eHRPD Support in the Test Set

Description

eHRPD, short for Evolved High Rate Packet Data, is designed to be compatible with the core network of E-UTRAN (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, see E-UTRAN Concepts ). eHRPD makes it possible to perform handoff between the 1xEV-DO and E-UTRAN system. The test set can work as an eHRPD network simulator to provide packet data connection between the eAN and the eHRPD-capable User Equipment (see eHRPD Network Reference Model ). This is achieved by emulating the behaviors of the evolved Access Network (eAN), the evolved Packet Control Function (ePCF) as well as the HRPD Serving Gateway (HSGW) an PDN Gateway (P-GW)as shown in the picture below.

For the 1xEV-DO network reference model, see Network Reference Model for Packet Data Connection .

eHRPD Network Reference Model

• UE: the term "UE" (User Equipment) is used in eHRPD network in place of "AT" (Access Terminal).
• eAN/ePCF: evolved Access Network and evolved Packet Control Function which are similar to AN/PCF in 1xEV-DO network but support for interworking with E-UTRAN core network.
• HSGW: HSGW is used to terminate the eHRPD access network interface from the eAN/ePCF and provides interworking with an internal or external PDN Gateway.
• P-GW is an entity of the E-UTRAN core network. P-GW is used for UE IP address allocation, per-user based packet filtering etc. The test set can also connect to an external P-GW to interwork with the E-UTRAN system.

The test set can be set to eHRPD mode by setting the Session Application Type is set to Alternate EMPA (Alternate Enhanced Multiflow Packet Application). When the test set is in eHRPD mode:

• The UE can negotiate an eHRPD session with the test set, as an indication to network that the UE is eHRPD capable.
• EAP-AKA' is used to as the authentication method to authorize the UE to the network, see EAP-AKA' Authentication .
• VSNCP (Vendor Specific Network Control Protocol) is used as a Vendor extension protocol of PPP to set up PDN connections.
• IPv6 connections can be set up.
  • The selection for IPv4, IPv6 or IPv4+IPv6 version is provided to allow the test set to assign different type of IP addresses to the UE. At most one IPv4 address and one IPv6 address can be allocated to the UE at one time. See DUT IP Setup .
  • The UE can request DNS IPv6 address and P-CSCF IPv6 address in the VSNCP request procedure.
  • IPv6 connection to the real internet is supported. The test set will display the accepted global prefix of the network. see Instrument IP Info/Instrument IP Setup .
  • Ping the test set using IPv6 is supported for network trouble shooting (see Ping ).
• Multiple PDN connections can be set up between the test set and the UE, see Multiple-PDN Support .
• The E-UTRAN core network is also known as Evolved Packet Core (EPC). When a connection is succesfully established between the test set and an E-UTRAN/EPC simulator, interworking with the E-UTRAN system is supported. See E-UTRAN / eHRPD Interworking .