System Architecture Evolution

Abstract: High demands for broadband mobile wireless communications and the emergence of new wireless multimedia applications constitute the motivation to the development of broadband wireless access technologies in recent years. The Long Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution (LTE/SAE) system has been specified by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) on the way towards fourth-generation (4G) mobile to ensure 3GPP keeping the dominance of the cellular communication technologies. Through the design and optimization of new radio access techniques and a further evolution of the LTE systems, the 3GPP is developing the future LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) wireless networks as the 4G standard of the 3GPP. Since the 3GPP LTE and LTE-A architecture are designed to support flat Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity and full interworking with heterogeneous wireless access networks, the new unique features bring some new challenges in the design of the security mechanisms. This paper makes a number of contributions to the security aspects of the LTE and LTE-A networks. First, we present an overview of the security functionality of the LTE and LTE-A networks. Second, the security vulnerabilities existing in the architecture and the design of the LTE and LTE-A networks are explored. Third, the existing solutions to these problems are classically reviewed. Finally, we show the potential research issues for the future research works.

Abstract: Up-to-date coverage of SAE including the latest standards developmentEasily accessible overview of the architecture and concepts defined by SAEThorough description of the Evolved Packet Core for LTE, fixed and other wireless accessesComprehensive explanation of SAE key concepts, security and Quality-of-ServiceCovers potential service and operator scenarios including interworking with existing 3GPP and 3GPP2 systemsDetailed walkthrough of network entities, protocols and proceduresWritten by established experts in the SAE standardization process, all of whom have extensive experience and understanding of its goals, history and visionThis book provides a clear, concise, complete and authoritative introduction to System Architecture Evolution (SAE) standardization work and its main outcome: the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), including potential services and operational scenarios.After providing an insightful overview of SAE's historical development, the book gives detailed explanations of the EPC architecture and key concepts as an introduction. In-depth technical descriptions of EPC follow, including thorough functional accounts of the different components of EPC, protocols, network entities and procedures. Case studies of deployment scenarios show how the functions described within EPC are placed within a live network context, while a description of the services that are predicted to be used shows what EPC as a core network can enable.This book is an essential resource for professionals and students who need to understand the latest developments in SAE and EPC, the 'engine' that connects broadband access to the internet.All of the authors have from their positions with Ericsson been actively involved in GPRS, SAE and 3GPP from a business and technical perspective for many years. Several of the authors have also been actively driving the standardization efforts within 3GPP."There is no doubt that this book, which appears just when the mobile industry starts its transition away from legacy GSM/GPRS and UMTS networks into the future will become the reference work on SAE/LTE. There are no better qualified persons than the authors of this book to provide both communication professionals and an interested general public with insights into the inner workings of SAE/LTE. Not only are they associated with one of the largest mobile network equipment vendors in the world, they have all actively contributed to and, in some cases, been the driving forces behind the development of SAE/LTE within 3GPP." - from the foreword byDr. Ulf Nilsson, TeliaSonera R&D, Mobility Core and Connectivity"The authors have done an excellent job in writing this book. Their familiarity with the requirements, concepts and solution alternatives, as well as the standardization work allows them to present the material in a way that provides easy communication between Architecture and Standards groups and Planning/ Operational groups within service provider organizations." - from the foreword by Dr. Kalyani Bogineni, Principal Architect, Verizon Up-to-date coverage of SAE including the latest standards developmentEasily accessible overview of the architecture and concepts defined by SAEThorough description of the Evolved Packet Core for LTE, fixed and other wireless accessesComprehensive explanation of SAE key concepts, security and Quality-of-ServiceCovers potential service and operator scenarios including interworking with existing 3GPP and 3GPP2 systemsDetailed walkthrough of network entities, protocols and proceduresWritten by established experts in the SAE standardization process, all of whom have extensive experience and understanding of its goals, history and vision

Abstract: Policy and charging control (PCC) is a framework within a Third or Fourth Generation (3G/4G) network that allows operators to authorize and enforce policy, Quality of Service (QoS), and charging control over communication sessions by mobile devices. PCC mechanism is used to determine the type QoS based on a request received from a User Equipment (UE) or network. PCC is one important element within System Architecture Evolution (SAE) architecture to allow the network to perform policy and charging control. A mechanism is provided so that PCC can allow packet flow optimization. Thereby, the network can detect Internet Protocol (IP) flows based on operator defined criteria and can perform policy and QoS control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in mobile radio telecommunications for enabling access to Circuit Switched (CS) services for a user equipment (UE) that is connected to a LTE/SAE (Long Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution) network. The UE's current position is stored in a LTE position format in the LTE network or in the SAE network. The invention provides steps and means for transforming the UE's position in LTE format to position information in CS format for the UE, steps and means for registering the UE in the CS network using said transformed position information, and steps and means for establishing access to CS services provided by said CS network.