GSM OVERVIEW

By :

Qasim Bajwa ( E&ME NUST) Shazem Sidiqui ( Comsats)

Internees-BSS Department

1st August-31st August 2011.

Types of communication: There are three types of communication Simplex Half-duplex Full-duplex

History: 1G The first generation of mobile telecommunications use analague radio interface.

AMPS(advanced mobile phone system) TACS(total access communication system)

These were the fist one to introduce first generation system. The frequency ranges are (800 to 900)MHz.

Problems: Low capacity.

2G The second generation of mobile telecommunications use digital radio interface.

2G is divided into divided into CDMA and TDMA based multiplexing.

Advantages: Large capacity. 2G network is built for voice services and slow data transmission (SMS,emails).

2.5G
The 2.5G is the wireless technology whose capability associated with general packet radio services(GPRS).2.5G is the first step towards the third generation(3G). 2.5G wireless technology is a stepping stone that bridged 2G to 3G wireless technology. While 2G and 3G have been formally defined as wireless standards, 2.5G has not been and was created only for the purposes of marketing.
2.5G saw some of the advances inherent in 3G networks (including packet-switched systems). The evolution from 2G to 3G ushered in faster and higher-capacity data transmission.

3G

third generation (3G) of mobile telephony standards IMT-2000 to facilitate growth, increase bandwidth, and support more diverse applications. For example, GSM could deliver not only voice, but also circuit-switched data at speeds up to 14.4 Kbps. But to support mobile multimedia applications, 3G had to deliver packet-switched data with better spectral efficiency, at far greater speeds.

GSM: SYSTEM

ARCHITECTURE

MOBILE STATION (MS)

MS consists of following two components

Mobile Equipment (ME) Mobile Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Removable plastic card Stores International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) + ISDN IMSI identifies the suscriber with in GSM network ISDN is the actual phone number a caller uses to reach to that person Stores Personal Identification Number (PIN) & Authentication Keys. Also stores short messages, charging information, telephone book etc.

BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION (BTS)

One per cell Consists of high speed transmitter and receiver Function of BTS
Provides two channels
Signalling and Data Channel

Performs error protection coding for the radio channel

BTS Circuit Breakers (BCB) Network Interface Card

External Alarm Circuit Board (EACB)

Shelf # 5

Combiners Shelf # 4

Shelf # 3

TRE

Shelf # 2

SUMA Card

Shelf # 1

PORT ADDRESS:
Formula:

16n + 1 ( n = shelf number )

This formula is for the first port of each shelf. For remaining three ports add 3 in the above formula for each port.

External Alarm Circuit Board (EACB)

Clock Port

Abis Patching

BTS Circuit Breakers (BCB)

BTS Circuit Breakers (BCB)

External Alarm Circuit Board (EACB)

Clock Port

Abis Patching

Equipment Label

Lock Fastener

Transmitter Connector

Module Extractor

Antenna Connector

Bridge

Receiver Connector

Equipment Label

Lock Fastener

Transmitter Connector Receiver Connector

Module Extractor Antenna Connector Bridge

Transmitter Connector Module Extractor ON/OFF Switch

USB Test Connector

Equipment Label

Receiver Connector Lock Fastener LEDs

Abis Connector

BTS Connection Area Connector

BTS Terminal Connector

Equipment Label

Test Connector

USB Connector

Lock Fastener

LEDs

Remote Inventory Cable (RI Cable)

Remote Inventory Cable (RI Cable)

Cabinet Cooling Fan

BASE STATION CONTROLLER (BSC)

Controls multiple BTS Functions of BSC

Performs radio resource management

Assigns frequencies and time slots for all the MSs in its area Reallocation of frequencies among cells

Time Delay Measurement and notification of an MS to BTS Power Management of BTS

MOBILE SWITCHING CENTER (MSC)

Switching node of a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) Allocation of radio resource (RR)
Handoff

Mobility of subscribers

Location registration of subscriber

There can be several MSCs in a PLMN

HLR/VLR
HLR

- Home Location Register

VLR

Contains semi-permanent subscriber information For all users registered with the network, HLR keeps user profile When MS registers with a new GMSC, the HLR sends the user profile to the new MSC

- Visitor Location Register

Contains temporary info about mobile subscribers that are currently located in the MSC service area but whose HLR are elsewhere Copies relevant information of new users from the HLR(IMSI,ISDN number)

EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER EIR

EIR

allows stolen or fraudulent mobile stations to be identified White listed Grey listed Black listed

GSM IDENTIFIERS
International

(IMSI):

mobile subscriber identity

unique 15 digits assigned by service provider = home country code + home GSM network code + mobile subscriber ID + national mobile subscriber ID

International

mobile station equipment identity (IMEI):

unique 15 digits assigned by equipment manufacturer = type approval code + final assembly code + serial number + spare digit

INTERFACES
Air The interface between the Mobile Station and BTS is Air.

ABIS THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE BTS AND BSC. GENERALLY CARRIED BY A DS-1, ES-1, OR E1 TDM CIRCUIT

E1 ACCESS E1 IS A PHYSICAL LAYER PROTOCOL FOR LEASED LINE TRANSMISSIONS. E1 LINES CARRY THIRTY-TWO (32) 64 KBPS CHANNELS AT 2.048 MBPS.
THIRTY OF THESE CHANNELS ARE USED FOR VOICE AND DATA CIRCUITS, ONE IS USED FOR SIGNALING AND

ANOTHER IS USED FOR FRAMING AND MAINTENANCE.

A-INTERFACE
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE BSC AND MSC IS

A INTERFACE

CALL SETUP EXPLAINED WITH

THE HELP OF A BLOCK DIAGRAM

Mobile

Antenna

Feeder

OUTC

SUMA card

TRE

Combiner

Micro wave Link --> HOP

HOP BSC

BSC to MSC, if in MSC's region then BSC to again BTS & then the Reciver's sector Area and then the "Call's connected. If reciver is outstation then call is connected/route(d) to its respective MSC

GSM Call Setup- A Simple Scenario

AUC
MS BTS BSC HLR MSC Mobile Station = phone + SIM card Base Transceiver Station Base Station Controller Home Location Register Mobile services Switching Centre

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node IN

EIR

VLR AUC

MSC

SMSC

INTERNET

Visitor Location Register Authentication Centre Stand-alone or integrated in HLR EIR Equipment Identity Register For blacklisting stolen and unwanted equipment SMSC Short Message Service Support Centre VMS Voice Messaging System PrePaid Node Hosting prepaid service system IN Intelligent Network services PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC
Base Station Controller

The call request reaches the BSC from the BTS and is forwarded to MSC. After call is established, the BSC will perform decoding of the call (in typical config.)

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Checks A number. To whom is A subscriber calling? (Checks B number) Example : A subscriber has GP prepaid.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Does the A subscriber have money left on his/her account? When the call is established and on-going the subscribers account is decremented accordingly.

PrePaid Node

HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Where is the B subscriber? MSC interrogates in HLR.

(HLR = Home Location Register)

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

HLR says I am the home of the B subscriber and I know where he/she is right now (i.e. which VLR) Tells this VLR Give me a visitor address for this subscriber (MSRN)

HLR
Home Location Register

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Hosting MSC/VLR returns B subscribers assigned MSRN.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Thanks for the visitor address! I will send this address to the MSC that requested for it.

HLR
Home Location Register

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Thank you, HLR! Speech connection is set up towards the MSC/VLR where the B subscriber is residing.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

Setting up a speech connection towards BSC.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

 BSC

will now send a paging signal to all the BTSs that it covers. Coding of speech when call is established.

BSC
Base Station Controller

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

The B subscriber has now many choices:

He/she may answer. He/she may be busy. The mobile (MS) may be forwarded. The mobile may be turned off or outside coverage area. And more...

What happens next depends on the B subscribers condition and what he/she chooses to do.

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fixed Network

BSC

PSTN
International

PABX

GSM CHANNELS

Prof. Anirudha Sahoo

3.89

CHANNEL TYPES

Traffic Channel (TCH)

Carries user voice traffic

Signalling Channel
Common Control Channel (CCH) (bidirectional) Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH) (bidirectional) Broadcast Channel (BCH) (unidirectional)

BCCH

Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)

BTS to MS
send cell identities, organization info about common control channels, cell service available

Radio channel configuration

Current cell + Neighbouring cells

Synchronizing information

Frequencies + frame numbering

AGCH & PCH

Access Grant Channel (AGCH)

BTS to MS Used to assign an SDCCH to MS

Paging Channel (PCH)

BTS to MS Page MS Both channels are never use at the same time.

DCCH
DCCH

(dedicated control channel):

bidirectional point-to-point -- main signaling channels SDCCH (stand-alone dedicated control channel): for service request, subscriber authentication, equipment validation, assignment to a traffic channel SACCH (slow associated control channel): for out-ofband signaling associated with a traffic channel, eg, signal strength measurements FACCH (fast associated control channel): for preemptive signaling on a traffic channel, eg, for handoff messages

THANK YOU !