Signalling Radio Bearer (SRB) Parameters

Signalling Radio Bearer (SRB) Parameters

Last updated: January 15, 2009

A Signalling Radio Bearer (SRB) is a radio bearer that carries DCCH signalling data. An SRB is used during connection establishment to establish the Radio Access Bearers (RABs) and then also to deliver signalling while on the connection (for example, to perform a handover, reconfiguration or release).

The test set supports three SRBs:

2.2k DCCH SRB Properties
Transport Channel Parameters:
TrCH Type DCH (DCCH)
TB size 100
TF 0 0 x 100
TF 1 1 x 100
TTI (ms) 40
Coding Type Conv, 1/3
CRC 12 bit
Downlink Physical Channel:
DTX Position n/a
TFCI used
Slot Structure 5
SF 256
Uplink Physical Channel:
Min Spreading Factor 256
DPCCH slot format 0
TFCI used

During connection establishment, an RRC Connection Setup procedure establishes the SRB. The SRB is then used to send all subsequent signalling to start the desired service and establish the radio bearers for the service (see Call Processing Ladder Diagrams ). Establishment of the radio bearers is achieved using an RB Setup procedure. The RB Setup procedure configures how both the DCCH and DTCH will be carried on the radio bearers.

The RB Setup may specify a different DCCH RLC block size from the DCCH RLC block size that was being used when only an SRB was present. For example, the DCCH RLC block size for the default 3.4k DCCH SRB is 144 bits, but all RMCs (Reference Measurement Channels) call for a DCCH RLC block size of 96 bits. If the RB Setup specifies a change in the DCCH RLC block size from the stand-alone SRB configuration, the UE and network must change the DCCH RLC block size and then perform an RLC Re-establishment procedure to reset the RLC buffers. If your UE does not support changing the DCCH RLC block size during connection setup, you must establish the call using an SRB with a DCCH RLC block size that is equal to the DCCH RLC block size defined for the service you wish to establish.

SRB DCCH RLC Block Size
SRB DCCH RLC Block Size
2.2k DCCH

96 bits

3.4k DCCH

144 bits

13.6k DCCH 144 bits
RAB DCCH RLC Block Size
RAB DCCH RLC Block Size

All RMCs (Reference Measurement Channels)
See Radio Bearer Test Mode and Packet Switched Data

96 bits

All PS Data RABs (Radio Access Bearers)
See Packet Switched Data

144 bits

All CS RABs
See Circuit Switched Data Service

144 bits

All AMR Radio Access Bearers
See AMR Setup

144 bits

If your UE supports changing RLC block size during connection setup, but does not support the RLC Re-establishment procedure, you must either use an SRB that matches your desired service as explained above, or set RLC Reestablish to Off .

To set the channelization code for the signalling radio bearers, see Downlink Channel Codes .

Manual operation: Select SRB Parameters ( F12 on Call Parms 2 of 3 ).

SRB Configuration Control

Some UEs can only move to an RMC at the RB Setup phase of the connection if they were assigned to a 2.2k DCCH SRB (i.e. some UEs do not support changing the DCCH RLC block size during connection setup). These same UEs would require a 3.4k DCCH SRB be assigned before establishing any other service type, such as AMR Radio Access Bearer, CS data or PS data. The SRB Configuration Control = Auto setting can be used to automatically change which SRB the UE is assigned based on the anticipated service.

If SRB Configuration Control is set to Auto , the test set assigns the UE to a 2.2k DCCH SRB if call status is Paging and Paging Service Type is set to RB Test Mode . Otherwise, the test set assigns the UE to a 3.4k SRB.

If SRB Configuration Control is set to Manual , the test set assigns the UE to the SRB specified by the Manual SRB Configuration setting.

Note, if your UE does not support changing RLC block size during connection setup and you wish to establish a 64k UL / 384k DL RMC (3GPP TS 25.101 A.2.2 and A.3.4) connection, you must set SRB Configuration Control to Manual and set Manual SRB Configuration to 2.2k DCCH . The Auto setting for SRB Configuration Control does not account for this particular channel configuration.

GPIB command: CALL[:CELL]:SRBearer:CCHannel:DEDicated:DRATe[:MANual]

Manual SRB Configuration

When SRB Configuration Control is set to Manual , this parameter determines what SRB the test set establishes with the UE.

GPIB command: CALL[:CELL]:SRBearer:CCHannel:DEDicated:DRATe[:MANual]

Operating Considerations

Related Topics


Downlink Channel Codes

CALL:SRBearer

RLC Reestablish