BTS, Node B, eNodeB, gNodeB and ng-eNodeB

Base Stations in Mobile Networks

This section provides an overview of base stations in mobile networks and the different terminologies used to refer to them in various generations of mobile networks.

BTS - Base Transceiver Station

• In second-generation GSM networks, base stations are referred to as BTS (Base Transceiver Station).

• The BTS is connected to the BSC (Base Station Controller), which manages multiple BTSs in a certain location.

• GSM networks use FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) technologies.

Node B - 3G UMTS Networks

• In 3G UMTS networks, base stations are called Node B.

• Node B is connected to the RNC (Radio Network Controller), which controls multiple Node Bs.

• UMTS networks use WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology.

E Node B - 4G LTE Networks

• In 4G LTE networks, the base station is called E Node B or Evolved Node B.

• E Node B does not require any controller entity and can manage itself.

• LTE networks use OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) for downlink and SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) for uplink.

G Node B - 5G Networks

• In 5G networks, base stations are called G Node B or Next Generation Node B.

• There is also a terminology called NG ENB (Next Generation E Node B).

• 5G networks can be deployed with either the existing 4G LTE core network or a full end-to-end standalone 5G core network.

BTS - Base Transceiver Station

This section provides more details about BTS (Base Transceiver Station) in GSM networks.

• BTS is a generic terminology that refers to base stations in general in mobile networks.

• CDMA networks also use the term BTS to refer to base stations.

• When connected to a GSM network, your mobile phone shows the "G" or "E" symbol next to the signal bar.

• The BTS in GSM networks is connected to the BSC (Base Station Controller), which manages multiple BTSs in a certain location.

Node B - 3G UMTS Networks

This section provides more details about Node B in 3G UMTS networks.

• Node B is a base station in 3G UMTS networks, which stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunication System.

• In 3G UMTS networks, the RNC (Radio Network Controller) controls multiple Node Bs.

• UMTS networks are based on WCDMA technology, which is different from GSM's FDMA and TDMA.

• The RNC is connected to the MSC (Mobile Switching Center) and SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node).

E Node B - 4G LTE Networks

This section provides more details about E Node B in 4G LTE networks.

• E Node B or Evolved Node B is the base station used in 4G LTE networks.

• Unlike previous generations, E Node B does not require any controller entity and can manage itself.

• LTE networks use OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) for downlink and SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) for uplink.

• The mobile core network in 4G LTE is called EPC (Evolved Packet Core), which connects directly to E Node Bs.

G Node B - 5G Networks

This section provides more details about G Node B in 5G networks.

• In 5G networks, base stations are called G Node B or Next Generation Node B.

• There is also a terminology called NG ENB (Next Generation E Node B).

• 5G networks can be deployed with either the existing 4G LTE core network (EPC) or a full end-to-end standalone 5G core network.

• The choice of core network affects the type of base station required for connection: G Node B for 5G devices and NG ENB for 4G devices.