3G Radio Network Controller

Overview
Third Generation (3G) is a generic name for technologies that support high-quality voice, high-speed data and video in wireless cellular networks. In Europe, W-CDMA/3G services are called the Universal Mobile Telephony System (UMTS). An overview of the UMTS wireless network UTRAN (Terrestrial Radio Access Network) is shown below.

The UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) includes the Radio Network Controller (RNC), the 3G Base stations (Node Bs) and the air interface (Tower) to the mobile equipment (ME).
A brief description of the different network elements and interfaces in a UMTS network is provided in the following table:>>

The lups is the core network interface between the RNCs and packet-switched data network. It is usually implemented on an STM-4 (OC-12) link or an Ethernet link.
The Radio Network Controller (RNC) is responsible for controlling and managing the multiple base stations (Node Bs). The RNC also performs user data processing to manage soft handoff and the utilization of radio network services. This processing requires significant packet handling and manipulation, as well as complex higher-level protocols. The density of the selector function is a major factor determining the capacity of an RNC.


Design Challenges
The rising cost of the infrastructure needed to provide sufficient capacity for advanced mobile Internet services is a key challenge facing cellular operators and other mobile telecommunications service providers. Wireless equipment manufacturers must be able to add more flexibility and processing power to line cards without inflating system cost or exceeding the power budget.
Specific design challenges for RNC include:
Increased application complexity to support evolving 3gpp standards
Market demands for more data services, requiring modular and reusable hardware and software building blocks
Standardization requirements, such as Advanced TCA™, driven by reductions in CAPEX/OPEX and time-to-market
Move from feature-based to cost-driven systems cost per channel and MIPS per watt as the main selection criteria

Solution
Technology standards for 3G will change, and new access technologies will be introduced. A scalable processing platform that can evolve with technology is needed so equipment vendors can maintain a distinct competitive advantage.
Freescale's host processors containing PowerPC® cores and PowerQUICC™ III family of integrated communications processors must handle more user plane processing functions. These processors are good choices because they are scaleable, cost-effective and provide exceptional MIPS per watt ration. In addition, providing a high level of support for applications protocols, development systems and cross-supplier engagements is essential.

Key Benefits
Advanced TCA™ platform solutions available today using Freescale's scaleable silicon based on the PowerPC architecture for rapid prototyping
Scaleable PowerPC and PowerQUICC solutions for RNC control and user plane processing
Integrated Security engine that supports Kasumi encryption the PowerPC core with ample bandwidth for RNC control and user plane processing
The PowerQUICC family offers a solution for next generation designs by supporting programmable protocol termination, network interface termination and interworking features to meet evolving protocol standards.

Diagrams
High-level RNC functions can be partitioned, as illustrated below.


Network Interface Cards (NICs) handle various network interfaces (such as T1 / E1s and OC-3), terminating network protocols (such as ATM) and Inter-working with the backplane.
Radio (RNL) Cards perform high-performance processing of intensive Radio Interface tasks, including Radio Link Control, MAC processing and encryption (Kasumi). These cards are the most MIPs-intensive components of an RNC data plane. Therefore, high-performance PowerQUICC processors with integrated security and several high-speed interconnect options are an ideal solution.
Finally, control and application cards handle host RNC signalling stacks for Radio Resource Control, OAM and management databases. Therefore high performance PowerPC processors with several high-speed interconnect options are an ideal solution.
Ref:http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/application.jsp?nodeId=02VS0lyW3P1466

What is '3G' technology?

(IDG) -- Wireless videophones and high-speed Internet access are a reality with the world's first third-generation or "3G" mobile services, which were launched on October 1 by NTT DoCoMo in Tokyo.
Third-generation wireless: A group of wireless technologies that move from circuit-switched communications to wireless broadband, high-speed, packet-based networks. These are preceded by first-generation analog, and second-generation digital, communication technologies.
What is 3G wireless?
So-called 3G wireless networks are capable of transferring data at speeds of up to 384Kbps. Average speeds for 3G networks will range between 64Kbps and 384Kbps, quite a jump when compared to common wireless data speeds in the United States that are often slower than a 14.4Kb modem. 3G is considered high-speed or broadband mobile Internet access, and in the future 3G networks are expected to reach speeds of more than 2Mbps.


The 3G technologies are turning phones and other devices into multmedia players, making it possible to download music and video clips. The new service is called the "freedom of mobile multimedia access" (FOMA), and it uses wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) technology to transfer data over its networks. W-CDMA sends data in a digital format over a range of frequencies, which makes the data move faster, but also uses more bandwidth than digital voice services. W-CDMA is not the only 3G technology; competing technologies include CDMAOne, which differs technically, but should provide similar services.
FOMA services are available within a 20-mile radius around the center of Tokyo, the company plans to introduce it to other Japanese cities by the end of the year. But services and phones are expensive and uptake of this market is expected to be slow.
What is 2.5G?
When the wireless industry realized that it was going to be costly and technologically challenging to upgrade to 3G networks, an interim stage emerged called 2.5G. These networks transfer data at speeds of up to 114Kbps, which is faster than traditional digital (2G) networks. They are always on. A phone with 2.5G services can alternate between using the Net, sending or receiving text messages, and making phone calls without losing its connection.
While Japan has had 2.5G services for more than a year and Europe also has had 2.5G services, the U.S. is just beginning to make these same services available. Seattle was the first U.S. city to acquire 2.5G services, in July. Wireless carriers are working on expanding those services to more cities in 2001. The dominant 2.5G technology is general packet radio service (GPRS), which is always on and gives users a connection to the Internet and e-mail.
Why is the U.S. so far behind the rest of the world?
The U.S. lags behind the rest of the world when it comes to wireless technologies for a number or reasons. The telecommunications infrastructure in the U.S. is more developed than many European and Asian countries. As a result, the demand for wireless devices has been lower in the U.S because consumers have other lower-cost options.
Also, the U.S. has a number of competing technical standards for digital services, while European and Asian countries are predominately centered around one group of standards in the global systems for mobile communication (GSM) family.
The 3G wireless services also require additional bandwidth (compared to 2G services), but many U.S. wireless companies don't have licenses for enough airwaves to provide such services.

ref:http://edition.cnn.com/2001/TECH/industry/10/22/3g.defined.idg/index.html

3G speed. Worldwide. iPhone

3G technology gives iPhone fast access to the Internet and email over cellular networks around the world. iPhone 3G also makes it possible to do more in more places: Surf the web, download email, get directions, and watch video — even while you’re on a call.

How it works.
iPhone 3G uses a technology protocol called HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) to download data fast over UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) networks. Email attachments and web pages load twice as fast on 3G networks as on 2G EDGE networks.1 And since iPhone 3G seamlessly switches between EDGE, faster 3G, and even faster Wi-Fi, you always get the best speeds possible.
Talk and browse. At the same time.
iPhone already gives you mobile multitasking. But 3G technology lets you multitask in more places — without connecting via Wi-Fi. Since 3G networks enable simultaneous data and voice, you can talk on the phone while surfing the web, checking email, or using Maps. All from your 3G cellular network.
Go anywhere.
iPhone 3G meets worldwide standards for cellular communications, so you can make calls and surf the web from practically anywhere on the planet. And if you’re in an area without a 3G network, iPhone connects you via GSM for calls and EDGE for data.
More wireless. Less space.
iPhone 3G delivers UMTS, HSDPA, GSM, Wi-Fi, EDGE, GPS, and Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR in one compact device — using only two antennas. Clever iPhone engineering integrates those antennas into a few unexpected places: the metal ring around the camera, the audio jack, the metal screen bezel, and the iPhone circuitry itself. And intelligent iPhone power management technology gives you up to 5 hours of talk time over 3G networks.2 That’s some of the best in the business.