GSM CALL FLOW SCENARIOS

Mobile Location Update-Request for Service

A
B

MS

BSS

MSC

New VLR
MS enters a new area under the control of new VLR. MS came from old VLR. MS listen to LAI (on BCCH) and compare this LAI to old LAI (in SIM)

Channel Request RACH

1.

MS detects a new LA and send channel request over RACH. BSS receives channel request and allocates a SDCCH and forward channel assignment on AGCH. MS send Location update request on SDCCH. In this message are TMSI & old LAI

Dedicated Signaling 2 Channel Assignment AGCH Location Update Request (TMSI,old LAI SDCCH Location Update Request (TMSI,old LAI Location Update Request (TMSI,old LAI

2.

3.

3 4
5

4.

BSS send update request to MSC.

5.

MSC inform VLR for Location update request. MS can identify itself by IMSI or TMSI, in this case it is TMSI, and old LAI.
2

MS

BSS

MSC

New VLR

Request IMSI

6.

VLR analyses that TMSI received is old. For registration the IMSI of MS is required. VLR request to MSC to get IMSI MSC forward, request for IMSI to MS through BSS. MS reads IMSI and send to BSS over SDDCH and BSS sends to MSC.

Request IMSI SDCCH

IMSI Acknowledge (IMSI)

7.

8.

8 9

SDCCH
IMSI Acknowledge (IMSI)

9.

MSC forwards the IMSI to VLR

MS

MSC

New VLR

HLR

AUC
AUTHENTICATION:- Key Ki is required it resides is 1-AUC, 2-SIM, Ki never transmitted on AIR.

10

Get Authentication Parameters (IMSI)

10.
Get Authentication Parameters (IMSI) Authentication Parameters

New VLR sends request to HLR for authentication parameters for this IMSI. HLR send request to AUC.

11

11.

12

(SRES,Kc RAND)

12.

Authentication

13

Parameters (SERES,Kc RAND)

AUC using IMSI extracts subs Ki, AUC then generate a RAND Applies the Ki, RAND to Authentication algorithm (A3) and cipher Key generation algorithm (A8) to produce SRES, and cipher Key (Kc) AUC then returns to HLR an authentication triplets RAND, SRES, Kc. HLR forward authentication triplets to VLR.
4

13.

MS

MSC

New VLR

HLR

AUC

14

Authenticate Mobile Station (RAND)

14.

15

Authenticate Mobile Station (RAND) SDCCH

VLR keeps 2 parameter Kc, SRES for later use and send message (including RAND) to MSC for MS authentication. MSC send authentication request to MS, MS reads Ki from SIM, Applies RAND, Ki to algorithm (A3) and Cipher Key generation algorithm (A8) to produce SRES and Kc, MS saves Kc and will use Kc for ciphering. MS returns the generated SRES to MSC.

15.

16

Authentication Response (SRES) SDCCH Authentication

16.

17

Response (SRES)

17

MSC send SRES to VLR, VLR compares 2 SRES. It equal, MS passes authentication if unequal then SIM disabled. Now MS is under the control of new VLR and MS can be deregistered from old 5 VLR.

New VLR

HLR

Old VLR

Mobile location update

18. VLR allots MSRN. New VLR sends message to HLR informing it that a given IMSI has changed location and send I/c call on MSRN.

18 Update Location (MSRN)

19

Location Update

20

De-register Mobile Station

19. HLR insert the MSRN into the record of IMSI, Now HLR returns to the VLR a copy of Subs profile.

20. 21
Mobile Station De-registered

HLR will send a message to old VLR for deleting the old entry of IMSI.

21.

Old VLR frees up the old MSRN and deallocates the VLR entry for the specified IMSI, and sends an acknowledgement to HLR

MS

BSS

MSC

New VLR

CIPHERING
The HLR&Old VLR have been informed that MS has been registered with an MSC, under control of New VLR, New VLR will allocate a TMSI, before this radio channel is encrypted. VLR request MSC to Cipher Radio Channel. Cipher Key is included in this message MSC forward this message to BSS.

Cipher_Radio_Channel

22
Cipher_Radio_Channel (Kc)

(Kc)

22. 23.

23

24

Cipher_uplink_Channel SDCCH

24.

BSS retrieves the Kc and ask MS to Cipher in uplink. MS uses Kc already generated (during authentication) to cipher the Uplink and sends Confirmation over the ciphered channel to BSS.

25 Uplink_Channel_Ciphered
SDCCH The BSS Ciphers The down_link_channel

25.

26

Ciphering Completed

26

BSS sends Ciphered complete message to MSC.

Um

MS

BSS

MSC
Location Update

New VLR
Accept

TMSI-REALLOCATION

27

27.

VLR Informs MSC for MS Location update. In this message New TMSI included.

28

Location Update Accept (TMSI) SDCCH Location Update Complete SDCCH Clear Signaling Connection

28.

MSC forward LA updation message (TMSI) to MS MS stores New TMSI in SIM. MS now sends update complete message to MSC. MSC request BSS to release signalling connection. BSS sends Radio resource channel release to MS and releases SDCCH. BSS then inform MSC that radio channel released.
8

29

29.

30
Release Radio Signaling Channel SDCCH

30. 31

31.
Clear Complete

32 32.

MOBILE TO LAND CALL SCENARIO FOLLOWING PHASES ARE PERFORMED:1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. REQUEST FOR SERVICE AUTHENTICATION CIPHERING EQUIPMENT VALIDATION CALL SETUP RELEASE

Um

MOBILE TO LAND CONNECTION MSC VLR

Assume that MS is registered with system and has been allocated TMSI User enter the MSISDN and then presses the send Key

MS

BSS

Channel Request RACH Dedicated Signaling Channel Assignment AGCH

1.

MS send a channel request on RACH.

2.

BSS allocates a SDCCH on AGCH. MS Now Communicate on SDCCH with BSS & MSC till TCH is allocated MS send Service request to BSS on SDCCH. In this message are TMSI & LAI. BSS send Service request to MSC MSC forward service request to VLR. Now Authentication & Ciphering phases take place.
10

Service Request SDCCH

3.

Service Request

4. 5.

5
The Authentication Phase The Ciphering Phase

Service Request

MS

MSC

EIR

EQUIPMENT VALIDATION

IMEI Request SDCCH IMEI Response (IMEI) SDCCH Check IMEI

6.

MSC request MS to send IMIE.

7.

MS send IMEI.

8.

MSC request EIR to Check IMEI. EIR check that IMEI is within valid range and valid equipment.

IMEI Check Results

9.

EIR returns the results to MSC if results are ve then MSC drop the call. If call continue, then MSC inform the N/W of the event.

11

Um

MS

BSS

MSC

New VLR
There are 2 steps in setting a call Setting of a voice path between MS & MSC by allocating a radio traffic channel & a voice Trunk Setting a voice path between MSC & PSTN. MS send a call setup request to MSC. It included dialled digit

10
Call Setup Request)
SDCCH Access Subscriber

10.

11

Data (DD,SI)

11.

MSC request VLR to supply subs parameters. Requested message contain digit dialled (DD) and service indication (SI).

12

Subscriber Data

12. VLR will check for call barring etc. VLR will supply subs data for call processing. 13
Call Proceeding) SDCCH

13

MSC will inform MS that call is proceeding .

12

Um

MS

BSS
Assign Trunk & Radio (TN)

MSC

New VLR

14

14

MSC allocates a trunk to BSS for serving MS and request the BSS (TN) to allocate a radio channel (TCH) for MS. BSS allocate Radio channel on SDCCH.

15

Assign Radio Channel (TCH) SDCCH Radio Assignment

15

16

Complete SDCCH

16.

MS tunes TCH and send acknowledgement to BSS

17

Trunk & Radio Assignment Complete

17.

BSS connects the radio channel to assigned trunk of MSC, BSS deallocate the SDCCH, BSS send trunk & radio assignment message to MSC.

13

MS

MSC

PSTN
CALL SETUP WITH LAND N/W - A path has been established between MS & MSC now a path will be established from MSC to PSTN

18

Networking Setup (DD.) Networking Alerting Alerting TCH Connect (Answer)

18. 19. 20. 21.

MSC send a N/W setup message to PSTN. In message are dialled digit and details of Trunk to be used for call. PSTN inform MSC with networking alerting message. MS will hear ringing tone from PSTN. MSC inform MS that the destination number is being alerted. When B. party go off-hook, PSTN will inform the MSC of this event. Billing start, MS is connected to the destination party. MSC informs the MS that the Connection has been established.

19
20 21
Connect TCH Connect Acknowledgment TCH

22

22.

23

23.

MS acknowledges the receipt of the connect message.

14

Um

MS
24
Disconnect TCH

BSS

MSC

PSTN RELEASE OF CALL

24. MS initiate the release of call by pressing end button. MS will send the Disconnect message to MSC. MSC send Release message to PSTN End to END connection is terminated. MSC send Release message to MS.

25
Release TCH Release Complete TCH Clear Command Channel Release TCH Clear Command

Networking Release

25.

26

26.

27 28 29

27. 28. 29.

MS send Release Complete message. Voice Trunk between MSC & BSS is released. The Traffic channel is cleared.

30.

30

The Release of the Resources is completed.

15

LAND TO MOBILE CALL PHASES OF A LAND TO MOBILE CALL. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. ROUTING ANALYSIS PAGING AUTHENTICATION CIPHERING EQUIPMENT VALIDATION CALL SETUP RELEASE

16

PSTN

Home MSC

HLR

VLR ROUTING ANALYSIS

Assume that MS is already registered and allocated TMSI and MS in his home system

1 2

Incoming Call (MSISDN)

1.
Get Route (MSISDN) Routing Information (MSRN)

PSTN subscriber dials MS ISDN. GMSC request HLR to provide routing information about this MS. HLR provide MSRN to GMSC, if MS is roaming in its home MSC area then MSRN = MS ISDN, if roaming in different MSC area then MS ISDN & MSRN are different. Assume that MS roaming in Home MSC area. MSC inform VLR for a call to MS, In the message is MSRN.

2.

3.

Incoming call (MSRN)

4.
Perform Page

(LAI, TMSI)

5.

VLR respond to MSC by LAI & TMSI.

17

PSTN

Home MSC

Visited MSC

VLR
If MS is barred for I/c calls, then VLR inform MSC accordingly, then MSC will connect announcement. IF MS ROAMING IN ANOTHER MSC AREA.

Route the Call (MSRN)

4.

The call is routed from home MSC to the visited MSC and MSRN is transmitted then to the VLR

Incoming call (MSRN)

Perform Page (LAI, TMSI)

5.

The VLR sends a message to the visited MSC asking it to performs paging by passing to it the new LAI & TMSI of the MS.

18

Um

MS
6

BSS

Home or Visited MSC

Home or Visited VLR

6.

PAGING

Perform Page (TMSI)

Page PCH

7. 8.

Channel Request RACH Dedicated Signaling Channel Assignment AGCH Page Response (TMSI,LAI) SDCCH Page Response Page Response

MSC used LAI given by VLR to determine which BSS should page, included in the message is the TMSI. BSS broadcast TMSI, of MS in paging channel (PCH). MS detects TMSI, or IMSI on paging channel MS asks channel request on RACH.

9 10

9.

10.

BSS allocates SDCCH on AGCH. Now onwards MS communicate as SDCCH till MS gets a TCH. MS responds paging on SDCCH, in the message MS sends TMSI, LAI.

11
12

11. BSS send this message to MSC. 12. MSC informs its VLR that MS has responded.

19

MS

BSS

BHome or

Visited MSC

Home or Visited VLR

Authentication Ciphering, Equipment validation are done in same manner as in Mobile to Land call. In the case, the MS is visiting a new MSC area, the authentication and Equipment Validation are performed as follows. The Visited VLR request the authentication parameters from the Home AUC through the Network connecting the two MSCs and then through the HOME HLR. The Equipment Validation phase involves the visited MSC & the HOME EIR. There are again two steps in setting up a voice path for a call from a mobile to a PSTN subscriber. The call setup with the mobile :- A voice path is created between MS & MSC by allocating a TCH and a voice trunk. The call setup with the land N/W:- Where a voice path is established between the MSC & a PSTN N/W
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The Authentication The Cipher phase The Equipment Validation N/W

MS
13
SDCCH Call Setup Confirm SDCCH

BSS

Home or Visited MSC

Call Setup

13.

MSC inform MS that a call can be setup.

14

14.

MS perform compatibility check it acknowledges the call setup message by setup confirm.

15 16
Assign Radio Channel

Assign Trunk & Radio Channel

15.

MSC selects a trunk to BSS and request BSS to allot a radio channel (TCH).

SDCCH
Radio Assignment Complete

16.

BSS allot TCH and transmits an Assignment command over SDCCH to MS.
MS tunes to TCH and transmits an assignment complete message back to BSS. MS user phone rings. MS do not use SDCCH after it gets TCH. BSS on receiving assignment complete message connects the TCH to Trunk. SDCCH is free now and send Assignment Complete Message to MSC.
21

17

SDCCH

17.

18

Trunk & Radio Assignment Complete

18.

MS
19

Home or Visited MSC

Mobile Alerting TCH Network Alerting

PSTN
19. MS got TCH, MS begin alerting the user after if receives a TCH. A alerting message is sent to MSC. MSC on getting alerting indication from MS will generate ringing to calling party and send a N/W alerting to PSTN. Mobile subscribers answers, MS stops alerting and send connect message to MSC. MSC removes audible tone to PSTN, and connects PSTN trunk to BSS trunk and send connect message to PSTN, Billing start.

20

20.

21

Connect (off-hook) TCH Connect Start Billing

21.

22.

22
Connect Acknowledge TCH

23.

MSC send a connect acknowledge to MS.

23

22

MS

BSS

Home or Visited MSC

Network Release

PSTN

RELEASE

24

24.

MSC receives a Release message from the N/W to terminate the end to end connection.

25
TCH
Release TCH

Disconnect)

25.

MSC send disconnect message to MS.

26

26.

MS send Release to MSC

27 28

TCH Clear Command

27.

MSC send Release complete to MS.

28.

Voice trunk between MSC & BSS is cleared.

29 30

Clear Command

29.
Clear Command

The Traffic channel is released.

30.

The recourses are completely released.

23

Phase of a Mobile to Mobile call

Request for Service Authentication* Ciphering* Equipment Validation* Call Setup Release Routing Analysis Paging Authentication* Ciphering* Equipment Validation* Call Setup Release

Originating Mobile

Terminating Mobile

24

Mobile to Mobile call phase divided in 2 parts

Originating Mobile Point 1. 2. MS to MSC is same as part of MS to Land call. Terminating Mobile part same as land to Mobile call, i.e. PSTN to MSC Part.

25

INTERFACES
GSM Interfaces are briefly explained below: Um : The air interface is used for exchanges between a MS and a BSS. LAPDm, a modified version of the ISDN LAPD, is used for signaling. Abis : This is a BSS internal interface linking the BSC and a BTS, and it has not been standardized. The Abis interface allows control of the radio equipment and radio frequency allocation in the BTS.
26

A: The A interface is between the BSS and the MSC. The A interface manages the allocation of suitable radio resources to the MSs and mobility management. B: The B interface between the MSC and the VLR uses the MAP/B Protocol. Most MSCs are associated with a VLR, making the B interface internal . Whenever the MSC needs access to data regarding a MS located in its area, it interrogates the VLR using the MAP/B protocol over the B interface.
27

C: The C interface is between the HLR and a GMSC or a SMS-G. Each call originating outside of GSM (i.e. a MS terminating call from the PSTN) has to go through a Gateway to obtain the routing information required to complete the call, and the MAP/C protocol over the C interface is used for this purpose. Also, the MSC may optionally forward billing information to the HLR after call clearing. D: The D interface is between the VLR and HLR, and uses the MAP/D protocol to exchange the data related to the location of the MS and to the management of the 28 subscriber.

E: The E interface interconnects two MSCs. The E interface exchanges data related to handover between the anchor and relay MSCs using the MAP/E protocol. F: The F interface connects the MSC to the EIR, and uses the MAP/F protocol to verify the status of the IMEI that the MSC has retrieved from the MS. G: The G interface interconnects two VLRs of different MSCs and uses the MAP/G protocol to transfer subscriber information, during e.g. a location update 29 procedure .

H: The H interface is between the MSC and the SMS-G , and uses the MAP/H protocol to support the transfer of short messages. I: The I interface is the interface between the MSC and MS. Messages exchanged over the I interface are relayed transparently through the BSS.

30