1xEV-DO vs.

LTE: Bearers - Don - Expert Opinion - LTE University

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Expert Opinion
Short LTE articles and opinions by our team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

1xEV-DO vs. LTE: Bearers

Don 27 Oct 2010 6:17 PM

Every wireless network carries two types of information between the mobile device and the various nodes in the network control si!nalin! and user traffic" #n $xE%&'( and LTE networks) the hi!h level views of the si!nalin! and user bearers are remarkably similar* this should not be a surprise) since the functions they support are similar" +hat differs are the labels applied to the parts of each bearer) and the protocols used to route si!nalin! and traffic across the network" The bearers for si!nalin! messa!es and user traffic in $xE%&'( and LTE networks are illustrated here

(ne key point to remember when lookin! at this dia!ram is that) in $xE%&'() all si!nalin! and data packets are transported over the same ,pipe, across the entire network) with a sin!le exception the Traffic -hannel (T-.) carries both si!nalin! and user traffic over the air interface* both are delivered over the same backhaul facilities between the base station and the /0-* and Mobile #1 delivers packets between the 1'S0234 and the .4" The only time there is any special differentiation is over the /adio& 1acket (/&1) interface between the /0- and the 1'S0234 si!nalin! is carried on the 4$$ interface) while data flows over the 4$5 interface) primarily for 6uality of Service (6oS) mana!ement reasons" #n LTE) si!nalin! and user traffic are lo!ically separated) althou!h they may share the same underlyin! physical facilities" Si!nalin! messa!es from the 7E are sent over the air on Si!nalin! /adio 8earers to the e0b) which delivers them to the MME over the S$&MME interface" The MME talks to the S&9+ via the S$$ interface) while the S&9+ and 1&9+ interact over the S: or S; interface (dependin! on their relative locations)" 7ser data) in contrast) uses a /adio 8earer over the air) and is sent to the S&9+ over the

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1xEV-DO vs. LTE: Bearers - Don - Expert Opinion - LTE University

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S1-U interface. Although traffic also uses the S5/S8 interface between the S-GW and the P-GW, it is anaged se!aratel" fro control signaling, uch li#e the A1$/A11 di%ision in 1&'(-)*. +oth networ#s ha%e the challenge of deli%ering signaling and data !ac#ets across the networ# to and fro obile users, without using the !ublic ,P address assigned to the user, since that ter inates at the -A or P-GW. ,n 1&'(-)*, .obile ,P /.,P0 is used to route !ac#ets between the -A and the whiche%er P)S1/2A is ser%ing the call, and Generic 3outing 'nca!sulation /G3'0 has the tas# of forwarding the !ac#ets to the a!!ro!riate 3145 G3' allows !ac#ets intended for ulti!le users to be routed to a co on destination address, such as the 314. 1&'(-)* also uses Point-to-Point Protocol /PPP0 to anage the for atting and deli%er" of user traffic across the Access 1etwor#. 1ote that %endors generall" use !ro!rietar" solutions for routing !ac#ets between the 314 and the base stations. 67' a#es use of GP3S 7unneling Protocol /G7P0 for all !ac#et forwarding within the Access and 4ore 1etwor#s8 G7P-4 for control signaling and G7P-U for user traffic. G7P and G3' ser%e the sa e basic !ur!ose, and are %er" si ilar in design. 1ote that Pro&" .obile ,P /P.,P0, a %ariant of .,P, is also an o!tion for routing traffic o%er the S5/S8 interface. 3egardless of the na es of the !i!es and the s!ecifics of the !rotocols, both 1&'(-)* and 67' ha%e the sa e tas#8 deli%er signaling essages and user !ac#ets to and fro obile users where%er the" go, as 9uic#l" and efficientl" as !ossible.

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