UMTS System Architecture

Chapter 4
This chapter is designed to provide the student with the UMTS concept and network architecture.

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter the student will be able to: explain the UMTS concept describe differences of GSM and UMTS cells and handover understand the common GSM / UMTS network architecture summarize the functional units of the common GSM / UMTS network define functions of the new GSM Phase 2+ and UMTS Phase 1 network elements

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4 UMTS System Architecture

Table of Contents
Topic Page

THE UMTS CONCEPT.........................................................................81

KEY DATA FOR UMTS ............................................................................................... 82 IMT-2000 / UMTS CONCEPT...................................................................................... 84 HIERARCHICAL CELL STRUCTURES HCS.............................................................. 86 CELL SIZES................................................................................................................. 86 HANDOVER................................................................................................................. 88

COEXISTENCE OF GSM & UMTS NETWORK ELEMENTS ..............90

UMTS PHASE 1: COMMON GSM / UMTS NETWORK.............................................. 91 GSM-PLMN (PHASE1/2) ............................................................................................. 91 ENHANCEMENTS OF THE GSM NETWORK IN GSM PHASE 2+ ........................... 93 GPRS INTERFACES ................................................................................................... 95 CUSTOMISED APPLICATIONS FOR MOBILE NETWORK ENHANCED LOGIC CAMEL ............................................................................................................ 97 UMTS PHASE 1........................................................................................................... 99

UMTS TERRESTRIAL RADIO ACCESS NETWORK UTRAN ..........101

UMTS TERRESTRIAL RADIO ACCESS NETWORK UTRAN.................................. 102 UMTS INTERFACES: ................................................................................................ 104 LOGICAL RNC TYPES.............................................................................................. 104 SUMMARY................................................................................................................. 106

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THE UMTS CONCEPT

4 4 UMTS UMTS
System System Architecture Architecture

The TheUMTS UMTS Concept Concept

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KEY DATA FOR UMTS

UMTS should provide access to all applications which are currently served by several different first and second Generation systems, e.g.: Cordless Systems using TDD (DECT, W-PBX, WLL,..) Private Mobile Radio PMR systems using FDD (TETRA,..) Public cellular systems using FDD (GSM, IS-95, PDC, DAMPS) Mobile Satellite Systems (IRIDIUM, ICO, Globalstar,..)

Depending on Mobile Stations MS speed UMTS will support data rate transmission from 8 to 2048 kbit/s: up to 2048 kbit/s will be available for restricted mobility, i.e. stationary or slow moving terminals with maximum speed of 10 km/h up to 384 kbit/s (later-on 512 kbit/s) will be available for medium range mobility, i.e. maximum speed of 120 kbit/s up to 144 kbit/s (later-on 384 kbit/s) will be available for high range mobility, i.e. maximum speed of 500 km/h up to 144 kbit/s should be available for world-wide mobility at highest speed

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UMTS: UMTS: 100 Application Applicationfields fields

MBS
10
(Mobile Broad Band System)

UMTS
covers 2 G cordless & cellular system applications enhances data rates up to 2 Mbit/s

fixed network

WLAN
(Wireless Local Area Network)

Data rate [Mbit/s]

1.0

3 G: UMTS
2 G TDD
cordless
(DECT, W-PBX, WLL)

0.1

FDD + TDD 2 G FDD

cellular systems (GSM, PDC, D-AMPS, IS-95,..) Outdoor

0.01

Indoor Office / Room stationary Building low mobility Hot Spots low mobility

Urban medium mobility

Suburban / Rural high mobility

Source: UMTS Task Force Report

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IMT-2000 / UMTS CONCEPT

World-wide access to UMTS, as a member of IMT-2000 family, should be guaranteed at any time. For this purpose, the worldwide service area is divided into four zones of different coverage, mobility and available data rates.

Zone 1:Indoor, low range outdoor

Zone 1 corresponds to Indoor service areas with stationary terminals or pedestrian speed (less than 10 km/h) and extremely high user densities. At these very low speed range, data transmission should range up to 2048 kbit/s. The UMTS service area of zone 1 is called Pico-Cell. Served areas are several 10 m around the Base Station. Examples of these service areas are offices, floors of a building, private residential areas,... Demanded services are speech connections of very high quality, video telephony and conferences, transfer of very large files, Inter- and Intranet access,...

Zone 2: Urban
Zone 2 corresponds to the supply of so-called Hot Spots of urban areas with high user density. Mobility ranges are stationary / pedestrian speed (less than 10 km/h) or low speed with maximum 120 km/h. At these speed ranges, data transmission should range up to 2048 kbit/s or 384 kbit/s. The UMTS service area of zone 2 is called Micro-Cell. Served areas are several 100 m around the Base Station. Examples of these service areas are airport terminals, railway stations, stock markets, public places, urban city areas,... The demanded services are comparable to those of zone 1 plus telematic services, location information,...

Zone 3: Suburban / Rural

Zone 3 covers the urban, suburban and rural areas with medium user density. Mobility ranges are low or high speed with maximum 120 km/h or 500 km/h. Data transmission should range up to 384 kbit/s or 144 kbit/s. The UMTS service area of zone 3 is called Macro-Cell which is comparable to normal GSM cells. Served areas are several km around the Base Station. Zone 3 will be used comparable to
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current cellular systems, including services for all terrestrial traffic. Demanded services are speech or video connections, telematic services, location information, paging information, SMS,...

Zone 4: Global
Zone 4 covers world-wide all areas which are not covered by Zone 1 3, i.e. rural areas, mountains, deserts and maritime zones of low user density. The demanded mobility in Zone 4 is extremely different and ranges from stationary (single buildings, remote measurement stations) over medium velocity (terrestrial vehicles, boats,..) up to highest velocities with 1000 km/h at maximum (airplanes). Data transmission should range up to 144 kbit/s Zone 4 is called Global Zone and will be served by Mobile Satellite Systems MSS.

IMT-2000 IMT-2000//UMTS UMTS Concept Concept Zone 4: Global MSS

4 Zone Concept max. data rate correlated to mobility (max. speed)

Zone 3: Suburban / Rural

Zone 2: Urban / Hot Spot

Zone 1: Indoor

Macro-Cell

Micro-Cell

Pico-Cell

Data Rate

144 kbit/s

144 kbit/s 500 km/h

384 kbit/s
120 km/h

2048 kbit/s
< 10 km/h

mobility 1000 km/h

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HIERARCHICAL CELL STRUCTURES HCS

The introduction of HCS has started currently in GSM networks with the introduction of Micro Cells for areas with high user density additional to the normal GSM Macro Cells. Pico-Cells for Indoor applications are also included in the GSM. For UMTS the three different terrestrial zones with Macro, Micro and Pico Cells are planed at the initial commercial start. The hierarchical concept enables the existence of different cell types at the same place, if necessary. The different hierarchy levels are separated by their available frequencies. Mobile Stations are separated by their speed to the different cells of different hierarchy. MS of low speed are located to the cell of lowest available hierarchy. If a MS speeds up they will be relocated in a cell of a higher hierarchy level and vice versa.

CELL SIZES
UMTS Macro Cells normally will serve larger service area and MS with medium or high speed (up to 120 km/h or 500 km/h). Service areas in long-term will be comparable to current GSM networks. Different to GSM cells UMTS cells will be of smaller size. GSM900 cells have radius of up to 35 km and with the GSM Phase 2+ Extended Cell concept up to 100 km. GSM1800 cells have radius of up to 8 km. UMTS Macro Cells will have a radius of up to 5 km. Data rates of up to 384 kbit/s should be provided. Existing GSM operator without UMTS licenses might realize comparable service with the introduction of EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for the GSM evolution). UMTS Micro Cells for urban Hot Spots will normally serve MS of low speed (up to 10 km/h). Data rates of 2048 kbit/s will be possible in this case. An enhancement of GSM for comparable service is not foreseen / impossible. Comparable to GSM Micro Cells UMTS Micro cells will serve several 10 up to several 100 m in radius. UMTS Pico Cells will normally be used with unlicensed frequencies for Indoor Applications (comparable to current DECT solution) for MS of low speed (up to 10 km/h). Data rates of 2048 kbit/s will be possible. Comparable to DECT UMTS Micro Cells will serve several 10 m in buildings and up to some 100 m outside (low range outside).

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Hierarchical HierarchicalCell CellStructures Structures

UMTS: UMTS:HCS HCS

Macro Cell

large coverage ( GSM) high mobility (< 120 / 500 km/h) max. 384 / 144 kbit/s

Micro Cell
Hot Spots max. 2048/384 kbit/s low / medium mobility (< 10 / 120 km/h) several 100 m

Pico Cell
Indoor / low range outdoor low mobility (<10 km/h) max. 2048 kbit/s several 10 m HCS: Macro / Micro & Pico Cells

GSM 900 GSM 1800 UMTS

Macro Cell Radius

(max.)

35 km (100 km)

8 km

5 km

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HANDOVER
The Handover procedure is defined as the change of a physical channel during an existing connection. Intra-Cell Handover: the physical channel is changed in the same cell Inter-Cell Handover: the connection changes over to another cell.

Inter-Cell Handover shall be possible in the hierarchical cell concept between all different hierarchy level in UMTS, to the Mobile Satellite Systems and to GSM cells.

For GSM and UMTS there exist different types of Inter Cell Handover: Hard Handover: the connection uses at a certain time always only one physical channel. For a short time physical channels are offered by both cells involved into the Handover, but only one channel is used at a certain time. Hard Handover are used in GSM and will be used for the TDD component of UMTS. Soft Handover: in a larger region between the BTS of two different cells the MS is served by both BTS. Thus, the connection uses two physical channel at the same time. Soft Handover are used in 2 G CDMA systems and will be used for the FDD component of UMTS. Sometimes the term Very Soft Handover is used to determine the state of being connected to three different cells in one connection at a certain time.

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Handover HandoverHOV HOV

UMTS: Hard & Soft HOV

DL UL UL DL DL UL

hard hardHandover Handover

GSM GSM UMTS UMTS(TDD) (TDD) Interfrequency InterfrequencyHOV HOV

soft softHandover Handover

2 2G GCDMA CDMAsystems systems UMTS (FDD) UMTS (FDD)

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COEXISTENCE OF GSM & UMTS NETWORK ELEMENTS

4 4 UMTS UMTS
System System Architecture Architecture
common

PSTN / ISDN

Core Network
(incl. GSM Phase 2+ network elements)

PDN
(Intra- / Internet)

GSM
Base Station Subsystem

UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

BSS

UTRAN

Coexistence Coexistence of ofGSM GSM& &UMTS UMTS network networkelements elements

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UMTS PHASE 1: COMMON GSM / UMTS NETWORK

In the initial Phase of UMTS the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network UTRAN will be added to GSM networks. The Core Network CN, i.e. the Network Switching Subsystem NSS and the Operation SubSystem OSS, will be commonly used by the GSM Radio Access, the Base Station SubSystem BSS (via A interface) and UTRAN (via Iu interface). To add UTRAN network elements to GSM networks the GSM Core Network has to be enhanced by GSM Phase 2+ GPRS and CAMEL network elements. Pure UMTS terminals enabling high data rate transmission (384 / 2048 kbit/s) will be served via UMTS air interface Uu, GSM MS by GSM air interface Um (up to 115 / 171 kbit/s with HSCSD / GPRS or up to 384 kbit/s with EDGE). Dual-Mode GSM/UMTS terminals might use the total range of applications depending on the serving cell (GSM/UMTS).

GSM-PLMN (PHASE1/2)
The Network Switching Subsystem NSS in GSM Phase1/2 consists of: Mobile Services switching Centre MSC with functions equal to a fixed network exchange plus mobile specific functions, e.g. access to subscriber or mobile equipment data bases, Paging, Inter-MSC Handover,,.. Visitor Location Register VLR; each VLR is associated with an MSC; it stores temporary all relevant user data of all activated MS in the MSC/VLR service area (incl. Location Area) and initiates the authentication procedure,.. Home Location Register HLR, which stores permanent (e.g. numbers, available services,..) and temporary subscriber data, e.g. the current MSC/VLR area Authentication Center AC which stores and creates important subscriber data and keys. These data / keys are used for authentication and ciphering. Equipment Identification Register EIR which stores the International Mobile Equipment Identities IMEIs and enables barring of stolen Mobile Equipment ME.

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The Base Station Subsystem BSS consists of: Base Station Controller BSC, which is the central unit of each BSS; the BSC switches connections from TRAUs to BTSs, supervises all BTS and TRAU, is responsible for the Radio Resource Management and stores the BSS data base. Base Transceiver Station BTS, serves a single GSM cell; HF signals are sent and received, user data and signalling converted from / for the air interface, security of transmission realized (redundancy / ciphering) Transcoding and Rate Adaptation Unit TRAU, which (de)compresses user speech or filters data transmission for air interface transmission The Operation SubSystem OSS consists of: Operation and Maintenance Centres OMC, which are used for centralized Operation, Administration and Maintenance tasks.

GSM-PLMN GSM-PLMN (Phase (Phase1/2) 1/2)

PDN

OSS
Operation SubSystem OMC MSC VLR T R A U HLR AC OMC BSC
MS = ME + SIM

ISDN PSTN

BTS

EIR

external networks

BSS

NSS
Network Switching Subsystem

RSS
Radio SubSystem

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Mobile Station MS

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ENHANCEMENTS OF THE GSM NETWORK IN GSM PHASE 2+

The GSM network of GSM Phase1/2 has to be enhanced by GSM Phase 2+ features GPRS and CAMEL to prepare the introduction of UMTS. The classic GSM network has to be enhanced by several new network elements and functions as well as new protocol stacks.

General Packet Radio Services GPRS

To introduce GPRS services the GSM NSS architecture will be extended by two network elements: Gateway GPRS Support Node GGSN, which has functions comparable to a Gateway MSC; it is an interworking node between GSM/GPRS PLMN and external Packet Data Network PDN (e.g. Internet, X.25) It contains routing information for attached GPRS user and tunnels the user data to the MSs current point of attachment, i.e. the SGSN. Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN, which is on the same hierarchical level as an MSC and realized functions comparable to a Visited MSC / VLR. SGSN participates into routing and mobility management. It detects and registers new GPRS MS located in its service area and transfers data packet between MSs and GGSNs. SGSN and GGSN functionalitys may be combined in the same physical node or reside in different physical nodes. Furthermore, enhancements of existing GSM network elements are necessary for the GPRS introduction: a Packet Control Unit PCU must be integrated into the BSS. It is responsible for adaptation of protocols from SGSN to the air interface and segmentation / re-assembly of user and signalling data. Furthermore, the PCU is responsible for channel access control functions and radio channel management functions. the functions of a Channel Codec Unit CCU are to be added to a BTS for GPRS channel coding and radio channel measurement functions an HLR Extension is necessary for storage of GPRS subscription and routing information (SGSN number) new GPRS MS for packet switched data transfer and channel combining are necessary (Type A / B / C for: simultaneous
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processing of GPRS & Non-GPRS services / non simultaneous processing of GPRS & Non-GPRS services / only GPRS services)

GSM-Phase GSM-Phase2+ 2+ GPRS GPRS

GSM Phase 1/2 GPRS external networks

Introduction of Packet Switching new network elements new network functions new interfaces new protocol stacks

NSS

HLR

HLR
Extension

BSS
GPRSMS
Class A/B/C

PSTN ISDN

GMSC & VLR

VMSC & VLR PCU

Packet Control Unit

Inter- / Intranet X.25

GGSN
Gateway GPRS Support Node

SGSN
Serving GPRS Support Node

CCU
Channel Codec Unit

GSS
GPRS Switching Subsystem

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GPRS INTERFACES
Several new interfaces have been defined by ETSI for the introduction of GPRS additionally to the GSM interfaces A G & Um of GSM Phase1/2: Gi: connecting external Packet Data Networks PDN to the GSM/GPRS PLMN (GGSN) Gn: connecting different GPRS support nodes GSNs (GGSN / SGSN) of the same PLMN Gb: connecting SGSN and BSS Gd: connecting SGSN and SMS-GMSC / SMS-IWMSC Gr: connecting SGSN and HLR Gs: connecting SGSN and MSC/VLR Gp: connecting GPRS support nodes GSNs of different PLMNs Gc: connecting GGSN and HLR Gf: connecting SGSN and EIR The interfaces Gi, Gn, Gb, Gp and Gd are used to transfer user data and signalling information. The interfaces Gr, Gs, Gc and Gf are used to transfer signalling information only.

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GPRS: GPRS: new newInterfaces Interfaces

E

SMS-GMSC SMS-IWMSC

SM-SC C

GSM Phase 1/2 GPRS external networks

Gd D MSC/VLR Gs A GPRS MS Um BSS Gn Gb Gn Gr Gc Gi HLR

HLR
Extension

SGSN
Gp

GGSN
Gf EIR

PDN

TE

SGSN SGSN
other PLMN

Signalling & Data transfer Signalling only

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CUSTOMISED APPLICATIONS FOR MOBILE NETWORK ENHANCED LOGIC CAMEL

CAMEL provides a toolkit to create different operator specific services by modifying GSMs call handling. CAMEL is to be used even when roaming outside the Home PLMN. CAMEL is based on Intelligent Network IN. In order to enable CAMEL services the GSM network has to be enhanced by a CAMEL Service Environment CSE. The CSE consists of: GSM Service Switching Functions gsmSSF, which is a functional entity that interfaces the MSC / GMSC to the gsm SCF. The MSC is upgraded to include the gsmSSF. GSM Service Control Functions gsmSCF, which is a functional entity that contains the CAMEL service logic. The gsmSCF modifies the GSM call handling. Different to normal IN, the MSC/gsmSSF and the gsmSCF can be in different networks (VPLMN/HPLMN). Originating CAMEL Subscription Information O-CSI, which identifies the subscriber as having originating CAMEL services; the O-CSI are stored in the HLR for subscribers requiring CAMEL support. A CAMEL Application Part CAP is introduced for the transfer of information between gsmSSF and gsmSCF. The Mobile Application Part MAP is enhanced to support the transfer of OCSI information.

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GSM-Phase GSM-Phase2+ 2+ CAMEL CAMEL

Introduction of IN Services: CAMEL Service Environment CSE gsmSCF, gsmSSF, CSI new protocol (CAP)

O-CSI
Originating-Camel Subscription Information

gsmSCF
GSM Service Control Function

HLR

VPLMN
gsm

MSC

SSF
Service Switching Function

MSC

gsm

SSF HPLMN

GSM Phase 1/2

CSE

CAP: CAMEL Application Part

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UMTS PHASE 1
In the initial Phase of UMTS introduction a common GSM / UMTS Core Network serves both GSM radio access BSS and the UMTS radio access UTRAN. Necessary enhancements of the GSM (Phase1/2) NSS to be used as common GSM / UMTS Core Network are the introduction of GPRS GSNs: SGSN and GGSN and a CSE. The GSM Core Network for UMTS introduction will be defined in the GSM Annual Release 99. The UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network UTRAN will cover isolated island (e.g. city centres, business areas, industrial plants, etc.) while the overall (international) coverage will be provided by the GSM Phase 2+ infrastructure.

Specific InterWorking Units IWU will be used to connect UTRAN to the GSM / GPRS network. The interface between UTRAN and the IWUs is named Iu. UMTS is optimized for transfer of large data volumina with high data rates. Also speech services will be available. Speech and circuit switched low data rate services will be transferred from an UMTS IWU via A interface to a GSM VMSC. Large data files are transported from an UMTS IWU via Gb interface to a SGSN. GPRS Support Nodes GSNs (SGSN, GGSN) will be used to transport the UMTS packet data to external networks (Internet, Intranet, X.25,..).

The Camel Service Environment CSE will enable the use of UMTS Virtual Home Environment VHE services.

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UMTS UMTS Introduction Introduction

external networks GSM Phase 1/2 GSM Phase 2+ UMTS Phase 1

UMTS Phase 1 =
GSM Phase 1/2 + GSM Phase 2+ (GPRS + CAMEL) + UTRAN

CSE HLR
HLR
Extension

GSM BSS

GSM MS

A
PSTN ISDN

GMSC & VLR

VMSC & VLR IWF

GSM & UMTS

CN
Core Network (for GSM & UMTS)

Gb
SGSN

UTRAN
IWF

Inter- / Intranet X.25

GGSN
Gateway GPRS Support Node

Iu
UMTS MS

Serving GPRS Support Node

UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

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UMTS TERRESTRIAL RADIO ACCESS NETWORK UTRAN

4 4 UMTS UMTS
System System Architecture Architecture

CN
Core Network
for GSM & UMTS

Iu

UTRAN
UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

Uu

UMTS MS

UTRAN UTRAN

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UMTS TERRESTRIAL RADIO ACCESS NETWORK UTRAN

UTRAN is the first UMTS module to be defined. UTRAN combined with GSM Phase 2+ network elements (and UMTS Mobile Stations) will enable UMTS multimedia services. UTRAN will be based on familiar principles and concepts from GSM. No need exists for conceptually new network entities. The main difference to the GSM BSS are the transmission principles of the air interface (Wideband CDMA instead of FDMA / TDMA).

Radio Network Systems RNS:

UTRAN is subdivided into single RNS. A single RNS is controlled by a Radio Network Controller RNC and incorporates a flexible number of UMTS cells, which are served by Base Transceiver Stations BTS.

Radio Network Controller RNC:

At a higher level the RNC functionality is similar to a GSM BSC (Base Station Controller) . The RNS is managed and supervised by one central RNC. The RNCs are the central intelligence of UTRAN and will have even more competence than BSCs. Different to BSCs, the RNCs will be interconnected by a new interface Iur. Any RNC may be connected to zero, one or many other RNCs via Iur interface. The RNC is interconnected via Iubis interface to one or more Node B. Interworking Functions IWF: To connect 2nd generation GSM CN IWFs are necessary. The IWFs can be placed with the RNC in UTRAN.

Node B:
Node B (or Site Controller) are the entities realizing from one site one or more BTS. One or more cells are served from this site. Every Node B will be managed and controlled by only one RNC.

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UMTS Base Transceiver Station BTS:

BTS are the functional units of lowest level in the PLMN and serve one single UMTS cell. The UMTS BTS realizes via UMTS air interface Uu the contact to UMTS User Equipment UE.

UMTS UMTS Introduction Introduction

UTRAN
RNS
Radio Network System
BTS

Cells
Node B

RNC
Radio Network Controller

Iub
Node B

BTS

Uu

BTS

IWF

CN
Core Network
for GSM & UMTS

Iu

Iur
Node B IWF
BTS

RNC
Radio Network Controller

BTS

Iub
BTS

Uu

RNS
Radio Network System

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UMTS INTERFACES:
Iu: UTRAN is connected to the Core Network CN via Iu interface. Uu: The UMTS User Equipment UE (Mobile Stations MS / Personal Digital Assistants PDA) are connected via UMTS air interface Uu. Iur: Interface to connect different RNCs. In GSM there exists no comparable interface. The Iur interface is needed for soft Handover between RNCs. Iubis: The Iubis interface interconnects the Node B with one / several UMTS BTS to the RNC. Iubis is a proprietary solution, i.e. Iubis is not standardized as an open interface. Iu, Iur and Uu are open standard interfaces enabling flexible connections of multi-vendor equipment.

LOGICAL RNC TYPES

Concerning one connection between UTRAN and an UMTS MS the following roles of RNCs exist: Serving RNC: controlling the active MSs Drift RNC: controlling the radio resources of given Base Stations BS (one Node B with one / several BTS). The Drift RNC is involved in a connection if the specific connection uses a BS controlled by the DRNC. Serving RNC can be relocated during the connection. No fixed point in UTRAN is needed, i.e. no Anchor RNC (Anchor point is in the MSC / SGSN like in GSM).

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RNC RNC logical logicaltypes types

MSC/VLR or SGSN

Serving RNC: controls active MSs Drift RNC: controls Radio Resources of given BSs

MSC/VLR or SGSN

Iu
S-RNC & D-RNC

Iu
S-RNC & D-RNC

Iur

D-RNC

All branches from UTRAN controlled by a single RNC or only Hard Handover: Iur not exploited

No Anchor RNC:
S-RNC can be re-located during connection

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SUMMARY
The world-wide UMTS service area is divided into four zones of different coverage and traffic volume: Pico Cells for Indoor applications, Micro Cells for Hot Spot Urban applications, Macro Cells for Suburban and Rural areas and Global Cells for world-wide coverage of areas with very low user density. Hierarchical Cell Structures enable seamless access and optimize spectrum usage. The maximum available data rate is correlated to the users mobility: 2048 kbit/s for pedestrian velocity (max. 10 km/h), 384 kbit/s for medium velocity (max. 120 km/h) and 144 kbit/s for high speed applications (max. 500 / 1000 km/h). GSM Phase1/2 networks have to be enhanced by GSM Phase 2+ features GPRS and CAMEL for the UMTS introduction. GPRS network elements (GPRS Support Nodes: GGSN and SGSN) interfaces and protocols enable efficient usage (packet switched data transfer) of network & radio resources, necessary for data transfer (GSM & UMTS) with high data rates. UMTS introduction (UMTS Phase 1) will be realized by adding the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network UTRAN to enhanced GSM Phase 2+ networks. The GSM Phase 2+ Core Network CN serves both for UMTS Radio Access via UTRAN and GSM Radio Access via the GSM BSS. In UMTS Phase 2 a new UMTS Core Network will enable a homogeneous UMTS network with full UMTS capabilities & global UMTS Multimedia Roaming. UTRAN is subdivided into Radio Network Systems RNS, which are controlled by Radio Network Controller RNC. One RNC controls one or several Node B, which are entities incorporating one or several UMTS BTS.

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Summary Summary
UMTS Concept
4 Zone Concept (Pico- / Mico- / Macro- / Global- Cell) for global access & different traffic volume handling Hierarchical Cell Structures enabling seamless access maximum data rate depending on mobility (maximum speed)

UMTS System Architecture

GPRS & CAMEL network elements & protocols preparing UMTS UMTS Phase 1 = GSM Phase 1/2 & GSM Phase 2+ & UTRAN UTRAN = RNCs + Node B (UMTS BTS) UMTS specific new interfaces: Iu, Iur, Iub, Uu

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