LTE-M Architecture | LTE-M user and control plane architecture
This page mentions LTE-M Architecture basics.Both user plane and control plane are described in this LTE-M architecture.
Introduction:
LTE-M follows 3GPP specifications similar to LTE technology.
LTE-M stands for Long Term Evolution for Machine-Type Communications.
It is mainly developed to fulfill cellular IoT device objectives such as low device cost, deep coverage, longer battery life,
higher cell capacity and so on. There are different categories of LTE-M devices viz. Cat-0, Cat-M1 and Cat-M2 as per different
3GPP releases. LTE-M Cat-0, Cat-M1 and Cat-M2 follow 3GPP TS 36 series of rel.12, rel.13 and rel.14 respectively.
Let us understand LTE-M architecture components.
As shown in the figure LTE SAE(System Architecture Evolution) consists UE, eNodeB and EPC(evolved packet core).
Various interfaces are designed between these entities which include Uu between UE and eNodeB,
X2 between two eNodeB, S1 between EPC and eNodeB. eNodeB has functionalities of both RNC and NodeB as per previous
UMTS architecture.LTE is completely IP based network.
The basic architecture contains the following network elements.
1. LTE EUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio)
2. LTE Evolved Packet Core.
Refer LTE System Architecture >> for more information.
LTE-M Architecture
The figure depicts LTE-M architecture in roaming scenario.
Both user plane and control plane are shown which are used for transport of data and control
informations. There are two main Network Attach options to support connectivity:
1. Attach with Packet Data Network (PDN) connection
2. Attach without PDN connection : It is added in 3GPP Release-13 to allow UEs offering CIoT
(Cellular Internet of Things) optimisations to remain attached without PDN connection.
There are different data connectivity options for PDN connections available to IoT
devices using the EPS.
• IP over Control Plane
• IP over User Plane
• Non-IP over Control Plane
• Non-IP over User Plane
NB-IoT Related Stuff
LTE and LTE-M RELATED LINKS
This tutorial section on LTE basics covers following sub topics:
LTE tutorial
LTE-M tutorial
LTE features
LTE terminologies
Frame
TDD FDD
Channel types
PHY
stack
throughput
CA
cell search
network entry
Timers
PSS vs SSS
Security
LTE Bands
EARFCN
Hotspot
router
What is VoLTE
VoLTE originating call flow
VoLTE UE attach and registration procedure
Difference between LTE Advanced vs LTE Advanced Pro vs 5G Links
Article on LTE Advanced>> LTE-a vs LTE-a Pro>> 5G vs LTE Advanced Pro>>
What is Difference between
difference between FDM and OFDM
Difference between SC-FDMA and OFDM
Difference between SISO and MIMO
Difference between TDD and FDD
Difference between 802.11 standards viz.11-a,11-b,11-g and 11-n
OFDM vs OFDMA
CDMA vs GSM