TABLE OF CONTENTS Radio resources comprise W-CDMA frequencies, different channel types, channelization codes, spreading factors, scrambling codes, the capability to control transmitter power, and so on. The RRC layer manages these radio resources so as to establish, maintain, and release connections between UTRAN and the UE. Reference [19] describes in detail functions performed by the RRC, procedures, messages, and their constituent information elements, specifies timers and counters, and discusses specific functions such as traffic volume measurements and how they are to be reported. In this section we shall provide a brief overview of the RRC layer.
Among the functions performed at this layer are the following:
Broadcasting nonaccess stratum user data such as cell broadcast messages to UE that are transferred transparently through the UTRAN.
Broadcast of system information. The system information includes, among other things, NAS system information, timers and counters used by the UE in the idle mode, user registration area (URA) identity and information for periodic cell and URA updates, parameters for cell selection and reselection, configuration parameters for the common physical channels in the cell or for the common and shared physical channels in the connected mode, uplink interference and dynamic persistence levels for PRACHs, and CPCH parameters to be used in the cell.
Paging and notification. Paging messages are usually sent by higher layers to establish a connection. However, paging may also be initiated by the UTRAN to force UEs to read the latest system information or transition, if necessary, to...
