3GPP Femtocell
Femtocells are small cellular base station, typically designed for use in a home or small business. Typically, Femtocells are connected to the service provider’s network via broadband (such as DSL or cable). Access to a Femtocell can be open to any subscriber, restricted to a limited set of users, or a combination of both with priority for preferred users.
A Home NodeB (HNB) is the 3GPP's term for a 3GPP Femtocell. A Femtocell performs many of the function of a Node B, but is optimized for deployment in a home or small business.
| NOTE: A NodeB is an element of a 3G macro Radio Access Network (RAN). |
Within an HNB Access Network there are two network elements, the first is the Home NodeB (Femtocell) and the second is the Home NodeB Gateway (HNB-GW). Between the HNB and the HNB-GW is a the Iuh interface.
With this test case, you define:
The number of subscribers per HNB and HNBs connecting to the HGW
The HNB IPSec connecting the HNB to the HGW
The HGW connecting to the Security Gateway (SGW) and the Network Host
Protocols
Iuh — GMM, SM, MM, CC, RANAP, HNBAP, SCCP
Pi — L3-4
Emulators
User Equipment (UE)
Control Node (HNB)
User Node (HNB)
Security Gateway (HNB) (optional)
Network support for back-to-back tests (MSC Node)
Network Host (optional)
Test Terminology
Home NodeB (HNB)
The Home NodeB (HNB) is a customer Premise Equipment that offers the Uu Interface to the UE and provides the following functions:
- Provides the RAN connectivity using the Iuh interface
- Supports RNC like functions. HNBs incorporate the capabilities of a standard NodeB as well as the radio resource management functions of a standard Radio Network Controller RNC.
- Supports HNB registration and UE registration over Iuh
The HNB sets up a secure IPSec connection between itself and the SGW via the HNB-GW. The HNB then establishes a SCTP connection and registers with the HNB-GW. After registration, the HNB registers UEs to the HNB-GW, which performs Access Control functions.
| NOTE: For CSG capable UEs the Access Control is done by the MSC/VLR/SGSN). |
HNB Gateway (HNB-GW)
The HNB GW, Installed within an operator’s network, serves the purpose of a RNC presenting itself as a concentrator of HNB connections. The HNB-GW aggregates traffic from a large number of HNBs back into an existing core service network through the Iu-h.
- Terminates Iuh from HNB. Appears as a RNC to the existing Core network using existing Iu interface.
- Provides service to the HNB
Iuh Interface
The Iuh interface between a HNB and HNB-GW defines the security architecture used to provide a secure, scalable communications over the Internet. The Iuh interface also defines an efficient, reliable method for transporting Iu-based traffic as well as the HNBAP protocol for enabling highly scalable ad-hoc HNB deployment.
The Iuh interface supports the PS Domain and the CS Domain. The Mobility Management (MM) and Circuit- switched (CC) protocol supports the voice function on the CS Domain.
IPsec
One active IPSec tunnel is simulated for each HNB node.
Test Options
When your test activity measures processing capability rather than rates, you can expand the scope of the test:
Identify HNB's unique Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) ID.
Add Data Traffic to the test to more closely simulate a live network using various wireless applications and protocols.
Encrypt Data Traffic traversing the HNB/Femtocell with the HNB IPSec feature.
Define the number of Mobile Subscribers per HNB and number of HNBs emulated.
Measurements
Measurements collected for this test case are reported on the following tabs. Additional measurements may be available depending on the test activity and options executed with the test case.