Public Mobile Radio Systems

GSM-an overview

GSM System Architecture

HLR/
VLR

UM

Handset

A-bis

BTS

BSC

MSC

SS7

PSTN

X.25

OMC
(Operation & Maintenance
Center)

Operation
Terminal

SIM
card
Mobile
station

Radio
sub-system

Network sub-system

Data Terminal

PSTN

Mobile System network

Two Components
Fixed Installed Infrastructure (network)
Mobile Subscribers (who uses the services of
network)

Fixed Installed Infrastructure

(network)

Divided into subnets known as

subsystems
1. Radio Networks
2. Mobile switching network
3. Management Network

Subsystems

Radio Networks
Base Station
Subsystems
(BSS)

Mobile switching network

Switching and Management
Subsystem (SMSS)

Management Network
Operation and Management
Subsystems (OMSS)

GSM Network Elements

Handset
BTS: Base Transceiver Station
MSC: Mobile Switching Center
BSC: Base Station Controller
HLR/VLR: Home Location Register/Visiting
Location Register

SIM Card: Subscriber Identity Module Card

Subsystem-BSS

BSS-two components
1. Base Station Controller (BSC)
2. Base Transceiver Station/Base Station
(BTS/BS).

BSS- BTS
BTS-provides interface
Mobiles interface to the network
A BTS is usually located in the centre of a cell.
The BTS provides the radio channels for
signaling and user data traffic in the cells.
A BS has between 1 and 16 transceivers, each
of which represents a separate radio frequency
channel

BSS- BTS
BSC-Controller
frequency administration
control of the BTS
The BSC also translates the 13 kbps voice
channel used over the radio link to the standard
64 kbps channel used by the Public Switched
Telephone Network or ISDN

Connected to MSC

Mobile switching network

MSN consists of
Mobile Switching Centres (MSC) and
Databases, which store the data required for routing and
service provisions (HLR, VLR)

Responsibilities
In addition to switching it also provides all the
functionality needed to handle a mobile subscriber,
such as registration, authentication, location updating,
handovers, and call routing to a roaming subscriber

MSC
Gateway MSC (GMSC)
This passes voice traffic between fixed
networks and mobile networks
GMSC requests the routing information from
the Home Location Register (HLR) and routes
the connection to the local MSC in whose area
the mobile station is currently staying

Databases
Home Location Register (HLR)
Stores the identity and user data of all
subscribers belonging to the area of the related
GMSC
Permanent data such as the International
Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). permitted
supplementary service
Temporary data such as address of the current
VLR

Databases-VLR
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
Stores the data of all MSs that are currently
staying in the administrative area of the
associated MSC

Mobile Handset (MH)

Used by the subscriber to access the GSM
network via the air interface
Contains the hardware and software specific
to the radio interface
Need a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
which contains the subscriber-specific data
to access GSM network, except emergency
call

Subscriber Identity Module

(SIM)
Subscriber Identity Module
Contains

phone number (MSISDN)

international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)
status of SIM
service code
authentication key
PIN (personal identification code)
PUK (personal unlock code)

GSM Frame Structure

Superframe
6.12 sec

...

51 Multiframe

120 msec

...

26 Frames

4.615 msec

Coded data Midamble

0.57692 msec
3
57
1
26
1
156.25 bits
Tail bit
Stealing Flag

8 Multiframe

57

3 8.25
Guard period

Frame Types
There are two types of multiframe
26 TDMA-frame multiframe is used to carry
TCH, SACCH and FACCH(TCH0-11,1324)SACCH12,25,NO DATA
51 TDMA-frame multiframe is used to carry
BCCH, SCH,FCCH,AGCH,RACH
FCCH IS ALWAYS IN 0,10,20,30,40 SCH IS
IN 1,11,21,31,AND 41 AND BCCH 2-5
PAGCH AND RACH according to load

Burst
The information contained in one time slot is a burst
Five types of burst
Normal Burst (NB)
To carry information on traffic and control channels

Frequency Correction Burst (FB)

To synchronize the frequency of the mobile

Synchronization Burst (SB)

To synchronize the frames of the mobile

Access Burst (AB)

For random and handover access

Dummy Burst
For padding the frame

GSM Frame Structure Per Channel

4.615 msec

Coded data
0.57692 msec
156.25 bits

3
Tail bit

57

8 Multiframe or bursts

Training
1

26

57

Flag Speech/data Or Signaling

8.25

Guard period

Channels
Physical Channels
Associated with frequency bands, time slots, codes
Physical channels transfer bits from one network element
to another

Logical Channels
Distinguished by the nature of carried information and the
way to assemble bits into data units
Three types
one-to-one: traffic channels between a BTS and a MS
one-to-many: synchronization signals from BTS to MSs in a cell
many-to-one: from MSs to the same BTS

Logical Channel List

TCH/F: Full-rate Traffic Channel

Traffic
channels
(TCH)

Two-way

TCH/H: Half-rate Traffic Channel

FCCH: Frequency correction
BCH

SCH: Synchronization
BCCH: Broadcast control

Signaling
CCCH
channel

PCH: Paging

Base-tomobile

AGCH: Access grant

RACH: Random access
SDCCH: Stand-alone dedicated control

DCCH

SACCH: Slow associated control

FACCH: Fast associated control

Two-way

Logical Channels
Control Channels
Broadcast Channels (BCH)
Common Control Channels (CCCH)
Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)

Traffic Channels (TCH)

Full Rate (TCH/F)
Half Rate (TCH/H)

UP / Down-Link
Down-link: the transmission path from Base
Station to Mobile Station
Up-link: the transmission path from Mobile
Station to Base Station

Control Channels
Broadcast Channels (BCH)
Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)
Synchronization Channel (SCH)
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)

Common Control Channels (CCCH)

Paging Channel (PCH)
Random Access Channel (RACH)
Access Grant Channel (AGCH)

Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)

Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH)

Cell Broadcast Channel (CBCH)
Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)
Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)

Broadcast Channels (BCH)

To help the MS (Mobile Station) measures
to listen for the cell information
to start roaming, waiting for calls to arrive, making
calls

Because BTSs are not synchronized with each

other, every time a MH decides to camp to
another cell, its FCCH, SCH, and BCCH must
be read.

Frequency Correction Channel

(FCCH)
Provide MS with the frequency reference of
the system
To enable the Mobile Handset (MH) to
synchronize with the frequency

Transmission properties
Transmit on the down-link
Point to multi-point.

Synchronization Channel (SCH)

MS synchronize with the structure within the
locative cell
MS can receive information from the proper time slots
on the TDMA structure

Transmission properties
Transmit on down-link
Point to multi-point.

Broadcast Control Channel

(BCCH)
BTS broadcast cell information to MS
LAI ( Location Area Identity), to start roaming,
waiting for calls to arrive, making calls
maximum output power allowed in the cell
information about BCCH carriers for the
neighboring cells

Transmission properties
Transmit on down-link
Point to multi-point

Common Control Channels

(CCCH)
CCCH support the establishment of a
dedicated communication path (dedicated
channel) between the MS and the BTS
Three types of CCCH
Paging Channel (PCH)
Random Access Channel (RACH)
Access Grant Channel (AGCH)

Paging Channel (PCH)

Used by BTS to page particular MS in the cell
MH actively listen to PCH to check contact info
within certain time
Contact could be incoming call or short message

Contact info on PCH include

IMSI (MHs identity number), or
TMSI (temporary number)

Transmission properties
Transmit on down-link
point to point

Random Access Channel

(RACH)
Used by MS to request a dedicated channel
for call setup
Shared by any MS attempts to access the
network
Channel request message contains the reason
for the access attempt

Transmission properties
Transmit on up-link
Point to pint.

Access Grant Channel (AGCH)

The network assigns a signaling channel via
AGCH
A Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel
(SDCCH) is assigned

Transmission properties
Transmit on down-link
Point to point

Dedicated Control Channels

(DCCH)
DCCH are used for transferring nonuser
information between the network and the MS
Messages on DCCH Including
channel maintenance
mobility management
radio resource management

Three kinds of DCCH

Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH)
Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)
Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)

Stand alone Dedicated Control

Channel (SDCCH)
Transfer signaling information between the
BTS and the MS
Typically used for location updating prior to
use of a traffic channel
Transmission properties
Bi-directional channel, transmit on both up and
down-link
Point to point.

Slow Associated Control Channel

(SACCH)
Carries control and measurement parameters along
with routine data necessary to maintain a radio
link between the MS and the BTS
On the uplink, MS sends averaged measurements
(signal strength and quality) of current and neighboring
BCCH
On downlink, MS receives information about
transmitting power to use and an instruction with time
advance/retard

Transmission properties
Bidirection channel, transmit on both up and down link
Point to point

Fast Associated Control Channel

(FACCH)
An FACCH is used over a TCH where it
steals time slots from a TCH
a 20 ms segment of speech is stolen to carry
handover signaling information

Appears on demand

Traffic Channels (TCH)

TCH transport user information (speech/data)
TCH are bi-directional dedicated channels
between the network and the MS

Traffic Channels (TCH)

TCH- Two types
Full-rate TCH (TCH/F): provides transmission
speed of 13 kbps for speech or 9.6, 4.8 or 2.4
kbps for data.
Half-rate TCH (TCH/H): allows transmission
of 6.5Kbps speech or 4.8 or 2.4 Kbps of data.

Handoff/Handover
A process, which allows users to remain in touch, even while breaking the
connection with one BS and establishing connection with another BS.
MSC

MSC

New BS Old BS

Old BS

MSC

MSC

Old BS

New BS

New BS

Old BS

New BS

Handoff To keep the conversation going, the Handoff

procedure
should be completed while the MS (the
bus) is in the overlap region.

Cell overlap region

Old BS

New BS

Handoff detection strategies

Mobile-Controlled handoff (MCHO)

Network-Controlled handoff (NCHO)
Mobile-Assisted handoff (MAHO)

Mobile-Controlled Handoff (MCHO)

In this strategy, the MS continuously monitors the radio

signal strength and quality of the surrounding BSs.
When predefined criteria are met, then the MS checks for
the best candidate BS for an available traffic channel and
requests the handoff to occur. MCHO is used in DECT
and PACS.

Network-Controlled Handoff (NCHO)

In this strategy, the surrounding BSs,

the MSC or both monitor the radio
signal. When the signals strength
and quality deteriorate below a
predefined threshold, the network
arranges for a handoff to another
channel. NCHO is used in CT-2 Plus
and AMPS

Mobile-Assisted Handoff (MAHO)

It is a variant of NCHO strategy. In this strategy, the network
directs the MS to measure the signal from the surrounding
BSs and to report those measurements back to the network.
The network then uses these measurements to determine
where a handoff is required and to which channel. MACHO
is used in GSM and IS-95 CDMA.

Handoff types with reference to the network

Intra-system handoff or Inter-BS handoff

The new and the old BSs are connected to the

same MSC.

MSC

Old BS

New BS

Handoff types with reference to the network

Intersystem handoff or Inter-MSC handoff

The new and the old BSs are connected to

different MSCs
MSC

MSC

Old BS

New BS

Handoff types with reference to link transfer

Hard handoff

The MS connects with only one BS at a time, and there is

usually some interruption in the conversation during the link
transition
Soft handoff

The two BSs are briefly simultaneously connected to the MU while

crossing the cell boundary. As soon as the mobile's link with the new BS
is acceptable, the initial BS disengages from the MU.

Handoff types with reference to link transfer

Soft handoff
1.

MU sends a pilot strength measurement message to the old BS,

indicating the new BS to be added.

2.

The old BS sends a handoff request message to the MSC. If the

MSC accepts the handoff request, it sends a handoff request
message to the new BS.

3.

The BS sends a null traffic message to the MU to prepare the

establishment of the communication link.

Handoff types with reference to link transfer

Soft handoff
4.

The new BS sends a join request message to the

MSC. The MSC bridges the connection for the two
BSs, so that the handoff can be processed without
breaking the connection.

5.

The new BS sends a handoff ack message to the old

BS via the MSC. The old BS instructs the MU to add a
link to the new BS by exchanging the handoff
command and handoff complete messages.

Handoff types with reference to link transfer

Soft handoff
6.

The old BS and the MSC conclude this procedure by

exchanging the required handoff information. The quality of
the new link is guaranteed by the exchange of the pilot
measurement request and the pilot strength measurement
message pair between the MU and the new BS.

Handover in GSM (2.11)

3 possible types
Intra-Cell Handover
between traffic channels within cell
Inter-Cell Handover
between traffic channels on different cells
Inter-MSC Handover
between cells belonging to different MSCs

Handover Situations
To maintain Link Quality
To minimize Interference
Traffic Management

Four security measures in GSM

1) PIN code (authentication of user using terminal
=> local security measure, network is not involved)
2) SIM authentication (performed by network)
3) Ciphering of information sent over air interface
4) Usage of TMSI (instead of IMSI) over air interface
IMSI = International Mobile Subscriber Identity
(globally unique identity)
TMSI = Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
(local and temporary identity)

CDMA

CDMAIsaSpreadSpectrumSystem

TRADITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

Spread Spectrum
Narrowband
Signal
Slow
Information
Recovered

Slow
Information
Sent
TX

RX

SPREAD-SPECTRUM SYSTEM
Wideband Signal
Slow
Information
Sent

Slow
Information
Recovered
TX

Fast
Spreading
Sequence

RX

Fast
Spreading
Sequence

Traditional technologies try to squeeze

the signal into the minimum required
bandwidth
Direct-Sequence Spread spectrum
systems mix their input data with a fast
spreading sequence and transmit a
wideband signal
The spreading sequence is independently
regenerated at the receiver and mixed
with the incoming wideband signal to
recover the original data

Spread Spectrum Principles

MA
HAM TH
MER

Power is Spread Over a Larger Bandwidth

MATH
HAMMER

30 KHz

1.25 MHz

Spread Spectrum Principles

Many code channels are individually

spread and then added together to
create a composite signal

CDMA
Code division Multiple Access is a digital technology
pioneered by QUALCOMM that provides crystal clear
voice quality in new generation wireless
communication systems
CDMA provides better and most cost effective
Voice quality
Privacy
System capacity
Flexibility.
SMS
E-mail
Internet

Diversity in CDMA
Three types of Diversity
Frequency
Spatial Diversity
Time Diversity

Frequency Diversity
Inherent feature of CDMA due to wide part
of spectrum covered by each signal
Multipath fading is caused by different
delays among alternative paths between a
mobile and base station
Use of Rack Receivers to get benefits from
multipath propagation

Spatial Diversity
Both in TDMA and CDMA
Use of multiple antennas at the base stations
Two antennas far apart at the receiver make
it unlikely to receive the faded signal at the
same instant
CDMA allows multiple base stations to
transmit to single mobile thus making soft
handover possible

Time Diversity
Channel coding and interleaving are used in
GSM for time diversity
CDMA also uses time diversity
The Forward channel in IS-95 standard
employs half-rate convolutional coding,
which doubles the number of bits
The reverse channel also employs one-third
rate convolutional coding

Continue..
All the bits, both information and redundant,
are interleaved thus separating the adjacent
information bits
At the receiver end of channel, a Viterbi
decoder is used with soft decision point
Only makes 1 or 0 bit decision as
demodulator already marks noisy symbols
Decoder simply ignores bad symbols instead
of working on them

Features and Advantages of CDMA

Universal Frequency Reuse

Fast and accurate Power Control
Rake Receiver
CDMA Hand off

FDMA/TDMA Frequency Reuse

Frequency Reuse

CD CDMA MA Frequency
Reuse

CDMA Frequency Reuse

CDMA Power Control

without

CDMA Rake Receiver

Multipaths

Multipaths

Multipaths

CDMA RAKE Receiver

CDMA RAKE
Receiver

CDMA RAKE Receiver

Correlator 1
Correlator 2

Combiner

Receive set
Correlator 3
Calculate the
time delay and
signal strength

Searcher correlator

s(t)

s(t)

The combined
signal

Handoff in CDMA System

Soft Handoff
Mobile commences Communication with a new BS without
interrupting communication with old BS
same frequency assignment between old and new BS
provides different site selection diversity

Softer Handoff
Handoff between sectors in a cell

CDMA to CDMA hard handoff

Mobile transmits between two base stations with different
frequency assignment

Soft Handoff

Soft Handoff Advantages

Hand Off
Hand off in GSM
a)Hard Hand Off
b)Soft Hand Off
Hand off in CDMA
a)Soft Hand off
b)Softer Hand off

Practical Handoff
Problems
(1)Problem Caused by high speed mobility:
More handoffs are required to handle high speed mobility of MS
during a call. It will cause load on the system as well as call
drops.
(2) Problem Caused by low speed mobility: Cell dragging:
In the line of sight and smooth area signal does not drop sharply
for pedestrian users so user goes on using the frequency of the
previous cell in to the new cell. This causes increase in the cochannel interference.

Solution For More Handoffs

Umbrella Cell Approach:
Micro cells inside A macro cell.
---- Macro cell is defined by high power and lengthy tower.
---- Micro cells are defined
inside the macro cell with less power and less height towers.
---- High speed MS are handled by macro cell and low speed
subscribers are handled by micro cells.
---- This strategy increases the no of capacity
channels per unit area and decreases the no of handoffs.

Umbrella Cell Approach

Solution For Cell Dragging

Handoff threshold
----and radio coverage
parameters must be adjusted carefully
according to the environment .

Forward Link Channels

88

Forward Link Channels

89

Forward Link Channels

Channels
A channel may be voice data or overhead control data.

Forward Link Channels

On the forward link there are 4 types of channels used to transmit control and
voice data to the mobile.
These channels are:
Pilot
Sync
Paging
Traffic
90

Forward Link Channels

91

Forward Link Channels

Pilot Channel
The pilot channel is constantly transmitted.
The mobile uses the pilot signal to acquire the system. After the mobile has acquired
the system the pilot is used for signal strength measurement.
The strength of the pilot is used to determine the power required for mobile transmit.
The pilot contains no information but it is the strongest signal on the forward link,
containing at least 20% of the total power on the forward link. The power of the pilot
is an indication to the mobile of its ability to successfully use the signals from the base
station transmitting that pilot.
After this, the phone looks for the sync channel

92

Forward Link Channels

Sync. Channel
The sync channel is constantly transmitted providing critical timing information to the
mobile.
The mobile will decode the Sync. channel message during the power up sequence.
It repeatedly transmits a sync channel message which contains information about the cell
and the phone system, and also contains information which permits the phone to determine
the absolute clock time
Once the sync channel message has been processed, the phone has sufficient information
to begin to process the paging channel and to register
Once the mobile is synchronized with the base station the sync channel is ignored.

93

Forward Link Channels

The Sync Channel
Mobiles must acquire the Sync Channel and decode its
message in order to synchronize with the system.
The Sync message is spread with Walsh code 32 and is
broadcast continuously.
The Sync message includes the following information:

System time
System ID
Network ID
Many more
94

Forward Link Channels

Paging Channel

A base-to-mobile forward-link communications channel

used to send control, call set-up, and paging messages
when the mobile is not in the traffic mode.
The paging channel is used to transmit overhead information (i.e.
commands and pages) to the mobile.
When a call is being set up the commands and traffic channel assignment
are sent on the paging channel.
Once a traffic channel is established the paging channel is ignored by the
mobile.

95

Forward Link Channels

Paging Channels
A Paging Channel is used by the CDMA system to transmit
overhead messages and mobile directed messages. Walsh codes
1 through 7 may be used for Paging Channels. A system operator
may choose to support less than seven Paging Channels. In this
case, unused codes may be assigned to Traffic Channels.
A Paging Channel transmits the configuration messages:

System Parameters message

Access Parameters message
CDMA Channel List message
housekeeping information such as the PN Offsets of all nearby
cells and sectors.
Many more
96

Forward Link Channels

While the mobile is not in the traffic mode, the base
sends orders and messages to the mobile on the paging
channel. It receives responses and requests via the
mobile's Access Channel.

97

Forward Link Channels

Forward Traffic Channel
The forward traffic channel is used when there is a call.

98

Forward Traffic Channels

99

Reverse Link Channels

100

Reverse Link Channels

101

Reverse Link Channels

The reverse link in an IS-95 system is any link from a
mobile
subscriber
to
a
base
station.
On the reverse link there are two types of channels used
to transmit control and voice data to the mobile.
These channels are:
Access
Traffic

102

Reverse Link Channels

103

Reverse Link Channels

Access Channel
The access channel is used by the mobile when not
assigned to a traffic channel.
A mobile-to-base communications channel used
primarily for control and sending messages such as call
origination, page response, and registration.
The access channel is used by the mobile to

register with the network

originate calls
respond to pages and commands from the base station
transmit overhead messages to the base station.
104

Reverse Link Channels

After the mobile initially acquires the pilot of a base station and
reads the data on the Synchronization channel, it transmits to
the base station on an Access Channel.
This is the first indication that the base station has that the
mobile is present and active.
All communications with the base station occur using the Access
Channel until the mobile is placed in the traffic mode.

105

Reverse Link Channels

Reverse Traffic Channel
The reverse traffic channel is used when there is a call.

106

Problems in a CDMA Channel

107

Problems in a CDMA Channel

Near-Far Problem
If all mobiles transmitted at the same power level, signals received
by the base station from mobiles further away would be weaker
than those signals received from mobiles which were closer to the
cell. This issue reduces, if not resolved, the capacity of a CDMA
system.

Path Loss
The more distance between the cell and a phone the weaker the
signal becomes.

Fading
Fading occurs when more than two signals from the same
transmitter are received due to multipath.

108

Advantages of CDMA

109

Advantages of CDMA

Coverage
Capacity
Clarity
Cost
Compatibility
Customer Satisfaction

110

FDMA / TDMA / CDMA

Coverage

111

Coverage
Coverage Issues
Providing adequate coverage is a basic requirement of a wireless system.
Coverage of a BTS or network is impacted by the capacity requirements of the
system, terrain of the area, and power of the base station and mobiles.

CDMA Advantage
Forward and reverse link power control helps a CDMA network dynamically
expand the coverage area.
The coding and interleaving techniques used in CDMA provide the ability to
cover a larger area for the same amount of available power used in other
systems.
Under line of sight conditions CDMA has a 1.7 to 3 times more coverage than
TDMA.
112

Capacity

113

Clarity

114

Clarity
Rake Receiver
Combines multipath and softer handoff signals to reduce
errors and power requirements.

Variable Rate Vocoder

The dynamic rate of the vocoder reduces the amount of
data transmitted for each person and reduces the
interference.

115

Clarity
Soft Hand-off
The soft hand off in CDMA reduces the interference and power
requirements for maintaining the link. Multiple received signals
can be combined to reduce the possibility of errors resulting from
interference and fading.

Power Control
Dynamic power control reduces errors by keeping the power at an
optimal level.

Wideband Signal
CDMAs wideband signals does not suffer from the same effects of
fading experience in an FDMA or TDMA system.

Encoding and Interleaving

Strong encoding and interleaving reduces the effects of fading.
116

Major Mobile Radio standards in North America

117

Spectrum Allocation by PTA

PMR
Key features of professional mobile radio systems
can include:
Point to multi-point communications (as opposed
to cell phones)
Push to Talk, release to listen a single button
press opens communication on a radio frequency
channel
Large coverage areas
Closed user groups
Use of VHF or UHF frequency bands

Private Mobile Radio (PMR)

System
System setup by a company or group of
users for that group of user alone
Walkie-talkie is simplest form where there
is no need of base station
Simple to setup and cheap to run
But lack flexibility as calls to other
networks or users is impossible

 A new service called PMR446, which can

support upto about 1 or 2 million users in
UK
The channels are unlicensed, hence no
guaranteed access
PMR446 equipment is not permitted to be
connected with public telephone network
The USA has a similar system called called
family radio service (FRS)

 In public mobile access radio (PAMR) users

may group together to run joint systems
PAMR systems are shared by number of
different users
PAMR or PMR systems with a common
standard and internetworking arrangement
has advantage of direct calls
It is useful for services in neighboring
countries

Problems
Delays as Interworking arrangement routes
calls through a fixed network
Direct mode operation without base station
is impossible
Development of good public cellular system
which undermine the advantages( adequate
coverage, reduce cost, supplementary
services) of PMR system

 Coverage in GSM exceeds the dedicated

coverage provided by PMR
The cost of public systems has decreased
drastically due to competition and
innovations
PMR handsets becoming more costly due to
move to digital and drive to increase
flexibility, capacity and security
Cellular users have economies of scale due
to large market

The PMR User Community

Public Safety
Emergency Services( Police, Fire, ambulance)
Non-safety National Govt
Customs etc
Non safety local Govt.
Transport
Railways, Buses, Taxis

 Other Utilities
Water, Electricity, Gas, Coal
On-site PMR
Construction site
PAMR

Requirements of PMR Services

Reliability
Service availability is extremely important
Voice and Data Capability
Data services are increasing exponentially
Centralized and De-centralized operations
Pt to Pt, Group and Broadcast Calls
Flexible group call structure

 Fast Call Setup

Particularly important in emergency services,
push to talk, no need of dialing
Good Coverage
Mountain rescue service
Long Battery life
Flexibility
Ability of system to change with the need,
scalable

 Low Total Cost of ownership

Lower Capital plus maintenance cost
Others Requirements in some cases include
Security, Call priorities, Ease of licensing

PMR Configurations (3.4)

Point to point Direct terminal communication

Dispatch operation
Talk through Repeater Operation
Use of Radio port to fill blackspot
Vehicle mounted Repeater for local handheld
coverage
Wide area coverage using several base sites
Cellular PMR Configuration

Comparison Between PMR and

Cellular
Group call..required in PMR but not so
frequent in Cellular
Dispatcher Operation. Many PMR needs
dispatcher for controlling and monitoring,
not in Cellular
Decentralized OperationPMR works in
direct mode without the need of fixed base
station and network infrastructure

 Fast Call Set-up. PMR fast as no need to

wait to be connected
Supplementary Services.Additional call
servicesnow equally good in Cellular
Traffic Patterns.Calls are short in PMR,
PMR calls are mostly intended for the users
on the same network

 CapacityCellular user base is larger, need

more base stations, small cells, high re-use
and efficient air interface techniques. PMR
operator want to minimize infrastructure
cost so larger cells.
Freq Planning Needed in Cellular
Control, billing and authenticationUser is
authenticated and bill for each call as
contrast to PMR

 Relationship between the service provider

and the userQOS is directly in control of
user in PMR, Cellular will provide a
standard service
Coverage.PMR operator require coverage
over predefined areas of operation, Cellular
may use over as wide area as possible
including internationally.

PMR Standards
Analog
Digital

Analog PMR
Early systems were analog and proprietary
Later on, some standards introduced for
infrastructure cost and spectrum sharing
One such system is LTR (Logic Trunk
Radio)
Another major Analog standard is
MPT1327 developed in UK in 1980s but
implemented worldwide

 MPT1327 is complex and expensive but

efficient in spectrum use as well as offer
data services
Difficult to replace or upgrade due to cost

Digital PMR
Advantages are
Ability to recover the signal completely as long
as noise is below threshold level
Direct sending of data without need for a
modem and trunking due to easy manipulation
of digital signal
Lower spectrum required as digital modulation
allows use of efficient compression techniques

Increased Flexibility
Increased availability of services
Improved efficiency
High QoS

Digital PMR Standards

EDCAS..Enhanced Digital Access
Communication System
Geotek-FHMA
APCO25
iDEN
GSM Derivatives
TETRAPOL
TETRA

Terrestrial Trunked Radio

(TETRA)
Open standard within ETSI
Feature rich system from specialized safety
services to cellular operating modes
Wide selection of data services
More efficient use of spectrum due to
TDMA access technique
Number of operating modes with wide
coverage