Mobile Networks Architecture

Chapter 5

The EPS Network 1

The EPS (Evolved Packet System) network is unusual with regards to the 2G (GSM (Global System for Mobile)/GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)) and 3G (UMTS, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) networks, it only offers a data transmission service in PS (Packet Service) mode, whose main characteristic is that it increases the peak rate.

In order to provide a telephone service, the EPS network only produces voice and signaling transport, which are considered to be data. Signaling and voice processing is carried out by the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) network, outside of the mobile network.

Section 5.1 explains the architecture of the EPS mobile network, which consists of two sub-systems: the eUTRAN (evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network); and the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network and UE (User Equipment) mobiles.

Section 5.2 develops the characteristics of the physical layer of the radio interface. After dealing with the radio resource access mode, the section continues with the detailed description of the signals and the physical channels.

Section 5.3 sets out the procedures concerning the establishment of a connection between the mobile and the connecting radio station, the mobile’s location update, session establishment and intra- and inter-system handover management.

5.1. Network architecture

5.1.1. Network components

The EPS network consists of an EPC network and an eUTRAN access network. The EPS network only offers a data transmission ...