Questions on GSM

History Of GSM
1) In short describe the evolution of GSM?

2) What are the standard bodies for the development and nurturing of
the GSM standard?
General Characteristics of GSM Technology
1) What is the GSM operating frequency?
900 MHz. Uplink Frequency 890-915 MHZ. Downlink Frequency 935960 MHz.
2) How many carriers are present and how many channels are there in
each carrier?
124 carriers. There are 8 channels in each carrier.
3) What type of modulation is used in GSM?
Guassian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)
4) What is TDMA?
TDMA is Time Division Multiple Access. Common Resource sharing is
based on the division of time. In GSM, TDMA is employed by
allocating the same frequency carrier to 8 different users on 8 timeslots. A channel gets the whole spectrum for a certain amount of
time.
5) What is FDMA?
FDMA is Frequency Division Multiple Access. It is based on the
division of the whole frequency spectrum into smaller bands. GSM
employs FDMA by dividing the available spectrum bandwidth of 25
MHz into 124 frequencies of 200 KHz bandwidth.

6) What is a Burst Period?

0.577ms
7) What is the spacing between each channel?
200 KHz
GSM Network Architecture
8) What are the components of the GSM network?
MS, BTS, BSC, MSC, HLR, VLR, AuC, EIR, GMSC
9) What is the function of the BTS?
Base Transceiver Station. The BTS comprises the radio transmission
and reception devices, and also manages the signal processing
related to the air interface.
10) What is the function of the BSC?
Base Station Controller. The BSC manages the radio interface, mainly
through the allocation, release and handover of radio channels.
11) What is the function of the MSC?
Mobile Switching Centre. The MSC is basically an ISDN-switch,
coordinating and setting up calls to and from MSs. An Inter-Working
Function (IWF) may be required to adapt GSM specific rates to that
used in a particular PSTN/ PLMN.
12)

What are the components of the MSC?

13) What is the function of the HLR?

Home Location Register. The HLR database is used to store
permanent and semi-permanent subscriber data; as such, the HLR
will always know in which location area the MS is (assuming the MS is
in a coverage area), and this data is used to locate an MS in the
event of a MS terminating call set-up.
14) What is the function of the VLR?
Visitor Location Register. The VLR contains all the subscriber data,
both permanent and temporary, which are necessary to control a MS
in the MSCs coverage area. The VLR is commonly realised as an
integral part of the MSC, rather than a separate entity.
15) What is the function of the AuC?
AuC stands for Authentication Centre. The AuC database contains the
subscriber authentication keys and the algorithm required to
calculate the authentication parameters to be transferred to the HLR.

16) What is the function of the BSS?

BSS stands for Base Station System. The BSS consists of a BSC and
one or more BTSs.
17) What is the function of the TRAU?
TRAU stands for Transcoder and Rate Adapter Unit. The TRAU
functionally belongs to the BTS. The TRAU enables the use of lower
rates (32, 16 or 8 kbps) over the A-bis interface instead of the 64
kbps ISDN rate for which the MSC is designed. The TRAU can be
located at the BTS, the BSC, or (immediately in front of) the MSC.
18)
What is SIM? What are the functions of SIM?
SIM stands for Subscriber Identity Module. It holds all of a subscriber's
personal information and phone settings. In essence, it is the
subscriber's authorization to use the network. It also' holds the phone
number, personal security key and other data necessary for the
handset to function. The card can be switched from phone to phone,
letting the new phone receive all calls to the subscriber's number.
GSM Air Interface
19) What is the interface between the MS and the BSS?
Interface between the MS and the BSS is called Air Interface or Um
Interface.
20)
What are the two types of logical channels?
Traffic channels and control channels.
21) What are the various types of control channels?
Broadcast control channels, common control channels and dedicated
control channels.
22) What are the various types of Broadcast Control Channels?
Broadcast control channels (BCCH), Synchronization channels (SCH)
and Frequency correction channels (FCCH).
23) What are the various types of Common Control Channels?
Paging channel (PCH), Random Access channel (RACH) and Access
Grant channel (AGCH).
24) What are the various types of Dedicated Control Channels?
Stand-alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH), Slow associated
control channel (SACCH) and Fast associated control channel
(FACCH).
25)

What is the function of the FCCH?

Frequency correction channel FCCH continuously transmits in

downlink direction unmodulated carrier frequency for frequency
correction of MS
26) What is the function of the SCH?
SCH is used for frame synchronization of MS and contains information
about TDMA frame no. and BSIC.
27) What is the function of the BCCH?
BCCH broadcasts general information about the cell like neighbouring
cells information, MS transmit power maximum on CCHs and local
area identification.
28) What is the Function of the PCH?
PCH is used to page the MS during mobile terminated call setup.
Paging messages are sent to the area where the recipient MS is
located.
29) What is the function of the RACH?
RACH is used to transfer uplink messages in response to the call
initiation request placed by the MS or in response to a paging request
or automatically as part of location update.
30) What is the function of the SDCCH?
SDCCH is a duplex pt-to-pt channel which is used for signaling. It
carries all signaling between the BTS and the MS when no TCH is
allocated.
It is used for service requests (e.g SMS), location updates, subscriber
authentication, ciphering initiation, equipment validation and
assignment to a TCH.
31) What is the function of a FACCH?
It is used as a main signaling link for the transmission of data e.g.
handover commands. Required for every call setup and release.
FACCH is transmitted in the burst stealing mode by pre-empting a
portion of the speech/user data information bits during active call.
32)

What are the different layers in GSM?

Layer 1 Physical Layer
TDMA/FDMA radio interface on MS to BSS
E1 link on BTS to BSC
MTP Layer1 on BSC to MSC
Layer 2 Data Link Layer
LAPDm used on Air interface
LAPD on BTS to BSC

MTP Layer2 on BSC to MSC

Layer 3

RR Management Sublayer

MM Sublayer

CM Sublayer
BTSM
SCCP & MTP
BSSAP
TCAP & MAP

33) What are the functions of the Radio Resource Management sub
layer in GSM?
Radio Resource Management sub layer in GSM manages the Radio
interface.
It terminates at BSS from MS.
34) What is the function of the Mobility Management sub layer in
GSM?
Mobility Management sub layer in GSM terminates at MSC.
Messages from or to MSC are relayed transparently from BSS.

35) What are the functions of the Communication Management sub

layer in GSM?
Communication Management sub layer in GSM contains entities that
consist of CC including call-related supplementary services, SMS, and
call independent supplementary services support (SS). It terminates
at MSC.
36)

What are Service Primitives?

37) What are the various types of handovers in GSM?

Intracell Handover is within same cell and between different carriers
and it is controlled by the serving BSC.
Intercell Handover takes place between different cells belonging to
the same BSS and is controlled by the serving BSC.
Inter-BSS Handover takes place between cells belonging to the
different BSSs and is controlled by serving MSC.

Inter-MSC Handover takes place between cells belonging to the

different MSCs and is controlled by the original MSC in charge of the
call before handover.
38) What is idle mode?
When the mobile station is active, in the coverage area of a cellular
mobile network and not transmitting/receiving speech or data, it is
said to be in idle mode.
39) What are layer 2 and 3 messages?
Layer 2 and layer 3 messages are protocols used to provide data link
functions and network addressing and routing functions to GSM
network components.
40) What are the functions of Layer 2 in GSM?
Layer 2 in GSM that is data link layer provides a reliable dedicated
signaling link between MS and Base station. Layer 2 protocol is based
on the adaptation of ISDN link access procedure (LAPD-m) where D
stands for ISDN data channel and m for modified. Standard LAPD is
used between BTS and BSC. Message Transfer Part (MTP) of SS7 is
used to provide reliable data link between BSC and MSC. Same
protocol is used between MSCs and MSC-HLR/AUC.
41) What is BSIC?
BSIC stands for Base Station Identity Code.
42) What is cell reselection/selection?
Whenever a mobile station enters the coverage area of a new cell in
idle mode, it is identified by the system as cell reselection.
43) What is IMSI/TMSI?
IMSI stands for International Mobile Subscriber Identity. It is the
unique network identity of the GSM subscriber. TMSI stands for
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity. TMSI is the temporary network
identity of the subscriber in the visited Location Area.
44) What is IMSI attach /detach?
IMSI attach/detach procedures mark the MS as attached/detached in
the VLR and optionally in the HLR on MS power up or down or on
subscriber Identity Module (SIM) inserted or removed.
42) What is the structure of IMSI?
IMSI is a 15- digit or less number in which first 3 digits are mobile
country code (MCC), next 2 digits are Mobile network code (MNC) and
rest are mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN).
45)

What is MSISDN?

MSISDN is the international ISDN no. allocated to the mobile

subscriber. MSISDN should comply to the countrys ISDN numbering
plan. The MSISDN number basically consists of a country code (CC),
a national destination code (NDC) which specifies a PLMN within that
country and a subscriber number (SN). The MSISDN number is used
for dialing by a calling subscriber from PSTN/ISDN, and is used to
route the call to a Gateway MSC of the GSM network. The GSM MSC
then uses the MSISDN to interrogate the appropriate HLR for the
rerouting information required to extend the call to the mobiles
visiting MSC.
46) What is MSRN?
Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN) is a temporary no., allocated
by the VLR associated with the mobiles visiting MSC and sent to the
mobiles HLR either on location update or on a per call basis.
47) What is authentication procedure in GSM?
The authentication procedure in GSM is the procedure to let the
network verify the identity provided by the user when requested and
to provide a new ciphering key to the mobile station. It is always
initiated and controlled by the network.
48)

What is Timing Advance?

49)

What is Discontinuous Transmission?

50)

What is Discontinuous Reception in GSM?

51) What is location Updating?

Location information is maintained and used by the network to locate
the user for call routing purposes. The network registers the users
location in a register called users HLR, which is associated with an
MSC located in a PLMN to which user is subscribed. Each BSS keeps
broadcasting on periodic basis the cell identities on broadcast control
channels of the cells under its coverage. The mobiles within each cell
keep monitoring this information. As changes in location are detected
(from the last information recorded by them), they each report the
new location to the BSS which then routes it the VLR of the MSC to
which it is connected. The VLR, in turn, sends the location information
to users HLR where it is also recorded. Meanwhile, the HLR directs
the old VLR to delete the old visiting location of the mobile from its
database and also sends a copy of the users service profile to the
new VLR. Location updating is performed by the Mobility
Management (MM) protocol sublayer.
52)

What is Synchronous Handover?

53) What are the various types of bursts in GSM?

The burst types in GSM are Normal Burst (NB), Access Burst (AB),
Synchronization Burst (SB), Frequency Correction Burst (FCB) &
Dummy Burst (DB).
54) What is a TDMA frame?
A TDMA frame consists of 8 time-slot bursts of 577 micro-second
period each which makes a TDMA frame of 4.615 ms duration.
55) What is the structure of a normal burst?
Normal burst consists of 156.25 bits in 577 micro-second time
duration in which there are 2 segments of 3 Tail bits, 2 segments of
57 Encrypted data bits, 2 segments of 1 stealing bit,1 segment of 26
Training sequence bits and 1 segment of 8.25 Guard Period bits.

GSM Protocol Architecture Between Network Elements

56)

What is the Protocol architecture between the MS and the BTS?

57) What is the function of BSSAP?

BSSAP is used to implement all procedures between the MSC and the
BSS that require interpretation and processing of information related
to single calls and
resource management.

58) What is the function of SCCP?

The signaling connection control part (SCCP) is an ITU standardized
signaling system No.7 (SS7) signaling protocol and covers the layer3
functions of the OSI model. It is used between a mobile station and
the servicing mobile-services switching center/visitor location register
(MSC/VLR) to carry call control information (circuit related) and short
messages (non-circuit related). It is also used between the MSC/VLR
and the home location register (HLR) for interrogation procedure or
for the exchange of the subscriber data
59) What is the function of TCAP?
The Transaction capabilities application part (TCAP) is an application
signaling protocol (OSI layer 7, application layer). TCAP supports the
exchange of messages between users in different SS7 network nodes
via common signaling channels. It provides a set of tools and services
in a connectionless environment that can be used by a distributed

application at one node to invoke or perform remote operations at

another node.

60) What is the function of MAP?

Within the public land mobile network, the mobile application part
(MAP) uses the TCAP services to update the mobile subscribers
location information in the home location register (HLR)(a remote
operation). After the mobile station has passed on its new location
information to the mobile services switching center (MSC), the latter
updates its visitor location register (VLR) and sends a TCAP/MAP
message containing this information to HLR.
61) What is LAPDm?
The data link layer over the radio link ( connecting the MS to BTS) is
based on a LAPD-like protocol called LAPDm (Link Access Protocolmodified) that has been modified for operation within the constraints
set by the radio path. LAPDm uses no flags (no bit stuffing) for frame
delimitation. Instead frame delimitation is done by the physical layer
that defines the transmission frame boundries.
62) What is SS7 signaling?
SS7 is an ITU-T specified signaling standard for digital, processor
controlled communication networks which stands for Signaling
system no.7. In SS7, signaling takes place on separate signaling
links;so the bit rate of the circuits is exclusively for communication.
The signaling functions in SS7 are distributed among the following
parts:
i.
Message Transfer Part (MTP)
ii.
User Part (UP)
In GSM, SS7 MTP and SCCP protocols are used to implement both data
link and
layer3 transport functions for carrying call control and
mobility management signaling messages on the BSS-MSC link.
63) What is the function of MTP?
The Message Transfer Part (MTP) represents a user-neutral means of
transport for messages between the users in SS7 signaling. It is used
by all user parts as a transport system for message exchange.
Messages to be transferred from one user part to another are given
to the message transfer part. The message transfer part ensures that
the messages reach the addressed user part in correct order without
information loss, duplication or sequence alteration and without any
bit errors. In GSM, on the terrestrial links connecting BSS to the MSC
(A-interface), MTP of SS7 is used to provide OSI layer2 functions of
reliable transport for signaling messages, such as recovery from
transmission errors through error detection and retransmissions.
GSM Network Planning & Optimization

64) What is the basic procedure for RF planning using RF planning tool
in GSM?
Planning Tool
Loading of digital map data of the city on the planning tool, Model
tuning for proper prediction on the tool, Nominal cell planning for the
coverage, frequency planning and interference study.
Final system planning.
65) What are the different types of antennas used in a GSM network?
Antennas of different types based on antenna beamwidth and gain,
In GSM we have space diversity antenna and cross polorised
antenna.Omni antennas,
66) How do the power, orientation, beamwidth, tilt and height of the
antenna affect the coverage?
Power increases the coverage, Proper Orientation,Beamwidth and tilt
improves the coverage of the planned area.Increase in antenna height
improves the coverage.
67)

What is EIRP? How is it calculated?

Effective isotropic radiated power is the total o/p power of Base station
EIRP=BTS (O/P)power+Antenna gain-cablelosses-other (combiner)losses
68)

What is frequency planning? Why is frequency reuse pattern used?

Frequency planning is to be done for the gsm network for a given

operator with
A set of GSM frequency band.Frequency reuse pattern is used for
capacity planning.
To minimize frequency interference problems.
69) What are all the patterns available? How is frequency planning
done on planning tool?
4/12 pattern.3/9 pattern .Automatic frequency planning can be done in
planning tool.
70) What is co-channel interference and adjacent channel
interference?
The interference caused by using same channels in a network is
called cochannel interference and interference caused by
From adjacent channels of is called adjacent channel interference.
71) How do you minimize co-channel interference?
proper frequency planning and proper reuse pattern.
72) How do you minimize adjacent channel interference?
Proper frequency planning.

73) What is model tuning? Why is it used? Okarama Hatta model?

Model tuning is done for any planning tool to obtain proper prediction expected fro
planning tool
as there will be difference in actual and predicted data for planning tool.One of the
Hatta
Hattta Model is used which considers the signal propogation losses.
74) What is link Budget Analysis used for in GSM?
Link budget analysis is used for the path balance between both
uplink(Transmitter)
Downlink(Reciever) part of the network.
75) How is path loss taken into calculation?
This is the total path loss occurred due to multipath propagation of the
signal between transmitted signal and the received signal level.
76) What is capacity planning?
This is process of increasing traffic by adding Trxs traffic channels and
proper use of frequency reuse pattern.Addition of BTSs
77) How is site selection done for planning and site acquisition?
After nominal cell planning with the geographical coordinates identifying
best site candidate in a geographical area is the process of site
selection.
78) What is optimization? What are the tools used for optimization?
Once GSM network is integrated in order to achieve proper planning
prediction
RF parameters Optimization is done. Drive test tool, planning tool and
Post processing tools are
Used for optimization.
79)

How do we use the above antenna patterns for optimization?

Proper antenna orintation and tilts and antenna types can be used
for optimizing network.
80)

How do we handle poor C/I, C/A, handover problems and blocking?

Checking proper neighbour list, changing frequency planning and

proper no of radio channels availability.
81) What is system information?
System information is from BTS sent to Mobile for the idle mode and
dedicated mode of the call for call management.
82)

What is bench marking in GSM?

Bench Marking used for comparing performance of different network for

quality and call performance parameters.
83) What is Erlang table?
This is the table for calculating Traffic in erlang for no of channels.
84) What is grade of service?
Grade of service is the blocking for the given traffic channels.
85) How do you optimize a network using OMCR performance data?
Proper increase in call success,and increase in handover success
performance and drop call reduction performance.
86) What is daily report and traffic?
This is the report obtained in OMC for the performce of all BTS about
traffic .
87) What is cell reselect hysterisis?
This is process of handover done by mobile in idle mode from selected
cell to another cell.
88) What is path loss criterion (C1)? How is it calculated?
This is the signal strength measured in idle mode for selecting best
serving channel.
89)

What is the Erlang B formula?

90)

What is spread spectrum technology?

91) What are the types of spread spectrum technology?

Frequency Hopping and Direct Sequence.

Path Ahead For GSM Technology

92)

What is EDGE technology?

93)
What is WCDMA?
WCDMA is Wideband CDMA.
94) What is GPRS?
GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. It is based on packetswitched technology.