GPRS Architecture

By Satasa Samannita (B109045)

What is GPRS ?
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a new bearer service for GSM that greatly improves and simplifies wireless access to packet data networks. GPRS applies packet radio principle to transfer user data packets in an efficient way b/w MS & external packet data network.

Salient Features of GPRS

Important step on the path to 3G Standardized by ETSI GPRS is an overlay network over the GSM Provides Data Packet delivery service Support for leading internet communication protocols Billing based on volume of data transferred Utilizes existing GSM authentication and privacy procedures.

High Data Rate

GPRS uses radio channel i.e. 200 kHz wide Radio channel carries digital data stream of 271 kbps This rate is divided into 8 time slots each carrying 34 kbps per time slot Data rate 14 kbps per time slot achieved after corrections GPRS can combine up to 8 time slots giving data rate of 114 kbps

Comparison of GSM & GPRS

Data Rates
Modulation Technique Billing GSM 9.6 Kbps GMSK Duration of connection Circuit Switched Technology GPRS 14.4 to 115.2 Kbps GMSK Amount of data transferred Packet Switched Technology

Type of Connection

GSM SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

PSTN ISDN PDN

BSC
MS

BTS

MSC/VLR
GMSC

BTS

BSC MS BTS MS EIR AUC HLR

GPRS SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

Other GPRS
PLMN SMS-GMSC SMS-INMSC Gd

SGSN

Gp GGSN

Gb Gf BTS BSC Gs

Gn GGSN Gr PDN Gc Gi

BTS EIR MS D HLR+GPRS Register

MSC/VLR

Interfaces
Gb Connects BSC with SGSN Gn SGSN SGSN/GGSN (in the same network) Gp SGSN GGSN (in different networks) Gf For equipment querying at registering time Gi Connects PLMN with external Packet Data Networks (PDNs) Gr To exchange User profile between HLR & SGSN Gs To exchange Database between SGSN & MSC Gd Interface between SMS & GPRS

GPRS Network Elements

GPRS Architecture is same as GSM except few hardware modifications : GPRS includes GSNs SGSN : Serving GPRS Support Node GGSN : Gateway GPRS Support Node GPRS Register

SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node

Delivers data packets to mobile stations & vice-versa. Detect and Register new GPRS MS in its serving area. Packet Routing, Transfer & Mobility Management. Authentication, Maintaining user profiles. Its location register stores location info. & user profiles.

GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node

Interfaces GPRS backbone network & external packet data networks Converts the GPRS packets from SGSN to the PDP format Converts PDP addresses change to GSM addresses of the destination user Stores the current SGSN address and profile of the user in its location register Performs authentication Many-to- many relations among SGSNs and GGSNs.

GPRS Register
GPRS Register is integrated with GSM-HLR. Maintains the GPRS subscriber data and Routing information. Stores current SGSN address

Protocol Stack
Application

IP / X.25 SNDCP LLC RLC MAC GSM RF RLC MAC GSM RF SNDCP GTP UDP/ TCP IP L2 L1

IP / X.25 GTP UDP/ TCP IP L2 L1

LLC
BSSGP
Frame Relay

LLC BSSGP
Frame Relay

L1bis

L1bis

MS

Um

BSS (PCU)

Gb

SGSN

Gn

GGSN

Gi

SNDCP - Sub Network Dependent Convergence Protocol

Used to transfer data packets between SGSN and MS Multiplexing of several connections of network layer onto one logical connection of underlying LLC layer Compression and decompression of user data and header information

Data Link layer

Divided into two sub layers :
LLC layer (between MS-SGSN) RLC/MAC (between MS-BSS)

LLC-Logical Link Control

Establishes highly reliable logical link between MS & its assigned SGSN
Works either in acknowledged unacknowledged modes Data confidentiality ciphering functions is ensured or

by

RLC/MAC Layer
Radio Link Control(RLC) Establish a reliable link between MS & BSS Segmentation and reassembly of LLC frames into RLC data blocks

Medium Access Control(MAC) Controls access attempts of an MS on radio channels shared by several MSs Employs algorithms for contention resolution Both acknowledgement and un acknowledgement modes of operation are supported in RLC/MAC layer

Physical Layer
Divided into two sub layers : Physical Link Layer (PLL) Physical RF Layer (RFL)

PLL Provides a physical channel between MS and BSS, helps in channel coding, interleaving, detection of physical link congestion RFL - Operates below PLL

BSSGP-(BSS GPRS Application Protocol)

Delivers routing & Quality of Service related information between BSS and SGSN

GTP GPRS Tunneling Protocol

GTP tunnels user data packets and related signaling information between GSNs Signaling is used to create, modify and delete tunnels Defined both at Gn and Gp interface Below GTP, TCP or UDP are employed to transport the GTP Packets within backbone network

Inter working with IP networks

GPRS n/w can be interconnected with an IP-based packet data network GPRS supports both IPv4 and IPv6 GPRS n/w looks like IP sub network and GGSN looks like a IP router DHCP, DNS servers are installed

Applications of GPRS
Web browsing Corporate & Internet Email Vehicle Positioning Remote LAN Access Home Automation Document Sharing/Collaborative working

Future Of GPRS
The next step after GPRS can be either EDGE or UMTS (or both) Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE): using a new modulation scheme to provide up to three times higher throughput.

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS): a new wireless technology using new infrastructure.

THANK YOU !!!

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