Introduction to Mcrnc

mcRNC Architecture and Functionality

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Table of Contents:

1

Introduction ... 4

2

Scaling According to Capacity Needs ... 5

3

Role of RNC within 3G Network ... 6

4

RNC Interfaces ... 11

1

Introduction

The huge growth of traffic over recent years has brought new challenges to the

design of radio network equipment. To satisfy current and future needs, Nokia

Siemens Networks has developed a novel, compact and highly scalable

multi-purpose technology platform for various network element applications. The multi-purpose

of this course is to describe one such multicontroller network element, namely the

multicontroller radio network controller (mcRNC). Other multicontroller network

elements, such as the multicontroller base station controller (mcBSC) and

multicontroller transcoder (mcTC) are not covered by this course.

The ultra-high packing density of the multicontroller hardware results in various

benefits, such as:



unrivaled footprint



minimized site costs



minimized overall operational expenditure (OPEX).

In addition to the high scalability, high reliability and high performance, the

multicontroller design offers high flexibility, that is, the controller role can be changed

by loading different software. In this way, for instance, a multicontroller BSC (or parts

of the BSC) can be converted into a multicontroller RNC - ensuring a future-proof

evolution path for existing radio network equipment.

2

Scaling According to Capacity Needs

The multicontroller RNC provides highly scalable connectivity for voice and data

applications.

Because of the small size and easy installation the mcRNC can be located in a

remote location near one or more base stations, at a separate RNC site, or at a core

network site.

The network element consists of between two and eight hardware modules,

measuring only 444 mm x 450 mm x 176 mm each. The hardware modules can be

installed as such or in any standard 19” ETSI rack. This makes it possible to optimize

RNC configurations for different areas and use cases.

3

Role of RNC within 3G Network

Let us next examine the role of the radio network controller within a third generation

(3G) mobile network.

The radio network controller controls a number of base stations - also called base

transceiver stations (BTSs).

The radio access network (RAN) is connected to the circuit-switched core network

via the Media Gateway (MGW). In the user plane, the circuit-switched user data (for

instance, speech) is carried between the RNC and the MGW, which performs

switching, transcoding and various other media processing tasks. In the control

plane, the call control signaling messages are carried between the RNC and MSC

Server (MSS).

The RNC is connected to the packet-switched core network via the Serving GPRS

Support Node (SGSN).

Move your mouse pointer over the network elements in the figure to find out more

details.

4

RNC Interfaces

Multicontroller RNC network elements connect to the outside world principally via

four types of interfaces:



Iub interface between the RNC and base transceiver stations



Iur interface between the RNC and another RNC, to be used during

inter-RNC handovers



Iu-CS interface between the RNC and the MGW in the user plane, or between

the RNC and MSC Server in the control plane



Iu-PS interface between the RNC and Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

There are some additional interfaces that are not shown in the figure, such as the

O&M interface towards NetAct, the Iupc interface towards the Standalone Assisted

Global Positioning System Serving Mobile Location Center (SAS), and the Iu-BC

interface towards the Cell Broadcast Center (CBC).