GSM Channels

Number of channels required

during call set-up (1)
 Channel to transmit information to
help the mobile station to tune into the
network.
 Channel to transmit synchronisation
information.
 Channel to transmit information about
the network to help the mobile know
about the frequencies being used in its
cell as well as in surrounding cells.
Number of channels required
during call set-up (2)
 Channel to transmit mobile station’s
request to initiate call set-up.
 Channel to set up a call.
 Channel to transmit handover
information.
 Channel to page the called party.
 Channel to transmit measurements.
 Channel to transmit actual
conversations.
Channel Organization
 Each timeslot on a TDMA frame is called
a physical channel.
 Therefore, there are 8 physical channels

per carrier frequency in GSM.

 The paths used to carry information
between a Mobile Station and a BTS is
known as the Physical Channel.
 Physical channels can be used to

transmit speech, data or signaling

information.
 A physical channel may carry different
messages, depending on the information that
is to be sent.
 These different information carried on the
Physical channel are classified as Logical
Channels.
 For example, on one of the physical channels
used for traffic, the traffic itself is transmitted
using a Traffic Channel (TCH) message, while a
handover instruction is transmitted using a
Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)
message.
 Logical Channels
 Many types of logical channels
exists each designed to carry a
different message to or from an
MS.
 Logical Channels are divided into
two groups
1) Control Channels
2) Traffic Channels
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)
 Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)
 Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)
 Control Channels
Control channels carry signaling
information
used by the MS to locate a BTS,
synchronize
itself with the BTS, and receive
information
required to perform the call setup.
There are three categories of Control
Channels:
6) Broadcast Control
Broadcast Channels
 All Broadcast Channels are transmitted
point to multi-point over the downlink
 Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH):
Provides the frequency correction
information used by the MS
 The MS searches for this channels to

switch on.
 Downlink
FCCH contd..,
 On FCCH, information containing only
zeroes are transmitted.
 This serves two purposes. First to make
sure that this is the BCCH carrier, and
second to allow the MS to read the
frequency.
 FCCH is transmitted downlink only.
Synchronization Channel (SCH):
 After locking to the frequency the MS
synchronises with the SCH.
 Contains the Base Station Identity
Code (BSIC) and the TDMA frame
number used for synchronization of
the MS to the new BTS
Broadcast Control Channel
 The MS must receive some general
information concerning the cell in order to
start roaming, waiting for calls to arrive or
making calls.
 The needed information is broadcast on
theBroadcast Control CHannel (BCCH) and
includes
 List of frequencies used in the cell
 Frequency hopping sequence
 List of neighbouring cells which should be
monitored by MS
 Location area Identity
 Max transmission power allowed in the cell
 Using FCCH, SCH, and BCCH the MS
tunes to a BTS and synchronized with
the frame structure in that cell.
 The BTSs are not synchronized to each
other.
 Therefore, every time the MS camps on
another cell, it must listen to FCCH, SCH
and BCCH in the new cell.
Common control channels
Random Access Channel:
• Used by a MS to request access to the

system.
• RACH information is transmitted over

the uplink
• Used for e.g. mobile originated calls.
Paging Channel (PCH)
 Used to page the mobile station.
 At certain time intervals the MS listens to the
PCH to check if the network wants to make
contact with the MS.
 The reason why the network may want to
contact the MS could be an incoming call or an
incoming short message.
 So, MS actively listen to PCH to check contact
info within certain time.
 PCH information is transmitted over the
downlink.
 The MS listens to the PCH to
determine when it is being paged.
 When the MS is paged, it replies on
the RACH requesting a signaling
channel.
 RACH can also be used if the MS
wants to contact the network.
 For example, when setting up a
mobile originating call.
Access Grant Channel (AGCH):
 Used by the BTS to assign a
dedicated control channel. (SDCCH)
 A downlink channel only.
Dedicated channels
Standalone Dedicated Control Channel
(SDCCH):
• Carries signaling information between
BTS and MS during call setup. ex:
authentication
• The traffic channel (TCH) is assigned by
using SDCCH.
• Bi-directional channel.
Dedicated channels
contd..,
Slow Associated Control Channel
(SACCH):
• Transmits call control data,
measurement reports during
connection.
• Carries control and measurement
parameters along with routine data
necessary to maintain a radio link
between the MS and the BTS
• Bi-directional channel.
Dedicated channels
contd..,
Fast Associated Control Channel
(FACCH):
• Carries urgent signaling information
• For quick control communication, e.g.
handover.
• Physically replaces speech, “stealing
mode”
Dedicated channels
contd..,
 FACCH works in stealing mode meaning
that one 20 ms segment of speech is
exchanged for signaling information
necessary for the handover.
 Under normal conditions the subscriber
does not notice the speech interruption
because the speech coder repeats the
previous speech block.
 This channel is used only if required.
Traffic Channels
 Traffic Channels carry either speech or
data. There are three types of traffic
channels:
1) Full-Rate
• Bi-directional channel.
• Used for speech or data transmission.
• User data bit rate 13 kbit/s

6) Half-Rate
• Bi-directional channel.
• Used for speech or data transmission.
• User data bit rate 6-7 kbit/s.
3) Enhanced Full Rate (EFR)
• Bi-directional channel.

• Used for high quality speech

transmission.
• User data bit rate 13 kbit/s.