Content for TS 23.002 Word version: 18.0.0
4.2 The Access Network (AN) entities
4.2.1 The Base Station System (BSS)
4.2.2 The Radio Network System (RNS)
4.2.3 Access Network elements for E-UTRAN
4.3 The Mobile Station (MS)
4.4 User Equipment (UE)
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4.2 The Access Network (AN) entities p. 35
Three different types of access network are used by the CN: the AN include GERAN (also called BSS), UTRAN (also called RNS) and E-UTRAN. The MSC (resp. SGSN) can connect to one of the following Access Network type or to both of them: BSS, RNS. The MME connects to the E-UTRAN.
The access technologies offered by the BSS are described in the 45-series of 3GPP specifications. The access technologies offered by the RNS (FDD, TDD) are described in the 25-series of 3GPP specifications. The access technologies offered by E-UTRAN (FDD, TDD) are described in the 36-series of 3GPP specifications.
4.2.1 The Base Station System (BSS) p. 35
The Base Station System (BSS) is the system of base station equipment (transceivers, controllers, etc.) which is viewed by the MSC through a single A and/or Iu-CS interface as being the entity responsible for communicating with Mobile Stations in a certain area. Similarly, in PLMNs supporting GPRS, the BSS is viewed by the SGSN through a single Gb or Iu-PS interface. When Intra Domain Connection of RAN Nodes to Multiple CN Nodes is applied, a BSS may connect to several MSCs by several A and/or Iu-CS interfaces, and a BSS may connect to several SGSNs by several Gb and/or Iu-PS interfaces. The functionality for the A interface is described in TS 48.002 and for the Gb interface in TS 23.060. The functionality for the Iu-CS interface is described in TS 25.410 and for the Iu-PS interface in TS 23.060.
The radio equipment of a BSS may support one or more cells. A BSS may consist of one or more base stations. Where an Abis-interface is implemented, the BSS consists of one Base Station Controller (BSC) and one or more Base Transceiver Station (BTS). The split of functions between BSS and CN for a Iu interface is described in the 25-series of UMTS Technical Specifications.
The split of functions between BSS and CN for a A/Gb interface is described in the 48-series of GSM Technical Specifications. The split of functions between BSS and CN for a Iu interface is described in the 25-series of UMTS Technical Specifications.
4.2.1.1 Base Station Controller (BSC) p. 35
A Base Station Controller (BSC) is a network component in the PLMN with the functions for control of one or more BTS.
4.2.1.2 Base Transceiver Station (BTS) p. 36
A Base Transceiver Station (BTS) is a network component which serves one cell.
4.2.2 The Radio Network System (RNS) p. 36
The Radio Network System (RNS) is the system of base station equipment (transceivers, controllers, etc.) which is viewed by the MSC through a single Iu-interface as being the entity responsible for communicating with Mobile Stations in a certain area. Similarly, in PLMNs supporting GPRS, the RNS is viewed by the SGSN through a single Iu-PS interface. When Intra Domain Connection of RAN Nodes to Multiple CN Nodes is applied, an RNS may connect to several MSCs by several Iu-CS interfaces, and an RNS may connect to several SGSNs by several Iu-PS interfaces. The functionality for the Iu-CS interface is described in TS 25.410 and for the Iu-PS interface in TS 23.060. The radio equipment of a RNS may support one or more cells. A RNS may consist of one or more base stations. The RNS consists of one Radio Network Controller (RNC) and one or more Node B.
The split of functions between RNS and CN is described in the 25-series of UMTS Technical Specifications.
4.2.2.1 Radio Network Controller (RNC) p. 36
A Radio Network Controller (RNC) is a network component in the PLMN with the functions for control of one or more Node B.
4.2.2.2 Node B p. 36
A Node B is a logical network component which serves one or more UTRAN cells.
4.2.3 Access Network elements for E-UTRAN |R8| p. 36
4.2.3.1 E-UTRAN Node B (eNodeB) p. 36
An eNodeB is a logical network component which serves one or more E-UTRAN cells.
4.2.3.2 Evolved UTRAN p. 36
The Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) consists of eNodeBs, providing the E-UTRA user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The eNodeBs can be interconnected with each other by means of the X2 interface. The eNodeBs are connected by means of the S1 interface to the EPC (Evolved Packet Core), more specifically to the MME (Mobility Management Entity) by means of the S1-MME and to the Serving Gateway (S-GW) by means of the S1-U interface. The S1 interface supports a many-to-many relation between MMEs / Serving Gateways and eNodeBs.
The split of functions between eNodeB and EPC is described in the specifications TS 23.401, TS 36.300 and TS 36.401.
The architecture defined using E-UTRAN can be further described as follows:
The E-UTRAN consists of set of eNodeBs connected to the EPC through the S1 interface.
An eNodeB can support FDD mode, TDD mode or dual mode operation.
4.3 The Mobile Station (MS) p. 36
The mobile station consists of the physical equipment used by a PLMN subscriber; it comprises the Mobile Equipment (ME) and the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), called UMTS Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) for Release 99 and following. The ME comprises the Mobile Termination (MT) which, depending on the application and services, may support various combinations of Terminal Adapter (TA) and Terminal Equipment (TE) functional groups. These functional groups are described in TS 24.002.
4.4 User Equipment (UE) |R8| p. 37
The User Equipment Allows a user access to network services. For the purpose of 3GPP specifications the interface between the UE and the network is the radio interface. A User Equipment can be subdivided into a number of domains, the domains being separated by reference points. Currently the User Equipment is subdivided into the UICC domain and the ME Domain. The ME Domain can further be subdivided into one or more Mobile Termination (MT) and Terminal Equipment (TE) components showing the connectivity between multiple functional groups.
