Home Node B
Encyclopedia
A Home Node B, or HNB, is the 3GPP's term for a 3G femtocell
.
A Node B is an element of a 3G
macro Radio Access Network, or RAN
. A femtocell
performs many of the function of a Node B, but is optimized for deployment in the home.
Between the HNB and the HNB-GW is a new interface known as Iu-h.
Home Node B (HNB) – Connected to an existing residential broadband service, an HNB provides 3G radio coverage for 3G handsets within a home. HNBs incorporate the capabilities of a standard Node B as well as the radio resource management functions of a standard Radio Network Controller RNC
.
Home eNode B (HeNB) - Connected to an existing residential broadband service, an HeNB provides LTE radio coverage for LTE handsets within a home. HeNBs incorporate the capabilities of a standard eNodeB.
Security Gateway (SeGW) - Installed in an operator’s network, the Security Gateway establishes IPsec tunnels with HNBs using IKEv2 signaling for IPsec tunnel management. IPsec tunnels are responsible for delivering all voice, messaging and packet data services between HNB and the core network. The SeGW forwards traffic to HNB-GW.
HNB Gateway (HNB-GW) - Installed within an operator’s network, the HNB Gateway aggregates traffic from a large number of HNBs back into an existing core service network through the standard Iu-cs and Iu-ps interfaces.
Iu-h Interface - Residing between an HNB and HNB-GW, the Iu-h interface defines the security architecture used to provide a secure, scalable communications over the Internet. The Iu-h interface also defines an efficient, reliable method for transporting Iu-based traffic as well as a new protocol (HNBAP
) for enabling highly scalable ad-hoc HNB deployment.
Femtocell
In telecommunications, a femtocell is a small cellular base station, typically designed for use in a home or small business. It connects to the service provider’s network via broadband ; current designs typically support 2 to 4 active mobile phones in a residential setting, and 8 to 16 active...
.
A Node B is an element of a 3G
3G
3G or 3rd generation mobile telecommunications is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile telecommunication services fulfilling the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International Telecommunication Union...
macro Radio Access Network, or RAN
Radio access network
A radio access network is part of a mobile Telecommunication system. It implements a radio access technology. Conceptually, it resides between a device such as a Mobile phone, a computer, or any remotely controlled machine and provides connection with its core network...
. A femtocell
Femtocell
In telecommunications, a femtocell is a small cellular base station, typically designed for use in a home or small business. It connects to the service provider’s network via broadband ; current designs typically support 2 to 4 active mobile phones in a residential setting, and 8 to 16 active...
performs many of the function of a Node B, but is optimized for deployment in the home.
Standard
The following 3GPP documents are currently available:- 3GPP TR 25.820: 3G Home Node B (HNB) study item Technical Report - A technical report that looks at the air interface and requirements for the protocols to link the Home NodeB to the core network
- 3GPP TS 22.220: Service requirements for Home Node B (HNB) and Home eNode B (HeNB) - End to end architecture
- 3GPP TS 25.467: UTRAN architecture for 3G Home Node B (HNB); Stage 2 - UTRAN architecture for 3G Home NodeB (HNB)
- 3GPP TS 25.469: UTRAN Iuh interface Home Node B (HNB) Application Part (HNBAP) signalling - interface between HNB and HNB-GW
Architecture
Within an HNB Access Network there are three new network elements: the Home Node B (or femtocell), the Security Gateway (SeGW) and the Home Node B Gateway, or HNB-GW.Between the HNB and the HNB-GW is a new interface known as Iu-h.
Home Node B (HNB) – Connected to an existing residential broadband service, an HNB provides 3G radio coverage for 3G handsets within a home. HNBs incorporate the capabilities of a standard Node B as well as the radio resource management functions of a standard Radio Network Controller RNC
Radio Network Controller
The Radio Network Controller is a governing element in the UMTS radio access network and is responsible for controlling the Node Bs that are connected to it. The RNC carries out radio resource management, some of the mobility management functions and is the point where encryption is done before...
.
Home eNode B (HeNB) - Connected to an existing residential broadband service, an HeNB provides LTE radio coverage for LTE handsets within a home. HeNBs incorporate the capabilities of a standard eNodeB.
Security Gateway (SeGW) - Installed in an operator’s network, the Security Gateway establishes IPsec tunnels with HNBs using IKEv2 signaling for IPsec tunnel management. IPsec tunnels are responsible for delivering all voice, messaging and packet data services between HNB and the core network. The SeGW forwards traffic to HNB-GW.
HNB Gateway (HNB-GW) - Installed within an operator’s network, the HNB Gateway aggregates traffic from a large number of HNBs back into an existing core service network through the standard Iu-cs and Iu-ps interfaces.
Iu-h Interface - Residing between an HNB and HNB-GW, the Iu-h interface defines the security architecture used to provide a secure, scalable communications over the Internet. The Iu-h interface also defines an efficient, reliable method for transporting Iu-based traffic as well as a new protocol (HNBAP
HNBAP
HNBAP is a control protocol found in Home Node B networks on the Iu-h interface.The Home Node B Application Part protocol provides the following functions:*Registration of HNB with the HNB-GW*Identification of the HNB...
) for enabling highly scalable ad-hoc HNB deployment.