The 3G mobile wireless network comprises three major parts: the core network (CN), the radio access network (RAN) and the mobile station (MS). The core network is further decomposed in two parts, one interfacing to external networks such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is called the circuit switched domain, and the other interfacing to the IP based Network such as the Internet, which is called the packet switched domains.

For the third-generation cdma2000 mobile/cellular networks, the packet core network (PCN) is a network architecture being promoted by TIA as the packet-data standard. PNC is a collection of logical and physical entities that provide IP-centric packet-data-based registration, roaming, and forwarding services for mobile nodes. At a high level, the packet core network is analogous in operations and entities to an ANSI-41 or GSM mobile application partbased (MAP) mobile core network.

The entities that belong to the core network of a CDMA2000 are: the MSC, home location register (HLR), visitor location register (VLR), authentication center (AC), message center (MC), and short message entity (SME).

Multimedia Domain (MMD), a new all IP network defined by the 3GPP2, is the latest architecture of the CDMA2000 core network, which is intended to provide multimedia services based on the IP technologies.

For a UMTS based 3G mobile/cellular wireless network, the basic Core Network architecture is based on GSM network with GPRS. All equipment has to be modified for UMTS operation and services. The UTRAN provides the air interface access method for User Equipment. Base Station is referred as Node-B and control equipment for Node-B's is called Radio Network Controller (RNC).

Some of the circuit switched elements in the UMTS core network are Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC), Visitor location register (VLR) and Gateway MSC. Packet switched elements are Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). Some network elements, like EIR, HLR, VLR and AUC are shared by both domains.

The Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) is defined for UMTS core transmission. ATM Adaptation Layer type 2 (AAL2) handles circuit switched connection and packet connection protocol AAL5 is designed for data delivery.

The architecture of the UMTS Core Network may change when new services and features are introduced. Number Portability DataBase (NPDB) will be used to enable user to change the network while keeping their old phone number. Gateway Location Register (GLR) may be used to optimize the subscriber handling between network boundaries. MSC, VLR and SGSN can merge to become a UMTS MSC.

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a new all IP network defined by the 3GPP, is the latest architecture of the UMTS core network, which is intended to provide multimedia services based on the IP technologies.

CDMA2000 Packet Core Network (PCN) Architecture

Related Terms:UMTS core network, CDMA2000 core network, 3G core network, Packet Core Network, IMS, IP Multimedia Subsystem, Multimedia Domain, MMD

Reference Links:
http://www.javvin.com/wireless-3g-guide.html: 3G mobile wireless technology quick guide
http://www.javvin.com/wirelessmap.html: Wireless Communication Technology Map