GSM Call Routing

RK

Agenda
GSM-Introduction
Mobile Station (ME+SIM)
HLR, VLR
Location Update
Call Routing Scenarios
Mobile Originated Sequence
Mobile Terminated Sequence
Mobile-to-Mobile Long distance
Mobile in Roaming (Domestic, International)
Call Handover
Questions

Mobile Station(MS)

HLR / VLR
Home Location Registers (HLR)
o permanent database about mobile subscribers in
a large service area(generally one per GSM
network operator)
o database contains IMSI, MSISDN,
prepaid/postpaid, roaming restrictions, MSC/VLR,
supplementary services.
Visitor Location Registers (VLR)
o Temporary database which updates whenever new
MS enters its area, by HLR database
o Controls those mobiles roaming in its area
o Reduces number of queries to HLR
o Database contains IMSI, TMSI, MSISDN, MSRN,
Location Area, authentication key

GSM Architecture

EIR AuC

Brief Introdution to Location Upda

Three types of Location Update :

IMSI Attach/Detach
Normal Location Update
Periodic Location Update

Questions

Please give the sequence:

1.The called MS is powered off.
2.The called MS activates the CFU to a
PSTN No.
3.The called MS has been barred all
incoming call.
4.The Called MS are not known at HLR

1. The called MS is powered off

MS
Initial and Final
1 Address Message

2 Send Routing Info

BSS

MSC

VLR

HLR

AP Vodafone AP Airtel

GMSC

GMSC

MSISDN
( +91 9885 xxxxxx
MSISDN
( +91 9885 xxxxxx

3 Routing Info Ack

Subscriber Absent

The Calling Mobile

hears the
announcement of
mobile is powered
off

2. The called MS activates the CFU to a PSTN No.

MS
Initial and Final
1 Address Message
2 Send Routing Info

BSS

MSC

VLR

HLR

GMSC

MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx
MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx

3 Routing Info Ack

4 IFAM

PSTN

CFN
+91 40 66235307

3. The called MS has been barred all incoming call.

MS
Initial and Final
1 Address Message
2 Send Routing Info

BSS

MSC

VLR

HLR

GMSC

GMSC

MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx
MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx

3 Routing Info Ack

Call Barred

4. The Called MS are not known at HLR

MS
Initial and Final
1 Address Message
2 Send Routing Info

BSS

MSC

VLR

HLR

GMSC

GMSC

MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx
MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx

3 Routing Info Ack

Unknown Subscriber

GSM Architecture Cntd

Call Routing
Scenarios

Mobile Originated Sequence

MS

BSS

MSC

1 CHANNEL REQUEST

Signaling Link request

DCCH ASSIGN

Signaling Link Granted

VLR

SIGNALING LINK
ESTABLISHED

2 REQ. FOR SERVICE

Channel request

3 AUTHENTICATION
SET Cipher MODE
4 SET-UP
5 EQUIP. ID REQ.

Setup Voice Call

Dailed digits +91 40 66235307

6 COMPLETE CALL
CALL PROCEEDING

Call setup is in Process

HLR PSTN

Mobile Originated Sequence

MS
7 ASSIG. COMMAND
ASSIG. COMPLETE

BSS

MSC

9 Answer (ANS)Connect
Ring tone
stops
10 Connect Acknowldge

PSTN

+91 40 66235307
Switch routes the call to PSTN
PSTN indicates to Switch

Address Complete(ACM)
MS hears ring
tone from land
phone

HLR

Switch from Signaling

Mode to Voice

8.Initial and Final Address

Message (IFAM)

Alerting

VLR

<
Ring Alert

Called Subscriber Informed Via Ring

Passed to Mobile
Called Subscriber Answered
Switch Informs
Call Answered
Acknowledge Call
Answered received
Speech Started

Hi RK

BILLING STARTS

Mobile Terminated Sequence

MS

BSS

MSC

VLR

HLR

AP Vodafone AP Airtel

GMSC

GMSC

MSISDN
+91 9885 xxxxxx

Initial and Final

1 Address Message

MSISDN
IMSI
+91 9885 xxxxxx
404 13 xxxxxxxxxx

2 Send Routing Info

3 Routing Info Ack

MSRN
MSRN
091 9885 xxxxxx (roaming number)

Initial and Final

Address Message

MSRN
091 9885 xxxxxx (roaming number)

4 Send Info For I/C

Call Setup
5 Page
Paging Request

MSRN
< PCH>
TMSI)

TMSI)

LAI & TMSI)

LAI 404 13 location Area Code

Mobile Terminated Sequence

MS
6 Assignment
Command
Assignment
Complete
Alert

BSS

MSC

VLR

HLR

AP Vodafone AP Airtel

GMSC

GMSC

Call Setup Request

Call Setup Confirmed
Ringtone Alert Acknowledge

Ring Tone at
the Other
Mobile

Address Complete
7 Connect

Mobile Subscriber Answered

Subscriber
picks up
Connect ACK ANS

Ringing stops
at Other
Mobile

Billing
starts

Speech Started

Hello...

Mobile-to-Mobile Long Distance

2. Towers are serviced by
a local base station

1. Cell phone transmits to

local towers

Radio tower

Radio tower

Base Station

3. Basestations are
services by Mobil
Switching Station

Mobile Switching Station

5. Destination switch office

receives call, and forwards
to Mobil Switching Station

4. Regional Switch Office

forwards calls

Trunk

Regional Switch Office

Regional Switch Office

Radio tower
Mobile Switching Station

Base Station

5. Mobile Switching
Station forwards to Base 6. Base Station forwards
to local towers.
Station

Radio tower

7. Local towers complete

the loop

Mobile is in Roaming

2.Receiving Mobile on Roaming

3. Both Mobiles are on Roaming

International Roamer terminated call

Handover
MSC B

MSC A

Location Area-089

49
404

Location Area-100

20
089

BSC1

0 53
9 10
4
4
40

0 50
9 10
4
4
40

9 21
9 08
4
4
40

9 22
9 08
4
4
40

BSC2

49
404

49
404

51
100

Network
Code
49

Location
Area
Code

49
404

54
100

0 55
9 10
4
4
40

52
100

Global Cell Identification

Country
Code
404

BSC3

Cell
Identity

INDIA-AP-Airtel
MCC-MNC
404 -49(INA49)