Training Solutions

Exploring UMTS (WCDMA)

UMTS (WCDMA) is one of the 3rd generation wireless systems. UMTS is designed to increase a subscriber’s data rates and system capacity. This course offers a technical overview of UMTS, focusing on the UMTS (WCDMA) air interface, radio networks and core networks. It covers the network architecture, components and basic operations of UMTS networks. In addition, this course explores the details of the WCDMA air interface technology and its ability to support multiple subscribers simultaneously. Aspects of CDMA technology pertaining to the WCDMA air interface including coding, modulation, spreading, scrambling, handovers and power control mechanisms are clearly explained. This course then focuses on Circuit Switched and Packet Switched Core Networks. The key concepts in the course are tied together with several system scenarios to provide insight into location management, mobility management and handovers.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the student will be able to:
• Identify the driving forces, requirements and goals of UMTS
• List the capabilities of UMTS (WCDMA)
• Explain the evolution from GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks
• Sketch the network architecture and identify the network nodes and interfaces
• Describe how functions such as mobility management and handovers are performed in UMTS
• Step through the setup of voice and data calls in UMTS networks
• Identify the UMTS-GSM interworking scenarios
• Discuss the features and benefits of HSDPA and HSUPA
• Discuss the features and benefits of HSPA+
• Discuss the features and benefits of LTE

Intended Audience

This course is intended to provide a technical overview of UMTS (WCDMA). It is appropriate for personnel in planning, deployment, RF engineering, network performance, and network operations.

Suggested Prerequisites

• Welcome to Wireless Networks (eLearning)
• Exploring GSM (Instructor Led)
• Exploring GPRS and EDGE (Instructor Led)

Course Length

2 Days Instructor Led

Course Outlines / Knowledge Knuggets

1. UMTS (WCDMA) Overview
1.1. Motivation behind UMTS
1.2. Key features, services and supported data rates
1.3. Technology landscape
1.4. Evolution from GSM/GPRS to UMTS

2. WCDMA Technology in UMTS
2.1. Encoding and modulation techniques
2.2. Spreading and scrambling
2.3. OVSF codes in WCDMA
2.4. Importance of power control
2.5. Macro diversity in WCDMA

3. UMTS Core Network Architecture
3.1. Network architecture
3.2. Key components (i.e., SGSN and GGSN)
3.3. Differences between GPRS and UMTS
3.4. Migrating from GPRS to UMTS

4. UMTS (WCDMA) Radio Network
4.1. Functions of UTRAN
4.2. Key components (RNC and Node B)

5. UTRA Channels and Protocols
5.1. Channel structure in UMTS
5.2. Logical, physical and transport channels
5.3. MAC, RLC and RRC

6. Circuit-Switched Scenarios
6.1. Overview of a circuit-switched call
6.2. Call origination and termination

7. Packet-Switched Scenarios
7.1. UMTS attach procedure
7.2. PDP context activation
7.3. Establishing a packet data session

8. System Scenarios
8.1. Radio and core network mobility
8.2. Handovers and SRNS relocation

9. Evolution of UMTS
9.1. High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
9.2. High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA)
9.3. IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS)
9.4. HSPA+
9.5. LTE

CATALOG

Download our course catalog!

2010 Catalog,
pdf format (7.8 MB)