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GSM/GPRS/EDGE Principles
Curriculum Objective:
Learn GSM development history; Learn and master network structure of GSM system and functions & principles of different portions; Learn and be familiar with GSM wireless channel and protocol Learn and be familiar with main service call process for GSM
Contents
1 GSM Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 GSM Basic Concepts ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1.1 History of the mobile communication.................................................................................... 1 1.1.2 GSM Definition...................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Services Supported by GSM System ................................................................................................ 6 1.2.1 Telecom Services Provided by GSM...................................................................................... 6 1.2.2 Supplementary Services of the GSM System......................................................................... 7 1.3 GSM Specification............................................................................................................................ 7 2 GSM Network Structure............................................................................................................................ 9 2.1 GSM Area Division Concepts........................................................................................................... 9 2.2 GSM composition ........................................................................................................................... 10 2.3 Mobile Switching System (MSS).................................................................................................... 14 2.4 Base Station Subsystem (BSS)........................................................................................................ 15 2.5 Operation & Maintenance Subsystem (OMS) ................................................................................ 15 2.6 Mobile Station (MS) ....................................................................................................................... 16 2.7 GSM System number ...................................................................................................................... 16 2.7.1 Mobile subscriber ISDN number (MSISDN)....................................................................... 16 2.7.2 International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) ................................................................. 17 2.7.3 Mobile subscriber roaming number (MSRN) ...................................................................... 17 2.7.4 Handover number................................................................................................................. 18 2.7.5 Temporary mobile subscriber identification (TMSI)............................................................ 18 2.7.6 Location area Identification (LAI) ....................................................................................... 18 3 GSM Radio Channel................................................................................................................................ 19
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3.1 GSM Working Frequency Band.......................................................................................................19 3.2 Structure of GSM Radio Frame .......................................................................................................21 3.3 Physical Channel and Logical Channel ...........................................................................................23 3.3.1 PhyCH Physical Channel......................................................................................................23 3.3.2 Logic channel........................................................................................................................23 3.3.3 Channel Combination ...........................................................................................................26 4 Basic Service and Signaling Process........................................................................................................33 4.1 Mobile subscriber state ....................................................................................................................33 4.1.1 MS starts, network does "Attach" marks on it ......................................................................33 4.1.2 MS shutdowns, separated from network...............................................................................34 4.1.3 MS Busy ...............................................................................................................................34 4.2 Location Update...............................................................................................................................34 4.2.1 Location update at a MSC office ..........................................................................................34 4.2.2 Interoffice Location Update..................................................................................................35 4.3 Typical Call and Handover Process .................................................................................................36 4.3.1 Call between Mobile Subscribers .........................................................................................36 4.3.2 Inter-BSC Handover within MSC.........................................................................................37 4.3.3 Inter-MSC Handover ............................................................................................................37 4.4 Basic Signaling Process...................................................................................................................39 4.4.1 Location Update Process ......................................................................................................39 4.4.2 IMSI Detach Process ............................................................................................................41 4.4.3 Mobile-Originated Call and Called Party On-hook Process .................................................42 4.4.4 Mobile-Terminated Call and Calling Party On-hook Process...............................................43 4.4.5 Inter-cell Handover Flow......................................................................................................45 5 Voice Processing and Key Radio Technology .........................................................................................47 5.1 Voice Processing ..............................................................................................................................47
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5.1.1 Basic Flow of Voice Processing ........................................................................................... 47 5.1.2 Voice Encoding .................................................................................................................... 48 5.1.3 Channel Encoding ................................................................................................................ 48 5.1.4 Interleaving/deinterleaving................................................................................................... 49 5.1.5 Encryption/Decryption......................................................................................................... 52 5.1.6 Modulation/Demodulation ................................................................................................... 52 5.2 Diversity Receiving......................................................................................................................... 53 5.3 Discontinuous Transmission (DTX)................................................................................................ 54 5.4 Power Control ................................................................................................................................. 55 5.4.1 Basic Concepts of Power Control ........................................................................................ 55 5.4.2 GSM Power Control Process................................................................................................ 56 5.4.3 High-speed power control .................................................................................................... 57 5.5 Timing Advance .............................................................................................................................. 58 5.6 Frequency Hopping Technology ..................................................................................................... 59 6 GPRS and EDGE ..................................................................................................................................... 63 6.1 Definition and Feature..................................................................................................................... 63 6.1.1 GPRS Definition .................................................................................................................. 63 6.1.2 GPRS Features ..................................................................................................................... 63 6.1.3 EDGE Definition.................................................................................................................. 64 6.1.4 EDGE Features..................................................................................................................... 64 6.2 Inheritance and Evolution ............................................................................................................... 66 6.3 GPRS Radio Channel...................................................................................................................... 67 6.3.1 GPRS Physical Channel....................................................................................................... 67 6.3.2 GPRS Logic Channel ........................................................................................................... 68 6.3.3 Mapping of Logical Channel Combination in the Physical Channel ................................... 70 6.3.4 GPRS Channel Coding......................................................................................................... 75
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1 GSM Overview
Knowledge points This chapter mainly introduces some basic information for GSM, including GSM development history, supported service type, specification, and system features.
1990's. That is the so-called 2G digital mobile communication system. (1) Compared with the 1G mobile communication system, the 2G mobile communication system: Provide high spectrum utilization and large system capacity. Provide diversified services (voice services and low-rate circuit-switched data services). Enable automatic roaming. Provide better voice quality. Provide good security. Can be interconnected with the ISDN and PSTN. (2) However, the 1G mobile communication system has the following disadvantages: It can provide low-rate data services only and cannot support multi-media service. For example, the Internet access speed of GSM MS can reach 9.6 Kbit/s theoretically. Different 2G mobile communication systems in the world use different frequencies and cannot be compatible with each other, therefore, it is difficult to implement global roaming. Nowadays the Internet, E-business, and multi-media communication develop very rapidly. Failing to provide strong support to data communication has already constrained the development of 2G system. The demand for higher data rate and more diversified services impels the evolution from 2G to 3G. Figure 1.1-1 shows the evolution process.
IS-95 CDMA
IS-95-B
PDC
GSM
IMT-2000
EDGE UWC-136 UTRA WCDMA
IS-136
2G
2.5G
2.75G
3G
1 GSM Overview
In Phase2 and Phase2+, two high-rate data service models are put forward for the GSM system. High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) based on high-speed data bit rate and circuit switching General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) based on packet switched data These two services are called 2.5G services. Adopting high-rate adaptive coding solution, the GPRS provides the data rate up to 171 Kbit/s. The Enhanced Data Rates For GSM Evolution (EDGE) developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) adopts 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying) modulation. It supports the rate up to 384 Kbit/s theoretically. The EDGE is more advanced than the GPRS. However, it cannot provide the rate up to 2 Mbit/s as the 3G system does. Therefore, it is called 2.75G technology. The research of 3G theory, development of 3G technologies, and establishment of 3G standards began in mid 1980s. The International Mobile Telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000) released by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) defines and describes 3G. It enables the mobile data service and some fixed high-speed data services to use one or several radio channels and fixed network platform to provide: A global standard IMT-2000 services, which are compatible with other fixed network services. High quality The use of common band in the world Small terminals used in the world. Global roaming. Multi-media services and terminals Higher frequency utilization Flexibility for the development to the next generation. High-speed hierarchical data rate. Rate up to 2 Mbit/s in fixed environment
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Rate up to 384 Kbit/s in pedestrian environment. Rate up to 144 Kbit/s for vehicle mounted stations. Currently, instead of driven by pure technology, the communication technology is developing into the mode featuring the combination and interoperability of services and technology. It is estimated that the largest and the most profound change in the coming five to ten years is the strategic transition from voice services to data services from the aspect of market application and service demand. This change will deeply influence the development trend of the communication technology. Some researchers and telecom operators describe the fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication system as a new world better than 3G, which can provide many unimaginable applications. The 4G system can provide over 100 Mbit/s data transmission rate, which is 10,000 times of the current MSs and 50 times of 3G MSs. The 4G MSs can provide high-performance multi-media contents. Through ID application, the 4G MS can serve as a personal identification device. It can also receive high-resolution movies and TV programs, acing as the bridge of combined broadcast and new telecommunication infrastructure. In addition, some services, such as 4G wireless instant connection, are less charged than 3G services.
1 GSM Overview
Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Regular Pulse Excitation-Long Term Prediction (RPE-LTP), voice coding, and Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) modulation. Eighteen European countries reached GSM Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). GSM took effect. 1991: The first GSM network was deployed in Europe. 1992: The GSM standard was frozen. 1993: The major part of the GSM phase II standard was completed. 1994: A new research phase (Phase 2+) was added to further improve the GSM as the platform of mobile data services. In the stage of GSM Phase II+, the GPRS service is introduced to provide subscribers with end-to-end mobile data service based on packet switching. To support the GPRS, the GSM introduces two new equipment: Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). The SGSN provides similar functions as the MSC. It accomplishes GPRS channel assignment, mobility management, encryption, and charging. GGSN mainly provides various interconnection interfaces to support the interconnection among external PDNs like Internet and X.25 and other PLMNs. By setting up a GPRS backbone network with the above two new types of equipment and the existing transmission networks (ATM or frame relay network) and modifying the existing GSM network, the operator can easily provide both circuit and packet services and make effective use of the radio resources and the terrestrial network resources. EGPRS is a solution for the evolution from GPRS to UMTS. It is gradually introduced to the GSM network to provide higher data transmission rate. Compared with GPRS, EGPRS mainly features new modulation and coding, supports 8PSK modulation and 303% GMSK payload, and provides higher bit rate and frequency spectrum efficiency. EGPRS also supports 9 coding schemes from MCS-1 to MCS-9 and about 3 times of GPRS bit rate. With EGPRS, network operators can utilize existing wireless network equipment to the maximum extent, and provide subscribers with individual multimedia communication services before the 3G mobile network is put into commercial use. The EGPRS can be introduced without adding GPRS network equipment. It brings little impact on the GSM core network and network applications, but mainly affects the BSS system.
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1 GSM Overview
Tele-action service: Applicable to small-volume data processing services, credit card confirmations, lottery transactions, electronic monitoring, remote meter reading (water, electricity and gas), monitoring systems, and so on.
4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
MS-BS interface and protocol Physcial layer at radio path Voice coding specification MS terminal adapter BS-MSC interface Network interconnection
10. Service interconnection 11. Recognized equipment and model specification 12. Operation and maintenance
Figure 2.1-1
The smallest area in the GSM network is the area covered by a BTS (all-direction antenna) or a sector antenna, and it is the cell. Several cells can compose a location area that can be set by the network operators. A location area can be associated with one or more BSCs but belongs to one MSC. Location area information is stored in MSC/VLR of the system and the LAI is used for location area identification. To confirm the position of the mobile station, the region covered by each GSM PLMN is divided into several LAs. One LA can contain one or several cells. The network will store the LA of each mobile station as location information for paging the mobile station. The paging of the mobile station is made by paging all the cells in the location area where the
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mobile station is located. In the planning of the network, it is paramount to divide location areas. In the division of location areas, on the premise that no excessively high call load occurs, try to minimize the number of location updates. When an MS moves into another location area, it will find that the received LAI differs from the original one stored in the SIM card and then registers the new one. This process is location update process that is initiated by the MS. The MSC service area is the area overlapped by all the cells under it. It can be one or several location areas. PLMN service area is composed of one or multiple MSC service areas and each country may have one or several of them. For example, the national GSM mobile communication network code of China Mobile is represented by 00, while that of China Unicom is represented by 01. GSM service area contains the PLMNs of countries all over the world.
IBM
IBM
MS
Other PLMN
Fulfills message exchanging, user information management, call connection and number management functions.
Base Station Subsystem (BSS) The BSS is controlled by MSC in a certain wireless coverage and communicates with the MS. It implements channel allocation, user access and paging, and information transmission functions. Mobile Station (MS) MS which is the mobile equipment of the GSM system consists of two parts: mobile terminal and customer ID card (SIM card). The mobile terminal is nothing but a handset, which performs such functions as voice coding, channel coding, information encryption, information modulation and demodulation, information transmission and receiving. Operation & Maintenance Subsystem (OMS) Also including the operation and maintenance subsystem (OMS), the GSM system manages and monitors the entire GSM network. It implements the functions like monitoring, status reporting and fault diagnosis of all the component functions within the GSM network. Position of GSM digital mobile communication network in BSS is as shown in Figure 2.2-2.
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PSTN
MSC/VLR A
HLR/AUC
Abis BSCn
Figure 2.2-2
The BSS provides a bridge between the fixed part and the wireless part in the PLMN network, connects the MS for communications directly via the wireless interface and
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AU C
HL R
BT S M S BT S M S
BSC
TRA U
M SC/VLR
IW F Signal
EIR
Figure 2.2-3
The meaning of each name is as follows: MS: Mobile Station BTS: Base Transceiver Station BSC: Base Station Controller TRAU: Transcoding and Rate Adaptation Unit IWF: Interworking Function EIR: Equipment Identity Register MSC: Mobile Switching Center VLR: Visitor Location Register GMSC: Gateway MSC HLR: HOME Location Register
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AUC: Authentication Center SMC: Short Message Center PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network PDN: Public Data Networks A GSM digital mobile communication system is composed of the Mobile Switching System (MSS), Base Station Subsystem (BSS), Operation Maintenance Sub-system (OMS) and Mobile Station (MS). The following introduces the functions of each part.
VLR, it registers in another VLR. The original VLR deletes the temporary records of that subscriber. The VLR is always integrated with the MSC physically. AUC: A strictly protected database that stores subscriber authentication information and encryption parameters. The AUC and HLR are integrated physically. EIR: Stores parameters related to the mobile station equipment. It can identify, monitor and block the mobile equipment, to prevent unauthorized mobile equipment from gaining access to the network.
BSS.
State No.
China code number is 86. The structure for valide ISDN number in China is:
N1N2N3 H1H2H3 HLR ID ABCD
Mobile number
Domestic valid ISDN number is a number with 10 digits. 1. Mobile service access number (N1N2N3)
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To identify different mobile systems, mobile service access number is 135-139 for current post and telecom; 130 for China Unicom. 2. HLR identification number (H1H2H3) H1H2 in HLR identification number is allocated uniformly by state; H3 is assigned by different provinces. One HLR can contain one or more H1H2H3 numbers. 3. Mobile subscriber number (ABCD) ABCD is mobile suscriber number in each HLR, automatically assigned by different HLRs.
MCC
MNC
MSIN
MCC = mobile country code, composed of 3 digits, to uniquely identify the country for mobile subscriber. China is 460. MNC = mobile network code, composed of 2 digits, to uniquely identify the mobile network for mobile subscriber. GSM PLMN network is 00 for post and telecom ministry, and that for China Unicom is 01. MSINMobile subscriber identification number, a number with 10 digits, such as H1H2H39XXXXXX. Where, H1H2H3 is same as H1H2H3 in MSISDN; 9 represents GSM900MHZ; XXXXXX is subscriber number. IMSI is used to all signaling in GSM mobile communication network, saved in HLR, VLR and SIM card.
HLR request each time calling mobile subscriber, its aim is to route again. This number can be used by and relased to other subscribers after conneciton. Its structure is 1390M1M2M3ABC. M1M2M3 is MSC number, and M1M2 is same as H1H2 in MSISDN number. ABC code is 000~499.
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1910MHz Downlining (transmitted by BS and received by MS) frequency range: 1930MHz~1990MHz 2 Channel interval The interval between two adjacent channels in any band is 200kHz. 3 Channel configuration All channels are configured with the same interval. (1) 900MHz frequency The channel numbers are in the range of 1~124. There are 124 frequency bands in all. The relationship between the channel numbers and frequency band nominal central frequency is illustrated as follows: Fu (n) = 890 + 0.2 X n (MHz), uplink Fd (n) = Fu (n) + 45 (MHz), downlink Where, 1 =< n =< 124, n is a frequency sequence, or an Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN). (2) Extended 900MHz band The channel numbers are in the range of 0~124 and 975~1023. There are 174 frequency bands in all. The relationship between the channel numbers and frequency band nominal central frequency is illustrated as follows: Fu (n) = 890 + 0.2 Fu (n) = 890 + 0.2 n (MHz), 0 =< n =< 124 (n-1024) (MHz), 975 =< n =< 1023
Fd (n)=Fu (n) + 45 (MHz) (3) 1,800MHz frequency The channel numbers are in the range of 512~885. There are 374 frequency bands in all. The relationship between the channel numbers and frequency band nominal central frequency is illustrated as follows:
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Fu (n)=1710.2 + 0.2
(n-512) (MHz)
(4) 1,900MHz frequency The channel numbers are in the range of 512~811. There are 300 frequency bands in all. The relationship between the channel numbers and frequency band nominal central frequency is illustrated as follows: Fu (n)=1850.2 + 0.2 (n-512) (MHz)
4 Duplex transceiving interval (1) 900MHz frequency The duplex transceiving interval is 45MHz. (2) Extended 900MHz band The duplex transceiving interval is 45MHz. (3) 1,800MHz frequency The duplex transceiving interval is 95MHz. (4) 1,900MHz frequency The duplex transceiving interval is 80MHz.
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3 Multiframe has the following two types: (1) Multiframe composed of 26 TDMA frames. This kind of multiframe is used to TCH, SACCH, and FACCH. (2) Multiframe composed of 51 TDMA frames. This kind of multiframe is used to BCCH, CCCH and SDCCH. 4 Super frame is a continous 51X26 TDMA frame, composed of 51 multiframes with 26 frames or 26 multiframes with 51 frames. 5 Hyper frame is composed of 2048 super frames. Figure 3.2-1 lists the schematic diagram of hierarchical frame structure in GSM system.
1 hyper frame = 2048 super frames =2715648 TDMA frame 1 hyper frame = 1326 TDMA frame (6.12s) (=51 (26 frames) multi-frames or 26 (51 frames) multi-frames
TDMA Frame
Figure 3.2-1
TDMA frame is compiled cycly with the period of 3hrs 28mins 53s 760ms (204851268BP or 20485126 TDMA frames). A hyper frame contains 20485126 TDMA frames. Each hyper frame can be divided into 2048 super frames, each super frame is 5126 TDMA frames sequence (6.12s). Each super frame is composed of multiframes. Multiframe can be divided into two types. Multiframe with 26 frames: it contains 26 TDMA frames (268BP), with duraiton of 120ms. 51 multiframes form a super frame. This kind of multiframe is used to carry TCH (and SACCH plus FACCH).
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Multiframe with 51 frames: it contains 51 TDMA frames (518BP), with duraiton of 3060/13ms. 26 multiframes form a super frame. This kind of multiframe is used to BCH and CCCH.
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Figure 3.3-1
3.3.2.1 Common Channel The common channel means the broadcast control channel to transfer broadcast messages from the BTS to MS, and the common control channel to transfer the bidirectional signals required to set up connections between the Mobile-Service Switching Center (MSC) and MS. 1 Broadcast Channel BCHs are unidirectional channels from the base station to the MS. The BCHs comprises: Frequency correction channel (FCCH): Transmits the information used to correct the MS frequency. The MS receives the frequency correction information through the FCCH and corrects its time base frequency. Synchronization channel (SCH): Transmits frame synchronization (TDMA frame number) information and Base Station Identity Code (BSIC) to MSs. Broadcast control channel (BCCH): Broadcasts general information to BTSs. For example, broadcast the local cell and neighboring cell information, and synchronization (time and frequency) information on this channel. The MSs listen to the BCCH periodically to obtain the information transmitted on it, such as the
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Local Area Identity, List of Neighboring Cell, frequency table used in the local cell, cell identity, power control indication, intermittent transmission permission, access control, and CBCH description. The BCCH carrier is transmitted by the base station at the fixed power, and its signal strength is measured by all the MSs. 2 Common Control Channel The CCCHs are point-to-multipoint bi-directional channels between the base station and the MS. including Paging channel (PCH): Broadcasts the paging messages from the base station to the MS. It is a downlink channel. Random access channel (RACH): The MS sends information to the base station through this channel when accessing the network at random. The information sent includes the response to the paging message of the base station and the access of mobile-originated call. The MS also applies for a stand-alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH) from the base station through this channel. The RACH is a uplink channel. Access grant channel: The base station sends the assigned SDCCH to the MS that accesses the network successfully through this channel. The AGCH is a downlink channel. 3.3.2.2 Dedicated Channel (DCH) Dedicated channels are the traffic channels that transmit voices and data. Some dedicated channels are used for the purpose of control. 1 Dedicated Control Channel The DCCHs are point-to-point bi-directional channels between the base station and the MS. The DCCHs include: Stand-alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH): Transmits the signaling and channel information between the base station and the MS, such as the authentication and registration signaling messages. During the establishment of a call, the SDCCH supports bi-directional data transmission and the transfer of short messages. Slow associated control channel (SACCH): Through this channel, the base station sends the power control message and frame adjustment message to the MS, and
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receives signal strength report and link quality report from the MS. Fast associated control channel (FACCH): Transmits inter-cell handover signaling messages between the base station and the MS. 2 Traffic Channel The TCHs transmit voice and data services. According to the switching mode, the TCHs can be divided into circuit-switched channels and data-switched channels. According to the transmit rate, the TCHs can be divided into full-rate channels and half-rate channels. The rate of the GSM full-rate channels is 13 Kbit/s, and that of the GSM half-rate channels is 6.5 Kbit/s. In addition, the enhanced full-rate channel has the same rate as the full-rate channels, which is 13 Kbit/s. However, it has better compressed coding scheme than the full-rate channels. That is why the enhanced full-rate channel provides better voice quality.
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9 Slow dedicated control channel (SDCCHwithCBCH): SDCCH + SACCH + CBCH. Among the above channel combinations, CCCH = PCH + RACH + AGCH. CBCH: Only downlink channels are aCBCH: Only downlink channels are available, carrying cell broadcast information and sharing the physical channel with SDCCH. Each cell broadcasts an FCCH and an SCH. The basic combination in downlink includes an FCCH, an SCH, a BCCH and a CCCH (PCH+AGCH), allocated strictly to TN0 of BCCH carrier configured for a cell, as shown in Figure 3.3-2.
51 BCCH+CCCH F S B C F S C C F S C C F S C C F S C C I
R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R (c) FCCH+SCH+CCCH+SDCCH/4(0,...,3)+SACCH/C4(0,...,3)
Figure 3.3-2
For the half-rate voice channel combination, each timeslot has two half-rate sub-channels and corresponding SACCH, with 26TDMA frames as the multi-frame. The frame structure is shown in Figure 3.3-3.
26 frames
H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 S 0 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 H 0 H 1 S 1
Figure 3.3-3
3.3.3.1 Channel Mapping Obviously, the logical channels in the GSM are much more than the eight physical channels that a GSM carrier can provide. If each logical channel is configured with a physical channel, the eight physical channels provided by a carrier are not enough. In such case, extra carriers must be added. However, the communication in this way is not highly effective. The way to solve this problem is to multiplex the CCCH, that is, multiplex the CCCH on one or two physical channels. In GSM, the mapping relationship between the physical channel and the logical channel is set up as follows: One base station (BS) has N carriers, and each carrier has eight timeslots. Carriers are defined as f0, f1, f2, For the downlink, the numbering begins with the 0th timeslot (TS0) of f0. TS0 is used only to mapping the control channel. f0 is also called the broadcasting control channel (BCCH). Figure 3.3-4 shows the multiplexing relationship of BCCH and CCCH on TS0.
The BCCH and CCCH occupy 51 TS0s in total. Though only the TS0 of each frame is occupied, the length is 51 TDMA frames in terms of time. As a multiframe, its end is marked by the appearance of an idle frame. After the idle frame, a new multiframe starts from F and S. Repetition in this constitutes the multiframe structure of TDMA. When there is no paging or call access, the BS always transmits f0 on. This enables the MS to detect the signal strength of the BS and to determine which cell to use. For the uplink, the TS0 on f0 does not include the above channels. It is used only for the
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access of the MS; that is, it is used in the uplink as the RACH. Figure 3.3-5 shows the TS0 of 51 consecutive TDMA frames.
The BCCH, FCCH, SCH, PCH, AGCH and RACH are all mapped to the TS0. The RACH is mapped to the uplink, and the rest are mapped to the downlink. The TS1 on f0 is used to map the dedicated control channel to the physical channel. Figure 3.3-6 shows the mapping relationship.
Since the bit rate in call setup and registration is quite low, eight dedicated control channels can be placed on one timeslot to improve the multiplexing ratio of the timeslot. The SDCCH and SACCH have 102 timeslots in total, that is, 102 time division multiplexing (TDM) frames. The DX (D0, D1, ) of the SDCCH is used only when the MS sets up a call. When the MS transfers to the TCH and the subscriber starts the conversation or the release is
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registered, the DX is used in other MSs. The AX (A0, A1, ) of the SACCH is mainly used to transfer unimportant control information such as wireless measurement data. The TS1 on the uplink f0 and that on the downlink f0 have the same structure. They have an offset in time, however, which means simultaneous bidirectional connection for an MS. Figure 3.3-7 shows the multiplexing of the SDCCH and SACCH on the TS1 of the uplink f0.
The uplink and downlink TS0 and TS1 on f0 are used by the logical control channel, while the remaining six physical channel TS2 to TS7 are used by the TCH. Figure 3.3-8 shows the mapping from the TCH from the physical channel.
Figure 3.3-8 only gives the TDM relationship of TS2. In this figure, T stands for the TCH,
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which is used to transmit voice or data; A for the SACCH, which is used to transfer control commands such as the command to change the output power; I for Idle, which does not contain any information but is used in measurement. TS2 conducts TDM with 26 timeslots as a cycle. The idle timeslot serves as the beginning or end of a repeating sequence. The structure of the TCH of the uplink is completely the same as that of the TCH of the downlink. The only difference is an offset in time, which is three timeslots. That is, the TS2 of the uplink and that of the downlink do not appear simultaneously, which means that it is not necessary for the MS to conduct sending and receiving simultaneously. Figure 3.3-9 shows the offset between the uplink and downlink of the TCH.
Figure 3.3-9
From the above description, it can be concluded that on f0: TS0: a logical control channel, with repeat cycle of 51 timeslots. TS1: a logical control channel, with repeat cycle of 102 timeslots. TS2: a logical service channel, with repeat cycle of 26 timeslots. TS3 to TS7: logical traffic channels, with repeat cycle of 26 timeslots. The TS0 to TS7 of other f0 ~ fN are all traffic channels. The channel configuration adopted by ZTE for common cells is as follows: Number of carrier frequencies Number of control channels Number of service channels 1 7 1 2 14 2 2 22 3 2 30 4 3 37 5 3 45 6 3 53 7
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card: at this time, VLR does "attachment" mark for this subscriber.
4.1.3 MS Busy
At this time, assign a service channel to transmit voice or data for this MS, and label this subscriber as "busy" on subscriber ISDN.
LAI 1 MSC/VLR 2
BSC
M S
1 3 LAI 2 4 M S
Location update at same MSC office is simple, falling into the following four steps: When MS roams to a new location area, it is found received LAI is not consistent with that saved in SIM card through analysis, then a location update request is sent to current base station controller (BSC). If BSC receives location update request from MS, it sends a location update request to MSC/VLR. VLR modifies the data for this MS, changes the LAI to current LAI, then sends a response message to BSC. BSC sends a response message to MS, and MS changes LAI saved in its SIM card to current LAI. So the location update process at same MSC office is completed.
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HLR takes charge of sending message to MSC/VLR1, and informs VLR1 to delete the data about this subscriber.
5 HLR 2 3
MSC/VLR1
M S
MSC/VLR2
1 4
M S
Location update process is as above steps 1-5. Herein, we will specially propose: before each location update, authentication shall be done for this subscriber.
9.
10. After MSC1 sends connection signal to caller MS1, MS1 can talk with MS2. Figure 4.3-1 is call process.
Figure 4.3-1
Call process
Inter-MSC handover process: 1. BSS-A is not satisfied with MS radio channel quality and check adjacent location information, considers suitable adjacent LAI as target information and requires MSC-A control handover by handover requirement information; 2. MSC-A analyzes handover requirement message, founds target belongs to MSC-B coverage range, and requests BSS-B prepare for MS connection through MSC-B, that is, handover request; 3. After MSC-B receives handover requests from MSC-A, it requires VLR consider handover number as the address information established from MSC-A to MSC-B circuit; 4. BSS-B switchs request response. MSC-B sends handover request response to MSC-A, in which handover number is informed to MSC-A; 5. MSC-A selects TUP route between MSC-A and MSC-B based on handover number in handover request response, and sends original address message to MSC-B. Called number is the handover number; 6. MSC-B/VLR receives original address message to acknowledge handover number, and returns address complete message to MSC-A; 7. After MSC-A receives address complete message, it indicates MS handover through BSS-A; 8. MS connects BSS-B, BSS-B informs MSC-AMS it has been successfully connected to BSS-B through MSC-B; 9. Channel is successfully established between MS and BSS-B, and MSC-B informs MSC-A finishes handover; 10. MSC-B finishes conenction and inform MSC-A communication is successfully established, and handover succeeds (TUP). Figure 4.3-2 is handover process.
38
2 1 4 5 6 8 9 10 7 Access 2 4 8 9
BSS-A
MSC-A
7
MSC-B VLR
BSS-B
VLR
MS
MS
Figure 4.3-2
Handover process
39
MS CH REQ
BTS CH RQD CH ACT CH ACT ACK IM M ASS SABM UA IM M ASS CM D EST IND
BSC
M SC
DT1Clear CM D CH REL DISC UA DRCH REL DEACT SACCH REL IND RF CH REL RF CH REL ACK DT1Clear COM RLSD RLC
The MS sends a CH REQ (Channel Request) message through the RACH to the BTS. Upon receiving the CH RQD (Channel required) message, the BTS processes it and then sends it to the BSC. After receiving the CH REQ message, the BSC sends a CH ACT message to the BTS to activate the SDCCH. After activating the channel, the BTS returns a CH ACT ACK message. The BSC sends the IMM ASS CMD to the BTS. Upon receiving the message, the BTS sends the IMM ASS through the AGCH to the MS. When receiving the message, the MS sends the SABM. The BTS sends the UA to the MS. At the same time, the BTS sends a channel establishment indication (EST IND) to the BSC, containing a request to update the mobile phone location. The BSC forwards the location update request to the MSC (LOC UPD REQ) via CR. As receiving the request,
40
the MSC sends back a CC message to the BSC. Up to now, the SDCCH has been established between the mobile phone and the BTS. The location update message is transmitted to the MSC over SDCCH, and the MSC sends a location update acceptance message (LOC UPD ACCEPT) to the mobile phone after performing an optional encryption. The MSC sends a Clear CMD message to the BSC. The BSC returns a Clear COM message to the MSC. Meanwhile, the BSC sends the BTS a CH REL message to release the SDCCH and a DEACT SACCH message to deactivate the SACCH. The BTS sends a CH REL message to the MS. The MS requests the BTS to release radio link (DISC). The BTS returns the UA and reports the channel release indication to the BSC. The BSC sends a RF CHL REL message to the BTS. The BTS returns a RF CHL REL ACK message. The radio channel is released.
Figure 4.4-2
To power off a mobile phone, an SDCCH channel should be established first. Then a power-off message is sent to the MSC over SDCCH (IMSI DETACH). Upon receiving the message, the MSC releases the SDCCH.
41
C R C M SE RV R EQ CC D T 1 C IPH M OD E CM D
C IP H M O D E C M D C IP H M O D E C O M
EN C RY C M D D I C IP H M O D E C O M D TA P :C M SERV A C C P D TA P :SE T U P D TA P :C A LL P R O C P H Y C O N T R EQ PH Y CO N T CO N F CH A CT CH ACT ACK D R A SS C M D EST IN D D I A SS C O M R F C H R EL R F C H R EL A C K D T A P A lert in g D T A P C o n n ect D TA P C o n n ect A C K D TA P D is co nn ect D TA P R eleas e D TA P R eleas e C O M
D T 1 C IPH M OD E C OM
D T 1 :A SS R EQ
A SS C M D SA B M UA A SS C O M
D T 1 A SS C O M
C H R EL D ISC UA
D R C H R EL D E A C T SA C C H R EL IN D R F C H R EL R F C H R EL A C K
The MSC sends an Assignment Request message to the BSC. After receiving the message, the BSC sends an IMM ASS CMD message to the MS. The MS establishes a TCH with the BTS. The BTS sends a channel establishment indication, completes immediate assignment, and release the SDCCH. The MSC sends a ring-back tone to the mobile phone over the established TCH. A call session is set up by connection establishment and connection confirmation. When the called hooks on, the MSC sends a disconnection message to the mobile phone. Then the mobile phone releases the TCH and the MSC replies with a release acknowledgement to complete the TCH release process.
43
MS PA G REQ CH REQ
BT S PA G CM D CH RQ D CH A CT CH A CT A CK IM M A SS SA BM UA IM M A SS CM D EST IN D
BSC U D T PA G
M SC
CR PA G RES CC D T 1 CIPH M OD E CM D
CIP H M O D E CM D CIP H M O D E CO M
EN CRY CM D D I CIP H M O D E CO M
D T 1 CIPH M OD E COM
D TA P :SET U P D TA P :CA LL CO N F
P H Y CO N T REQ P H Y CO N T CO N F CH A CT CH A CT A CK A SS CM D SA BM UA A SS CO M D R A SS CM D EST IN D D I A SS CO M RF CH REL RF CH REL A CK D TA P A lert ing D TA P Connect D TA P Connect A CK D TA P D isconnect D TA P Release D TA P Release CO M D R CH REL D EA CT SA CCH REL IN D RF CH REL RF CH REL A CK
D T 1:A SS REQ
D T 1 A SS CO M
CH REL D ISC UA
DIHO COM
DT1HO PERF
45
Figure 5.1-1
The process of sending voice signals is as follows: for analog voice signals, first make A/D conversion before doing voice coding to output 13Kbit/s digital voice signals. To control errors in the process of transmission, channel coding and interleaving processing shall be conducted on digital voice signals, which are then encrypted according to the input/output bit stream of 1:1. These bits are grouped into 8 1/2 burst pulse sequences (corresponding to voice signals/20ms segment) before they are transmitted at about 270Kbit/s in the appropriate timeslots. The voice signals are received following the steps below: Each radio signal transmitted by the BTS is demodulated first, followed by burst demultiplexing and decryption. When every eight 1/2 bursts are received completely, the bursts are de-interleaved and
47
assembled into a 456-bit message. Then come the steps of channel decoding, checking and correcting errors in the transmission. Finally, the bitstreams generated by the decoder are decoded, and converted to analog voices.
so that they are suitable for transmission in a serial port manner. Besides they also show very little delay. The coded n code elements are not only related to k information code elements of this packet, but also to information code elements in the preceding (N-1), where N is called constraint length. Convolutional code is generally expressed as (n, k, N). The error-correction capability in convolution encoding grows stronger with the rise of N, while the error probability decreases exponentially as N rises. The convolutional code is used to correct errors, and is effective in this purpose when the decoder works with the maximum likelihood estimate mode. Packet code: This is a kind of chopping cyclic code, which obtains the redundancy digits by increasing the exclusive-OR algorithm of information bits and mapping the k input redundancy information digits onto n output binary cells (n>k) through exclusive-OR algorithm. The packet code is mainly used for detecting and correcting errors in groups. It is generally used in combination with the convolutional code.
5.1.4 Interleaving/deinterleaving
Burst errors in wireless communication often results from long-time attenuation. Channel coding alone is inadequate for error detection and correction. The interleaving technology is adopted in the channels to better solve the error problems. By interleaving technology, the continuous bits in an information block are segmented and transmitted individually according to certain rules. That is to say, the original continuous blocks become discontinuous ones in transmission, and form a group of interwoven message blocks, which are to be recovered (via de-interleaving) into the original information blocks at the receiving end. It is as shown in Figure 5.1-2.
With the interleaving technology, if a certain message block is lost during transmission, actually only part of each information block is missing after being recovered instead of the whole information block, thus making it easier to recover the lost message by taking advantage of the encoding technology. In the GSM, different coding and interleaving modes are used in different types of channels. See Table 5.1-1 for details.
Table 5.1-1 Input Channel Type Rate kbit/s 1) FS: TCH/HS Ia TCH/ Ib II Ia Ib II TCH/F9.6: TCH/H4.8: TCH/F4.8: TCH/F2.4: TCH/H2.4: SCH RACH FACCH: SACCH: BCCH SDCCH AGCH ????
Note: The voice input rate on TCH/FS is 13 Kbit/s, that is, each speech frame lasts 20 ms and contains 260 bits. According to the interference of different bits on voice, the 260 bits are divided into I category (182 bits in total) and II category (78 bits in total). The I category is further divided into Ia and Ib. The Ia bits are very important bits. If any of them is incorrect, the subscriber will hear a loud noise in 20 ms voice interval. There are 50 Ia bits and 132 Ib bits. That is, the 260 bits in a speech frame (20 ms) is { d(0), d(1),..., d(181), d(182), ..., d(259)}. The part with a single line is I category, and that with a double-line is II category. It is similar to the TCH/HS.
Coding and Interweaving of Circuit Logical Channels Code Check Bit Tail Bit Convolutional code rate 1/2 Output Code Block bits 456 On eight 1/2 bursts Interleaving Depth
1/3
228
1/2, one bit is 240 120 72 144 25 8 184 Parity check, 10 Parity check, 6 Packet code, 40 4 32 4 8 4 4 4 removed from 456 every 15 bits 1/3 1/6 1/3 1/2 1/2 1/2 456 456 456 78 36 456 Combine on 22 unequal bursts On eight 1/2 bursts Combine on 22 unequal bursts Combine on one SB burst Combine on one AB burst On eight 1/2 bursts Combine on 22 unequal bursts
184
Packet code, 40
1/2
456
50
Table 5.1-1 gives the coding and interleaving adopted in different types of transmission. The first column lists the channels and the related transmission mode. The Input Code Block column gives the size of the data block (bits) before channel coding. The Output Code Block column gives the size of the data block (bits) after channel coding. In Code, the parameters are listed in the same sequence as the coding sequence. The tail bit is "0". The decoding is in the reverse order. Following is description of channel coding and interweaving, taking voice communication for example. In the GSM, the voice input rate on TCH/FS is 13kb/s, that is, 260 bits are transmitted every 20ms. The 260 bits are protected by means of segmented coding. Among the 260 bits, 182 bits adopts 1/2 convolutional coding, and the remaining 78 bits are not protected. Among the 182 bits, 50 bits are performed with parity check and then with 1/2 convolutional coding. Three information bits are added. Those 50 bits are called Ia bits. The other 132 bits, called Ib bits, are performed with 1/2 convolutional coding directly. Figure 5.1-1 shows the interleaving algorithm of voice signals on TCH/F. After channel coding, 456 bits are carried in every 20ms. Those bits are divided into eight groups, with the 57 bits in each group carried in different burst pulses (eight BPs in total). To maximize irrelevancy between the bit sequences, the bits should be arranged as described in Table 5.1-2.
456bits
456bits
456bits
456bits
0 8 . . .
1 9 . . .
2 10 . . .
3 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 8 . . .
1 9 . . .
2 3 4 10 11 12 . . . . . . . . .
5 13 . . .
6 7 14 15 . . . . . .
0 8 . . .
1 9 . . .
2 3 4 10 11 12 . . . . . . . . .
5 13 . . .
6 7 14 15 . . . . . .
0 8 . . .
1 9 . . .
2 10 . . .
3 4 5 6 7 11 12 13 14 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1 2 3
4 5
6 7 8
1 2 3
4 5
6 7 8
1 2
3 4 5
6 7 8
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
A 57 1 57 1 57 1 57 1 57 1 57 1 57 1
B 57 1
116 bit
116 bit
116 bit
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Full-rate speech interleaving algorithm Note Even bits (B block) in BP (N) Even bits (B block) of BP (N + 1) Even bits (B block) of BP (N + 2) Even bits (B block) of BP (N + 3) Odd bits (A block) v BP (N + 4) Odd bits (A block) v BP (N + 5) Odd bits (A block) v BP (N + 6) Odd bits (A block) v BP (N + 7)
Items 0, 8, , 448 1, 9, , 449 2, 10, , 450 3, 11, , 451 4, 12, , 52 5, 13, , 453 6, 14, , 454 7, 15, , 455
456 bits are divided into eight groups (rows), 57 bits in each group (columns), occupying BP (N) ~ BP (N+7) information A blocks or information B blocks. An interwoven BP carries 114 bits of information plus 2 bits of stolen frame, totaling 116 bits. The 114 bits contain 57 bits (odd bits) of information block A and 57 bits (even bits) of information block B, and the remaining two bits are used to indicate respectively whether the first half BP (odd) or the last half BP (even) is subscriber data or fast channel associated signaling.
5.1.5 Encryption/Decryption
Encryption measures are taken in the GSM system. Those encryption measures are applicable to voice, data and signaling. They are independent of the data type, and work for normal bursts only. Encryption is accomplished by exclusive or operation of an encryption sequence (computed by A5 encryption algorithm via key Kc and frame number) and 114 information bits on a normal burst. When the same sequence is available in the receiving end, the original data are retrievable by exclusive or operation with the encryption sequence.
5.1.6 Modulation/Demodulation
Modulation and demodulation are the last step in signal processing. Using GMSK modulation mode at a rate of 270.833 k Baud, GSM usually conducts demodulation with Viterbi algorithm (with a balanced demodulation method). Demodulation is the reverse of modulation. GMSK is a special digital FM modulation mode.The modulation rate is 270.833 kilobauds. The Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) modulation with bit rate four times of
52
frequency offset is called MSK (Minimum Shift-frequency Keying). In GSM, the Gaussian demodulation filter is used to further reduce the modulation spectrum. It can cut the frequency conversion speed. The GMSK can be expressed by a I/Q diagram. If there is no Gaussian filter, when a series of constant 1s are sent, the MSK signal will be kept in the state that is higher than the center frequency 67.708 kHz of the carrier. If the center frequency of the carrier serves as the fixed phase reference, the signal 67.708 kHz will cause steady increment of phase. The phase rotates 360 at 67,708 times per second. In a bit period (1/270.833 kHz), the phase moves 1/4 a circle in the I/G diagram, that is, 90. The data 1 can be looked as 90 plus the phase. Two 1s makes a phase increment by 180, three 1s makes a increment by 270, and so on. The data 0 indicates the same phase change in the reverse direction. The actual phase track is strictly controlled. In the GSM, digital filter and 1/Q or digital FM modulator are used to generate correct phase track accurately. The Root Mean Square (RMS) between the actual track and the ideal track allowed by GSM specifications cannot exceed 5, and the peak deviation cannot exceed 20.
d>0.6, to achieve a satisfactory diversity result and that it should be better to near the odd number multiplication of /4. Even if the distance between antennas is shortened to be /4, good diversity effect can be achieved. 2 Time Diversity By means of time diversity, a message is sent in a certain delay, or a message is sent partially at different time within a delay acceptable to the system. Time diversity in GSM is implemented by interleaving technology. 3 Frequency Diversity Frequency diversity enables a signal to be sent on more than two frequencies. Signals at different frequencies are synthesized at the receiving end, to decrease or eliminate signal attenuation by making use of different paths of the wireless carriers at different frequencies. Thus, only one receiving antenna and one transmitter antenna are required in a cell. Frequency diversity in GSM is implemented by frequency hopping technology. 4 Polarity diversity Polarity diversity produces good diversity effect by receiving signals through two sets of antennae with a polarization in certain degree. The two sets of polarized antennae in polarity diversity can be integrated in one set of antenna. So, only one receiving antenna and one sending antenna are required in a cell. If duplexers are available, one integrated transceiving antenna is enough, which saves the antenna greatly.
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Figure 5.3-1
A
Figure 5.4-1
B
Power Control
As shown in Figure 5.4-1, the MS at point A is far from the BS antenna. Because the propagation loss of electric wave in air is in direct proportion to n power of the distance, the MS at A needs higher transmit power to ensure good communication quality. Comparatively, point B is closer to the BS transmission antenna, hence smaller transmission loss; therefore, to obtain similar communication quality, a mobile phone at point B can use lower transmission power during communication. When a mobile phone in
55
communication is moving from point A towards point B, the power control can reduce its transmitting power gradually. On the contrary, if it is moving from point B towards point A, the power control can increase its transmitting power gradually. The power control is classified as uplink power control and downlink power control, they function separately. By uplink power control, it means to control the MS transmitting power, while downlink power control means to control the BS transmitting power. No matter uplink power control or downlink power control, the uplink or downlink interference is suppressed as the transmit power is reduced. Meanwhile the power consumption of the MS or base station is reduced. The most obvious benefits are the average conversation quality of the whole GSM network is greatly increased, and the MS standby time is prolonged.
Figure 5.4-2
(1) Measurement data saving The measurement data related to power control includes uplink signal level, uplink signal quality, downlink signal level, and downlink signal quality.
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(2) Average measurement data processing To reduce the influence of complex radio transmission on the measurement values, the smooth processing of the measurement data usually adopts the forward averaging method. That is, the average value of multiple measurement values is used to make a power control decision. The parameter setting in averaging calculation may vary with the types of the measurement data, i.e., quantity of the measurement data to be used may be different. (3) Power control decision making In the decision making of power control, there are three parameters: a threshold, an N value, and a P value. Among the latest N average values, if there are P parameters exceed the threshold, the signal level is too high or the signal quality is good; if there are P parameters are lower than the threshold, the signal level is too low or the signal quality is poor. According to the condition of the signal level or quality, the mobile phone or BS can judge how to control the transmitting power, and the increase or decrease amplitudes are determined by the pre-configured values. (4) Power control command sending According to the power control decision, the corresponding control command is sent to the BS, which will then execute the command or transfer it to MS. (5) Measurement data correction After power control, the original measurement data and average values are useless. If the useless information is still kept, it may cause incorrect power control decision. Therefore, it is necessary to discard the outdated data or update it for later use. The fastest power control can be performed once every 480 ms, which is the highest speed that the measurement data is reported. In other words, an entire power control process is executed once in at least 480ms.
When an MS initiates a call at a location very near to the BS antenna, its start transmitting power is the max. transmitting power of the MS in the system message broadcast in the cell BCCH (MS_TXPWR_MAX_CCH). Its obvious that at this time as the MS is quite close to the MS antenna, the power control process is supposed to reduce its transmitting power as fast as possible. However, it can hardly be achieved by the power control process recommended by the ETSI specifications, because only 2dB or 4dB is decreased each time. In addition, there is an interval between every two power control processes (because enough new measurement data need be collected). Therefore, it takes a long time to reduce the transmit power of the MS to a proper value. It is the same in the downlink direction. Obviously this is disadvantageous in terms of reducing interference to the whole GSM network. To improve this, the power control extent each time should be increased, which is the core idea of the high-speed power control. The high-speed power control can, according to the actual signal strength and quality, work out the power control extent to be realized, without the limitation of the fixed extent , thus solving the power control problem without much effort when the MS makes the initial access. Of course its functions are not limited to this situation. It can work in many cases e.g. fast moving mobile phones, sudden interference or obstacles. Whenever large extent power control is required, the high-speed power control process is the ideal solution.
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Figure 5.5-1
Supposing an MS occupies TS2, and call signals tend to shift away from the BS, a message from the BS will delay in reaching the MS. Meanwhile, the response message originated from the SM will also delay in reaching the BS. If nothing is done to fix the problem, the message sent from TS2 in the MS will eventually overlap with another calling message received in TS3 in the BS. It is important to monitor the time when a call reaches the BS. As the distance between the MS and the BS changes, the system issues instructions to the MS notifying it of the transmission time lead. This process is called adjustment of time lead. After a specific connection has been established, the BTS measures the time shift between the pulse TSs and the received MS TSs. It calculates the appropriate time lead based on the measured time shift, and notifies the MS of it on SACCH at certain frequency.
inevitably in case of obstacles. Different frequencies will suffer different degrees of fading, which becomes more independent with the increase in frequency difference. Through frequency hopping, bursts will not be damaged by Rayleigh fading in the same way. Second, it is used on the basis of anti-jamming feature. In areas where traffic is heavy, the cellular system is liable to be restricted by the interference from frequency multiplexing, and the ratio of carrier to interference (C/I) may change a lot during the call. C depends on the position of the MS relative to the BS. I depends on whether this frequency is used in the adjacent cells. FH enables the interference to be scattered among many calls that may interfere with the cell instead of being concentrated in one call. FH refers to hopping of the carrier frequency within a wide frequency band according to a certain sequence. Control and information data are converted into base band signals after modulation, which are then sent into the carrier for modulation. Afterwards, the carrier frequency changes under the control of pseudo-random codes, the sequence of which is the FH sequence. Finally, FH sequences are sent via the RF filter to antenna for transmission. The receiver determines the receiving frequency according to FH synchronization signals and FH sequence, receives the corresponding signals after FH for demodulation. The basic structure of FH is illustrated in Figure 5.6-1.
Features of FH technology: FH technology can be used to increase the working bands of the system and improve the system capacity to resist interference and fading. It can also
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improve and protect the pulses of valid information from the impact of Rayleigh fading. Via FH, the original data can be recovered from channel decoding, and the increase in FH numbers may enhance FH gain, consequently improving anti-interference and anti-fading capabilities of the system. FH is actually used to avoid external interference. In other words, it is to prevent or greatly reduce co-channel interference and frequency selective fading effect by converting the frequencies at a rate that interference cannot catch up with. The increase of the FH number is due to the fact that the FH system gain equals to the ratio of FH system bandwidth to N minimum FH intervals. Usually, the FH number should be greater than three. If frequency diversity is also available for the FH system and the message is decided more effectively via a large number decision law after several groups of FHs simultaneously transmit one message, more subscribers can work at the same time with least mutual interference. The frequency hopping comprises baseband hopping and RF hopping. Base band FH keeps the transmitting and receiving frequencies of each carrier unit unchanged, but sends the frame unit transmitting data to different carrier units at different FN (Frame Number) moments. However, radio frequency hopping is to control the frequency synthesizer of each transceiver, making it hop in each time slot according to different schemes.
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performance of always online", offering new means for mobile subscribers to access the Internet and Intranet rapidly. Once a GPRS terminal is powered on and connected with the GPRS network, it can maintain the online status all the way. The subscriber can receive and send information at any time without the dial-up process required in circuit switching. As long as the GPRS terminal does not transmit data, it will not occupy network and radio resources. Thus, the mobile subscribers can benefit from the flow charging. That is, the mobile subscribers can stay online as long as possible without bothering the prohibitive bill. Mature technology The GPRS provides solutions to implement data services in the mature GSM technologies and current networks. It can save investment and make quick return.
SGSN in the existing system will be kept. Thus, network operators can utilize existing wireless network equipment to maximum extent to provide subscribers with individual multimedia communication services before the 3G mobile network is put into commercial use. EDGE has the following features: EDGE neither changes GSM or GPRS network structure nor introduces new network element, but only upgrades the BSS. In terms of wireless interfaces, EDGE does not change the GSM channel structure, multiframe structure and coding structure. EDGE supports two data transmission modes: packet service (non-real time service) and circuit switching service (real time service). The bearers are EGPRS and ECSD respectively. EDGE adopts octal 8PSK modulation technology, supports 303% of GMSK payload, and provides higher bit rate and spectral efficiency (stable 384Kbit/s in mobile environment and up to 2Mbit/s in static environment) so that various wireless application requirements can be basically satisfied. EDGE adopts 8-phase shift keying (8PSK) modulation mode, and supports the symbols represented by absolute phase of signals. It includes 8 possible symbols, and each symbol is mapped as three bits. Therefore, theoretically, EDGE can provide up to three times of GSM rate. In a poor wireless environment, the performance of 8PSK is worse than that of GMSK. Therefore, EDGE adopts both 8PSK and GMSK in the coding mode. Different from GMSK, output signals of 8PSK are not constantly enveloped, which affects the equipment implementation and mobile phone measurement to some extent. Compared with GPRS, EDGE adopts new coding mode. EGPRS supports nine coding modes from MCS-1 to MCS-9, and about three times of GPRS bit rate. MCS-5 to MCS-9 adopt 8PSK modulation mode; MCS-1 to MCS-4 adopt GMSK modulation mode. Different from GPRS and CS-1 to CS-4 rate, it is specially designed for EGPRS link adaptation control algorithm. The MCS1 to MCS-9 coding modes fall into three clusters: A, B and C. In GPRS, only the original coding mode can be adopted data transmission. When wireless transmission environment gets worse, retransmission might always fail.
65
The coding scheme of EGPRS allows that data can be divided into two parts with a low-rate coding scheme for retransmission when the data with a high rate coding scheme transmission fails so that it can adapt well the worse wireless transmission environment. Compared with GPRS, EGPRS makes changes to the RLC/MAC in link layer, and defines better link control algorithm and two link quality control modes: Link Adaption (LA) and Incremental Redundancy (IR).
100 operators that open GPRS commerce system, trial commerce system, or experimental system globally. GPRS technology has been extensively deployed in global GSM network. Some famous telecom equipment manufacturers, such as Nokia, Siemens, Ericsson, Motorola, are actively developing GPRS related products, and a series of solutions have been proposed. Due to dense population in China's city and the feature of max commercial potential globally, we shall firstly build TD-SCDMA radio access network in hotspot and island landform to solve capacity and service traffic problem, to gradually implement TD-SCDMA evolution mode based on GSM/GPRS network independently developed in China. Obviously, GPRS is the transitonal technology from 2G to 3G, also a ladder to 3G network.
pulse that lasts 15/26 ms (equivalent to about 156.25 modulation bits). As with the GSM system, the GPRS system divides a carrier into eight timeslots which form eight basic time division channels. Therefore, a physical channel can be uniquely determined by a TDMA frame sequence, a timeslot No. (module 8) and a determined hopping sequence. Since GPRS is designed to coexist with the original GSM voice transmission, in a GSM cell that supports GPRS, some physical channels (timeslots) may be used for voice transmission and other physical channels may be used for GPRS packet data transmission. In addition, some GPRS signaling flows, such as packet system message broadcasting, packet access and resource allocation, will be conducted on the CS channel.
Packet random access channel PRACH (uplink) Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH) Packet paging channel (PPCH) (downlink) Packet access granted channel (PAGCH) (downlink) Packet notification channel (PNCH) (downlink) PBCCH (downlink) Packet transmission channel Packet dedicated control channel Packet data transport channel (PDTCH: PDTCH/U and PDTCH/D) Packet Associated Control Channel (PACCH) Packet time lead control channel (PTCCH/U) Packet time lead control downlink channel (PTCCH/D)
Where: 1 Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH) The PRACH delivers packet access burst pulse and extended access burst pulse. The MS sends data or paging response to the BSS through the PRACH. PPCH is designed either to page CS services or GPRS services. But CS paging is only applicable to MS level-A and level-B. PPCH also uses paging group and supports DRX.
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Before the MS sends the packet, the PAGCH is used to allocate one or more PDTCHs to the MS, so as to implement the packet transmission. For an MS already in packet transmission mode, the resources allocated can also be transferred in the PACCH. PNCH is used for notifying the MS of PTM-M calls. In order to monitor the PNCH, DRX mode is necessary. 2 Packet Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH) The PBCCH broadcasts packet data system messages. The parameters carried in these messages determine the mapping of the channels on multiframes. If no PBCCH is allocated, the information can also be transferred on the BCCH. The BCCH will give definite indication, showing whether the cell supports packet data service. If the cell supports packet data service, and PBCCH is assigned, the PBCCH combination configuration information will be given. 3 Packet transmission channel Under the packet switching mode, the PDTCH bears subscriber data. It is allocated temporarily to a specific MS or a group of MSs (under the PTM-M mode). Under multi-slot mode, an MS can use several PDTCHs concurrently. Because different logical channels can be multiplexed on a physical channel, a PDTCH can bear 0 to 21.4 Kbit/s pure data rate (including RLC header). Different from the CS service, all the PDTCHs are unidirectional. The MS uses the PDTCH/U to send packet data to the network and uses the PDTCH/D to receive packet data from the network. 4 Packet dedicated control channel The PACCH transmits signaling information, such as confirmation and power control. It also carries resource allocation and reallocation messages, which can be used to allocate PDTCH capacity or add new PACCH in the future. During packet transmission, the MS can enter the CS mode through PACCH paging. The PACCH is dynamically allocated to the physical channel which carries PDTCH. It is a bidirectional channel. PTCCH/U serves to transfer random access burst pulse and estimate the time lead of an MS in packet transmission mode. PTCCH/D is used to correct the time lead of several MSs. One PTCCH/D corresponds to several PTCCH/U.
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When the MS obtains PDTCH allocation from a certain PDCH, it will also obtain PTCCH/U allocation from the PDCH. The cycle of the PTCCH/U is eight 52-multiframes, including 16 PTCCH/U sub-channels (015). The PTCCH/U sub-channel No. possessed by an MS is determined by the time advance index (TAI) obtained by the MS in resource allocation, It is as shown in Figure 6.3-1.
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downlink
TA-message 1
TA-message 1
downlink
TA-message 1
TA-message 1
downlink
TA-message 2
TA-message 2
downlink
TA-message 2
TA-message 2
downlink
TA-message 3
TA-message 3
downlink
TA-message 3
TA-message 3
downlink
TA-message 4
TA-message 4
downlink
TA-message 4
TA-message 4
B0~B11=Radio blocks Idle frames are numbered from 1 to 31 [odd numbers] PTCCH frames are numbered from 0 to 30 [even numbers]
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3 Uplink PCCCH: mapping of PRACH As described above, on the PDCH with PCCCH, if the USF is marked as idle, it indicates that the corresponding downlink block is the PRACH. The PRACH can be mapped in a fixed manner. The number of PRACH blocks fixedly allocated on a PCCCH is determined by the system broadcasting parameter BS_PRACH_BLKS. Its relationship with the specific blocks is determined by the block occupying order described above. 6.3.3.2 Mapping of Downlink Channel 1 Mapping of the PDTCH/D and PACCH/D The MS interprets every downlink block on the allocated PDCH, and determines if the block is its PDTCH/D and PACCH/D according to the TFI. The TBF is a physical connection used by two RR entities to transmit LLC PDU in a unidirectional manner on the packet data wireless channel. This parameter is used in the LLC frame transmission sequence of the same timeslot in the same cell to replace the MS identification in the RLC/MAC layer. It is a wireless resource assigned to one or multiple PDCHs. It transmits some RLC/MAC blocks carrying one or multiple LLC PDUs. One TBF is temporary and only kept in the data transmission period (that is, until there are no RLC/MAC blocks for transmission or, in the RLC acknowledgement mode, all RLC/MAC blocks are acknowledged to be received by the receiver). For each TBF, the network allocates a TFI. For concurrent TBFs in each direction, the TFI allocated is unique and replaces the MS identifier in the RLC/MAC layer. In different directions, the same TFI can be used. The TFI is assigned in the resource allocation message before the transmission of the LLC frame. The RLC/MAC block related to a specific TBF must contain a TFI. For a RLC data block, the TBF is jointly identified by the TFI and the transmission direction of the data block. For a RLC/MAC control message, there are also the transmission direction and type of the message in addition to the TFI. If the header of a downlink control block contains a TFI, the TFI identifies to which MS the control message should be sent; otherwise, all MSs will receive this message. If the TFI in the header is inconsistent with that in the message body, the MS accepts the TFI in the header.
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2 Mapping of the PBCCH and transmission of the packet system message In one cell, the PBCCH is only mapped to one PDCH. The specific location is broadcast by the BCCH. In a 52-multiframe, the PBCCH is mapped to BS_PBCCH_BLKS (where BS_PBCCH_BLKS<4) blocks. The specifi c blocks are determined by the occupying sequence of blocks described above. In the packet idle mode, the MS will detect the system messages on the BCCH and learn from SI3, SI4, SI7 and SI8 if the cell support GPRS and if the PBCCH is configured. If there is the PBCCH, the MS leaves the BCCH to listen to the system messages PSIs 1 ~ 3 on the PBCCH and perhaps other PSI messages. The BSC determines when to send what messages and when to stop sending the messages. The system parameter PSI1_REPEAT_PERIOD determines the sending location of PSI 1. In addition, except PSI 1, other PSIs are divided into two groups. One group is sent at a high repetition rate, while the other is sent at a low repetition rate. The number of PSIs sent at a high repetition rate is indicated by the parameter PSI_COUNT_HR, while the number of PSIs sent at a low repetition rate is indicated by the parameter PSI_COUNT_LR. The system sends PSIs according to the following rules: 1) PSI 1 will be sent on BLOCK B0 when TC = 0. (TC = (FN DIV 52) mod PSI1_REPEAT_PERIOD) 2) When BS_PBCCH_BLKS > 1, PSI 1 will be also sent on BLOCK B6 when TC = 0. 3) The PSIs in the group sent at a high frequency will be sent in the sequence determined by the network. The sequence starts when TC = 0; that is, the sending cycle of PSIs in this group is PSI1_REPEAT_PERIOD*52 frame. When the PSIs in this group are sent, the PBCCH BLOCK, which is not occupied by rules (1) and (2), will be occupied. 4) PSIs sent in the group at a low frequency will be sent in the sequence determined by the network, and the sending will be repeated non-stop. When the PSIs in this group are sent, the PBCCH BLOCK, which is not occupied by rules (1), (2), and (3) will be occupied. 3 Mapping of the downlink PCCCH
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The mapping of the downlink PCCCH on a certain PDCH can be described by the following four rules: 1) If the PDCH has a PBCCH, BS_PBCCH_BLKS blocks are used in the PBCCH. 2) In the remaining blocks, BS_PAG_BLKS_RES blocks will not be able to be used in the PPCH; they can used only in the PAGCH, PNCH, PDTCH and PACCH. 3) The remaining blocks will be able to be used in the PPCH, PAGCH, PNCH, PDTCH and PACCH. 4) When the PBCCH is on timeslot k, the PCCCH can be located only on timeslot n and n > k - 4 and n <= 7. For example, on a PDCH with both PBCCH and PCCCH, when the system parameter BS_PBCCH_BLKS=2, BS_PAG_BLKS_RES=5, according to the BLOCK seizure sequence (B0, B6, B3, B9, B1, B7, B4, B10, B2, B8, B5, B11), we can know that: PBCCH will be on B0 and B6; PPCH can be only on B10, B2, B8, B5 and B11; while PAGCH, PNCH, PDTCH and PACCH can be on B3, B9, B1, B7, B4, B10, B2, B8, B5 and B11.
puncturing
456 bits
Figure 6.3-2 75
456 bits
Figure 6.3-3 Coding Process of CS-4
As shown in the figure above, the first step of the encoding is to append a Block Check Sequence (BCS) to the radio block, which is used for error detection. For the CS1~CS3 coding schemes, the second step is to pre-encode the USF (not for CS1), then append 4 tail bits, and perform half-rate convolutional encoding, which is used for error correction. The last step is puncturing to obtain desired encoding rate. Error-correction coding is not performed in CS-4. Table 6.3-2 shows the specific coding process of the four channel coding schemes.
Table 6.3-2 Channel Coding Process of PDTCH Type Handling Flow Length of data source 184 bits 1) Fire coding. The multinomial is: (D231) (D17D31), Packet coding The BCS added is 40 bits. 2) Add four tail bits. The coding data length is 228 bits. 1) Convolutional coding with a 1/2 code rate. The Convolutional code multinomial generated is G01D D , G1 1DD3D4 2) No hole
3 4
CS4
1) Packet coding. The 1) Packet coding. The multinomial is: D16D12D51, 2) The is USF the preprocessing same as CS2. 3) Add tail bits. The coding data length is 338 bits. 1) Convolutional coding with a 1/2 code
3 4
Packet
coding.
generated
generated
multinomial
multinomial generated is: D16 D12 D5 1, BCS added is 16 bits 2) USF preprocessing, as shown in Table 1-4. 3) Add four tail bits. The coding data length is 294 bits.
shown in Table 1-5. 3) Add tail bits. The coding data length is 456 bits.
1) Convolutional coding with a 1/2 code rate. The multinomial generated is: G01 D3 D4, G11D D3D4 None
rate.
The
multinomial generated is G01D D , G11D D3D4 2) Cut a code of 132 bits with 76
CS1
CS2 the hole. The position of the hole: C (3+4xk), k=3, , 146 and k9, 21, 33, 45, 57, 69, 81, 93, 105, 117, 129, 141
CS4
Table 6.3-2 shows the difference among the four coding schemes, which can be seen from Table 6.3-3.
Table 6.3-3 dcs CS-1 CS-2 CS-3 CS-4 Code Rate 1/2 2/3 3/4 1 GPRS Channel Coding Maximum throughput (kbps) of RLC/MAC 8 12 14.4 20
CS1 has powerful error correction capability and tolerates a certain bit error ratio. Therefore, it has low requirements for the wireless environment. However, its disadvantage is that its throughput is the smallest. It can be said that the higher a coding plan (CS4 is the highest coding plan), the weaker its error correction capability and the bigger its throughput. Table 6.3-4 describes the coding and interleaving procedure of various packet logical channels.
Table 6.3-4 Input Rate kbit/s Coding and Interleaving of Packet Logical Channels Code Input Code Block bits Check Bit Packet code, 40 Packet code, 16 Parity 6 Adding three bits USF Precoding Tail Bit 4 4 4 Convolutional Code Rate 1/2 1/2 1/2 Output Code Block bits 456 456 36 On On four four NB NB on bursts bursts Combine one AB burst Interleaving Depth
184 271 8
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Channel Type
Code Input Code Block bits Check Bit USF Precoding Tail Bit Convolutional Code Rate 1/2, 11 Parity 6 4 6 bits perforate
Output Code Block bits 36 Combine one AB burst On four on Interleaving Depth
reduction code
184
Packet, 40
1/2
456
184
Packet code, 40
1/2
456
consecutive bursts
GPRS Paging Channel Packet Paging Channel CCCH Paging Channel CCCH Paging Channel and Packet Paging Channel
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Modes
GPRS Paging Channel Packet Paging Channel CCCH Paging Channel paging.
Paging Configuration The SGSN is not required to work with the MSC/VLR for The MS is required to monitor both the CCCH paging channel and the packet paging channel.
III
The GPRS MSs fall into three categories: Type-A GPRS MSs Be able to connect with the GSM and GPRS at the same time, the type-A GPRS MS can be activated in these two systems and listen to the messages from these two systems simultaneously. It can provide GPRS services and GSM circuit-switched services, including the short message service (SMS) at the same time. The Type-A MS can originate and receive calls in GSM and GPRS system at the same time, and perform automatic service changeover. It enables the subscribers to receive speech calls and communicate with the called party without interrupting the data transmission. Type-B GPRS MSs The type-B MS can connect with the GSM and GPRS system at the same time, and provide GPRS and GSM circuit-switched services. However, it cannot provide either GPRS or GSM services at a time. When a circuit-switched call is originated to the type-B MS in GPRS, the MSC/VLR sends a Suspend message to the SGSN. Upon receiving the message, the SGSN disconnects the GPRS connection temporarily. After the circuit-switched call is complemented, the MSC/VLR sends a Restore message to the SGSN. The SGSN resumes the GPRS connection after receiving the message. Thus, the MS need not establish GPRS connection repeatedly. Most of the GPRS MSs in the current market are type-B MSs. Type-C GPRS MSs The type-C MS enables subscribers to use GSM services and GPRS alternatively. Manual service changeover is required.
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