Chapter 7.

W-CDMA Technology

1. UMTS Network
1.1. IMT-2000 Interfaces The W-CMA system consists of a number of logical network elements that each has a defined functionally. In the standards, network elements are defined at the logical level, but this quite often results in a similar physical implementation, especially since there are a number of open interfaces. The network elements can be grouped into Radio Access Network (RAN) that handles all radio-related functionally, and the external networks. To complete the system, the User Equipment (UE) that interfaces with the user and the radio interfaces defined. Radio Access Network (RAN) is a switched circuit network consisting of Radio Network Controller and Node B. referred to as UTRAN. It is linked to Core Network via Iu interface. In 3GPP, RAN is RNC is the radio controller which manages radio resources and

controls Node B, and controls handover, for example. Node B, a logical node which receives and transmits radio signals, is the base station in the real world.

IMT-2000 Interfaces
Radio Interface ; W-CDMA (IMT-DS)

Network Interface ; GSM Evolved

Core Network Radio Acce ss Network
UE Node -B
RNC
(BSC)
Serv ice/Mobility Control

MSC

GMSC

Other Netw orks

Radio Interface (UE-RAN)

Fig. 7.1 IMT-2000 Interface

1.2. UMTS System Components The interface between Node B and RNC is referred to as Iub, and the interface between RNCs is Iur. Node B covers one or more cells. When one base station is sectorized and equipped with multiple directional antennas, each sector is sometimes called cell. Node B is connected with mobiles via radio interface. Network Elements Core Network

GMSC: Gateway Mobile Services Switching Center

Switches circuit switched (CS) data to the external network.

MSC: Mobile Services Switching Center

Switches circuit switched (CS) data.

VLR: Visitor Location Register

Stores copy of visiting users service profiles.

HLR: Home Location Register

Stores users service profiles.

GGSN: Gateway GPRS Support Node

Handles packet switched (PS) data to the external network.

SGSN: Serving GPRS Support Node

Handles packet switched (PS) data. UTRAN

RNC: Radio Network Controller

Controls radio resources.

Node-B
Converts Data flow between Iub and Uu interface. UE

ME: Mobile Equipment

Radio terminal used for radio communication.

USIM: UMTS Subscriber Identity Module

Smart card that stores subscriber identity.

UMTS System Architecture

Network Elements in PLMN
UTRAN
Uu UE
USIM USIM Node Node -B -B
UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network

Iub Node Node -B -B

RNS
RNC RNC

Iu
MSC MSC /VLR /VLR

CN
GMSC GMSC PSTN ISDN

Cu
ME ME Node Node -B -B Node Node -B -B

Iur

HLR HLR

RNC RNC

SGSN SGSN

GGSN GGSN

Internet

RNS

UTRAN : UMTS Terrestrial radio access network RNS : Radio network sub-system UE : User equipment

Fig. 7.2 UMTS System Architecture

2. Cell size and duplex technology

CDMA communication technology proposed to ITU-R includes TDD and FDD. TDD switches alternatively between up and down links at certain time intervals on the same frequency. It is suited for metropolitan centers with high traffic. FDD uses different frequencies for up and down links for transmission. FDD can further be divided into FDD-DS and FDD-MC. In FDD-DS, one carrier is respectively employed for up and down links. In FDD-MC, one carrier is used for uplink but multiple carriers for downlinks. It is suited for service in micro-cells. In W-CDMA system mainly FDD is used and TDD is used for Pico cell high traffic spot area.

Macro/Micro/Pico Cells
FDD (Frequency Division Duplex): macro/micro cells in entire service area TDD (Time Division Duplex): micro/pico cells in hot spots
FDD FDD Micro MicroCell Cell TDD TDD Pico PicoCell Cell TDD TDD Micro MicroCell Cell

Traffic

hot spot traffic

avg traffic

FDD FDD Macro Macro Cell Cell

Area

Fig. 7.3 Macro/Micro/Pico Cells

W-CDMA Coverage
Global Satellite public macro and micro cell environments FDD up to 384 Kbps (Mobile) up to 2 Mbps (Indoor) pico cell environments TDD Asymmetrical access up to 2 Mbps In- Building Home-Cell

Suburban

Urban

MicroMicro-Cell MacroMacro-Cell

PicoPico-Cell

Audio/visual Terminals

Inter-Network Roaming (Seamless end-to-end Service)

Fig. 7.4 W-CDMA Coverage

2.1. FDD Characteristics of FDD 2.2. TDD Both up and down links are on the same frequency, but are segregated by timing. In this example shown here, uplink signal is 1 when downlink signals are 14. Characteristics of TDD Even an isolated frequency band can be used. Slots can be allocated freely for up and down links, transmission is effective when volumes of information coming and going on up and down links differ. Synchronization is required between radio station to avoid interference. Transmission power tends to be high due to burst transmission, and propagation latency needs to be controlled within the inter-slot guard time, which makes it difficult to cover wide areas with this technology. A pair of frequencies are required for up and down links. Transmission power may be held low due to continuous transmission. Operable with unsynchronized radio stations.

FDD Principle
Frequency max 256

Uplink
Pair Link
Difference Frequency

5 MHz

f1
0 0 ms

Code 10 ms

cont. Time

Frequency

max 256

Downlink 5 MHz
f2
0 0 ms Code cont. 10 ms Time

Fig. 7.5 FDD Principle

TDD Principle
Uplink ( ) Up or Downlink( ) Downlink ( )

Frequency 5 MHz

max 16 Code

15 time slots & max. 16 orthogonal codes per time slot

f1
0 0 ms 667s 10 ms Time

14: 1 Asymmetry 14:1.... 2:13 2: 13

Fig. 7.6 TDD Principle

2.3. Spectrum allocation Either FDD or TDD can be used for W-CDMA. The specific frequency bands are specified for each of them, as shown in the chart.

Spectrum Allocation for UMTS

1850 1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 2200 2250 MHz

20

60

30 15

60

30

GSM 1800

UMTS satellite UMTS FDD UMTS TDD

20 +15 MHz for unpaired TDD

FDD : Frequency division duplex TDD : Time division duplex UMTS : Universal mobile telecommunication service

60 + 60 MHz for paired FDD

Fig. 7.7 Spectrum Allocation for UMTS

3. Radio Channel Layer

Logical channels are divided by functions of transmitted signals and logical attributes, and are differentiated by the contents of the transmitted information. MAC interfaces the Transport Channel with this logical channel and Layer 1 There are multiple types of transport channels to transmit data with different attributes and different modes of transmission over the physical layer. Physical channels are determined by codes and frequencies in FDD mode. Radio interface protocol architecture is comprised of Physical Layer (L1), data Link Layer (L2) and Network Layer (L3) protocol. It is also made up of C Plane for signaling control signal transmission and U Plane which transfers subscriber data. PDCP on Layer 2 applies only to U Plane. Layer 3 consists of RRC which terminates at RAN, and higher layers.

Radio Channel Layers in UMTS

Uu UE Node-B Iub

RNC

Iu

CN

Physical Channel Transport Channel Logical Channel

Common Channel Dedicated Channel

MAC
MAC: Medium access control

Traffic Channel Control Channel Traffic Channel Control Channel

Fig. 7.8 Radio Channel Layers in UMTS

Radio Channel Layers in UMTS

Iub Node-B

RNC

Iu

CN

Control Plane

User Plane Packet Data Voice Data

RRC RRC(Radio (RadioResource ResourceControl ControlProtocol) Protocol) Transfers control signaling Transfers control signalingdata. data. PDCP PDCP(Packet (PacketData DataConvergence ConvergenceProtocol) Protocol) Transfers Transfersuser userdata datafor forPacket PacketSwitching. Switching. Compresses Compressesof ofredundant redundantprotocol protocol information. information. RLC RLC(Radio (RadioLink LinkControl ControlProtocol) Protocol) Transfers upper layer Transfers upper layerdata. data. Controls Controlsdata datatransferring. transferring.
CC : Call control MM : Mobile management

CC/MM

RRC PDCP

L3

L2 RLC

Logical Channel

Fig. 7.9 Radio Channel Layers in UMTS

4. W CDMA Air Interface

4.1. Air Interface This chart shows the air interface protocol in the W-CDMA system. The protocol consists of Physical Layer (Layer 1), Data Link Layer (Layer 2) and Network Layer (Layer 3). Channels in the air interface comprise three layers, i.e., Physical Channel, Transport Channel and Logical Channel, to accommodate flexibly various service modes and multiple calls. Mapping of Physical Channel to Transport Channel is performed in MAC Sub layer, and mapping of Transport Channel to Physical Channel in Physical Layer. 4.2. Radio Channel By multiplexing multiple transport channels on physical channels, it is made possible to multiplex mobile data and control data, and data for multiple mobiles in multi-calls. DPCH in the Physical channel consists of DPDCH and DPCCH, where DPCCH is the channel that transmits data and DPCCH, subservient to DPDCH, controls Layer 1, e.g., control of transmit power. Logical Channel DTCH (Dedicated Traffic Channel)

Transfers user information to 1 User Equipment (UE).

DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel)

Transfers control information to 1 User Equipment (UE).

CTCH (Common Traffic Channel)

Transfers user information to all or group User Equipments (UEs).

PCCH (Paging Channel)

Transfers paging information.

BCCH (Broadcast Channel)

For broadcast system control information.

CCCH (Common Control Channel)

Transfers control information between network and User Equipments.

MAC (Medium Access Control) Layer

Converts logical channels and transport channels.

W-CDMA Air Interface

Radio Channels

Upper Layer
L2

Logical Channel

This channel is used for logical processing in the UMTS. This channel is used for transportation between logical and physical channels. This channel is physically transmitted on the radio.

MAC
Transport Channel
L1

Physical Channel

MAC: Medium access control

Fig. 7.10 W-CDMA Air Interface

 Transport Channel DCH (Dedicated Channel) Transfers user or control information between the network and the UE. RACH (Random Access Channel) Transfers control information from a UE. CPCH (Common Packet Channel) Transfers packet-based user data, it is an extension of RACH. BCH (Broadcast Channel) Broadcasts system and cell specific information. FACH (Forward Access Channel) Transfers control information to a UE. PCH (Paging Channel) Transfers paging information a UE. DSCH (Downlink Shared Channel) Transfers dedicated control or traffic data, it can shared several users. Physical Channel DPDCH (Dedicated Physical Data Channel) Transfers dedicated data generated at layer 2 and above. DPCCH (Dedicated Physical Control Channel) Transfers control information generated at layer 1. DPCH (Downlink Dedicated Physical Channel) Transfers control information to a UE. PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel) Transfers the RACH. PCPCH (Physical Common Packet Channel) Transfers the CPCH. P-CCPCH (Primary Common Control Physical Channel) Transfers the BCH. S-CCPCH (Secondary Common Control Physical Channel) Transfers FACH and PCH. PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) Transfers DSCH. CPICH (Common Pilot Channel) Supplies down physical channel default phase. SCH (Synchronization Channel) Used for cell search.

Radio Channels
Physical Channel
Up Link
Down Link

Transport Channel
Up & Down Link Up Link

Logical Channel
Traffic Control Traffic
Up & Down Link

DPDCH DPCCH DPCH PRACH PCPCH P-CCPCH S-CCPCH PDSCH CPICH SCH PICH AICH AP-AICH CD/CA-ICH CSICH

Dedicate Common Channel

Dedicate

Dedicate

DTCH DCCH CTCH

DCH RACH CPCH BCH FACH

Up Link
Down Link

Down Up/Down

Common Channel

Common Channel

CCCH BCCH

Control Channel

Down Link

PCH DSCH

Down Link

PCCH MAC

Fig. 7.11 Radio Channels

PICH (Page Indication Channel) Transfers the page indication. AICH (Acquisition Indication Channel) Transfers acquisition indicator for PRACH access. AP-AICH (Access Preamble Acquisition Indication Channel) Transfers acquisition indicator for PCPCH access. CD/CA-ICH (CPCH Collision Detection/Channel Assignment Indicator Channel) Used for collision control of PCPCH. CSICH (CPCH Status Indicator Channel) Transfers status information of PCPCH.

5. System Structure
The chart illustrates the definition of each interface. Signals and voice signals are transferred via ATM between Node B and CN. W-CDMA system introduces AMR for voice coding. Voice data are coded and decoded at mobile terminals in one end and CN in the other end.

System Structure
Node Interface
AMR (= Codec)
OMC-R OMC-B OMC-S PSTN

P Interface
RNC CN

No.7 Network

UE
MSC, GMSC, SGSN, GGSN

Node-B

Iub Interface:
E1: 2 Mbps (or STM1: 156 Mbps)
AMR : Adaptive multi-rate ATM : Asynchronous transfer mode OMC : Operation & maintenance center

Iu Interface:
STM1: 156 Mbps

Gi Interface

Internet

ATM
Fig. 7.12 System Structure

5.1. ATM Interface 3rd Generation Mobile Communication demands switching technologies that is capable of efficient transfer of compressed voice and increasing internet access data. ATM is a technology that transmits and switches information in 53-byte frames (called cell). 3GPP requires adoption of ATM in RAN. CN also has functions which ATM can best perform, such as joint traffic control with RAN, accommodation of circuit switching and packet switching within the same architecture, and general service quality and operation supervision. ATM has capabilities of solid traffic and service quality control, and is a resourceful technology for delivering not only circuit switching but packet switching services.

ATM Interface
ATM/STM (IP) Conversion
Iub Interface
RNC

Iu Interface
CN

P/Gi Interface

UE Node-B

PSTN Internet

MSC, SGSN

GMSC, GGSN

STM ATM
ATM: Asynchronous transfer mode IP : Internet protocol STM : Synchronous transfer mode

IP
Fig. 7.13 ATM Interface

5.2. ATM Based CDMA Network Voice and signals, after reception of radio signals is processed, are transferred to RNC in ATM cells. Control signals are processed in RNC and control signals and data are forwarded to CN. ATM is used for interface between CN and RNC, but CN is equipped with STM switch for interface with STM network. CLAD is used for conversion between ATM and STM. For enhanced efficiency in transmitting signals, multiple data are packaged in one ATM cell, hence referred to as a composite cell.

ATM-based CDMA Network

Node-B
DTI

RNC

CN
IPGW AAL1 (AAL2)

Internet

ATM Switch

ATM Switch STM Switch

ATM Network

DTI

CLAD

STM Network

CDMA

AAL2/AAL5 Composite Cell ATM

AAL : ATM adaptive layer CLAD: Cell assembly/disassembly DTI : Digital transmission interface IPGW : Internet protocol gateway

Fig. 7.14 ATM-based CDMA Network

5.3. ATM Composite Cell Each cell ordinarily is transferred with only one parcel of information, but ATM composite cells are used for efficient data transmission. ATM composite cells are sent with multiple data packaged in one ATM cell. AAL is a protocol which aligns the higher layer which has various traffic attributes as IP packets, with the ATM layer which is fixed regardless of higher applications. ALL2 has originally standardized for efficient transfer by ATM of such short frames as high-efficiency voice signals used in mobile communication, and in IMT-2000 RAN, it is used as a standard to transfer subscriber data. AAL5 is a simpler protocol as compared with AAl3/4, and is widely employed to transfer data packets and control signals.

ATM Composite Cell

ATM Standard Cell
ATM Cell -A User Data a
PAD Payload ATM Cell Header

ATM Cell -B User Data b

PAD

ATM Cell -C User Data c

PAD

ATM Composite Cell

ATM Cell -A User Data a
User Data b1

ATM Cell -B User Data b2 User Data c

Payload ATM Cell Header

Fig. 7.15 ATM Composite Cell

ATM-based CDMA Network

Efficient/High-Performance Network for CDMA
Real Time Small Volume Traffic ; Voice Traffic: AAL2 is applied Other Traffic: AAL5 is applied Real Time Large Volume Traffic ; AAL2, AAL5 or RTCP/IP over ATM Non-Real Time Small/Large Volume Traffic Packet (Mainly TCP/IP) over ATM

Future Future Evolution Evolution to to Seamless Multimedia Seamless Multimedia Services Services
RTCP : Real time transport control protocol TCP : Transport control protocol

Fig. 7.16 ATM-based CDMA Network

5.4. CODEC If communicating terminals have the same voice coding technology, there is no need for decoding over the network, but voice signals coded at one terminal are conveyed over the network to and decoded at the terminating terminal device. In the mobile-to-fixed line communication, both ends have different voice coding scheme (AMR and PCM in W-CDMA), and codec conversion is required within the network. In W-CDMA systems, codec conversion is done at MSC.

CODEC Control
Ch an n

Codec Conversion
Iub Interface
RNC

el

Iu Interface
CN

P Interface

Tr af f ic

PSTN UE Node-B
(No.7 Network)

MSC

GMSC PCM Signal

Mobile Land Call

AMR Signal
Mobile Mobile Call

AMR Signal (Codec Through)

AMR: Adaptive multi-rate

PCM: Pulse code modulation

Fig. 7.17 CODEC Control

5.5. Signaling System RRC, the Layer 3 protocol for radio interface, advises UE of broadcast information between UE and RNC, and conveys signals to set, change and release connections. Signaling to UE may be transmitted from Node B by way of Node B. signals, such as NBAP, are used. In terminating communication at PSTN, signals are converted into PSTN signals at MSC. Signals are transferred up to GMSC by ATM, but from GMSC to PSTN, STM is used. The chart shows an example of inter-node signaling and layer relationship. E1 and STM-1 are used for physical layers between Node B and CN. All data (signals) are transferred between Node B and CN by ATM. For network layer protocol, NBAP or RRC is used between Node B and RNC, depending on the objectives. Signals for connection with PSTN is No.7, and No.7 signals are transported in ATM cells between MSC and GMSC, but are replaced onto STM signals at GMSC. In such cases, Iub

Signaling System
System Outline
Co nt r ol Ch an n el

Iub Interface
RNC

Iu Interface
CN

P Interface

PSTN UE Node-B
(No.7 Network)

Iub Signaling

MSC, SGSN
Iu Signaling

GMSC
PSTN Signaling

RRC Signaling (No.7 + ATM)

PSTN : Public switched telephone network RRC : Radio resource control

No.7 + STM or ATM

(No.7 + STM)

Fig. 7.18 Signaling System

Signaling System
Protocol Stack (Layer)
UE
Node-B

RNC
Iu Signaling

CN MSC

CN GMSC
PSTN Signaling

PSTN
(No.7 Network)

Iub Signaling

NBAP

RANAP
No.7 (LV3)

B-ISUP
No.7 (LV3)

B-ISUP
No.7 (LV3) No.7 (LV2) No.7 (LV1)

No.7 (LV4)

ATM or No.7 (LV2) ATM ATM Physical Layer Physical Layer Physical Layer

RRC Signal

RRC RLC
Mobile Layer 1

RANAP
No.7 (LV3)

ATM ATM Physical Layer Physical Layer

B-ISUP : Broadband ISDN user part NBAP: Node-B application part RANAP : Radio access network application part SCCP : Signal connection control part

Fig. 7.19 Signaling System

5.6. Internet Access Signals are sent in packets for access to internet. Packet data are sent from UE in IP protocol to internet, and PDCP, RLC and MAC in lower layers are used in sending the IP protocol between UE and RNC. Node B transfers packets to RNC with ATM, and RNC converts them into GTP and transfers them to SGSN in IP over ATM using UDP (User Datagram Protocol). In the end, SGSN forwards the packet data to GGSN. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a new no voice value added service that allows information to be sent and received across a mobile telephone network. It supplements todays Circuit Switched Data and Short Message Service. GPRS is NOT related to GPS (the Global Positioning System), a similar acronym that is often used in mobile contexts. GPRS has several unique features which can be summarized as: SPEED Theoretical maximum speeds of up to 171.2 kilobits per second (kbps) are achievable with GPRS using all eight timeslots at the same time. This is about three times as fast as the data transmission speeds possible over today fixed telecommunications networks and ten times as fast as current Circuit Switched Data services on GSM networks. IMMEDIACY GPRS facilitates instant connections whereby information can be sent or received immediately as the need arises. No dial-up modem connection is necessary. This is why GPRS users are sometimes referred to be as being "always connected". Immediacy is one of the advantages of GPRS (and SMS) when compared with Circuit Switched Data. High immediacy is a very important feature for time critical applications such as remote credit card authorization where it would be unacceptable to keep the customer waiting for even thirty extra seconds. Fig. 7.21illustrates an image of the protocol stack for internet access. The data transmitted by mobiles are received at RNC in Layer 2 PDCP, where they are forwarded to GGSN in Layer 2 GTP.

Internet Access
System Outline
fi af Tr nn ha C c el

Iub Interface
RNC

Iu Interface
CN

Gi Interface

Internet
UE Node-B

SGSN

GGSN
IP
IP Packet

Tunneling
PDCP
PDCP Packet Data

GTP
GTP Packet Data

Data H H

Data H H
(IP Packet)

Data H

H : Packet header IP : Internet protocol

GTP: GPRS tunneling protocol

Fig. 7.20 Internet Access

Internet Access
Protocol Stack (Layer)
RNC

UE

Node-B

CN
SGSN

CN
GGSN

Internet

Upper Layer (TCP etc.) IP

PDCP Mobile Layer 1 ATM Physical Layer GTP ATM Physical Layer GTP Layer 2 ATM Physical Layer Physical Layer

Fig. 7.21 Internet Access