Overview

This course describes the radio and core sub-networks of a mobile network. It reminds us a little on how it all began with 2G GSM and moves through 3G UMTS to 4G LTE and beyond. We take a journey through the different network topologies, network elements, protocols, signals, standards, interfaces and functionalities that make up a mobile telecom network. As we explore this fascinating world, we get to understand the terminology, and to "join the dots" between the many layers that belong to mobile telecommunications. This course is not about specific vendor equipment. It is course about the technology that is used by telephone companies all over the world. This course makes a very complicated topic very easy to understand and the knowledge can be applied to any vendor equipment. It does this by teaching the technology in the order it was implemented and thus allows the student to build upon knowledge already gained. It avoids for example, the inability to understand 4G technology because certain concepts in UMTS had never been fully understood. The course covers; 3G Radio Access Networks (RAN) Cell Site Configuration A comparison of handover typesThe evolution of UMTS from AMPS and GSMThe physical components of a cell siteUMTS architecture and interfacesAn explanation of "spreading" and how it is used in W-CDMAPhysical, logical and transport channels explainedSynchronisation 3G Core Networks Understanding the difference between user planes and control planesInternal and external core network interfacesIntroducing the Non-stratum Access layer and understanding its relevance to the core networkCore network elements and typical topologiesThe function of each NE for packet switching and circuit switchingHow paging worksThe meaning and use of the IMSI, MSISDN, IMEI, ICCID & SIM and the information they contain How subscriber data is routed and processedHow 3G subscribers are authenticated and how their data is encryptedA mobile subscriber to fixed line subscriber call case International Roaming The difference between inbound and outbound roamersThe functionality of international roaming by considering the call case of an outbound roamer The functionality of international roaming by considering the call case of an inbound roamerDealing with short numbers when roamingHow roaming is charged for including call cases involving voicemailHow international roaming agreements between operators are created How international roaming is tested prior to being implementedHow CDRs and TAP files are used for billingHow clearing-houses are used to settle international accountsThe contents of a contract between subscribers and operators Long Term Evolution (LTE) The evolution from 3G technology from an operator's perspectiveThe evolution from 3G technology from a customer's perspectiveThe differences between LTE, LTE-A and 4GAll IP networks and NGN as applied to LTELTE E-UTRAN's functionality, architecture, network elements and interfacesLTE Radio; use of OFDMA, SC-FDMA and MIMOLTE use of spectrumLTE EPC's functionality, architecture, network elements and interfacesLTE Protocol stackVoice options in LTE including VoLTE, OTT and Fallback The course encourages students to understand what they don't know, to ask the right questions and to validate the answers they have found through research.

Skills

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