SAE (System Architecture Evolution): the core network architecture of 3GPP’s future LTE wireless communication standard.
SAE is the evolution of the GPRS Core Network, with some differences:
- simplified architecture
- All IP Network (AIPN)
- support for higher throughput and lower latency radio access networks (RANs)
- support for, and mobility between, multiple heterogeneous RANs, including legacy systems as GPRS, but also non-3GPP systems
The main component of the SAE architecture is the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as SAE Core. The EPC will serve as equivalent of GPRS networks (via the Mobility Management Entity, Serving Gateway and PDN Gateway sub-components).
