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Abstract – This work describes the principles and use of GPRS. The main problems of
transition towards the UMTS are also stated.
Index terms – 3G, ARQ, FEC, GPRS, GSM, QoS, UMTS.
I. INTRODUCTION
The wireless industry is moving to transmission of photographs and
video messages. Videoconferencing application, in which people can have
regular meetings without having to go to a particular place, is another
application for moving images. Mobile terminals such as notebooks,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones and pagers can give
access to a wide range of new mobile data services.
Due to the growing interest in mobile data applications, the Global System for Mobile
communications (GSM) has been extended earlier by the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), a
packet switched technology [1], since the results of several investigations indicated it makes more
efficient use of system resources with fulfillment the specified Quality of Service (QoS)
requirements. QoS can be measured in terms of reliability, response time, and features supported.
GPRS, which is treated in literature as 2.5G system, allows the transmission of packet data at
moderate bit rates using random access channels within the existing GSM (2G) infrastructure.
Many applications use the TCP/IP protocol architecture and mobile Internet browsing is well
suited to GPRS Protocol Stack, which provides new services for the mobile wireless subscriber [2]:
color Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia
messages and location-based services. Because of its synergy with the Internet, GPRS allows
mobile users to participate fully in existing Internet chat groups rather than needing to set up their
own groups that are dedicated to mobile users using SMS services. Third-party applications such as
WAP browser, MMS client, and Java are integrated in GPRS to accelerate its customer base
development. Other new applications for GPRS include file transfer and the ability to remotely
access and control house appliances and machines – so called “Mobile Home” framework, which
can be implemented, e.g., through WAP servers and wireless channels to home sensor endings.
All these mobile applications contain several characteristics that enhance the value to the
customers. First among them is mobility (constant voice and data communications while on the
move). Second is immediacy (obtaining connectivity when needed, regardless of location and
without a lengthy login session). Third is localization (allows subscribers to obtain information on
their current location). The combination of these characteristics provides a wide spectrum of
possible applications that can be offered to mobile subscribers.
GPRS Protocol Stack is important as a migration step toward third-generation (3G) networks.
When GSM operators start to offer GPRS services, they can use their existing networks and
gradually assign part of their resources from circuit-switched voice services to packet-switched data
services. This allows a smooth transition from voice-only to multimedia service networks.
Furthermore, the ratio between voice and data traffic can be changed dynamically according to the
requested service.
Fig. 1. Simplified GSM TDMA frame structure with GPRS packet data channels.
Timeslot building requires new functionality on the mobile side. GPRS needs a Serving GPRS
support node (SGSN, [7]-[10]), a Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) and a charging gateway
function to support packet switched transactions. The packet switched traffic is separated from the
circuit switched traffic at the BSC/PCU and diverted to the GPRS core network. To support point-
to-multipoint features, a point-to-multipoint Service Center (PTM-SC) needs also to be added.
Because GPRS is packet switched traffic, new protocols and channel types are required. In
GPRS the mobile device is permanently attached to the network, providing a virtual connection
without cost and data transfer (GPRS-Attach). GPRS-Attach procedure is executed whenever a
GPRS enabled mobile station is switched on and needs to inform the network about its presence.
The two peers of a GPRS attach procedure are the mobile station (MS) and the SGSN.
Depending on the availability of the packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH), the GPRS-Attach
procedure may be executed on Circuit Common Control Channel (CCCCH).
Fig. 2 shows the GPRS system architecture, indicating new functionality required for phase2+
operation. The GPRS control is done using a dedicated DSP.
LLC LLC
Relay
RLC BSSGP
RLC BSSGP
Network Network
MAC MAC Service Service
GSM RF GSM RF L1 L1
Um Gb
MS BSS SGSN
Fig. 3. Protocol layering in GPRS.
The LLC layer operates above the RLC and BSSGP layers in the reference architecture to
provide logical links between an MS and its SGSN.
The LLC layer structure is shown in fig. 4. This figure is a model shown for illustrative
purposes only, and does not constrain implementations.
GPRS Mobility Management SNDCP TOM SMS
Layer 3
LLGMM LLGMM LL3 LL5 LL9 LL11 TOM2 TOM8 LLSMS
LLC layer
Logical
Link
Logical
Entity
Link
Logical SAPI=7
Entity
Link
Logical SAPI=8
Logical Link
Entity
Link Logical SAPI=2
Entity
Link
Management Logical
Entity
SAPI=11
Entity Link
Logical SAPI=9
Entity
Link
Logical SAPI=5
Entity
Link
SAPI=3
Entity
SAPI=1
Multiplex Procedure
LLC layer
GRR BSSGP
RLC/MAC BSSGP
Signalling
Signalling and data transfer
Fig. 4. Functional model of the LLC layer.
Above the LLC layer is located the SubNetwork Dependent Convergence (SNDC) layer, that
controls the transfer of user data network layer PDUs (N-PDUs) between the MS and SGSN. The
SNDC functionality is described in [12] and specified in [9].
The LLC layer Service Access Points (SAPs) are the points at which the LLC layer provides
services to the layer-3 protocols in figure 1. In addition to the SNDC protocol, LLC provides
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service to the GPRS Mobility Management (GMM) protocol, to the SMS protocol, and to the
Tunnelling of Messages (TOM) protocol.
An LLC layer connection is identified by the DLCI consisting of the SAP Identifier (SAPI) and
the MS's Temporary Logical Link Identifier (TLLI).
Each LLC frame consists of the header, trailer, and information field. The header and trailer
fields contain information such as SAPI, frame number and checksum, which are used to identify
the frame and to provide reliable transmission. The information field is variable length. Both
transmission and retransmission of each frame are controlled by the LLC layer.
Many of the formats and procedures are similar to the reference protocols, and differences are
introduced only where needed to reflect the unique aspects of the GPRS architecture and
requirements.
The Logical Link Management Entity (LLME) manages the resources that have an impact on
individual connections. There is one LLME per TLLI. Functions provided by the LLME are:
- parameter initialisation;
- error processing;
- connection flow control invocation.
The RLC/MAC layer functions are described in [13]. BSSGP is specified in [10]. SNDCP is
specified in [9].
GPRS Mobility Management (GMM) uses the services of the LLC layer to transfer messages
between the MS and the SGSN. GMM includes functions such as attach and authentication, and
transport of session management messages for functions such as PDP context activation and
deactivation. GMM procedures are defined in [14] and are beyond the scope of the LLC layer.
Interaction between GMM and LLC is defined in terms of service primitives.
The Short Message Service (SMS) uses the services of the LLC layer to transfer short messages
between the MS and the SGSN. SMS procedures are defined in [16] and [17] and are beyond of the
scope of the LLC layer. Interaction between SMS and LLC is defined in terms of service primitives.
Frame structure. All logical link control layer peer-to-peer exchanges shall be in frames
conforming to the format shown in fig. 5. The frame header shall consist of the address and control
fields, and is a minimum of 2 octets and a maximum of 37 octets long.
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Address Field (1 octet)
Control Field
(variable length, max. 36 octets)
Information Field
(variable length, max. 201 octets)
Table 2 shows the different data rates that can be achieved with the different coding techniques.
Table 2. Raw Data Rate for GPRS (using one or eight timeslots, correspondingly).
User Data Rate CS1 CS2 CS3 CS4
1 Timeslot 9.05 kbps 13.4 kbps 15.6 kbps 21.4 kbps
8 Timeslot 72.4 kbps 107.2 kbps 124.8 kbps 171.2 kbps
Achieving the theoretical maximum GPRS data transmission speed would require a single user
taking over all eight timeslots without any error protection. Clearly, it is unlikely that a network
operator will allow all timeslots to be used by a single GPRS user. Additionally, the initial GPRS
terminals are severely limited supporting only one, two or three timeslots. The bandwidth available
to a GPRS user is therefore severely limited. As such, the theoretical maximum GPRS speed should
be checked against the reality of constraints in the networks and terminals.
V. AN EXPERIMENT
The authors experimented with the Eriksson R580m mobile phone (using “4+1” time slots –
four slots in “downlink” for receiving and one slot in “uplink” for requesting the information) in
GPRS connection with one of Novosibirsk GPRS operators – Siberia Cellular Systems (SCS-900,
operates within “Mobile Telecommunications Systems” network of Russia, web-site -
www.nsk.mts.ru). The results of an investigation of the downlink speed are presented in fig. 9.
VII. CONCLUSION
GPRS allows network operators to implement an IP-based core architecture for data
applications, which continues to be used and expanded upon in 3G services for integrated voice and
data applications. In addition, GPRS proves a testing and development area for new services and
applications, which are used in the development of 3G services.
According to [22] 7 operators have launched EDGE by 24 November 2003 in 6 countries:
Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless in the USA, AT&T Wireless in Bermuda, AT&T Wireless
in Puerto Rico, Telefonica Moviles in Chile, CSL in Hong Kong and AIS in Thailand and the
orange areas above show where EDGE services are in deployment or are being trialed.
GPRS/EDGE was meant as a transition technique towards UMTS, e.g. see [23], but the UMTS
operators can not start planning from zero. So it should be noted that there is a great need in the
creation of UMTS/GSM dual-mode networks, see, e.g., [24], since the best solution is that the
existing GSM base station sites are to be the primary sites for UMTS base stations.
REFERENCES
[1] GPRS Overview, http://www.vocal.com/data_sheets/gprs1.html.
[2] GSM World: GPRS Platform, http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/gprs/index.shtml.
[3] ETSI TR 101.186 V6.0.0 (1998-04): “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)”, 19 p.
[4] Cellular System Solutions for GSM/GPRS Wireless Terminals, 21 March 2003,
http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/March2003/5070.htm.
[5] Kazuaki Murota and Kenkichi Hirade, “GMSK Modulation for Digital Mobile Radio Telephony,”
IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 29, pp. 1044-1050, July 1981.
[6] Marvin K. Simon and Charles C.Wang, “Differential Detection of Gaussian MSK in a Mobile Radio
Environment,” IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, vol. 33, pp. 307-320, November 1984.
[7] 3GPP TS 29.018: "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) –
Visitors Location Register (VLR); Gs interface layer 3 specification".
[8] 3GPP TS 44.064 V.5.1.0 (2002-3): “Mobile Station – Serving GPRS Support Node (MS-SGSN);
Logical Link Control (LLC) layer specification.”
[9] 3GPP TS 44.065: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Mobile Station (MS) – Serving GPRS
Support Node (SGSN); Subnetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol (SNDCP).”
[10] 3GPP TS 48.018: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Base Station System (BSS) - Serving
GPRS Support Node (SGSN); BSS GPRS Protocol (BSSGP).”
[11] 3GPP TS 22.060: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description; Stage 1.”
[12] 3GPP TS 23.060: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Service description; Stage 2.”
[13] 3GPP TS 43.064: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Overall description of the GPRS radio
interface; Stage 2.”
[14] 3GPP TS 24.008: “Mobile radio interface Layer 3 specification; Core network protocols; Stage 3.”
[15] 3GPP TS 41.061: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); GPRS ciphering algorithm requirements.”
[16] 3GPP TS 23.040: “Technical realization of the Short Message Service (SMS); Point-to-Point (PP).”
[17] 3GPP TS 24.011 “Point-to-Point (PP) Short Message Service (SMS) support on Mobile Radio
Interface.”
[18] ITU-T Recommendation Q.921 (1988): “ISDN user-network interface - Data link layer specification.”
[19] 3GPP TS 43.059: “Functional Stage 2 Description of Location Services (LCS) in GERAN.”
[20] 3GPP TS 44.060: “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS); Mobile Station (MS) - Base Station System
(BSS) interface; Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control (RLC/MAC) protocol”.
[21] New Edge Wireless Test Kit, http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Nov2003/6113.htm, 19 November, 2003.
[22] 7 EDGE Wireless Launches in 6 Countries, http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Nov2003/6137.htm,
24 November, 2003.
[23] Paul Reid, 3GPP Release 5 Update, ETSI Presentation.
[24] Vesa Karppi, “UMTS network status in Finland,” Sonera presentation, Finland, 23 April 2002.
[25] 3GPP TR 21.905: “Vocabulary for 3GPP Specifications.”