LTE/EPS

LTE/IMS Basics course will make the participants familiar with the new cellular system – Long Time Evolution (LTE) / Evolved Packet System (EPS) – a descent of PS GPRS/HSPA solutions of modern GSM/UMTS networks. LTE network, on its own, does not offer any teleservices (e.g. telephony, video-telephony, messaging) towards the end subscribers, but rather concentrates on packet bearer services (i.e. transmission of IP packets with required quality of services). Teleservices are offered instead by IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), that is described in a second part of the training. IMS is offering its teleservices to the end subscribers via IP connectivity provided by the LTE access network. The course also includes section about Circuit Switched Fallback (CSFB) and SMSoSGs which can be used to hand over the connection during setup from LTE to CS GSM/UMTS in order to establish traditional CS call or send traditional SMS via LTE in case the IMS is not present in the network.

Unlike previous 3GPP wireless technologies, LTE has no Circuit Switched (CS) bearer to support voice, so carrying voice over LTE requires a migration to a Voice over IP (VoIP) solution. Until this migration occurs, LTE-capable handsets need to revert to 2G or 3G for voice calls, which can reduce quality or even suspend Packed Switched (PS) services.
The GSMA’s IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Profile for Voice and SMS document, commonly referenced as Voice over LTE (VoLTE), defines the mandatory set of features that the mobile device and network are required to implement in order to guarantee an interoperable, high quality IMS-based telephony service over LTE.
The course focuses on VoLTE services, underpaying IMS architecture, basic procedures and their impact on existing operator infrastructure.
The intermediate solutions like CSFB and SMSoSGs are also explained as they can be used concurrently with VoLTE to support roaming subscribers and emergency calls as long as the operator is not ready to move those service to VoLTE.

VoLTE Overview is an intermediate level technical training focused on GSMA IR.92 IMS Profile for Voice and SMS over LTE™. VoLTE is presented in the broad context of existing multi-RAT mobile system. Hence, the training explains not only IMS architecture and procedures but also integration of VoLTE with the existing network infrastructure and services (including CSFB and SMSoSGs).

“SIP and Diameter Signalling” course focuses on signalling in EPC network. During the course core interfaces and signalling protocols with procedures and parameters are presented in details.

The 3GPP evolution for the 3G mobile system created the new base station system, called Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and a new core network, called Evolved Packet Core (EPC) as a result of two standardisation projects: Long Term Evolution (LTE) and System Architecture Evolution (SAE). Under these specifications a mobile phone gets access to higher bandwidth with low latency in an improved and more efficient network architecture. The standards define an all-IP network as a base for the E-UTRAN/EPC. The E-UTRAN/EPC does not have a separate PS data traffic and CS voice network, both communicate over the same new Evolved Packet System (EPS) network. LTE/EPS Technology course is an intermediate technical course, which covers all aspects of architecture and functionality of the EPS.

Signalling in E-UTRAN/LTE course focuses on signalling between EPS/LTE nodes within E-UTRAN. During the course all protocols and signalling procedures on all interfaces (i.e. Uu, X2 and S1) within E-UTRAN are presented in details. The course also describes overview of EPS architecture and system wide signalling procedures, including EPC - E-UTRAN interworking.

LTE Advanced E-UTRAN R10/R11 course focuses on differences between E-UTRAN R8/R9 and E-UTRAN R10/R11 also known as LTE-Advanced. The training covers a functional description of all major R10/R11 enhancements together with the required signalling protocols modifications.

LTE Advanced E-UTRAN R10/R11/R12 course focuses on differences between E-UTRAN R8/R9 and E‑UTRAN R10/R11/R12 also known as LTE-Advanced. The training covers a functional description of all major enhancements added in specifications release R10/R11/R12 together with the required signalling protocols modifications. It focuses on services like Carrier aggregation, MIMO solutions, eNB relay, eICIC,  CoMP, EPDCCH, DCI & UCI, 3GPP/WiFi radio interworking, Device to Device communication, Small Cell enhancements, Low Cost Machine Type communication and many other.

“Signalling in EPC/LTE” course focuses on signalling between EPS/LTE nodes within GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP) based Evolved Packet Core (EPC)* network. During the course all protocols and signalling procedures on all interfaces (i.e. S1, S3, S4, S5/S8, S6a, S6c, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, SGs, SGd, Sv, Gx and optionally X2) within EPC are presented in details. The course also describes overview of EPS architecture and system wide signalling procedures, including EPC - E-UTRAN interworking.

According to some legacy, USIM pre R8 is sufficient both for LTE as well as VoLTE/RCS IMS based services and investment in LTE/IMS aware USIM/ISIM R8+ is not going to pay off. Others argue that the new USIM/ISIM R8+ is a key to exploiting the full potential of possible LTE services. During the development of the “LTE USIM/ISIM (delta)” training  none of these conclusions were taken for granted. Thus, the training gives a detailed comparison of possible network deployments, procedures and services with and without the support of new LTE USIM/ISIM R8+ features. The main objective is to pass on to our participants knowledge necessary to undertake rational decision regarding support of new LTE USIM/ISIM features on UICC cards and to indicate the topics to be discussed with other network departments to avoid conflicts with operators mid- or long-term strategic plans.

Many of the activities involved in the daily operation and future network planning of an E-UTRAN require data on which decisions are based. This data refers to the load carried by the network and the grade of service offered that can be measured by eNBs in the form of diverse types of counters. The training presents standard E-UTRAN counters and the resulting KPIs that are comparable across all vendors’ implementations. Every counter or KPI is described together with a set of corresponding system-wide LTE traffic cases and configuration parameters/features/problems that may have an impact on its value.

The course discusses in details EPS/LTE radio network dimensioning. It focuses on coverage predictions, capacity estimations as well as presents aspects of frequency and PCI planning. Theory introduced in the course is coherently followed by practical exercise in a form of a small project (Case Study).

“Voice over Wi-Fi” course focuses on Wi-Fi introducing in telecom network. During the course Wi-Fi radio network is described. Signalling protocols with procedures and parameters are presented in details. IMS/RCS network nodes and nodes for sms and emergency call delivery.