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JTO PH II (3G) Ericsson

13. WCDMA CHANNEL STRUCTURE

WCDMA UPLINK AND DOWNLINK CHANNELS
A channel represents the logical connection between the UE and
the Radio Access Network. They are physically represented by a
Chanellisation code used between the RBS and UE. They are
controlled, however, by the RNC along with the rest of the radio
resources. We have three different types of channels, with each
type being mapped into the next as shown in Figure 4-19.

What am I transporting?
User Data or Control Data

To whom am I transporting?
Dedicated or Common

e.g. DCCH,
DTCH, BCCH

Logical

Transport

e.g. BCH, PCH,

FACH, RACH,
HS-DSCH

Physical
One physical channel uses 1 Channelisation code

Figure 4-19: WCDMA Channel Types

LOGICAL CHANNELS
Logical channel types refer to the type of information being transmitted,
and are classified into two groups:

Control channels for the transfer of control information

Traffic channels for the transfer of user information.

A brief description of the logical channels found in the

uplink
and downlink now follows:

The Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) is a downlink

channel for broadcasting system information.

Paging Control Channel (PCCH) is a downlink channel that

transfers paging information and is used when the UE is in idle
mode.

The Common Control Channel (CCCH) is a bi-directional

channel that transfers control information between the network

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and UE. This channel is used by the UE needs to access

the
network.

The Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH) is a point-to-point

bi-directional
channel that transmits dedicated
control information between UE and the network. This
channel is established through a RRC connection setup
procedure.

The Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point

channel, dedicated to one UE, for transferring user information.

TRANSPORT CHANNELS
A transport channel is defined by how, and with what
characteristics, data is transferred over the air interface. There are
two types of transport channels:
1

Common channels

Dedicated channels.

Common channels are broadcast to everyone in the cell,

whereas
dedicated channels are transmitted and received from one user
only. A brief description of some of the transport channels
now follows:

There is one dedicated transport

Channel (DCH), which is used
uplink. The DCH is set-up for
session, and characterized by the
change and fast power control.

The Broadcast channel (BCH) is a downlink transport channel

that is used to broadcast system and cell specific information,
in System information blocks. The BCH is always transmitted
over the entire cell (to both active and idle UEs) with a
low
fixed bit rate.

The Forward Access Channel (FACH) is a downlink

transport channel that carries control information to UEs when
a random access message has been sent by the UE to the base
station. Its counterpart, the Random Access channel
(RACH) is used in the uplink to send in the random access
message from the UE.

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channel, the Dedicated

in both downlink and
a voice call of data
possibility of fast rate

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The High Speed Downlink Shared Channel (HS-DSCH) is a

common transport channel shared by all the HSDPA users
in the cell.
It is mapped onto up to 15 physical
channels, depending on the number of codes available for

PHYSICAL CHANNELS
Transport channels are further mapped onto physical channels,
which are defined by channelisation codes, and the Radio
Frequency at which they are broadcast.

Common Downlink Physical Channels:

In this section we take a brief look at the function of the common
downlink physical channels, which are transmitted to all UEs.

The Primary Common Control Physical Channel (PCCPCH): Broadcasts system information.
The
Broadcast
channel is the transport channel that maps onto this physical
channel.

Synchronization Channel (SCH) carries the primary

and secondary Synchronization Codes, which are used for
slot synchronization, frame synchronization and the detection
of the scrambling code group (one out of 64). It is time
multiplexed
(only first 10%) with the P-CCPCH (remaining 90% of
timeslot).

Secondary Common Control Physical Channel (S-CCPCH):

This channel is mapped to by both the Paging Channel (PCH)
and the Forward Access Channel (FACH). Transmits idlemode signaling and control information to UE. Can also
be used for sending short infrequent data.

Common Pilot Channel (CPICH): Sends the scrambling code

of the cell. Provides coherent phase reference for DL channels
and aids channel estimation (handover and cell selection). It is
used in open loop power control to gauge the initial

Common Uplink Physical Channels:

Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH): This channel is
used to carry access requests; control information and short data
bursts. It uses only Open-loop power control and contains therefore
no pilot or TPC bits.

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