Basics

Objectives
 Understand Concept of Cellular
 Understand the functional blocks in a GSM Network
 Understand the Air Interface with Channels
 Understand Mobile Call Setup Operations
Agenda
 Need for Cellular
 Introduction to Cellular
 Channelization Concept
 GSM Evolution and Markets
 GSM Network Arhcitecure
 GSM Air Interface Parameters
 GSM Speech Coding
 Physical and Logical Channels
 Frames and MultiFrames
 GSM Basic Operations
 Telephony
 Communication is today's basic need
 Telephone has become part of life
 Fixed Line Telephones

What are the drawbacks ?

 Fixed Line Telephones
 No Mobility

 Delay in New Connections

 Security Hazards

 Prone to Failures ( Line Disconnection, etc )

 Very less value added services

 Mobile Communications
 Drawbacks of Fixed Phones have triggered
wireless communications

"Call People , Not Places "

 Wireless Access Methods

First Wireless Signal

Postcard: Chicago Daily News

MCG Spokane Division RTEd Sem, 1000-1268 3

H 9/93
Company Confidential
 Wireless Communication Model

Source
Receiver
Display
Transmitter

 Media of transmission is Radio Frequency

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 Types of Wireless Communications
Simplex
The direction of transmission is in one direction only

BEEP

Ex : Broadcast Services ( AM/FM Radios, Television )

Paging Services
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 Types of Wireless Communications
Half - Duplex
The direction of transmission is alternate in both directions
"A "B
" "
Tx Tx

Rx Rx

A transmits -- B receives, then

B transmits -- A receives

Ex : PTT Handsets, Trunked Radios

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 Types of Wireless Communication
Duplex
The direction of transmission is simultaneous in both directions

Ex : Cordless Telephones, Mobile Phones, Microwave Radios

Is there separate frequency of transmission at both ends ?

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 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Wireless Communication !!! At what frequency ?
AM BROADCAST RADIO

VISIBLE LIGHT
VHF TV
VHF TV

MICROWAVES

1MHz 1GHz 14 15
10MHz 100MHz 10GHz 100 GHz 12
10 10 10

MF HF VHF UHF SHF EHF

1000m 100m 10m 1m 10cm 1cm 1mm 1µm

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 Selection of Band for Wireless
Communication
Properties of Radio Frequencies
Low Frequency - Less Loss ,,, High Frequency - More Loss
To overcome loss , more power required,
More Power - Health hazards
Low Frequency - High Beamwidth - Wider and Deeper Coverage

MF : 300 KHz - 3 MHz ( Domestic Radios )

HF : 3 MHz - 30 MHz
VHF : 30 MHz - 300 MHz ( FM, Paging, PTT )
UHF : 300 MHz - 3 GHz ( Mobile Radios, Cordless Phones )
SHF : 3 GHz - 30 GHz ( Microwave Band )

Selection of Band will depend on Application

Frequency Band is subdivided into Application Band
Application Band is further divided into Technology Channels
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 Channelization
 Frequency Band has several application segments
 Certain blocks of the Band are reserved for certain applications by regulating
authorities and as well by standard Technologies
 Technologies have decided on fixed bandwidth Channels within these bands

Example : Mobile Communications

AMPS / DAMPS : 824 MHz -- 894 MHz ( 50 MHz + 20 MHz separation)
GSM : 890 MHz -- 960 MHz -- ( 50 MHz + 20 MHz separation)

These 50 Mhz are bands are further divided into Channels

Channelization can be done by three methods

--- FDMA
--- TDMA
--- CDMA
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 Channelization Methods
FDMA
Power
Time

FDMA Frequency

Ex: AMPS / DAMPS band is divided into 30 Khz Channels ( 1666 Freq Chs)
GSM band is divided into 200 Khz Channels ( 250 Freq Chs ).
Television Channels ( Star, Zee, Sony, MTV, BBC, CNN etc. )

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Security Notice (if required)
 Channelization Methods
TDMA
Power Time

FDMA/TDMA Frequency

 Each FDMA Channel is divided into Timeslots

 Each Timeslot is of fixed period
 This method increases the number of Channels in a system

Ex: DAMPS has 3 timeslots on each 30 Khz Channel ( 4998 Channels)

GSM has 8 timeslots on each 200 Khz Channel ( 2000 Channels )
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 Channelization Methods
CDMA
Time
Power

CDMA Frequency

 Frequency Channel is divided into Code Channels

 1.25 MHz of FDMA Channel is divided into 64 Code Channels

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 Mobile Telephony -- Channelization

 Mobile Telephony needs Duplex Communication

How many Channels will be required for one call ?

What type of Channels ?

-- FDMA, TDMA, FDMA/TDMA , FDMA/CDMA or something else

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 Duplex Access Methods

Frequency Division Duplex

(FDD)
Amplitude

Time

Tx Rx
Time Division Duplex
F1 F2 Frequency (TDD)
Amplitude

Time
Rx
Tx
Rx
Tx Frequency
F1

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Introduction to Cellular
Communications
Need for Cellular
 Cellular structure
Cellular network has cells of different sizes.
Bigger cells are used where subcriber density
is low. Smaller cells are used where
subscriber density is high.
 Cell Configuration

Omnidirectional Cell Sectorial Cell

BTS
BTS
 Frequency Reuse
F= 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10

Clusters
 GSM uses concept of cells
 One cell covers small part of network F=2
 Network has many cells F=7 F=3
 Frequency used in one cell can be used
F=1
in another cells
 This is known as Frequency Re-use F=6,10 F=4,8
F=2 F=5,9
F=7 F=3 F=2
F=1 F=7 F=3

F=6,10 F=4,8 F=1

Co-Channel ( Re-use ) Cells F=5,9 F=4,8
F=6,10
F=5,9
Distance between two cells
using same frequencies
D=R x SQRT( 3 x N )
N= Cluster size ( 7 in this case )
R=Radius of one cell
D=Dist between two cells using same channels

DD R 1,13,29
1,13,29 1,13,29
1,13,29
 Cell Splitting

Micro
Macro Cell Cells

Macro Cell

Micro
Cells
Macro Cell
Pico Cell
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Macrocell network
Microcell network

base stations
Microcell

Picocell
Indoor
Picocell
base station
Indoor
Macrocell

Mixed Cell Structure

GSM TECHNOLOGY - Standards
& Implementation.

GSM900
DCS1800

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GLOBAL System for Mobiles

 239 licenses in 109 countries now

 44 million subscribers now

 One New subscriber Every Second !

 > 200 million subscribers by Year 2000

GSM900
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 Personal Communications
Networks
UK: DCS1800
Mercury One-2-One
Microtel-Orange

Hong Kong: DCS1800

USA: PCS1900 for 6 New PCNs
for new PCS

France: DCS1800
For new PCN Australia: DCS1800
Germany: Thailand:
for new PCN
DCS1800 DCS1800
E Net AIS
DCS1800
PCS1900
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 Evolution of GSM
GSM Requirements
 Good subjective speech quality
 Encryption of user information
 Must operate in the entire 890 - 960 Mhz frequency band
 Spectral efficiency
 Support for international roaming
 Minimize modifications to the existing fixed public networks
 Low handsets and service cost
 ISDN compatibility
 Support for range of new services and facilities

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 The Global Standard
appearing in Europe and Asia
• First dualband networks

networks
• Subscribers can utilize multiple

• WW Roaming available

Europe
• Full Urban coverage in Western

appearing in Europe and Asia

• First dualband networks appearing in Europe and Asia
• First dualband networks
networks
• Subscribers can utilize multiple networks
• Subscribers can utilize multiple
• WW Roaming available
• WW Roaming available
Europe
• Full Urban coverage in Western Europe
• Full Urban coverage in Western

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 Other GSM standards
DCS 1800

 GSM 900 and DCS 1800 use the same standards

 DCS 1800 specs are defined as a delta standard to GSM specs
 Same GSM switches can be used for DCS 1800
 Some software upgrading may be required ( if RR are manged by switch )
 Dual Mode handsets will be required to support both

PCS 1900
ETSI has assisted ANSI T1 and
TIA TR-46 committees to formulate
specs for PCS 1900.

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 appearing in Europe and Asia
• First dualband networks

Evolution of GSM networks

• Subscribers can utilize multip
The History
• WW Roaming available

 1982 : Group Special Mobile formed within CEPT Europe

• Full Urban coverage in Weste
 1986 : A permenent Nucleus formed
 1987 : Radio transmission Techniques are chosen.Field trials
completed
 1987 : GSM becomes ETSI technical committee
 1987 : 13 Operators sign a memorandum of uderstanding
 1989 : Prototype ( validation ) systems are on the air
 1990 : GSM Phase I specifications are finalised
 1991 : UK,France,Germany andItaly introduce GSM services
 1992 : Motorola cuts over the first commercial system built for
COMVIQ on Sept 1
 1994 : GSM Phase 2 specifications released
 1996 : GSM Phase 2+ specs are now defined
 GSM Phase I specification document has 5230 pages !!!

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 appearing in Europe and Asia
•

Growth
First dualband networks

networks
• Subscribers can utilize multiple

• WW Roaming available

Europe
• Full Urban coverage in Western

appearing in Europe and Asia appearing in Europe and Asia

• First dualband networks
• First dualband networks
networks
networks • Subscribers can utilize multiple
• Subscribers can utilize multiple
• WW Roaming available

• WW Roaming available Europe

• Full Urban coverage in Western
Europe
• Full Urban coverage in Western

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H Security Notice (if required)
 appear i ng i n Eur ope and Asi a

Technology Evolution
• Fi r st dual band net w or k s

net w or k s
• Subscr i ber s can ut i l i ze mul t i pl e

• WW Roami ng avai l abl e

Eur ope
• Ful l Ur ban cover age i n West er n

appear i ng i n Eur ope and Asi a

• Fi r st dual band net w or k s

net w or k s
• Subscr i ber s can ut i l i ze mult i pl e

• WW Roaming avai l abl e

Eur ope
• Ful l Ur ban cover age i n West er n

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 GSM 2G+
– Compatible with existing GSM network infrastructure
– Bandwidth on demand, up to 64kBit/s
– Multiple TDMA timeslots allocated for data transmission
• HSCSD - High Speed Circuit Switched Data
– Compatible with existing GSM network infrastructure
– Bandwidth on demand, up to 64kBit/s
– Multiple TDMA timeslots allocated for data transmission
• HSCSD - High Speed Circuit Switched Data
– Compatible with existing GSM network infrastructure
– Bandwidth on demand, up to 64kBit/s
– Multiple TDMA timeslots allocated for data transmission
• HSCSD - High Speed Circuit Switched Data

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 IMT-2000 / 3G+
(International Mobile Telecommunications -2000)

– Compatible with existing GSM network infrastructure

– Compatible with existing GSM network infrastructure
– Bandwidth on demand, up to 64kBit/s
– Bandwidth on demand, up to 64kBit/s – Multiple TDMA timeslots allocated for data transmission
– Multiple TDMA timeslots allocated for data• HSCSD
transmission
- High Speed Circuit Switched Data
• HSCSD - High Speed Circuit Switched Data
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 GSM Standards structure

 01 Series : General
 02 Series : Service aspects
 03 Series : Network aspects
 04 Series : MS-BS interface and protocols (
air interface layer 2 & 3)
 05 Series : Physical layer on the Radio path

( air interface layer 1)

 06 Series : Speech coding specs.

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 GSM STANDARDS - Continued

07 Series : Terminal adaptation for mobile

stations
08 Series : BSS - MSC interfaces ( A & Abis)
09 Series : Network interworking
10 Series : Empty - For future use
11 Series : Equipment and Type approval
specifications
12 Series : Operation & Maintenance

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 GSM Network Architecture
BSC
OML
OMC

VMSC
BTS A
AUC
BTS MSC HLR
BTS TRAU
EIR
BTS VLR

BTS BTS SMSC

BTS
MS
BC
BTS BSC

PSTN
 MS - Mobile Station
 Mobile station provides user access to GSM network for Voice & Data.
 All GSM mobiles comply to the GSM standards.
 Subscriber data is read from a SIM card that plugs into MS.
 Each MS has a unique number called as IMEI number, which is stored in EIR for authentication
purposes.
 Mobile camps on to the GSM network through a BTS serving the cell.
 Mobile also scans neighbouring cells and reports signal strength.
 Network knows whereabouts of mobiles from HLR & VLR databases.
 Mobile Transmit and Receive voice at 13 KB/s over air interface.

MS VLR
EIR
BTS
AUC
BTS
MS
BTS HLR
SIM
 MS - Mobile Station
Mobile Station Output Power

CLASS 1 20 watts Vehicle and Portable

CLASS 2 8 watts Portable and Vehicle
CLASS 3 5 watts Hand-held
CLASS 4 2 watts Hand-held
CLASS 5 0.8 watts Hand-held

Output Power determines:

---- Accessibility in areas of coverage
---- Talk time and Standby Time
 Output Power on call is varied as commanded by BTS
H GSM Course
 Mobile Station Identities

MSISDN : Human Identity used to call a Mobile Station

CC NDC SN

98 XXX 12345

IMEI: Serial number unique to every Mobile Station

TAC FAC SNR SP
6 digits 2 digits 6 digits 1digit

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 SIM - Subscriber Identity Module

 Removable Module inserted when the subscriber wants to use the MS

Two Sizes
 Credit Card  4-8 digits PIN code
 Stamp Size  3 false entries - blocks
GSM  8 digit PUK
 10 false entries - disabled

MS
IMSI : Network Identity unique to a SIM
3 digits 2 digits 10 digits
MCC MNC MSIN ROM = 6kb to 16kb
404 XX 12345 RAM = 128 byte to 256 byte
EEPROM = 3 kb to 8 kb

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 SIM - Subscriber Identity Module

Contents of SIM
 Serial Number
 IMSI, Subscriber Key ( Ki )
 Algorithms for Authentication, Ciphering
 Network Code
 PIN, PUK
 Charging Information
 Abbreviated Dialling
 Supplementary Features ( e.g. call barring )

 SIM features and contents are personalized by the Service Activator

 MS also stores some temporary data on SIM during operation

H GSM Course
 Base Station Cell Site Architecture

BTS Cabin/Shelter/Room
GSM Antenna System AirCon

Mains
Power
Panel

BTS DC
DMR Power
Supply
Unit Battery
Backup
Abis

H GSM Course
 BTS - Base Transceiver Station

 BTS has a set of Transceivers to communicate with mobile's in its area

 One BTS covers one or more than one cell
 The capacity of a cell depends upon number of tranceivers in a cell.
 BTS is connected to the BSC through Abis Interface, which is a 2Mb/s
 BTS transmit and receive voice at 13 kbps over air interface to the mobiles.
 BTS commands mobiles to set Tx. power, timing advance and Handovers

BTS

MS

BSC MSC
RF Channels
CELL Abis - 2 MBits/s
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 BTS Architecture 1
Rx A Tx Rx B

BSC

BPF RFU

Splitter T Fr PCM
COM T Interface
A1 A2
R R S P P
e
B1 A f B
B2 U Alarm
TRX TRX Interface
1 2 Processor Modules
BTS

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 BTS Architecture 2

BTS Cabinet. 3 Channel. Single Sector

NEM
Proprietary TRX Unit
Backplane
Interface
TRX Logic
BTS
I Q I
Combiner / Distribution Unit
Alarms CPU Q Antenna
Interface

Splitter
TRX RF
ABIS LNA Rx Filter
over G703 RF

Duplexer
Power
Amplifier
Combiner
Frequency Reference
Coupler
Unit Coupler

PSU & Climate Control

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 BSC - Base Station Controller

 Several BTS's are connected to one BSC

 BSC manages channel allocation,handovers and release of channels at connected BTS's
 BSC connects to each BTS on an Abis interface & to the MSC on A interface
 BSC has the entire database for all cell parameters associated with the BTS's.

Abis
A

MSC

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 Base Station Controller

BTS

MSC

P P P T T
R T
C C C P P M
A S
M M M B G
U

Processor Modules
BSC

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 Abis Interface

E1 / T1

 Abis is a G.703 interface. It could be E1 or T1

 Abis carrries Traffic information of all the mobiles in the cells controlled by
the BTS.
 Abis also carriers signalling information between BTS and BSC
 Signaling over Abis is done by LAPD protocols
 LAPD has several modes of implementation
--- LAPD
--- LAPD Concentrated
--- LAPD Multiplexed

H GSM Course
 Abis Interface
LAPD Modes
LAPD
Signaling for each TRX is on a dedicated 64 Kbps circuit

Maximum Signalling for 10 Transceivers on 1 E1 link

64 kbps 0 Sync
64 kbps 1 TRX Signaling
64 kbps 2 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 3 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 4 TRX Signaling
64 kbps 5 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 6 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 7 TRX Signaling
64 kbps 8 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 9 4 Traffic Channels } 1 TRX
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 Abis Interface
LAPD Modes
LAPD Concentrated mode 1
Signaling for 4 TRX's is on a dedicated 64 Kbps ciruit

Maximum Signalling for 13 Transceivers on 1 E1 link

64 kbps 0 Sync
64 kbps 1 4 x TRX Signaling
64 kbps 2 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 3 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 4 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 5 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 6 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 7 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 8 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 9 4 Traffic Channels } 1 TRX
64 kbps 10 4 x TRX Signaling
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 Abis Interface
LAPD Modes
LAPD Concentrated mode 2
Signaling for All TRX's is on a dedicated 64 Kbps ciruit

Maximum Signalling for 15 Transceivers on 1 E1 link

64 kbps 0 Sync
64 kbps 1 ALL TRX Signaling
64 kbps 2 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 3 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 4 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 5 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 6 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 7 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 8 4 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 9 4 Traffic Channels } 1 TRX
64 kbps 10 4 Traffic Channels
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 Abis Interface
LAPD Modes
LAPD Multiplexed
Signaling for each TRX is on 16kbps subchannel.

Maximum signalling for 15 TRX's on

64 kbps 0 Sync
64 kbps 1 TRX Signaling/ 3 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 2 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 3 TRX Signaling/ 3 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 4 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 5 TRX Signaling/ 3 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 6 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 7 TRX Signaling/ 3 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 8 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
64 kbps 9 TRX Signaling/ 3 Traffic Channels
64 kbps 10 4 Traffic Channels
} 1 TRX
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 TRAU - Transcoder / Rate Adaptation Unit

 The MSC is based on ISDN switching. The Fixed Network is also ISDN based
 ISDN has speech rate of 64kbps. Mobile communicates at 13 Kbps
 TRAU converts the data rates between 13 KB/s GSM rate to 64 Kbits /s Standard ISDN rate
 TRAU can be colocated with the BTS,BSC or MSC or it can be a separate unit.

MS
P
S
A MSC
Abis
interface T
RF Channels interface
BSC 2 MBits/s N
MS BTS 2 MBits/s TRAU

VOICE 13 KBits/sec 16 KBits/sec 16 KBits/sec 64 KBits/sec

 LOCATION OF TRANSCODER

Colocated with MSC,BSC,BTS

Separate Unit

64 kbps
16 kbps
MSC Transcoder BSC

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 MSC - Mobile Switching Centre
 Exchange where calls are established,maintained and released.
 Database for all subcribers and their associated features.
 Communicates with BSC's on MS side and with PSTN on fixed line side.
 MSC is weighted on the number of subcribers it can support

MSC
HLR
BTS's

VLR

BSC's

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 MSC - Mobile Switching Centre
Multiple MSC's

MSC

BSC's
GMSC

BSC's

MSC

More subscribers ? More MSC's !

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 HLR - Home Location Register

 MSC has all subscriber database stored in HLR

 HLR has all permanent subscriber database
 MSC communicates with HLR to get data for subscribers on call

HLR

 HLR will have the series of all subscriber numbers, which may not be activated or issued .

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 VLR - Visiting Location Register

 A subscribtion when activated is registered in VLR

 VLR has all the subscriber no's which are activated
 VLR also has temporary database of all activated subscribers ( on/off, location )

HLR

VLR

 MSC communicates with HLR for susbcribers coming from different MSC's
and if found valid, then registers them in its VLR

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 AUC - Authentication Centre

 Authentification is a process by which a SIM is verified

 Secret data and the verification process alogorithm are stored at AUC
 AUC is the element which carries out the verification of SIM
 AUC is associated with the HLR

MSC HLR AUC

MS

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 EIR : Equipment Identity Register

 EIR is the Mobile Equipment Database which has a series of IMEI's

 MSC asks the Mobile to send its IMEI
 MSC then checks the validity of IMEI with the EIR
 All IMEI are stored in EIR with relevant classfications

Classifications of IMEI( Mobile Stations )

White List Grey List

Black List
EIR

MSC
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 BC - Billing Centre

 BC Generates the Billing Statement for each Subscriber

 BC may be directly connected to the MSC
 MSC sents the billing information ( duration of call ) to BC
 BC then produces the billing amount based on the units set

BC

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 OMC - Operations & Maintenance Centre
 It is central monitoring and remote maintenance centre for all network elements
 OMC has links to BSC's and MSC
BSC's

MSC
BTS's

OMC System
BTS's

BTS's
asasasaaaaa asasasaaaaa asasasaaaaa
aqwtttsssdfaa aqwtttsssdfaa aqwtttsssdfaa
qwrqrncnceas qwrqrncnceas qwrqrncnceas

H
OMC Terminals
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 OMC - Operations & Maintenance Centre

BSC's

MSC
BTS's

BTS's

OMC System
asasasaaaaa
aqwtttsssdfaa
qwrqrncnceas
asasasaaaaa
aqwtttsssdfaa

OMC - R qwrqrncnceas

OMC - S
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 OMC - RADIO
BTS BTS BTS BTS

BSC BSC

TRANSCODER

MSC
MUX / DEMUX
X.25 SWITCH
SERVER OMC - R

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 OMC - Functions

OMC Functions

Alarm Monitoring Configuration Changes Performance Analysis

Environmental Alarms Equipment Failure Alarms Add new hardware Cell Traffic Analysis
Power , Fire, Security, BTS, BSC site Failures Modify control parameters No of calls, o/g ,i/c
Aircons, etc. MSC and pheripheral failures other software changes. PSTN, Call drops etc.

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 Equipment Alarms

BTS , BSC , Transcoder Failures

Link Failures

Module Failures ( Transceiver,Processors)

Transceiver 1 Fail

17:35hrs Site A
Transceiver 1 Fail BTS
Network
A

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 Cell Traffic

TCH TRAFFIC IN ERLANGS FROM 09:00 to 21:00hrs

8
7
6
5
4
3 1

2
1
0
A1 A2 A3 B1 B2 B3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3
cell names

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 SMSC - Short Message Service Centre

 Message is sent to a particular mobile.

 Message transfer takes place through SMSC
 Messages are be sent through a Manual Terminal connected to SMSC

MSC

SMSC

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 VMSC : Voice Mail Service centre

 It has a database for all Voice Mail Subscribers

 It also stores all the Voice Mail - Voice Messages

MSC
VMSC

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 GSM Signaling Interfaces

A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I = SS7
Abis = LAPD VLR
OML = X.25 G
MSC D HLR/
BSC B VLR
AUC
HLR/AUC
C
Abis A
F
BTS
EIR
I
OML E
OMC
SUPP

H
SS7/R2
PSTN GMSC GSMSC

H GSM Course
 A GSM Cell
BCH
Broadcast
CHannel

BTS
Abis
Interface
TCH
Traffic To BSC
CHannel
 GSM Air Interface
 Separate Bands for Uplink and Downlink
Down link : 935 - 960 MHz ( E-GSM 925 - 960 MHz )
Uplink : 890 - 915 MHz ( E-GSM 880 - 915 MHz)
 TDMA and FDMA Multiplex

– 124 Frequency Channels (ARFCN) for GSM900

– 1 to 124 for current band
– 975 to 1023 for E-GSM
– 200kHz Channels
– 8 Mobiles share ARFCN by TDMA

 0.3 GMSK Modulation

– 270.833 kbits/sec. rate

 Variable Tx Power and Timing

 TDMA and FDMA
Physical Channel is an Time
ARFCN and Timeslot 7
6

Amplitude 4

3 Timeslot
2
1

0
7
Frequency
1 2 3 4 5 6

ARFCN
The GSM Burst
Time

Amplitude

Frequency
Speech Coding
PCM Coding - 64 KB/s

PSTN

Air Interface

RPE-LTP Coding in GSM - 13 KB/s

 Speech Coder - Defined under GSM TS 6.10

20 ms Blocks  RPE and LTP Coder ( Regular Pulse

Excited - Long Term Prediction )

 RPE-LTP is a combination of RELP and

MPE-LTP codecs.
Speech Coder
 Coverts Speech to Low Data Rate
260 Bits
 20ms Speech makes 260 Bits
Bits Ordered
 Output 13 kbit/s
260 Bits

50 132 78
Very Important Important Other
Bits Bits Bits
 Error Correction

Type Ia
50 Type Ib
132 Type II
78 262 Bits in
Block Code
Type Ia CRC Type Ib Type II
50 3 132 78

Re-ordering
Type Ia Type Ib CRC Type Ib Type Ia Tail Type II
25 66 3 66 25 4 78

Half rate convolutional code

Type II 456 Bits O
378 78

456 Bits from 20ms of Speech

 Diagonal Interleaving
456 Bits from 20ms of Speech
456 Bits from 20ms of Speech

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57 57

TCH
Traffic Channel (TCH) Bursts Carry Two 57 Bit Blocks (114) Each
120ms of Speech = 456x6 = 2736 bits
2736 / 114 = 24 bursts i.e. 24 frames (mobile Tx once per frame)
Multiframe has 26 frames in 120ms
There are 2 spare frames ......One SACCH, One Idle
 Convolutional Coding &
InterleavingExample:

Hello..... Encoder
Bits to be Txed: HELLO FOLKS

Convolutional
Convolutionally
Encoded: HHEELLLLOO FFOOLLKKSS

Interleaver
Interleaved:
ELSOLHLOFK LEOLSHOLKF

Bits Rxed:
EL SOL HLOFK LEOLSHOLKF

Interleaver
De-
De-Interleaved:
HHEELLL -OO FFO -LLKK -S
Viterbi Decoded:
HELLO FOLKS
 Speech coding Process

22.8 Kbps
20ms 456 bits

Speech Coder
Tranceiver ( BTS )
260 bits 13 kbps
13 kbp
260 bits

50 132 78 Transcoder Handler

1a 1b 11
16 kbps
260 + 60 = 320 bits
Channel Coder
TRAU Frame
456 bits 22.8 Kbps
Abis
 TRAU Frame
Abis
T0 T1 T2 T3 T30 T31

Synch Sign T T T T

T = 16 Kbps

260 bits info + 60 TRAU bits = 320 bits/ 20ms = TRAU Frame
60 bits contains Frame Information data which indicates
speech,data,idle,O & M , full-rate/half-rate.

60 bits = 35 synchronization + 21control + 4 timing

 Midamble or Training Bits

57 26 57 3 8.25
Timeslot 3
bits
1
bits
1
bits bits
(normal burst) Tail Control Control Tail
bits Data bit bit Data bit Guard
Period
Midamble

 8 Midamble Patterns (Colour Codes) of 26 bits

 RACH and SCH have Longer 41 and 64 bit Midambles

 Equalizer Estimates Channel Impulse Response From

Midamble
 Mathematically Construct Inverse Filter

 Uses Inverse to Decode Data Bits

 GSM TDMA Power Burst
Power +4 dB
+1.0 dB
-1.0 dB -6 dB
-6 dB

-30 dB -30 dB
147 "Useful" Bits
542.8ms
-70 dB -70 dB
10ms 8ms 10ms 10ms 8ms 10ms
3 57 1 26 1 57 3

148 "Active" Bits, 546.42ms

Time
 0.3 GMSK Modulation

Data 270.833kB/s

+67.708 kHz

Frequency
-67.708 kHz Q

I
Phase +90deg -90deg
 Downlink and Uplink
Downlink
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1

45 MHz
Uplink 2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 75 0 1

 Uplink Lags Downlink by 3 Timeslot periods

 Uplink and Downlink use same Timeslot Number
 Uplink and Downlink use same Channel Number (ARFCN)
 Uplink and Downlink use different bands (45MHz apart for
GSM900)
 Measurements by MS and BTS

RXQUAL
 RXLEV is the received power level 0
 RXQUAL is the received quality. 1 < 0.2 %
 It is the bit errorr measured on the M idamble 2 0.2 - 0.4 %
3 0.4 - 0.8 %
4 0.8 - 1.6 %
5 1.6 - 3.2 %
6 3.2 - 6.4 %
7 6.4 - 12.8 %
 Measuring Adjacent Cell BCH Power
DOWNLINK

UPLINK

DJACENT CELL
BCH RXLEV RXLEV RXLEV RXLEV RXLEV
Mobile Power Control

 Mobile is commanded to change its Transmit Power

 Change in Power is proportionate to the Path Loss
 Change is Power is done in steps of 2 dbs

Tx Level Power dBm

5 33
6 31
7 29
. .
14 15
15 13
Timing Advance

TDMA approach requires signals to arrive at BTS at

the correct time. They must not overlap.

BTS
 Concept
Concept of ofChannels
Channels in
inGSM
GSM
A company vehicle is used for several purposes in a day..
 1. To pick up employees in the morning
 2. To receive company guests from airport
 3. To carry material to the site / stores
 4. To Collect mail/courier
 5. To drop the employees back home
 6. To get a doctor in case of emergency
 7. To carry company gusts for a dinner

If there were two vehicles, we can allocate a set of tasks

to one , and rest to the other. However, since both are
identicle vehicles, there is greater flexibility in usage.
Time Sharing by Channels

6
5

4
3

1
0
0 1 2 3 4
FRAME NUMBER
 Concept of Frames
Time slot Number..
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C T T T T T T T Frame No. 1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C T T T T T T T Frame No. 2

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
C T T T T T T T Frame No. 3

C T T T T T T T Frame No. 4
  CHANNEL ALLOCATIONS IN A CELL

FRAME Number

0 C C C C C
C C C C C C C
1
U1 U1 U1 U1 U8 U8 U8 U8
2 U2 U2 U2 U2 U2
3
U3 U3 U3 U3 U3 U3 U3
4
U4 U4 U4 U4 U4 U4 U4 U4
5
U5 U5 U5 U5 U5 U5 U5 U5 U5
6
U6 U6 U6 U6 U6 U6 U6 U6
7

U7 U7 U7 U7 U7
 Frames and Multiframes

Control Channel Multiframe Traffic Channel Multiframe

0 50 0 26

4.615ms
Frame 0 7
1 5 6
2 3 4 8 Timeslots
576.92 us
Timeslot 3
26
1 3 8.25
Data 1 Data 156.25 Bits
bits bits
normal burst) Tail Control Control Tail
bits bit bit bit Guard
57 bits Midamble 57 bits Period
 Channels in GSM Air Interface
PHYSICAL CHANNELS
ARFCNs - 1 to 124 ( D & U )
5 Timeslots - 0 to 7 ( D & U )
4
3 Total of 124 x 8 = 992 Channels
2
1
0
12 3 4 56

LOGICAL CHANNELS
ARFCN - X , Timeslot - Y
Frame Number - N

CONTROL CHANNELS TRAFFIC CHANNELS

BCH - CCCH - DCCH -

COMMON TCH -
BROADCAST DEDICATED
CONTROL TRAFFIC
CHANNELS CONTROL
CHANNELS CHANNEL
CHANNELS

FCCH - SDCCH -
PCH -
Frequency
SCH - Standalone TCH - F
PAGING SACCH -
Correction
Synchronisation AGCH - Dedicated FULL RATE
CHANNEL Slow
Channel
Channel ACCESS Control TRAFFIC
RACH - FACCH - TCH - H
BCCH - GRANT Associated
Channnel CHANNEL
RANDOM FAST HALF RATE
Broadcast CHANNEL Control
ACCESS ASSOCIATED TRAFFIC
Control Channel Channnel
CHANNEL CONTROL CHANNEL
 BCH - Broadcast CHannel
 One ARFCN, On all the time, in every cell
 Uses Timeslot 0 on a channel, in Downlink.
 Allows Mobiles to tune to BTS freq. - FCCH
This channel carries a 142 bit zero BCH

sequence and repeats once in every 10

frames on BCH
 Allows Mobile to Synchronise - SCH
This channel carries the Frame number and
BSIC in encrypted data format. Amidamble
of 64 bits helps mobiles to synchronize.
SCH also repeats once every 10 Frames.
 Allows Mobiles to identify Network - BCCH
Used to broadcastl Cell and Network
identity. BCCH occupies 4 frames on BCH.
 BCH Sub channels
3 142 bits - all 0's 3 8.25
FCCH Start Stop Guard
Bits Bits Bits

39 64 39 3 8.25 BCH
SCH 3 Encrypted Stop Guard
Start Encrypted Training
Sequence Data Bits Bits Bits
Bits Data Bits

3 3 8.25
Start 57 Stop Guard
57 26
Bits Bits Bits
3 3 8.25
BCCH Start 57 26 57 Stop Guard
Bits Bits Bits

3 3 8.25
Start 57 26 57 Stop Guard
Bits Bits Bits

3 3 8.25
Start 57 26 57 Stop Guard
Bits Bits Bits
 CCCH - Common Control CHannel

 CCCH shares Timeslot 0 with BCH on a Multiframe

 CCCH consists of PCH , RACH & AGCH.
 PCH - Paging Channel is used to alert mobiles on
BCH
incomming calls. PCH carries IMSI to page for
Mobiles in the cell. PCH is Downlink channel.
 RACH - Random Access Channel - is a short burst
sent by mobile to BTS , to initiate a call request .
RACH uses Timeslot 0 on reverse BCH channel on
Uplink.
 AGCH - Access Grant Channel - When mobile
sends a RACH to BTS, BTS responds by allocating
a SDCCH channel to mobile over AGCH.
 RACH - Random Access CHannel
88 bits
8 41 36 3 68.25
Synchronisation Encrypted Stop Extended
Start
Bits Data Bits Bits Guard Period
Bits

 Used by the MOBILE to get attention from

BASE STATION in the Uplink.
 Several mobiles might originate RACH
simultaneously.
 RACH uses a Slotted ALOHA access scheme.
 Mobile doesn't know path delay
–So RACH has to be a special SHORT
BURST
–Mobile sends normal burst only after
getting Timing Advance on Downlink
 BCH & CCCH - 51 Frame structure - DOWNLINK
Frame number ( DOWN LINK )
Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
slots F S B B B B A A A A F S P P P P P P P P F S
0
1
2
3

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
F S F S I
0
1
2
3

FCCH - Frequency correction Channel

SCH - Synchronisation Channel
BCCH - Broadcast Control Channel
AGCH - Access Grant Chan
PCH - Paging Channel
 BCH & CCCH - 51 Frame structure - UPLINK
Frame number ( UP LINK )
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Time
RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA R R R R
slots CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH A A A A
0 C C C C
H H H H
1
2

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA
CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH
0

1
2

RACH - Random Access Channel

( A short burst is transmitted by mobile towards BTS on RACH)
DCCH - Dedicated Control Channels
 Dedicated Control Channels have a TCH like allocation.
DCCH have three Sub Channels.
 SDCCH - Standalone Dedicated Control Channel This
is used as an interim channel before final assignment of
TCH. SDCCH is used for signalling and Authentication
message transfers.
 FACCH - Fast Associated Control Channel . FACCH is
used by BTS to command a handoff to the mobile. A
TCH frame is used up by FACCH , since handoff has to
take place on priority.
 SACCH - Slow Associated Control Channel - SACCH
flows at a slower rate on Uplink & Downlink along with
TCH or SDCCH. During a call, SACCH flows once for
every 24 Frames of TCH .
SDCCH - Stand-alone Dedicated Control CHannel

 USED DURING CALL SET-UP

 Stepping Stone between BCH and TCH

 Used for Authentication Etc.

TCH

SDCCH SDCCH

BCH BCH BCH

 SACCH - Slow Associated Control CHannel

DOWNLINK ( BTS - MS )
– Mobile Tx Power Commands
– Mobile Timing Advance
– Cell's Channel Configuration

UPLINK ( MS - BTS )
– Received signal quality report
(RXQual)
– Received signal level report (RXLev)
– Adjacent BCH power measurements
– Mobile's status
 FACCH - Fast Associated Control CHannel

57 26 1 57 3 8.25
3 1
bits bits bits bits
Tail Control Control Tail
bits Data bit bit bit Guard
Data
Miidamble Period

 INTERRUPTS TCH ON UPLINK AND

DOWNLINK
 Rapid message exchange for handovers

 Control Bits either side of midamble:

–Indicate TCH ( 0 ) or FACCH ( 1 )

SDCCH - Combined Channel Config
( Shares Time slot 0 with BCH and CCCH )

Frame number ( DOWN LINK )

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
F S B B B B A A A A F S P P P P P P P P F S D D D D

0
1
2
3

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
D D D D F S D D D D D D D D F S H H H H H H H H I
0
1
2
3

SDCCH ( D ) : Standalone Dedicated Control Channel

SACCH ( H ) : Slow Associated Control Channel
 BCH & CCCH - 51 Frame structure - UPLINK
Frame number ( UP LINK )
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Time
S S S S RA RA S SA SA SA SA SA SA SA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA R R R R
slots D D D D CH CH A CC CC CC CC CC CC CC CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH A A A A
0 C C C C C H H H H H H H C C C C
C C C C CH H H H H
H H H H
1
2

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA RA SD SD SD SD SD SD SD SD RA RA SD SD SD SD
CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CC CC CC CC CC CC CC CC CH CH CC CC CC CC
0 H H H H H H H H H H H H

1
2

RACH - Random Access Channel

( A short burst is transmitted by mobile towards BTS on RACH)
 TCH - Traffic Channel
156.25 bits or 576.92 uS

57 26 57 3
3 1 1 One time burst
bits bits bits bits 8.25
Tail Control Control Tail
bits Data bit bit Data bit Guard
Period
Midamble
 Traffic Channel carries the Voice data.
 Two blocks of 57 bits contain voice data .
 One TCH is allocated for every active call. While call is in
progress if there is degradation in quality of current channel,
BTS may shift the communication to another TCH on a different
Carrier and/or Time slot .
 A Full rate TCH carries 13 KB/s voice data , and Half rate TCH
carries a 6.5 KB/s voice data.
 TCH Multiframe - TCH Full rate

26 Frames - 120 ms
24 Carry Speech, 1 Idle, 1 SACCH

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

T T T T T T T T T T T T A T T T T T T T T T T T T -

SACCH Idle
 TCH Multiframe - TCH Half rate
26 Frames - 120 ms
24 Carry Speech , 2 SACCH
( shared by two mobiles - a & b )
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Aa Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ta Tb Ab

SACCH-a SACCH-b
 TCH and SACCH - FRAMES

Time Frame number

Slots 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
0 F S B B B B A A A A A A A A F S P P P P D D D D D D
 Click here to type bulleted text
1 T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T T Idle

2
T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T T Idle
3
T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T T Idle
4

5 T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T Idle

6 T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T T Idle

7
T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T T Idle

T T T T T T T T T T T T SA T T T T T T T T T T T T Idle

A delay of (12 * 8)+1 Timeslots

T - TCH SA - SACCH I - Idle is kept between two successive
SACCH .
 FRAMES
1 Burst = 577usecs

TDMA Frame 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 = 8 bursts = 4.616 ms

Multiframe
0 1 2 23 24 25 0 1 2 48 49 50
TCH Multiframe = 26 TF = 120ms 1 CCH Multiframe = 51 TF = 234.6m

0 1 2 48 49 50
0 1 2 23 24 25
1 Superframe = 51 x 26 CCH MF = 1326 TF
= 6.12 sec
= 26 x 51 TCH MF = 1326 TF
0 1 2 3 2044 2045 2046 2047
1 Hyperframe = 2048 Superframes = 2715648 TDMA Frames
= 3 hrs 28 min 53 sec 760 ms
Timing Advance

TDMA approach requires signals to arrive at BTS

at
the correct time. They must not overlap.

BTS
 Timing Advance
RACH Burst

T Synch Seq Encrypted T Guard Period

B 41 bits bits 36 B 68.25 bp

63 bits 5.25 GP
Timing Adv

 BSS calculates access delay from RACH in terms of bits

 Informs Mobile to delay its timing in terms of bits

 Maximum Timing Advance of 63 bits

H
 Mobile Maximum Range

Range = Timing Advance x bit period x velocity

2

Range = Distance between Mobile to Base Station

Timing Advance = Delay of Bits ( 0 -- 63 )
Bit period = 577 / 156.25 = 3.693 usecs = 3.693 x 10e-6
secs
Velocity = 3 x 10e5

Range = ( 63 ) x ( 3.693 x 10e-6 ) x (3 x 10e5) = 34.9 kms

2
H
 Hopping Traffic Channel
DOWNLINK
C1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

C2 0123456701234567012345670123456701234567

C3 0123456701234567012345670123456701234567

UPLINK
C1 0123456701234567012345670123456701234567

C2 0123456701234567012345670123456701234567

C3 0123456701234567012345670123456701234567

ADJACENT CELL
BCH
 GSM Operations
 Location Update  DTX

 Mobile Originated Call  Cell Broadcast

 Mobile Terminated Call  Short Message Service

 Handover  Emergency Calls

 Security Procedures  Supplementary Services

 Cell Barring  Roaming

H
 Mobile Turn-On
 Mobile Searches for Broadcast Channels
(BCH)

 Synchronises Frequency and Timing

 Decodes BCH sub-channels (BCCH)

 Checks if Network Allowed by SIM

 Location Update

 Authentication

H
Location Area
BTS

BSC
BTS
Location Area 1
BTS

BTS

MSC
BSC
Location Area 2 BTS

BTS

BSC
BTS

BTS

Location Area 3
BTS

BTS

BSC

Location Area Identity

MCC MNC LAC
 IMPORTANCE OF LOCATION AREA

L.Area = 1 L.Area = 2 L.Area = 3

 Reduce Paging Load

 Resource Planning
H
 What is Location Update
 MSC should know the Location of the Mobile for paging.
 Mobile is continously changing Location Area.
 Mobile when changes Location Area informs the MSC about its new L.A

 Process of informing MSC about new Location Area is Location Update

Location Update

L.Area = 1 L.Area = 2 L.Area = 3

H
 Types of Location Update

1. Normal Location Update.

2. IMSI Attach.

3. Periodic Location Update.

IMSI ATTACH
Mobile turns off and sends an IMSI Detach to MSC.

Mobile turns on again and compares LAI.

If same,sends an IMSI attach to MSC.

H
 NORMAL LOCATION UPDATE

Mobile turns on power.

Reads the new LAI.

If different,does a Location Update.

H
 PERIODIC LOCATION UPDATE

Mobile enters non-coverage zone.

MSC goes on sending Pages

Mobile has to inform MSC after a set period.

H
 Location Update
 Mobile Changes Location Area

 Reads the new Location Area from BCCH

 Sends a RACH ( request for channel )

 Gets a SDCCH on AGCH

 Sends its IMSI and new & old LAI in a Location Update Request to MSC on SDCCH

 MSC starts Authentication

 If successful, Updates the new Location area for the Mobile in the VLR

 Sends a confirmation to the Mobile

 Mobiles leaves SDCCH , and comes to idle mode

H
 Mobile Originated Call
Channel Request

Immediate Assign

Service Request

Authentication

Ciphering

Set Up

Call Proceeding

Assignment

Alerting

Connection
H
 MOBILE TERMINATED CALL
Paging

Channel Request

Immediate Assign

Paging Response

Authentication

Ciphering

Set Up

Call Confirmed

Assignment

Alerting

Connection
H
 Security Features

Authentication

--- Process to verify the Authenticity of SIM

--- Mobile is asked to perform an operation using an
identity unique to SIM.

Ciphering

--- Process of coding speech for secrecy

--- The speech bits are EXORed with bit stream unique to MS

H
 Security Features
TMSI Reallocation

Loc Upd ( IMSI )

TMSI Allocation

Call Setup ( TMSI )

TMSI Reallocation

H
 Security Features
Identity Check

Identity Check ( IMEI )

Sends IMEI

White listed / Grey listed / Black listed ?????

EIR

H
 HANDOVER

Cell 1 Cell 2

--- Handover is a process by which the control/communication

of a Mobile is transferred from one cell to another
H
 CRITERIA FOR HANDOVER

 Receive Quality (RXQUAL) on Uplink & Downlink.

 Receive Signal Strength (RXLEV) on Uplink & Downlink.

 Distance ( Timing Advance ).

 Interference Level.

 Power Budget.

H
 Handover Decision

BSC processes the measurement reported by Mobile



and the BTS.

BSS performs averaging function on these measurements



every SACCH frame ( 480ms).

Handover Decision algorithm is activated after a set number of

SACCH frame periods by comparison against
Thresholds.

H
 TYPES OF HANDOVERS

INTRA - CELL HANDOVER

INTER - CELL HANDOVER

INTRA - BSC HANDOVER

INTER - BSC HANDOVER

INTER - MSC HANDOVER

H
 INTRA - CELL HANDOVER

BTS

- Handover between channels / timeslots of same cell

H
 INTER - CELL HANDOVER

BTS

C0
C0

--- Handover between cells of same BTS

H
 INTRA - BSC HANDOVER

BTS

MSC BSC

BTS

--- This type of Handover takes place if the cell to which

which handover is to be done belongs to the sameBSC.
--- In this the BSC handles everything without involving MSC.
--- The MSC will be informed by the BSC after Handover.
H
 INTER BSC HANDOVER

BSC BTS

MSC

BSC BTS

--- In this type of Handover,the Mobile is handed over

to a cell which belongs to another BSC.
--- The MSC is completely involved in this Handover
H
 INTER - MSC HANDOVER

MSC BSC BTS

GMSC

MSC BSC BTS

--- If the cell belongs to another MSC,then it is

Inter-MSC handover.
--- In this case the handover takes place through the
H
interconnecting element (PSTN) between the MSC's
 WHAT IS CELL BARRING ?

BTS

H
 Cell Barring
 Every Mobile has an access class .

 Every cell defines the Mobile classes which are barred

access.

USE OF CELL BARRING

--- Reserving Cells for Handovers.

--- Reserving Cells for a certain Mobile Class.

H
 What is DTX ?

Both users talk alternately.

Each direction of Transmission is only 50 %

Transmitter is switched ON for useful information frames.

H
 Need for DTX
---- To increase Battery Life

---- To reduce the average interference level

DTX is done by DTX Handlers which

have the following functions.

H
 Voice Activity Detector ( VAD )

Senses for speech in 20ms blocks

Removes stationary noise.

VAD is an energy detector.

Compares Energy of filtered speech threshold

H
 Evaluation of Background noise

Background noise is always present with speech.

DTX cuts off this noise with speech.

Gives an uncomfortable feeling to the listener.

VAD takes care by inserting comfort noise.

H
 CELL BROADCAST

Message is continously broadcasted in cell/or cells

Broadcast is done on SDCCH

BCCH informs the mobile the details of SDCCH for CBCH

Mobile tunes to SDCCH at certain intervals and reads messages

All Mobiles dont support this feature

H
 Short Message Service

SMS MSC/ BSC BTS

Centre VLR

Short Message is sent to a particular Mobile Station

H
 Emergency Calls
-- GSM Specs define ' 112' as emergency number

-- '112' is accessible with or without SIM

-- Without SIM it is sent on the best channel

-- Mobile on sensing '112' sets the establishment

cause to emergency call in the RACH

-- Routing of this call can be done to a desired

location defined in the Switch.

H
 GSM Phase 2 features

Extended Frequency Band ( 50 more channels )

Multiple and Alternate Ciphering Algorithm

Half - Rate Coding

Compatibility with DCS 1800 Specifications

Enhancement of SMS and SIM functions

Additional functions for bearer services

H
 GSM Phase 2 + features

 Data transmission at 64 Kbps and above

 DECT access to GSM

 PMR/ Public Access Mobile Radio ( PAMR ) - like capabilities

 GSM in the local loop

 Packet Radio

 SIM enhancements

 Premium rate services ( e.g. Stock prices sent to your phone )

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 Automatic National Roaming

PLMN "B"
PLMN "A"

Roamer from "A"

STP

PLMN "D"
PLMN "C"

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 Automatic International Roaming

PLMN "A"
Interntl
Gateway

Country
Interntl
Gateway Country
Interntl
Gateway

PLMN "Z"