LTE networks: structure and operating principle. Types of mobile Internet - deciphering abbreviations How 4g works

Modern infocommunication technologies and electronics are developing at such a speed that it is difficult and unthinkable for the average person to imagine themselves not only without a smartphone or tablet, but also without access to the Internet. Thus, Internet-connected gadgets have surpassed desktop computers and laptops mainly due to the advent of 3G.

Turning to history, one can see that almost every ten years, starting from the 1970s, when the 1G standard was developed, more and more new types of communication appear. By 1990, 2G was adopted, and in the early 2000s, the 3G standard was introduced. It was only in 2010 that a network based on the IP protocol began to spread around the world under the name 4G. Each new communication standard differs from the previous one in frequency range, size throughput channel and bitrate, as well technical maintenance the network itself.

4G is a new generation of data reception and transmission technology that can work with throughput more than 100 Mbit/s for mobile and more than 1 Gbit/s for fixed network subscribers, respectively.

Back in 2012, such wireless technologies of this generation as WiMAX 2 (WMAN-Advanced, IEEE 802.16m) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A) were introduced

Technological features

Requirements for data exchange speeds of 100 Mbit/s for mobile and 1 Gbit/s for fixed 4G communication receivers were presented back in 2008 by the International Telecommunication Union. However, initially the LTE and WiMAX standards did not meet the above requirements, although they were considered the fourth generation. Only with the launch of LTE-Advanced did the network speed reach the required value.

As for the difference from the previous 3G standard, in the fourth the principle of data transmission is based on the IPv4 and IPv6 packet protocols. VoLTE technology is provided for voice transmission.

Radio planning and network maintenance specialists regularly monitor and implement innovations to increase the maximum speed and quality of information reception/transmission, since 4G must meet the following conditions:

Mandatory use of IP protocols.

Capacity for subscribers moving at speeds up to 33.3 m/s.

Dynamic partitioning to optimize network processes.

40 MHz bandwidth.

Excellent quality mobile systems.

As for the hardware, equipment production is carried out by such corporations as Siemens, Huawei, Nokia. Qualcomm produces microprocessors for modems that can operate in several standards at once.

Difference between 4G and 3G

The first thing that is immediately noticeable when using the new generation is the tenfold increase in traffic speed, that is, in 3G it ranges from 348 kbit/s for mobile and from 2 Mbit/s for landline subscribers.

It is worth noting that gadgets that have a built-in 4G module can also work in 3G. The methods of transmitting and receiving information are also significantly different. 3G is characterized by both voice and packet modes, while 4G is packet only.

Since the third generation appeared much earlier than the fourth, the coverage area is also many times larger.

Also, the trio has a code division of signals, which ensures a reliable and uninterrupted connection when switching from one base station to another.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of course, the most basic advantage over other sources of network access is mobility and portability, without any connection to a cable, cord or coverage area.

The other side of the coin is that 4G coverage is not yet quite perfect. Therefore, you can count on stable work only within large cities or metropolitan areas. But the main condition for connection is a built-in or external modem.

If we compare mobile communications and wi-fi, the latter has a clear advantage in speed. This also applies to energy consumption, since wifi modules consume battery energy several times less than 4G modems.

Another compelling argument when choosing a 4G modem is the relatively high price of such devices, as well as the cost of the Internet, which depends on the operator’s tariff.

Having analyzed the text described above, we can come to the conclusion that at the stage of development at which 4G is now, such a standard is best suited for fast access to the Internet, web surfing, viewing mail, news, video, audio and personal accounts, but not for fully downloading large files.

The promise of 5G

On this moment The world's leading manufacturers and operators of telecommunications equipment and services are already developing latest standard 5G. The announcement is expected by 2020. The concept involves network multitasking, multi-switching functionality, as well as constant online operation of gadgets and devices. The main emphasis is on high energy efficiency, which ensures very low energy consumption of equipment.

Video about what 4G LTE communication means, how does 4G differ from 3G?

Welcome to the fourth generation! This is exactly how the newly developed generation is translated from English (fourth generation (abbreviated as 4G) mobile communications.

If the subscriber cellular communication is in the coverage area of ​​a 4G network, its communication quality is noticeably improved, and the Internet access speed exceeds 100 megabits per second. That is, download a 4.7 gigabyte movie (this is DVD Disc) can be done in just 6 minutes.

4G communication system - packet data transmission is the same as 3G, GPRS and EDGE. The IPv4 protocol is currently used to transfer information, but since the addresses of this protocol are running out, in the near future an updated version of this protocol will be used - IPv6.

Most developed countries still use 3G and 3.5G, including Russia. Many countries that do not use 3G are trying to switch directly from GPRS or EDGE to 4G.

The 4G network first appeared in Oslo and Stockholm on December 14, 2009 using the LTE communication standard. As for Russia, the first city covered LTE communication, became Kazan.

To transmit voice to this standard VoIP technology is provided, for example via Skype. Using VoIP, you can get better signal reception from your interlocutor, and depending on the tariff plan, you can save on calls.

For the 4G network, centimeter waves are used, namely the frequency of 3600 MHz.

But everything is not so good: 4G, like other communication systems, has its drawbacks. Firstly, with a stable signal level, the waves of this connection can have a negative effect on humans and animals. Secondly, devices using 4G require a lot of electrical resources.

Most likely, we will be using the 3.5G network for several years. She supports enough high speed and good call quality, especially in all modern devices To use the Internet, equipment is already built in to receive and transmit signals over 3G and 3.5G networks.

In Moscow, St. Petersburg and some other cities, 4G service is widespread, provided by the 4G network operator - the company. This network is designed to provide mobile Internet services. To connect to this network, it is enough to have a special Yota modem.

What is noteworthy is that some laptop manufacturers have begun to integrate Yota modems into their computers. Thus, having purchased such a PC, the user can connect to the Yota network operating in the 4G standard without purchasing a special modem for this.

My experience with the Yota network shows that when choosing a suitable tariff, the speed of data exchange between a computer and the Internet is practically indistinguishable from the speed of data exchange when connecting to a fixed wired high-speed Internet network.

And, for example, if you connect to the Internet via a 3G and 3.5G network (via mobile phone, communicator or special modem), maximum speed This transmission does not exceed 460 kbit/sec. This, of course, is a completely acceptable speed, but when working in 3G or 3.5G you still feel like you are using a mobile connection. The 4G option creates the feeling of working on a fixed wired network with a speed of 100 Mbit/s.

The disadvantages of using Yota include:

  • limited distribution of this service (only within some large cities and not even throughout the entire territory of these cities),
  • complex and constantly changing tariffs for services provided by Yota (for example, the company’s recent refusal to provide Internet connection services lasting a day and a week),
  • the need to purchase a special modem.

The main advantages of 4G are the use of 4th generation technologies, which provide:

  • high Internet speed comparable to wired networks,
  • and no wires.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the 4G standard has already appeared in Russia, has taken shape in concrete and tangible services, and is gradually developing further, creating conditions for choice and for the convenience of users.

Moreover, additional competition in this matter will never hurt. For example, at the moment Yota offers free annual service, however, at a low, limited data exchange rate, which does not give the opportunity to experience all the benefits of 4G technologies.

Although the standards of the third generation of mobile communications provide users with a wide range of services and provide high speed information exchange up to 14 Mbit/s, the volume of information in communication networks continues to grow and therefore the 3GPP organization began work on the creation of a fourth generation standard back in 2004 4G - LTE (Long Term Evolution). The main requirements for the new standard included: increasing the data transfer rate to 100 Mbit/s, increasing system security, reducing energy consumption, reducing system delays, and compatibility with previous generations of mobile networks. Already in 2009, the first LTE network was launched in Sweden. Theoretically, 4G networks are capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 326.4 Mbit/s for reception and up to 172.8 Mbit/s for transmission. At this speed, it will take no more than one minute to download a movie in good quality.

The structure of the LTE network differs significantly from the networks and. The base station subsystem and switching subsystem have undergone changes, as well as the technology for data exchange between the user terminal and the base station, and protocols for transmitting information between network elements. Thus, now absolutely all information (voice, packet data) is transmitted in the form of packets.

In the standard network switching subsystem LTE The following nodes can be distinguished:

  • Service gateway Serving Gateway (SGW) replaces the MSC, MGW and SGSN of the UMTS network and performs the functions of processing and routing packet data from the base station subsystem. The serving gateway connects directly to the 2G and 3G networks of the same operator. This greatly simplifies the transfer of connections to previous generation networks when the coverage area deteriorates or the network is congested.
  • Gateway for connecting to networks of other operators Public Data Network Gateway (PGW) routes information (voice, packet data) from the network (to the network) of a given operator.
  • Mobility Management Node Mobility Management Entity (MME) designed to manage the mobility of LTE network clients.
  • Subscriber data server Home Subscriber Server (HSS) is a combination of VLR, HLR, AUC registers in one device.
  • Billing Node Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) is intended for generating invoices to clients for communication services provided.

There is only one traditional element left in the base station subsystem - the base station eNodeB, which, in addition to the functions of the base station itself, also performs the functions of an LTE base station controller. This solution simplifies network expansion, since there is no need to add new controllers or expand the capacity of existing ones.

LTE networks use transmission technologies MIMO data and OFDM coding system. Technology MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) provides for data transmission via N-antennas and reception via M-antennas, with the receiving and transmitting antennas located at such a distance from each other as to obtain minimal correlation. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) represents digital circuit modulation, which uses a large number of adjacent orthogonal subcarrier frequencies.

Currently, the highest priority for 4G networks are frequencies in the 2.3 GHz range. For example, the Chinese mobile operator China Mobile operates on this frequency. Another frequency range, 2.5 GHz, is widely used in Europe, Japan, India and the USA. There is also a frequency of 2.1 GHz, but a very narrow range is available here - only 15 MHz, and many European mobile operators have even less - up to 5 MHz. In the future, most likely, the 3.5 GHz frequency range will become promising, due to the fact that in many countries wireless broadband Internet access networks already exist in this range and the transition to the LTE network will allow operators to use the frequency without purchasing new expensive licenses. If necessary, other frequencies can be allocated for fourth generation networks. Different 4G network structures can use frequency bands in the range of 1.4 - 20 MHz. For comparison, the UMTS standard uses fixed 5 MHz bands. LTE networks use temporary TDD (Time Division Duplex) and frequency FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) signal separation.

Typically, an LTE network base station can serve an area with a radius of up to 5 km, although if necessary, due to the high location of the base station antennas, this size can be increased to 30 or even 100 km. The big advantage of the LTE standard is the large selection of terminals. Except cell phones laptops can be used, tablet computers, video cameras and gaming devices with built-in modules for compatibility with fourth generation networks.

LTE standard technology supports handover and roaming with cellular networks of the 2G and 3G generations, which allows these devices to be compatible with these networks. Network structure 4G allows you to immediately redirect a call or Internet session to a 3G or 2G network (UMTS or GSM). In addition, LTE networks easily integrate with WI-FI networks and the Internet.

Good mobile internet just works. And yet, the Internet is different from the Internet. It can be designated by the symbols 3G, 4G, LTE - out of ignorance, you won’t immediately understand what the difference is. Many people have probably heard that 4G is better than 3G, but why? We will try to answer this and other questions about 4G.

I know that my smartphone supports 4G networks, but the gadget does not connect to them. What can be wrong?

If you know for sure that you are in a 4G network coverage area, then the problem may be with your phone. On iPhone you can enable 4G in settings. Go to “Cellular Data”, then to “Data Options”. Make sure the LTE switch is turned on.

On Android smartphones, you can select the network mode in the settings in the " Wireless network", then - the item "Mobile network", then - "Preferred network mode", where you need to activate the option "4G/3G/2G".

Another problem may lie in the fact that your Android smartphone can work with two SIM cards at once. Accordingly, there are two options for installing a single SIM card. However, only one of them provides mobile Internet connection. The solution is simple - move the SIM card according to the instructions for your smartphone to another place intended for it.

4G is an abbreviation for the English fourth generation. This is a general designation for several fourth-generation mobile communications technologies, the latest for today. The most common 4G technology is the LTE standard. In this sense, LTE and 4G are synonyms. The 4G standard was created to make mobile Internet faster than 3G. For a similar reason, several years ago 3G technologies replaced 2G.

What is the difference between 3G and 4G?

Calls

Through the 3G network you can make calls and connect to the mobile Internet - any smartphone allows this. However, on the MTS network, calls via 4G open up a new level of voice quality, although this is not yet supported by all smartphones. For compatibility, you need a gadget with the VoLTE function - there is a constantly updated list of smartphones with it. Conversations via 4G are already available to MTS subscribers in more than fifty Russian regions - there is a list of them. While 4G calls are not available to everyone and not everywhere, all 4G smartphones can simultaneously work in 3G networks and even 2G networks - so that you can always make a call.

Internet

For users mobile internet The main thing is that 4G Internet is faster than 3G. What does it mean? Pages in the browser on your smartphone or tablet load in less time, you can watch videos over the Internet from best quality, the picture in your mobile online games does not freeze at the most crucial moment.

Faster means more expensive. So?

For users of all MTS tariffs, it makes no difference what technology you use to connect to the mobile Internet. 4G is neither cheap nor expensive. It's just faster.

Why is it important for me to understand the differences between 4G and 3G?

In order to do right choice when buying a new gadget. Be sure to pay attention to whether it supports 4G networks. Only such a device can provide high speed mobile Internet. And speed is your comfort, your time.

However, almost all new gadgets are released with 4G support - for every taste and budget. For example, you can buy a suitable smartphone for less than 4,000 rubles.

Did you know that...

Finally, some interesting facts about 4G.

  • The first commercial 4G network went live in December 2009 in Sweden.
  • Subscribers cellular networks in many countries they pay more for 4G Internet than for 3G Internet. The logic is that a more modern network gives higher speed and more opportunities. In Russia, operators, as a rule, do not make separate tariffs for mobile networks of different generations.
  • On Android smartphones and iOS gadgets, 4G network connection indicators look different. In the first case, it is the inscription 4G. In the second - LTE.
  • MTS company is the first of all Russian operators launched LTE networks in all Russian regions. You can find out about 4G network coverage on the operator’s website.
  • 5G networks will also certainly appear, and they will certainly be better than 4G. In 2019, MTS launched the first test zones with communications of the future.

Gradually, 4G networks are becoming as common as 3G, and mobile Internet is an integral part of the modern user of a smartphone or other mobile device. Currently mobile network helps us use all kinds of information, navigate the area, read the news and communicate. Much less often we can afford to download audio and video files. Modern online services require rapid development wireless technologies, increasing their speeds and quality of service. The latest and most advanced mobile communication standard introduced today is LTE technology, which refers to fourth generation cellular communications (4G) and provides data transmission at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s. Thanks to 4G, we can already use YouTube and watch videos in HD quality. Under ideal conditions, the speed of LTE networks is comparable to a wired connection. An LTE improvement - LTE Advanced with a speed of 300 Mbit/s should also be released soon. For example, 1.5 GB of data will be downloaded in a minute. Main advantage newest generations cellular communications - increasing data transfer speeds in conditions of overloaded radio frequency ranges. Not only do they operate in this frequency spectrum mobile operators, but also TV companies, providers satellite communications, as well as about a dozen different telecommunications businesses. LTE makes it possible to use the radio spectrum more efficiently and provides access to modern services to a larger number of users simultaneously.

Technically available speed is up to 74 Mbit/s, but in fact it will be lower depending on the location of the signal reception, network congestion and the performance of your mobile device (speed limitation due to processor capabilities). You will be able to achieve a speed of 74 Mbit/s only near base stations, and in Moscow, with normal network load, the average speed will be from 10-20 Mbit/s.

Transition to LTE standard

The transition to LTE entails the purchase of new models mobile devices, since in old smartphones and tablets it is impossible to use the existing 3G slots for the 4G generation SIM cards. You will have to choose a new gadget from the LTE devices officially presented in Russia, since unofficially supplied equipment may be blocked by the operator or the frequency range may not be supported. Then you will need to change your SIM card from your operator (for free) to one that supports LTE. In this case, you may have to reconnect mobile Internet banking and some other services where mobile authorization was used.

Selecting an operator and tariff

LTE technology for voice transmission ( Voice over LTE) is still unavailable in Russia, but as for Internet access, here mobile operator Scartel offers unique unlimited tariffs. Most affordable tariff starts from 400 rubles/month with a maximum speed of 512 kbit/s. The price of the most expensive is 1,400 rubles per month in Moscow and St. Petersburg and 850 rubles per month in the regions. It offers speeds of up to 20 Mbps. Scartel subscribers can change their tariff plan as often as they like, and if there are no funds in their account, they can use free access to the Internet at speeds up to 64 kbit/s.

MegaFon has limited traffic on its LTE network: up to 40 GB per month (20 GB each day and night). To work with LTE, you must connect the option for data transfer from subscription fee from 1000 to 3000 rubles per month. There are also speed restrictions: the maximum speed in inexpensive LTE options is limited to 10 Mbit/s, but in expensive tariffs there are no speed limits, compared to Scartel.

LTE network in Moscow is also provided by MTS. The tariffs of this company are somewhat more comfortable than those of MegaFon: subscription fee ranges from 500 to 1400 rubles per month, the maximum volume of traffic is from 4 to 25 GB, and the speed is not limited. However, the coverage area of ​​the MTS network is slightly lower than that of MegaFon/Skartel.

Beeline's 4G network also operates in Moscow, and its launch in St. Petersburg is next. To connect it, you will need to get a USIM card with LTE support. The 4G coverage of Beeline's network in Moscow is greater than that of MTS, but less than that of MegaFon.

Selecting 4G devices

The initial problems of device compatibility with Russian LTE networks, as they were previously, have now been practically resolved and Russian users have access to a good selection of gadgets: about 30 devices with LTE support, the vast majority of which are modems and smartphones.

The Scartel company offers users a proprietary USB modem and a pocket Wi-Fi router with LTE support, as well as an Internet center for connecting multiple devices. The cost of the devices is 3000, 5000 and 6000 rubles, respectively. The router has a SIM card, but you cannot use it in another device. The company also recommends a number of Sony VAIO laptop models with built-in LTE modules.

Megafon initially offered only a USB modem for 3,000 rubles. Now you can get it for free, but you need to pay for two months of access to LTE Internet. The modem is much larger in size than the analogue from Scartel, but it provides operation in both LTE, 3G and GSM networks. A little later, a pocket Wi-Fi router costing 4,500 rubles appeared, again with support for both LTE and previous technologies. Megafon provides subscribers with a significantly larger coverage area. In addition, the modem from MegaFon supports both types of LTE - FDD and TDD.

It is worth noting that through the use of full-fledged SIM cards, the range of LTE subscriber equipment available to MegaFon users is constantly expanding. Thus, Megafon presented samsung tablet Galaxy Tab 8.9 and samsung smartphone Galaxy S III LTE. The list of phones supporting LTE-FDD in the 2.5-2.7 GHz range is also increasing: HTC Evo 4G, Sony Xperia ion, Nokia Lumia 900 and iPhone 5c/5s.

MTS uses TDD technology, and its range of subscriber equipment is limited to a USB modem and a pocket Wi-Fi router manufactured by Huawei. The cost of the devices is 2000 and 4800 rubles, respectively. Last year in Moscow, MTS also deployed an LTE-FDD network.

  • Apple iPad Air
  • Apple iPhone 5s
  • Sony Xperia Tablet Z
  • Sony Xperia Z
  • LG G2
  • Nokia Lumia 925, 1020 and 1520
  • Samsung Galaxy S III LTE
  • HTC One
  • Samsung Galaxy S4
  • BlackBerry Q10
  • HTC One Mini
  • Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

Mobile routers

Megafon Space is a convenient device for home or office use in places where a wired Internet connection cannot be established. You can connect up to 32 devices to one router via Wi-Fi, a phone via VoIP - and still stay connected at LTE-Advanced speeds (up to 300 Mbit/s). The price of the device is steep and amounts to 12,000 rubles.

4G Huawei modem E392 can be purchased separately, without being tied to a telecom operator. But it’s more profitable to take a branded device from MTS. It is worth noting that the modem operates in both the FDD and TDD ranges. It also has a card slot microSD memory and a low price of 900 rubles.

4G Wi-Fi router from MTS comes complete with tariff plan"MTS Connect-4". The original name of the device is Huawei E5776s-22. It is capable of switching between 2G/3G/4G standards and distributing the Internet to ten users. Depending on the number of connected time battery life can be up to ten devices.

LTE standard and its variations: LTE Advanced

While LTE networks are just being deployed, some operators are testing a new technology - LTE Advanced. The Scartel operator has created two pilot LTE Advanced zones in Moscow. The speed on this network can reach 300 Mbit/s. But the main advantage of this technology is the ability for the operator to share different frequency sections from different ranges with a total width of up to 100 MHz. True, subscriber devices for this standard are not yet on sale.

Two varieties of LTE: FDD and TDD

A feature of LTE is a wide range of bands. At the same time, the description of the standard indicates which parts of each range can be used and for which of its two varieties.

Frequency-Division Duplexing (FDD) means that the frequencies for reception and transmission must be spaced between the lower and upper parts of the range. For example, in the range of 2.5-2.7 GHz the difference between such sections should be 120 MHz. Time-Division Duplex (TDD) assumes that reception and transmission are carried out on the same frequency with a time separation - in this case, the frequencies must be in the center of the range. These are two fundamentally different versions LTE, which affect subscriber and operator equipment and, as a result, the prevalence of one or another LTE option in Russia.