What is GSM ?

GSM is a second generation or 2G mobile phone system. Originally introduced in 1991, it is still used for
many voice calls and some low data rate services that require its use

The GSM system was designed as a second generation (2G) cellular phone technology. One of the basic
aims was to provide a system that would enable greater capacity to be achieved than the previous first
generation analogue systems. GSM achieved this by using a digital TDMA (time division multiple access
approach)

 GSM basics

The GSM cellular technology had a number of design aims when the development started:

 It should offer good subjective speech quality

 It should have a low phone or terminal cost

 Terminals should be able to be handheld

 The system should support international roaming

 It should offer good spectral efficiency

 The system should offer ISDN compatibility

GSM SMS Messages

Another capability of GSM that took off in a manner that was not expected was that of texting. SMS
messaging was used for the first time on 3 December 1992, when Neil Papworth, used a personal
computer to send the text message "Merry Christmas" via the UK Vodafone GSM network.

GSM Network Architecture

There were four main elements to the overall GSM network architecture and these
could often be further split. Elements like the base station controller, MSC, AuC,
HLR, VLR and the like are brought together to form the overall system.

The GSM network architecture is defined in the GSM specifications and it can be
grouped into four main areas:

 Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)

 Base-Station Subsystem (BSS)
 Mobile station (MS)
 Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)
 GSM Network Architecture.

Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC):   The main element within the core
network area of the overall GSM network architecture is the Mobile switching
Services Centre (MSC). The MSC acts like a normal switching node within a PSTN
or ISDN, but also provides additional functionality to enable the requirements of a
mobile user to be supported. These include registration, authentication, call location,
inter-MSC handovers and call routing to a mobile subscriber. It also provides an
interface to the PSTN so that the mobile communications calls can be routed from
the mobile network to a phone connected to a landline. Interfaces to other MSCs are
provided to enable calls to be made to mobiles on different networks
 Home Location Register (HLR):   This database contains all the administrative
information about each subscriber along with their last known location. In this way, the
GSM network is able to route calls to the relevant base station for the MS. When a user
switches on their phone, the phone registers with the network and from this it is possible
to determine which BTS it communicates with so that incoming calls can be routed
appropriately. Even when the phone is not active (but switched on) it re-registers
periodically to ensure that the network (HLR) is aware of its latest position. There is one
HLR per network, although it may be distributed across various sub-centres to for
operational reasons.
 Visitor Location Register (VLR):   This contains selected information from the HLR
that enables the selected services for the individual subscriber to be provided. The VLR
can be implemented as a separate entity, but it is commonly realised as an integral part
of the MSC, rather than a separate entity. In this way access is made faster and more
convenient.
 Equipment Identity Register (EIR):   The EIR is the entity that decides whether a
given mobile equipment may be allowed onto the network. Each mobile equipment
has a number known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity. This number, as
mentioned above, is installed in the equipment and is checked by the network during
registration. Dependent upon the information held in the EIR, the mobile may be
allocated one of three states - allowed onto the network, barred access, or monitored
in case its problems.
 Authentication Centre (AuC):   The AuC is a protected database that contains the
secret key also contained in the user's SIM card. It is used for authentication and for
ciphering on the radio channel.
 Gateway Mobile Switching Centre (GMSC):   The GMSC is the point to which a
ME terminating call is initially routed, without any knowledge of the MS's location.
The GMSC is thus in charge of obtaining the MSRN (Mobile Station Roaming
Number) from the HLR based on the MSISDN (Mobile Station ISDN number, the
"directory number" of a MS) and routing the call to the correct visited MSC. The
"MSC" part of the term GMSC is misleading, since the gateway operation does not
require any linking to an MSC.
 SMS Gateway (SMS-G):   The SMS-G or SMS gateway is the term that is used to
collectively describe the two Short Message Services Gateways defined in the GSM
standards. The two gateways handle messages directed in different directions. The
SMS-GMSC (Short Message Service Gateway Mobile Switching Centre) is for short
messages being sent to an ME. The SMS-IWMSC (Short Message Service Inter-
Working Mobile Switching Centre) is used for short messages originated with a
mobile on that network. The SMS-GMSC role is similar to that of the GMSC,
whereas the SMS-IWMSC provides a fixed access point to the Short Message
Service Centre.
Base Station Controller (BSC):

The BSC provides the control functions and physical links between the MSC and BTS. It provides
functions such as handover, cell configuration data and control of RF power levels in base transceiver
stations. A number of BSCs are served by a MSC.
- Base Tranceiver Station (BTS):

The base transceiver station (BTS) handles the radio interface to the mobile station. The base transceiver
station is the radio equipment (transceivers and antennas)

The Operation and Support System (OSS)  is is the functional entity from
which the network operator monitors and controls the system. The purpose
of operation and support system is to offer support for centralized, regional,
and local operational and maintenance activities that are required for a GSM
network.
 Gsm channel
1. GSM CHANNELS 1.TRAFFIC CHANNEL 2.CONTROL CHANNEL

2. TRAFFIC CHANNEL TCH(TCH/F) 22.8 Kbits/s TCH(TCH/H) 11.4 Kbits/s CONTROL

CHANNEL BCH (BROADCAST CHANNEL) CCCH (COMMON CONTROL CHANNEL) DCCH
(DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL)

3. TCH(TCH/F) TCH(TCH/H) Full rate TCH (TCH/F) - this channel carries information at a
gross rate of 22.8 Kbit/s. Half rate TCH (TCH/H) - this channel carries information at a gross
rate of 11.4 Kbit/s

4.  BCCH is transmitted on the downlink only. BCCH includes Location Area Identity (LAI),
maximum output power allowed in the cell and the BCCH carriers for the neighboring cells
on which the MS performs measurements.  The MS must receive some general information
concerning the cell in order to start roaming ,MO call etc.  SCH is transmitted downlink
only. Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)  By SCH the MS receives the information about the
frame number and about BSIC.  The MS needs to synchronize to the time-structure within
this particular cell, and also ensure that the chosen BTS is a GSM base station.  FCCH is
transmitted downlink only Synchronization Channel (SCH)  This serves two purposes. First
to make sure that this is the BCCH carrier, and second to allow the MS to synchronize to the
frequency. BROADCAST CHANNEL(BCH) Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)

5.  AGCH is transmitted downlink only. This assignment is performed on the AGCH.  The
networks assigns a signaling channel (Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH)to the
MS.  RACH is transmitted uplink only. Access Grant Channel (AGCH)  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.  The MS listens to the PCH to determine when it is being
paged.  PCH is transmitted downlink only. Random Access Channel (RACH)  The
information on PCH is a paging message, including the MS’s identity number (IMSI) or a
temporary number (TMSI).  At certain time intervals the MS buffers with PCH to check if
the network wants to make contact with the MS. COMMON CONTROL CHANNEL(CCCH)
Paging Channel (PCH)
6.  CBCH is only used downlink to carry Short Message Service Cell
Broadcast (SMSCB) and uses the same physical channel as the
SDCCH. FACCH transmitted in both uplink and down link. Cell
Broadcast Channel (CBCH)  It is associated with TCH only.  If a
handover is required the FACCH is used.  SACCH is transmitted both
uplink and downlink Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)  On the
downlink, the MS receives information concerning the transmitting
power to use and instructions on the timing advance.  On the uplink,
the MS sends averaged measurements on its own BTS (signal strength
and quality) and neighboring BTSs (signal strength).  The SACCH is
associated with SDCCH or TCH (i.e. sent on the same physical channel).
 SDCCH is transmitted both uplink and downlink. Slow Associated
Control Channel (SACCH)  The call set-up procedure as well as the
SMS service is performed on the SDCCH. DEDICATED CONTROL
CHANNEL(DCCH) Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH)

Basic Call Flow

Very basic call flow from mobile to mobile. A) Call is in same MSC and BSC. B) No
Authentication, C)No Ciphering , D) Messages on Ater and Air interface are not consider,
Call Flow Mesage Details:-

1. CM Service Request – Message contains Global Cell Identity, Kind of Service required
by subscriber e.g Voice, SMS, Fax, USSD. Mobile Identity e.g TMSI/IMSI.
2. CM Service Accept – Message is in reponse of CM Service Request.
3. Set Up - Message contains dailed number from Mobile A (i.e Mob B number) and speech
Codec.
4. Send Routing Info-Request (SRI) - After analysis of dialed numbers received from A in
set up message, MSC recognises its own MSISDN series and send SRI to HLR to get the
Mobile station roaming number(MSRN). This messge contains B MSISDN, Interrogation
type e.g Basic Call etc.
5. Assignment Request - Message is to seize a channel for voice call for Mob A between
MSC and BSC. Message contains Circuit Identification Code(CIC).
6. Assignment Complete - Acceptance from BSC end that same CIC has been seized.
7. Provide Roaming Number Request - HLR checks in its database to which VLR, Mob B is
registered & ask for roaming number from that VLR. Message contains IMSI, MSISDN,
VLR ID of Mob B.
8. Provide Roaming Number Response - Message is response of roaming no. request and
contains roaming number of Mob B. This message is for HLR. In this VLR checks its
database & allocate one free MSRN from its MSRN pool for B number.
9. Send Routing Info-Response - In this HLR forward same roaming number which it
receives in above message to MSC.
10. Paging Request - In this VLR checks the MSRN recieved from HLR & search which
MSISDN is against that MSRN, now MSC checks the VLR database of that MSISDN to get
the LAC & TMSI/IMSI of that MSISDN (Mob B) & initiates the paging request message to
that particular LAC on the basis of TMSI/IMSI in that BSC. BSC now page to that LAC on
the basis of IMSI/TMSI of Mob B. Message contains LAC, IMSI/TMSI, DPC of BSC.
11. Paging Response - Mob B response to that paging with GCI (Global Cell Identity) to BSC
that inturn forwarded to MSC.
12. Assignment Request - Message is to seize a channel for voice call for Mob B between
MSC and BSC. Message contains Circuit Identification Code(CIC).
13. Assignment Complete - Acceptance from BSC end that same CIC has been seized.
14. Set Up - It is used to display Mob A number on Mob B handset.
15. Alert - This message indicates Mob A that Mob B is connected & its ringing. The Ring
Back Tone is send from MSC to Mob A.
16. Connect - Mob B answers the call & connect message from Mob B is send to MSC,
inturn MSC sends connect message to Mob A indiacting that phone has been answered
& connects those 2 voice channels which were seized during the assignment complete
message.
17. Connect Acknowledge - To acknowledge the connection.