Presented by: AJAY CHAUHAN

GPRS Overview
 GPRS stands for General Packet Radio System.  Provides packet radio access for mobile GSM and TDMA users.  GPRS is a new bearer service for GSM that greatly improves

and simplifies wireless access to packet data networks, e.g., to the Internet.
 The GPRS specifications are written by the European

Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI)

Key Features of GPRS

 The always online feature: Removes the dial-up process,

making applications only one click away.

 An upgrade to existing systems: Operators do not have to

replace their equipment; rather, GPRS is added on top of the existing infrastructure.
 An integral part of future 3G systems: GPRS is the packet data

core network for 3G systems EDGE and WCDMA.

Benefits of GPRS
 Improves the utilization of the radio resources  Offers volume-based billing  Higher transfer rates  Shorter access times  Simplifies the access to packet data networks

GPRS Characteristics
 Mobility: The ability to maintain constant voice and data

communications while on the move

 Immediacy: Allows subscribers to obtain connectivity when

needed, regardless of location and without a lengthy login session.

 Localization: Allows subscribers to obtain information relevant

to their current location.

GPRS Applications
 Communications: E-mail, fax, unified messaging and

intranet/Internet access etc.

 Value-added services: Information services and games etc.  E-commerce: Retail, ticket purchasing, banking and financial

trading etc.
 Location-based applications: Navigation, traffic conditions,

airline/rail schedules and location finder etc.

GPRS Architecture

GSM network modification

GPRS Support Nodes

Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)
 GGSN acts as an interface and a router to external networks.  The GGSN contains routing information for GPRS mobiles,

used to tunnel packets through the IP based internal backbone to the correct Serving GPRS Support Node.
 GGSN also collects charging information ,connects to the use

of the external data networks and can act as a packet filter for incoming traffic.

GPRS Support Nodes

Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)
 GGSN converts the GPRS packets coming from the SGSN into

the appropriate packet data protocol (PDP) format (e.g., IP or X.25) and sends them out on the corresponding packet data network
 In the other direction, PDP addresses of incoming data packets

are converted to the GSM address of the destination user. The readdressed packets are sent to the responsible SGSN.

GPRS Support Nodes

Serving GPRS support node (SGSN) The Serving GPRS Support Node is responsible for
 Delivery of data packets from and to the mobile stations within its

geographical service area.

 Authentication of GPRS mobiles  Registration of mobiles in the network  Mobility management(attach/detach & location management),  Collecting information for charging for the use of air interface.

GPRS Support Nodes

Serving GPRS support node (SGSN)
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) specific SGSN functions and characteristics are:
 Maximum data rate of approx. 60 kbit/s (150 kbit/s for EDGE) per

subscriber  Connect via frame relay or IP to the PCU using the Gb protocol  Accept uplink data to form IP packets  Encrypt down-link data, decrypt up-link data  Carry out mobility management to the level of a cell for connected mode mobiles

GPRS Support Nodes

Serving GPRS support node (SGSN)
WCDMA or 3G specific SGSN functions
 Carry up to about 42 Mbit/s traffic downlink and 5.8 Mbit/s traffic

uplink (HSPA+)  Tunnel/detunnel downlink/uplink packets toward the radio network controller(RNC)  Carry out mobility management to the level of an RNC for connected mode mobiles

GPRS Support Nodes

Internal Backbone
 The internal backbone is an IP based network used to carry

packets between different GSNs.

 Tunneling is used between SGSNs and GGSNs, so the internal

backbone does not need any information about domains outside the GPRS network.
 Signaling from a GSN to a MSC, HLR or EIR is done using SS7.

GPRS Supported Protocols

GPRS supports the following protocols
 Internet protocol(IP) : Built-in mobile browsers use IPv4 since  Point-to-point protocol (PPP): If the mobile is used as a

modem to the connected computer, PPP is used to tunnel IP to the phone thus assigns IP address dynamically to the mobile.
 X.25connections : Typically used for applications like wireless

payment terminals

GPRS Hardware Classes

 Class A Can be connected to GPRS service and GSM service (voice, SMS), using both at the same time.  Class B Can be connected to GPRS service and GSM service (voice, SMS), but using only one or the other at a given time.  Class C Can be connected to either GPRS service or GSM service (voice, SMS). Must be switched manually between one or the other service.

GPRS Addressing (Access point)

An access point is:
 An IP network to which a mobile can be connected  A set of settings which are used for that connection  A particular option in a set of settings in a mobile phone

Access Point Name (APN) identifies an IP Packet Data Network (PDN), that a mobile data user wants to communicate with and also define the type of service that is provided by the PDN.