RRC and Rab

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What is RRC and RAB?
Posted by leopedrini Monday, May 20, 2013 11:21:00 AM Categories: Course

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In this scenario, RAB and RRC are two of the most important concepts because they are responsible for IMS (1)
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In addition to RAB and RRC, we still have some other terms directly involved in context, as RB, SRB,
TRB, among others. These terms are also important concepts, since without them RAB and RRC could
not exist.
So lets try to understand today - the simplest possible way - what is the RRC and RAB role in the calls of
these mobile networks in practice. As it become necessary, we will also talk about other concepts.
Note: All telecomHall articles are originally written in Portuguese. Following we translate to English and
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publishing your tutorials, please contact us: contact.
Introduction
To start, we can divide a call into two parts: the signaling (or control) and data (or information). Already
ahead of key concepts, we can understand the RRC as responsible for the control, and the RAB as
responsible for the information part.
As mentioned, other auxiliary concepts are involved in calls, but our goal today is to learn the most basic
concepts - RRC and RAB, allowing us to evolve in our learning later.
Oddly enough, even professionals who already work with UMTS-WCDMA and LTE networks have trouble
to fully understand the concepts of RRC and RAB. And without this initial understanding, hardly they can
evolve with clarity and efficiency in their daily work.
Without further introduction, let's go straight to the point and then try to understand once and for all
these so important concepts.
2 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

What is Envelope Tracking?
What are Modes, States and

Analogy Transitions in GSM, UMTS and
LTE?
As always, and as usual the telecomHall, let's make an analogy that helps us to understand the What is CSFB and SRVCC in
functioning of the RRC and RAB in practice. LTE?
What is CP (Cyclic Prefix) in

Let's start imagining the following scenario: two people are cut off by a cliff. On the left side, a person
LTE?
(1) want to buy some things that are for sale in a store (2) or deposit on the right side. In the right side,
What is LCS (and LBS)?
in addition to the deposit, we also have a seller (3), which will help the buyer to contact (negotiable)
with the deposit. What does Orthogonal means
in Wireless Networks?
As additional or auxiliary objects (4), we have some iron bars with different sizes, and some cars - some What is ISI (Inter Symbol
like train wagon, others like remote control cars. Interference) in LTE?
What is Splitter and Combiner?

In short, we have the situation outlined in the image below.
Analyzing Coverage with
Propagation Delay - PD and
Timing Advance - TA
(GSM-WCDMA-LTE)
What is Retransmission, ARQ

and HARQ?
IP Packet switching in Telecom

- Part 4

- Part 3

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October, 2014 (1)

February, 2014 (1)
And so, how this situation can be solved? October, 2013 (1)
June, 2013 (1)
Let's continue with a possible solution: the buyer on the left write his request in a note, tie on a small
May, 2013 (1)
stone that he found on the floor, and send (1) it to the seller on the other side. So, the stone carry the
June, 2012 (1)
information or initial request.
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December, 2010 (2)
The seller receives the request, but she need to send it to the deposit, in order for the shopping to be
sent. She sends the request on a remote control car (1), which run a previously demarcated path to the
deposit.
4 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

Some time later, the deposit response arrives to seller (1), which then checks to see whether she will be
able to send the data or not.
So that we can proceed with our call, let's consider a positive response. That is, what the buyer is
willing, or the 'resources' are available.
Seller realizes that to fulfill the request, and be able to send the purchases, she will need to build a 'path'
(1) between the two ends of the cliff, so the wagons could carry over with the orders/receipts and
purchases. Then, the seller uses some of its iron bars and creates a link between the two sides.
5 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

Once established all the way between those involved, requests can be sent from both sides as well as
the purchases or any other information can be transferred by different paths and wagons/cars!
If you managed to understand how the above problem was solved, congratulations, you just understand
how the most common form of UMTS-WCDMA and LTE communication happens!
Although analogies are not perfect, it help us a lot to understand the complex functioning of these
networks, especially in relation to new concepts such as RRC and RAB, but also a very often used, the
'bearer' — so much that it's worth talking a little bit about it.
What is Bearer?
If we search the word 'bearer' in the dictionary, we'll find something like trasnporter, or carrier. In a
simple way: one who carries or conveys something from some point to another point. In a restaurant,
we can compare the 'bearer' to a waiter.
6 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

But from the telecommunications point of view, 'bearer' is best understood as a 'pipe' that connects two
or more points in a communication system, through which the data flows.
Technically speaking, it is a channel that carries Voice or Data, a logical connection between different
points (nodes) that ensures that the packets that are traveling have the same QoS attributes. Explaining
better: for each 'bearer' we have several associated parameters, such as the maximum delay and packet
loss limit – and these attributes that make sure each packet going in the same channel have the same
QoS attributes.
7 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

General Flowchart - RRC, RAB and Others
Now that we know what is bearer, let's go back to the analogy presented earlier, but now bringing it to
the real, more technical side.
All that we'll talk can be summarized in a single figure, having all the concepts seen today, and that will
be detailed from now on.
Note: If you manage to understand the concepts that will be explained in the figure below, you will be
with a great base for both WCDMA and LTE networks. This is because, in order to facilitate we use
WCDMA nomenclatures, but the principle is pretty much the same in LTE. Just do the equivalent
replaces, like NodeB for eNB.
8 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

On that ficticious scenario, the seller is the UTRAN, responsible for creating and maintaining the
communication between the UE (buyer) and CN (deposit) so that the QoS requirements of each are met.
UTRAN: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

NodeB
RNC
UE: User Equipment
CN: Core Network
MSC: for switched voice services
SGSN: for packet-switched services
9 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

The cliff is the Uu Interface between the UE and the UTRAN, and the road through the remote control car
goes until the deposit is the Iu Interface, between the UTRAN and CN.
Sending requests and receipts is part of signaling, or the RRC. The shipment of purchases is the data
part, or the RAB. In our scenario, the RRC are the Rails, and RAB is the full service of sending data
between the UE and the CN.
RRC: Radio Resource Control

RAB: Radio Access Bearer
Note: the RRC is in Layer 3 - control plane, while the RAB occurs between the UE and CN, in the user
plane.
The railcars are the RBs, and convey the information in the radio path. These wagons define what type of
thing will be transported, and in what quantity. Similarly, the RBs define what type of data will in the
RRC, which can be Data or Signaling. When the QoS attributes change, then the Rbs associated with that
RRC connection need to be reconfigured.
The remote control cars are the Iu bearer, and carry information on Iu Interface (between the UTRAN
and the CN), either CS or PS.
RB: Radio Bearer

Iu bearer: Iu Bearer Interface
Note: RAB is the combination of RB and Iu bearer.
As examples of RAB for some services and different rates we have:
10 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

The Conversational RAB and the Interactive RAB can be used together, and in this case we have a case
of MultiRAB.
The RB is a layer 2 connection between the UE and the RNC, and can be used for Signalling and control
User Data. When it is used for Signalling or Control Messages is called SRB. And when it is used for user
data is called TRB.
SRB: Signalling Radio Bearer (Control Plane)

TRB: Traffic Radio Bearer (User Plane)
Note: in an optimized network, we can find much of the traffic being handled by HSPA bearers, even
MultiRAB. This option frees resources from CE (Channel Elements), relieving the load on R99 (that can
only use these resources). However, it should be done with caution, because if improperly configured it
can degrade the Performance Indicators with Blockage (Congestion) and Failures.
As you've probably noticed, we're talking about several new technical terms, but these terms are what
you'll find for example when reading UMTS or LTE call flowcharts. But if you can understand at least in
part the concepts presented today, everything will be much easier.
Let us then take a look again on our figure, and continue our analogy.
11 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

As we saw, in telecom we work with the concept of layers. And this way of seeing the network brings us
many advantages, mainly because we were able to 'wrap' physical access. In this way, any modification
or replacement can be made with less complexity.
We don't need to tell you how much the radio path is complex, continuously changing, right? This
structure using beares ensures this simplification: the RNC and CN bother with QoS requirements in the
path between them (Iu Interface); and only the RNC have to worry about meeting the complex radio
path QoS.
12 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

Sure, but why we have two types of carriers - wagons and remote control cars? The answer to this is in
the very characteristic of the two existing paths. Being the Iu a more robust interface, and also because
we have major changes in RABs during connections, it is normal that these bearers are also different for
the paths. it's like using a 4x4 pickup truck to climb a mountain, and a race car to an asphalt race.
Regardless the carriers, with the RAB the elements of the CN has the impression of a physical path to
the UE, so don't need to be worrying about the complex aspects of radio communication.
For example, a UE can have 3 RABs between he and the RNC, and these RABs may be changing, as in
the case of soft handovers, while the RNC has only 1 Iu bearer for this connection.
From the point of view of the carriers, the main task of the UTRAN is managing these services on these
interfaces. She controls the Uu interface, and along with the CN, controls the provision of services in the
Iu interface.
Remember that in a communication between the UE and the CN, several other elements are involved,
mainly to negotiate QoS requirements between both parties. These requirements are mapped in the
RABs, that are visible to both (UE and CN), where the UTRAN is responsible for creating and maintaining
these RABs so that all of this is served in all aspects.
A little bit more details...
A RRC connection exists when an UE performs the call establishment procedure, and get resources from
the UTRAN. When a RRC connection is established, the UE will also get some SRBs. (If for some reason
13 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

the initial request is not accepted, the UE can make a new request after some time).
Since the SRB was established between the UE and the CN, the RNC checks a series of information such
as the UE identity, what is the reason for the request and whether the UE is able to handle the requested
service.
The RNC that maps the requested RABs into RBs, to transfer between the UE and the UTRAN. In addition
it is also check the attributes of the RABs: if they can be met by the available resources, and even
whether to activate or reset radio channels (reconfiguration of lower layers services ) based on the
number of Signaling Connections and RABs to be transferred.
This way, it creates the impression that there is a physical path between the UE and the CN.
Remembering again that no matter how many signaling and RABs connections there are between the ue
and the CN - there is only a single RRC connection used by the RNC to control and transfer between the
UE and the UTRAN.
Now that we have seen a lot about RRC and RAB, let's learn only a few more concepts today – after all,
we already have enough information presented. Let's talk about the AS and NAS.
AS – Access Stratum is a group of specific protocols of access network

NAS – NON Access Stratum: so, are the other protocols, or those that are not access network
At this point of view, the AS provides the RAB to the NAS, or information transfer service.
The UE and CN need to communicate (events/messages) with each other to perform several procedures
with many purposes. And the 'language' of this conversation between them is called protocols.
The protocols are then responsible for allowing this conversation between the UE and CN, and cause the
CN do not worry about the method of access (be it GSM/GPRS, UTRAN, LTE). In our case the RNC acts
as a protocol - between the UTRAN and CN.
According to what we learned today, the RAB is carried:
Between the UE and the UTRAN: within the RRC connection. The RRC Protocol is responsible for negotiating the
(logical) channels of Uu and IuB interfaces, and for the establishment of signaling dedicated channels as SRBs and RBs
among these interfaces.
Between the RNC and the CN: after being negotiated and mapped, in the RANAP protocol connection, through Iu
interface (CS/PS).
RANAP: Radio Access Network Application Part
14 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

As we have seen above, the RNC maps requested RABs into RBs using current radio network resources
information, and controls the services of lower layers. To optimize the use of these resources, as well as
the network band and physical resource sharing between different entities, the UTRAN can also perform
the function of CN messages distribution.
For this, the RRC Protocol transparently transfers messages from CN to the access network through a
direct transfer procedure. When this occurs, a specific indicator of CN is inserted in these messages, and
the entities with the distribution function in RNC use this same indicator for direct messages to the
appropriate CN, and vice versa.
But now it started to get more complex, and we have already reached our goal today, which was to learn
the basics of RRC and RAB.
Everything we just talked about above can be seen again in the same figure below, the same from the
beginning of the explanations.
15 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

RRC and RAB in GSM?
Okay, we understand how RRC and RAB works in UMTS-WCDMA and LTE networks. But in GSM, does we
have these concepts as well?
At first, the answer is NO. However, with what we learned today, we can make a comparison with some
GSM 'equivalent' parameters.
We can compare the SDCCH phase and TCH phase of a GSM call with RRC and RAB in UMTS.
16 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

RRC is the Radio Resource Control that works as Control Plane in Layer 3. Is used primarily for Signaling
in UMTS. Then we can compare with the signaling in GSM, as the Immediate Assignment process for
SDCCH resource allocation.
RAB is the radio access 'transporter' that works as the User Plane to provide data for the services
requested by the user. Then we can compare with the user part in GSM, as the TCH Assignment.
For each service requested by the user we have only 1 RAB. For example, if the requested service is a
Voice Call (CS-AMR), then 1 CS RAB will be generated and provided to the user. The same is true for PS.
So our equivalence table would be:
UMTS / LTE GSM
Control RRC Connection Immediate Assignment
User RAB Assignment (RNC-CN) Assignment (BSC-MSC)
RRC Connection and RAB example
To complete for today, let's see (always in simplified form) a simple RRC connection and RAB.
Whenever the UE needs the UTRAN resources, he asks. So that these resources are allocated, it
establishes a RRC connection with some SRBs.
In this case, a RAB connection is created to enable the transfer of user data. We remind you that the
RAB consists of RB + Iu bearer. The RAB is created by CN, with a specific QoS request.
For a single UE, there may be multiple RAB for NAS service (CS or PS).
But let's just stick to the initial procedure, that is, how is performed the 'RRC Setup' procedure, from the
UE's request.
17 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

The following figure shows this more straightforward.
The RRC has always 3 steps:
1. The UE requests a new connection in the Uplink (‘RRC CONNECTION REQUEST’);

2. With sufficient resources available, the 'RRC Downlink CONNECTION SETUP' message is sent, including the reason,
along with the SRB configuration; (Note: otherwise, if the RRC connection cannot be established, the message sent is
'RRC CONNECTION SETUP REJECT').
3. If all goes well, the UE sends the message in the Uplink: ‘RRC CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE’.
And after this, the ‘MEASUREMENT CONTROL’ message are being sent in the Downlink, for the
communication continuity.
After the RRC connection is established, the UTRAN makes the checks between the CN and the UE, for
example the authentication and security operations.
And so, the CN informs the RAB to UTRAN in accordance with requirements of the service requested by
the UE. As we have seen, RAB occurs after the RRC, and without a RRC connection no RAB may be
established.
18 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

Conclusion
We have seen today a simplified explanation that covers a number of concepts involved in the
communication of the most modern existing mobile networks, primarily related to RRC and RAB.
With this conceptual base, we will continue to evolve in the next tutorials with examples that make the
assimilation of these complex concepts in a task far less exhaustive than normal.
We hope that you have enjoyed, and we count on your participation, which can be for example
suggesting new topics, or sharing our site with your friends. If possible, leave also your comments just
below.
Until the next tutorial.
19 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

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What is RRC and RAB?

Posted by leopedrini Monday, May 20, 2013 11:21:00 AM Categories: Course

essential that the telecom professional has full understanding of its 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

(CS) or data (PS). 26 27 28 29 30 31 1

1 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

2 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

What is Envelope Tracking?

What are Modes, States and

What is CP (Cyclic Prefix) in

What is Splitter and Combiner?

What is Retransmission, ARQ

IP Packet switching in Telecom

IP Packet switching in Telecom

IP Packet switching in Telecom

IP Packet switching in Telecom

Goodbye IPv4... Hello IPv6!

3 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

October, 2014 (1)

4 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

5 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

6 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

7 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

General Flowchart - RRC, RAB and Others

8 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

UTRAN: UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

9 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

RRC: Radio Resource Control

RB: Radio Bearer

Note: RAB is the combination of RB and Iu bearer.

As examples of RAB for some services and different rates we have:

10 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

SRB: Signalling Radio Bearer (Control Plane)

11 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

12 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

A little bit more details...

13 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

AS – Access Stratum is a group of specific protocols of access network

According to what we learned today, the RAB is carried:

14 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

15 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

RRC and RAB in GSM?

16 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

So our equivalence table would be:

UMTS / LTE GSM

Control RRC Connection Immediate Assignment

User RAB Assignment (RNC-CN) Assignment (BSC-MSC)

RRC Connection and RAB example

17 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

The following figure shows this more straightforward.

The RRC has always 3 steps:

1. The UE requests a new connection in the Uplink (‘RRC CONNECTION REQUEST’);

18 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

Until the next tutorial.

19 sur 21 20-Jul-16 11:02 AM

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