3GPP Glossary
Comprehensive reference of mobile network terms, components, and technologies
24 terms across 5 categories
🏛️Core Network(8 terms)
5GC
5G Core Network
Service-based core network architecture for 5G with network functions.
EPC
Evolved Packet Core
All-IP core network architecture for LTE providing mobility, session, and policy management.
HSS
Home Subscriber Server
Central database containing user subscription and authentication data.
MME
Mobility Management Entity
Key control-plane node in LTE/EPC responsible for signaling and mobility management.
Network Slicing
Network Slicing
Technology creating multiple virtual networks on shared physical infrastructure.
P-GW
PDN Gateway
Gateway connecting UE to external packet data networks, allocates IP addresses.
PCRF
Policy and Charging Rules Function
Policy decision point for QoS and charging control in LTE/EPC.
S-GW
Serving Gateway
User-plane gateway that routes and forwards user data packets in LTE/EPC.
📡Radio Access Network(7 terms)
CA
Carrier Aggregation
Technique combining multiple component carriers to increase bandwidth and throughput.
CoMP
Coordinated Multi-Point
Technique for coordinating transmission/reception across multiple cell sites to improve performance.
DC
Dual Connectivity
Architecture allowing UE to connect to two base stations simultaneously for increased throughput.
E-UTRAN
Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network
LTE radio access network consisting of eNodeBs interconnected via X2.
eNodeB
Evolved NodeB
LTE base station providing radio interface to UE and connecting to EPC.
gNB
gNodeB
5G NR base station providing radio interface to UE and connecting to 5GC.
LAA
Licensed Assisted Access
LTE operation in unlicensed spectrum (5 GHz) using Carrier Aggregation with licensed anchor.
📊Physical Layer(3 terms)
Massive MIMO
Massive Multiple Input Multiple Output
Antenna technology using large antenna arrays (64+) for high capacity and beamforming.
MIMO
Multiple Input Multiple Output
Antenna technology using multiple transmit and receive antennas to increase throughput.
OFDMA
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access
Multi-carrier modulation scheme used for LTE downlink transmission.
🔧Services(5 terms)
LTE-M
LTE for Machine Type Communications
LTE variant for IoT with higher data rates and mobility support compared to NB-IoT.
NB-IoT
Narrowband Internet of Things
Low-power wide-area network technology for IoT devices with long battery life.
URLLC
Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications
5G service category for mission-critical applications requiring extreme reliability and low latency.
V2X
Vehicle-to-Everything
Communication system enabling vehicles to communicate with each other and infrastructure.
VoLTE
Voice over LTE
Voice calling service over LTE using IMS for signaling and QoS bearers.