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The previous section introduced GSM network architecture, and this section introduces the SS7/C7 protocols
that are used. It also discusses interfaces, because different protocols are used on different interfaces. The
SS7/C7 protocols MTP, SCCP, TUP, ISUP are protocols that were used before digital wireless networks were
available. The final part of this section introduces SS7/C7 protocols that were specifically developed for GSM.
Table 12-2 summarizes the interfaces and protocols that are used in GSM.
Interface Between
Description
Um
MS-BSS
Abis
BSC-BTS
This is a BSS internal interface that links the BSC and a BTS; it
has not been standardized. The Abis interface allows control of
radio equipment and radio frequency allocation in the BTS.
BSS-MSC
MSC-VLR
Interface Between
Description
call, and the MAP/C protocol over the C interface is used for this
purpose. Also, the MSC can optionally forward billing information
to the HLR after call clearing.
HLR-VLR
The D interface is between the HLR and VLR, and uses the
MAP/D protocol to exchange data related to the location of the
MS and subsets of subscriber data.
MSC-EIR
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.
VLR-VLR
MSC-SMSG The H interface is located between the MSC and the SMSG and
uses the MAP/H protocol to support the transfer of short
messages. Again, GSM as well as ANSI-41 is unknown, but H in
ANSI-41 is used for HLRAC interface.
MSC-MS
The I interface is the interface between the MSC and the MS.
Messages exchanged over the I interface are transparently
relayed through the BSS.
In terms of the physical layer, the air interface (MS-BTS) uses RF radio transmission. The A-bis interface (BTSBSC) uses 64 kbps over whatever medium is most convenient for installation: wire, optical, or microwave. All
other interfaces in the GSM system use SS7/C7s MTP1 at the physical layer.
The data link layer that is used at the air interface (MS-BTS) is LAP-Dm; LAP-D is the data link layer that is
used at the A-bis interface (BTS-BSC). All other interfaces in the GSM system use SS7/C7s MTP2 at the data
link layer.
The air interface (MS-BTS) and the Abis interface (BTS-BSC) do not have a network layer. All other interfaces
in the GSM system use SS7/C7s MTP3 and SCCP at the network layer.
The transport, session, and presentation layers are not used in SS7/C7these functions are grouped together
at the application layer, which is known as Level 4 in SS7/C7. GSM interfaces to fixed-line networks using ISUP
or TUP (TUP is never used in North America).
Figure 12-6 shows the SS7 protocols that operate at each interface.
BSSAP (DTAP/BSSMAP)
On the A interface, an application part known as the BSSAP is used. BSSAP can be further separated into the
base station subsystem management application part (BSSMAP) and the direct transfer application part
(DTAP).
Neither the BTS nor the BSC interpret CM and MM messages. They are simply exchanged with the MSC or the
MS using the DTAP protocol on the A interface. RR messages are sent between the BSC and MSC using the
BSSAP.
BSSAP includes all messages exchanged between the BSC and the MSC that the BSC actually processes
examples include PAGING, HND_CMD, and the RESET message. More generally, BSSAP comprises all
messages that are exchanged as RR messages between MSC and BSC, and messages that are used for callcontrol tasks between the BSC and the MSC.
The DTAP comprises all messages that the subsystem of the NSS and the MS exchange. DTAP transports
messages between the MS and the MSC, in which the BSC has just the relaying function.
MAP provides the functionality to route calls to and from the mobile subscribersit has the
mechanisms necessary for transferring information relating to subscribers roaming between network
entities in the PLMN.