Project Title:
Access Gateway Platform for LTE Access Networks (LTE-AGW)
Project Reference:
ART/110CP
Project Period:
20110125 - 20121125
Funds Approved (HK$’000):
17228
Project Coordinator:
Mr Jiadong Ou
Deputy Project Coordinator:
/
Deliverable:
LTE-AGW Development
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Phase A1A – Research and Specifications of LTEAGW
Purpose: to research the LTE standards specifications with focus on LTE access network and it entities and to define the detailed system requirement specifications for LTEAGW.
Deliverables:
- LTE-AGW System Specifications
- LTE-AGW High Level Design
Phase A1B – Basic LTE-AGW Functions
Purpose: to build the control plane with the basic functionality (network entry & exit)
Deliverables: (Detailed Design, Software Deliverable), support these scenarios/features:
o Network Entry and Exit Workflow
o User Authentication
o QoS Assignments
o Data Path Establishments
o Per-data flow traffic statistics
Phase A1C – System Integration
Purpose: to perform system integration within LTE access network: between the deliverable and with other LTE entities (with HSS server, PCRF, eNodeB or simulators), based on Phase 1B features
Deliverable:
- System Integration Test Plan
- System Integration Test Reports
Phase A2A – Mobile Handover Features
Purpose: to handle Handover functionality
Deliverable: Detailed Design, Software Deliverable handling:
o handover
o Idle mode and paging
Phase A2B – System Integration:
Purpose: to perform system integration within LTE access network with other LTE entities (with HSS server, PCRF, eNodeB or simulators), based on Phase 1B features
Deliverables:
- System Integration Test Plan
- System Integration Test Reports
Phase A2C – Performance & Robustness
Purpose: to perform further integration and system testing to evaluate the system capacity, system throughput
Deliverables:
- System performance test reports
LTE-AGW Network Management
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Phase M1A – Management Features and Interface Research
Purpose: to research the LTE access network management features and interfaces
Deliverables:
- Research report of LTE access network management
Phase M1B – Management Interfaces of LTEAGW
Purpose: to build the management agents for LTEAGW
Deliverables: (Detailed Design and Software )
- Agents: Command Line (CLI) and Telnet agent, HTTP agent, SNMP agent, SNMP MIB
- Features: configuration, status and statistics
Sponsor:
Altai Technologies Limited
Comba Telecom Systems Limited
FUJIAN SUNNADA COMMUNICATION CO. LTD.
Description:
LTE (Long Term Evolution) defines the next 4G wireless communications standard, and delivers IP based services with assured Quality-of-Service (QoS) and seamless mobility. In addition to standard specifications on the air interface for UE and eNodeB, the 3GPP has also defined to the specifications to address the architectural issues on the access network. LTE also introduces high demands of data throughput and capacity (for example, each base station can deliver 100Mbps and support hundreds of users). It is much expected that the data bandwidth consumed by each subscriber will increase, while service plans will offer lower cost/MB and even flat rate for high volume users. Existing network architecture used to deploy 3G/HSPA data services have many issues and cannot be migrated to LTE: i) complex architecture with many network elements, introducing high network cost and high network latency, ii) constrained throughput, iii) cannot cost-effectively scale up. Therefore, the 3GPP standards introduce Evolved Packet System (EPS), which include the evolved access network architecture for LTE. The evolution of LTE technologies has created many opportunities for mid-size technology companies in the area to enter the LTE market. Rather than LTE macro base stations (called eNodeB), they can develop smaller scale base stations for picocell/femotcell to address niche market. However, for them to compete and to sell to the 2nd tier LTE network operators, they must offer a cost-effective LTE access network solution, which includes at least the eNodeB, access network elements and management systems. The mid-size companies have much advantage and great potentials in this market, such as cost advantage. The project aims to help these mid-size companies, by licensing the deliverable of this project to quickly develop their own LTE EPS solution. The deliverables will consist of cost-effective scalable control plane, data plane and management plane software based equipments in the LTE access network. This will greatly reduce the R&D cost, R&D risk and CAPEX to sell for the licensee. The project team’s experience, know-hows and framework from WiMAX ASN-GW and CWMS projects provide the critical foundation. At the same time, a publicly traded Hong Kong technology company, who has licensed the WiMAX ASN-GW has signed terms sheet to license the developed technologies.
