Communication Networks: 2G to 4G Overview

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Questions and Answers

What does the Mobility Management Entity (MME) primarily manage?

Subscriber information storage

Session states and user authentication (correct)

Data routing between the base station and PDN gateway

Voice quality of service enforcement

What is the primary function of the Home Location Register (HLR)?

To maintain a permanent database of subscriber service profiles. (correct)

To provide real-time location tracking of active mobile subscribers.

To manage temporary subscriber data for roaming users.

To store information regarding equipment identity in the network.

In 4G network architecture, how is voice treated?

As another IP application within the data stream (correct)

As a separate circuit-switched application

Only for emergency calls in voice-only format

As a hybrid of both circuit-switched and packet-switched components

What main role does the Packet Data Node Gateway (PGW) fulfill in LTE?

It interfaces the LTE network with other packet data networks Signup and view all the answers

Which component is essential for directing data traffic to the GPRS network?

Packet Control Unit (PCU) Signup and view all the answers

How does the Authentication Center (AUC) enhance mobile security?

By storing a copy of the secret key from each SIM card. Signup and view all the answers

Which component acts as a router within the LTE network architecture?

Serving Gateway (SGW) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of GPRS, what is the role of the GGSN?

To act as a router and provide external network access. Signup and view all the answers

Which element is NOT a key component of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC)?

User Equipment (UE) Signup and view all the answers

What function does the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) serve?

Storing subscriber information for network operators Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes 3G networks from 2G networks in terms of components?

3G replaces BTS with NodeB for higher data rates. Signup and view all the answers

What data rates does GPRS typically provide?

From 56 kbps to 114 kbps Signup and view all the answers

How does the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) differentiate from 2G and 3G architectures?

By utilizing an Internet Protocol service architecture Signup and view all the answers

What is the main responsibility of the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)?

To handle the authentication and mobility management of GPRS mobiles. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following functions is associated with the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF)?

Supporting service flow detection and policy enforcement Signup and view all the answers

What was a major advancement from 1G to 2G cellular networks?

Introduction of digital encryption Signup and view all the answers

What describes the primary purpose of the Serving Gateway (SGW) in the 4G architecture?

Routing data between base stations and PDN gateways Signup and view all the answers

Which database is specifically designed to store information on valid equipment in the network?

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant characteristic of the UMTS compared to previous standards?

Support for video calling and video streaming. Signup and view all the answers

In the 2G architecture, what component manages radio channel setup and handovers?

Base Station Controller (BSC) Signup and view all the answers

Which component is responsible for routing calls in and out of the mobile network in 2G?

Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) Signup and view all the answers

What did 2G networks mainly enable in its initial release?

Voice services and SMS text messages Signup and view all the answers

Which system is part of the Network Switching System (NSS) in 2G architecture?

Mobile Switching Center (MSC) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in 2G networks?

To handle radio link protocols Signup and view all the answers

In 2G infrastructure, how does the Base Station Controller (BSC) interact with the Mobile Switching Center (MSC)?

It manages radio resources for one or more BTSs, interfacing with the MSC. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of 2G networks provided greater efficiency compared to 1G?

Greater spectrum efficiency Signup and view all the answers

Which operation is NOT a function of the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) in the 2G network?

Sound quality enhancement Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in the 2G network?

To store user identities and provide authentication Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Practical Training of Communication Network Construction

Core Network Evolution covers 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies
The evolution of mobile communication standards is directly linked to increasing global demand for subscribers and connections.
The presentation will cover the infrastructure and components supporting these technologies from 2G to 4G.

Agenda

Introduction to 2G (GSM), 2.5G (GPRS), 3G (UMTS), and 4G (LTE)
Key components in each generation were listed in the agenda

Introduction (2G)

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) launched in 1991, moved from analog to digital transmission.
2G primarily focused on voice services with slow data transfer (SMS).
Digital encryption and increased spectrum efficiency enabled wider phone coverage.
The mobile station (MS) is equipped with a subscriber identity module (SIM) and connects to the base transceiver station (BTS).

2G Infrastructure

BTS (Base Transceiver Station): handles radio links from mobile stations.
BSC (Base Station Controller): manages radio resources for multiple BTSs. Handles radio channel setup, frequency hopping, and handovers between BSCs and the Mobile Switching Center (MSC).

2G Infrastructure (continued)

MSC (Mobile Switching Center): manages call routing, setup, and basic switching; coordinates with other MSCs.
GMSC (Gateway Mobile Switching Center): routes calls in/out of the mobile network
HLR (Home Location Register): maintains subscriber information and location data.
VLR (Visitor Location Register): temporary database updated via HLR when mobile enters an area.
EIR (Equipment Identity Register): lists valid network equipment
AUC (Authentication Center): provides secured database with SIM card security keys

2.5G (GPRS)

GPRS (General Packet Radio System) offers data rates of 56-114 kbps.
Requires adjustments to the core and radio access networks.
Added hardware (PCU) and software updates to the BSCs and BTSs, for data traffic to GPRS networks.
SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node): handles GPRS mobile authentication, registration, and mobility management. Tracks charging for air interface usage.
GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node): acts as an interface router to other networks

3G (UMTS)

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), a 3G technology, provides higher download speeds (up to 3.1 Mbps) for video calling and streaming.
UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) or RAN was changed to support higher data rates – NodeBs replaced BTSs, RNC (Radio Network Controller) is introduced.
Key difference from 2G is the RAN (radio access network).
The mobile station (MS) is referred to as UE (user equipment).

4G (LTE)

Moving from separate voice and data domains, LTE unifies voice and data into an IP (internet protocol) service.
EPC (Evolved Packet Core): unifies voice and data services. This includes the HSS (home subscriber server), MME (mobility management entity), SGW (serving gateway), and PGW (Packet Data Network Gateway).
MME: manages session states and authenticates users.
SGW: routes data between base stations and the PDN Gateway.
PGW: acts as an interface between the network and other packet data networks, and manages QoS and DPI (deep packet inspection).
PCRF: supports service data flow detection, policy enforcement, and flow-based charging.

Additional Notes

Task 1: students need to demonstrate the equivalent nodes in each generation and their function.
A Visio or PPT design of the 2G architecture with PPT or Visio is required .

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Description

This quiz explores the evolution of mobile communication technologies from 2G to 4G, highlighting key components and infrastructure of each generation. Learn about the transition from analog to digital transmission and the significance of GSM, GPRS, UMTS, and LTE in supporting increasing global communication demands.