1

GSM Foundation Course

• Course Content
Basic Telephony & Cellular
Principal of Cellular Communication
GSM Features
GSM Network Components
GSM Terrestrial Interfaces
Basic GSM Processes
GSM Air Interface
Radio Interface Optimization, Supplementary services &
Contemporary Networks

2
 ESSAR Telecom

• Telecom Service Provisions

– GSM
– Basic
– Internet

• ESSAR
– GSM Service Provider in Punjab, Delhi,
Rajasthan, U.P (East) & Haryana
– Basic Service Provider in the state of Punjab.

3
 Service Industry

• Service Provider is not a Equipment

Manufacturer.
• The Service Provider has a license to operate in a
geographical boundary (state/circle/ country).
• It buys equipment from OEM Suppliers (Vendors).
• Installs & commissions the equipment thus
making it’s own Network.
• Provides the desired service to it’s subscribers.

4
 ESSAR CELLPHONE

Coverage Area

Punjab
Delhi
Haryana

Rajasthan U.P (East)

 ORGANISATION STRUCTURE

PROMOTERS

TECHNICAL
PLANNING MARKETING
SALES
IMPLEMENTATION CUSTOMER CARE
OPERATIONS

OPERATIONS SYSTEM SUPPORT

SUPPORT FUNCTIONS BILLING
HR, ADMIN, ACCOUNTS IT
ACTIVATIONS

6
 Basic Telephony

•Signaling
•Traffic
SWITCH / EXCHANGE

•Off Hook
•Dial Tone
•Dialing Digits •Ring
•RBT •Off Hook &
Conversation
•Conversation
7
 2 Mb E1 (PCM)

1
1st TCH

E1 bit stream
15th TCH

16
17th TS

300 - 3400 Hz Sample Rate 8 kHz 64 kbps

8 bits per sample

31
8 30thTCH
 Wireless Telephony

MSC

BSC
BTS BTS

Mobile Subscriber...

9
 Wireless Communication

• Alternative means of wireless communication

– Walkie - Talkie
– Pagers
– Trunked private radios

• Mobile Phone - the magic technology that enables

everyone to communicate anywhere with anybody.

10
11
 Cellular Communication

• A cellular system links Mobile subscribers to Public

Telephone System or to another Mobile subscribers.

• It removes the fixed wiring used in a traditional

telephone installation.

• Mobile subscriber is able to move around, perhaps

can travel in a vehicle or on foot & still make & receive
call.

12
Advantage of Cellular Communication

• Mobility
• Flexibility
• Convergence
• Greater QOS
• Network Expansion
• Revenue/Profit

13
 WHAT IS CELLULAR TELEPHONY ?

CONSIDERATIONS -

✻ FREQUENCY

Base Station
✻ SUBSCRIBER
DENSITY Base Station
Base Station

✻ COVERAGE
Base Station

Base Station
Base Station
 The Cell

• Cellular Radio involves dividing a large service area

into regions called “cells.”
• Each cell has the equipment to switch, transmit and
receive calls.
• Cells - Reduce the need of High powered transmission
• Cells - Conventionally regarded as being hexagonal,
but in reality they are irregularly shaped.
• Cell shape is determined by the nature of the
surrounding area e.g. Hills , tall building etc.

15
 The CELL

❏ What is a cell ?

✻ A cell is a certain area

that can be reached
with one transceiver

or
✻ A small collection of BTS
transceivers on
different channels at a
single base site.
The hexagonal-shaped communication cells are
artificial & are generated to simplify the planning &
design of a cellular network.
 Coverage & Capacity
• Coverage
– Percentage of the geographical area covered
by cellular service where mobile telephony is
available

• Capacity -
– Number of calls that can be handled in a
certain area within a certain period of time.
– Capacity can also refer to the probability that
users will be denied access to a system due to
the simple unavailability of radio channels.

17
Cells

18
 Cell Size

• Large Cells • Small Cells

• 35 Km • Near about 1 KM
• Remote Areas • Urban Areas
• High Transmission • Low Transmission
Power Power
• Few subscribers • Many Subscribers

19
 MICRO CELL

Below Rooftop
~ Railway Platforms, Airports,
~ Busy Shopping Bazaar etc.

Low Tx Power
~ 1 Watt max.

Limited Coverage
~ 200m - 500m

Hotspot Solution

Special Algorithms for HO

20
 PICO CELLS

Inside offices, Buildings

Very Low Tx Power

~ Less than 1 Watt

Limited Coverage
~ 50 -100m

Capacity Solution

Special Algorithms for HO

Pico Cell

21
 Analog Mobile Telephony

• End of 1980’s Analog Systems unable to

meet continuing demands
– Severely confined spectrum allocations
– Interference in multipath fading environment
– Incompatibility among various analog systems
– Inability to substantially reduce the cost of
mobile terminals and infrastructure required

22
 Digital Mobile Telephony

• Spectrum space - most limited and precious

resource

• Solution - further multiplex traffic (time

domain)

• Can be realized with Digital Techniques only.

23
 Different Standards Worldwide

• Till 1982 Cellular Systems were exclusively

Analog Radio Technology.

• Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS)

– U.S. standard on the 800 MHz Band

• Total Access Communication System (TACS)

– U.K. standard on 900 MHz band

• Nordic Mobile Telephone System (NMT)

– Scandinavian standard on the 450 & 900 MHz

band

24
 GSM History and Organization
• 1979 Europe wide frequency band reserved for
Cellular
• 1982 “Groupe Speciale Mobile” created within
CEPT
• 1986 GSM had full time in Paris
• 1988 ETSI takes over GSM Committee
• 1990 The phase 1 GSM Recommendations
frozen
• 1991 GSM Committee renamed “Special Mobile
Group” and GSM renamed as “ Global
System for Mobile Communication”
• 1992 GSM is launched for commercial
operations
25
 GSM - IN CELLULAR TELEPHONY
• Each Cell in the Cellular Network consists of one
or more RF carriers.
• An RF carrier is a pair of radio frequencies
– One used in upward direction by MS - Uplink
– Other used in downward direction by BTS -
Downlink
– The transmit and receive frequencies are
separated by a gap of 45 MHz in GSM of 75
MHz in DCS.
• There are 124 carries in GSM Band. With each
carrier carrying 7 timeslots, only 124 x 7 = 868
calls can be made!
• Frequency Reuse is the solution
26
 Uplink-Downlink

Downlink = 935 to 960 MHz

BTS Tx MS Rx
dl

Uplink = 890 to 915 MHz

BTS Rx MS Tx
ul
27
 Frequency & ARFCN

Ful(n) = 890.0 + (0.2) *n MHz

dl= 935 to 960 MHz

ul= 890 to 915 MHz

Fdl(n) = Ful + 45 MHz

where n =ARFCN ; 1 ≤ n ≤ 124

28
 TDMA & FDMA

0 7

1
5

n+
E
FR S
M
m
3

A
M 15
0 2

TD 4.6
1

A
0
0 7
5

n
E
A

M
3
M

A
Uplink - MS Tx

FR
0 2
D

A
1 890MHz to 915MHz
T

M
0
TD

FDMA Downlink - BTS Tx

935MHz to 960MHz
200KHz
29
 GSM Burst & TDMA Frame

FRAME 1 FRAME 2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

GUARD PERIOD GUARD PERIOD

Information Training sequence Information

TAIL BITS TAIL BITS

30
 Frequency Reuse Pattern

Three types of frequency reuse patterns

• 7 Cell reuse pattern
• 4 cell reuse pattern
• 3 cell reuse pattern

31
 FREQUENCY RE - USE

– Frequency Re-use

Two re-use distances

2
7 3
1 D D/R = (3N)1/2
6 4
5 Cell Dia = R where N is Cluster size

7/21 cell cluster

32
 Principal Of Sectorization
• Omni Directional Cells
• 120 degree Sectors
• 60 Degree sectors

– Each Sector in a Site has its own allocation of

Radio Carriers.

• Advantage
– By frequent reuse of frequency more
capacity can be achieved.

33
 Cell Sectorisation

b2

b1
b3
a2
OMNI CELL
a1 a3 120O CELLS
1 ANTENNA 3 ANTENNAS
a6 a4
a5

60O CELLS
6 ANTENNAS

34
 3 Site Reuse Pattern

c2

c1
c3 b2

b1
a2 b3
a1

a3 c2
c1
Cell Re-use
c3

35
 Cellular 1Planning Steps

– Cellular Topology
• Cell splitting & Cell Repeat Patterns

3 cluster site 3/9 cell cluster 4 cluster site 4/12 cell cluster
Sites in the middle
36
 GSM Antennas

• Directional Antennas
• Vertically Polarized.
• Collinear Dipole Array with
8 to 12 elements.
• Beam Width 45o, 60o, 90o.
• High Gain Antennas with
gain of 16 to 18 dbi.
• Mechanically/Electrically
Downtiltable.

37
38
 Features of GSM

• Compatibility
• Noise Robust
• Increased Capacity & Flexibility
• Use of Standard Open Interfaces
• Improved Security & Confidentiality
• Cleaner Handovers
• Subscriber Identification
• ISDN Compatibility
• Enhanced Range of Services

39
 Compatibility

• With rapid Developments

there was a need for a
common Standard for
Mobile Communication.
• With GSM, one could
drive from Germany to
Spain without a Call
Drop.
• Due to versatility of GSM,
it was adopted by many
countries, even outside
Europe.
40
 Noise Robust

• To combat the problems

due to Noise-
Digital Interface is used.
• Digital Interface
– Protect these errors
using Error Detection &
Correction Techniques.
– Immune to higher levels
of noise and interference
– Improvements in Quality
as well as Efficiency-
Robust Air Interface.
41
 Increased Capacity and Flexibility
• Analogue Air Interface
– Every connection requires a
separate RF carrier and thus
RF hardware.
– System Expansion
• Time Consuming
• Costly & Labor Intensive.
• Intricate RF Planning.
• Digital Interface
– 8 simultaneous conversations
on one RF carrier.
42
 Standardized Open Interfaces

• Low Price

– Uses standard interfaces like C7, X.25 etc.

Versatility to choose equipment from different
manufacturer thereby reducing the pricing
monopoly.
• Flexibility

– Great flexibility in situating Network

components because of Standard Interfaces.
– Efficient use of terrestrial links.
43
 Better Security & Confidentiality

• High Security risk for

Analogue System operators.
• GSM
– No Eavesdropping
– High speech and data
confidentiality.
– Digitized, Encoded and
Encrypted (A8 algorithm)
– Subscriber Authentication
(A3 algorithm)

44
 Cleaner Handovers

• The mobile measures up to 32 adjacent cells for

– Signal Strength (RxLevel)
– Signal Quality (RxQual)

– updated every 480 mS and sends to BTS

• Sophisticated Handover based on
– RxLevel
– Interference
– RxQual
– Timing Advance
– Power Budget
45
 Handovers

Base Station 2

Base Station 3

Base Station 1

46
 ISDN Compatibility

• ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)

– Advanced Telecom Network designed to carry

voice and user data over the standard
telephones lines.
• 2B+D Signalling and information on ISDN line.

• The GSM Network is designed to operate within

the ISDN System.
• GSM provides features compatible with ISDN.

47
48
49
 GSM NETWORK ELEMENTS

VLR HLR
EC
PSTN AUC
MSC

IWF EIR

Network Switching System

ME TRAU BSC
SIM
BTS
BSS
MS
50
 GSM Network Components

• Mobile Station consists of two parts-

– Mobile Equipment (ME)
– Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
• ME
– Hardware e.g. Telephone, Fax Machine,
Computer.

• SIM
– Smart Card which plugs into the ME. NETCOMP

51
 Mobile Equipment (ME)

• ME are of three types-

– Vehicle Mounted

– Portable Mobile Unit

– Handportable Unit
• ME’s have distinct features-Classmarks sent in

initial message to Network.

NETCOMP

52
 ME (Classmark Information)

• Revision Level
– Phase of the GSM specs ME comply with.

• RF Power Capability
– Max power ME is able to Transmit.

• Ciphering Algorithm Used

– Presently A5
– Phase 2 specifies Algorithms A5/0 to A5/7.

• Frequency Capability
NETCOMP

• SMS Capability
53
 Mobile Equipment

Class Power O/p

1 20 W
2 8W
3 5W
4 2W
Typical
5 0.8 W
Settings

NETCOMP

54
 SIM

 Subscriber Interface Identity --------------

Module --------------

The SIM stores

– Subscriber Parameters Full Size SIM Card

– Personal Data for identifying

Small SIM
Subscriber to the Network.
--------------
– IMSI,, MSISDN, PIN, PUK, Ki, --------------

A3, A8 (for Kc generation)

NETCOMP

– Space reserved for TMSI &

LAI
55
 SIM - Internal Structure

Basic Operating System

EEPROM ROM 16 to 24 kB

User Data 16 kB
I/O
8
Working Area for CPU
CPU RAM 256 to 512 bytes

NETCOMP

56
 SIM(IMSI)

• IMSI(International Mobile Subscriber Identity)

– Transmitted over Air Interface on initialization

– Permanently stored on SIM card
– 15 digit Decimal

MCC (3) MNC (2) MSIC (10)

NETCOMP

57
 SIM (LAI)

• LAI (Location Area Identity)

MCC MNC LAC CI

– MCC 3 digit number (BCD), two Octets ( A & B)
– MNC 2 digit number (BCD), one Octet
– LAC 3 digit number (Binary) , two Octets
0-65535
– CI 5 digit number (Binary) , two Octets
0-65535
NETCOMP

58
 SIM
• MSISDN
– 10 digit number to which a subscriber is being
called.
• PIN (Personal Identification Number)
– Four digit PIN
– An internal security to Protect the SIM from
illegal use.
– Card blocks itself after three wrong entries
• PUK (Personal Unblocking Key)
– 8 digit code to unblock the SIM Card
• Ki (Authentication Key), A3 & A8 Algorithms
NETCOMP

59
 SIM (TMSI)
• Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
– Periodically changed by the System
Management on instances like location update
etc.
• Reason for use of TMSI
– To prevent a possible intruder from identifying
GSM users, TMSI is used
• Management
– Assignment, Administration & Updating is
performed by VLR.
NETCOMP

60
 Transcoder

• Converts 64 Kbps PCM circuits from MSC to 16

Kbps BSS circuits.

• Each 30 channel 2 Mbps PCM link can carry 120

GSM - specified voice channels.

NETCOMP

61
 Transcoder
NETCOMP

MSC BSS

30 Channel PCM
1234
1 2 3 4
XCDR
120 GSM TCH

Transcoder Information from FOUR calls

(4x16 KBPS put into ONE 64 KBPS timeslot

62
63
 Base Station System (BSS)

• BSS (Base Station System)

– BSC (Base Site Controller) Network
Switching
– BTS (Base Transceiver Station)
System
– XCDR (Transcoder) (NSS)
XCDR

BSC
BTS

NETCOMP

BTS
64
 Base Station System (BSS)
• BSC
– Controls upto 40 BTS
– Conveys information to/from BTS
– Connects terrestrial circuits & Air Interface
Channels
– Controls handovers between BTSs under itself
• BTS
– Contains RF Hardware
– Limited control functionality
– 1 - 6 carriers in a BTS Cabinet BTS

– 7 - 48 simultaneous calls per BTS

NETCOMP

65
A BTS Cabinet

NETCOMP
INNER VIEW OUTER VIEW
66
 BSS Configuration

• Collocated BTS

• Remote BTS

• Daisy Chain BTS

• Star Configuration

• Loop Configuration
BTS

NETCOMP

67
Daisy Chain Configuration

BSC

All BTS on 1 E1
BTS

BTS

BTS NETCOMP

68
 Star Configuration

BTS

BTS BSC BTS

BTS
NETCOMP

69
 Loop Configuration

BTS

BTS BSC BTS

Loop Configuration

BTS
NETCOMP

70
 Network Switching System(NSS)

• NSS (Network Switching System)

– MSC (Mobile Switching Centre)
– HLR (Home Location Register)
– VLR (Visitor Location Register)
– EIR (Equipment Identity Register)
– AUC (Authentication Centre)
– IWF (Interworking Function)
MSC

– EC (Echo Canceller)
NETCOMP

71
MOBILE SWITCHING CENTRE

NETCOMP

72
 GSM Network Component
• MSC
– Call Switching
– Operation & Management Support
– Internetwork Interworking
– Collects call billing data

• Gateway MSC
– MSC which provides interface between PSTN &
BSS’s in the GSM Network.
NETCOMP

73
 Home Location Register (HLR)
• Reference database for the Subscriber profiles-
– Subscriber ID (IMSI & MSISDN)
– Current VLR Address
– Supplementary Services subscribed
– Supplementary Service Information
– Subscriber Status (Registered/deregistered)
– Authentication Key and AUC functionality
– TMSI
– MSRN NETCOMP

74
 Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• Temporary Data, which exists as long as the
subscriber is active in a particular Coverage area.
• Contains the following-
– Mobile Status (Busy/ Free/ No Answer/etc.)
– Location Area Identity (LAI)
– TMSI
– MSRN (Mobile Station Roaming Number)

NETCOMP

75
 Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

• Contains Database for validating IMEI

– White List (valid ME)

– Black List (Stolen ME)

– Grey List (Faulty ME)

NETCOMP

76
 Inter Working Function

• Provides function to enable the GSM

System to interface with Public/Private
Data Networks.

• The basic feature of the IWF are

– Rate Conversion
– Protocol adaptation
• IWF incorporates Modem Bank.
e.g. GSM DTE PSTN DTE
IWF Analogue Modem
NETCOMP

77
 Echo Canceller

• Echo is apparent only in Mobile - Land

conversation & is generated at the 2 wire to 4
wire interface.
• To avoid it, Echo Canceller (EC) is used.
– Echo is irritating to MS Subscriber
– Total Round Trip delay of 180 ms in the GSM
system
– EC is placed on the PSTN side of the Switch
– Cancellation up to 68 ms with EC
NETCOMP

78
 Operation & Maintenance Centre

• Event & Alarm Management

• Fault Management

• Performance Management

• Configuration Management

• Security Management

79
 Operation & Maintenance Centre

o The OMC has access to the (G)MSC, BSC.

o Handles error messages being reported from the
Network
o Controls the traffic load of the BSC, and the BTS.
 NETWORK MANAGEMENT CENTRE

o NETWORK MANAGEMENT CENTRE

(NMC)
– Offers Hierarchical Regionalised Network
Management of a complete GSM system.

• Functionality of the NMC

• Monitors Nodes on the Network
MMI RAM>
• Monitors Network Element Statistics MMI RAM>
• Monitors OMC regions & provides MMI RAM>

information to OMC staff

• Enables Long Term Planning for
entire Network
NETWORK MANAGEMENT CENTRE

NMC

OMC OMC

OMC

REGION 3
REGION 2
REGION 1

NETWORK
 GSM Terrestrial Interfaces

Broadly classified into two types of interfaces-

• Standard Interfaces
– 2 Mbps Trunks (E1)

– Signalling System No. 7 SS7 ( CCS7)

– X.25 (Packet Switched Mode)

• GSM Interfaces

83
 GSM Interfaces

• Um MS - BTS
• Abis BTS - BSC
• A BSC - MSC
• B MSC - VLR
• C MSC - HLR
• D VLR - HLR
• E MSC - MSC
• F MSC - EIR
• G VLR - VLR
• H HLR - AUC
84
85
86
 Basic Processes

• AUTHENTICATION

• CIPHERING

• REGISTRATION

• CALL ESTABLISHMENT

• HANDOVER / HANDOFF

• ROAMING

87
 AUTHENTICATION ALGORITHM

HLR Ki SRES
AUTH.
NSS ALGORITHMS
AUC A3 COMPARE
RAND

AIR INTERFACE
RAND SRES

SIM Ki AUTH.
MS ALGORITHMS
MS A3
88
 Ciphering
• Data protection is required on air interface.
• A5 algorithm is used.
• A specific key called Ciphering Key (Kc), is
generated from RAND and A8 algorithm.
• A8 is on the SIM.

Ki RAND

A8

Kc
89
 Ciphering

Kc Kc

Ciphered
Data A5 Data
A5 Data

90
 ROAMING

PSTN
MSC

HLR
INDIA
ME
MSC

VLR

UK
ME
 ROAMING

o The mobile roams to another country (UK) and requests a

Location Update when switched ‘ON’.
o The VLR (UK) informs the home HLR (India) of the mobile’s
new location (UK).
o The HLR updates its location information and sends the
subscriber information to the VLR (UK).
o The HLR requests the subscriber information be removed
from the VLR (India).
o The VLR (India) acknowledges, and removes the subscriber
information from its database.
o After the mobile’s registration is completed in UK’s
MSC/VLR, the mobile is able to use network services (MOC,
MTC etc.)
 Transmission Media

• Access Network
– Microwave 15 /23 GHz

• Backbone Network
– Microwave 7 GHz
– Optical Fibers
– Leased Line( From Dot or any other
service provider on any media)

93
 Access Microwave ( 15 GHz)

• 14.250 to 14.500 MHz and

14.400 to 15.350 MHz
• 4 QAM & 16 QAM Modulation
• Split Mount Version with Hot
Standby Facility
• Bandwidth ranging from 1.25
MHz to 28 MHz depending
upon Data Rate and
Modulation type
• 4 E1 Radio with 3 spot
frequencies in our case
94
 Backbone Microwave (7 GHz)

• 7.125 to 7.850 MHz and 7.725

to 8.500 MHz
• 4 QAM & 16 QAM Modulation
• Split Mount Version with hot
standby facility
• Bandwidth ranging from 1.25
MHz to 28 MHz depending
upon Data Rate and
Modulation type
• 16 E1 Radio with 1 spot
frequencies in our case

95
 Optical Fiber

• Low Losses 0.5 dB/km & High Data Rates

• Types of Fiber
– Step Index
– Graded Index
# Graded Index are better.
Modes of Light in fiber
– Mono Mode
– Multi Mode
# Mono Mode has less losses than Multi
Mode.

96
 Optical Fiber

• Different Possible Combinations

• Mono Mode Step Index 10 / 125 µm
• Mono Mode Graded index
• Multi Mode Step Index 100 / 300 µm
• Multi Mode Graded Index 75 / 130 µm
• Mono Mode Graded Index would have been
the best but fabrication not possible

140 Mbps OLTE , Mono Mode Step Index in our case

97
98
 Channels On Air Interface

• Physical Channel
• Logical Channel

• Physical Channel
– Physical channel is the medium over which the
information is carried.

• Logical Channel
– Logical channels consists of the information
carried over the Physical Channel.

99
 TDMA & FDMA

0 7

1
5

n+
E
FR S
M
m
3

A
M 15
0 2

TD 4.6
1

A
0
0 7
5

n
E
A

M
3
M

A
Uplink - MS Tx

FR
0 2
D

A
1 890MHz to 915MHz
T

M
0
TD

FDMA Downlink - BTS Tx

935MHz to 960MHz
200KHz
100
 LOGICAL CHANNELS

3 57 1 26 1 57 3 8.25
T encrypted S training S encrypted T GP
Normal Burst
577µS

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 TDMA Frame
577µS x 8 = 4.615mS
26 Frame Multi-frame

101
 BURST

• Time is divided into discrete periods

called “Timeslots”

• The Time Slots are arranged in a sequence

, conventionally numbered 0 to 7.

• Each repetition of this sequence is called

a TDMA Frame.

• The information content carried in one

time slot is called a “burst”.

102
 BURST
• Information
– Main Area where the Speech, Data or Control info
is held
• Guard Period
– To enable the burst to hit the time slot (0.031ms)
• Stealing Flags
– 2 bits are set when TCH is to stolen by a FACCH
• Training Sequence
– For estimation of transfer characteristics of
physical media
• Tail Bits
– Used to indicate beginning and end of the burst.

103
 Five Types of Burst
• Normal Burst
Traffic & Control Channels Bi-directional
• Frequency Correction Burst
FCCH Downlink
• Synchronization Burst
SCH Downlink
• Dummy Burst
BCCH Carrier Downlink
• Access Burst
RACH Uplink

104
 GSM Logical Channels

• TCH
– SACCH
– FACCH

• Control Channels
– BCCH
– CCCH
– ACCH
– DCCH

105
 LOGICAL CHANNELS

01234567012345670123456701234567

TDMA Frame

26 Frame Multi-frame

106
 Frames & Multiframes

• Several Logical channels share one time slot.

• Individual channels are sequenced, & each

channel gets the time it requires.

• Sequence is carried out using Multiframes.

– Traffic Channel occupy a 26-frame multiframe

(120 ms)

– Control Channel occupy a 51-frame multiframe

(235 ms).

107
 Traffic Channels - TCH

TCH

TCH DATA

TCH / FS TCH / HS 9.6 2.4

4.8

SAACH FACCH

108
 BCCH Channel

CCH

Broadcast Control
BCCH Channel - Downlink only

Synchronizing Channels
BCCH

SCH FCH

109
 Channels On Air Interface

• BCCH
– Transmitted at all times & conveys information
about Cell Timing and Configuration
• BCCH, FCCH, SCH

• CCCH
– Used by BSS & MS when trying to initiate a
connection over the air
• RACH, PCH, AGCH, CBCH

110
 Channels On Air Interface

• DCCH
– Used to convey signaling information during
call setup
• SDCCH

• ACCH
– Used to transmit signaling information when a
call is in progress
• FACCH & SACCH

111
 Channels On Air Interface

• ACCH
– SAACH

• Conveys Power Control & Timing

Information in the downlink direction.

• RSSI and Quality reports in the uplink

direction.
– FACCH
• To carry out user authentication and
handovers. It steals the TCH burst and
inserts its own information.

112
 Channels On Air Interface

• Acronyms
– BCCH Broadcast Control Channel
– CCCH Common Control Channel
– DCCH Dedicated Control Channel
– ACCH Associated Control Channel
– SDCCHStandalone Dedicated Control Channel
– RACH Random Access Channel
– PCH Paging Channel
– AGCH Access Grant Channel

113
 Channels On Air Interface

• BCCH
– Location Area Identity
– List of neighbouring cells, to be monitored
– List of frequencies used in the cell
– Cell Identity
– Power Control Indicator
– DTX permitted
– Access Control (e.g emergency calls, call
barring)

114
 Channels On Air Interface

– Always transmitted at constant power at all

times
– Dummy burst are sent to ensure continuity
when no traffic information is sent.

• FCCH
– Mobile corrects the frequency of its internal
time base by reading this logical channel.
– Easily detected by the mobile.
– After FCCH, mobile is able to detect SCH
which contains timing information.

115
 Channels On Air Interface

• SCH
– Carries the information for mobile to
synchronize to the TDMA frame structure &
know the timing of the individual timeslots.
– Frame Number & BSIC (Base Station Identity
Code)

• CCCH
– RACH
• Transmitted by the Mobile when it wishes to
gain access to the system

116
 Channels On Air Interface

– PCH
• Transmitted by the BTS when it wishes to
contact a specific mobile.
– AGCH
• Transmitted by the BTS to assign dedicated
resources to an MS such as SDCCH
– CBCH
• To transmit messages to all mobiles within
a cell. CBCH will steal some time of an
SDCCH to do this.

117
 Channel Combinations

• Full rate Traffic Channel Combination

– TCH8/FACCH + SACCH
• Broadcast Channel Combination
– BCCH + CCCH
• Dedicated Channel Combination

– SDCCH8 + SACCH8
• Combined Channel Combination
– BCCH + CCCH + SDCCH4 + SACCH4

118
Channel Combinations (Timeslots)
– Traffic Channel Combination
• TCH8/FACCH +SACCH
• Can be on any Time slot

– Broadcast Channel Combination

• BCCH +CCCH
• Can be on Timeslot 0, 2, 4, 6

– Dedicated Channel Combination

• SDCCH8 + SACCH8
• Any Time slot

– Combined Channel Combination

• BCCH + CCCH +SDCCH4 + SACCH4
• Can only be on 0 Timeslot
119
 TCH Multiframe

I
D
L
E

0 5 10 15 20

SACCH

Downlink & Uplink SACCH

120
 BCCH/CCCH Multiframe
• BCCH/CCCH
– In Downlink direction the timeslot (physical
channel) is shared by a different logical
channels.

– In the Uplink direction all timeslots are

allocated to RACH.

121
 BCCH/CCCH Multiframe

Downlink to MS

F SBCCH CCCH F S CCCH FS CCCH FS CCCH FS CCCH I

4 TS 8 TS 8 TS 8 TS 8 TS

0 10 20 30 40 50

Uplink from MS

RR RR RR RRRR RR R R RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR R RR RR RRRR RR RR RR

0 10 20 30 40 50
122
 Combined Multiframe

– BCCH and SDCCH share a common timeslot

• Less No. of subscribers support (as only 4
SDCCH)

• 102 frame structure

• Superframes And Hyperframes

• 1326 TDMA frames (26*51) make a
superframe
• 2048 superframes make one hyperframe,
after which ciphering and frequency
hopping algorithm are restarted.
123
 Combined Multiframe
Downlink to MS

F SBCCH CCCH F S CCCH F S D0 D1 FS D2 D3 F S A0 A1 I

8 TS
4 TS
F SBCCH CCCH F S CCCH F S D0 D1 F S D2 D3 F S A2 A3 I
8 TS
4 TS

0 10 20 30 40 50

Uplink from MS
D3 RR A0 A1 RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR R D0 D1 RR D2

D3 RR A2 A3 RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR RR R D0 D1 RR D2

0 10 20 30 40 50
124
 SDCCH Multiframe
Downlink to MS

D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 A0 A1 A2 A3 I I I

D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 A4 A5 A6 A7
I I I
0 10 20 30 40 50

Uplink from MS

A1 A2 A3 I I I D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 A0

A5 A6 A7 I I I D0 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 A4

0 10 20 125 30 40 50
 Voice Coding

104 kbps

20 mS Sample Rate 8 kHz

160 Samples
13 bits per Sample
2080 bits
LPC
RPE
Class Ia Class Ib Class II

Divided into 4 Blocks

of 40 Samples each
50 bits 132 bits 78 bits

Reduction in Data
Speech Encoder selects Block
Block - 1 : 1, 5, 9 ….. Samples
with Most Energy
Block - 2 : 2, 6, 10, …… Samples

LTP 126 & so on for Block - 3 & Block - 4.

 Channel Coding
• Error Protection And Detection
– To protect the logical channel from
transmission errors by the radio path, different
coding schemes are used.
• Coding & Interleaving Schemes dependent upon
logical channel to be encoded.

• 3 Coding Protection schemes

– Speech Channel Encoding
– Control Channel Encoding
– Data Channel Encoding

127
 Speech Channel Coding

• Speech Information of 20 ms block is divided

over 8 GSM burst.

• 260 bits are grouped in three classes depending

upon the intelligible part of speech

• After encoding 456 bits block is interleaved

128
 Speech Channel Coding

Class 1a Class 1b Class 2

50 bits 132 bits 78 bits
Parity
Check Tail Bits

50 3 132 4

Convolutional
Convolutional
Coding
Code

378
378 7878

456 bits
129
 Control Channel Encoding
• Control Channel Encoding
– Block of 184 bits received by BTS
– Bits are protected by Cyclic Codes of Class
Fire Codes
– Adds 40 Parity Bits
– 4 Tail Bits are added
– Convolution Coding is done

• O/p from 184 Signalling bits is 456 bits.

130
Control Channel Coding

184

Coding

40 4
184
Parity Bits TB

Convolutional Coding

456

456 bits
131
Data Channel Coding

240

184 4

Convolutional Coding
488

Punctuate

456
132
 Interleaving

• Responsible for Robustness of the GSM air

interface
• 10 -20 % burst destroyed or corrupted on the air
interface.
• Spreads the content of one information block
across several TDMA timeslots.
• Two types of Interleaving -
– Diagonal Interleaving
– Rectangular Interleaving

133
 DIAGONAL INTERLEAVING
SPEECH

Speech Blocks

EIGHT blocks of 57 bits,

Sent on 8 ALTERNATE timeslots
456 bits 456 bits

0 12345 6 7 01 234 56 7 01234 567 0 1234 56 7

134
 RECTANGULAR INTERLEAVING
CONTROL CHANNEL

Data Blocks

FOUR blocks of 114 bits,

Sent on 4 timeslots
456 bits

114
Bits 114 114 114
Odd Bits Bits Bits
Even Odd Even

0 12345 6 7 01 234 56 7 01234 567 0 1234 56 7

135
 Interleaving
• Interleaving Depths
– Speech - 8 blocks
– Control - 4 blocks
– Data - 22 blocks
• Speech & Data blocks are diagonally interleaved
• Control block is rectagularly interleaved

136
 Interleaving

Number of GSM
TRAU Frame Type
Burst Spread Over

Speech 8

Control 4

Data 22

TRAU = Transcoder Rate Adaption Unit

137
138
139
 MOBILE TO LAND

PSTN

BTS

BSC

MSC

140
Multiple Point of Interconnect

CITY A

7
G
H
z
PO

B
AC
IT
B

K
R
SS

B
AF

O
FI
TR

N
E
C
AF
F IC
CITY B

BSS TRAFIC POI TRAFIC

141
 Call Scenarios

• Mobile to Mobile
– Intra-city
– Inter-city
• Mobile to Land
– Intra-city
– Inter-city
• Land to Mobile
– Intra-city
– Inter-city

142
 Mobile To Land Sequence

MS BSS MSC VLR HLR PSTN EIR

CHANNEL REQUEST RACH

1 AGCH
DCCH ASSIGN
SIGNALLING LINK
2 ESTABLISHED
CR
3 REQUEST FOR SERVICE SDCCH

4 AUTHENTICATION CC

5 SET CIPHER MODE

6 SET-UP SDCCH

EQUIPMENT ID Call Info

7
REQUEST
143
 MS BSS MSC VLR HLR PSTN EIR
8 COMPLELTE CALL
SDCCH
CALL PROCEEDING

9 ASSIGNMENT COMMAND SDCCH (circuit)

(channel)
ASSIGNMENT COMPLELTE FAACH
INITIAL & FINAL ADDRESS (TCH)
(IFAM)
ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE
(ACM)
10 ALTERING
MS HEARS RINGTONE FACCH
FROM LAND PHONE

ANSWER(ANS)
Hello!
11 CONNECT RING TONE FACCH
STOPS
FACCH BILLING STARTS
CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE
TCH
144
 Land to Mobile Sequence
MS BSS MSC VLR HLR GMSC PSTN
Initial & Final Address Msg.
(IFAM) MSISDN
Send Routing Information
IMSI MSISDN
Routing Information Ack
MSRN
INITIAL & FINAL ADDRESS
(IFAM) MSRN
Send Info for I/c Call Setup
MSRN
LAI &
PAGE
PCH TMSI
Paging Request TMSI TMSI
Channel Request
RACH

DCCH Assign AGCH

Signalling Link Established SDCCH

SDCCH TMSI & Status
Page Response
TMSI 145 status
 Land to Mobile Sequence
MS BSS MSC VLR HLR GMSC PSTN
Complete Call
TMSI
SETUP
SDCCH
CALL Confirmation
SDCCH
ADDRESS COMPLETE <SDCCH> RingTone at
Land Phone
Assignment Command Channel Circuit
FACCH
Assignment Complete

Alert Ring Tone FACCH Ringing Stops at

at MS TCH Land Phone
FACCH
Connect Subscriber
Picks Up BILLING STARTS
FACCH
Connect ACK ANSWER TCH
Hello
146
 Mobile Initiated Call Clearing
MS BSS MSC VLR HLR PSTN
FACCH
1 DISCONNECT
PSTN RELEASE
FACCH
MOBILE RELEASE

2 PSTN RELEASE
COMPLETE
MOBILE RELEASE FACCH
COMPLETE
MS -MSC Signalling
Released
3 CLEAR COMMAND
FACCH
CHANNEL RELEASE
FACCH
4 DISC
UA FACCH

CLEAR COMPLETE

5 RLSD

RELEASE COMPLETE 147

 Inter-BSS Handover Sequence
MS BSS BSS MSC HLR PSTN

Periodic Measurement SAACH

1 Reports

2 Handover Required
TMSI Cct.
3 Handover Request Code

HO ref No.
4 Handover Req Ack

5 Handover Command FACCH

HO Ref No.
6 Information Interchange
FACCH
7 Handover Complete

8 Clear Command

Periodic Measurements SAACH

9
Reports
148
149
 Radio Interface Optimization

• Transmission Timing
• Power Control
• VAD and DTX
• Multipath Fading
• Equalization
• Diversity
• Frequency Hopping

150
 THREE TIMESLOT OFFSET

Mobile Rx
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

3 TS Mobile Tx
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Offset

151
 TIMING ADVANCE

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

BURST arrives
BURST sent LATE
early

BURST arrives
δT = 3.69µS to 233µS IN TIME

Cell Radius = 35km

152
 Power Control

•In steps of 2dB

•Enhances Battery Life
•Reduces Interference
13 dBm (min)

33 dBm (max)

Cell Radius = 35km

153
 Dis-Continuos Transmission

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

VAD - Voice Activity Detection

•MS identifies presence/ absence of speech
•Generates Comfort noise

DTX - Dis-Continuous Transmission

•MS does not TX during silence period

154
MULTI-PATH PROPAGATION

155
 DIVERSITY

Diversity Receiver

Approx. 10 Wavelengths
3.3 meters
156
 FREQUENCY HOPPING

FN

F4

F3
FREQUENCY

F2

F1
F0
TIME
157
 FREQUENCY HOPPING
Mobile Activity

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rx1
Mobile Rx

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rx2

6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 Tx1
Mobile Tx

6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 Tx2

MONITORING Other Cell

158
159
 Speech Services
• Telephony (13 kbps full rate)
• Emergency Call (with/without SIM card in the
Mobile Station)
• Short Message Services (SMS)
• Point to Point (128 Byte Max.)
• Cell Broadcast(75 bytes Max.)
• Dual Personal and Business Numbers.
– Allows calls to be made and billed, either to
business or personal numbers.

160
 Data Services (Bearer Services)

• Data rates supported as of today are

– 2.4 Kbps
– 4.8 Kbps
– 9.6 Kbps

161
 Supplementary Service - Call Waiting

Call in Progress

PSTN Phone
...
… …
i t i ng
t Wa
. K ep
alls
e C
r Mobil
he
Anot

162
Supplementary Services - Call Hold

1. Call in Progress

2. Put on Hold

3. Calls another Mobile

163
 Supplementary Services -
Call Forwarding
Voice Mail
System

Divert if
•All Calls
Another •Busy
PSTN Mobile
Phone •Not Reachable
•No Answer

Incoming Call

164
 Supplementary Services
• Calling Line Identification
– Present
– Absent
• Connect Line Identification
– Present
– Absent
• Closed User Group - CUG
– Only incoming
– Only outgoing
• Operator Controlled Barring

165
Voice Mail System

ANSWERING MACHINE
166
Voice Mail System

MSC

167
 Short Message Service

SMSC

MSC

BTS
168
 Short Message Service

SMSC
Point to Point

Point to Multipoint
MSC

BTS
169
 PRE - PAID SYSTEM
• SIM BASED
– Data on SIM
– Decrements with use
– Over the air charging !!??

• NETWORK BASED

– Data secure on with the network

– Over the air re-charging
– Features
• Inquiry
• Warnings …..

170
171
 SEPARATE GSM & WLL INFRASTRUCTER

CDMA BTS

FIXED LINE SWITCH CDMA BSC

PSTN

CDMA BTS

GSM BTS
DUAL BAND / MODE
HANDEST
MSC GSM BSC

GSM BTS
172
 SEPARATE GSM & WLL INFRASTRUCTER

CDMA
Coverage

GSM
Call Drop. Coverage
Toggle to GSM
GSM CDMA

GSM + CDMA
On WLL

Still on GSM.
Toggle to WLL
DUAL BAND / MODE
HANDEST

Every individual is a WLL subscriber

under any and only one CDMA BTS
and is a regular subscriber for the rest
of the GSM network in the whole of
GSM Punjab.
GSM The subscriber also has the advantage
of roaming within & outside the
country.

173
 COMMON GSM & CDMA INFRASTRUCTER

A-
INTERFACE

CDMA BSC CDMA BTS

PSTN MSC

DUAL BAND / MODE

A-
INTERFACE HANDEST

GSM BTS
GSM BSC

174
 IRRIDIUM
• BTS in the Sky
– LEO ~1400km
– Inter Satellite Links - 22.55GHz to 23.55GHz
– L-Band (1616MHz to 1626.5 MHz)
– Band Width - 10.5MHz
– Use TDM/FDMA scheme
– World-Wide Coverage
• 60+ Now Operational
• Small Hand held terminals
• Dual Mobiles under development

175
176