GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION

Report Submitted in Partial Fullment of the Requirements for the Evaluation of

CS440 Practical Training
by
AMAN SINGH (11CSE003)
DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY GOA
MONTH 2014
Acknowledgement
I would like to add a few heartfelt words for the people who were part of this training
report in numerous ways, People who gave unending support right from the stage the
training report idea were conceived. In particular I am extremely grateful to BHARAT
SANCHAR NIGAM LIMITED for providing me with an excellent opportunity of under-
going summer training for the duration of six weeks.
I express my effusive thanks to Mr. S. K. Pandey (S.D.E.) and the other technical staff
members. With their expert guidance and kind help this training would have been a dis-
tant dream.
I express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Kamal (J.T.O.) for providing me the required infor-
mation for completion my job.
Aman Singh
11CSE003
i
Figure 1: Certicate of Internship at BSNL
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures v
ABBREVIATIONS vi
1 INTRODUCTION vii
1.1 Motivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
1.2 About BSNL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
1.3 About GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1.3.1 The Goals of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1.3.2 Specications and Characteristics of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
2 Evoltion of GSM x
2.1 History of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
2.2 GSM Around the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
2.3 GSM Statistics in India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
3 Description xii
3.1 GSM Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
3.2 HLR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
3.3 MS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii
3.4 AUC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv
3.5 MSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv
3.6 VLR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv
3.7 BSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
3.8 BTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
3.9 BSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
3.10 SIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi
iii
3.11 OSS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
3.12 Authentication and Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
3.12.1 AUthentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
3.12.2 Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
3.12.3 Ciphering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
3.12.4 Ki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
3.12.5 RAND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xviii
3.12.6 Signed Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
3.12.7 A3 Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
3.12.8 A8 Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
3.12.9 Kc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
3.13 Mobile subscriber identities in GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
3.13.1 International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI): . . . . . . . . xix
3.13.2 Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) . . . . . . . . . xx
3.13.3 Mobile Station ISDN Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xx
3.13.4 The Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN) . . . . . . . . . xx
3.13.5 International Mobile Equipment Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
3.14 GSM Frequency Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
3.14.1 Dual-Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
3.14.2 Tri-Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
3.14.3 Quad-Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxi
3.15 Key Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxii
3.15.1 Increased Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxii
3.15.2 Frequency Reuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxii
3.16 Future Opportunities for GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxii
4 Conclusion xxiv
LIST OF FIGURES
1 Certicate of Internship at BSNL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii
2.1 Global Mobile Net Additions 1Q 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
2.2 GSM Statistics in India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
3.1 GSM Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
3.2 Mobile Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii
3.3 Base Station System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
3.4 Base Transciever Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi
3.5 Base Station Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi
3.6 SIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
v
ABBREVIATIONS
NITG National Institute of Technology Goa
HLR Home Location Register
MS Mobile Station
AUC Authentication Center
MSC Mobile Services Switching Center
VLR Visitor Location Register
BSS Base Station System
BTS Base Transceiver Station
BSC Base Station Controller
SIM Subscriber Identity Module
OSS Operation and Support System
RAND Random
SRES Signed Response
ME Mobile Equipment
IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
TMSI Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
MSRN Mobile Station Roaming Number
IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
HSCSD High Speed Circuit Switched Data
GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
vi
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Motivation
Practical exposure for doing things makes a person conversant to the technicalities in-
volved in any job. In view of such benets, imparting of vocational training has been
made an integral part of any academic structure.
1.2 About BSNL
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Formed in oct. 2000, is world

Zs 7th largest telecommuni-

cations company providing comprehensive range of telecom services in India: wire line,
CDMA mobile, GSM mobile, internet, broadband, carrier services. Within a span it has
become the one of the largest public sector unit in India.
BSNL is the only service provider, making focused efforts and planned initiatives to
bridge the rural

A Surban digital divide ICT sector. In fact there is no telecom oper-

ator in the country to beat it reach with its wide network giving services I every nook
corner of country and operates across India except Delhi Mumbai. BSNL cellular service
cellone, has more than 20.7 million cellular customers, garnering 24
BSNL has set up a world class multi-gigabit, multi-protocol convergent IP infrastruc-
ture that provides convergent services like voice, data and video through the same Back-
bone and broadband access network. At present there are 0.6 million Data one broadband
customers. The company has vast experience in Planning, Installation, network integra-
tion and Maintenance of Switching Transmission Networks and also has a world class
ISO 9000 certied Telecom Training Institute. BSNL plans to expand its customer base
from present 73 millions lines to 125 million lines and infrastructure investment plan to
the tune of Rs. 733 crores (US16.67million)inthenextthreeyears.Today, BSNLisIndia

slargestTelcoandoneofthelargestPublicSectorUndertakingwithestimatedmarketvalueof
100 Billion. The company is planning an IPO with in 6 months to ofoad 10The turnover,
nationwide coverage, reach, comprehensive range of the telecom services and the desire
to excel has made BSNL the no. 1 telecom company of India.
1.3 About GSM
GSM stands for

AGlobal Services for Mobile communication and is an open, digital

cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services. GSM supports
voice calls and data transfer speeds of up to 9.6 kbit/s, together with the transmission
of SMS (Short Message Service). This technology is globally accepted and most popular
among all countries. It is started in Europe to integrate all countries with wireless commu-
nication. Earlier each country in Europe has its own standard for wireless communication
,so due to this a person cannot use the same mobile in two different country and cannot
even communicate with the same mobile in different countries, so due to this fragmen-
tation problem occurred. So to overcome this problem European Union (EU) came with
GSM technology that is accepted by whole continent and standardized by ITU-T. It is a 2
G technology and world

Zs rst cellular technology and it is most popular 2G technol-

ogy. Today GSM operator has largest customer base. In India total cellular operator have
more than 550 million customers and GSM has more than 400 million customer bases
alone. It is a second generation cellular standard developed to cater voice services and
data delivery using digital modulation.
1.3.1 The Goals of GSM
Improved spectrum efciency
International roaming
Low-cost mobile sets and base stations
High-quality speech
Compatibility with ISDN and other telephone
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Company services.
Support for new services
1.3.2 Specications and Characteristics of GSM

A c Frequency band

A S the frequency range specied for GSM is 1,850 to 1,990

MHz (mobile station to base station).
Duplex distance

A S the duplex distance is 80 MHz. Duplex distance is the distance

between the uplink and downlink frequencies. A channel has two frequencies, 80
MHz apart.
Channel separation

A S the separation between adjacent carrier frequencies. In

GSM, this is 200 kHz.
Modulation

A S Modulation is the process of sending a signal by changing the

characteristics of a carrier frequency. This is done in GSM via Gaussian minimum
shift keying (GMSK).
Transmission rate

A S GSM is a digital system with an over-the-air bit rate of 270

kbps.
Access method

A S GSM utilizes the time division multiple access (TDMA) con-

cept. TDMA is a technique in which several different calls may share the same
carrier. Each call is assigned a particular time slot.
Speech coder

A S GSM uses linear predictive coding (LPC). The purpose of LPC

is to reduce the bit rate. The LPC provides parameters for a lter that mimics the
vocal tract.
ix
CHAPTER 2
Evoltion of GSM
2.1 History of GSM
In 1982, the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications administrations
(CEPT) created the Group Special Mobile (GSM) to develop a standard for a mobile tele-
phone system that could be used across Europe. In 1987, a memorandum of understand-
ing was signed by 13 countries to develop a common cellular telephone system across
Europe. Finally the system created by SINTEF led by Torleiv Maseng was selected. In
1989, GSM responsibility was transferred to the European Telecommunications Stan-
dards Institute (ETSI) and phase I of the GSM specications were published in 1990. The
rst GSM network was launched in 1991 by Radio linja in Finland with joint technical
infrastructure maintenance from Ericsson. By the end of 1993, over a million subscribers
were using GSM phone networks being operated by 70 carriers across 48 countries.
2.2 GSM Around the World
2.3 GSM Statistics in India
[scale=0.1]
Figure 2.1: Global Mobile Net Additions 1Q 2010
Figure 2.2: GSM Statistics in India
xi
CHAPTER 3
Description
3.1 GSM Architecture
3.2 HLR
HLR is database, which holds very important information of subscribers. It is mostly
known for storing and managing information of subscribers. It contains subscriber service
prole, status of activities, information about locations and permanent data of all sorts.
When new connections are purchased, these subscribers are registered in HLR of mobile
phone companies.
3.3 MS
It consists of mobile equipment and SIM. At the time of manufacturing, an international
mobile equipment number (IMEI) is programmed in ME.A SIM is required to activate
the GSM services. A international mobile subscriber identication (IMEI) number is pro-
grammed along with security parameter and algorithm. The called number is not linked
to ME but to SIM.A SIM has following data stored in it. MSISDN (mobile subscriber
isdn) IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) - 15 digit number. TMSI (temporary
mobile subscriber identity)

A S 4 octets, allocated by VLR, continuously changed.IMEI

(international mobile equipment identity) unique, permanently assigned to MS.
Figure 3.1: GSM Architecture
Figure 3.2: Mobile Station
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3.4 AUC
AUC is small unit which handles the security end of the system. Its major task is to
authenticate and encrypt those parameters which verify user

Zs identication and hence

enables the condentiality of each call made by subscriber. Authentication center

A S
AUC makes sure mobile operators are safe from different frauds most likely to happen
when hackers are looking for even smallest loop wholes in systems.
3.5 MSC
MSC is also important part of SS, it handles technical end of telephony. It is build to
perform switching functionality of the entire system. It

Zs most important task is to

control the calls to and from other telephones, which means it controls calls from same
networks and calls from other networks. Toll ticketing, common channel signaling, net-
work interfacing etc are other tasks which MSC is responsible for.
3.6 VLR
VLR performs very dynamic tasks; it is database which stores temporary data regarding
subscribers which is needed by Mobile Services Switching Center-MSC VLR is directly
connected to MSC, when subscribe moves to different MSC location, Visitor location
register

A S VLR integrates to MSC of current location and requests the data about sub-
scriber or Mobile station (MS) from the Home Location Register

A SHLR. When sub-

scriber makes a call the Visitor location register-VLR will have required information for
making call already and it will not required to connect to Home Register Location - HRL
again.
xiv
Figure 3.3: Base Station System
3.7 BSS
The base station system have very important role in mobile communication. BSS are
basically outdoor units which consist of iron rods and are usually of high length. BSS are
responsible for connecting subscribers (MS) to mobile networks. All the communication
is made in Radio transmission. The Base station System is further divided in two systems.
These two systems, they are BSC, and BTS.
3.8 BTS
Subscriber, MS (Mobile Station) or mobile phone connects to mobile network through
BTS; it handles communication using radio transmission with mobile station. As name
suggests, Base transceiver Station is the radio equipment which receive and transmit voice
data at the same time. BSC control group of BTSs.
3.9 BSC
The Base Station normally controls many cells; it registers subscribers, responsible for
MS handovers etc. It creates physical link between subscriber (MS) and BTS, then man-
age and controls functions of it. It performs the function of high quality switch by han-
dover over the MS to next BSC when MS goes out of the current range of BTS, it helps in
xv
Figure 3.4: Base Transciever Station
Figure 3.5: Base Station Controller
connecting to next in range BTS to keep the connection alive within the network. It also
performs functions like cell conguration data, control radio frequency in BTS.
3.10 SIM
One of the key features of GSM is the Subscriber Identity Module, commonly known
as a SIM card. The SIM is a detachable smart card containing the users subscription
information and phone book. This allows the user to retain his or her information after
switching handsets. Alternatively, the user can also change operators while retaining the
xvi
Figure 3.6: SIM
handset simply by changing the SIM.
3.11 OSS
OMC- Operations and maintenance center is designed to connect to equipment of MSC-
Mobile Switching Center and BSC-Base Station Controller. The implementation of OMC
is called OSS-The Operations and Support System.OSS helps in mobile networks to mon-
itor and control the complex systems. The basic reason for developing operation and
support system is to provide customers a cost effective support and solutions. It helps in
managing, centralizing, local and regional operational activities required for GMS net-
works.
xvii
3.12 Authentication and Encryption
3.12.1 AUthentication
Whenever a MS requests access to a network, the network must authenticate the MS.
Authentication veries the identity and validity of the SIMcard to the network and ensures
that the subscriber is authorized access to the network.
3.12.2 Encryption
In GSM, encryption refers to the process of creating authentication and ciphering crypto
variables using a special key and an encryption algorithm.
3.12.3 Ciphering
3.12.4 Ki
The Ki is the individual subscriber authentication key. It is a 128-bit number that is paired
with an IMSI when the SIM card is created. The Ki is only stored on the SIM card and at
the Authentication Center (AuC). The Ki should never be transmitted across the network
on any link.
3.12.5 RAND
The RAND is a random 128-bit number that is generated by the Auc when the network
requests to authenticate a subscriber. The RAND is used to generate the Signed Response
(SRES) and Kc crypto variables.
xviii
3.12.6 Signed Response
The SRES is a 32-bit crypto variable used in the authentication process. The MS is
challenged by being given the RAND by the network; the SRES is the expected correct
response. The SRES is never passed on the Um(Air) interface. It is kept at the MSC/VLR,
which performs the authentication check.
3.12.7 A3 Algorithm
The A3 algorithm computes a 32-bit Signed Response (SRES). The Ki and RAND are
inputted into the A3 algorithm and the result is the 32-bit SRES. The A3 algorithm resides
on the SIM card and at the AuC.
3.12.8 A8 Algorithm
The A8 algorithm computes a 64-bit ciphering key (Kc). The Ki and the RAND are
inputted into the A8 algorithm and the result is the 64-bit Kc. The A8 algorithm resides
on the ISM card and at the AuC.
3.12.9 Kc
The Kc is the 64-bit ciphering key that is used in the A5 encryption algorithm to encipher
and decipher the data that is being transmitted on the Um interface.
3.13 Mobile subscriber identities in GSM
3.13.1 International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI):
An IMSI is assigned to each authorized GSM user. It consists of a mobile country code
(MCC), mobile network code (MNC) (to identify the PLMN), and a PLMNunique mobile
xix
subscriber identication number (MSIN). The IMSI is the only absolute identity that a
subscriber has within the GSM system. The IMSI consists of the MCC followed by the
MNC and MSIN and shall not exceed 15 digits.
3.13.2 Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)
A TMSI is a MSC-VLR specic alias that is designed to maintain user condentiality. It
is assigned only after successful subscriber authentication. The correlation of a TMSI to
an IMSI only occurs during a mobile subscriber

Zs initial transaction with an MSC (for

example, location updating). Under certain condition (such as trafc system disruption
and malfunctioning of the system), the MSC can direct individual TMSIs to provide the
MSC with their IMSI.
3.13.3 Mobile Station ISDN Number
The MS international number must be dialed after the international prex in order to
obtain a mobile subscriber in another country. The MSISDN numbers is composed of
the country code (CC) followed by the National Destination Code (NDC), Subscriber
Number (SN), which shall not exceed 15 digits. Here too the rst two digits of the SN
identify the HLR where the mobile subscriber is administrated.
3.13.4 The Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN)
The MSRN is allocated on temporary basis when the MS roams into another numbering
area. The MSRN number is used by the HLR for rerouting calls to the MS. It is assigned
upon demand by the HLR on a per-call basis. The MSRN for PSTN/ISDN routing shall
have the same structure as international ISDN numbers in the area in which the MSRN is
allocated. The HLR knows in what MSC/VLR service area the subscriber is located. At
the reception of the MSRN, HLR sends it to the GMSC, which can now route the call to
the MSC/VLR exchange where the called subscriber is currently registered.
xx
3.13.5 International Mobile Equipment Identity
The IMEI is the unique identity of the equipment used by a subscriber by each PLMN and
is used to determine authorized (white), unauthorized (black), and malfunctioning (gray)
GSM hardware. In conjunction with the IMSI, it is used to ensure that only authorized
users are granted access to the system.
3.14 GSM Frequency Bands
There are three different frequency bands on which mobile phones are usually operates
and these are Dual Band, Tri-Band and Quad Band.
3.14.1 Dual-Band
Dual frequency band operates on 900MHz and 1800 MHz, that means mobile phone that
supports dual band can be operated anywhere in the world where 900 MHz and 1800 MHz
frequencies are used. Dual Band GSM networks usually found in all continents Europe,
Asia, Africa, Australia and South America.
3.14.2 Tri-Band
Three frequencies are supported in Tri Band, these frequencies are 900 MHz, 1800MHz
and 1900 MHz Tri band is also supported all around the world these days.
3.14.3 Quad-Band
Quad Band supports four frequencies which are 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz , 1900
MHz Quad band also enables GSM phones to road almost anywhere in the world. All
countries support GSM networks hence make communication possible.
xxi
3.15 Key Features
3.15.1 Increased Capacity
It provides better channel capacity than analog system. It provides 25KHZ per user, that
means eight conversation per 200KHZ channel pair(a channel pair consists of a forward
channel and a reverse channel). Channel coding and modulation provided to enhance the
channel capacity and from this 12 DB is achieved as a channel to interference ratio(C/I
ration), as compare to 18db of analog system.
3.15.2 Frequency Reuse
GSM has a advantage of frequency reuse pattern from which same frequency can be used
in different cells. Normally 124 carriers are provided by the GSM system and if we
multiply it with the 7 time slots used for trafc than we get 868 numbers of calls can be
made and that is very less in number. so to overcome this problem same RF carrier is used
for several conversation in different cells and for this there is regular pattern is dened.
The pattern to be used depends on the trafc requirement and spectrum availability. Some
typical patter are 4/12 , 7/21 etc.
3.16 Future Opportunities for GSM
2nd Generation
GSM -9.6 Kbps (data rate)
2.5 Generation ( Future of GSM)
HSCSD (High Speed ckt Switched data)
Data rate : 76.8 Kbps (9.6 x 8 kbps)
GPRS (General Packet Radio service)
Data rate: 14.4 - 115.2 Kbps
EDGE (Enhanced data rate for GSM Evolution)
xxii
Data rate: 547.2 Kbps (max)
3 Generation
WCDMA(Wide band CDMA)
Data rate : 0.348

A S 2.0 Mbps
xxiii
CHAPTER 4
Conclusion
During the period of Evolution of mobile communication technologies various systems
were introduced and deployed to achieve standardization in mobile industry, but all the
efforts were failed. Multiple issues were sustained like incompatibility of systems, de-
velopment of digital radio frequency. That is, when GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communication) Technology was introduced and problems like standardization, incom-
patibility etc were overcame. TDMA solution was chosen in 1987, it is narrowband sys-
tem and TDMA standards for Time Division Multiple access. In 1991 in Finland. GSM
based mobile phones are operated on TDMA Systems, in TDMA single radio frequency
is offered to users with any interference. After all these years, GSM is now the largest
mobile communication technology worldwide, all manufacturers of Mobile phones de-
velop their products based on GSM, and all mobile companies provide their subscribers
GSM networks. GSM technology facilitates with high speed integrated data, voice data,
fax, mail, voice mail and mostly used SMS feature. GSM also make sure that all the com-
munication made between networks are secured and protected from intruders and frauds.
.SM actually brought the concept of being Mobile way beyond the limits. It enabled us to
communicate across the continents.
GSMsupports multiple frequency levels like 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz 1900MHz
frequency is used in North America where as 1800MHz is used in other parts of the world.
Different frequency bands are used by different mobile phone operators. Moreover, there
are over 700 GSM networks available in the world operating in their respective countries
and providing international roaming services courtesy GSM technology. There are over
2 billion GSM subscribers in the world. Countries which are using GSM networks on
larger scales are Russia, United States, India. Giver the above facts and very good voice
quality, support useful services and standards, delivered by GSM, it is expected that GSM
shall remain the prominent technology for offering the mobile telephony.
REFERENCES
[1] www.gsmworld.com
[2] www.gsacom.com
[3] www.whytelecom.com
[4] www.wikipedia.com
xxv