ZTE's OneNetwork Solution for Smooth Evolution to LTE

1  Driving LTE Development

As one of the first Next Generation Mobile Network (NGMN) members, ZTE actively participates in all NGMN Technical Working Group (TWG) activities. ZTE has defined its clear objective of promoting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) reform and has been committed to improving IPR policy. Also, ZTE actively participates in defining the LTE standard.

Before LTE is put into commercial use on large scale, ZTE takes the initiative in promoting extensive interoperability and field tests. In 2007, ZTE joined the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative (LSTI). To drive the commercial use of LTE/SAE, ZTE actively takes part in specifying the Interoperability Development Test/Interoperability Test (IODT/IOT).

2  Development Strategies Based on Unified Platform

Wireless networks will evolve to integrated ones with several technologies. During technology convergence, multiple technologies will co-exist to suit different application requirements. To effectively address the convergence needs, ZTE started to develop common product platforms. After many years of R&D efforts, ZTE's Software Defined Radio (SDR) base station platform, all-IP core network platform, and network Operation & Maintenance Center (OMC) platform have been developed into a series of platforms with mature architecture, excellent performance and easy scalability, which can be successfully applied to the GSM, WCDMA, CDMA, TD-SCDMA, WiMAX and LTE product series.

2.1  Unified base station platform

ZTE's unified base station platform employs the advanced SDR technology to support GSM, WCDMA, CDMA and LTE products. The SDR technology enables network upgrade and evolution by software configuration without changing hardware. ZTE is the first to adopt the microTCA technology in the Base Band Units (BBUs), which helps base stations to be well scalable and highly reliable and thus addresses the longer-term upgrade and evolution needs of wireless networks. In addition, the unified and standard platform helps shorten the R&D period of new products and cut the expenditures.

ZTE's SDR base station platform was first deployed for WiMAX products in 2006. In early 2007, ZTE started R&D of the second-generation unified baseband pool platform that supports multiple radio technologies. At present, this platform has been successfully applied in the WiMAX, CDMA, and GSM/WCDMA products. In 2009, the LTE products based on this platform will be formally released.

2.2  Unified all-IP core network platform

ZTE's all-IP core network platform separates transmission from services and enables large-capacity transmission for mobile networks. The CrossBar switching technology is employed at the layer 1 to route and forward different packets, reaching a non-blocking switching capacity of 80Gbps.

ZTE's Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is based on the same V3 platform used in existing core network products. Therefore, the existing core network can be smoothly upgraded to support the Evolved Packet System (EPS), thus maximizing returns on existing investment. Through the unified platform and modular software architecture combined with related software packages, the core network functions of different Packet Switched (PS) domains can be provided by one physical node. This way of resource sharing reduces operators' CAPEX. Also, the unified interface for operation & maintenance, accounting and service systems helps reduce OPEX effectively.

2.3  Unified OMC platform

The Unified Element Management Platform (UEP), developed by ZTE serves as the operation and maintenance system, network element management system, network management system, and service management system. The network management systems of GSM, WCDMA, CDMA, TD-SCDMA, WiMAX and LTE products are all developed on the basis of the UEP. New functions are added through standard interfaces and shared modules, thus saving investment cost while speeding up the progress of development.

2.4  ZTE's OneNetwork Solution

To ensure smooth technology evolution and minimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) during the upgrade to the next generation mobile networks, ZTE launches its OneNetwork solution that consists of the unified SDR base station platform, unified all-IP core network platform, and unified OMC platform. It supports various radio technologies, making users feel like using one network. Figure 1 shows ZTE's OneNetwork solution.