2006

Confidential and Proprietary

Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd
Module 2
GSM Introduction
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Introduction
Introduction
Cellular Structure
GSM Architecture
GSM Functions
GSM Radio Interface
Frequency Allocation
Channel Structure
Burst Structure
GSM Features
Frequency hopping
DTX
Timing Advance
Power Control
Multi-path and Equalization
GSM Services
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Challenges
Initial Operator Challenge
Equipment limited to operate within the boundary of country
Market for each mobile equipment was limited (high cost)
GSM (Group Special Mobile) formed in 1982 by CEPT to
standardize the cellular system for use in Europe with
emphasis on following features
Spectral Efficiency
International roaming
Low mobile and base station cost
Good subjective voice quality
Compatibility with other systems such as ISDN (Integrated
Services Digital Network)
Ability to support new services
Introduction
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Specifications
Responsibility for GSM specifications
passed from CEPT to ETSI in 1989
Aim of GSM specifications
Describe the functionality and the interface for
each component of the system
To provide guidance on the design of the
system
Guarantee the proper inter-working between
the different elements of the GSM system.
In 1990, the phase I of the GSM specifications
were published but the commercial use of GSM
did not start until mid-1991
Introduction
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Events
Phase 2 of the GSM specifications Coverage of rural areas 1995
Coverage of main roads GSM services start outside Europe 1993
Enlargement of the countries that signed the GSM- MoU> Coverage of larger
cities/airports
1992
Commercial launch of the GSM service 1991
Appearance of the phase 1 of the GSM specifications 1990
The responsibility of the GSM specifications is passed to the ETSI 1989
Validation of the GSM system 1988
TDMA is chosen as access method (in fact, it will be used with FDMA) Initial
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by telecommunication operators
(representing 12 countries)
1987
Field tests were performed in order to test the different radio techniques proposed
for the air interface
1986
Adoption of a list of recommendations to be generated by the group 1985
CEPT establishes a GSM group in order to develop the standards for a pan-
European cellular mobile system
1982
Events Year
Introduction
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Architecture
MSC/VLR
HLR/
AUC
EIR
SC/VM
OMC
BSC
BTS
PSTN
ISDN
PSPDN
MS
BSS
NSS
Um
Abi
s
BIE
A
F
C
H
MSC/VLR
E
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Mobile Station
Mobile equipment or terminal
Fixed terminals
20 Watt output power
Portable terminals
8 Watt output power
Handheld terminals
2 watts to 0.8 watts (most popular)
The subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Provides access to all the subscribed services
GSM Architecture
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Base Station Subsystem
Connects the MS and NSS
The Base Transceiver Station (BTS) or Base station
The Base Station Controller (BSC)
BTS
The BTS corresponds to the transceivers and antennas
used in each cell of the network.
A BTS is usually placed in the center of a cell.
Its transmitting power defines the size of a cell.
Each BTS has between one and sixteen transceivers
depending on the density of users in the cell.
BSC
The BSC controls a group of BTS and manages their radio
resources.
A BSC is principally in charge of handovers, frequency
hopping, exchange functions and control of the radio
frequency power levels of the BTSs.
GSM Architecture
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Network and Switching Subsystem
Its main role is to manage the communications between the
mobile users and other users, such as mobile users, ISDN
users, fixed telephony users, etc.
It also includes data bases needed in order to store
information about the subscribers and to manage their
mobility.
Mobile Switch Center (MSC)
It is the central component of the NSS. The MSC performs the
switching functions of the network. It also provides connection to
other networks.
Gateway MSC (GMSC)
The GMSC is the interface between the mobile cellular network
and the PSTN.
It is in charge of routing calls from the fixed network towards a
GSM user.
The GMSC is often implemented in the same machines as the
MSC.
GSM Architecture
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Network and Switching Subsystem
Home Location Register (HLR)
The HLR is a database that stores information of the subscribers belonging
to the covering area of a MSC.
It also stores the current location of these subscribers and the services to
which they have access.
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
The VLR contains information from a subscriber's HLR necessary in order to
provide the subscribed services to visiting users.
When a subscriber enters the covering area of a new MSC, the VLR
associated to this MSC will request information about the new subscriber to
its corresponding HLR. The VLR will then have enough information in order
to assure the subscribed services without needing to ask the HLR each time
a communication is established.
The VLR is always implemented together with a MSC; so the area under
control of the MSC is also the area under control of the VLR.
The Authentication Center (AuC)
The AuC register is used for security purposes. It provides the parameters
needed for authentication and encryption functions. These parameters help
to verify the user's identity.
GSM Architecture
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Network and Switching Subsystem
The Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
The EIR is used for security purposes. It is a register containing
information about the mobile equipments. More particularly, it
contains a list of all valid terminals.
A terminal is identified by its International Mobile Equipment
Identity (IMEI). The EIR allows then to forbid calls from stolen or
unauthorized terminals (e.g, a terminal which does not respect
the specifications concerning the output RF power)
The GSM Inter-working Unit (GIWU)
The GIWU corresponds to an interface to various networks for
data communications. During these communications, the
transmission of speech and data can be alternated.
The Operations and Support Subsystem (OSS)
The OSS is connected to the different components of the NSS and
to the BSC, in order to control and monitor the GSM system. It is
also in charge of controlling the traffic load of the BSS.
GSM Architecture
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Functions
OAM
Service carrier
CM
MM
RR
Subscriber
Transmission
Radio Resource Management
Mobility Management
Call Management
Operation Administration and
Maintenance
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Transmission
The transmission function includes
two sub-functions:
Transmission of user information
MS, BTS and BSC perform this function
Transmission of signaling information
Above components and MSC, HLR, VLR,
EIR perform this function
GSM Functions
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Radio Resource Management (RR)
The role of the RR function is to establish,
maintain and release communication links
between mobile stations and the MSC.
The RR is also responsible for the management of
the frequency spectrum and the reaction of the
network to changing radio environment
conditions. Some main functions are:
Channel assignment, change and release.
Handover.
Frequency hopping.
Power-level control.
Discontinuous transmission and reception.
Timing advance.
GSM Functions
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Radio Resource Management (RR)
Handover
The user movements can produce the need to change the channel or cell, specially
when the quality of the communication is decreasing. This procedure of changing
the resources is called handover. Four different types of handovers can be
distinguished:
Handover of channels in the same cell.
Handover of cells controlled by the same BSC.
Handover of cells belonging to the same MSC but controlled by different
BSCs.
Handover of cells controlled by different MSCs.
Handovers are mainly controlled by the BSC and MSC.
In order to perform the handover, the mobile station monitors continuously its
own signal strength and the signal strength of the neighboring cells. The list of
cells that must be monitored by the mobile station is given by the base station.
The power measurements allow to decide which is the best cell in order to
maintain the quality of the communication link.
Types of Handover
Quality Handover
When the quality of the transmission decreases (i.e the signal is
deteriorated), the power level of the mobile is increased. This is done until
the increase of the power level has no effect on the quality of the signal.
When this happens, a handover is performed.
Power budget handover
This algorithm performs a handover, instead of continuously increasing the
power level, in order to obtain a good communication quality.
GSM Functions
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Mobility Management (MM)
The MM function is in charge of all the aspects related with
the mobility of the user, specially the location management
and the authentication and security.
Location Management
When a mobile station is powered on, it performs a location
update procedure by indicating its IMSI to the network. The first
location update procedure is called the IMSI attach procedure.
The mobile station also performs location updating, in order to
indicate its current location, when it moves to a new Location
Area or a different PLMN. This location updating message is sent
to the new MSC/VLR, which gives the location information to the
subscriber's HLR. If the mobile station is authorized in the new
MSC/VLR, the subscriber's HLR cancels the registration of the
mobile station with the old MSC/VLR.
A location updating is also performed periodically. If after the
updating time period, the mobile station has not registered, it is
then deregistered.
When a mobile station is powered off, it performs an IMSI detach
procedure in order to tell the network that it is no longer
connected.
GSM Functions
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Mobility Management (MM)
Authentication and Security
The authentication procedure involves the SIM
card and the Authentication Center. It is used
to verify the authenticity of the user and the
services subscribed by the user.
Another security procedure is to check the
equipment identity. If the IMEI number of the
mobile is authorized in the EIR, the mobile
station is allowed to connect the network.
In order to assure user confidentiality, the user
is registered with a Temporary Mobile
Subscriber Identity (TMSI) after its first
location update procedure.
GSM Functions
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Communication Management (CM)
Call Control (CC)
The CC is responsible for call
establishing, maintaining and releasing
as well as for selecting the type of
service.
Short Message Services
Management (SMS)
Connects to the Short Message Service
Center (SMSC)
GSM Functions
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Operation, Administration and
Maintenance (OAM)
The OAM function allows the operator to monitor
and control the system as well as to modify the
configuration of the elements of the system.
The components of the BSS and NSS provide the
operator with all the information it needs. This
information is then passed to the OSS which is in
charge of analyzing it and control the network.
The self test tasks, usually incorporated in the
components of the BSS and NSS, also contribute
to the OAM functions.
The BSC, in charge of controlling several BTSs, is
another example of an OAM function performed
outside the OSS.
GSM Functions
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Radio Interface
The radio interface is the interface
between the mobile stations and the fixed
infrastructure. It is one of the most
important interfaces of the GSM system.
One of the main objectives of GSM is
roaming. Therefore, in order to obtain a
complete compatibility between mobile
stations and networks of different
manufacturers and operators, the radio
interface must be completely defined.
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM adopts TDMA/FDMA mode
channel width: 200KHz
each channel has 8 timeslots
GSM adopts TDMA/FDMA mode
channel width: 200KHz
each channel has 8 timeslots
User 1
User 2
User 3
Frequency
time
TDMA
GSM Radio Interface
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
time
Frequency
BP
15/26ms
200KHz
interval
GSM Radio Interface
Timeslot and Frame Structure
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM900 :
up: 890~915MHz
down: 935~960MHz
duplex interval: 45MHz
bandwidth: 25MHz
frequency interval: 200KHz
GSM1800 :
up: 1710-1785MHz
down: 1805-1880MHz
duplex interval: 95MHz
working bandwidth: 75MHz
frequency interval: 200KHz
EGSM900 :
up: 880~890MHz
down: 925~935MHz
duplex interval: 45MHz
bandwidth: 10MHz
frequency interval: 200KHz
GSM1900MHz:
up:1850~1910MHz
down:1930~1990MHz
duplex interval: 80MHz
working bandwidth: 60MHz
frequency interval: 200KHz
GSM Frequency Allocation
GSM Radio Interface
2006
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GSM Frequency Allocation
GSM Radio Interface
890MHz 960MHz
1 2 3 124
Channels:
200KHz
915MHz 935MHz
BTS Uplink/Rx
BTS Downlink/Tx
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Propagation characteristic
Cell coverage radius :
Higher the propagation frequency
Higher the propagation loss
Smaller the cell coverage radius.
900MHz
1800MHz
1900MHz
Frequency Resource
We know
GSM Frequency Impact
GSM Radio Interface
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Single Band Network
1800MHz
1900MHz
900MHz
Which one?
General Priority
High
Low
Reason
For Subscriber
For Operator
Propagation
Characteristic
New Operator
Band Selection
GSM Radio Interface
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Due to frequency constraints in GSM900 band,
many networks are dual band (GSM900 and
GSM1800). Most mobiles support dual band.
1800MHz
1900MHz
900MHz
Single Band
Dual Band
Triple Band
Frequency Resource
GSM Radio Interface
Multi Band Networks
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
0 2045 2046 2047 3 2 1 2044
3 2 1 0 49 47 48 50
0 24 25 1
1 super high frame = 2048 super frame = 2715648 TDMA frame
1 super frame = 1326 TDMA frame6.12s
0 1 25 24 50 49 1 0
1 multiplex frame = 26 TDMA frames120ms
1 multiplex frame = 51 TDMA frame
0 1 7 6 5 4 3 2
1 TDMA frame = 8 timeslot120/26 = 4.615ms
BCCH
CCCH
SDCH
SACCH/TCH
FACCH
GSM Radio Interface
Timeslot and Frame Structure
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Channel Structure
Two Types of Channels
Traffic Channels (TCH)
Used to transport speech and data information
TCH for Uplink and downlink and separated by
3 bursts to make electronics simple
Control Channels
Used for network management messages and
channel maintenance tasks
Three types of control channels
Broadcast Channels
Common Control Channels
Dedicated Control Channels
Associated Control Channels
Channel Structure
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
channel
TCH
CCH
Voice CH
Data CH
FR Voice Traffic Channel (TCH/FS)
HR Traffic Channel (TCH/HS)
4.8Kbit/s HR TCH (TCH/H4.8)
9.6Kbit/s FR TCH(TCH/F9.6)
4.8Kbit/s FR TCH (TCH/F4.8)
BCH
FCCH (down)
SCH (down)
BCCH (down)
CCCH
RACH (up)
AGCH (down)
PCH (down)
DCCH
SDCCH
FACCH
SACCH
14.4Kbit/s FR TCH (TCH/F14.4)
Enhanced FR Traffic Channel (TCH/EFR)
Channel Type-Summary
2006
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Control Channels
Broadcast Channels (BCH)
The BCH channels are used, by the base station, to
provide the mobile station with the sufficient
information it needs to synchronize with the
network. Three different types of BCHs can be
distinguished:
The Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), which gives to
the mobile station the parameters needed in order to
identify and access the network
The Synchronization Channel (SCH), which gives to
the mobile station the training sequence needed in
order to demodulate the information transmitted by
the base station
The Frequency-Correction Channel (FCCH), which
supplies the mobile station with the frequency
reference of the system in order to synchronize it with
the network
Channel Structure
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Control Channels
Common Control Channels (CCCH)
The CCCH channels help to establish the calls
from the mobile station or the network. Three
different types of CCCH can be defined:
The Paging Channel (PCH). It is used to alert
the mobile station of an incoming cal
The Random Access Channel (RACH), which is
used by the mobile station to request access
to the network
The Access Grant Channel (AGCH). It is used,
by the base station, to inform the mobile
station about which channel it should use.
This channel is the answer of a base station to
a RACH from the mobile station
Channel Structure
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Control Channels
Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)
The DCCH channels are used for message exchange
between several mobiles or a mobile and the
network. Two different types of DCCH can be
defined:
The Standalone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH),
which is used in order to exchange signaling
information in the downlink and uplink directions.
The Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH). It is
used for channel maintenance and channel control.
Associated Control Channels
The Fast Associated Control Channels (FACCH)
replace all or part of a traffic channel when urgent
signaling information must be transmitted. The
FACCH channels carry the same information as the
SDCCH channels.
Channel Structure
2006
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Burst Structure
Defined in a group of 26 TDMA frames called a Multiframe
24 frames are reserved for traffic
1 frame is used for Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)
The last frame is unused. Allows mobile to perform other functions
such as measuring the signal strength of neighboring cells.
Channel Structure
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Features
Frequency Hopping
This is a method of transmitting radio signals
by rapidly switching a carrier among many
frequencies
Signals become more resistant to interference
Can have tighter re-use for increased capacity
Two type of frequency hopping
Base-band
Signal is switched between the available carriers
Synthesizer
Signal is switched between all the frequency band
available
2006
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GSM Features
Discontinuous Transmission (DTX)
The function of the DTX is to suspend the radio transmission
during the silence periods
Helps reduce interference
Increases battery life
Discontinuous Reception
Paging Channel is divided into sub-channels
Each mobile only listens to its sub-channel
Helps conserve mobile battery power
Timing Advance (TA)
Timing of bursts is important in GSM to avoid overlap between
different timeslots
Delay in reception is dependent on distance of mobile from base
station
Mobiles further out from the base station, advance their
transmission so that they are received at the same time as the
mobiles transmitting closer by
GSM Features
2006
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GSM Features
Power Control
Both mobile and base station measure the
quality and signal strength of the burst
If the quality of the received signal is not good,
then either mobile or base station increase the
power of next burst
Multi path and Equalization
Radio waves reflect from buildings, cars etc
which can corrupt the received signal
Equalizer estimates the corruption due to multi
path and corrects extracts the correct signal
GSM Features
2006
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Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
GSM Services
Teleservices
Telephony
Fax
Emergency calls
SMS
Voice mail
Bearer Services (Data
Services)
Asynchronous and
synchronous data
Alternate Speech and data
Packet Switched Data
(GPRS)
Supplementary Services
Call Barring
Call Hold
Call Waiting
Advice of charge
Multi Party services
Closed User Group
Calling Line Identification
(CLI)
2006
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3 Steps to 3G: The GSM Network Transition
2006
Confidential and Proprietary
Integrated Wireless Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Hope that you enjoyed this course
Thank you
for your participation