REPORT

ON
GSM CONCEPTS

Submitted to the BHAGWAN MAHAVEER INSTITUTE OF

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, SONEPAT
In partial fulfillment of the degree of Bachelor of technology
in Electronics and communication Engineering.

Undertaken At
Telecom District
BSNL
Dhar Road
UDHAMPUR

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME:- PANKAJ KAYSTHA
COLLEGE ROLL NO:- EL/12/330
UNIV ROLL NO:-12002003028
 DECLARATION

I PANKAJ KAYSTHA declare that the report on Six weeks training in

GTL Nepal Private Limited,Kathmandu, which is being submitted for the
partial fulfillment for the award of Degree of Bachelor Of Technology,
Electronics and Communication Engineering, BMIET, Sonepat is an
authentic work carried out by me at GTL, Kathmandu circle under the
guidance of ROSHAN KUMAR KARNA. The matter embodied in this
project work has not been submitted earlier for the award of any degree or
diploma
 PROJECT REPORT CERTIFICATE

This to certify that the report on Six weeks training in GTL Nepal Private
Limited, which is being submitted for the partial fulfillment for the award of
Degree of Bachelor Of Technology, Electronics and Communication
Engineering, Bhagwan Mahaveer Instt. Of Engg. And Technology, Sonepat
is an authentic work carried out by me at BSNL, Udhampur circle under the
guidance of ROSHAN KUMAR KARNA.

The matter embodied in this project work has not been submitted earlier for
the award of any degree or diploma.

Certified that the above statements made by the candidate are correct to the
best of my knowledge and belief.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

With due respect I express my heartfelt thanks to ROSHAN KUMAR

KARNA for providing me his valuable guidance and sharp vision to
undertake this six months industrial training.

Training in an organization like this which is fuelled by the individuals with

so much zest & energy, teaming up to form a formidable force , was in
itself a true learning experience which is going to help me immensely in
my career

There is no substitute to Teamwork. This is one of the many lessons I

learnt during my training in GTL Nepal Private Limited .
 CONTENTS:

S.NO. TITLE PAGE NO.

1. LIST OF FIGURES 6-60

2. LIST OF ABBREVIATION 61-62

3. LIST OF SYMBOL USED 63

4. INTRODUCTION OF ORGANIZATION 64-65

5. INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT 66-97

Main objectives of the project 98

Main study of our project 98

6. CHAPTERS 99-100

7. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS 101

8. REFERENCE 102
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS:

AMPS: Advanced Mobile Phone Service

TACS: Total Access Communication System
NMT: Nordic Mobile Telephone Service
DAMPS: Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service
CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access
GSM: Global System For Mobile Communication
CEPT: Conference Europeenne Postes Telecommunication
BSA: Base Station Antenna
CGI: Cell Global Identity
D/L: Down Link
U/L: Up Link
TDMA: Time Division Multiple Access
FDMA: Frequency Division Multiple Access
RF: Radio Frequency
ARFCN: Absolute Radio Frequency Carrier Number
Rx: Receiver
MSC: Mobile Switching Center
BSC: Base Station Controller
BTS: Base Transceiver Station
RSS: Radio Sub System
HLR: Home Location Register
VLR: Visitor Location Register
AUC: AUthentication Center
EIR: Equipment Identity Register
MS: Mobile Station
OMC: Operation And Maintenance Center
O&M: Operate And Maintain
PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network
BSS: Base Station Subsystem
NSS: Network Switching Subsystem
NMS: Network Management Subsystem
NMC: Network Management Center
RRM: Radio Resource Management
RLM: Radio Link Management
 NSS: Network Switching System
BSS: Base Station System
LA: Location Area
C: Cell
IMEI: International Mobile Equipment Identity
Hrs: Hours
MIN: Minute
SMS: Short Message Service
MSISDN: Mobile Subscribers Integrated Service Digital
Network
IMSI: International Mobile Subscribers Identity
TMSI: Temporary Mobile Subscribers Identity
MSRN: Mobile Station Roaming Number
CC: Country Code
NDC: National Destination Code
SN: Subscriber Number
SIM: Subscriber Identity Module
MCC: Mobile Country Code
MNC: Mobile Network Code
MSIN: Mobile Station Identification Number
NMSI: National Mobile Station Identification
GMSC: Gateway Mobile Switching Center
PIN: Personal Identification Number
OSS: Operation And Support System
PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network
Chl: Channel
 LIST OF SYMBOL USED:

N: Frequency Reuse Pattern

R: Radius
D: Diameter
Q: Co Chl Interference Function
f: Frequency
A: Air
O: Operation
M: Maintain
LA: Locatuin Area
C: Cell
 INTRODUCTION OF ORGANIZATION

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. formed in October, 2000, is World's 7th largest
Telecommunications Company providing comprehensive range of telecom
services in India: Wireline, CDMA mobile, GSM Mobile, Internet,
Broadband, etc. Within a span of five years it has become one of the largest
public sector unit in India.

BSNL has installed Quality Telecom Network in the country and now
focusing on improving it, expanding the network, introducing new telecom
services with ICT (cellular telecom) applications in villages and wining
customer's confidence. Today, it has about 47.3 million line basic
telephone capacity, 4 million WLL capacity, 20.1 Million GSM
Capacity, more than 37382 fixed exchanges, 18000 BTS, 287 Satellite
Stations, 480196 Rkm of OFC Cable, 63730 Rkm of Microwave
Network connecting 602 Districts, 7330 cities/towns and 5.5 Lakhs
villages.

BSNL is the only service provider, making focused efforts and planned
initiatives to bridge the Rural-Urban Digital Divide ICT sector. In fact there
is no telecom operator in the country to beat its reach with its wide network
giving services in every nook & corner of country and operates across India
except Delhi & Mumbai. Whether it is inaccessible areas of Siachen glacier
and North-eastern region of the country. BSNL serves its customers with its
wide bouquet (spray)of telecom services.

The company offers vide ranging & most transparent tariff schemes
designed to suite every customer.

BSNL has more than 2.5 million WLL subscribers and 2.5 million Internet
Customers who access Internet through various modes viz. Dial-up, Leased
Line, DIAS, Account Less Internet(CLI).

BSNL has set up a world class multi-gigabit, multi-protocol convergent IP

infrastructure that provides convergent services like voice, data and video
through the same Backbone and Broadband Access Network. At present
there are 0.6 million DataOne broadband customers.
The company has vast experience in Planning, Installation, network
integration and Maintenance of Switching & Transmission Networks and
also has a world class ISO 9000 certified Telecom Training Institute.

Scaling new heights of success, the present turnover of BSNL is more

than Rs.351,820 million with net profit to the tune of Rs.99,390 million
for last financial year. The infrastructure asset on telephone alone is worth
about Rs.630,000 million.

BSNL plans to expand its customer base from present 47 millions lines to
125 million lines by December 2007 and infrastructure investment plan to
the tune of Rs. 733 crores in the next three years.

The turnover, nationwide coverage, reach, comprehensive range of telecom

services and the desire to excel has made BSNL the No. 1 Telecom
Company of India
 INTRODUCTION TO GSM

Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)

Definition

Global system for mobile communication (GSM) is a globally

accepted standard for digital cellular communication. GSM is the
name of a standardization group established in 1982 to create a
common European mobile telephone standard that would formulate
specifications for a pan-European mobile cellular radio system
operating at 900 MHz. It is estimated that many countries outside of
Europe will join the GSM partnership.

Introduction

The Evolution of Mobile Telephone Systems Cellular is one of the fastest

growing and most demanding telecommunications applications. Today, it
represents a continuously increasing percentage of all new telephone
subscriptions around the world. Currently there are more than 45 million
cellular subscribers worldwide, and nearly 50 percent of those
subscribers are located in the United States. It is forecasted that cellular
systems using a digital technology will become the universal method of
telecommunications. By the year 2005, forecasters predict that there will
be more than 100 million cellular subscribers worldwide. It has even
been estimated that some countries may have more mobile phones than
fixed phones by the year 2000 (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Cellular Subscriber Growth Worldwide

The concept of cellular service is the use of low-power transmitters where
frequencies can be reused within a geographic area. The idea of cell-based
mobile radio service was formulated in the United States at Bell Labs in the
early 1970s. However, the Nordic countries were the first to introduce
cellular services for commercial use with the introduction of the Nordic
Mobile Telephone (NMT) in 1981.

Cellular systems began in the United States with the release of the advanced
mobile phone service (AMPS) system in 1983. The AMPS standard was
adopted by Asia, Latin America, and Oceanic countries, creating the largest
potential market in the world for cellular.

In the early 1980s, most mobile telephone systems were analog rather than
digital, like today's newer systems. One challenge facing analog systems was
the inability to handle the growing capacity needs in a cost-efficient manner.
As a result, digital technology was welcomed. The advantages of digital
systems over analog systems include ease of signaling, lower levels of
interference, integration of transmission and switching, and increased ability
to meet capacity demands. Following Table charts the worldwide
development of mobile telephone systems.

The Development of Mobile Telephone Systems

Year Mobile System

1981 Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) 450
1983 American Mobile Phone System (AMPS)
1985 Total Access Communication System (TACS)
1986 Nordic Mobile Telephony (NMT) 900
1991 American Digital Cellular (ADC)
1991 Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)
1992 Digital Cellular System (DCS) 1800
1994 Personal Digital Cellular (PDC)
1995 PCS 1900-Canada
1996 PCS-United States
Throughout the evolution of cellular telecommunications, various systems
have been developed without the benefit of standardized specifications. This
presented many problems directly related to compatibility, especially with
the development of digital radio technology. The GSM standard is intended
to address these problems.

From 1982 to 1985 discussions were held to decide between building an

analog or digital system. After multiple field tests, a digital system was
adopted for GSM. The next task was to decide between a narrow or
broadband solution. In May 1987, the narrowband time division multiple
access (TDMA) solution was chosen. A summary of GSM milestones is
given in following Table .

GSM Milestones

Year Milestone

1982 GSM formed

1986 field test
1987 TDMA chosen as access method
1988 memorandum of understanding signed
1989 validation of GSM system
1990 preoperation system
1991 commercial system start-up
1992 coverage of larger cities/airports
1993 coverage of main roads
1995 coverage of rural areas
BASIC BUILDING BLOCKS

A cellular mobile system consists of several building blocks.

These building blocks are shown below:

Mobile Station (MS)

Base Station (BS)

Mobile services Switching Center (MSC)

Databases

Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)

Basic building blocks

Each of these performs a unique function. Each function is required for

mobile system operation.

MOBILE STATION

A Mobile Station (MS) is used by a mobile subscriber to communicate with

the cellular system. Several types of mobile stations exist, each allowing the
subscriber to make and receive calls. Manufacturers of mobile stations offer
a variety of designs and features to meet the needs of different markets.

The range or coverage area of a mobile station depends on, for example, the
output power of the mobile station. Different types of mobile stations have
different output power capabilities and therefore, different ranges. For
example, hand-held telephones have a lower output power, (resulting in a
shorter range), than a car installed phone with roof mounted antenna.

Ranges for different types of mobile stations

BASE STATION

A mobile station communicates with the mobile system using a radio

channel to a Base Station (BS). The base station is responsible for
communication, over the air, both to and from the mobile station. The base
station is made up of antennas, transmitters, receivers and control units.
MOBILE SERVICES SWITCHING CENTER

The Mobile services Switching Center (MSC) is responsible for all

switching functions related to call processing. The MSC has interfaces with
the base station on one side and the external networks on the other side.
Each base station is connected to an MSC.

DATABASE

Databases are used to manage mobile subscribers. The database stores

subscriber information. This information can include, for example, data
about specific services and location of the mobile station. Depending upon
the mobile network type, there can be one or several databases.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CENTER

The Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC) is responsible for monitoring

and controlling the mobile network. The complex equipment provides
monitoring staff with information regarding alarm handling, trouble-
shooting, routine maintenance and other information.

THE GEOGRAPHICAL NETWORK STRUCTURE

Every telephone network needs a specific structure to route incoming calls to

the correct exchange and then on to the subscriber. In a mobile network, this
structure is very important because the subscribers are mobile.

CELL

A cell is the basic unit of a cellular system and is defined as the area where
radio coverage is given by one base station. Different cells are identified by
a unique number called Cell Global Identity (CGI). In a complete network
the number of cells is large.

A cell
There is a limited number of frequencies available within the frequency band
specified for cellular systems. Each operator licensed to run a cellular
network, has been provided with a number of frequencies. A cell has one or
several frequencies, depending on traffic load. To cover a country, for
example, the available frequencies must be reused. The same frequency can
not be used in neighboring cells due to interference.

Neighbouring cells cant have the same frequency.

LOCATION AREA

The Location Area (LA) is defined as a group of cells. The system uses LA
to search for subscribers in active state. When there is a call for a mobile
station, a paging message is broadcast to all cells belonging to a specific LA.

A LA is the part of the network in which a mobile station may move around
freely without reporting its location to the network. Different location areas
can be identified by the system using the Location Area Identity (LAI).

Location Areas
MSC/VLR SERVICE AREA

The mobile station is registered in a database called Visitor Location

Register (VLR). MSC and VLR are always implemented in the same node in
all Ericsson GSM networks, thus the area is often called MSC/VLR Service
Area. A MSC/VLR Service Area is made up of a number of LAs. It
represents the geographical part of the network that is covered by one MSC.
To route a call to a mobile subscriber, the path through the network connects
to the MSC in the MSC area where the subscriber is currently located.

PLMN SERVICE AREA

The Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) is a geographical area served by

one network operator and is defined as the area in which an operator offers
radio coverage and possibility to access its network.

The GSM Network

GSM provides recommendations, not requirements. The GSM specifications

define the functions and interface requirements in detail but do not address
the hardware. The reason for this is to limit the designers as little as possible
but still to make it possible for the operators to buy equipment from different
suppliers. The GSM network is divided into three major systems: the
switching system (SS), the base station system (BSS), and the operation and
support system (OSS). The basic GSM network elements are shown in
Figure
 GSM Network Elements

The Switching System

The switching system (SS) is responsible for performing call processing and
subscriber-related functions. The switching system includes the following
functional units.

Home location register (HLR)- The HLR is a database used for

storage and management of subscriptions. The HLR is considered the
most important database, as it stores permanent data about
subscribers, including a subscriber's service profile, location
 information, and activity status. When an individual buys a
subscription from one of the PCS operators, he or she is registered in
the HLR of that operator.

Mobile services switching center (MSC)- The MSC performs the

telephony switching functions of the system. It controls calls to and
from other telephone and data systems. It also performs such
functions as toll ticketing, network interfacing, common channel
signaling, and others.

Visitor location register (VLR)- The VLR is a database that contains

temporary information about subscribers that is needed by the MSC in
order to service visiting subscribers. The VLR is always integrated
with the MSC. When a mobile station roams into a new MSC area, the
VLR connected to that MSC would request data about the mobile
station from the HLR. Later, if the mobile station makes a call, the
VLR will have the information needed for call setup without having to
interrogate the HLR each time.

Authentication center (AUC)- A unit called the AUC provides

authentication and encryption parameters that verify the user's identity
and ensure the confidentiality of each call. The AUC protects network
operators from different types of fraud found in today's cellular world.

Equipment identity register (EIR)- The EIR is a database that contains

information about the identity of mobile equipment that prevents calls
from stolen, unauthorized, or defective mobile stations. The AUC and
EIR are implemented as stand-alone nodes or as a combined
AUC/EIR node.

The Base Station System (BSS)

All radio-related functions are performed in the BSS, which consists of Base
Station Controllers (BSCs) and the Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs).

BSC- The BSC provides all the control functions and physical links
between the MSC and BTS. It is a high-capacity switch that provides
functions such as handover, cell configuration data, and control of
 radio frequency (RF) power levels in base transceiver stations. A
number of BSCs are served by an MSC.

BTS-The BTS handles the radio interface to the mobile station. The
BTS is the radio equipment (transceivers and antennas) needed to
service each cell in the network. A group of BTSs are controlled by a
BSC.

The Operation and Support System

The operations and maintenance center (OMC) is connected to all equipment

in the switching system and to the BSC. The implementation of OMC is
called the operation and support system (OSS). The OSS is the functional
entity from which the network operator monitors and controls the system.
The purpose of OSS is to offer the customer cost-effective support for
centralized, regional, and local operational and maintenance activities that
are required for a GSM network. An important function of OSS is to provide
a network overview and support the maintenance activities of different
operation and maintenance organizations.

One of the most important tasks in a mobile telephony system is to

continuously keep track of where mobile stations are located. One primary
function of the Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC) and Visitor
Location Register (VLR) is to store information, such as location area, about
different mobile stations.

It is the responsibility of the mobile station to always inform the network

about changes in its location and it must also continuously verify that it is
tuned to the strongest frequency.
KEY TERMS
Below are some key terms that are important to understand:

TERM DESCRIPTION

Idle Mode : The mobile station is ON but not in conversation.

Active Mode : The mobile station is ON and in conversation.

Detached : The mobile station is switched OFF.

Roaming : When the mobile station moves around the

network, it is referred to as roaming.
Roaming always occurs during idle mode.

Handover : This is the process in which a call is passed

from one cell to another.

Registration : A mobile station roaming around the network

(Location Updating) must inform the network when it enters a new location
Area (LA)This is called registration or location

Paging : A message broadcast by the MSC/VLR to inform the

mobile station about an incoming call.

REGISTRATION AND ROAMING

Mobile stations are constantly moving around in the cellular network. This
action of moving around and changing the connection over the air
interface is called Roaming. Each time a mobile station changes Location
Area (LA) it must inform the system of its new location. This process is
called Registration (or Location Updating)._ Roaming and Registration are
always performed in IDLE mode.
In order to choose the best radio base station, the mobile station
continuously measures the signal strength on frequencies belonging to each
of the surrounding cells. When the signal strength in the current cell
becomes weaker than the signal strength in the surrounding cells, the mobile
station tunes to a new base station with better signal strength.

Roaming

CALL TO A MOBILE STATION

The difference between making a call to a mobile subscriber and a PSTN

network subscriber is that the mobile subscribers location is unknown.
Therefore, the mobile station must be paged before a connection can be
made. The steps in the call setup procedure from a PSTN subscriber to a
mobile station are listed below. The numbers refer to Figure below:

1. The PSTN subscriber dials the mobile subscribers number. The Gateway
MSC receives the call.
2. The Gateway MSC queries the HLR for the information needed to route
the call to the serving MSC/VLR.

3. The GMSC routes the call to the MSC.

4. MSC checks VLR for the Location Area of the mobile station.

5. MSC contacts the mobile station via BSC and BTS by sending a page
request.

6. The mobile station responds.

7. BSC selects a traffic channel and then orders the mobile station to tune to
this traffic channel. The mobile station generates a ringing signal and
when the subscriber answers the speech-connection is established.

Call to a Mobile Station

CALL FROM A MOBILE STATION

When a mobile station wishes to establish a speech call, the following steps
are performed: The numbers refer to Figure below :

1. Mobile subscriber dials the number.

2. MSC/VLR receives a message requesting access.

3. MSC/VLR checks if the mobile station is authorized to access the

network. If so, the mobile station is activated, or ON.

4. The dialed number is analyzed by MSC/VLR, which in turn initiates a call

set-up to the PSTN network.

5. MSC/VLR asks BSC to allocate a free traffic channel. This information

is forwarded to BTS and the mobile station.

6. The person receiving the call answers and a connection is established.

Call from a Mobile Station

Additional Functional Elements

Other functional elements shown in Figure are as follows:

Message center (MXE)- The MXE is a node that provides integrated

voice, fax, and data messaging. Specifically, the MXE handles short
message service, cell broadcast, voice mail, fax mail, e-mail, and
notification.
 Mobile service node (MSN)-The MSN is the node that handles the
mobile intelligent network (IN) services.

Gateway mobile services switching center (GMSC)-A gateway is a

node used to interconnect two networks. The gateway is often
implemented in an MSC. The MSC is then referred to as the GMSC.

GSM interworking unit (GIWU)-The GIWU consists of both

hardware and software that provides an interface to various networks
for data communications. Through the GIWU, users can alternate
between speech and data during the same call. The GIWU hardware
equipment is physically located at the MSC/VLR.

FREQUENCY BANDS

RADIO CHANNEL

A mobile station communicates with a base station via a radio channel. A

radio channel is a bi-directional radio transmission path. Each radio channel
has two distinct frequencies; one for downlink and one for uplink.

Downlink is defined as the transmission path from the base station to the
mobile station, while uplink is defined as the transmission path from the
mobile station to the base station.

Uplink and downlink on a radio channel

The base station transmits on one frequency while the mobile station
transmits on another frequency. This creates a fullduplex communication
path. That is, simultaneous communication in both directions.

FREQUENCY SPECTRUM

Different frequency bands are used for GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM
1900. An operator applies for the available frequencies or, as in the United
States; the operator buys frequency bands at an auction.

For GSM 900 the available frequency bands are:

Uplink 890 - 915 MHz

Downlink 935 - 960 Mhz

For GSM 1800 the frequency bands are:

Uplink 1710 - 1785 MHz

Downlink 1805 - 1880 Mhz

For GSM 1900 the frequency bands are:

Uplink 1850 - 1910 MHz

Downlink 1930 - 1990 Mhz

DUPLEX DISTANCE

The distance between one uplink frequency and its corresponding downlink
frequency is called the duplex distance.

The duplex distance varies for different frequency bands, refer

to Table below:
 Duplex distance

CHANNEL SEPARATION

The distance between adjacent frequencies on either the uplink or downlink

is called channel separation. Channel separation is 200 kHz, regardless of
the standards mentioned above. This separation is necessary to reduce
interference between channels.

TRANSMISSION RATE

The transmission rate over the air is 270 kbit/s. This is true for GSM 900,
GSM 1800 and GSM 1900.

ACCESS METHOD

Ericsson has chosen the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) method
for all Ericsson GSM networks. TDMA allows several different calls to
share the same frequency.i.e TDMA is a technique in which several different
calls may share the same carrier. Each call is assigned a particular time slot.

Supplementary Services

GSM supports a comprehensive set of supplementary services that can

complement and support both telephony and data services. Supplementary
services are defined by GSM and are characterized as revenue-generating
features. A partial listing of supplementary services follows.

Call forwarding- This service gives the subscriber the ability to

forward incoming calls to another number if the called mobile unit is
not reachable, if it is busy, if there is no reply, or if call forwarding is
allowed unconditionally.
 Barring of outgoing calls- This service makes it possible for a mobile
subscriber to prevent all outgoing calls.

Barring of incoming calls- This function allows the subscriber to

prevent incoming calls. The following two conditions for incoming
call barring exist: baring of all incoming calls and barring of incoming
calls when roaming outside the home PLMN.

Avice of charge (AoC)- The AoC service provides the mobile

subscriber with an estimate of the call charges. There are two types of
AoC information: one that provides the subscriber with an estimate of
the bill and one that can be used for immediate charging purposes.
AoC for data calls is provided on the basis of time measurements.

Call hold- This service enables the subscriber to interrupt an ongoing

call and then subsequently reestablish the call. The call hold service is
only applicable to normal telephony.

Call waiting- This service enables the mobile subscriber to be notified

of an incoming call during a conversation. The subscriber can answer,
reject, or ignore the incoming call. Call waiting is applicable to all
GSM telecommunications services using a circuit-switched
connection.

BASE STATION SYSTEM (BSS)

All radio-related functions are performed in the the BSS consists of the
Transcoder Controller (TRC), Base Station Controller (BSC) and the Radio
Base Stations (RBSs).

Transcoder Controller (TRC)

The Transcoder Controller (TRC) provides the BSS with rate adaptation
capabilities. A device which performs rate adaptation is called a transcoder.
The bitrate per channel is decreased from 64 kbit/s to 16 kbit/s. This saves
transmission links between the
MSC to the BSCs.
Base Station Controller (BSC)
The Base Station Controller (BSC) manages all the radio-related functions
of a GSM network. It is a high capacity switch that provides functions such
as MS handover, radio channel assignment and the collection of cell
configuration data. A number of BSCs may be controlled by each MSC.

BASE STATION CONTROLLER (BSC)

BSC Functions
The BSC controls a major part of the radio network. Its most important task
is to ensure the highest possible utilization of the radio resources. The main
functional areas of the BSC are:

Radio Base Station (RBS)

The Radio Base Station (RBS) handles the radio interface to the mobile
station. One RBS can serve 1,2 or 3 cells. A group of RBSs is controlled by
one BSC. Ericsson has two base station families, and they are RBS 200 and
RBS 2000.

BSS INTERFACES
A INTERFACE

The A-Interface provides two distinct types of information, signaling and

traffic, between the MSC and the BSS. The speech is transcoded in the TRC
and the SS7 signalling is transperantly connected through the TRC or on a
separate link to the BSC.

A-TER INTERFACE

The A-ter interface is the link between the TRC and the BSC. In the TRC
the speech is transcoded from 64 kbit/s to 16 kbit/s. 13 kbit/s of speech
information and 3 kbit/s of in-band signaling information.

A-BIS INTERFACE

The A-bis Interface is responsible for transmitting traffic and signaling

information between the BSC and the BTS. The transmission protocol used
for sending signalling information on the A-bis interface is Link Access
Protocol on the D Channel

AIR INTERFACE
The Air Interface uses the Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
technique to transmit and receive traffic and signaling information between
the BTS and MS. The TDMA technique is used to divide each carrier into
eight time slots. These time slots are then assigned to specific users,
allowing up to eight conversations to be handled simultaneously by the same
carrier.

Air Interface Channels

The path used to carry information between a Mobile Station and a Base
Transceiver Station is known as the Physical Channel. The Control and
Traffic Channels are further subdivided, there are two types of Traffic
Channels and three categories of Control Channels with a total of nine
different types.
Control Channels
Control channels carry signaling information used by the MS to locate an
RBS, synchronize itself with the RBS, and receive information required to
perform call setup. There are three categories of control channels: Broadcast
Control, Dedicated Control, and Common Control.

Broadcast CHannels (BCH)

All Broadcast Channels are transmitted point to multi-point over the
downlink.

Frequency Correction CHannel (FCCH) - Provides the frequency

correction information used by the mobile station.
Synchronization CHannel (SCH) - Contains the Base Station Identity
Code (BSIC) and the TDMA frame number used for synchronization
of the mobile station to the frame structure of a new BTS.
 Broadcast Control CHannel (BCCH) - Used to broadcast general
information to all mobile stations.

Common Control CHannels (CCCH)

All Common Control Channels are transmitted point to point.
Random Access CHannel (RACH)- Used by a mobile station to
request access to the system. RACH information is transmitted over
the uplink.
Paging CHannel (PCH)-sed to page the mobile station. PCH
information is transmitted over the downlink.
Access Grant CHannel (AGCH) - Used to assign a SDCCH. AGCH
information is transmitted over the downlink.

Dedicated Control CHannels (DCCH)

All Dedicated Control Channels are transmitted point to point over both the
downlink and the uplink.

Stand alone Dedicated Control CHannel (DCCH)-Carries signaling

information during call setup.
Slow Associated Control CHannel (SACCH)- Transmits call control
data and measurement reports.
Fast Associated Control CHannel (FACCH) - Carries urgent signaling
information.

Traffic Channels
Traffic CHannels (TCH) carry either speech or data. There are two types of
traffic channels:
FULL RATE and HALF RATE.
TCH can be located in any time slot on any frequency defined in the cell,
except for the first time slot (TS0) on the first carrier (C0). ) The full-rate
traffic channel (TCH) handles encoded speech or data. The TCH
information is transmitted at a bit rate of 33.8 kbps. With a half-rate
channel, a mobile station will only use every second time slot (every other
one is idle). As a result, two mobile stations will be able to use the same
physical channel for calls leading to a doubling of the capacity on the
channel.
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS
Many problems may occur during the transmission of a radio signal. Some
of the most common problems are described below.

PATH LOSS
Path loss occurs when the received signal becomes weaker and weaker due
to increasing distance between MS and BTS, even if there are no obstacles
between the transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) antenna. The path loss
problem seldom leads to a dropped call because before the problem becomes
extreme, a new transmission path is established via another BTS.

SHADOWING
Shadowing occurs when there are physical obstacles including hills and
buildings between the BTS and the MS. The obstacles create a shadowing
effect which can decrease the received signal strength. When the MS moves,
the signal strength fluctuates depending on the obstacles between the MS
and BTS.

A signal influenced by fading varies in signal strength. Drops in strength are

called fading dips.

Shadowing

MULTIPATH FADING

Multipath fading occurs when there is more than one transmission path to
the MS or BTS, and therefore more than one signal arriving at the receiver.
This may be due to buildings or mountains, either close to or far from the
receiving device.Rayleigh fading and time dispersion are forms of multipath
fading.

Rayleigh fading
This occurs when a signal takes more than one path between the MS and
BTS antennas. In this case, the signal is not received on a line of sight path
directly from the Tx antenna. Rather, it is reflected off buildings, for
example, and is received from several different indirect paths. Rayleigh
fading occurs when the obstacles are close to the receiving antenna.

Rayleigh fading

SOLUTIONS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

This section describes some solutions to the problems described in previous

sections. Although many of these do not entirely solve all problems on the
radio transmission path, they do play an important part in maintaining call
quality for as long as possible.

CHANNEL CODING

In digital transmission, the quality of the transmitted signal is often

expressed in terms of how many received bits are incorrect . This is called
Bit Error Rate (BER). BER defines the percentage of the total number of
received bits which are incorrectly detected.

Transmitted bits 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0

Received bits 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0

Error 3/10 = 30% BER

This percentage should be as low as possible. It is not possible to reduce the

percentage to zero because the transmission path is constantly changing.
This means that there must be an allowance for a certain amount of errors
and at the same time an ability to restore the information, or at least detect
errors so the incorrect information bits are not interpreted as correct. This is
especially important during transmission of data, as opposed to speech, for
which a higher BER is acceptable.

Channel coding is used to detect and correct errors in a received bit stream.
It adds bits to a message. These bits enable a channel decoder to determine
whether the message has faulty bits, and to potentially correct the faulty bits.

INTERLEAVING

In reality, bit errors often occur in sequence, as caused by long fading dips
affecting several consecutive bits. Channel coding is most effective in
detecting and correcting single errors and short error sequences. It is not
suitable for handling longer sequences
of bit errors.

For this reason, a process called interleaving is used to separate consecutive

bits of a message so that these are transmitted in a non-consecutive way.

For example, a message block may consist of four bits (1234). If four
message blocks must be transmitted, and one is lost in transmission, without
interleaving there is a 25% BER overall, but a 100% BER for that lost
message block. It is not possible to recover from this.
 Interleaving

If interleaving is used, as shown in Figure 3-18, the bits of each block may
be sent in a non-consecutive manner. If one block is lost in transmission,
again there is a 25% BER overall. However, this time the 25% is spread over
the entire set of message blocks, giving a 25% BER for each. This is more
manageable and there is a greater possibility that the errors can be corrected
by a channel decoder.

Received interleaved message blocks

TIMING ADVANCE
Timing advance is a solution specifically designed to counteract the problem
of time alignment. It works by instructing the misaligned MS to transmit its
burst earlier than it normally would.

Timing advance
REFERENCE:
GSM System Survey
www.gtllimited.com
www.google.com