2G BASICS

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Background to GSM
1G : Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS)
Analog, Circuit Switched, FDMA, FDD

2G : Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service (D-AMPS)

Digital, Circuit Switched, FDMA, FDD

2G : Global System for Mobile (GSM)

Digital, Circuit Switched, FDMA and TDMA, FDD

2G : Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Digital, Circuit Switched, FDMA, SS, FDD

 GSM History

Development of the GSM Standard

1982:

Groupe Spcial Mobile (GSM)

created

1984:

Description of GSM features

1985:

List of recommendations settled

1987:

Initial MoU (Memorandum of

Understanding) aside the drafting
of technical specifications was
signed by network operators of 13
countries:

1988:

Validation and trials, of the radio

interface.

1991:

First system trials are

demonstrated at the Telecom 91
exhibition.

1992:

Official commercial launch of

GSM service in Europe. First
Launch in Finland

1993:

The GSM-MoU has 62

signatories in 39 countries
worldwide.

1995:

Specifications of GSM phase 2

are frozen.

1999:

GSM MoU joins 3GPP (UMTS)

GPRS Trials begins

2000:

480M GSM subscribers

Worldwide
First GPRS Networks roll out

End 2002: 792M GSM subscribers

Worldwide

GSM Specifications
12 SERIES
OPERATION AND
MAINTENANCE

01 SERIES
GENERAL

02 SERIES
SERVICE ASPECTS

11 SERIES
EQUIPMENT AND TYPE
APPROVAL SPECIFICATIONS

03 SERIES
NETWORK ASPECTS

10 SERIES
SERVICE INTERWORKING

04 SERIES
MS-BSS INTERFACE AND
PROTOCOLS

09 SERIES
NETWORK
INTERWORKING

05 SERIES
PHYSICAL LAYER ON THE
RADIO PATH.

08 SERIES
BSS TO MSC INTERFACES

07 SERIES
TERMINAL ADAPTERS
FOR MOBILE STATIONS

06 SERIES
SPEECH CODING
SPECIFICATIONS

Increasing GSM Data Rates

Transmission Time
UMTS

photo

E/GPRS

web

video
clip

report

video
report clip

photo

ISDN

e-mail web

PSTN

e-mail

web

e-mail

GSM
0

video
report clip

photo

10 sec

video
report clip

photo

web

video
report clip

photo

1 min

10 min

GPRS = General Packet Radio Service

HSCSD = High Speed Circuit Switched Data
EDGE = Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution
UMTS = Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

1 hour

Wireless Data Technology Options

2M
throughput kbps

1M

100 k

EDGE

64 k

10 k

1k

UMTS

HSCSD

14.4

GPRS

9.6

Time frame

1998

1999

2000

2001

GPRS = General Packet Radio Service

HSCSD = High Speed Circuit Switched Data
EDGE = Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution
UMTS = Universal Mobile Telecommunication System

2002

Multiple Access Technique

Multiple Access Achieved by dividing the available radio
frequency spectrum, so that multiple users can be given
access at the same time.
FDMA - Frequency Division Multiple Access
( eg: GSM each Frequency channel is 200KHz)
TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access
( eg: GSM each frequency channel is divided into 8
timeslots)
CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access
(eg: IS95- Each User data is coded with a unique code)

Duplex Technique
Duplex - How the up link and Down link of a user is
separated
FDD - Frequency Division Duplex
(eg: In GSM the up link and down link of a user is separated
by 45MHz )

TDD - Time Division Duplex

(the up link and down link of a user will be at the same
frequency but at different Time )

What are the types in GSM Network?

GSM-900 (Channels 125 operating band 900Mhz carrier
spacing 200khz spacing 45Mhz)
GSM -1800 (Channels 374 spacing 95Mhz)
GSM -1900(Used in USA)

GSM Band Allocations (MHz)

Duplex
Spacing

Duplex
channels

10
10

35
35

869-894

2x25 45

124

890-915
880-915
876-880

935-960
925-960
921-925

2x25
2x35
2x04

45
45
41

124
174
40

1710-1785
1850-1910

1805-1880
1930-1990

2x75
2x60

95
80

374
299

GSM systems

Uplink

Downlink

Band

GSM 450
GSM 480

450.4-457.6
478.8-486

460.4-467.6 2x7.2
488.8-496 2x7.2

GSM 850

824-849

GSM 900
E-GSM (900)
R-GSM (900)
GSM 1800
GSM 1900

Frequencies are in MHz

Carrier frequency = ARFCN = Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number

GSM Family Radio Band Spectrum

Uplink

450.4

457.6

478.8

GSM 450

Downlink

460.4

824

GSM 480

467.6

488.8

849

GSM 850

496

869

894

MHz

915

Uplink
876 880

486

915
890

915

1710

1785

1850

1910

P-GSM
E-GSM

GSM 1800

GSM 1900

R-GSM
921 925

Downlink

935

960
960
960

1805

1880

1930

1990

MHz

Traffic/Signaling
Traffic
bla bla bla...

Signaling

RING !
riiiiing

Network

GSM - Network Structure

MS
Um
BTS

HLR

VLR

BSC
Abis

MSC
A

MS

GMSC

BTS
E

Abis
A

MSC

F
EIR

E
PSTN

BSC
Um
BTS

X.25
VLR
X.25
OMC Server

AuC

Paired Radio Channels in GSM

Case of GSM 900

Uplink
890 MHz

Frequency

channel #

Downlink
915 MHz

124

935 MHz

Frequency

channel #

Example:
Channel 48

Duplex spacing = 45 MHz

Frequency band spectrum = 2 x 25 MHz
Channel spacing = 200 kHz

BTS

960 MHz

124

GSM Time Division Multiplex

Frame and Physical Channels
Time-slot

TDMA frame

TDMA frame

TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS

(frames repeat continuously)

Time
0

4.615 ms

Physical channel # 2 = recurrence of time-slot # 2

9.23 ms

Physical Channel
BTS
With FH

BTS
Without FH

time

n+1

TDMAs
n TS

n-1

MS1
MS2

MS3
1

FDMA

//
124

ARFCN

Radio Link Aspects

Blah... Blah... Blah...

From Speech to RF Signal

Blah Blah Blah...

Digitizing and
Source Coding

Channel Coding

Source Decoding

Channel Decoding

Interleaving

De-interleaving

Ciphering

Burst Formatting

Modulating

Deciphering

Burst De-formatting

Demodulating

Access Techniques

Uplink 890 MHz to 915 MHz

Down Link 935 MHz to 960 MHz
25 MHz divided into 125 channels of 200 KHz
bandwidth
UP

890.0

890.2

890.4

914.8

915.0

DOWN 935.0

935.2

935.4

959.8

960.0

Access Techniques ...

Time Division Multiple Access
Each carrier frequency subdivided in time domain
into 8 time slots
Each mobile transmits data in a frequency, in its
particular time slot - Burst period = 0.577 milli secs.
8 time slots called a TDMA frame. Period is .577 * 8
= 4.616 milli secs
0.577 ms
0

4.616 ms

Fundamentals

960 MHz
959.8MHz

124

TS: Time slot

123
DOWNLINK
200KHz

935.2 Mhz
935 MHz

GSM utilizes two

bands(TDMA
of 25 MHz.
Downlink
frame)890-915
= 8 TS
MHz band is used for uplink while the 935960 MHz is used for downlink.

0 1

915 MHz
914.8 MHz

124

UPLINK

200KHz

123
.

890.2 MHz
890 MHz

4 5 6 7

The frequency bands are divided into 200

KHz wide channels called ARFCNs (Absolute
Radio Frequency
Channel
Numbers)
i.e.
Data burst = 156.25
bit periods
= 576.9s
there are 125 ARFCNs out of which only 124
are used.

45 MHz

2 3

Each ARFCN supports 8 users with each user

transmitting
/ receiving on a particular time
Delay
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
slot (TS).

Uplink (TDMA frame)

2
1

The technology

Therefore 1 TDMA frame = 156.25 x 8 = 1250 bits

and has a duration of 576.92s x 8 = 4.615 ms

GSM Delays Uplink TDMA Frames

BTS side

The start of the uplink TDMA

is delayed of three time-slots

TDMA Frame (4.615 ms)

Downlink TDMA
BTS

T
Down
link

MSs side
MS1

MS2

Up
link
T

Fixed transmit
delay of three
time-slots

6
R

7
R

Timing Advance
1 - Propagation Delay

M2

BTS Frame reference

d1>>d2

d2

TS0

TS1

TS2

TS3

TS4

M1

TS5

TS6

TS7

Propagation Delay tp

Bits Overlapping
MSs transmit

Timing Advance
2 - Without Timing Advance: Collision
TX BTS
RX BTS

CAN

GSM

CAN

RX MS2
TX MS2

+3TS

RX MS6
TX MS6
RX MS7
TX MS7
RX MS8
TX MS8

yes

WHEN
the

WHAT
ms-isdn

yes

WHAT

GSM

the

ms-isdn

RX MS4
TX MS4
RX MS5
TX MS5

HOW

TA

RX MS1
TX MS1

RX MS3
TX MS3

WHAT

HOW

Propagation Delay

WHEN

WHAT

Timing Advance
3 - With Timing Advance: No Collision
CAN

TX BTS
RX BTS

CAN

RX MS1
TX MS1

GSM

RX MS6
TX MS6
RX MS7
TX MS7
RX MS8
TX MS8

WHEN
the

WHAT
ms-isdn

yes

the

GSM
ms-isdn
HOW

RX MS4
TX MS4
RX MS5
TX MS5

HOW
yes

+3TS - TA
WHAT

RX MS2
TX MS2
RX MS3
TX MS3

WHAT

Propagation Delay

WHEN

WHAT

Timing Advance = 2 * Propagation Delay

GSM in comparison with other Standards

GSM gives mobility without any loss in Audio quality
Encryption techniques used gives high security in the air Interface
and also use of SIM.
Bit Interleaving for high efficiency in Transmission.
Variable Power (Power budgeting- extend battery life)
Minimum Interference.
Features-CCS7 Signaling
SMS (Short Message Services)
Emergency Calls
CELL Broadcast

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

GSM - Network Structure

MS
Um
BTS

HLR

VLR
BSC
Abis

MSC
A

MS

GMSC

BTS
E
Abis
A

MSC

F
EIR

E
PSTN

BSC
Um
BTS

X.25
VLR
X.25
OMC Server

AuC

GSM Network
SS
External
PSTN &
PDN N/W

VLR

Switching
System

AUC

HLR

MSC
MS Mobile Station
BTS Base transceiver System
BSC Base Station Controller
MSC Mobile Switching Center
BSS BSC
HLR Home Location Register
VLR Visitor Location Register
BTS
EIR Equipment Identity Register
AUC Authentication Center
MS
OMC Operation And Maintenance Center

EIR
OMC

Base Station
System

GSM Architecture
VMSC

GSM
Air interface

B
S
C
Abis
interface

TRAU

BTS
BTS

BTS

BTS

A
interface

B
S
C

SMSC

HLR

AUC

MSC

PSTN
VLR

EIR

OMCS

BTS
BTS

Mobile
Station

Network and switching

subsystem
OMCR

Base Station System

A interface SS7 /
speech
X.25
SS7

Mobile Equipment(ME)

Frequency and Time Synchronization

Voice encoding and transmission
Voice encryption/decryption functions
Power measurements of adjacent cells
Display of short messages
International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI)

SIM

Portable Smart Card with memory (ROM-6KB to 16KB-A3/A8

algorithm, RAM- 128KB TO 256KB, EEPROM- 3KB to 8KB )
Static Information
International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI)
Personal Identification Number (PIN)
Authentication Key (Ki)
Dynamic Information
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity(TMSI)
Location Area Identity (LAI)
Phone memories, billing information
Ability to store Short Messages received

The SIM-Card Functions

Credit Card Size

SIM-Card

Global GSM Mobility

Card
15 mm

The Smart Card to use

25 mm

Permanent data:
- Unique mobile subscriber identity
through IMSI number and PIMSI
for Packet Mode
- Authentication parameter Ki,
- Authentication algorithm A3,
- Generating encryption key Kc
algorithm A8,
- PIN code.

GSM
Microchip with stored
user information

Removable data:
- Temporary Mobile Subscriber Number,
- Location Area Identification
- Routing Area Identification (Packet mode)

Subscriber Identification
IMSI

Nature

International Mobile Subscriber Identity

Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network Nb

Conformity with E212

Similar to ISDN,
Conformity with E164/E213

Identify a PLMN
worldwide

MCC

MNC

Meaning

Mobile
Country
Code

Mobile
Network
Code

Nb. digits

Format

MS - ISDN

Identify the subscriber

of a PLMN

MSIN
H1 H2

x x x ......... x x x

Mobile Subscriber
Ident. Nb
H1 H2 = Identity of HLR
within the home PLMN

max 10

National Significant Mobile Number

CC

NDC

SN
M1 M2

xx xx xx xx

Country
National
Mobile Subscriber
Code
(where Destination (national definition)
subscription Code * M1 M2 = nbr of logical HLR
has been made)

1 to 3

2 to 4

total max 15

* This code does not identify a geographical area

but an operator

Description Stored in SIM Card

MCC
=
208 (France)
234 (G-B)
262 (Germany)
404,405(India)

MNC
=
71(APBSNL)
72(TNBSNL)
20 (Bytel)

Mobile
Country
Code

Mobile
Network
Code

3 digits

2 digits

Global GSM Mobility

Card
The Smart Card to use

IMSI = 15 digits max

Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN)

H1 H2 X X X X X X
10 digits max

NMSI
LAI
Mobile
Country
Code

Mobile
Network
Code

3 digits

2 digits

GSM

Temporary Mobile
Subscriber Identity
4 octets

Location Area Code

LAC

RAI

Routing Area Code

RAC

Description Stored in the Network

MS-ISDN (15 digits max)
Country
Code
3 digits max

National
Destination
Code

Subscriber Number (SN)

M1 M2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X
10 digits max

2 or 3 digits

Must be dialed to
make a call to
mobile
subscriber

MSRN

Country
Code

Country
Code

National
Destination
Code

Roaming Number (RN)

National
Destination
Code

CC = 33 (France)
091(India)
001(US)

HO-number

NDC = 9448(BSNL-karnataka)
9845,9880(Airtel)
9886(Hutch)
= 660, 661, 618 (Bytel)

Is a PSTN-like
number used to
reach a roaming
MS

Is a PSTN-like
number to track the
MS that hands over
to another MSC
during call-in-state

Descriptor Embodied in the

Mobile Equipment
IMEI enables the operator to check
the Mobile Equipment Identity
at call setup and make sure
that no stolen or unauthorized MS
is used in the GSM network

TAC
Type Approval
Code

FAC

Final Assembly
Code

SNR

SP

Serial NumbeR

(SPare)

International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)

TAC
Type Approval
Code

FAC

SNR

SP

Serial number

(SPare)

Final Assembly
Code

IMEI:
#06#
351475 60 926514 4

MS Classmark
Power classes
Classmark
Revision level
RF power
Encryption algorithm
Frequency
Short message

LoCation Services

For GMSK modulation

Class
1
2
3
4
5

MS Positioning Method

Multi-band
*
**

Typical value for car mounted

Typical value for handheld

8 W*
5W
2 W**
0.8 W

GSM
1800

GSM
1900

1 W**
1 W**
0.25 W 0.25 W
4W
2W

For 8-PSK modulation

8-PSK modulation
Multi-slot class

GSM
400/850/900

Class
E1
E2
E3

GSM
GSM
GSM
400/850/900 1800
1900
2W
1W
1W
0.5 W
0.4 W 0.4 W
0.2 W
0.16 W 0.16 W

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

Handles the radio interface to the mobile station.
Consists of one or more radio terminals for transmission
and reception
Each Radio terminal represents an RF Channel
TRX and MS communicates over Um interface
Received data transcoding
Voice encryption/decryption
Signal processing functions of the radio interface
Uplink Radio channel power measurements

Base Station Controller (BSC)

Provides all the control functions and physical links
between the MSC and BTS
External Interfaces
Abis interface towards the BTS
A interface towards the MSC
Monitors and controls several BTSs
Management of channels on the radio interface
Alarm Handling from the external interfaces
Performs inter-cell Handover
Switching from Abis link to the A link
Interface to OMC for BSS Management

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)

Performs call switching

Interface of the cellular network to PSTN
Routes calls between PLMN and PSTN
Queries HLR when calls come from PSTN to mobile user
Inter-BSC Handover
Paging
Billing

Home Location Register (HLR)

Stores user data of all Subscribers related to the GMSC
International Mobile Subscriber Identity(IMSI)
Users telephone number (MS ISDN)
Subscription information and services
VLR address
Reference to Authentication center for key (Ki)
Referred when call comes from public land network

Visitor Location Register (VLR)

Database that contains Subscriber parameters and
location information for all mobile subscribers currently
located in the geographical area controlled by that VLR
Identity of Mobile Subscriber
Copy of subscriber data from HLR
Generates and allocates a Temporary Mobile Subscriber
Identity(TMSI)
Location Area Code
Provides necessary data when mobile originates call

Authentication Center (AuC)

Stores Subscriber authentication data called Ki, a copy
of which is also stored in in the SIM card
Generates security related parameters to authorize a
subscriber (SRES-Signed RESponse)
Generates unique data pattern called Cipher key (Kc) for
user data encryption
Provides triplets - RAND, SRES & Kc, to the HLR on
request.

EIR (Equipment Identity Register)

EIR is a database that contains a list of all valid mobile
station equipment within the network, where each mobile
station is identified by its International Mobile Equipment
Identity(IMEI).
EIR has three databases.,
White list - For all known,good IMEIs
Black list - For all bad or stolen handsets
Grey list - For handsets/IMEIs that are on observation

Location Area Identity

LAI identifies a location area which is a group of cells..
It is transmitted in the BCCH.
When the MS moves into another LA (detected by
monitoring LAI transmitted on the BCCH) it must
perform a LU.
LAI = MCC + MNC + LAC
MCC= Mobile Country Code(3 digits), identifies the country
MNC= Mobile Network Code(1-2 digits), identifies the GSMPLMN
LAC= Location Area Code, identifies a location area within a
GSM PLMN network. The maximum length of LAC is 16
bits,enabling 65536 different location areas to be defined in one
GSM PLMN.

Interfaces and Protocols

Digital
Networks

ISUP

Abis

LAPD

Um

LAPDm

E
TUP

BSSAP

MAP

MAP
MAP

C
D

POTS

GSM Entities and Signaling Architecture

GSM Protocols

CM
MM
RR
LAPDm
LAPD
BTSM
BSSAP
DTAP
MAP
MTP
SCCP
TCAP
ISUP

- Connection Management
- Mobility Management
- Radio resource
- LAPD for mobile
- Link Access Procedure for D channel
- BTS Management Part
- BSS Application Part (BSC - MSC)
- Direct Transfer Application Part (MS - MSC)
- Mobile Application Part
- Message Transfer part of SS7
- Signalling Connection Control Part of SS7
- Transaction Capabilities Application Part
- ISDN User Part

Functional Plane of GSM

MS

BTS

BSC

MSC/VLR

HLR

MSC/
VLR

HLR

GMSC

CC

MM

RR

Trans
MS

BTS

BSC

GMSC

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTIFIERS USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Channels : differentiating between

Physical and Logical channels

Physical channels : The combination of an ARFCN

and a time slot defines a physical channel.
Logical channels : These are channels specified by
GSM which are mapped on physical channels.

Channel concept
Physical channel:
One timeslot of a TDMA-frame on one carrier
is referred to as a physical channel.
There are 8 physical channels per carrier in
GSM,channel 0-7(timeslot 0-7)
Logical channel:
A great variety of information must be
transmitted between BTS and the MS,for e.g.
user data and control signaling.Depending
on the kind of information transmitted we
refer to different logical channels.These logical

channels are mapped on physical channel.

Logical Channels on Air interface

LOGICAL
CHANNELS

COMMON
CHANNELS

COMMON
CONTROL
CHANNELS

BROADCAST
CHANNELS

FCCH

SCH

DEDICATED
CHANNELS

BCCH

PCH

DEDICATED
CONTROL
CHANNELS

SDCCH

RACH

AGCH

SACCH

TCH/F

TRAFFIC
CHANNELS

FACCH

TCH/H

TCH/EFR

Logical channels
Logical channels

Control channels

BCH

CCCH

Traffic channels

DCCH

Half
rate

Full
rate

FCCHSCH BCCH CBCH PCH AGCH RACH SDCCH SACCH FACCH

Broadcast channels BCH

Broadcast Channel-BCH
Alloted one ARFCN & is ON all the time in every cell. Present in TS0
and other 7 TS used by TCH.

Frequency correction channel-FCCH

To make sure this is the BCCH carrier.
Allow the MS to synchronize to the frequency.
Carries a 142 bit zero sequence and repeats once in every 10
frames on the BCH.

Synchronization Channel-SCH
This is used by the MS to synchronize to the TDMA frame structure
within the particular cell.
Listening to the SCH the MS receives the TDMA frame number and
also the BSIC ( in the coded part- 39 bits).
Repeats once in every 10 frames.

Broadcast channels BCH ...

BCCH
The last information the MS must receive in order to receive calls or
make calls is some information concerning the cell. This is BCCH.
This include the information of Max power allowed in the cell.
List of channels in use in the cell.
BCCH carriers for the neighboring cells,Location Area Identity etc.
BCCH occupies 4 frames (normal bursts) on BCH and repeats
once every Multiframe.
This is transmitted Downlink point to multipoint.

Cell Broadcast Channel - CBCH

Used for the Transmission of generally accessible information like
Short Message Services(SMS)

Common Control Channels CCCH

CCCH Shares TS-0 with BCH on a Multiframe.

Random access channel-RACH:

Used by Mobile Station for requesting for a channel. When the
mobile realizes it is paged it answers by requesting a signaling
channel (SDCCH) on RACH. RACH is also used by the MS if it
wants to originate a call.
Initially MS doesnt know the path delay (timing advance), hence
uses a short burst (with a large guard period = 68.25 bits).
MS sends normal burst only after getting the timing advance info
on the SACCH.
It is transmitted in Uplink point to point.

Common Control Channels CCCH ..

Access Grant Channel-AGCH
On request for a signaling channel by MS the network assigns a
signaling channel(SDCCH) through AGCH. AGCH is transmitted
on the downlink point to point.

Paging Channel-PCH
The information on this channel is a paging message including
the MSs identity(IMSI/TMSI).This is transmitted on Downlink,
point-to-multipoint.

Dedicated Control Channels-DCCH

Stand alone dedicated control channel(SDCCH)
AGCH assigns SDCCH as signaling channel on request
by MS.The MS is informed about which
frequency(ARFCN) & timeslot to use for traffic.
Used for location update, subscriber authentication,
ciphering information, equipment validation and
assignment of TCH.
This is used both sides, up and Downlink point-point.

Dedicated Control Channels-DCCH

Slow associated control channel-SACCH
Transmission of radio link signal measurement, power control
etc.
Average signal strengths(RXLev) and quality of service
(RXQual) of the serving base station and of the neighboring cells
is sent on SACCH (on uplink).
Mobile receives information like what TX power it has to transmit
and the timing advance. It is associated with TCH or SDCCH

Fast associated control channel-FACCH

Used for Hand over commands and during call setup and
release. FACCH data is sent over TCH with stealing flag set

Traffic Channels-TCH
TCH carries the voice data.
Two blocks of 57 bits contain voice data in the normal
burst.
One TCH is allocated for every active call.
Full rate traffic channel occupies one physical
channel(one TS on a carrier) and carries voice data at
13kbps
Two half rate (6.5kbps) TCHs can share one physical
channel.

GSM Channels
GSM Channels
Traffic Channels
(TCHs)

Control Channels

Broadcast
Channels
(BCHs)
Full
rate

Half
rate

Common Control
Channels
(CCCHs)

Dedicated Control
Channels
(DCCHs)
(down uplink)

Downlink

Downlink

Uplink
Fast

TCH /F

TCH /H FCCH SCH BCCH PCH

Traffic Multiframing

AGCH

CBCH

Signaling Multiframing

RACH SDCCH

FACCH

Slow

SACCH

Traffic Multiframing

The Logical Channels on Radio Interface

TS

0123456 7

BTS

MS
FCCH

TCH

Frequency correction
Synchronization

Traffic (speech-data)
SCH

FACCH

Associated Signaling

BCCH
Broadcast control
RACH
Access request
Subscriber paging
Answer to Access request

PCH

SACCH
SDCCH

Radio Measurement + SMS

Dedicated Signaling

CBCH
Broadcast info

AGCH
FCCH
CBCH

Broadcast info
Dedicated Signaling

SDCCH
SACCH

Sys InFo 5, 6 + SMS

SCH

M.S. Pre-synchronization

BCCH
RACH
Access request
PCH

Traffic (speech data)

TCH
Associated Signaling
FACCH

Subscriber paging
AGCH

Answer to Access request

Logical Channel Description (1/2)

SACCH MESSAGES

TCH MESSAGES

Measures:

- power level of the communication

Speech

- quality level of the communication

Data

- level on the beacon frequency of

Handover Access message (uplink)

the neighboring cells

Timing Advance

Power Control

FACCH MESSAGES

SMS

Connection establishment from

SDCCH to TCH

SDCCH MESSAGES
Request for a SDCCH assignment
Request for the end of channel

assignment
Order of commutation from SDCCH to

TCH
SMS

End validation of a SDCCH-TCH

commutation
Characteristics of the future used BS

after handover
Connection establishment to BS after

handover
Validation of an handover

Logical Channel Description (2/2)

FCCH MESSAGES
no message is sent (all bits 0)

SCH MESSAGES
Frame Number

AGCH MESSAGES
For dedicated channel assignment:

- frequency number
- slot number
- frequency hopping description
- Timing Advance (1st estimation)
- MS identification

Base Station Identity Code (BSIC)

CBCH MESSAGES

BCCH MESSAGES

Specific information

(weather, road information

System Information type 1, 2, 2bis,

2ter, 3, 4, 7, 8
(idle mode)

RACH MESSAGES
Service request:

PCH MESSAGES
messages containing a mobile

identity for a call, a short message

or an authentication

- emergency call
- answer to an incoming call
- outgoing call
- short message
- call re-establishment
- inscription

Traffic and Control Multiframing

Control channel

Traffic channel
Frame
4.615 ms
TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

TS TS TS TS TS TS TS TS
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

26 traffic frames = 120 ms

0

21 22 23 24 25

46 47 48 49 50

1326
frames
0

1
0

51 x 26 traffic frames = 6.12 s

26 x 51 control frames = 6.12 s

46
22

47
23

48
24

49

50
25

2042 2043 2044 2045 2046 2047

1 Hyperframe = 2,715,648 frames= 3h 28 min. 53 s 760 ms

Logical Channel Mapping

1 - Traffic Channel Combination
T

Full Rate - Downlink & Uplink

26 frames = 120 ms

T T T T T T T T T T T T A T T T T T T T T T T T T

time

Half Rate - Downlink & Uplink

26 frames = 120 ms

T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 A0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 T1 T0 A1

T : TCH

Ti : TCH

sub-channel no. i

A : SACCH

Ai : SACCH

sub-channel no. i

: IDLE

time

Logical Channel Mapping

2 - Dedicated Signaling Channel Combination
A

Downlink
51 frames = 235 ms

D0

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

D7

A0

A1

A2

A3

D0

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

D7

A4

A5

A6

A7
time

Uplink
51 frames = 235 ms

A5

A6

A7

D0

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

D7

A0

A1

A2

A3

D0

D1

D2

D3

D4

D5

D6

D7

A4
time

A : SACCH

D : SDCCH

: IDLE

Logical Channel Mapping

3 - Common Channel Combination
Downlink

Multiframe
m-1

Multiframe m
Multiframe
m+1

51 frames = 235.38 ms

FS

FS

FS

FS

FS

FS

B
time

Frames repeat continuously

PCH/AGCH

BTS

Physical Channel
ARFCN (n)

TS (s)

SCH

MS

BCCH

FCCH

Uplink
51 frames = 235.38 ms
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR R RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

F : FCCH

S : SCH

B : BCCH

: PCH /
C AGCH

time

R : RACH

: IDLE

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

From Speech to Radio Transmission

Speech

Step 1

Digitizing and
source coding

Source
decoding

Step 2

Channel
coding

Channel
decoding

Interleaving

De-interleaving

Step 3
Burst formatting

Step 4

Ciphering

Step 5

Modulation

Step 6

Transmission

Burst deformatting

Deciphering

Demodulation
equalization

Diversity

GSM Radio Link

Speech Coding -Done at Transcoder of BSC and MS
The Linear Predictive Coder uses RPE-LTP(Regular Pulse
Excitation- Long Term Prediction)
Converts 64kbps voice to 13kbps(260 bits every 20ms)

Channel Coding - Done at BTS and MS

Uses Convolution Coding and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check)
Converts 13 kbps to 22.8 kbps (456 bits per 20ms)

GSM Radio Link

Bit Interleaving - Done at BTS and MS
Encryption - Done at BTS and MS
EX OR data with cipher block, which is generated by applying A5
Algorithm to the Ciphering Key(Kc)

Multiplexing - Done at BTS

Modulation - Done at BTS and MS
GMSK(Gaussian filtered Minimum Shift Keying)
Phase change of +90 for 0 and -90 for 1

Channel Processing in GSM

Overview for Full Rate
20 ms

Speech blocks

20 ms

20 ms

Codec dependent

Codec dependent

Codec dependent

Source coding
Channel coding

456 bits

A A A A
5 6 7 8

Normal
burst

B B B B B B B B
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Interleaving

8 Bursts

A5
B1

456 bits

A6
B2

A7
B3

A8
B4

B5
C1

B6
C2

456 bits

8 Sub blocks
of 57 bits

B7
C3

C C C C
1 2 3 4

B8
C4

57 bits

26 bits

57 bits

Tail

Information

CRL

Training

CRL

Information

Tail

Channel Processing in GSM

Overview for Half Rate
Speech blocks

20 ms

20 ms

20 ms

Codec dependent

Codec dependent

Codec dependent

Source coding
Channel coding

228 bits

A A A A
1 2 3 4

B B B B
1 2 3 4

Interleaving

A3
B1

4 Bursts

Normal
burst

228 bits

A4
B2

B3
C1

228 bits

4 Sub blocks
of 57 bits

C C C C
1 2 3 4

B4
C2

Ciphering
Burst to be
transmitted

Plain data:
Ciphering sequence:
XOR:
Ciphered data (transmitted):
Ciphered sequence:
XOR:
Recovered data:

Data

Data

0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0.....
0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0.....
0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0.....
0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0.....
0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0.....

Received
burst

Data

Training
S
sequence

Data

Interleaving
Encoded speech blocks - Diagonal Interleaving
57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

Bn-4 Bn-3 Bn-2 Bn-1

57
57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

Even bits
Odd bits

Bn Bn+1 Bn+2 Bn+3

Encoded control channel blocks - Rectangular Interleaving

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57
57

57
57

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57
57

57
57

Bn-4 Bn-3 Bn-2 Bn-1

Tb
3

Coded Data
57

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

57

Even bits
Odd bits

Bn Bn+1 Bn+2 Bn+3

F Training Sequence F
1
26
1

Coded Data
57

Tb
3

Gp
8.25

Transmission on the radio channels

A timeslot has a duration of .577 m seconds (148 Bits)
8 timeslots(8 x 0.577 = 4.62 ms) form a TDMA frame
If a mobile is assigned one TS it transmits only in this time
slot
and stays idle for the other 7 with its transmitter off, called
bursting
The start on the uplink is delayed from downlink by 3 TS
periods
One TS = duration of 156.25 bits, and its physical contents is
called a burst
Downlink 0

BTS > MS

Uplink
MS > BTS

Offset

Timing Advance

MS1 0
near

MS2
0
far

MS1 0
near
MS2
0
far

At
BTS

At
BTS
0

1
0

2
1

3
2

4
3

5
4

6
5

7
6

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Mobility Management

Mobility Management (MM)

Location updating- normal,periodic, IMSI attach
Paging
Security Management
Preventing unauthorized users- authentication
Maintaining Privacy of users- ciphering

Providing roaming facility

MM functionality mainly handled by MS, HLR, MSC/VLR.

Network Attachment
Cell Identification
MS scans complete GSM frequency band for highest
power
Tunes to highest powered frequency and looks for
FCCH. Synchronizes in frequency domain
Get training sequence from SCH which follows
FCCH. Synchronizes in time domain.
Accesses BCCH for network id, location area and
frequencies of the neighboring cells.
Stores a list of 30 BCCH channels

Network Attachment..
PLMN Selection
Get the operator information from SIM.

Cell Selection
Selected cell should be a cell of the selected PLMN
Signal strength should be above the threshold.
Cell should not be barred

Location Update
Register with the network by means of location
updation procedures.

MS Location Update (registration)

MS

BTS

BSC

(G)MSC

VLR

HLR

Action

Channel Request (RACH)

Channel Assignment (AGCH)
TMSI + old LAI

Location Update Request (SDCCH)

Authentication Request (SDCCH)
Authentication Response (SDCCH)
Comparison of Authentication params
Accept LUP and allocTMSI (SDCCH)
Ack of LUP and TMSI (SDCCH)
Entry of new area and identity into
VLR and HLR
Channel Release (SDCCH)

Security - Authentication
MS
Ki

RAND

A3
SRES
MS

BTS

AuC

RAND

SRES
SRES
Auth Result

Authentication center
provides RAND to Mobile
AuC generates SRES using
Ki of subscriber and RAND
Mobile generates SRES
using Ki and RAND
Mobile transmits SRES to
BTS
BTS compares received
SRES with one generated
by AuC

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Communication Management (CM)

Setup of calls between users on request
Routing function i.e. Choice of transmission segments
linking users
Point to Point Short message services

PLMN Selection
Yes

Is there an up to date
found PLMNs list?

Yes

No
Creation of a found
PLMN list
manual
mode
The user selects a
PLMN from the
displayed PLMNs

No (manual)

automatic
mode
The MS selects the first
PLMN from the preferred
PLMNs list (if it is not in
the forbidden PLMNs list)
Cell Selection
succeed?
Yes
End of PLMN
selection

No (automatic)

Selection of the
next preferred
possible PLMN

PLMN Selection
Constitution of the "Found PLMN list"
Listen to all the
frequencies of the GSM
spectrum:
power level measurement
and average on these
measurements

Select the best

frequencies
according to the
power level

Memorize the
beacon
frequencies in the
precedent
selection

=> Create the

Found PLMN list

(124 channels in GSM

900, 374 in GSM 1800
and 299 in GSM 1900

(30 in GSM 900 and 40 in GSM 1800)

Initial Cell Selection

List of the
frequencies of the
selected PLMN

Selection of
another PLMN

Eligible cell?
No
Yes
C1 Computation for
eligible cells

Suitable cell:
Eligible cell

- cell of the selected PLMN

- cell not barred
- C1 > 0

Suitable cell?

No
Yes
Look for the cell with the best
C1 in the suitable cells list
IMSI Attach

PLMN set in the forbidden

PLMN list

End of Cell Selection

Rejected?
No

Yes

Cell Selection
Purpose: get synchronization
with the GSM network
prior establishing any communication.
1
1
BTS-5

BTS-4

2
1

BTS-3

4
BTS-1
This cell
BTS-2

Immediate Assignment
BTS

MS
1

CHANNEL REQUEST

MSC

BSC
CHANNEL REQUIRED

RACH

CHANNEL ACTIVATION
3
4

IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT

AGCH

OR
6

CM SERVICE REQUEST

SDCCH or TCH
LOCATION UPDAT. REQU.

SDCCH or TCH

CHANNEL ACTIVATION
ACK.
IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT
COMMAND

Immediate
Assignment

Registration: the Very First Location Update

1
2

BSS
2

IMSI
4
TMSI
Release

4
TMSI

BSC
5

MSC
5
6

BTS

TMSI
5

LAI

VLR

HLR
IMSI
VLR id

IMSI
TMSI
LAI

Intra VLR Location Update

1
2

BSS

TMSI + old LAI

new TMSI

2
BSC

3
4

BTS

MSC
3
4
2
New TMSI

TMSI

3
New LAI

VLR
IMSI
TMSI
LAI

IMSI not Required

Inter VLR Location Update

BSS

1
2

TMSI + old LAI

BSC
newTMSI

MSC

5
7

BTS

2
TMSI New TMSI
5

New LAI

New VLR

Old VLR
IMSI, TMSI
Old LAI

RAND, SRES, 4
Kc

IMSI,TMSI
LAI
RAND, SRES,
Kc

IMSI not Required

HLR
6
new
VLR id

subscriber
data

IMSI Attach
1

CHANNEL
REQUEST
IMMEDIATE
ASSIGNMENT

BSS
2

3 LOCATION UPDATING

REQUEST (IMSI Attach)

Authentication
4
Procedure

LOCATION UPDATING
5
ACCEPT (LAC, TMSI)

BSC
BTS

3
4

MSC

5
4

VLR
6

IMSI Detach
1

CHANNEL
REQUEST
IMMEDIATE
ASSIGNMENT

BSS
2
BSC
3

IMSI DETach
INDication
CHANNEL
RELEASE

IMSI DETach
INDication

MSC

BTS
4

VLR

Mobile Originating Call

BSS

MS
CHANNEL REQUEST

Dialing 1

VLR

IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT

CM SERVICE REQUEST

2
3
3

Sending
Number

PSTN

MSC

Authentication procedure
Ciphering procedure

SETUP (basic) or
EMERGENCY

CALL PROCEEDING
7

CM SERVICE REQUEST

SETUP
5
6

CALL PROCEEDING

IAM

Ringing

Assignment procedure

ACM

ALERTING 9

Ringing

Path
Established

CONNECT
11

Ring

ANM
11

CONNECT ACKnowledge

8
10

ACM = Address Complete Message

ANM = ANswer Message
IAM = Initial Address Message

Mobile Terminating Call

1 - Paging Principle
LA1
6

BSC1

BTS11

5
BTS12

MSC/
VLR

GMSC

BSC2

BTS21

2
BTS22

HLR
LA2

BSC3

BTS23

BTS31

PSTN

Mobile Terminating Call

2 - Detailed Procedure
Visitor PLMN

Home PLMN

International
SS7

VLR

Provide Roaming Number

(IMSI)

HLR
4

Roaming Number
(MSRN)

9
PAGING
REQUEST
(TMSI)

11

BSS

Send info
to I/C
(MSRN)

PAGE
(TMSI + LA)

Routing
Information
(MSRN)

1
MSISDN

8
PAGING
REQUEST
10
(TMSI + LA)

Send
Routing
Information
(MSISDN)

IAM (MSRN)

VMSC

GMSC

IAM
2
(MSISDN)

ISDN

PN

IAM
MSISDN
MSRN

: Initial Address Message

: Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital
network Number
: Mobile Station Roaming Number

IMSI
GMSC
VMSC
TMSI

:
:
:
:

International Mobile Subscriber Identity

Gateway MSC
Visitor MSC
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity

Mobile Terminating Call

3 - End to End Procedure
VMSC

BSS

MS

PAGING REQUEST
(TMSI or IMSI, LA)

PAGING REQUEST
4

IAM
(MSRN)

PSTN

GMSC

IAM
1
(MSISDN)
Dialing

CHANNEL REQUEST
(LAC, Cell ID)

IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT 6
(SDCCH or TCH)
CM SERVICE REQUEST
(Paging Response)

PAGING RESPONSE
(TMSI or IMSI, LA)

Authentication procedure
Ciphering procedure

Ringing
10
12

Setup, Assignment, Alerting

11

CONNECT
12

Address Complete Message

ANswer Message
Path
Established

Call Release
1 - Mobile Initiated

DISCONNECT

RELEASE
4

PSTN

Call in progress

DISCONNECT
RELEASE

RELEASE COMPLETE

CHANNEL RELEASE 6
7

MSC

BSS

MS

Release

RELEASE INDICATION
RF Channel Release
procedure
8
9

Release
tone

Call Release
2 - PSTN Initiated
1
3

3
BSC

4
5

BSS

BTS

MSC

REL

4
5

PSTN

RLC

1
2

Purpose:
informs the mobile
then releases radio
and network resources.
On hook

Mobile Originated Call

Request for Service

Authentication
Ciphering
Equipment Validation
Call Setup
Handovers
Call Release

Mobile Terminated Call

Paging
Authentication
Ciphering
Equipment Validation
Call Setup
Handovers
Call Release

TOPICS

GSM CONCEPTS
GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
IDENTITIES USED IN GSM
GSM CHANNELS
GSM RADIO LINK
MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
CALL MANAGEMENT
RADIO RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Radio Resource Management

Establish maintain and release stable connections
between MS and MSC
Manage Limited Radio and Terrestrial resources
Handover process is the sole responsibility of the RR
Layer
Functions of RR layer are performed by MS and BSC
and partly by MSC

Radio Resource Management

Power Control
Hand over Control
Discontinuous Transmission
Frequency Hopping

Power Control

BTS commands MS at different

distances to use different power levels
so that the power arriving at the BTSs Rx is
approximately the same for each TS
- Reduce interference
- Longer battery life

Handover
Means to continue a call even a mobile crosses the
border of one cell to another
Procedure which made the mobile station really roam
Handover causes
RxLev (Signal strength , uplink or downlink)
RxQual (BER on data)
O & M intervention
Timing Advance
Traffic or Load balancing

Handover Types
Internal Handover (Intra-BSS)
Within same base station - intra cell
Between different base stations - inter cell
External Handover (Inter-BSS)
Within same MSC -intra MSC
Between different MSCs - inter-MSC

Handover Types
GMSC

MSC
BSC

BSC

C-3
BSC
MSC

C-4

C-1

C-2

BSC

Intra BSC handover

HO performed

BSC

HO required
Activate TCH(facch)
with HoRef#

Acknowledges and
alloctes TCH (facch) if
1. Check for HO passed
2. Channel avail in new BTS

BTS 2

Periodic Measurement
Reports (SACCH)

Periodic Measurement
Reports

MS tunes into new frequency

and TS and sends HO message to
new BTS (facch)

HO cmd with HoRef#

Receives new BTS data(FACCH)

Release TCH

Cell 2
Periodic Measurement
Reports (SACCH)

Cell 1

BTS 1

Frequency plan and importance of BCCH

Sectored
antennas

B5
B6

B4

BPL frequency plan:

Broadcast frequencies :

B7

15 Broadcast channels = 48-62

15 Hopping channels

B3
B1

B8

= 32-46

B2
B12

MS ( monitoring the
broadcast radio B1 in idle
mode )

B9
B10
B11
F0

F1

F2

F3

F4

F5

F10

..

F,S,B exist in time slot 0 of each frame

F11

F50

..

..

What information does Broadcast Control channel

(BCCH) contain?

Serves as a Beacon for the Cell

Country Code (CC) and the Network Code (NC)

Location Area Identity (LAI)

List of neighboring cells which should be monitored by MS

List of frequencies used in the cell

Cell identity
Back

Location Updates
Location Updates can be classified into two:
Periodic Location Updates:
This occurs as per the timer set by the network operator.
If the MS does not perform this update the MSC marks
the MS as Detached on the VLR.

Location Update on a handover:

This occurs if during a handover the MS is moved into a
new Location Area Code (LAC).

1.

The MS is monitoring the BCCH and has all the decoded

information stored on the SIM ( including the LAC)

2.

As soon as the mobile is on a TCH it sends the signal

strength indication on the corresponding SACCH

3.

The BSC monitors the signal strengths and on analysis

sends a handoff request on FACCH. The handoff
process is completed on the FACCH.

4.

After the completion of call, the MS starts monitoring the

BCCH again. On finding the LAC (stored on SIM) and that
decoded from the BCCH to be different , the MS requests
a Location Update through SDCCH.

Back

Discontinuous Transmission
Discontinuous Transmission(DTX) allows the radio
transmitter to be switched off most of the time
during speech pauses.
A Silence Indicator Block is transmitted at 500bps,
which generates a comfort noise
Down Link interference is decreased.
Up link battery is saved

Frequency Hopping
Frequency Hopping permits the dynamic switching of radio
links from one carrier frequency to another.
Base Band Hopping
At the BTS each the timeslot is shifted to another
transceiver, which is transmitting at the hop frequency.
User will be connected to different Transceivers depending
on hop sequence.
Synthesis Hopping
At the BTS transceiver changes the frequencies used. The
user will be connected to only one transceiver.
Decreases the probability of interference
Suppresses the effect of Rayleigh fading

Different Types of Cells

EXTENDED-CELL:
macro cell with system coverage
extension ( 120 km) for coasts...

CONCENTRIC-CELL:
macro cell with system coverage
limitation inside another macro
MACRO-CELL:
antenna radiating above roofs
---> Wide Coverage ( 35 km)

High sensitivity to
interference
Requires "secured"
Frequency reuse pattern

PICO-CELL:
Antenna inside building
---> Very small coverage

MICRO-CELL:
Antenna below the roofs
---> small coverage

High isolation from

interferences
A few Frequencies
intensively reused

Cell Sectorization

TRI

OMNI

BI

Omnidirectional Site Antennas

Bi and Trisectorial Site Antennas

(E)GPRS Explain

GPRS AND EDGE

Base Station Subsystem
Network Audit
Network Dimensioning and Planning
Network Optimization
Tools

GSM & (E)GPRS Network Architecture

U
m

PSTN
Network

BS
C

BT
S
PC
U

HLR/Au
C
EIR

MSC
Gb

EDAP

Border
Gateway
(BG)

InterPLMN
network

Serving
GPRS
PA
Support
PU
Node
(SGSN)
GPRS
backbo
ne
network
(IP
based)
Lawful
Interception
Gateway (LIG)

GPRS
INFRASTRUCT
URE

SS7
Network

Corporate
1
Serve

Billing
System

r
Route
r

Charging
Gateway (CG)

Local
Area
Networ
k

Data
network
(Interne
t)

Gateway
GPRS
Support
Node
(GGSN)

Corporate
2
Serve
r

Data
network
(Internet)

Route
r

(E)GPRS Network Elements and Primary

Functions
SGSN
Mobility Management
Session Management
MS Authentication
Ciphering
Interaction with
VLR/HLR
Charging and statistics
GTP tunnelling to
other GSNs

GGSN
GTP tunnelling to
other GSNs
Secure interfaces
to external
networks
Charging &
statistics
IP address
management

Domain Name Server

Translates IP host names to IP
addresses
Makes IP network configuration
easier
In GPRS backbone SGSN uses
DNS to get GGSN and SGSN IP
addresses
Two DNS servers in the backbone
to provide redundancy

Border Gateway
Interconnects different
GPRS operators'
backbones
Enables GPRS

Charging Gateway

Legal Interception Gateway

Enables authorities to intercept
subscriber data and signaling
Chasing criminal activity
Operator personnel has very
limited access to LI functionality
LI is required when launching the
GPRS service

roaming
Standard Nokia IP
router family

CDR consolidation
Forwarding CDR
information to
billing center

GSM and (E)GPRS Interfaces

SMS-GMSC
SMS-IWMSC
E

SM-SC

C
Gd
HLR

MSC/VLR
D

Gs

Gb
TE

MT

BSS

Um

Gc

Gr

Gi
GGSN

SGSN
Gn

Gn

EIR

Gp
Gf

SGSN

GGSN
Other PLMN

Signaling Interface
Signaling and Data Transfer Interface

PDN

TE

(E)GPRS Interfaces
TE

R MT

Um BSS

MSC/VLR

SMS-GMSC
SMS-IWMSC

SM-SC

HLR

Optional
Gb

Gs

Gr
Gc

Gd

SGSN

Gn

SGSN

Gp
GGSN

Gf

EIR

LAN SW
/ IP BB

Gn
Gn
DNS

Gn
CG

GGSN Gi

Gn
Gn

LIG

Other PLMN

Signaling Interface
Signaling and Data Transfer Interface

PDN

TE

(E)GPRS Mobile Terminal Classes

Class C

Packet only
(or manually switched between GPRS and speech modes)

Class B

Packet and Speech (not at same time)

(Automatically switches between GPRS and speech modes)

Class A

BSC

Packet and Speech at the same time

(DTM is subset of class A)

BTS

GPRS implementation
GPRS/EGPRS capable terminals are required
GPRS territory is required in BTS
Packet Control Units (PCUs) need to be implemented in BSCs
Gb interface dimensioning
GPRS packet core network dimensioning

If CS3&CS4 will be implemented following units/items are required

PCU2 with S11.5 BSC SW
Dynamic Abis Pool (DAP)
EDGE capable TRXs

UltraSite and MetroSite BTS SW support

EGPRS Implementation
Can be introduced incrementally to the network where the demand is
EGPRS capable MS
Network HW readiness/upgrade (BTS and TRX)
TRS capacity upgrade (Abis and Gb!)

Dynamic Abis

BTS

EDGE capable
TRX,
GSM
compatible

SGSN

EDGE
functionality in
the network
elements
GGSN

Gn
BSC
A-bis

Gb
A
MSC

BTS

EDGE
capable
terminal,
GSM
compatible

8-PSK coverage
GMSK coverage

More capacity in
interfaces
to support higher data
usage

(E)GPRS Protocol Architecture

Relay
IP

IP

GPRS Bearer

User information transfer

Um
APP
TCP/UDP
IP
SNDCP
LLC
RLC
MAC
GSM RF
MS

L2
L1

GGSN

Gb

Gn

Gi
APP

Compression, segmentation
Ciphering and reliable link
RLC
BSSGP
MAC
NW sr
GSM RF L1bis
BSS

Relay
SNDCP
GTP
LLC
BSSGP

USER
PAYLOAD

UDP
IP

GTP
UDP
IP

L2
L1

L2
L1

NW
sr
L1bis
SGSN

GGSN

GPRS IP Backbone

TCP/UDP
IP
L2
L1

FIXED HOST

Internet

SNDCP (Subnetwork Dependent Convergence

Protocol) Layer

APP

TCP/UDP
IP

SNDCP
LLC
RLC

MAC

GSM RF

Multiplexer/demultiplexer for different network layer

entities onto LLC layer

Compression of protocol control information (e.g. TCP/IP

header)
Compression of data content (if used)
Segmentation/de-segmentation of data to/from LLC
layer

Logical Link Control (LLC) Layer

Reliable logical connection between SGSN and MS
APP

Independent of underlying radio interface protocols

TCP/UDP

LLC Frame
IP

SNDCP
LLC
RLC

MAC

GSM RF

Addre
ss

Control

Information

1-3

1-1520

FCS

3 Octets

Radio Link Control (RLC)/ Medium Access Control

(MAC) Layers
RLC
Achieves reliable transmission of data across air interface
APP

Segmentation/de-segmentation of data from/to LLC layer

TCP/UDP

MAC
IP

SNDCP
LLC
RLC

MAC

GSM RF

Control of MS access to common air-interface medium

Flagging of PDTCH/PACCH occupancy

GSM RF Layer

APP

TCP/UDP
IP

SNDCP
LLC
RLC

MAC

GSM RF

Modulation/demodulation
Bit inter-leaving

TDMA frame formatting

Cell selection/re-selection
Tx power control
Discontinuous reception (DRx)

(E)GPRS Protocol Architecture Mapping to RF

layer
LLC frames are
segmented into RLC
Data Blocks
In the RLC/MAC
layer, a selective ARQ
protocol provides
retransmission of
erroneous RLC Data
Blocks
When a complete LLC
frame is successfully
transferred across the
RLC layer, it is
forwarded to the LLC
layer.

Bursts on the Air Interface Mapping RLC blocks

RLC Blocks

1 TDMA frame = 4.615 ms

= BURST PERIOD
0

70

70

70

RLC/MAC Blocks
Note: Amount of RLC
blocks per radio block
TDMA Bursts
depends on used
(modulation) coding
7
scheme (M)CS

4 x TDMA Frames = 4 Bursts = 1 Radio block = 18.46 ms = 1-2 RLC block(s)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1

B0(0..3)

B1(4..7)

B2 (8..11)

P
T B3(13..16)
C
C
H

B4(17..20)

B5(21..24)

I
D B6(26..29)
L
E

B7(30..33)

B8(34..37)

P
T B9(39..42)
C
C
H

52 TDMA Frames (240 ms)

12 x RLC/MAC Blocks = 1 x 52 PDCH MultiFrame = 240 ms

12 RLC/MAC Blocks / 0.240 s = 50 RLC/MAC Blocks / s

B10(43..46)

B11(47..50)

I
D
L
E

GSM and (E)GPRS Multiframe

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51

GSM Signalling timeslot

TDMA frame
TS 0
TS 1
FCCH
SCH
BCCH
BCCH
BCCH
BCCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
FCCH
SCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
FCCH
SCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
FCCH
SCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
FCCH
SCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
PCH+AGCH
IDLE

GSM Traffic TS
TS 2

TS 3
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
SACCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
TCH
IDLE

GPRS traffic TS
TS 4

TS 5

TS 6

TS 7

Radio Block 0

Radio block 1

Radio Block 2
PTCCH

Radio Block 3

Radio Block 4

Radio Block 5
IDLE

Radio Block 6

Radio Block 7

Radio Block 8
PTCCH

Radio Block 9

Radio Block 10

Radio Block 11
IDLE

(E)GPRS Logical Channels

GPRS Air Interface Logical Channels

CCCH
Common Control Channels

PCH
Paging CH

AGCH
RACH
Access Grant CH Random Access CH

Existing GSM Channels

(Shared with GPRS Signaling in GPRS Release 1)

DCH
Dedicated Channels

PACCH
Packet Associated
Control CH

PDTCH
Packet Data TCH

NEW GPRS Channels

(E)GPRS Procedures - Content

Mobility Management and State Management
Mobile States
GPRS attach
GPRS detach
Routing Area

Session Management
PDP context activation

Temporary Block Flow

RLC/MAC Header
TBF establishment

GPRS Mobility Management - Mobile States

GPRS
Attach/Detach
READY
Timer
expiry

IDL
E
MOBILE
REACHABLE
Timer expiry

MS location not known,

subscriber is not
reachable by the GPRS
nw.

STANDB
Y

MS location known to
Routing Area level.
MS is capable to being
paged for point-topoint data.

REA
DY

Packet
TX/RX

MS location known to
cell level. MS is
transmitting or has just
been transmitting. MS is
capable of receiving
point-to-point data.

GPRS Mobility Management - Mobile States

GPRS MM is based on States
State Transition occurs when a pre-defined transaction takes place
GPRS Attach (/Detach)

MS makes itself known to the network

The authentication is checked and the mobile location is updated
Subscriber Information is downloaded from the HLR to the SGSN
State transition Idle to Ready

Normal procedure should occur within 5 seconds each

Mobility Management before Session Management:

GPRS attach needs to happen before PDP context activation

States controlled by timers

READY Timer
MOBILE REACHABLE Timer
Timer values are configurable with SGSN Parameter Handling

Attach Procedure
The GPRS Attach procedure establishes a GMM context. This procedure
is used for the following two purposes:
a normal GPRS Attach, performed by the MS to attach the IMSI for GPRS
services only
a combined GPRS Attach, performed by the MS to attach the IMSI for GPRS
and non-GPRS services

Attach procedure description

MS initiates by sending Attach Request
If network accepts Attach Request it sends Attach Accept
P-TMSI, RAI

If network does not accept Attach request it sends Attach Rejected

MS responds for Attach Accept message with Attach Complete (only if P-TMSI
changes)

(E)GPRS Attach Process Combined GPRS/IMSI

Attach
new
old
MS

BSS

new SGSN old SGSN

GGSN

EIR

MSC/VLR

1. Attach Request
2. Identification Request

2. Identification Response
3. Identity Request

3. Identity Response
4. Authentication
5. (IMEI Check - optional)
6a. Update Location
6b. Cancel Location
6c. Cancel Location Ack
6d. Insert Subscriber Data
6e. Insert Subscriber Data Ack

HLR

MSC/VLR

(E)GPRS Attach Process Combined GPRS/IMSI

Attach
new
old
MS

BSS

new SGSN old SGSN

GGSN

EIR

MSC/VLR

HLR

MSC/VLR

6f. Update Location Ack

7a. Location Update Request

7b. Update Location

7c. Cancel Location

7d. Cancel Loc. Ack

7e. Insert Subscriber Data
7f. Insert Subscriber Data Ack
7g. Update Location Ack
7h. Location Update Accept
8. Attach Accept
9. Attach Complete
10. TMSI Reallocation Complete

Detach Process
GPRS Detach procedure is used for the following two purposes:
a normal GPRS Detach
a combined GPRS Detach (GPRS/IMSI detach, MS originated)

MS is detached either explicitly or implicitly:

Explicit detach: The network or the MS explicitly requests detach.
Implicit detach: The network detaches the MS, without notifying the MS, a
configuration-dependent time after the mobile reachable timer expired, or after
an irrecoverable radio error causes disconnection of the logical link

(E)GPRS Detach Process

MS

BSS

SGSN

GGSN

MSC/VLR

1. Detach Request
2. Delete PDP Context Request
2. Delete PDP Context Response
3. IMSI Detach Indication
4. GPRS Detach Indication
5. Detach Accept

Routing Area
The Routing Area Update procedure is used for the followings:
a normal Routing Area Update
a combined Routing Area Update
a periodic Routing Area Update
an IMSI Attach for non-GPRS services when the MS is IMSI-attached for
GPRS services.
Routing Area (RA)
Subset of one, and only one Location Area (LA)
RA is served by only one SGSN

For simplicity, the LA and RA can be the same

Too big LA/RA increases the paging traffic, while too small LA/RA increases
the signaling for LA/RA Update

Routing Area
Location
Area (LA)

MSC/VLR

GS Interface

Routing
Area (RA)

SGSN

Bad LA/RA border design can significantly increase the TRXSIG on LA/RA
border cells causing the cell-reselection outage to be longer
LA/RA border should be moved from those areas where the normal CSW and
PSW traffic is very high

LA/RA Update (Intra PAPU)

MS

BTS

BSC

First System information message (BCCH)

Channel Request (RACH)

New SGSN

First System information message

P_Channel Required
P-Immediate Assignment Cmd

Cell reselection data outage

Immediate Assignment (CCCH)

Location area Update

Location update request (SDDCH)

Location update request

SECURITY FUNCTIONS AS SET BY THE OPERATOR

Location Update Accept

Location Update Accept

Channel Release (SDCCH)

Routing area Update

Routing Area Update Request (PDTCH) Routing Area Update Request

Routing Area Update Request

Routing Area Update Accept

DL TBF ASSIGNMENT
Routing Area Update Accept
Routing Area Update Accept (PDCCH)
Routing Area Update complete (PDCH)
Routing Area Update complete

LA/RA Update (Inter PAPU or Inter SGSN) 1/2

MS

BTS

BSC

New SGSN

UL TBF ASSIGNMENT, MS ON CCCH 1-ph access

Routing Area Update Request (PDTCH) Routing Area Update Request
Including TLLI for contention resolution

Including TLLI for contention resolution

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack (PACCH)

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack

Including TLLI for contention resolution

Including TLLI for contention resolution

Packet control ack (PACCH)

Packet control ack

Routing Area Update Request

New SGSN sends context req to old SGSN

Old SGSN sends response and starts

tunneling data to new SGSN

New SGSN sends Update PDP context

request to GGSN

New SGSN informs HLR about SGSN

change by sending Update location

HLR sends Cancel location to old SGSN.

SECURITY FUNCTIONS AS SET BY THE OPERATOR

Routing Area Update Accept

DL TBF ASSIGNMENT
Routing Area Update Accept

Routing Area Update Accept

Packet Downlink Ack/Nack (PACCH)

Packet Downlink Ack/Nack

LA/RA Update (Inter PAPU or Inter SGSN) 2/2

MS

BTS

BSC

New SGSN

UL TBF ASSIGNMENT
Routing Area Update Complete (PDTCH)
Routing Area Update Complete
Including TLLI for contention resolution
Including TLLI for contention resolution

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack (PACCH)

Including TLLI for contention resolution

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack

Including TLLI for contention resolution

Routing Area Update Complete

Session Management - Establishing a PDP

Context
PDP Context (Packet Data Protocol): Network level information
which is used to bind a mobile station (MS) to various PDP addresses
and to unbind the mobile station from these addresses after use
PDP Context Activation

Gets an IP address from the network

Initiated by the MS
Contains QoS and routing information enabling data transfer between MS and
GGSN
PDP Context Activation and Deactivation should occur within 2 seconds

PDP Context Activation - 11.

2.
U
m

BT
S

MS sends "Activate PDP Context Request" to SGSN

SGSN checks against HLR
PSTN
Network

BS
C

HLR/Au
C
EIR

MSC

1.
APN=
"Intranet.Ltd.com"
Domain
Name
Server
(DNS)

Serving
GPRS
Support
Node
(SGSN)
GPRS
backbon
e
network
(IP
based)

SS7
Network

2.

Access
Point
Gateway
GPRS
Support
Node
(GGSN)

Data
network
(Internet
)

GPRS
INFRASTRUCT
URE

Data
network
(Internet)

Access Point Name = Reference to an external packet data network the user wants to connect to

PDP Context Activation - 2 3.

SGSN gets the GGSN IP address from DNS

Finding the GGSN

SGSN sends "Create PDP Context Request" to GGSN

U
m

4.

BT
S

PSTN
Network

BS
C

HLR/Au
C
EIR

MSC

SS7
Network

3.

Domain
Name
Server
(DNS)

Serving
GPRS
Support
Node
(SGSN)
GPRS
backbon
e
network
(IP
based)

4.

Data
network
(Internet
)

Access
Point
Gateway
GPRS
Support
Node
(GGSN)

Data
network
(Internet)

DNS (Domain Name System) = mechanism to map logical names to IP addresses

GPRS
INFRASTRUCT
URE

PDP Context Activation - 3

Access Point Name refers to the

external network the subscriber wants
to use

Access Point Selection

U
m

BT
S

PSTN
Network

BS
C

HLR/Au
C
EIR

MSC

SS7
Network

Domain
Name
Server
(DNS)

Serving
GPRS
Support
Node
(SGSN)
GPRS
backbon
e
network
(IP
based)

Access
Point

Data
network
(Internet
)

APN=
"Intranet.Ltd.com"
Gateway
GPRS
Support
Node
(GGSN)

Data
network
(Internet)

GPRS
INFRASTRUCT
URE

PDP Context Activation User

- 4(dynamic) IP address allocated
Context Activated

U
m

BT
S

5.

GGSN sends "Create PDP Context Response" back to SGSN

6.

SGSN sends Activate PDP Context Accept to the MS

PSTN
Network

BS
C

HLR/Au
C
EIR

MSC

6.
Domain
Name
Server
(DNS)

Serving
GPRS
Support
Node
(SGSN)
GPRS
backbon
e
network
(IP
based)

SS7
Network

5.

Access
Point

Data
network
(Internet
)

APN=
"Intranet.Ltd.com"
Gateway
GPRS
Support
Node
(GGSN)

Data
network
(Internet)

GPRS
INFRASTRUCT
URE

Temporary Block Flow

Temporary Block Flow (TBF):
Physical connection where multiple mobile stations can share one or more traffic channels
each MS has own TFI
The traffic channel is dedicated to one mobile station at a time (one mobile station is
transmitting or receiving at a time)
Is a one-way session for packet data transfer between MS and BSC (PCU)
Uses either uplink or downlink but not both (except for associated signaling)
Can use one or more TSLs
Comparison with circuit-switched:
normally one connection uses both the uplink and the downlink timeslot(s) for traffic
In two-way data transfer:
uplink and downlink data are sent in separate TBFs - as below

Uplink TBF (+ PACCH for downlink TBF)

Downlink TBF (+ PACCH for uplink TBF)

BS
C
PACCH (Packet Associated Control Channel): Similar to GSM CSW SACCH

TBF Flow
Start of TBF
Slow

TBF
Full Speed
TBF Ending
Slow down
Gb SGSN
(LLC) Buffer

Gb SGSN
(LLC) Buffer

PCU
(LLC -> RLC/MAC)

PCU
(LLC -> RLC/MAC)

Air Interface
(RLC/MAC)

Air Interface
(RLC/MAC)

MS Re-assembly
(RLC/MAC -> LLC)

MS Re-assembly
(RLC/MAC -> LLC)

Application

Application

Temporary Block Flow

DL TBF
Network starts and releases TBFs
FBI (Final Block Indicator) indicates the last block in a DL TBF

Uplink TBF
Close-ended: limited number of octets
Open-ended: an arbitrary number of octets
MS may request either close-ended or open-ended TBF
NW decides the type in PACKET UPLINK ASSIGNMENT

MS can ask network to give more resources if needed

Establishing a DL TBF and Sending Data

Paging
Packet Channel Request
UL TBF for
MS location

Immediate Assignment for UL TBF

Packet Paging Response (LLC Frame)
Immediate Assignment for DL TBF

Packet Polling
Packet Control Ack (for TA)
Packet Downlink Assignment
Data / Signalling
Ack / Nack

PCH
RACH
AGCH
PDTCH
AGCH
PACCH
PACCH
PACCH
PDTCH
PACCH
PACCH

BTS

Multiple Mobiles and Downlink Transmission

The TFI included in the Downlink RLC Block
header indicates which Mobile will open the RLC
Block associated with its TBF
TFI
3

RLC Data Block

TFI2

TFI
5
TFI
2

MSs

BTS

Establishing an UL TBF and Sending Data

Packet Channel Request
RACH
Immediate Assignment for UL TBF
UL Data

AGCH
PDTCH

Signaling + Ack/Nack
PACCH
Final UL Data

Final Ack/Nack
Packet control Ack

PDTCH
PACCH
PACCH

BTS

Multiple Mobiles and Uplink Transmission

Several mobiles can share one timeslot

Maximum of 7 Mobiles are queued in the Uplink

Mobile transmissions controlled by USF (Uplink State Flag) sent on

Uplink State Flag
DL (dynamic allocation)
TS 1
TS 2

New MS

TS 3

Mobile with correct USF will transmit in following Uplink block

Timeslot selected to give maximum throughput

Multiple Mobiles and Uplink Transmission

The USF included in the Downlink RLC Block header
identifies which Mobile will transmit in the following Uplink
RLC Block

USF =
3

RLC Data Block

USF = 3

USF =
2
USF =
1

MSs

BTS

(E)GPRS Explain
Functionality
Base Station Subsystem
Network Audit
Network Dimensioning and Planning
Network Optimization
Tools

Burst Structure
Burst structure is similar with current GMSK burst, but term 'bit' is replaced
by 'symbol'
Training sequence has lower envelope variations
Seamless switchover between timeslots
In case of max output power only, back-off applied to 8-PSK
TSL0
BCCH
GMSK

TSL1
TCH
GMSK

TSL2
TCH
GMSK

TSL3
TCH
GMSK

TSL4
TCH
GMSK

TSL5
PDTCH
8-PSK/
GMSK

TSL6
PDTCH
8-PSK/
GMSK

TSL7
PDTCH
8-PSK/
GMSK

P(dB)

t(us)

EDGE Signal

1. Spectrum of Unfiltered 3pi/8 8psk modulation.

2. Filtered to fit GSM bandwidth.

3. Constellation after filtering: error vectors introduced.

4. Constellation after receiver Edge (equalised) filtering

GPRS Coding Schemes

GPRS provides four coding schemes: CS-1, CS-2 and with PCU2 CS-3,
CS-4
PCU1 and 16 kbit/s Abis links support CS-1 and CS-2, the Dynamic Abis
makes it possible to use CS-3 and CS-4
Each TBF can use either a fixed coding scheme (CS-1 or CS-2), or Link
Adaptation (LA) based on BLER
Retransmitted RLC data blocks must be sent with the same coding as was
used initially

GPRS Coding Schemes

Data Rate
(kbit/s)

Nokia GPRS
PCU1

CS1

181

9.05

CS2

268

13.4

Nokia GPRS
PCU2

CS3

312

15.6

CS4

428

21.4

CS1 & CS2 Implemented in all Nokia BTS without

HW change
CS3 & CS4 S11.5 (with PCU2) and UltraSite BTS
SW CX4.1 CD1 (Talk is supporting CS1 and CS2)

Error
Correction

Payload (bits)
per RLC block

Data

Coding
Scheme

More Data
=
Less Error
Correction

GPRS Coding Schemes

CS-1

CS-1
RLC/MAC Block Size:

MAC

CS-2

Block Check Sequence:

BCS +4

USF

CS-3

Precoded USF:

rate a/b convolutional coding

57

57

57

57

312

40

16

16

6
~2/3

456

588

132

6
~3/4
676
220

interleaving

57

57

57

57

Data rate (kbit/s):

9.05

RLC/MAC Block Size:

MAC

CS-4

268

1/2

puncturing

CS-3

181

length:

456 bits

CS-2

BCS

USF

BCS Size:
Precoded USF:
Data rate (kbit/s):

20 ms

13.4

428
16
12
21.4

15.6

EGPRS Modulation and Coding Schemes

EGPRS has nine basic coding
schemes, MCS-1...9.
In general, a higher coding scheme
has higher coding rate, and
consequently higher peak throughput,
but it also tolerates less noise or
interference.
The figure shows throughput vs. C/I of
EGPRS coding schemes in TU50iFH,
without incremental redundancy.
The basic unit of transmission is radio
block (= 4 bursts = 20 ms on average),
which contains one or two RLC blocks.

60

MCS-1
MCS-2
MCS-3
MCS-4
MCS-5
MCS-6
MCS-7
MCS-8
MCS-9

50

40

30

20

10

Frequency
Hopping
Network

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

EGPRS Modulation and Coding Schemes

EGPRS modulation and coding schemes:
Scheme Code rate

Header Modulation RLC blocks

Raw Data
Family BCS
Tail
HCS Data rate
Code rate
per Radio
within one
payload
kb/s
Block
Radio Block
(20ms)

MCS-9

1.0

0.36

MCS-8

0.92

0.36

MCS-7

0.76

0.36

MCS-6

0.49

1/3

8PSK

2x592

2x12

2x6

59.2

2x544

54.4

2x448

44.8

592
544+48

29.6
27.2

MCS-5

0.37

1/3

448

MCS-4

1.0

0.53

352

17.6

MCS-3

0.80

0.53

296
272+24

14.8
13.6

GMSK

12

22.4

MCS-2

0.66

0.53

224

11.2

MCS-1

0.53

0.53

176

8.8

NOTE:

the italic captions indicate the padding.

Ref: TS 03.64

EGPRS Data Treatment Principle in RF Layer

Adding
redundancy

Puncturing of
the coded info

User data
"Additional info" that does not require extra
protection
Header part, robust coding for secure
transmission

EGPRS Channel Coding (MCS-9)

USF

header

EGPRS channel coding consists

1/3 tailbiting
convolutional coding
of separate data and header
coding, as shown in the figureblock coding
for MCS-9 downlink.
puncturing
Coding of data part:

encoded USF

Data part includes user

data, two information from RLC
header, BCS (block check sequence)
and tail bits.

protecte
d
header

FBI+
data 2
BCS tail
E
1/3 convolutional coding
mother code
puncturing

P1

P2

1st burst2nd burst3rd burst4th burst

Coded using 1/3 convolutional code.

Punctured with a selectable puncturing

scheme (P1, P2 or P3).

P1

Two separate data parts for MCS-7...9.

Convolutional coding + puncturing.

4 TDMA bursts =
20 ms

P3

puncturing

Header part:
Includes RLC/MAC header information and
information on the coding of the data part (like
used puncturing scheme).

P2

P3

mother code

1/3 convolutional coding

FBI+E

data 1

BCStail

GPRS Link Adaptation (with PCU1)

The Link Adaptation (LA) algorithm selects the optimum channel
coding scheme (CS-1/CS-2) for a particular RLC connection to provide
the highest throughput and lowest delay available
In PCU1 the algorithm is based on detecting the occurred RLC block
errors and calculating the block error rate (BLER)
The coding scheme will change based on set BLER thresholds defined
in simulations and changing from hopping to non hopping networks
A new LA algorithm is introduced in BSS11.5 with PCU-2

EGPRS Link Adaptation & Incremental

Redundancy
Link Adaptation (LA)

60

The task of the LA algorithm is to select the

optimal MCS for each radio condition to maximize
RLC/MAC data rate, so the LA algorithm is used
to adapt to situations where signal strength and or
C/I level is low and changing slowly with time

50

RLC selects the data block and additionally

selects the MCS depending on radio link quality
and amount of available dynamic Abis channels

MCS-1
MCS-2
MCS-3
MCS-4
MCS-5
MCS-6
MCS-7
MCS-8
MCS-9

40

Link
Adaptation

30

LA is done independently for each UL and DL TBF

on RLC/MAC block level, but the LA algorithm is
same for uplink and downlink

20

The MCS selection is not the same in case of

initial transmission and retransmission (IR)

10

LA algorithm works differently for acknowledged

mode and unacknowledged mode
RLC control blocks are transmitted with GPRS
CS-1 coding

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

EGPRS Link Adaptation & Incremental

Redundancy
Normally, LA adapts to
path loss
shadowing

Incremental Redundancy is better suited to compensate fast fading

The retransmission process is based on IR

LA must take into account

if IR combining is performed at the receiver
the effect of finite IR memory

Modulation and Coding Schemes - MCS Selection

The link adaptation algorithm is based on Bit Error Probability (BEP)
measurements performed at the MS (downlink TBF) and the BTS (uplink
TBF)
In acknowledged mode, the algorithm is designed to optimize channel
throughput in different radio conditions
In unacknowledged mode, the algorithm tries to keep below a specified
Block Error Rate (BLER) limit
The MCS selection can be divided in four classes:
Initial MCS to be used when entering packet transfer mode
Modulation selection
MCS selection for initial transmissions of each RLC block in ACK
mode
MCS to be used for re-transmissions

Modulation and Coding Schemes - MCS Selection

In DL case the MCS selection is based on EGPRS Channel
Quality Report received in EGPRS PACKET DOWNLINK
ACK/NACK message sent from the MS to network using PACCH
to indicate the status of the downlink RLC data blocks received.

The MCS selection is based on using the BEP (Bit Error

Probability) measurement data
In UL case the MCS selection is based on the respective BEP
measurement values which are received within the UL PCU
frames

Territory Method
Territory method is used to divide the CS and PS resources
Timeslots within a cell are dynamically divided into the CS and (E)GPRS
territories
Number of consecutive traffic timeslots in (E)GPRS territory are reserved
(or initially available) for (E)GPRS traffic, the remaining timeslots are
available for GSM voice
The dynamic variation of the territory boundary are controlled by territory
parameters
The system is able to adapt to different load levels and traffic proportions,
offering an optimized performance under a variety of load conditions
The PS territory can contain dedicated, default and additional capacity
Dedicated capacity: number of timeslots are allocated to (E)GPRS on a permanent
basis i.e. are always configured for (E)GPRS and cannot be used by the circuit switched
traffic. This ensures that the (E)GPRS capacity is always available in a cell
Default capacity: the (E)GPRS territory is an area that always is included in the
instantaneous (E)GPRS territory, provided that the current CS traffic levels permit this
Additional capacity= Additional (E)GPRS capacity means the extra time slots beyond
the default capacity which are assigned due to a load demand.

Territory Method
TRX 1 BCCHSDCCHTS

TS

TS

TS

TS

TS

TS

TS

TS

Territory border

TRX 2

TS

TS

TS

TS

BCCH= Signaling
TS = Free TSL for CSW

TS

TS = CSW Territory

TS = (E)GPRS Territory/Additional capacity

TS = (E)GPRS Territory/Dedicated capacity

TS = (E)GPRS Territory/ Default capacity

Cell Selection / Re-selection

The network may request measurement reports from the MS and
control its cell re-selection
Depending on the NC (Network Control) mode set by the network, the
MS shall behave as follows:
NC0: Normal MS control; the MS shall perform autonomous cell reselection
NC1: MS control with measurement reports; the MS shall send
measurement reports to the network and shall perform autonomous cell
re-selection
NC2: Network control; the MS shall send measurement reports to the
network

NC1 and NC2 only apply in MM (Mobility Management) Ready state.

In MM Standby state, the MS shall always use NC0 mode independent
of the ordered NC mode

Cell Selection / Re-selection - NC0/NC1

MS cell selection/re-selection is controlled by the following criteria
Path loss criterion (C1)
Cell reselection criteria (C2)
These criteria are used for the cell selection for (E)GPRS in the
same way as for CSW in idle mode

C31/C32 are introduced as a complement to the current GSM cell

re-selection criteria
The activation requires the implementation of PBCCH
C31: Signal Strength threshold criterion
C32: Cell ranking
MS selects the cell with the highest C32 value from those having the
highest priority class and fulfilling the C31 criterion (if none fulfills
C31, then only C32)
The priority classes may correspond to different HCS layers

NACC for NC0 / NC1 - CCN Mode

A new mode, Cell Change Notification (CCN), is needed for a MS in NC0
mode in order to make use of NACC feature
MS in NC0 mode can enter CCN mode
MS must be in Transfer Mode
Both NW and the MS must support CCN
The serving and the target neighbor cell must support CCN mode
The CCN Activity support info is in:
SI13 , PSI1 and PSI14
SI2quater , PSI3 and PSI3bis

for serving cell

for the neighbor cell

The support for CCN implies also that it is mandatory for

the mobile station to support the Packet PSI/SI Status
procedures