UTRAN Signalling

Who Should Attend?

The course is intended for those who require in-depth knowledge of UMTS signalling, with particular reference to the radio interface (Uu) and UTRAN interfaces (Iub, Iur and Iu).

Course Content

  1. Introduction to UMTS.
    • Introductory informations concerning UMTS.
    • IMT-200 history, migration from 2G through 2.5G to 3G.
    • UMTS architecture Release 99, Release 4 and Release 5, role of network elements: RNC, NodeB, Media Gateway, Charging Gateway, Gateway Location Register.
    • USIM review, 3G services review, security issues in 3G networks.
  2. UMTS radio interface.
    • General informations, mandatory to understand UMTS radio interface principles:
      • Shannon’s law,
      • comparison of multiplexing and access methods: TDD, FDD, FDMA, TDMA, CDMA.
    • General informations concerning CDMA:
      • implementation of WCDMA in UMTS, orthogonal codes, channelisation and scrambling,
      • „cell breathing” effect, power control,
      • radio interface architecture,
      • radio interface procedures.
  3. UTRAN Signalling.
    • UTRAN layers, protocol stacks on Iub, Iur, Iu-CS, Iu-PS interfaces.
    • General overview of transport layer protocols: ATM, UP-FP, MAC, RLC, SSCOP, SSCF (UNI & NNI), STC, SCCP.
    • Detailed description of radio network control plane protocols: RRC, RNSAP, NBAP, RANAP, AAL2 & AAL2L3.
    • Overview of user plane radio network protocols (PDCP, BMC) and core network protocols (GTP, IU-UP, AMR, TAF, RLP).

Course Objectives

UTRAN Signalling advanced course focuses on explanation of all main procedures and their importance for effectiveness and quality of specific telecommunication services. Each of the protocols is illustrated with example traces captured in networks delivered by different vendors (Nokia, Siemens, Alcatel, Ericsson). Significance of information conveyed in particular messages is explained with some analysis hints. Practical issues related to testing and analysing of UMTS network are discussed.

Pre-requisites

The participants should have attended the UMTS Technology course for better understanding or have the equivalent knowledge on the subject.

Training Structure

Three days training divided into logical sessions.

Methodology

Instructor led training.