Abstract

The Radio Network Controller (or RNC) is a governing element in the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System UMTS radio access network (UTRAN), which is responsible for control the Node Bs that are connected to it. Node B is a term used in UMTS to denote the BTS (base transceiver station). Usually the latest cell phones or mobile phones support 3G network allow access to TV, Internet and other on demand services like Navigation and scheduling systems. This is being developed to support the ever increasing need to mobile phones network users. This also an active area of research which may lead to digital convergence.

The functionality of the controller includes controlling and managing the radio transceivers in the Node B equipment, as well as management tasks like soft handoff. The main functions of the RNC are management of radio channels and the terrestrial channels. Radio Resource Management functionality includes Outer Loop Power Control, Load control, Admission Control, Packet scheduling, Handover control, Macrodiversity combining, Security functions and Mobility Management.

The RNC performs tasks in a 3G wireless network analogous to those of the Base Station Controller (BSC) in a 2G or 2.5G network. It interfaces with GPRS Service Nodes (SGSNs) and Gateways (GGSNs) to mediate with the network service providers. The connection from the RNC to a Node B is called the User Plane Interface Layer and it uses T1/E1 transport to the RNC.

Due to the large number of Node B transceivers, a T1/E1 aggregator is used to deliver the Node B data over channelized OC-3 optical transport to the RNC. The OC-3 pipe can be a direct connection to the RNC or through traditional SONET/SDH transmission networks. A typical RNC can be built on a PICMG or Advanced TCA chassis. It contains several different kinds of cards specialized for performing the functions and interacting with the various interfaces of the RNC.