Traffic Channels (TCH)

A traffic channel (TCH) is used to carry speech and data traffic. Traffic channels are defined
using a 26-frame multi frame, or group of 26 TDMA frames. The length of a 26-frame multi
frame is 120ms. Out of the 26 frames, 24 are used for traffic, 1 is used for the slow associated
control channel (SACCH) and 1 is currently unused.

Full Rate & Half Rate TCH

They can be defined as full-rate TCHs (TCH/F, 22.8 kbps) and half-rate TCHs (TCH/H, 11.4
kbps). Half-rate TCHs double the capacity of a system effectively by making it possible
to transmit two calls in a single channel. If a TCH/F is used for data communications, the
usable data rate drops to 9.6 kbps (in TCH/H: max. 4.8 kbps) due to the enhanced security
algorithms. Eighth-rate TCHs are also specified, and are used for signaling. In the GSM
Recommendations, they are called stand-alone dedicated control channels (SDCCH)

Signaling channels

The signaling channels on the air interface are used for call establishment, paging, call
maintenance, synchronization, etc.

There are three type of signaling channels

1. Broadcast Channels
2. Common Control Channels
3. Dedicated Control Channel
Broadcast Channels (BCH)

Carry only downlink information and are responsible mainly for synchronization and frequency
correction. This is the only channel type enabling point-to-multipoint communications in which
short messages are simultaneously transmitted to several mobiles

BCH Characteristics

• Each cell has a designated BCH carrier

• All BCH timeslots transmit continuously on full power

• TS 0 contains logical control channels

• TS1-7 optionally carries traffic

• BCCH block occur once each 51-frame multiframe

• Each block comprises 4 frames carrying 1 message

The BCHs include the following channels;

1. Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH): General information, cell specific (local area code
(LAC), network operator, access parameters, list of neighboring cells, etc). The MS receives
signals via the BCCH from many BTSs within the same network and/or different networks.
2. Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH): Downlink only; correction of MS frequencies;
transmission of frequency standard to MS; it is also used for synchronization of an acquisition
by providing the boundaries between timeslots and the position of the first timeslot of a TDMA
frame.
3. Synchronization Channel (SCH): Downlink only; frame synchronization (TDMA frame
number) and identification of base station. The valid reception of one SCH burst will provide
the MS with all the information needed to synchronize with a BTS

Common Control Channels (CCCH)

A group of uplink and downlink channels between the MS and the BTS. These channels are used
to convey information from the network to MSs and provide access to the network. The CCCHs
include the following channels;

1. Paging Channel (PCH): Downlink only; the MS is informed by the BTS for incoming
calls via the PCH

2. Access Grant Channel (AGCH): Downlink only, BTS allocates a TCH or SDCCH to
the MS, thus allowing the MS access to the network.
 3. Random Access Channel (RACH): Uplink only, allows the MS to request an SDCCH
in response to a page or due to a call; the MS chooses a random time to send on this
channel. This creates a possibility of collisions with transmissions from other MSs

Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)

Responsible for roaming, handovers, encryption, etc. The DCCHs include the following
channels;

1. Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH); Communications channel between

MS and the BTS; signaling during call setup before a traffic channel (TCH) is allocated
2. Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH); Transmits continuous measurement reports
in parallel to operation of a TCH or SDCCH
3. Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH); Similar to the SDCCH, but used in parallel
to operation of the TCH; if the data rate of the SACCH is insufficient, “borrowing mode” is
used: Additional bandwidth is borrowed from the TCH; this happens for messages associated
with call establishment authentication of the subscriber, handover decisions, etc.

RRC Service states

• Idle Mode:
– After UE is switched on it will camp in the a suitable cell. After camping:
– User is able to send and receive system and cell broadcasting information.
– In the idle mode until it transmits a request to establish RRC connection.

• Cell_DCH
– Entered from Idle Mode or by establishing a DCH from the Cell_FACH state.
– DPCH and physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is allocated to UE.
– UE is in this mode until explicit signalling for Cell_FACH.

• Cell_FACH
– No dedicated channel allocated. Data transmitted through RACH and FACH.
– UE listens BCH.
– Cell reselection is performed (RNC is informed).

• Cell_PCH
– UE known at a cell level but can be reached via PCH.
– Usel listens BCH, some terminals also BMC.
– In case of Cell reselection automatically moved to Cell_FACH state.

• URA_PCH
– UE executes the cell update procedure only if the UTRAN Registration Area is changed.
– DCCH can not be used in this state, all the activities initiated by the network through the PCCH or
RACH.
3G

4G

ICM band
Idle Channel Measurements, used in telecom, to measure uplink interference while
TCH or SDCCH channels are idle. 5 ICM bands are used. The worst one is the 5th
one, the best one is the first.

gprs dl -114kbps
edge dl - 384kbps

hspa (hsdpa/hsupa)
dl - 14Mbps
ul - 5.76Mbps

hspa+
dl - 28(16QAM)
- 42(64QAM)

dc-hsdpa
dl - 42Mbps

PGSM (Primary GSM):

Uplink frequency: 890.2MHz to 914.8MHz
Downlink frequency: 935.2MHz to 959.8MHz

EGSM (Extended GSM):

Uplink frequency: 880.2MHz to 914.8MHz
Downlink frequency: 925.2MHz to 959.8MHz

rtwp -90 above (ex:-100,-110) good

- -90 below(ex:-80,-70) bad