This thesis describes how to apply CPU load control on processors in a Radio Network Controller (RNC) for third generation mobile system. Load control is a functionality to regulate the processor load so real time requirements of tasks running on the processor can be met. New services and new behaviour of end subscribers will result in new requirements on the load controller and the load control algorithms. This thesis has identified potential problem using traditional load control approaches used in preceding telecommunication applications. A solution of a new load control architecture is presented and evaluated in a simulated environment. Different types of algorithms are developed and tested to meet the desired characteristics of a load controller such as robustness, throughput and processor utilization.
The RNC load controller may have to be extended to include regulation of more functions than initiation of new connections and paging messages. Channel switching was chosen to be included in the load controller to ensure that processor load generated by subscribers connected to the network will not be too high. The load control algorithm in the RNC node should be based on the leaky bucket principle.