GPRS Radio Interface: Timeslot

GPRS-Radio Interface Page 119
8. GPRS Radio Interface

The packet switched GPRS-network uses on the air interface the same two access
principles as known from a GSM network: TDMA and FDMA. Besides, the physical
parameters describing channel configuration, bit period duration and modulation
scheme stay absolutely identical and therefore these principles will not be discussed
in the further pages. The transportation unit on the physical layer for user data via the
air interface will be the Normal Burst, as well as known in a GSM network. The
following picture reminds of used Burst structures and types in GSM as well as
GPRS networks:
Timeslot
Tail Encrypted Bits Training Encrypted Bits Tail

Bits Sequence Bits
3 58 58 3
26
Normal Burst
Tail Fixed Bits Tail

Bits Bits
3 142 3
Frequency Correction Burst
Tail Encrypted Ext. Training Encrypted Tail

Bits Bits Sequence Bits Bits
3 39 64 39 3
Synchronisation Burst
Tail Mixed Bits Training Mixed Bits Tail

Bits
58 Sequence 58
Bits
3 26 3
Dummy Burst
8,25
Bit Periods
Ext.Tail Sync. Encrypt. Tail
Bits Sequence Bits Bits Guard Period
8 41 36 3 68,25 Bit Periods
Access Burst
Figure: Burst types for GSM and GPRS
Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

GPRS uses the Access Burst for Access to the network on the uplink-path and later
on it uses the Normal Burst for any kind of data transport. The next picture shall
resolve again, that nothing changes concerning the introduction of GPRS in a GSM
network in what concerns the used Burst types. The Normal Burst stays at it is
defined for GSM. The higher data rate reached by GPRS is due to channel bundling
and due to channel coding, i.e. the ratio between information bits and redundancy
bits in the information field of the Normal Burst. Which of the actual Coding Schemes
CS1-4 is actually used, is indicated by the stealing flag bits. The maximum data rate
of 2x57 Bit per Burst is not touched. As well as the function of the other Bits of this
Burst type, e.g. the Training Sequence or the Guard Period.
Trainings-
T Information F sequenz F Information T G
3 57 1 26 1 57 3 8,25
T = Tailbits F = Flagbits G = Guardtime
Figure: Normal Burst, used in GPRS in an unmodified mode
The three Burst types: Frequency Correction Burst, Synchronisation Burst and
Dummy Burst are not explicitly mentioned in the GPRS-Specifications, but they are
indispensable for the use of GPRS. They are essential for the mobile station to
recognise a BCCH carrier channel of a BTS and to synchronise to the frequency and
time of this basestation. Because this should also happen in the Packet Transfer
Mode, i.e. more or less in the Transmitting or Running mode with allocated Traffic
channel, we can see the hybrid structure: The packet switched services of GPRS are
based on the circuit switched signalling o GSM. Some Signalling information still is
continued transmitting in circuit switched mode.
8.1. The Channel – expression in GPRS
The expression „channel“ is used in GPRS in different meanings and contexts. The
following chapter will derive the differences between: frequency channel, physical
channel and logical channel.
The frequency channel:
The expression frequency channel in GPRS defines a pair of two times a nominal
200 kHz wide spectrum in the GSM – frequency bands (GSM-900, GSM-1800, GSM-
1900 und GSM-400).

The physical channel in GPRS:
A physical channel in GSM consists of the assignment of a timeslot on a frequency

channel. At this position it shall not be responsive to the separated modes of a
physical channel: Full-Rate, Half-Rate or Frequency Hopping. It is referred to the
documentation of GSM.
Firstly it shall be described the ratio between circuit switched and packet switched
inside a cell. The allocation and separation of all possible physical channels into
packet oriented and circuit switched channels is effectuated in a dynamic manner by
the concept: Capacity on demand. The name of a packet oriented channel is: Packet
Data Channel, PDCH.
Capacity on demand: Provides Circuit Switched Channels

and Packet Switched Channels in a dynamic manner
Signalling: BCCH + FCCH + SCH + CCCH
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Circuit switched channels Packet switched channels

PDCH
Figure: Capacity on demand: Example of 1 radio cell with assignment of 4*Circuit
Switched, 3*Packet Switched and 1* Signalling.
In GPRS a physical means that there is allocated physical resource to transfer an

amount of data and that comprises one or more combined timeslots. In other words,
there is physical resource allocated to transmit N Radio Blocks within one or more
timeslots. The allocated physical resource is named with the expression Temporary
Block Flow, TBF, i.e. a physical connection between two endpoints on one or more
PDCH.
Concerning their assignment, physical channels can be distinguished in GPRS in the

following way:
Fixed Allocation:
Similar to GSM, physical resource is assigned in a fixed manner. One or more
timeslots are assigned and the mobile station is allowed to use a certain number of
Radio Blocks within a certain time period. Concrete, there is allocated a fixed
physical resource to be used to transfer the amount of data.
Dynamic Allocation:

Packet switched services allow the possibility of channel sharing, i.e. more
subscribers are using the same physical channel. This is achieved by the assignment
of this physical resource (e.g. ARFCN + TN) not in a continuos mode and also not for
the complete duration during a connection, but the physical resource is assigned only
for a short period of time. The procedure in its concrete way looks like the following: 4
Normal bursts in 4 consecutive frames are forming a Radio Block. The permission to
use the next Radio Block on the uplink path is indicated by the Uplink State Flag,
USF. The allocation of this USF value is temporarily and only valid for the duration of
the packet data transfer on one PDCH. This way allows the network to switch in a
dynamic manner between different users. It is possible to generate by this a quasi –
permanent connection, the Uplink State Flag will always point to the same user.
Extended dynamic Allocation:

The extended dynamic allocation is in principle the same as the dynamic allocation
with only one small difference. In its case, the Uplink State Flag, USF does not only
point to the next 1 Radio Block but to the following 4 Radio Blocks, the receiver of
this USF is allowed to use on the uplink path. In one job, more physical resource is
assigned. The use of the extended dynamic allocation by a network operator is
optional, the fixed and dynamic allocation must be provided by the network operator
that offers GPRS services.
The asymmetric ratio between Up- and Downlink is given, because the assignment of
downlink and uplink physical resource is done in a separated manner.
DownlinkUplink Downlink Uplink

or
Symmetric data transfer Asymmetric data transfer
Figure: Asymmetric and Symmetric Allocation

Mapping of TCH and PDCH on a frequency channel
GSM TCH: Traffic channel in circuit switched mode

12 x TCH S 12 x TCH I
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Frequency channel
TN 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 70 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
}
= 1 Frame
GPRS PDCH: GPRS PDCH:
1 Radio Block = 1 Radio Block =
4 Bursts 4 Bursts
GPRS PDCH: Traffic channel in packet switched mode

FN = Frame number TN = Timeslot number
Figure: Different physical channels: circuit switched and packet switched.
In the figure above, once more it is mentioned the difference between a circuit
switched physical channel in the 26-Multiframe-Mode and the packet switched
physical channel, consisting of different Radio Blocks.

Logical channels in GPRS:
Logical channels are defined and named by its function and its content. There are
logical channels with the task of user traffic transport, (TCH) and other logical
channels, used to exchange signalling information between mobile station and
network. The logical channels known in GSM are still used, for packet switched mode
there will be additional logical channels. These new logical channels are also
mapped onto physical channels belonging to a multiframe structure. In GSM we know
the two multiframe structures: 26-Multiframe for traffic channels and 51-Multiframe for
signalling, in GPRS all PDCH’s are configured into a 52-Multiframe structure,
independent if its content is a packet switched traffic channel or a packet switched
control channel.
51-Multiframe: GSM- Signalling
0 1 2 3 4 46 47 48 49 50
26-Multiframe: GSM- Traffic
0 1 2 3 4 21 22 23 24 25
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
0 1 2 3 4 47 48 49 50 51
52-Multiframe: GPRS -Traffic and Signalling
Figure: Used Multiframes in GSM and GPRS

The following figures are summarising the used logical channels in GSM and GPRS
plus their function.
FCCH Frequency correction

BCH
SCH Frame synchronisation + B S I C
DL
Broadcast of cell information,
BCCH e.g. channel combination
DL
PCH Paging mobiles
UP
RACH Requesting dedicated channel
Signalling CCCH
and Control DL
AGCH Allocating dedicated/traffic CH
DL
NCH N otifying M S s (for V G C S & V B C)
Signalling between MS and B T S
SDCCH e.g. Authentication, S M S, L U P
DCCH
SACCH Measurements, TA, PC, ...
DL & UP
Extra signalling within
FACCH 2 6 T D M A Multiframe
T C H/F full rate traffic channel

Traffic
DL & UP
T C H/ H half rate traffic channel
Figure: Logical channels in GSM
DL Broadcast of packet data

PBCCH
specific information
DL PPCH
Paging MSs for packet data
and circuit switched services
UL
PRACH MS initiates uplink transfer
Signalling PCCCH
and Control DL
PAGCH Resource assignment to an MS
DL
PNCH Notifying PtM Packet Transfer
PDTCH Packet Data Transfer; (multislot)

Packet PTCH
Traffic Channels DL & UL Signalling: resource allocation,
PACCH
acknowledgements, PC, TA, etc.
Figure: Logical Channels in GPRS

Packet Common Control Channel PCCCH
The logical channels being contained in the PCCCH are taking the responsibility for
signalling and are mapped onto single physical channels within a 52-Multiframe.
Their assignment is not permanent over one PDCH, they are co-sharing the PDCH
together with the PBCCH and the PDTCH. The first indication about the existence
and position of the PCCCH is performed on the circuit switched CCCH’s. Concrete,
the PCCCH consists of: PRACH, PNCH, PPCH and PAGCH:
Packet Random Access Channel, PRACH:
This logical channel is used by the MS to initiate a packet date transfer. The PRACH
is mapped on one or more physical channels, its position is indicated on the BCCH
or PBCCH. There are two possibilities to enable the access over a PRACH to a MS:
One is to send an Uplink State Flag, USF with the content that the next Radio Block
on the uplink is to be used as PRACH. The other possibility could be to reserve a
block on a physical channel to be used by the PRACH. This would save the
permanent observation of the USF by the Mobile Station.
Packet Paging Channel, PPCH:
These logical channels are used to distribute a paging call to a MS. Hereby are
formed the known paging groups, derived out of the IMSI, to avoid the continuos
observation of the paging channels, the so called Discontinuos Reception, DRX. One
speciality of the PPCH is, that also circuit switched calls can be initiated via this
paging channel, if the MS provides the simultaneous use.
Packet Access Grant Channel, PAGCH:
Before the actual data transfer there must be exchanged some signalling information
on a dedicated control channel. This will be assigned by the PAGCH. Just like all the
other logical channels, the PAGCH is mapped on a certain part of a PDCH. The
information about its position is received from the Broadcast information on BCCH or
PBCCH.
Packet Notification Channel, PNCH:
This logical channel is used for further features of the data transfer, e.g. to transmit
messages to more than one MS. It enables group call abilities of the system and
point-to-multipoint data transfer in GSM and GPRS.

Packet Broadcast Control Channel PBCCH:
Same as the known BCCH in circuit switched mode, this logical channel transports
some relevant signalling information to all mobile stations already listening. It is
forming the information board of the radio cell. The use of the PBCCH is optional and
it contains only relevant information for the GPRS services. If it is not used in the
certain radio cell, all relevant information should be distributed on the BCCH. As we
can see, the circuit switched signalling is absolutely necessary for the GPRS
services. At least to indicate the existence of a PBCCH.
Packet Timing Advance Control Channel, PTCCH:
This logical channel does not posses a direct counterpart to the circuit switched
mode, it forms a novelty. In the circuit switched mode of GSM, the Timing Advance
Correction Value can be assigned in a permanent manner, because there is a
symmetric assignment of physical resources, on uplink as well as downlink. In a
packet switched data transfer mode, between the transmission of two packet data
units, there can pass a certain period of time. But in all parts, the timing advance
value has to be updated if the MS persists in Ready State, because the MS does not
have any information about the distance to the BTS. For every data transfer there is
assigned a PTCCH combination. PTCCH/uplink, a logical channel on which the MS is
allowed to send an Access Burst and the corresponding PTCCH/downlink, where the
BTS will respond with the Timing Advance Value to be set by the MS.
H / Uplink
PTCC
rst
Access Bu
=1
rmal Bursts
= 4 No
ock
1 Radio Bl
=
/ Downlink
PTCCH
Figure: Usage of the PTCCH on Uplink and Downlink
Packet Data Traffic Channel, PDTCH:
The logical channel used for data transfer. The PDTCH is assigned to the MS for a
certain period of time, in the case of channel bundling, the MS will be assigned some
more PDTCH’s on different PCH’s. As already mentioned, the assignment can
happen in a fixed or dynamic manner and is performed independently on uplink and
downlink.

Packet Associated Control Channels, PACCH:
Specific or dedicated signalling during every connection is conveyed on a PACCH,

similar to the dedicated control channels in GSM, SDCCH, SACCH or FACCH. There
is no longer a distinction between Slow Associated and Fast Associated in GPRS,
the signalling channel PACCH will be used together with a PDTCH on the same
physical channel. The usage of the PACCH happens dynamically, i.e. instead of
signalling there will be send signalling information. This is possible in a packet
switched network, the data flow will be omitted for this moment, no data will get lost.
Logical Channel Comparison
CIRCUIT SWITCHED GSM GPRS
FCCH No Direct Equivalent

SCH No Direct Equivalent
BCCH PBCCH
PCH PPCH
CCCH RACH PRACH PCCCH
AGCH PAGCH
NCH PNCH PDCH
SDCCH PCCCH/PACCH
TCH PDTCH
SACCH PACCH
SACCH PTCCH
FACCH PACCH
Figure: Comparison of the logical channel types used in GSM and GPRS

8.2. Channel combinations in GSM and GPRS
Channel combination describes the mapping of different logical channesl onto one
physical channel. In GSM we know 10 different combinations, indicated in the
following figure. Additionally, in GPRS there are defined 3 more channel
combinations:
Channel Combinations
CIRCUIT SWITCHED (51 MFM)

i) TCH/F + FACCH/F + SACCH/TF
ii) TCH/H(0,1) + FACCH/H(0,1) + SACCH/TH(0,1)
iii) TCH/H(0,0) + FACCH/H(0,1) + SACCH/TH(0,1) + TCH/H(1,1)
iv) FCCH + SCH + BCCH + CCCH
v) FCCH + SCH + BCCH + CCCH + SDCCH/4(0..3) + SACCH/C4(0..3)
vi) BCCH + CCCH
vii) SDCCH/8(0 .7) + SACCH/C8(0 . 7)
viii) TCH/F + FACCH/F + SACCH/M
ix) TCH/F + SACCH/M
x) TCH/FD + SACCH/MD
GPRS (52 MFM)

xi) PBCCH+PCCCH+PDTCH+PACCH+PTCCH
xii) PCCCH+PDTCH+PACCH+PTCCH
xiii) PDTCH+PACCH+PTCCH
where CCCH = PCH + RACH + AGCH + NCH and PCCCH=PPCH+PRACH+PAGCH+PNCH.
Figure: Channel combinations in GSM and GPRS
8.3. Multiframe Structure for packed data channels, PDCH:
As known from GSM, the logical channels are mapped onto a physical channel
belonging a certain multiframe structure. The used multiframe structure for packet
switched data is the 52-Multiframe like described in the figure below. It consists of 12
Radio Blocks (each Radio Block à 4 Bursts), 2 Idle Frames and 2 PTCCH – Frames.
c
52 TDMA Frames
B0 B1 B2 T B3 B4 B5 X B6 B7 B8 T B9 B10 B11 X
X = Idle frame
T = Frame used for PTCCH
B0 - B11 = Radio blocks
Figure: Multiframe Structure for PDCH‘s

As long as already mentioned, every packet switched connection starts with the
circuit switched signalling. The circuit switched signalling channels, like the BCCH,
received and examined by the MS are the first information, the MS will get. These
circuit switched channels contain if necessary a pointer to packet switched signalling.
The pointers in the following picture are more or less optional, hierarchically read
from the left to the right.
Circuit switched PDCH additional PDCH
BCCH PBCCH PCCCH
Figure: Hierarchy in the signalling, from Circuit Switched to Packet Switched
If the network operator decides to use a PBCCH, than its position will always be in
the Radio Block B0, within the 52-Multiframe structure of the PDCH carrying this
PBCCH. In case of his existence, it carries all relevant information for the MS, it does
no longer need to survey the BCCH.
8.4. Operation Mode of the Radio Resource Management:
In all known instances, GPRS Mobility Management, GMM, SMS Management,

Logical Link Control and GPRS Radio Resource, GRR, the GRR is the one that
performs the complete control, management and survey of the radio link. Thereby we
can distinguish between two operation modes:
Packet Idle Mode:
In this operation mode, there does not exist a TBF, corresponding to the fact, that no
physical resource has been assigned on the air interface. In this state, the RR-
Management will remain until it gets from a higher layer the request to establish a
radio connection, synonymous with the establishment of a TBF. For example, a MS
observes the Paging channel and is searching for incoming paging calls or it waits
until higher layer indicate mobile originated data transfer.
Packet Transfer Mode:
If the RR-Management is in the Packet Transfer Mode, it is synonymous with the

establishment of a TBF, or the assignment of physical radio resource. A MS is
allowed to use the assigned physical channels. One exception happens in the case
of a cell reselection in the mode of established TBF. The MS will change from Packet
Transfer Mode into Packet Idle Mode, receives and evaluates the cell information and
initiates the continuation of the connection by sending once again an Access Burst.

The following figure shows the context between the operation modes of the
Radio Resource Management and the different modes of the Mobility
Management.
Radio Resource MS Packet Packet idle mode Packet idle mode
transfer mode
Mobility Management Ready Standby

NSS and MS
Figure: Combination of RR Operating Modes and MM states
It is shown, that the MM State „Ready“ does not signify the assignment of physical
resource, it only indicates, that the location information of the MS is known the most
exact way. A Paging call does not need to happen before every data transfer. But
before every data transfer there must be the establishment of a TBF and the
description of the physical resource.
8.5. Protocol layers of the Radio Interface:
The air interface of GPRS is subdivided into several layers. Each layer is defined by
a logical layer with specific functions. The complete structure of the protocol layers is
given in the following figure:
SNDCP SNDCP
LLC LLC
(Note)
RLC RLC
MAC MAC
Phys. Link Phys. Link
Phys. RF Phys. RF
Um
MS Network
Figure: Logical Layers of the air interface
It shall be remarked, that the protocol layers belong this figure are distributed over
different protocol layers.

Physical Layer:
For better understanding, the Layer 1 is subdivided into 2 different layers.
Physical RF-Layer:
The physical RF-layer modulates the bit sequence, coming from the higher layers
and generates the carrier frequency. It is also responsible to synchronise the timing,
the sending of the burst in the right time. On the receiver side, this process runs in
the opposite way, the demodulation of the received frequency into a binary
sequence.
Physical Link-Layer:
This layer provides means and functions to transport the bit sequence over the air
interface. These are: Burst generation, data encoding, ciphering and error protection.
In GPRS or GSM these are the known mechanisms of Interleaving and Convolutional
Coding.
RLC/MAC-Layer, Radio Link Control / Medium Access Control-Layer:
The RLC/MAC-Layer guarantees the data transport over the physical interface, it
provides control functions for signalling and protects against loss or corruption due to
BEC (Backward Error Correction), i.e. it guarantees the retransmission of packet data
units. The MAC – Layer is controlling the access to the air interface, it manages the
access of multiple users on one physical channel and its dynamic allocation.
LLC-Layer, Logical Link Control Layer:
This layer provides a data transport layer between MS and SGSN, independently of
the used methods on the air interface. The LLC-Layer possesses separate interfaces
or Access Points to higher layers, like GMM, SMS or the layer for user data transport,
SNDCP.
SNDCP-Layer:
The indicated SNDCP-Layer in the presented figure shall demonstrate the higher
layer instances. It does not influence the air interface, furthermore it forms a data
transport mechanism for user data instead of signalling.

8.6. Delay Correction due to Timing Advance:
Timing Advance and Guard Period in GSM

As a repetition, it shall remind of the timing advance adaptation and delay correction
in GSM.
Each Burst used in GSM contains the Guard Period, a period of the length of 8,25 bit
periods (≈ 30 µs). During this time, the output level of the burst must go down from its
level to a certain minimum, reduced by up to minus 70 dB. In the same time, the
successor burst shall ramp up his output power level for that he reaches its desired
value after the passing of this guard period. The time interval, not useful for data
transfer is used in that way twice, to ramp down the power of the predecessor burst
and to ramp up the power of the successor burst.
timeslot n timeslot n+1

power
ramping
burst in burst in
timeslot n timeslot n+1
guard period
8.25 bit periods
Figure: Guard Period used for power ramping
The integrity of every timeslot depends on the ability of all partners to transmit only in
the assigned timeslot. During the remaining time, they shall keep their transmitters
inactive. Absolute necessity and prerequisite to this is, that all participants are
strongly time-synchronised to the main time. In GSM this is organised in the way, that
the BTS provides the reference time, broadcasts its value in the synchronisation
burst and all listening MS shall synchronise to that main time. Synchronisation
problems only appear in uplink, there, multiple MS’s share the channel due to the
TDMA principle. In downlink are addressed multiple Mobile Stations, but there is only
one partner transmitting, the BTS.

The guard period at the end of the burst has a length of only ~30 µsec and is nearly
completely necessary for the normal power ramping. But the further a MS is away
from the BTS, the longer is the delay time of the signal transmitted from the MS and
received by the BTS. This occurs to the fact, that the MS, that does not know in what
distance it is away from the BTS sends a burst, that collides with it successor burst
due to the long propagation or delay time. The strategy to avoid that problem is, that
the MS shall start transmitting the burst earlier, corrected by the value of the delay
time, for that its signal arrives at the right time at the BTS. Prerequisite for this, is the
knowledge about the distance between MS and BTS. Time measurement can only be
taken, if a radio link is established. The BTS is responsible to ascertain the delay time
of the MS’s signals and to determine the correction value. This correction value is
called timing advance, a 6-bit coded decimal value that range from 0 up to 63 and
describes how many bit periods the signal is delayed. The MS uses this value to set
its transmitting time to an earlier value. By this way, the MS is synchronised again to
all other MS’s.
This delay compensation, called "Timing Advance (TA)" is performed in continuos
mode in that way, that every 480 msec a new TA-value is transmitted.
BTS
Figure: Delay correction
Up to now, the initiation problem seems unresolved. If the MS wants to access the
network, it has neither information about the delay time nor about the distance to the
BTS. The MS shall transmit a burst to receive in the succeeding message the timing
advance value to be set. If the MS would use a normal burst, this could stick out over
into the following burst. To eliminate every potential perturbation, the MS uses a
special burst in this first access or every time, when there is no timing advance value
known. This special burst, called Access Burst is much shorter then the Normal
Burst, its guard period has a length over 63,25 bit periods, much longer then the
normal guard period to avoid all kind of collision with following burst from other MS’s.
Delay correction and guard period in GPRS:
After this short reminder how the timing advance adaptation is done in GSM, it shall
be explained, how this value has to be adapted and transmitted in GPRS. The basic
problem stays the same, we have to correct the delay time on the radio link, caused
by the different distances between the MS and the BTS. Main problem additional in a
packet switched transmission is, that compared to a circuit switched connection, the
MS does not transmit continuously. Between the transfer of two packet data units can
pass a time delay. During this, the MS may be moved and changed its location and
the before determined timing advance value is no longer valid. This impedes the BTS
to correct this value in a continuos mode, associated to the established radio link.
The procedure used to adapt the timing advance value and to perform the delay
correction can be structured into two phases:
- Initial Timing Advance
- Continuous Timing Advance Update
Initial Timing Advance:
This delay correction is based on the receipt of a single Access Bursts, contained in
the Channel request message. The basestation must derived the correction value for
the timing advance adaptation and transmit this value in the Packet Downlink/Uplink
Assignment–message. This case describes the practised procedure of GSM how to
determine the TA-value. One exception in a special case shall be mentioned. In
GPRS a connection establishment without prior paging call is possible. In the case,
that the MS is still in Ready State (Mobility Management state of the MS), there is no
prior paging call. The network has the possibility to “poll” the MS. This “polling”
procedure orders the MS to send 4 successive Access Bursts on the assigned
physical resource, instead of a radio block, consisting of 4 Normal Bursts. By this
way, the BTS can determine the TA value.
Continuous Timing Advance:
This procedure is new in GPRS, it shall resolve the problem to determine the TA-
value in a continuous mode, but for the case, that the MS is not transmitting
continuously. First it shall remind at the 52-Multiframe-Structure. Between this
multiframe, there are two frames, carrying the PTCCH.
52-Multiframe Structure
B0 B1 B2 T B3 B4 B5 X B6 B7 B8 T B9 B10 B11 X
PTCCH
Figure: Position of PTCCH within the 52-Multiframe-Structure

Together with the assignment of a physical resource (Packet Downlink/Uplink

Assignment), the MS gets allocated a Timing Advance Index, TAI and a PTCCH. In
the uplink the MS sends on the allocated PTCCH a single Access Burst, that is used
by the network to determine the Timing Advance value. The calculated TA-value will
be transfered on a Downlink-message on the PTCCH/D.
Idle Slot Operation on 52 MFM (PTCCH)
52-multiframe number n:
Uplink TAI = 0 TAI = 1
B0 B1 B2 0 B3 B4 B5 1 B6 B7 B8 2 B9 B10 B11 3
Downlink TA Message 1 TA Message 1
52-multiframe number n+1:

Uplink TAI = 2 TAI = 3
B0 B1 B2 4 B3 B4 B5 5 B6 B7 B8 6 B9 B10 B11 7
52-multiframe number n+7:
Uplink TAI
2
= 14 2
TAI
3
= 15 3
B0 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 B8 B9 B10 B11
8 9 0 1

Figure: PTCCH-Organisation on the 52 Multiframe
The figure above describes the organisation of the PTCCH on the 52-Multiframe in
Uplink and Downlink. To distribute and structure the PTCCH-messages, 8
succeeding 52-Multiframes are considered in a combined mode. All the even Idle-
frames in Uplink are forming the PTCCH/U, i.e. in the figure all the frames indicated
with TAI=0, 2, 4, 6, .. 30. In Downlink the message is send on the PTCCH/D in 4
succeeding PTCCH-fames. These frames are indicated with a TA Message in the
figure above. The TA-value to adjust is in that way transmitted in a 4 Burst message.
The TA-value shall be transmitted to the MS in the TA-message following the TAI. To
avoid misunderstandings cause to the unequal ratio between PTCCH downlink and
uplink messages, the MS is only allowed to send an Access Burst in its assigned
PTCCH/U frame, but this is not done in every 8*52-multiframe conglomeration.
Finally it shall be remarked, that the actual TA-value can also be transmitted in a
normal PACCH-message on the downlink.

GPRS Radio Interface: Timeslot

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GPRS-Radio Interface Page 119

8. GPRS Radio Interface

Tail Encrypted Bits Training Encrypted Bits Tail

Tail Fixed Bits Tail

Tail Encrypted Ext. Training Encrypted Tail

Tail Mixed Bits Training Mixed Bits Tail

Figure: Burst types for GSM and GPRS

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

8.1. The Channel – expression in GPRS

The frequency channel:

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

The physical channel in GPRS:

A physical channel in GSM consists of the assignment of a timeslot on a frequency

Capacity on demand: Provides Circuit Switched Channels

Signalling: BCCH + FCCH + SCH + CCCH

Circuit switched channels Packet switched channels

In GPRS a physical means that there is allocated physical resource to transfer an

Concerning their assignment, physical channels can be distinguished in GPRS in the

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Extended dynamic Allocation:

DownlinkUplink Downlink Uplink

Figure: Asymmetric and Symmetric Allocation

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Mapping of TCH and PDCH on a frequency channel

GSM TCH: Traffic channel in circuit switched mode

GPRS PDCH: Traffic channel in packet switched mode

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Logical channels in GPRS:

26-Multiframe: GSM- Traffic

52-Multiframe: GPRS -Traffic and Signalling

Figure: Used Multiframes in GSM and GPRS

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

FCCH Frequency correction

T C H/F full rate traffic channel

DL Broadcast of packet data

PDTCH Packet Data Transfer; (multislot)

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Packet Common Control Channel PCCCH

Packet Random Access Channel, PRACH:

Packet Paging Channel, PPCH:

Packet Access Grant Channel, PAGCH:

Packet Notification Channel, PNCH:

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Packet Broadcast Control Channel PBCCH:

Packet Timing Advance Control Channel, PTCCH:

Packet Data Traffic Channel, PDTCH:

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Packet Associated Control Channels, PACCH:

Specific or dedicated signalling during every connection is conveyed on a PACCH,

Logical Channel Comparison

CIRCUIT SWITCHED GSM GPRS

FCCH No Direct Equivalent

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

8.2. Channel combinations in GSM and GPRS

CIRCUIT SWITCHED (51 MFM)

GPRS (52 MFM)

where CCCH = PCH + RACH + AGCH + NCH and PCCCH=PPCH+PRACH+PAGCH+PNCH.

Figure: Channel combinations in GSM and GPRS

8.3. Multiframe Structure for packed data channels, PDCH:

Figure: Multiframe Structure for PDCH‘s

Rohde & Schwarz Trainingcenter, V 1.1

Circuit switched PDCH additional PDCH

BCCH PBCCH PCCCH