LTE & LTE Advanced

1General Characteristics

1.1. Network architecture

1.1.1. EPS network

1.1.1.1. Functional Architecture

The Evolved Packet System (EPS) mobile network consists of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network and an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) (Figure 1.1).

Figure 1.1. EPS network architecture

The E-UTRAN access network ensures the connection of the User Equipment (UE).

The EPC core network interconnects the access networks, provides the interface to the Packet Data Network (PDN) and ensures the attachment of the mobiles and the establishment of the bearers.

1.1.1.1.1. eNB entity

The E-UTRAN access network includes a single type of entity, the evolved Node B (eNB) radio station which connects to the mobiles (Figure 1.1).

The eNB entity is responsible for the management of radio resources, for the control of the radio bearer establishment, in which the mobile traffic data is transmitted, and for its mobility management during the handover.

The eNB entity transfers the traffic data from the mobile (respectively from the Serving Gateway (SGW) entity) to the SGW entity (respectively to the mobile).

When the eNB entity receives data from the mobile or the SGW entity, it refers to the QoS Class Identifier (QCI) for the implementation of the data scheduling mechanism.

The eNB entity can perform the marking of the DiffServ Code Point (DSCP) field of IP header, ...