LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

LTE Introduction and

Architecture Overview

Informa Telecoms & Media

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

LTE Introduction and

Architecture Overview
Drivers for Mobile Broadband
Typical Applications and Network Requirements
LTE E-UTRAN Objectives
System Architecture Evolution (SAE)
Evolved UMTS Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)
Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
Serving Gateway (SGW)
Mobility Management Entity (MME)
Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW)
LTE Reference points
LTE Roaming Architecture
Non-3GPP Access
Interworking with 2G/3G networks
Spectrum Requirements for LTE
WRC 2007 Spectrum
LTE Spectrum Requirements
Annex
Peak data rate
Control-plane latency
Control-plane capacity
User-plane latency
User throughput
Spectrum efficiency
Mobility
Coverage
Further Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast
Multicast Service (MBMS)
Spectrum flexibility
Co-existence and Inter-working with
3GPP Radio Access Technology (RAT)
Architecture and migration
Radio Resource Management requirements
Complexity

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6
8
10
12
14
14
14
14
16
18
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32
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LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Drivers for Mobile Broadband

After a slow start mobile data has finally taken off. Many factors, technical and non-technical,
relating to the success of mobile data have come together to provide data services that are
both easy to use and meets the users performance expectations.
Network and handset capability have met with content and billing regimes and along with
growing consumer confidence and experience this is leading to increased use of data services
provided by operators. As consumers, operators and third party application providers gain
moreexperience with data services beyond the plain WAP home page, the demand for data
isforecast to continue growing for the foreseeable future. Good news for operators who are
generally seeing a reduction in revenues from traditional voice based services. Revenues in
thenext decade will depend on increasing efficiency and finding alternative non-voice services.
The graph opposite shows the increase in use of both fixed and mobile broadband services,
italso shows that the use of mobile broadband is set to overtake fixed broadband in the future,
this will only be possible if we can deliver a high performance and consistent service that the
subscribers will come to expect.

Informa Telecoms & Media

Global broadband subscribers, by wired and wireless, 2007 2012

Broadband
subs (millions)
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0

2007

2008

2009

n Wireless

2010

2011

n Wired

Note: Wired includes DSL, cable, FTTx and evolutions.

Wireless includes WiMAX, pre-WiMAX, EV-DO, HSPA and evolutions, but excludes WCDMA and WiFi.

1Mbps
<64Kbps

Bandwidth

>5Mbps

Source: Informa Telecoms & Media

Video streaming

Video conferencing

Audio/video
download

m2m:
robot security,
video broadcast

Mobile
office/
email

FTP

MMS,
web browsing

Multiplayer games
Video telephony
Audio streaming

SMS

Voice telephony

Voicemail
>1 sec

200 ms

Interactive
remote
games

Realtime
gaming

Growth drivers

msm: remote control

100 ms

20 ms

Network latency
Fig. 1
Informa Telecoms & Media

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Typical Applications and Network Requirements

While voice remains the most popular application for large user segments, several distinct
trends will influence mobile communications in the years ahead:

Common, access-independent Internet applications will replace silos for mobile applications
and residential applications
Web2.0 applications empower users to participate in communities, and will generate content
and interact in virtual worlds and increase the requirement to greater uplink capabilities
Streaming services that deliver individual video content on demand and mobile TV on
demand are emerging as a favoured application
Mobile, interactive remote gaming and real-time gaming will undoubtedly become a major
industry in its own right
The quadruple play of voice, data, video and mobility bundles for residential and mobile
useis heating up the battle over fixed-mobile substitution in the consumer market
Mobile office comprising smart phones, notebooks, ubiquitous broadband access and
advanced security solutions will free business users from their office desk.

The network capability will need to evolve to ensure a consistent and reliable user experience,
such network evolutions include;

The networks capacity to support high peak user data rates and high average data
throughput rates
Low user data planes and signalling channels response time, or latency
Guaranteed radio coverage ensuring full use of services up to the cells edge
A viable means of creating and maintaining individual connections and the entire systems
quality of service (QoS)
Service continuity between access networks
Single sign-on to all network access
Competitive prices, with many users favouring flat-rate fees for reasons of cost control

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Typical Next Generation Services

Access-independent Internet applications
Web2.0
Streaming services
Interactive remote gaming
Quadruple play
Mobile office

Typical Enablers for Next

Generation Services
High peak user data rates
High average data throughput rates
Low latency
Guaranteed radio coverage
Individual quality of service (QoS)
Service continuity between access
networks
Single sign-on to all network access
Competitive prices, flat-rate fees
Fig. 2
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LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

LTE E-UTRAN Objectives

LTE is focusing on optimum support of Packet Switched (PS) Services. Main requirements
forthe design of an LTE system are outlined in 3GPP TR 25.913 (2006) and can be summarized
as follows:
Data Rate: Peak data rates target 100 Mbps (downlink) and 50 Mbps (uplink) for 20 MHz
spectrum allocation, assuming 2 receive antennas and 1 transmit antenna at the terminal.
Throughput: Target for downlink average user throughput per MHz is 3-4 times better than
release 6. Target for uplink average user throughput per MHz is 2-3 times better than release 6.
(release 6 HSPA)
Spectrum Efficiency: Downlink target is 3-4 times better than release 6. Uplink target is 2-3
times better than release 6.
Latency: The one-way transit time between a packet being available at the IP layer in either
theUE or radio access network and the availability of this packet at IP layer in the radio
accessnetwork/UE is less than 5 ms. Also C-plane latency is reduced, e.g. to allow fast
transition times of less than 100 ms from camped state to active state.
Bandwidth: Scaleable bandwidths of 5, 10, 15, 20 MHz are supported. Also bandwidths
smaller than 5 MHz are supported for more flexibility, i.e. 1.4 MHz and 3 MHz for FDD mode.
Interworking: Interworking with existing UTRAN/GERAN systems and non-3GPP systems
isensured. Multimode terminals support handover to and from UTRAN and GERAN as well
asinter-RAT measurements. Interruption time for handover between E-UTRAN and UTRAN/
GERAN is less than 300 ms for real time services and less than 500 ms for non real time services.
Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS): MBMS is further enhanced and is then
referred to as E-MBMS.
Mobility: The system is optimized for low mobile speed (0-15 km/h), but higher mobile speeds
are supported as well including high speed train environment as special case.
Spectrum allocation: Operation in paired (Frequency Division Duplex / FDD mode) and unpaired
spectrum (Time Division Duplex / TDD mode).
Co-existence: Co-existence in the same geographical area and co-location with GERAN/UTRAN.
Also, co-existence between operators in adjacent bands as well as cross-border coexistence.
Quality of Service: End-to-end Quality of Service (QoS) is supported.

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Requirement

Current release (Rel-6 HSxPA)

LTE E_UTRA

Peak ddata rate

14Mbps DL / 5.76Mbps UL

100Mbps DL / 50Mbps UL

Spectral efficiency

0.6 0.8 DL / 0.35 UL (bps/Hz/sector)

3 4x DL / 2 3x UL improvement

5% packet call throughput

64Kbps DL / 5Kbps UL

3 4x DL / 2 3x UL improvement

Averaged user throughput

900Kbps DL / 150Kbps UL

3 4x DL / 2 3x UL improvement

U-Plane latency

50 ms

5 ms

Call setup time

2 sec

50 ms

Broadcast data rate

384Kbps

6 8x improvement

Mobility

Up to 250km/h

Up to 350km/h

Multi-antenna support

No

Yes

Bandwidth

5MHz

Scalable (up to 20MHz)

Fig. 3 LTE E-UTRAN Requirements

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LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

System Architecture Evolution (SAE)

One of the main objectives of the LTE architecture is an overall simplification of the network with
a reduction in the number of nodes required in the radio access and core network components.
The evolution of the network is designed to optimise performance and improve cost efficiency.
Also interoperability with the existing 3.5G infrastructure is important, particularly mobility and
handover between the networks.
The Evolved Packet System (EPS) is divided in to radio access and core network.

10

Informa Telecoms & Media

UTRAN

GERAN
3GPP
network

External
network

S4/S11

SG1
Evolved
packet core
S1-U
S1-MME

E-UTRAN

Fig. 4 System Architecture Evolution (SAE)

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11

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Evolved UMTS Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)

Evolved UMTS Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) contains a single element known as the
Evolved Node Bs (eNB). The eNB supports all the user plane and control plane protocols to
enable communication with the UE. It also supports radio resource management, admission
control, scheduling, uplink QoS enforcement, cell broadcast, encryption and compression/
decompression of user data.
The eNB is connected to the core network on the S1 interface. The S1 interface allows the
eNBto communicate with the Mobility Management Entity (MME) via the S1-MME interface
andthe Serving Gateway (SGW) via the S1-U interface. The interfaces support a many to
manyrelationship between eNB and SGW/MME.
The eNB are also networked together using the X2 interface. The X2 interface is based on
thesame set of protocols as the S1 and is primarily in place to allow user plane tunnelling
ofpackets during handover to minimise packet loss.

12

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MME/S-GW

S1

MME/S-GW

S1

S1

S1

E-UTRAN

X2
eNB

eNB
X2

X2

eNB

Fig. 5 E -UTRAN Architecture

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13

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Evolved Packet Core (EPC)

The Evolved Packet Core contains two principle functions, high speed packet handling and
mobility management, these functions are carried out by the SGW and MME. This separation
offunction allows each to be implemented on a platform optimised for data handling or
message processing. This will result in more optimised performance and allows independent
scaling of each component and efficient topological optimisation of platforms to ensure
consistent service i.e. reduced latencies and maximised throughput.

Serving Gateway (SGW)

The SGW acts as a router, routing and forwarding packets of user data, it is able to provide
transport level packet marking, and the marking process may be used for QoS management
byother network elements. Also some accounting functions for UL/DL services.
The SGW will act as a local anchoring point for inter eNB handover and can also act as a
3GPPanchoring point for handovers between UMTS and LTE. It provides idle mode functions
such as packet buffering and initiation of network triggered service request.
The SGW is also one of the Lawful Interception points in the network.

Mobility Management Entity (MME)

The Mobility management entity (MME) is the primary signalling node in the EPC, NAS
signallingis terminated at this point and included signalling related to bearer establishment
andauthentication of the UEs through interaction with the Home Subscriber Server (HSS).
Itisalso the decision point for SGW selection, and MME, SGW selection during handover
whereEPC node change is necessary.
The MME handles roaming functions such as allocation of temporary identities, admission
control and communication with the home HSS on the S6a interface.

Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW)

The P-GW is the entry and exit point for UE connectivity with external data networks.
Itprovidesfunctions of packet filtering, via deep packet inspection, allocation of UE IP
addresses, downlink packet marking, and service level charging, gating and rate enforcement.
The P-GW also acts as an anchor for mobility between 3GPP and non-3GPP technologies
suchas 3GPP2 CDMA2000 and WiMAX.

14

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IMS

Non-3GPP
access

Internet
SGi

UMTS

SGi

P-GW

S3
MME

S2a/b

S5
S11

S1-MME

SGW

S1-U

eNB

SGW Serving Gateway; router, packet marking, anchor

for inter-eNB handover, some accounting
MME Mobility Management Entity; NAS signalling point,
admission control, bearer setup, authentication,
roaming functions, selects SGW
P-GW Packet Gateway; date entry/exit point, packet
inspection/filtering, IP address allocation, mobility
anchor for non-3GPP handover
Fig. 6 Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Components
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15

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

LTE Reference points

S1: It provides access to Evolved RAN radio resources for the transport of user plane and
control plane traffic. The S1 reference point shall enable MME and UPE separation and also
deployments of a combined MME and UPE solution.
S2a/b: It provides the user plane with related control and mobility support between a trusted/
not-trusted non-3GPP IP access and the SAE Anchor.
S3: It enables user and bearer information exchange for inter 3GPP access system mobility
inidle and/or active state. It is based on Gn reference point defined between SGSNs.
S4: It provides the user plane with related control and mobility support between GPRS Core and
the 3GPP Anchor and is based on Gn reference point as defined between SGSN and GGSN.
S5a: It provides the user plane with related control and mobility support between MME/UPE
and 3GPP anchor. It is FFS whether a standardized S5a exists or whether MME/UPE and 3GPP
anchor are combined into one entity.
S5b: It provides the user plane with related control and mobility support between 3GPP anchor
and SAE anchor. It is FFS whether a standardized S5b exists or whether 3GPP anchor and SAE
anchor are combined into one entity.
S6: It enables transfer of subscription and authentication data for authenticating/authorizing user
access to the evolved system (AAA interface).
S7: It provides transfer of (QoS) policy and charging rules from PCRF to Policy and Charging
Enforcement Point (PCEP). The allocation of the PCEP is FFS.
SGi: It is the reference point between the Inter AS Anchor and the packet data network. Packet
data network may be an operator external public or private packet data network or an intra
operator packet data network, e.g. for provision of IMS services. This reference point corresponds
to Gi and Wi functionalities and supports any 3GPP and non-3GPP access systems.
The interfaces between the SGSN in 2G/3G Core Network and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC)
will be based on the GTP protocol. The interfaces between the
SAE MME/UPE and the 2G/3G Core Network will be based on the GTP protocol.

16

Informa Telecoms & Media

IMS

Access

Internet
SGi

SGi

UMTS

S3
MME

S1-MME

S2a

P-GW

S4
S11

eNB

S5
SGW

S1-U

X2

Fig. 7 LTE-SAE Reference points

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17

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

LTE Roaming Architecture

Roaming is supported by the SAE, the figure opposite show the situation where a user is roamed
on to a V-PLMN (Visitor PLMN). A roaming agreement must exist between the home and
visited systems. The pictured scenario may be when the user visits a different country or where
national roaming is supported.
Part of the connection is handled by the visited network, this includes the radio access, mobility
management and elements of session management. U-plane data is routed via visited SGW to
the home network P-GW and the S8 interface.
The S8 interface carries both user plane data and control signaling and is based on the Gp interface
first defined in the GPRS/UMTS core network specifications.
The S6 interface connects the MME to the HSS and handles session and mobility related signaling
including security.
The data sessions are managed locally by the visited network but the call is anchored in the
home network, allowing the home operator to maintain control of the session. This may not be
the most efficient routing in terms of cost and system resources, therefore, there is an option to
route the U-plane traffic to a P-GW in the V-PLMN and make connections, for example, directly
to the internet or local services.

18

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IMS

H-PLMN

Internet

SGi

V-PLMN

SGi

P-GW

S8
Optional
routing to
local P-GW

S6
HSS

SGi
MME

S11

S1-MME

SGW
S1-U

E-UTRAN

Fig. 8 EPC Roaming Architecture traffic routed to H-PLMN

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19

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Non-3GPP Access
The diagram opposite shows the architecture that allows IP access to the EPC using non-3GPP
access technologies, i.e. Wireless LAN (802.11a,b,g,) WiMAX. There are two possible access
scenarios, both of which appear on the diagram, trusted and non-trusted access.
Where the operator owns and operates the WLAN network, this may be considered a trusted
case, the user data from the WLAN network may be sent directly to the P-GW via the IP based
S2 interface. Information relating to subscriber profiles, authentication vectors, network identity,
charging and QoS information may all be provided to the WLAN access via the Ta interface.
Theinformation is provided via the 3GPP AAA server which acts as an inter-working point
between the 3GPP and IETF worlds. The main purpose of the 3GPP AAA server is to allow
endto end interaction, such as authentications to take place using 3GPP credentials stored
inthe HSS via the Wx interface.
In the non-trusted case, e.g. a corporate entity has its own WLAN network and would like to
offer 3GPP access to its customers, there are additional network elements to maintain the
infrastructure security and integrity. The ePDG (evolved Packet Data Gateway) element carried
all the traffic from the WLAN via a secure tunnel (IPSec) over the Wn interface. The Wm interface
allows the user related data from the HSS via the 3GPP AAA Server, to be exchanged, ensuring
proper tunneling and encryption between the user terminal and the P-GW.
In both of these cases the MME and SGW are redundant.

20

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Non-trusted
WLAN Access

IMS

Wn

ePDG

Internet

SGi
S2

Wm
S2

Trusted
WLAN Access

Wa
Ta

3GPP
AAA
Wx

HSS

S6

P-GW
S5

S11
MME

S11

S1-MME

SGW
S1-U

E-UTRAN

S2
IP based User-plane data
Ta/Wa Transport authentication, authorisation and
charging-related information in a secure manner
Wx Communication between WLAN AAA infrastructure
and HSS, Security data, Sub profile, charging
Wn Force non-trusted traffic via ePDG tunnel
Wm Authorisation/authentication data, tunnel attributes,
identity mapping, charging characteristics

Fig. 9 Non-3GPP Access to EPC

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21

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Interworking with 2G/3G networks

Where 2G/3G cells are adjacent or overlaid on to E-UTRAN cells there will be a requirement
forinterworking between the different infrastructures to support inter-system mobility. No new
systems elements are required but 2 additional interfaces are specified, S3 and S4.
S3 supports the user and bearer information exchange between the SGSN and the MME during
handover/cell reselection. QoS and user context will be exchange so the target system has all
the information required to re-establish the bearers on the new cell. S3 is based on the IP Gn
interface designed for 2G/3G core architecture.
S4 carries the user plane data between the SGSN and the SGW. The SGW play the role of
themobility anchor in inter-system exchanges, it has a very similar role to the GGSN in 2G/3G
networks. The S4 interface is also based on the Gn interface.

22

Informa Telecoms & Media

IMS
SGi

Internet
SGi

P-GW

HSS

S6
MME
S1-MME
E-UTRAN

S1-U

S11

SGW
S3

S4
SGSN
lu
UTRAN/GERAN

S3
S4

Exchange of bearer information, QoS,

U-Plane traffic

Fig. 10 2G/3G LTE Interworking

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23

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Spectrum Requirements for LTE

It is very apparent from many industry sources that the mobile broadband revolution has begun,
inthe next few years there will be an ever increasing demand for access to high speed broadband
data services. Technologies like LTE and WiMAX seem very well placed to be able to offer these
services to subscribers in a very cost effective way.
One of the greatest problems to overcome will be availability of spectrum and the availability
ofspectrum in suitable bands. There is a great deal of work currently taking place to ensure
thatoperators have access to a sufficient amount of spectrum to solve the principle problems
ofcoverage and capacity that they face right now and may potentially face to a greater extent
inthe future.
The ITU-R already recognises the coming issues and has begun to address the problem at
WRC 07 and will make further resolutions at WRC11.

24

Informa Telecoms & Media

800 850 900 950 1000

IMT-2000

IMT2000

M
S
S

IMT- M
S
2000 S

IMT-2000

GSM

GSM 1800

D
M
E
C UMTS S
S
T

M
UMTS S
S

IMT-2000,
band plan
not yet decided

IMT2000

M
S
S

IMT- M
S
2000 S

P IMTH
S 2000

M
S
S

IMT- M
S
2000 S

Under study

M
AWS S
S

Mobile allocation
added, no band
plan yet

GSM
1800

GSM

PDC

PDC

North
America

Cellular

AWS

Brazil

Cellular

Cellular

Japan

Cellular

Europe

China

2500 2550 2600 2650 2700 MHz

IMT-2000

PCS
A D B EF C

Cellular

ITU
allocations

1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 2200 2250

M
S
A D B EF C S

IMT2000

IMT2000
(regional)

Under study

IMT2000

Fig. 11 IMT 2000 spectrum Allocations (WRC 2000)

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25

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

WRC 2007 Spectrum

Under Agenda Item 1.4 to consider frequency-related matters for the future development
ofIMT-2000 and systems beyond IMT-2000.
WRC-07 has identified globally harmonised spectrum for use by International Mobile
Telecommunications (IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced).
Additional spectrum was allocated for IMT systems in various new bands, resulting in 392 MHz
of new spectrum in total in Europe and 428 MHz in the Americas:

20 MHz in the band 450470 MHz (globally)

72 MHz in the band 790862 MHz for Region 1 (Europe) and parts of Region 3 (Asia)
108 MHz in the band 698806 MHz for Region 2 (Americas) and some countries of
Region3 (Asia)
100 MHz in the band 2.32.4 GHz (globally)
200 MHz in the band 3.43.6 GHz (no global allocation, but identified in 82 countries)

Note: These bands will not be available immediately for NGMN usage, but opened to the market
following transition periods of up to several years. Additionally, the allocations regarding the
bands 790-862 MHz and 3.4 3.6 GHz in Region 1 will only come into full effect in 2015 and
2010 respectively.

26

Informa Telecoms & Media

WRC-07 IMT Identifications

Europe/Africa/
Middle East

3600

3500

3400

2400

2300

862

698

450
470

In 81 countries,
effective 11/17/2010

450
470

698

862

2300

2400

3400

3500

450
470

698

862

2300

2400

3400

3500

3600

Mobile allocation,
no identification

Americas

Legend:

3600

Asia Pacific

Effective immediately in 61 countries, in 6 others a subset of the band

Effective in all countries 17 June 2015
Mobile allocation in 14 countries
Identified in 9 countries
Identified in 10 countries
Identified in 9 countries + mobile allocation everywhere

20 MHz in the band 450470 MHz (globally)

72 MHz in the band 790862 MHz for Region 1 (Europe)
and parts of Region 3 (Asia)
108 MHz in the band 698806 MHz for Region 2
(Americas) and some countries of Region 3 (Asia)
100 MHz in the band 2.32.4 GHz (globally)
200 MHz in the band 3.43.6 GHz (no global allocation,
but identified in 82 countries)
Fig. 12 Additional Spectrum Identified at WRC 2007
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27

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

LTE Spectrum Requirements

The table opposite shows the existing bands supported by 3GPP and 3GPP2. The majority
ofthese are already in use with the well known 2G/3G technologies. One of the largest areas
ofinterest for operators and regulators alike is the potential for spectrum re-farming in these
bands. Spectrum neutrality is becoming increasing wide spread, where the regulator lifts the
technology specific nature of the licenses.
UMTS900 has already been approved and there is work taking place on the USA in the
700MHz band. The digital dividend is also another area of interest, analogue TV broadcast are
coming to an end in many parts of the word leaving behind spectrum in the ranges 470 862 MHz.

28

Informa Telecoms & Media

Operating
brand

Brand
name

Total
spectrum

Uplink
(MHz)

Downlink
(MHz)

Band I

2.1GHz

2x60MHz

1920 1980

2110 2170

Band II

1900MHz

2x60MHz

1850 1910

1930 1990

Band III

1800MHz

2x75MHz

1710 1785

1805 1880

1.7/2.1GHz

2x45MHz

1710 1755

2110 2155

Band V

850MHz

2x25MHz

824 849

869 894

Japan Band VI

800MHz

2x10MHz

830 840

875 885

Band VII

2.6GHz

2x70MHz

2500 2570

2620 2690

Band VIII

900MHz

2x35MHz

880 915

925 960

1700MHz

2x35MHz

1749.9 1784.9

1844.9 1879.9

7.7/2.1MHz

2x60MHz

1710 1770

2110 2170

1500MHz

2x25MHz

1427.9 1452.9

1475.9 1500.9

USA Band XII

Lower 700MHz

2x18MHz

698 716

728 746

USA Band XIII

Upper 700MHz

2x12MHz

776 788

746 758

2x10MHz

788 798

758 768

USA Band IV

Japan Band IX
Band X
Japan Band XI
New 3GPP
work items

Band XIV
USA
ETSI band
numbers

Upper 700MHz
public safety/private

Band XV

Paired 2.6GHz

2x20MHz

1900 1920

2600 2620

Band XVI

Paired 2.6GHz

2x15MHz

2010 2025

2585 2600

Fig. 13 Existing and Future 3GPP Bands

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29

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

ANNEX

Informa Telecoms & Media

LTE Introduction and Architecture Overview

Annex
Peak data rate

Instantaneous downlink peak data rate of 100 Mb/s within a 20 MHz downlink spectrum
allocation (5 bps/Hz)
Instantaneous uplink peak data rate of 50 Mb/s (2.5 bps/Hz) within a 20MHz uplink
spectrum allocation)

Control-plane latency

Transition time of less than 100 ms from a camped state, such as Release 6 Idle Mode, to
an active state such as Release 6 CELL_DCH
Transition time of less than 50 ms between a dormant state such as Release 6 CELL_PCH
and an active state such as Release 6 CELL_DCH

Control-plane capacity

At least 200 users per cell should be supported in the active state for spectrum allocations
up to 5 MHz

User-plane latency

Less than 5 ms in unload condition (ie single user with single data stream) for small IP packet

User throughput

Downlink: average user throughput per MHz, 3 to 4 times Release 6 HSDPA

Uplink: average user throughput per MHz, 2 to 3 times Release 6 Enhanced Uplink

Spectrum efficiency

Downlink: In a loaded network, target for spectrum efficiency (bits/sec/Hz/site), 3 to 4 times

Release 6 HSDPA )
Uplink: In a loaded network, target for spectrum efficiency (bits/sec/Hz/site), 2 to 3 times
Release 6 Enhanced Uplink

Mobility

E-UTRAN should be optimized for low mobile speed from 0 to 15 km/h

Higher mobile speed between 15 and 120 km/h should be supported with high performance
Mobility across the cellular network shall be maintained at speeds from 120 km/h to 350
km/h (or even up to 500 km/h depending on the frequency band)

Coverage

Throughput, spectrum efficiency and mobility targets above should be met for 5 km cells, and
with a slight degradation for 30 km cells. Cells range up to 100 km should not be precluded.

Further Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS)

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While reducing terminal complexity: same modulation, coding, multiple access approaches
and UE bandwidth than for unicast operation.
Provision of simultaneous dedicated voice and MBMS services to the user.
Available for paired and unpaired spectrum arrangements.

Informa Telecoms & Media

Spectrum flexibility

E-UTRA shall operate in spectrum allocations of different sizes, including 1.25 MHz,
1.6MHz, 2.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20 MHz in both the uplink and downlink.
Operation in paired and unpaired spectrum shall be supported
The system shall be able to support content delivery over an aggregation of resources
including Radio Band Resources (as well as power, adaptive scheduling, etc) in the same
and different bands, in both uplink and downlink and in both adjacent and non-adjacent
channel arrangements. A Radio Band Resource is defined as all spectrum available to
anoperator

Co-existence and Inter-working with 3GPP Radio Access Technology (RAT)

Co-existence in the same geographical area and co-location with GERAN/UTRAN on

adjacent channels.
E-UTRAN terminals supporting also UTRAN and/or GERAN operation should be able to
support measurement of, and handover from and to, both 3GPP UTRAN and 3GPP GERAN.
The interruption time during a handover of real-time services between E-UTRAN and
UTRAN (or GERAN) should be less than 300 msec.

Architecture and migration

Single E-UTRAN architecture

The E-UTRAN architecture shall be packet based, although provision should be made
tosupport systems supporting real-time and conversational class traffic
E-UTRAN architecture shall minimize the presence of single points of failure
E-UTRAN architecture shall support an end-to-end QoS
Backhaul communication protocols should be optimised

Radio Resource Management requirements

Enhanced support for end to end QoS

Efficient support for transmission of higher layers
Support of load sharing and policy management across different Radio Access Technologies

Complexity

Minimize the number of options

No redundant mandatory features

The Study Item phase was concluded in September 2006 and the Work Item for 3G Long Term
Evolution was created. As expected, in particular the E-UTRA system will provide significantly
higher data rates than Release 6 WCDMA. The increase in data rate is achieved especially
through higher transmission bandwidth and support for MIMO.
In particular, the study showed that simultaneous support for UTRA and E-UTRA UEs in the
same spectrum allocation was possible.
Solutions chosen for the physical layer and layers 2/3 showed a convergence between paired
spectrum and unpaired spectrum solutions for the Long Term Evolution (e.g. initial access,
handover procedures, measurements, frame and slot structures).

Informa Telecoms & Media

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