OBJECTIVES Any time Anywhere Mobility & Roaming High capacity & subs.

density Efficient use of radio spectrum Seamless Network Architecture Low cost Flexibility

Building Blocks
AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone System TACS Total Access Communication System NMT Nordic Mobile Telephone System

Building Blocks
contd.

AMPS Advanced Mobile Phone System analog technology used in North and South America and approximately 35 other countries operates in the 800 MHz band using FDMA technology

Building Blocks
contd.

TACS Total Access Communication System variant of AMPS deployed in a number of countries primarily in the UK

Building Blocks
contd.

NMT Nordic Mobile Telephone System analog technology deployed in the Benelux countries and Russia operates in the 450 and 900 MHz band first technology to offer international roaming only within the Nordic countries

Mobile Networks
differentiated from each other by the word Generation 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G

milestones

1G 1981
Worlds first cellular system launched in Saudi Arabia based on the Analog NMT 450

milestones

2G 1991
Digital Cellular standard GSM Service launched

milestones

2.5G 1997
Under GSM environment GPRS Service launched

milestones

2.75G 1999
Under GSM environment EDGE Service launched

milestones

3G 2003
UMTS Service launched

Future

under evolution ..

World Telecom Statistics

1200 1000 800
(millions)

Crossover has happened May 2002 !

Landline Subs

600 400 200 0

Mobile Subs

19 91 19 92 19 93 19 94 19 95 19 96 19 97 19 98 19 99 20 00 20 01

TWO MAIN TECHNOLOGICAL TRENDS OF TODAY:

MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INTERNET

Interestingly, mobile subscribers are increasingly demanding Internet access while on the move and at increasingly high speeds; thereby resulting in the Convergence of the above two technological trends leading to the birth of Mobile Broadband (application) and 3G/4G Technologies (enablers of this application) Paradigm shift - Internet goes Mobile
.Continued

Wireless in the Subscriber Loop The issues

1) Duplexing Methodology.---(FDD & TDD) 2) Multiple Access Methods.(FDMA,TDMA,CDMA)

3) Cellular principle or reuse concept.

4) Techniques to cope with mobile environment.

Evolution Path of Mobile Communication

IMT-2000 Capable Systems

UMTS GSM GPRS EDGE

Existing Spectrum

New Spectrum

2G
9.6 kbps

2.5G
64115 kbps

2.75G
115384 kbps

3G
0.3842 mbps

Groupe Spcial Mobile

Major Historical events

1982- establishment of CEPT. (Conference of European Post and
Telecommunications)

1989- Responsibility of GSM specs transferred to ETSI. 1991- 1st Commercial services started. 1993 -there were 36 GSM networks in 22 countries. Although standardized in Europe, GSM is not only a European standard. 1998- Over 200 million GSM users worldwide. 1999- 1st GPRS network go live. 2011- Over 5 billion GSM users worldwide. (Courtsey http://www.gsacom.com) 2011 Over 700 million GSM users in India.

new users are signing up at the rate of 1,000 per minute - or around 18 per second.

What is GSM???
GSM is now an international standard for mobile service. It offers high mobility. Subscribers can easily roam worldwide and access any GSM network. GSM is a digital cellular network.

GSM Operation
Speech Speech

Speech coding 13 Kbps Channel Coding 22.8 Kbps Interleaving

Speech decoding

Channel decoding

De-interleaving

Burst Formatting

Burst Formatting

Ciphering 33.6 Kbps Modulation

De-ciphering

Radio Interface
270.83 Kbps

Demodulation

GSM

FDMA + TDMA

Combination of both methods A channel gets a certain frequency band for a certain amount of time k k k k
1 2 3 4

k5

k6

c f

GSM Specifications-1
RF Spectrum GSM 900 Mobile to BTS (uplink): 890-915 Mhz BTS to Mobile(downlink):935-960 Mhz Bandwidth : 2* 25 Mhz GSM 1800 Mobile to BTS (uplink): 1710-1785 Mhz BTS to Mobile(downlink) 1805-1880 Mhz Bandwidth : 2* 75 Mhz

SPECIFICATIONS
Radio system. Access Method - TDMA/FDMA Frequency Bands Mobile to Cell - 890-915 Mhz (UPLINK) Cell to Mobile - 935-960 Mhz (DOWNLINK) Therefore the frequencies for the uplink and the downlink are different ( Frequency Division Duplex) and the bandwidth of the GSM System is 25 Mhz..

SPECIFICATIONS
890-915 Mhz Mobile to Cell Up Link

BTS

935-960 Mhz Cell To Mobile Down Link

GSM900 Up-link & Down-Link Frequency Band

200KHz

890MHz

915MHz

935MHz

960MHz

124

124

BW = 25MHz 125 Channels of 200KHz BW

BW = 25MHz 125 Channels of 200KHz BW

27

ARFCN (Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number) Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) is a serial Number of the Up-link and Down-link Frequencies, 0 through 124

One ARFCN corresponds to an Up-link frequency and a Downlink frequency 45MHz apart

BSNL has been allotted 31 ARFCNs

45MHz

890MHz

915MHz

935MHz

960MHz

124

124

ARFCN 0

ARFCN 1

ARFCN 124

28

GSM 900 Up = 890.0 + (ARFCN * .2) Down = Up + 45.0

GSM FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access

890 25 MHz
0

915
1 2

935 25 MHz
0 1 Base to Mobile

960
2

Mobile to Base
890.2 890.4 890.6
(MHz)

935.2

935.4

935.6

200 kHz

45MHz

200 kHz

Channel layout and frequency bands of operation

CTTC KOLKATA

GSM TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)

Amplitude

45 MHz
7 8 5 6 2 1 3 4 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8

Frequency

F1 (Cell Rx)

F2

F2 F1 (Cell transmit)

Typical TDMA/ FDMA frame structure

CTTC KOLKATA

Network Architecture

Air interface

CTTC KOLKATA

Four Main Parts of GSM Network

1.

Mobile Station-The GSM mobile station (or mobile phone) communicates with other parts of the system through the base-station system. The BSS(Base Station System)- performs all radio related functions. The SS(Switching System)-Responsible for performing call processing and subscriber related functions. The OSS(Operation & Support System)- Central & Monitoring Unit.

2.

3.

4.

CTTC KOLKATA

Functions of Mobile Station

Voice and data transmission Frequency and time synchronization Monitoring of power and signal quality of the

surrounding cells
Provision of location updates even during

inactive state

States of a Mobile Station

1. Idle ( On, No Call ) *Registration *Roaming * Location updating * Paging 2. Active ( ON, Call Progress) * Handover 3. Detached ( OFF)

Mobile Station

GSM MSs consist of: Mobile Equipment Subscriber Identity Module

BSS Components
1.

BSC (Base Station Controller)

2. BTS (Base Transceiver Station)

FUNCTIONS OF BSC
The BSC ,a high capacity switch, provides the

control functions and physical links between the MSC and BTS.
It is connected to BTS and offloads MSC Radio resource management Inter-cell handover Reallocation of frequencies Power control A number of BSCs are served by a MSC

FUNCTIONS OF BTS
The base transceiver station (BTS) handles

the radio interface to the mobile station. The base transceiver station is the radio equipment (transceivers and antennas) Radio resources Signal Processing Signaling link management Synchronization Local maintenance handling Functional supervision and Testing
40

The GSM SS(Switching System) Main functional Units

Mobile services switching center (MSC). Home location register (HLR). Visitor location register (VLR). Authentication center (AUC). Equipment identity register (EIR).

Functions of MSC
The MSC performs the basic telephony switching

functions of the system. Control call to and from other Telephony and data systems. MSC does gateway function while its customers roams to other network by using HLR /VLR. Billing for all subscribers based in its area Location updating. Control of other BSCs.

The HLR functions

* Centralized network database 1) Subscriber Identity 2) Subscriber supplementary services 3)Subsciber location information 4) Subscriber authentication information * One PLMN may contain one or several HLR.

The VLR functions

It controls those mobiles roaming in its area. VLR reduces the number of queries to HLR One VLR may be incharge of one or more LA. VLR is updated by HLR on entry of MS its area.

Authentication Center(AUC)
To authenticate the subs. attempting to use a

network. AUC is connected to HLR which provides it with authentication parameters and ciphering keys used to ensure network security.

Equipment Identity Register

This data base stores IMEI for all registered mobile

equipments and is unique to every ME. Only one EIR per PLMN.
White list : IMEI, assigned to valid ME. Black list : IMEI reported stolen Gray list : IMEI having problems like faulty software,

wrong make of equipment etc.

Operation and support system (OSS).

The OSS is the functional entity from which

the network operator monitors and controls the system. The purpose of operation and support system is to offer support for centralized, regional, and local operational and maintenance activities that are required for a GSM network.

GSM Geographical Network Structure

Specific structure to route incoming calls to

correct exchange and then on to the subscriber. Structure important because the subscriber are mobile. These structure are use to monitor their location.

The structure consists of

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Cell Location Area MSC Service Area PLMN (Public land Mobile Network) Service Area GSM Service Area

Network Structure
Cell

A cell is the basic unit of a cellular system and is defined as the radio coverage given by one BS antenna system. Each cell is assigned a unique CGI(Cell Global Identity).

Cell size ranges from some 100 m in cities to, e.g., 35 km on the country side

7 6 1 5 7 6 Cluster-1 5 4 1 2 3 4 3 Cluster-1 2

51

GSM NETWORK ELEMENTS The Cell

The cell is basic unit of the Cellular System. It is the Geographical area covered a BTS.

Each cell is assigned a unique number called Cell Global Identity(CGI). 404-77-80-10001

Mobile Country Code Mobile Network Code (404 for India) (77 for BSNL NE) CGI

BSC Identity

Cell Identity

52

Network Structure
LOCATION AREA
A LA is defined as a group of cells.Within the network, a subsribers location is known by the LA which they are in. The identity of the LA in which an MS is currently located is stored in the VLR. (LAI)

Network Structure
LOCATION AREA
A LA is defined as a group of cells.Within the network, a subsribers location is known by the LA which they are in. The identity of the LA in which an MS is currently located is stored in the VLR. (LAI)

Cells & LA
LA2 LA3 LA1 VLR LA4 MSC LA5 C1 C6 C3 LA6 C2 C5 C4 C=CELL

55

Network Structure
MSC Service Area

An MSC Service Area is made up of LAs and represents the geographical part of the network controlled by one MSC.

56

MSC Service Area

LA2 LA1 VLR MSC LA3

LA4 LA5

LA6

57

Network Structure
PLMN SERVICE AREA

A PLMN service area is the entire set of cells served by one network operator and is defined as the area in which an operator offers radio coverage and access to its network.

PLMN Service Area

I I MSC VLR MSC III VLR
V

II

MSC VLR

MSC

IV
59

Network Structure
GSM SERVICE AREA

The GSM service area is the entire geographical area in which a subscriber can gain access to a GSM network.

Relation between areas in GSM

Location Area Cell Location Area MSC Service Area PLMN Service Area GSM Service Area
61

Types of Cells
1. Macro cells- large -sparsely populated areas. 2. Micro cells- small - densely populated areas. 3. Selective cells- particular shape and coverage. 4. Umbrella cells- for a speedy mobile.

Network Identities
The numbers that a GSM network uses to

locate a mobile subscriber when it is establishing a call to that subscriber.

1.Subscriber Related Identities
MSISDN IMSI IMEISV TMSI

2. Equipment Related Identities

IMEI

3. Location Related Identities

MSRN LAI CGI BSIC

Subs Related Idenitities MSISDN

Mobile Station ISDN Number
The MSISDN is registered in the telephone directory and used by

the calling party for dialing. MSISDN shall not exceed 15 digits. NDC--National Destination Code SN--Subscriber Number

1 to 3 digits CC

Variable NDC

Variable SN

MSISDN : not more than 15 digits

64

IMSI
International mobile subscriber Identity The IMSI is an unique identity which is used

internationally and used within the network to identify the mobile subscribers. The IMSI is stored in the subscriber identity module (SIM), the HLR, VLR database.

65

IMSI
3 digits MCC 3 digits MNC NMSI IMSI : Max. 15 digits
MCC--Mobile Country Code-----(ITU-T), MNC--Mobile N/W CodeHome GSM PLMN---Government, MSIN--Mobile Station Identification Number --Operator assigned NMSI--National Mobile Station Identity,assigned by Individual Administration.
66

Not more than 9 digits MSIN

International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)

404 77 1210002025

Mobile Country Code

404 for India

Mobile Network Code

77 for BSNL NE

Mobile Station Identification Number

IMSI is a unique identity allocated to each subscriber. IMSI is used by the system. All network-related subscriber information is connected to the IMSI. The IMSI is stored in the SIM, in the HLR and VLR. IMSI has a maximum length of 15 digits.

67

Temporary Mobile subscriber Identity

TMSI is a temporary IMSI no. made known to an MS

at registration. The VLR assigns a TMSI to each mobile subscribers entering the VLR area. Assigned only after successful authentication. TMSI has only local significance i.e. within VLR area & controlled by the VLR. TMSI changes on location updating. TMSI consists of four octets.

68

Equipment Related Identities IMEI

International Mobile Equipment Identity The IMEI is an unique code allocated to each mobile

equipment. It is checked in the EIR. IMEI= TAC(6Dig)+FAC(2Dig)+SNR(6Dig)+Spare(1Dig)

The IMEI can be seen by pressing

*#06#

TAC Type approval Code(Central GSM body) FAC Final Assembly code Manufacturer SNR Serial Number Spare-- Zero
69

2. Location Area Identity

Identifies the location area in a PLMN.
MCC 3 Dig MNC 2-3 Dig LAC 2 Octets

Location Area Identity (LAI)

A group of Cells is called a Location Area. It is this location information about the MS that is stored in the VLR.

LAI-2

LAI-1

LAI-3
71

Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN) The MSRN is a number temporarily allocated to a Subscriber for routing a Call to him. MSRN is allocated by the current VLR the Subscriber is in. After the Call is established the MSRN is released, and it can now be allotted to another MS for an Incoming Call Setup. The HLR stores address of the current VLR where the subscriber is located. When a call is made to a mobile subscriber , the HLR requests the current MSC/VLR to provide an MSRN as a temporary routing number for the called subscriber. Upon reception of the MSRN, the HLR sends it to the MSC which can now use this number to route the call to the MSC/VLR where the called subscriber is currently registered. MSRN has the same format as of MSISDN. In an MSC/VLR some thousands of Numbers are reserved to be used as MSRN during Call Setup. These numbers are not allotted as MSISDN to Subscribers.

72

GSM Channel Concepts

GSM RADIO INTERFACE

Most Important Interface Full Compatibility between mobile stations of various Manufacturers & Networks of different vendors to help roaming To increase spectral efficiency -- Large number of simultaneous calls in a given bandwidth -- Frequency Reuse -- Interference

GSM - MULTIPLE ACCESS

Each RF carrier 200khz apart Total 124 RF Channels available. One or more carrier assigned to each base station

124

...
Freq
890.2 890.4 890.6 890.8 891.0 914.8

Mhz.

GSM TDMA
Amplitude

45 MHz
7 8 5 6 2 1 3 4 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8

Frequency

F1 (Cell Rx)

F2

F1 F2 (Cell transmit)

Typical TDMA/ FDMA frame structure

FDMA/TDMA Scheme
TIME

BP2 BP1 BP8 BP7 BP6 BP5 BP4 BP3 BP2 BP1 890.0

BURST F R A M E
890.2 890.4 890.6 890.8 891.0 891.2

FREQ MHz 915.8

PHYSICAL CHANNELS
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FRAME OF 8 TIME SLOTS FRAME REPETITION

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 74 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1
2 5 6

PHYSICAL CHANNELS 1

 The Time slots in a TDMA Frame in GSM are called Physical Channels. Logical Channels are Mapped in the Physical Channels. Logical Channels are used for communication between the MS and the BTS, like transmission of user data and voice, call setup and Handover signaling, system informations like LAI, BCCH, Adjacent Cells Signal strength, SMS, Cell Broadcast Messages (site name display), etc.
TS-0 TS-1 TS-2 TS-3 TS-4 TS-5 TS-6 TS-7

Channel Concept

Time slots (physical channels) in a TDMA Frame where the different Logical Channels are configured

79

GSM Radio Interface - CYCLES

Hyperframe = 2048 Superframes
3 Hours 28 Minutes 53 Seconds and 760 milliseconds
0 2047

Superframe = 26 51 multiframes
0 0

6.12 Seconds

50 25

26 Multiframe
120 mS
0 1 2 24 25 0 1

51 Multiframe
Approx 235 mS
48 49 50

TDMA frame
4.615 mS
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

GSM-- TDMA STRUCTURE

TDMA Time slot duration Frame Multi Frame Super Frame 8 Time Slots / RF Channel 0.577m sec or 15 / 26 m sec 8 Burst Periods ( Time Slots) = 8 15/26 = 4.615 m sec Traffic 26 4.615 = 120 msec Control 51 4.615 = 235.365 m sec 51 Traffic Multi frames 26 Control Multi frames Hyper Frame 2048 Super Frames = 3 28 52.76

hr min sec

TDMA Duplex
The timing of uplink and downlink slots maintains a 3slot distance in order to ensure that a cell-phone does not require transmission and reception operations simultaneously. This helps avoid a number of complexities including the requirement of high peak power, processor speed and large memory. This also helps simplify transceiver circuit.

GSM
LOGICAL CHANNELS
USER INFORMATION( TRAFFIC) SIGNALLING INFORMATION (CONTROL)

LOGICAL CHANNELS

TRAFFIC TCH

SIGNALLING

BROADCAST

COMMON CONTROL

DEDICATED CONTROL

FCCH

SCH

BCCH RACH PCH AGCH

FCCH -- FREQUENCY CORRECTION CHANNEL SCH -- SYNCHRONISATION CHANNEL BCCH -- BROADCAST CONTROL CHANNEL PCH -- PAGING CHANNEL RACH -- RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL AGCH -- ACCESS GRANT CHANNEL SDCCH -- STAND ALONE DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL SACCH -- SLOW ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL FACCH -- FAST ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL

SDCCH

SACCH

FACCH

DOWN LINK ONLY UPLINK ONLY BOTH UP & DOWNLINKS 85

GSM
THREE TYPES OF CONTROL CHANNELS Broadcast control channel BCCH P- MP For Freq Correction For Syncronisation Common control channel CCCH For ACCESS Management Dedicated control channel DCCH P- P For Registration ,authentication & Handover FCCH SCH BCCH PCH RACH AGCH SDCCH SACCH FACCH

Signaling channels
Signaling channels are subdivided into three categories: Broadcast Channels (BCH) Common Control Channels (CCCH) Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)

Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)

(BCH)

P-MP

BTS Transmits a carrier frequency. MS ---- Identifies BCCH Carrier by the carrier frequency and synchronizes with the frequency.

Synchronization Channel (SCH)

P-MP

BTS ---- Transmits information about TDMA frame structure in a cell(eg. Frame number) and the BSIC. MS--- Synchronises with the frame structure within a particular cell.

Broadcast Control CHannel (BCCH)

P-MP

BTS--- Broadcasts some general cell information such as LAI, Maxm O/P power allowed in a cell, neighbours list. MS--- Receive LAI , Location updating based on LAI, sets its o/p power level, stores neighbours list for handover decision.

Paging Channel (PCH) (CCCH)

P-P

BTS --- Transmits a paging message to indicate an incoming call or SMS. Contains the mobile subs that the network wishes to contact. MS --- Listens to PCH at certain intervals. If it contains its own identity it will respond.

Random Access Channel (RACH)

P-P

BTS --- Receives access-request from MS for call setup/loc.update/SMS. MS -- Answers paging message on RACH by requesting a signaling channel.

Access Grant Channel (AGCH)

P-P

BTS --- Assigns a signaling channel (SDCCH) to the MS. MS Receives a signaling channel. At this stage the MS ans BSS are ready to begin call set-up procedures. For this the MS and BSS use Dedicated Control channels.

Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) DCCH P-P

BTS --- Switches to the assigned SDCCH, used for call set-up signalling. ( also used for SMS message to MS) MS --- Switches to the assigned SDCCH. Call set up is performed. The MS receives a TCH assignment information. (carrier & time slot).

Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)

P-P

BTS ---Instructs the MS on the allowed transmitter power and parameters for time advance. Also used for SMS during a call. MS --- Sends averaged measurements on its own BTS( signal strength & Quality) and neighbouring BTSs. The MS continues to use SACCH for this purpose during a call.

Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)

P-P

BTS --- Transmits handover information. MS Transmits necessary handover information.

Cell Broadcast Channel (CBCH)

P-MP

BTS --- Transmits SMS cell broadcast. MS --- MS receives cell brroadcast messages.

States of a Mobile Station

1. Idle ( On, No Call ) *Registration *Roaming * Location updating * Paging 2. Active ( ON, Call Progress) * Handover 3. Detached ( OFF)

Network Attachment
When a Ms is switched on, it searches for a BTS to connect to. It scans the frequency band list containing the allocated carrier frequencies for the operator. It finds the strongest logical channel BCCH. BCCH contains- current LAI - Maximum Output power allowed in a cell. The BCCH data describes if the cell is available for the MS.(cell belongs to the right PLMN)

Location Update Process

1. Request for Service 2. Authentication (Checks that the MS is the
required Station and not an intruder)

3. Ciphering {All information (signalling,speech

&data) is sent in ciphered mode to avoid monitoring and intruders (who could analyse signalling data)

4. Update HLR/VLR 5. TMSI re-allocation

Key generation and Encryption

OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS
MOBILE O/G Call

MS sends access over RACH System allocates SDCCH through AGCH Set up information exchanged over SDCCH ( Authentication , Measurement Reports, Power Control) Lastly TCH is assigned through SDCCH when a conversation can start

Traffic Cases Call from an MS

RACH : the MS requests for a Signaling Channel

AGCH : access is granted. An SDCCH and a SACCH is allocated

SDCCH : the MS sends a Call setup Request

SDCCH : an idle TCH is allocated

Call establishes on TCH SDCCH is released

103

OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS
MOBILE I/C Call Paging to MS through PCH since MS is monitoring PAGCH MS responds by sending a page response over RACH As a result system allocates SDCCH to MS over AGCH Set up information exchanged over SDCCH ( Authentication, Call set-up messages , Power Control) Lastly TCH is allocated to mobile over SDCCH . Mobile starts conversation.

Traffic Cases Call to an MS

PCH : the MS is paged in the LA where it is located

RACH : the MS requests for a Signaling Channel

AGCH : access is granted. An SDCCH and a SACCH is allocated

SDCCH and SACCH are used for Call Setup. A TCH is assigned SDCCH is released

105

OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS
IDLE MODE IDLE MODE ACCESS PROCDURE DEDICATED MODE ----FCCH ---- SCH ----BCCH ----RACH ----AGCH ----SDCCH ----TCH ----PCH ----RACH ----AGCH ----SDCCH ----TCH

MS O/G Call

MS I/C Call

Handover
The process of changing cells during a call is called Handover. To choose the best target cell, the MS and the BTS perform measurements. MAHO- Mobile assisted Handover. Locating is done before actual handover.

Locating
Ms in active state measures signal strength and transmission quality on the BCCH carriers of the neighboring cells. Measurements by MS in downlink. The results are sent to BTS on SACCH at regular intervals. The serving BTS also measures signal strength and transmission quality on TCH, uplink. The measurements reports from MS and BTS are sent to the BSC. Based on these reports , the BSC decides if a handover is necessary and to which cell. This is called Locating. If the neighboring cell is considered better than the serving cell, a handover is attempted.

Types of Handover
Handover between cells controlled by the same BSC. Hanover between cells controlled by different BSCs but same MSC/VLR. Handover between cells controlled by different MSC/VLRs.

Handover between cells controlled by the same BSC.

OLD BTS 2 2 MS 3 4 6 NEW BTS 5 1 BSC 6

The steps
1. 2. The BSC orders the new BTS to activate a TCH. The BSC sends a message to the MS, via the old BTS, containing information about the frequency and time slot to change to and also the output power to use. This info sent to MS using FACCH. The MS tunes to the new frequency, and transmits handover access bursts. When the new BTS detects the handover bursts, it sends information about the TA via FACCH. The MS sends a handover complete message to the BSC via the new BTS. The BSC tells the old BTS to release the old TCH.

3. 4. 5. 6.

GSM Enhancements: GPRS and EDGE

GPRS = General Packet Radio System EDGE =Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution

Why GPRS?? L Packet-oriented services over circuit-switched bearers is often not resource-efficient L New Services become possible L Always Connected, Always On-line

GPRS Architecture

BTS
MT Um

Abis A

GMSC MSC/VLR
Gs Gb Gf

ISDN / PSTN / PLMN Network

EIR AUC HLR

IP-Backbone Network

BSC
TE

MS

SGSN
Gr Gn

BSS
A Abis AUC BSC BSS BTS EIR GGSN GMSC Gx HLR MS MSC MT SGSN TE Um VLR GSM Interface GSM Interface (Proprietary of M/s Ericsson) Authentication Center Base Station Center Base Station System Base Transceiver Station Equipment Identity Register Gateway GPRS Support Node Gateway Mobile services Switching Center GPRS Interfaces Home Location Register Mobile Station Mobile services Switching Center Mobile Terminal Serving GPRS Support Node Terminal Equipment Air Interface Visitor Location Register GSM Network Elements

Gn Gi
External IP Network

GGSN
Gi

External X.25 Network

GPRS Network Elements

Traffic & Signaling

Signaling

GPRS COMPONENTS
To ensure the interworking of the PLMN, PDN and the wireless networks, two new major components are required. These components are called GPRS Support Nodes. There are two types of GPRS Support Nodes
1. Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) 2. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

An SGSN delivers packets to mobile stations within its service area. SGSNs send queries to Home Location Registers (HLRs) to obtain profile data of GPRS subscribers. SGSNs detect new GPRS mobile stations in a given service area; and, finally, SGSNs process registration of new mobile subscribers and keep a record of their location inside a given service area.

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

GGSNs are used as interfaces to external PDNs. GGSNs maintain routing information that is necessary to tunnel the Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to the SGSNs that service particular mobile stations. Other functions include network and subscriber screening and address mapping. One or more GGSNs may support multiple SGSNs.

GPRS Network Enhancements

In addition to the new GPRS components, existing GSM and TDMA network elements must also be enhanced in order to support GPRS. The following two pieces of equipment must be enhanced:
Base Station System (BSS): must be enhanced to recognize and send user data to the SGSN that is serving the area. Home Location Register (HLR): must be enhanced to register GPRS user profiles and respond to queries originating from SGSNs regarding these profiles.

Advantages of GPRS
Increased revenues by moving in to the mobile data market Gain new subscribers requiring the data services without investing in to PCs to gain internet access Retain current subscribers by offering new services Reduce costs due to efficient use of network resources