Radio Network Controller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Radio Network Controller (or RNC) is a governing element in the UMTS radio access network
(UTRAN) and is responsible for controlling the Node Bs that are connected to it. The RNC carries out radio
resource management, some of the mobility management functions and is the point where encryption is done
before user data is sent to and from the mobile. The RNC connects to the Circuit Switched Core Network
through Media Gateway (MGW) and to the SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) in the Packet Switched Core
Network.

Contents
1 Interfaces
2 Protocols
3 RNC roles
4 See also
5 External links

Interfaces
The logical connections between the
network elements are known as interfaces.
The interface between the RNC and the
Circuit Switched Core Network (CS-CN) is
called Iu-CS and between the RNC and the
Packet Switched Core Network is called Iu-
PS. Other interfaces include Iub (between
the RNC and the Node B) and Iur (between
RNCs in the same network). Iu interfaces
carry user traffic (such as voice or data) as
well as control information (see Protocols),
and Iur interface is mainly needed for soft
handovers involving 2 RNCs though not
required as the absence of Iur will cause
these handovers to become hard handovers.
RNC Interfaces
Until 3gpp R4, all the interfaces in the
UTRAN are implemented using ATM only,
except the Uu (air) interface which uses
WCDMA technology. Starting R5, IP bearers can be used over Ethernet instead. Physically, these interfaces can
be carried over SDH over optical fiber, E1 (sometimes referred to as PDH) - over a copper wire or microwave
radio. Several E1s can be bundled to form an IMA Group. Since the interfaces are logical, many interfaces can
be multiplexed onto the same transmission line. The actual implementation depends on the network topology;
examples are chain, distant star,mesh and loop configurations.

Protocols
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.

RNC roles
In a relationship to a UE (in a soft handover situation) an RNC can play two different roles. These are:

D-RNC: Drift RNC

S-RNC: Serving RNC

However, as far as the NodeB is concerned, the RNC may play a third role:

C-RNC: Controlling RNC

It is important to know that one RNC can assume more than one role at any time.

An RNC also controls the power of a NodeB.

See also
Operations and Maintenance Centre
Radio Resource Control
UMTS (telecommunication)

External links
NBAP Specifications
RANAP Specifications
RNSAP Specifications
RRC Specifications

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radio_Network_Controller&oldid=776938691"

This page was last edited on 24 April 2017, at 07:43.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may
apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.