General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)

Constraints with existing GSM network

Data Rates too slow about 9.6 kbps Connection setup time too long Inefficient resource utilization for bursty traffic Proves expensive for bursty traffic utilization No efficient method for packet transfers

Comparison of GSM & GPRS

Data Rates Modulation Technique Billing Type of Connection GSM 9.6 Kbps GMSK Duration of connection Circuit Switched GPRS 14.4 to 115.2 Kbps GMSK Amount of data transferred Packet Switched

What is GPRS ?

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a new bearer service for GSM that greatly improves and simplifies wireless access to packet data networks applies packet radio principal to transfer user data packets in an efficient way b/w MS & external packet data network

GPRS

Benefits of GPRS
New

Data Services High Speed (Data Rate 14.4 115 kbps) Efficient use of radio bandwidth (Statistical Multiplexing) Circuit switching & Packet Switching can be used in parallel Constant connectivity

Statistical Multiplexing

High Data Rate

GPRS uses radio channel i.e. 200 kHz wide Radio channel carries digital data stream of 271 kbps This rate is divided into 8 time slots each carrying 34 kbps per time slot Data rate 14 kbps per time slot achieved after corrections GPRS can combine upto 8 time slots giving data rate of 114 kbps

GPRS Terminals
Class A MS supports simultaneous operation of GPRS and GSM services Class B MS able to register with the n/w for both GPRS & GSM services simultaneously. It can only use one of the two services at a given time. Class C - MS can attach for either GPRS or GSM services

GPRS Network Elements

GPRS Architecture is same as GSM except few hardware modifications :

GPRS includes GSNs

SGSN : Serving GPRS Support Node GGSN : Gateway GPRS Support Node

GPRS Register

GPRS Architecture
SMS-GMSC SMS-IWMSC MAP-H Gd MSC/VLR A TE R MT Um BSS Gs Gb SGSN Gp GGSN Other PLMN Signalling Interface Signalling and Data Transfer Interface Gn
MAP-D

SM-SC MAP-C HLR Gc Gi GGSN MAP-F EIR PDN TE

Gr

R/S

Um

BTS

BSC

Packet network PSTN

MSC Gb Serving GPRS Support Node Gn (SGSN) Border Gateway (BG) Intra-PLMN backbone network (IP based) Gp Firewall Point-ToMultipoint Service Center (PTM SC) Gn Gr Gd Gs GPRS INFRASTRUCTURE HLR/AuC Gs Gr
Packet SS7 network Network

SMS-GMSC Gd

EIR

Corporate 1 Server

Packet Inter-PLMN network Backbone

network

MAP-F Router Local area network

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

Firewall
Data Packet network network (Internet)

Gi.IP Gi.X.25 Firewall

Data Packet network network (X.25)

Corporate 2 Server

Router

Local area network

Interfaces
Gb Connects BSC with SGSN Gn SGSN SGSN/GGSN (in the same network) Gp SGSN GGSN (in different networks) Gf For equipment querying at registering time Gi Connects PLMN with external Packet Data Networks (PDNs) Gr To exchange User profile between HLR & SGSN Gs To exchange Database between SGSN & MSC Gd Interface between SMS & GPRS

SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node

Detect and Register new GPRS MS in its serving area Packet Routing, Transfer & Mobility Management Authentication, Maintaining user profiles assigning channels and time slots
Charging for calls

GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node

Interfaces GPRS backbone network & external packet data networks Converts the GPRS packets from SGSN to the PDP format Converts PDP addresses change to GSM addresses of the destination user Stores the current SGSN address and profile of the user in its location register Performs authentication Charging

GPRS Register
GPRS Register is integrated with GSM-HLR. Maintains the GPRS subscriber data and Routing information. Stores current SGSN address

GPRS Applications
Communications: E-mail, fax, unified messaging and intranet/Internet access etc. Value-added services: Information services and games etc. E-commerce: Retail, ticket purchasing, banking and financial trading etc. Location-based applications: Navigation, traffic conditions, airline/rail schedules and location finder etc. Advertising: Advertising may be location sensitive. For example, a user entering a mall can receive advertisements specific to the stores in that mall.