LTE and E-UTRAN Overview

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Questions and Answers

What are the main requirements for a new access network?

High spectral efficiency, high peak data rates, short round trip time, and flexibility in frequency and bandwidth.

What does E-UTRAN stand for and what is its equivalent in GSM-R?

E-UTRAN stands for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network and its equivalent in GSM-R is the eNodeB.

What is the main goal of the Future Rail Mobile Communications System (FRMCS) project established by the UIC?

The main goal of the FRMCS project is to develop a Mobile Train Communication System based on LTE technology to succeed GSM-R.

What is the purpose of the Mobility Management Entity (MME) in the LTE architecture?

The MME is responsible for managing the mobility of users and the establishment of connections within the LTE network. Signup and view all the answers

How does LTE achieve high data rates?

LTE achieves high data rates through OFDMA, higher order modulation up to 64QAM, larger bandwidths up to 20 MHz, and spatial multiplexing. Signup and view all the answers

How does LTE aim to improve upon the limitations of GSM-R regarding data communication?

LTE integrates packet-switched transmission, allowing for more efficient resource allocation based on actual demand, unlike the circuit-switched approach of GSM-R. Signup and view all the answers

What are the predicted implications of GSM-R's obsolescence by 2030?

The obsolescence of GSM-R by 2030 implies a need for the railway industry to transition to newer technologies like LTE for improved communication. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW) in LTE?

The PDN-GW connects the LTE network to external packet data networks and manages user data sessions. Signup and view all the answers

List two features that differentiate LTE from legacy mobile communication standards.

LTE is fully packet-switched IP-based and introduces a simplified core network called Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Signup and view all the answers

What advancements does UIC plan to incorporate into LTE compared to GSM-R?

UIC plans to include more functionality in standard LTE without the need for additional specifications specifically for railways. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of spectral flexibility in E-UTRA?

Spectral flexibility allows E-UTRA to operate in various spectrum allocations from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz for both uplink and downlink. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major limitation of GSM-R that hampered data communication?

A major limitation of GSM-R is its reliance on Circuit-Switched Data (CSD), which does not accommodate variable data traffic efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

What are the roles of the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) in LTE?

The PCRF manages policies and charging rules for service quality and resource allocation. Signup and view all the answers

What type of communication does LTE primarily support, ensuring it meets the demands of modern railways?

LTE primarily supports packet-switched communication, allowing for simultaneous voice and data services. Signup and view all the answers

What is one key feature of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology compared to previous mobile standards?

One key feature of LTE technology is its capacity to provide higher data rates and improved performance for mobile communication. Signup and view all the answers

In what way does the Mobile Train Radio Communication System with LTE technology differ from current systems?

The Mobile Train Radio Communication System with LTE is still in the development stage and aims to offer more advanced features than the current GSM-R systems. Signup and view all the answers

What type of traffic does the E-UTRAN architecture support, aside from packet-based systems?

E-UTRAN architecture supports real-time and conversational class traffic. Signup and view all the answers

How does the E-UTRAN architecture address reliability?

It minimizes the presence of 'single points of failure'. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of end-to-end QoS in E-UTRAN architecture?

It ensures that quality of service is maintained throughout the entire communication pathway. Signup and view all the answers

Which system is mentioned as part of advanced signalling systems in the LTE system architecture for Indian Railways?

European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2. Signup and view all the answers

What are some benefits of using advanced signalling systems in railways?

They increase carrying capacity (throughput) and allow more trains to run on the same track segment. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of passenger safety does LTE technology aim to improve in Indian Railways?

It provides live surveillance camera feeds from trains for enhanced security. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the requirements for Radio Resource Management mentioned in the document?

Enhanced support for end-to-end QoS. Signup and view all the answers

What does minimizing the number of options in the architecture help achieve?

It reduces complexity and promotes easier management of the system. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a 'Radio Band Resource' for an operator?

It is defined as all spectrum available to an operator. Signup and view all the answers

What is the instantaneous downlink peak data rate within a 20 MHz spectrum allocation?

The instantaneous downlink peak data rate is 100 Mb/s. Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest theoretical peak data rate for the uplink mentioned?

The highest theoretical peak data rate for the uplink is 75 Mbps. Signup and view all the answers

What is the achieved user plane transmission latency in LTE?

The user plane transmission latency is less than 5 ms. Signup and view all the answers

At what speeds does E-UTRAN optimize for low mobile speeds?

E-UTRAN optimizes for low mobile speeds from 0 to 15 km/h. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum interruption time allowed during a handover of real-time services?

The maximum interruption time allowed is less than 300 msec. Signup and view all the answers

What service supports simultaneous dedicated voice and multimedia broadcast?

Enhanced Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) supports both services. Signup and view all the answers

How should E-UTRAN terminals behave with UTRAN and GERAN operations?

They should be able to support measurement of, and handover from and to, both 3GPP UTRAN and GERAN. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Indian Railway Automatic Train Protection System (IRATP)?

The primary function of IRATP is to enhance train safety by preventing collisions through the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS). Signup and view all the answers

What does the abbreviation MC PTT stand for and its relevance in railway communication?

MC PTT stands for Mission Critical Push To Talk, which is crucial for real-time communication among railway personnel. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the purpose of the Onboard Passenger Information System (PIS) in Indian railways.

The Onboard Passenger Information System (PIS) provides important information display and announcements to passengers during their journey. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the LTE FDD System Throughput in railway communication.

The LTE FDD System Throughput indicates the data transmission rates achievable with different bandwidth allocations, essential for optimizing network performance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Mobile Subscriber International Subscriber Directory Number (MS ISDN) in Indian Railways?

MS ISDN plays a role in identifying mobile subscribers through a structured numbering scheme necessary for communication management. Signup and view all the answers

What components make up the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)?

The IMSI is composed of the Mobile Country Code (MCC), Mobile Network Code (MNC), and Mobile Subscription Identification Number (MSIN). Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the importance of video surveillance systems in locomotives.

Video surveillance systems in locomotives are vital for monitoring areas like level crossing gates and tunnels to enhance safety and security. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Internet of Things (IoT) contribute to asset reliability monitoring in railways?

IoT contributes to asset reliability monitoring by providing real-time data on the condition and performance of railway assets. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mobile Train Radio Communication - LTE

This chapter discusses LTE, Evolved Packet Core (EPC), and LTE-based Mobile Train Radio Communication.
Specifications are based on 3GPP and UIC standards.

GSM-R Limitations

GSM-R struggles with increasing data communication demands.
It uses Circuit-Switched Data (CSD), not suitable for variable data streams.
Data transmission via virtual circuits can lead to underutilized resources and wasted bandwidth.
GSM-R is predicted to become obsolete by 2030.

LTE Components

eNodeB (Evolved Node B): Equivalent of BSS (Base Station Subsystem) in GSM-R. This is the base station for LTE radio transmission.
Serving Gateway (S-GW): Connects radio side to the EPC, routing IP data packets. It's the key interconnect between radio and the EPC.
Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW): Connects EPC to external IP networks, handling IP address/prefix allocation, policy control, and charging.
Mobility Management Entity (MME): For control plane signaling related to mobility and security for E-UTRAN access. It tracks and pages UEs in idle mode.
Home Subscriber Server (HSS): Contains user and subscriber data, supporting mobility management, call setup, and user authentication.
Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF): Combines CRF and PDF to enforce service policies, send QoS, and handle accounting rules.
Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF): Enforces QoS and policy rules through p-GW for IP packets, ensures data flow.

LTE Features

Fully packet-switched IP-based mobile communication.
Network resources are allocated based on demand.
Uses OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) for downlink and SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) for uplink.
Higher spectral efficiency and data rates.
Supports flexible frequency bands.
Supports both TDD (Time Division Duplex) and FDD (Frequency Division Duplex).
Flexible spectrum allocation and control.
Improved spectral efficiency and latency.

LTE System Architecture for Indian Railways

Aims to improve train operations, passenger safety, and asset management.
Includes aspects like passenger safety and service, live surveillance, and railway management.
Integrates with existing Indian Railway systems.

TRAI Frequency Band Allocation

Specifies frequency bands for LTE (e.g., 700 MHz).

LTE System Throughput

Shows different throughput values for various bandwidths and MIMO modes in LTE.

Uniform Numbering Scheme for Indian Railways

Defines how mobile users are identified in the LTE network, including IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), MCC (Mobile Country Code), MNC (Mobile Network Code), and MSIN (Mobile Subscription Identification Number).

MSISDN

Represents the mobile subscriber number suitable for international use.
Composed of Country Code, National Destination Code, and Subscriber Number.

Adaptation of LTE on Indian Railways

Describes how LTE is being implemented in Indian Railways in areas like automation, broadband services, and security.

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Description

This quiz explores the architecture and key components of LTE, including E-UTRAN and its comparison to GSM-R. It focuses on features, advancements, and the future of rail mobile communication systems. Test your knowledge on how LTE achieves high data rates and its implications for communication networks.