GSM Technology

Gsm Technology

Abstract View
GSM is also known as Global System for Mobile Communications, or simply Global System for Mobile. A technology started development in 1985 by a French company formerly known as Groupe Spcial Mobile. It's main competetor is CDMA, currently in use by Bell Mobility, Telus Mobility and Mobility Canada carriers. Currently, only two main carriers in Canada are operating GSM networks. Microcell (Fido, Cityfone) and Rogers Wireless. Fido was the first carrier to start utilising this technology, followed by Rogers Wireless mainstream around 2001. Several companies in the United States have adopted GSM and it's spreading fast among AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile. GSM operates on 4 different frequencies worldwide. However, only two are which are used in Canada, which are GSM-850 and GSM-1900.GSM-850 and GSM-1900 which operate at 1.9Ghz. GSM calls are either based on data or voice. Voice calls use audio codecs called half-rate, full-rate and enhanced full-rate. Data calls can turn the cell phone into a modem operating at 9600 bps. An extended GSM feature is high speed circuit switched data, allowing the phone to transmit upto around 40 kbps.

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CONTENTS 1. History 2. Introduction 3. Architecture of Gsm network Radio Subsystem (RSS) Mobile Station (MS) Mobile equipment Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Base Station (BS) BSC (Base Station Controller) BTS (Base Transceiver Station)

Radio Interface (Um)

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History
The Beginning of GSM
1980: In the early 1980s, as business was becoming increasingly international, the communications industry focused exclusively on local cellular solutions, with very few compatible systems. Nevertheless, it was clear there would be an escalating demand for a technology that facilitated flexible and reliable mobile communications. The problem was lack of capacity. By the early 1990s, it was clear that analog technology would not be able to keep up with demand

Groupe Speciale Mobile

1982: Conference Europeenne des Postes et Telecommunications began specifying a European digital telecommunications standard; in the 900MHz frequency band. The CEPT was formed in 1982 by the Conference Des Administrations Europeans Des Posts et Telecommunications. In turn, the CEPT established the Groupe Speciale Mobile (GSM) to develop the specification for a pan-European mobile communications network capable of supporting the many millions of subscribers likely to turn to mobile communications in the years ahead.These standards later become known as Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM).

Rapid Growth
1991: The GSM 1800 standard was released. Commercial service was started in mid1991. 1993: Australia becomes the first non-European country to sign the MoU. First commercial DCS 1800 system was launched in United Kingdom (UK). there were 36 GSM networks in 22 countries, with 25 additional countries having 3

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already selected or considering GSM. [033] This is not only a European standard South Africa, Australia, and many Middle and Far East countries have chosen GSM. 1994: By the beginning of 1994, there were 1.3 million subscribers worldwide. [034] the acronym GSM now (aptly) stands for Global System for Mobile telecommunications. [035] 1995: The specification for the Personal Communication Services (PCS) was developed in the USA. This version of GSM operates at 1900MHz 1996: The first GSM 1900 systems become available. Those comply with the PCS 1900 standard. [036] Finally, the history of GSM is summarized in the form of a simple table given below:

Year
1981 1983 1985 1986 1991 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996

Mobile System
Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) 450 American Mobile Phone System (AMPS) Total Access Communication System (TACS) Nordic Mobile Telephony (NMT) 900 American Digital Cellular (ADC) Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Digital Cellular System (DCS) 1800 Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) PCS 1900-Canada PCS-United States

Table: History of GSM, a quick overview

GSM Technology Introduction

Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) is a set of ETSI standards specifying the infrastructure for a digital cellular service. The standard is used in approx. 85 countries in the world including such locations as Europe, Japan and Australia.

Figure 1.1: The Simple Representation of GSM Network [065] GSM is worldwide standard that allows users of different operators to connect and to shares the services simultaneously. GSM has been the backbone of the phenomenal success in mobile telecommunication over the last decade. Now, at the dawn of the era of true broadband services, GSM continues to evolve to meet new demands. One of GSM's great strengths is its international roaming capability, giving consumers a seamless service in about 160 countries. This has been a vital driver in growth, with around 300 million GSM subscribers currently in Europe and Asia. In the Americas, today's 7 million subscribers are set to grow

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rapidly, with market potential of 500 million in population, due to the introduction of GSM 800, which allows operators using the 800 MHz band to have access to GSM technology too. The Europeans realized this early on, and in 1982 the Conference of European Posts and Telegraphs (CEPT) formed a study group called the Groupe Spcial Mobile (GSM) to study and develop a pan-European public land mobile system. The proposed system had to meet certain criteria:

good subjective speech quality, low terminal and service cost, support for international roaming, ability to support handheld terminals, support for range of new services and facilities spectral efficiency, and ISDN compatibility. [003]

GSM is a standard for a Global System for Mobile communications. Global System for Mobile communications, a mobile phone system based on multiple radio cells (cellular mobile phone network). It has been agreed upon and is completed by ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

GSM Technology Architecture of Gsm network

A GSM system is basically designed as a combination of four major subsystems: 1. Radio subsystem (RSS) 2. Network (switching) subsystem (SSS) 3. Operation and maintenance subsystem (OMS)

Main Components of GSM Network Before exploring the GSM architecture in depth, it is better to have a quick overview of the above components, starting with the MS (the mobile station). As we shall proceed through our discussion on these components the architecture, other parts of the entire network will elaborate automatically.

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Radio Subsystem (RSS)

The Radio Subsystem (RSS) consists of: Mobile Station (MS) Base Station (BS) Radio Interface (Um)

Mobile station
Mobile station (MS) is a portable data and/or voice communications statio which acts as a normal telephone whilst being able to move over a wide area. A mobile station is typically made up of: an antenna an amplifier a receiver a transmitter and similar hardware and software for sending and receiving signals and converting between RF waves and audio signals [052] The mobile station (MS) comprises all user equipment and software needed for
communication

with a Wireless telephone network. MS refers to the Mobile Phone. i.e.

the handset held by the users in the mobile network. This is the terminology of 2G systems like GSM. In the 3G systems, MS (mobile station) is now referred as User Equipment UE. The MS includes radio equipment and the man machine interface (MMI) that a subscribe needs in order to access the services provided

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by the GSM PLMN. MS can be installed in Vehicles or can be portable or handheld stations. The MS may include provisions for data communication as well as voice. A mobile transmits and receives message to and from the GSM system over the air interface to establish and continue connections through the system. In GSM, the Mobile Station consists of four main components:

Mobile Terminal (MT)- offers common functions that are used by all the service the Mobile Station offers. It is equivalent to the network termination of an ISDN access and is also the end-point of the radio interface.

Terminal Equipment (TE) - is a peripheral device of the Mobile Station and offers services to the user. It does not contain any functions specific in GSM. Terminal Adapter (TA) - hides radio-specific characteristics.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) - is a personalization of the Mobile Station and stores user specific parameters (such as mobile number, contacts etc).

components of the MS Each MS is identified by an IMEI that is permanently stored in the mobile unit. Upon request, the MS sends this number over the signaling channel to the MSC. The IMEI can be used to identify mobile units that are reported stolen or operating incorrectly.

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Just as the IMEI identities the mobile equipment, other numbers are used to identity the mobile subscriber. Different subscriber identities are used in different phases of call setup. The Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN) is the number that the calling party dials in order to reach the subscriber. It is used by the land network to route calls toward an appropriate MSC. The international mobile subscribe identity (IMSI) is the primary function of the subscriber within the mobile network and is permanently assigned to him.

Functions of a Mobile Station

The Mobile Station (MS) performs the following: Radio transmission termination Radio channel management Speech encoding/decoding Radio link error protection Flow control of data Mobility management Performance measurements of radio link [064], [065]

The MS has two very important entities, each with its own identity: Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Mobile equipment

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Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Subscribers Identity Module GSM subscribers are provided with a SIM (subscriber identity module) card with its unique identification at the very beginning of the service. By divorcing the subscriber ID from the equipment ID, the subscriber may never own the GSM mobile equipment set. The subscriber is identified in the system when he inserts the SIM card in the mobile equipment. This provides an enormous amount of flexibility to the subscribers since they can now use any GSM-specified mobile equipment. The SIM is a removable, the size of a credit card, and contains an integrated circuit chip with a microprocessor, random access memory (RAM), and read only memory (ROM). The subscriber inserts it in the MS unit when he or she wants to use the MS to make or receive a call. As stated, a SIM also comes in a modular from that can be mounted in the subscribers equipment. When a mobile subscriber wants to use the system, he or she mounts their SIM card and provide their Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is compared with a PIN stored within the SIM. If the user enters three incorrect PIN codes, the SIM is disabled. The service provider if requested by the subscriber can also permanently bypass the PIN. Disabling the PIN code simplifies the call setup but reduces the protection of the users account in the event of a stolen SIM.

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Functions of a SIM
The functions of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) are: Authentication of the validity of the MS when accessing the network User authentication Storage of subscriber-related information, which can be: data fixed during administrative phase (e.g., subscriber identification), and temporary network data (e.g., cell location identity).

Mobile Equipment (ME)

The mobile equipment is also called the terminal and is responsible for communication with the GSM system and converting the radio signals in to human voice and reverse is also true. According to the power and applications of it, ME is divided into different types: Fixed Terminals Portable Terminals Handheld terminals

a) b)

Fixed Terminals Portable Terminals

These MEs are installed in cars having the maximum power output of 20 W.

Portable terminals are also installed in the vehicles. Their maximum allowed output power is 8 W.

c)

Handheld terminals

The handheld terminals are most popular because of their smaller size and weight, which are decreasing continuously. These terminals can emit up to 2 W of power. With evolution in technology, the maximum allowed power is reduced to 0.8 W. 12

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Mobile subscriber identities in GSM

It would be better to discuss some of the important subscriber identities in the GSM, which make the use of this technology safer for every person whether he/she is a subscriber of GSM or not.

1)

International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)

An IMSI is assigned to each authorized GSM user. It consists of a mobile country code (MCC), mobile network code (MNC) (to identify the PLMN), and a PLMN unique mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN). The IMSI is the only absolute identity that a subscriber has within the GSM system. The IMSI consists of the MCC followed by the MNC and MSIN and shall not exceed 15 digits. It is used in the case of system-internal signaling transactions in order to identify a subscriber. The first two digits of the MSIN identify the HLR where the mobile subscriber is administrated. [069]

2)

Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)

A TMSI is a MSC-VLR specific alias that is designed to maintain user confidentiality. It is assigned only after successful subscriber authentication. The correlation of a TMSI to an IMSI only occurs during a mobile subscribers initial transaction with an MSC (for example, location updating). Under certain condition (such as traffic system disruption and malfunctioning of the system), the MSC can direct individual TMSIs to provide the MSC with their IMSI.

3)

Mobile Station ISDN Number

The MS international number must be dialed after the international prefix in order to obtain a mobile subscriber in another country. The MSISDN numbers is composed of the country code (CC) followed by the National Destination Code (NDC), Subscriber Number (SN), which shall not exceed 15 digits. Here too the

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first two digits of the SN identify the HLR where the mobile subscriber is administrated.

4)

The Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN)

The MSRN is allocated on temporary basis when the MS roams into another numbering area. The MSRN number is used by the HLR for rerouting calls to the MS. It is assigned upon demand by the HLR on a per-call basis. The MSRN for PSTN/ISDN routing shall have the same structure as international ISDN numbers in the area in which the MSRN is allocated. The HLR knows in what MSC/VLR service area the subscriber is located. At the reception of the MSRN, HLR sends it to the GMSC, which can now route the call to the MSC/VLR exchange where the called subscriber is currently registered.

5)

International Mobile Equipment Identity

The IMEI is the unique identity of the equipment used by a subscriber by each PLMN and is used to determine authorized (white), unauthorized (black), and malfunctioning (gray) GSM hardware. In conjunction with the IMSI, it is used to ensure that only authorized users are granted access to the system. The Base Station (BS) terminates the radio interface (Um) on the stationary network side. The BS has a modular design and includes the: Base Transceiver Station (BTS) Base Station Controller (BSC) Transcoding and Rate Adaptation Unit (TRAU)

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Base Station System (BSS)

In GSM, the Base Station System is a term given to a BSC (Base Station Controller) and the BTS (Base Transceiver Station) associated with it. The number of BTS associated with a BSC is dependent on the manufacturer. Although not mandatory, through interpretation of the Abis interface standard BTS and BSC employed within a BSS will always be supplied by the same manufacturer.

BSS Structure

The BSC, the TRAU and BTS form a unit, which is called Base Station System (BSS) in the GSM terminology.A BSC can control several BTS. Every BSC contained in the network controls one BSS. The interface between BSC and BTS is called Abis
-

interface. A interface as being the entity responsible for

communicating with MSs in a certain area. The radio equipment of a BSS may be composed of one or more cells. A BSS may consist of one or more BS.

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The base station subsystem (BSS) is the section of a traditional cellular telephone network which is responsible for handling traffic and signaling between a mobile phone and the network switching subsystem. The BSS carries out transcoding of speech channels, allocation of radio channels to mobile phones, paging, quality management of transmission and reception over the air interface and many other tasks related to the radio network.

Base Station Controller (BSC)

A BSC is a network component in the PLMN that function for control of one or more BTS. It is a functional entity that handles common control functions within a BTS. BSC within a mobile network is a key component for handling and routing information. The BSC provides all the control functions and physical links between the MSC and BTS. It is a high-capacity switch that provides functions such as handover, cell configuration data, and control of radio frequency (RF) power levels in base transceiver stations. A number of BSCs are served by an MSC. The BSC is connected to the MSC on one side and to the BTS on the other. The BSC performs the Radio Resource (RR) management for the cells under its control. It assigns and releases frequencies and timeslots for all MSs in its own area. The BSC performs the intercell handover for MSs moving between BTS in its control. It also reallocates frequencies to the BTSs in its area to meet locally heavy demands during peak hours or on special events. The BSC controls the power transmission of both BSSs and MSs in its area. The minimum power level for a mobile unit is broadcast over the BCCH. The BSC provides the time and frequency synchronization reference signals broadcast by its BTSs. The BSC also measures the time delay of received MS signals relative to the BTS clock. If the received MS signal is not centered in its assigned timeslot at the BTS, The BSC can direct the BTS to notify the MS to advance the timing such that proper

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synchronization takes place. The BSC may also perform traffic concentration to reduce the number of transmission lines from the BSC to its BTSs.

A BSC is often based on a distributed computing architecture, with redundancy applied to critical functional units to ensure availability in the event of fault conditions. Redundancy often extends beyond the BSC equipment itself and is commonly used in the power supplies and in the transmission equipment providing the A-ter interface to PCU. The databases for all the sites, including information such as carrier frequencies, frequency hopping lists, power reduction levels, receiving levels for cell border calculation, are stored in the BSC. This data is obtained directly from radio planning engineering which involves modeling of the signal propagation as well as traffic projections.

Packet control unit

The packet control unit (PCU) is a late addition to the GSM standard. It performs some of the processing tasks of the BSC, but for packet data. The allocation of channels between voice and data is controlled by the base station, but once a channel is allocated to the PCU, the PCU takes full control over that channel. The PCU can be built into the base station, built into the BSC or even, in some proposed architectures, it can be at the SGSN site. In most of the cases, the PCU is a separate node communicating extensively with the BSC on the radio side and the SGSN on the Gb side.

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Base Terminal Station (BTS)

The BTS handles the radio interface to the mobile station. The BTS is the radio equipment (transceivers and antennas) needed to service each cell in the network. A group of BTSs are controlled by a BSC. A BTS is a network component that serves one cell and is controlled by a BSC. BTS is typically able to handle three to five radio carries, carrying between 24 and 40 simultaneous communication. Reducing the BTS volume is important to keeping down the cost of the cell sites. A BTS compares radio transmission and reception devices, up to and including the antennas, and also all the signal processing specific to the radio interface. A single transceiver within BTS supports eight basic radio channels of the same TDM frame. There are two categorize in which, BTS may be arranged in the cells depending upon the circumstances of the region in which they are to be used. The two arrangements are shown in figure below.

Switching Subsystem (SSS)

The Switching Subsystem (SSS) comprises of: Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC) Home Location Register (HLR) Visitor Location Register (VLR) Authentication Centre (AuC) Equipment Identification Register (EIR)

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The network and the switching subsystem together include the main switching functions of GSM as well as the databases needed for subscriber data and mobility management (VLR). The main role of the MSC is to manage the communications between the GSM users and other telecommunication network users. The basic switching function is performed by the MSC, whose main function is to coordinate setting up calls to and from GSM users. The MSC has interface with the BSS on one side (through which MSC VLR is in contact with GSM users) and the external networks on the other (ISDN/PSTN/PSPDN). The main difference between a MSC and an exchange in a fixed network is that the MSC has to take into account the impact of the allocation of RRs and the mobile nature of the subscribers and has to perform, in addition, at least, activities required for the location registration and handover. The Network Switching Subsystem, also referred to as the GSM core network, usually refers to the circuit-switched core network, used for traditional GSM services such as voice calls, SMS, and circuit switched data calls. There is also an overlay architecture on the GSM core network to provide packetswitched data services and is known as the GPRS core network. This allows mobile phones to have access to services such as WAP, MMS, and Internet access. All mobile phones manufactured today have both circuit and packet based services, so most operators have a GPRS network in addition to the standard GSM core network.

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)

An MSC is the point of connection to the network for mobile subscribers of a wireless telephone network. It connects to the subscribers through base stations

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and radio transmission equipment that control the air interface, and to the network of other MSCs and wireless infrastructure through voice trunks and SS7. An MSC includes the procedures for mobile registration and is generally co-sited with a visitor location register (VLR) that is used to temporarily store information relating to the mobile subscribers temporarily connected to that MSC. The MSC performs the telephony switching functions of the system. It controls calls to and from other telephone and data systems. It also performs such functions as toll ticketing, network interfacing, common channel signaling, and others.

Other GSM core network elements connected to MSC

The MSC connects to the following elements: The home location register (HLR) for obtaining data about the SIM and mobile services ISDN number (MSISDN; i.e., the telephone number). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) which handles the radio communication with 3G mobile phones. The visitor location register (VLR) for determining where other mobile subscribers are located. Other MSCs for procedures such as handover.

Home location register (HLR)

'Home Location Register' The home location register (HLR) is a central database that contains details of each mobile phone subscriber that is authorized to use the GSM core network. There can be several logical, and physical, HLRs per
public land mobile network

(PLMN), though one international mobile subscriber Identity

(IMSI)/MSISDN pair can be associated with only one logical HLR (which can span several physical nodes) at a time.

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The HLR stores details of every SIM card issued by the mobile phone operator. Each SIM has a unique identifier called an IMSI which is the primary key to each HLR record. The next important items of data associated with the SIM are the MSISDNs, which are the telephone numbers used by mobile phones to make and receive calls. The primary MSISDN is the number used for making and receiving voice calls and SMS, but it is possible for a SIM to have other secondary MSISDNs associated with it for fax and data calls. Each MSISDN is also a primary key to the HLR record. The HLR data is stored for as long as a subscriber remains with the mobile phone operator.

Data stored in the HLR:

GSM services that the subscriber has requested or been given.

GPRS

settings to allow the subscriber to access packet services. settings applicable for each associated MSISDN.

Current location of subscriber (VLR and serving GPRS support node/SGSN).

Call diverts

The HLR is a system which directly receives and processes MAP transactions and messages from elements in the GSM network, for example, the location update messages received as mobile phones roam around.

Other GSM core network elements connected to HLR:The HLR connects to the following elements:

The G-MSC for handling incoming calls The VLR for handling requests from mobile phones to attach to the network The SMSC for handling incoming SMS The voice mail system for delivering notifications to the mobile phone that a message is waiting . The AUC for authentication and ciphering and exchange of data (triplets)

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Functions of HLR:The main function of the HLR is to manage the fact that SIMs and phones move around a lot. The following procedures are implemented to deal with this:

Manage the mobility of subscribers by means of updating their position in administrative areas called 'location areas', which are identified with a LAC. The action of a user of moving from one LA to another is followed by the HLR with a Location area update while retrieving information from BSS as base station identity code (BSIC).

Send the subscriber data to a VLR or SGSN when a subscriber first roams there. Broker between the G-MSC or SMSC and the subscriber's current VLR in order to allow incoming calls or text messages to be delivered. Remove subscriber data from the previous VLR when a subscriber has roamed away from it.

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Visitor location register (VLR):The visitor location register is a temporary database of the subscribers who have roamed into the particular area which it serves. Each base station in the network is served by exactly one VLR, hence a subscriber cannot be present in more than one VLR at a time. The data stored in the VLR has either been received from the HLR, or collected from the MS. In practice, for performance reasons, most vendors integrate the VLR directly to the V-MSC and, where this is not done, the VLR is very tightly linked with the MSC via a proprietary interface.

Data stored in VLR: IMSI

(the subscriber's identity number).

Authentication data. MSISDN (the subscriber's phone number). GSM services that the subscriber is allowed to access.
access point (GPRS)

subscribed.

The HLR address of the subscriber.

Other GSM core network elements connected to VLR:The VLR connects to the following elements:

The V-MSC to pass needed data for its procedures; e.g., authentication or call setup. The HLR to request data for mobile phones attached to its serving area.

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Other VLRs to transfer temporary data concerning the mobile when they roam into new VLR areas. For example, the temporal mobile subscriber identity (TMSI).

Functions of VLR:The primary functions of the VLR are:

To inform the HLR that a subscriber has arrived in the particular area covered by the VLR. To track where the subscriber is within the VLR area (location area) when no call is ongoing. To allow or disallow which services the subscriber may use. To allocate roaming numbers during the processing of incoming calls. To purge the subscriber record if a subscriber becomes inactive whilst in the area of a VLR. The VLR deletes the subscriber's data after a fixed time period of inactivity and informs the HLR (e.g., when the phone has been switched off and left off or when the subscriber has moved to an area with no coverage for a long time). To delete the subscriber record when a subscriber explicitly moves to another, as instructed by the HLR

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Authentication centre (AUC)

The authentication centre (AUC) is a function to authenticate each SIM card that attempts to connect to the GSM core network (typically when the phone is powered on). Once the authentication is successful, the HLR is allowed to manage the SIM and services described above. An encryption key is also generated that is subsequently used to encrypt all wireless communications (voice, SMS, etc.) between the mobile phone and the GSM core network. If the authentication fails, then no services are possible from that particular combination of SIM card and mobile phone operator attempted. There is an additional form of identification check performed on the serial number of the mobile phone described in the EIR section below, but this is not relevant to the AUC processing. Proper implementation of security in and around the AUC is a key part of an operator's strategy to avoid SIM cloning. The AUC does not engage directly in the authentication process, but instead generates data known as triplets for the MSC to use during the procedure. The security of the process depends upon a shared secret between the AUC and the SIM called the Ki. The Ki is securely burned into the SIM during manufacture and is also securely replicated onto the AUC. This Ki is never transmitted between the AUC and SIM, but is combined with the IMSI to produce a challenge/response for identification purposes and an encryption key called Kc for use in over the air communications.

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Equipment Identity Register (EIR) The EIR is a database that contains information about the identity of mobile equipment that prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized, or defective mobile stations. The AUC and EIR are implemented as stand-alone nodes or as a combined AUC/EIR node. EIR is a database that stores the IMEI numbers for all registered ME units. The IMEI uniquely identifies all registered ME. There is generally one EIR per PLMN. It interfaces to the various HLR in the PLMN. The EIR keeps track of all ME units in the PLMN. It maintains various lists of message. The database stores the ME identification and has nothing do with subscriber who is receiving or originating call. There are three classes of ME that are stored in the database, and each group has different characteristics: White List: contains those IMEIs that are known to have been assigned to valid MSs. This is the category of genuine equipment. Black List: contains IMEIs of mobiles that have been reported stolen. Gray List: contains IMEIs of mobiles that have problems (for example, faulty software, and wrong make of the equipment). This list contains all MEs with faults not important enough for barring.

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Operation and Maintenance Subsystem (OMS)

The Operations and Maintenance Center (OMC) is the centralized maintenance and diagnostic heart of the Base Station System (BSS). It allows the network provider to operate, administer, and monitor the functioning of the BSS. An OMS consists of one or more Operation & Maintenance Centre (OMC).

The OMC [089] The operations and maintenance center (OMC) is connected to all equipment in the switching system and to the BSC. The implementation of OMC is called the operation and support system (OSS). The OSS is the functional entity from which the network operator monitors and controls the system. The purpose of OSS is to offer the customer cost-effective support for centralized, regional and local operational and maintenance activities that are required for a GSM network. An important function of OSS is to provide a network overview and support the maintenance activities of different operation and maintenance organizations.

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The OMC provides alarm-handling functions to report and log alarms generated by the other network entities. The maintenance personnel at the OMC can define that criticality of the alarm. Maintenance covers both technical and administrative actions to maintain and correct the system operation, or to restore normal operations after a breakdown, in the shortest possible time. The fault management functions of the OMC allow network devices to be manually or automatically removed from or restored to service. The status of network devices can be checked, and tests and diagnostics on various devices can be invoked. For example, diagnostics may be initiated remotely by the OMC. A mobile call trace facility can also be invoked. The performance management functions included collecting traffic statistics from the GSM network entities and archiving them in disk files or displaying them for analysis. Because a potential to collect large amounts of data exists, maintenance personal can select which of the detailed statistics to be collected based on personal interests and past experience. As a result of performance analysis, if necessary, an alarm can be set remotely. The OMC provides system change control for the software revisions and configuration data bases in the network entities or uploaded to the OMC. The OMC also keeps track of the different software versions running on different subsystem of the GSM.

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GSM Technology Working of GSM

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Security and authentication
Authentication involves the SIM card and the Authentication Center. A secret key, stored in the SIM card and the AuC together with a ciphering algorithm called A3, are used to authenticate the user. The MN and the AuC computes a SRES through A3 using the secret key and a nonce generated by the AuC. If the two computed SRES are the same, the subscriber is authenticated. The different services to which the subscriber has access are also checked. Next the a security check is performed in the equipment identity (IMEI). If the IMEI number of the mobile is authorized in the EIR, the mobile station is allowed to connect the network. To assure user confidentiality, the user is registered with a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) after its first location update procedure. Enciphering is another option to guarantee a very strong security.

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GSM Technology Basic features:

Call forwarding this service gives the subscriber the ability to forward incoming calls to another number if the called mobile unit is not reachable, if it is busy, if there is no reply, or if call forwarding is allowed unconditionally.

Barring of outgoing calls this service makes it possible for a mobile subscriber to prevent all outgoing calls.

Barring of incoming calls this function allows the subscriber to prevent incoming calls. The following two conditions for incoming call barring exist: baring of all incoming calls and barring of incoming calls when roaming outside the home PLMN.

Advice of charge (AoC) The AoC service provides the mobile subscriber with an estimate of the call charges. There are two types of AoC information: one that provides the subscriber with an estimate of the bill and one that can be used for immediate charging purposes. AoC for data calls is provided on the basis of time measurements.

Call hold this service enables the subscriber to interrupt an ongoing call and then subsequently reestablish the call. The call hold service is only applicable to normal telephony.

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Call waiting this service enables the mobile subscriber to be notified of an incoming call during a conversation. The subscriber can answer, reject, or ignore the incoming call. Call waiting is applicable to all GSM telecommunications services using a circuit-switched connection.

Multiparty service the multiparty service enables a mobile subscriber to establish a multiparty conversationthat is, a simultaneous conversation between three and six subscribers. This service is only applicable to normal telephony.

Calling line identification presentation/restriction these services supply the called party with the integrated services digital network (ISDN) number of the calling party. The restriction service enables the calling party to restrict the presentation.

Closed user groups (CUGs) CUGs are generally comparable to a PBX. They are a group of subscribers who are capable of only calling themselves and certain numbers.

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Advantages of GSM
GSM is mature; this maturity means a more stable network with robust features Less signal deterioration inside buildings Ability to use repeaters Talk-time is generally higher in GSM phones due to the pulse nature of transmission The availability of Subscriber Identity Modules allows users to switch networks and handsets at will GSM covers virtually all parts of the world so international roaming is not a problem. The subscriber can enjoy the broadest international coverage. It is possible with the GSM roaming service Good coverage indoors on 850/900 MHz. Repeaters possible. 35 km hard limit. Very good due to simple protocol, good coverage and mature, powerefficient chipsets.

Disadvantages of GSM
Pulse nature of TDMA transmission used in 2G interferes with some electronics, especially certain audio amplifiers. 3G uses W-CDMA now. Intellectual property is concentrated among a few industry participants, creating barriers to entry for new entrants and limiting competition among phone manufacturers. GSM has a fixed maximum cell site range of 35 km, which is imposed by technical limitations.

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CONCLUSIONS
The GSM architecture is quite amazing as it employs the modular structure. The advantage associated with this type of modular structure is that it becomes easy to work with and understand each of the modules separately without causing the functionality of remaining modules to be interrupted. The main three parts involved are; Radio subsystem (RSS), Network (switching) subsystem (SSS), and Operation and maintenance subsystem (OMS). The RSS consists of; Mobile Equipment (ME), Base Station (BS), and Radio Interface (Um). The SSS has five main parts; Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC), Home Location Register (HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR), Authentication Centre (AuC), Equipment Identification Register (EIR). Finally, an OMS, the heart of the BSS, consists of one or more Operation & Maintenance Centre (OMC). Now a days the 3G technology is also available . 3G technologies enabled faster data-transmission speeds, greater network capacity and more advanced network services.

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References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM . www.scribd.com Bekkers, Rudi. Mobile Communications Standards: GSM, UMTS, TETRA, and ERMES. Norwood, MA: Artech House, Inc., 2001. Halonen, Romero, and Melero. GSM, GPRS, and EDGE Performance: Evolution Towards 3G/UMTS. England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2003. Hillebrand, Friedhelm. GSM and UMTS: The Creation of Global Mobile Communications. England: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2002.

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