Global System for Mobile Communications

Submitted by:

GAGAN GUPTA
A22205215016
B.Tech (CSE) III Semester

Under the Guidance of

Mr. Jitendra Rajpurohit
Amity School of Engineering and Technology

AMITY UNIVERSITY RAJASTHAN

CERTIFICATE

Certified that the Report entitled Global System for Mobile Communications
submitted by Gagan Gupta with Enrolment No. A22205215016 has compiled this
work from the literature under my supervision. It is recommended that the
candidate may now be evaluated for his work by the University.

Signature:

Destination:

Date:

Signature:

Acknowledgements

First of all, I would like to sincerely thank my supervisor, Mr. Jitendra Rajpurohit
, for his persistent support, guidance, help, and encourage during the whole
process of my study and my dissertation work. I would also like to thank the
students, staff and faculty of the Department of Computer science and
Engineering, Amity School of Engineering and Technology for their support.
I would also like to thank my parents for their well wishes to complete this work.
Finally 1thanks to friends for their support and love all the time.

GAGAN GUPTA

Contents
Abstract
List of Figure

6
7

1. INTRODUCTION
2. CELLULAR TELEPHONY

8
9

3. GSM Phases

10

3.1 Phase I
3.2 Phase II
3.3 Phase 2+

11
12

4. Features of GSM
5. HISTORY of GSM

14

6. GSM ARCHITECTURE
6.1 SWTICHING SYSTEM COMPONENTS
6.1.1 Mobile services Switching Center
6.1.2 Home Location Register
6.1.3 Visitor Location Register
6.1.4 Authentication center
6.1.5 Equipment Identity Register
6.2 BASE STATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS
6.2.1 Base Station Controller
6.2.2 Base Transceiver Station
6.2.3 MOBILE STATION

7. GSM Specification
8. GSM Access Mechanism
8.1 Frequency Division Multiple Access
8.2 Time Division Multiple Access
8.3 FDM and TDM
8.4 Code Division Multiple Access

9 CODING AND COMMUNICATION PROCESS

9.1 CODING
9.1.1 Speech Coding
9.1.2 Channel Coding
9.2 COMMUNICATION PROCESS
9.2.1 Application Layer
9.2.2 Presentation Layer
9.2.3 Session Layer
9.2.4 Transport Layer
9.2.5 Network Layer
9.2.6 Data Link Layer
9.2.7 Physical Layer

10. GSM Control Channels

10.1 Broadcast Channel [BCH]

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10.1.1 Broadcast Control Channel [BCCH]

10.1.2 Frequency Correction Channel [FCCH]
10.1.3 Synchronization Channel [SCH]

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10.2 Common Control Channel [CCCH]

10.2.1 Paging Channel [PCH]
10.2.2 Random Access Channel [RACH]
10.2.3 Access Grant Channel [AGCH]

10.3 Dedicated Control Channels [DCCH]

10.3.1 Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel [SDCCH]
10.3.2 Slow associated Control Channel [SACCH]
10.3.3 Fast Associated Control Channel [FACCH]

11. GSM USER SERVICES

12. HANDOVER
13. Mobile Subscriber identities in GSM
14. CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

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ABSTRACT
GSM
(Global System for Mobile Communication) is digital cellular
communication system which has rapidly gained acceptance and market share
worldwide, although it is initially developed by the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe protocols for
second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile phones. It is an
open digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data
services. GSM supports voice calls and data transfer speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s,
together with the transmission of Short Message Service (SMS).
As of 2014 it has become the default global standard for mobile communications
- with over 90% market share, operating in over 219 countries and territories.
Today GSM operator has largest customer base. In India total cellular operator
have more than 550 million customers and GSM has more than 400 million
customer bases alone. It is a second generation cellular standard developed to
cater voice services and data delivery using digital modulation.
GSM expanded over time to include data communications, first by circuitswitched transport, then by packet data transport via GPRS (General Packet
Radio Services) and EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution or
EGPRS).
The original version of GSM were released in various phases each adding on
some features on the existing phase. In the Phase I specifications, supplementary
services include variations of call forwarding and call barring, such as Call
Forward on Busy or Barring of Outgoing International Calls. Many more
supplementary services, including multiparty calls, advice of charge, call
waiting, and calling line identification presentation will be offered in the Phase 2
specifications.
The development of GSM is the first step towards a true personal
communication system that will allow communication anywhere, anytime, and
with anyone. The functional architecture of GSM, employing intelligent
networking principles, and its ideology, which provides enough standardization
to ensure compatibility, but still allows manufacturers and operators freedom,
has been widely adopted in the development of future wireless systems.

List of Figures
Figure 1

CELLULAR TELEPHONY

Figure 2

GSM Phases

10

Figure 3

GSM ARCHITECTURE

14

Figure 4

Subscriber Identity Module

17

Figure 5

Frequency Division Multiple Access

20

Figure 6

Time Division Multiple Access

Figure 7

FDM and TDM

Figure 8

Code Division Multiple Access

Figure 9

HANDOVER Structure

Figure 10

inter-cell handover

Figure 11

intra-cell handover

21
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23
34
35
36

Chapter-1

INTRODUCTION
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a standard developed by the
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) to describe protocols for secondgeneration (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile phones. As of 2014 it has become
the default global standard for mobile communications - with over 90% market share,
operating in over 219 countries and territories.
2G networks developed as a replacement for first generation (1G) analog cellular networks,
and the GSM standard originally described a digital, circuit-switched network optimized for
full duplex voice telephony.
This expanded over time to include data communications, first by circuit-switched transport,
then by packet data transport via GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and EDGE (Enhanced
Data rates for GSM Evolution or EGPRS).
Subsequently, the 3GPP developed third-generation (3G) UMTS standards followed by
fourth-generation (4G) LTE Advanced standards, which do not form part of the ETSI GSM
standard.
The GSM is a set of recommendations and specifications for a digital cellular phone network
(known as Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN). These recommendations ensure the
compatibility of the equipment from different GSM manufacturers and interconnectivity
between different administrations. GSM was designed with a moderate level of service
security. The system was designed to authenticate the subscriber using a pre-shared key and
challenge response. Communications between the subscriber and the base station can be
encrypted.

Chapter-2

CELLULAR TELEPHONY

A cellular telephone system links mobile subscribers into the public telephone system
or to another cellular subscriber.

Information between the mobile unit and the cellular network uses radio
communication. Hence the subscriber is able to move around and become fully mobile.

The service area in which mobile communication is to be provided is divided into

regions called cells.

Each cell has the equipment to transmit and receive calls from any subscriber located
within the borders of its radio coverage area.

Figure 1

Chapter-3

GSM Phases
The original version of GSM were released in various phases each adding on some features on
the existing phase. The various phases are:
1.
Phase I:
This phase contains the most common services such as:

Voice Telephony
International Roaming
Call forwarding
Call barring
Short Message Service(SMS)
Phase I also incorporated features like ciphering and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). Phase
I features were then closed and cannot be modified.
[1]

2.
Phase II:
Additional features included in Phase II are:
Advice of charge
Call line identification
Call waiting
Call hold
Conference calling
Additional data communication capabilities

3.
Phase 2+:
The Phase 2+ program will cover multiple subscriber numbers and a variety of business
oriented features. Some of the enhancements include:
Multiple service profiles
Private numbering plan
Access to Centrex services

Figure 2

Chapter-4

Features of GSM

The GSM system provides a greater subscriber capacity than analogue systems.

Digital transmission of speech and high performance digital signal processors provides
good quality speech transmission.

Since GSM is a digital technology, the signals passed over a digital air interface
can be protected against errors by using better error detection and correction
techniques.

In regions of interference or noise-limited operation the speech quality is noticeably

better than analogue.

GSM offers high data and speech confidentiality.

In a GSM system the mobile station and the subscriber are identified separately

The subscriber is identified by means of a smart card known as a SIM.

This enables the subscriber to use different mobile equipment while retaining the
same subscriber number.

GSM carrier frequencies:

GSM networks operate in a number of different carrier frequency ranges (separated into GSM
frequency ranges for 2G and UMTS frequency bands for 3G), with most 2G GSM networks
operating in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands. Where these bands were already allocated, the
850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands were used instead.
Regardless of the frequency selected by an operator, it is divided into timeslots individual
phones to use. This allows eight full-rate or sixteen half-rate speech channels per radio
frequencies. These eight radio timeslots are grouped into a TDMA frame. Half rate channels
use alternate frames in the same timeslot. The channel data rate for all 8 channels is 270.833
Kbit/s, and the frame duration is 4.615 ms.

Chapter-5

HISTORY of GSM
In 1982, work began to develop a European standard for digital cellular voice telephony when
the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) created
the Groupe Spcial Mobile committee and later provided a permanent technical support group
based in Paris. Five years later, in 1987, 15 representatives from 13 European countries signed
a memorandum of understanding in Copenhagen to develop and deploy a common cellular
telephone system across Europe, and EU rules were passed to make GSM a mandatory
standard. The decision to develop a continental standard eventually resulted in a unified, open,
standard-based network which was larger than that in the United States.
[2]
In 1987 Europe produced the very first agreed GSM Technical Specification in February.
Ministers from the four big EU countries cemented their political support for GSM with the
Bonn Declaration on Global Information Networks in May and the GSM MoU was tabled for
signature in September. The MoU drew-in mobile operators from across Europe to pledge to
invest in new GSM networks to an ambitious common date. It got GSM up and running fast.
In this short 37-week period the whole of Europe (countries and industries) had been
brought behind GSM in a rare unity and speed guided by four public officials Armin
Silberhorn (Germany), Stephen Temple (UK), Philippe Dupuis (France), and Renzo Failli
(Italy). In 1989, the Groupe Spcial Mobile committee was transferred from CEPT to the
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
In parallel, France and Germany signed a joint development agreement in 1984 and were
joined by Italy and the UK in 1986. In 1986 the European Commission proposed reserving
the
900 MHz spectrum band for GSM. The world's first GSM call was made by the former
Finnish prime minister Harri Holkeri to Kaarina Suonio (mayor in city of Tampere) on July 1,
1991, on a network built by Telenokia and Siemens and operated by Radiolinja. The following
year in 1992, the first short messaging service (SMS or "text message") message was sent and
Vodafone UK and Telecom Finland signed the first international roaming agreement.
Work began in 1991 to expand the GSM standard to the 1800 MHz frequency band and the
first 1800 MHz network became operational in the UK by 1993. Also that year, Telecom
Australia became the first network operator to deploy a GSM network outside Europe and
the first practical hand-held GSM mobile phone became available.
In 1995, fax, data and SMS messaging services were launched commercially, the first 1900
MHz GSM network became operational in the United States and GSM subscribers worldwide
exceeded 10 million. Also this year, the GSM Association was formed. Pre-paid GSM SIM
cards were launched in 1996 and worldwide GSM subscribers passed 100 million in 1998.
In 2000, the first commercial GPRS services were launched and the first GPRS compatible
handsets became available for sale. In 2001 the first UMTS (W-CDMA) network was
launched, a 3G technology that is not part of GSM. Worldwide GSM subscribers exceeded
500 million. In 2002 the first Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) were introduced and the
first GSM network in the 800 MHz frequency band became operational. EDGE services first
became operational in a network in 2003 and the number of worldwide GSM subscribers
exceeded 1 billion in 2004.

By 2005, GSM networks accounted for more than 75% of the worldwide cellular network
market, serving 1.5 billion subscribers. In 2005 the first HSDPA capable network also became
operational. The first HSUPA network was launched in 2007. High-Speed Packet Access
(HSPA) and its uplink and downlink versions are 3G technologies, not part of GSM.
Worldwide GSM subscribers exceeded three billion in 2008.
The GSM Association estimated in 2010 that technologies defined in the GSM standard serve
80% of the global mobile market, encompassing more than 5 billion people across more than
212 countries and territories, making GSM the most ubiquitous of the many standards for
cellular networks.
[3]
It is important to note that GSM is a second-generation (2G) standard employing TimeDivision Multiple-Access (TDMA) spectrum-sharing, issued by the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The GSM standard does not include the 3G
UMTS CDMA-based technology nor the 4G LTE OFDMA-based technology standards issued
by the 3GPP.
Macau planned to phase out its 2G GSM networks as of June 4, 2015, making it the first
region to decommission a GSM network.

Chapter-6

GSM ARCHITECTURE

The GSM Network is mainly divided into: The Mobile Station (MS)
The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
The Operation Support Subsystem (OSS)

Figure 3

The Switching System is responsible for performing call processing and subscriber related
functions. It includes the following functional units: [4]

Mobile services Switching Center (MSC)

Home Location Register (HLR)
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
Authentication Centre (AUC)
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

The BSS performs all the radio-related functions. The BSS is comprised of the following
functional units:
Base Station Controller (BSC)
Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

SWTICHING SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Mobile services Switching Center (MSC):A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) is the centerpiece of a network switching subsystem
(NSS). The MSC is Mostly associated with communications switching functions, such as call
set-up, release, and routing. However, it also performs a host of other duties, including routing
SMS Messages, Conference calls, fax, and service billing as well as interfacing with other
networks, such as the public Switched telephone Network (PSTN).
The MSC is structured so that base stations connect to it, while it connects to the PSTN.
Because cellphones connect to these base stations, all forms of communication, whether
between two cell phones or between a cell phone and a landline telephone, travel through the
MSC.

Home Location Register (HLR):A home location register (HLR) is a database containing pertinent data regarding subscribers
authorized to use a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network. Some of the
information stored in an HLR includes the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and
the mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN) of each subscription.
The IMSI uniquely identifies each Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) and serves as the
primary key for each HLR record. The MSISDN (also called the mobile subscriber integrated
services digital network) is a list of the telephone numbers for each subscription. Other
information stored in the HLR includes services requested by or rendered to the corresponding
subscriber, the general packet radio service settings of the subscriber, the current location of
the subscriber and call divert settings. [5]

Visitor Location Register (VLR):A visitor location register (VLR) is a database that contains information about the subscribers
roaming within a mobile switching centers (MSC) location area. The primary role of the VLR
is to minimize the number of queries that MSCs have to make to the home location register
(HLR), which holds permanent data regarding the cellular networks subscribers.
Ideally, there should be only one visitor location register per MSC, but it is also possible for a
single VLR to serve multiple MSCs.

Authentication center (AUC):The authentication center (AuC) is a key component of a global system for mobile
communications (GSM) home locator register (HLR). The AuC validates any security
information management (SIM) card attempting network connection when a phone has a live
network signal.
The AuC provides security to ensure that third parties are unable to use network subscriber
services.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR):The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is a database that contains a record of the all the
mobile stations (MS) that are allowed in a network as well as an database of all
equipment that is banned.

BASE STATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Base Station Controller (BSC):A base station controller (BSC) is a critical mobile network component that controls one or
more base transceiver stations (BTS), also known as base stations or cell sites. Key BSC
functions include radio network management (such as radio frequency control), BTS handover
management and call setup.
A BSC works with a mobile switching center (MSC) component that is external to the BTS,
enabling it to provide full mobile telephony and fulfill capacity requirements. Base stations
must communicate with the MSC and data must be managed as information overflow,
impacting MSC efficiency. A BSC eliminates MSC base station activity management
requirements, allowing the MSC to handle critical tasks, such as traffic balancing and database
management.

Base Transceiver Station (BTS):A base transceiver station (BTS) is a piece of network equipment that facilitates wireless
communication between a device and network.
A BTS consists of the following:

Antennas that relay radio messages

Transceivers

Duplexers

Amplifiers

A BTS is also known as a base station (BS), radio base station (RBS) or node B (eNB).

MOBILE STATION (MS):An MS is used by the mobile subscriber to communicate with the mobile network.
The range or coverage of the MSs depends on the output power of the MS.
GSM MS consists of:

A mobile terminal
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Unlike other standards, in GSM the subscriber is separated from the mobile terminal. Each
subscriber's information is stored as a "smart card" SIM. The SIM can be plugged into any
GSM mobile terminal. This brings the advantages of security and
portability for subscribers.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM):A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is a smart cart inside in a GSM Cellular Phone that
encrypts
Voice and Data transmission and stores data about the specific user so that the user can be
identified and authenticated to the network supplying the phone service. The SIM also Stores
data such as personal phone settings specific to the user and phone numbers. A SIM can be
Moved from one phone to another and / or different SIMs can be inserted into any GSM
phone.

Figure 4

Subscriber Authentication Key is used to authenticate the SIM card.

Pin Unblocking Key (PUK)

In case of PIN, the PUK is needed for unlocking the SIM again. PUK is numeric only, with
eight digits. If a correct PUK is entered, an indication is given to the user. After 10
consecutive incorrect entries the SIM is blocked. Either the IMSI or the MSISDN Number
may access the subscriber data. Some of the parameters like IAI will be continuously updated
to reflect the current location of the subscriber. The SIM is capable of storing additional
information such as accumulated call charges. This information will be accessible to the
customer via handset key entry.

Personal Identity Number (PIN)

It is used to unlock the MS. If one enters the wrong PIN three times it will lock the SIM. The
SIM can be protected by use of PIN password.

Chapter-7

GSM - Specification
Specifications for different Personal Communication Services (PCS) systems vary among the
different PCS networks. The GSM specification is listed below with important characteristics.

Modulation:
Modulation is a form of change process where we change the input information into a suitable
format for the transmission medium. We also changed the information by demodulating the
signal at the receiving end. [6]
The GSM uses Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation method.

Access Methods:
Because radio spectrum is a limited resource shared by all users, a method must be devised
to divide up the bandwidth among as many users as possible.
GSM chose a combination of TDMA/FDMA as its method. The FDMA part involves the
division by frequency of the total 25 MHz bandwidth into 124 carrier frequencies of 200
kHz bandwidth.
One or more carrier frequencies are then assigned to each BS. Each of these carrier
frequencies is then divided in time, using a TDMA scheme, into eight time slots. One time
slot is used for transmission by the mobile and one for reception. They are separated in time
so that the mobile unit does not receive and transmit at the same time.

Transmission Rate:
The total symbol rate for GSM at 1 bit per symbol in GMSK produces 270.833
K symbols/second. The gross transmission rate of the time slot is 22.8 Kbps.
GSM is a digital system with an over-the-air bit rate of 270 kbps.

Frequency Band:
The uplink frequency range specified for GSM is 933 - 960 MHz (basic 900 MHz band
only). The downlink frequency band 890 - 915 MHz (basic 900 MHz band only).

Channel Spacing:
This indicates separation between adjacent carrier frequencies. In GSM, this is 200 kHz.

Speech Coding:
GSM uses linear predictive coding (LPC). The purpose of LPC is to reduce the bit rate. The
LPC provides parameters for a filter that mimics the vocal tract. The signal passes through
this filter, leaving behind a residual signal. Speech is encoded at 13 kbps.

Duplex Distance:
The duplex distance is 80 MHz. Duplex distance is the distance between the uplink and
downlink frequencies. A channel has two frequencies, 80 MHz apart.

Misc:
Frame duration: 4.615 mS
Duplex Technique: Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) access mode
previously known as WCDMA.
Speech channels per RF channel: 8.

Chapter-8

GSM Access Mechanism

The frequency of operation of 2G system is given to be 900 MHz The uplink frequency
extends from 890-915 MHz and the downlink frequency extends from 935- 960 MHz The
separation between the carrier frequencies is 200 kHz. The access mechanisms used by the
GSM networks are as follows: [7]

1. Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA):

In this type of division the whole spectrum is divided into smaller frequency bands. A
channel gets the whole frequency band of the spectrum for whole time.

Figure 5

Advantages:

No dynamic coordination necessary.

Works also for analog signals

Disadvantages:

Waste of bandwidth if the traffic is distributed unevenly

Inflexible
Guard spaces

2. Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA):

In this type of division the channel gets the whole spectrum for a specified duration.

Figure 6

Advantages:

Only one carrier in the medium at a given time.

Throughput high for many users.

The only disadvantage that this method suffers is the necessity for
precise synchronization.

3. FDM and TDM:

This method combines both frequency division and time division. The channel gets a
particular frequency for a specified duration.

Figure 7

Advantages:

Better protection against tapping.

Protection against frequency selective interference.
Higher data rates

4. Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA);

Here each channel has a unique code. Hence, all the channels use the full spectrum at the
same time.

Figure 8

Advantages:

Bandwidth efficient
No synchronization and coordination necessary.
Good protection against tapping.

Disadvantages:

Lower user data rates

More complex regeneration.

Chapter-9

CODING AND COMMUNICATION

PROCESS
CODING:
Speech Coding:

The transmission of speech is one of the most important services of a mobile cellular
system.

The GSM speech codec, which will transform the analog signal(voice) into a
digital representation, has to meet the following criteria

A good speech quality, at least as good as the one obtained with previous cellular
systems.

To reduce the redundancy in the sounds of the voice. This reduction is essential
due to the limited capacity of transmission of a radio channel.

The speech codec must not be very complex because complexity is equivalent to
high costs.

The final choice for the GSM speech codec is a codec named RPE-LTP (Regular
Pulse Excitation Long-Term Prediction).

This codec uses the information from previous samples (this information does not
change very quickly) in order to predict the current sample.

The speech signal is divided into blocks of 20 ms. these blocks are then passed to the speech
codec, which has a rate of 13 kbps, in order to obtain blocks of 260 bits. [8]

Channel Coding:

Channel coding adds redundancy bits to the original information in order to detect and
correct, if possible, errors occurred during the transmission.

The channel coding is performed using two codes: a block code and a convolution
code.

The block code receives an input block of 240 bits and adds four zero tail bits at the end of
the input block. The output of the block code is consequently a block of 244 bits.

A convolution code adds redundancy bits in order to protect the information. A

convolution encoder contains memory. This property differentiates a convolution code
from a block code.

A convolution code can be defined by three variables: n, k and K.

The value n corresponds to the number of bits at the output of the encoder, k to the
number of bits at the input of the block and K to the memory of the encoder.

COMMUNICATION PROCESS:
The presence of different layers in the system helps in the communication process. The
interfaces and the functions between the different layers must be defined. This
communication is called Peer to Peer communication and is controlled by layers protocol.
The different types of layers are:

Application Layer

This layer provides services for support of the users application process and for
control of all communication between applications.

Examples of layer 7 functions are file transfer, message handling, directory services, and
operation and maintenance.

Presentation Layer

This layer defines how data is to be represented, that is, the syntax.

The presentation layer transforms the syntax used in the application into the common
syntax needed for the communication between applications.

Layer 6 contains data compression.

Session Layer

This layer establishes connections between presentation layers in different systems.

It also controls the connection, the synchronization and the disconnection of the
dialogue.

It allows the presentation layer to determine checkpoints, from which the

retransmission will start when the data transmission has been interrupted.

Transport Layer

This layer guarantees that the bearer service has the quality required by the
application in question.

Examples of functions are error detection and correction (end-to-end), and flow
control.

The transport layer optimizes the data communication, for example by multiplexing or
splitting data streams before they reach the network.

Network Layer

The basic network layer service is to provide a transparent channel.

This means that the application requesting a channel ignores network problems and
the related signal exchange because that is the task of the lower levels.

It just requires an open channel, transparent for the transmission of data, between
transport layers in different systems.

The Network Layer establishes, maintains, and releases connections between the
nodes in the network and handles addressing and routing of circuits.

Data Link Layer

This layer provides an essentially error-free point-to-point circuit between network

layers.

The layer contains resources for error detection, error correction, flow control, and
retransmission.

Physical Layer
This layer provides mechanical, electrical, functional, and procedural resources for
activating, maintaining, and blocking physical circuits for the transmission of bits
between data link layers.
The physical layer contains functions for converting data into signals compatible with the
transmission medium.

Chapter-10

GSM Control Channels

Types of GSM Control Channels are:-

1.

The Broadcast Channel [BCH].

2.

The Common Control Channel [CCCH]

3.

The Dedicated Control Channel [DCCH]

1.

The Broadcast Channel [BCH]:

It operates on the forward link of specific ARFCN within each cell, and transmits data only
in the first time slot (TS0) of certain GSM frames.

It serves as a TDMA bacon channel for any nearby mobile to identify & lock on to.

It provides synchronization for all mobiles within the cell.

It is occasionally monitored by mobiles in neighboring cell so that received power MAHO

decisions may be made by out of cell users. [9]

The BCH is defined by three separate channels.

a. Broadcast Control Channel [BCCH].
b. Frequency Correction Channel [FCCH].
c. Synchronization Channel [SCH].

a) Broadcast Control Channel [BCCH]

It is a forward control channel that is used to broadcast following information.

Cell & Network Identity.

Operating characteristics of cell such as current control channel structure, channel

availability and congestion.

List of channels that are currently in use within the cell.

Information about BCCH is carried for the neighboring cells. [11]

b) Frequency Correction Channel [FCCH]

It is a special data burst which occupies TS0 for the very first GSM frame & is repeated
every 10 frames within a control channel multi frame.

It allows each subscriber unit to synchronize its internal frequency to the exact frequency
of the BTS.

c)

Synchronization Channel [SCH]:

It is broadcast in TS0 of the frame immediately following the FCCH frame.

It is also repeated every 10 frames within the control channel multi frame.

It is used to identify serving the BTS that is it is GSM BTS (Mobile transmits BSIC (Base
Station Identity Code); BSIC can only be decoded by GSM BTS.

It allows mobile to frame synchronize with BTS.

2.

Common Control Channel [CCCH]

On the Broadcast channel ARFCN, these channels occupy TS 0 of every GSM frame that is
not otherwise used by the BCH.

The CCCH consists of three different channels,

Paging Channel [PCH]

Random Access Channel [RACH]

Access Grant Channel [AGCH]

a. Paging Channel [PCH]:

It is used to broadcast the following information.

Paging Signals from the BTS to all mobiles in the cell, & notify a specific mobile of an
incoming call which originates from PSTN.

The IMSI of the target subscribers, along with a request for acknowledgement from the
mobile unit on the RACH.

b. Random Access Channel [RACH]:

It is used for,

To acknowledge a Page from the PCH.

To originate call.

All mobiles must access or respond to PCH alert within TS 0 of a GSM frame.

c. Access Grant Channel [AGCH]:

It is used for:
To respond RACH sent by a mobile in the previous CCCH frame.

3.

To carry data this instructs the mobile to operate in a particular physical channel with a
particular dedicated control channel.

Dedicated Control Channels [DCCH]:

These channels are bi directional & have the same format & function on both forward &
reverse link.
They may exist in any time slot & on any ARFCN except TS 0.
a)

Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel [SDCCH].

b)

Slow Associated Control Channel [SACCH].

c)

Fast Associated Control Channel [FACCH].

a) Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel [SDCCH]:

It is used to send authentication and alert messages as the mobile synchronizes itself with
the frame structure and waits for TCH.
It is used for location updating.

b) Slow associated Control Channel [SACCH]:

It is always associated with a TCH or a SDCCH & maps onto the same physical channel.

On the forward link it is used to send changing control information to the mobile, such as
transmit power level instructions.

The reverse SACCH carries information about the received signal strengths, quality of
TCH & BCH measurement results from neighboring cells.

c) Fast Associated Control Channel [FACCH]:

It is assigned whenever a SDCCH has not been dedicated for a particular user and there is
a urgent message to be conveyed.

It is assigned only to a traffic channel & relies on frame stealing to gain access to the
traffic channel.

Chapter-11

GSM USER SERVICES

Some of the GSM USER SERVICES are:-

Teleservices:The abilities of a Bearer Service are used by a Teleservice to transport data.

These services are further transited in the following ways:

Voice Calls:The most basic Teleservice supported by GSM is telephony. This includes full-rate speech
at 13 kbps and emergency calls, where the nearest emergency-service provider is notified
by dialing three digits.

Videotext and Facsmile:Another group of teleservices includes Videotext access, Teletex transmission, Facsimile
alternate speech and facsimile Group 3, Automatic facsimile Group, 3 etc.

Short Text Messages:Short Messaging Service (SMS) service is a text messaging service that allows sending
and receiving text messages on your GSM mobile phone. In addition to simple text
messages, other text data including news, sports, financial, language, and location-based
data can also be transmitted.

Bearer Services:Data services or Bearer Services are used through a GSM phone. to receive and send data
is the essential building block leading to widespread mobile Internet access and mobile
data transfer. GSM currently has a data transfer rate of 9.6k. New developments that will
push up data transfer rates for GSM users are HSCSD (high speed circuit switched data)
and GPRS (general packet radio service) are now available.

Supplementary Services:Supplementary services are additional services that are provided in addition to
teleservices and bearer services. These services include caller identification, call
forwarding, call waiting, multi-party conversations, and barring of outgoing
(international) calls, among others. A brief description of supplementary services is given
here:

Conferencing : It allows a mobile subscriber to establish a multiparty conversation, i.e.,

a simultaneous conversation between three or more subscribers to setup a conference
call. This service is only applicable to normal telephony.

Call Waiting : This service notifies a mobile subscriber of an incoming call during a
conversation. The subscriber can answer, reject, or ignore the incoming call.

Call Hold : This service allows a subscriber to put an incoming call on hold and resume
after a while. The call hold service is applicable to normal telephony.

Call Forwarding : Call Forwarding is used to divert calls from the original recipient to
another number. It is normally set up by the subscriber himself. It can be used by the
subscriber to divert calls from the Mobile Station when the subscriber is not available,
and so to ensure that calls are not lost.

Call Barring : Call Barring is useful to restrict certain types of outgoing calls such as
ISD or stop incoming calls from undesired numbers. Call barring is a flexible service that
enables the subscriber to conditionally bar calls.

Advice of Charge (AoC) : This service was designed to give the subscriber an
indication of the cost of the services as they are used. Furthermore, those service
providers who wish to offer rental services to subscribers without their own SIM can also
utilize this service in a slightly different form. AoC for data calls is provided on the basis
of time measurements.

Closed User Groups (CUGs) : This service is meant for groups of subscribers who wish
to call only each other and no one else.

Unstructured supplementary services data (USSD) : This allows operator-defined

individual services.

Number Identification : There are following supplementary services related to number

identification:

Calling Line Identification Presentation : This service displays the telephone

number of the calling party on your screen.

Calling Line Identification Restriction : A person not wishing their number to

be presented to others subscribes to this service.

Connected Line Identification Presentation : This service is provided to give

the calling party the telephone number of the person to whom they are connected.
This service is useful in situations such as forwarding's where the number
connected is not the number dialled.

Connected Line Identification Restriction : There are times when the person
called does not wish to have their number presented and so they would subscribe
to this person. Normally, this overrides the presentation service.

Malicious Call Identification : The malicious call identification service was

provided to combat the spread of obscene or annoying calls. The victim should
subscribe to this service, and then they could cause known malicious calls to be
identified in the GSM network, using a simple command.

Chapter-12

HANDOVER

Figure 9

The term means that a Mobile station latched onto a particular cell of an area will be
forwarded to latch onto any other of its neighbor site depending on certain parameters.

Reason for Handover:

In telecommunications there may be different reasons why a handover might be conducted:

o when the phone is moving away from the area covered by one cell and
entering the area covered by another cell the call is transferred to the
second cell in order to avoid call termination when the phone gets outside
the range of the first cell;
o when the capacity for connecting new calls of a given cell is used up and an existing or
new call from a phone, which is located in an area overlapped by another cell, is transferred
to that cell in order to free-up some capacity in the first cell for other users, who can only
be connected to that cell;
o in non-CDMA networks when the channel used by the phone becomes
interfered by another phone using the same channel in a different cell, the call is
transferred to a different channel in the same cell or to a different channel in
another cell in order to avoid the interference;
o again in non-CDMA networks when the user behaviour changes, e.g. when a
fast-travelling user, connected to a large, umbrella-type of cell, stops then the
call may be transferred to a smaller macro cell or even to a micro cell in order to
free capacity on the umbrella cell for other fast-travelling users and to reduce the
potential interference to other cells or users (this works in reverse too, when a
user is detected to be moving faster than a certain threshold, the call can be
transferred to a larger umbrella-type of cell in order to minimise the frequency of
the handovers due to this movement);
o In CDMA networks a soft handoff may be induced in order to reduce the
interference to a smaller neighbouring cell due to the "near-far" effect even
when the phone still has an excellent connection to its current cell. [10]

Types of Handover:
The most basic form of handover is when a phone call in progress is redirected from its
current cell (called source) and its used channel in that cell to a new cell (called target)
and a new channel. In terrestrial networks the source and the target cells may be served
from two different cell sites or from one and the same cell site (in the latter case the two
cells are usually referred to as two sectors on that cell site). Such a handover, in which
the source and the target are different cells (even if they are on the same cell site), is
called inter-cell handover. The purpose of inter-cell handover is to maintain the call as the
subscriber is moving out of the area covered by the source cell and entering the area of
the target cell.

Figure 10

A special case is possible, in which the source and the target are one and the same cell and
only the used channel is changed during the handover. Such a handover, in which the cell is
not changed, is called intra-cell handover. The purpose of intra-cell handover is to change
one channel, which may be interfered, or fading with a new clearer or less fading channel.

Figure 11

A hard handover is one in which the channel in the source cell is released and only then
the channel in the target cell is engaged. Thus the connection to the source is broken
before the connection to the target is madefor this reason such handovers are also
known as break-before-make. Hard handovers are intended to be instantaneous in order
to minimize the disruption to the call. A hard handover is perceived by network engineers
as an event during the call.

A soft handover is one in which the channel in the source cell is retained and used for a
while in parallel with the channel in the target cell. In this case the connection to the
target is established before the connection to the source is broken, hence this handovers is
called make-before-break. The interval, during which the two connections are used in
parallel, may be brief or substantial. For this reason the soft handovers is perceived by

network engineers as a state of the call, rather than a brief event. Soft handovers may
involve using connections to more than two cells, e.g. connections to three, four or more
cells can be maintained by one phone at the same time. When a call is in a state of soft
handovers the signal of the best of all used channels can be utilised for the call at a given
moment or all the signals can be combined to produce a clearer copy of the signal. The
latter is more advantageous, and when such combining is performed both in the
downlink (forward link) and the uplink (reverse link) the handover is termed as softer.
Softer handovers are possible when the cells involved in the handovers have a single cell
site.

HANDOVER PROCEDURE:

The overall handover process is implemented in the MS, BSS & MSC.

The BSS measures the uplink performance for the MS being served and also assesses
the signal strength of interference on its idle traffic channels.

The MS assists the handover decision process by performing certain measurements.

When the MS is engaged in a speech conversation, a portion of the TDMA frame is

idle while the rest of the frame is used for uplink (BTS receive) and downlink (BTS
transmit) timeslots.
During the idle time period of the frame, the MS changes radio channel frequency
and monitors and measures the signal level of the six best neighbor cells.

Measurements which feed the handover decision algorithm are made at both ends of the
radio link.

At the MS end, measurements are continuously signaled, via the associated control
channel, to the BSS where the decision for handover is ultimately made.

MS measurements include:
R Serving cell downlink quality (bit error rate (BER) estimate).
R Serving cell downlink received signal level, and six best neighbor cells
downlink received signal level.

The MS also decodes the Base Station ID Code (BSIC) from the six best neighbor cells,
and reports the BSICs and the measurement information to the BSS.

The BTS measures the uplink link quality, received signal level, and MS to BTS site distance.

The MS RF transmit output power budget is also considered in the handover decision.

If the MS can be served by a neighbor cell at a lower power, the handover is

recommended.

From a system perspective, handover may be considered due to loading or

congestion conditions. In this case, the MSC or BSC tries to balance channel usage
among cells.

Chapter-13

Mobile Subscriber identities in GSM

International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI):
An IMSI is assigned to each authorized GSM user. It consists of a mobile country code (MCC),
mobile network code (MNC) (to identify the PLMN), and a PLMN unique mobile subscriber
identification number (MSIN). The IMSI is the only absolute identity that a subscriber has within
the GSM system. The IMSI consists of the MCC followed by the MNC and MSIN and shall not
exceed 15 digits.
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI):
A TMSI is a MSC-VLR specific alias that is designed to maintain user confidentiality. It is
assigned only after successful subscriber authentication. The correlation of a TMSI to an IMSI
only occurs during a mobile subscribers initial transaction with an MSC (for example, location
updating). Under certain condition (such as traffic system disruption and malfunctioning of the
system), the MSC can direct individual TMSIs to provide the MSC with their IMSI.
Mobile Station ISDN Number:
The MS international number must be dialed after the international prefix in order to obtain a
mobile subscriber in another country. The MSISDN numbers is composed of the country code
(CC) followed by the National Destination Code (NDC), Subscriber Number (SN), which shall
not exceed 15 digits. Here too the first two digits of the SN identify the HLR where the mobile
subscriber is administrated.

The Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN):

The MSRN is allocated on temporary basis when the MS roams into another numbering area.
The MSRN number is used by the HLR for rerouting calls to the MS. It is assigned upon demand
by the HLR on a per-call basis. The MSRN for PSTN/ISDN routing shall have the same structure
as international ISDN numbers in the area in which the MSRN is allocated. The HLR knows in
what MSC/VLR service area the subscriber is located. At the reception of the MSRN, HLR sends
it to the GMSC, which can now route the call to the MSC/VLR exchange where the called
subscriber is currently registered.

International Mobile Equipment Identity:

The IMEI is the unique identity of the equipment used by a subscriber by each PLMN and is
used to determine authorized (white), unauthorized (black), and malfunctioning (gray) GSM
hardware. In conjunction with the IMSI, it is used to ensure that only authorized users are
granted access to the system.

Chapter-14

CONCLUSION
During the period of Evolution of mobile communication technologies various systems were
introduced and deployed to achieve standardization in mobile industry, but all the efforts were
failed. Multiple issues were sustained like incompatibility of systems, development of digital
radio frequency. That is, when GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) Technology
was introduced and problems like standardization, incompatibility etc were overcame. TDMA
solution was chosen in 1987, it is narrowband system and TDMA standards for Time Division
Multiple access.
In 1991 in Finland. GSM based mobile phones are operated on TDMA Systems, in TDMA single
radio frequency is offered to users with any interference. After all these years, GSM is now the
largest mobile communication technology worldwide, all manufacturers of Mobile phones
develop their products based on GSM, and all mobile companies provide their subscribers GSM
networks.
GSM technology facilitates with high speed integrated data, voice data, fax, mail, voice mail and
mostly used SMS feature. GSM also make sure that all the communication made between
networks are secured and protected from intruders and frauds.
GSM supports multiple frequency levels like 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz 1900MHz
frequency is used in North America where as 1800MHz is used in other parts of the world.
Different frequency bands are used by different mobile phone operators.
Moreover, there are over 700 GSM networks available in the world operating in their respective
countries and providing international roaming services courtesy GSM technology. There are over
2 billion GSM subscribers in the world. Countries which are using GSM networks on larger
scales are India ,Russia, china Pakistan, United States.

After GSM 3G WCDMA came in market with Mind blowing technology. Its data processing
speed is increased to 3Mbp/sec. But it is not so fast as expected so with in few years another
technology came in which is 4G LTE which came with fast speed & in same cost.
The 4G LTE technology is nothing less then ground breaking. The advancements that have been
made from 3G to 4G LTE alone are mind blowing. With the data processing speed being
increased to at least 100 Mbit/sec the possibilities are limitless in the wireless communication
world. Everything with this new technology has been brought to a new standard. The security,
with the complete IP-based solutions allows the user to use the full capability of the phone as
well as feel completely secure at the same time, this is one of the most vital aspects that has been
upgraded from the previous wireless communication technologies. Even though the hardware
and coverage areas arent up to par yet though, isnt that big of a set back. The technology is still
considered brand new and will only be improved in the coming years.

Giver the above facts and very good voice quality, support useful services and standards,
delivered by GSM, it is expected that GSM shall remain the prominent technology for offering
the mobile telephony.

REFERENCES
http://www.mobileworld.org/gsm_about_04.html
2. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/gsm/gsm_overview.htm
3. http://www.etsi.org/index.php/technologies-clusters/technologies/mobile/gsm
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/gsm/gsm_architecture.htm
5. https://www.techopedia.com/definition/7580/home-location-register-hlr
6. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/gsm/gsm_specification.htm
7. http://electronicdesign.com/communications/fundamentals-communications-accesstechnologies-fdma-tdma-cdma-ofdma-and-sdma
8. https://www.scribd.com/doc/19708640/9-GSM-Speech-Channel-Coding
9. http://www.teletopix.org/gsm/bchccch-and-dcch-channel-of-gsm/
10. http://cwi.unik.no/images/9/9a/Basics_Handover.pdf

11. http://techpedia.sristi.org/projects/on-gsm-technology/196129