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1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................2 2. Architecture, Entities And Functions of the GSM network ..........................................................2 2.1 GSM Architecture....................................................................................................................2 2.2 GSM Network entities .............................................................................................................2 2.2.1 The Mobile Station ...........................................................................................................3 2.2.1.1 The Terminal .............................................................................................................3 2.2.1.2 The SIM .....................................................................................................................4 2.2.1 The Base Station Subsystem.............................................................................................4 2.2.1.1 The Base Transceiver Station ....................................................................................4 2.2.1.2 The Base Station Controller.......................................................................................4 2.3 The Network and Switching Subsystem..................................................................................4 2.3.1 The Mobile services Switching Center (MSC).................................................................4 2.3.2 The Gateway Mobile services Switching Center (GMSC) ..............................................4 2.3.3 Home Location Register (HLR) .......................................................................................5 2.3.4 Visitor Location Register (VLR) ......................................................................................5 2.3.5 The Authentication Center (AuC) ....................................................................................5 2.3.6 The Equipment Identity Register (EIR)............................................................................5 2.3.7 The GSM Interworking Unit (GIWU)..............................................................................5 2.4 The Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS) ........................................................................5 3 PLMN interfaces.............................................................................................................................6 3.1 General...............................................................................................................................6 Figure 2 - Signaling protocols from MS via BTS and BSC to MSC.............................................6 3.2 Interface between the MSC and Base Station System (A-interface).......................................6 3.2.1 Layer 1 ..........................................................................................................................6 3.2.2 MTP ..............................................................................................................................6 3.2.3 SCCP ............................................................................................................................7 3.2.4 Layer 3 ..........................................................................................................................7 3.3 Interface between BSC and BTS (Abis-interface).............................................................7 3.4 Interface between MS and BTS (Um-interface)................................................................7 3.5 Interface between the MSC and its associated VLR (B-interface)....................................8 3.5 Interface between the HLR and the MSC (C-interface) ....................................................8 3.6 Interface between the HLR and the VLR (D-interface) ....................................................8 3.7 Interface between MSCs (E-interface) ..............................................................................8 3.8 Interface between MSC and EIR (F-interface)..................................................................9 3.9 Interface between VLRs (G-interface) ..............................................................................9 3.10 Interface between HLR and AuC (H-Interface) ................................................................9 4 Services...........................................................................................................................................9 4.1 Tele-services ............................................................................................................................9 4.2 Bearer-services ......................................................................................................................10 4.3 Supplementary Services ........................................................................................................10 5. Different GSM networks .............................................................................................................10 6. Troubleshooting GSM network using GL GSM Analyzer..........................................................11 References .......................................................................................................................................11
1 Introduction
The Global System for Mobile communications is a digital cellular communications system. GSM was developed in order to create a common European mobile telephone standard but it has been rapidly accepted worldwide. GSM was designed to be compatible with ISDN services. This document gives an overview of a GSM PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), GSM architecture, interfaces, protocols between GSM entities and GSM frequency bands.
In order for the system to support the services and facilities described above, a series of functions are required.
The Mobile Station (MS): carried by the subscriber The Base Station Subsystem (BSS): controls the radio link with the Mobile Station The Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS): performs the switching of calls between the mobile users, and between mobile and fixed network users The Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS): which oversees the proper operation and setup of the network.
The Mobile Station and the Base Station Subsystem communicate across the Um interface, also known as the air interface or radio link. The Base Station Subsystem communicates with the Mobile services Switching Center across the A interface.
Um
Mobile Station Base Station System Mobile services Switching Centre Home Location Register
Visited Location Register Operation and Maintenance Centre Equipment Identity Register Authentication Centre
Figure 1 - General architecture of a GSM network In the following, each of the different entities will be described. 2.2.1 The Mobile Station A Mobile Station consists of two main elements:
2.2.1.1 The Terminal There are different types of terminals distinguished principally by their power and application:
The `fixed' terminals are the ones installed in cars. Their maximum allowed output power is 20 W. The GSM portable terminals can also be installed in vehicles. Their maximum allowed output power is 8W. The handheld terminals have experienced the biggest success thanks to their weight and volume, which are continuously decreasing. These terminals can emit up to 2 W. The evolution of technologies allows decreasing the maximum allowed power to 0.8 W.
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4 2.2.1.2 The SIM The SIM is a smart card that identifies the terminal. By inserting the SIM card into the terminal, the user can have access to all the subscribed services. Without the SIM card, the terminal is not operational. A four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) protects the SIM card. In order to identify the subscriber to the system, the SIM card contains some parameters of the user such as its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). Another advantage of the SIM card is the mobility of the users. In fact, the only element that personalizes a terminal is the SIM card. Therefore, the user can have access to his subscribed services in any terminal using the SIM card. 2.2.1 The Base Station Subsystem The BSS connects the Mobile Station and the NSS. It is in charge of the transmission and reception. The BSS can be divided into two parts:
The Base Transceiver Station (BTS) or Base Station. The Base Station Controller (BSC).
2.2.1.1 The Base Transceiver Station The BTS corresponds to the transceivers and antennas used in each cell of the network. A BTS is usually placed in the center of a cell. Its transmitting power defines the size of a cell. Each BTS has between one and sixteen transceivers depending on the density of users in the cell. 2.2.1.2 The Base Station Controller The BSC controls a group of BTS and manages their radio resources. A BSC is principally in charge of handovers, frequency hopping, exchange functions and control of the radio frequency power levels of the BTSs.
5 2.3.3 Home Location Register (HLR) The HLR is the home register of the subscriber. All personalized information like Subscription information, allowed services, authentication information and localization of the subscriber are stored in the HLR. This information may be obtained by the VLR/MSC when necessary. When the subscriber roams into the location area of another VLR/MSC, the HLR is updated. For mobile terminated calls, the HLR is interrogated to find which MSC the MS is registered with. Because the HLR is a centralized database that need to be accessed during every call setup and data transmission in the GSM network, this entity need to have a very large data transmission capacity. 2.3.4 Visitor Location Register (VLR) The VLR stores data about all customers who are roaming within the location area of that MSC. This data is updated with the location update procedure initiated from the MS through the MSC, or directly from the subscriber Home Location Register (HLR). The VLR will then have enough information in order to assure the subscribed services without needing to ask the HLR each time a communication is established. 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. 2.3.5 The Authentication Center (AuC) The AuC register is used for security purposes. It provides the parameters needed for authentication and encryption functions. These parameters help to verify the user's identity. 2.3.6 The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) The EIR is also used for security purposes. It is a register containing information about the mobile equipments. More particularly, it contains a list of all valid terminals. EIR identifies mobile equipment by International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). The EIR allows then to forbid calls from stolen or unauthorized terminals (e.g., a terminal which does not respect the specifications concerning the output RF power). 2.3.7 The GSM Interworking Unit (GIWU) The GIWU corresponds to an interface to various networks for data communications. During these communications, the transmission of speech and data can be alternated.
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3 PLMN interfaces
3.1 General
The implementation of the mobile service with international roaming implies the exchange of data between the equipments involved in the service. The same No.7 signalling network should be used to transfer these data and the call-related signalling information. Figure 2 shows an overview of the signalling protocols in the GSM network between the entities MS and MSC.
3.2 Interface between the MSC and Base Station System (A-interface)
The interface between the MSC and its BSS is specified in the 08-series of GSM Technical Specifications. The BSS-MSC interface is used to carry information concerning: BSS management Call handling Mobility management
3.2.1 Layer 1 GSM 08.06 defines the structure of the physical layer (layer 1) of the BSS-MSC interface for supporting traffic channels. Use of the physical layer for supporting Signalling System No.7 signalling links is covered in Technical Specification GSM 08.06. Layer 1 shall utilize digital transmission: At a rate of 2048 kbit/sec with a frame structure of 32 * 64kbit/sec time slots, as specified in CCITT Recommendation G.705 section 3 for E1 interface; or At a rate of 1544kbit/sec with a frame structure of 24*64 kbit/s time slots, as specified in T1.102 specification for T1 interface. 3.2.2 MTP GL Communications 207 A Perry Parkway Suite One, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 ! (V) 301-670-4784 (F) 301-670-9187 Web Page Address: http://www.gl.com ! E-mail Address: gl-info@gl.com
7 For E1 links, the MTP functions as specified in CCITT Recommendations Q.702, Q.703, Q.704 and Q.707 are applicable. For T1 links, the MTP functions as specified in ANSI specifications T1.110 section 2, and T1.112 clause 2 are applicable. 3.2.3 SCCP For E1 links, the minimum set of SCCP functions that apply are specified in the Blue Book CCITT Recommendations Q.711, Q.712, Q.713 and Q.714, with the qualifications specified in this Recommendation. For T1 links, the minimum set of SCCP functions that apply are specified in ANSI T1.112 with the qualifications specified in this Recommendation. 3.2.4 Layer 3 There are two currently identified in the BSS to MSC interface protocol, these are the: BSSOMAP; BSSAP. The BSSAP is further subdivided into two sub protocols, the BSSMAP and the DTAP. The Direct Transfer Application sub-Part (DTAP) is used to transfer messages between the MSC and the MS; the layer-3 information in these messages is not interpreted by the BSS. The descriptions of the layer 3 protocols for the MS-MSC information exchange are contained in the 04series of GSM Technical Specifications. The BSS Management Application sub-Part (BSSMAP) supports other procedures between the MSC and the BSS related to the MS (resource management, handover control), or to a cell within the BSS, or to the whole BSS. The description of the layer 3 protocols for the BSSMAP information exchange is contained in GSM 08.08. The BSSOMAP (base station system operation and maintenance application part) supports all of the O and M communications for the BSS with either the MSC or the BSS. The actual detailed protocol at layer 3 is defined in the 12-series of GSM Technical Specification.
3.3
When the BSS consists of a Base Station Controller (BSC) and one or more Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), this interface is used between the BSC and BTS to support the services offered to the GSM users and subscribers. The interface also allows control of the radio equipment and radio frequency allocation in the BTS. The interface is specified in the 08.5x-series of GSM Technical Specifications.
3.4
The mobile station is connected to the PLMN fixed infrastructure via a radio path to a base station. It is one of the most important interfaces of the GSM system. The radio interface in GSM uses a combination between frequency (FDMA) and time (TDMA) multiplexing. The FDMA part involves the division by frequency of the (maximum) 25 MHz bandwidth into 124 carrier frequencies spaced 200 kHz apart. One or more carrier frequencies are assigned to each base station. Each of these carrier frequencies is then divided in time in to 8 bursts using a TDMA scheme. The fundamental unit of time in this TDMA scheme is called a burst period and it lasts 15/26 ms (or approx. 0.577 ms). Eight burst periods are grouped into a TDMA frame (120/26 ms, or approx. 4.615 ms), which forms the basic unit for the definition of logical channels. One physical
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8 channel is one burst period per TDMA frame. Each of the eight bursts, which form a TDMA frame, is then assigned to a single user. The bit rate for each channel is 22.8 kbit/s. In order to get the TDMA scheme to work, the time frames from each mobile station must be synchronized when received by the BTS. This synchronization is achieved by using the concept of Timing Advance (TA). A channel corresponds to the recurrence of one burst every frame. It is defined by its frequency and the position of its corresponding burst within a TDMA frame. In GSM there are two types of channels:
The traffic channels used to transport speech and data information. The control channels used for network management messages and some channel maintenance tasks.
3.5
The VLR is the location and management database for the mobile subscribers roaming in the area controlled by the associated MSC(s). Whenever the MSC needs data related to a given mobile station currently located in its area, it interrogates the VLR. When a mobile station initiates a location updating procedure with an MSC, the MSC informs its VLR which stores the relevant information. This procedure occurs whenever an MS roams to another location area. Also, when a subscriber activates a specific supplementary service or modifies some data attached to a service, the MSC informs (via the VLR) the HLR which stores these modifications and updates the VLR if required. This interface is internal to the MSC/VLR; signalling on it is not standardized.
3.5
The Gateway MSC must interrogate the HLR of the required subscriber to obtain routing information for a call or a short message directed to that subscriber. Signalling on this interface uses the Mobile Application Part (MAP), which in turn uses the services of Transaction Capabilities. See TS GSM 09.02.
3.6
This interface is used to exchange the data related to the location of the mobile station and to the management of the subscriber. The main service provided to the mobile subscriber is the capability to set up or to receive calls within the whole service area. To support this, the location registers have to exchange data. The VLR informs the HLR of the location of a mobile station managed by the latter and provides it (either at location updating or at call set-up) with the roaming number of that station. The HLR sends to the VLR all the data needed to support the service to the mobile subscriber. The HLR then instructs the previous VLR to cancel the location registration of this subscriber. Exchanges of data may occur when the mobile subscriber requires a particular service, when he wants to change some data attached to his subscription or when some parameters of the subscription are modified by administrative means. Signalling on this interface uses the Mobile Application Part (MAP), which in turn uses the services of Transaction Capabilities. See TS GSM 09.02.
3.7
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9 When a mobile station moves from one MSC area to another during a call, a handover procedure has to be performed in order to continue the communication. For that purpose the MSCs have to exchange data to initiate handover operation. After the handover operation has been completed, the MSCs will exchange information to transfer A-interface signalling as necessary. When a short message is to be transferred between a Mobile Station and Short Message Service Center (SC), in either direction, this interface is used to transfer the message between the MSC serving the Mobile Station and the MSC, which acts as the interface to the SC. Signalling on this interface uses the Mobile Application Part (MAP), which in turn uses the services of Transaction Capabilities. See TS GSM 09.02.
3.8
This interface is used between MSC and EIR to exchange data, in order that the EIR can verify the status of the IMEI retrieved from the Mobile Station. Signalling on this interface uses the Mobile Application Part (MAP), which in turn uses the services of Transaction Capabilities. See TS GSM 09.02.
3.9
When a mobile subscriber moves from a VLR area to another Location Registration procedure will happen. This procedure may include the retrieval of the IMSI and authentication parameters from the old VLR. Signalling on this interface uses the Mobile Application Part (MAP), which in turn uses the services of Transaction Capabilities. See TS GSM 09.02.
4 Services
The services in GSM can be categorized in three main groups.
4.1 Tele-services
Tele-Services are Telecommunication Services that provide the user with necessary capacities including terminal equipment functions, to communicate with any other users. The tele-services group consists of, Telephony, Emergency Calls, Short Message Mobile Terminated Point-to-Point, Short Message Mobile Originated Point-To-Point, Short Message Cell Broadcast, Alternate Speech and Facsimile Group 3, Automatic Facsimile Group 3, Voice Group Call Service, Voice Broadcast Service. GL Communications 207 A Perry Parkway Suite One, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 ! (V) 301-670-4784 (F) 301-670-9187 Web Page Address: http://www.gl.com ! E-mail Address: gl-info@gl.com
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4.2 Bearer-services
Bearer services are Telecommunication Services that give the user the capacity needed to transmit appropriate signals between certain access points (user-network interfaces). A bearer service is used for transporting user data. Some of the bearer services are listed below:
Data Circuit Duplex Asynchronous 300 - 9600 bit/s (T/NT) Data Circuit Duplex Synchronous 1200 - 9600 bit/s (T/NT) PAD Access Circuit Asynchronous 300 - 9600 bit/s (T/NT) Data Packet Duplex Synchronous 2400 - 9600 bit/s (T/NT) Alternate Speech/Data (T/NT) Speech followed by Data (T/NT)
GSM 900 (also called GSM) - operates in the 900 MHz frequency range and is the most common in Europe and the world. GSM 1800 (also called PCN (Personal Communication Network), and DCS 1800) - operates in the 1800 MHz frequency range and is found in a rapidly-increasing number of countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, and Russia. A European Commission mandate requires European Union members to license at least one DCS 1800 operator before 1998. GSM 1900 (also called PCS (Personal Communication Services), PCS 1900, and DCS 1900) - the only frequency used in the United States and Canada for GSM. Note that the terms PCS is commonly used to refer to any digital cellular network operating in the1900 MHz frequency range, not just GSM.
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Problems in the network can be determined by analyzing the signaling information transported between nodes in the network. GL GSM analyzer detects problems in the network by decoding & displaying the signaling information. GL GSM analyzer can monitor multiple interfaces simultaneously. Error messages can be quickly tracked using Filter option. GL analyzer is an effective tool in: Checking network utilization, network performance, subscriber information and Quality of service Network Optimization
References
1. GSM Recommendation 01.02, General description of a GSM Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 2. GSM Recommendation 08.02, BSS-MSC Interface-Interface Principles. 3. GSM Recommendation 08.04, BSS-MSC Layer 1 Specifications. 4. GSM Recommendation 09.02, Mobile Application Part (MAP) Specification. 5. GSM Recommendation 08.08, BSS-MSC Layer 3 Specifications. 6. GSM Recommendation 04.08, Mobile Radio Interface-Layer 3 Specifications.
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