3GPP

MAC (Medium Access Control) Architecture (25.321)

MAC is a layer 2 protocol in the UMTS Access Stratum. MAC has the input as logical channels and at the output it has transport channels.
This tutorial covers only the MAC architecture.

The following sections are covered

  • MAC Architecture – UE Side
  • MAC Architecture – UTRAN Side
UMTS Logical Channels and Transport Channels

Logical channels define ‘WHAT’ type of information is being transferred and transport channel defines ‘HOW’ the information is being transferred.

In this tutorial different types of logical channels and transport channels and their mappings are described.

Radio Link Control Protocol (RLC) is a layer 2 protocol in the UMTS system. This tutorial is an overview of RLC functionalities and architecture.

  • Radio Interface Architecture
  • RLC main functionalities
  • Data flow between layers
  • Model of RLC Sublayer
  • RLC Protocol Data Unit
  • RLC State Model
WCDMA Physical Layer: Principles and Features

Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) is the physical layer used for Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) FDD mode. The WCDMA technology provides the UMTS system some of the new functionalities on the air interface.

This tutorial covers the following topics:

  • Spreading and Scrambling
  • Transport Channel Combining
  • Soft Handover
  • Compressed Mode
  • Power Control
UTRAN Interfaces and Protocols

UTRAN Interfaces are the most important point to start learning about the whole system. In this tutorial you can learn the following topics:

  • UMTS Interfaces
  • Protocols on different interfaces
  • Standard numbers and links to the different standards
3G Tutorials: Introduction to 3G

This tutorial contains some of the basics of 3G technology and network. The following topics are covered:

  • What is 3G?
  • 3G background.
  • UMTS requirements.
  • 3gpp specifications.
  • UMTS Architecture.