In telecommunications networks, RANAP (Radio Access Network Application Part) is a protocol specified by 3GPP in TS 25.413
and used in
UMTS
The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation mobile cellular system for networks based on the GSM standard. Developed and maintained by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), UMTS is a component of the Inte ...
for signaling between the Core Network, which can be a
MSC or
SGSN
The GPRS core network is the central part of the general packet radio service (GPRS) which allows 2G, 3G and WCDMA mobile networks to transmit IP packets to external networks such as the Internet. The GPRS system is an integrated part of the G ...
, and the
UTRAN
UTRAN (short for "UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network''") is a collective term for the network and equipment that connects mobile handsets to the public telephone network or the Internet. It contains the base stations, which are called Node B's ...
. RANAP is carried over Iu-interface.
RANAP signalling protocol resides in the control plane of Radio network layer of Iu interface in the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) protocol stack. Iu interface is the interface between RNC (Radio Network Controller) and CN (Core Network). nb. For Iu-ps transport RANAP is carried on SCTP if IP interface used on this.
RANAP handles signaling for the Iu-PS - RNC and 3G SGSN and Iu-CS - RNC and 3G MSC . It also provides the signaling channel to transparently pass messages between the User Equipment (UE) and the CN.
In
LTE, RANAP has been replaced by S1AP.
In SA (standalone) installations of
5G, S1AP will be replaced by NGAP.
3GPP TS 38.413 NG-RAN; NG Application Protocol (NGAP)
/ref>
Functionality
Over the Iu interface, RANAP is used to:
- Facilitate general UTRAN procedures from the core network such as paging
- Separate each User Equipment (UE) on protocol level for mobile-specific signaling management
- Transfer transparently non-access signaling
- Request and manage various types of UTRAN radio access bearers
- Perform the Serving Radio Network Subsystem (SRNS) relocation
See also
* GPRS Tunnelling Protocol
GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP) is a group of IP-based communications protocols used to carry general packet radio service (GPRS) within GSM, UMTS, LTE and 5G NR radio networks. In 3GPP architectures, GTP and Proxy Mobile IPv6 based interfa ...
(GTP)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ranap
Network protocols
Mobile telecommunications standards
3GPP standards