The major difference is that RNCs have more intelligence built-in than their
GSM/GPRS counterparts. For example, RNCs can autonomously manage handovers
without involving MSCs and SGSNs.
Features of UMTS interfaces:
a) Uu : This is the interface between the user equipment and the network. That is, it is the
UMTS air interface.

b) Iu –CS : This is the circuit-switched connection for carrying (typically) voice traffic and

signaling between the UTRAN and the core voice network.

c) Iub :This is the interface used by an RNC to control multiple Node Bs.The main signaling
protocol used is Node B Application Part (NBAP).
d) Iu –PS :This is the packet-switched connection for carrying (typically) data traffic and
signaling between the UTRAN and the core data GPRS network.The main signaling protocol
used is RANAP.
e) Iur :The primary purpose of the Iur interface is to support inter-MSC mobility. When a
mobile subscriber moves between areas served by different RNCs, the mobile subscriber’s
data is now transferred to the new RNC via Iur.

 The original RNC is known as the serving RNC and the new RNC is known as the drift
RNC.
 The main signaling protocol used is Radio Network Subsystem Application Part
(RNSAP).
3. Write a detailed notes on 3G UMTS : WCDMA
A : 3G UMTS using WCDMA technology is a third generation mobile telecommunications
system run under the auspices of 3GPP providing mobile data connectivity & circuit
switched voice.
UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, is the 3G successor to the GSM
family of standards including GPRS and EDGE.
3G UMTS uses a totally different radio interface based around the use of Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum as CDMA or Code Division Multiple Access.
Although 3G UMTS uses a totally different radio access standard, the core network is the
same as that used for GPRS and EDGE to carry separate circuit switched voice and packet
data.
UMTS uses a wideband version of CDMA occupying a 5 MHz wide channel. Being wider
than its competition CDMA2000 which only used a 1.25MHz channel, the modulation
scheme was known as wideband CDMA, or WCDMA / W-CDMA. This name was often used
to refer to the whole system.
3GPP UMTS Specifications and Management

In order to create and manage a system as complicated as UMTS or WCDMA it is necessary

to develop and maintain a large number of documents and specifications. For UMTS or
WCDMA, these are now managed by a group known as 3GPP - the Third Generation
Partnership Programme. This is a global co-operation between six organisational partners -
ARIB, CCSA, ETSI, ATIS, TTA and TTC.
The scope of 3GPP was to produce globally applicable Technical Specifications and
Technical Reports for a 3rd Generation Mobile Telecommunications System. This would be
based upon the GSM core networks and the radio access technologies that they support
(i.e., Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) both Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and
Time Division Duplex (TDD) modes).
Since it was originally formed, 3GPP has also taken over responsibility for the GSM
standards as well as looking at future developments including LTE (Long Term Evolution)
and the 4G technology known as LTE Advanced.
UMTS WCDMA specification summary

The UMTS WCDMA system offered a significant improvement in capability over the
previous 2G services.
 3G UMTS SPECIFICATION SUMMARY

PARAMETER SPECIFICATION

Maximum data rate 2048 kbps low range

384 kbps urban and outdoor

RF channel bandwidth 5 MHz

Multiple access scheme CDMA

Duplex schemes FDD and also TDD

3G UMTS / WCDMA technologies

There are several key areas of 3G UMTS / WCDMA. Within these there are several key
technologies that have been employed to enable UMTS / WCDMA to provide a leap in
performance over its 2G predecessors.
Some of these key areas include:
 Radio interface: The UMTS radio interface provides the basic definition of the radio
signal. W-CDMA occupies 5 MHz channels and has defined formats for elements such as
synchronisation, power control and the like
 CDMA technology : 3G UMTS relies on a scheme known as CDMA or code divison
multiple access to enable multiple handsets or user equipments to have access to the
base station. Using a scheme known as direct sequence spread spectrum, different UEs
have different codes and can all talk to the base station even though they are all on the
same frequency
 UMTS network architecture: The architecture for a UMTS network was designed to
enable packet data to be carried over the network, whilst still enabling it to support
circuit switched voice. All the usual functions enabling access toth e network, roaming
and the like are also supported.
 UMTS modulation schemes: Within the CDMA signal format, a variety of forms of
modulation are used. These are typically forms of phase shift keying.
 UMTS channels: As with any cellular system, different data channels are required for
passing payload data as well as control information and for enabling the required
resources to be allocated. A variety of different data channels are used to enable these
facilities to be accomplished.
 UMTS TDD: There are two methods of providing duplex for 3G UMTS. One is what is
termed frequency division duplex, FDD. This uses two channels spaced sufficiently apart
 so that the receiver can receive whilst the transmitter is also operating. Another method
is to use time vision duplex, TDD where short time blocks are allocated to transmissions
in both directions. Using this method, only a single channel is required
 Handover: One key area of any cellular telecommunications system is the handover
(handoff) from one cell to the next. Using CDMA there are several forms of handover
that are implemented within the system.
3G UMTS enhancements

The basic 3G UMTS cellular system enabled data rates up to 2048kbps to be achieved.
However as the use of data rapidly increased, these figures were no longer sufficient and
further data rate increases were required.
A scheme known as HSDPA, high speed packet download access was first introduced to
enable the downlink speed to be increased. This was followed with HSUPA, high speed
packet uplink access was introduced. The combined suite was then known as HSPA, high
speed packet access.

4. Write a short note on LTE and differentiate between LTE and

VoLTE
A: LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a standard for 4G wireless broadband technology that
offers increased network capacity and speed to mobile device users.

LTE offers higher peak data transfer rates -- up to 100 Mbps downstream and 30 Mbps
upstream. It also provides reduced latency, scalable bandwidth capacity and backward-
compatibility with existing GSM and UMTS technology. Future developments could yield
peak throughput on the order of 300 Mbps.

History/development

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a collaborative industry trade group,
developed GSM, a 2G standard; UMTS, the 3G technologies based on GSM; and, eventually,
LTE. 3GPP engineers named the technology Long Term Evolution because it represented
the next step in the process.

Despite the development of GSM in the late 1980s, there wasn't a globally unified standard
for wireless broadband. GSM caught on in parts of Asia and Europe, but other countries,
including the U.S. and Canada, adopted the competing standard, code-division multiple
access (CDMA). LTE aimed to merge a fragmented market and offer a more efficient
network for network operators.

In 2004, NTT DoCoMo, a major mobile phone operator in Japan, proposed making LTE the
next international standard for wireless broadband. During a live demonstration two years
later, Nokia Networks simultaneously downloaded HD video and uploaded a game via LTE.

Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications company, demonstrated LTE with a bit rate of 144
Mbps in 2007. At Mobile World Congress in 2008, Ericsson demonstrated the first LTE end-
to-end phone call. That same year, LTE was finalized. In 2009, TeliaSonera, a Swedish
mobile network operator, made the service available in Oslo and Stockholm.

Key features

Users enjoy the benefits of the LTE standard compared to older standards, such as 3G and
HSPA. Users can see improved streaming, downloads and even uploads. Globally, the
average LTE download speed is 13.5 Mbps.

As a result, mobile device carriers can expect consumers to burn through data more
quickly, which can lead to overage charges on data plans. LTE can also connect consumers
with services in real time. Users can talk to others without experiencing any lag or stutters.

The upper layers of LTE are based on TCP/IP, which will likely result in an all-IP network
similar to the current state of wired communications. LTE supports mixed data, voice, video
and messaging traffic.

LTE uses OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) and, in later

releases, MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antenna technology similar to that used
in the IEEE 802.11n wireless local area network (WLAN) standard. The higher signal-to-
noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver enabled by MIMO, along with OFDM, provides improved
wireless network coverage and throughput, especially in dense urban areas.
 LTE VoLTE

LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. VoLTE stands for Voice over Long Term
Evolution.

May or may not support voice call and It supports voice call and data services
data services together. together.

Affect the voice quality when using Using data and voice services at the
voice and data together. same time won’t affect voice quality.

Call connects a little slower. Call set-up time is faster than LTE.

Third party apps are required to make No third party apps are required to
video calls. make video calls.
5. Write a short note on UMTS . Differentiate between UMTS
and GSM
UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service) is a third-
generation(3G) broadband, packet-based transmission of text, digitized voice, video, and
multimedia at data rates up to 2 megabits per second (Mbps). UMTS offers a consistent set
of services to mobile computer and phone users, no matter where they are located in the
world. UMTS is based on the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication standard. It
is also endorsed by major standards bodies and manufacturers as the planned standard for
mobile users around the world. Once UMTS is fully available, computer and phone users
can be constantly attached to the Internet wherever they travel and, as they roam, will
have the same set of capabilities. Users will have access through a combination of
terrestrial wireless and satellite transmissions. Until UMTS is fully implemented, users can
use multi-mode devices that switch to the currently available technology (such as GSM 900
and 1800) where UMTS is not yet available.

Previous cellular telephone systems were mainly circuit-switched, meaning connections

were always dependent on circuit availability. A packet-switched connection uses the
Internet Protocol meaning that a virtual connection is always available to any other end
point in the network. UMTS also makes it possible to provide new services like alternative
billing methods or calling plans. For instance, users can choose to pay-per-bit, pay-per-
session, flat rate, or asymmetric bandwidth options. The higher bandwidth of UMTS also
enables other new services like video conferencing or IPTV. UMTS may allow the Virtual
Home Environment to fully develop, where a roaming user can have the same services to
either at home, in the office or in the field through a combination of transparent terrestrial
and satellite connections.

The electromagnetic radiation spectrum for UMTS has been identified as frequency bands
1885-2025 MHz for future IMT-2000 systems, and 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz for
the satellite portion of UMTS systems.
Property GSM UMTS
Global system for mobile Universal mobile
Fullform
communication telecommunication
system
Brand 2nd generation technology 3rd generation technology

Multiple access scheme Time division multiple Wide band code division
access multiple access
Channel bandwidth 200 KHz = 8 time slots. 5 MHz = 2 Mbps. 42 Mbps
Each slot can hold up to 2 for HSPA+. Each call uses
calls. 1.8 – 12 Kbps depending
on chosen quality and
audio complexity
Modulation GMSK BPSK/QPSK

Data Transmission Speed Voice and data up to 9Kbps Voice and data upto 2Mbps

Slow and fast fading Yes Yes

Handover support Hard Handover Soft Handover

Range Approximately 26 Approximately 26

Kilometers Kilometers

Loss factors Free space loss, Free space loss,

surroundings and surroundings and
obstacles (buildings) obstacles (buildings)
6. Explain UMTS Network Architecture
A : The UMTS Network architecture has three main entities:
1) UMTS Core Network (CN)
2) UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN)
3) User Equipment (UE)
The CN and RAN are connected via an open interface. The network architecture is
continuously evolving to enable a smooth transition from 2G to 3G, leveraging existing and
new technologies. Several specifications based on this evolution have been released by
3GPP.

■ 3GPP Release 99/Release 3: Adds 3G radios i.e. UTRAN in enhanced GSM/GPRS core.

This provides broadband interface.

■ 3GPP Release 4: Adds a soft switch/media gateway in the circuit-switched domain.
■ 3GPP Release 5: GERAN, first IP multimedia service (IMS) with SIP, QoS, and IPv6.
■ 3GPP Release 6: All IP network, multicast/broadcast multimedia services, WCDMA/WLAN
interworking.

3GPP Release 99 :-

UTRAN consists of several radio network subsystems (RNSs). An RNS is supported by the
core network. Each RNS consists of base stations, termed as Node B in UMTS, and a radio
network controller (RNC). The RNC is a BSC equivalent and controls several Node Bs. As
shown in Figure 5-1, the 3G terminals (UE) interface with UTRAN using the Uu interface,
which is a WCDMA-based radio link.

The Node Bs are connected to the RNC by Iub interfaces. Unlike the Abis interface, the Iub
interface is well defined. This ensures interoperability in a multivendor environment where
Node Bs and RNCs are supplied by different vendors. Another point to note here is that,
unlike GSM BSCs, Node Bs are connected to each other by the Iur interface. This is required
for inter-RNC handover.
A UE may attach to the several RNCs. The RNC that controls Node B is known as
controlling RNC (CRNC). It is responsible for managing radio resources for all the Node Bs
under its control. The RNC that controls the connection between a UE and the core
network is known as a serving RNC (SRNC). In many cases, the CRNC and the SRNC are
same. UTRAN supports soft handover. The soft handover occurs between Node Bs
supported by different RNCs. During soft handover, the UE starts communicating with the
new RNC, i.e., a drift RNC (DRNC), before it takes over the role of SRNC.
As shown in above Figure, the core network consists of network elements to support
subscriber control and circuit and packet switching. The core network also supports
interfaces to the external network. The RNCs are connected to a 3G MSC by the Iu-CS
interface, which supports circuit-switched services. Iu-CS is equivalent to the A interface in
GSM. The RNCs are also connected to a 3G SGSN by the Iu-PS interface, which supports
packet-switched data services. Iu-PS is equivalent to the Gb interface in GPRS. All the new
interfaces, i.e., Iub, Iur, Iu-CS, and Iu-PS, are based on ATM.
In UMTS, the user equipment (UE) or mobile station (MS) comprises mobile equipment
(ME) and a UMTS subscriber identity module (USIM).
7. What are the different types of channels present in
UMTS?
A : There are 3 types of channels present in UMTS. They are logical, transport, physical
channels.

As shown in the figure, there are three types of UMTS channels viz. logical channels (RLC
layer), transport channels (MAC layer) and physical channels (PHY layer). As they
traverse between layers they map to other layer frames. For example logical channels
are mapped to transport channels and transport channels are mapped to physical
channels.

UMTS Logical Channels

As shown in the figure, UMTS logical channels are divided into control channels and
traffic channels (DTCH, CTCH). As the name suggests traffic channels carry information

(voice) and control channels carry signaling information useful to establish and maintain
connection between UE and network.

Following are the functions of each of these logical channels

 DTCH (DL and UL, point to point) - Dedicated Traffic channel, carry user
information.
 CTCH (unidirectional point to multi-point) - Common traffic channel.
 BCCH (DL broadcast) - Broadcast Control Channel, carry system information.
 CCCH (Bidirectional) - Common Control Channel.
 DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel, point to point bidirectional).
 PCCH (Paging Control Channel, DL) - carry paging information.
 SHCCH (Shared Channel Control Channel, Bidirectional)

UMTS Transport Channels

Following are the functions of these transport channels

 BCH (DL broadcast) - system/Cell related information

 FACH (Forward Access Channel)- carry control information from network to UE
 PCH (DL) - Paging Channel
 DCH (UL or DL) - Dedicated Channel
 DSCH (DL) - Downlink Shared Channel
 USCH (UL) - Uplink Shared Channel
 RACH (UL) - Random Access Channel
UMTS Physical Channels

 P-CCPCH- Primary Common Control Physical Channel

 SCH- Synchronization Channel
 S-CCPCH- Secondary Common Control Physical Channel
 PICH- Paging Indicator Channel
 DPCH(DL)- Dedicated Physical Channel in the downlink
 PDSCH-Physical
Physical Downlink Shared Channel
 DPCH(UL)-Dedicated
Dedicated Physical Channel in the uplink
 PUSCH- Physical Uplink Shared Channel
 PRACH- Physical Random Access Channel
 PNBSCH- Physical Node B Synchronization Channel

Physical type of UMTS channels for 3.84Mcps case

8. Write short notes on 3G Technology. Compare with the 4G
Technology
A : 3G, short for third generation, is the third generation of wireless mobile
telecommunications technology. It is the upgrade for 2G and 2.5G GPRS
networks, for faster internet speed. This is based on a set of standards used for mobile
devices and mobile telecommunications use services and networks that comply with the
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT- 2000) specifications by the
International Telecommunication Union. 3G finds application in wireless voice
telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed wireless Internet access, video calls and mobile
TV.

3G telecommunication networks support services that provide an information

transfer rate of at least 0.2 Mbps. Later 3G releases, often denoted 3.5G and 3.75G,
also provide mobile broadband access of several Mbps to smartphones and
mobile modems in laptop computers. This ensures it can be applied to wireless voice
telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed wireless Internet access, video calls and mobile
TV technologies.

ITU has not provided a clear definition of the data rate that users can expect from
3G equipment or providers. Thus users sold 3G service may not be able to point to a
standard and say that the rates it specifies are not being met. While stating in
commentary that "it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a
minimum data rate of 2 Mbps for stationary or walking users, and 348 kbps in a moving
vehicle, the ITU does not actually clearly specify minimum required rates, nor required
average rates, nor what modes of the interfaces qualify as 3G, so various data rates are
sold as '3G' in the market. 3G networks offer greater security than their 2G
predecessors. By allowing the UE (User Equipment) to authenticate the network it is
attaching to, the user can be sure the network is the intended one and not an
impersonator. 3G networks use the KASUMI block cipher instead of the older A5/1
stream cipher. However, a number of serious weaknesses in the KASUMI cipher have
been identified.
In addition to the 3G network infrastructure security, end-to- end security is offered
when application frameworks such as IMS are accessed, although this is not strictly a 3G
property.
Basis for 3G Technology 4G Technology
comparision
Data Bandwidth 2 Mbps to 21 Mbps 2 Mbps to 1 Gbps

Peak upload rate 5 Mbps 500 Mbps

Peak download rate 21 Mbps 1 Gbps

Switching Technique Packet switching Packet switching and

message switching
Standards IMT 2000 Single unified standard
3.5G HSDPA
3.75G HSUPA Wimax and LTE

Technology stack Digital Broadband Packet Data Digital Broadband Packet

CDMA2000,UMTS,EDGE etc. Data Wimax2 and LTE
Frequency Band 1.8 – 2.5 GHz 2 – 8 GHz

Network Architecture Wide area cell based Integration of wide area and
Wireless LAN
Forward error It uses turbo for error correction Concatenated codes are used
correction for error correction
Hands off Horizontal Horizontal and vertical
Applications of 3G Technology

Some of the applications of 3G Technology are listed below.

 Global Positioning System (GPS)

 Location-based services

 Telemedicine

 Video Conferencing

 Video on demand.

9.Compare the current situation of mobile phone

networks in Europe, Japan, China, and North America.
What are the main differences, what are efforts to find a
common system or at least interoperable systems?
A: Currently, the situation is not absolutely clear as the different countries are in
different stages implementing 3G systems. Right now no one believes in a common
worldwide system, not even the same frequencies are available everywhere:

Europe: After a much discussed licensing process (beauty contests and auctions) many
operators are currently deploying 3G systems. Some operators already dropped out,
some filed bankruptcy. All operators for 3G will use UMTS, in the beginning the
UTRA/FDD mode only (no one knows when and if UTRA/TDD will be deployed).
Although licensing did not prescribe the usage of UMTS, there were only a few operators
thinking of different systems in the beginning. Start of the system was 2002, 50% of the
population should have access to UMTS in 2005 (in Germany).
Japan: Two different 3G systems are available in Japan. NTT DoCoMo uses a variation of
UMTS in their W-CDMA system marketed as FOMA. KDDI deploys a cdma2000 system,
which is 3G from the version 1xEV-DO on.

China: While most 2G users today use GSM creating the biggest national market for this
system, it may be speculated that UMTS will be a major 3G system in China, too, as this
system can easily reuse the existing core network in its Release 99. The Chinese
development TD-SCDMA was incorporated into UMTS (UTRA/TDD, slow chipping option,
Release 4). However, it is currently not clear when and if this system will be deployed.
There are also some cdma-operators in China which might opt for cdma2000.

North America: The situation in the US and Canada is quite unclear. Already today many
systems exist in parallel without a clear winner (compared to GSM in Europe).
Furthermore, licensing of 3G spectrum takes a long time and the availability of spectrum

is not clear yet. Thus, it could be the case that EDGE enhanced systems (TDMA and GSM)
will be deployed offering higher data rates with EGPRS compared to today’s networks.
The CDMA - operators will go for CDMA2000.

10. What are LTE Interfaces

A S1-MME: Reference point for the control plane protocol between E-UTRAN and MME.
 S1-U: Reference point between E-UTRAN and Serving GW for the per bearer user
plane tunneling and inter eNodeB path switching during handover.

 S3: It enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access
network mobility in idle and/or active state.

 S4: It provides related control and mobility support between GPRS Core and the
3GPP Anchor function of Serving GW. In addition, if Direct Tunnel is not
established, it provides the user plane tunneling.
 S5: It provides user plane tunneling and tunnel management between Serving GW
and PDN GW. It is used for Serving GW relocation due to UE mobility and if the
Serving GW needs to connect to a non-collocated PDN GW for the required PDN
connectivity.
 S6a: It enables transfer of subscription and authentication data for
authenticating/authorizing user access to the evolved system (AAA interface)
between MME and HSS.

 Gx: It provides transfer of (QoS) policy and charging rules from PCRF to Policy and
Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF) in the PDN GW.

 S8: Inter-PLMN reference point providing user and control plane between the
Serving GW in the VPLMN and the PDN GW in the HPLMN. S8 is the inter PLMN
variant of S5.

 S9: It provides transfer of (QoS) policy and charging control information between
the Home PCRF and the Visited PCRF in order to support local breakout function.

 S10: Reference point between MMEs for MME relocation and MME to MME
information transfer.

 S11: Reference point between MME and Serving GW.

 S12: Reference point between UTRAN and Serving GW for user plane tunneling
when Direct Tunnel is established. It is based on the Iu-u/Gn-u reference point
using the GTP-U protocol as defined between SGSN and UTRAN or respectively
between SGSN and GGSN. Usage of S12 is an operator configuration option.
 S13: It enables UE identity check procedure between MME and EIR.
 SGi: It is the reference point between the PDN GW and the packet data network.
Packet data network may be an operator external public or private packet data
network or an inter operator packet data network, e.g. for provision of IMS
services. This reference point corresponds to Gi for 3GPP accesses.
 Rx: The Rx reference point resides between the AF and the PCRF in the TS 23.203.
 SBc: Reference point between CBC and MME for warning message delivery and
control functions.

**THE END**