WCDMA RAN Protocols and Procedures

RF Team
Agenda

o WCDMA System Architecture (introduction)

o 3G RADIO INTERFACE (Uu)
o Air interface (introduction)
o RAB definition and Radio bearer definition
o SRB definition and Signaling connection definition
o Cell selection and Reselection
o 3G states
o 3G call Scenario  
o IUB ,IUR and Iu interface (introduction)
WCDMA System Architecture

Ot

Ne Fixe
he

t w d
rP

or
k
LM
N
PCU
Abis
BTS BSC MSC / VLR GMSC

GSM BSS Gb
IP
Network
SGSN GGSN
Iu-CS

Iu-Ps
Iub Iu
Node-b RNC MGW
WCDMA Systems
RAN

SGSN
• Handle the PS services to and from the UE.
• Forwards incoming and outgoing IP packets to/from an UE
• Provides functions such as ciphering and authentication
GGSN
• Interface to the external IP packet network

MGW
• Connects the Core Network to the RNC
• CS traffic.
• Cross connection between the RNC and the SGSN.
WCDMA RAN Interfaces. Uu Iub
Iu

MSC
RNC

MGW
IUR
SGSN

RNC
GGSN

WCDMA RAN Core Network

UE
NAS messages
•Every interface contains protocols used over it.
•Protocol used over the Iub interface
o Node B Application Part Protocol (NBAP).
•Protocol used over the Iur interface
o Radio Network Subsystems Application Part (RNSAP).
•Protocol used over the Iu interface
o Radio Access network application part(RNAP)
NAS Messages
o Signaling between the UE and CN directly
WCDMA RAN Interfaces (Cont’d).

CS Domain
Iu-CS Signaling MSC

data MGW

PS Domain
Iu-PS
RNC GGSN
In band Signaling
Direct tunneling SGSN

Iu-Bc Broadcast domain

CBC

Cell Broadcast center

WCDMA RAN
Core Network

•The Iu interface to the circuit switched domain, i.e. to the MSC, is referred to as Iu-CS.

•The Iu interface to the packet switched domain, i.e. to the SGSN, is referred to as Iu-PS.
Protocols in WCDMA RAN
•Examples that UE needs to contact network
o System information (Location Area Updating)
o Timer expiring (cell update)
o Paging message received
o UE wants to initiate a call setup (Mobile Originating)

•Exchange of signals and data between two entities.

o What nodes are involved ?
o What kind of interfaces & protocols ?

• Why protocol ?
o To be able to understand the kind of signaling messages that need to be sent and how they are transmitted
over the interfaces
Protocols in WCDMA RAN(Cont’d)
Location Update
•UE performs location update
o To keep the network up to date with the subscriber’s location .
o UE doesn’t miss incoming calls

•How the UE gets information regarding LAI of the serving cell ?

o When the UE is idle, it listens to the system information on BCCH.

Example :LOCATION UPDATING 1 2

2
3
4 RNC
5

1-UE reads from system information that the LAI is not the same as that stored in the USIM. This triggers the
UE to update the location area.

2-UE tries to access the network and sends a request message to the RNC
The RNC checks if it is possible to allocate a dedicated channel to the UE.

3- RNC reserve Resources in the RBS and over the Iub interface

4. Information about the new channel is sent to the UE with a setup message.

5. Synchronization is achieved between the UE and the RBS

Location Update and Routing area update(Cont’d)
1 2 7
2
3 8
4 RNC VLR HLR
MSC 10
5 11
6
9
12
13
6-The UE sends the request to update the location information to the CN.
o This message also carries the IMSI and LAI.
o Iu signaling bearer is set up between the RNC and the CN.
o There is now a signaling connection between the UE and the CN.
o As this is the first time the UE accesses this service area the subscriber is unknown in the VLR.

7-The VLR sends a request to the subscriber’s HLR for Authentication Information.
8- The HLR sends this information to the VLR.

9-MSC/VLR starts to authenticate the subscriber.

o This message is transparent over WCDMA RAN.

10-After Authentication, the VLR asks the HLR to update its Location information for the IMSI and with the
new VLR address
11- VLR receives an acknowledgement from the HLR.

12-The MSC/VLR transmits an acceptance to the UE, UE updates the location information in the USIM.

13- The signaling connection is released.

LAYERED STRUCTURE OF PROTOCOLS
LAYERED STRUCTURE OF PROTOCOLS
oSignaling message travels down in the protocol stack of the sending node.
oThe layers on the way add their specific information to the original message.
oMessage arrives at a receiving node.
oHandled upwards in the protocol stack, each layer in the receiving node analyzing information added by the peer
protocol.

User Data 010 010

Correction 10010 Peer layers 10010

addressing 110010 110010

INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE (Uu)

UE
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, UU
The interface is layered into three protocol layers:
o The physical layer (L1);
o The data link layer (L2);
o Network layer (L3)

Layer 3
Network layer (L3)

Data link layer (L2)

Layer 2

Physical layer (L1)

Layer 1
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, Uu

Layer 3 (Network layer )

oLayer 3 consists of one protocol, called Radio Resource Control (RRC), which belong to the control plane.
o Function of RRC is to establish SRB between the UE and the RNC to handle most of the control signals.
oRRC controls the lower layers

Control Plane

NAS

RRC Layer 3

Note :
o Messages that are not meant for the RAN but for the CN are called Non Access Stratum (NAS)
o NAS message from UE to CN
o Transferred transparently over the WCDMA RAN.
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, Uu (Cont’d)
Layer 2 (Data link layer)
oLayer 2 is split into different sub layers.
A- Radio Link Control (RLC) B-Medium Access Control (MAC)
Control Plane User Plan (User data)

NAS

RRC Layer 3

Signaling Radio Bearers Radio Bearers

RLC

Layer 2
MAC

RLC layer (Radio Link Control)

oRLC layer provides service in both
A-Control plane is called Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) B-User plane it is called a Radio Bearer (RB).

oSignaling Radio Bearer, SRB

Signaling messages between the UE and the RNC.
oRadio Bearer, RB.
User data transport between the UE and the RNC.
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, Uu (Cont’d)
oRLC map messages on different logical channels.

Control Plane User Plan (User data)

SRB RB

RLC
Logical Channels Logical Channels

logical channels

Control Channels Traffic Channels

Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH, DL) Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH, DL & UL)
Downlink channel for broadcasting system information. Point-to-point channel, dedicated to one UE,
Paging Control Channel (PCCH, DL) Transferring user Information.
Downlink channel that transfers paging information Common Traffic Channel (CTCH, DL)
Common Control Channel (CCCH, DL & UL) Traffic channel for sending traffic to a group of UE’s
Used by the UE needs to access the network.
Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH, DL & UL)
Point-to-point bi-directional channel
Transmits dedicated control information between UE and network.
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, Uu (Cont’d)
MAC layer Medium Access Control
o Logical channels received from the RLC layer are mapped onto the transport channels.
o Multiplex signaling and data to transport channels
Layer 2
RLC RLC
Logical Channels Logical Channels

MAC
Transport Channels

Transport channels

Common transport channel(Several users use the same channel) Dedicated transport channel
-Broadcast Channel (BCH) (DL) (For exclusive use of one user)
Continuous transmission of system and cell information -Dedicated Channel (DCH) (UL & DL)
- Paging Channel (PCH) (DL) Service data, such as speech frames
When the network wants to initiate communication
with the terminal.
-Random Access Channel (RACH) (UL)
The RACH is an uplink transport channel used to make requests to set
up a connection
-Forward Access Channel (FACH) (DL)
Control signaling during call setup
Packet data transmission in low rates
-High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH)(DL)
HSDPA
 Logical Channel Transport Channels Physical Channels
CPICH
Common Pilot Channel (Aids channel
BCCH estimation )
BCH
Broadcast Control Ch.
Broadcast Ch. P-CCPCH(*)
Primary Common Control Physical
PCCH
Ch.
Paging Control Ch. PCH
Paging Ch.
CCCH S-CCPCH
Common Control Ch. Secondary Common Control S/P
FACH Physical Ch.
CTCH Forward Access Ch.
Common Traffic Ch.
CH Code
DCH DPDCH (one or more per UE)
DCCH M
Dedicated Ch. Dedicated Physical Data Ch.
Dedicated Control Ch. U
X I/Q
DTCH DCH SC code Modulator
Dedicated Ch. DPCCH (one per UE)
Dedicated Traffic Ch.
Dedicated Physical Control Ch.
Pilot /TPC /TFCI
AICH Acknowledges that RBS has
acquired a UE Random Access attempt Gain
(Acquisition Indicator Channel)

PICH
(Paging Indicator Channel )
HSDPA
HS- PDSCH (one or more per UE)
HS-DSCH High Speed Physical Downlink
High Speed DL shared Ch
Shared Ch.
HS-SCCH (<=4 per UE)
High Speed Shared Control Ch
Channel mapping
Logical Channel
Physical Channel
Transport Channel

Common Control
Channel (CCCH) Primary Common Control Physical
Broadcast Channel (BCH) Channel (PCCPCH)

RBS
Secondary Common Control
DCCH /DTCH
Physical Channel (SCCPCH)
Forward Access Channel
(FACH)

Physical Random Access Channel

(PRACH)
Paging Control Channel Paging Channel (PCH)
(PCCH)

Dedicated Physical Data Channel

RACH (DPDCH)
Broadcast Control
Channel (BCCH) UE
DCH Dedicated Physical Control
Channel (DPCCH)

DSCH
Physical Downlink Shared Channel
(PDSCH)

Physical Common Packet Channel

(PCPCH)
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, Uu (Cont’d)
Different MAC entities depend on the traffic type:
o MAC-b handles the transport channel for the broadcast channel.
o MAC-c handles the transport channels for common channels
o MAC-d handles all dedicated transport channels
o MAC-hs handles the HS-DSCH transport channels
o MAC-e handles the EUL
INTRODUCTION TO RADIO INTERFACE, Uu (Cont’d)
Layer 1 (physical layer)
Control Plane User Plan (User data)
oTransport channels are mapped onto the NAS
physical layer.

oMapped to combination of: RRC Layer 3

Carrier frequency
Codes (channelization/scrambling code pair) SRB RB

RLC
Logical Channels Logical Channels
Layer 2
MAC
Transport Channels

Physical Layer
Layer 1
Exchanges of signaling and user data between the UE and the UTRAN

Node- RNC
B Control Plane
Control Plane
User Plan (User data) User Plan (User data)

RRC L3 RRC
L3
SRB

Radio Bearer

RLC RLC

Logical Channels L2 Logical Channels

MAC MAC L2
Transport Channels
FP
Transport Channels FP
AAL2
AAL2
Layer ATM
1 ATM
Layer PHY
PHY L1 1 L1
 RAB
CN-CS
Signaling connection
UTRAN

RAB
CN-PS
Signaling connection

SC
SRB Iu Signaling Bearer

Radio Bearer RAB Iu Bearer

oSC provides confidential transport of signaling between UE and CN

oRAB provides confidential transport of user data between UE and CN
oThe signaling Radio Bearers, SRB, can carry layer 3 signaling (RRC connection establishment),
oA Radio Bearer responsible for transfer of data between UE and UTRAN.
oRadio bearers are mapped successively on logical channels, transport channels and physical channels
 RNC CN

RRC Channel Iu Signaling Bearer

--------------Signaling Radio Bearer-------------------
Radio --------------------------------------------------Signaling
Link Connection---------------------------

Traffic Channel Iu Bearer

--------------Radio Bearer--------------------------
--------------------------------------------------RAB---------- -----------------------------------
 RNC CN

Conversational --------------------------------------Voice Call

HSDPA RAB --------------------------------------Streaming (TV)

HSDPA RAB --------------------------------------interactive (Browsing)

HSDPA RAB --------------------------------------Background (Email)

Iu-PS Signaling (RANAP)

SRB SGSN

Iu-CS Signaling (RANAP) MGW

oA user can have several RABs in case several services are required for this user.
Four Major traffic classes can be identified:
Conversational Streaming class Interactive class Background
class streaming RT Interactive best Background best
Traffic class conversational RT effort effort

Fundamental High Protection High Protection Request and Delays are

characteristics as there is no as there is no Response Accepted
Retransmission Retransmission Re transmission
Protocol Protocol Protocols are used
No Delays in both
ways
Mini Delay
(Buffers
compensate the
Delays)

Example of the
application voice streaming video Web browsing Emails
Exchanges of signaling between the UE and the CN
oExample for protocols used when delivering message from UE to CN
oMessage from UE to CN (NAS message)
 NAS includes Mobility Management (Location area update)
 Short Message Services (SMS).

NAS messages

Uu Nod
RNC IU
e-B IUB CN

Peer
NAS NAS
RRC RRC RANAP RANAP
RLC RLC SCCP SCCP
MAC MAC MTP -3b MTP -3b
FP FP NNI -SAAL NNI -SAAL

AAL2 AAL2 AAL5 AAL5

Layer 1
Layer
1 ATM ATM ATM ATM
Layer Layer
1
Layer 1 Layer 1
1
RRC (Radio Resource Controller)
RRC (Radio Resource Controller)
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
RRC provides the following functions:

 Broadcast of system information

 Initial cell selection and cell re-selection.
 Paging.
 Establishment, maintenance and release of an RRC connection between the UE and RAN.
 Transparent message transfer.
 Establishment, reconfiguration and release of Radio Bearers.
o Capacity managements .
 RRC connection mobility functions.
o Handover evaluation
 UE measurement reporting and control of the reporting.
o Take the decisions based on measurements report
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
Example for RRC Messages..

o RRC Connection Request oURA Update

o RRC Connection Setup oURA Update Confirm
o RRC Connection Reject oCell Update
o RRC Connection Setup Complete oCell Update Confirm
o RRC Connection Release oActive Set Update
o RRC Connection Release Complete oActive Set Update Complete
o Paging Type 1 oActive Set Update Failure
o Paging Type 2 oCell Change Order From WCDMA RAN
o Radio Bearer Setup oCell Change Order From WCDMA RAN Failure
o Radio Bearer Setup Complete
o Radio Bearer Setup Failure
o Radio Bearer Reconfiguration
o Radio Bearer Reconfiguration Complete
o Radio Bearer Reconfiguration Complete Failure
o Radio Bearer Release
o Radio Bearer Release Complete
o Radio Bearer Release Failure
o Physical Channel Reconfiguration
o Physical Channel Reconfiguration Complete
o Physical Channel Reconfiguration Complete Failure
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
RRC FUNCTIONS AND PROCEDURES

1- BROADCAST OF SYSTEM INFORMATION

The System Information messages are sent on BCCH logical channel

BCCH on BCH or FACH WCDMA RAN

P-CCPCH(*)
DL idle BCCH (Logical) BCH(Transport)
Primary Common Control Physical Ch.

S-CCPCH
DL FACH BCCH (Logical) FACH(Transport)
Secondary Common Control
Physical Ch..

The UE reads system information on the BCCH when following occur:

- The UE is powered up
- The UE changes cell in Idle mode or in state CELL_FACH
- The UE moves from dedicated mode to common mode
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION

After the UE has read the system information, it shall use the cell selection and Reselection parameters
and choose the most suitable cell to camp on.

Cell selection procedure

oThe cell consider as accepted if

• Squal > 0 and Srxlev > 0

oSqual = Qqualmeas - qQualMin

Qqualmeas is CPICH Ec/No

qQualMin is minimum required Ec/No

oSrxlev = Qrxlevmeas ‐ qRxlevMin

Qrxlevmeas is CPICH RSCP

qRxlevMin is minimum required RSCP

Cell selection occurs when

 UE is switched on
 UE goes from common channel(cell‐FACH) to idle mode
 UE goes from connected mode (cell‐DCH) to idle
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure

3G F1 3G F2 GSM

3G F1

When it occurs
When cell on which it is camping is no longer suitable
When there is any neighbor with better quality than the selected one
When the UE is in cell _FACH state
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)
1- Intra frequency measurements starts when

Squal <= Sintrasearch

SintraSearch : Controls when intra‐frequency measurements are performed

Qqualmeas - qQualMin <= Sintrasearch

Qqualmeas <= Sintrasearch + qQualMin

2. Inter frequency measurements starts when

Squal <= SinterSearch

Sintersearch : Controls when inter‐frequency measurements are performed

Qqualmeas - qQualMin <= SinterSearch

Qqualmeas <= SinterSearch + qQualMin

RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)
3. GSM measurements starts when

Squal <= sRatSearch

Qqualmeas <= sRatSearch + qQualMin

OR Srxlev <= SHcsRat

Qrxlevmeas <= sHcsRat + qrxlevmin

sRatSearch : Controls (Ec/No)Threshold at which GSM measurements are performed

SHcsRat : Controls RSCP Threshold at which GSM measurements are performed
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)

Qqualmeas
(Ec/No)

-14
SRAT Search=4dB

Qqualmin
-18

GSM measurement

Qqualmeas <= SRATsearch + qQualMin Time

RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)

Qrxlevmeas
RSCP

-112
sHcsRat =3dB

Qrxlevmin
GSM measurement
-115

Qrxlevmeas <= sHcsRat + qrxlevmin Time

RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)
oUE triggers cell reselections procedure by start ranking cells satisfy S‐criteria
o (Squal > 0 and Srxlev > 0)

oRanking is done for the serving cell and the neighbor cell
o R(serving)= Qmeas(s)+qHyst(s)
o R(neighbor)= Qmeas(n)‐qOffset(s,n)
oQmeas: is the quality value of the received signal
o CPICH Ec/No
o CPICH RSCP

oqualMeasQuantity
o Parameter that determine if we will do the ranking based on RSCP or Ec/No

oqHyst(s): hystersis value sent to mobile in system information used to delay the reselection
o qHyst1 if the ranking based on CPICH RSCP
o qHyst2 if the ranking based on CPICH Ec/No

oqOffset(s,n): is the offset between the serving and the neighbor cell also used to shift the cell boarder
o qOffset1sn : if the ranking based on RSCP.
o qOffset2sn : if the ranking based on Ec/No

o The UE reslect the better cell if it stay better for time interval more than Treselection
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)

Qmeas
R(S) Qmeas(n)
R(n) >R(S) R(n)
qHyst2=4 qOffset2SN=o
Qmeas(S)

TreSelection

Cell Re-Selection to Neig Time

RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
2- INITIAL CELL SELECTION AND CELL RESELECTION (Cont’d)
Cell reselection procedure(Cont’d)
UMTS to GSM cell Reselection

Qmeas (RSCP) S‐criteria

Srxlev > 0 Qmeas(n) (GSM)
R(S) Srxlev > Qrxlevmeas ‐ qRxlevMin
qHyst1=4
qoffset1SN
R(N)

qrxlevmin
+SHcsSearch
Cell Re-Selection to Neig (GSM)

TreSelection
Qrxlevmin Qmeas(S) RSCP
R(N)>R(S)

Qmeas(S)< qrxlevmin+SHcsSearch
Time

GSM measurements
3G States Introduction
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d

oUE has dedicated channel

o(DCCH) for control signaling
o (DTCH) is used for user data Transmission
CELL DCH oDCCH and DTCH are mapped onto dedicated transport channels (DCH).
oThe UE performs measurements and sends reports to the RNC
DL/UL

oUE has no dedicated channel allocated

oUE uses the common channels, RACH and FACH, for signaling messages and
Cell FACH small amounts of data (Transport Channels)
DL /UL oUE needs to send Cell Update messages to RNC every time it selects a new cell.

oUE can only be reached via the Paging Indicator Channel (PICH).
oBattery consumption of the UE very low because:
Cell PCH  PICH includes (DRX) functionality.
 UE does not have to monitor the FACH any more.
DL only If the network initiates any activity
 Page the UE.
 When the UE receives the paging it changes to the CELL_FACH state
 performs a Cell Update.
Idle IF UE initiates any activity
 it triggers a switch to the CELL_FACH state
oA UE on FACH is switched down to Cell_PCH if it shows no activity for a long
period of time (system resources are freed)
oWhen extended inactivity on both the uplink and the downlink, a Cell_PCH state
will be switched down to IDLE
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
3- PAGING
This procedure is used to transmit paging information to selected UE in
o Idle mode
o CELL_PCH or URA_PCH state.
o Cell FACH and Cell DCH

oPICH is used to indicate to the UE when it should read the SCCPCH (Physical channels)

Idle /PCH WCDMA RAN

”Paging type 1” PCCH/PCH

CELL_DCH
CELL_FACH ”Paging type 2” DCCH WCDMA RAN

PCCH (Logical) PCH (Transport)

DL Idle Paging Control Ch. Paging Ch. S-CCPCH (Physical)
Secondary Common Control
Physical Ch.
DL DCH DCCH(Logical) FACH (Transport)
FACH
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
4-ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND RELEASE OF RRC CONNECTION
RRC Connection Establishment
RNC

”RRC Connection Request” CCCH/RACH

RRC Connection Setup” CCCH/FACH

WCDMA RAN
Connected
Mode

”RRC Connection Setup Complete” DCCH/DCH

CCCH (Logical Channel) RACH (Transport Channel) PRACH

UL Common Control Ch. Forward Access Ch. (Physical Ch.)

DL CCCH (Logical Channel) FACH (Transport Channel) S-CCPCH

Common Control Ch. Forward Access Ch. Secondary Common Control (Physical Ch.)
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
4-ESTABLISHMENT, MAINTENANCE AND RELEASE OF RRC CONNECTION (Cont’d)
Establishment Cause for RRC connection
o Originating Conversational Call
o Originating Streaming Call
o Originating Interactive Call
o Originating Background Call
o Emergency Call
o Inter-RAT Cell Re-Selection
o Registration
o Detach
o Call Re-Establishment
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
Release the RRC connection cause
 When contact with the UE is considered lost
 When RAN has received a request from the CN to release the signaling connection.
 RAN detects a need to release the connection.

RNC

CELL_DCH DCCH:”RRC Connection Release”

DCCH:”RRC Connection Release Complete”

CCCH/FACH: ”RRC Connection Release”

CELL_FACH
CCCH/RACH: ”RRC Connection Release Complete”

PICH URA_PCH no uplink

channel in URA
URA_PCH PCCH (RRC Connection Release)

CCCH/RACH: ”RRC Connection Release Complete”

RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
SIGNALING CONNECTION
oSignaling Connection is a connection between one Core Network (CN) and one UE
oThe Signaling Connection consists
 one RRC Connection over RAN
 one or two signaling connection over Iu interface
oEstablishment of the first Signaling Connection is initiated by the UE as soon as the RRC Connection is
successfully established.
Note that only one RRC Connection is used.

MSC
RANAP
PS RANAP
C Iu Transport
S IuLayer
Transport
Layer
C
S

CS CN 1
One RRC Connection
RRC RRC RANAP
RRC RRC RANAP SGSN
RLC Iu Transport
RLC RLC RANAP
MAC RLC IuLayer
Transport RANAP

C
S
MAC MAC Layer Iu Transport
L1 MAC IuLayer
Transport
L1 L1 Layer
L1
UE RAN
CN 2
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
Signaling Connection Release
oA signaling connection normally exists in conjunction with a RAB
oHowever, in some cases a signaling connection is established to perform control plane actions that do not
involve any user plane action, such as location area updating.
oSignaling connection release is used to notify UE that one of its signaling connections has been released.
oThis procedure does not initiate the release of the RRC connection.

UE location
area updating

A
B

R
C
RNC S ”Signaling Connection Release” MSC
RANAP
RRC RRC RANAP RANAP
RRC One RRC RRC RANAP Iu Transport
RLC Iu Transport IuLayer
Transport
RLC Connection RLC
RLC IuLayer
Transport Layer
MAC
MAC MAC Layer
L1 MAC CN 1
L1 L1
L1
UE RAN
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
TRANSPARENT MESSAGE TRANSFER
o The UE sends “Initial Direct Transfer”
o This message carries the initial NAS message from the UE to the CN (Reason for the access)

C
S
”Initial Direct Transfer” (DCCH)
RNC MSC
RANAP
RANAP
RRC One RRC RRC RANAP Iu Transport
RRC RRC RANAP IuLayer
Transport
RLC Connection RLC Iu Transport
RLC IuLayer
Transport Layer
RLC
MAC MAC Layer
MAC MAC CN 1
L1 L1
L1 L1
UE RAN
Transfer of NAS messages at Mobile Originated Call Setup

RAN
RAN CN
CN

RRC: ”RRC Connection Request”

RRC: ”RRC Connection Setup”

”RRC Connection Setup complete”

-------------------------------------------------SC-----------------------------------------------
----------------SRB------------------

Initial Direct Transfer” NAS: (Service Request)

RRC: ”Downlink Direct Transfer” NAS: (Authentication Request)

Authentication Response

RRC: ”Security Mode Command”

RRC: ”Security Mode Complete”

RRC: ”Uplink Direct Transfer” NAS: (Setup) (i want to make a call)

Check Iu resources

RAB Assignment Request

Check RNC resources and QOS

RRC: ”Downlink Direct Transfer” NAS: (Call Proceeding)

RRC: ”Radio Bearer Setup”
RRC: ”Radio bearer Setup complete”

-------------------------------------------------RAB----------------------------------------------
----------------RB------------------
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
RADIO BEARER MANAGEMENT

RRC performs
o Radio Bearer establishment,
o Radio Bearer reconfiguration
o Radio Bearer release.

RB Manage RAB Assignment Request

RRC RRC RANAP RANAP
RRC RRC RANAP RANAP
RLC RLC Iu Transport Iu Transport
RLC RLC IuLayer
Transport IuLayer
Transport
MAC MAC Layer
MAC Layer
MAC
L1 L1
L1 L1
UE
RAN CN
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
RNC RAB Assignment Request CN

Admission Control,
Radio Bearer Setup
Set QoS requirements

Radio Bearer Setup”

RB Setup Complete

RNC RAB Assignment Request CN

Radio Bearer Reconfiguration

RB Reconfiguration

RB Reconfiguration Complete

RNC RAB Assignment Request CN

Radio Bearer Release

Radio Bearer Release

Radio Bearer Release Complete

RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
CELL UPDATE

oWhile in connected mode (DCH) the UE is always in SOFT handover

oWhen finish the call (common channels)
oI have to send cell update
oTo tell the network where I am

Cell Update

RNC

”Cell Update” CCCH on RACH

”Cell Update Confirm” DCCH on FACH

UL CCCH (Logical) RACH(Transport) PRACH (Physical Ch.)

Physical Random Access Ch.

DL DCCH(Logical) FACH(Transport) S-CCPCH (Physical)

Secondary Common Control Physical
RRC (Radio Resource Controller) Cont’d
The purpose of the cell update is to update the current location of the UE when it is in
CELL_FACH /Cell PCH state.

In FACH/ CELL PCH

Cell update can be initiated in the below cases
o Cell Selection/ Reselection
o Periodic Cell update (expiry of timer) T305
Radio Link Supervision (Periodic Cell update (expiry of timer) T305)
What is the radio link supervision ?
Is the algorithm supervises the radio connection between the UE and the UTRAN
Reason
o Check if the UTRAN still control the UE or not.
o Increase the efficiency of resources usage.

Cell Update Message Overall Connection Release

T305 expires
T305
CCHWAITCUT Expire

CCHWAITCUT Start CCHWAITCUT

Cell Update Confirmation

UE Enters Cell
FACH
CCHWAITCUT Reset
RLC Protocols
RLC Protocols
Uu
User data User data
RLC LAYER 2
RLC LAYER 2

RLC PCI RLC SDU RLC SDU

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload RLC PCI Payload

MAC Layer 2 MAC layer 2

MAC SDU MAC SDU

Layer 1 Layer 1

SDU service data unit is what I get from higher layers

RLC PCI Protocol control information is added to get PDU protocol data unit (headers)
RLC Protocols(Cont’d)
RLC Functions
1-Segmentation and re-assembly
oI don’t know the user data size so I make segmentation into block size to feet the PDU
oReassembly I have to do the opposite on the other side

Uu
User data
User data RLC
RLC

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload
RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload
RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload

MAC SDU MAC SDU

data 1
2-Concatenation RLC
If the contents of an RLC SDU do not fill RLC PDU
So I can concatenate in the PDU and use the headers RLC PCI RLC SDU
PCI to know the blocks

RLC PDU SDU 2 SDU 1

RLC Protocols(Cont’d) data 1
RLC Functions
RLC
3-Padding RLC PCI RLC SDU
Data to be transmitted does not fill an entire RLC SDU of
given size,
The remainder of the data field is filled with padding bits.
RLC PDU Dummy bits SDU 1

4-Transfer of user data

RLC supports data transfer in the below modes
o Acknowledged Mode
o Unacknowledged Mode
o Transparent Mode

•Acknowledged Mode (AM)

Some data go through and get changed
if Error happened Retransmission is requested (interactive PS data)
RLC User data

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload Buffer

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload Buffer
RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload Buffer

I have to put the data in buffer and Release it once I get ACK If get NACK I retransmit the data in the buffer
RLC Protocols(Cont’d)
RLC Functions
•Unacknowledged Mode (UM)
Some data to through and get changed but no retransmissions happened (Streaming )

RLC User data

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload

RLC PDU RLC PCI Payload

•Transparent Mode (TM).

• Some data go through and no change happened on it
o Signaling
o No change happened to it
o As I designed it by 3GPP to feet the lower layers
• CCCH
• Amr Voice
RLC Protocols(Cont’d)
RLC Functions
5-In-sequence delivery of upper layer PDUs
RLC
RLC User data

RLC PDU 1
RLC PDU 1 RLC PDU 2
RLC PDU 2 RLC PDU 3
RLC PDU 3

MAC SDU MAC SDU

6-Duplicate detection
Ensures that PDU is delivered only once to the upper layer.

7-Error correction
This function provides error correction by retransmission in the acknowledged data transfer
mode. Operate in ACK
mode

8-Flow control
Keep the data in buffer until the resources are ready (Control the rate of transmission)
MAC(Medium Access control Protocol) Protocols
MAC(Medium Access control Protocol) Protocols
Take data from RLC layer and put them on the Right transport channel

RLC
Logical Channels
Layer 2
MAC

Transport Channels

MAC Architecture UE Side PCCH BCCH CCCH DCCH DTCH

MAC -D
MAC –C
MAC -e MAC -hs

E-DCH HS -DSCH PCH FACH RACH DCH

Physical Layer
Physical Layer Overview
Mapped to combination of
o Carrier frequency
o Code
o Relative phase (UL only)

Transport channels

Channel Coding

Multiplexing

Mapping to physical channels

Spreading

Modulation

Air interface
GENERAL PROTOCOL MODEL FOR WCDMA
RAN INTERFACES (IUB, IUR, IU)
GENERAL PROTOCOL MODEL FOR WCDMA RAN INTERFACES (IUB, IUR, IU)
VERTICAL PLANES
HORIZONTAL LAYERS User Plane
Control Plane
Radio Network Layer Application Data Stream
RAN related issues Protocol

Transport Network Layer TN User Plane TN User Plane

Transport technology
Signaling
Bearer Data Bearer

Control Plane
o Application Protocol
 Iu interface Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP)
 Iur Interface Radio Network Subsystems Application Part (RNSAP)
 Iub interface Node B Application Part (NBAP)
o Signaling Bearer for transporting the Application Protocol messages
User Plane
o User data, such as the coded voice in a voice call or the packets in an Internet connection are
transported via the User Plane.
o The User Plane includes the Data Stream(s) and the Data Bearer(s) for the Data Stream(s).
GENERAL PROTOCOL MODEL FOR WCDMA RAN INTERFACES (IUB, IUR, IU)
Control Plane User Plane

Application Data Stream

Protocol

Transport Network
Control Plane
Signaling
Bearer ALCAP Data Bearer

Signaling Bearer

Transport Network Control Plane

ALCAP protocol (Access Link Control Application Protocol)

oALCAP has its own Signaling Bearer(s) needed for the ALCAP protocol(s).

oALCAP used to set up and release the Data bearers

 (In the control plan)First there is a signaling transaction by the Application Protocol

 This signaling transaction triggers the set up of the Data Bearer by the ALCAP protocol
GENERAL PROTOCOL MODEL FOR WCDMA RAN INTERFACES (IUB,
IUR, IU) (cont’d)
VERTICAL PLANES

Control Plane User Plane

RNL Application Data Stream

Protocol

HORIZONTAL LAYERS Transport Network

Control Plane Data Bearer
Signaling
Bearer ALCAP

Signaling
TNL Bearer

Physical Layer
IUB INTERFACE PROTOCOLS

RNC

IuB Protocols

Node
-B
IUB INTERFACE PROTOCOLS
oIub interfaces the RBS to the RNC

Control Plane User Plane

NBAP

FACH FP
HSDSCH
RNL

DCH FP
NBAP-C NBAP-D

Node B Application Part (NBAP)

oEstablishment of a signaling connection over Iub.
oIt is divided into two essential components
 NBAP-C
 NBAP-D

oNBAP-C
 Signaling that is not related to a specific UE.

oNBAP-D
 Signaling relating to a specific UE context.

User plane Iub Frame Protocols (FP)

oThese are DCH-FP, FACH-FP, HSDSCH FP and PCH-FP transport channel
IUB INTERFACE PROTOCOLS(Cont’d)
 TNL defines procedures for establishing physical connections between the RBS and the
RNC.
Control Plane User Plane

RNL NBAP

FACH FP
HSDSCH
DCH FP
NBAP-C NBAP-D

Transport Network
Control Plane

ALCAP
UNI-SAAL AAL2
TNL
UNI-SAAL

ATM

o UNI-SAAL user to network signaling ATM Adaption Layer

o ALCAP Access Link control Application Part
o AAL2 ATM adaption layer Type 2
IUR INTERFACE PROTOCOLS

RNC

IUR Protocols

RNC
IUR INTERFACE PROTOCOLS
oIUR interface connects two RNCs.
Radio Network Layer (RNL)

Control Plane User Plane

RNL
DCH FP
RNSAP

oThe RNSAP protocol

o The RNSAP protocol is the signaling protocol defined for the Iur interface.
o It consists of four distinct functions:
 Basic Inter-RNC mobility support (to allow signaling between RNCs)
 Dedicated channel traffic support (to allow dedicated channels for user data between RNCs, e.g.
for soft handover)
 Common channel traffic support (to allow common channel communication between RNCs). Not
supported by Ericsson.
 Global resource management support (allows transfer of Node B timing info and cell
measurements between RNCs)

oThe User Plane for the RNL across the Iur can be based either:
 common channel (not supported by Ericsson)
 dedicated channel.
IUR INTERFACE PROTOCOLS (Cont’d)
Control Plane User Plane
RNL
RNSAP DCH FP

TN User Plane Transport Network TN User Plane

TNL Control Plane
SCCP ALCAP
MTP3b
AAL2
NNI-SAAL
NNI-SAAL

SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Protocol )

Provides the functionality to transport signaling messages
MTP-3b (Message Transfer Part layer 3)
provides message routing (for point-to-point link)
To adapt the SS7 signaling not that the SS7 signaling is not used in IUB
NNI-SAAL
Adapts the upper layer protocol to the requirements of the Lower ATM
IUR INTERFACE PROTOCOLS (Cont’d)

Control Plane User Plane

RNL
RNSAP DCH FP

TN User Plane TN User Plane

TNL Transport Network
Control Plane
SCCP ALCAP
MTP3b
AAL2
NNI-SAAL
NNI-SAAL

ATM
IU INTERFACE PROTOCOLS

RNC

Iu Protocols

CN
IU INTERFACE PROTOCOLS (Cont’d)

oThe Iu interface connects the RNC to CN

 Iu-CS interfaces the RNC to the MSC-server
 Iu-PS interfaces the RNC to the SGSN
Radio Network Layer (RNL)
Control Plane User Plane

RNL
Data
RANAP

Control plane protocol (RANAP)

Provides the signaling service between UTRAN and CN

User Plane protocols

 data
 Iu-CS Interface Protocols.
Control Plane
User Plane
RANAP Data

Transport Network
TN User Plane TN User Plane
Control Plane
AAL2
Iu-PS Interface Protocols. SCCP ALCAP
MTP3b
Iu-PS interface has instead of AAL2 plane: NNI-SAAL
NNI-SAAL
 GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol-User)
 (UDP) User Datagram Protocol ATM
 Internet Protocol (IP)

Control Plane
GTP-U: User Plane
RANAP
 GTP-U is user data bearer towards Data
the PS domain.
UDP TN User Plane Transport Network TN User Plane
 Transport of IP applications Control Plane
SCCP GTP-U

MTP3b UDP
NNI-SAAL IP

AAL5

ATM
Thanks You