GSM Architecture & Interfaces

GSM Public land mobile network

A public land mobile network (PLMN) is a regulatory term in telecommunications. A PLMN is a network that is established and operated by an administration or by a recognized operating agency (ROA) for the specific purpose of providing land mobile telecommunications services to the public. A PLMN is identified by the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC). A GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) PLMN may be described by a limited set of access interfaces and a limited set of GSM PLMN connection types to support the telecommunication services described in the GSM 02-series of specifications. PLMN is network that is established and operated by an administration or by a recognized operating agency (ROA) for the specific purpose of providing land mobile telecommunications services to the public. A PLMN may be considered as an extension of a fixed network, e.g. the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or as an integral part of the PSTN. This is just one view-point on PLMN. PLMN mostly refers to the whole system of hardware and software which enables wireless communication, irrespective of the service area or service provider. Sometimes separate PLMN is defined for each country or for each service provider. Its case is same as that of PSTN. Sometimes it refers to the whole circuit-switched system, or else specific to each country. A public land mobile network may be defined as a number of mobile services switching centre areas within a common numbering plan and a common routing plan. With respect to their functions, the PLMNs may be regarded as independent communications entities, even though different PLMNs may be interconnected through the PSTN/ISDN for the forwarding of calls or network information. The MSCs of a PLMN can be interconnected similarly to allow interaction. A PLMN may have several interfaces with the fixed network (e.g. one for each MSC). Interworking between two PLMNs may be performed via an international switching centre. The PLMN is connected via an NCP to the PSTN/ISDN. If there are two mobile service suppliers in the same country, they can be connected through the same PSTN/ISDN.

Fig: GSM PLMN

Objective of GSM PLMN

The general objective of a PLMN is to facilitate wireless communication and to interlink the wireless network with the fixed wired network. The PLMN was specified by the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) following up with their GSM specification. Even as times changed, the GSM PLMN objectives conceptually remained the same. To provide the subscriber a wide range of services and facilities, both voice and non voice that are compatible with those offered by existing networks like public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). To introduce a mobile ratio system that is compatible with ISDN. To give access to the GSM network for a mobile subscriber in a country that operates the GSM system. To provide facilities for automatic roaming, locating and updating of mobile subscribers.

 To provide certain services and facilities exclusive to mobile situations. To provide service to a wide range of mobile situations (MSs), including vehicle mounted station, portable station and handheld station. To provide for efficient use of the frequency spectrum. To allow for a low cost infra structure and terminal and to keep to cost of service low.

Services of GSM PLMN

A telecommunication service supported by the GSM PLMN is defined as a group of communication capabilities that the service provider offers to the subscribers. The basic telecommunication services provided by the GSM PLMN are divided into three main groups

Bearer Services: These services give the subscriber the capacity required to transmit appropriate signals between certain access points (user-network interfaces). Tele Services: Provide subscriber with necessary capabilities including terminal equipment function to communicate with other subscribers. Supplementary Services: Modify or supplement basic telecommunication services and are offered together or in association with basic communication services.

Mapping of GSM layers onto OSI layers

The GSM protocol architecture for signaling and mapping onto the corresponding OSI layers is shown in Figure.GSM uses out-of-band signaling through a separate signaling network. When an MS is switched on somewhere, it first has to determine whether it has access to a PLMN. It initiates a location update to inform its home PLMN about its current location in order to enable the routing of incoming calls to the subscriber. The location of an MS is stored in a central database, the HLR of the PLMN where the customer has purchased service. In addition to other user-specific information, the HLR maintains the routing number to an MSC. The MSC is primarily responsible for switching and mobility management (MM). Once connected to an MSC, a BSS communicates with the MS via the radio interface. Each MS, positioned in a cell of a BSS of an MSC, is registered with a specific database associated with the MSC and the VLR. If a call to a GSM subscriber is generated from an external network, the call is routed to a

Gateway MSC (GMSC) first. This GMSC interrogates the HLR of the called subscriber to obtain the routing number of the visited MSC. The latter then initiates the transmission of a paging message within each of its associated cells. If the called subscriber answers, the BSS assigns a traffic channel to be used for the communication, and the link is fully established.

Fig: mapping of GSM onto OSI layers

MS on switching to be to determine the access to PLMN Location update to its home PLMN about its current location - to enable the routing of incoming calls to the subscriber Location of the MS stored in the central database, the HLR of the PLMN where customer had purchased HLR maintains the routing number of the MSC and other user-specific information MSC- responsible for switching and mobility management (MM) BSS communicates with the MS via the radio interface once connected to the MSC

MS positioned in the cell of a BSS of an MSC is registered with the specific database associated with the MSC and the VLR Call from the external network Call is routed to the GMSC (Gateway MSC) first GMSC interrogates the HLR of the called subscriber to obtain the routing number of the visited MSC MSc initiates the transmission of a paging message within each of its associated cells BSS assigns a traffic channel, if the called subscriber answers to communication, and link is established During the call: MS moves from cell to cell in the whole GSM service area GSM maintains the communication links without interruption of the end-to-end connection BSS handover procedures is mobile assisted and performed by BSS MS periodically measures downlink sign a quality and reports it to its serving BTS, as well as to all cells in its neighborhood that are prospective candidates for handover