GSM Overview

Radio Team
24 July 2006

Contents
Introduction Radio Spectrum & Coverage Basic GSM Network Structure Radio Signal Generation

Mobile Calls

GSM Overview

Spectrum Allocation (GSM 900)

Downlink 935 960 MHz

Uplink 890 915 MHz

200 KHz 890.2 890.6 1 2 3 4 890 890.4

Uplink
121 122 123 124 121

915 F (MHz)

935.2 935.6
1 935
2 3 4

Downlink
121 122 123 124 121

935.4

960 F (MHz)

GSM 900 Frequency Allocation

ARFCN

Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number

GSM Overview

Spectrum Allocation (GSM 1800)

Downlink 1805 1880 MHz

Uplink 1710 1785 MHz

200 KHz 1710.2 1710.6
1 2 3 4

Uplink
371 372 373 374

1710 1710.4

1785 F (MHz)

1805.2 1805.6
1 2 3 4

Downlink
371 372 373 374

1805 1805.4

1880 F (MHz)

GSM 1800 Frequency Allocation

GSM Overview

GSM 900 Band

935 M Hz Mobinil

947.5 M Hz VODAFONE

960 M Hz

12.5 MHz
902.5 M Hz 890 M Hz

12.5 MHz
915 M Hz

25 MHz

GSM Overview

Frequency Reuse
Why do we need frequency reuse? Total no of channels (frequencies) = 124 Every channel can be shared between 8 subscribers max. Maximum no of simultaneous calls = 8 X 124 = 992 !! The frequency reuse is performed by dividing the whole available frequencies between a group of neighboring cells which is called frequency reuse pattern or a Cluster, and then repeat this cluster over the whole network on 2 conditions:
The group of frequencies allocated to a given cell must not be used in the adjacent cells. Enough distance between the cells in which the same group of frequencies are reused.
6 GSM Overview

Frequency Reuse
A3 A2 A1 C3 C2 C1 A3 A2 A1 C3 C2 C1 B1 B3 B1

A3 A2 A1 A3 A2 A1 B1 C3 B2 C1 A3 A2 A1 C3 B2 C1 A3 B3 C2 B1 A3 A2 B3 B2 C1 C2 A1 C3 A3 A2 B3 B2 C1 C3

B3 B2 B1 A3 C2 A1 B3 C3 A2 B1 B3 B2

B3

B2
B1 A3 C2 A1 B3 B2 B1 C1 A3 C2 A2 A1 C3 C3 A2 C1

C2

B3 B2 B1

C2

A1
C3 B2 B1 C1

B3 B2 B1

A2
A1 C3 C2 C1

C2

C1

GSM Overview

GSM Coverage Plan To provide coverage for a large service are of a mobile
network we have 2 Options:
(A) Install one transceiver with high radio power at the center of the service area
Drawbacks The mobile equipments used in this network should have high output power in order to be able to transmit signals across the coverage area. The usage of the radio resources would be limited.

(B) Divide the service area into smaller areas (cells)

Advantages Each cell as well as the mobile handsets will have relatively small power transceivers. The frequency spectrum might be reused in two far separated cells,
Unlimited capacity of the system. Good interference characteristics

GSM Overview

Cell Geometry

Dead Spots

Problem of omni directional antennas

9 GSM Overview

Cell Geometrical Shape

To solve the dead spot problem

Tradeoffs

The number of cells required to cover a given area.

The cell transceiver power.
10 GSM Overview

Transceiver Antenna

Sectorial Antenna

Omni-Directional Antenna

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GSM Overview

Sectorial Antenna

Sectorial Antenna The cells will take the form of overlapping circles.

Due to the obstacles in the coverage area the actual shape of t cells would be Random.
12 GSM Overview

Cell Classification
Umbrella Cell

Normal Cell

Overlaid & Underlaid Cells

Normal Cell

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GSM Overview

Questions ?
GSM Overview
Technical Session

14

GSM Overview

Basic GSM Network Structure

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GSM Overview

Basic GSM Network Structure

HLR

BTS

BSC

MSC/VLR

Radio Interface

Another Switching Node

PTT GW Of another network PABX
GSM Overview

MS
16

Another MSC

The Mobile Station (MS)

+
The Mobile Equipment is said to be a Mobile Station if the SIM Card is added to it

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GSM Overview

The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

Radio Transmission and reception.

Record and passes to the BSC the Signal strength measurements. Perform the network end of the ciphering/encryption process.

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GSM Overview

The Base Station Controller (BSC)

Manages the Radio Communication with the mobile station.

Controls the handover of calls in progress Between BTS Supervises the performance of the each BTS Allocates channels to the mobile

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GSM Overview

The Home Location Register (HLR)

Data base that stores and manages subscriptions. Stores for each mobile: Current location.

Allowed/barred
services. Authentication data.

Supplementary
services.
20 GSM Overview

The Visitor Location Register (VLR)

In our network, the VLR is integrated with the MSC It stores a copy of the HLR Profile for all the currently registered subscribers who are covered by cells belonging to the MSC coverage area.

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GSM Overview

The Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC)

Administers its Base Station Controller(s) BSC(s). Switches calls to/from mobile subscribers.

Records charging and accounting details.

Provides the Visitor Location Register (VLR) functionality. Provides the gateway to other networks.

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GSM Overview

GSM Identities
Mobile Station ISDN Number (MSISDN)

44
(CC)

385 196099
(NDC)
(SN)

20
(CC)

10
(NDC)

1100477
(SN)

VF UK MSISDN

VFE MSISDN

CC : Country Code NDC: Network Destination Code SN : Subscriber Number

23 GSM Overview

IMSI Structure
International Mobile Subscriber Identity 234 (MCC) 15 (MNC)
VF UK IMSI

1021000899 (MSIN)

602 (MCC)

02 (MNC)

1234567890 (MSIN)

VFE IMSI

MCC:Mobile Country Code. MNC:Mobile Network Code. MSIN:Mobile Station Identification Number.
24 GSM Overview

International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)

TAC

FAC

SNR

IMEI

TAC = Type Approval Code FAC = Final Assembly Code SNR = Serial Number
25 GSM Overview

Identifies the Type

Identifies the manufacturer

GSM Complete Model

SS
AUC

PLMN ISDN PSTN

GWMSC MIN H LR
SMSC-GMSC SMS-IWMSC SC

EIR MSC/VLR
BGW

BSS
BSC

OSS
26 GSM Overview

BTS

Questions ?

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GSM Overview

Mobile Calls

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GSM Overview

Mobile Calls

Mobile Terminating Calls Mobile Originating Calls

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GSM Overview

Mobile Originating Calls

1.
PSTN

2.

MSC

3.

4.
BSC

5.

6.

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GSM Overview

The mobile sends a call request along with its IMSI to its serving MSC/VLR which will mark the mobile as busy. Authentication is performed by the MSC to verify the mobile access to the network, and then ciphering is initiated in order to protect the mobile call on the radio path. The mobile sends a call setup message to the MSC with information about the call type, services required and the dialed number. MSC checks the categories of the mobile subscriber to verify that he is authorized to use the required services, and then a link is established between the MSC and BSC. BSC checks the mobile serving BTS for an idle traffic channel and then orders that BTS to seize this channel for a call. The BSC informs the MSC when the traffic channel assignment is complete, and then the MSC/VLR starts to analyze the dialed number and sets up a connection to the called subscriber.

Mobile Terminating Calls

1
HLR PSTN

3 5

6
GMSC

4 7
MSC

BSC

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GSM Overview

Questions ?
GSM Overview
Technical Session

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GSM Overview

Thank you