UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System):

UMTS / UTRAN Radio Access network architecture The UMTS standard can be seen as an extension of the existing networks (GSM/GPRS). The UMTS radio access network is known as UTRAN and introduces two new network elements: Node-B and RNC (Radio Network Controller). The Node-B can be considered in its functionalities as similar to the BTS and RNC as the BSC in GSM world. UTRAN is subdivided into individual radio network systems (RNSs), where each RNS is controlled by a RNC. The RNC is connected and can control several Node-B, each of which can serve one or several cells. The UTRAN allows connectivity between the UE (user equipment) and the core network. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are called the Radio Network Subsystem (RNS). There can be more than one RNS present in a UTRAN. NODE B The Node B is the physical unit for radio transmission/reception with cells. It can manage one or more cells (covered by one to several antennas). The main task of Node B is the conversion of data to and from the Uu radio interface between the UE and the RNC. Another of its functionality is to participate in power control, in enabling the UE to adjust its power using downlink (DL) transmission according to the basis of uplink (UL) information. RNC The RNC enables autonomous radio resource management by UTRAN. It performs the same functions as the GSM BSC, providing central control for the RNS elements (RNC and Node Bs). The RNC provides control functionalities for one or more Node Bs. The RNC can have two roles: As serving RNC, it manages the radio resources, the user data exchanges between the Node-B and the UE and executes the hard-handover. As drift RNC, in the case of an inter-RNC soft handover, a second RNC is involved and is declared as drift RNC. Its role is limited to the allocation of code resources. A reallocation of SRNC functionality to the DRNC is possible (serving radio network subsystem relocation)

Note: A Node B and an RNC can be the same device, although typical implementations have a separate RNC located in a central office serving multiple Node Bs.

UTRAN interfaces There are four interfaces connecting the UTRAN internally or externally to other functional entities: Iu, Uu, Iub and Iur. The Iu interface is an external interface that connects the RNC to the Core Network (CN). The Uu is also external, connecting the Node B with the User Equipment (UE). The Iub is an internal interface connecting the RNC with the Node B. And at last there is the Iur interface which is an internal interface most of the time, but can,

exceptionally be an external interface too for some network architectures. The Iur connects two RNCs with each other.

Figure1- UTRAN Architecture in UMTS network.

UTRAN: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network RNS: Radio Network System RNC : Radio Network Controller RANAP: Radio Access Network Application Part UE: User Equipment (Handset) SRNC: Serving Radio Network Controller DRNC: Drift Radio Network Controller CN : Core Network

RANAP RANAP (Radio Access Network Application Part) protocol is used in UMTS signaling between the Core Network, which can be a MSC or SGSN, and the UTRAN. RANAP is carried over Iu-interface. RANAP signaling protocol resides in the control plane of Radio network layer of Iu interface in the UMTS protocol stack. Iu interface is the interface between RNC (Radio Network Controller) and CN (Core Network). RNC communicates with MSCs in GSM network through the Iu-Cs interface (Circuit Switch part for Voice traffic), and with SGSNs in UMTS network through the Iu-Ps interface (Packet Switch part for Data traffic).

RANAP ensures the following functionalities: RAB Management: establishment, maintain and release of radio resources (RAB, Radio access Bearer) between UE and the Core network (CN). A RAB is a resource that allows the transport of user data through the radio access network. SRNC (Serving Radio Network Controller) Relocation that handles Soft-handover between two RNC. Paging that allow to track a UE in standby mode in a location zone during an incoming call. Transport of signaling messages between the UE and the CN. The UE can exchange signaling messages with the CN using the protocols (MM, CM, GMM, SM)

RANAP FUNCTIONS
RANAP has the following functions: Paging This function provides the CN for capability to page the UE. Common ID management In this function the permanent identification of the UE, (Permanent NAS UE Identity, IMSI) is sent from the CN to WCDMA RAN to allow paging co-ordination from possibly two different CN domains. Transport of NAS information between UE and CN. This functionality provides transparent transfer of UE-CN signaling messages that are not interpreted by WCDMA RAN. Security mode control This function is used to send the security keys and the algorithms (ciphering and integrity protection) to the WCDMA RAN, and setting the operation mode for security functions. Radio Access Bearer (RAB) Management This function is responsible for setting up, modifying andreleasing RABs. Iu Release Releases all resources (control and user plane) from a given instance of Iu related to the specified UE. It also includes RAN-initiated case. Relocating Serving RNC (SRNC) This function handles both SRNS relocation (not implemented) and hard handover, including intersystem handover to/from GSM. In SRNC relocation the serving Radio Network Subsystems (RNS) functionality is relocated from one RNS to another without changing the radio resources and without interrupting the user data flow. The prerequisite for SRNS relocation is that all Radio Links are already in the same DRNC that is target for the relocation. Management of overload Controls the overload of the Iu interface.

Reset This function is used to reset the Iu interface in error situations. Location reporting This function allows the CN to receive information on the location of the given UE. It includes two elementary procedures, one for controlling the location reporting in the RNC and the other to send the actual report to the CN.

RANAP PROCEDURE GENERAL Complete call setup using RANAP requires many steps of signaling. A typical information flow for Mobile Terminated call using RANAP is shown in Figure below.

The Elementary Procedures used in this example are explained below:

PAGING
Paging is used by the CN to page a UE. This procedure uses connectionless signaling. The PAGING message includes: CN Domain Indicator, used by the RNC to identify from which domain the Paging message originates. Permanent NAS UE Identity (that is, IMSI) used for calculation of paging group and also for WCDMA RAN paging co-ordination. The latter means that if a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection already exists for this UE, the radio-interface paging-message will be sent via this RRC connection instead of via the broadcast paging channel. The paging message may also contain the following: The DRX Cycle Length Coefficient (if available) may be included in the Paging message, and if present, the WCDMA shall when applicable use it for calculating the paging occasions for the UE. Temporary UE ID (that is, the TMSI). Used over the paging channel. If TMSI is not included the RNC shall use the Permanent NAS UE Identity instead, if no signaling connection exists. Paging Area. Can be the Location Area Identity (LAI), the Routing Area Identity (RAI) and (if omitted) the whole RNC area. Paging Cause shall indicate to the RNC the reason for sending the paging message. The paging cause is transferred transparently to the UE.

 Non-Searching Indication. If set to non-searching, the RNC does not need to do WCDMA RAN paging co-ordination. When the paging is received by the UE, a RRC Connection Establishment is performed

RANAP MAIN PROCEDURES SOFT HANDOVER and RNC reallocation