3GPP Compliance¶
Ella Core implements 3GPP-standard interfaces for signalling.
Note
Open an enhancement proposal if you notice a 3GPP-compliance gap or require a new capability for a production deployment.
Supported¶
Interfaces¶
| Interface | Transport |
|---|---|
| N1 | NAS, over N2 |
| N2 | NGAP over SCTP |
| N3 | GTP-U over UDP (IPv4 and IPv6) |
| N6 | IP |
| S1-MME | S1AP over SCTP |
| S1-U | GTP-U over UDP (IPv4 and IPv6) |
| S6c | Diameter over SCTP |
| SGd | Diameter over SCTP |
| SGi | IP |
Ella Core is a single binary and does not expose internal 3GPP interfaces. See Architecture.
Registration and mobility¶
- Registration. 4G: attach, detach, and normal and periodic tracking area update. 5G: initial, mobility, and periodic registration, and UE- and network-initiated deregistration.
- Service request. An idle UE returns to connected mode to resume its session.
- Paging. Ella Core pages an idle UE when downlink data arrives for it.
- Handover. 4G: S1 handover, and X2 handover via the Path Switch procedure. 5G: Xn handover, and N2 handover between radios served by Ella Core.
- 4G/5G interworking. A device moving between 4G and 5G keeps its IP address and its session.
Sessions¶
Ella Core carries IP data sessions for 4G and 5G subscribers.
- Session management. 4G PDN connectivity and 5G PDU sessions: establishment, modification, and release, including network-requested procedures.
- Session types. IPv4, IPv6, and IPv4v6.
- QoS. One non-GBR QoS flow per session.
Security¶
- Procedures. Identity, authentication, and security mode control.
- Authentication. EPS-AKA on 4G, 5G-AKA on 5G.
- Subscriber identity concealment. SUCI with the null scheme, Profile A, and Profile B, on 5G.
- Ciphering and integrity. The null, SNOW 3G, and AES algorithms: EEA0/1/2 and EIA0/1/2 on 4G, NEA0/1/2 and NIA0/1/2 on 5G.
SMS (beta)¶
- SMS over NAS. 4G (SMS in MME) and 5G.
- Mobile-originated and mobile-terminated SMS. Relayed to and from external SMSCs over SGd.
- HSS for the SMSC. Send Routing Info for SM, Report SM Delivery Status, and Alert Service Centre over S6c.
Location (beta)¶
Cell identity and E-CID positioning: LPPa on 4G, NRPPa on 5G. GNSS positioning in standalone mode: LPP on 4G and 5G. See the Location API.
Limitations¶
- No voice. Ella Core provides no VoLTE, or VoNR, or IMS integration.
- No emergency services. Emergency sessions and emergency service requests are rejected.
- No roaming. Ella Core does not support roaming between networks.