MOBILE

COMMUNICATION
T15
PREPARED BY
VIVEK CHAKRAVERTY
APT
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION -
PRESENT STATUS
Emergency Communication is provided by
portable control phones (PCPs) using
following means:

a) Hooking on the overhead control alignment
in non-RE area;

b) Provision of emergency sockets in RE area.
DISADVANTAGES
(a) The Driver/Guard have to carry the cumbersome telescopic
masts and the PCP sets;

(b) Hooking up of the telescopic mast on the overhead alignment is a difficult
procedure;

(c) In some cases, overhead alignment may be far away from the
track.

(d) In RE area, Driver and Guard have to walk about 500 meters for
establishing emergency communication.

(e) The emergency sockets and posts are prone to vandalism
(f) Emergency communication is initiated only from the site of emergency by
driver /guard of the affected train.

(g) The Section Controller/Emergency Controller is not able to contact the
train crew in moving conditions.

(h) The emergency communication is initiated only in static condition after
the trains come to a halt and not in mobile conditions.

(i) All emergency calls are directed to the Control office and not the nearest
Station Master.

(j) SOS facility is not available.

(k) The weight of the Emergency Control phones is fairly heavy.
PRESENT STATUS
After the GAISAL Accident in 1999, Board have taken a decision to provide full
duplex Mobile Train Radio Communication on A, B & C routes on Indian
Railways. It has also been decided to provide Universal Emergency
Communication on D, D (Spl.), E & E (Spl.) routes.

The following factors should be considered so that deficiencies/short-comings
are taken care of :

a) Technology based on open/standard architecture should be selected so that
the system can be seamlessly extended and multi vendor sources are available;

b) Loco equipment should be made an integral part of the loco at the time of
manufacturing itself
c) The practice of loading and removal of loco equipment should be stopped.

d) Adequate number of mobile equipment should be catered for so that all
the communication requirements are catered for.

e) The backbone communication whether Radio or Optical Fibre based should
be reliable and cover the entire run with no dark zones.

f) With the introduction of Radio based Signaling, the system should have the
capability of integrating both the Signaling and Telecommunication
applications.

g) The system should be based on digital technology.

h) Communication to passengers on the trains should also be catered in the
system.
Vide RB letter No.95/Tele/MW/5/ Pt. New Delhi, dated
10.09.1999, Board had decided that Mobile Train Radio
Communication (MTRC) system may be provided on A, B and
C routes.
Proposal was during Works Programme 2000-2001.
GSM based MTRC system is being introduced on A,B,C, Routes on
IR for communication between train crew and stationary
operating staff such as station masters, controllers, maintenance
staff etc.

Work for over 3200 route kilometers have been sanctioned on
Northern, North Central, Eastern , East Central and North East
Frontier Railways
This system has been successfully commissioned on Howrah-
Pradhankunta (260 RKMs) and Mathura-Jhansi (270 RKMs).
Installation of the system on Delhi-Ambala (198 RKMs) has been
completed and it is being commissioned.
Guwahati - New Bogaigaon - Katihar/Malda Town (681 R kms) of
Northeast Frontier Railway has been completed and is working
satisfactorily
VERY HIGH FREQUENCY (VHF)
COMMUNICATION
The frequency band of VHF Communication is 30 to
300 MHz. The frequency allotted by WPC (Wireless
Planning and Coordination wing of ministry of
communication) in VHF for Indian Railways are in the
band 146 to 174 MHz.
One spot frequency is used for each channel
Communication during Maintenance and
Constructional Blocks
Yard communication
Communication in the train between Guard & Driver
Mobile Communication between moving train/vehicle
with fixed location (Station) or another moving train/
vehicle.
Emergency Communication
ART equipped with hand held and base station
VHF sets.

Simplex --- One way radio communication i.e, either
trans or receive
Half-duplex---Both way radio communication, ie we
can trans and receive but one at a time
(because the same frequency is used
for both trans and receive)
Full Duplex--- Both way radio communication
simultaneously. (Trans and receive
frequencies are different)
Modes of Propagation:
Line of sight waves,
Reflection & scattering of waves

Channel capacity:
Single channel/Four channel/Sixteen channel
for Voice or Low speed Data or both.
. TYPES OF EQUIPMENT
Walkie -Talkie ( Hand Held) Set - 1W/2W/ 5W

Mobile Sets
Output power is 25 Watt,
Operates on 12V battery

Base Station
Installed at desired location,
Operating on AC Mains or by 12V battery.
External antenna with feeder cable connector mounted on a
mast (Roof top) needed

Antennas used are

Whip Antenna for portable sets,
Ground Plane (GP) Antenna for base radio equipment

Feeder cable: 50 Ohms Unbalanced Coaxial cable
Antennas
Depends upon terrain.

Average range of a
Walkie -Talkie (Hand Held set) - 1 to 2 km.
Mobile Set- Upto 15 km
Base Station - upto 50 Kms. When antenna used
are directional & fixed at the height of 15 to 20 m.
COMMUNICATION RANGE
S.No. Frequency
in MHz
SM at
all stns.
Station to
LC gate
Driver &
Guard
Shunting
/Operating
Engineering
deptt.
Electrical
deptt.
S&T deptt. Commercial
deptt.
RPF Mechanical
deptt.
To be used for
1 146.400 X Security Department
2 147.975 ART Frequency Accident Site Communication
3 148.100 X Mechanical Department
4 149.750 X Engineering Department
5 150.100 XC F1 for PLC; 1
st
section of Straight Section
6 150.150 XC F2 for PLC; 2
nd
section of Straight Section
7 159.600 XC F3 for PLC; 3
rd
section of Straight Section
8 159.650 X S&T Department
9 159.700 XC XC Communication with LC gate
10 160.400 X X X X X X X X Common Frequency
11 160.550 XE XE Train Escorting Purpose
12 161.150 X X Driver & Guard communication
13 161.425 X Electrical Department
14 162.100 X X Shunting & Yard Communication
15 146.200 XC F4 for PLC; 1
st
section For Junction
Station
(Direction 1)
16 148.050 XC F5 for PLC; 2
nd
section
17 149.500 XC F6 for PLC; 3
rd
section
18 149.550 XC F7 for PLC; 1
st
section For Junction
Station
(Direction 2)
19 151.400 XC F8 for PLC; 2
nd
section
20 151.450 XC F9 for PLC; 3
rd
section
Note:
X - Channel programmed
XC - Channel programmed with CTCSS/MF coding.
XE - For Train duties only.
LIMITATIONS OF VHF COMMUNICATION
- Short distance coverage

- Blank Zones occur due to terrain, high rise buildings & other structures

- Simplex/Half Duplex mode of working

- Maintenance of rechargeable batteries

- The set requires more than one battery set for continuous operation.

- Interference due to other user having adjacent frequencies.

- Effect of prevailing noise in the surrounding
GSM
History
Compatibility
Noise Robust
Increased Capacity & Flexibility
Use of Standard Open Interfaces
Improved Security & Confidentiality
Cleaner Handovers
Subscriber Identification
ISDN Compatibility
Enhanced Range of Services
Development of the GSM Standard
1982: Groupe Spcial Mobile (GSM)
created
1984: Description of GSM features
1985: List of recommendations settled
1987: Initial MoU (Memorandum of
Understanding) aside the drafting of
technical specifications was signed by
network operators of 13 countries:
1988: Validation and trials, of the radio
interface.
1991: First system trials are demonstrated at
the Telecom 91 exhibition.
1992: Official commercial launch of GSM
service in Europe. First Launch in
Finland
1993: The GSM-MoU has 62 signatories
in 39 countries worldwide. First GSM-
1800
network launched
1995: Specifications of GSM phase 2
are frozen. First GSM-1900
network launched

1999: GSM MoU joins 3GPP (UMTS)
GPRS Trials begins
2000: 480M GSM subscribers Worldwide
First GPRS Networks roll out
End 2002: 792M GSM subscribers
Worldwide
GSM-900 (Channels 125 operating band 900Mhz
carrier spacing 200khz spacing 45Mhz)

GSM -1800 (Channels 374 spacing 95Mhz)

GSM -1900(Used in USA)

What are the types in GSM Network?
Different Standards Worldwide
GSM - 900
The term GSM-900 is used for any GSM system which operates in any 900 MHz band.
P-GSM - 900
P-GSM-900 band is the primary band for GSM-900 Frequency band for primary GSM-900 (P-GSM-900) : 2 x 25 MHz
890 915 MHz for MS to BTS (uplink)
935 960 MHz for BTS to MS (downlink)
E-GSM - 900
In some countries, GSM-900 is allowed to operate in part or in all of the following extension band. E-GSM-900 (Extended GSM-
900) band includes the primary band (P-GSM-900) and the extension band :
880 890 MHz for MS to BTS (uplink)
925 935 MHz for BTS to MS (downlink)
R-GSM-900
R-GSM-900 (Railway GSM-900) band includes the primary band (P-GSM-900) and the following extension band:
876 880 MHz for MS to BTS (uplink)
921 925 MHz for BTS to MS (downlink)
Carrier frequency = ARFCN = Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number
F
ul
(n) = 890.0 + (0.2) *n MHz

F
dl
(n) = F
ul
+ 45 MHz

where n =ARFCN ; 1 n 124

RF CONCEPTS
Frequency Spectrum
Designation Abbreviation Frequencies
Free-space
Wavelengths
Very Low Frequency VLF 9 kHz - 30 kHz 33 km - 10 km
Low Frequency LF 30 kHz - 300 kHz 10 km - 1 km
Medium Frequency MF 300 kHz - 3 MHz 1 km - 100 m
High Frequency HF 3 MHz - 30 MHz 100 m - 10 m
Very High Frequency VHF 30 MHz - 300 MHz 10 m - 1 m
Ultra High Frequency UHF 300 MHz - 3 GHz 1 m - 100 mm
Super High Frequency SHF 3 GHz - 30 GHz 100 mm - 10 mm
Extremely High Frequency EHF 30 GHz - 300 GHz 10 mm - 1 mm

RADIO WAVES

Ground waves
Sky waves
Space waves
Factors affecting RF propagation


Free space loss

Multi path propagation

Building & vehicle penetration

Interference

Fading of signal

A directional antenna

An Omni-directional antenna
2
4
3
1
7
5
1
6 3
CELLULAR CONCEPT
WHY DO WE NEED CELLS?
FREQUENCY (RESOURCE)
SCARCITY

DEMAND FOR HIGHER
CAPACITY

COST EFFECTIVENESS
Base Station
Base Station
Base Station
Base Station
Base Station
Base Station
Cellular Radio involves dividing a large service area into
regions called cells.
Each cell has the equipment to switch, transmit and receive
calls.
Cells - Reduce the need of High powered transmission
Cells - Conventionally regarded as being hexagonal, but in
reality they are irregularly shaped.
Cell shape is determined by the nature of the surrounding area
e.g. Hills , tall building etc.
Hexagonal shaped cells are
artificial and cannot be generated
in the real world.
This shape is chosen to simplify planning and design of a cellular system as
hexagons fit together without any overlap or gap in between them.
Another advantage of using hexagons is that it approaches a circular shape which is
the ideal power coverage area.
The real cell shape will keep changing due to prevailing conditions.
If the Point of Transmission is at the centre of a Cell, the maximum Coverage Area is
available from a Hexagonal Cell i.e., this layout needs minimum number of Cells to
cover a given Area, hence lesser number of Transmitting Sites are needed

Large Cells Small Cells
About 35 Km

Nearly 1 KM

Remote Areas

Urban Areas

High Transmission Power

Low Transmission Power

Few subscribers Many Subscribers

There are 124 carries in GSM Band. With each carrier carrying 8
timeslots, only 124 x 8 = 992 calls can be made !

Frequency Reuse is the solution
Using same frequency channel to serve more than one call
in the same given area

Interference problems caused by mobile units using the same
channel in adjacent areas (cells) proved that all channels could
not be reused in every cell.

Areas (cells) have to be skipped before the same freq. could be
reused

The actual center to center distance of the
adjacent hexagon is
3R = (2R cos 30
0
),
where R is the center to vertex distance.

The concept of number of cells per cluster is
important for locating co channel cell with in
the cellular structure.

It can be shown that co channel reuse ratio
D/R = 3N
where N is Cluster size



CELLULAR CONCEPTS

N Q=D/R

1 1.73
3 3.00
4 3.46
7 4.58
9 5.20
12 6.00
Q = D/R = 3N = 6 ( S/ I)
-


where

is propagation constant
Much higher level of interference is tolerated if digital transmission is
used.
S / I 18 dB For Digital Cellular Mobile Systems.
Higher Q Less Interference.
Higher N
Larger Cluster Size.
Less Freq./ cell.
Lower Traffic Handling Capacity.
The same group of channels can be used in different cells that are far enough
away from each other so that their frequencies do not interfere
No similarly colored cells are adjacent, and therefore there are no
adjacent cells using the same channel.
Performance/Capacity Trade Off


Higher values of N

Lower values of N
Reduce co channel interference
Increase co channel interference
Leads to more cells/cluster
Leads to few cells/cluster
Less no. of chls/cells More no. of chls/cell
Less traffic handling capacity More traffic handling capacity
A Directional Antenna is a
better solution for reducing the
Co-channel Interference

Each Cell is divided into 3 or 6
Sectors and uses 3 or 6
Directional Antennas at the
Base Stations.

In practice, Sectored Cells with
120 Beam Antennas are used
Principle Of Sectorization
Omni Directional Cells
120 degree Sectors
60 Degree sectors
Each Sector in a Site has its own allocation of Radio Carriers
Advantage
By frequent reuse of frequency more capacity can be achieved
a1
a2
a3 a3
a4 a6
a5
OMNI CELL
1 ANTENNA
b1
b2
b3
120
O
CELLS
3 ANTENNAS
60
O
CELLS
6 ANTENNAS
CELL TYPES
Macro cells: Very Large Radius (more than 35 kms)

Micro cells: Medium Radius (upto 3 kms)

Pico cells: Extremely Small Radius cells (for Indoor coverage)

Umbrella cells: for fast moving vehicles (to avoid frequent handovers &
loading of the network)
CONTD
HANDOVER
A problem encountered in Cellular Communication is to provide continuation in
Communication for a subscriber, who moves from one Cell to another Cell.

No two adjacent Cells in a Cluster have the same Radio Channels.

So, Re-allocation of Radio channels must be fast and smooth.

This process is called Handover.

Processing Load per Subscriber on the system increases when Subscribers often
crosses Boundaries and cause frequent handoff of Calls between the Cells.

Practically, reduction of Cell Radius by 4 times increases Processing load
approximately by a factor of 10.
HANDOVER
BS1 BS2
A B
R
S
L

Level at B
Level which HO occured
time
Handover
Mechanism
Handovers
Hard Handoff
Analog, TDMA and GSM
Soft Handoff
CDMA
Break before Make Make before Break
The mobile measures up to 32 adjacent cells for
Signal Strength (RxLevel)
Signal Quality (RxQual)
updated every 480 mS and sends to BTS
Handover is based on the following conditions:
RxLevel
Interference
RxQual
Timing Advance
Power Budget
Interference - If signal level is high and still there is RXQUAL problem, then
the problem is because of interference.

RXQUAL - It is the receive quality. It ranges from 0 to 7 , 0 being the best and
7 the worst

RXLEV - It is the receive level. It varies from -47dBm to -110dBm.

Timing Advance - Ranges from 0 to 63.

Power budget - It is used to save the power of the MS.
POWER CONTROL
POWER CONTROL
RF power control is employed to minimise the transmit power
required by MS or BS while maintaining the quality of the radio links.
By minimising the transmit power levels, interference to co-channel
users is reduced.
Power control is implemented in the MS as well as the BSS.
Power control on the Uplink also helps to increase the battery life.
Power received by the MS is continuously sent in the measurement
report.
Similarly uplink power received from the MS by the BTS is measured
by the BTS.
Complex algorithm evaluate this measurements and take a decision
subsequently reducing or increasing the power in the Uplink or the
downlink.

DTX is a mechanism which allows the radio transmitter to be switched off (reduced
rate transmission (~ 500 bit/s) during silences )most of the time during speech
pauses for the following purposes:
To save power in the MS
To reduce the overall interference level on the air

The DTX mechanism requires the following functions
A Voice Activity Detector on the transmit side
Evaluation of the background acoustic noise on the transmit side, in order to
transmit characteristic parameters to the receive side
Generation on the receive side of a similar noise, called comfort noise, during
periods where the radio transmission is cut
DISCONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION (DTX)
Frequency Hopping
Multipath Fading results in variations in signal strength which is known as Rayleigh
Fading.
Rayleigh Fading phenomenon is dependent on path difference and hence frequency
of reception.
A fast moving mobile may not experience severe effect of this fading since the path
difference is continuously changing.
A slow moving mobile ( or a halted mobile ) may experience severe deterioration in
quality.
But, if the frequency of reception is changed when this problem occurs, could solve it.
The fading phenomenon is fast and almost continuous, this means the frequency
change should also be continuous.
This process of continuously changing frequency is known as Frequency Hopping.
Frequency Hopping

Frequency hopping is the technique of improving the S/N in a link by adding
frequency diversity.

The base station commands the mobile station to activate frequency hopping as the
mobile station moves towards the edge of a cell or into an area of high interference.

When frequency hopping is activated in the mobile station, the base station assigns the
mobile station a set of RF channels, rather than a single RF channel.

A frequency hopping algorithm is also assigned to the mobile and is used to inform the
mobile of the pattern of the available frequencies it is to use.



MULTIPLE ACCESS TECHNIQUES
In order to several links to be in progress simultaneously in the
same geographical area without mutual interference , multiple
access techniques are deployed.

The commonly used multiple access techniques are
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA )
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA )
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA )


FDMA - Frequency Division Multiple Access
( eg: GSM each Frequency channel is
200KHz)

TDMA - Time Division Multiple Access
( eg: GSM each frequency channel is divided
into 8 timeslots)

CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access
(eg: IS95- Each User data is coded with a
unique code)
Power
TDMA
Power
FDMA
Power
CDMA
SD
Mobile Station
BTS
MSC/
VLR
SIM
ME
BSC
Base Station
Subsystem
GMSC
Network Subsystem
AUC EIR HLR
Other Networks
Note: Interfaces have been omitted for clarity purposes.
+
PSTN
PLMN
Internet
ARCHITECTURE OF A GSM NETWORK
Network Structure

GSM Service Area
PLMN Service Area
MSC Service Area
Location Area
Cells

GSM SERVICE AREA
PLMN SERVICE AREA
MSC SERVICE AREA
LOCATION
AREA
CELLS
Network Structure
SYSTEM ENTITY FUNCTIONS
Mobile station:

The mobile station represents the terminal
equipment used by cellular subscriber
supported by GSM system
Functions of Mobile Station

Voice and data transmission

Frequency and time synchronization

Monitoring of power and signal quality of the surrounding
cells

Provision of location updates even during inactive state

Equalization of multi path distortions
The MS consists of two entities

Mobile Equipment (ME)

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Mobile equipment (ME)
It is the mobile handset.
The major components of the Handset are
Transmitter,
Receiver,
Number Alignment Module,
Logic Unit,
Frequency Synthesizer,
Antenna and
the required software.

Identified by a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity
(IMEI) (different from the phone number)
Class Power O/p
1 20 W
2 8 W
3 5 W
4 2 W
5 0.8 W
Typical
Settings
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Contains subscriber-related information

A smart card that holds information required to identify a
particular subscription to a mobile service

Can be used with any approved GSM handset

Identified by a unique International Mobile Subscriber
Identity (IMSI)
(different from the phone number)
COMPONENTS OF THE SIM CARD

Central processing unit (CPU)
intelligence of the chip
performs all the mathematical functions
takes all the decisions required by the SIM.

Read Only Memory (ROM):
sufficient memory to store the operating system (set of
commands that SIM understands)
contents of the ROM are permanent and it is not possible
to change them.
can be created as part of the manufacturing process.
Random Access Memory (RAM):
area of volatile memory
contents are lost each time the power is turned off.
The memory can be at least 256 KB.
Buffers incoming data as a scratch pad for calculations.

Electrically Erasable programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM)
Stores all the application data such as the operators specific
parameters and the subscribers data.
SIM
Most of the data contained within the SIM is protected against reading (eg Ki )
or alterations after the SIM is issued.
Some of the parameters ( eg. LAI ) will be continuously updated to reflect the
current location of the subscriber.
The SIM card can be protected by use of Personal Identity Number ( PIN )
password.
The SIM is capable of storing additional information such as accumulated call
charges.
MOBILE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
i) MSISDN (Mobile subscribers ISDN number)

ii) IMSI (International mobile subscribers identity)

iii) TMSI (Temporary mobile subscribers identity)

iv) MSRN (Mobile subscribers roaming number)

v) IMEI ( International Mobile subscribers equipment identity)
Human identity used to call a MS
The Mobile Subscriber ISDN (MSISDN) number is the telephone number of
the MS.
This is the number a calling party dials to reach the subscriber.
It is used by the land network to route calls toward the MSC.

MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS ISDN (MSISDN) NUMBER
Mobile Subscriber No.
NDCNetwork destination code
SN--subscriber number
CC--country code(allotted internationally)
International mobile subscribers Identity (IMSI)
The IMSI is an unique identity which is used
internationally and used within the network to identify
the mobile subscribers.

The IMSI is stored on the SIM, the HLR, VLR and AUC
database

IMSI finds its use in call routing.
MCC--Mobile country code
MNC--Mobile network code
MSIN--Mobile subscriber identification number
-- identifies the country of domicile of the subscriber.
-- identifies the home GSM PLMN of the mobile subscriber.
-- identifies the MS within a GSM PLMN.
TEMPORARY MOBILE SUBSCRIBERS IDENTITY ( TMSI )

The GSM system can also assign a Temporary Mobile Subscriber
Identity (TMSI).
After the subscriber's IMSI has been initialized on the system, the
TMSI can be used for sending messages backwards and forwards
across the network to identify the subscriber.
The system automatically changes the TMSI at regular intervals,
thus protecting the subscriber from being identified by someone
attempting to monitor the radio channels.
The TMSI is a local number and is always allocated by the VLR.
The TMSI is maximum of 4 octets.
MOBILE STATION ROAMING NUMBER (MSRN)
Suitable for the purpose of call processing when the customer roams
in any other VLR area having connectivity with his home network.

The HLR of the roaming subscribers request the visited VLR for
allotment of the temporary number.

Accordingly the visited VLR generates MSRN.

GMSC (gateway MSC) uses it for routing of calls to this customer.

MSRN is stored in visited VLR, HLR.
INTERNATIONAL MOBILE EQUIPMENT IDENTITY (IMEI)
Provided to the mobile equipment through a unique code for
its authentication and identification

The code is entered in SIM card of the user MS

Also recorded in the data base of the EIR of mobile switching
sub system.

During the course of call processing, the IMEI entered in SIM is
compared with the corresponding IMEI recorded in EIR.
TAC is 6 digits and approved by a national body.
FAC is 2 digits and is provided by the manufacturer.
SNR is 6 digits provided by manufacturer in serial sequence.
SP is spare digit of unit length.
6 digits 2 digits 6 digits unit length
Base Station
Subsystem
Base
Transceiver
Station (BTS)
Base Station
Controller
(BSC)
Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
BTS is the equipment which facilitates the wireless
communication between user equipments (UE) and the
network.

BTS is a radio-end which determine a cell coverage and
provide link with MS.

BTS include Transmitters and Receivers, antenna and signal
processing unit as well as interface.

BTS communicate with MS via Um (air) interface
BTS
Encodes, encrypts, multiplexes, modulates and feeds the
RF signals to the antenna

Transcoding and rate adaption Functionality

Time and frequency synchronisation signals transmission.

11 power classes from .01 watts (Micro cell) to 320 watts
(Umbrella cell)
FUNCTION OF BTS
A BTS has the following units
TRX : Transceiver--- Quite widely referred to as DRX (Driver
Receiver). Basically does transmission and reception of signals

Power Amplifier : Amplifies the signal from DRX for transmission
through antenna. May be integrated with DRX

Combiner :- Combines feeds from several DRXs so that they could be
sent out through a single antenna. Used for reduction of number of
antenna

Duplexer : For separating sending and receiving signals to/from
antenna. Does sending and receiving signals through the same antenna
ports (cables to antenna)
Antenna : Antenna is considered as part of BTS

Alarm Extension System : Collects working status
alarms of various units in BTS and extends them to
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) monitoring stations
A group of BTSs are connected to a particular BSC,
which manages the radio resources for them.

The primary function of the BSC is call maintenance.

The mobile stations normally send a report of their
received signal strength to the BSC every 480 ms.

With this information the BSC decides to initiate
handovers to other cells, change the BTS transmitter
power, etc.
Base Station Controller (BSC)
responsible for radio interface management of
BTS and MS, i.e.channel management and
handovers

responsible for communication with the NSS

a single BSC typically manages 100-200 BTSs
The functions of the base station are
1. Radio source control (Channels)
a. Configuration of Radio channels
b. Selection, allocation and de-allocation of radio channels.
c. Monitoring of radio channel busy / idle.
d. Encryption of radio interface.
2. Frequency hopping and power control
a. Assignment of frequency hops sequence and start time.
b. Assignment of effective radiated power (ERP) values to mobile station.
3. Hand off management
a. Collect signal quality data from adjacent BSSs.
b. Analyze signal quality and determine hand off need.
c. Keep MSC informed regarding hand off activity.
4. Digital signal processing
a. Trans coding and rate adoption.
b. Channel coding and decoding.
BSS functions are partitioned into a BSC and BTS
( a single BSC generally controlling multiple BTS)
Network and
Switching Subsystem
(NSS)
NSS performs the switching functions of GSM,
as well as databases for Subscriber and
mobility management

Its main feature is to manage the communication
between the Mobile Station and other users of
the Cellular Network.

NSS contains

Mobile Switching Centre (MSC)

Gateway MSC (GMSC)

Home Location Register (HLR) - co-located with GMSC

Visitor Location Register (VLR) - co-located with MSC/GMSC

Signalling between MSC, GMSC, HLR, VLR via SS7 signalling
network, using specifically the mobile application part (MAP) of
Signalling System No 7 (SS7)
Mobile Service Switching Centre (MSC)
The Switching part, is controlled by the MSC.

Acts like a standard exchange in a fixed network and additionally provides all the
functionality needed to handle a mobile subscriber.

The main functions are
registration,
authentication,
location updating,
handovers and
call routing to a roaming subscriber.

Connections to external Networks like PSTN, PLMN and Intelligent Networks etc.
are also controlled by MSC.
An MSC, which provides connection to Networks
outside the area under the MSC, is generally known
as Gateway MSC.

Gateway MSC (GMSC)
gateway to external network
incoming call is routed to GMSC, which then
determines MS location
GMSC function is often in the same machine
as the MSC
GATEWAY MSC (GMSC)
Home Location Register (HLR)

HLR is the most important Database in the GSM structure

Subscriber relevant data are kept in a Database called HLR.

It also contains information regarding real time location of the
Roaming Subscriber, which is passed to the MSC for routing incoming
Calls to the Mobile Station.

Administrative updating of the Subscriber Data, by the Service
Provider is kept in HLR.
IMSI, MSISDN and current VLR Address are also kept in
HLR.

As soon as the Mobile Station crosses a Cell boundary,
this information is updated in the HLR.

The HLR also maintains the services associated with each
MS

One HLR can serve several MSCs

One PLMN may contain one or several HLR
Visitor Location Register (VLR) dynamically stores Subscriber
Information, when a Mobile Station is in the Location Area covered by
the VLR

One VLR may be incharge of one or more LA.

A VLR is connected to one MSC and is normally integrated into the
MSC's hardware

VLR is updated by HLR on entry of MS in its area.

VLR assigns TMSI which keeps on changing
VISITOR LOCATION REGISTER (VLR)
Whenever a Roaming Subscriber enters in an area controlled
by an MSC, the information is passed to the VLR, which
recognizes the Subscriber as an outsider for the MSC.

If the Subscriber is allowed to Roam, VLR finds the original
HLR of the Subscriber and downloads all relevant information
for the Subscriber from it.

VLR reduces the number of queries to HLR
IMSI & TMSI

MSISDN

MSRN.

Location Area

Supplementary service parameters

MS category

Authentication Key
DATA IN VLR
The EIR is a database that stores IMEI for all mobile equipments registered in the
particular MSC and is unique to every ME.

Only one EIR per PLMN.

Any Cell Phone can be used fraudulently by inserting an authentic SIM Card, but as
soon as a report is registered that a handset is stolen or misplaced, EIR Database can be
updated to render the handset useless.

The EIR has three databases
White list: IMEI, assigned to valid ME.
Black list: IMEI reported stolen
Gray list : IMEI having problems like faulty software, wrong make
of equipment etc.
EQUIPMENT IDENTITY REGISTER (EIR)
AUC is a separate entity and physically included in HLR

It protects User Identity and allows a Secured Transmission,
i.e., Protect against intruders in air interface

Authentication (Ki) and ciphering(Kc) key are stored in this
data base.

Keys change randomly with each call

Keys are never transmitted to MS on air Only calculated
response are sent.
AUTHENTICATION CENTRE (AUC)
It monitors and controls all other components of GSM.

The OMC assists the network operator in Dynamic monitoring and maintaining
satisfactory operation of the GSM network

The OMC is responsible for controlling and maintaining the MSC, BSC and
BTS.

It can be in charge of an entire PLMN or just some parts of the PLMN.

Its main functions are
Traffic Monitoring,
Subscriber as well as Security Management and
Status report Generation.
Operation and Maintenance Centre (OMC)
Mobile Train Radio Communication (MTRC) works
on GSM-R (Global System for Mobile
Communications for Railways) Technology.
Developed requirements for a new
common communication standard
for the railways
Railway communications standard
body selected GSM as the preferred
standard
UIC

EIRENE
Development & testing of a GSM-R
system based on EIRENEs defined
specifications
MORANE
ETSI
INDUSTRIAL
PARTNERS
GSM-R Spcification
UIC = Union Internationale des Chemins de fer
EIRENE = European Integrated Railway radio Enhanced NEtwork
MORANE = Mobile radio for RAilway Network in Europe
ETSI = European
Telecommunications
Standards Institute
GSM-R : In operation TODAY
GSM-R Requirements:
Sl
No
GSM GSM-R
1 Honey-comb network Linear network
2 Repetition of frequency at the 4
th
Cell Repetition of frequency at the 5
th
Cell
3 360D coverage 33D coverage (Directive antennas are used)
4 Only one type of Handset is used Different types of Mobile sets are used (depending on
the type of use)
5 No priority, group call or broadcast call Priority, group call or broadcast call
6 No functional addressing or location
dependent addressing
Both functional & location dependent addressing are
used
7 Power output of Handset <or=2W Power output of mobile sets are 2W or 8W (for Cab
Radio)
8 Holes or Dark spots can be tolerated No dark spot is allowed along the track
GSM and GSM-R A Comparison
Frequency bands for use by GSM-railway may differ in
individual countries (especially in non UIC countries) due to
national regulations and have to be agreed.

If the frequencies are outside GSM-R band, GSM-R
applications are still possible but border crossing traffic may
be not functional due to different frequency ranges.
UP LINK DN LINK UP LINK DN LINK
1 1 907.8 952.8 7 8 909.2 954.2
2 2 908 953 8 9 909.4 954.4
3 3 908.2 953.2 9 *10 f
10
f
10'
4 4 908.4 953.4 10 *11 f
11
f
11'
5 6 908.8 953.8 11 *13 f
13
f
13'
6 7 909 954
CHANNEL-WISE ALLOCATION OF FREQUENCIES
(ON THE BASIS OF 4-CELL REUSE/ 5TH CELL REPETITION PATTERN)
SL NO SL NO
Frequencies(MHz)
CHL
NO.
CHL
NO.
Frequencies(MHz)
* To be allotted by WPC in addition to 8-pair already allotted for the Rlys.
ARCHITECTURE OF GSM-R NETWORK
The MTRC system consist of following sub-system:-
Mobile Station(MS)
Base Station Sub-System(BSS)
Switch sub- System(SSS)
Operation & Maintenance Subsystem

MS consist of two parts :-
i) Subscriber identity module(SIM)
ii) Mobile equipment(ME)/Handset
The functionality of the above systems are same as
described in GSM networks except some ratings like RF
powers of MS and BTS.

There are different types of mobile equipments, distinguished
principally by their power and application.

The fixed terminals (8W)are the ones installed in drivers cab.

Hand held sets are of 2W power.

RF power of BTS will be 20-25 W.
enhanced MULTILEVEL PRECEDENCE AND PREEMPTION (eMLPP)
If a handover to neighbouring Cells is unsuccessful due to congestion on the
radio channel, a preemption service is necessary to allow immediate access
to a traffic channel occupied by a low priority application.

A preemption service will release ongoing low priority calls to free traffic
channels for emergency call setup.

These calls shall be set up in 2 second or less.

Up to 7 different eMLPP levels (2 network and 5 subscriber levels) are
introduced.

One or more priority levels can be assigned to a mobile subscriber.
enhanced MULTILEVEL PRECEDENCE AND
PREEMPTION (eMLPP)
Network Level 1 is reserved for Railway Emergency Calls

Network Level 2 for ETCS.

Maximum allowed and default priority will be stored in the
HLR with the related subscriber data.

When an eMLPP priority call is build up, the MSC / VLR will
insert the priority into the call set-up message to the BSC.

The BSC will evaluate the Priority and give access to the
appropriation channel for either call set-up or hand-over
Two subscribers are involved in a point to point call
Train controller initiates a REC in the Group Area
The subscribers are notified
The ongoing ptp is terminated and the REC is connected
Controller
Emergency!
Point to point call
OK OK
Emergency... Emergency...
GSM-R Indian Railways
eMLPP
eMLPP is characterized by following key points:
Priorities on subscribers and groups
Calls with prio 0 will automatically use Fast Call Setup (< 2 s.)










Lower priority calls put on by high priority calls
Calls with high prio is auto answered
Ref EIRENE FRS
FUNCTIONAL ADDRESSING
To call Driver of train :
Driver of particular train keeps changing.
Without Functional Addressing:
Controller must always know the changing
number (MSISDN) of the specific Train Driver of
train 2423
With Functional Addressing :
Controller dials the Unique Number and is
connected to the driver currently on duty. No
Need to remember the mobile no of each Driver.
Controller
Train Driver on train 2423
Functional Addressing
USSD string for

Registration
Deregistration
Interrogation
MSC

IN
Functional

number
(Train nr. +
function code)
Registration complete
Association between Train
Number and MSISDN of
Train Driver now in place
Basics registration/deregistration
OK
REGISTRATION
A Train Driver or employees on the Train, registers to the respective functional number
by establishing an USSD dialogue via MSC / VLR to the HLR, where their MSISDN is
stored (HLR
mobile
).

This HLR is establishing a dialogue to the HLR
functional
regarding the calling MSISDN.

The HLR
functional
, in turn, establishes a Call Forwarding from the required Functional
Number to the MSISDN.

After completion, the registering Subscriber will get an acknowledgement (registered).

Only one MSISDN can register under one functional number. Users trying to register to a
functional number already in use will be rejected.

Same way, a Functional Number is unique inside the HLR
functional
and cannot be
duplicated
DEREGISTRATION
MSISDN registered to a Functional Number will be de-registered by the user
establishing an USSD dialogue via MSC / VLR to the HLR, where their MSISDN is
stored (HLR
mobile
).

This HLR is establishing a dialogue to the HLR
functional
regarding the calling
MSISDN.

The HLR
functional
in turn cancels the call forwarding from the required functional
number to the MSISDN.

After completion, the registering subscriber gets an acknowledgement (de-
registered).
EXPIRATION DATE
All functional numbers contain a programmable validity period (in
hours).

During the registration process, the Expiration Date of the single
member inside this functional number will be computed and stored.
After exceeding the expiration date, the service ignores the function
owner.

In case the value of the validity period is set to 0, the feature is
switched off for this functional number. That means a registration of
any member for this functional number has no time limit.
LOCATION DEPENDENT ADDRESSING
To call Controller :
Without LDA
Driver wishes to communicate emergency to controller.
Driver is not aware of who is Controller of that area.
Driver must know the no of each controller on route.
With LDA
Driver dials the short code i.e 1200 and is connected to controller in
charge of that area.
Short Code is common throughout journey.
GSM-R Indian Railways
Location Dependent Addressing
LOCATION DEPENDENT ADDRESSING
It provides the Automatic Routing of Mobile Originated Calls (MOC) to
pre-defined destinations relative to the geographic area where the
subscriber is roaming.

Train driver dials a short number as defined in the EIRENE numbering
plan. This short number will be automatically converted into the
corresponding long number(s) of the train controller(s) responsible for
the area the train is actually moving through.

If a train is passing between two controller areas the connection will be
made to both controllers.

Controller B
Controller A
IN
MSC

GSM-R Indian Railways
Location Dependent Addressing ( LDA)
VOICE BROADCAST SERVICE (VBS)
A VBS is characterized by following key points

One Broadcast Call Number combines all members of a certain Group.

For each Broadcast Call, a Service Area composed out of a number of
cells is assigned

Dialing the broadcast call number initialises the parallel set-up of
connections into all Cells of the assigned service area. All members of this
group being in the service area will be paged to receive a notification of the
ongoing voice broadcast call

Dependent on the call ID a priority members of the group call can decide to
join the call
VOICE BROADCAST SERVICE (VBS)
The MSC retrieves all necessary information from the co-located Group Call Register
(GCR), which stores Tables having

The Group ID (1 to 7 digit depending on the length of the group call area ID)

The Group Call Area ID (MCC + MNC + LAC + CI)

The Group Call Reference (27 bit binary encoded field with Group ID and Group
Area ID)

The Cell List corresponding to the Group Call Area ID (max. 50 cells)

The Dispatcher List corresponding to the group call references (up to 6 dispatchers
per group call reference )

An information whether the call is active or not

Security Information
MSC connects the so called Dispatcher with a duplex connection

Each cell of the required group call area is setup with half-duplex
connections.

Members actually present in this area will be paged and connected via
common channel down-link (can only listen)

If a member of the group enters the Cell after beginning of the voice broadcast,
he will just join the ongoing voice broadcast at his time of entry.

If a member of the group leaves the voice broadcast area, he will be
disconnected.

The setup of a VBS is possible with eMLPP or as a normal call without
priority and preemption.
Train is delayed
The Group Area is predefined
Train controller initiates a VBS call in a Group Area
The speech is broadcasted to all users in the area
Controller
Train is
Train is
Train is
(One way communication)
VOICE GROUP CALL SERVICE
(VGCS)
VGCS is characterised by the key point that the actual speaker can
change during a call.

Group members will normally listen to the ongoing Voice Group Call

As soon as the initiator of the VGCS stops speaking, he indicates that
he releases the up-link.

All group members will be notified that they can now request an up-
link to become the next talker by using their Push-To-Talk function.

A dedicated duplex channel will be allocated in the respective cell.
VOICE GROUP CALL SERVICE
(VGCS)
Initial talker releases the up-link (and changes to the common down-link in
this cell, if he is a mobile subscriber)

Possible new talker sends an up-link request

The BSC serving this area selects the first Uplink Request and presents it to
the MSC

The MSC serves the first UPLINK_REQUEST of all BSC in the Group Call Area

The new talker confirms his up-link request

The other group member get an up-link seized or up-link reject notification

The duplex channel for the new talker is switched through
Train is coming please
acknowledge that you
have heard?
The Group Area is predefined
Train controller initiates a VGCS call in a Group Area
The speech is broadcasted to all users
The user can confirm by using Push To Talk, PTT
The Call can be initiated by any group Member.
Controller
Train is
Train is
Train is
OK
OK
OK
Group Call Register
group call related data, e.g.:
- group Id
- priority (network, subscriber)
- call setup class (fast, normal)
GSM-R Indian Railways
Voice Group Call - VGCS
HANDSETs USEd IN MTRC, NFR

OPH HAND SET
PROVIDED
To Loco Pilots

GPH HAND SET
PROVIDED
To Station Master
To Guards
To Lobby & Officers
To S&T Maintenance staff, P WAY staff



Operational Handheld
(OPH 940)

Emergency Button
Robust Design
IP 54
resistant housing
Push to talk button
GSM-R Cab Radio Front Panel
GSM-R Controllers Terminal
Thank You