The Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol is used in the control plane of the Third Generation (3G) wireless stack. The RRC software is the implementation of the RRC protocol specification on the UTRAN side as specified in 3GPP TS 25.331 for the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The RRC layer configures the RLC, MAC, PDCP, and BMC layers. The RRC layer decodes the RRC messages and passes the information to the RRC user (RRU) layer. Also, the RRC layer encodes the RRC messages and passes the encoded message to UE.

The RRC user performs policy related functions such as, measurement control, mobility management, radio resource management, and setting up of channels. The RRC user also invokes services of the RRC layer to send messages to the UEs. The following diagram illustrates the UMTS radio interface protocol architecture.

Diagram Trillium RRC

Trillium RRC software enables telecom equipment manufacturers of Node Bs, Radio Network Controllers, Femtocells, Femtocell Gateways, test equipment, or other products to:

  • Accelerate time to market
  • Reduce development costs
  • Reduce project risk of internally developed RRC applications

Product deliverables consist of C source software, documentation, training, the Trillium XML Test Architecture (XTA), a warranty and technical support.

FEATURES + BENEFITS

The features and benefits of Trillium RRC software are as follows:

  • Routing of higher layer messages to different MM/CM entities or different core network domains
  • Processing of the broadcast information related to Access and Non Access stratum.
  • Processing of the radio bearer related messages sent by the network.
  • Implementation of Idle and Connected mode procedures as specified in 3GPP 25.304 and 25.303.
  • Cell selection and reselection as specified in 3GPP 25.304.
  • Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) control
  • Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) control
  • UE paging and dedicated control
  • Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD – Roadmap) support
  • Establishment, reconfiguration, and release of Radio Bearers
  • Assignment, reconfiguration, and release of radio resources
  • UE mobility management
  • Inter-RAT handovers
  • Passing of information to the RRC user to make policy decisions on radio resource management and mobility management.
  • UE measurement reporting and control of reporting
  • Control, configuration and layer management functionalities of PDCP, RLC, MAC and PHY layers as specified by the network.
  • Configuration of lower layers like PDCP, MAC, PHY and RLC on request from the network to change radio and/or physical channel characteristics.
  • Controls ciphering configuration of RLC/MAC.
  • Performs integrity protection and integrity check of RRC messages.
  • Extensive debugging and error checking facilities.
  • Conforms to Trillium Advanced Portability Architecture (TAPA).
  • Multi-threaded software option optimized for multi-core processing architectures.
  • Features a minimized memory footprint ideal for femto and pico cell applications.
  • XML based Test Architecture for acceptance and regression testing.
  • Sample RRC application to simply customer development and reduce time-to-market.

PRODUCT INTERNETWORKING

The Trillium RRC software interworks with Trillium RLC, Trillium MAC, and Trillium PDCP software.

CONFORMANCE

Trillium RRC software conforms to:

  • Trillium Advanced Portability Architecture (TAPA)
  • 3GPP TS 25.331 RRC; protocol specification v3.21.0, 12/2004 (Rel-99)
  • 3GPP TS 25.331 RRC; protocol specification v4.16.0, 12/2004 (Rel-4)
  • 3GPP TS 25.331 RRC; protocol specification v5.19.0, 12/2006 (Rel-5)
  • 3GPP TS 25.331 RRC; protocol specification v6.12.0, 12/2006 (Rel-6)
  • 3GPP TS 25.331 RRC; protocol specification v7.3.0, 12/2007 (Rel-7)
  • 3GPP TS 25.301 Radio Interface Protocol Architecture v7.0.0, 4/2006 (Rel-7)
  • 3GPP TS 25.303 Interlayer procedures in Connected Mode v7.0.0, 4/2006 (Rel-7)
  • 3GPP TS 25.304 UE Procedures in Idle Mode and Procedures for Cell Reselection in Connected Mode v7.0.0, 4/2006 (Rel-7)

Contact us for a copy of the Trillium Radio Resource Control Functional Specification, which provides a detailed implementation description.