Overview of GSM Cellular

Network and Operations

By:

UJJWAL JAIN
Network and switching subsystem
NSS is the main component of the public mobile network GSM
switching, mobility management, interconnection to other
networks, system control
Components
Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC)
controls all connections via a separated network to/from a mobile
terminal within the domain of the MSC - several BSC can belong
to a MSC
Databases (important: scalability, high capacity, low delay)
Home Location Register (HLR)
central master database containing user data, permanent and
semi-permanent data of all subscribers assigned to the HLR
(one provider can have several HLRs)
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
local database for a subset of user data, including data about
all user currently in the domain of the VLR
Operation subsystem
The OSS (Operation Subsystem) enables centralized operation,
management, and maintenance of all GSM subsystems
Components
Authentication Center (AUC)
generates user specific authentication parameters on request of
a VLR
authentication parameters used for authentication of mobile
terminals and encryption of user data on the air interface
within the GSM system
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
registers GSM mobile stations and user rights
stolen or malfunctioning mobile stations can be locked and
sometimes even localized
Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)
different control capabilities for the radio subsystem and the
network subsystem
Mobile Handset
TEMPORARY DATA PERMANENT DATA

- Temporary Subscriber Identity Permanent Subscriber Identity

- Current Location Key/Algorithm for Authentication.

- Ciphering Data

Provides access to the GSM n/w

Consists of
Mobile equipment (ME)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
The GSM Radio Interface
AIR INTERFACE
BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION

MOBILE
The GSM Network Architecture
Time division multiple access-TDMA
124 radio carriers, inter carrier spacing
200khz.
890 to 915mhz mobile to base - UPLINK
935 to 960mhz base to mobile -
DOWNLINK
8 channels/carrier
 GSM uses paired radio channels

PLINK
U

LINK
OWN
D

890MHz 915MHz 935MHz 960MHz

0 124 0 124
Access Mechanism

FDMA, TDMA, CDMA

 Frequency multiplex
Separation of the whole spectrum into smaller frequency bands
A channel gets a certain band of the
spectrum for the whole time
Advantages: k1 k2 k3 k4 k5 k6

no dynamic coordination c
necessary f
works also for analog signals
Disadvantages:
waste of bandwidth
if the traffic is
distributed unevenly
inflexible t
guard spaces
 Time multiplex
A channel gets the whole spectrum for a certain amount of
time
Advantages:
only one carrier in the
medium at any time
throughput high even
k1 k2 k3 k4 k5 k6
for many users
Disadvantages:
c
precise
f
synchronization
necessary

t
Time and Frequency Multiplex
Combination of both methods
A channel gets a certain frequency band for a certain
amount of time k k k k k5 k6
1 2 3 4

c
f

t
 Time and Frequency Multiplex
Example: GSM
Advantages:
Better protection against
tapping
Protection against frequency
selective interference k1 k2 k3 k4 k5 k6
Higher data rates compared to
c
code multiplex
f
But: precise coordination
required

t
 GSM combines FDM and TDM: bandwidth
is subdivided into channels of 200khz,
shared by up to eight stations, assigning
slots for transmission on demand.
 GSM uses paired radio channels

PLINK
U

LINK
OWN
D

890MHz 915MHz 935MHz 960MHz

0 124 0 124
Code Multiplex
k1 k2 k3 k4 k5 k6

Each channel has a unique code

c
All channels use the same spectrum at the same
time
Advantages:
Bandwidth efficient
No coordination and synchronization
necessary
f
Good protection against interference and
tapping
Disadvantages:
Lower user data rates
More complex signal regeneration
Implemented using spread spectrum technology t
Various Access Method
Cells
Capacity & Spectrum Utilization
Solution
The need:
Optimum spectrum Network capacity at required QoS
usage with conventional frequency plan
More capacity Out of
High quality of Capacity!!!
service
Low cost Subscriber
growth
Time

increase capacity
I wish I could
without adding NEW BTS!
What can I do?
Representation of Cells

Ideal cells Fictitious cells

Cell size and capacity
Cell size determines number of cells
available to cover geographic area and
(with frequency reuse) the total capacity
available to all users
Capacity within cell limited by available
bandwidth and operational requirements
Each network operator has to size cells to
handle expected traffic demand
Cell structure
Implements space division multiplex: base station covers a certain
transmission area (cell)
Mobile stations communicate only via the base station
Advantages of cell structures:
higher capacity, higher number of users
less transmission power needed
more robust, decentralized
base station deals with interference, transmission area etc. locally
Problems:
fixed network needed for the base stations
handover (changing from one cell to another) necessary
interference with other cells
Cell sizes from some 100 m in cities to, e.g., 35 km on the country
side (GSM) - even less for higher frequencies
Capacity of a Cellular System
Frequency Re-Use Distance
The K factor or the cluster size
Cellular coverage or Signal to interference
ratio
Sectoring
 The K factor and Frequency Re-Use
Distance
7
6 2
K = i2 + ij + j2 1
K = 22 + 2*1 + 12 5 3
j
K=4+2+1 7 R
2
K=7 6
1 i D = 3K * R

D
5 3 D = 4.58R
4

Frequency re-use distance is based on the

cluster size K
The cluster size is specified in terms of the offset
of the center of a cluster from the center of the
adjacent cluster
The Frequency Re-Use for K = 4

K = i2 + ij + j2
K = 22 + 2*0 + 02
K=4+0+0
D
K=4
D = 3K * R
R
D = 3.46R i
The Cell Structure for K = 7

7
6 2
1
5 3
7 4 1
6 2
2
1 7
5 3 6 2
4 1
7 5 3
6 2 7 4
1 6 2
5 3 1
4 5 3
4
Cell Structure for K = 4
1

2 1
4
1 4 2
3
4 2 1 3

3 4 2 1

1 3 4 2

4 2 1 3

3 4 2

3
Cell Structure for K = 12

9 9
8 10 8 10
2 11 2
7 11
3 7 3
1 12 1
6 12
4 6 4
9 5 9
8 5
10 8 10
2 11 2
7 11
3 7
1 3
12 1 12
6 4 6 4
5 5
Increasing cellular system
capacity
Cell sectoring
Directional antennas subdivide cell into 3 or 6
sectors
Might also increase cell capacity by factor of 3
or 6
Increasing cellular system
capacity
Cell splitting
Decrease transmission power in base and
mobile
Results in more and smaller cells
Reuse frequencies in non-contiguous cell
groups
Example: cell radius leads 4 fold capacity
increase
Tri-Sector antenna for a cell
Cell Distribution in a Network

Rural
Highway

Suburb Town
Optimum use of frequency
spectrum
Operator bandwidth of 7.2MHz (36 freq of 200
kHz)
TDMA 8 traffic channels per carrier
K factor = 12
What are the number of traffic channels available
within its area for these three cases
Without cell splitting
With 72 cells
With 246 cells
Re-use of the frequency

One Cell = 288 traffic channels

8 X 36 = 288

72 Cell = 1728 traffic channels

8 X (72/12 X 36) = 1728

246 Cell = 5904 traffic channels

Concept of TDMA Frames and
Channels
c
f

GSM combines FDM and TDM: bandwidth is subdivided

into channels of 200khz, shared by up to eight stations,
assigning slots for transmission on demand.
 GSM uses paired radio channels

PLINK
U

LINK
OWN
D

890MHz 915MHz 935MHz 960MHz

0 124 0 124
GSM delays uplink TDMA frames
The start of the uplink
TDMA is delayed of TDMA frame (4.615 ms)
three time slots

Downlink TDMA R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8
F1MHz
Uplink TDMA
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Frame
F1 + 45MHz

R T

R T

Fixed transmit
Delay of three time-slots
GSM - TDMA/FDMA
935-960 MHz
124 channels (200 kHz)
downlink
yc
en
qu

890-915 MHz
fre

124 channels (200 kHz)

uplink
higher GSM frame structures
time

GSM TDMA frame

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
4.615 ms

GSM time-slot (normal burst)

guard guard
space tail user data S Training S user data tail space
3 bits 57 bits 1 26 bits 1 57 bits 3
546.5 s
577 s
 LOGICAL CHANNELS

TRAFFIC SIGNALLING

FULL RATE HALF RATE

Bm 22.8 Kb/S Lm 11.4 Kb/S
BROADCAST COMMON CONTROL DEDICATED CONTROL

FCCH SCH BCCH

RACH
PCH AGCH
FCCH -- FREQUENCY CORRECTION CHANNEL
SCH -- SYNCHRONISATION CHANNEL
BCCH -- BROADCAST CONTROL CHANNEL
PCH -- PAGING CHANNEL
RACH -- RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL SDCCH SACCH FACCH
AGCH -- ACCESS GRANTED CHANNEL
SDCCH -- STAND ALONE DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL DOWN LINK ONLY
SACCH -- SLOW ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL BOTH UP &
FACCH -- FAST ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL UPLINK ONLY DOWNLINKS
Broadcast Channel -
BCH
Broadcast control channel (BCCH) is a
base to mobile channel which provides
general information about the network,
the cell in which the mobile is currently
located and the adjacent cells
Frequency correction channel (FCCH)
is a base to mobile channel which
provides information for carrier
synchronization
Synchronization channel (SCH) is a
base to mobile channel which carries
information for frame synchronization
and identification of the base station
Common Control
Channel - CCH
Paging channel (PCH) is a base to
mobile channel used to alert a mobile
to a call originating from the network
Random access channel (RACH) is a
mobile to base channel used to request
for dedicated resources
Access grant channel (AGCH) is a base
to mobile which is used to assign
dedicated resources (SDCCH or TCH)
Dedicated Control
Channel - DCCH
Stand-alone dedicated control
channel (SDCCH) is a bi-
directional channel allocated to a
specific mobile for exchange of
location update information and
call set up information
Dedicated Control
Channel - DCCH
Slow associated control channel (SACCH) is a
bi-directional channel used for exchanging
control information between base and a
mobile during the progress of a call set up
procedure. The SACCH is associated with a
particular traffic channel or stand alone
dedicated control channel
Fast associated control channel (FACCH) is a
bi-directional channel which is used for
exchange of time critical information between
mobile and base station during the progress
of a call. The FACCH transmits control
information by stealing capacity from the
 DEFINITION OF TIME SLOT - 156.25 BITS 15/26ms = 0.577ms

NORMAL BURST 3 57 1 26 1 57 3 8.25

- NB

FREQUENCY
CORRECTION 3 142 3 8.25
BURST - FB

SYNCHRONISATION 3 39 64 39 3 8.25
BURST - SB

ACCESS
BURST - AB 6 41 36 3 68.25

FIXED BITS SYNCHRONISATION BITS

TAIL BIT GUARD PERIOD

ENCRYPTION BIT TRAINING BITS FLAG BITS MIXED BITS

 HIERARCHY OF FRAMES
1 HYPER FRAME = 2048 SUPERFRAMES = 2 715 648 TDMA FRAMES ( 3 H 28 MIN 53 S 760 MS )

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 2043 2044 2045 2046 2047

TRAFFIC CHANNELS 1 SUPER FRAME = 1326 TDMA FRAMES ( 6.12 S )

LEFT (OR) RIGHT
1 SUPER FRAME = 51 MULTI FRAMES

0 1 2 3 4 48 49 50 SIGNALLING CHANNELS

1 SUPER FRAME = 26 MULTI FRAMES

0 1 2 24 25
1 MULTIFRAME = 26 TDMA FRAMES ( 120 ms )

0 1 2 3 24 25
1 MULTI FRAME = 51 TDMA FRAMES (235 .4 ms )
0 1 2 3 4 48 49 50

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0
(4.615ms) TDMA FRAME NO.
0 1
1 TIME SLOT = 156.25 BITS
( 0.577 ms) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0
(4.615 ms)
1 2 3 4 155 156 0 1
1 bit =36.9 micro sec
 GSM Frame Full rate
channel is
SACCH is idle in 25
transmitted
0 to 11 and 13 to 24 in frame 12
Are used for traffic data Frame
duration =
0 1 2 12 24 25 120ms

Frame
duration =
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 60/13ms

Frame
duration =
15/26ms
3 57 1 26 1 57 3 8.25
 114 bits are available for data transmission.
The training sequence of 26 bits in the
middle of the burst is used by the receiver
to synchronize and compensate for time
dispersion produced by multipath
propagation.
1 stealing bit for each information block
(used for FACCH)
 LOGICAL CHANNELS

TRAFFIC SIGNALLING

FULL RATE HALF RATE

Bm 22.8 Kb/S Lm 11.4 Kb/S
BROADCAST COMMON CONTROL DEDICATED CONTROL

FCCH SCH BCCH

RACH
PCH AGCH
FCCH -- FREQUENCY CORRECTION CHANNEL
SCH -- SYNCHRONISATION CHANNEL
BCCH -- BROADCAST CONTROL CHANNEL
PCH -- PAGING CHANNEL
RACH -- RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL SDCCH SACCH FACCH
AGCH -- ACCESS GRANTED CHANNEL
SDCCH -- STAND ALONE DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL DOWN LINK ONLY
SACCH -- SLOW ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL BOTH UP &
FACCH -- FAST ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL UPLINK ONLY DOWNLINKS
Location update from the mobile
Mobile looks for BCCH after switching on

RACH send channel request

AGCH receive SDCCH

SDCCH request for location updating

SDCCH authenticate

SDCCH authenticate response

SDCCH switch to cipher mode

SDCCH cipher mode acknowledge

SDCCH allocate TMSI

SDCCH acknowledge new TMSI

SDCCH switch idle update mode

Call establishment from a mobile
Mobile looks for BCCH after switching on

RACH send channel request

AGCH receive SDCCH

SDCCH send call establishment request

SDCCH do the authentication and TMSI allocation

SDCCH send the setup message and desired number

SDCCH require traffic channel assignment

FACCH switch to traffic channel and send ack (steal bits)

FACCH receive alert signal ringing sound

FACCH receive connect message

FACCH acknowledge connect message and use TCH

TCH conversation continues

Call establishment to a mobile
Mobile looks for BCCH after switching on

Mobile receives paging message on PCH

Generate Channel Request on RACH

Receive signaling channel SDCCH on AGCH

Answer paging message on SDCCH

Receive authentication request on SDCCH

Authenticate on SDCCH

Receive setup message on SDCCH

Receive traffic channel assignment on SDCCH

FACCH switch to traffic channel and send ack (steal bits)

Receive alert signal and generate ringing on FACCH

Receive connect message on FACCH

FACCH acknowledge connect message and switch to TCH
GSM speech coding

AIR INTERFACE
BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION

MOBILE
 Transmit Path

BS Side
8 bit A-Law 8 K sps
to
RPE/LTP speech Encoder
13 bit Uniform To Channel Coder 13Kbps

MS Side

8 K sps,
LPF A/D RPE/LTP speech Encoder
To Channel Coder 13Kbps

Sampling Rate - 8K
Encoding - 13 bit Encoding (104 Kbps)
RPE/LTP - Regular Pulse Excitation/Long Term Prediction
RPE/LTP converts the 104 Kbps stream to 13 Kbps
GSM Speech Coding

GSM is a digital system, so speech which is

inherently analog, has to be digitized.
The method employed by current telephone
systems for multiplexing voice lines over
high speed trunks and is pulse coded
modulation (PCM). The output stream from
PCM is 64 kbps, too high a rate to be
feasible over a radio link.
 GSM Frame Full rate
channel is
SACCH is idle in 25
transmitted
0 to 11 and 13 to 24 in frame 12
Are used for traffic data Frame
duration =
0 1 2 12 24 25 120ms

Frame
duration =
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 60/13ms

Frame
duration =
15/26ms
3 57 1 26 1 57 3 8.25
GSM Speech Coding
Speech is divided into 20 millisecond
samples, each of which is encoded as 260
bits, giving a total bit rate of 13 kbps.
Regular pulse excited -- linear predictive
coder (RPE--LPC) with a long term
predictor loop is the speech coding
algorithm.
 The 260 bits are divided into three classes:
Class Ia 50 bits - most sensitive to bit errors.
Class Ib 132 bits - moderately sensitive to bit errors.
Class II 78 bits - least sensitive to bit errors.
Class Ia bits have a 3 bit cyclic redundancy code added for error
detection = 50+3 bits.
132 class Ib bits with 4 bit tail sequence = 132 + 4 = 136.
Class Ia + class Ib = 53+136=189, input into a 1/2 rate convolution
encoder of constraint length 4. Each input bit is encoded as two output
bits, based on a combination of the previous 4 input bits. The
convolution encoder thus outputs 378 bits, to which are added the 78
remaining class II bits.
Thus every 20 ms speech sample is encoded as 456 bits, giving a bit
rate of 22.8 kbps.
 To further protect against the burst errors common to the
radio interface, each sample is interleaved. The 456 bits
output by the convolution encoder are divided into 8
blocks of 57 bits, and these blocks are transmitted in eight
consecutive time-slot bursts. Since each time-slot burst can
carry two 57 bit blocks, each burst carries traffic from two
different speech samples.

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3

3 57 bits 1 26 1 57 bits 3
GSM Protocol Suite
 SS
HLR

MM + CM
MSC
VLR

RR
BSC

BTS

Radio interface
Link Layer
LAPDm is used between MS and BTS
LAPD is used between BTS-BSC
MTP2 is used between BSC-
MSC/VLR/HLR
Network Layer
To distinguish between CC, SS, MM and RR
protocol discriminator (PD) is used as network
address.
CC call control management MS-MSC.
SS supplementary services management MS-
MSC/HLR.
MM mobility management(location management,
security management) MS-MSC/VLR.
RR radio resource management MS-BSC.
Messages pertaining to different transaction are
distinguished by a transaction identifier (TI).
Application Layer protocols
BSSMAP between BSC and MSC
DTAP messages between MS and MSC.
All messages on the A interface bear a
discrimination flag, indicating whether the
message is a BSSMAP or a DTAP.
DTAP messages carry DLCI(information on type
of link on the radio interface) to distinguish what
is related to CC or SMS.
MAP protocol is the one between neighbor MSCs.
MAP is also used between MSC and HLR.
 GSM Functional Architecture and Principal Interfaces

Mobile Application Part A Interface

MAP Q931 BSSAP

TCAP SCCP

CCS7 MTP Um
CCS7
SCCP

HLR CCS7 MTP Q.921

Base Station System

Radio Interface

AC MSC BSC BTS

EIR
Q.931

VLR Q.921

A-Bis Interface
GSM protocol layers for
signaling Um Abis A
MS BTS BSC MSC

CM CM

MM MM
BSSAP BSSAP
RR RR
BTSM
RR BTSM
SS7 SS7
LAPDm LAPDm LAPD LAPD

radio radio PCM PCM PCM PCM

16/64 kbit/s 64 kbit/s /

2.048 Mbit/s
Protocols involved in the radio
interface
Level 1-Physical
TDMA frame
Logical channels multiplexing
Level 2-LAPDm(modified from LAPD)
No flag
No error retransmission mechanism due to real time constraints
Level 3-Radio Interface Layer (RIL3) involves three sub layers
RR: paging, power control, ciphering execution, handover
MM: security, location IMSI attach/detach
CM: Call Control(CC), Supplementary Services(SS), Short
Message Services(SMS),
LAPDm on radio interface
In LAPDm the use of flags is avoided.
LAPDm maximum length is 21 octets of
information. It makes use of more bit to
distinguish last frame of a message.
No frame check sequence for LAPDm, it
uses the error detecting performance of the
transmission coding scheme offered by the
physical layer
LAPDm Message structure
ADDRESS CONTROL INFORMATION 0-21 OCTETS

SAPI

N(S) N(R)
LAPDm on radio interface
The acknowledgement for the next expected frame in the
indicator N(R ).
On radio interface two independent flows(one for
signaling, and one for SMS) can exist simultaneously.
These two flows are distinguished by a link identifier
called the SAPI(service access point identifier).
LAPDm SAPI=0 for signaling and SAPI=3 for SMS.
SAP1=0 for radio signaling, SAPI=62 for OAM and
SAPI=63 for layer 2 management on the Abis interface.
There is no need of a TEI, because there is no need to
distinguish the different mobile stations, which is done by
distinguishing the different radio channels.
Protocols involved in the A-bis
interface
Level 1-PCM transmission (E1 or T1)
Speech encoded at 16kbit/s and sub multiplexed in
64kbit/s time slots.
Data which rate is adapted and synchronized.
Level 2-LAPD protocol, standard HDLC
Radio Signaling Link (RSL)
Operation and Maintenance Link (OML).
Level 3-Application Protocol
Radio Subsystem Management (RSM)
Operation and Maintenance procedure (OAM)
Presentation of A-bis Interface
Messages exchanges between the BTS and BSC.
Traffic exchanges
Signaling exchanges
Physical access between BTS and BSC is PCM
digital links of E1(32) or T1(24) TS at 64kbit/s.
Speech:
Conveyed in timeslots at 4X16 kbit/s
Data:
Conveyed in timeslots of 4X16 kbit/s. The initial user
rate, which may be 300, 1200, is adjusted to 16
kbit/s
LAPD message structure
FLAG ADRESS CONTROL INFORMATION 0 260 OCT FCS FLAG

SAPI TEI

N(S) N(R)
LAPD
The length is limited to 260 octets of information.
LAPD has the address of the destination terminal,
to identify the TRX, since this is a point to
multipoint interface.
Each TRX in a BTS corresponds to one or several
signaling links. These links are distinguished by
TEI (Terminal Equipment Identities).
SAPI=0, SAPI=3, SAPI=62 for OAM.
Presentation of the A-ter interface
 TRAU

BSC

LAPD TS1
OAM

Speech TS
Transcoding Speech TS
MSC
CCS7 TS CCS7 TS

X.25 TS2 X.25 TS2 OMC

PCM
LINK PCM
LINK
Presentation on the A-ter
interface
Signaling messages are carried on specific timeslots (TS)
LAPD signaling TS between the BSC and the TCU
SS7 TS between the BSC and the MSC, dedicated for BSSAP
messages transportation.
X25 TS2 is reserved for OAM.
Speech and data channels (16kbit/s)
Ater interface links carry up to:
120 communications(E1), 4*30
92 communications(T1).
The 64 kbit/s speech rate adjustment and the 64 kbit/s data rate
adaptation are performed at the TCU.
Presentation of the A interface
Signaling Protocol Model
Presentation on the A-Interface
BSSMAP - deals with procedures that take place logically between the BSS and
MSC, examples:

Trunk Maintenance, Ciphering, Handover, Voice/Data Trunk Assignment

DTAP - deals with procedures that take place logically between the MS and
MSC. The BSS does not interpret the DTAP information, it simply repackages it
and sends it to the MS over the Um Interface. examples:

Location Update, MS originated and terminated Calls, Short Message

Service, User Supplementary Service registration, activation, deactivation
and erasure
Inter MSC presentation
MS NSS

CM CM M
A
MM MM P
BTS BSC

ISUP/TUP
O BSSAP T
R O BSSAP
A R D B C
R A S DTAP/
M R T S A
M A M BSSMAP
A P
P P
LAPDm

L
LAPDm

L SCCP SCCP SCCP

A A
P MTP3 MTP3 MTP3
P
D D MTP2 MTP2 MTP2
RADIO RADIO PCM PCM PCM E1 T1 MTP1

Um A bis A
Interface Interface Interface
 MS BSC MSC

PD=RR

PD=MM

TI=a
TI=b
PD=CC
Link: SAPI=0 DLCI: SAPI=0

TI=A
Link: SAPI=3 DLCI: SAPI=3
Channel=C1 Channel ID = N1 DTAP
PD: protocol discriminator
SCCP Ref=R1 TI: Transaction Identifier for
RIL3-CC protocol
DLCI: Data Link connection
Identifier
SAPI: Service Access Point
Identifier on the radio
Interface
Channel=C2 Channel ID = N1 SCCP Ref=R2 TEI: Terminal Equipment
Identifier on the Abis I/F

TRX:TEI=T1

Radio Interface Abis Interface A Interface

Bearer Services
Telecommunication services to transfer data
between access points
Specification of services up to the terminal
interface (OSI layers 1-3)
Different data rates for voice and data (original
standard)
Data service
Synchronous: 2.4, 4.8 or 9.6 kbit/s
Asynchronous: 300 - 1200 bit/s
Tele Services
Telecommunication services that enable voice communication via
mobile phones.
All these basic services have to obey cellular functions, security
measurements etc.
Offered services.
Mobile telephony
primary goal of GSM was to enable mobile telephony offering the
traditional bandwidth of 3.1 kHz.
Emergency number
common number throughout Europe (112); Mandatory for all
service providers; Free of charge; Connection with the highest
priority (preemption of other connections possible).
Multinumbering
several ISDN phone numbers per user possible.
 Performance characteristics of GSM
Communication
mobile, wireless communication; support for voice and data
services
Total mobility
international access, chip-card enables use of access points of
different providers
Worldwide connectivity
one number, the network handles localization
High capacity
better frequency efficiency, smaller cells, more customers per cell
High transmission quality
high audio quality and reliability for wireless, uninterrupted phone
calls at higher speeds (e.g., from cars, trains)
Security functions
access control, authentication via chip-card and PIN
Disadvantages of GSM
No full ISDN bandwidth of 64 kbit/s to the user
Reduced concentration while driving
Electromagnetic radiation
Abuse of private data possible
High complexity of the system
Several incompatibilities within the GSM
standards
Thank You