Messages Description

Mobility
Used by the UTRAN to update the AS of
Active set Update / the UE. The Node Bs to which the UE is
AS Update complete simultaneously connected is called the
UE's AS
Used by the UE to update the UTRAN of
the current cell that the UE is camping on
Cell Update / Cell
after cell re-selection,or,as a supervision
Update Confirm
mechanism by means of periodic Cell
Updates
Used by the to retrieve a new URA Identity
after cell re-selection, when the new
URA Update/ URA selected cell does not belong to the URA
update confirm where the UE was initially residing, or, as a
supervision mechanism by means of
periodic URA Updates
Used by UTRAN to send new mobility
UTRAN Mobility
information to the UE. The information
Information/ UTRAN
consists of any one or a combination of a
Mobility Information
new C-RNTI, U-RNTI or any other mobility
Confirm
information
Used to transfer a connection between the
Cell Update/ Cell
UE and UTRAN to another radio access
Update Confirm
technology (i.e. GSM)
Handover to UTRAN
Used to transfer a connection between the
Command/ Handover
UE and another radio access technology
to UTRAN Command
(eg GSM to UTRAN)
Complete

Used by the UTRAN for paging a UE in

RRC Idle Mode. Also used in RRC
Paging Paging Type 1
Connected mode for CELL_PCH and
URA_PCH States
Used by the UTRAN for paging a UE in
Paging Type 2 CELL_DCH and CELL_FACH states of the
RRC Connected Mode

Connection RRC Connection Used by the UE to initiate process of RRC

Management Request Connection Establishment
RRC Connection
Setup/RRC Used by the UTRAN to setup an RRC
Connection Setup connection request from the UE
Complete
RRC Connection
Release/RRC Used by the UTRAN to release an RRC
Connection Release Connection to the UE
Complete
 RB Setup/RB Setup Used by the UTRAN to establish a new
RB Management
Complete radio bearer for a UE
RB Release/ RB Used by the UTRAN to release one or more
Release Complete radio bearers for a UE
RB Used by the UTRAN to reconfigure the
Reconfiguration/RB radio bearer for a UE. This may result in a
Reconfiguration reconfiguration in the lower layer
Complete parameters.

Used by the UE to transmit a NAS layer

Data Transfer Initial Direct Transfer message to the UTRAN when no signaling
connection exists
Used by the UE to transmit a NAS layer
Uplink Direct Transfer message to the UTRAN when a signaling
connection already exists
Used by the UTRAN to transmit a NAS
Downlink Direct
layer message to the UE when a signaling
Transfer
connection already exists

Used by the UTRAN to inform the UE

Measurement
Measurement Control about the measurements that it wishes the
Control
UE to perform
Used by the UE to report the
Measurement Report measurements collected by it to the
UTRAN

Used by the UTRAN to broadcast system

Others System Information
information to Ues within the cell
Physical Channel
Used by the UTRAN to establish, modify,
Reconfiguration/Physi
or release physical channels for a UE. The
cal Channel
decision of the UTRAN is based on the
Reconfiguration
current state of the network resources
Complete
Transport Channel
Reconfiguration/ Used by the UTRAN to reconfigure the
Transport Channel transport channel parameters by modifying
Reconfiguration the Transport Format Set
Complete
UE Capability
Information / UE Used by the UE to convey UE specific
Capability Information capability information to the UTRAN
Confirm
1. System Information (BCCH)

The UE reads the System Information that is broadcast on BCCH. The

information is not read continuously. It is only read if the information
changes 

2. RRC: RRC Connection Request (CCCH)

The Mobile user decides to initiate a voice call. The first message the UE
will send on CCCH is RRC Connection Request. This will contain among
other things, Initial UE Identity and Establishment Cause 

3. NBAP: Radio Link Setup Request

The SRNC sends this message to Node B. It will pass the Cell Id, TFS,
TFCS, frequency, UL Scrambling code, etc to Node B.

4. NBAP: Radio Link Setup Response

Node B allocates the resources and starts PHY Reception. While

transmitting the response it includes the Transport layer addressing
information that includes the Binding Identity of the AAL2 for Iub data
transport bearer

5. ALCAP: Establish REQ

The AAL2 binding identity (Iub Data Transport Bearer Id) is passed to
ALCAP protocol in Node B. The Iub Data Transport bearer is now bounf
to DCH. 

6. ALCAP: Establish CNF

Establish confirm from ALCAP in Node B

7: DCH-FP: Downlink Synchronisation

The Node B and SRNC establishes synchronisation for the Iub Data
Transport bearer by means of exchange of the appropriate DCH Frame
Protocol frames.

8: DCH-FP: Uplink Synchronisation

Once the UL synchronisation is acheived, Node B starts DL transmission.

9: RRC: RRC Connection Setup (CCCH)

RRC Connection Setup message is sent on CCCH with the parameters

required to establish DCH. Also the state indicator will be set to DCH for
the voice (or CS) call.

10: NBAP: Radio Link Restore Indication

Once the UE establishes Radio Link, Node B will send RL Restore

indication to the SRNC.

11: RRC: RRC Connection Setup Complete (DCCH)

RRC Connection Setup complete will be sent on DCCH. Integrity and
Ciphering related paarmeters and UE capability information will be sent
back to SRNC

12: RRC: Initial Direct Transfer [CM Service Request]

First NAS message is now sent by the UE. It indicates that a UE

orginated Voice call is required. The UE identity (TMSI) will also be
passed in this message

13: RANAP: Initial UE Message [CM Service Request]

The NAS message will be forwarded to appropriate CN Domain (CS

Domain in this case). Along with the CM service request, it will also
include LAI and SAI.

14: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Authentication Request]

MSC/VLR needs to perform authentication to make sure that the UE is

genuine. For this reason it will challenge the UE with a Authentication
token and RAND (random number)

15: RRC: Downlink Direct Transfer [Authentication Request]

SRNC transfers the NAS message to the UE

16: RRC: Uplink Direct Transfer [Authentication Response]

UE computes the response (RES) and sends it back in the NAS message

17: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Authentication Response]

SRNC relays the response to the MSC/VLR. The MSC/VLR will compare
the response RES with the expected response XRES. If they are the
same then the procedure will continue.

18: RANAP: Security Mode Command

MSC/VLR sends the Security Mode Command to start Ciphering and

Integrity Protection. Ciphering is optional while Integrity Protection is
mandatory. The Algorithms, etc are known to the MSC/VLR and the UE
and only the ones that are common between them are used.

19: RRC: Security Mode Command

RRC Forwards the Security Mode command received from MSC/VLR to

the UE.

20: RRC: Security Mode Complete

The UE configures the Ciphering and Integity Protection and responds
back to the network. The response message is Integrity Protected for
further safety. Ciphering is started at Ciphering activation time. Since this
is a Circuit switched call, the Ciphering will be started in MAC. In case of
AM and UM bearers it is started in RLC.

21: RANAP: Security Mode Complete

The network forwards the Security Mode Complete message to MSC/VLR.

22: RANAP: Direct Transfer [TMSI Reallocation Command]

The network may decide to re-allocate the TMSI to the UE. It sends a DT
message which includes the NAS TMSI Reallocation Command.

23: RRC: DL Direct Transfer [TMSI Reallocation Command]

The RNC relays the DT message to the UE.

24: RRC: UL Direct TRansfer [TMSI Reallocation Complete]

The UE takes the new TMSI and responds with the Complete message

25: RANAP: Direct Transfer [TMSI Reallocation Complete]

The RNC relays the message to the CN domain

26: RRC: UL Direct TRansfer [Setup]

The UE now sends the 'Setup' message in UL Direct Transfer message.

This will include all the required parameters for setting up the voice call.
It will include the number that UE wishes to be contacted and the bearer
capability

27: RANAP: Direct TRansfer [Setup]

The network relays the message to the MSC/VLR

28: RANAP: Direct TRansfer [Call Proceeding]

The MSC/VLR sends Call Proceeding to the UE indicating that it is now

starting with the RAB establishment procedure.

29: RRC: DL Direct TRansfer [Call Proceeding]

The network relays it to the UE.

30: RANAP: RAB Assignment Request

The CN initiates establishment of the Radio Access Bearer using the RAB
Assignment Request message. This message includes the QoS of the call
being established, the Transport Address, Iu Transport association, etc.

31: ALCAP: Establish REQ

SRNC initiates the set-up of Iu Data Transport bearer using ALCAP

protocol. The request contains the AAL2 Binding Identity to Bind the Iu
Data Transport Bearer to the RAB. (Note that this is not done in case of
PS RAB)

32: ALCAP: Establish CNF

The CN responds with the ALCAP Establish CNF

33: NBAP: Radio Link Reconfiguration Prepare

SRNC requests Node B to prepare establishment of DCH to carry the

RAB. It passes the TFS, TFCS and Power Control Informnation in the
message.

34: NBAP: Radio Link Reconfiguration Ready

Node B allocates the resources and responds with the Ready message. It
sends back the AAL2 address and the AAL2 binding Id for the Iub data
transport bearer.

35: ALCAP: Establish REQ

SRNC initiates setup of Iub Data Transport Bearer using ALCAP protocol.
The request contains the AAL2 Binding Identity to bind the Iub Data
Transport Bearer to DCH.

36: ALCAP: Establish CNF

The Node B responds with the Establish Confirm.

37: DCH-FP: Downlink Synchronisation

The Node B and SRNC establish synchronism for the Iub Data Transport
Bearer by means of exchange of the appropriate DCH frame protocol
frames. SRNC sends the DL Synchronisation frames.

38: DCH-FP: Uplink Synchronisation

The Node B responds with the UE Synchronisation frames.

39: NBAP: Radio Link Reconfiguration Complete

Finally the SRNC instructs the Node B of the CFN at which the new
configuration will come into effect. 

40: RRC: Radio Bearer Setup

SRNC sends the RB Setup message to add the new DCH's. The message
will be received using the old configuration.
41: RRC: Radio Bearer Setup Reponse

After the activation time the UE will respond with complete message
using the new configuration.

42: RANAP: RAB Assignment Reponse

The SRNC responds with the response to the MSC/VLR. 

43: ISUP: Initial Address Message

MSC/VLR sends the Initial Address Message to the PSTN. The message
tells the PSTN to reserve an idle trunk circuit from originating switch to
the destination switch. 

44: ISUP: Address Complete Message

The ACM message is sent to indicate that the remote end of the trunk
circuit has been reserved.

45: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Alert]

The Alert message is sent to the SRNC. This message contains the ACM
received from the PSTN.

46: RRC: Direct Transfer [Alert]

The Alert message is forwarded to the UE. The Alert message will
inditiate the ringing tone on the handset.

47: ISUP: Answer Message

When the person that is being called picks up his phone, an Answer
message is sent to the MSC/VLR. 

48: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Connect]

The MSC/VLR sends the Connect message to the SRNC via Direct
Transfer message. The Connect message indictaes that the End User has
answered the call. 

49: RRC: DL Direct Transfer [Connect]

The SRNC forwards the Connect message to the UE.

50: RRC: UL Direct Transfer [Connect Acknowledge]

The UE confirms the reception of the Connect message using the

Connect Acknowledge and sending it via Direct Transfer

51: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Connect Acknowledge]

The Network forwards the Connect Acknowledge to the MSC/VLR. The

call has now been successfully established.

Measurement Control
 Used by the UTRAN to inform the UE about the measurements that it
wishes the UE to perform

Measurement Report

Used by the UE to report the measurements collected by it to the UTRAN

RB Reconfiguration/RB Reconfiguration Complete

Used by the UTRAN to reconfigure the radio bearer for a UE. This may
result in a reconfiguration in the lower layer parameters.

Active set Update / AS Update complete

Used by the UTRAN to update the AS of the UE. The Node Bs to which
the UE is simultaneously connected is called the UE's AS

Physical Channel Reconfiguration/Physical Channel

Reconfiguration Complete
Used by the UTRAN to establish, modify, or release physical channels for
a UE. The decision of the UTRAN is based on the current state of the
network resources
 UE NodeB
1. System Information (BCCH) <
2. RRC: RRC Connection Request (CCCH) -
3. NBAP: Radio Link Setup Request <
4. NBAP: Radio Link Setup Response -
5. ALCAP: Establish REQ <
6. ALCAP: Establish CNF -
7: DCH-FP: Downlink Synchronisation <
8: DCH-FP: Uplink Synchronisation -
9: RRC: RRC Connection Setup (CCCH) <
10: NBAP: Radio Link Restore Indication -
11: RRC: RRC Connection Setup Complete (DCCH) -
12: RRC: Initial Direct Transfer [CM Service Request] -
13: RANAP: Initial UE Message [CM Service Request]
14: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Authentication Request]
15: RRC: Downlink Direct Transfer [Authentication Request] <
16: RRC: Uplink Direct Transfer [Authentication Response] -
17: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Authentication Response]
18: RANAP: Security Mode Command
19: RRC: Security Mode Command <
20: RRC: Security Mode Complete -
21: RANAP: Security Mode Complete
22: RANAP: Direct Transfer [TMSI Reallocation Command]
23: RRC: DL Direct Transfer [TMSI Reallocation Command] <
24: RRC: UL Direct TRansfer [TMSI Reallocation Complete] -
25: RANAP: Direct Transfer [TMSI Reallocation Complete]
26: RRC: UL Direct TRansfer [Setup] -
27: RANAP: Direct TRansfer [Setup]
28: RANAP: Direct TRansfer [Call Proceeding]
29: RRC: DL Direct TRansfer [Call Proceeding] <
30: RANAP: RAB Assignment Request
31: ALCAP: Establish REQ
32: ALCAP: Establish CNF
33: NBAP: Radio Link Reconfiguration Prepare <
34: NBAP: Radio Link Reconfiguration Ready -
35: ALCAP: Establish REQ <
36: ALCAP: Establish CNF -
37: DCH-FP: Downlink Synchronisation <
38: DCH-FP: Uplink Synchronisation -
39: NBAP: Radio Link Reconfiguration Complete -
40: RRC: Radio Bearer Setup <
41: RRC: Radio Bearer Setup Reponse -
42: RANAP: RAB Assignment Reponse
43: ISUP: Initial Address Message
44: ISUP: Address Complete Message
45: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Alert]
46: RRC: Direct Transfer [Alert] <
47: ISUP: Answer Message
48: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Connect]
49: RRC: DL Direct Transfer [Connect] <
50: RRC: UL Direct Transfer [Connect Acknowledge] -
51: RANAP: Direct Transfer [Connect Acknowledge]

Measurement Control
Used by the UTRAN to inform the UE about the measurements that it wishes
the UE to perform
 Measurement Report
Used by the UE to report the measurements collected by it to the UTRAN

RB Reconfiguration/RB Reconfiguration Complete

Used by the UTRAN to reconfigure the radio bearer for a UE. This may result in
a reconfiguration in the lower layer parameters.

Active set Update / AS Update complete

Used by the UTRAN to update the AS of the UE. The Node Bs to which the UE
is simultaneously connected is called the UE's AS

Physical Channel Reconfiguration/Physical Channel Reconfiguration

Used by the UTRAN to establish, modify, or release physical channels for a UE.
Complete
The decision of the UTRAN is based on the current state of the network
resources
RNC CN PSTN
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overshooting cells