Internal Use Only

GSM Training Materials for Skill Certificates

(E)GPRS Signaling Flow & Test

Suitable for staff with 1/2 year work experience in ZTE after probation Issued by GSM Product Support Department

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Version Introduction
Version
V1.0

Date
2009-01-14

Writer
Bo Zongjun

Assessor
Zheng Hao, Hou Shuai, Yang Jiazhi, Gan Wenjun

Translator
Wang Hangyan

Amendment Records
None

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Course Objectives
To be familiar with common (E)GPRS signaling flow To be familiar with (E)GPRS test content To master (E)GPRS test techniques

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

(E)GPRS Field Test

Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

(E)GPRS Signaling Protocol Stack

A p p l i c a t i o n I P / X . 2 5 R e l a y S N D C P L L C R e l a y R L C M A C G S M R F B S S G P R L C N e t w o r k N e t w o r k M A C S e r v i c e S e r v i c e L 1 b i s G S M R F L 1 b i s U m S N D C P G T P L L C U D P / T C P B S S G PI P N e t w o r k L 2 S e r v i c e L 1 b i s G b L 1 G n I P / X . 2 5 G T P U D P / T C P I P L 2 L 1

M S

B S S

S G S N

G G S N

G i

GPRS Protocol Stack of Data Transmission Platform

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

( (E)GPRS Signaling Protocol Stack

GMM/SM LLC RLC MAC GSM RF MS Um Relay RLC MAC GSM RF BSS BSSGP Network Service L1 Gb BSSGP Network Service L1bis SGSN GMM/SM LLC

GPRS Protocol Stack of Control Platform

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

GSM RF Protocol
Physical layer can be divided into two sub-layers by functionphysical RF sub-layer and physical link sub-layer:

Physical RF sub-layer is used to modulate the bit stream sent from upper physical sub-layer and to demodulate the waveform coming from peer layer;

Physical link sub-layer provides information transmission on the physical channel between MS and network, including: data delimitation, coding, error detection and correction, on physical medium.

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

RLC/MAC Protocol
RLC/MAC layer is a lower-layer data link layer. The functions for RLC/MAC layer are as follows:

1. 2. 3. 4.

MAC
Provide effective multiplexing of UL/DL data and control signaling. Provide contention solution, including conflict detection & recovery, for channel access initiated by MS. Provide access scheduling, including the PS queuing, for the channel access terminated by MS. Priority processing.

1. 2. 3.

RLC
Provide interface primitives for transmitting LLC-PDU between LLC and MAC. Segment LLC-PDU and reorganize it into RLC data block. The reverse error correction process for the selective retransmission of incorrect data.

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

LLC Protocol
LLC layer, i.e. Logical Link Control (LLC) layer, is used to transmit packet data between MS and SGSN.

Functions of LLC: 1. Provide one or more logical link connections through DLCI. 2. Sequence control, guaranteeing the sequence of frames on logical link. 3. Check transmission, format and operation errors on logical channels. 4. Recover errors detected. 5. Notification of unrecoverable errors. 6. Flow control.
7.

Encryption

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

SNDCP (Sub-Network Dependent Convergence Protocol )

Multiplex many PDPs;
Compress/extract user data and protocol control information;

Functions of SNDCP
1.
2.

Segment N-PDU into LL-PDU or desegment LL-PDU into N-PDU Relay

3.

The Relay in BSS is used to relay the LLC PDU between Um interface and

Gb interface. The Relay in SGSN is used to relay the PDP PDU between Gb
interface and Gn interface.

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

BSSGP (Base Station System GPRS Protocol )

This layer transmits routing-related and QoS-related information between BSS and SGSN, and does not perform error correction. In BSS, this layer likes the interface between LLC and RLC/MAC.

NS (Network Service Layer)

Functions of NS:
1.
2. 3.

Provide NS SDU transmission Provide network congestion indication Provide status indication, e.g. changes of usable transmission capacity

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

1. 2.

Different Parts of NS Protocol

NSCtrl (Functions of NS Control layer) Provide NS SDU transmission Load splitting NSVC management, including block, unblock, reset, and test. Functions of SNS (Functions of Sub-network Service) Provide the access to intermediate transmission network, i.e. NSVL Transmit data sequentially on NS-VC Detect and report errors in protocol, and errors such as failure of intermediate transmission network, equipment fault, and link failure, etc.

3.
1. 2. 3.

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol)

This protocol supports data and signaling transmission between the supporting nodes of GPRS backbone network. All PTP PDU PDP need be encapsulated by GTP.

UDP/TCP
TCP carries the GTP PDU that need be supported by reliable data link (e.g. X.25) in GPRS backbone network; UDP carries the GTP PDU that need not be supported by reliable data link (e.g. IP). TCP provides flow control and protects GTP PDU from

being lost or damaged. UDP protects GTP PDU from being damaged.

IP
It is a GPRS backbone network protocol applied to router user data and control signaling. GPRS backbone network was based on IP version 4 protocol initially, and will use version 6 finally.

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

(E)GPRS Field Test

Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Summary of Main Signaling Flows

Categories Subcategories Signaling Flows One-phase Access on CCCH Two-phase Access on CCCH One-phase Access on PCCCH Two-phase Access on PCCCH Establishment of DL TBF with UL TBF Establishment of UL TBF with DL TBF

Access flow in PIM

TBF Flow

Access flow in PTM

Access flow (initiated by Paging flow network side) TBF transmission & release UL RLC acknowledge transmission flow DL RLC acknowledge transmission ATTACH DEATTACH GMM flow Authentication Signaling Flow RAU (intra SGSN/inter SGSN/intra RA) SM flow PDP activation PDP deactivation

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

One-phase Access on PBCCH

Contention Solution
After receiving UL assignment message, MS must send three RLC blocks with TLLI. After receiving the first RLC data block, network will respond with PACKET UPLINK ACK, in which TLLI received should be set. If the TLLI in the PACKET UPLINK ACK is consistent with the one of MS, the wireless resource for this message is assigned to the MS. Otherwise, MS should ignore the message.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Two-phase Access on CCCH

Contention Solution

After receiving the second PACKET UPLINK ASSIGN, MS will compare the TLLI contained in the message with the one sent by itself in PACKET RESOURCE REQ. If the two TLLIs are consistent, the contention solution is successful.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Uplink TBF Establishment in PTM

MS Network

Packet Downlink Assignment RLC/MAC BLOCK

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Downlink TBF Establishment in PTM

MS
Packet Downlink ACK/Nack (Channel Request) Packet Uplink Assignment RLC/MAC BLOCK(USF) RLC DATA BLOCK

Network

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Paging Flows

MS
Packet Paging Request

Network PPCH or PCH PRACH or RACH PAGCH or AGCH Packet Paging Response (LLC frame) PACCH

Packet Channel Request Packet Immediate Assignment

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Uplink Data Transmission

MS Access and Assignment BSS SGSN

PDTCH PDTCH PDTCH PACCH PDTCH PDTCH PACCH PACCH PDTCH PACCH

Data Block Data Block

Data Block (last in send window)

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack Data Block Data Block Packet Uplink Ack/Nack Data Block Data Block (CV=0) LLC PDU final Packet Ack/Nack(FAI=1) Packet Control Ack

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Downlink Data Transmission

MS Immediate Assignment Packet Downlink Assignment Data Block Network SGSN

LLC PDU

AGCH PACCH PDTCH PDTCH PDTCH PACCH PDTCH PDTCH PACCH

Data Block
Data Block (polling) Packet Downlink Ack/Nack Data Block Data Block Packet Downlink Assignment Data Block

PDTCH PACCH PACCH Data Block (last, polling) final Packet Ack/Nack

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Attach
1

Flow 1: MS initiates attach request, if SGSN cannot identify P-TMISI, New SGSN will initiate Identification Request; Authentication and IMEI Check are optional; Flow 2: New SGSN requests Subscriber data from HLR; HLR sends back Subscriber Data Ack and delete the Subscriber data on the old SGSN; Flow 3: United IMSI/GPRS attach procedure Flow 4: Finish attach, if PTMSI changes, MS should respond to Attach Accept.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Detach Signaling Flows

Upper left: Detach initiated by MS

Upper right: Detach initiated by SGSN

Lower left: Detach initiated by MSC

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Signaling Flow of Subscriber Authentication

If SGSN did not sa ve the authenticatio n triple, it will send HLR the Send Aut hentication Info m essage, which conta ins IMSI.

SGSN sends MS Authentication Re quest (including R AND, CKSN, and encryption algorit hm)

M S B S SS G S N H L R 1 . S e n d A u t h e n t i c a t i o n I n f o 1 . S e n d A u t h e n t i c a t i o n I n f o A c k 2 . A u t h e n t i c a t i o n a n d C i p h e r i n g R e q u e s t 2 . A u t h e n t i c a t i o n a n d C i p h e r i n g R e s p o n s e
HLR responds with Send Authentication I nfo Ack that contains authentication triple. Each authentication tr iple contains RAND, SRES and Kc.

MS sends back A uthentication Res ponse (SRES) to f inish authenticatio n process

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

RAU intra SGSN

MS

BSS

SGSN

1. Routing Area Update Request 2. Security Functions 3. Routing Area Update Accept 4. Routing Area Update Complete

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

RAU inter SGSN

MS BSS new SGSN old SGSN GGSN HLR MSC/VLR 1. Routing Area Update Request 2. SGSN Context Request 2. SGSN Context Response 3. Forward Packets 4. Security Functions 5. Update PDP Context Request 5. Update PDP Context Response 6. Update Location 7. Cancel Location 7. Cancel Location Ack 8. Insert Subscriber Data 8. Insert Subscriber Data Ack 9. Update Location Ack 10. Location Updating Request

10. Location Updating Accept

11. Routing Area Update Accept 12. Routing Area Update Complete

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Cell Update (RAU intra RA)

1. 1.

RA1

BSC

SGSN

Move from one cell to another cell within the same RAC

1. Send LLC PDU

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

PDP Activation Signaling Flow (initiated by MS side)

MS SGSN GGSN

Including NSAPI, TI, PDP type, AP N, the required Q oS, and PDP confi guration options

1. Activate PDP Context Request 2. Security Functions 3. Create PDP Context Request 3. Create PDP Context Response 4. Activate PDP Context Accept

GGSN uses the information pro vided by SGSN to confirm the e xternal PDN, al locate dynamic address, start ch arging, and defi ne QoS, etc.

Insert NSAPI, GG SN address, dyna mic PDP address, the negotiating Q oS, and wireless p riority.

The negotiating QoS, and the Charging ID

Create a TID (IMSI+N SAPI), and send GGS N Create PDP Contex t Request (including PDP type, PDP addres s, APN, the negotiatin g QoS, TID, selection mode, and PDP config uration options.)

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

PDP Activation Signaling Flow (Initiated by network side)

M S

S G S N

H L R

G G S N 1 . P D P P D U

2 . S e n d R o u t e i n g I n f o f o r G P R S

3 . P D U N o t i f i c a t i o n R e q u e s t 3 . P D U N o t i f i c a t i o n R e s p o n s e 4 . R e q u e s t P D P C o n t e x t A c t i v a t i o n 5 . P D P C o n t e x t A c t i v a t i o n p r o c e d u r e

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

PDP Deactivation Signaling Flow

M S S G S N G G S N

1 . D e a c t i v a t e P D P C o n t e x t R e q u e s t

Initiated by Ms

2 . S e c u r i t y F u n c t i o n s 3 . D e l e t e P D P C o n t e x t R e q u e s t 3 . D e l e t e P D P C o n t e x t R e s p o n s e 4 . D e a c t i v a t e P D P C o n t e x t A c c e p t

M S

S G S N

G G S N

1 . D e l e t e P D P C o n t e x t R e q u e s t

Initiated by SGSN

1 . D e l e t e P D P C o n t e x t R e s p o n s e 2 . D e a c t i v a t e P D P C o n t e x t R e q u e s t 2 . D e a c t i v a t e P D P C o n t e x t A c c e p t

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

(E)GPRS Field Test

Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Test Purpose
To understand customers true feeling To collect information unobtainable in OMCR, including: service model specific to each region; radio environment specific to each region; service performance in moving state. Major technical support in specific areas (e.g. large gathering, sports events) To handle customers complaints

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Test Items
Categories Test Items ATTACH PDP WAP login WAP refresh WAP picture & ringtone download PING FTP download Email upload/download KJAVA download WAP login WAP refresh WAP picture & ringtone download FTP download EGPRS coverage rate GPRS coverage rate Relevant NEs SGSN GSN WAP gateway WAP gateway WAP gateway

CQT

INTERNET gateway INTERNET gateway INTERNET gateway WAP gateway WAP gateway WAP gateway
WAP gateway INTERNET gateway CELL CELL

DT

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention before Test

Test time: As PS service is influenced a lot by the number of users, different test should be conducted at different time. Cell reselection: As a result of the inherent defects in GSM system, cell reselection will inevitably lead to TBF interruption; in CQT, there should be no more than 4 cell reselections according to CMCC test protocol, otherwise, the tests for this cell will be invalid. Traveling speed for the test: CMCC requires that DT should not exceed 40km/h in urban districts, and should not exceed 70km/h on expressway. In network optimization, the same traveling speed should be adopted in the comparative tests before and after the optimization. Test level: PS service needs high C/I value, taking MCS9 as an example, to reach an ideal rate, C/I should be above 20, and the level should be above -70dBm.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention about Test Equipment

Except test software, all software that may occupy bandwidth in the test PC should be disabled; Change the connection rate of testing handset to 115200 and disable the MMS Auto Extract function; choose version R97 for GPRS test, and versions above R97 for EGPRS test; Points for attention about Modem setting:

Modify Modem transmission rate to 115200; some mobile phones need extra initiation command.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention about Test Equipment

Setting of network connection;

Choose correct Modem

Disable all PPP functions in network connection

Disable hardware functions of the Modem

Modify Modem transmission rate to 115200

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention in Test

Level: The mean RxLev in CQT should be above -70dBm, the mea n RxLev in DT should be above -80dBm, and should not be lower t han -90dBm. Maximum TxPower: In PS service, MS does not perform power co ntrol; during the test process, the maximum TxPower should be 33 for GSM network and 30 for GSM1800 network. Whether to enable frequency-hopping: It is not recommended to en able frequency-hopping in PS service, and it is recommended to ad opt BCCH frequency in RF frequency-hopping cells. BEP value: BEP value is specific to EGPRS. These two values are u sed to decide which coding rate should be adopted, the maximum v alue for CV_BEP and MEAN_BEP is 7/31 respectively, the average value should be above 6.5/27.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention in Test

Number of channels & coding scheme: In a test, uplink sh ould occupy a certain number of channels, e.g. CMCC pr otocol requires that downlink should occupy 4 channels, a nd uplink should occupy 1 channel; the higher level the en coding mode, the better, and MCS9 encoding mode should be over 90% during EGPRS test.

Throughput: PS service test involves mainly RLC layer th roughput and APP throughput. RLC layer throughput is t he actual throughput on the Um interface, while APP thro ughput is the user data throughput.

Block error rate: Occasional block error occurring under high-level encoding mode is normal, but if there are contin uous block errors, it needs to pay attention to wireless qual ity and hardware.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention in Test

C1/C2: At present, PS servi ce shares the same C1/C2 a lgorithm as CS service. A c omparison between C2 and RxLev can display those ce lls with unreasonable resel ection parameters. Conflict s between CS service and PS service should be avoid ed during the adjustment to unreasonable parameters.

CRH: In PS service, CRH in GMM STA NDBY state works only when an MS is crossing routing are a and location area; while CRH in GM M READY state wo rks all the time.

CRO: This paramet er affects both CS s ervice and PS servic e greatly. As adjust ment to this paramet er tends to cause ch anges to cell load an d hence generate sid e effect, the adjustm ent should be avoid ed as much as possi ble.

PT & PO: These tw o parameters can av oid too fast the GPR S reselection, but th e step size is too lar ge, e.g. the step size is 10dBm for PT, an d 20s for TO, which should be paid close attention to during a djustment.

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows (E)GPRS Field Test Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Attach &Detach

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(E)GPRS Field Test

PDP active & deactive

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(E)GPRS Field Test

RAU

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(E)GPRS Field Test

FTP & Ping

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