Category: 4G Technology

EPC: A new core network for the new LTE radio technology

Many new transmission facilities to the cellular towers are visible part of the LTE structure.

 

The second, invisible to the public, is equally important part: The technology and infrastructure with which these new LTE transmission facilities are operated and controlled, the so-called core network, changes radically. This core network for LTE (Engineered packet-based core network) and Evolved Packet Core Evolved Packet or designated system. It basically works like the normal Internet, the technical term for this technology is an IP-based network or English an all-IP network. But what does that mean and how this network is different from a GSM network or a UMTS network, so what is the new in it?

GSM, UMTS and LTE networks: the differences

Put simply, the current mobile phone networks were completely fixed, or in large part on voice telephony. The GSM network, the second generation of mobile phone was originally designed as a pure network; other functions such as SMS and data transmission were then gradually it. The UMTS network calls and sending large amounts of data as equal functions together. The core network is divided into a part of UMTS, which provided fixed channels for the transmission of telephone calls (circuit switched) and one of the different data sets – like the Internet – transported.

The LTE network has – like the Internet – the absolute data priority. Telephoning is thus only one of many sub-functions of data transmission. A development is reconstructed, which is advanced in the fixed network have further calls is no longer handled through a separate channel, but runs as a Voice over IP over the Internet.

Which then affects the manner in which the LTE core network works: It is anything from one terminal to the other terminal to the Internet technology – are transmitted – the Internet Protocol, or IP. Technically speaking, it is an IP-based network or an all-IP network.

This fundamental change in the net makes the data transmission speed – both for downloading and sending, as well as in the reaction times. The Australian IT specialist Stuart Corner says: It is not primarily be the new LTE data radio technology, which allows high speed jumps, but most of all the new core network.

Signaling data: By registering for the bill

The new network is allocated differently: Over a part of running the so-called signaling data – for example, the registration of the participant in the network, its verification and identification, the location of their mobile device – the other part of the so-called user data – ie services that he accepts the scheme as phone or mobile Internet.

Among the parts that manage the signaling data and edit include Management Mobility Entity, short MME (Management of the mobile units), the Home Subscriber Server, short HSS (Subscriber Server) and the Policy and Charging Rules Function, briefly PCRF (fees office).

Logs in the MME to the mobile device, and then is forwarded to a location which the services – manages – ie the data transmissions. The MME also retrieves the information about the customer at HSS – because they are deposited there, in the GSM and UMTS networks had this customer database the name of Home Location Register (HLR). The PCRF can – depending on the rate – to specific data flows from that terminal or declines; it calculates how much the service costs at the rate reserved by the customer and shall issue an invoice.

User data: designing services funneled through the net

The services themselves are carried out in the so-called SAE gateway. The acronym stands for System Architecture Evolution Gateway – and said in German as the main interface for the network. This gateway consists of two areas: First, since the serving gateway is – short SGW in German about services portal. There the user’s terminal is managed by the application at the MME continues. It remains registered so when the user switches between two cell towers or when switching from LTE to a different wireless technology. It takes the data packets received by the user sends – for example by surfing – and forwards it to the exit.

The output is referred to as PDN Gateway, which is German for Public Data Network Gateway as portal to the public networks. And that is its function: Here the data to other networks – other mobile networks, Internet – forwarded and received the input data for the terminal of customers and forwarded.

 

How to Set Up Huawei E392 Wireless Connection

4G LTE modems are more and more popular, when users experience the new technology; they also face the problem about setting the new dongles.

 

Actually, it’s not difficult to set a 4G modem. Today we will have a short introduction of how to set up Huawei E392 4G LTE FDD TDD Surf sticks. Huawei E392 is the most popular 4G LTE dongle all over the world, that’s why we choose this modem.

 

 

First step, users must install the software- named Mobile Partner, to PC. For different operators, the version of Mobile partner may vary, but basic functions are the same. If there is already Mobile Partner, it’s better to uninstall it and reinstall the new. Of course, I mean the first time you use the 4G modem.

 

Secondly, after the drivers are installed to PC, it’s time to set up the modem. Sometimes, the mobile partner may cannot detect SIM card or detected the SIM card is invalid, you need to switch out the E392 Modem from the PC and pull SIM card out and Re-plug it. Usually, it’s due the slow reflection from PC. The 4G software is configured with many new technology of data transmission, when it runs, it may cause the PC system run very slowly.

 

 

After the Mobile partner detected Huawei E392 and the SIM. Now click the head column “tools”, there is “Options”, then you can see there are “General”, Text Message, Profile Management and Network.

 

And then in the Profile Management, you need set below information:

 

– Profile Name:  4GLTEMALL (It’s just a name, you could write any name you like, default starts automatically)

– APN: Static check

– APN: @@@ (you need to check the APN of your SIM card provider and then enter the right one)

– Access number: * 99 #

– User name: 4GLTEMALLCOM

– Password: 4GLTEMALLCOM

(User name and password could write anything you can remember)

 

Then set this profile as default and Click “OK”.

Next step, click Tools– Network.

There are 4 options in the dropdown-LTE only, WCDMA only, GSM only and Auto. If you are using 4G SIM card, you can choose “LTE only”, the other 3 options are also usable. But if you are using 3G card, “LTE only” is not workable. Usually, choose “Auto” is good to choose because the modem will switch automatically for users to choose available fastest speed. If the fastest network disconnect, the mobile partner will switch lower lever network and auto connects so that users could keep surfing.

After choose the network, click “apply” and “ok”, then back to home Manu. Click “Connect” button. You can easily get connected with network and access to surf.

 

This setting method is also applicable for HUAWEI 4G LTE USB Modem such as E398, E397 etc…So if you are in trouble using your HUAWEI 4G LTE Dongles, you can follow the steps to get 4G networks connected.

 

 

 

 

 

LTE Networks: The Architecture

The architecture of LTE networks is given the technical term System Architecture Evolution or the corresponding abbreviations SAE.

 

It is compared to previous wireless networks and provides a simpler structure to process with greater amounts of data. Thereby it provides a faster response time of the entire network. The new architecture is also the seamless mobility between LTE and other wireless technologies such as GPRS or WiMAX. Finally, the new architecture could transform the wireless network to an all-IP network. This means the data packets are sent to the wireless network in the Internet-standard. In order for mobile devices, IP-based services such as IPTV, online games, or data transfer from the Internet, but also Internet telephony is optimized.

EUTRAN: The wireless network

As with any wireless network even in the LTE, radio network consists of individual cells. The device of the user need the radio signals from the base station, from there to the base station – in LTE it is called eNodeB. Transmission tower and base station form a cell.

In LTE radio network, several adjacent radio cells are combined to form a group, which are known as the Tracking Area. The entire radio part, that all radio cells and tracking areas of an operator is taken together, the technical English with E – UTRAN or EUTRAN called. The term EUTRAN is from the initials of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network formed. This part of the network is also referred to as air interface.

EPC: The core network

The user’s data are going to the core network Of the air interface for LTE, which in technical English Evolved Packet Core ( EPC is called). The Evolved Packet Core consists of three components:

The first is the MME. This abbreviation stands for Mobility Management Entity. An MME manages multiple tracking areas. The MME is the most important control element in the EPC; it is only responsible for control signals. The MME is responsible for the mobility management, which means that they registered and be identified by the exact location of the user, which is a terminal in the LTE network. In the MME, it’s possible to notify the user to speak with his terminal.

The MME also organizes the recognition of the user, or finds his admission. Detection of the user accesses the MME to a database, in which the participants are recorded, this means in English technical HSS (Home Scriber server). His profile is stored in the MME. the MME sets the key, after the data is encrypted and sends it to the base station – or the eNodeB – which performs the encryption. When the terminal is turned on, the MME calls him an SGW.

This SGW (short for English Service Gateway) is the second component of an LTE network. The service gateway remains the focal point for the user’s device when it switches between two LTE transmission towers or when the LTE network must switch to UMTS or GSM network. The SGW is a switching station – it switches the users coming from or addressed to him data to the correct address.

By the user sent or addressed to him, data runs over the third component: the Public Data Network Gateway (symbol: PGW, meant: Interface for public data networks). The PGW is as it were a terminal, where the user’s data from the network of the mobile operator forwarded to other networks or in the data arriving from other networks for him, ready to collect.

The terminal of a user is able to communicate with a plurality of PDN-GW – if it is responsive simultaneously different networks. The PDN gateway also sends data to a computing unit, which is outside of the core network, the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function).

The user directory and the accounting office

This brings us to the two parts of which are outside of the core network, however, associated with this are: the Home Server Scriber, short HSS are the user data, including a profile stored. He is like a complete list of all customers of a mobile operator. Here, for example, the identification number (IMSI) of the mobile subscriber is stored or which services are allowed for him. There will also be stored at which the MME device was last logged.

The accounting and control station is finally in the part that policy and charging rules function (PCRF) is called. It’s noted that the types of data that arrive in the PGW can be used by the customer, and if so, under which tariff they fall. Using this information the bill then finally can create.

QAM

To increase the data rate, a modulation method is used in LTE, which can transmit a plurality of bits per signal – the so-called Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM).

This is a transmission technology in the long applied modulation method, which guarantees high transmission density. This amplitude modulation and phase modulation are combined. The method has different levels, and it can have multiple bits in groups of 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64 bits are combined – correspondingly increases, the transmitted data rate. The method with 64-bit, 64 short is called QAM, however, it is only possible in the vicinity of the transmission mast, because the higher the modulation, the more susceptible to interference. Thus, in LTE systems it uses in further transmission distance 4 QAM, 16 QAM in a medium distance.

In practice, therefore, the data rate close to the LTE radio mast will be higher than in a clear distance. The announced top speeds with LTE are therefore also dependent on how far away the nearest transmission tower, where the customer is staying.

QAM applications

QAM is in many radio communications and data delivery applications. However, some specific variants of QAM are used in some specific applications and standards.

For domestic broadcast applications for example, 64 QAM and 256 QAM are often used in digital cable television and cable modem applications. In the UK, 16 QAM and 64 QAM are currently used for digital terrestrial television using DVB – Digital Video Broadcasting. In the US, 64 QAM and 256 QAM are the mandated modulation schemes for digital cable as standardized by the SCTE in the standard ANSI/SCTE 07 2000.

In addition to this, variants of QAM are also used for many wireless and cellular technology applications.

 

QAM noise margin

While higher order modulation rates are able to offer much faster data rates and higher levels of spectral efficiency for the radio communications system, this comes at a price. The higher order modulation schemes are considerably less resilient to noise and interference.

As a result of this, many radio communications systems now use dynamic adaptive modulation techniques. They sense the channel conditions and adapt the modulation scheme to obtain the highest data rate for the given conditions. As signal to noise ratios decrease errors will increase along with re-sends of the data, thereby slowing throughput. By reverting to a lower order modulation scheme the link can be made more reliable with fewer data errors and re-sends.

 

The MIMO antenna technology in LTE

In LTE wireless networks, MIMO antenna technology is used. MIMO stands for Multiple Input / Multiple Output.

 

Instead of a sending and receiving antenna, in the MIMO technology, up to four transmitter antennas and four receiver antennas to be used. The corresponding codes are 4×4 four transmitting and receiving antennas, or 2×2 for two transmitting and receiving antennas. MIMO enables simultaneous transmitting multiple data streams on the same frequency. Systems with a single antenna are called SISO (Single Input / Single Output).

In principle, the multiple-antenna systems have the following advantages: First, you get a bigger reception power and thus greater range, secondly suppress interference from other radio waves better, make for a better connection quality thirdly and fourthly, for better transfer rates. However, one cannot utilize all four at the same time maximum benefits: You have to decide whether you want to improve the system in a data-transfer speed or the range or quality of the connection.

Key technology for LTE

MIMO is a key technology in LTE wireless networks, since they are the spectral efficiency is improved. However, MIMO is not only used on LTE, but also used in WiMAX and WLAN systems. By using multiple antennas, in LTE, the reception signal improved and interference can be reduced – that is, it results in less interference from other radio frequency used. But the most important: The MIMO technology is at the LTE transmission of the data stream to be distributed to up to four transmit and receive antennas. This increases the amount of data that is transferred per unit time, thus ensures a higher transmission speed – while reducing the error rate.

LTE can use up to four times four antennas, it provides for the 3GPP Release 8, which is defined in the technical specifications for LTE. Also two times two MIMO systems are possible. In a 2×2 MIMO, the data rate in comparison to a system can be doubled with a respective antenna almost.

Devices with MIMO antennas

A technical challenge may be the equipment of devices with multiple antennas – a smartphone offers relatively little room for a higher number of antennas. At low frequencies such as the 800-megahertz band, the problem is compounded by the fact that there are larger antennas needed. Especially in the countryside, however, LTE will use this frequency range. Installation of multiple antennas in laptops is problematic. Since the LTE stations will initially replace the missing country’s DSL, it imposes the use of MIMO technology is quite well possible.

 

LTE Versions: TDD and FDD

LTE is available in two technical variants: TDD and FDD. TDD stands for the English expression Time Division Duplex.FDD stands for the English word Frequency Division Duplex. It sounds complicated, but you can explain it simply: When FDD there are two channels, which is broadcast on: on one which you receive messages with their laptop or smartphone and on the other which you send the message. In TDD there is only one channel – it will be used alternately to send and receive. Transmit and receive mode switch it so fast that you do not notice. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both techniques?

The advantages and disadvantages of the techniques

FDD seems better at functions where many data are simultaneously transmitted and received – they both have their own supervised channel. One example would be telephone calls or video calls. Another benefit: When building the base stations need to take any further precautions – as transmit and receive channels are different, disrupt the channels of two base stations are not mutually exclusive. In TDD networks have to ensure that adjacent base stations do not interfere with each other.

Conversely, TDD uses the available space in the radio room much better. Often more data is received than sent, or more sent than received – for example, if I put a video on the Internet or send a friend a photo collection. In these cases – in technical terms, these are asymmetrical applications – TDD divides the space to send or receive on demand. Overall, the introduction of this TDD technology is cheaper, among other reasons, because the mobile operators do not have to hire as much radio room from the state as in FDD. The TDD needs only one channel and not two. For operators who previously used the wireless technology WiMAX, the transition to LTE TDD, with a lower price.

FDD and TDD: Worldwide both lay sometime par

Currently, the FDD technology is well forward, but with increasing global expansion of LTE networks, two techniques are commonly used equally well. The currently existing LTE networks in Germany, Austria, Scandinavia and the Baltic use FDD-LTE. Even Verizon Wireless in the U.S. uses this variant.

However, LTE is in TDD variant currently being tested by E-Plus in Germany. LTE TDD has also been tested in France, Ireland, Poland; the United States has the Wimax operator Clearwire tested. And WiMAX is interested in the technology in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Taiwan.

In South Korea, the Korean SK Telecom in early July has taken a LTE network on TDD base into operation in Malaysia still 2011; a TDD-LTE network will be built. Russia wants the operator Yota use a nationwide 180 cities comprehensive LTE network TDD. Experts believe that China has in each case; the TDD variant will be used for LTE, as well as in India.

 

Real 4G LTE Advanced Technology and the Future

Since November 2008, under the name IMT-Advanced, LTE and WiMAX are the specifications for the fourth generation of mobile. The International Telecommunication Union (International Telecommunication Union, ITU short) set these requirements.

 

Since October 2009, two technology families apply for the title of 4G wireless data technology of the future, according to the International Telecommunication Union. Firstly, there is the advanced technology LTE Advanced, which evolutes from LTE. Second, the applicant is provided with the bulky abbreviation IEEE 802.16m technology, which has evolved from the WiMAX group.

Colloquially LTE or Mobile WiMAX is already now referred to as 4G technologies. In colloquial usage, technical standards, there are 3G systems.

The ITU standards: A gigabit per second is the goal

Some key requirements on wireless technologies of the fourth generation: Higher transmission rates, greater bandwidth, high spectral efficiency and low latency and better coverage of the peripheral areas in the radio cells are crucial criteria.

As research targets for the transmission rate is at 100 megabits per second per the International Telecommunications Union, and gigabit per second high with low mobility. There are also up to 40 megahertz scalable bandwidth for the transmission channel, but the researchers are encouraged to draw bandwidths up to 100 MHz considered. The spectral efficiency is measured by measuring the transmission rate per bandwidth. The ITU for IMT-Advanced set 15 bits per second per hertz (bits/s/Hz) on the downlink and 6.75 bit / s / Hz in the uplink.

As examples of different high top speeds in different widths, radio channels are given by the ITU on a channel of 40 megahertz (MHz) 600 Mbit/s and on a channel of 100 Megahertz 1500 Mbit/s respectively in the downlink.

The 4G LTE-Advanced candidate

The bandwidth is LTE-Advanced is significantly higher than the 3G. Instead of 20 megahertz, LTE-Advanced can bundle multiple carriers and thus use up to 100 MHz simultaneously. It is also possible that frequency bands in different frequency ranges are combined, since no operator has been on a continuous frequency range of 100 MHz Currently these 100 MHz are only theoretically achievable, in practice more spectra has to be assigned. This can happen only in 2015 at the World Radio Conference (WRC). Until then, the bandwidth will probably be limited to 40MHz.

Another innovation that could keep up with LTE-Advanced collection is called “relay nodes”, i.e. relay stations. This will allow, even outside the range of a base station to receive the signal. In the edge region reinforce the signal relay stations. Connected the relay stations are connected to the base station. Thus, the signal strength inside buildings can be improved.

Increase the spectral efficiency

The concept of multiple antennas (MIMO: Multiple Input / Multiple Output) technology, which is already partially used, will also be expanded. Instead of two antennas at the transmitter and receiver (2×2 single-user MIMO) to be introduced up to eight antennas for the downlink (8×8 single-user MIMO). For upload, still four antennas are used. Simultaneously by using multiple antennas, a plurality of data streams on the same frequency is transmitted. This not only increases the spectral efficiency, but also the transmission quality.

When the spectral efficiency of LTE-Advanced will even peak values of up to 30 bits/s/Hz can be achieved in the download as well as 15 bits / s / Hz in the upload. LTE has the merit to 15 bits / s / Hz when receiving and at 3.75 bits / s / Hz when sending data. This shows that, although LTE in terms of spectral efficiency can already meet the requirements of IMT-Advanced, but only in the download. The upload, and in the range, it is far from being a 4G technology.

4G: colloquial and technical language

Although often LTE or Mobile WiMAX called 4G technologies, they are from the standpoint of technical standards only further developments in the field of 3G and provide an intermediate step represents some criteria for IMT-Advanced are indeed fulfilled to some extent, by no means all.

Nevertheless, the marketing departments of international mobile operators call the new LTE technology, which is increasingly used in the United States, even as 4G, to illustrate the difference in the speed of data transmission in comparison to UMTS networks. It is becoming apparent that this usage was soon penetrated. Then LTE or similar technology, such as Mobile WiMAX are commonly referred to as 4G technology, and only in the jargon of technical standards still out as 3G technologies.