Iub, Iu and Iur protocols all carry both user data and signalling (that is,

control plane).

• Signalling protocol responsible for the control of the Node B by the

RNC is called NBAP (Node-B Application Part). NBAP is subdivided
into Common and Dedicated NBAP (C-NBAP and D-NBAP), where
Common NBAP controls overall Node B functionality and Dedicated
NBAP controls separate cells or sectors of the Node B. NBAP is
carried over Iub. In order for NBAP to handle common and dedicated
procedures, it is divided into: NodeB Control Port (NCP) which
handles common NBAP procedures and Communication Control Port
(CCP) which handles dedicated NBAP procedures.

• Control plane protocol for the transport layer is called ALCAP

(Access Link Control Application Protocol). Basic functionality of
ALCAP is multiplexing of different users onto one AAL2
transmission path using channel IDs (CIDs). ALCAP is carried over
Iub and Iu-CS interfaces.

• Signalling protocol responsible for communication between RNC and

the core network is called RANAP (Radio Access Network
Application Part), and is carried over Iu interface.

• Signalling protocol responsible for communications between RNCs is

called RNSAP (Radio Network Subsystem Application Part) and is
carried on the Iur interface.