Introduction to Mcrnc

mcRNC Architecture and Functionality Introduction to mcRNC

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mcRNC Architecture and Functionality

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mcRNC Architecture and Functionality

Table of Contents: 1 2 3 4 5

Introduction........................................................................................................ 4 Scaling According to Capacity Needs ................................................................ 5 Role of RNC within 3G Network ......................................................................... 6 RNC Interfaces ................................................................................................ 11 Exercise .......................................................................................................... 12

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mcRNC Architecture and Functionality

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 multipurpose technology platform for various network element applications. The 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

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minimized site costs

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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.

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mcRNC Architecture and Functionality

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.

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mcRNC Architecture and Functionality

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.

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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

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

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

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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). All interfaces are based on IP over Ethernet transmission.

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5

Exercise

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