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RNTI
One of the other numbers which you would very frequently come accross is RNTI. RNTI stands for Radio Network
Temporary Identifier.
As the name implies, it is a kind of Identification number. Normally we use indentification number to differntiate one
thing from all other similar things. For example, your driver's license number let you identify yourself from all other
drivers. Social Security number do the same thing as well.
Getting more specifically into LTE, this RNTI is used to indentify one specific radio channel from other radio channel
and one user from another user. As you may recall, in WCDMA is a RNTI concept which is carried as part of MAC
header to deferentiate one user to another while in communication state. and in WCDMA case it used special
channelization code to deferentiate one radio channel from the other.
To my personal perception, RNTI in LTE seems to act as combined role of WCDMA RNTI and WCDMA channelization
code (but RNTI has nothing to do with orthogonality.. so this is very superfical analogy. Just take this as an analogy
just for understanding high level functionality).
Types of RNTIs
What kind of RNTIs are there in LTE ?
The answer is A LOT -:). Followings are the brief summary of RNTIs being used in LTE. More detailed explanation will
be updated continuously later.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Exactly what does RNTI do for each of those radio channel ? The detailed process differs with the types of RNTIs, but
generally speaking all of these RNTI is used to scramble the CRC part of the radio channel messages. It implies that if
UE does not know the exact RNTI values for each of the cases, it cannot decode the radio channel messages even
though the message reaches the UE intact.
One of the most common questions that I got about RNTI is "There are a lot of different types of RNTI and I don't see
any RNTI information on DCI or Higher layer signaling message. Then how can PHY layer know which RNTI it has to
use to decode a data ?". The answer is "MAC or Layer 1 controller would instruct PHY on which RNTI it has to use".
Then a next questions comes out. "How MAC or Layer 1 controller would know which RNTI to be used ?". There is no
explicit algorithm for this, MAC/L1 controller needs to figure it out "based on context". For example, if it is at the
subframe where SIB is transmitted, it would instruct PHY to use SI-RNTI. if UE is in connected mode, it may instruct
to use C-RNTI, TPC RNTI etc.
Following table from 36.321 shows the range of values which is allocated for each RNTI types.
Following table from 36.321 shows the types of RNTIs and it's usage.
5.3.3.1.3 Format 1A
Format 1A is used for random access procedure initiated by a PDCCH order only if format 1A CRC is scrambledwith CRNTI
For distributed VRB: .. if the format 1A CRC is scrambled by RA-RNTI, P-RNTI, or SI-RNTI
* If a UE is configured by higher layers to decode PDCCH with CRC scrambled by the P-RNTI, the UE shall decode
thePDCCH and the corresponding PDSCH according to any of the combinations defined in table 7.1-2. The
scramblinginitialization of PDSCH corresponding to these PDCCHs is by P-RNTI.
* If a UE is configured by higher layers to decode PDCCH with CRC scrambled by the C-RNTI, the UE shall decode
thePDCCH and any corresponding PDSCH according to the respective combinations defined in table 7.1-5.
Thescrambling initialization of PDSCH corresponding to these PDCCHs is by C-RNTI.
* If a UE is configured by higher layers to decode PDCCH with CRC scrambled by the Temporary C-RNTI and is
notconfigured to decode PDCCH with CRC scrambled by the C-RNTI, the UE shall decode the PDCCH and
thecorresponding PDSCH according to the combination defined in table 7.1-7. The scrambling initialization of
PDSCHcorresponding to these PDCCHs is by Temporary C-RNTI.