Courses Details
Course Overview
The LTE Service Architecture Evolution (SAE) Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network is an essential component of next generation mobile networks. This course provides a detailed analysis of the architecture, interfaces, protocols, QoS, deployment and dimensioning of EPC. The overall requirements of the LTE/SAE proposal are examined, and participants will be able to dimension for the required number of MMEs, SGWs, PGWs, HSS and PCRF for EPC.  
Course Schedule
Target Audience
Engineering professionals involved in the Planning, Deployment, Optimization, Operations & Maintenance of LTE Evolved Packet Core Networks. 
Course Objectives
Outline the architecture and interfaces of E-EUTRAN and the EPC
Characterize the performance capabilities of LTE/SAE system 
Discuss the different services offered by EPS and their impact on traffic and signaling 
Outline the key protocols used for control and user traffic 
Explain the procedure for EPS bearer establishment and service data flow
Explore options for implementing voice in LTE (VoLTE, CSFB, OTT)
Step through the planning methodology for EPC
Understand traffic concepts and traffic modeling for LTE
Estimate the  signaling and user plane traffic
Dimension a sample LTE core network, with an estimation of the EPC nodes  

Course Prerequisites
Should have an understanding of data communication and 2G/3G core networks.
Course Outline
•Introduction
3GPP releases
LTE requirements
LTE technology overview
LTE protocol stack - user plane and control plane
3GPP EPS architecture- eNodeB, MME, SGW, PGW, PCRF, HSS
EPS interfaces
Roaming architecture
Non-3GPP access
EPS Identities – GUTI, S-TMSI, M-TMSI, P-TMSI, TAI, PDP address

•Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Architecture
EPC for LTE access
LTE/3G/2G interworking with prerelease and release 8 SGSN 
Optimized architecture for high-speed 3G/HSPA/LTE traffic
Combined SGSN/MME 
SGSN/MME and GGSN/SGN/PGW  
EPC network topologies
LTE access dimensioning

•Mobility and Bearer Management
MME pooling and pool area 
MME selection and addressing
SIGTRAN in EPC
SCTP
QoS parameters
EPS bearer architecture 
Policy and charging control architecture
EPS mobility management (EMM) states
EPS connection management (ECM) states
Traffic Cases : Attach/Detach, bearer activation, deactivation, handover, TAU, PDP context establishment, transitions between idle and active   modes

•EPS Services
IP multimedia subsystem (IMS)
IMS protocols
Traffic cases
Voice over LTE (VoLTE)
Circuit switched fall back (CSFB)
Over the Top (OTT) Services
Single radio voice call continuity (SRVCC)
RCS, SMS over SGs interface

•Traffic Modeling
EPC network planning workflow and processes
Network planning scope
Core planning tasks
Subscriber traffic profiles
Erlang-B traffic estimates

•EPC Dimensioning
EPC dimensioning methodology
EPC key dimensioning parameters and EPC dimensioning principles
Hardware setup for a given EPC network and traffic profile 
User plane traffic dimensioning
Estimate the number of nodes (MME/SGW/PGW/Combined SGW-PGW/HSS/PCRF) for EPC