3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.

0 (2002-03)
Technical Specification

3rd Generation Partnership Project;

Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network;
UTRAN Iur Interface General Aspects and Principles
(Release 1999)

The present document has been developed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP TM) and may be further elaborated for the purposes of 3GPP.

The present document has not been subject to any approval process by the 3GPP Organisational Partners and shall not be implemented.
This Specification is provided for future development work within 3GPP only. The Organisational Partners accept no liability for any use of this Specification.
Specifications and reports for implementation of the 3GPP TM system should be obtained via the 3GPP Organisational Partners' Publications Offices.
Release 1999 2 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

Keywords
UMTS, radio

3GPP

Postal address

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650 Route des Lucioles - Sophia Antipolis
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Copyright Notification

No part may be reproduced except as authorized by written permission.

The copyright and the foregoing restriction extend to reproduction in all media.

© 2002, 3GPP Organizational Partners (ARIB, CWTS, ETSI, T1, TTA, TTC).
All rights reserved.

3GPP
Release 1999 3 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

Contents
Foreword............................................................................................................................................................ 5
1 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
2 References ............................................................................................................................................... 6
3 Definitions and abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Definitions ...............................................................................................................................................................6
3.2 Abbreviations...........................................................................................................................................................7
3.3 Specification Notations............................................................................................................................................7
4 General Aspects....................................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................8
4.2 Iur Interface General Principles ...............................................................................................................................8
4.3 Iur Interface Specification Objectives......................................................................................................................8
4.3.1 General ...............................................................................................................................................................8
4.3.2 Addressing of RNSs over the Iur Interface ........................................................................................................8
4.4 Iur Interface Capabilities..........................................................................................................................................9
4.4.1 Radio application related signalling ...................................................................................................................9
4.4.2 Iub/Iur DCH data streams ..................................................................................................................................9
4.4.3 Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD] data streams ...............................................................................................................9
4.4.4 Iur DSCH data streams.......................................................................................................................................9
4.4.5 Iur USCH data streams [TDD]...........................................................................................................................9
4.4.6 Iur FACH data streams.......................................................................................................................................9
4.5 Iur Interface Characteristics.....................................................................................................................................9
4.5.1 Uses of SCCP.....................................................................................................................................................9
[Link] General ...............................................................................................................................................................9
[Link] SCCP connection establishment.......................................................................................................................10
[Link] Establishment procedure initiated from the SRNC ..........................................................................................10
[Link] SCCP connection release .................................................................................................................................11
[Link] General SCCP Abnormal Conditions...............................................................................................................11
[Link].1 SCCP bearer failure ....................................................................................................................................11
[Link].2 SCCP connection failure ............................................................................................................................11
4.5.2 SCCP Addressing Scheme ...............................................................................................................................11
[Link] General .............................................................................................................................................................11
5 Functions of the Iur Interface Protocols.................................................................................................. 11
5.1 Functional List .......................................................................................................................................................11
5.2 Functional Split over Iur ........................................................................................................................................12
5.2.1 Combining/Splitting .........................................................................................................................................12
5.2.2 Control of Combining/Splitting Topology .......................................................................................................12
5.2.3 Handling of DRNS Hardware Resources .........................................................................................................12
5.2.4 Allocation of Physical Channels ......................................................................................................................12
5.2.5 UpLink Power Control .....................................................................................................................................13
5.2.6 Down-Link Power Control...............................................................................................................................13
5.2.7 Admission Control ...........................................................................................................................................13
5.2.8 Radio Protocol Functional Split .......................................................................................................................13
6 Iur Interface Protocols ............................................................................................................................ 13
6.1 General...................................................................................................................................................................13
6.2 Radio Signalling Protocols ....................................................................................................................................14
6.2.1 RNSAP Protocol ..............................................................................................................................................14
6.3 User Plane Frame Protocols...................................................................................................................................14
6.3.1 Iub/Iur DCH Frame Protocol............................................................................................................................14
6.3.2 Iur DSCH Frame Protocol................................................................................................................................14
6.3.3 Iur USCH Frame Protocol [TDD] ....................................................................................................................15
6.3.4 Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD] Frame Protocol ........................................................................................................15
6.3.5 Iur FACH Frame Protocol................................................................................................................................15
6.4 Mapping of Frame Protocols onto transport bearers..............................................................................................15

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7 DRNS logical Model over Iur ................................................................................................................. 16

7.1 Overview................................................................................................................................................................16
7.2 Logical Model Elements ........................................................................................................................................16
7.2.1 Radio Link........................................................................................................................................................16
7.2.2 Cell ...................................................................................................................................................................16
7.2.3 Iur DCH Data Port ...........................................................................................................................................17
7.2.4 Iur DSCH Data Port .........................................................................................................................................17
7.2.5 Iur USCH Data Port [TDD] .............................................................................................................................17
7.2.6 Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD]/FACH Data Port ......................................................................................................17
7.2.7 Iur Control Port ................................................................................................................................................17
8 Iur Interface Protocol Structure .............................................................................................................. 17
9 Other Iur Interface Specifications........................................................................................................... 18
9.1 UTRAN Iur Interface: Layer 1 (TS 25.421) ..........................................................................................................18
9.2 UTRAN Iur Interface: Signalling Transport (TS 25.422)......................................................................................18
9.3 UTRAN Iur Interface: RNSAP Specification (TS 25.423)....................................................................................18
9.4 UTRAN Iur Interface: Data Transport and Transport Signalling for Common Transport Channel Data
Streams (TS 25.424).........................................................................................................................................18
9.5 UTRAN Iur Interface: User Plane Protocols for Common Transport Channel Data Streams (TS 25.425) ...........19
9.6 UTRAN Iur & Iub Interface: Data Transport and Transport Signalling for DCH Data Streams (TS 25.426).......19
9.7 UTRAN Iur & Iub Interface: User Plane Protocols for DCH Data Streams (TS 25.427)......................................19
9.8 Summary of UTRAN Iur Interface Technical Specifications ................................................................................19

Annex A (informative): Change history............................................................................................... 20

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Foreword
This Technical Specification (TS) has been produced by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

The contents of the present document are subject to continuing work within the TSG and may change following formal
TSG approval. Should the TSG modify the contents of the present document, it will be re-released by the TSG with an
identifying change of release date and an increase in version number as follows:

Version x.y.z

where:

x the first digit:

1 presented to TSG for information;

2 presented to TSG for approval;

3 or greater indicates TSG approved document under change control.

y the second digit is incremented for all changes of substance, i.e. technical enhancements, corrections, updates,
etc.

z the third digit is incremented when editorial only changes have been incorporated in the document.

3GPP
Release 1999 6 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

1 Scope
The present document is an introduction to the TSG RAN TS 25.42x series of UMTS Technical Specifications that
define the Iur Interface. It is a logical interface for the interconnection of two Radio Network Controller (RNC)
components of the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) for the UMTS system.

2 References
The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of the present
document.

• References are either specific (identified by date of publication, edition number, version number, etc.) or
non-specific.

• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.

• For a non-specific reference, the latest version applies. In the case of a reference to a 3GPP document (including
a GSM document), a non-specific reference implicitly refers to the latest version of that document in the same
Release as the present document.

[1] 3GPP TS 25.427: "UTRAN Iub/Iur Interface User Plane Protocol for DCH Data Streams".

[2] 3GPP TS 25.425: "UTRAN Iur Interface: User Plane Protocols for Common Transport Channel
Data Streams".

[3] 3GPP TS 25.421: "UTRAN Iur Interface: Layer 1".

[4] 3GPP TS 25.422: "UTRAN Iur Interface: Signalling Transport".

[5] 3GPP TS 25.423: "UTRAN Iur Interface: RNSAP Signalling ".

[6] 3GPP TS 25.424: "UTRAN Iur Interface: Data Transport & Transport Signalling ".

[7] 3GPP TS 25.401: "UTRAN Overall Description".

[8] 3GPP TS 25.426: "UTRAN Iur & Iub Interface: Data Transport & Transport Signalling for DCH
Data Streams".

[9] ITU-T Recommendation Q.711 (7/96): "Functional description of the signalling connection
control part".

[10] ITU-T Recommendation Q.712 (7/96): "Definition and function of signalling connection control
part messages".

[11] ITU-T Recommendation Q.713 (7/96): "Signalling connection control part formats and codes".

[12] ITU-T Recommendation Q.714 (7/96): "Signalling connection control part procedures".

[13] 3GPP TS 23.003: "Numbering, Addressing and Identification".

[14] ITU-T Recommendation Q.2630.1 (12/99): "AAL type 2 Signalling Protocol (Capability Set 1)".

3 Definitions and abbreviations

3.1 Definitions
None

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3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:

AAL2 ATM Adaptation Layer type 2

AAL5 ATM Adaptation Layer type 5
ALCAP Access Link Control Application Part
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
CPCH Common Packet Channel
CRNC Controlling RNC
CTP Common Transport Protocol
DCH Dedicated Transport Channel
DL Downlink
DRNC Drift Radio Network Controller
DRNS Drift Radio Network Subsystem
DSCH Downlink Shared Channel
FACH Forward Access Channel
GT Global Title
IP Internet Protocol
MAC Medium Access Control
MTP3-B Message Transfer Part level 3 (for Q.2140)
PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
QoS Quality of Service
RACH Random Access Channel
RF Radio Frequency
RNC Radio Network Controller
RNS Radio Network Subsystem
RNSAP Radio Network Subsystem Application Part
RRC Radio Resource Control
SCCP Signalling Connection Control Part
SPC Signalling Point Code
SRNC Serving Radio Network Controller
SRNS Serving Radio Network Subsystem
SS7 Signalling System No 7
SSCF-NNI Service Specific Co-ordination Function – Network Node Interface
SSCOP Service Specific Connection Oriented Protocol
SSN Sub-System Number
STC Signalling Transport Converter
UE User Equipment
UL Up-link
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
URA UTRAN Registration Area
USCH Uplink Shared Channel
UTRAN UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

3.3 Specification Notations

For the purposes of the present document, the following notations apply:

[FDD] This tagging of a word indicates that the word preceding the tag "[FDD]" applies only to FDD.
This tagging of a heading indicates that the heading preceding the tag "[FDD]" and the section
following the heading applies only to FDD.

[TDD] This tagging of a word indicates that the word preceding the tag "[TDD]" applies only to TDD.
This tagging of a heading indicates that the heading preceding the tag "[TDD]" and the section
following the heading applies only to TDD.

[FDD - …] This tagging indicates that the enclosed text following the "[FDD - " applies only to FDD.
Multiple sequential paragraphs applying only to FDD are enclosed separately to enable insertion of
TDD specific (or common) paragraphs between the FDD specific paragraphs.

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[TDD - …] This tagging indicates that the enclosed text following the "[TDD - " applies only to TDD.
Multiple sequential paragraphs applying only to TDD are enclosed separately to enable insertion
of FDD specific (or common) paragraphs between the TDD specific paragraphs.

Procedure When referring to a procedure in the specification, the Procedure Name is written with the first
letters in each word in upper case characters followed by the word "procedure", e.g. RNSAP
Basic Mobility Procedures.

Message When referring to a message in the specification, the MESSAGE NAME is written with all letters
in upper case characters followed by the word "message", e.g. RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST
message.

Frame When referring to a control or data frame in the specification, the CONTROL/DATA FRAME
NAME is written with all letters in upper case characters followed by the words "control/data
frame", e.g. DCH data frame.

4 General Aspects

4.1 Introduction
The logical connection that exists between any two RNCs within the UTRAN is referred to as the Iur interface.

4.2 Iur Interface General Principles

The general principles for the specification of the Iur interface are as follows:

- The Iur interface should be open;

- The Iur interface shall support the exchange of signalling information between two RNCs, in addition the
interface may need to support one or more Iur data streams;

- From a logical standpoint, the Iur is a point-to-point interface between two RNCs within the UTRAN. A point-
to-point logical interface should be feasible even in the absence of a physical direct connection between the two
RNCs.

4.3 Iur Interface Specification Objectives

4.3.1 General
The Iur interface specifications shall facilitate the following:

- inter-connection of RNCs supplied by different manufacturers;

- support of continuation between RNSs of the UTRAN services offered via the Iu interface;

- separation of Iur interface Radio Network functionality and Transport Network functionality to facilitate
introduction of future technology.

4.3.2 Addressing of RNSs over the Iur Interface

- For an RRC connection using a dedicated channel, the Iur standard shall allow the addition / deletion of radio
links supported by cells belonging to any RNS within the PLMN.

- The specification of the Iur interface shall allow an RNC to address any other RNC within the PLMN for
establishing a signalling bearer over Iur.

- The specification of the Iur interface shall allow an RNC to address any other RNC within the PLMN for
establishing user data bearers for Iur data streams.

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RNSAP shall allow different kinds of addressing schemes to be used for the signalling bearer.

4.4 Iur Interface Capabilities

4.4.1 Radio application related signalling
The Iur interface provides capability to support radio interface mobility between RNSs, of UEs having a connection
with UTRAN. This capability includes the support of handover, radio resource handling and synchronisation between
RNSs.

4.4.2 Iub/Iur DCH data streams

The Iur interface provides the means for transport of uplink and downlink Iub/Iur DCH frames carrying user data and
control information between SRNC and Node B (DRNS), via the DRNC.

In the UTRAN, one DCH data stream always corresponds to a bi-directional transport channel. Although the TFS is
configured separately for each DCH direction and a DCH could be configured with e.g. only a zero-bit transport format
in one direction, the DCH is always treated as a bi-directional transport channel in the UTRAN. As a result, two uni-
directional Uu DCH transport channels with opposite directions can be mapped to either one or two DCH transport
channels in the UTRAN.

4.4.3 Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD] data streams

The Iur interface provides the means for transport of uplink RACH and [FDD - CPCH] transport frames between
DRNC and SRNC.

4.4.4 Iur DSCH data streams

An Iur DSCH data stream corresponds to the data carried on one DSCH transport channel for one UE. A UE may have
multiple Iur DSCH data streams.

The Iur interface provides a means of transporting down link MAC-c/sh SDUs. In addition, the interface provides a
means to the SRNC for queue reporting and a means for the DRNC to allocate capacity to the SRNC.

4.4.5 Iur USCH data streams [TDD]

An Iur USCH data stream corresponds to the data carried on one USCH transport channel for one UE. A UE may have
multiple Iur USCH data streams.

4.4.6 Iur FACH data streams

The Iur interface provides the means for transport of downlink FACH transport frames between SRNC and DRNC.

4.5 Iur Interface Characteristics

4.5.1 Uses of SCCP

[Link] General
The SCCP is used to support signalling messages between two RNCs. One user function of the SCCP, called Radio
Network Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP), is defined. The RNSAP uses one signalling connection per DRNC and
UE where a UE is having one or more active radio links for the transfer of layer 3 messages.

Both connectionless and connection-oriented procedures are used to support the RNSAP. TS 25.423 explain whether
connection oriented or connectionless services should be used for a layer 3 procedure.

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The following subclauses describe the use of SCCP connections for RNSAP transactions. Subclause [Link] describes
the connection establishment procedures. Subclause [Link] describes the connection establishment procedures initiated
from SRNC. Subclause [Link] describes the connection release procedures. Subclause [Link] describes abnormal
conditions.

[Link] SCCP connection establishment

A new SCCP connection is established when information related to the communication between a UE and the network
has to be exchanged between two RNCs, and no SCCP connection exists between the two RNCs involved, for the
concerned UE.

An SCCP connection is always established by the SRNC.

The above case is the only case currently identified for SCCP connection establishment. Other cases may emerge in the
future.

[Link] Establishment procedure initiated from the SRNC

The SCCP signalling connection establishment is initiated, by the SRNC, when the SRNC needs to request dedicated
resources, i.e. a DCH, from a DRNC.

Initiation

- The SRNC sends the SCCP: CR message to the DRNC. The RADIO LINK SETUP REQUEST message may be
included in the user data field of an SCCP Connection Request message.

Termination

1. Successful outcome:

- The SCCP Connection Confirm message, which may optionally contain a connection oriented RNSAP
message in the user data field, is returned to the SRNC.

2. Unsuccessful outcome:

- If the SCCP signalling connection establishment fails, an SCCP Connection Refusal message will be sent
back to the SRNC. This message may optionally contain a connection oriented RNSAP message.

For more information on how the RNSAP procedure Radio Link Setup is handled, please see the procedure Radio Link
Setup in TS 25.423 [5].

SRNC DRNC
CR {SSN=RNSAP, a1=x,
RNSAP message or no user data }

CC {a1=y,a2=x, RNSAP message or no user data}

OR
CREF{a2=x, RNSAP message or no user data}

a1 = source local reference,

a2 = destination local reference
x = SCCP connection reference at the SRNC,
y = SCCP connection reference at the DRNC.

Figure 1: Setting-up of SCCP Signalling Connection

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[Link] SCCP connection release

An SCCP connection is released in all normal release cases when the SRNC realises that a given signalling connection
is no longer required.

The SRNC sends an SCCP Released message.

The procedure may be initiated at the DRNC side and the SRNC side in any abnormal release case.

[Link] General SCCP Abnormal Conditions

[Link].1 SCCP bearer failure

a user-out-of-service information or signalling-point-inaccessible information is received by the RNSAP, no new
attempt to establish SCCP connections or to send SCCP Connectionless messages towards the affected signalling point
(indicated by the affected signalling point code) will be started until the corresponding user-in-service information or
signalling-point-accessible information is received.

When a user-out-of-service information or signalling-point-inaccessible is received by an RNC, an optional timer may

be started. When the timer expires, the RNC shall take actions as described in [5] Annex X. When the user-in-service or
signalling-point-accessible is received, the timer is stopped.

[Link].2 SCCP connection failure

If for any reason an SCCP connection is released, the optional timer expires or a connection refusal is received
while any of the RNSAP procedures are being performed or while a dedicated resource is still allocated, this
shall be handled by the RNC as described in [5] Annex X.2.

4.5.2 SCCP Addressing Scheme

[Link] General
RNSAP may use SSN, SPC and/or GT and any combination of them as addressing schemes for the SCCP. Which of the
available addressing schemes to use for the SCCP is an operator matter.

When GT addressing is utilised, the following settings shall be used:

- SSN Indicator = 1 (RNSAP SSN as defined in [13] shall always be included);

- Global Title Indicator = 0100 (GT includes translation type, numbering plan, encoding scheme and nature of
address indicator);

- Translation Type = 0000 0000 (not used);

- Numbering Plan = 0001 (E.163/4);

- Nature of Address Indicator = 000 0100 (International Significant Number);

- Encoding Scheme = 0001 or 0010 (BCD, odd or even);

- Routing indicator = 0 or 1 (route on GT or PC/SSN).

When used, the GT shall be the E.164 address of the relevant node.

5 Functions of the Iur Interface Protocols

5.1 Functional List

The list of functions on the Iur interface is the following:

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1. Transport Network Management.

2. Traffic management of Common Transport Channels:

- Preparation of Common Transport Channel resources;

- Paging.

3. Traffic Management of Dedicated Transport Channels:

- Radio Link Setup/ Addition/ Deletion;

- Measurement Reporting.

4. Traffic Management of Downlink Shared Transport Channels and [TDD - Uplink Shared Transport Channels]:

- Radio Link Setup/ Addition/ Deletion;

- Capacity Allocation.

5. Measurement reporting for common and dedicated measurement objects.

5.2 Functional Split over Iur

5.2.1 Combining/Splitting
DRNS may perform combining/splitting of data streams communicated via its cells. SRNS performs
combining/splitting of Iur data streams received from/sent to DRNS(s), and data streams communicated via its own
cells.

The UL combining of information streams may be performed using any suitable algorithm, for example:

- [FDD - based on maximum ratio algorithm (maximum ratio combining)];

- [FDD - based on quality information associated to each TBS (selection-combining)];

- [TDD - based on the presence/absence of the signal (selection)].

The internal DRNS handling of combining (respectively splitting) of Iub (respectively Iur) DCH frames is controlled by
the DRNS.

5.2.2 Control of Combining/Splitting Topology

When requesting the addition of a new cell for a UE-UTRAN connection, the RNC of the SRNS (i.e. the SRNC) can
explicitly request to the RNC of the DRNS (i.e. the DRNC) a new Iur data stream, in which case the combining and
splitting function within the DRNS is not used for that cell. The SRNC can also explicitly request from the DRNC the
use of the combining and splitting function inside the DRNS for that cell. Otherwise, the DRNS takes the decision
whether combining and splitting function is used inside the DRNS for that cell i.e. whether a new Iur data stream shall
be added or not.

5.2.3 Handling of DRNS Hardware Resources

Allocation and control of DRNS hardware resources, used for Iur data streams and radio interface
transmission/reception in DRNS is performed by DRNS.

5.2.4 Allocation of Physical Channels

Allocation of physical channels in cells belonging to DRNS is performed in DRNS.

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5.2.5 UpLink Power Control

This group of functions controls the level of the uplink transmitted power in order to minimise uplink interference and
keep the quality of the connections. If the connection involves both a SRNS and a DRNS the function UL Outer Loop
Power Control (located in the SRNC) sets the target quality for the UL Inner Loop Power Control function (located in
Node B [FDD]).

5.2.6 Down-Link Power Control

This group of functions controls the level of the downlink transmitted power. In FDD it is also used to correct the
downlink power drifting between several radio links. SRNC regularly (or under some algorithms) sends the target down
link power reference based on the measurement report from UE.

5.2.7 Admission Control

Admission control in a DRNC is implicitly invoked during radio link setup/modify.

Information on UL interference and DL power on cells controlled by the DRNC should be available across Iur.

Additional information exchanges between admission control functions located in different RNCs are for further study.

5.2.8 Radio Protocol Functional Split

Iur supports the radio protocol functional split between SRNC and DRNC.

6 Iur Interface Protocols

6.1 General
There shall exist a clear separation between the Radio Network Layer and the Transport Layer. Therefore, the radio
network signalling and Iur data streams are separated from the data transport resource and traffic handling as shown in
Figure 2. Data transport resource and traffic handling is controlled by Transport Signalling. The Transport Signalling is
carried by a Signalling Bearer over the Iur interface.

Radio Radio User Plane

Network Signalling Framing
layer Protocols Protocols

Transport
Transport Signalling
layer
Signalling Data
Bearer Transport

Figure 2: Separation of Radio Network Protocols and transport over Iur

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6.2 Radio Signalling Protocols

6.2.1 RNSAP Protocol
The protocol responsible for providing signalling information across the Iur interface is called the Radio Network
Subsystem Application Part (RNSAP).

The RNSAP is terminated by the two RNCs inter-connected via the Iur interface RNSAP Procedure Modules.

RNSAP procedures are divided into four modules as follows:

1. RNSAP Basic Mobility Procedures;

2. RNSAP DCH Procedures;

3. RNSAP Common Transport Channel Procedures;

4. RNSAP Global Procedures.

The Basic Mobility Procedures module contains procedures used to handle the mobility within UTRAN.

The DCH Procedures module contains procedures that are used to handle DCHs, DSCH and [TDD - USCHs] between
two RNSs. If procedures from this module are not used in a specific Iur, then the usage of DCH, DSCH and [TDD -
USCH] traffic between corresponding RNSs is not possible.

The Common Transport Channel Procedures module contains procedures that are used to control common transport
channel data streams over Iur interface.

The Global Procedures module contains procedures that are not related to a specific UE. The procedures in this module
are in contrast to the above modules involving two peer CRNCs.

6.3 User Plane Frame Protocols

6.3.1 Iub/Iur DCH Frame Protocol
There are two types of Iub/Iur DCH FP frames:

- DCH data frame;

- DCH control frame.

The contents of the Iub/Iur DCH data frame include:

- Transport Block Sets;

- Quality estimate.

The contents of the Iur DCH control frame include:

- Measurement reports;

- Power control information;

- Synchronisation information.

For a more detailed description of the Iur/Iub DCH frame protocol refer to 'UTRAN Iur & Iub Interface User Plane
Protocol for DCH Data Streams' [1].

6.3.2 Iur DSCH Frame Protocol

There are two types of Iur DSCH FP frames:

- DSCH data frame;

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- DSCH control frames.

The contents of the Iur DSCH data frame include:

- MAC-c/sh SDUs;

- User Buffer Status.

The contents of the Iur DSCH control frame include:

- Flow control Information (UL);

- Capacity Request Information (DL).

For a more detailed description of the Iur DSCH frame protocol refer to 'UTRAN Iur Interface User Plane protocols for
Common Transport Channel Data Streams' [2].

6.3.3 Iur USCH Frame Protocol [TDD]

There is one type of Iur USCH FP frames:

- USCH data frame.

The contents of the Iur USCH data frame include:

- MAC-c/sh SDUs.

For a more detailed description of the Iur USCH frame protocol refer to 'UTRAN Iur Interface User Plane protocols for
Common Transport Channel Data Streams' [2].

6.3.4 Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD] Frame Protocol

For a more detailed description of the Iur RACH framing protocol refer to 'UTRAN Iur Interface User Plane protocols
for Common Transport Channel Data Streams' [2].

6.3.5 Iur FACH Frame Protocol

For a more detailed description of the Iur FACH framing protocol refer to 'UTRAN Iur Interface User Plane protocols
for Common Transport Channel Data Streams' [2].

6.4 Mapping of Frame Protocols onto transport bearers

DCH One Iur DCH data stream is carried on one transport bearer except in the case of co-
ordinated DCHs in which case a set of co-ordinated DCHs are multiplexed onto the
same transport bearer.

DSCH One Iur DSCH data stream is carried on one transport bearer

[TDD - USCH One Iur USCH data stream is carried on one transport bearer.]

RACH/CPCH[FDD] Multiple RACH/CPCH[FDD] data streams may be carried on one transport bearer.

FACH Multiple FACH data streams may be carried on one transport bearer.

RACH/CPCH[FDD] and FACH data streams for one UE are carried on same transport bearer.

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7 DRNS logical Model over Iur

7.1 Overview
The model in Figure 3 shows the Drift Radio Network System as seen from the SRNC. It is modelled as a «black box»
with a set of Radio Links on the Uu side of the box and another set of User Plane access ports on the Iur side of the box.
The Radio Links are connected to the Iur user ports via the internal transport mechanisms of the DRNS. Operations for
controlling the connections between ports are sent from the SRNC to the DRNC via an Iur Control Plane port.

Serving Radio Netw ork System

Iur Control Plane

Iur Iur Iur Iur Iur

Iur Iur Iur Iur RACH/
DSCH TDD USCH RACH/
Control DCH DCH DSCH TDD USCH CPCH[FDD}/
Data Data Data Data Data CPCH[FDD]/
Port Data FACH
Port Port Port Port Port Port FACH
Data Data
Port Port

RACH/FACH
Drift Radio Network System Traffic Contexts
With attributes

Cell Cell

Radio Radio Radio Radio Radio Radio

Link Link Link Link Link Link

Radio User Plane

Figure 3: Drift RNS Logical Model

7.2 Logical Model Elements

7.2.1 Radio Link
A Radio Link represents a User Plane access point on the UTRAN side of the Uu interface between the User Equipment
and the UTRAN.

The semantics of a Radio Link include the following:

- It is created, destroyed, and added by SRNC.

- It can be attached to one or more Iur Data Ports at any given time.

- Its resources are allocated and controlled by the DRNS.

7.2.2 Cell
It is defined by:

- A Cell identifier.

The semantics of a Cell include the following:

- It is created and destroyed by administrative procedures.

3GPP
Release 1999 17 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

7.2.3 Iur DCH Data Port

One Iur DCH Data port represents one user plane transport bearer. One user plane transport bearer will carry only one
DCH data stream except in the case of co-ordinated DCHs, in which case the data streams of all co-ordinated DCHs
shall be multiplexed on one and the same user plane transport bearer.

The semantics of an Iur DCH Data Port include the following:

- It is created and destroyed by administrative procedures when transport facilities are added to, or deleted from,
the Iur interface between the SRNS and DRNS. It can also be created and destroyed dynamically using
dynamically setup transport bearers to add or remove transport facilities.

- It is assigned and released by the SRNC in reaction to requests for bearer services from the UE.

- It may be attached to one or more Radio Links. When attached to Radio Links in the downlink direction, it acts
as a point-to-multipoint connection for diversity transmission. When attached to multiple Radio Links in the
uplink direction, it acts as a multipoint-to-point connection for diversity reception [FDD].

- The transmit and receive combining/splitting resources required to implement the point-to-multipoint and
multipoint-to-point connections are controlled by the DRNS [FDD].

- The Iur DCH Data Stream emanating from the Iur DCH Data Port terminates in the SRNS connected to DRNS.

7.2.4 Iur DSCH Data Port

One Iur DSCH Data port represents one bi-directional Iur user plane transport bearer. One Iur user plane transport
bearer will carry only one DSCH data stream.

7.2.5 Iur USCH Data Port [TDD]

One Iur USCH Data port represents one Iur user plane transport bearer. One Iur user plane transport bearer will carry
only one USCH data stream.

7.2.6 Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD]/FACH Data Port

The Iur RACH/CPCH [FDD]/FACH data port represents a transport bearer and is identified with a transport bearer
identity.

7.2.7 Iur Control Port

An Iur Control Port represents the Control Plane access point on the Iur interface between the SRNS and the DRNS. It
is defined by:

- A transport bearer channel identifier.

The semantics of an Iur Control Port include the following:

- It is created via administrative procedures when the Iur interface is created.

8 Iur Interface Protocol Structure

The Iur interface protocol architecture consists of two functional layers:

- Radio Network Layer, defines the procedures related to the interaction of two RNCs within a PLMN. The radio
network layer consists of a Radio Network Control Plane and a Radio Network User Plane.

- Transport layer, defines procedures for establishing physical connections between two RNCs within a PLMN.

3GPP
Release 1999 18 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

Radio Control Plane User Plane

Network
Layer RNSAP Iur Data
Stream(s)

Transport Transport Network Transport Network Transport Network

Network User Plane Control Plane User Plane
Layer ALCAP(Q.2630.1)

SCCP STC (Q.2150.1)

MTP3-B M3UA MTP3-B M3UA

SSCF-NNI
SSCF-NNI SCTP SSCF-NNI
SSCF-NNI SCTP
SSCOP IP SSCOP IP
AAL5 AAL5 AAL2

ATM

Physical Layer

Figure 4: Iur Interface Protocol Structure

9 Other Iur Interface Specifications

9.1 UTRAN Iur Interface: Layer 1 (TS 25.421)

3GPP TS 25.421 specifies the range of physical layer technologies that may be used to support the Iur interface.

9.2 UTRAN Iur Interface: Signalling Transport (TS 25.422)

3GPP TS 25.422 specifies the signalling bearers for the RNSAP for Iur Interface.

9.3 UTRAN Iur Interface: RNSAP Specification (TS 25.423)

3GPP TS 25.423 specifies the RNSAP protocol for radio network control plane signalling over the Iur interface.

9.4 UTRAN Iur Interface: Data Transport and Transport

Signalling for Common Transport Channel Data Streams
(TS 25.424)
3GPP TS 25.424 specifies the transport bearers for the user plane of the Iur interface. It also specifies the ALCAP
protocol used to control these transport bearers.

3GPP
Release 1999 19 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

9.5 UTRAN Iur Interface: User Plane Protocols for Common

Transport Channel Data Streams (TS 25.425)
3GPP TS 25.425 specifies the user plane frame handling protocol for the common channels on Iur interface.

9.6 UTRAN Iur & Iub Interface: Data Transport and Transport
Signalling for DCH Data Streams (TS 25.426)
3GPP TS 25.426 specifies the transport bearers for the user plane of the Iub/Iur interface. It also specifies the ALCAP
protocol used to control these transport bearers.

9.7 UTRAN Iur & Iub Interface: User Plane Protocols for DCH
Data Streams (TS 25.427)
3GPP TS 25.427 specifies the user plane frame handling protocol for the dedicated channels on Iub/Iur interface.

9.8 Summary of UTRAN Iur Interface Technical Specifications

The relationship between the technical specifications that define the UTRAN Iur interface is shown in Figure 5.

Radio Network Transport User Plane

Control Plane Network
Control Plane

RNSAP Dedicated Common

Radio
Channels Channels
Network TS 25.423 TS 25.427 TS 25.425
Layer

Transport
Signaling

TS 25.426
(Dedicated
Transport Channel
Layer Transport)
Dedicated Common
TS 25.424 Channel Channel
Signalling (Common Transport Transport
Transport Channel
TS 25.422 Transport) TS 25.426 TS 25.424

Physical Layer TS 25.421

Figure 5: Iur Interface Technical Specifications

3GPP
Release 1999 20 3GPP TS 25.420 V3.5.0 (2002-03)

Annex A (informative):
Change history
Change history
TSG RAN# Version CR Tdoc RAN New Version Subject/Comment
RAN_06 - - RP-99796 3.0.0 Approved at TSG RAN #6 and placed under Change Control
RAN_07 3.0.0 - RP-000097 3.1.0 Approved at TSG RAN #7 (6 approved CRs)
RAN_09 3.1.0 008 RP-000378 3.2.0 Approved at TSG RAN #9
RAN_11 3.2.0 009 RP-010115 3.3.0 Approved at TSG RAN #11
RAN 14 3.3.0 015 RP-010853 3.4.0 Reference corrections
RAN 14 3.3.0 017 RP-010853 3.4.0 25.420 v3.3.0 CR Clarification of the Combining/Splitting
function
RAN 14 3.3.0 019 RP-010853 3.4.0 Addition of “Specification Notations” Section
RAN 14 3.3.0 021 RP-010853 3.4.0 Behaviour of the RNC in case of Iur transmission failure
RAN 15 3.4.0 025 RP-020168 3.5.0 SCCP Connection Release Initiated by RNC in Abnormal
case

3GPP