2g 3g 4g 5g architecture

A technical overview of the architectures of 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile networks.

2G (Second Generation):

1. Architecture:

• Network Components:
  • Mobile Station (MS): Represents the mobile device used by the subscriber.
  • Base Station Subsystem (BSS):
    • Base Transceiver Station (BTS): Responsible for the radio communication with the mobile device.
    • Base Station Controller (BSC): Manages multiple BTS, handles call setup, handovers, and frequency hopping.
  • Network Switching Subsystem (NSS):
    • Mobile Switching Center (MSC): Manages call setup, location updating, handovers, and mobile services.
    • Home Location Register (HLR): Stores subscriber information.
    • Visitor Location Register (VLR): Keeps temporary information about subscribers currently within its jurisdiction.
  • Authentication Center (AUC): Verifies the user's identity.
  • Equipment Identity Register (EIR): Stores a list of valid mobile equipment on the network.

2. Technology:

• Utilizes Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) for channel access.
• Circuit-switched for voice communication.

3G (Third Generation):

1. Architecture:

• Core Network (CN):
  • MSC Server (MSCS): Evolves from MSC and handles circuit-switched calls.
  • Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN): Manages packet-switched data transfer.
  • Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN): Connects the mobile network to external packet data networks.
• Radio Access Network (RAN):
  • Node B (base station): Handles the radio communication with the mobile device.
  • Radio Network Controller (RNC): Controls multiple Node Bs, responsible for handovers, radio resource management, and encryption.
• User Equipment (UE): Represents the mobile device.

2. Technology:

• Utilizes Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) for channel access.
• Supports both circuit-switched and packet-switched communication.

4G (Fourth Generation):

1. Architecture:

• Evolution of 3G architecture with additional components:
  • Evolved Node B (eNB): Replaces Node B, responsible for radio communication.
  • Mobility Management Entity (MME): Controls the UE's location and manages handovers.
  • Serving Gateway (SGW): Routes data packets between the eNB and the packet data network.
  • Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW): Connects the mobile network to external packet data networks.
  • Home Subscriber Server (HSS): Stores subscriber information.
  • Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF): Manages Quality of Service (QoS) and charging.

2. Technology:

• Utilizes Long-Term Evolution (LTE) for high-speed data communication.
• Fully packet-switched for both voice and data.

5G (Fifth Generation):

1. Architecture:

• Core Network (5GC):
  • AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function): Manages access and mobility-related functions.
  • SMF (Session Management Function): Manages session establishment, modification, and termination.
  • UPF (User Plane Function): Handles user data routing and forwarding.
  • UDM (Unified Data Management): Stores subscriber data.
  • AUSF (Authentication Server Function): Handles authentication.
• Radio Access Network (RAN):
  • gNB (Next-generation Node B): Handles the radio communication with the mobile device.
  • NG-RAN (Next-generation RAN): Includes gNB and the RAN architecture.

2. Technology:

• Utilizes advanced technologies like millimeter waves, massive MIMO, and beamforming.
• Fully packet-switched with ultra-low latency for various services, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC).

Each generation represents a significant leap in terms of data rates, latency, and overall performance, enabling new and improved services for mobile users.