GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

GSM Network Structure and Network Planning

Dipl.- Ing. Reiner Stuhlfauth, ROHDE & SCHWARZ; Training Centre

Contents:

1. Geographical structures in a GSM network

2. Methods of network planning

2.1. Principles of cellular networks
2.2. Cluster method
2.2.1. Cluster with sectorised cells
2.3. Analytical method

3. Radio cells
3.1. Antennas for mobile communication networks
3.2. Classes of radio cells
3.3. Radio cells optimisation and configuration
3.4. Capacity of the network

4. GSM – Network structure

4.1. Mobile Station, MS
4.2. Base Station Subsystem, BSS
4.3. Switching and Management Subsystem, SMSS
4.4. Operation and Maintenance Subsystem, OMSS
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

1. Geographical structures in a mobile communication network

GSM is a world-wide standard for mobile communication with an extensive coverage. Due to
the mobility of the subscribers, the organisational structure must be subdivided into different
processing elements. The defined areas are necessary to establish point-to-point connections.

GSM Service Area

PLMN Service Area
MSC Service Area
Location Area
Cell Area

Figure: Geographical structures in GSM

GSM Service Area: This highest area describes the whole world of GSM; all realised
network elements are part of this area.

PLMN Service Area: The defined area of the Public Land Mobile Network is the service
area of one network operator. The borders are not necessarily the political borders of one
country, furthermore it is possible to define on-duty areas of different operators.

MSC Service Area: Depending on the offered network capacity, one operator is subdividing
his network into smaller service area, built up by one MSC. The MS is part of the switching
network, responsible for connecting telephone calls. It possesses access to different data
bases, containing the information about the subscribers profile, location and security
functions. One MSC is the lowest switching level, it is forwarding the call into different
networks. Two mobile stations inside one MSC Service Area establishing one connection are
connected via the MSC, therefore it is forming the lowest switching level in the GSM world.

Location Area: Inside the GSM Area, the location area is the lowest existing level of the
location information of one subscriber. The mobility management layer only knows in which
location area one subscriber is located. Each location area is identified by a so called LAI,
Location Area Identity and belongs to exactly one MSC. A mobile station is allowed to roam
within one location area without sending location information to the network. Only in case of
changing the location area must the Mobile Station update the mobility management
information. This procedure is called location update.

Cell Area: The lowest area in the geographical layers is formed by one radio cell. The radio
cell is stretched out by the radio coverage of one Base Transceiver Station, BTS and has a
range between a few hundred metres up to a maximum of 35km. The Cell area forms the
access point for the subscriber. After establishing a radio link to the BTS, the subscriber gets
access to the whole backbone network of the mobile communication network. One radio cell
is identified by its BSIC, the Base Station Identity Code. This code is broadcast in a periodic
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

manner to enable on the MS side a periodic survey of link strength and quality to both serving
cell and neighbour cells.
The whole network coverage is guaranteed by placing BTS’s over the network area and
equipping them with the certain capacity to deal with the expected traffic. The following
pages describe strategies of network planning and optimisation.

2. Methods of radio network planning

2.1. Principle of cellular networks:

In comparison to a cable based telephone network, in a mobile communication network the

transfer of speech or data is performed by a radio link. This radio link will at least be
established between the mobile station and the base station.
The first existing radio networks were characterised by some features:
Radio coverage, or serving cell area of about 60km radius.
Radio link only within one serving cell, at the moment of leaving this serving cell, the call
was terminated.
Switching-by-hand, no automatic routing of the call to the endpoint

A cellular network offers some further features to the user:

Automatic mobility management and call routing: the network has a knowledge of subscribers
location information that will be updated automatically.
Calls are routed automatically to one subscriber, the mobile station is able to receive those so-
called paging calls.
The radio cells are overlapping, in case of transfer of one radio cell into another, the call will
be handed over. This procedure is then called handover.
As a simplified model of cellular networks, the cell area is painted as a hexagonal structure.

Figure 2.1.1.: Conventional Figure 2.1.2.: Cellular network,

network, Radius < 60km Radius maximal 35km, typically 5
– 8 km.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

To establish the radio communication, every BTS gets a certain number of duplex frequency
channels assigned. This assignment offers a fix capacity to each cell. To enhance the capacity,
the philosophy is not a small number of large radio cells with lots of frequency channels, it is
rather a big number of small radio cells with few frequency channels each. Every radio cell
gets a certain number of duplex frequency channels assigned, depending on the expected
traffic that must be conveyed.
It is obvious, that the allowed frequency channels are assigned to multiple base stations
several times, getting into consequences, that every frequency channel is superimposed on the
same frequency channel, transmitted by another BTS. The network operators have to avoid
interference due to a skilful frequency planning to avoid common channel interference as well
as adjacent channel interference.

Interferences in cellular Mobile Radio Systems

Interference signals

Information Information
signal signal

Figure: Origin of interference in a mobile communication network

In GSM we calculate a tolerated minimum of Common Channel Interference level of C/Imin

= 9dB.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Common channel interference

Information Signal and interfering

Signal are in the same spectrum

S(f) Received Spectrums

Information Signal

Interfering Signal

fT f

= C/I Carrier to Interference Ratio

GSM defines minimum C/I-distance

C/Imin = 9dB
Figure: Common Channel Interference
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

2.2 Cluster method:

The Cluster Method is a method of network planning, deriving from the analogue technique,
where it was more essential to avoid interference. A digital radio communication network is
more robust against interference. A practical operation of this method is mostly failed because
of missing premises, like ideal sites, plane environment, homogenous traffic distribution, etc.
But the cluster method allows the demonstration of the basic problems because of its clarity.
The frequency allocation follows strong schemes, a so-called frequency reallocation plan. The
covered area is subdivided into different cells, all modelled in a simplified manner as
hexagonal figures. Each radio cell will get assigned a subset of frequency channels out of the
whole number of frequency channels. Such a cluster is formed by a number N of radio cells
containing all allowed frequency channels with the premises that one frequency channel is not
repeated inside a cluster.

Clustermethod

Example: 7 Cluster

1 2 6 7

4 3 6 7 5 1 2
D
7 5 1 2 4 3

1 2 4 3 6 7

3 6 7 5 1 2
R
7 5 1 2 4 3

Cells with reuse of frecuencies

6 7

5 1 2 Cluster = Group of cells, that each frecuency

4 3
occurs only once in a cluster
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

The important magnitude delimiting the cluster size is the Signal to Noise Ratio that can be
calculated approximately:

4
C  D
≈   = (3N )
2

I R

The table delivers some typical values for different cluster sizes:
N C/I C/I in dB
3 81 19,1
4 144 21,6
5 441 26,4
6 729 28,6
Apart from the cell radius, the network capacity is forming an essential parameter as well. The
smaller the cluster, the more users can be supplied.

2.2.1. Cluster with sectorised cells

Also for a sectorised network there are frequency reuse tables:

C1

A1 3
C3 C2

A3 A2 2B1 3
2
3
4
B3 B2
2

Figure 2.2.1.1.: Cluster with sectorised radio cells

 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

2.3. Analytical Method:

The cluster method is requesting a lot of premises that can’t be found in a realistic scenario.
The used method of network planning by real network operators is hardly differing from the
scenarios just described. In reality, we can find the following, contradictory effects for the
cluster method:

• No flat ground: equidistant placing of BTS’s would have as a consequence that the radio
wave ranges would differ a lot and some BTS’s would have to be placed at impossible
sites, e.g. at the bottom of a valley.
• Inhomogeneous traffic distribution: For every cell the network operator must provide a
certain traffic capacity level. A standardised traffic per cell would lead to the effect, that
the high-traffic-cells would be in congestion state for a long time and in low-traffic-areas,
the investments would be wasted.
• Different site density: High populated areas would have the same BTS density as low
populated areas.
• Different propagation of radio waves: The propagation of radio waves depends from
topographic and topologic conditions.

In reality, computer based methods are used for the planning and implementing of Base
Transceiver Stations, taking into account the real conditions like: buildings and cultivation,
expected air time, population, wave propagation, etc. Prerequisites of this model are computer
based data bases responsible to build the expert knowledge.

• Site data base: Contains all geographical and technical details of the configuration of
Base Transceiver Stations.
• Altitude: Knows the altitude deployment of the environment of the BTS
• Morphology: Cultivation of the ground: water, forests, rivers, etc.
• Expected traffic: Because of known measured traffic over the air interface, the network
operator is able to forecast the expected development of the traffic inside his network.
This database allows the planning of the dimensions of the network.
• Antennas: The skilful configuration of antennas allows the modification of the wave
propagation over the air. This data base permits an optimisation of the existing network in
real life or in advance of the realisation.
• System parameter: The GSM-Specifications are well known in the calculation algorithms
to allow prediction of the coverage with radio wave field strength and radio link quality.
• Empirical parameters: Most time, network planning is computer work, all the parameters
are derived out of simulations. But they can’t replace the reality, the existing knowledge
of the real network is placed inside this data base to enhance the prediction with aid of the
simulation.
• Wave propagation: There are several calculation models to perform the calculation of the
wave propagation. Most models are based on 2-dimension, but there are 3-dimension
calculation algorithms too.
• Handover algorithm: If the computer wants to calculate the cell area sizes it has to
simulate the handover from one cell into the neighbour cell. This algorithm allows the
simulation of handover.
• Frequency allocation: Given by the optimisation problem, to assign a maximum number
of frequency channels to all base station under consideration of the existing assumptions
and conditions.
Figure 2.3.1.: Analytical network planning method

Network planing with analytical mehtod

Databases
Algorithms
Site data base
Height data base Wave distribution

Morphology Fieldstrength
Antennas
GSM-Specifications
Handoveralgorithm
Cell Area

GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Compatibility matrix

Traffic datas

Channel requirement
Frequency allocation
Empirical parameter
Frequency allocation
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Because of the inhomogeneous supply area, in reality, the number of frequency channels per
cell will differ a lot, depending on the traffic and the cell size. The frequency channels will be
assigned among need. The compatibility matrix is presenting the relation and compatibility of
the radio cells. It contains the guard distance in unit of frequency channels that must be
obeyed. E.g. two radio cells have a common channel prohibition, that means, that both cells
are not allowed to use the same frequency channel. Manual entries in this compatibility
matrix can extend the information gained out of simulation with real knowledge gained out of
measurements.

The following figure 2.3.3 shows an real example of distribution of antenna sites. We can see
that the realistic cell area is completely irregular, it differs a lot from the former presented
hexagonal structures.

Figure 2.3.3.: Cell area plot of existing GSM network

 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

3. Radio Cells
In chapter 1 about the geographical structures within a GSM network it is already mentioned
that one radio cell forms the smallest defined area in the structure and the access point into the
network for the users. If the network operator performs a skilful planning of radio cells he can
provide the needed coverage with field strength and capacity. The main job of the radio
planning engineers is the distribution, configuration and optimisation of radio cells. The next
chapter is describing the configuration of every single radio cell, in comparison to the already
described relating of multiple radio cells.

One radio cell is stretched out by one Base Transceiver Station, BTS, consisting of a
transceiver unit combined with an antenna.

3.1. Antennas for mobile communication networks:

One possibility to classify one radio cell is the size and kind of the installed antenna. In rural
areas a common type is the omnidirectional antenna.

Figure 3.1.1.: Omnidirectional antenna

A disadvantage of omnidirectional antennas is that one BTS is only forming one radio cell.
Capacity depends of the number of frequency channels, therefore an omnidirectional antenna
can’t often fulfil all the requested number of channels. Due to a higher density in base station
placement, a network operator is confronted with problems of frequency allocation. In high
populated areas we can furthermore find the so called sectorised base station. They are using
sector antennas, only transmitting a radio signal along a certain horizontal pattern. The beam
is formed in this antenna.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Figure 3.1.2.: Sectorised antenna

A strategy of avoiding over-range in transmitting is the choice of antennas with a very small
vertical aperture, typical values range from 6° – 20°. Frequently we can find antennas with
electrical of manual setting of the tilt of the antenna. We call this feature downtilt. It allows
the reduction of the transmitting range to avoid interference with other radio cells, maybe
using the same frequency channel.

Lots of Base Transceiver Stations are realised in that way, that 2 antennas are pointing in the
same direction, with a horizontal or vertical distance of just a few metres. This configuration
is called diversity. It is used to obtain a higher gain at the receiver side due to the
superposition of 2 different received signals.

Antennas are differing from each other concerning their radio network requirements in their
horizontal and vertical aperture as well as in their antenna gain and their polarisation.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Figure 3.1.3.: Principle of mechanical downtilt.

3.2. Classes of radio cells:

In addition, radio cells are distinguished by their cell area size. This parameter depends
mostly from the antenna mounting height and the transmitting power. In a mobile
communication network, we distinguish mostly between the following three classes.

• Macrocells: It is the job of the macrocell to build up a wide area of coverage. Its radios
range between 10km and 35km. Typically they are installed in low populated areas with a
large coverage area but small traffic. Macrocells are mounted on very high buildings,
much higher than the surrounding roofs.

• Microcells: Microcells are forming in the mean time the standard configuration in
populated areas. With their configuration, a high base station density can be obtained and
therefore the requested capacity can be provided. The radius of such a microcell is given
in the range of 1 to 3km. The mounted antenna height is more or less similar to the height
of the environmental buildings. The wave propagation and the cell range is delimited by
the fading of the signal by buildings etc. On the other side, because of their smaller range,
they must be placed in the middle of the covered area. We can find these radio cell classes
for example in all cities.

• Picocells: picocells are used to ease the traffic of microcells. Most of the time they are not
used to create some coverage in former uncovered areas, rather they are extending the
existing coverage. Picocells can be found in Hot spot areas, or High-Traffic-Areas, e.g.
market squares, fairs or street crossings. The mounted height of the antennas is below the
roof height sie-mounted at the wall or below the height of the environmental buildings.
Also the transmitting power is reduced to avoid overranging.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Picocell Microcell Macrocell

Figure 3.2.1.: Different classes of radio cells

3.3. Traffic Dimensions of radio cells:

Each radio cell must be configured suiting the purpose of handling the expected traffic. After
the decision of which type of antenna, sector or omnidirectional, which class of radio cell, the
network operator must provide the needed number of carrier frequency channels. The
hardware of a BTS is given by a Base Control Function, BCF and at least one Transceiver-
Module TRX, representing the 8 TDMA channels on one frequency channel. The more traffic
is expected, the more TRX must be provided and frequency channels assigned with the
already demonstrated planning methods.
On a computer-based knowledge, the operator can estimate, how many subscribers are served
by the contemplated radio cell. His own experience makes him known, how long the average
on-air-time of one person is. This traffic density is indicated by the Erlang-
Distribution.function, the factor 1 Erlang indicates, that one physical channel is one hour
busy. The network operator defines internally the grade of service rate. Tables, derived out of
the Erlang B formula are informing about the number of TRX moduls to be installed in every
BTS to handle the expected traffic.
The presented table demonstrates such an example, with a blocking probability of 2%

TRX per cell 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Number of 7 14 22 30 37 45 53
timeslots
Capacity in 2,9 8,2 14,9 21,9 28,3 35,6 43,1
Erlang
Figure.: Erlang-B table for 2% blocking probability
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

3.4. Network capacity aspects

Because of the increasing number of mobile network users and the expanding market in
mobile communication there is a necessity for capacity increasing strategies. Generally the
frequency planning leads to the experience, that the smaller the radio cells are, the easier the
frequency planning. More often than not, the frequency channels can be reused. One factor,
describing the network total capacity is the so-called frequency reuse factor. It is given by:

# total channels•# sites

Frequency Reuse =
# TRX
Total number of available channels multiplied with the number of installed sites divided by
the total number of used frequency channels over all contemplated sites.
The higher the frequency reuse factor, the higher are the reserves concerning capacity.

Cell Splitting:
Smaller cell sizes are increasing the total capacity. One possibility is the replacement of one
large cell with more smaller cells. One disadvantage is the loss of the already used location
and the therefore resulting new investments.

Sectorising:
Increasing the grade of sectorised antennas, more radio cells in comparison to antenna sites.
The replacement of omnidirectional antennas with sector antennas.

Higher density of base stations:

If the described strategies are not possible to realise, the network operator can increase the
density of base station. The cell area will be reduced in the way, that between 2 cells, there
will be an additional radio cell. This leads only to an positive effect, if the new BTS’s are
planned very carefully and skilfully.

Hierarchical Cell Structure:

To increase the total capacity it is not only advised to reduce the radio cell size or increase to
density of BTS, furthermore it is possible to classify them hierarchically. In practice this
means that one point is covered by signals coming from different BTS’s. One BTS is forming
an umbrella cell, collecting the remaining traffic. Below in the hierarchy are smaller cells, that
will first be filled up with incoming traffic, until their maximum. The umbrella cell only gets
into work if the lower cells are busy.

Modifications of existing BTS:

A radio network is not a fixed implemented configuration, furthermore it is a living scenario.
To be able to handle the increasing traffic, the network must be modified all the time.
Possibilities are, new antenna types, modification of the transmitting power, modifying the
downtilt, etc.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Optimising method at the real network

Because of the choice and definition of some parameters in the Operation Maintenance
Center, OMC, it is possible to control the running operation of the network. Some examples
are:

Frequency Hopping:
The transfer is not only performed on one timeslot of always the same carrier frequency. This
carrier frequency is changed rapidly over the time, it is hopping over different frequency
channels. Possible interference are smoothed regarding their influence. A total reduction of
the allowed interference level leads to a higher number of assigned frequency channels. This
strategy is then called:

TFR, Tighter Frequency Reuse:

The principle is, that the in case of frequency hopping, the global carrier to interference ratio
can be reduced, possible interference is distributed over multiple subscribers. In the
compatibility matrix this reduction effects the deleting of some common or adjacent channel
interference relations and the better assignment of frequency channels. The total frequency
reuse factor is smaller-> the total capacity is higher.

Base Station Power Control:

New BTS’s are equipped with the ability to control the transmitting power dynamically. In a
mean or average contemplation, the transmitted power is reduced because of this feature. This
means that the network operator can also reduce the active interference potential of the
considered base station and delete some simulated interference scenarios.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

4. GSM-Network Structure:
The GSM Standard is defining the whole network infrastructure, consisting of hardware
components and protocols between the certain entities. Whole network means that it is
possible to implement a network completely based on the GSM standard, permitting an end-
to-end communication. For example, the DECT-standard only describes the interface between
a mobile station and a home based base station. Interfaces and transitions into foreign
networks out of the GSM network are optional, but they must be implemented to guarantee
the overall availability. This implementation is done by the adaptation of some protocols in
the Interworking Functions, IWF.

GSM-mobile communication networks are building a hybrid network, consisting of 2

subnetworks, a radio network and a core network. There is only one interface that is always
realised as a radio link, the connection between a Mobile Station MS and the fix implemented
Base station, BTS.
The fix installed GSM network can be subdivided into 3 subnetworks: Base Station
Subsystem BSS, Switching and Management Subsystem SMSS and at least the Operation and
Maintenance Subsystem OMSS.

4.1. The Mobile Station, MS:

Mobile Stations are the electronic devices used by the subscribers to get access to the GSM
network. They are also called „Handy“; „Mobile“, „Telefonino“ etc. and they are representing
the mobile part in the Mobile Communication Network. Such an MS is subdivided into 2
different parts, a Subscriber Identity Module SIM and a Mobile Equipment ME. The usage of
such a SIM card allows the differentiation between subscriber and equipment, the SIM card
personalises the Mobile Station and controls the access to the network. A Mobile Station must
perform the complete functions for data transfer over the air interface, e.g. A/D conversion,
speech coding, interleaving, modulation, ciphering as well as time and frequency
synchronised transmitting and receiving.
We distinguish, regarding the MS the two states: attached and detached, i.e. switched on or
off. In case of a MS that is switched on, we distinguish between idle and dedicated mode, i.e.
waiting for a connection or the busy state. A MS can be characterised with its identity
number, IMEI and the subscriber identities IMSI and MSISDN. There is another chapter:
„Tasks of a Mobile Station“, describing all these functions in detail.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

OMC NMC OMC

A

Abis

Um

OMC OMC

Figure 4.1.: GSM-network structure

 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Base Station
System

Figure 4.2.: Structure of GSM network, radio network, core network

4.2. The Base Station Subsystem, BSS:

The Base Station Subsystem consists of the components BTS and BSC and represents the
radio network inside the fixed network in GSM . The BSS takes care of the radio coverage in
a certain geographical area. GSM is only using the expression radio link if one point of a
point-to-point connection is allowed to move. E.g. a microwave link is in terms of GSM a part
of the fix network.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

The Base Transceiver Station BTS:

A radio cell is stretched out by a Base Transceiver Station, providing at least one frequency
channel for communication via the air interface. In simplified terms, a BTS consists of a
Control and Management Unit an antenna. For each frequency channel, the BTS needs one
Transceiver, TRX. The BCF-Block (Base Control Function) controls all the multiple
Transceivers. On the network side, the BTS is representing the air interface. One strategy is to
reduce the complexity of the equipment that is installed several times. This is one reason why
the most used functions for control and management are shifted into the BSC.

The Base Station Controller,BSC:

The BSC controls and surveys at least one, in real network several BTS’s and is forming the
interface to the MSC. For example, the Handover-scenario is deployed into the BSC, all the
management of the radio links is implemented in the BSC and the BSC decides about the
availability of radio resources.

4.3. The Switching and Management Subsystem, SMSS:

The Switching and Management Subsystem consists of the Mobile Switching Centre MSC ,
and the databases: HLR, VLR, AUC and EIR, responsible for the supply of necessary
information about subscribers location, profile, authentication and used equipment. This layer
performs the management of the connection. The MSC is responsible that one subscriber gets
a connection with another Mobile Station or with another subscriber in a external network.
There is a strong separation between BSS and SMSS:

• The Switching Subsystem will never get into a direct connection with an MS, this will
always be performed through to the BSS.
• A Base Station System will never get a connection with external telecommunication
networks.
•
There is an assignment of one or more BSS’s to every MSC. The conveying of data between
SMSS and BSS is done via interfaces of the core network, implemented either as cable based
or as microwave links.

The Mobile Switching Centre, MSC:

If we want to replace the verb „switching“ with „connecting“ we get the main functionality of
the MSC. It is responsible for forwarding the call, or connecting the incoming call with the
outcome to guarantee that the two endpoints are connected. It offers, as well, interfaces into
foreign or external networks and connections to other MSC’s of the same network. In
comparison to switching nodes of a fixed communication network, the MSC has to take into
consideration the assigned physical resource, the mobility of the subscriber and security
functions. Each MSC is responsible for the underlying MSC Service Area and is only
responsible for the underlying BSC’s and BTS’s that are put in charge of it. To enable the
interworking between the GSM network and the external networks like ISDN, PSTN,
PSPDN, the MSC is extended by a so-called Interworking Function, IWF, that is mapping the
different protocols onto each other and offers a relay functionality.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Home Location Register HLR:

The HLR is the home register that stores all the information of every subscriber of this home
network. In GSM terms, a subscriber is identified by its MSISDN or IMSI number. The HLR
forms the access with this number to the relayed information, e.g. home address of the person
as well as bank account, etc. One important information inside the HLR is the pointer to the
location of the mobile subscriber. The HLR is used by every telephone call as a central
register for routing, location information as well as authentication functionality’s. The
following information can be found inside the HLR:
MSISDN, IMSI, restrictions in services, like barring of calls, Supplementary Services, Call
deviation, Address of the valid VLR and MSC. A query at the HLR results in the MS
Roaming Number, MSRN, indicating information about the subscriber’s location.

Vistitor Location Register VLR:

The Visitor Location Register contains all the information of all mobile stations roaming in
the MSC Service Area. It can be responsible for one MSC or several MSC’s. The VLR is
necessary to avoid an overflow access to the HLR, to establish international roaming and to
fasten up the speed during the establishment of a call set-up.
In addition, the VLR contains the TMSI number, a temporary identity of the subscriber,
assigned only for a short moment of time. This number is used at every access over the air
interface to avoid the transmitting of the fix identity, IMSI and therefore it protects the
subscriber’s identity. As mobility management information, the VLR contains the LAI, the
indicator of the serving Location Area, used to page the certain MS. Some data is copied out
of the HLR to avoid the access to the HLR at every telephone call. The reasons for this are the
different positions. The HLR only exists in the network of the home network operator of one
subscriber, but the VLR describes the information available in the actual serving MSC of the
roaming network.

Example for a mobile terminated call

The figure 4.3 is describing the symbolic call establishment between an external caller and a
mobile user, this scenario is titled as Mobile Terminated Call, MTC. The incoming call is
routed to the Gateway-MSC of the GSM operator, due to the Network Destination Code, NDC
. The request in the HLR with the dialled number MSISDN will result in the address of the
serving MSC and the VLR number, hidden in the MSRN. The call will be forwarded into that
serving MSC. Network internally, the call will be identified by its TMSI number to protect the
subscribers identity. The VLR contains information about the subscribers location, the LAI.
After this step, a paging call over all the BTS’s inside this location area will hopefully get a
response from the called mobile station. Now the call can be established.
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

+49 172 1234567

{
{
MSC_A

{
CC NDC SN

MSISDN HLR

MSISDN( 49 172 1234567)

IMSI ( 262 02 9876543 )

{
{
{
MCC MNC MSIN

Dienste
MSC + VLR-Nr.
...

MSC_B
VLR

MSISDN( 49 172 1234567)

IMSI ( 262 02 9876543 )
{
{
{

MCC MNC MSIN

Dienste (Kopie aus HLR)

LAI
...

Figure 4.3.: Establishment of a mobile terminated call, MTC with HLR and VLR
 GSM – Network Structure and Network Planning

Authentication Center AUC:

The Authentication Centre store secret keys and authentication algorithms assigned to every
single subscriber. These keys are called Ki, Kc, and the algorithms are called A3 and A8. The
chapter talking about security aspects will give further information about these algorithms.
The AUC is calculating in one query step a number of parameter settings that will be stored
temporarily in the HLR and VLR.

Equipment Identity Register EIR:

This register is an optional register and its usage depends on the certain network operators. It
can store in a black, white or grey list all stolen mobile phones, all admitted phones or all
phones put into a certain observation. It can be used to avoid theft of Mobile Stations, or
allow the adding of special taxes onto Mobile Stations.

4.4. Operation and Maintenance Subsystem OMSS:

The current operation of the network is controlled and managed away from the OMSS. The
Operation and Maintenance Centre, OMC survey and controls the whole network. Some
functions are:
• Management and commercial operation (subscriber, terminals, billing, statistic functions,
charging data records, etc.)
• Security functionality
• Network configuration, network operation and Performance Management
• Maintenance and repair of network elements

The control of the whole network can be centralised in one single Network-Management-
Centre NMC. The OMSS forms the central Control- and Observation instance to allow the
technical staff of the operator the whole control and maintenance of the GSM network.