LTE Protocol Stack

Accelerate
your mobile technology

LTE Protocol Stack

Fast • Portable • Customisable
LTE Protocol Stack
The UMTS-LTE (Long Term Evolution) Protocol Stack has been
created using knowledge gained from our long experience in the
definition and development of mobile network standards. It is an
implementation of the core stack that is ready for integration into
your next LTE development and is the latest in a long line of mobile
technology created at Roke Manor.

Our protocol stack runs in a live environment to demonstrate a

truly mobile all-IP network.

The demonstration of the prototype includes internet browsing,

a live VoIP call and seamless handover.

Technical description
The protocol elements and their location in the hierarchy are shown
in the protocol stack Figure 1.

Application layer
• AV Streaming
• Web Browsing
UE eNB MME
S1 and X2 NAS Signaling
Protocols
NAS Signalling
Protocols
(including security) (including security)

• Simplified GTP-U for U-plane data RRC RRC S1-Application S1-Application

Protocol (S1-AP) Protocol (S1-AP)

• SCTP for assured C-Plane messages PDCP PDCP

SCTP SCTP
• S1AP, X2AP: A functional emulation of the S1 RLC RLC
IPSec IPSec
and X2 Application Protocols which mimics
MAC MAC IP inc. Diffserv IP inc. Diffserv
anticipated message flows and message
Data Link Layer 2 Data Link Layer 2
fields using simpler software structures but PHY PHY
PHY Layer 1 PHY Layer 1
avoiding the complexities of a full ASN.1 LT -Uu S1-MME

implementation. Control Plane Protocols

eUU: End
UE eNB S-GW PDN-GW User
• PDCP including Header Compression and Appl. Appl.
Encryption Transport Transport
Protocols Protocols
(inc IP)
• RLC, based on earlier UMTS implementation PIMP PIMP
PDCP PDCP GTP-U GTP-U
GTP-U
• MAC with fair downlink scheduling working GTP-U
Data Link
RLC RLC UDP UDP
with LTE resource structures. IP Sec IP Sec
UDP
IP Sec
UDP
IP Sec
MAC MAC IP inc IP inc IP inc IP inc
• A pseudo Layer 1/Layer 2 is used to emulate Diffserv Diffserv Diffserv Diffserv
PHY PHY
the air interface whilst utilising the LTE PHY PHY
Data Link
PHY
Data Link Data Link
PHY PHY
Data Link
PHY
resource structures thus avoiding the need
LTE-Uu S1-U S 5/S 8
to emulate Layer 1 in testbed developments. User Plane Protocols
Interfacing to a real Layer1 can be achieved
without re-design of the lower layers. Figure 1. LTE Protocol Stack
Further Development HARQ
Header Dynamic
Roadmap Compression Scheduling

Our LTE protocol stack implementation

timeline has been designed to provide Intra-LTE Security Inter-LTE
essential functionality as early as possible Handover Establishment Handover
and hence to allow for early application
development. The core elements of Full standards
PDCP/RLC/MAC compliance
the stack at Layer 2 and above were UE Capabilities
Data Transfer
the primary focus of development in
order to allow UE handover between
eNodeBs. Subsequent development
has transitioned the protocol stack to a
more fully compliant solution as the LTE
Core stack Enhanced stack Complete stack
standard has been refined by 3GPP.

Work is continuing to extend the

compliance of the Roke LTE protocol
stack to include functionality for Time
interworking with other RATs (such as
UTRAN, CDMA2000 and GPRS) and Figure 2. Roke LTE Stack Road Map
the optional elements as defined by test
priorities currently under discussion by
RAN WG5 of 3GPP.

Some of the most important stage

features are shown in Figure 2. A
complete list is available separately
– contact us for details.

Background
Over many years Roke has gained extensive experience in emerging telecommunication technologies, from original research and
standards development to rapid development of demonstration prototypes right through to the development and testing of production
prototypes. We were one of the first companies in the world to build a GSM demonstrator and have played a similar leading role in the
development of 3G systems. Specific examples include:
• a 3rd Generation test bed enabling the very first remote TDD phone call in the 1990’s
• an environment to test 3rd generation RNC U-Plane performance at full load
• Acceptance testing on the RNC
• FDD Node B development
• Femto Node B evealuation

As a result we have extensive knowledge of mobile system standards and many years experience in the development of systems based
on those standards.

LTE forms the upgrade path from the existing UMTS/3G system and provides many advantages to network operators and the end user
through increased efficiency and improved data rates.
Our protocol stack runs in a live environment to demonstrate a truly mobile all-IP network.
The demonstration of the prototype includes internet browsing, a live VoIP call
and seamless handover.
We work very closely with our clients and at all times respect absolutely their confidentiality, so much so that they often consider their dedi-
cated Roke team to be an extension of their own development group.

50 years of Innovation@Roke

To discuss how this capability can be integrated into your platform contact
us by using the details below

For further information Roke Manor Research Limited

please contact: Roke Manor, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0ZN UK
T +44 (0)1794 833000
Elaine Burroughs F +44 (0)1794 833433
T +44 (0)1794 672898 info@roke.co.uk
F +44 (0)1794 833433 www.roke.co.uk
elaine.burroughs@roke.co.uk
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