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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
TM2110EU01TM_0004
2002 Siemens AG
Siemens
Protocols
TM2110EU01TM_0004
2002 Siemens AG
Protocols
Siemens
Overview: Protocols
GPRS:
Protocols
Overview: Protocols
Fig. 1
TM2110EU01TM_0004
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Protocols
1.1
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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Protocols
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CM
CC
MM
LAPDm L1
SS
HLR
(Phase 1 / 2)
AC
VLR
RR
MAP
LAPD(m)
RSL/O&M/L2ML LAPD x L1
L3 L2 L1
TCAP SCCP
MTP MSC
SS7
BTS MS OMC-B
ISDN ISUP
SCCP
BSSMAP DTAP
OMC-B
MTP
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Protocols
1.2
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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Signaling
SMS-SC C
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
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Protocols
1.3
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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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
TM2110EU01TM_0004
2002 Siemens AG
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Protocols
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
L2 L1
L2
Operator specific
L1
SGSN
Fig. 5 Protocols via Gi and Gn, "Ip over IP"
Gn
GGSN
Gi
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Protocols
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
SNDCP
Relay GTP
logical connection (even without physical connection) different SAPs (SNDCP, GMM/SM, SMS), QoS ,.. Ciphering
LLC
UDP / TCP
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
FR
FR
L1bis
L1bis
Um
BSS (PCU)
Gb
SGSN
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Protocols
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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Protocols
via
Um
TE GGSN
RLC/MAC:
SGSN
Relay
RLC
RLC
BSSGP
Segmentation / Re-assembling LLC-frames RLC radio blocks Backward Error Correction BEC
MAC
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
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Protocols
1.4
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.
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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MS-SGSN
GPRS attach / detach security functions Update Location (CGI, RAI) PDP context (de-) activation / modification
GMM/SM
GMM/SM
LLC
BSSGP
MAC
MAC
FR/NS
FR/NS
GSM RF
GSM RF
L1 bis
L1 bis
MS
Um
BSS
Gb
SGSN
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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 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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Protocols
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Mobile Application Part Transaction Capabilities Application Part Signaling Connection Control Part
MAP
TCAP
MAP
BSSAP+
BSSAP+
SCCP
MTP L3 MTP L2 L1
SGSN
GGSN
SGSN
MSC /VLR
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