The radio interface is divided into 3 layers: 1.

Physical layer (Layer 1, L1): used to transmit data over the air, responsible for channel coding, interleaving, repetition, modulation, power control, macrodiversity combining. 2. Link layer (L2): is split into 2 sub-layers Medium Access Control(MAC) and Radio Link Control (RLC). MAC: responsible for multiplexing data from multiple applications onto physical channels in preparation for over-the-air transmition. RLC: segments the data streams into frames that are small enough to be transmitted over the radio link. 3. Upper layer (L3): vertically partitioned into 2 planes: control plane for signaling and user plan for bearer traffic. RRC (Radio Resource Control) is the control plan protocol: controls the radio resources for the access network. In implementation: 1. UE has all 3 layers. 2. NodeB has Physical Layer. 3. RNC had MAC layer and RRC layer.
answered Oct 21, 2011 by smart girl (3,160 points)