Learning Objectives

After successfully completing this section, you should be able to

  1. Explain in technical terms what cellular networks are, how they work.
  2. Tell about the history of mobile cellular networks.
  3. Explain the differences between 4G LTE cellular networks and 5G cellular networks.
  4. explain the relationships and differences between mobile cellular networks and wireless networks.
  5. explain how mobile computer networks work.
  6. describe the characteristics of 4G LTE mobile cellular networks
  7. describe the architecture, elements of 4G LTE cellular networks, as well as the protocols used.
  8. describe the characteristics of 5G mobile cellular networks
  9. describe the architecture, elements of 5G cellular networks, as well as the protocols used.
  10. explain the underlying concepts, issues, and technologies of mobile computer networks.

Learning Tasks

Required:

  1. Watch the slideshow for this section
  2. Study Section 7.4, Cellular Networks: 4G and 5G, in the textbook

Terms and Topics

Section 2 – Cellular Networks: 4G and 5G

Cellular
Cells
Mobile devices
User Equipment (UE)
International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
Base station
eNode-B
Home Subscriber Server (HSS)
Serving gateway (S-GW)
Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW)
Mobility Management Entity (MME)
Internet access through cellular network
Cellular network architecture
Global system for mobile communication (GSM)
FDMA as 1G cellular system
2G, 2.5G, and 3G cellular networks
Cells
Base transceiver station (BTS)
Base station controller (BSC)
Paging
Base station system (BSS)
Mobile switching center (MSC)

3G cellular data networks
3G core cellular data network
Generalized packet radio service (GPRS)
Serving GPRS support nodes (SGSNs)
Gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSNs)
3G radio access network
Radio network controller (RNC)
4G long-term evolution (LTE) standard
Evolved packet core (EPC)
LTE radio access network
4G Core network
4G Core network functions
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
Tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID)
Network attachment
The global cellular network
5G cellular networks
5G NR
5G core network
5G Core network functions

Leading Questions

  1. How do TDM and FDM work?
  2. What are the main features of GSM networks?
  3. What are the main features of GPRS networks?
  4. What is the triangle routing problem?
  5. How do mobile user location protocols work?
  6. How do handoffs happen in GSM networks?
  7. How can calls be routed to a mobile user in mobile networks?
  8. What are the main components of cellular network architecture?
  9. What are some important standards and technologies for cellular networks?
  10. What role or roles does a Radio Network Controller (RNC) play on a 3G cellular network?
  11. What are the differences between 3G cellular network and 4G LTE cellular network?
  12. What are the three sublayers of the mobile device’s link layer on a 4G LTE cellular network? What role does each sublayer play?
  13. What is the 4G Core network?
  14. What does the 4G Core network do?
  15. On an LTE cellular network, what is network attachment?
  16. On an LTE cellular network, what does power management do?
  17. What are sleep modes of wireless devices on an LTE cellular network?
  18. What is the global cellular network? How does it work?
  19. What defines the ultimate wide-area data service?
  20. What services are 5G cellular networks expected to provide?
  21. What are the two major drawbacks of FR2 frequencies (millimeter wave frequencies) used some 5G networks?
  22. What are the priorities for the design of 5G networks?
  23. Why are small cell stations needed for 5G networks using FR2 frequencies?
  24. What is the 5G Core network?
  25. What does the 5G Core network do?
  26. What are the main functions of the 5G Core network? Compared to 4G Core network, what are new in 5G Core network?
  27. What are differences and similarities between 4G Core network and 5G Core network?