4.

0 CELLULAR
COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM
4.1 : Main component in cellular communication
system.
4.1.1 The Mobile Switching Centre (MSC)
Mobile Switching Center (MSC) -
The MSC is the heart of the GSM network.
It handles call routing, call setup, and basic
switching functions.
An MSC handles multiple BSCs and also
interfaces with other MSC's and registers.
It also handles inter-BSC handoffs as well as
coordinates with other MSC's for inter-MSC
handoffs.




Mobile Switching Center
(MSC)
4.1.2 Describe the elements
connected to the MSC
The MSC connects to the following elements:
a. The Home Location Register (HLR)
b. The Visitor Location Register (VLR)
c. Equipment Identify Register (EIR)
d. Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)
e. SMS Gateway (SMS-G)

a. Home location register (HLR)

The Home Location Register (HLR) is a
central database that contains details of each
mobile phone subscriber that is authorized to
use the GSM core network.
The HLRs store details of every SIM
card issued by the mobile phone operator.
Each SIM has a unique identifier called an
IMSI which is the primary key to each HLR
record.

a. Home location register (HLR)
Examples of other data stored in the :
GSM services that the subscriber has requested
or been given.
GPRS settings to allow the subscriber to access
packet services.
Current location of subscriber (VLR and serving
GPRS support node/SGSN).
Call divert settings applicable for each associated
MSISDN.

a. Home location register (HLR)
The HLR is a system which directly receives
and processes MAP transactions and
messages from elements in the GSM network,
for example, the location update messages
received as mobile phones roam around.
b. Visitor location register (VLR)
Visitor Location Register (VLR) -
The VLR is a database that contains a subset of
the information located on the HLR.
It contains similar information as the HLR, but
only for subscribers currently in its Location Area.
There is a VLR for every Location Area.
The VLR reduces the overall number of queries to
the HLR and thus reduces network traffic.
VLRs are often identified by the Location Area
Code (LAC) for the area they service.
b. Visitor location register (VLR)
c. Equipment Identity Register
(EIR)
The EIR is a database that keeps tracks of
handsets on the network using the IMEI. There
is only one EIR per network. It is composed of
three lists. The white list, the gray list, and the
black list.
The black list is a list if IMEIs that are to be
denied service by the network for some
reason. Reasons include the IMEI being listed
as stolen or cloned or if the handset is
malfunctioning or doesn't have the technical
capabilities to operate on the network.
c. Equipment Identity Register
(EIR)
The gray list is a list of IMEIs that are to be
monitored for suspicious activity. This could
include handsets that are behaving oddly or
not performing as the network expects it to.
The white list is an unpopulated list. That
means if an IMEI is not on the black list or on
the gray list, then it is considered good and is
"on the white list".
The interface between the MSC and the EIR is
called the F Interface.

Equipment Identity
Register(EIR)
d. Gateway Mobile Switching Center
(GMSC)
There is another important type of MSC, called
a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC).
The GMSC functions as a gateway between
two networks.
If a mobile subscriber wants to place a call to a
regular land line, then the call would have to
go through a GMSC in order to switch to the
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

d. Gateway Mobile Switching
Center (GMSC)
e. SMS Gateway (SMS-G)
The SMS GMSC (SMS gateway MSC) is a
gateway MSC that can also receive short
messages.
The gateway MSC is a mobile networks point
of contact with other networks.
4.1.3 The Base Station Subsystem
(BSS)
The Base Station Subsystem (BSS) is the
section of a traditional cellular telephone
network which is responsible for handling
traffic and signaling between a mobile
phone and the network switching subsystem.

4.1.3 The Base Station Subsystem
(BSS)
The BSS carries out transcoding of speech
channels, allocation of radio channels to
mobile
phones, paging, transmission and reception ov
er the air interface and many other tasks
related to the radio network.
The Base Transceiver Station (BTS) and the Base
Station Controller (BSC) together make up the Base
Station System (BSS).
4.1.4: Types of Base
Transceiver
a. Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
The BTS is the Mobile Station's access point
to the network.
It is responsible for carrying out radio
communications between the network and
the Mobile Stations.
It handles speech encoding, encryption,
multiplexing (TDMA), and
modulation/demodulation of the radio signals.
Base Transceiver Station
(BTS)
It is also capable of frequency hopping. A BTS
will have between 1 and 16 Transceivers
(TRX), depending on the geography and user
demand of an area.
One BTS usually covers a single 120 degree
sector of an area.
Usually a tower with 3 BTSs will accommodate
all 360 degrees around the tower.

Base Transceiver Station
(BTS)
Base Station Controller (BSC)
Base Station Controller (BSC) -
The BSC controls multiple BTS.
It handles allocation of radio channels, frequency
administration, power and signal measurements
from the MS, and handovers from one BTS to
another (if both BTSs are controlled by the same
BSC).
Base Station Controller (BSC)
A BSC my be collocated with a BTS or it may be
geographically separate.
It may even be collocated with the Mobile
Switching Center (MSC).
Base Station Controller (BSC)
4.1.5 The Mobile Unit that function
as a Transceiver
Is a low-power FM transmitter, the frequency
range from 825 MHz to 845 MHz.
There are 666 channels at a 30 kHz
transmission between each other, For
example, the frequency 825.03 MHz Channel
1, Channel 2 at 825.06 MHz; then the
difference frequency is 30 kHz, and it will
continue until 666 channels.
Power transmission for mobile radio antenna
is 3 W and the mobile phone emission power
is 500 mW.
4.1.6 Function of SIM card used in
mobile units
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Provides personal mobility - user can
have access to subscribed services
irrespective of a specific terminal.
Contains the International Mobile
Subscriber Identity (IMSI) used to
identify the subscriber to the system, a
secret key for authentication, and other
information.
The SIM card may be protected
against unauthorized use by a
password or personal identity number.

SIM
ME
4.1.7 MSC,BSS,BTS,BSC and
Mobile Unit Diagrams
4.2 types of antenna
a. Omnidirectional Antenna
b. Sectorized Antenna
4.2.1 Omni directional
The omnidirectional antenna radiates or
receives equally well in all directions.
It is also called the "non-directional" antenna
because it does not favor any particular
direction.
Omni-Directional Antenna
coverage pattern
4.2.2 Sectorized Antenna
By focusing the beam in a more focused area,
offers greater range and throughput with less
energy.
Many operators will use sector antennas to
cover a 360-degree service area rather
than use an Omni directional antenna due
to the superior performance of sector antennas
over an Omni directional antenna.
Sectorized Antenna
4.0 CELLULAR
COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM
4.3 Understand the concepts of cellular
communication system.
Subtopics
4.3.1 Define Cell and Cluster.
4.3.2 Describe techniques to improve coverage and
capacity in cellular systems.
a. Cell splitting
b. Sectoring
c. Microcell zone concept
4.3.3 Describe the term frequency reuse in cellular
communication systems.
4.3.4 Describe the relationship between frequency
reuse and cell splitting as techniques to maximize the
traffic capacity of cellular systems.
4.3.5 Describe how to determine total number of
channels in a given bandwidth.
4.3.6 Describe the Signal to Noise ratio (S/N ratio).
4.3.1 Define Cell and Cluster.
Cell:
Area to be provided with radio coverage by a radio
base station (RBS) is divided cells represented by a
regular hexagon instead of circular shapes have
overlapped areas which make the drawing unclear
while the hexagonal-shaped cells fit (tessellate) the
planned area nicely.
4.3.1 Define Cell and Cluster.
Cluster:
A set of hexagons (cells) can be packed in
clusters such that no two similar cell are
adjacent.
Possible cluster sizes are 1,3,4,7,9,12, etc.
Frequency can only be reused outside and
not within the same cluster.
a. Cell splitting
b. Sectoring
c. Microcell zone concept
4.3.2 Describe techniques to improve
coverage and capacity in cellular
systems.
Cell Splitting
The process of subdividing a congested
cell into smaller cells each with its own
base station.
Lowering antenna height, antenna down
tilting and reducing transmitter power.

Cell Splitting
Increasing capacity by increasing the
number of times that a channels reused
Cell splitting
During splitting, the designer must
minimize changes in the system
The value of the reuse factor must be
relatively prime with respect to the value
of the type of split.
Hence the voice channel frequency
assignments at the old cell remain the
same when new cell are added.
Sectoring
Sectorization
increased C/I (carrier-to-interference
ratio, C/I) by eliminating some co-
channel cell at the
expense of reducing trunking efficiency
cell size can be reduced
Sectoring
Cell sectoring will improved the value of
C/I by reducing the number of interferers.
However, trunking effiency (the number of
users which can be offered a particular
GOS) will be reduced
Trunking efficiency can also be measured
in term of number of channel per sector
(cell)
Microcell Zone Concept
The increased number of handoffs required
when sectoring is employed results in an
increased
load on the switching and control link elements
of the mobile system.
Microcell Zone Concept
In this scheme, each of the three (or possibly more)
zone sites (represented as Tx/Rx in Figure 4.1) are
connected to a single base station and share the
same radio equipment.
The zones are connected by coaxial cable, fibre optic
cable, or microwave link to the base station.
Multiple zones and a single base station make up a
cell. As a mobile travels within the cell, it is served by
the zone with the strongest signal.
This approach is superior to sectoring since antennas
are placed at the outer edges of the cell, and any
base station channel may be assigned to any zone by
the base station.
Figure 4.1 The microcell concept
Microcell Zone Concept
As a mobile travels from one zone to another
within the cell, it retains the same channel.
Thus, unlike in sectoring, a handoff is not
required at the MSC when the mobile travels
between zones within the cell.
Figure 4.2 Illustration of how a distributed antenna system (DAS) may be used
inside a building. Figure produced in Site Planner. (Courtesy of Wireless
Valley Communications Inc.)
Microcell Zone Concept
This technique is particularly useful along
highways or along urban traffic corridors.
The advantage of the zone cell technique is
that while the cell maintains a particular
coverage radius, the co-channel interference
in the cellular system is reduced since a large
central base station is replaced by several
lower powered transmitters (zone transmitters)
on the edges of the cell.
4.3.3 Describe the term frequency reuse
in cellular communication systems.
Frequency Reuse
Base stations in adjacent cells are assigned
channel groups which contain completely
different channels than neighbouring cells.
The base station antennas are designed to
achieve the desired coverage within the
particular cell.
Frequency Reuse
By limiting the coverage area to within the
boundaries of a cell, the same group of
channels may be used to cover different cells
that are separated from one another by
distances large enough to keep interference
levels within tolerable limits.
Frequency Reuse
The design process of selecting and allocating
channel groups for all of the cellular base
stations within a system is called frequency
reuse or frequency planning.
Figure 4.2
Based on Figure 4.2:
Illustration of the cellular frequency reuse
concept.
Cells with the same letter use the same set of
frequencies.
A cell cluster is outlined in bold and replicated
over the coverage area.
In this example, the cluster size, N, is equal to
seven, and the frequency reuse factor is 1/7
since each cell contains one-seventh of the
total number of available channels.
Frequency Reuse
Figure 4.2 is conceptual and is a simplistic
model of the radio coverage for each base
station, but it has been universally adopted
since the hexagon permits easy and
manageable analysis of a cellular system.
The actual radio coverage of a cell is known
as the footprint and is determined from field
measurements or propagation prediction
models.
4.3.4 Describe the relationship between frequency
reuse and cell splitting as techniques to maximize the
traffic capacity of cellular systems.
The relationship between
frequency reuse and cell splitting
To understand the frequency reuse concept,
consider a cellular system which has a total of
S duplex channels available for use.
If each cell is allocated a group of k channels
(k < S), and if the S channels are divided
among N cells into unique and disjoint channel
groups which each have the same number of
channels, the total number of available radio
channels can be expressed as:
S = kN (4.1)
The relationship between
frequency reuse and cell splitting
The N cells which collectively use the
complete set of available frequencies is called
a cluster.
If a cluster is replicated M times within the
system, the total number of duplex channels,
C, can be used as a measure of capacity and
is given by

C = MkN = MS (4.2)

The relationship between
frequency reuse and cell splitting
As seen from Equation (4.2), the capacity of a
cellular system is directly proportional to the
number of times a cluster is replicated in a
fixed service area.
The factor N is called the cluster size and is
typically equal to 4, 7, or 12.
The relationship between
frequency reuse and cell splitting
If the cluster size N is reduced while the cell size
is kept constant, more clusters are required to
cover a given area, and hence more capacity (a
larger value of C) is achieved.
A large cluster size indicates that the ratio
between the cell radius and the distance between
co-channel cells is small.
The relationship between
frequency reuse and cell splitting
Conversely, a small cluster size indicates that
co-channel cells are located much closer
together.
The value for N is a function of how much
interference a mobile or base station can
tolerate while maintaining a sufficient quality of
communications.
The relationship between
frequency reuse and cell splitting
From a design viewpoint, the smallest possible
value of N is desirable in order to maximize
capacity over a given coverage area (i.e., to
maximize C in Equation (4.2)).
The frequency reuse factor of a cellular system
is given by 1/N, since each cell within a cluster
is only assigned 1/N of the total available
channels in the system.

4.3.5 Describe how to determine total
number of channels in a given
bandwidth.
Example 4.1
If a total of 33 MHz of bandwidth is allocated to a
particular FDD cellular telephone system which uses two
25 kHz simplex channels to provide full duplex voice and
control channels, compute the number of channels
available per cell if a system uses
a. four-cell reuse,
b. seven-cell reuse, and
c. 12-cell reuse.
If 1 MHz of the allocated spectrum is dedicated to control
channels, determine an equitable distribution of control
channels and voice channels in each cell for each of the
three systems.
Solution
Given:
Total bandwidth = 33 MHz
Channel bandwidth = 25 kHz 2 simplex channels
= 50 kHz/duplex channel
Total available channels = 33,000/50 = 660
channels
(a) For N = 4, total number of channels available
per cell = 660/4 165 channels.
(b) For N = 7,total number of channels available
per cell = 660/7 95 channels.
(c) For N = 12,total number of channels available
per cell = 660/12 55 channels.
A 1 MHz spectrum for control channels implies
that there are 1000/50 = 20 control channels
out of the 660 channels available. To evenly
distribute the control and voice channels,
simply allocate the same number of voice
channels in each cell wherever possible. Here,
the 660 channels must be evenly distributed
to each cell within the cluster. In practice, only
the 640 voice channels would be allocated,
since the control channels are allocated
separately as 1 per cell.
(a) For N = 4, we can have five control
channels and 160 voice channels per cell.
In practice, however, each cell only needs a
single control channel (the control channels
have a greater reuse distance than the voice
channels). Thus, one control channel and 160
voice channels would be assigned to each cell.
(b) For N = 7, four cells with three control
channels and 92 voice channels, two cells with
three control channels and 90 voice channels,
and one cell with two control channels and 92
voice channels could be allocated.
In practice, however, each cell would have one
control channel, four cells would have 91
voice channels, and three cells would have 92
voice channels.
(c) For N = 12, we can have eight cells with
two control channels and 53 voice channels,
and four cells with one control channel and 54
voice channels each.
In an actual system, each cell would have one
control channel, eight cells would have 53
voice channels, and four cells would have 54
voice channels.
4.3.6 Describe the Signal to
Noise ratio (S/N ratio).

The presence of noise degrades the performance of analog and digital
communication.

The extent to which noise affects the performance of communication
systems is measured by the output signal to noise power ratio or SNR.

Signal-to-noise ratio is defined as the power ratio between
a signal (meaningful information) and the background noise (unwanted
signal).

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR or S/N) is defined as the ratio of signal
power to the noise power. A ratio higher than 1:1 indicates more signal than
noise.

SNRs are often expressed using the logarithmic decibel scale (dB).

Noise factor (F): The noise factor of a system is defined as;






where SNR
in
and SNR
out
are the input and output power signal-to-
noise ratios, respectively.


Noise figure (NF): a measure of degradation of the signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR), caused by components in a radio frequency (RF) signal
chain. It is the noise factor, given in dB.
o o
i i
N S
N S
F
Noise Calculation
SNR is ratio of signal power, S to noise power, N.



Noise Factor, F



Noise Figure, NF
dB
N
S
SNR log 10
o o
i i
N S
N S
F
) ( log 10
log 10
dB
N S
N S
F NF
o o
i i

4.0
CELLULAR
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

4.5
Understand the process of hand-over in cellular communication
system.
73
Subtopics
4.4.1 Define the process of hand-over
4.4.2 Sketch the process of hand-over between cells.
4.4.3 Describe the relationship between Signal to Noise ratio
(S/N ratio) and the hand-over when the call is in progress.
4.4.4 Describe the types of hand-over.
a. Hard hand-over.
b. Soft hand-over.
4.4.5 Describe roaming and paging in cellular communication
system.
74
4.4.1 Define the process of hand-
over
When a mobile moves into a different cell while a
conversation is in progress, the MSC automatically
transfers the call to a new channel belonging to the
new base station.
This handoff operation not only involves identifying a
new base station, but also requires that the voice and
control signals be allocated to channels associated
with the new base station.
Processing handoffs is an important task in any
cellular radio system.
Many handoff strategies prioritize handoff requests
over call initiation requests when allocating unused
channels in a cell site.
75
Hard handoff between the MS and
BSs.
76
Handoff
Handoffs must be performed successfully and
as infrequently as possible, and be
imperceptible to the users.
In order to meet these requirements, system
designers must specify an optimum signal
level at which to initiate a handoff.
77
Handoff acceptance signal level
Once a particular signal level is specified as
the minimum usable signal for acceptable
voice quality at the base station receiver
(normally taken as between 90 dBm and
100 dBm), a slightly stronger signal level is
used as a threshold at which a handoff is
made.

78
This margin, given by = Pr handoff Pr
minimum usable, cannot be too large or too
small. If is too large, unnecessary handoffs
which burden the MSC may occur, and if is
too small, there may be insufficient time to
complete a handoff before a call is lost due to
weak signal conditions.
79
Illustration of a handoff scenario at cell
80
4.4.4 Describe the types of hand-over.
a. Hard hand-over.
b. Soft hand-over.
c. Softer hand-over
Understand the process of hand-over in
cellular communication system.
81
Hard handover
The definition of a hard handover or handoff is one where an existing
connection must be broken before the new one is established.
One example of hard handover is when frequencies are changed.
As the mobile will normally only be able to transmit on one frequency
at a time, the connection must be broken before it can move to the
new channel where the connection is re-established. This is often
termed and inter-frequency hard handover. While this is the most
common form of hard handoff, it is not the only one.
It is also possible to have intra-frequency hard handovers where the
frequency channel remains the same.
Although there is generally a short break in transmission, this is
normally short enough not to be noticed by the user.
82
Soft handover
The new 3G technologies use CDMA where it
is possible to have neighbouring cells on the
same frequency and this opens the possibility
of having a form of handover or handoff where
it is not necessary to break the connection.
This is called soft handover or soft handoff,
and it is defined as a handover where a new
connection is established before the old one is
released.
In UMTS most of the handovers that are
performed are intra-frequency soft handovers.

83
Softer handover
The third type of hand over is termed a softer
handover, or handoff. In this instance a new
signal is either added to or deleted from the
active set of signals.
It may also occur when a signal is replaced by
a stronger signal from a different sector under
the same base station.
This type of handover or handoff is available
within UMTS as well as CDMA2000.

84
4.4.5 Describe roaming and paging in
cellular communication system.
85
Roaming
In short, roaming is a term used to describe
the ability of phones to connect to the network
of a different carrier, abroad or at home in
order to offer users the same features they use
while on their home network making and
receiving calls and text messages and surfing
the web.
86
Roaming
Roaming is possible thanks to the international
agreements carriers have with other carriers,
in order to offer their wireless services in other
regions of a country or of the world.

87
Roaming
There are various types of roaming
agreements between carriers, with some of
them being free, but most of them will bring
extra charges to your monthly cell phone bill.
88
Roaming
Also worth remembering is that roaming
services have to be activated with some
carriers in order for your phone to work
abroad.
So, if you plan to use the handset in other
countries, youll have to enable the service
with your mobile operator before departing.
89
Why is it so important for them to
offer roaming features?
First of all, its all about marketing.
Each carrier, especially major ones, want their
subscribers to know that theyll be able to use
the handset, which is purchased in most cases
for a subsidized two-year contract, abroad and
enjoy the same services.
90
Why is it so important for them to
offer roaming features?
And second of all, roaming agreements
between carriers arent exactly controlled by a
regulator (except in the EU), which means that
mobile operators can jack up prices and raise
their profit margins when it comes to charging
for used voice minutes, SMS and MMS
messages, and especially data used when
roaming.
91
Roaming
A wireless roaming network has FIVE(5) components that
make it work:
1. A database for storing customer profile information such
as features, dialing capabilities, and the home serving
area identification. This is called the home location
register (HLR).
2. A database of mobile numbers used by each switch on
the network.
3. A signaling network for transmitting data messages
between switches.
4. Routing specifications that direct the data messages to
the appropriate destination.
5. Public long-distance connections for call delivery
92
Roaming
A registration cycle keeps track of a phone as it travels around the
network. It begins when a wireless user powers on their phone. The
general steps for this process are:
When the phone is powered on, it sends a data message to the
cellsite. This data message contains the Mobile Identification
Number (MIN or phone number) and the Electronic Serial Number
(ESN). The cellsite forwards this information to the switch.
The switch compares the MIN with a table of all MINs in the
network. It will determine if the MIN belongs to a home customer, or
to a visiting customer. In either case, the switch will request the
subscriber's feature profile from the Home Location Register (HLR).
The HLR for home customers may be integrated into the same
switch or stored on a separate platform.
93
Roaming
If the HLR is a separate platform, or if the
customer is visiting from another system,
the switch then sends a data message to
the HLR across the signaling network.
Routing specifications stored at Signaling
Transfer Points (STPs) provide the
necessary information to direct the
message to the home location register.
94
Roaming
95
When the Home Location Register (HLR)
receives the message, it checks the MIN
& the ESN.
If the numbers are valid, the HLR records
the location of the phone and returns a
message containing the subscriber's
feature list and calling restrictions to the
visited switch.

Roaming
96
Once the visited switch receives the return
message, it creates a Visitor Location
Register (VLR) to store information about
the roamer, including the MIN, ESN,
features, etc... This register will be used
by the roamer as long as they are
registered in the visited system.

Paging
Practically every cellular system has some kind of
broadcast mechanism.
This can be used directly for distributing
information to multiple mobiles, commonly, for
example in mobile telephony systems, the most
important use of broadcast information is to set up
channels for one to one communication between
the mobile transceiver and the base station.
This is called paging. The three different paging
procedures generally adopted are sequential,
parallel and selective paging.

97
Paging
The details of the process of paging vary
somewhat from network to network, but
normally we know a limited number of cells
where the phone is located (this group of cells
is called a Location Area in the GSM or UMTS
system, or Routing Area if a data packet
session is involved; in LTE, cells are grouped
into Tracking Areas).

98
Paging
Paging takes place by sending the broadcast
message to all of those cells.
Paging messages can be used for information
transfer.
This happens in pagers, in CDMA systems for
sending SMS messages, and in the UMTS
system where it allows for low downlink
latency in packet-based connections.
99
4.5 UNDERSTAND RADIO
CHANNELS AND MODULATION
TECHNIQUES USED IN
CELLULAR COMMUNICATION
SYSTEM.
10
0
Subtopic
4.5.1 Describe the types of radio channel.
a. Control channel (CC).
i. Reverse Control Channel (RCC).
ii. Forward Control Channel (FCC).
b. Voice channel (VC).
i. Forward Voice Channel (FVC).
ii. Reverse Voice Channel (RVC).
10
1
Subtopic
4.5.2 Describe the modulation technique used in
radio channel in 4.6.1.
4.5.3 Describe the cellular call procedures
involved in making different types of calls.
a. Mobile to wireline
b. Mobile to mobile
c. Wireline to mobile


10
2
4.6 Understand radio channels and
modulation techniques used in cellular
communication system.
4.5.1 Describe the types of radio
channel.
a. Control channel (CC).
i. Reverse Control Channel (RCC).
ii. Forward Control Channel (FCC).
b. Voice channel (VC).
i. Forward Voice Channel (FVC).
ii. Reverse Voice Channel (RVC).
10
3
Operational Channels
In each cell, there are FOUR(4) types of
channels that take active part during a mobile
call.
These are:
a. Control channel (CC).
i. Forward Control Channel (FCC).
ii. Reverse Control Channel (RCC).
b. Voice channel (VC).
i. Forward Voice Channel (FVC).
ii. Reverse Voice Channel (RVC).
10
4
Forward Control Channel (FCC)
Forward Control Channel (FCC): Control
channels are generally used for controlling the
activity of the call, i.e., they are used for setting
up calls and to divert the call to unused voice
channels.
Hence these are also called setup channels.
These channels transmit and receive call
initiation and service request messages. The
FCC is used for control signalling purpose
from the BS to MS.
10
5
Reverse Control Channel
(RCC)
Reverse Control Channel (RCC): This is used
for the call control purpose from the MS to the
BS.
Control channels are usually monitored by
mobiles.
10
6
Forward Voice Channel (FVC)
Forward Voice Channel (FVC): This channel is
used for the voice transmission from the BS to
the MS.
10
7
Reverse Voice Channel (RVC)
Reverse Voice Channel (RVC): This is used
for the voice transmission from the MS to the
BS.
10
8
4.5.2 Describe the modulation technique used
in radio channel in 4.6.1.
10
9
Modulation Basics
11
0
Modulation Basics
The primary difference between analog and
digital modulation is the source information.
If the source is analog, the modulation is
analog.
If the source is digital, the modulation is digital.
The carrier is always analog
The modulated wave is always propagated
through the air as a series of sine or cosine
waves - not pulses!

11
1
Modulation and Demodulation
11
2
Modulation Basics
11
3
Types of Modulation
11
4
Amplitude Modulation (AM)
11
5
Frequency Modulation (FM)
11
6
Phase Modulation
11
7
Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)
The digital source bits are represented by different amplitude
levels
Not commonly used alone in wireless
The amplitude in a wireless environment is much more prone to
impairments than the frequency or phase of the signal
ASK types of modulation are more commonly used in wire line
where amplitude doesnt suffer so much degradation
11
8
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
Frequency Shift Keying (FSK)
The frequency of the carrier is switched depending on whether
the source data is a one or zero
GSM uses a type of FSK called Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying
(GMSK)
11
9
Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
The phase of the carrier is switched depending on whether the
source data is a one or zero
Most current and future wireless systems use a type of PSK
12
0
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
(QPSK)
Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK)
The modulated wave shifts between four phases, 90 apart to
create a 00, 01 10 or 11
CDMA uses QPSK on Forward Link
12
1
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
(QAM)
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)
ASK and PSK are combined
More common on Microwave and wireline technologies such as
DSL
16-QAM shown in diagram. 256-QAM is also possible
12
2
QPSK, BPSK and QAM
12
3
QPSK BPSK 16-QAM
4.5.3 DESCRIBE THE
CELLULAR CALL
PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN
MAKING DIFFERENT TYPES
OF CALLS.
MOBILE TO WIRELINE
MOBILE TO MOBILE
WIRELINE TO MOBILE
124
Introduction
Phone calls over the cellular network requires
the use of two full-duplex voice channels
simultaneous user channels and control
channels.
RBS transmit and receive signals using
channels called the forward control channel
and forward voice channel.
While the cellular unit is transmitting and
receiving signals using the back channel and
control channel speakers.
125
How to call
from mobile
unit to the
PSTN (wireline)
126
Cellular users dial the number he/she want,
and click the 'SEND'. This will cause the
number dialled and cellular dialler will be
sent to the MTSO
If the number identification is valid , MTSO
will connect the call to the PSTN network.
Next to complete the guide called
Through RBS, MTSO will get the channel guide
that is free and direct the cellular unit to tune
it to the channel
After MTSO received confirmation that the
mobile unit is tuned, mobile users will receive
a progress tone from the MTSO.
MTSO will stop ringing when cellular users
began to answer the call and conversation
started.
How to call
from mobile
unit to the
other mobile
units.
127
Mobile users who want to make a call,
dialled the desired number and press
'SEND'.
MTSO will receive the caller's identification
number and the number is then checked its
authenticity and it determines whether the
mobile unit is in use(on-hook) or not (off-hook).
MTSO will send the command 'paging' to
all users, then called RBS and will receive
instruction
Positive signals from users who are called will
cause the MTSO try and get a free channel and
directing users ,manually tuned to their respective
channels. Then the cellular units called will ring.
MTSO will stop ringing when the called user
answered and the conversation began to be
instituted by both users.
How to call
from PSTN
(Wireline)
to
mobile units
128
MTSO received a call from the caller via
the PSTN.
MTSO will check digit dialling and
determine whether the cellular unit is
used or not.
If used (on-hook), the MTSO will switching
'paging' to mobile users and try to get the
free channels and direct him to tune to that
channel
Mobile unit will send confirmation to the
MTSO through the RBS channel and then send
a call progress tones which produce tones.
MTSO will stop ringing when it receives a
positive signal that the mobile user has
answered the call and the conversation can
begin.
References
a. Wireless Communications: Principles and
Practice, Theodore S. Rappaport; Second
Edition ISBN: 0-13-042232-0
b. Introduction to Cellular Mobile
Communications; Dr. Essam Sourour
c. Wireless Communications; Andrea
Goldsmith; Stanford University
d. Telecommunications: A Beginners Guide;
HILL ASSOCIATES, INC.; McGraw-Hill/Osborne
References
e. Bernhard H.Walke, Mobile Radio Networks, Networking and Protocols,
John Wiley & Sons Ltd., New York, 1999/2001. ISBN.0-471-97595-8
f. Kaaranen H, et. al., UMTS Networks, Architecture, Mobility and Services,
John Wiley & Sons Ltd., England, 2001. ISBN.0-471-48654-X
g. Prasad R, et. al., Third Generation Mobile Communication Systems,
Artech House, Artech House, Boston-London, 2000. ISBN.1-58053-082-6
h. Garg V.K., et.al., Wireless and Personal Communications Systems,
Prentice Hall PTR, New jersey, 1996. ISBN.0-13-234626-5
i. Ed Jerry D Gibson, The Communications Handbook, 1999, CRC and IEEE
Press ISBN: 0-8493-8597-0
j. Mark J.W., Zhuang W., Wireless Communications and Networking, 2003,
Pearson Education, ISBN.0-13-040905-7
k. Lee W.C.Y., Mobile Communications Engineering, McGraw Hill, 2
nd
Ed.,
1997. ISBN.0-07-037103-2