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Protocols

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Protocols

Contents
1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 2 3 Overview: Protocols Signaling in GSM Phase1/2 Transmission in the GSM/GPRS-PLMN GPRS User Plane GPRS Control Plane Exercises Solutions 3 4 6 8 16 21 25

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Protocols

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Overview: Protocols

GPRS:
Protocols

Overview: Protocols

Fig. 1

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Protocols

1.1

Signaling in GSM Phase1/2

In GSM-PLMN phase 1/2 the Signaling System No. 7 SS7 is used for the transmission of signaling information between the components of the network switching subsystem NSS (interfaces B-G), as well as between MSC and BSC (A-interface) and in direction of the external ISDN networks. SS7 comprises 4 levels, of which the lowest 3 layers are combined to form the message transfer part MTP whereas level 4 contains different user parts depending on the tasks to be performed. Level 1 serves for the physical transmission (physical layer) of data and for the provision of the requested equipment. (e.g. cable connection, radio relay links, ...). In the GSM-PLMN PCM30/PCM24 (E1/T1) is used for the realization of level 1 function.

Level 2 serves for the safe transmission of signaling information (link layer). Its functions include fault location and clearance across a sub-part of the transport. Level 3 determines the entire transport link (network layer) including the transport of information in the event of faults in individual signaling points (e.g. overload).

The Mobile Application Part MAP is the most important User Part UP (layer 4). It regulates the mobility aspects in the GSM-PLMN between the MSCs as well as between MSCs and registers. Its functions include amongst others: updating and clearance of location information in the VLR, storing of routing information in the HLR, updating and supplementing of user profiles in the HLR&VLR, Inter-MSC handover, ... The ISDN user part ISUP handles the connection-oriented signaling between MSCs and external networks.

GSM-specific signaling between MSC and BSC is defined in the BSS Application Part BSSAP. The BSSAP is subdivided into the Direct Transfer Application Part DTAP used for the BSC-transparent transport of signaling (call control CC and mobility management MM) between MS and MSC, and the BSS Management Application Part BSSMAP used for radio resource management RR. The signaling connection control part SCCP and transaction capabilities application part TCAP are user-neutral user parts which serve for the support of complex MAP applications. SCCP can be used also for the support of ISUP and BSSAP.

Layer1 and layer 2 tasks (Link access Protocol for D-channel) on the Asub and Abis interfaces have been slightly modified as compared to SS7. The radio interface Um in the GSM-PLMN is set up of three layers. Layer 1 serves for the physical transmission and includes the implementation of the logical signaling channels (FDMA/TDMA, multiframes, channel coding, etc.) Layer 2 functions on Um are performed by a modified LAPD unit (LAPDm).

Layer 3 on the Um radio interface is subdivided in three sublayers: radio resource management RR (channel administration, cell selection, power control and handover), mobility management MM and connection management CM (set-up, operation and clear-down of services). The connection management consists of three phases: call control CC, supplementary services support SS and short message services SMS support.

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CM
CC

Signaling in the GSM-PLMN:


SMS

MM
LAPDm L1

SS

HLR

(Phase 1 / 2)

AC

VLR

EIR Signaling System No. 7

RR

MAP

LAPD(m)

RSL/O&M/L2ML LAPD x L1

L3 L2 L1

TCAP SCCP

MTP MSC

SS7

BTS MS OMC-B

BSC BSSAP MTP


SCCP

ISDN ISUP
SCCP

BSSMAP DTAP

OMC-B

MTP

Fig. 2 Signaling in the GSM-PLMN based on LAPD(m) and SS7

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1.2

Transmission in the GSM/GPRS-PLMN

Beside the interfaces in the classical GSM PLMN, a number of new interfaces are defined for the implementation of GPRS services based on the introduction of the new network elements SGSN and GGSN.

The interfaces Gi (external PDN-GGSN), Gn (GSN-GSN), Gb (SGSN-BSS) and Gd (SGSN-SMS/IWMSC) serve for the transport of both signaling data and of user data.

Interfaces Gp (GSN-GSN in external PLMNs), Gf (SGSN-EIR), Gc (GGSN-HLR), Gs (SGSN-MSC/VLR) and Gr (SGSN-HLR) serve exclusively for the transfer of signaling data.

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Transmission in the GPRS-PLMN


SMS-GMSC SMS-IWMSC

Signaling

Signaling & user data

SMS-SC C

Packet switched user data transmission Protocols


Layer 1 !!
above Also for

E Gd MSC/VLR A MS Um BSS Gn Gs Gb D Gr

HLR/(GR) Gc

SGSN
Gp

Gn

GGSN
EIR

Gi

PDN

TE

SGSN

Gf

GGSN
other PLMNs

Fig. 3 Transmission and interfaces in the GPRS PLMN

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1.3

GPRS User Plane

The transmission plane has a layered protocol structure for the transfer of user information. It includes the control procedures associated with the information transfer, e.g. flow control, fault detection and fault clearance. The bird's-eye view on the protocols reveals the intention of this structure: If the application is internet access for example the GPRS MS (WWW client) and the PDN (WWW server) will exchange IP packets. This is the IP protocol below the application in the stack of the MS and the IP on top of the stack of the GGSN. The recommendations have defined that X.25 protocol is possible too. In case of IP the MS has to be part of the IP world and needs to be identified by an IP address which can be either temporary or static. This IP address has to remain the same as long as the PDP, which is related to this application, is active. This is necessary because the PDN is not able to handle the mobility of the subscriber. If the GPRS MS is moving to cell in the service area of another SGSN the GPRS network has to solve the problem by the IP layer on the Gn interface above the L2 layers. In consequence the fact that the GPRS user is a mobile user is not to be seen by the PDN, the user data is tunneled transparently. The air interface makes it necessary to introduce protocols, which adopt the size of the packets. They perform segmentation/re-assembly depending on the direction of the packets to be able to send IP packets via an air interface which consists of bursts which a fixed bit structure. One of the main advantages of GPRS compared to HSCSD is that it is packet switched. This can only be done by introducing new network elements using new hardware/protocols and by changes in the protocol structure on Um to enable packet switching. The latter is done by the MAC protocol.

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GPRS Transmission Plane


Application IP / X.25 SNDCP LLC RLC MAC GSM RF IP / X.25 GTP UDP / TCP IP L2 L1

Relay SNDCP GTP LLC BSSGP FR/NS L1bis UDP / TCP IP L2 L1

Relay RLC BSSGP MAC GSM RF FR/NS L1bis

MS

Um

BSS

Gb
NS: Network Service BSSGP: BSS GPRS Protocol FR: Frame Relayl

SGSN

Gn

GGSN

Gi

SNDCP: SubNetwork Depentent Protocol LLC: Logical Link Control RLC: Radio Link Control MAC: Medium Access Control

GTP: GPRS Tunnelling Protocol UDP: User Datagrm Protocol TCP: Transmission Control Protocol IP: Internet Protocol

Fig. 4 GPRS protocol layers for data transmission

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Protocol Structure for the interfaces Gi and Gn

The following protocols are needed to pass the user data from the PDN to the SGSN (or vice versa) during GPRS transmission in the GSM-PLMN: L2, L1: L2 and L1 are the link layer and physical layer of the external networks connected via the Gi-interface to the GSM-GPRS-PLMN. As such, L2 and L1 are situated outside the GPRS definition area. However, there has to be an agreement in terms of these layers functions between the different network operators (GSM-PLMN and PDN) interconnected via the Gi-interface, or between the GSM network operator and a transit network. GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) The GTP task is to tunnel user data and user signaling between the GPRS support nodes GSN of the GPRS backbone network. The data packets (protocol data units PDUs) supplied by different packet data protocols PDPs, e.g. X.25 or IP, have to be encapsulated / de-capsulated by the GTP prior to tunneling. GTP is specified in Rec.09.60. UDP / TCP (User Datagram Protocol / Transmission Control Protocol): UDP and TCP respectively are used for the transfer of data packets encapsulated by the GTP across the GPRS backbone network. The protocol needed for this is called UDP. It has to be supported by all GSNs as minimum solution since it transports data packets (GTP PDUs) of protocols, which require a safe data connection (e.g. IP). UDP also protects transmission against data corruption/mutilation. TCPs have to be supported in the GSNs whenever data packets of protocols have to be transported, requiring safe data connections (e.g. X.25). TCP ensures the flow control and provides protection against loss of data and data corruption. IP (Internet Protocol): is used in the GPRS backbone network for the routing of user data and network information. At the beginning, the GPRS backbone network can be based on the IP version 4. However, the objective envisaged is IP version 6. L2, L1: L2 and L1 are GPRS-internal link and physical layer. L2 and L1 are situated outside the area of GPRS definition. Operator-specific solutions are used here.

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En-/De-capsulation PDUs (IP,X.25) tunneling of user data & signaling data between GSNs

GPRS Tunnelling Protocol User Datagram Protocol Transmission Control Protocol Internet Protocol Link Layer Physical Layer

GTP

Relay

Protocols
GPRStransmission plane

Gi , Gn

via

transmit encapsulated GTP data packets protect against data corruption UDP / TCP Protocols for unreliable / IP / X.25 ) reliable data link (z.B.

UDP

IP / X.25

UDP : minimum solution for each GSN TCP includes flow control & data protection

TCP

IP

GPRS backbone network IP V4 / V6

L2 L1

Link Layer Physical Layer

L2

Operator specific

L1

extern arrangement PLMN -PDN necessary

SGSN
Fig. 5 Protocols via Gi and Gn, "Ip over IP"

Gn

GGSN

Gi

PDN (e.g. X.25, IP )

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SNDCP (SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol): The SNDCP supports the following functions: compression/segmentation and joining, multiplexing and de-multiplexing of data packets onto one or several LLC SAPs (service access points). The compression function is applied to the user data of the data packet and (if applicable) to the packet header. Segmentation is required to limit the size of the data packets, which is transferred by the LLC as one single unit via the radio interface. The SNDCP is specified in the GSM Rec. 04.65. LLC (Logical Link Control): The LLC layer realizes a highly reliable ciphered logical connection and thus provides the basis for maintaining communication between the SGSN and the MS. From the point of view of the LLC layer, there is a complete connection between SGSN and MS, even if the RLC/MAC do not support a physical connection, i.e. even if no data packets are transferred at that point in time. A physical connection is set-up by the RLC/MAC layer only if the LLC layer supplies the data required for transmission. LLC layer has several access points to be able to transport various types of data; also, it distinguishes between several quality of service QoS classes. The LLC layer is also responsible for carrying out the ciphering function in the GPRS network. LLC is specified in GSM Rec. 04.64. BSSGP (BSS GPRS Protocol): The BSSGP transports the LLC frames as well as routing and QoS-related information between the BSS (PCU) and the SGSN. The BSSGP does not carry out fault correction. It is specified in GSM Rec. 08.18. FR (Frame Relay): The Network Service (NS) layer transports the BSSGP data packets. NS is based on frame relay, which thus represents the link layer protocol for the connection between SGSN and PCU (Gb interface). NS is specified in GSM Rec. 08.16. L1bis: Physical Layer of the Gb-interface. L1bis is realized through E1/T1 (PCM30/PCM24) technology.

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Compression (user data + maybe header) Segmentation / Re-assembly Multiplexing / De-Multiplexing different PDPs

Protocols via Gb, (Um)


GPRStransmission plane

SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol

SNDCP

Relay GTP

logical connection (even without physical connection) different SAPs (SNDCP, GMM/SM, SMS), QoS ,.. Ciphering

Logical Link Control

LLC

UDP / TCP

Relay RLC BSSGP


BSS GPRS Protocol

BSSGP
BSS GPRS Protocol

transmit LLC frames & Routing & QoS - Infos no error correction Unreliable transport BSSGP PDUs E1 / T1 (PCM30/24) SAP: Service Access Point
Fig. 6 Protocols via Gb (and Um)

IP L2 L1 Gn

MAC GSM RF

Frame Relay Physical Layer

FR

Frame Relay Physical Layer

FR

L1bis

L1bis

Um

BSS (PCU)

Gb

SGSN

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Protocol Structure for Um RLC (Radio Link Control) / MAC (Medium Access Control): RLC and MAC are the layers used for the implementation of a reliable physical connection via the radio interface on which data packets are transported. RLC and MAC are closely associated with each other and are defined in GSM Rec. 04.60. RLC (Radio Link Control): The RLC function supplies a reliable connection (provides BEC) via the radio interface. The physical connection depends on how the radio transmission is realized in each case (L1-dependency). RLC segments LLC frames and re-assembles them respectively. In addition, the RLC carries out submultiplexing in order to place more than one MS on a physical channel and to bundle up to 8 physical channels for one MS. MAC (Medium Access Control): The MAC function controls the signaling procedures via Um which are required to obtain network access (access signaling procedures), e.g. request and grant of radio resources (packet data channel PDCH). Furthermore, the MAC function controls the mapping of LLC frames to the physical channels of the radio interface. The identifiers (TFI "Temporary Flow Identifier, USF "Uplink State Flag") which are used by the MAC protocol enable the sharing of physical channels by several MSs. Different mechanisms of allocation of radio resources may be used, dynamic or fixed allocation (to be explained in the next chapter). GSM RF (Radio Frequency): GSM RF is the physical channel used to transfer packet data via the GSM radio interface Um.

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Application IP / X.25 SNDCP LLC

Protocols

GPRS transmissions plane

via

Um

TE GGSN
RLC/MAC:

SGSN
Relay

enable reliable physical connection via Um

Radio Link Control

RLC

Radio Link Control

RLC

BSSGP

Segmentation / Re-assembling LLC-frames RLC radio blocks Backward Error Correction BEC

Medium Access Control

MAC

Medium Access Control

MAC

FR L1bis

GSM RF

GSM RF

Access Signaling Procedures (Requests, Grants) Sub-Multiplexing: different MSs 1 physical channel channel combining 1 MS (1..8 TS) Physical RF-channel for packet data transmission

MS

Um

BSS (PCU)

Gb

Fig. 7 Protocols via Um

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1.4

GPRS Control Plane

The signaling plane consists of protocols for the control and support of transmission plane functions: Control of the data elements (attributes) of an established network connection and activation of the packet data protocol PDP (e.g. X.25 / IP) addresses. Control of the routing path of an established connection in terms of subscriber mobility support. Supplementary services implementation Control of GPRS network access, e.g. attaching and detaching

Support of the network resource allocation to account for various user requests.

Signaling Plane MS-SGSN:

In addition to the protocols of the transmission plane a further plane, based on the functions GSM FR, RLC/MAC and LLC, is required:

GMM/SM (GPRS Mobility Management and Session Management): The GMM/SM protocol supports mobility management functions such as GPRS attach, GPRS detach, safeguarding functions, routing area & location update), and session management functions as PDP context activation & deactivation & modification.

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GPRS signaling plane

MS-SGSN

Mobility Management functions

GPRS attach / detach security functions Update Location (CGI, RAI) PDP context (de-) activation / modification

GPRS Mobility Management & Session Management

GMM/SM

GPRS Mobility Management & Session Management

GMM/SM

LLC Relay RLC RLC BSSGP

LLC

BSSGP

MAC

MAC

FR/NS

FR/NS

GSM RF

GSM RF

L1 bis

L1 bis

MS

Um

BSS

Gb

SGSN

Fig. 8 GPRS signaling plane, GMM/SM

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For signaling via Gr-, Gf-, Gd- and Gc-interface, i.e. between SGSN and HLR, EIR, SMS-GSMC and between GGSN and HLR the same protocols of Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) are used as in the NSS of GSM-PLMN (Phase1/2). The realization of the Message Transfer Parts MTP (L1 L3), of the Signaling Connection Control Part SCCP as well as of the Transaction Capabilities Application Parts TCAP are identical. MAP (Mobile Application Part): The MAP used in GSM (Phase1/2) needs to be expanded by mobility management functions particularly in view of the information exchange between SGSN and GGSN and between SGSN and HLR respectively (GSM Rec. 09.02.) The information flow between GGSN and HLR can also flow across further GSNs and is tunneled in this case by using the GPRS tunneling protocol GTP between the GSNs (Gn-interface). Signaling plane SGSN MSC/VLR

Signaling SGSN - HLR / EIR / SMS-GMSC, GGSN - HLR:

Signaling via the Gs interface, i.e. between SGSN and MSC/VLR, uses the same protocols of the SS7 as the ones used via the A-interface of the GSM-PLMN (GSM Rec. 09.16). BSSAP+ (BSS Application Part+): Signaling is performed via a subset of the BSSAP functions used on the A-interface (GSM Rec. 09.18). Signaling plane GSN-GSN:

The exchange of signaling information between the different GPRS Support Nodes GSN (Gn-interface), i.e. via the IP-based GPRS backbone uses the corresponding transmission plane protocols: L1, L2 (operator-specific), IP (V4, later V6), UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol). The GTP tunnels both user and signaling data between the various SGSN and GGSN.

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GPRS Signaling plane


MAP enhanced for GPRS Subset of BSSAP functions

Mobile Application Part Transaction Capabilities Application Part Signaling Connection Control Part

MAP

TCAP

Mobile Application Part

MAP

BSS Application Part +

BSSAP+

BSS Application Part +

BSSAP+

TCAP SCCP MTP L3 MTP L2 L1 Gr ,f, d


Gc HLR, EIR, SMS-GMSC HLR

SCCP

SCCP MTP L3 MTP L2 L1

SCCP MTP L3 MTP L2 L1 Gs

MTP L3 MTP L2 L1

SGSN
GGSN

SGSN

MSC /VLR

Fig. 9 GPRS signaling plane, protocol stack for CSS7-interfaces

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