GSM Radio Network Planning and Optimization

Chapter 10 GPRS Radio Network Planning and Optimization

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Table of Contents
Chapter 10 GPRS Radio Network Planning and Optimization ......................................................4
10.1 GPRS Basic Principles ........................................................................................................4
10.1.1 Network Structure and Functional Entities ................................................................4
10.1.2 Service Function and Numbering Plan .....................................................................9
10.1.3 Main Interfaces and Related Protocols .................................................................. 26
10.1.4 Radio Channels and Their Importance .................................................................. 34
10.1.5 System Information and Main Flows ...................................................................... 43
10.1.6 Parameters and Application ................................................................................... 63
10.2 GPRS Network Planning .................................................................................................. 70
10.2.1 Capacity Planning .................................................................................................. 71
10.2.2 Coverage Planning ................................................................................................. 78
10.2.3 Frequency Planning ............................................................................................... 81
10.3 GPRS Network Optimization ............................................................................................ 82
10.3.1 GPRS Network Optimization Objectives and Principles ........................................ 83
10.3.2 Network Optimization Indexes ............................................................................... 84
10.3.3 Network Optimization Problem Analysis ................................................................ 91

List of Figures
Figure 10-1 GPRS network structure ........................................................................................ 5
Figure 10-2 MM state transition model ................................................................................... 20
Figure 10-3 GPRS address and numbering diagram ............................................................. 21
Figure 10-4 NSAPI numbering diagram .................................................................................. 23
Figure 10-5 Main interfaces in the GPRS system ................................................................... 26
Figure 10-6 GPRS data transfer protocol platform ................................................................. 29
Figure 10-7 Structure of a radio channel ................................................................................ 35
Figure 10-8 Structure of the RLC/MAC data block ................................................................. 37
Figure 10-9 Structure of RLC/MAC block ............................................................................... 38
Figure 10-10 Uplink two phase access (acknowledged mode) flow on CCCH ...................... 46
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Figure 10-11 Downlink TBF establishment flow ...................................................................... 49

Figure 10-12 Coordinated GPRS attach ................................................................................. 51
Figure 10-13 Update of the coordinated RA/LA within a SGSN. ............................................ 54
Figure 10-14 GPRS detach initiated by the MS ...................................................................... 56
Figure 10-15 PDP context activation initiated by the MS ........................................................ 57
Figure 10-16 PDP context modification .................................................................................. 61
Figure 10-17 Recovery flow for GPRS suspended service .................................................... 62
Figure 10-18 Coverage corresponding to four GPRS channel coding schemes .................... 79
Figure 10-19 Relationship between C/I and distance ............................................................. 80
Figure 10-20 Relationship between C/I distribution probability and C/I .................................. 80
Figure 10-21 Frequency reuse clusters supported by GPRS channel coding schemes ........ 81
Figure 10-22 Relationship between C/I distribution probability and frequency reuse coefficient
.......................................................................................................................................... 82

List of Tables
Table 10-1 Definition of the priority class in GPRS QoS ......................................................... 13
Table 10-2 Definition of the reliability class in GPRS QoS ...................................................... 14
Table 10-3 Definition of the delay class in GPRS QoS ........................................................... 15
Table 10-4 Definition of the peak throughput class in GPRS QoS .......................................... 15
Table 10-5 Definition of the mean throughput in GPRS QoS .................................................. 16
Table 10-6 Application of the GPRS upper layer functions in network entities ....................... 17
Table 10-7 TID format.............................................................................................................. 24
Table 10-8 GPRS channel coding scheme ............................................................................. 36
Table 10-9 The size of the RLC/MAC data block .................................................................... 37
Table 10-10 Meaning of the SI bit ........................................................................................... 38
Table 10-11 Meaning of the S/P bit ......................................................................................... 38
Table 10-12 Meaning of the RRBP field .................................................................................. 39
Table 10-13 Meaning of the effective payload type ................................................................. 39
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Table 10-14 Meaning of the FBI bit ......................................................................................... 39

Table 10-15 MS multislot capability ......................................................................................... 40
Table 10-16 Coordination between GPRS NMO and paging .................................................. 48
Table 10-17 PDP context deactivation initiated by the MS ..................................................... 60
Table 10-18 Meaning of the ALPHA ........................................................................................ 63
Table 10-19 Meaning of the INS_MEAS_CHANNEL_LIST_AVAIL ......................................... 65
Table 10-20 GPRS subscribers average data rate ................................................................. 73
Table 10-21 Average available bandwidth of the PDCH under various configurations

(a)................ 76

Table 10-22 Average available bandwidth of the PDCH under various configurations

(b)................ 76

Table 10-23 Mapping relationship of GPRS channel coding scheme and C/I ........................ 78
Table 10-24 Percentage of voice coverage area relative to channel coding scheme ............. 79
Table 10-25 Relationship between grade of voice service and C/I ......................................... 81
Table 10-26 Definition of the GPRS PDCH number ................................................................ 85
Table 10-27 Definition of GPRS congestion rate .................................................................... 86
Table 10-28 Definition of GPRS call drop rate ........................................................................ 87

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Chapter 10 GPRS Radio Network Planning and Optimization

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Chapter 10 GPRS Radio Network Planning and

Optimization
10.1 GPRS Basic Principles
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a kind of mobile packet data service
developing from the existing GSM mobile communication network. GPRS introduces
packet switching functional entities to the GSM digital mobile communication network.
In this case, the data can be transmitted in terms of packet in a GPRS system. The
GPRS system expands the services provided by the original GSM circuit switching
system. Therefore, in a GPRS system, mobile users can use packet data mobile
terminals to access the Internet or other packet data networks.
The digital cellular mobile communication based on GSM and CDMA as and the packet
data communication based on the Internet are the two industries enjoying the fastest
growth in information area. Tendency shows that the two industries are coming to
integration. The advent of the GPRS takes the first step towards the integration of the
mobile communication and the packet data communication.
Currently, while the voice service keeps developing, the 2G mobile communication
gradually supports IP and high-speed data services. Moreover, the 3G mobile
communication will be also characterized by IP and high data services.
GPRS provides multiple data services, including PTP (Point-to-Point) service, PTM-M
(Point to Multipoint Multicast) service, PTM-G (Point to Multipoint Group Call) service,
and IP-M (Internet Protocol Multicast) service.
GPRS can be applied in various areas, including E-mail, WWW browse, WAP service,
electronic commerce, information query, remote supervisory, and so on.

10.1.1 Network Structure and Functional Entities

The GPRS network supports packet switching and packet transmission, which enables
the GSM network to efficiently support data services. As shown in Error! Reference
source not found., the GPRS network is an overlay network of the existing GSM
network. In the GPRS network, the functional entities, such as Service GPRS Support
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Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GPSN) are added to the existing
GSM network.
The GPRS network and the existing GSM network share the same BSS system, but the
corresponding hardware and software must be upgraded to meet the requirements of
GPRS services. Meanwhile, the interfaces of the functional entities of the GPRS
network and the GSM network must be properly defined. In addition, the MS must be
required to support the GPRS services.
The GPRS network can connect to PSPDN with the help of GGSN. Either the X.75 or
X.25 can work as the interface protocol. Moreover, the GPRS network can connect to
the IP network directly.

Figure 10-1 GPRS network structure

The following introduces the functions of the equipments related to the GPRS network
in detail.

I. GPRS mobile station

Terminal equipment

The terminal equipment (TE) is a computer terminal operated by users. In the GPRS
system, it transmits and receives the packet data of the terminal users. The TE can be
an independent computer, or can be integrated with the mobile terminal (MT). To some
extent, all the functions provided by the GPRS network enable a packet data
transmission path to be established to connect the TE and the external data networks.

Mobile terminal

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The mobile terminal can communicate with the TE. In addition, it can communicate with
BTS through Um interface and establish logical links to SGSN. In a GPRS network, the
ME can enjoy the services provided by the GPRS system only when it is configured
with related GPRS functional software. During data communication, the MT connects
the TE to the Modem in the GPRS system. The functions of the MT and TE can be
integrated into one physical device.

Mobile station

The mobile station (MS) can be taken as the integration of the MT and TE. Physically, it
can be either one entity or two entities (TE + MT).
Three types of MSs are available, including type A, type B, and type C. The MSs of type
A can perform packet switched service and packet circuit switched service
simultaneously. The MSs of type B can be attached to the GPRS network and the
existing GSM network, but they cannot perform packet switched service and packet
circuit switched service simultaneously. The MSs of type C cannot be attached to the
GPRS network and the existing GSM network.

II. BTS
The base station transceiver (BTS) is the wireless part in BSS system. It is controlled by
base station controller (BSC) and serves one or more cells.
The functions of the BTS are as follows:

Realize radio transmission and related control function between the BTS and the
MS through Um interface.

Fulfill the functions of the Um interface at the first and second layers and
transparently transmit the messages at the third layer.

Help the BSC to fulfill the functions of the Um interface at the third layer.

III. BSC
BSC is the core controlling part in the BSS system of the GSM network and the GPRS
network. For packet switched service, the BSC undertakes the following
responsibilities:

Configure packet radio channels

Control the conversion of the radio channel between packet switched service and
packet circuited service.

Provide necessary packet call control support for the cells with no Packet
Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH).

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IV. PCU
Packet control unit (PCU) helps the BSS support the GPRS. Its functions are as
follows:

Manage the major part of the packet radio resources

Control packet calls

Transmit packet data

Support Gb interface and Pb interface

V. SGSN
SGSN is a basic network element in the GPRS network. The SGSN is introduced to the
GSM network to enable GPRS service. The main function of the SGSN is to forward the
packet data for the MSs within the local SGSN service areas, which is similar to the
function of the Visited Mobile Switching Center (VMSC) in the GSM circuit network. The
specific functions of the SGSN are as follows:

Forward the packet data and provide the route for all the GPRD MSs within the
local SGSN service areas.

Provide encryption and authentication

Manage session

Manage mobility

Manage logical links

Provide the interface with GPRS BSS, GGSN, HLR, SMS-GMSC, and
SMS-IWMSC.

Generate the output bills and collect the information of the utilized radio resources.

In addition, the SGSN contains the function similar to that of the VLR in the GSM
network. When subscribers are in GPRS attach state, the SGSN stores the information
of the subscribers and their location. Similar to VLR, most information of the SGSN
subscribers are obtained from the VLR when the subscribers perform location update.

VI. GGSN
The Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is introduced to the GSM network to
support GPRS service. It provides the route and encapsulation for the data packets to
be transmitted between the GPRS network and the external data networks. Which
GGSN is selected as the gateway is decided according to subscribers subscription
information and access point name (APN) during the PDP context activation. The
GGSN provides the following functions:

Provide the interface to the external data networks.

Manage GPRS session and establish the communication between the MS and
external networks.

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Generate and output bills (it is mainly applied when subscribers use the external
networks.)

Note:
The GGSN must provide the interface for the MS to access external packet data
networks. From the perspective of external networks, the GGSN can be compared to
the router of the IP of all the subscribers in the GPRS network, so it has to exchange the
route information with external networks.

VII. CG
Charging gateway (CG) collects, combines, and preprocesses the GSN bills and keeps
the communication at the interfaces between billing centers. This equipment does not
exist in earlier GSM networks. The bills of the GPRS subscribers are generated from
multiple network elements when the subscribers access the network once. Moreover,
each network element will generate multiple bills.
Therefore, the CG is introduced to combine and preprocess the bills before they are
sent to billing center. As a result, the load of the billing center is eased. In addition, the
SGSN and the GGSN do not have to provide the interface to billing center.

VIII. RADIUS
During non-transparent access, the network will authenticate the subscribers identities.
The Remote Authentication Dial in User Service Server (RADIUS) stores the
information of the authentication and authorization of the subscribers. This functional
entity is not exclusive to the GPRS.

IX. DNS
Two types of Domain Name Servers (DNS) exist in the GPRS network. One connects
the GGSN to external networks. Its main function is to resolve the domain name of the
external networks, which is completely equivalent to the function of the general DNS
fixed on the Internet. The other one is applied in the GPRS backbone network. It
functions in two aspects. One is to resolve the IP address of the GGSN according to the
determined APN during the PDP context activation. The other one is to resolve the IP
address of the original SGSN according to the original routing area number during the
routing area update. The DNS is not exclusive to GPRS.

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X. BG
In fact, the border gateway (BG) is a router. It provides the route between the SGSN
and GGSN in the GPRS network and manages the security. It is not exclusive to the
GPRS.

XI. HLR
The home location register (HLR) stores the permanent information of GPRS
subscribers. It provides the required data of the subscribers to the SGSN. In addition, it
can update the information of the subscribers if necessary and notify the update to the
corresponding SGSN. The HLR has the following functions:

Manage the data of GPRS subscribers

Manage the information of the location of GPRS subscribers

Authenticate subscribers identities

Recover errors

XII. MSC/VLR
The Mobile Switching Center (MSC)/Visitor Location Register (VLR) can combine the
GPRS service and the GSM service with the help of Gs interface. In this case, the MSC
/VLR store both the information of the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of
subscribers and the related SGSN numbers. The MSC/VLR have the following
functions:

Combine attachment and detachment

Combine location update and route update

Page circuit service

Prompt non-GPRS in associated status

Request subscriber information

Indicate mobile information

10.1.2 Service Function and Numbering Plan

In a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the GPRS enables subscribers to transmit
and receive data under end-to-end packet transfer mode. Two types of bearer services
are defined in GPRS. They are PTP service and PTM service. Based on the standard
network protocols supported by GPRS bearer services, GPRS carriers can support or
provide subscribers with various telecommunication services. The application of the
services provided by GPRS has the following characteristics:

They are applicable in the transmission of the discontinuous non-periodic (burst)

data. The occurrence interval of the burst data is far greater than its mean transmit
delay.

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They can be applied to process the data service shorter than 500 bytes. In this
case, the data service can occur several times in each second and can be
frequently transmitted.

They can be applied to process the data service of thousands of bytes. In this case,
the data service can occur several times in each hour and can be frequently
transmitted.

These characteristics prove that the GPRS is favorable to the application of the burst
data services and can efficiently use the channel resources. However, the GPRS
network must restrict the huge data services. The reasons are as follows:

A small amount of data traffic is prescribed in the GPRS network.

The GPRS network is developed from the existing GSM network. Currently, GSM
networks mainly provide telephony service. The telephony subscribers are of
great intensity and the traffic volume of great, but the intensity of the GPRS data
subscribers is relatively low, so only a small number of channels can be applied to
the GPRS service in a cell.

The transmission rate of the data on radio channels is low.

Currently, the CS-1 and CS-2 coding schemes are in general use. They can meet
the requirement of carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I) is equal to or greater than 9 dB
and ensure 100% (CS-1) and 90% (CS-2) of the GPRS coverage. In this case,
however, the transmission rate of the data is only 9.05 Kbit/s (CS-1) and
13.4Kbit/s (CS-2) (including the RLC block header). The reason is that half of the
bit rate (CS-1) and one third of the bit rate (CS-2) in the radio link control (RLC)
blocks is applied to the forward error correction (FEC). Though this reduces the
requirement of C/I, it reduces the transmission rate of the data.
Though the transmission rate of the data under the CS-3 (15.6Kbit/s) and CS-4
(21.4Kbit/s) is relatively high (including the RLC block header), it is enhanced
through reducing and canceling the error correction bits, so the CS-3 and CS-4
coding schemes require the C/I to be a greater value. In this case, the CS-3 and
CS-4 are applicable in the areas with greater C/I value.
In addition, the number of multislot channels supported by the MS is limited at
present, so the GPRS network must restrict the huge data services. Generally, the
high data is allowed to occur several times in each hour.

When the GPRS service and GSM service share channels, the telephony service
takes the higher priority if the channels are dynamically allocated. The two times of
conversation gapping of any one dynamically allocated channel can be applied to
the GPRS service. For the GPRS system, its packet data channel can be shared
by multiple GPRS MSs. That is, multiple logical channels can be reused on one
physical channel. Therefore, the GPRS can be particularly applied for the burst
data. In this case, the utilization rate of the channels can be greatly enhanced.

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