5G WIRELESS ARCHITECTURE

By Vadan Mehta
About Author
Vadan Mehta is having 12 years of experience in wireless telecommunication. He is PMI certified PMP and
Cisco certified IPTD. Currently, he is working as telecom consultant for Tata consultancy services (TCS).

ABSTRACT
This document represents personal views on 5G network architecture, especially for wireless
service providers. Document has 3 segments, Brief history of wireless telecommunication, 4G
network architecture, Network Infrastructure sharing and 5G network architecture.

INTRODUCTION

“Before you create future, you must envision it “

: UNKNOWN
We are living in era of convergence. Convergence is merging of technologies, domain and
discrete IT systems. Basic of convergence lies in Digitization. The digitization of everything is
creating a more natural communications experience. Boundaries separating various technologies,
engineering practices, functions etc. are dissolving. So tomorrow, our car, our mobile phone, our
home security system, our office, all the systems that surround us, will communicate with each
other automatically to fill our environment with our preferences and our need to feel connected
anywhere, anytime and with anyone, across the world. This is called Ubiquitous Computing
paradigm.

Wireless technologies are going to take taking new dimension in our lives. The wireless
broadband will soon become readily available to everybody while, being at home, driving the car,
sitting in the park, and even on a pleasure boat in the middle of a lake. And because of this, our
need to have information at anytime and to be connected at all places, all the time, will be
satisfied.

The world of universal, uninterrupted access to information, entertainment and communication

will open new dimension to our lives and change our life style significantly.

This article is presenting vision of 5G network architecture, explaining concept of Ubiquitous

computing, Super Core and Evolution of managed services.

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Brief History of Telecom
Moore’s law
The way that "Moore's Law" is
usually cited is: "the number of
transistors that can be fit onto a
square inch of silicon doubles
every 12 months." Moore's law
describes a long-term trend in
the history of computing
hardware but it also prove true
for wireless technologies. From
1G (First Generation) to 4G (4th
Generation), wireless bit rate
has increased from 2.4 Kbps to
100 Mpbs.

Brief description of Wireless

Generations:
1G:
The first generation, 1G wireless
mobile communication systems,
was introduced in the early
1980s and completed in the
early 1990s. 1G was analog and
supported the first generation of analog cell phones with the speeds up to 2.4kbps. The
prominent ones among 1G system were advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), Nordic mobile
telephone (NMT), and total access communication system (TACS)
2G:
The second generation, 2G system, fielded in the late 1980s and finished in the late 1990s, was
planned mainly for voice transmission with digital signal and the speeds up to 64kbps. GSM and
CDMA IS 95 were prominent technologies.
2.5G
2.5G is used to describe 2G-systems that have implemented a packet switched domain in
addition to the circuit switched domain. 2.5 G can provide data rate, up to 144 kbps. GPRS,
EDGE and CDMA 2000 were 2.5 technologies.
3G:
The third generation, 3G wireless system, was developed in the late 1990s and might be well-
done in the late 2000s. 3G is not only provided the transmission speeds from 125kbps to 2Mbps,
but also included many services, such as global roaming, superior voice quality and data always
add–on. UMTS, CDMA Evdo, HSPA are 3G technologies.
4G:
The fourth generation (4G) is a conceptual framework and a discussion point to address future
needs of a high speed wireless network that can transmit multimedia and data to and interface
with wire-line backbone network perfectly just raised in 2002. The speeds of 4G can theoretically
be promised up to 1Gbps. LTE is considered as 4G technology.

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4G Architecture
4G is being developed to accommodate the QoS and rate requirements set by forthcoming
applications like wireless broadband access, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), video chat,
mobile TV, HDTV content, Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB), minimal services like voice and data,
and other services that utilize bandwidth. The definition of 4G is to provide adequate RF
coverage, more bits/Hz and to interconnect all wireless heterogonous networks to provide
seamless, consistent telecom experience to user.

Evolved Packet Core (EPC)

Evolved Packet Core is the IP-based core network defined by 3GPP (Telecom standard) for use
by LTE and other access technologies. The goal
of EPC is to provide simplified all-IP core
network architecture to efficiently give access to
various services such as the ones provided in
IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). EPC consists
EPC essentially of a Mobility Management Entity
(MME) and access agnostic Gateways for
routing of user datagram. EPC will be a
completely new architecture for wireless
operators, one that that emulates the IP world of
data communications rather than the voice-
centric world of wireless. EPC is based on flat IP
network theory.

FLAT IP ARCHITECURE

Premise of 4G, is resting on All IP architecture.

Mobile networks have been designed up to this point — for circuit-

switched voice. Wireless networks were designed in a hierarchal
fashion to aggregate, authenticate, manage and direct calls. A BSC
aggregates calls from multiple base stations, allocates radio channels,
enables handoffs between base stations and passes on calls to an
even more centralized mobile switching center. As packet data
networks emerged, they were overlaid on the existing voice-centric
architecture, using the BSC for the same mobility management
functions and adding the SGSN and GGSN in the case of
GSM/UMTS and a PDSN in the case of CDMA to route and manage
data sessions, as well as to connect to the Internet or appropriate IP
network. As data traffic is increasing rapidly, this voice centric
architecture has become cumbersome and harder to manage with too
many network entities.

Flat network architecture removes that voice-centric hierarchy from the network. Instead of
overlaying a packet data core on the voice network, separate and much-simplified data
architecture can be implemented that removes the multiple elements from the network chain.
BSC functions are divided between Base station and media gateway router. Base station will
communicate directly via 3GDT (3G direct tunnel) with media gateway over WAN ( Carrier
Ethernet, MW, DWDM etc). Some of the functions of BSC/RNC such as Radio resource
management, Radio Bearer Control, and Dynamic allocations of resources will be handled by
base stations, while functions such as Distribution of paging messages, Security will be function
by mobility manager, located in Gateway router.

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 This approach has clearly visible advantages. It will save significant amount of Capex and Opex
as, service provider will have fewer hopes and fewer network entities. By reducing the number of
hops on the network, data travels faster between end points, greatly reducing the network latency
to help support real-time applications such as voice over IP (VoIP), gaming and
videoconferencing.

The flat IP architectures have emerged with WiMAX, and future LTE networks will be flat by
definition.

NETWORK INFRASTUCTURE SHARING

Sharing of telecom infrastructure among telecom service providers is becoming the
requirement of business in the telecom industry where competitors are becoming
partners in sharing their infrastructure (mainly base stations) order to lower their
increasing investments.Cell site (base stations) sharing helps in reducing the cost
significantly. Some operators were able to bring down the cost of network operations
by around 40 percent in the last one year by such sharing arrangements. In addition,
the operators save on precious time in terms of locating buildings, negotiating prices
and then setting-up their site.

There can be active or passive infra sharing between two network

operators.

Passive Infra sharing

Passive Infra sharing data (India)
The passive elements are defined as the physical
network components that do not necessarily have to
be owned or managed by each operator. Instead,
these components can be shared among several
operators. The provider of the infrastructure can
either be one of the operators or a separate entity
set up to build and operate it, such as a tower
company. The passive infrastructure in a mobile
network is composed mainly of:
 Electrical or fiber optic cables
 Masts and Towers
 Physical space on the ground, towers, roof tops
 Shelter and support cabinets, electrical power
supply, air conditioning, alarm systems and
other equipment.

A collection of passive network equipment in one structure for mobile telecommunications is

generally called a “site.” Therefore, when one or more operators agree to put their equipment on
(or in) the same site, it is called “site-sharing” or “collocation.”
Passive Infra sharing is most popular in recent times.
Active Infra sharing
In addition to sharing passive infrastructure, operators may also share active elements of their
wireless networks. The “active elements” of a wireless network are those that can be managed by
operators, such as antennas, antenna systems, transmission systems and channel elements.
Operators may share those elements and keep using different parts of the spectrum assigned to
them. Although active infrastructure sharing is more complex, it is technically possible. Network
operators have to redesign/modify their network elements (Base stations, antennas,) for active
sharing.

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Overview of Managed services
Managed Services typically include establishing, operating and managing day-to-day operations
of a telecom operator’s network, services and business support systems. The term also covers
the case where a provider takes responsibility for providing the required network capacity to an
operator, when and where needed, as well as hosting of content, applications and enablers.
Other business support areas, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM), provisioning
and billing, are generally handled by operators in-house.
The Managed Services market within the telecom industry is in a high-growth phase and is
characterized by agreements, which vary in scope, between Managed Services providers and a
broad range of telecom operators: greenfielders, incumbents and lower-tier operators.
Telecom-equipment vendors are showing an increasing interest in Managed Services as a way to
benefit from their existing competence and take on new roles in the value chain, covering
activities such as network build, including planning and design, field operations, Network
Operation Center (NOC) operations, application and service development, and billing. In recent
years, operator awareness of Managed Services has increased significantly.
Operators that have decided to use Managed Services have mainly been driven by the following
opportunities.
 Under increasing financial pressure due to increasing competition, operators can improve
their financial results by outsourcing functions to a partner that can provide higher
efficiency and economies of scale than an individual operator can achieve.

 With an increasing degree of complexity, operators can reduce their need to build
network and services-related competence and leave this to Managed Services providers
that are experts in managing this complexity (potentially resulting in higher quality).

They can dedicate more of their efforts to revenue-generating activities, such as customer
acquisition. The above drivers of the Managed Services market will also apply in coming years.
The growing number of Managed Services agreements has, and will over time, create a virtual
circle resulting in increasing Managed Services provider competence, leading to even greater
efficiency gains and economies of scale. This, in turn, will make Managed Services even more
attractive to all types of operators, throughout the world, and most will enter into some kind of
Managed Services agreement, in part or in full, to stay competitive in their market.

As technologies converge, outsourcing of an operator's business support systems, network and

services to the same Managed Services provider can be expected to maximize the end-to-end
benefits to the operator in a Managed Services engagement.
In the near future, therefore, there is a strong likelihood that the shift in responsibility for roles in
the value chain enabled by Managed Services combined with increasing complexity of technology,
will result in a win/win scenario for both telecom operators and Managed Services providers. The
key to success will be adopting an end-to-end view of managing networks, services and business
support systems, with the end-user in mind.

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5G architecture
Up to 4G, the wireless evaluation is following path of Moore’s law. The newer generations were
identified by increased bit rate. ( 2G ( 9.6 Kpbs) to 4G ( 1Gbps)). There is belief that, 5G will be
generation will defy the Moore law and it will be phase of integration of network technologies,
rather expansion or evaluation of new wireless standard.

As discussed 4G network should fulfill the promise of providing adequate RF coverage and
capacity for high volume data applications and acceptable latency for voice applications.

Beyond 4G, there will no need for new access technology as 4G technology (as promised) will
convert each mobile connection into Broadband connection. Thus telecom operators will invest in
developing new Applications rather then developing newer wireless standards. New network
applications will be developed to integrate various engineering practices as mechanical, health
care, Chemical, Banking etc. to provide seamless, continual and versatile mobile experience to
user.
Telecom operators will be moving to customer centric approach then technological approach as
they are currently using.

Ubiquitous Computing
5G would be about "ubiquitous computing", that is, having the ability to access the applications
we want from any platform, anywhere, any time. To create such an environment, one needs to
integrate various applications, emerging from various engineering practices. Human life will be
surrounded by intelligent sensors, which will bring radical change to human life’s daily
approaches of doing things, as:

 Your intelligent car will send SMS to your cell phone, if someone tries to open the door,
while you are away from your car.
 Your home security camera is attached to secured internet. So that you can view your
sitting room on your laptop/mobile phone screen, by accessing secured website.
 Your
 You will have single bill for all telecom services, regardless of application or network
operator.
 You are receiving regular MMS from your hospital about your medication need and next
doctor appointment.

Key challenges
 Integration of various standards: Each engineering practice has their own standard
(F.eks Telecom has 3GPP, 3GPP2, ITU, IETF, etc). To integrate these various standards,
requires systematic and time consuming approach.

 Common Platform: There is no common architecture for interconnecting various

engineering practices. One common governing body is required, which creates a
common platform for all engineering practices to regularize the interconnectivity issues as
well as knowledge sharing.

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Super Core Concept

Existing telecom networks are fashioned in hierarchical way, where subscriber

traffic is aggregated at aggregation point(BSC/RNC) and then routed to gateways.
(As shown in figure).Flat IP architecture will lessen burden on aggregation point
and traffic will directly move from Base station to Media gateways. When
transition from legacy (TDM,
ATM) platforms to IP will be concluded (Flat Network concept, described in
previous section) a common ALL IP platform will be emerged. Vision of Super
Core is based on IP platform. All network operators ( GSM,CDMA, Wimax,
Wireline) can be connected to one Super core with massive capacity. This is
realization of single network infrastructure. The concept of super core will
eliminate all interconnecting charges and complexities, which is right now
network operator is facing. It will also reduce number of network entities in end to
end connection, thus reducing latency considerably.
E x is tin g s e tu p

T D M /IP C o r e / B illi n g
G S M /C D M A S u p p o rt
o p e ra to r

W im a x 1 6 d /e T D M /IP C o r e / B illi n g
O p e ra to r S u p p o rt
C o n te n t
p r o v id e r s
W ir e li n e O p e r a o t r s T D M /IP C o r e / B illi n g
S u p p o rt

IS P O p e ra to r T D M /IP C o r e / B illi n g
S u p p o rt

C o m m o n C o re C o n c e p t
B illin g S u p p o r t

L T E /G S M /C D M A
o p e ra to r

W im a x 1 6 e /m
O p e ra to r
S u p e r
W ir e lin e O p e r a o t r s C o re
IS P O p e ra to r

C o n te n t
p r o v id e r s

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Key challenges
1) High redundancy requirement: Under Super core concept, all network operators will be
moving to single core infrastructure, high redundancy and security among core network
entities is required. A failure of single node will impact huge number of subscribers
across various network operators.
2) Transparency among network operators, regarding Subscriber data, churn management,
etc.
3) Government regulatory framework for Super core.

Flatter IP concept
At regular interval, semiconductor manufacturers advance to a new generation with smaller
feature sizes. This allows them to incorporate more functions into a given area of silicon and,
hence, more features or new capabilities into electronic devices like cell phones. As advancement
semi-conductor industry, 22nM CMOS will be reality and this will increase the processing capacity
of digital devices significantly. Increased processing capacity will be allow Mobile devices
(cellphones, PDAs, etc) to do more tasks (instructions per minute) then before. This will lead to
even the Flatter IP network. As Flat IP has shifted some of the BSC/RNC’s radio resource
functions to Base station, Flatter IP will shift some of the RR functions, to Mobile devices from
Base station. Finally your cell phone will not be just access device but, it will also perform some of
the Radio Resource Management functions.

Evolution of Network Infra Sharing

As described in previous section, network operators, worldwide are opting for infrastructure
sharing. Currently trend is for passive infra sharing as Active infra sharing has certain limitation.
But at invention and deployment of Cognitive Radios (Software based radios) and multi-port Base
station, will promote active infra sharing at Antenna, Base station and spectrum level at access
Ran. So, network operators, offering different access technologies such LTE & Wimax, can have
single high capacity base station and antenna.
Currently service provider is spending 60% of total expenditure on Capex This arrangement will
have significant amount of Capex saving as currently service provider is spending 60% of total
expenditure on Capex.

Evolution of Managed Services

As previous session has described, network operators are shifting network related activities to
managed service vendor. Concept of Super Core complements this trend as all network
operators will end up having one massive super core, which will be managed by one or many
vendors under managed service contract, bound by SLA (Service level agreements). Thus,
during 5G, may be Today's mobile network operators could become service retailers and due to
single infrastructure, today's MNO (Mobile network operators) s will effectively be MVNOs (Mobile
Virtual network operators).

Summary
As data traffic has tremendous growth potential, under 4G existing voice centric telecom
hierarchies will be moving flat IP architecture where, base stations will be directly connected to
media gateways. 5G will offer even more flatter architecture by using advanced semi conductor
technologies as 22mN CMOS. 5G will promote concept of Super Core, where all the network
operators will be connected one single core and have one single infrastructure, regardless of their
access technologies. 5G will bring evaluation of active infra sharing and managed services and
eventually all existing network operators will be MVNOs (Mobile virtual network operators ).

This article is written by Vadan Mehta (vadan.mehta@tcs.com)

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