A Novel Network Architecture for 3G Evolution

With the increasing requirement on QoS of data service, the long term evolution (LTE) of 3G is being researched and standardized to provide higher bit rates with lower latency, lower cost and improved coverage. In this paper, a novel network topology optimization of UMTS access networks combining mobility management and improved authentication schemes is proposed to support these requirements. The architecture presents a concept of URA (UMTS terrestrial radio access network registration area) self-control system in control plane (C-plane) of access network, so that the handover process of C-plane can be independent of that of user plane (U-plane), which significantly reduces the handover latency. Moreover, a novel layered tunnels topology method is proposed in U-plane to achieve load equilibrium in access gateway (AGW). Based on the proposed network architecture, we give examples of signaling sequence combining fast handover process and proposed authentication scheme, and shows that their performance is generally superior to current 3G network architecture, in terms of reducing handover latency and increasing data security and integrity