PWE3 is a Layer 2 service bearer technology that emulates the basic behaviors and characteristics of services such as ATM/IMA, Ethernet, and TDM on a packet switched network (PSN).
Aided by the PWE3 technology, conventional networks can be connected by a PSN. Therefore, resource sharing and network scaling can be achieved.
PWE3 aims to transmit various services such as ATM, Ethernet, and TDM over a PSN. The Ethernet, ATM, and TDM services between NodeBs and RNCs are emulated by means of PWE3 on NE1 and NE2, and then are transmitted on the pseudo wires (PWs) between NE1 and NE2.
Application of PWE3 can be shown as in this figure:
