ASSALM-O-ALIKUM
GPRS
COURSE : DCN
COURSE INSTRUCTOR : DR. SAFDAR
GROUP MEMBERS :
ABDUL SAMAD 02-235201-018
SAFIA GHAFOOR 02-235201-031
KHIZAR SIDDIQUI 02-235201-036
CONTENTS
• What is GPRS?
• Benefits of GPRS
• Comparison of GSM & GPRS
• Salient Features of GPRS
• GPRS Network Architecture
• GPRS Network Elements
• Data services and classes
• Disadvantages of GPRS
• Applications of GPRS
What is GPRS?
• GENERAL : Not restricted to GSM use
• PACKET RADIO : Enables packet mode communication over air.
• SERVICE : Not system, existing BSS infrastructure is used
• Established by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
• General packet radio services (GPRS) is a new bearer service for GSM that greatly
improves and simplifies wireless access to packet data networks.
• GPRS applies packet radio principal to transfer user data packets in an efficient way
between MS and external packet data network.
Benefits of GPRS
• New data services.
• High speed (data rate 14.4 -115kbps).
• Efficient use of radio bandwidth (Statistical Multiplexing).
• Circuit switching and packet switching can be used in parallel.
• Constant connectivity (Connected very fast and feeling of “always on”).
• Supports many new application ranging from mobile e-commerce to
mobile corporate VPN access.
• GPRS allows other services like Unicast, Multicast and Broadcast.
Comparison of GPRS & GSM
PARAMETERS GPRS GSM
Technology 2.5G 2G
Carrier Channels 200KHz (8 channels) 200KHz (8 channels)
Connection type Both circuit and packet switched Circuit switched
Data rates 14.4-171.2kbps 9.6 Kbps
SMS It is used as a bearer service. (MMS) 160 characters of text support
Billing Amount of data transfer Duration of connection
Applications Email , web browsing , broadcast services Mobile telephony , telemetry
system for toll collection
Features of GPRS
• GPRS overlays on existing GSM to provide high speed data services.
• Standardized by ETSI.
• Important step on the path to 3G.
• GPRS supports point to point packet transfer and point to multipoint
packet service.
• GPRS Supports demand based time slot allocation.
• GPRS billing based on volume of data transferred.
• Utilizes existing GSM authentication and privacy procedures.
GPRS Network Architecture
• GPRS architecture is similar to GSM network but it has extra entities which allow
packet data transmission. It extends features to second-generation GSM network by
providing data rates from 9.6 to 171 kbps. GSM network allows various users to use
the same interface resource by sharing.
• GSM network elements are re used in GPRS but with some new network
elements, interfaces and protocols for handling packet traffic.
Below are the changes that are made to the existing GSM network elements
to work for GPRS:
GSM Network Element Modification or Upgrade Required for GPRS.
Mobile Station (MS) New Mobile Station is required to access GPRS services. These new terminals
will be backward compatible with GSM for voice calls.
BTS A software upgrade is required in the existing Base Transceiver Station(BTS).
BSC The Base Station Controller (BSC) requires a software upgrade and the
installation of new hardware called the packet control unit (PCU). The PCU
directs the data traffic to the GPRS network and can be a separate hardware
element associated with the BSC.
GSM Network Element Modification or Upgrade Required for GPRS.
GPRS Support Nodes The deployment of GPRS requires the installation of new core network
(GSNs) elements called the serving GPRS support node (SGSN) and gateway GPRS
support node (GGSN).
Databases (HLR, VLR,
etc.) All the databases involved in the network will require software upgrades to
handle the new call models and functions introduced by GPRS.
GPRS Mobile Stations:
As GSM phones does not support the enhanced air interface or packet data, to use
GPRS services new Mobile Stations (MS) are required. Number of MS are available
which provides high-speed data access, a new PDA device that embeds GSM phone,
and PC cards to use in laptop computers. These devices can make voice calls using
GSM as they are backward compatible.
GPRS Base Station Subsystem:
Each Base Station Subsystem requires the one or more Packet Control Units (PCUs) to be installed and
upgradation of software. A physical and logical interface to BSS is provided by PCU for packet data
traffic. Base Transceiver Station needs upgradation of software without hardware improvements.
Similar to GSM whenever either data or voice traffic is initiated at the mobile of subscriber, using air
interface the data is sent to BTS and from BTS to BSC. From BSC, the output is parted; data is sent via
PCU over a Frame Relay interface to a new device known as the SGSN.
GPRS Support Nodes:
Below two new components are added - Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GSNs) and, Serving GPRS
Support Node (SGSN):
Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN):
GGSN has the routing information for GPRS enabled mobiles. It acts like an interface and as a router to
the external networks. The routing information is used in tunneling the packets through the IP based
internal backbone to the correct SGSN.
Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN):
For authenticating the GPRS mobiles, registration of mobiles in the network, collecting
charging information for using the air interface, and mobility management, SGSN is
responsible.
Internal Backbone:
It is considered as the IP based network which is used in carrying packets between
many GSNs. Internal Backbone do not require any information about the domains
outside the GPRS network by using tunneling between SGSNs and GGSNs. From a GSN
to a MSC, HLR or EIR the signaling is done using SS7.
Routing Area:
This is similar to Location Area in GSM, but it contains fewer cells. Since the routing
areas are smaller than location areas, radio resources are used in less in number while
a page message is broadcasted.
GPRS Network Elements
• Two elements : GSN (GPRS support Node) and GPRS Register.
• GPRS includes two GSN (SGSN : serving GSN, GGSN : Gateway GSN).
• SGSN delivered data packets to mobile station and vice versa.
• Detect and register new GPRS MS in its serving area.
• Packet routing, transfer and mobility management.
• Authentications, maintaining use profiles.
• Its location register stores location info and user profiles.
• GGSN interfaces GPRS backbone network and external packet data network.
• Convert the GPRS packets form SGSN to PDP format.
• Converts PDP addresses change to GSM addresses of destination user.
• Stores the current SGSN address and profile of the user in its location register.
• Perform authentication.
• Many to many relations among SGSNs and GGSNs.
GPRS Register
• GPRS register is integrated with GSM-HLR.
• Stores current SGSN address.
Data services of GPRS
• GPRS supports two modes
Application Mode
Tunneling Mode
• In applications mode GPRS phone user can use the applications running on the
device.
• GPRS phone comprises of WAP browser that enables browsing WAP activities.
• Few GPRS phone support mobile execution environment to facilate client
applications to be executed on the phone itself.
• Java or C/C++ are used for developing applications.
• In tunneling mode GPRS interface can be utilized by the user to access the GPRS
network.
• GPRS phones will be connected to large/small devices like laptops , PDAs, tablets
etc.
• GPRS phones will serve as moderns for providing access to wireless data network.
A serial cable or PCMCI card can be used for obtained access.
Classes of GPRS
• GPRS handset is one of the three classes A, B, C
CLASS A
• It supports GPRS data and GPRS services like voice, SMS.
• In class A GPRS can receive SMS even if a data or voice call is ongoing.
• GPRS handset can receive call simultaneously on two services.
CLASS B
• It support only one service at once. It can monitor GPRS channels
simultaneously
• GPRS handset can receive SMS even if a data or voice call is ongoing.
• GPRS handset can make/receive call either using switched/packet call type.
CLASS C
GPRS handset can be used to make/receive calls manually through the selected
service.
SMS feature is optional for Class C.
GPRS handset in class C supports only non simultaneous attach.
Disadvantages of GPRS
• Lower speed (the speed limit of GPRS is 115 kbps, but in most networks it is around
35 kbps).
• Limited cell capacity for users.
• GPRS results in potential transit delay due to GPRS packets sent to destination they
sent in all different directions so some of them lost or some of them corrupted.
• Increase in no of users will slow down the service.
• During active call, network related functions cannot be used
• Does not support store and forward mechanism for SMS.
Applications of GPRS
• Internet access.
• Intranet access.
• Email and Fax.
• Business conducted on Internet-E Commerce.
• Banking.
• Stock exchange over internet.
• Advertising.
• Multimedia services
• Virtual Private Network.
CONCLUSION
In existing cellular systems, GPRS technology provides a significant improvement of
data transfer capacity. GPRS technology announces the beginning of new generation
of cellular communication. This technology is much faster than GSM and CDMA.
GSM can support only the voice or call. But, GPRS supports both voice and data.
THANK YOU 🙂
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