Mobile networks architecture
2013-02-11 12:06:00
This post does not really bring something new to the community but it's a reminder.
Here is an overview of mobile networks architecture and generations.
Here is a more detailed description of each mobile network generation. Let's start with traditionnal circuit-switched technologies:
And here is an overview of more recent packet based technologies:
And now a bird view of latest telecom providers standard: IP Multimedia Subsystem
Here is now the meaning of all those ugly accronyms:
AUC | AUthentication Centre |
AS | Application Server |
BG | Border Gateway |
BGCF | Breakout Gateway Control Function |
BSC | Base Station Controller |
BSS | Base Station Sub-system |
AUC | AUthentication Centre |
BTS | Base Tranceiver Station |
CG | Charging Gateway |
CSCF | Call Session Control Function |
DHCP | Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol |
DNS | Domain Name System |
DRNC | Drift Radio Network Controller |
E-CSCF | Emergency Call Session Control Function |
EDGE | Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution |
EIR | Equipment Identity Register |
EPC | Evolved Packet Core |
EPS | Evolved Packet System |
E-UTRAN | Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network |
GGSN | Gateway GPRS Support Node |
GMSC | Gateway Mobile Switching Centre |
GSM | Global System for Mobile |
GSS | GPRS Sub-System |
GPRS | General Packet Radio Service |
HLR | Home Location Register |
HSDPA | High Speed Downlink Packet Access |
HSS | Home Subscriber Server |
I-CSCF | Interrogating Call Session Control Function |
IMS | IP Multimedia Subsystem |
MGCF | Media Gateway Controller Function |
MGW | Media GateWay |
MME | Mobility Management Entity |
MRFC | Media Resource Function Controller |
MRFP | Media Resource Function Processor |
MS | Mobile Station |
MSC | Mobile Switching Centre |
NGN | Next Generation Network |
NSS | Network Sub-System |
PCU | Packet Control Unit |
GSS | GPRS Sub-System |
PCRF | Policy and Charging Rules Function |
P-CSCF | Proxy Call Session Control Function |
PDN | Packet Data Network |
PGW | PDN GateWay |
PLMN | Public Land Mobile Network |
PSTN | Public Switched Telephone Network |
RADIUS | Remote Authentication Dial In User Service |
RNC | Radio Network Controller |
S-CSCF | Serving Call Session Control Function |
SIP | Session Initiation Protocol |
SGSN | Service GPRS Support Node |
SGW | Signaling/Serving GateWay |
SLF | Subscriber Location Function |
SRNC | Serving Radio Network Controller |
TRAU | Transcoder Rate Adaptor Unit |
TSC | Transit Switching Centre |
UE | User Equipment |
UMTS | Universal Mobile Telecommunications System |
UTRAN | UMTS TRAnsport Network |
VLR | Visitor Location Register |