Gprs & Edge: First Steps Toward Wireless Data

EPFL
Cours “Mobile Networks”
GPRS & EDGE

« First steps toward Wireless
data »
Frédéric Michaud
Network Development
Engineering
14/12/2004
GPRS Part 1
Content
From
FromTheory …
Theory…
11- -INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
22- -SERVICES
SERVICES
33- -ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURE
44- -MOBILITY
MOBILITYMANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
55- -SESSION
SESSIONMANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
66- -TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSIONON
ONBSS
BSSNETWORK
NETWORK
77- -RADIO
RADIORESOURCE
RESOURCEMANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 2

Introduction
General Packet Radio Service:

a way to extend packet transfer up to the mobile station
GSM
GSM GPRS
GPRS
–– Circuit –– Packet
PacketSwitch
Switcharchitecture
CircuitSwitch
Switch architecture
architecture
architecture –– End
EndtotoEnd
EndIPIPservice
service(mobile
(mobile
–– Indirect ==IP
IPhost)
Indirectaccess
accessto toIP
IP host)
network
network –– Re-use
Re-useBSS
BSSarchitecture
architecture
–– Too
Toosensitive
sensitive –– New
Newcore
corearchitecture
architecture
connection
connectionfor fordata
data –– Max
Maxtheoretical
theoreticalrates
rates~170
~170
(today)
(today) kbps
kbps
–– Expensive
Expensivesolution
solutionfor
for
data
data network
network(HSCSD)
(HSCSD)
Services
BANKING & FINAN- LOCAL SERVICES Special
NEWS BUY & SELL TRAVEL
CIAL SERVICES (CITY GUIDE) Interest
General Headlines Stock indexes Taxi Classifieds Traffic (traffic jams, Mobile telephones
Financial & Business Stock prices Restaurants - Cars radar, control,…) Internet sites and
Politics Metal prices Cinema - Properties Public transportation services
Tabloids Stock alert Theatres - Jobs Navigation services Computers and
Culture & Currency rates Concerts Auctions Train schedules hardware
Entertainment Interest rates Exhibitions Shopping Flight schedules Automobile
INFOR- Sports Account balance Night Clubs - Small daily Hotels
Lottery Credit/debit balance Emergency services items Holiday packages
MATION Cheque balance Pharmacies - Specific
Money transfers Household promotions
Bill payments assistance Tickets
Automatic call Weather
Account status flash Time
Stock purchase Directory services
Financial products ATM Locator
purchase
SMS E-MAIL FAX BULLETIN BOARDS

COMMU- Groups with common
Send/receive SMS messages Send/receive e-mails Send/receive fax
NICATION SMS to postcard E-mail to voice (IVR) Special features (delivery and receipt interest
report, storage for later delivery) Messages, News, etc
ORGANIZERS PERSONAL ASSISTANT TOOLS MISCELLANEOUS FAMILY

PRODUC- To do lists Reminders Call management Calculator Activating domestic Family VPN
TIVITY Calendar Correspondence management Dictionary appliances Synchronised
Address book Voice to SMS, E-mail and fax Translator Paying at vending machines
Agenda Translation services Currency converter Identity verification
ASTROLO-
MUSIC TV LIFESTYLE FUN CHATS PICTURES GAMES DATING
GY
ENTER- Ringtones Program- Gastronomy Jokes Topic Icons Puzzles Horoscopes Chats
TAINTMENT Short clips me Hobbies Sayings specific Logos Quizzes Astrolove Dating
(e.g. MP3) schedules Fashion Dream Private Photos “Tamagotchi” Biorhythm services
Highlights Parties analysis Postcards Games Specific
Gambling/Betting Horoscopes

Services
Notion of QoS
¾ QoS = Quality of Service

¾ 5 Classes as specified in ETSI
– Service Precedence / Priority
– Delay
– Mean Throughput
– Peak Througput
– Reliability
¾ FTP (NRT): ¾ Video Streaming (RT):

– Service: minor – Service: medium
– Delay: < 7 sec (most likely Best effort) – Delay: < 7 sec (most likely Best effort)
– Mean throughput: 4.4 kbps – Mean throughput: 44 kbps
– Peak throughput: N/A – Peak throughput: 64 kbps
– Reliability: high to medium redundancy – Reliability: medium to low (UDP protocol)
Architecture
Network Diagram
NSS ISP - External

HLR GPRS Core Network Network
MSC/VLR
Gc
Gr Gi
Gs
SGSN DNS GGSN
A Gn Gn
BSS
GPRS
Gb IP Backbone
Gn
Transcoder Gn
Ater
Charging Border
Gateway Gateway
Um Gp
BSC Abis
Inter PLMN
Backbone
BTS
Architecture
New interfaces
Interface elements Main usage Protocol type
Um MS – BTS Radio interface RLC/MAC
Abis BTS – BSC Standard GSM if. RLC/MAC
Gb BSC – SGSN GPRS data LLC/FR
Gc GGSN – HLR HLR queries for PDP context (IP)/SS7

activation
Gd SGSN – SMS GMSC Short Messages exchange SS7
Gf SGSN – EIR Terminal identity check SS7
Gi GGSN – Data Network Data transfer IP
Gn SGSN – SGSN Mobility management IP
SGSN - GGSN PDP context activation

Data transfer
Gp BG – BG Inter-operator link IP
Gr SGSN – HLR Location management SS7
Gs SGSN – MSC/VLR GSM/GPRS mobility Management SS7

Architecture
evolution of BSS network
¾ New hardware in BSS: Packet Controlling Unit (PCU)

– can be compared to TRAU function in GSM
– generally located in the BSC
– heart of the packet transmission in BSS network
– allow the dynamic traffic allocation
– Provide the radio resource management mechanism, adapted to packet
BTS transfer
RLC
RLC
RLC PCU
SGSN
buffer
RLC RLC RLC LLC LLC LLC
buffer
RLC Gb
RLC buffer
RLC
Abis

Architecture
New core equipments
HLR VLR Charging Gateway
External
PCU External
IPIPworld
world
GGSN
PCU IP network
SGSN
GGSN
• Packet routing (IP – BSS)
• Mobility Management • GPRS Tunneling (PLMN – internet)
• Session Management • Charging
• Charging • O&M (Operation & Maintenance)
• Cyphering and compression • Lawful interception
Other equipment:
Border Gateway, Charging Gateway, DNS, Firewalls

Architecture
GPRS Protocol stacks
¾ BSS elements manage everything related to radio resource,

mobility and session management
Um Gb Gn Gi
Applica
Data traffic tion
IP / IP /
X.25 X.25
GMM/SM Relay
Mobility Management SNDCP SNDCP GTP GTP
Session Management
cyphering UDP / UDP /
LLC Relay
LLC TCP TCP
RLC RLC BSSGP BSSGP IP IP

Network Network L2 L2
MAC MAC Service Service
Radio Resource Management GSM RF GSM RF L1bis L1bis L1 L1
(TBF allocation, user/timeslot
multiplexing, etc..) MS BSS SGSN GGSN
PS/CS paging

Architecture
Gb interface
¾ Open interface between the BSC and the SGSN. Consist of three layers:
– Frame Relay: link layer access between peer entities via a Bearer Channel.
– Network Service: set of virtual connections responsible for data transmission, congestion control, load
sharing between Network Service Entities.
– BSSGP: Virtual Connection management, paging support, flow control support.
NS-VC DLCI Data Link Connection Identifier (FR

BVC 0 address) NS-VC BVC 0
for for
signalling FR Bearer Channel signalling
NSE Physical Link (= pcm-tsl) NSE
(=PCU )
Own BVC Own BVC
for for
each BTS each BTS
NS-VC DLCI Data Link Connection Identifier (FR NS-VC
address)
Load Sharing FR Bearer Channel
Physical Link (= pcm-tsl)
BSC SGSN
BVC = BSSGP Virtual Connection

BSSGP = Base Station Subsystem GPRS Protocol
NSE = Network Service Entity
NS-VC = Network Service Virtual Connection
FR = Frame Relay
Gb interface will move on IP protocol

Mobile equipment
Three types of Mobile Classes
¾ CLASS A: « Rolls Royce » CS Core Network (GSM)
Simultaneous CS/PS Paging

Simultaneous CS/PS data transfer
PS Core Network (GPRS)
¾ CLASS B: « Standard » CS Core Network (GSM)
Simultaneous CS/PS Paging

CS call or PS data transfer
¾ CLASS C: « Cheap » CS Core Network (GSM)
CS mode (GSM only) or PS mode (GPRS only)

Mobility Management
Mobile States
¾IDLE
– not attached to GPRS
– MS is not reachable
IDLE
GPRS Attach GPRS Detach ¾READY

– MS known down to Cell by SGSN
STANBY
timer READY – May receive/transmit packets
expiry – No Packet paging required
READY timer expiry
PDU Transmission – MS remains in READY state until “READY
Force to STANBY
Timer” expires or GPRS Detach
STANDBY
¾STANDBY
– MS known down to Routing Area by SGSN
– MS attached to GPRS
– May receive Packet paging
– No data reception or transmission
Mobility Management
Temporary identity
¾ Notion of P-TMSI (Packet Temporary Mobile Subs Identifier)
– Temporary identifier to differentiate a mobile in a SGSN

– associated to a ciphered signature
– P-TMSI+ signature transferred at each location update
Notion of TLLI (Temporary Logical Link Identifier)
used between MS and SGSN before attachment

randomly selected by MS when uplink request (risk of collision)
after attach : TLLI=P-TMSI
used to identify MS on the air interface
¾ IMSI is never transferred

Mobility Management
Paging enhancement with GPRS
Network Mode I Network Mode II

HLR HLR
MSC/VLR Gr MSC/VLR Gr
SGSN SGSN
Location update
Gs
CS paging or SMS
A Gb A Gb
CS paging or SMS
BSC BSC
Paging message on: Paging message on:
Abis Paging channel Abis Paging channel only
Packet data channel

Mobility Management
GPRS Attach
SMSC
BSC MSC/VLR HLR
3
2 4
5
DNS
1 Charging
2 SGSN
Gateway
6
GPRS handset
7
GPRS
1. GPRS Attach Request IP Backbone
2. Authentication Border
GGSN
Gateway
3. Update Location (GPRS)
4. Insert Subscriber Data
5. Location Update (GSM) Inter PLMN
Backbone
ISP
External Network
6. GPRS Attach Accept

7. Attach complete

Mobility Management
Routing Area Update
DNS
BSC SGSN1
GPRS handset
GPRS
5 4 3 2
IP Backbone
BSC SGSN2 GGSN

GPRS handset
1 6
8 7
1. RA Update Request (old RAI)

2. DNS Query: IP @ for old RAI
3. SGSN Context Request
4. SGSN Context Response
5. Forward Packets
6. Update PDP Context Request: IP @ of new RAI
7. Update PDP Context Response
8. RA Update Accept
Session Management
Notion of PDP context
¾ Packet Data Protocol context:

– set of information stored in mobile, SGSN and GGSN
– allow packet data transfer between a certain type of network and the mobile
¾ PDP context contains:

Main Field Description
type of PDP network IP, X25 ….
Mobile address IP address or X.121 address for X25 network
SGSN address IP address of the serving SGSN
NSAPI Network Service Access Point
QoS Profile Quality of service negociated for this PDP context
Access Point Name APN (service) requested by the mobile (ie WAP, internet…)

Session Management
PDP Context Activation
SMSC
BSC MSC/VLR HLR
2 DNS
1 Charging
SGSN
Gateway
5
GPRS handset
GPRS
IP Backbone
3
1. Activate PDP Context Req Border

GGSN
Gateway 4
2. DNS Query
3. Create PDP Context Req
4. Create PDP Context Rsp Inter PLMN
Backbone
ISP
External Network
5. Activate PDP Context Ack

Session Management
Data Transfer
SMSC
BSC MSC/VLR HLR
DNS
Charging
SNDCP IP SGSN
Gateway
GPRS handset
IP GPRS
S-CDR G-CDR
IP Backbone
Border
GGSN
Gateway GTP IP
IP
IP@ src IP@ dst Inter PLMN
Backbone
ISP
External Network
Mobile Server
SGSN GGSN

Radio Resource Management
RLC/MAC layer
¾ RLC/MAC is the most important layer for communication between MS and

BSC:
– RLC/MAC controls the data flow over the air interface and Abis interface.
– BSS performance are based on RLC block transmissions / retransmission
– RLC: Provide controlling function (ack/unack mode)
– MAC: Medium Access mode: allows to have dynamic allocation of Mobiles over radio
timeslots
LLC frame (pair
FH ofInformation
TBF/USF) field FCS
LLC layer
RLC
BH Info field BCS BH Info field BCS BH Info field BCS
blocks
Primary Following
RLC/MAC layer
block block
Normal burst Normal burst Normal burst Normal burst Physical layer
FH = Frame Header
FCS = Frame Check Sequence
BH = Block Header
BCS= Block Check Sequence
(When SDCCH coding is used, BCS corresponds to the Fire code)
Notion of GPRS territory
GSM
TRX 1 CCCH TCH TCH TCH TCH
Territory
GPRS
TRX 2 TCH
Territory
Default Dedicated
GPRS GPRS
Capacity Capacity
Territory border move based
On GSM and GPRS traffic load evolution

Physical Layer
TDMA frame=4,615 ms
01 2 3 4 5 6 7 01 2 3 4 5 6 7 01 2 3 4 5 6 7 01 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 GPRS multiframe = 52 TDMA frame=240 ms
Block 0 Block 1 Block 2 T Block 3 Block 4 Block 5 i Block 6 Block 7 Block 8 i Block 9 Block 10 Block 11 i
0 4 8 13 17 21 26 30 34 39 43 47 51
12 blocks of 4 radio burst each
Each block can transfer one GPRS logical channel information

Logical Signalling for GPRS
GPRS Air Interface Logical Channels
CCH
DCH
Common Channels
Dedicated Channels
PCCCH
BCH Packet Common Control
Broadcast Channels Channels
DOWNLINK ONLY (can be combined with CCCH)
PBCCH
Packet Broadcast Control CH
(can be combined with BCCH)
MS CONTINUOUSLY
MONITORS PPCH PAGCH PRACH
Packet Paging CH Packet Access Grant CH Packet Random Access CH
GPRS: DCH
BSS WANTS TO PDCH IS MS ASKS FOR 'Dedicated' Channels
CONTACT MS ALLOCATED TO MS PDCHs.
DCCH
Dedicated Control TCH
Channels Traffic Channels
PTCCH
Packet Timing Control Channel.
PACCH
Packet Associated Control CH PDTCH
Allocated to the opposite direction than the PDTCH Packet Data TCH, one channel can be shared
to which it is associated. by several active users.

Timeslot sharing
¾ GPRS data transfer = discontinuous series of Temporary Block Flows.

– 1 TBF = 1 user (with a given TFI, TLLI, USF)
– 1 TBF can be transferred onto several radio timeslots
TBF4
TBF3 TBF2 TBF2

TBF3 TBF1 TBF1 TBF1
TSL 0 TSL 1 TSL 2 TSL 3 TSL 4 TSL 5 TSL 6 TSL 7

BCCH TCH TCH TCH PDCH PDCH PDCH PDCH
TDMA frame
¾ Data transfer = Uplink / Downlink TBF (Temporary Block Flow) Assignment

– Timeslots allocation GSM CCCH channels (RACH - AGCH - PCH) (GPRS - phase 1)
– GPRS phase 2: dedicated common control channels (PBCCH/PCCCH)

Notion of Data flow
RLC layer create a Temporary Block Flow, each time data needs to be sent
Downlink TFI=14 TFI=14 TFI=14 TFI=14 TFI=14 TFI=14 TFI=14

Data transfer
BSN=24 BSN=25 BSN=26 BSN=27 BSN=28 BSN=24 BSN=26
RLC header
0 4 8 13 17 21 26 30 34 39 43 47 51
TFI=14 TFI=14
Ack:
Ack:
25,27,28
24,26
Uplink Nack:
MS receive on 24,26
TFI 14
TBF dynamically managed by the network

To avoid collisions, network identify each user with TFI and TLLI
Number of retransmission linked to C/I ratio
Retransmissions will decrease real user data throughput

Multi user radio sharing
MAC layer handle resource sharing between mobiles
Downlink SP=0 SP=0 SP=1 SP=1 SP=1 SP=1 TFI=14

Data transfer RRBP= RRBP= RRBP= RRBP= RRBP=
MAC header i+4 i+3 i+2 i+2 i+1
0 4 8 13 17 21 26 30 34 39 43 47 51
TFI=14 TFI=14
Ack:
Ack:
25,27,28
24,26
MS receive Nack:
on TFI 14 24,26
Mobile knows on which block to ack/nack received PDU

Mobile use these control blocks to transfer other information (measurement reports, uplink resource request, etc…)

Dynamic uplink sharing
Several mobiles can share the same radio timeslot

MAC layer indicates each mobile which block it can use for uplink transfer
Downlink
Data transfer USF=4 USF=4 USF=1 USF=5 USF=5 USF=4 USF=1 USF=1 USF=5
MAC header
0 4 8 13 17 21 26 30 34 39 43 47 51
Block 3 Block 7 Block 8

MS USF 1

MS USF 4

MS USF 5
Uplink State Flag definition only local to a physical channel (i.e. 1 radio timeslot in the TDMA frame)

GPRS Part 2
Content
…
…to
topractice
practice
IMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATIONCONSTRAINTS
CONSTRAINTS
NETWORK
NETWORKDIMENSIONING
DIMENSIONING&&PLANNING
PLANNING
NETWORK
NETWORKPERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
ANALYSIS
ANALYSISAND
ANDOPTIMISATION
OPTIMISATION
TOOLS
TOOLSFOR
FORGPRS
GPRS

Implementation Constraints
Upgrade of GSM network
¾ New Core Network

– GPRS backbone is an IP network
– New approach in Mobile Telecommunication
– First interaction between IT and mobile telecom network dept.
¾ Multi-supplier solution
– Interoperability problems
– Interface Gb, Gs, Gr are standardised by ETSI but multi-vendor solution
always leads to complexity.
– Mobile and network compatibility over the air interface is another source
of problems
– Different mobiles = different performances

Hardware & Software Releases
¾ HW & SW Release management

– Network is often heterogeneous
– Different generation of base stations, BSC and MSC
– Software Releases are delivered at different times
¾ Incomplete GPRS features

– QoS not fully implemented
– Radio enhancement (PBCCH) not fully implemented
¾ immature ETSI specifications

– Suppliers follow different versions

Heterogeneous BSS Network
GPRS Core
Network
South region - BSS Network North region - BSS Network

Supplier A Supplier B
GPRS handset
GPRS handset
¾ Problem of uniform Quality of Service (different SW/HW, different problems)

¾ Complex network evolution (i.e. new feature cannot be implemented country wide)

Handsets & Services
¾ Limitation in mutlislot & coding scheme capability:

– First handsets: 2+1 (i.e. 2 TSL DL / 1 TSL UL)
¾ 24 kbps DL / 12 kbps UL
– Current handsets: 4+1
¾ 48 kbps DL / 12 kbps UL
¾ ETSI specifications problems

– Lots of change request
– PBCCH not supported by network and first GPRS mobiles
¾ Poor content for GPRS Services

– Lack of «adapted» phones
– Lack of «killer» applications
GPRS Dimensioning
Number of GPRS users

Paquet transfer per users
Quality of Service
Coverage area
Network Radio
Peak hours
Dimensioning Dimensioning
Transmission capacity GPRS Territory size

(Abis/Gb) Number of cells
Bearer size TRX upgrade
Number of PCU Signalling increase
New
Newhardware
hardwarerequirements
requirements
Network Planning
¾ Reuse existing GSM coverage
¾ Reuse of GSM signalling and traffic plan
¾ New core network planning

¾ New Routing Area Planning

Network Performance
Radio constraints
¾ Cell reselections
– GPRS phase 1:
– Network doesn’t control cell re-selection process
– Based on GSM cell re-selection of MS in idle mode
¾ Risk of ping-pong effect
¾ Critical decrease of user data throughput
¾ C/I (carrier/interference) criteria

– GPRS is very sensible to interferences
¾ Data throughput drops quickly with interferences
¾ Capacity
– GSM traffic has priority over GPRS
– « Best effort » mode
¾ Low throughput in peak hours
Analysis and optimisation
¾ Performance Analysis – Access to Network resource
1123
32.15%
298
81.88%
57.26%

¾ Performance Analysis – Session success
13%
2446
45.4%
623 87%
53.3%

Tools for GPRS
¾ Protocol analyser
» In depth signalling study

Tools for GPRS
¾ Probe System
» Data capture across all GPRS network interfaces
MSC VLR HLR
Gr
Gs Gc
Gi internet
internet
Gb Gn
BTS BSC SGSN GGSN
Gp
Foreign
Foreign
BG PLNM
PLNM
1. Data capture 2. Data data storage 3. Data analysis

Benefit of Gb analysis
¾ Full network supervision
¾ Access to QoS information
¾ Information that can be shared accross mainy actors:

– Radio optimisation team
– Maintenance team
– Quality team
– Traffic team
¾ High level of detail
– Info per session
– Info per user
– Info per cell/PCU
– Info per network area

Documentation
¾ Réseaux GSM (ISBN 2-7462-0153-4)
¾ Xavier Lagrange, Philippe Godlewski, Sami Tabbane
¾ Ingénierie des réseaux cellulaires (ISBN 2-7462-0550-5)
¾ Sami Tabbane
¾ The GSM Evolution - Mobile Packet Data Services (ISBN 0-470-84855-3)

¾ Peter Stuckmann
¾ GPRS Signalling & Protocol Analysis – Vol. 1

¾ Gunnar Heine
Evolution towards EDGE
Content
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
NETWORK
NETWORKPERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
EDGE
EDGEIMPLEMENTATION
IMPLEMENTATION
EDGE
EDGEDIMENSIONING
DIMENSIONING
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONSFOR
FOREDGE
EDGE

EDGE – evolution of GSM air interface
8PSK modulation to replace GMSK
(0,0,0) (0,1,0)
(0,1,1)
(0,0,1) (1,1,1)
(1,0,1) (1,1,0)
(1,0,0)
EDGE GSM
Modulation 8-PSK, 3bit/sym GMSK, 1 bit/sym
Symbol rate 270.833 ksps 270.833 ksps
Payload/burst 346 bits 114 bits
Gross rate/time slot 69.2 kbps 22.8 kbps

From GSM to GERAN
evolution of specifications
2G 2.5G 2.75G 3G
3GPP
(GERAN)
GSM GPRS
EDGE GERAN
ETSI
(BSS)
UMTS/UTRAN
3GPP
(UTRAN)

EDGE as a GERAN feature
Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution, from Release 99

Technical aspects Performances
EDGE is a mature product (all vendors 2 to 4 times higher data throughput than GPRS
NEs & features are ready since mid’2004)
Interactive and Background classes*, Rel 99: Now
EGPRS only (ECSD not implemented by ¾ Web browsing, mail attachment, chat, e-
suppliers) commerce, file transfer,… at high data rate.
Available for all bands 2005
Streaming with mobility QoS*, Rel 4:
(850/900/1800/1900)
¾ Audio & Video streaming
2006/2007
Ensure the backward compatibility with ¾ Video on-demand.
GPRS mobiles
Conversational for data services*, Rel 5 & Rel 6:
¾ Videotelephony
(*) EDGE has been standardised to enhance the data rate but not to enhance QoS service (
still best effort service) other features of GERAN will do it
Objective: a higher data throughput thanks to a better spectral efficiency.

Theoretical performance of EDGE
kbps
60 EGPRS (8-PSK)
EGPRS (GMSK)
50 GPRS (GMSK)
40
30
20
10
0
CS-1 CS-2 CS-3 CS-4 MCS-9 MCS-8 MCS-7 MCS-6 MCS-5 MCS-4 MCS-3 MCS-2 MCS-1
EDGE can provide data services with maximum radio

throughput of 235kbps using 4 TS.

Network impact of EDGE implementation
New BSC Release

P A GMSC
2106
B ABIS C MSC/
T U BSC
BSC MSC HLR
HLR
BTS VLR
S
B Gb Gs Gr
B
T
T
S
S
Gi (IP)
SGSN GGSN
GGSN
Um BTS SGSN
AUC Upgrade Gn Gn PDN
mobiles
IP-Backbone
Other PLMN
EIR Network
HW or SW Upgrade
No Upgrade
Gp
New Mobiles
Radio performances impact of EDGE implementation
¾ EDGE is main influence on GSM is on the radio interface.
¾ Upgrade of GSM network with EDGE will influence the radio

conditions
¾ There is a need for carefull radio optimisation
¾ EDGE throughput is highly dependent on interferences (C/I),

especially at the cells’ border

EDGE vs UMTS for indoor coverage
¾ Robustness of Edge :
– Compensation of radio propagation fluctuation thanks to Link Adaptation
¾ Instability of UMTS :
– Throughput Drop due to building penetration and the mobile « Power rise »
phenomenon.
Throughput (kbps)
Power limitation
320 UMTS
200 EDGE 900 Link adaptation
BTS-MS distance (m)
500 1200

Dimensioning principles: radio
Deploy EDGE on BCCH TRX (beacon channel) or not?

Preferred
configuration C/I mostly > 15dB For all values of C/I
Choose the TRX that have the best C/I distribution
If BCCH and non BCCH TRX have same C/I distribution

Î try to optimize the network to increase the C/I.
Small PS traffic BCCH
If BCCH and non BCCH TRX have always slightly the same
(1 to 5 TS) C/I distribution
Î put EDGE on non BCCH with synthesized SFH
(EDGE performances could not reach expected values, i.e.
average of 30kbps/TS)
Try to optimize the network to increase the C/I of non

BCCH TRX.
Important PS traffic If non BCCH TRX have always slightly the same C/I
non BCCH distribution, put EDGE on non BCCH with synthesized
(more than 5 TS)
SFH
Î EDGE performances could not reach expected values
(i.e. average of 30kbps/TS)

Dimensioning principles: transmission
Objective: a higher data throughput thanks to a better spectral efficiency.

More capacity
needed in interfaces
SGSN
BTS
GGSN
Gr
Abis Gb
EDGE BSC
TRX
GSM/GPRS/EDGE
Network
Abis
A Internet
BTS BSC
EDGE
TRX
MSC EDGE functionality
Abis
in network elements
BTS
EDGE EDGE
handset TRX
EDGE capable TRX need to be added, old BTS might have to be changed, BSC/PCU
shall support EDGE capability.
Re-dimensioning of the interface according to the traffic growth.
Dynamic Abis principle
PCM transmission frames = permanent time slots for the CS traffic and signalling
+ Dynamic Abis Pool for the data (DAP)
commonDynamic Abis Pool

for multiple
GSM/EDGE TRXs located
under the same BTS.

… and services evolution
New services…
Broadband video
Digital video
Location services Videotelephony

Other killer app.?
Videostreaming, ftp (big files)
2004 R’99 2005 Release 4 2006 Release 5 2007 Release 6 2008 Release 7
…and major performances & QoS enhancements to support it.

ECSD: EDGE for CS
(not yet adopted)
SAIC:
Increase spectral efficiency
NACC:
Reduce cell reselection
Delayed TBF release:
Reduce GPRS delays
DTM: FLO:
Simultaneous CS+PS Conversational PS, multiservice
PFC: Generic access A/Gb:
QoS service differentiation Technology convergence

EDGE Status Worldwide
Edge is a GSM - BSS feature to enable highest data throughput (proven

technology)
38 devices are currently Edge compatible
GSM Wireless Industry entirely committed to Edge
111 networks deploying Edge currently
35 commercially available Edge networks

Continuity of Service
Without EDGE With EDGE
Data Speed
Data Speed
384kbps 384kbps Service Continuity
with reduced
UMTS No Service UMTS throughput and latency
Continuity
200kbps
Edge Underlay
40kbps GPRS legacy 40kbps GPRS legacy
Edge Introduction -> Bridging the

Broadband Services gap
EDGE Service Portfolio
Services FTP RTT GPRS EDGE UMTS

(kbps) (sec)
Best N/A
• MMS
Effort
• Orange World >16 1-5
• Audio/Video <1
>128
Streaming
• Video >64 N/A
Messaging
• File 64-384 N/A
Downloads
• Video
>64 <0.2
Telephony
Not possible Enabler technology
Best Fitted technology Premium technology
HSDPA as the next evolution after EDGE
¾ HSDPA is to UMTS what EDGE is to GPRS

– New radio modulation offering higher bandwidth
Data Speed
2Mbps UMTS to HSDPA is a factor 5
HSDPA
x5 EDGE to UMTS is a factor 2
GPRS to EDGE is a factor 5
384kbps
UMTS
x2
200kbps
EDGE
x5
40kbps GPRS

Access Network Logical Layers
GSM (EDGE) WAN UMTS (HSDPA)
MAN Wi-MAX
LAN Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
PAN
UWB

Mobile Broadband Technology map
IP Based Convergence IP Core
Wi-Max Wi-Max
802.16d 802.16e Backhaul
Wi-Fi
802.11
In-Building
Rural Sub-Urban Urban
Hotspots PICO Access
MACRO MICRO
Cellular Mobility
GSM (EDGE) & UMTS (HSDPA)
Conclusion
¾ EDGE deemed as a mature/stable/robust technology-

– Edge as a key technology for in building coverage
– Edge terminals are cheaper and more robust than UMTS (batteries…)
– Complementary to UMTS in rural and suburban areas
– International roaming with American/Asian operators that will transit to EDGE
in Europe
¾ For usual radio conditions:

– RLC throughputs around 40 kbps may be expected per timeslot (x4 for class
10 MS)
– FTP throughputs around 35 kbps may be expected per timeslot (x4 for class
10 MS)
¾ This performance greatly depends on

– The link adaptation algorithm of the manufacturer and parameter settings
– The engineering solution chosen for EGPRS implementation

Gprs & Edge: First Steps Toward Wireless Data

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Gprs & Edge: First Steps Toward Wireless Data

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EPFL

Cours “Mobile Networks”

GPRS & EDGE

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 2

General Packet Radio Service:

SMS E-MAIL FAX BULLETIN BOARDS

ORGANIZERS PERSONAL ASSISTANT TOOLS MISCELLANEOUS FAMILY

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 4

¾ QoS = Quality of Service

¾ FTP (NRT): ¾ Video Streaming (RT):

NSS ISP - External

Interface elements Main usage Protocol type

Um MS – BTS Radio interface RLC/MAC

Abis BTS – BSC Standard GSM if. RLC/MAC

Gb BSC – SGSN GPRS data LLC/FR

Gc GGSN – HLR HLR queries for PDP context (IP)/SS7

Gd SGSN – SMS GMSC Short Messages exchange SS7

Gf SGSN – EIR Terminal identity check SS7

Gi GGSN – Data Network Data transfer IP

Gn SGSN – SGSN Mobility management IP

SGSN - GGSN PDP context activation

Gr SGSN – HLR Location management SS7

Gs SGSN – MSC/VLR GSM/GPRS mobility Management SS7

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 7

¾ New hardware in BSS: Packet Controlling Unit (PCU)

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 8

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 9

¾ BSS elements manage everything related to radio resource,

RLC RLC BSSGP BSSGP IP IP

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 10

– BSSGP: Virtual Connection management, paging support, flow control support.

NS-VC DLCI Data Link Connection Identifier (FR

BVC = BSSGP Virtual Connection

Gb interface will move on IP protocol

Three types of Mobile Classes

¾ CLASS A: « Rolls Royce » CS Core Network (GSM)

Simultaneous CS/PS Paging

PS Core Network (GPRS)

¾ CLASS B: « Standard » CS Core Network (GSM)

Simultaneous CS/PS Paging

PS Core Network (GPRS)

¾ CLASS C: « Cheap » CS Core Network (GSM)

CS mode (GSM only) or PS mode (GPRS only)

PS Core Network (GPRS)

GPRS Attach GPRS Detach ¾READY

¾ Notion of P-TMSI (Packet Temporary Mobile Subs Identifier)

– Temporary identifier to differentiate a mobile in a SGSN

 Notion of TLLI (Temporary Logical Link Identifier)

 used between MS and SGSN before attachment

¾ IMSI is never transferred

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 14

Network Mode I Network Mode II

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 15

BSC MSC/VLR HLR

1. GPRS Attach Request IP Backbone

6. GPRS Attach Accept

Frederic Michaud 14.12.04 EPFL – cours “Mobile network” 16

BSC SGSN2 GGSN

1. RA Update Request (old RAI)

¾ Packet Data Protocol context:

¾ PDP context contains:

type of PDP network IP, X25 ….

Mobile address IP address or X.121 address for X25 network

Notion of TLLI (Temporary Logical Link Identifier)

used between MS and SGSN before attachment

TBF dynamically managed by the network

Number of retransmission linked to C/I ratio

Retransmissions will decrease real user data throughput

MAC layer handle resource sharing between mobiles

Mobile knows on which block to ack/nack received PDU

Several mobiles can share the same radio timeslot