Journal of Engineering Education and Applied Science Vol.01, Issue.

01

Study on Basic Principles and Signaling functions of eNodeB in LTE

Network
Naing Naing Kyaw
Department of Electronic Engineering, Technological University (Taunggyi), Myanmar
naingnaingkyaw.tgi@gmail.com


Abstract— This paper covers most of the aspects of the LTE The frequency spectrum used in mobile
network architecture starting from the EUTRAN, going communication is shown in Table 1 [14].
through signaling functions and convergence with the EPC.
The aim of this study is to offer comprehensive coverage of
background theoretical and technological knowledge of the
access network EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial
Radio Access Network) and the core network EPC (Evolved
Packet Core) focusing on LTE (Long Term Evolution)
network. The presentation starts from basic principles and
proceeds smoothly to the signaling functions on eNodeB and
MME. The two important protocol stacks which are user
plane and control plane stack are introduced. To generate Figure 2. Evolution of air interface technologies
handover and signaling procedures, automatic establishing of
X2 interface on two eNodeBs and S1 interface between Following this trend, the 5G cellular system is
eNodeB and MME are also analyzed by using MAPsTM expected to be standardized and deployed by the early
software.
2020s. Evolution of 4G to 5G standardization is shown in
Keywords— LTE, EUTRAN, EPC, eNodeB, MME.. Fig.2 [11].
I. INTRODUCTION
II. LTE NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
Mobile communications were largely introduced by
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) at the The work on Long Term Evolution (LTE) was initiated
beginning of the 1990s. From GPRS (General Packet in late 2004 with the overall aim of providing a new radio-
Radio Service) to 3G (Third Generation) and 3G+, the access technology focusing on packet-switched data only.
evolution of the mobile telecommunication has the limited In parallel to the development of LTE, there has also been
bandwidth which is not able to cope with the new an evolution of the overall 3GPP (Third Generation
multimedia applications. The promised bit rates are Partnership Project) network architecture, termed System
approaching those offered by the fiber optic local Architecture Evolution (SAE) [5].
loop [4].
A. Access Network and Core Network
The overall LTE network architecture has two distinct
components: the access network and the core network. The
access network is the EUTRAN (Evolved Universal
Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and the core network is
called the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) as shown in Fig.3
[14].

Figure 1. Evolution of mobile systems

A new generation of cellular system appears every 10

years or so, with the latest generation 4G (Fourth
Generation) being introduced in 2011 [11]. The evolution
of mobile communication is shown in Fig.1.

Table 1. Frequency spectrum use in Myanmar

Figure 3. The LTE network architecture

The core network is all-IP core network and is fully

Packet Switched (PS). Services like voice, which are
traditionally Circuit Switched (CS), will be handled using
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network. Network

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complexity and latency are reduced as there are fewer and the EPC. The goals of the overall system include the
hops in both the data (user) plane and control (signaling) following:
plane. EUTRAN and EPC together constitute the Evolved
Packet System (EPS).  Improved system capacity and coverage

Both radio access network and core network  High peak data rates
could achieve many functionalities including:  Low latency (both user plane and control plane)
 Network Access Control Functions  Reduced operating costs
 Packet Routing and Transfer Functions  Multi-antenna support
 Mobility Management Functions  Flexible bandwidth operations
 Security Functions  Seamless integration with existing systems
 Radio Resource Management Functions (UMTS, WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), etc.). [9].

 Network Management Functions [4]

Table 3. 3GPP Releases
B. User Equipment
The LTE mobile station is called User Equipment
(UE). It is constructed using a modular architecture that
consists of three main components as shown in Fig.4.

3GPP Release versions and uplink and downlink data

rates are depicted in Table 3 and LTE parameter and
details are illustrated in Table 4.
Figure 4. Modular architecture of a UE

The actual communication device is known as the Table 4. LTE specifications

Mobile Equipment (ME).
 Mobile Termination: which handles all the
communication functions
 Terminal Adapter: which handle the termination
of the application-specific service Protocols.
 Terminal Equipment: which terminates the data
streams [12].

Table 2. UE categories

III. EVOLVED UNIVERSAL TERRESTRIAL RADIO ACCESS

NETWORK (EUTRAN)
The LTE radio network is referred to as the EUTRAN.
It is an entirely new air interface system, which provides
higher data rates and lower latency and is optimized for
The most important capabilities are grouped together packet data. It uses OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency
into the UE category. As shown in Table 2, the UE Division Multiple Access) radio access for the downlink
category mainly covers the maximum data rate with which and SC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency Division
the mobile can transmit and receive [8]. Multiple Access) for the uplink [4]. The air interface is
referred to as the LTE Uu interface as shown in Fig.3 and
C. LTE Requirements is the only interface in wireless networks that is always
wireless [10].
LTE requirements cover two fundamental components
of the evolved UMTS system architecture: the EUTRAN The EUTRAN in LTE architecture consists of a single
node, i.e., the eNodeB that interfaces with the user

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equipment (UE). The aim of this simplification is to (Remote Radio Head), and significant savings can be
reduce the latency of all radio interface operations. achieved, especially if the antennas and the base station
eNodeBs are connected to each other via the X2 interface, cabinet cannot be installed close to each other [10]. The
and they connect to the PS core network via the S1 eNodeB is a combination of Pico antenna, RRU (Radio
interface as shown in Fig.5 [4]. Remote Unit) and OTB (Optical Termination Box). Fig.6
shows eNodeB of the LTE site.

A. Pico Antenna
A picocell as shown in Fig.7 is a small cell base station
typically covering a small area, such as in building
(offices, shopping malls, train stations, stock exchanges,
etc.) or more recently in aircraft. In cellular networks,
picocells are typically used to extend coverage to indoor
areas where outdoor signals do not reach well, or to add
network capacity in areas with very dense phone usage,
such as train stations or stadiums. Picocells provide
coverage and capacity in areas difficult or expensive to
reach using the more traditional microcell approach.

Figure 5. EUTRAN architecture

eNodeB (the base station) is the most complex device

in the LTE network. eNodeBs consist of three major
elements:
 the antennas, which are the most visible parts of a
mobile network;
 radio modules that modulate and demodulate all
signals transmitted or received on the air interface;
Figure 7. Picocell antenna
 digital modules that process all signals transmitted
and received on the air interface and that act as an Picocells offer many of the benefits of "small cells"
(similar to femtocells) in that they improve data
interface to the core network over a high-speed throughput for mobile users and increase capacity in the
backhaul connection. mobile network. In particular, the integration of picocells
with macrocells through a heterogeneous network can be
useful in seamless hand-offs and increased mobile data
capacity.
Picocells are available for most cellular technologies
including GSM, CDMA, UMTS and LTE from
manufacturers including IP.access, ZTE, Huawei and
Airwalk. Typically, the range of a picocell is 200 meters
or less, and a femtocell is on the order of 10 meters [19].
In a mobile telecommunication system, two main
factors limit a cell’s performance: coverage and capacity.
Coverage is more important in rural areas, since a mobile
far from the base station may not receive a signal that is
strong enough for it to recover the transmitted information.
Capacity is more important in urban areas, since every cell
is limited by a maximum data rate [8].

B. Radio Remote Unit ( RRU )

A Remote Radio Head (RRH), also called a Remote
Radio Unit (RRU) in wireless networks, is a remote radio
transceiver that connects to an operator radio control panel
via electrical or wireless interface. When used to describe
Figure 6. eNodeB in LTE site
aircraft radio cockpit radio systems, the control panel is
Many vendors use an optical connection between the often called the radio head.
radio module and the digital module. This way, the radio In wireless system technologies such as GSM, CDMA,
module can be installed close to the antennas, which UMTS, LTE the radio equipment is remote to the BTS/
reduces the length of costly coaxial copper cables to the NodeB/ eNodeB. The equipment is used to extend the
antennas. This concept is also referred to as RRH coverage of a BTS/ NodeB/ eNodeB in challenging

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environments such as rural areas or tunnels. They are

generally connected to the BTS/ NodeB/ eNodeB via a
fiber optic cable using Common Public Radio Interface
protocols.
RRHs also have operation and management processing
capabilities and a standardized optical interface to connect
to the rest of the base station. Remote radio heads
make MIMO operation easier; they increase a base Figure 10. Wall mount Optical Distribution Frame
station's efficiency and facilitate easier physical location
for gap coverage problem [20].
E. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)
The RRU can be configured to communicate with a Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) is
baseband unit (BBU) via a physical communication link an optical multiplexing technology used to increase
and communicate with a wireless mobile device via an air bandwidth over existing fiber networks.
interface. The BBU is placed in the equipment room and
can be configured for media access control (MAC) layer
processing [17].

Figure 11. DWDM module

Figure 8. LTE Remote Radio Head (RRH)
DWDM works by combining and transmitting
As shown in Fig.8, RRU can be installed in a low-
multiple signals simultaneously at different wavelengths
profile arrangement along a rooftop, or can involve a
on the same fiber. The technology creates multiple virtual
much higher tower arrangement [20].
fibers, thus multiplying the capacity of the physical
medium [18]. DWDM module is shown in Figure 11.
C. Optical Termination Box ( OTB )
Fiber Termination Box (FTB), known as optical IV. THE EVOLVED PACKET CORE (EPC) NETWORK.
termination box (OTB) as well, is a compact fiber
distribution solution of small size. It is widely used in
cabling for both fiber cabling and cable management. In
some cases, fiber termination box can be regarded as the
mini size of fiber optic patch panel and optical distribution
frame (ODF).

Figure 9. Optical Termination Box (OTB)

Figure 12. EPC nodes and interfaces [23]
Fiber termination boxes are usually categorized as wall
mountable fiber terminal boxes and rack mounted fiber The EPC is designed to support non-3GPPP
optic termination boxes. As shown in Fig.9, OTB box are access supports for mobile IP. To improve system
plastic wall mount fiber distribution boxes for splitter or robustness security, integrity protection, and
pigtails [15]. ciphering have been added and represented by Non-
Access Stratum (NAS) plane, which is an additional
D. Optical Distribution Frame (ODF ) layer of abstraction to protect important information
An Optical Distribution Frame (ODF) is a frame used like key and security interworking between 3GPP and
to provide cable interconnections between communication non-3GPP network as shown in Fig.12
facilities, which can integrate fiber splicing, fiber The EPC (Evolved Packet Core) is composed of
termination, fiber optic adapters and connectors and cable several functional entities as follows:
connections together in a single unit. It can also work as a
protective device to protect fiber optic connections from  The MME (Mobility Management Entity).
damage. According to the structure, ODFs can mainly be  The Serving Gateway.
divided into three types, namely wall mount ODF, floor
mount ODF and rack mount ODF. Fig.10 shows the wall  The PDN Gateway (Packet Data Network).
mount ODF [16].

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 The PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) the application data between the UE and application
server.
 The HSS (Home Subscriber Service); [1]
The Mobility Management Entity is the control-plane
node of the EPC. It is responsible for bearer management,
connection management, and it deals with security keys.
In a word, MME processes the signaling between the UE
and the EPC. The protocols running between the UE and
the CN are referred as the Non-Access Stratum (NAS)
protocols.
The Serving Gateway (SGW) is the user-plane node
Figure 14. User plane protocol stack
connecting the EPC to the LTE RAN. The SGW acts as
a mobility anchor when terminals move between
eNodeBs, as well as a mobility anchor for other The control plane protocol stack is responsible for
3GPP technologies (GSM/GPRS and HSPA). transferring signaling messages. The Radio Resource
Collection of information and statistics necessary for Control (RRC) control plane protocol stack is used for
charging is also handled by the SGW. signaling between the UE and eNodeB. The RRC protocol
stack and the S 1 protocol stack can be combined to
The Packet Data Network Gateway (PDNGW)
generate the control plane protocol stack used to transfer
connects the EPC to the Internet. Allocation of the IP
address for a specific terminal is handled by the PDNGW, Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages between the UE and
as well as quality-of service enforcement according to the MME. The Mobility Management Entity (MME) within
policy controlled by the PCRF. The PDNGW is also the the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is part of the control plane
mobility anchor for non-3GPP radio-access technologies, protocol stack. The NAS control plane protocol stack is
such as CDMA2000, connected to the EPC. shown in Fig.15 [7].
The Policy Control and Charging Rules Function
(PCRF) is responsible for policy control, QoS handling
and controlling the charging functionalities in the Policy
Control Enforcement Function, which resides in the
PDNGW. It decides how a certain data flow will be
treated.
The Home Subscriber Service (HSS) is a database
containing subscriber information. It's also in charge of
generating security information and performing the Figure 15. NAS control plane protocol stack
authentication of the user [5].
Fig.16 shows addressing distinct LTE requirements for
data and control plane [14].

Figure 16. Addressing distinct LTE requirements for data and control
planes

VI. FUNCTIONS BETWEEN ENODEB AND EPC

The signaling functions beween eNodeB and EPC are
shown in Fig.17.
Figure 13. Cisco EPC devices

To get intelligent performance, cisco devices as shown

in Fig.13 can be used in EPC core network [6].

V. PROTOCOL STACKS
LTE introduces two distinct protocol stacks; the user
(data) plane and a control plane protocol stacks. The user
plane protocol stack is responsible for transferring
application data. Figure 17. S1-MME and S1-U interfaces

Fig.14 illustrates the user plane protocol stack between The S1 interface is divided into two parts:
a UE and an application server. The eNodeB, Serving
Gateway and Packet Data Network (PDN) Gateway relay

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 S1-MME carries signaling messages between the GL’s MAPSTM LTE-S1 Interface Emulator as shown
base station and the MME. In addition it also in Fig.19 is an advanced protocol simulator/tester for LTE
carries signaling messages between the terminal simulation over S1 interface that can simulate S1-AP/NAS
and the MME which are relayed via the base messages and signaling specification as defined by 3GPP
station and piggybacked on radio interface standards. GL’s MAPSTM LTE-S1 network can simulate
signaling messages over the air interface. and test eNodeB and MME. eNodeB is the base station in
 S1-U carries user data between the base station the LTE/SAE S1 interface and also includes MME to
and the Serving GW [10]. S1-U is the reference handle signaling of control plane [22].
point between the EUTRAN and SGW for the per
bearer user plane tunneling and inter-eNodeB B. Typical LTE S1 Signaling Procedure
(Evolved Node B) path switching during
handover. The protocol used at this reference
point is the GPRS Tunneling Protocol for the
User plane (GTP-U) [10].
A. Configuration of S1-MME Interface
S1-MME interface is the reference point for the
control plane protocol between eNodeB and MME. This is
the interface used by the MME to communicate with
eNodeBs on the same LTE Public Land Mobile Network
(PLMN). This interface serves as path for establishing and
maintaining subscriber UE contexts [13].

Figure 18. S1-MME interface protocols

Figure 18. S1-MME interface protocols Figure 20. LTE S1 signaling call flow

Supported protocols of Fig.18 are as follows: A general LTE-S1 signaling scenario as shown in
 Application Layer: S1 Application Protocol Fig.20, the messages between eNodeB and MME are
(S1-AP) simulated using MAPSTM application [22].
 Transport Layer: SCTP
 Network Layer: IPv4, IPv6 VII. INTER-ENODEB HANDOVER OVER X2
 Data Link Layer: ARP When the UE changes its geographic position, a
 Physical Layer: Ethernet handover is required. Ideally, this handover is executed
Dynamic configuration of the Sl-MME interface using the X2 interface as discussed in the following
allows the eNodeB to automatically establish its Sl subsections – as long as the UE does not leave the LTE
interface connections towards one or more MME. The coverage area in general [12].
eNodeB is provided with the IP address of each target
MME prior to interface establishment. Once the Sl Setup A. Configuration of X2 Interface
procedure has been completed, the S 1-MME interface is
established and is ready to transfer subsequent Sl Dynamic configuration of the X2 interface allows the
Application Protocol (Sl-AP) messages [7]. eNodeB to automatically establish its X2 interface
connections towards Target eNodeB. The eNodeB is
provided with the IP address of each Target eNodeB prior
to interface establishment.

Figure 19. GL’s MAPSTM LTE-S1 Interface Emulator

Figure 21. Handover procedure generation using MAPS™ X2AP –
eNodeB

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Once the X2 Setup procedure has been completed, VIII. CONCLUSION

the X2 interface is established and is ready to transfer
subsequent X2 Application Protocol (X2-AP) messages In this study, evolution of the mobile communication
[7]. from 1G to 5G is introduced. The radio access network
(EUTRAN) and the core network (EPC) plays an
GL's MAPS™ (Message Automation and Protocol important role in LTE network architecture. This paper is
Simulation) designed for X2 Application Protocol (X2- mainly focused on basic principles of EUTRAN and
AP) is used to co-ordinate handovers and perform load
management between eNodeB network elements -Source signaling functions of eNodeB and MME in this network.
eNodeB and Target eNodeB. The test is performed as Security is one of the major issues in telecommunication
shown in Fig.21 [23]. world, so the software simulation results are only taken
from GL communication’s MAPs brochure.
B. Typical LTE X2 Procedure
The main purpose of this X2 interface is to minimize ACKNOWLEDGMENT
packet loss due to user mobility [1]. During this The author wishes to express her heartfelt thanks to her
procedure, source eNodeB sends HANDOVER family who supported her during the period of writing this
REQUEST message to target eNodeB, where the paper. The author would also like to express her deepest
necessary resources are reserved, and HANDOVER gratitude to all teachers who taught her everything from
REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message is sent back as childhood till now and to her students who helped her
response as shown in Fig.22 [24]. collecting the required data.
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[20] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remote_ radio_ head
[21] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SystemArchitecture-Evolution
Figure 23. Logical and physical interfaces [22] GL Communications Inc, “MAPS-LTE-S1- Brochuer”.
[23] GL Communications Inc, “Intra-handover procedure in LTE
Naturally, interfaces may also share transmission links. Network”.
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The X2 interface connecting two eNodeBs may physically
be routed from eNodeB A together with the S1 interface
(which connects an eNodeB to an MME in the core
network) to a site in the network with core network
equipment.
From this site, it would be routed back onto the radio
access and finally to eNodeB B. This is illustrated in
Fig.23 [3].

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