Prepared By:

Ahsan Hashmi April 9, 2003

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)

Technical Overview

Table of Contents
Topic Statement ............................................................................................................................................ 2
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................................... 2
Overview.................................................................................................................................................... 2
UMTS Data Rates ..................................................................................................................................... 2
UMTS Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 2
UMTS Spectrum ........................................................................................................................................ 3
UMTS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE ........................................................................................................... 4
PACKET SWITCH NETWORK ..................................................................................................................... 5
Overview.................................................................................................................................................... 5
SGSN......................................................................................................................................................... 5
GGSN ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
CGF ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
UMTS – UE PACKET SESSION .................................................................................................................. 7
SUMMARY.................................................................................................................................................... 9
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................ 10

Figure 1: Data Transfer Rates for Mobile Communication Technologies [10].............................................. 2

Figure 2: Frequency bands for UMTS [7]...................................................................................................... 3
Figure 3: UMTS Network Architecture [7] ..................................................................................................... 4
Figure 4: Packet Switch Interfaces [6] .......................................................................................................... 5
Figure 5: CGF Charging Transfer ................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 6: UMTS Attach.................................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 7: PDP Context Activation ................................................................................................................. 8
Figure 8: Web Server to UE .......................................................................................................................... 9
Universal Mobile Telecommunication System April 9, 2003

Topic The intent of this paper is to provide a brief introduction of Universal Mobile
Statement Telecommunication System (UMTS) and to focus on Packet Switch network
elements especially SGSN & GGSN and their roles during end-to-end packet data
call flow.

INTRODUCTION

Overview Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is the next generation mobile
communication system. It is the evolution of the Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) networks. It is one of the significant new systems being
developed within the framework defined by the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU). The ITU started the process of defining the standards for Third
Generation Systems, referred to as International Mobile Telecommunications 2000
(IMT-2000). In 1998 Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) was formed to
continue the technical specification work. The 3GPP now develops and maintains
the technical specifications for UMTS.

UMTS Data The ITU defines the characteristics of 3G systems collectively known as IMT-2000.
Rates UMTS uses the Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) radio
technology. UMTS offers enhanced data rates of approximately: [8], [10]
2 Mbps – Indoor and low range outdoor
384 kbps – Urban outdoor
144 kbps – Satellite and rural outdoor

Figure 1: Data Transfer Rates for Mobile Communication Technologies [10]

UMTS Purpose Current wireless or mobile systems, despite their evolution, are still constrained in
terms of data rate they can offer and their flexibility to manipulate complex, yet user-
friendly multimedia service. That is, the GSM network was designed primarily for
voice, with a small data capability. The evolution of mobile data technology coupled
with the increased need for users to be mobile has created a customer requirement
for truly rich wireless data service.

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April 9, 2003 UMTS Mobile Telecommunication System

INTRODUCTION, CONTINUED

The UMTS addresses the current mobile systems issues and is designed to deliver
graphics, pictures, video communications, and other multimedia information as well
as voice and data services to mobile wireless subscribers. UMTS has a wide
bandwidth that will allow higher call volumes and will support multimedia data
applications, e.g. video and photography. Furthermore, UMTS has the capability to
support circuit and packet data at higher rates than previously available. This will
result in higher capacity, quality and data rates. [7]

UMTS Adequate access to spectrum is a key requirement for the development of the
Spectrum UMTS. Figure 2 shows the IMT-2000 spectrum situation in some countries and
areas. The Europe and Japan has decided to implement the UTRA – UMTS
Terrestrial Radio Access System – air interface in the paired bands 1920 – 1980
MHz and 2110 – 2170 MHz. Europe has also decided to implement the UTRA in the
unpaired bands 1900 – 1920 MHz and 2010 – 2025 MHz. North America has no new
band allocated to UMTS yet, but operators plan to offer UMTS services on the PCS
band. [7]

Figure 2: Frequency bands for UMTS [7]

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Universal Mobile Telecommunication System April 9, 2003

UMTS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

UMTS as a whole can be divided into three major networks.

UTRAN – Universal Mobile Terrestrial Radio Access Network
Circuit Switch
Packet Switch

Figure 3: UMTS Network Architecture [7]

All communication channels within the UMTS network are divided between Control
and User Planes.
Control Plane
Carries all Control/Signaling messages between entities within the UMTS network.
User Plane
Carries only the user data from the UE (User Element) through the network.

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PACKET SWITCH NETWORK

Overview UMTS packet switch network consists of following network elements.

1. Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)
2. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)
3. Charging Gateway Facility (CGF)
4. Operation & Maintenance Center (OMC)
5. Billing Mediation Devices (BMDs)
6. Other network elements include Routers, ATM Switches, DNS, DHCP,
RADIUS, Firewall and Web servers.

SMS-GMSC
SM-SC
SMS-IWMSC

E C
Gd

MSC/VLR HLR
D
Gs Gr
A Gc
Gi
Gb Gn
UE UTR SGSN GGSN PDN
Ga
Uu Gn Ga
Gp
Billing
CGF System
SGSN GGSN

Other PLMN
Gf EIR

Signalling Interface
Signalling and Data Transfer Interface
Figure 4: Packet Switch Interfaces [6]

SGSN The Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is a key element in UMTS core network,
which provides the appropriate signaling and data interfaces. These include
connection to an IP over ATM based network towards the GGSN, SS7 towards the
HLR/EIR/MSC, TCP/IP or ATM towards the UTRAN as shown in Figure 4.

The SGSN performs several functions such as authenticating the mobile, register it
with HLR, authorizes services and maintains connections establishment and
termination. On the UTRAN side, the SGSN can be connected to many Radio
Network Controller or RNCs and on the network side the SGSN is connected to
many GGSNs, which are Gateways to various services and packet data networks
(PDNs).

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Universal Mobile Telecommunication System April 9, 2003

PACKET SWITCH NETWORK, CONTINUED

The SGSN provides a point-of-attachment for the UMTS mobiles. UEs access the
UMTS network through the SGSN. Once the UE access the SGSN, a logical link is
establish between the SGSN and the UE via the RNS. The SGSN is responsible for
transport of packets to / from UE. In order to do this it must keep track of the current
location of each UE attached to it. [6]

GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is the element in the UMTS network that
provides the doorway to whatever services the mobile has subscribed. For instance,
if the mobile user’s wireless data service provides access to a given ISP then the
SGSN connects the mobile to the GGSN attached to that ISP. The GGSN is then the
anchor point for the duration of the data session such that if the mobile moves to a
different location area and thus to a different SGSN then the SGSN and GGSN
coordinate the move such that the same GGSN is still providing the connection to
the outside world. Thus the main function of GGSN is to accept the data from the
SGSN, apply the appropriate service processing functions and policy-based IP
services to the data, and sends the data to its destination. The service processing
functions that GGSN provides are: authentication, authorization, encryption,
compression, Quality of Service (QoS), and accounting. The GGSN provides
connectivity with external packet data networks, and is connected with SGSNs via an
IP or ATM based UMTS backbone network.

The GGSN performs the UE address management and activation. It is responsible

for the allocation of an address to the UE if required. The GGSN also activates the
UE address so that traffic packets may flow from and to the UE address. When
required, the GGSN may interface with the HLR in order to obtain the location
information for the mobile. The GGSN is designed such that minimal interpretation of
external data protocols is required. [6]

CGF The role of CGF In the UMTS packet switch network is that when the data
communications are made, the SGSN and GGSNs keep track of applicable charging
information. The CGF collects this charging data records (CDRs) for a given set of
SGSNs & GGSNs and makes the data available for collections by a billing system
that charges end users (or content providers) for the service.

GGSN
Billing
CGF System

SGSN
Ga Interface FTP over
UDP/IP TCP/IP

Figure 5: CGF Charging Transfer

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April 9, 2003 UMTS Mobile Telecommunication System

UMTS – UE PACKET SESSION

When the User Element (UE) is first powered on it performs the carrier, PLMN and
cell selection. Once the UE performed the initial setup, it then informs the network of
its presence and indicates that it would like to make itself available for packet data
service. Therefore UE performs “attach” to the SGSN. On receiving the attach
request from mobile station, the SGSN performs the following functions in
consultation with the HLR.

Authorization
The SGSN verifies the UE subscription to the UMTS services by checking the UE
subscription information with HLR.

Authentication
The SGSN then authenticate the UE by verifying the identity of the UE. The process
of verifying the identity of the UE is known as authentication.

QoS Subscription
The SGSN then checks which QoS service the UE is requesting. The SGSN
determines whether it can provide that QoS service while still providing the levels of
service already promised to other attached users.

Location Tracking
Once the SGSN has decided to accept an attachment, it keeps track of the location
of the UE as the UE moves around in the coverage area. The SGSN needs to know
where the UE is in case a packet arrives and needs to be routed to the UE.

Attaching to the SGSN can be treated as the logical connection between the UE and
the SGSN as shown in figure.

Logical Connection
HLR

RNC SGSN GGSN IP Network

PC

Figure 6: UMTS Attach

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UMTS – UE PACKET SESSION, CONTINUED

After having executed the GPRS attach, the UE can activate the Packet Data
Protocol (PDP) context, which would then allow the UE to begin transferring the
packet data. The SGSN determines the appropriate GGSN to forward this request
based on the input parameters from the UE. The SGSN uses the GPRS Tunneling
Protocol (GTP-C) which sends a create PDP context request message to the GGSN.
The GGSN allocates a PDP address for the UE and sends a create PDP context
response back to the SGSN. At this point another GTP-U tunnel is established
between the SGSN and GGSN. The GTP tunnel remains until the PDP context is
deactivated. The GTP tunnel is used to send packets through the UMTS network.
Each tunnel has the Tunnel End Point Identifier (TEID). The GGSN assign two types
of PDP IP addresses to the UE.

Static IP Address
Static IP address is assigned to the subscriber at subscription time. This IP address
remain assigned to the user for the duration of his / her account with the carrier.

Dynamic IP Address
The Dynamic IP addresses are assigned by the GGSN when a PDP context is
activated. The GGSN is assigned a pool of addresses for dynamic allocation to the
UEs.

Once the PDP context is activated, the GGSN creates a new entry in its PDP context
table and generates a Charging Id. The new entry allows the GGSN to route PDP
PDUs (Packet Data Unit) between the SGSN and the external PDP network and to
start charging. The GGSN hides the mobility of the UE from the rest of the packet
data network and from the computers connected to the packet data network.

HLR
PDP Context

RNC SGSN GGSN IP Network

PC

Figure 7: PDP Context Activation

It is important to understand the difference between the UE attaching to a SGSN and

a UE activating a PDP address. A single UE attaches to only one SGSN, but it may
have multiple PDP address active simultaneously. Each of these PDP addresses
may be anchored at a different GGSN. [6]

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UMTS – UE PACKET SESSION, CONTINUED

Once a UE has attached to the SGSN and activated the PDP address, it is ready to
begin communicating. For instance, the UE gets the PDP IP address 86.62.112.10
from the GGSN and it wants to access the Yahoo web server at 216.109.125.66, the
UE request is first routed through the SGSN and GGSN before reaching to the
Packet Data Network. Likewise, packets sent from the Yahoo server first traverse the
Public Packet Data Network and reach the GGSN that anchors the PDP address. At
this point, the GGSN forwards the packet to the SGSN to which the UE is currently
attached. Below is the packet flow diagram from the Web Server to UE.

HLR

GTP-U GTP-U
RNC SGSN GGSN IP Network Yahoo Server

Src: Src: Src: Src:

216.109.125.66 SGSN IP Add GGSN IP Add 216.109.125.66
Dest: Dest: Dest: Dest:
86.62.112.10 RNC IP Add SGSN IP Add 86.62.112.10
IP Payload TEID (RNC) TEID (SGSN) IP Payload
Src: Src:
216.109.125.66 216.109.125.66
Dest: Dest:
86.62.112.10 86.62.112.10
IP Payload IP Payload

Figure 8: Web Server to UE

SUMMARY
The market wants information, and in all forms whether it be voice, pictures, video,
music or text. People want the information while they are traveling, sitting at home or
shopping in the mall. The UMTS delivers the information on their mobile devices or
personal laptops while they are on the move. UMTS is now recognized as the main
opportunity to provide mobile broadband multimedia services for the mass market in
future, emphasizing their broadband capability. This new fascinating technology
allows users to be connected all time so there is no time wasted with dialing up and
logging on, instead the user can automatically receive emails and application data
while staying online. It is the system that provides low-cost, high-capacity mobile
communications with global roaming capabilities.

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REFERENCES

[1] 3GPP TS 22.101: “UMTS Service Principles”

[2] 3GPP TS 23.101: “General UMTS Architecture”
[3] 3GPP TS 22.960: “Mobile Multimedia Services”
[4] UMTS Forum – http://www.umts-forum.org
[5] Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Homepage – www.3GPP.org
[6] A Technical overview of UMTS, published by Award Solutions
[7] UMTS basic network architecture – http://www.morawek.at/Arbeiten/Umts/Umts.html
[8] Overview of GPRS and UMTS by Cisco Systems – http://www.cisco.com/
[9] 3G Tutorial, UMTS overview by UMTS World – http://www.umtsworld.com/technology/overview.htm
[10] UMTS data transfer diagram by Source O2 –
http://www.sourceo2.com/O2_Developers/O2_technologies/UMTS/data_transfer_diagram.html
[11] Evolution of Mobile Communications by IEC – http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/umts/topic01/html

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