Radio Network Controller
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The Radio Network Controller (or RNC) is a governing element in the UMTS radio access network (UTRAN) and is responsible for control 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.
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[edit] Functionality
The main functions of the RNC are management of radio channels (on the Uu-, or air-, interface) and the terrestrial channels (towards the MGW and SGSN). Radio Resource Management functionality includes the following:
- Outer Loop Power Control
- Load control
- Admission Control
- Packet scheduling
- Handover control
- Macrodiversity combining (see also macrodiversity)
- Security functions
- Mobility Management
Additionally, RNC may also perform further resource optimization by deploying vendor-specific algorithms such as:
- Dynamic Radio Bearer Control
- Adaptive Multi Rate Control
- Iub Overbooking (trunking efficiency)
- RNC is also a place to access all services which provided by CN (core network).
[edit] 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.
Until 3gpp R4, all the interfaces in the UTRAN are implemented using ATM only, except the Uu interface which uses WCDMA technology. Starting R5, IP bearers can be used over FE 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 and loop configurations.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Specifications
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