01 Mn1780eu10mn 0003 Sbs Overview

SBS overview Siemens
SBS overview
Contents
1 Global system for mobile communication GSM 3
2 Network elements for PLMN 7
3 Radio access network: radio subsystem 11
3.1 Base Station Controller BSC 16
3.2 Base Transceiver Station Equipment BTSE 18
3.3 Transcoder and Rate Adapter Unit TRAU 20
3.4 Local Maintenance Terminal LMT 22
3.5 Documentation 24
4 Radio interface Um 27
4.1 GSM900/GSM1800/GSM1900 frequency bands 29
4.2 Radio Frequency Carriers RFC 30
4.3 Physical channels 32
4.4 Logical channels for cs services 34
4.5 Example for signaling channels 39
4.6 Logical channels for PS services 44
4.7 Multiframes 48
4.8 Timeslot structure 52
5 Abis and Asub interface 55
5.1 Asub and A interfaces 56
5.2 Abis and Um interface 60
6 GSM basic features 65
6.1 Power control 66
6.2 Cell (re)selection 68
6.3 Handover 70
6.4 Multiband operation 74
7 Data transmission in GSM phase 2+ 77
7.1 High Speed Circuit Switched Data HSCSD 80
7.2 General Packet Radio Service GPRS 84
7.3 Enhanced data rates for GSM evolution EDGE 92
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Siemens SBS overview
8 Location services 101

8.1 Architecture 104
8.2 Positioning methods 106
9 Exercises 113
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1 Global system for mobile communication

GSM
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Standardization
The Global System for Mobile Communications GSM is a ("2nd generation") standard
for mobile communication. This standard was developed by the European
Telecommunication Standards Institute ETSI (founded in 1988).
Today the Specifications for the GERAN (GSM and Edge Radio Access Network)
can be found in the internet under www.3gpp.org.
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration agreement that
was established in December 1998. The collaboration agreement brings together a
number of telecommunications standards like ARIB, CCSA, ETSI, ATIS, TTA, and
TTC.
Public Land Mobile Network PLMN

A Public Land Mobile Network is a network, established and operated by its licensed
operators, for the specific purpose of providing land mobile communication services
to the public.
Radio cell
A radio cell is the smallest service area in a PLMN. The term “cell” comes from the
(idealized) honeycomb shape of the areas into which the PLMN coverage area is
divided. A cell consists of a base station transmitting over a small geographic area
that is represented as a hexagon. The whole PLMN area is covered by a great
number of radio cells.
A cell is also called Base Transceiver Station BTS.
The nominal radius of a cell may be
z up to 35 km radius for the GSM900 system and
z up to 8 km radius for the GSM1800/GSM1900 system.
Mobile Station MS and SIM

The Mobile Station is the radio equipment needed by a subscriber to access the
services provided by the PLMN. The MS may be a fixed station (e.g. installed in a
vehicle) or a portable handheld station. The Subscriber Identity Module SIM provides
the mobile equipment ME with a subscriber's identity.
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Cellular Network
Maximum cell size

GSM900 35 km
(100 km)
GSM1800 8 km
Fig. 1 Radio cells
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2 Network elements for PLMN
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The major subsystems of a Public Land Mobile Network are:

z Operation and Maintenance Subsystem ("management system"))
z Switching Subsystem ("core network")
z Radio Subsystem ("radio access network")
Network Elements
The subsystems functions are grouped into functional units or network elements.
Functional units may be realized either as standalone Hardware HW units or
associated with other GSM functional units in one HW unit.
The Radio SubSystem RSS consists of the Mobile Stations MS and the Base
Station Subsystem BSS, which is composed of the following functional units:
• Base Station Controller BSC
• Base Transceiver Station BTS
• Transcoding and Rate Adaption Unit TRAU
The Network Switching Subsystem NSS (Phase ½) consists of the following

functional units:
• Mobile services Switching Center MSC
• Visitor Location Register VLR
• Home Location Register HLR
• Authentication Center AC
• Equipment Identity Register EIR.
The Operation SubSystem OSS consists of Operation & Maintenance Centers

OMC; in the Siemens solution:
• Operation & Maintenance Center for the Base Station Subsystem is the Radio
Commander (RC)
• Operation & Maintenance Center for the Switching Subsystem is the Switch
Commander (SC).
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Radio Network Switching

SubSystem Subsystem
RSS = NSS other
networks
Mobile Base Station
Station + Subsystem
MS BSS AC EIR
BTS HLR VLR

T PSTN
R
A
BSC MSC ISDN
U
RC SC Data
MS =
ME + SIM
Networks
Operation SubSystem OSS
Fig. 2 GSM PLMN
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3 Radio access network: radio subsystem
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The Radio Subsystem RSS is composed of:

• Mobile Station MS
• Base Station System BSS
• Radio Interface Um
The Mobile Station and the Base Station System communicate across the Um
interface ("air interface" or "radio link").
The BSS includes the:

• Base Station Controller BSC
• Base Transceiver Station Equipment BTSE
• Transcoder and Rate Adapter Unit TRAU
Note: The Siemens realization of GSM's BSS is called Siemens Base Station System
SBS.
The connections between the network elements are typically PCM30 (or PCM24)
lines running via copper lines, coaxial cables or microwave links.
The following table summarizes the (terrestrial) RSS interfaces and their associated
PCM lines:
Interface PCM line Protocol Used

A PCMA CCSS#7 (open interface to circuit-switched core network)
Asub PCMS LAPD ("LPDLS", proprietary)
Abis PCMB LAPD ("LPDLM & LPDLR", proprietary)
Gb PCMG BSSGP (open interface between SGSN and Packet

Control Unit PCU (located in BSC))
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Um
To/from
SSS
Mobile BSS
Station
To/from
OMS
Radio Subsystem (RSS)
Fig. 3 Radio Subsystem RSS
Base Station System BSS

M
BSC TRAU S
BTSE
Base Transcoder C
Transceiver Abis Base Station Asub and A
Station Controller Rate Adapter
Equipment Unit
PCU
S
G
Gb
S
Fig. 4 Base Station Subsystem BSS
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PCMB and LAPD configuration

Time slots (signaling/traffic) can be assigned to a BTSE on up to four PCMB lines in
case of the BTSplus family. These multiple links support load-sharing and fault
recovery.
The LAPD signaling timeslots may be 16 kbit/s sub slots (if max 2 TRX are used) or
64 kbit/s time slots. On the BTSM side, these time slots are called LAPDLE while in
the BSC database they are called LPDLM (although they may carry both LPDLM and
LPDLR type signaling).
Minimum for each PCMB line at least one LAPDLE/LPDLM is required.
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4 PCMB lines 1 LAPD link Up to 8

between per objects LPDLM
BSC - BTSplus PCMB line per BTSE
PCMB#0
B
T PCMB#1
S B
p PCMB#2 S
l C
u
PCMB#3
s
BTSE Object: LAPDLE

BSC Object: LPDLM
Fig. 5 Multiple Abis LAPD links
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3.1 Base Station Controller BSC

The Base Station Controller is the "brain" of the Base Station System.
The BSC
• switches traffic channels from the core network to the MS (via BTSE),
• handles the signaling between access and core network,
• supervises the complete BSS (central Operation & Maintenance).
The BSC is composed of max 2 shelves (in an indoor rack).
BSC capacity figures for different BSC releases are given in the following table:
BR5.5 BR6.0 BSC HC BR7.0 HC BSC

1st Step 2nd Step
Controlled TRXs* 250 500 900
Controlled Cells 150 250 400
Controlled BTSE 100 200 200
Controlled TRAU 20 32 36
PCM lines 46 72 120
LAPD (Abis+Asub) up to 112 up to 240 up to 240
GPRS channels 2x64 1536 3072
SS7L 8 8 16
* Given capacity is obtained under the assumption:

• PCM30 lines are used
• network planning is properly done and
• normal network operational conditions are normal conditions.
BSC HC is the abbreviation for the BSC High Capacity. The BSC high capacity step
one is also called BSC/72. The BSC high capacity step two is also called BSC/120.
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Fig. 6 BSC/120 rack layout
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3.2 Base Transceiver Station Equipment BTSE

The Base Transceiver Station Equipment comprises the radio transmission and
reception equipment, including the antennas, and also the signaling processing for
the radio interface.
The BTSE provides up to 24 transceivers (TRX) and serves up to 24 cells (in

picoBTS, BS24x the number of cells is 12). Max 8 racks in total (max 3 of which
provide TRX) make up a BTSE.
Max 2 PCMB lines terminate on BTSE.
Two (main) product lines are in use:

• The ("classic") BTSone and
• the (new) BTSplus family.
BTSE Type Product Max Number of Max Total No of Racks

Line TRX (Radio/Service Racks)
BS40, 41 BTSplus 4 5 (1/4)
BS240, 241 BTSplus 24 8 (3/5)
BS240XL BTSplus 24 7 (2/5)
BS242 BTSplus 24 1
BS82 BTSplus 8 2 ("cabinets")
EMICROII BTSplus 6 3 ("cabinets")
BS20, 21, 22 BTSone 2 1

BS60, 61 BTSone 6 2 (1/1)
BTSE names indicate if they are used

• indoor (-5 ... +55 °C, last digit "0"),
• outdoor (-45 ... +55 °C, last digit "1") or
• indoor and outdoor (perhaps with some limitation, last digit "2").
The first digits give the number of TRX available.
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Fig. 7 BS240
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3.3 Transcoder and Rate Adapter Unit TRAU

The Transcoder and Rate Adapter Unit performs de-/coding (for speech calls) and
rate adaptation (for circuit-switched data calls).
The two main functional units of the TRAU are:
• Transcoder for speech coding/compression
• Rate Adapter for data rate adaptation
Although the TRAU is (logically) part of the Base Station System (and controlled from
the BSC), it is usually located near the MSC to save transport capacity on PCMS
(typical PLMN speech takes 16 kbit/s bandwidth vs. 64 kbit/s for PSTN speech).
The TRAU (shelf) has a capacity of 120 speech channels. Up to eight (independent)
shelves can be housed in the same rack.
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Fig. 8 High Capacity TRAU Rack
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3.4 Local Maintenance Terminal LMT

The LMT software runs on a desktop or a laptop computer. The LMT is indispensable
for commissioning BSC, BTSE and TRAU and for local maintenance.
For (central) operation and supervision of larger networks the RC's graphical user
interface is better suited.
The O interface between RC and BSC is either a X.25 connection realized as a
dedicated link via a PSPDN or embedded within the Asub and A interfaces via a semi
permanent connection through the MSC ("nailed-up connection").
The LMT's T interface is based on X.21+V.11 and HDLC+ proprietary layer
specifications (ITU-T) using the LAPB protocol and is used for the BSC, TRAU and
all BTSE.
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SIIX
N ED
MOER
NF
S OMC SIE
N MO
IXDER
NF
S
LAN
O interface
BTSE BSC TRAU
T-Interface T-Interface T-Interface
LMT
Fig. 9 Operation & Maintenance Interfaces on Base Station System
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3.5 Documentation
SBS documentation may be divided into the following main categories:
System Descriptions
providing information on network architecture and functions for e.g. GSM-PLMN or
GPRS-PLMN.
Technical Descriptions TED

explaining functions, features, hardware and software architecture as well as external
and internal interfaces.
Operator Guidelines OGL

giving LMT and OMS-B handling information.
Operation Manuals OMN

containing the most relevant (LMT and OMS-B) operating procedures.
Maintenance Manuals MMN

providing replacement procedures for all SBS modules.
Installation and Test Manuals ITMN

explaining the step-by-step commissioning (incl. e.g. switch settings).
Command Manuals CML

referencing all available commands (and input parameter ranges) for LMT and OMS-
B.
Installation Manuals IMN

dealing with the hardware related aspects of installation e.g. physical setup and
cabling.
Performance Measurements PM
providing information on performance counters and signaling message flows.
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The documentation is provided electronically on CD-ROM as PDF (portable data

format) files. The operating documentation includes the following manuals (in
alphabetical order, approximately 80 documents in total):
Manual Abb. Content

Abbreviations Abbreviations
Command Manuals CML For BSC, BTSE, OMS-B, TRAU
Glossary Explanation of terms
Installation Manuals IMN Hardware related information, for BSC, BTSE (all types), OMS-B, TRAU
Installation and Test ITMN Step-by-step commissioning, for BSC, BTSE (all types), OMS-B, TRAU
Manuals
Maintenance Manuals MMN Replacement procedures incl. hardware related information, for BSC,
BTSE (all types), OMS-B, TRAU
Network Integration Manual NIMN Testing network configuration (incl. database) "as planned"
Operator Guidelines OGL For LMT, OMS-B (commands, description, graphical panels, interactive
panel architect, main menu, states and repertories, tools)
Output Manuals OML All error messages for BSC, BTSE and TRAU
Operation Manuals OMN For BSC (via LMT) and OMS-B
Performance PM SBS counters and SBS message flows

Measurements
System Descriptions SYD For GPRS PLMN, GSM PLMN, GSM-R, Network System Concept,
WAP/MIA for Mobile Solutions
Technical Descriptions TED Separate documents for "Common" and BS40/41, BS240/241,
BS240XL, BS242, BS82, BS2x/6x/11 information (hardware related)
Terminology Guide to documentation
Fig. 10 Document types
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4 Radio interface Um
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The Um interface is the radio interface between the BTSE (antenna) and the mobile
station.
Um
Uplink
Downlink
BTSE
Mobile Station
Fig. 11 Um interface
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4.1 GSM900/GSM1800/GSM1900 frequency bands

A specific frequency range is assigned to GSM900/GSM1800/GSM1900 systems.
Each frequency range is divided into two sub-bands:
1. Uplink UL for the radio transmission between the MS and the BTSE,
2. Downlink DL for the radio transmission between the BTSE and the MS.
The fact that different frequency bands are used for uplink and downlink transmission
is called Frequency Division Duplex FDD.
GSM 900 GSM 1800 GSM 1900
880 915 925 960 1710 1785 1805 1880 1850 1910 1930 1990
MHz MHz MHz
Uplink Downlink Uplink Downlink Uplink Downlink
Primary GSM:
GSM 1800 (DCS): GSM 1900 (PCS):
890-915 & 935-960 MHz
Extended GSM:
1710-1785 & 1805-1880 MHz 1850-1910 & 1930-1990 MHz
880-915 & 925-960 MHz
Railway GSM:
Duplex Distance: Duplex Distance:
876-915 & 921-960 MHz
95 MHz 80 MHz
Duplex Distance:
45 MHz
Fig. 12 Frequency ranges for GSM900, GSM1800 and GSM1900
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4.2 Radio Frequency Carriers RFC

Both sub-bands (Uplink and Downlink) are divided into Radio Frequency Carriers
with a bandwidth of 200 kHz each (Frequency Division Multiple Access FDMA).
The differences between GSM900, GSM1800 (DCS) and GSM1900 (PCS) relate to:
• Operating frequency
• Bandwidth of the sub-bands
• Number of Radio Frequency Carriers RFC available.
880 915 925 960

MHz
Uplink MHz MHz
Downlink MHz
(Extended)
175 RFC (174 used)
GSM 900
1710 1785 1805 1880

MHz MHz MHz MHz
GSM
375 RFC (374 used)
1800 (DCS)
1850 1910 1930 1990

MHz MHz MHz MHz
GSM
300 RFC (299 used)
1900 (PCS)
C C C ... C C ... C C C
200 200
kHz kHz
Fig. 13 Radio frequency carriers for GSM900, GSM1800 (DCS) and GSM1900 (PCS)
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Depending on the traffic volume, every radio cell uses one or more RFC. Since the
number of RFC is limited, the same RFC must be used several times. To avoid co-
channel interference, a safe distance is required between the BTSE using the same
RFC. This safe distance is called reuse distance.
The size of a single cell depends on topology and on traffic volume. In hilly regions or
in densely populated areas with high traffic volume the cell radius is kept small. A
small cell radius can be achieved by reducing the output power of the base station
RFC 32
RFC 24
RFC 13 RFC 47
RFC 17 RFC 11
RFC 2
RFC 32
RFC 5
RFC 24 RFC 2
RFC 8 RFC 40 RFC 5
RFC 47 RFC 8
reuse distance (~ 4 r)
Fig. 14 Radio frequency carriers and reuse distance
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4.3 Physical channels

One RFC is divided into eight time slots (Time Division Multiple Access TDMA).
This is comparable to Pulse Code Modulation (transmission) technology where
PCM30/24 frames are composed of 32/24 time slots, respectively.
PCM 30
TDMA Frame RFC x

(125 µs)
RFC y
e
am
Fr s)
0 15 31 A
M 5m
TD .61
(4
RFC y RFC x
RFC x
RFC y
200 kHz 200 kHz
Fig. 15 Time division multiple access TDMA
Uplink FDD Downlink

t
RFC 7RFC 7RFC 7 RFC

RFC1 6RFC1 6RFC1 6 RFC1 RFC RFC RFC RFC
RFC1 5RFC1 5RFC1 5 RFC1 3RFC 3RFC 3RFC 3RFC
RFC1 2RFC1 2RFC1 2 RFC1 3RFC 3RFC 3RFC TDMA 3RFC
RFC1 1RFC1 1RFC1 1 TDMA RFC1 3RFC 3RFC 3RFC 3RFC
1 2 3 174 1 2 3 174
f
FDMA FDMA
Fig. 16 Frequency division multiple access and time division multiple access (t=time, f=frequency)
32 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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A physical channel is defined by the timeslot number (in the TDMA frame) on a
specific carrier (RFC) in the uplink band and the corresponding carrier in the downlink
band.
A physical channel may carry only one or several logical channels ("multiplexing").
Physical Channel
Uplink Downlink
corresponding
Traffic Traffic
Channel Channel
RFC RFC
Fig. 17 Physical channel
MN1780EU10MN_0003 33
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4.4 Logical channels for cs services

Logical channels carry payload (speech or data) or signaling.
For circuit-switched CS traffic there is a clear separation between the physical
channels used for payload and those used for signaling.
Signaling channels
Three types of signaling channels are used:
z Broadcast Control Channels (CS and PS)
z Common Control Channels (CS and PS)
z Dedicated Control Channels (CS only)
TIP
Channel Combinations
The allowed channel combinations of logical channel types are specified in GSM
Rec. 05.02.
34 MN1780EU10MN_0003
© 2002 Siemens AG
LogicalChannels
Logical Channels
TrafficChannels
Traffic Channels SignalingChannels
Signaling Channels
Broadcast
Broadcast Common
Common Dedicated
Dedicated
Control
Control Control
Control Control
Control
Channels
Channels Channels
Channels Channels
Channels
BCCH
BCCH CCCH
CCCH DCCH
DCCH
Full Rate Half Rate

TCH/F TCH/H
Fig. 18 Logical channels for circuit-switched traffic
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 35
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4.4.1 Broadcast control channels

The broadcast control channels are defined for the BTSE to MS direction (downlink)
only and are subdivided into the:
1. Broadcast Control Channel BCCH (defined per cell) which informs the mobile
station about various cell parameters including country code, network code, local
area code, PLMN code, RF channels used within the cell where the mobile is
located, surrounding cells, and frequency hopping sequence number.
2. Frequency Correction Channel FCCH carrying information for frequency
correction of the MS downlink ("fine tuning" of MS to BTS).
3. Synchronization Channel SCH providing information about the frame number
and BTS identification code BSIC.
4. Cell Broadcast Channel CBCH used by the cell broadcast service for
distributing e.g. weather information.
4.4.2 Common control channels

Common Control Channels are specified as unidirectional channels, either on the
downlink or the uplink. The following sub-channels are distinguished:
1. Paging Channel PCH which is used DL to page mobile stations,
2. Access Grant Channel AGCH, also used DL, to assign a dedicated channel to a
mobile station,
3. Random Access Channel RACH which is an UL channel to indicate a mobile
station’s request for a dedicated channel,
4. Notification Channel NCH, which is used in ASCI (Adv. Speech Call Items,
paging MS using Voice Group Call Service / Voice Broadcast Service VBS).
4.4.3 Dedicated control channels

Dedicated Control Channels are full duplex (bi-directional) channels. They are
subdivided into the
1. Slow Associated Control Channel SACCH, which is always associated with a
TCH or SDCCH (embedded within the same frame structure). The SACCH is
used for the transmission of radio link measurement data.
2. Fast Associated Control Channel FACCH, which is always associated with a
TCH and is used for the transmission of signaling data, after the set-up of the
call, when the SDCCH has been already released. The FACCH data are inserted
into the TCH burst instead of traffic data (bit stealing), indicated by a "stealing
flag" (i.e., the FACCH may contain handover information).
3. Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel SDCCH which is normally assigned
after the MS access request has been granted and is used for signaling purposes
(set-up of the calls etc.)
36 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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DL Frequency Correction Channel FCCH

BroadcastControl
Broadcast Control DL Synchronization Channel SCH
Channel BCCH
Channel BCCH DL
DL
Broadcast Control Channel BCCH
Cell Broadcast Channel CBCH
UL Random Access Channel RACH

CommonControl
Common Control DL Access Grant Channel AGCH
ChannelCCCH
Channel CCCH DL
DL Paging Channel PCH
Notification Channel NCH
Stand-alone Dedicated
DL & UL Control Channel SDCCH
DedicatedControl
Dedicated Control DL & UL Slow Associated
ChannelDCCH
Channel DCCH Control Channel SACCH
DL & UL
Fast Associated
Control Channel FACCH
Fig. 19 Signaling channels
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 37
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38 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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4.5 Example for signaling channels

The BTS periodically broadcasts common system information via BCCH logical
channel. The information contained in the BCCH is received and used by all MS that
camp the BTS covering area.
MN1780EU10MN_0003 39
© 2002 Siemens AG
BCCH
cell identity: 262041422
BTSE
Fig. 20 Example: Broadcast Channel information
Mobile originated call

An example to illustrate the task of the Um interface logical channels is a MOC.
• MS requests the assignment of the dedicated signaling channel via RACH
•The network assigns a dedicated signaling channel (SDCCH) and sends the
information which channel is assigned to MS via AGCH
• MS provides information on the requested service and transmits the subscriber
identity via SDCCH. A number of access control messages are then exchange
between the MS and the network as long as an TCH is allocated to the MS,
everything via SDCCH channel too.
40 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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The MS requests dedicated channel though the RACH also when paged (mobile
terminating call MTC), when an emergency call needs to be set up, due to LU or
IMSI attach/detach. This logical channel contains the MS Random reference and the
dedicated channel request cause.
RACH
Request of a SDCCH
12142341234
BTSE
Fig. 21 Example: Random Access Channel
MN1780EU10MN_0003 41
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The BSC assigns a SDCCH to the MS via the Access Grant Channel AGCH.
AGCH
SDCCH provided
12142341234
BTSE
Fig. 22 Example: Access Grant Channel
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All of the signaling information (i.e. dialed digits, authentication, traffic channel
assignment) for call setup is exchanged over the SDCCH. The SDCCH is allocated to
the MS by the network whenever the RACH is received and SDCCH resources are
available.
SDCCH
Control Information
BTSE
Fig. 23 Example: Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel
MN1780EU10MN_0003 43
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4.6 Logical channels for PS services

For packet-switched PS traffic, the same physical channel may carry both signaling
and payload.
The packet data logical channels are mapped onto the physical channels that are
dedicated to packet data. The physical channel dedicated to packet data traffic is
called a Packet Data Channel (PDCH).
• GPRS introduces the following new types of logical channels:
• PBCCH (packet broadcast control channels)
• PCCCH (packet common control channels)
• PDCCH (packet dedicated control channels)
• PDTCH (packet data traffic channels)
4.6.1 Packet Data Traffic Channels (PDTCH)

PDTCH is a channel allocated for data transfer. It is temporarily dedicated to one MS
or to a group of MSs in the PTM-M case. In the multislot operation, one MS may use
multiple PDTCHs in parallel for individual packet transfer.
All packet data traffic channels are unidirectional, either uplink (PDTCH/U), for a
mobile originated packet transfer or downlink (PDTCH/D) for a mobile terminated
packet transfer.
A PDTCH when used for single timeslot operation may be either full-rate (PDTCH/F)
or half-rate (PDTCH/H) depending on whether it is carried on a PDCH/F or PDCH/H
respectively. A PDTCH, when used for multislot operation shall be full-rate
44 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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Logical
Logical Channels
LogicalChannels
Channels
Packet
Packet Traffic
Traffic Packet Signaling
Packet Signaling
Traffic Channels Signaling Channels
Channels
Channels Channels
Channels
PacketBroadcast
Packet Broadcast PacketCommon
Packet Common
Control Channel
Control Channel Control Channel
Control Channel
PBCCH
PBCCH PCCCH
PCCCH
Packet Packet Packet

Data Associated Timing
Traffic Control Advance
Channel Channel Contr. Channel
Fig. 24 Logical channels for packet-switched traffic
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 45
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4.6.2 Packet Broadcast Control Channels (PBCCH)

1. Packet Broadcast Control Channel PBCCH broadcast packet data specific
System Information. If PBCCH is not allocated, the packet data specific system
information is broadcast on BCCH. This channel is used downlink only.
4.6.3 Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH)

1. Packet Random Access Channel PRACH is used by MS to initiate uplink transfer
for sending data or signaling information. This channel is used uplink only.
2. Packet Paging Channel PPCH is used to page an MS prior to downlink packet
transfer. PPCH can be used for paging of both circuit switched and packet data
services. This channel is used uplink only.
3. Packet Access Grant Channel PAGCH is used in the packet transfer
establishment phase to send resource assignment to an MS prior to packet
transfer. This channel is used downlink only.
4. Packet Notification Channel PNCH is used to send a PTM-M (Point To Multipoint
- Multicast) notification to a group of MSs prior to a PTM-M packet transfer. This
channel is used downlink only.
4.6.4 Packet Dedicated Control Channels (PDCCH)

1. Packet Associated Control Channel PACCH conveys signaling information
related to a given MS. The signaling information includes e.g. acknowledgements
and power control information. The PACCH shares resources with PDTCHs, that
are currently assigned to one MS.
2. Packet Timing advance Control Channel PTCCH is necessary to allow estimation
of the timing advance for one MS in packet transfer mode.
46 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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PacketBroadcast
Packet Broadcast
Control Channel DL
Control Channel Packet Broadcast Control Channel PBCCH
PBCCH
PBCCH
UL Packet Random Access Channel PRACH
PacketCommon
Packet Common DL
Control Channel Packet Access Grant Channel PAGCH
Control Channel
PCCCH DL
PCCCH
Packet Paging Channel PPCH
DL
Packet Notification Channel PNCH
DL & UL
PacketDedicated
Packet Dedicated Packet Associated Control Channel PACCH
Control Channel
Control Channel
PDCCH
PDCCH Packet TA Control Channel PTCCH
DL & UL
Fig. 25 Packet switched Signaling channels
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 47
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4.7 Multiframes
There are 8 timeslots per TDMA frame. The TDMA frames are forming the
multiframes. There are different multiframes in case of:
• Circuit switched Traffic channels
• Circuit switched signaling channels
• Packet switched channels
4.7.1 Traffic channel multiframe (CS)

For circuit-switched traffic, a TCH is always allocated together with its associated
slow-rate channel (SACCH). Twenty-six TDMA frames (=120 ms) are grouped
together to form one multiframe for speech/data. TCH are sent on 24 timeslots; one
slot is used for SACCH signaling information and one slot remains unused (for full
rate).
Not only subscriber information (speech/data) can be transmitted in a traffic channel
TCH. If the signaling requirement increases (e.g. for a handover), signaling
information FACCH is transmitted instead of TCH. A so-called stealing flag in the
normal burst indicates this.
48 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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7
T TCH
T
0
8 bursts per cycle time
S SACCH
1
unused
T T T T T T T T T T T T S T T T T T T T T T T T T
T T T T T T T T T T T T S
SS T T T T T T T T T T T T T
T T T T T T T T T T T T S T T T T T T T T T T T T
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Fig. 26 Traffic channel multiframe
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 49
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4.7.2 Signaling channel multiframe (CS)

For circuit-switched traffic, fifty-one TDMA frames (=235.4 ms) are grouped together
to form one signaling channel multiframe.
As an example the following figure shows the basic combination including (downlink
direction) a FCCH, SCH, BCCH, and AGCH/PCH all on the same timeslot (i.e., 0).
The uplink direction contains a RACH.
The BCCH with the AGCH/PCH uses 40 slots per multiframe. These 40 timeslots are
grouped together as 10 groups of four. The BCCH use the first four timeslots of the
first group of 10. The remaining timeslots are used by the AGCH/PCH.
The FCCH is sent on timeslot 0 in frames 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40, while the SCH is sent
in timeslot 0 on frames 1, 11, 21, 31 and 41.
7 FC C H BCC H
0T 8 B P c y c le t im e
DOWNLINK
d o w n li n k
SCH A G C H /P C H
1
0 2 6 10 12 20 22 30 32 40 42
1 11 21 31 41
UPLINK
U P L IN K R AC H
Fig. 27 Signaling channel multiframe (including FCCH, SCH, BCCH and AGCH/PCH)
50 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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4.7.3 Packet switched Multiframes

The packet data traffic is arranged in 52-type multiframes (GSM Rec. 03.64). 52
TDMA frames are combined to form one GPRS traffic channel multiframe, which is
subdivided into 12 blocks with 4 TDMA frames each. One block (B0-B11) contains
one radio block in each case (4 normal bursts, which are related to each other via
convolutional coding). Every thirteenth TDMA frame is idle. The idle frames are used
by the MS to determine the various base station identity codes BSIC, to carry out
timing advance updates procedures or interference measurements for power control.
For packet common control channels PCCH, conventional 51-type multiframes can
be used for signaling or 52-type multiframes.
52 TDMA Frames = PDCH Multiframe

4 Frames 1 Frame
B0 B1 B2 i B3 B4 B5 i B6 B7 B8 i B9 B10 B11 i
B0 - B11 = Radio Blocks (Data / Signalling) Idle frame:

i = Idle frame • Identification of BSICs
• Timing Advance Update Procedure
• Interference measurements
• BCCH indicates PDCH with PBCCH (in B0) for Power Control
• DL: this PDCH bears PDCCH & PBCCH

PBCCH in B0 (+ max. 3 further blocks; indicated in B0)
PBCCH indicates PCCCH blocks & further PDCHs with PCCCH
• UL: PDCH with PCCCH: all blocks to be used for PRACH, PDTCH, PACCH
PDCH without PCCCH: PDTCH & PACCH only
Fig. 28 GPRS multiframes
MN1780EU10MN_0003 51
© 2002 Siemens AG
4.8 Timeslot structure

The RF signal sent in a timeslot is called "burst". Depending on the type of logical
channel transmitted, different kinds of bursts are used:
• Normal burst
• Access burst
• Frequency correction burst
• Synchronization burst
• Dummy burst
The modulation is applied for the useful duration of the burst. In general, the useful
duration of the burst is equivalent to 148 bits excluding the access burst that has a
useful duration equivalent of 88 bits. To minimize interference, the mobile station is
required during the guard periods to attenuate its transmission amplitude and to
adjust possible time shifts and amplitudes of the bursts.
The normal burst is used to carry information on traffic channels and on signaling
channels (exception: Random Access Channel, Synchronization Channel and
Frequency Correction Channel). Its structure is shown below:
• T = Tail Bits: This burst section consists of three bits (always coded with "000")
and is needed for synchronization at the receive side.
• Coded (encrypted) bits: There are two burst sections, which contain the coded
and encrypted traffic information (speech or data) in 2 x (57 +1) bits. The 1 bit is
called stealing flag and indicates whether the 57 bits are really user data or
FACCH signaling information.
• Training Sequence: This burst section contains 26 bits used for synchronization.
Eight different training sequences have been defined by GSM.
• GP = Guard Period: These "8.25" bits serve to guard phase deviations (due to
moving MS) and to reduce the transmission power.
The access burst has an extended guard period that helps to control the initial time
lag of the signals due to the distance between mobile station and BTSE. Once the
time lag has been corrected (timing advance), the remaining time lag resulting from
the alteration of distance of a moving mobile station is controlled with the aid of the
normal guard period of 8.25 bit duration.
Frequency correction bursts are sent by the BTSE and are used by the mobile
station to adjust its receiver and transmitter frequencies (frequency synchronization).
Synchronization bursts are used to establish an initial bit and frame
synchronization (time synchronization).
52 MN1780EU10MN_0003
© 2002 Siemens AG
Dummy bursts are inserted if TCH timeslots on the BCCH carrier are not filled with
user data to reach a constant level of the BCCH carrier. This is necessary because
the level of the BCCH carrier is evaluated for handover decisions and also for the
decision, which is the serving cell (for call set up).
... 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 ...
T Coded Bits Training Sequence Coded Bits T GP

3 58 26 58 3 8.25
Normal Burst
Fig. 29 Normal burst
Bursts on Um interface:
Duration 577 µs or 156.25 bit
Normal Burst
3 57 1 26 1 57 3 8.25
T Encrypted S Training S Encrypted T GP
Access Burst
8 41 36 3 68,25
T Synch. Sequence Encrypted T GP
Frequency Correction Burst
3 142 3 8.25
T Fixed Bits T GP
Synchronization Burst
3 39 64 Extended 39 3 8.25
T Encrypted Training Sequence Encrypted T GP
Dummy Burst
3 58 26 58 3 8.25
T Mixed Bits Training Mixed Bits T GP
Fig. 30 Burst formats
MN1780EU10MN_0003 53
© 2002 Siemens AG
54 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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5 Abis and Asub interface
MN1780EU10MN_0003 55
© 2002 Siemens AG
5.1 Asub and A interfaces

Timeslot 0 of every PCM line carries the Service Word / Frame Alignment Word
(SW/FAW) which is used e.g. for synchronization and is therefore unavailable for
payload.
Often, timeslot 31 is used for LPDLS signaling between TRAU and BSC on the
PCMS line. As a result, four timeslots on the TRAU's 4 PCMA lines remain empty.
Timeslot 16 on the Asub interface is commonly used to carry CCSS7 signaling
information. This signaling requires a transmission rate of 64 kbit/s. One of the 4
PCMA lines carries the signaling information to the MSC. Therefore, timeslot 16 of
one of the PCMA lines is occupied, whereas three timeslots on the other PCMA lines
remain empty.
Note: Not every TRAU carries CCSS7 signaling information.
An OMAL signaling link defined as AINT (nailed up connection) is, e.g. put in timeslot
30. OMAL is transmitted with 64 kbit/s on a single PCMA line. Correspondingly, three
timeslots on the other PCMA lines remain empty.
The traffic timeslots on the PCMA line, containing 64 kbit/s of speech, are sub-
multiplexed to one sub slot with 16 kbit/s on the PCMS line.
56 MN1780EU10MN_0003
© 2002 Siemens AG
31
30 16 0
S
L
O
C e a W
P C
BSC M f b /
TRAU
Asub D
L
A
S
S g c F
L A
S 7 h d W
L O S
C
P M W
C
D A /
S
L L F
S
S A
7
W
X e a
XXX f b
A
TRAU MSC
XXX g c
XXX h d
30 16 0
31
X empty
Fig. 31 Time slot assignment on Asub and A interfaces (basic pattern, w/o HSCSD or NUC)
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 57
© 2002 Siemens AG
5.1.1 TRAU matrices, multislot connections and pooling

Several time slots on Um / Abis / Asub can be combined and finally mapped into a
single 64 kbit/s time slot on A interface in a (circuit-switched) multi slot connection.
Currently, mobile stations (and SBS, at least for CS connections) support the
combination of max 4 (sub) slots on Um / Abis / Asub.
The most commonly used time slot distribution between PCMS and PCMA is defined
in the BSC database as "not_compatible_with_cross_connect" (former TRAU
Matrix 1). The sorting rules are:
z All channels related to multi slot connections (from all PCMA) with max 4
TSL/connection are assigned to the first time slots on Asub.
z All channels related to multi slot connections (from all PCMA) with max 2
TSL/connection are assigned next on Asub.
z All ordinary channels are assigned in an optimal order without wasting space on
Asub.
TIP
Note: TSLA, which cannot be assigned to a TSLS, must be configured as "no_def".
For every change in multi slot configuration, the matrix is rearranged for the (new)
optimal distribution. Thus, every modification may change the time slot distribution.
Nailed-up connections are available in BSC and TRAU. Due to hardware
limitations, however, NUC through TRAU require that time slots on PCMA and PCMS
are identical, resulting in an auxiliary sorting rule.
58 MN1780EU10MN_0003
© 2002 Siemens AG
Example: "Not compatible with cross-connect" (matrix type 1)

TS no. PCMS (sub slots) PCMA#0 PCMA#1 PCMA#2
1 0-10 0-10 0-10 0-10 1 1 1
2 0-5 0-5 2-15 2-15 2 2 2
3 0-1 1-1 2-1 3-1 3 3 3
4 0-2 1-2 2-2 3-2 4 4 4
5 0-3 1-3 2-3 3-3 MSL x 2 5 5
6 0-4 1-4 2-4 3-4 6 6 6
7 1-5 2-5 3-5 0-6 7 7 7
8 1-6 2-6 3-6 0-7 8 8 8
9 1-7 2-7 3-7 0-8 9 9 9
10 1-8 2-8 3-8 0-9 MSL x 4 10 10
11 1-9 2-9 3-9 1-10 11 11 11
12 2-10 3-10 0-11 1-11 12 12 12
13 2-11 3-11 0-12 1-12 13 13 13
14 2-12 3-12 0-13 1-13 14 14 14
15 2-13 3-13 0-14 1-14 15 15 MSL x 2
16 CCSS#7 CCSS#7 16 16
17 2-14 3-14 0-15 1-15 17 17 17
18 3-15 1-16 2-16 3-16 18 18 18
19 0-17 1-17 2-17 3-17 19 19 19
20 0-18 1-18 2-18 3-18 20 20 20
21 0-19 1-19 2-19 3-19 21 21 21
22 0-20 1-20 2-20 3-20 22 22 22
23 0-21 1-21 2-21 3-21 23 23 23
24 NUC NUC 24 24
25 0-22 1-22 2-22 3-22 25 25 25
26 0-23 1-23 2-23 3-23 26 26 26
27 1-24 2-24 3-24 0-25 27 not used not used
28 1-25 2-25 3-25 0-26 not used not used not used
29 1-26 2-26 3-26 0-27 not used not used not used
30 OMAL OMAL not used not used
31 LPDLS not used not used not used
MN1780EU10MN_0003 59
© 2002 Siemens AG
5.2 Abis and Um interface

The higher data rates for packet switched services introduced in BR7.0 require an
enhanced Abis capacity. The flexible Abis Allocation Strategy (FAAS) is based on Abis
pools and appropriate Abis subpools, which can be configured per base station site
via O&M procedures.
The pool concept no longer assigns a fixed relation between the air interface and the
appropriate Abis . An Abis pool is the amount of 16kbit/s subslots, which is defined per
base station site. An Abis pool is composed by one or several subpools. Each subpool
belongs to a single PCM line, routed together with one associated LAPD link to
manage a correct fault propagation from the LAPD link to the Abis resources.
The dimension of the pool is defined by the operator and can be changed via OAM
commands.
When a user requires radio timeslots in a cell, the BSC selects the appropriate
number of Abis resources from the common Abis pool, associates them to the radio
channel and signals their association to radio channels and Abis resources to the
BTS.
The amount of allocated 16kbit/s abis resources per radio time slot depends on
several factors, first of all the service type ( e.g. GPRS coding scheme CS4 requires
2x16kbit/s TS, while EGPRS coding scheme MSC7 needs on Abis side 4x16kbit/s
TS).
60 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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Abis Allocation Strategy
CS4
L
TRX:0 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 A
P
18 D 14 10 2 0
BTSM: 1
TRX:1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
S
L L W
A A /
P P F
D D A
W
TRX:0 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 TS pool TS pool for

for BTSM 2
TRX:1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 BTSM 1
BTSM: 2
TRX:2 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
TRX:3 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
TRX-1-0
MCS7
Fig. 32 FAAS
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 61
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Dynamic Abis Resource allocation is applied both to packet switched services and
to circuit switched services. According to the service applied, the appropriate number
of Abis resources is dynamically allocated. As the capacity of each air interface
timeslot can vary during runtime, the dynamic Abis allocation adopts the Abis capacity
to the required air interface capacity.
Abis pools and Abis subpools have the following properties and relations:
• Different Abis subpools, belonging to the same or different Abis pools can be
defined on the same PCM line
• Subpools can be distributed over all PCM lines belonging to a base station site
(at least one subpool per line)
• The Abis subslots allocated to a radio channel may be distributed over different
subpools and consequently over different PCM lines. It is not necessary to
guarantee that the subslots are adjacent.
• Overlapping between pools and subpools are forbidden
With the common pool concept any radio timeslot is dynamically associated to an
appropriate number of Abis resources from the Abis pool.
62 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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Abis Pool for Abis Pool for

BTSM:1 BTSM:2
CELL_1
C
C subpool subpool
OO
CELL_2
RR
E
E
subpool BSC
CELL_3
BTSM:1
CELL_4 subpool
C
C
OO
CELL_5
R
R
E
E
CELL_6
BTSM:2
Fig. 33 Abis pools per BTSM
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 63
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64 MN1780EU10MN_0003
© 2002 Siemens AG
6 GSM basic features
MN1780EU10MN_0003 65
© 2002 Siemens AG
6.1 Power control

Power Control is used to adapt the RF output power (of the MS and the BTS)
dynamically to the propagation conditions on the radio path. The aim is to use the
lowest possible TX power still yielding acceptable transmission quality. Thus,
z the power consumption of the Mobile Station and
z the total interference level in the radio system
are minimized.
Power Control for the MS is based on uplink measurements, gathered by the BTS.
Power Control for the BTS is based on downlink measurements, gathered by the MS.
The criteria for power control decisions are
z the received signal strength
z the received signal quality.
Threshold comparisons, preceded by a measurement averaging process, are made
to determine whether a power increase or decrease is required. The measurement
averaging process and the power control decision algorithm for each call in progress
are performed by the BTS.
Power Control can be set independently for uplink and downlink. In addition, for
circuit switched services it can be , if set, either static or adaptive. The last one
comprises adaptive power correction step sizes dependent on measured values for
the signal level and quality.
Optionally the Service Dependent Power Control offers to define for the fourteen
different service groups different threshold levels.
66 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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Power Out 2
Power Out 1
SIEMEN S
Distance D1 BTSE
Distance D2
Fig. 34 RF power control
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 67
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6.2 Cell (re)selection

Idle Mode
MS measures the received level on each RF carrier. Based on these measurements
one can estimate whether a cell will be an appropriate serving cell from the radio
propagation point of view, i.e. whether there will be a sufficient “link quality”.
While moving within the radio network in idle mode, another cell may be more
appropriate to serve the MS. Therefore, cell reselection may be performed.
From the radio propagation point of view it is worth to select a new (neighbor) cell if
the received level from that neighbor cell exceeds the received level of the current
serving cell:
• Receive level (neighbor cell) > Receive level (serving cell)
The inter-system cell reselection from GSM to UMTS allows a MS to reselect to the
UMTS system. For intersystem cell reselection, the Received Signal Code Power is
the measure for receive level in case of UMTS neighbor cells.
Packet switched Connections

From a serving GPRS cell the MS is executing the cell reselection to a neighbor
GPRS cell. This so called Cell Reselection (packet switched) is performed by the MS
in the same way as for circuit-switched connected MS in idle mode.
Also it is possible to do cell reselection from a GPRS cell to a UMTS (packet
switched) cell.
TIP
Handover is only used for circuit switched connections and the BSS is deciding about
the HO execution.
68 MN1780EU10MN_0003
© 2002 Siemens AG
MS direction of movement
Receive
Level BTS1 BTS2
BTS1 BTS2
Radius of Cell 2 Radius of

for selection serving cell 1
Cell Reselection
Fig. 35 Cell (re)selection
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6.3 Handover
6.3.1 Intra GSM HO
Handover is required to maintain an ongoing call when the Mobile Station passes
from one cell coverage area to another. Handover means that a call in progress is
switched over seamlessly from one radio channel to another. In Adaptive Multirate
Handover, the change is between different "codecs".
Handover takes place between radio channels that may belong
• to the same BTS (intracell handover) or
• to different BTS (intercell handover).
If the handover is controlled by the BSC or MSC, it is called inter-BSC or inter-MSC
handover, respectively.
The handover due to radio criteria is determined from
• uplink measurement results (gathered by the BTS) and
• downlink measurement results (gathered by the MS).
In detail, the radio criteria are
a) received signal strength
b) received signal quality (determined from Bit Error Rate)
c) MS - BTS distance (determined from timing advance)
d) better cell (power budget of serving cell relative to adjacent cells)
In contrast to the first three criteria, which are imperative, the better cell criterion is
optional. It derives from signal strength measurements carried out by the MS on the
BCCH carriers broadcast by the adjacent BTS. In a well-planned network, "better
cell" is the overwhelming HO cause determining the cell boundaries.
In addition, the following network criteria may be evaluated:
a) serving cell congestion (directed retry for call setup, HO due to BSS resource
management criteria)
b) MS - BTS distance (in extended cells)
c) RX level and (optional, in addition) MS - BTS distance (in concentric cells)
The decision whether a handover is required for a call in progress derives from
threshold comparisons that are applied to the respective (averaged) measurement
results.
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BSC 2
3
2
MSC1
BSC 1
1 intracell handover
2 intercell handover – intra-BSC
3 intercell handover – inter-BSC
Fig. 36 Types of handovers
If an intercell handover is to be initiated, the power budget criterion is applied to set

up a list of preferred handover target cells in a decreasing order of priority. This target
cell list forms the basis for the final handover decisions made in the BSC or the MSC.
The measurement averaging processes, the threshold comparison processes as well
as the target cell list compilation for each call in progress are performed by the BTS.
The final handover decision and handover execution, however, are made by the BSC
or MSC.
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6.3.2 HO to UMTS
Calls started in the GSM system are handed over to the UMTS system when the user
moves into the area with better UMTS coverage or the UMTS coverage only. In this
case always the MSC is executing the HO.
The BSS initiates a handover to UMTS according due to radio criteria in one of the
following reasons:
• Emergency Handover
• Better cell
• Sufficient UMTS coverage
In addition, the following network criteria may be evaluated:
• serving cell congestion (directed retry for call setup)
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HLR
U-MSC / VLR MSC / VLR
Iu (cs) A
RNC BSC
Iub Abis
Node-B Node-B BTS / CCU BTS / CCU
Location Area Location Area
UE/MS
Fig. 37 Combined UMTS / GSM network architecture
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6.4 Multiband operation

Multiband Operation means that the same network operator provides GSM services
in both GSM900 and GSM1800 frequency bands.
Therefore, the operation of "dual band" MS as well as handover between cells
belonging to different bands is also supported, with an appropriate management of
the target cell list.
The transceiver equipment for both frequency bands is located in the same BTSE.
This allows a network operator to use an already existing network infrastructure when
expanding a GSM900 network with GSM1800 equipment and vice versa.
Multiband operation may even feature a "Common BCCH". For example a concentric
BTS is configured. The inner area is the GSM1800 frequency and the outer area is
the GSM 900 frequency. This BTS can be supplied with a single BCCH and offers
carrier frequencies in both GSM900 and GSM1800 bands.
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BTS-5
GSM1800
BTS-4 BTS-0
GSM 1800 GSM 900
BTS-3 BTS-2 BTS-1

GSM 900 GSM 900 GSM 900
GSM1800
BSC
Fig. 38 Network with mixed cell configuration GSM900/ GSM1800
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76 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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7 Data transmission in GSM phase 2+
MN1780EU10MN_0003 77
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To increase the data transmission rates, in GSM phase 2+ new bearer services with
rates exceeding those of ISDN are defined:
• High Speed Circuit Switched Data HSCSD
• General Packet Radio Service GPRS
• Enhanced Data Rates for GSM (Global) Evolution EDGE
High Speed Circuit Switched Data HSCSD

HSCSD (Rec. 02.34) is a circuit switched data service (only point-to-point) for
applications with higher bandwidth demands and continuous data stream, e.g. video
streaming or video telephony. The higher bandwidth is achieved by combining 1-8
physical channels for one subscriber. Additionally, the data transmission codec is
changed such that a maximum of 14.4 kbit/s instead of 9.6 kbit/s is available per
physical channel. Thus, HSCSD theoretically supports transmission rates up to 115.2
kbit/s. For implementing HSCSD, merely the GSM-PLMN software requires
modification. More problematic is the high demand on (radio) resources.
General Packet Radio Service GPRS

With GPRS it is possible to combine 1-8 physical channels for one user, just as with
HSCSD. Various new coding schemes with transmission rates of up to 21.4 kbit/s per
physical channel enable theoretical transmission rates of up to 171.2 kbit/s. As
opposed to HSCSD, GPRS is a packet-switched bearer service, meaning that
several subscribers can use the same physical channel. GPRS is resource efficient
for applications with a short-term need for high data rates ("bursty traffic" e.g. surfing
the Internet, E-mail, ...). GPRS also enables point-to-multipoint transmission and
volume-dependent charging. However, extensions of the GSM network and protocol
architecture are required for GPRS implementation.
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution EDGE

EDGE (Release`99) supports up to 69.2 kbit/s per physical channel by changing the
GSM modulation procedure (8PSK instead of GMSK). Theoretically, transmission
rates of up to 553.6 kbit/s (meeting 3G requirements) would be possible by
combining up to 8 channels. A combination of GPRS and EDGE offers high
bandwidth and highly economical frequency resource utilization at the same time.
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Data transmission Phase 1/2:

in GSM Phase 2+ max 9.6 kbit/s (per TS)
HSCSD, GPRS, EDGE: TS 1 •••• 8

combining 1 - 8 TS
HSCSD (Circuit-Switched): 14.4 kbit/s

no HW changes, but high demand on radio resources
GPRS (Packet-Switched): 9.05 ... 21.4 kbit/s

HW and protocol changes, resource efficient
EDGE (CS / PS): max 43.2 / 59.2 kbit/s

new modulation type: 8-PSK instead of GMSK
Fig. 39 Data transmission in Phase 2+
High-
Speed 14.4 kbit/s
Circuit
Switched 115.2 kbit/s
Data
General 21.4 kbit/s

Packet
Radio
Service 171.2 kbit/s
43.2 kbit/s
ECSD
Enhanced
Data 345.6 kbit/s
Rates for
GSM 59.2 kbit/s
Evolution EGPRS
473.6 kbit/s
Fig. 40 Netto transmission rates for HSCSD, GPRS and EDGE
MN1780EU10MN_0003 79
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7.1 High Speed Circuit Switched Data HSCSD

High Speed Circuit Switched Data provides circuit switched data transmission using
up to max. 8 TCH simultaneously.
HSCSD is particularly suited for real-time applications e.g. video communication.
High Speed Circuit Switched Data provides the following kinds of services:
14.4 kbit/s data (in a single time slot).
Transparent / Non-transparent services

For transparent HSCSD connections the BSC is not allowed to change the user data
rate, but the BSC may modify the number of TCH used by the connection (in this
case the data rate per TCH changes accordingly).
For non-transparent HSCSD connections the BSC is also allowed to change the user
data rate (data compression on the air i/f, on fixed network side -to and from modem
of internet provider - no compression at data rates 19.2 kbit/s, 38.4 kbit/s or 64 kbit/s
in later versions).
Symmetric and pseudo-asymmetric services

In symmetric service the timeslot allocation for downlink and uplink is symmetric and
the same data rates are used in downlink and uplink direction.
In pseudo-asymmetric service the timeslot allocation for downlink and uplink is
symmetric but the data rate used in uplink direction is lower than in downlink
direction.
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High-Speed Circuit Switched Data HSCSD
9.6 kbit/s /
14.4 kbit/s
28.8 kbit/s
57.6 kbit/s
Advantages: Disadvantages:
+ high data rates - inefficient for bursty traffic

+ multislot operation - new MS required
+ no new network elements
+ only software modification
Fig. 41 High-speed circuit switched data - main features
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MN1780EU10MN_0003 81
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The following conditions characterize an HSCSD connection:

• All n radio timeslots are located on the same TRX.
• The same frequency hopping sequence and training sequence is used.
• Only TCH/F are used.
• In symmetric configuration individual signal level and quality reporting for each
channel is applied.
• For an asymmetric HSCSD configuration individual signal level and quality
reporting is used for those channels, which have uplink SACCH associated with
them.
• The quality measurements reported on the main channel are based on the
worst quality measured on the main and the unidirectional downlink timeslots
used.
• In both symmetric and asymmetric HSCSD configurations the neighbor cell
measurements are reported on each uplink channel used.
Handovers
All TCH used in an HSCSD connection are handed over simultaneously. The BSC
may modify the number of timeslots used for the connection and the channel coding
when handing over the connection to the new channels.
All kinds of handovers are supported.
Flexible air resource allocation

The BSC is responsible for flexible air resource allocation. It may modify the number
of TCH/F as well as the channel coding used for the connection. Reasons for the
change of the resource allocation may be either a lack of radio resources, handover
and/or maintenance of the service quality.
The change of the air resource allocation is done by the BSC using new service level
upgrading and downgrading procedures.
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4*14,4 HSCSD 64 TS
used for HSCSD
4*14,4 HSCSD 4*14,4 HSCSD

4 TS on air IF
HHHH TRAU
0
BTSE
TRAU 64 TS
used for HSCSD
1
BSC MSC
2*14,4 HSCSD 2*14,4 HSCSD 2*14,4 HSCSD
2 TS on air IF
TRAU
HH 2
BTSE
Air IF Abis Asub A
Fig. 42 HSCSD transmission examples
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7.2 General Packet Radio Service GPRS

GPRS offers packet-switched data transmission but requires new network elements
making up the packet-switched core network:
7.2.1 Core network elements

Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN is on the same hierarchic level as an MSC and
handles functions comparable to a Visited MSC. For example Mobility Management;
paging, tracing the location, it performs security functions, access control,
routing/traffic management.
Gateway GPRS Support Node GGSN realizes functions comparable to those of a

gateway MSC. For example performs interworking between a GSM PLMN and a
packet data network PDN, contains the routing information or can inquire about
location information from the HLR
Interfaces
New interfaces are defined for GPRS. The most important are:
• Gb - between an SGSN and a BSS; Gb allows the exchange of signaling and

user data:
• Gi - between GPRS and an external packet data network PDN
• Gn - between two GPRS support nodes GSN within the same PLMN
84 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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GPRS subscription data

(GPRS Register GR)
G
HLR SSS
R
PSTN
BSS VMSC / ISDN
GMSC
VLR
Gb SGSN Gn GGSN Gi Internet

PCU Serving GPRS Gateway GPRS Intranet
Support Node Support Node
X.25
GPRS Support Nodes

SGSN:
Interface to Base Station System
GGSN:
Interface to Packet Data Network
Fig. 43 Packet Switches in the Core Network
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7.2.2 Radio network units
Packet Control Unit PCU

In the SBS, the PCU is realized by the PPXX module in the BSC. The PCU:
• manages GPRS radio channels (Radio Channel Management), e.g. power
control, congestion control, broadcast control information
• allocates resources for UL and DL packet data transfer
• performs access control, e.g. access request and grants
• converts protocols (between interfaces Gb and Um).
In principle, the PCU may be placed in BTS, BSC or SGSN (GSM Rec. 03.60).
Locating the PCU in the BSC is the most practical solution, however, used also for
SBS.
Channel Codec Unit CCU

In the SBS the CCU is included in the Carrier Unit module of the BTSE. The CCU
performs:
• Channel coding (including forward error correction FEC and interleaving) and
• Radio channel measurements (including received quality and signal level,
timing advance measurements)
GPRS Mobile Station

A GPRS MS can work in three different operational modes. The operational mode
depends on the service an MS is attached to (GPRS or GPRS and other GSM
services) and on the mobile station’s capacity of handling GPRS and other GSM
services simultaneously.
• "Class A" operational mode: The MS is attached to GPRS and other GSM
services and the MS supports the simultaneous handling of GPRS and other
GSM services.
• "Class B" operational mode: The MS is attached to GPRS and other GSM
services, but the MS cannot handle them simultaneously.
• "Class C" operational mode: The MS is attached exclusively to GPRS services.
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Um Abis Gb
CCU
CCU PCU
BTSE BSC GSN site
GPRS-MS: CCU PCU

• Class-A • Channel Coding (FEC, interleaving,..) • Channel Access Control functions
• Class-B • Radio Channel Measurement • Radio Channel Management
• Class-C functions(received quality & signal level, (Power Control, Congestion
TA,..) Control,...)
• scheduling data transmission
(UL/DL)
• protocol conversion (Gb<-->Um)
Fig. 44 PCU, CCU, MS
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7.2.3 Radio interface

The tasks of layer 1 radio interface relate to the transmission of user and signaling
data as well as to the measuring of receiver performance, cell selection,
determination and updating of the delayed MS transmission (timing advance TA),
power control and channel coding.
In packet switched traffic a main difference to circuit-switched services is that several
mobile stations in parallel can use a physical channel and a packet data channel.
This is named multiplexing.
On the other hand it is also possible for a mobile station to use more than one packet
data channel at the same time, i.e. to combine several physical channels of one
radio carrier. In principle, up to 8 packet data channels can be seized simultaneously.
The allocation can be done in two ways:
• Horizontal Allocation
• Vertical Allocation
In case of horizontal allocation strategy the MS are placed in separate timeslots. The
advantage is that the MS get the maximum possible capacity.
In case of vertical allocation strategy several MS are multiplexed on the same
timeslots. This leads to the advantage that the scare resources of the air interface are
saved.
Distribution of the physical channels for various logical packet data channels is based
on blocks of 4 normal bursts each, called radio blocks. This means that signaling
and the packet data traffic of several mobile stations can be statistically multiplexed
into one packet data channel.
UL and DL for GPRS packet data are assigned separately. Therefore the packet data
channel can be seized asymmetrically.
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Several TS
Up to 8 time slots of a TDMA frame can be
allocated to combined dynamically for a user for the
one MS transmission of GPRS packet data.
Several MS
multilplexed
one TS
Vertical
Allocation
Horizontal Allocation
Fig. 45 Multiplexing and TS combining
Transmission of user & signaling data
Measure Cell Selection Allocation of physical channel

signal strength (Packet Data Channel PDCH)
dynamically: 1 or 4 Radio Blocks
L1- (1 Radio Block = 4 Normal Burst
tasks in 4 consecutive TDMA-frames)
Power Timing
Control Advance
Fig. 46 Radio Interface
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7.2.4 Channel coding

Channel coding is modified substantially for packet switched purposes (GSM Rec.
03.64). Channel coding starts with the division of digital information into transferable
blocks. These radio blocks, i.e. the data to be transferred (prior to encoding)
comprise:
• a header for the Medium Access Control MAC (MAC Header),
• signaling information (RLC/MAC Signaling Block) or user information (RLC Data
Block) and
• a Block Check Sequence BCS.
The functional blocks (radio blocks) are protected by convolutional coding against
loss of data. Usually, this means inserting redundancy.
Furthermore, channel coding includes a process of interleaving, i.e. re-arrangement
in time. The convolutional radio blocks are interleaved to a specific number of
bursts/burst blocks. In the case of GPRS, interleaving is carried out across four
normal bursts in consecutive TDMA frames (and, respectively, to 8 burst blocks with
57 bit each).
Coding Schemes
New GPRS coding schemes - CS1 - CS4 - have been defined for the transmission of
packet data traffic channel PDTCH (Rec. 03.64). Coding schemes can be assigned
as a function of the quality of the radio interface. Normally, groups of 4 burst blocks
each are coded together.
CS-1 makes use of the same coding scheme as specified for SDCCH (GSM Rec.
05.03). It consists of a half rate convolutional code for forward error correction FEC.
CS-1 corresponds to a user data rate of 9.05 kbit/s.
CS-2 corresponds to a user data rate of 13.4 kbit/s, while
CS-3 corresponds to a user data rate of 15.6 kbit/s.
CS-2 and CS-3 represent punctured versions of the same half rate convolutional
code as CS-1.
CS-4 has no redundancy in transmission (no FEC) and corresponds to a data rate of
21.4 kbit/s.
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Common coding of 4 Bursts

(Radio Block)
CS-1 9,05 kbit/s
CS-2 13,4 kbit/s

Up to
1-8 171,2 kbit/s
channel (theoretically)
CS-3 15,6 kbit/s
CS-4 21,4 kbit/s
Fig. 47 Coding Schemes
collect
Radio Block
user data
MAC Header RLC Data Block BCS
signaling MAC Header RLC/MAC Control Block BCS
Convolutional Radio Block

coding rate 1/2 convolutional coding (Redundancy !)
(not CS-4)
Radio Block
Puncturing puncturing
(only CS-2, CS-3)
Radio Block (456 Bits)
8 Burst-
Interleaving 57 Bit 57 Bit 57 Bit ••• 57 Bit 57 Bit
blocks
Um: Allocation of PDCH for 1 / 4 Radio Blocks = 4 / 16 Normal Bursts
Fig. 48 Channel coding
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7.3 Enhanced data rates for GSM evolution EDGE

EDGE (GSM 10.59, GSM 05.04,...) is an alternative concept to increase data
transmission rates. As new coding schemes cannot significantly increase
performance (GPRS uses 21.4 kbit/s net transmission rate with 22.8 kbit/s gross
transmission rate), and no more than 8 timeslots are available on a carrier, EDGE
changes the modulation used on the radio interface. In the same time interval, which
it takes in "ordinary" GSM to send a bit, in EDGE a symbol representing 3 bits is
transmitted.
EDGE nearly triples the data transmission rates (because of protocol overhead the
factor is not exactly 3). Similar to HSCSD and GPRS, the new modulation technique
is more sensitive to interference and therefore requires good radio conditions.
Since EDGE is based on a different concept, it can be used together with HSCSD
and GPRS. The respective variants are called:
• Enhanced Circuit Switched Data ECSD and
• Enhanced General Packet Radio Service EGPRS.
In SBS up to this release the EGPRS is implemented.
A similar concept is used in the American market for enhancing the capabilities of the
D-AMPS networks. The standardization of the UWC-136 HS system is done within
the UWCC (Universal Wireless Communication Consortium), which closely
cooperates with the ETSI in this regard.
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T 57+1 information bits TS 57+1 information bits T GP
x3
T 57+1 information symbols TS 57+1 information symbols T GP
every symbol TS training sequence

contains 3 bits T tail bits
GP guard period
Fig. 49 Normal bursts in GSM (upper) and EDGE (lower)
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying 8-Phase Shift Keying
Q Q (0,1,0)
(0,0,0)
1 (0,1,1)
I (0,0,1) I
(1,1,1)
0 (1,0,1) (1,1,0)
(1,0,0)
1 bit per symbol 3 bit per symbol
Symbol rate: 270.833 ksym/s Symbol rate: 270.833 ksym/s

Payload/burst: 114 bit Payload/burst: 346 bit
Gross rate: 22.8 kbit/s Gross rate: 69.2 kbit/s
Fig. 50 Comparison of GSM modulation (left) and EDGE modulation (right)
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7.3.1 Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS)

For Enhanced GPRS, the following main features are relevant:
z new coding schemes allow higher data transmission rates because of 8PSK
modulation with different levels of protection by check bits,
z link quality control ensures an adaptation of data transmission rates depending on
the condition of the air interface, i.e. in case of e.g. high interference level the data
transmission rate is dynamically reduced to an optimum balance between speed
and error correction capabilities, and
Channel Coding
9 new coding schemes have been developed for EGPRS:
Coding Modu- User data Code Puncturing Useful bits Family
Scheme lation rate (kbit/s) rate schemes
CS-1 GMSK 9.05 0.50 -- 181 --
CS-2 GMSK 13.4 0.66 -- 268 --
CS-3 GMSK 15.6 0.75 -- 312 --
CS-4 GMSK 21.4 1.00 -- 428 --
MCS-1 GMSK 8.8 0.53 2 176 C
MCS-2 GMSK 11.2 0.66 2 224 B
MCS-3 GMSK 13.6 0.80 3 296 A (padding)
14.8 272+24
MCS-4 GMSK 17.6 1.00 3 352 C
MCS-5 8PSK 22.4 0.37 2 448 B
MCS-6 8PSK 27.2 0.49 2 592 A (padding)
29.6 544+48
MCS-7 8PSK 44.8 0.76 3 2*448 B
MCS-8 8PSK 54.4 0.92 3 2*544 A
MCS-9 8PSK 59.2 1.00 3 2*592 A
Logical Channels
The logical channels, which can be used with EGPRS, are the same as for "ordinary"
GPRS.
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~ 69 kbit/s
Data Rate (per time slot)
Family A
Family B
GPRS Family C
M
M C
C S
M S -
C - 9
~ 22,8 kbit/s S 8
-
M 7
M C
M C C S
M C S -
M C C S
M C C S - 6
C S S -
C S S 4
S - - - 5
S - -
- 2 3 4
- 1 3
1 2
GMSK 8-PSK
Fig. 51 EGPRS Coding Schemes
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7.3.2 Link adaptation

Link adaptation is based on the MS measurements of the bit error rate. Depending on
the number of bit errors a quality level is determined and reported to the base station
system. The base station system decides, based on this quality level, whether a
change of the coding scheme increases the performance and informs the MS about
the new coding scheme to be used.
An example of the achievable data rates in dependence of the Modulation and
Coding Scheme MCS used and the Carrier/Interference ratio is shown in the figure
below (GSM 900, TU50, without frequency hopping).
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Through-
put in kbit/s
60
MCS-9 (A)
MCS-8 (A)
50
MCS-7 (B)
40
30 MCS-6 (A)
MCS-5 (B)
20
MCS-4 (C)
MCS-3 (A)
10 MCS-2 (B)
MCS-1 (C)
0
5 10 15 20 25 30 C/I in dB
Fig. 52 Link adaptation
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7.3.3 Architecture
The EGPRS architecture includes an EDGE capable GSM mobile station (MS), which
is connected via the air interface (Um) to the E-CU that supplies EDGE functionality.
The packet switched traffic output from the E-CU in the BTS is transmitted to the
Packet Control Unit (PCU) of the BSC from where it is routed to the GPRS backbone.
BSS Configuration with EDGE

The BTSE can be equipped with Edge capable carrier units (E- CUs) featuring the
new 8-PSK modulation technique and/or "normal" carrier units (G- CUs) supporting
GMSK modulation. The number of E-CU and G-CU can be chosen depending on the
capacity demands for Edge. E-CU are only supported for BTSE types belonging to
the BTSplus generation.
To reach the high data rates that are foreseen by the MCS, it is necessary to support
Concatenated PCU frames. This requires peripheral processors for packet switched
traffic handling providing the Packet Control Unit functionality of the Type "PPXX"
modules.
The FAAS (Flexible Abis allocation Strategy) feature guarantees the higher capacity
requirement on Abis. This is realized by the BR7.0 software.
Edge Mobile Station

Two classes of mobile stations are provided. One class of mobile station is able to
apply the 8PSK modulation in both the uplink and the downlink directions, which
means that they support advanced facilities and capabilities. The other class applies
8PSK modulation in the downlink direction and GMSK modulation in the uplink
direction.
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HLR/GR
Mobile DTE
Visited Gateway
MSC/VLR MSC PSTN
Sie
m en IS D N
s packet switched: GPRS
BTSE B
S Internet
C
PCU Serving Gateway
BTSE with Intranet
E-CU GSN GSN
PSPDN
FAAS with BR7.0
PPXX modules
in BSC
Fig. 53 Changes in Existing Network Infrastructure
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8 Location services
r' ∆r
Fig. 54 Location Services
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Location Services (LCS) offer the opportunity to deploy new value added services
based on the known position of the mobile station. Among these services are
• Location dependent billing (e.g. home zone),
• Safety services (e.g. emergency calls, localization of vehicles),
• Tracking services (e.g. fleet management, navigation),
• Information services (e.g. tourist information, restaurant finder).
Beside offering commercial benefits, LCS are driven by regulatory requirements (US
Federal Communication Commission requires location of emergency calls by end of
2001).
Location Services (LCS) provide MS positions to location applications ("LCS clients").
To describe the position of the MS universal latitude and longitude are used
according to a defined geodetic reference system (e. g. WGS 084 coordinates
Reference System).
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8.1 Architecture
The new network entities are:
Serving Mobile Location Center (SMLC)

• manages the overall coordination and scheduling of resources required to
perform MS positioning in a PLMN
• determines the positioning method to be used based on the QoS, the network
capabilities and the MS location capabilities
• calculates the final location estimate and accuracy and it in a location response
to a requesting Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)
• there may be more than one SMLC in one PLMN
Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)

• supports access to the LCS by external applications (e.g. via TCP/IP) or from
other PLMN
• stores LCS subscription information on a per-LCS-client basis. This is used
when receiving an LCS request to identify the requesting LCS client and to
authorize it to use the specified request
• requests info from HLR about the MS to be located
• manages subscriber privacy
• receives the final location estimate and determines whether they satisfy the
requested QoS (retry, reject)
• generates LCS related charging and billing rates
104 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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SMLC
Lb
Um
Abis A MSC / Lg Le
BTSE BSC GMLC
External
VLR LCS Client
Lg Lh
Different GMLC HLR

PLMN
Fig. 55 LCS network architecture
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8.2 Positioning methods

The positioning methods introduced are
• (Enhanced) Cell-ID/Timing Advance
• Enhanced Observed Time Difference (E-OTD)
• Time/Angle of Arrival (TOA/AOA)
• (Uplink) Time Difference of Arrival (U-TDOA)
• Assisted-Global Positioning System GPS (A-GPS)
The accuracy of some of the positioning methods depend on cell size, shape and cell
planning.
SMLC positioning functions

The Common PRCF (Positioning Radio Coordination Function) determines the
positioning method to be used (CITA, E-CITA, A-GPS …) and manages the
resources required by the chosen method.
The E-CITA PCF calculates position received from the E-CITA PRCF (including
collection of the required prediction data from the SMLC database) and returns back
the calculated location estimate.
As examples two important methods (E-CITA and A-GPS) are described in more
detail in the following.
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CI CI/TA E-CI/TA E-OTD U-TDOA A-GPS
Accuracy 10- ~500 100 - 200 50 - 125 50 - 125 5 – 75

[m] 30,000
Fix Time 3s 5s 5s 5s 5s 5-10s
Impact on None None None Yes None Yes

handset (SW) (GPS chip,
antenna)
3GPP:
Impact on None SMLC SMLC SMLC SMLC
network + LMUs + LMUs SMLC
+ Reference
network
OMA SUPL:
LSU
Fig. 56 Comparison of Positioning Methods
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8.2.1 Enhanced CITA

The basic location information in cellular network is the actual Cell ID of the serving
cell. Combining to this information the Timing Advance value of the MS, the CITA
method is realized. The E-CITA is a positioning method that uses the CITA enhanced
by a comparison of predicted receive levels and measured receive levels.
In GSM every MS that is in dedicated mode measures and reports continuously the
actual radio conditions to the network. These reports contain information about
reception power levels (RXLEV) of the serving cell and up to six neighboring cells.
To realize this method the SMLC has to be filled with prediction power level data. In
case of a positioning request, the SMLC will compute the location by matching the
measured data with the prediction data.
The output of the SMLC is shape, for example a point on the surface of the earth with
an uncertainty circle.
Beside the position, the algorithm is able to estimate the positioning error described
by an uncertainty circle or ellipse for a given confidence level.
108 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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Signal
Strength 1 Signal
Strength 3
Cell ID
MS BTS 3
Signal
BTS 1 Strength 2
BTS 2
BSC
Fig. 57 MS measurements
BTS
measurements Field strength
CGI, TA, RXLEV predictions Position
X, Y, r
Measurement 16
14
reports
12
10
MS Comparison
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
measurements
SBS SMLC
Fig. 58 Location estimation
MN1780EU10MN_0003 109
© 2002 Siemens AG
8.2.2 Assisted GPS

Conventional GPS is a known solution for positioning. In case of using the GPS
method in mobile networks the large time to first fix, low sensitivity (no coverage
indoors or in urban canyons), and excessive battery consumption are the
disadvantages. To overcome these drawbacks, network assisted GPS (A-GPS) is
used.
The basic idea behind network assisted GPS (A-GPS) is that the GPS receiving
system is distributed:
• MS with GPS receiver
• Reference GPS network
The GPS reference network consists of GPS receiving stations , tracking all GPS
satellites at all times. This data is used to model the satellite orbits and clocks well
into the future. The MS obtains this so called assistance data from the radio network.
It consists of a list of visible satellites to facilitate the acquisition of the satellites
signals for the MS.
The MS measures only the times of arrival (called “pseudoranges”) which enables a
lower signal level. Therefore the A-GPS method requires a handset with integrated
GPS receiver.
The Siemens mobile A-GPS functionality is integrated into the SMLC. The SMLC is
determining the position with use of the GPS data. In the SMLC the A-GPS
positioning method can be provided along with other lower accuracy positioning
methods like CITA and E-CITA.
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GPS Reference
Network
SMLC
BSC ments +
Measure data
Assist
Ass. Data &
position
calculation
Fig. 59 MS measurements and assistance data
Sattelite GPS
Reference
Signals
data
Assistance data GPS data
GPS Position
A-GPS MS
Pseudo ranges Position Calculation
X, Y, r
CITA, ECITA
PCF
SBS SMLC
Fig. 60 Location estimation
MN1780EU10MN_0003 111
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112 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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9 Exercises
MN1780EU10MN_0003 113
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114 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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What means GSM?

What means PLMN?
What are the major subsystems in a PLMN?
Which subsystem is responsible for monitoring of the BSS and SSS?
List the major functions of the network components of the BSS
Name the most important interfaces defined by GSM?
What is a radio cell?
What influences the size of a radio cell and what is the maximum size of a radio
cell in GSM900?
Find out the correlation between the guard period of an access burst and the
maximum size of a GSM cell.
What is the frequency range for GSM900 (extended band)?
How many radio frequency carriers are available in GSM900?
Can a cell have more than one RFC?
What is meant by TDMA, FDMA, and FDD?
What type of burst is used for traffic channels?
Which manual provides background information on SBS features?
Where do you find information on the BS240 commissioning procedure?
Why is power control performed?
What is the name for operating TRX of different bands in the same cell?
What does HSCSD stand for?
What are transparent and non-transparent modes of operation?
What are the differences between GPRS and HSCSD?
What is the (theoretical) maximum data rate for GPRS?
How many logical channels are used in GPRS?
Explain the difference between GMSK and 8-PSK.
Name the main differences between HSCSD, GPRS and ECSD, EGPRS.
What is Link Adaptation?
Which methods are used for Location Services? What are their main differences?
MN1780EU10MN_0003 115
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116 MN1780EU10MN_0003
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01 Mn1780eu10mn 0003 Sbs Overview

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SBS overview Siemens

8 Location services 101

1 Global system for mobile communication

Public Land Mobile Network PLMN

Mobile Station MS and SIM

Maximum cell size

Fig. 1 Radio cells

2 Network elements for PLMN

The major subsystems of a Public Land Mobile Network are:

The Network Switching Subsystem NSS (Phase ½) consists of the following

The Operation SubSystem OSS consists of Operation & Maintenance Centers

Radio Network Switching

BTS HLR VLR

Fig. 2 GSM PLMN

3 Radio access network: radio subsystem

The Radio Subsystem RSS is composed of:

The BSS includes the:

Interface PCM line Protocol Used

Gb PCMG BSSGP (open interface between SGSN and Packet

Radio Subsystem (RSS)

Fig. 3 Radio Subsystem RSS

Base Station System BSS

Fig. 4 Base Station Subsystem BSS

PCMB and LAPD configuration

4 PCMB lines 1 LAPD link Up to 8

BTSE Object: LAPDLE

Fig. 5 Multiple Abis LAPD links

3.1 Base Station Controller BSC

The BSC is composed of max 2 shelves (in an indoor rack).

BR5.5 BR6.0 BSC HC BR7.0 HC BSC

* Given capacity is obtained under the assumption:

Fig. 6 BSC/120 rack layout

3.2 Base Transceiver Station Equipment BTSE

The BTSE provides up to 24 transceivers (TRX) and serves up to 24 cells (in

Two (main) product lines are in use:

BTSE Type Product Max Number of Max Total No of Racks

BS20, 21, 22 BTSone 2 1

BTSE names indicate if they are used

3.3 Transcoder and Rate Adapter Unit TRAU

Fig. 8 High Capacity TRAU Rack

3.4 Local Maintenance Terminal LMT

BTSE BSC TRAU

T-Interface T-Interface T-Interface

Fig. 9 Operation & Maintenance Interfaces on Base Station System

Technical Descriptions TED

Operator Guidelines OGL

Operation Manuals OMN

Maintenance Manuals MMN

Installation and Test Manuals ITMN

Command Manuals CML

Installation Manuals IMN

The documentation is provided electronically on CD-ROM as PDF (portable data

Manual Abb. Content

Command Manuals CML For BSC, BTSE, OMS-B, TRAU

Glossary Explanation of terms

Operation Manuals OMN For BSC (via LMT) and OMS-B

Performance PM SBS counters and SBS message flows

Fig. 10 Document types

4.1 GSM900/GSM1800/GSM1900 frequency bands

GSM 900 GSM 1800 GSM 1900

Uplink Downlink Uplink Downlink Uplink Downlink

Fig. 12 Frequency ranges for GSM900, GSM1800 and GSM1900