Core Network

Solutions for you to build your own wireless core network.

Sonata EPC

The Sonata EPC is a ﬂexible core network solution for deployment of 4G LTE mobile networks. It consists of a software platform capable of providing key Evolved Packet Core network component functions including the Mobile Management Entity (MME), the Serving Gateway (S-GW), and the Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW). In addition to these network elements, capabilities for the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) can also be provided.

The Sonata EPC is suitable for scalable deployment of 4G LTE networks by leveraging commercial computing platforms identified and selected towards a network operators particular network size and growth requirements. Public mobile networks can be deployed on high capacity computing platforms, while smaller private or remote broadband networks can be supported by enterprise server platforms or even small form factor CPU modules.

Each of the network functions within the Sonata EPC can be deployed across individual and/or multiple hardware systems. The system architecture enables a deployment architecture that distribute session management, reduce backhaul traffic and offer a great Quality of Experience for its users.

The Star Solutions IMPAC System includes the Sonata EPC platform built-in. It enables stand-alone operation in this deployable LTE product.

Customer Applications

Remote & Rural Networks
Public Safety Broadband Networks
Private LTE Networks
Application and device test networks

Software Licensing based on:

Number of devices registered to MME
Number of simultaneous sessions supported by S-GW & PDN-GW
Number of users in the optional internal HSS

Sonata EPCFN

The Sonata EPC for Fixed Networks – Sonata EPCFN – offers full EPC core network functionality to support broadband network operators in deployment of 4G LTE technology from Star Solutions’ mobile network Sonata EPC solution, the fixed network version of the software platform leverages proven product and solution technology.

Example Network Configurations:

Centralized HSS & EPC
Operator Centralized HSS with multiple remote EPC’s
Hosted HSS connected to multiple remote EPC’s
Remote EPC connected to existing 3rd party HSS

Deployment Platforms

Computing Appliance
1RU Server Systems
Cloud-based deployment
Virtual Machine support

Home Location Register

The Sonata Home Location Register (HLR) is a subscriber service database platform designed for CDMA2000® and 3G GSM/GPRS wireless networks. The Sonata HLR supports industry-standard protocols for wireless networks and can be optionally deployed with an integrated Authentication Center function to provide network security against fraud.

The Sonata HLR is available on a number of scalable hardware platforms. With small test or rapid-deployment systems, this HLR solution can also be deployed on the same hardware platform as the MSC and other core network elements. For larger commercial networks, the Sonata HLR is deployed on its own dedicated server, or in a High Availability configuration with duplicate servers and RAID array that provides a highly reliable system. The graphical user interface makes provisioning and subscriber maintenance simple and intuitive.

Sonata MSC

The Star Solutions Sonata SE MSC Server provides a comprehensive standards-based softswitch mobile switching center (MSC/VLR) solution for second and third generation (2G and 3G) CDMA2000® and GSM/UMTS networks. Fully compliant with 3GPP and 3GPP2 industry standards, this powerful platform is a key component of Star Solutions’ product suite – a complete solution for 3G wireless operators. It is comprised of two key elements, the MSC Server and Intelligent Media Gateway.

Highly Scalable MSC Server
Using the MSC Server, operators can serve customers with IP-connected base stations anywhere in the world, enabling them to expand geographic coverage and serve new markets. The MSC Server can cost-effectively scale from small deployments to very large configurations supporting more than 500,000 Busy Hour Call Attempts (BHCAs). Its open, standards-based, distributed architecture enables flexible distribution of platforms such as Home Location Registers (HLRs) and media gateways at optimal locations in the network. This modular solution scales easily and cost-effectively with the addition of off-the-shelf hardware and distributed software applications.

Intelligent Media Gateway
The Sonata IMG provides a cost-effective, standards-compliant solution for completing calls between traditional telephone and wireless networks. This powerful platform, a key component of Star Solutions’ Sonata® product suite, delivers full-featured functionality and uncompromising performance in a Compact PCI form factor.

Designed for use with CDMA and GSM/UMTS-based systems, the IMG provides very high density in a compact form factor, enabling deployment in sites where space is at a premium. The solution supports as few as two or as many as 16 T1/E1 spans per board, or 240 T1/E1 spans per chassis, in a highly available redundant N+1 configuration. The IMG leverages industry standard control interfaces, including MGCP and Megaco/H.248 for media control and MF-R1, CAS, MFC-R2, and PRI for PSTN signaling. Multiple IMGs can be distributed at the network edge or at points of presence (POPs) to optimize traffic routing and minimize interconnection costs. The IMG’s modular, scalable design makes it easy to serve new geographic regions and new markets with minimal investment.

IMG – Integrated Functionality
The IMG combines media gateway and SS7 signaling in the same chassis – unlike other solutions that separate functions. The IMG can concurrently support as few as two T1/E1 and two signaling links or up to eight signaling links and 16 T1/E1 spans on a single media gateway board; or up to 120 signaling links per chassis. Each IMG board accommodates up to 16 T1/E1, eight narrowband, or two SAAL broadband signaling links via two dual redundant Ethernet interfaces or two optical OC3c/STM-1 interfaces. The IMG supports as many as 480 wireless vocoder channels per board. Boards can be combined to support 240 T1/E1 or 7,200 wireless vocoder channels per chassis.

IMG – Enables Traffic Offload
When deployed remotely at the edge of the network, the Sonata IMG enables operators to connect to TDM networks such as the local PSTN. On a distributed network, multiple IMGs can support small concentrations of traffic and offload backhaul links from carrying unnecessary voice traffic. Deployed with the iCell IP-RAN solution, remote IMGs enable operators to reach new coverage areas by sharing a common, All-IP switching core.