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GSM

... a Global Mobile Communication System

> > >

GSM S System t A Architecture hit t Mobile Billing System Operational Support Platform

GSM System Architecture

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> > > >

Network Elements An example: Call setup Running g a GSM network Present and Future...

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Network Elements an overview

AUC

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z MS Mobile Station = phone + SIM card

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

EIR

MSC
VLR

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

Mobile Station ( (MS) )

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z MS consists of the mobile equipment (the terminal) and a smart card called the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). z The SIM provides personal mobility, so that the user can have access to subscribed services irrespective of a specific terminal. By inserting the SIM card into a GSM terminal, the user is able to receive i and d make k calls ll at t that th t terminal, t i l and d receive i other th subscribed services. Without the SIM, the terminal will not work. z The mobile equipment is uniquely identified by the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). (IMEI) z The SIM card contains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) used to identify the subscriber to the system, a secret key for authentication, , and other information. z The IMEI and the IMSI are independent, thereby allowing personal mobility. z The SIM card may be protected against unauthorized use by a password d or personal l identity id tit number b (PIN) (PIN).

AUC

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z MS Mobile Station = phone + SIM card z BTS Base Transceiver Station
EIR

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

MSC
VLR

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

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z The BTS corresponds to the transceivers and antennas used in each h cell ll of f th the network. t k z It handles the radio-link protocols with the Mobile Station. z A BTS may be placed in the center of a cell (omni-directional) (omni directional) or shooting in one or more specific directions (sectorized). Its transmitting power defines the size of a cell. z Each E h BTS has h typically t i ll between b t one and d sixteen i t transceivers t i depending on the density of users in the cell. z In a large g urban area, , there will potentially p y be a large g number of BTSs deployed, thus the requirements for a BTS are ruggedness, reliability, portability, and minimum cost.

Cell concept
z Dominant coverage area of one BTS sector z A sectorized BTS typically shoots in 3 antenna directions, thus covering 3 sectors or cells ll z Because of limited bandwidth, frequency channels have to be reused z Identical and neighboring frequencies need to be distributed away from each other in order to avoid noise in t terms of fi interference. t f

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AUC

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z MS Mobile Station = phone + SIM card z BTS Base Transceiver Station z BSC Base Station Controller
EIR

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

MSC
VLR

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

Base Station Controller ( (BSC) )

z The BSC controls a group of BTSs and manages their th i radio di resources. z The physical area the BSC covers is divided into one or more Location Areas. z BSC handles radio-channel setup, handover, frequency hopping and the radio frequency power levels of the BTSs. z The h BSC is the h connection between b the h mobile bl station and the Mobile service Switching Center (MSC). z Before f transmitting i i speech h or data d to the h MSC SC the information is transformed and coded in an TRANSCODER.

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Handover ( (HO) )
- Intra BSC Handover - Inter BSC Handover (as illustrated) - Inter MSC Handover

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BSC

BSC

AUC

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z MS card z BTS z BSC z HLR Mobile Station = phone + SIM Base Transceiver Station Base Station Controller Home Location Register

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

EIR

MSC
VLR

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

Home Location Register g ( (HLR) )

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z The HLR is a network database that contains all the administrative information of each subscriber registered in the GSM network, along with the current location of the mobile. z Subscription data states the logical identity of each subscriber (MS) ( ) and which services that are accessible or barred for the respective subscriber. z The location of the mobile is typically in the form of the address of the Visitor Location Register (VLR) associated with the mobile station. t ti Thi This information i f ti is i used d to t route t calls ll and d SMS to t the th MSC/VLR where the mobile station is currently located. z The HLR also contains a number of functions for managing these data controlling services and enabling subscribers to access and data, receive their services when roaming within and outside their home GSM network.

AUC

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z MS Mobile Station = phone + SIM card z BTS Base Transceiver Station z BSC Base Station Controller z HLR Home Location Register z MSC Mobile services Switching Centre z VLR Visitor Location Register

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

EIR

MSC
VLR

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) / Vi it Location Visitor L ti Register R i t (VLR)

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z The MSC is a very central component of the GSM network. The MSC performs the switching functions of the network and also provides connection to other networks. z It additionally provides all the functionality needed to handle a mobile subscriber, b ib such h as registration, i t ti authentication, th ti ti location l ti updating, d ti handovers, and call routing to a roaming subscriber. z 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. z The VLR contains selected information from a subscriber's HLR necessary for call control and provisioning of the subscribed services to the visiting user. z Signaling between functional entities in the Network Subsystem uses Signaling System Number 7 (SS7). (SS7)

AUC

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z MS Mobile Station = phone + SIM card z BTS Base Transceiver Station z BSC Base Station Controller z HLR Home Location Register z MSC Mobile services Switching Centre z VLR Visitor Location Register z AUC Authentication Centre

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

EIR

MSC

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

Authentication Centre (AUC)

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z Th The AUC generates t authentication th ti ti and d ciphering i h i data. d t z The purpose of the authentication security feature is to protect the network against unauthorized use. It also protects subscribers by denying the possibility for intruders to impersonate authorized users. z The ciphering data is used to ensure that confidentiality and integrity is kept on the physical radio channels. Ciphering prevents user information and signalling to be available or disclosed to unauthorized individuals.

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z z z z z z z z z z z z z z

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MS BTS BSC HLR MSC VLR AUC EIR Mobile Station = phone + SIM card Base Transceiver Station Base Station Controller Home Location Register Mobile services Switching Centre Visitor Location Register Authentication Centre Equipment Identity Register For blacklisting g stolen and unwanted equipment SMSC Short Message Service Support Centre VMS Voice Messaging System PrePaid Node Hosting GP Prepaid services IN Intelligent Network PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node

Telenor Nett

EIR

MSC

SMSC

IN

INTERNET

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

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GSM Call Setup

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GSM Call C ll Setup S t

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z z z z z z z z

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MS BTS BSC HLR MSC VLR AUC Mobile Station = phone + SIM card Base Transceiver Station Base Station Controller Home Location Register Mobile services Switching Centre Visitor Location Register Authentication Centre Stand-alone or integrated in HLR EIR Equipment q p Identity y Register g For blacklisting stolen and unwanted equipment SMSC Short Message Service Support Centre VMS Voice Messaging System PrePaid Node Hosting prepaid service system IN Intelligent Network services PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network PABX Private Automatic Branch Exchange

HLR BSC

VMS PrePaid Node IN

EIR

MSC

SMSC

INTERNET

z z z z z z

PSTN Fixed network

PSTN
International

PABX

MSC

BSC

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC
Base Station Controller

z The call request reaches the BSC from the BTS and d is i forwarded f d d to t MSC. MSC z After call is established, the BSC will perform decod decoding g of o t the e ca call ( (in typ typical ca co config.) g)

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z Checks A number. z To whom is A subscriber calling? g (Checks B number) z Example : A subscriber has GP prepaid. id

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z Does the A subscriber have money left on his/her account? z When the call is established and onon -going the subscribers account is decremented accordingly accordingly.

PrePaid Node

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HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR MSC SMSC

INTERNET

PrePaid IN

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z Where is the B subscriber? z MSC interrogates in HLR. HLR (HLR = Home Location Register)

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

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HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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HLR BSC

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z HLR says I am the home of the B subscriber and I know where he/she is right now (i.e. which VLR) z Tells this VLR Give Give me a visitor address for this subscriber (Roaming Number)

HLR
Home Location Register

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z Hosting ost g MSC/VLR SC/ returns etu s TEMPORARILY O assigned visitor/roaming address for BBsubscriber to HLR.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z Thanks for the visitor address! z I will send this address to the MSC that requested for it.

HLR
Home Location Register

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

CSL z Thank you, HLR! z Speech connection path will set up now towards the MSC/VLR where the B subscriber is presently located.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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z Sets up a speech connection towards BSC. z Delivers BB-subscriber ID to BSC and asks to page for the subscriber using that ID ID.

MSC
Mobile Switching Centre

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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z BSC now sends a PAGING MESSAGE to all the BTSs that it covers/controls. z Carrys y PAGING RESPONSE from called MS back to MSC. z Allocates a RADIO channel through a BTS with best available and allowable SIGNAL STRENGTH for called MS. z Performs SPEECH CODING when call is established.

BSC
Base Station Controller

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

z The e BB-subsc subscriber be now o has as a all these ese c choices: o ces

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{ He/she may answer the call and A A-subscriber hears him/her. { He/she may reject the call. { He/she may be busy with another call and still can HOLD or answer the h new call ll if he/she h / h has h MULTI call ll option i with i h his/her hi /h subscription and mobile (MS).

z Caller (A(A-subscriber) may hear an anouncement if called MS is turned off or outside coverage area at that moment moment. z Call may get forwarded to another number or to his/her VOICE MAIL box if called MS is forwarded on NOT AVAILABLE condition. z Call may also get forwarded further to another call or to his/her VOICE MAIL BOX if the mobile (MS) doesnt ANSWER the call and has an active forwarding on NO REPLY or BUSY condition. A And d even more... Thus, what happens next depends on the B subscribers condition and what he/she chooses to do. do

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

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BSC

HLR

VMS
Voicemail

EIR

PrePaid IN

MSC

SMSC
INTERNET

MSC PSTN
Fi d Network Fixed N t k

BSC

PSTN
I t International ti l

PABX

Speech p calls in the GSM system y

MSC: BSC BSC: HLR: VLR: TC: Mobile Switching Centre B Base Station S i C Controller ll Home Location Register Visitor Location Register Transcoder

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BSC MSC
Capacity: 16 kb/s pr user

Location Area f1 f8 f3 f6 f4 f7 13 kb/s speech f2 f9 f 2, TS 8

PSTN
Fixed Network
64 kb/s

MSC

64 kb/s pr speech channel S

BSC

TC
speech

HLR
Home Register g

VLR
Visitor Register g

BSC

Data calls in the GSM system y

MSC: BSC: HLR: VLR: TC: IWU: Mobile Switching Centre Base Station Controller Home Location Register Visitor Location Register Transcoder Interworking g Unit

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BSC MSC
Modem pool Capacity: 16 kb/s pr user

Location Area f1 f8 f3 f6 f4 f7 9.6 kb/s data f2 f9 f 2, TL 8

PSTN
Fixed Network
64 kb/s

MSC

IWU

64 kb/s pr data channel call marked with ith d data t fl flag D

BSC

TC
data

HLR
Home Register g

VLR
Visitor Register g

BSC

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Running a GSM network

technically speaking...

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Technical T h i l disciplines di i li within ithi a GSM operator company

z Radio planning p g {Site allocation, frequency use and reuse. z Switch planning {Capacity of processor and links, new nodes. z Implementation {Civil works, site acquisition, roll-out.

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z Operation of existing network

Fault Monitoring and Fault Handling, Quality Supervision. Expertise on core network, including signaling system No. 7, value added services and IN (NSS = Network Switching System). Expertise on access network, i.e. radio and BSC (BSS = Base Station System). Expertise on transmission (Tx) and power (PWR). (PWR) Provisioning of new elements into the network. Provisioning of computer network infrastructure for O&M (DNA). Local presence for rapid physical fault handling.

z Research R h and d Development D l t

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GSM technology t h l at t present... t

GSM technology gy at present... p

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z High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD)

{ Available in some markets markets. Requires a special GSM terminal terminal. { Allows you to utilize more than one timeslot on the air interface, thus increasing the transmission capacity. { Dynamic resource allocation allocation. As a result data rate will vary vary, but still be considerably higher than 9.6 kbps.

z MMS

{ Mobile M bil M Multimedia lti di S Service i { Send and receive sound, text and picture in one message (even in color given the right terminal). { My webpage, administrate your own subscription, bill, email, g , address list and more on the internet. short messages, { Hundreds more...

z Other value added services

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GPRS (General Packet Radio Services)

{ In I principle, i i l GPRS can b be compared dt to short h t messages (SMS), but it can handle much bigger chunks of data. { GPRS provides a natural natural way of transmitting most types of data: z You only use the network resources when you need them, i.e. when you are sending or receiving a defined amount of data. z The rest of the time network resources are available for other users. z Instead of using a small portion of the networks resources for a long period of time, the user can utilize a bigger portion of the resources over a shorter h t ti time span.

Packet switching: - Efficient use of radio resources

Circuit switiched GPRS

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Time

Time

Circuit switched GPRS

Time

Ti Time

GSM has been through BIG changes in size, capacity and functionality

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...and df future t

Whats What s in store for us?

zEDGE
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution Supplement to GPRS Improvement lies mainly in the modulation on the air interface

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zUMTS
Universal Mobile Telephony System GPRS G S will live in pa partnership p with U UMTS S New radio technology (WCDMA) New frequency band New service concept

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GSM evolution
Functionality & capacity it

IMT 2000
capable systems
UMTS/WCDMA
2 Mbps

EDGE
384 kbps

GPRS
115 kb kbps
Packet switched

HSCSD/14.4
57.6 kbps
Circuit switched

Circ. sw. data

<9.6 kbps

Speech

Ti Time

UMTS exterior

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UMTS interior

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Credits
z Primary version of this presentation was prepared by Vidar Skartveit Telenor Mobil Skartveit, Mobil, Norway Norway. z Call setup material adapted from original by Jan Rune Wg, Telenor Mobil, Norway. z Other Oth material t i l adapted d t d and d used db by courtesy t of f Egil Rambl, Telenor Mobile/GrameenPhone. z Images g and sketches from Nokia, Ericsson and others. z Definitions borrowed from the works:

{ An overview of the GSM system by Javier Gozlvez Sempere { Overview Overview of the Global System for Mobile Communications Communications by John Scourias { GSM Det globale systemet for mobilkommunikasjon (in Norwegian) by y Vidar Bjugan. j g

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Thank you!
z Questions?