Information on Traffic Channel

A GSM traffic channel (TCH) carries speech and data traffic. Of each 26-frame mu
ltiframe, 24 frames are used for traffic channels, one is used for the slow
associated control channel (SACCH) and one is unused.
A GSM full-rate traffic channel (TCH/F) has a raw rate of 22.8 Kbps, with a
useable rate of 9.6 Kbps for data (or approximately 13 Kbps for speech).
One full-rate traffic channel is allocated one slot in each frame.
A GSM half-rate traffic channel (TCH/H) has a raw rate of 11.4 Kbps, with a
useable rate of 4.8 Kbps for data. A half-rate traffic channel
is allocated one slot in every second frame.

Information on Signalling Channels

GSM signalling channels are used for the control of the GSM network. There are t
hree types of GSM signaling channels:
broadcast channels,
common control channels and
dedicated control channels.
Information on Broadcast Channels
The GSM broadcast channels are used to provide information to a mobile station a
bout the network and timing information required for synchronization.
The GSM broadcast control channel carries general cell-specific information, su
ch as identifying the network operator and neighbouring cells.
The GSM frequency correction channel, which exists on the downlink only, is used
to transmit a frequency standard and the location of the first time-slot
of the time division multiple access (TDMA) frame. The GSM synchronisation chan
nel also exists on the downlink only. Reception of a single synchronization
channel burst enables a mobile station to synchronise to a base station.
Information on Common Control Channels
The GSM common control channels are used to inform mobile stations of incoming c
alls and to request and grant channels.
The GSM paging channel (PCH), which exists only on the downlink, is used to info
rm the MS of an incoming call. The GSM access grant
channel (AGCH), which also only exists on the downlink, is used to allocate a st
and-alone dedicated control channel or traffic channel
to a mobile station. The GSM random access channel (RACH), which exists only on
the uplink, allows the mobile station to request allocation
of a stand-alone dedicated control channel. Unlike other GSM channels, for which
capacity is allocated by the network, the random access channel (RACH)
allows random access. Collisions can therefore occur if multiple mobile stations
attempt to transmit at the same time.
Information on Dedicated Control Channels
GSM dedicated control channels carry data used during connection establishment a
nd for handover decisions.
The GSM stand-alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH) is used for signaling betw
een base station and mobile station during call setup.
The GSM slow associated control channel (SACCH) carries measurement reports req
uired for handover decisions.
The GSM fast associated control channel (FACCH) has the same purpose as the stan
d-alone dedicated control channel,
but borrows capacity from a traffic channel rather than having capacity specific
ally allocated by the base station