GSM NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

Prepare By Ye Yint Lwin

RF Engineer
MGT Co.Ltd
 GSM Network Architecture

The GSM network architecture consists of different elements that all interact together to
form the overall GSM system. These include elements like the base-station, controller,
MSC, AuC, HLR, VLR, etc.The GSM network architecture as defined in the GSM
specifications can be grouped into four main areas:
Mobile station (MS)
Base-Station Subsystem (BSS)
Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)
Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)

A basic diagram of the overall GSM system architecture with these four major elements
is shown below:
 Mobile station

Mobile with SIM –Mobile Station

Mobile stations (MS), mobile equipment (ME) or as they are most widely known, cell or
mobile phones are the section of a GSM cellular network that the user sees and operates.
In recent years their size has fallen dramatically while the level of functionality has
greatly increased. A further advantage is that the time between charges has significantly
increased. There are a number of elements to the cell phone, although the two main
elements are the main hardware and the SIM. The SIM or Subscriber Identity Module
contains the information that provides the identity of the user to the network. It contains
are variety of information including a number known as the International Mobile
Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

The Base Station Subsystem (BSS) section of the GSM network architecture that is
fundamentally associated with communicating with the mobiles on the network. It
consists of two elements:
 Base Transceiver Station (BTS):   The BTS used in a GSM network comprises the radio
transmitter receivers, and their associated antennas that transmit and receive to directly
communicate with the mobiles. The BTS is the defining element for each cell. The BTS
communicates with the mobiles and the interface between the two is known as the Um
interface with its associated protocols.
Base Station Controller (BSC):   The BSC forms the next stage back into the GSM network. It
controls a group of BTSs, and is often co-located with one of the BTSs in its group. It manages
the radio resources and controls items such as handover within the group of BTSs, allocates
channels and the like. It communicates with the BTSs over what is termed the Abis interface.

Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)

The GSM system architecture contains a variety of different elements, and is often termed the
core network. It provides the main control and interfacing for the whole mobile network. The
major elements within the core network include:
Mobile Switching services Centre (MSC):   The main element within the core network area of
the overall GSM network architecture is the Mobile switching Services Centre (MSC). The
MSC acts like a normal switching node within a PSTN or ISDN, but also provides additional
functionality to enable the requirements of a mobile user to be supported. These include
registration, authentication, call location, inter-MSC handovers and call routing to a mobile
subscriber. It also provides an interface to the PSTN so that calls can be routed from the
mobile network to a phone connected to a landline. Interfaces to other MSCs are provided to
enable calls to be made to mobiles on different networks.
Home Location Register (HLR):   This database contains all the administrative information
about each subscriber along with their last known location. In this way, the GSM network
is able to route calls to the relevant base station for the MS. When a user switches on their
phone, the phone registers with the network and from this it is possible to determine which
BTS it communicates with so that incoming calls can be routed appropriately. Even when
the phone is not active (but switched on) it re-registers periodically to ensure that the
network (HLR) is aware of its latest position. There is one HLR per network, although it
may be distributed across various sub-centres to for operational reasons.

Visitor Location Register (VLR):   This contains selected information from the HLR that
enables the selected services for the individual subscriber to be provided. The VLR can be
implemented as a separate entity, but it is commonly realised as an integral part of the
MSC, rather than a separate entity. In this way access is made faster and more convenient.
Equipment Identity Register (EIR):   The EIR is the entity that decides whether a given
mobile equipment may be allowed onto the network. Each mobile equipment has a number
known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity. This number, as mentioned above,
is installed in the equipment and is checked by the network during registration. Dependent
upon the information held in the EIR, the mobile may be allocated one of three states -
allowed onto the network, barred access, or monitored in case its problems.
 Authentication Centre (AuC):   The AuC is a protected database that contains the secret
key also contained in the user's SIM card. It is used for authentication and for ciphering
on the radio channel.

Gateway Mobile Switching Centre (GMSC):   The GMSC is the point to which a ME
terminating call is initially routed, without any knowledge of the MS's location. The
GMSC is thus in charge of obtaining the MSRN (Mobile Station Roaming Number) from
the HLR based on the MSISDN (Mobile Station ISDN number, the "directory number"
of a MS) and routing the call to the correct visited MSC. The "MSC" part of the term
GMSC is misleading, since the gateway operation does not require any linking to an
MSC.

SMS Gateway (SMS-G):   The SMS-G or SMS gateway is the term that is used to
collectively describe the two Short Message Services Gateways defined in the GSM
standards. The two gateways handle messages directed in different directions. The SMS-
GMSC (Short Message Service Gateway Mobile Switching Centre) is for short messages
being sent to an ME. The SMS-IWMSC (Short Message Service Inter-Working Mobile
Switching Centre) is used for short messages originated with a mobile on that network.
The SMS-GMSC role is similar to that of the GMSC, whereas the SMS-IWMSC provides
a fixed access point to the Short Message Service Centre.
 Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)
The OSS or operation support subsystem is an element within the overall GSM network
architecture that is connected to components of the NSS and the BSC. It is used to
control and monitor the overall GSM network and it is also used to control the traffic
load of the BSS. OSS is connected BSC and components of the NSS. It used to control
and monitor the overall GSM network and it is also used to control the traffic load of the
BSS.

GSM Network Interfaces

The network structure is defined within the GSM standards. Additionally each interface
between the different elements of the GSM network is also defined. This facilitates the
information interchanges can take place. It also enables to a large degree that network
elements from different manufacturers can be used. However as many of these interfaces
were not fully defined until after many networks had been deployed, the level of
standardisation may not be quite as high as many people might like.

Um interface  : The "air" or radio interface standard that is used for exchanges between
a mobile (ME) and a base station (BTS / BSC). For signalling, a modified version of the
ISDN LAPD, known as LAPDm is used.
 Abis interface : This is a BSS internal interface linking the BSC and a BTS, and it has
not been totally standardised. The Abis interface allows control of the radio equipment
and radio frequency allocation in the BTS.
A interface : The A interface is used to provide communication between the BSS and the
MSC. The interface carries information to enable the channels, timeslots and the like to
be allocated to the mobile equipments being serviced by the BSSs. The messaging
required within the network to enable handover etc to be undertaken is carried over the
interface.
B interface : The B interface exists between the MSC and the VLR . It uses a protocol
known as the MAP/B protocol. As most VLRs are collocated with an MSC, this makes
the interface purely an "internal" interface. The interface is used whenever the MSC
needs access to data regarding a MS located in its area.
C interface : The C interface is located between the HLR and a GMSC or a SMS-G.
When a call originates from outside the network, i.e. from the PSTN or another mobile
network it ahs to pass through the gateway so that routing information required to
complete the call may be gained. The protocol used for communication is MAP/C, the
letter "C" indicating that the protocol is used for the "C" interface. In addition to this,
the MSC may optionally forward billing information to the HLR after the call is
completed and cleared down.
D interface : The D interface is situated between the VLR and HLR. It uses the MAP/D
protocol to exchange the data related to the location of the ME and to the management
of the subscriber.
E interface : The E interface provides communication between two MSCs. The E
interface exchanges data related to handover between the anchor and relay MSCs using
the MAP/E protocol.
F interface : The F interface is used between an MSC and EIR. It uses the MAP/F
protocol. The communications along this interface are used to confirm the status of the
IMEI of the ME gaining access to the network.
G interface : The G interface interconnects two VLRs of different MSCs and uses the
MAP/G protocol to transfer subscriber information, during e.g. a location update
procedure.
H interface : The H interface exists between the MSC the SMS-G. It transfers short
messages and uses the MAP/H protocol.
I interface : The I interface can be found between the MSC and the ME. Messages
exchanged over the I interface are relayed transparently through the BSS.
Thank You.