User's Manual

Chapter 1 - System Description WiMAX Network Architecture
BreezeMAX Extreme 10 System Manual
 Reference point R3 consists of the set of control plane protocols between the
ASN and CSN to support AAA, policy enforcement and mobility management
capabilities. It also encompasses the bearer plane methods (e.g. tunneling) to
transfer user data between the ASN and CSN.
 Reference point R4 consists of the set of control and bearer plane protocols
originating/terminating in various functional entities of an ASN that
coordinate MS mobility between ASNs and ASN-GWs. R4 is the only
interoperable reference point between similar or heterogeneous ASNs.
 Reference point R5 consists of the set of control plane and bearer plane
protocols for internet working between the CSN operated by the home NSP and
that operated by a visited NSP.
 Reference point R6 consists of the set of control and bearer plane protocols
for communication between the BS and ASN-GW. The bearer plane consists of
an intra-ASN data path between the BS and ASN gateway. The control plane
includes protocols for data path establishment, modification and release
control in accordance with the MS mobility events.
 Reference point R8 (if supported) consists of the set of control plane message
flows and optional bearer plane data flows between the base stations to ensure
a fast and seamless handover. The bearer plane consists of protocols that
allow data transfer between base stations involved in the handover of a certain
MS.
It is important to note that all reference points are logical and do not necessarily
imply a physical or even direct connection. For instance, the R4 reference point
between ASN-GWs might be implemented across the NAP internal transport IP
network, in which case R4 traffic might traverse several routers from the source to
the destination ASN-GW.