Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Technology / Communication / Access Network / Difference Between UTRAN and eUTRAN

Difference Between UTRAN and eUTRAN

August 4, 2014 Posted by Indunil

UTRAN vs eUTRAN
 

UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and eUTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) are both Radio Access Network Architectures, which consist of Air Interface Technology and Access Network Node Elements. UTRAN is the 3G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) radio access network that was introduced in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) Release 99 in year 1999 while eUTRAN is the LTE (Long Term Evolution) rival of it, which was introduced in 3GPP Release 8 in year 2008.

What is UTRAN?

UTRAN consists of UTRA (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) or in other words, Air Interface Technology, which includes WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), RNC (Radio Network Controller), and Node B (3G UMTS Base Station). Normally RNC is located in a centralized location connecting many Node Bs into a one RNC. The RRC (Radio Resource Control) function is implemented by both RNC and Node B together. UTRAN is a combined architecture of both CS (Circuit Switched) and PS (Packet Switched) network.

The external interfaces of UTRAN are IuCS that connects with CS Core Network, IuPS that connects with PS Core Network, and Uu interface, which is air interface between UE and Node B. More specifically, IuCS control plane connects with MSC Server, IuCS user plane connects with MGW (Media Gateway), IuPS control plane connects with SGSN, and IuPS user plane connects with SGSN or GGSN, depending on Direct Tunnel Implementation. The internal interfaces of UTRAN are IuB that lies between Node B and RNC and IuR that connects two RNCs for Handover purposes.

What is eUTRAN?

The eUTRAN consists of eUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) or, in other words, Air Interface Technology which includes OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) and eNode Bs (Evolved Node B). Here, both RNC and Node B functions are done by eNode B and it moves all RRC processing towards Base Station end. eNode Bs are providing the eUTRA user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. Most important factor about eUTRAN is that it has a flat architecture of All IP network.

The eNode Bs are interconnected with each other by the X2 interface which is the only internal interface of eUTRAN. S1 interface is used, to connect eNode Bsto the EPC (Evolved Packet Core), and it is the external interface between eUTRAN and Core Network or EPC. The S1 interface can be categorized, more specifically, into S1-MME and S1-U. S1-MME is the one that eNode B connects to the MME (Mobility Management Entity), and S1-U is the one which connects to the Serving Gateway (S-GW). eUTRAN air interface is called as LTE-Uu which lies between UE and eNode B. 

What is the Difference between UTRAN and eUTRAN?

• UTRAN is the Radio Access Network Architecture of 3G UMTS while eUTRAN is that of the LTE.

• UTRAN supports both Circuit Switched and Packet Switch Services while eUTRAN only supports Packet Switch.

• UTRAN Air interface is WCDMA based on spread spectrum modulation technology while eUTRAN has multi-carrier modulation scheme called OFDMA.

• UTRAN has distributed Radio Network function into two network nodes called Node B and RNC, while eUTRAN only contains eNode B which performs a similar function of both RNC and Node B in a single element.

• UTRAN has internal interfaces called IuB, IuR while X2 is the only internal interface of eUTRAN.

• UTRAN has external interface Uu, IuCS andIuPS while eUTRAN has S1 and more specifically S1-MME and S1-U.

Related posts:

Difference Between HSDPA and HSUPA Difference Between Cable and Wire Difference Between DSL and Broadband Difference Between CDMA and WCDMA Difference Between IMS and SIP

Filed Under: Access Network Tagged With: eUTRAN, Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, UTRAN, UTRAN Definition

About the Author: Indunil

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Grain and Seed

Difference Between Rate Zonal and Isopycnic Centrifugation

Difference Between Rate Zonal and Isopycnic Centrifugation

Difference between Queen Bed and King Bed

Difference between Queen Bed and King Bed

Difference Between Lord and Sir

Difference Between Client and Server Systems

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides
  • What is the Difference Between Pneumatocele and Lung Abscess
  • What is the Difference Between Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Activity
  • What is the Difference Between Mylanta and Omeprazole
  • What is the Difference Between Malar Rash and Rosacea
  • What is the Difference Between IVIG and SCIG
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.