What you will learn:
You'll study how the 4G EPC and 5G core (5GC) architectures are structured, how mobility management and session management work, how the required quality of service is ensured, and how services including telephony are delivered over the network to mobile subscribers. You will also learn about the differences between 5G non standalone and standalone operation.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- explain that the use of circuit switching in 2G and 3G systems for voice calls has been replaced with an all IP core network in LTE and 5G systems.
- explain the benefits of the separation off control and user plane functional elements in LTE systems that has been taken a step further in 5G systems.
- describe and compare the role of the functional elements of the core network in 2G, 3G, LTE, and 5G mobile systems.
- explain the benefits of the use of network function virtualisation in 5G systems.
- describe and compare the various was of providing a non standalone (NSA) 5G service that relies on existing LTE infrastructure.
- describe the factors that determine the Quality of Service (QofS) requirements for a particular service.
- explain and compare how LTE and 5G systems deliver the required QofS.
- describe the role of, and procedures involved in, user equipment (UE) registration.
- describe the procedures involved with LTE and 5G mobility management including handover to an earlier generation of mobile system.
- describe the basic functions of the key components of an IP Multimedia Sub-system (IMS).
- describe and compare the various ways of providing a telephony over 4G and 5G mobile systems including those that rely on fallback to another mobile system.
- describe the interaction between a mobile device and an IMS in setting up a VoIP call.
Course prerequisites:
You will get the most out of this online course if you already understand the principles of mobile communications. Therefore, familiarity with the material in the PTT "Introduction to mobile systems" and "Mobile radio communications" courses is desirable. Study of "4G and 5G radio access networks" will also be beneficial.
Approximate study time: 5 hours
Delivery platform requirements:
To access the course, a computer/tablet running a browser such as Chrome, Safari, Edge etc. is required. The device should have an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024x768.