Course OWJ103101

WCDMA Signalling flow

ISSUE 1.1

OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Scope ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Chapter 1 Cell Establish procedure ................................................................................................ 2
1.1 IUB interface protocol structure ............................................................................................ 2
1.2 Cell establish procedure........................................................................................................ 3
1.2.2 Audit............................................................................................................................ 3
1.2.3 Cell setup.................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.4 Common Transport Channel Setup............................................................................ 5
1.2.5 System Information Update ........................................................................................ 5
Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure ......................................................................................... 6
2.1 Basic conceptions ................................................................................................................. 6
2.2 RRC setup............................................................................................................................. 7
2.2.2 RRC Connection Establishment................................................................................. 8
2.2.3 Radio Link setup......................................................................................................... 8
2.3 Initial Direct Transfer ............................................................................................................. 9
2.4 RAB setup ........................................................................................................................... 10
2.4.2 RAB Assignment Setup procedure........................................................................... 10
2.4.3 RAB Setup Radio Link Reconfiguration ................................................................... 11
2.4.4 Radio Bearer setup................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related procedure ................................................................ 13
3.1 IU Release........................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.2 IU Release ................................................................................................................ 13
3.1.3 IU Release Request ................................................................................................. 14
3.2 RAB Release....................................................................................................................... 15
3.2.2 RAB Assignment Release procedure....................................................................... 15
3.2.3 RAB Release Radio Link Reconfiguration................................................................ 16
3.2.4 RAB Release Request.............................................................................................. 16
3.3 RRC Release ...................................................................................................................... 17
3.3.2 RRC Connection Release ........................................................................................ 17

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OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

Scope

Scope
The present document is an introduction of a part of WCDMA signaling procedure.
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to know the cell setup signaling
procedure and signaling procedure related with call setup, call end and call drop.

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OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

Chapter 1 Cell Establish procedure

Chapter 1 Cell Establish procedure

1.1 IUB interface protocol structure
Radio Network
Control Plane

TFCI2 FP

CPCH FP

USCH FP

DSCH FP

FACH FP

PCH FP

DCH FP

Node B
Application Part
(NBAP)

RACH FP

Radio
Network
Layer

User Plane

Transport
Network
Control Plane

ALCAP
Q.2630.2
Q.2150.2

Transport
Layer

SSCF-UNI

SSCF-UNI

SSCOP

SSCOP

AAL Type 5

AAL Type 5

AAL Type 2
ATM

Physical Layer

Figure 1-1 Iub Interface Protocol Structure

The Iub interface protocol architecture consists of two functional layers:

1.
Radio Network Layer, defines procedures related to the operation of Node B.
The radio network layer consists of a radio network control plane and a radio network
user plane.
2.
Transport Layer, defines procedures for establishing physical connections
between Node B and the RNC.

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Chapter 1 Cell Establish procedure

1.2 Cell establish procedure

NodeB

RNC
1. AUDIT REQUEST
2. AUDIT RESPONSE
3. CELL SETUP REQUEST
4.CELL SETUP RESPONSE
5.COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP REQUEST

6.COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP RESPONSE

7.QAAL2 ESTABLISH REQUEST
8. QAAL2 ESTABLISH CONFIRM
DL NODE SYNCHRONIZATION
UL NODE SYNCHRONIZATION
DL SYNCHRONIZATION
UL SYNCHRONIZATION
9. SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE REQUEST
10. SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE RESPONSE

Figure 1-2 Cell establish procedure

1.2.2 Audit
This procedure is executed by the CRNC to perform an audit of the configuration and
status of the logical resources in the Node B. A complete audit of a Node B is
performed by one or more Audit procedures, together performing an audit sequence.
The audit may cause the CRNC to re-synchronize the Node B to the status of logical
resources known by the CRNC that the Node B can support.

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OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

Chapter 1 Cell Establish procedure

CRNC

Node B
AUDIT REQUEST

AUDIT RESPONSE

Figure 1-3 Audit procedure

Another situation, the Node B can initiate an Audit required indication procedure to
request the RNC to perform an audit of the logical resources at the Node B. This
indicates a possible misalignment of state or configuration information.
CRNC

Node B
AUDIT REQUIRED INDICATION

Figure 1-4 Audit Required Indication procedure

Upon receipt of the AUDIT REQUIRED INDICATION message, the RNC should initiate
Audit procedure.

1.2.3 Cell setup

Cell setup procedure is used to setup a cell in Node B. The RNC takes the cell,
identified via C-ID IE, into services and uses the resources in the Node B identified via
the Local Cell ID IE.
CRNC

N od e B
C E LL SE T UP REQ UE ST

CELL SETUP
RESPO N SE

Figure 1-5 Cell setup procedure

Upon receipt of the CELL SETUP REQUEST message, the Node B should reserve the
necessary resources and configure the new cell according to the parameters give in the
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OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

Chapter 1 Cell Establish procedure

message. When the cell successfully configured, the Node B send a CELL SETUP
RESPONSE message as a response.

1.2.4 Common Transport Channel Setup

This procedure is used to setup the necessary resources in Node B which the Node B
reserves in the cell setup procedure, regarding Secondary CCPCH, PRACH, etc.
CRNC

Node B

COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP

REQUEST
COMMON TRANSPORT CHANNEL SETUP
RESPONSE

Figure 1-6 Common Transport Channel setup procedure

One message can configure only one of the following combinations:

One Secondary CCPCH, and FACHs, PCH and PICH related to that Secondary
CCPCH.
One PRACH, one RACH and one AICH related to that group of PRACH.

1.2.5 System Information Update

The System Information Update procedure performs the necessary operations in order
for the Node B to apply the correct scheduling of and/or to include appropriate contents
to the system information segments broadcast on the BCCH.
CRNC

Node B

SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE REQUEST

SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE RESPONSE

Figure 1-7 System Information Update procedure

This procedure is initiated with SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE REQUEST

message sent from RNC to the Node B using the Node B Control Port.
SYSTEM INFORMATION UPDATE REQUEST including the BCCH Modification Time
IE which indicated the message should be apply by the Node B at the first time instance
starting from the SFN. The message will also include the segments of the certain
MIB/SB/SIB which will be scheduled and broadcast by the Node B on the BCCH.

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

2.1 Basic conceptions

Figure 2-1 UMTS QOS Architecture

RRC: Radio Resource Control. A sub-layer of Layer 3 on the UMTS radio interfaces; it
exists in the control plane only and provides information transfer service to the NAS
(Non Access Stratum). RRC is responsible for controlling the configuration of UMTS
radio interface Layers 1 and 2. RRC is on the radio interfaces, and RRC is the
connection between UE and UTRAN.
RAB: Radio Access Bearer. Term used in UMTS to identify the service the AS (Access
Stratum) provides to the NAS (Non Access Stratum) for transfer of user data between
the UE (User Equipment) and the CN (Core Network).
RB: Radio Bearer. The service provided by the Layer 2 for the transfer of user data
between UE (User Equipment) and UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network).

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

Non-Access Stratum (NAS)

GC

Nt

GC

DC

Nt

DC

Access Stratum (AS)

end AS entity

end AS entity
Relay

GC

DC

Nt

RRC

GC

Uu
Stratum
(UuS)

L2/L1

Nt

DC

GC

Nt

GC

DC

RRC

DC

Nt

Iu
Stratum

L2/L1

UE

Core Network

UTRAN
Radio
(Uu)

Iu

Figure 2-2 Assumed UMTS Architecture

2.2 RRC setup

UE

NodeB

RNC

1.CCCH: RRC CONNECTION REQUEST

RRC

RRC

2.Allocate parameters
such asRNTI L1
L2
3. RL SETUP REQUEST
NBAP

NBAP
4. RL SETUP RESPONSE
NBAP

NBAP

5.ALCAP Setup and synchronization

6. CCCH : RRC CONNECTION SETUP
RRC

RRC
7. DCCH: RRC CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE

RRC

RRC

Figure 2-3 RRC setup procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to establish an RRC connection.

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

2.2.2 RRC Connection Establishment

The UE shall initiate the procedure when upper layers in the UE requests the
establishment of a signaling connection and the UE is in idle mode (no RRC connection
exists),
UE

UTRAN
RRC CONNECTION REQUEST

RRC CONNECTION SETUP

RRC CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE

Figure 2-4 RRC Connection Establishment

UE submit the RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message for transmission on the uplink
CCCH. UE sends RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message with RRC Establishment
Cause and Initial UE identity.
Upon receiving an RRC CONNECTION REQUEST message, after UTRAN
successfully setup RRC on the UTRAN side UTRAN will submit an RRC
CONNECTION SETUP message on the downlink CCCH.
When UE receive the RRC CONNECTION SETUP message, UE will setup the RRC on
the UE side and then send RRC CONNECTION SETUP COMPLETE message as
response on the UL DCCH.

2.2.3 Radio Link setup

This procedure is used for establishing the necessary resources for a new Node B
Communication Context in the Node B. The Radio Link Setup procedure is used to
establish one or more radio links. The procedure establishes one or more DCHs on all
radio links.
CRNC

Node B
RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST

RADIO LINK SETUP RESPONSE

Figure 2-5 Radio Link Setup procedure

The procedure is initiated with a RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST message sent from
the CRNC to the Node B using the Node B Control Port (NCP).

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

Upon reception of the RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST message, the Node B shall
reserve necessary resources and configure the new Radio Link(s) according to the
parameters given in the message.
If the Radio Link(s) are successfully established, the Node B shall respond with a
RADIO LINK SETUP RESPONSE message.

2.3 Initial Direct Transfer

INITIAL

DIRECT

INITIAL

UE

Figure 2-6 Initial Direct Transfer procedure

The initial direct transfer procedure is used in the uplink to establish a signalling
connection. It is also used to carry an initial upper layer (NAS) message over the radio
interface.
The purpose of the Initial UE Message procedure is to establish an Iu signalling
connection between a CN domain and the RNC and to transfer the initial NAS-PDU to
the default CN node. The procedure uses connection oriented signalling.

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

2.4 RAB setup

UE

NodeB

CN

SRNC
1. RAB ASSIGNMENT REQUEST
RANAP

RANAP

2.ALCAP setup
3. RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION
PREPARE
NBAP

NBAP

4. RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION

READY
NBAP
NBAP

5.ALCAP Setup and synchronization

6. RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION
COMMIT
NBAP
NBAP
7. RADIO BEARER SETUP
RRC

RRC
8. RADIO BEARER SETUP COMPLETE

RRC

RRC
9. BAB ASSIGNMENT RESPONSE
RANAP

RANAP

Figure 2-7 RAB setup procedure

2.4.2 RAB Assignment Setup procedure

The purpose of the RAB Assignment procedure is to establish new RABs and/or to
enable modifications and/or releases of already established RABs for a given UE. The
procedure uses connection oriented signalling.

CN

RNC
RAB ASSIGNMENT
REQUEST
RAB ASSIGNMENT
RESPONSE
.
.
.

* it can be several responses

Figure 2-8 RAB Assignment Setup procedure

The CN shall initiate the procedure by sending a RAB ASSIGNMENT REQUEST

message. The CN shall include in the RAB ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message at
least one request to either establish/modify or release a RAB.

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

UTRAN shall report to CN, in the first RAB ASSIGNMENT RESPONSE message, the
result for all the requested RABs.

2.4.3 RAB Setup Radio Link Reconfiguration

CRNC

Node B

RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION PREPARE

RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION READY

Figure 2-9 Radio Link Reconfiguration Preparation procedure

The Synchronized Radio Link Reconfiguration Preparation procedure is initiated by the

CRNC by sending the RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION PREPARE message to the
Node B. The message shall use the Communication Control Port assigned for this
Node B Communication Context.
Upon reception, the Node B shall reserve necessary resources for the new
configuration of the Radio Link(s) according to the parameters given in the message.
Unless specified below. the meaning of parameters is specified in other specifications.
CRNC

Node B

RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION COMMIT

Figure 2-10 Radio Link Reconfiguration Commit procedure

The Node B shall switch to the new configuration previously prepared by the
Synchronized Radio Link Reconfiguration Preparation procedure at the next coming
CFN with a value equal to the value requested by the CRNC in the CFN IE when
receiving the RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION COMMIT message from the CRNC.

2.4.4 Radio Bearer setup

The radio bearer establishment procedure is used to establish new radio bearer(s).
UE

UTRAN
RADIO BEARER SETUP

RADIO BEARER SETUP COMPLETE

Figure 2-11 Radio Bearer Establishment procedure

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Chapter 2 Call setup related procedure

In case the procedure was triggered by reception of a RADIO BEARER SETUP

message, the UE shall transmit a RADIO BEARER SETUP COMPLETE as response
message on the uplink DCCH using AM RLC.

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Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

procedure

Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

procedure
3.1 IU Release

IU

1 IU RELEASE

2 IU

Figure 3-1 IU Release procedure

IU release procedure release IU connection and all UTRAN resources related.

IU RELEASE REQUEST is initialized by UTRAN
IU release also could be initialized by CN, sending IU RELEASE COMMAND message.

3.1.2 IU Release
The procedure is initiated by the CN by sending an IU RELEASE COMMAND message
to the UTRAN.

RNC

CN

IU RELEASE COMMAND
IU RELEASE COMPLETE
Figure 3-2 IU Release procedure

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Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

procedure

After the IU RELEASE COMMAND message has been sent, the CN shall not send
further RANAP connection oriented messages on this particular connection.
The IU RELEASE COMMAND message shall include a Cause IE, indicating the reason
for the release.
When the RNC receives the IU RELEASE COMMAND message, clearing of the related
UTRAN resources is initiated and the RNC returns any assigned Iu user plane
resources to idle. Then RNC send IU RELEASE COMPLETE message to CN.
Reception of an IU RELEASE COMPLETE message terminates the procedure in the
CN.

3.1.3 IU Release Request

CN

RNC

IU RELEASE REQUEST

Figure 3-3 IU Release Request procedure

The RNS controlling the Iu connection(s) of that particular UE shall initiate the
procedure by generating an IU RELEASE REQUEST message towards the affected
CN domain(s). The procedure may be initiated for instance when the contact with a
particular UE is lost or due to user inactivity.
The IU RELEASE REQUEST message shall indicate the cause value for the requested
Iu connection release. It is up to the CN to decide how to react to the request.
Interactions with Iu Release procedure:
If the CN decides to release the Iu connection, the CN shall initiate the Iu Release
procedure.

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Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

procedure

OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

3.2 RAB Release

UE

Serving
RNC

NodeB
ServingRNS

RANAP

CN

1 RAB ASSIGNMENT
[Release]

REQUEST
RANAP

2. ALCAP Iu Data Transport Bearer Release

not required towards PS domain
3.1 RELEASE REQUEST

Q.aal2

Q.aal2

3.2 RELEASE CONFIRM

Q.aal2
3.RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION
PRPARE
NBAP
NBAP
[DCH Deletion]

Q.aal2

4.RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION

READY
NBAP
NBAP
5.RADIO LINK RECONFIGURATION
COMMIT
NBAP

NBAP

6.DCCH :RADIO BEARER RELEASE

RRC

RRC
Apply new
transport format set
DCCH

RRC

7.DCCH : RADIO BEARER RELEASE COMPLETE

RRC

ALCAP Iub Data Transport Bearer Release

RANAP

8. RAB ASSIGNMENT RESPONSE

RANAP

Figure 3-4 RAB Release procedure

3.2.2 RAB Assignment Release procedure

The purpose of the RAB Assignment procedure is to establish new RABs and/or to
enable modifications and/or releases of already established RABs for a given UE. In
the RAB Release procedure RAB ASSIGNMENT REQUEST messages trigger release
of already established RABs.

CN

RNC
RAB ASSIGNMENT
REQUEST
RAB ASSIGNMENT
RESPONSE
.
.
.

* it can be several responses

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Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

procedure

OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

Figure 3-5 RAB Assignment Release procedure

CN send RAB ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message to request a RAB to be released

and indicated the RAB ID in message.

3.2.3 RAB Release Radio Link Reconfiguration

The Radio Link Reconfiguration procedure in RAB Release is just like RAB Setup
Radio Link Reconfiguration. The only difference is UTRAN, in RAB setup procedure
Radio Link Reconfiguration procedure, adds new DTCH. And in RAB Release
procedure Radio Link Reconfiguration procedure UTRAN delete the DTCH.

3.2.4 RAB Release Request

The RNC shall initiate the procedure by generating a RAB RELEASE REQUEST
message towards the CN. The RABs To Be Released IE shall indicate the list of RABs
requested to release and the Cause IE associated to each RAB shall indicate the
reason for the release

RNC

CN

RAB
RELEASE REQUEST

Figure 3-6 RAB Rlease Request procedure

Upon reception of the RAB RELEASE REQUEST message, the CN should initiate the
appropriate release procedure for the identified RABs in the RAB RELEASE
REQUEST message. It is up to the CN to decide how to react to the request.
Interaction with Iu Release Command:
If no RABs will remain according to the RAB RELEASE REQUEST message, the CN
may decide to initiate the Iu Release procedure if it does not want to keep the Iu
signalling connection. The cause value to use is "No Remaining RAB".
Interaction with RAB Assignment (release RAB):
If the CN decides to release some or all indicated RABs, the CN may decide to invoke
the RAB Assignment procedure (release RAB) to this effect.

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Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

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OWJ103101 WCDMA Signalling flow ISSUE1.1

3.3 RRC Release

UE

SRNC

NodeB
1.RRC CONNECTION RELEASE

RRC

RRC
2.RRC CONNECTION RELEASE COMPLETE

RRC

RRC

NBAP

3. RADIO LINK DELETION

NBAP
4. RADIO LINK DELETION COMPLETE

NBAP

NBAP

5.ALCAP Release

Figure 3-7 RRC Release procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to release the RRC connection including all radio
bearers and all signaling radio bearers between the UE and the UTRAN. By doing so,
all established signaling connections will be released.

3.3.2 RRC Connection Release

UE

UTRAN
RRC CONNECTION RELEASE

RRC CONNECTION RELEASE

COMPLETE

Figure 3-8 RRC Connection Release procedure

When the UE is in state CELL_DCH or CELL_FACH, the UTRAN may at anytime

initiate an RRC connection release by transmitting an RRC CONNECTION RELEASE
message using UM RLC.
When UTRAN transmits an RRC CONNECTION RELEASE message the downlink
DCCH should be used, if available. If the downlink DCCH is not available in UTRAN
and the UE is in CELL_FACH state, the downlink CCCH may be used.
UTRAN may transmit several RRC CONNECTION RELEASE messages to increase
the probability of proper reception of the message by the UE. In such a case, the RRC
SN for these repeated messages should be the same. The number of repeated
messages and the interval between the messages is a network option.
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Chapter 3 Call End and Call Drop Related

procedure

Radio Link Deletion

The Radio Link Deletion procedure is used to release the resources in a Node B for one
or more established radio links towards a UE.
The Radio Link Deletion procedure may be initiated by the CRNC at any time when the
Node B Communication Context exists.
CRNC

Node B
RADIO LINK DELETION REQUEST

RADIO LINK DELETION RESPONSE

Figure 3-9 Radio Link Deletion procedure

The procedure is initiated with a RADIO LINK DELETION REQUEST message sent
from the CRNC to the Node B using the Communication Control Port assigned to the
concerned Node B Communication Context.

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