he GSM technology, i.e.

, the global system for mobile communication, has been a very stable and widely accepted standard for mobile communication. A second generation technology, it has tried to inherently support other technologies at its branches. GSM provides mobile phone communication services based on digital data interchange at up to 9.6 kbps, in addition to audio communication. Each GSM carrier band is 200 KHz wide, and can support eight, simultaneous, full rate-circuit voice users using eight time division multiple access (TDMA) bearer slots. However, there are drawbacks to the current GSM: 1) The GSM is a circuit-switched, connection-oriented technology, where the end systems are dedicated for the entire call session. This causes inaccuracy in usage of bandwidth and resources. 2) The GSM-enabled systems do not support high data rates. They are unable to handle complex data such as audio, video, etc. 3) These devices have small hardware configurations with less powerful CPUs, memory and display units, and support simple functionality. 4) Only basic messaging service such as SMS can be supported. Also these services depend upon the service provider and the network characteristics. 5) The GSM networks are incompatible with the current TCP/IP and other common networks because of differences in network hardware, software and protocols. GSM is a European standard for cellular communications developed by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). General packet radio service (GPRS) is a set of new GSM-bearer services that provide packet mode transmission within the GSM network, and interworks with external packet data networks. GPRS is an intermediate, 2.5 generation, wireless communication system. This digital mobile communication service will allow mobile devices to be connected via internet protocol (IP) addresses. It will allow digital transmissions at speeds of up to 115 kbps per

channel. GPRS is expected to provide cost effective and efficient use of network resources for packet mode data applications. Also, one salient and important feature of GPRS is that the handheld device is always connected to the Internet. There are no dial-up-connection formalities to be completed for data access. The net usage of the facility will be determined by the amount of information it deals with. The result is a very cost-effective system, where the user is charged on the basis of bulk data used. GPRS involves large bandwidth and heavy data transmission. GPRS subscribers will be able to send and receive data in an end-to-end packet transfer mode. GPRS is divided into two categories: Point-to-point (PTP) and Pointto-multipoint (PTM) services. Point-to-point services can include database access and information retrieval, the Internet, messaging services, etc. It includes the unidirectional data transfer between two systems.

General Packet Radio Service

(GPRS)
Azim Samjani

GPRS network architecture

The GPRS architecture is shown in Fig. 1. Before going on to the technical details of the network, many terms need to be understood and are defined in Box A. Reviewing them first will help to understand this acronym-filled section. The basic, and the most important change, while deploying GPRS will be the new terminals. The existing GSMcompatible devices do not handle enhanced interfaces, and do not have the ability to packetize traffic directly. The BSS consists of BTS and BSC. When either voice or data traffic is originated at the subscriber terminal, it is transported over the air interface to the BTS, and from the BTS to the BSC, in the same way as a standard GSM call. However, at the output of the BSC,the traffic is separated; voice is sent to the mobile switching center (MSC) per standard GSM, and data is sent to a new device called the SGSN, via the PCU over a frame relay interface.

The SGSN can be viewed as a packet-switched MSC that delivers packets to mobile stations within its service area. SGSNs send queries to home location registers to obtain profile data of GPRS subscribers. SGSNs detect new GPRS mobile stations in a given service area, process registration of new mobile subscribers, and keep a record of their location inside a given area. Therefore, the SGSN performs mobility management functions such as mobile subscriber attach/detach and location management. The SGSN is connected to the basestation subsystem via a frame relay connection to the PCU in the BSC. GGSNs are used as interfaces to external IP networks such as the public Internet, other mobile service providers GPRS services, or enterprise intranets. GGSNs maintain routing information that is necessary to tunnel the protocol data units (PDUs) to the SGSNs that service particular mobile stations. Other functions include network and subscriber screening and address mapping. One or more GGSNs may be provided to support multiple SGSNs.

Network protocol stack

The GPRS protocol stack is shown in Fig. 2. The GPRS network protocol stack is a layered structure that enables and controls data transfer along with control procedures such as error rectification, error correction, data flow control and so forth. The layers in the stack are described in Box B.

Mobility management
Since GPRS involves an unwired system of data transportation, there is a concept of management of mobile terminals. Here mobile terminals include any mobile computing device that has the capability of request and response of data. More stress is laid on mobile management, since there needs to be a reliable and efficient medium and procedure for data transmission and reception between two hosts. Otherwise, there would be incomplete and unstructured formats of data reception at both

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IEEE POTENTIALS

GPRS mobility management. Pages for data or signaling information transfers may be received. It is also possible to receive pages for the CS services via the SGSN. Data reception and transmission are not possible in this state. Whenever the mobile station performs a GPRS cell selection and reselection, or enters a new routing area (RA), it is done at the local network level. The mobile management procedures are executed to inform the SGSN for a change in the routing area, and for a change in cells. Hence, the SGSN contains all the information of the routing area of the mobile station in STANDBY state. For an SGSN, to initiate a communication with the mobile station, a paging request is sent to the mobile station. If the PPF is cleared, then paging is done. The mobile station then goes to the READY state, and the link is established. A timer is used to keep track of the time of the attachment between the mobile station and SGSN. If the time GSM Mobile Base Station expires, the SGSN may perNetwork Station (MS) System (BSS) form an implicit detach procedure in order to return the VLR subscriber in IDLE state. The BTS PSTN MSC BTS BSC (Voice detach procedure is exactly BTS Network) the opposite of the attach proGs cedure. It makes the mobile Gb station inaccessible to the network. READY state: The mobile SGSN Gc station can send and receive PDP PDUs. In the READY HLR Gn state, the SGSN also receives Gc updates from the mobile staGGSN tion regarding the change in routing area and selection and reselection of cells. Gi Even if no radio resource is allocated to the subscriber, PSPDN the mobile management con(Data text remains in READY Network) state, even if no data is being transported. The READY state is controlled by a timer. Fig. 1 GPRS network architecture Whenever the timer expires, the unreachable in this case. To establish mobile station goes into STANDBY mobile management contexts in the state. The three states are illustrated in mobile station and the SGSN, the Fig. 3. mobile station shall perform the GPRS The GPRS specification also attach procedure. The attach procedure defines the behavior of the mobile stainforms the SGSN about its presence, tion in a GPRS network. That is, it thereby updating the databases to classifies it into three modes of operaensure its visibility in the network. tion. STANDBY state : In STANDBY In Class A mode, the mobile stastate, the subscriber is attached to the tion is attached to both GPRS and

ends. This would decrease the efficiency of the system, and increase the complexity. Hence, a system is devised broken down to simpler components to decrease the complicationsleading to simpler handling of the various networks involved. Before going onto the workings of the network, we first define the different states, which a subscriber or a mobile terminal may undergo in a GPRS network. IDLE state: In this state, the subscriber is not attached to the GPRS mobile management. The mobile station and SGSN context hold no valid location or routing information for the subscriber. None of the mobile management procedures are performed. The mobile station performs the PLMN selection and the GPRS cell selection and reselection processes. Data transmissions to and from the mobile subscriber, as well as the paging of the subscriber, are not possible. The GPRS mobile station is seen as

Box A

Definitions and descriptions

SGSN: The serving GPRS support nodes responsibilities include maintaining the logical link with the mobile station (MS), forwarding incoming packets from the MS to the appropriate network nodes and vice-versa and authenticating access to GPRS services. Only one SGSN serves the MS in its service area. GGSN: Gateway GPRS support node provides the interface to external packet data network (PDN) and forwards packets destined for the MS to the SGSN that is serving it. HLR: The home location register is a database that contains subscribers information. The subscribers service profile and location information are stored. VLR: The visitor location register is a database that stores temporary information for visiting subscribers. MSC: The mobile station center is in charge of the telephony switching functions, and authenticates access to circuit-switched services. BTS: The base transceiver station handles radio transmission and reception devices, including the antennas, and also all the radio interface signal processing. BSC: The base station controller manages the radio resources and controls handover between cells. Several BTSs can be managed by one BSC. It contains the packet control unit (PCU). The PCU directs the data traffic to the GPRS network, and can be a separate hardware element associated with the BSC. BSS: The base station subsystem consists of the BTS and BSC. It has been adapted to support the GPRS connectionless packet mode of operation.

Network interfaces
Um: Interface between the MS and the GPRS fixed network part. The Um interface is the GPRS network interface for providing packet data services over the radio to the MS. The MT part of the MS is used to access the GPRS services through this interface. Gb: Frame relay connection between the SGSN and the PCU within the BSS. This transports both user data and signaling messages to and from the SGSN. Gn: The GPRS backbone network, implemented using IP LAN/WAN technology. Used to provide virtual connections between the SGSN and GGSN. Gi: The point of connection between GPRS and the external networks, each referenced by the access point name. This will normally be implemented using IP/WAN technology. Gr: Interface between HLR and SGSN that allows access to customer subscription information. Gs: Optional interface that allows closer coordination between GSM and GPRS networks. Gc: Optional interface that allows the GGSN access to customer location information.
(Courtesy: ETSI)

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other GSM services. In this mode, the mobile station makes routing area updates, but no combined routing area/local area (LA) updates during the CS connection. In cases when the mobile station changes SGSN, the SGSN updates HLR and the GGSN, but not the VLR about the new SGSN number. In Class B mode, the mobile station is attached to both GPRS and other GSM services, but the mobile station can only operate one set of services at a time. While in Class C mode, the mobile station is exclusively attached to GPRS services. Since the GPRS network involves communication between mobile hosts, it integrates itself with different protocols for transmission of data. It mainly uses the protocol defined for mobile hosts, i.e., mobile IP (RFC 2002). It applies all of the principles involved for packet forwarding from one host to another. The detail analysis of mobile IP does not lie in the scope of this discussion.

Key network features

But apart from the logical and structural design of the network, some other important issues do affect the workings of the network. They are core and very fundamental features where the user is unaware of the underlying technology. The two key network features are: 1) Packet switching: Todays dialup-connection for the Internet access on our desktops involves a circuit switch network, i.e., there is a oneto-one connection between the two hosts. There is a channel dedicated for this correspondence. So is the GSM network. This leads to inefficiency and improper use of available resources. The user may not continuously access information from the other end. But the connection is dedicated. So when all of the connections are used up, it may lead to network congestion. But as the name GPRS suggests, it is a packet service. The data is broken into small packets at the transmitter end and again assembled at the receiver end. Such networks do not require explicit connection at both ends, but transmit data as per user requirements. The only change is to upgrade the software at the network level. 2) Spectrum efficiency: GPRS uses the radio resources for allocation of channels to the user. We know that GPRS is not a circuit-switched oriented

network. Hence, it involves more efficient Application usage of the available IP/X.25 IP/X.25 bandwidth. For a parRelay SNDCP GTP Relay GTP ticular available bandLLC Relay width, the channels can UDP/ UDP/ TCP TCP be used efficiently, Relay Relay RLC RLC BSSGP since a user may not IP IP permanently be using a Network L2 MAC MAC Network L2 Service Service channel. So this disL1 L1 GSM RF GSM RF L1bis L1bis tributes the user, and, Um Gb Gn Gi hence, makes the best MS BSS SGSN GGSN optimum use of the network system. When Fig. 2 GPRS network protocol stack (Courtesy: ETSI) a mobile station is in mation, but this charging information IDLE state, its channel can be used by needs to be processed. some other mobile station. This avoids (The incumbent billing systems network overload, and simplifies any often cannot handle realtime call detail errors that may occur due to network record flows. Thus, an intermediate congestion. charging platform is a good idea. It can Figuring the customers bill collect the charging information from With GPRS, the service providers the GPRS nodes and prepare it for subneed a system to charge its customers mission to the billing system.) for the service. GPRS is a packet Packet counts are passed to a chargswitching network, which is laid on the ing gateway that generates call detail existing circuit-based network. The records. These records are sent to the GPRS specifications stipulate the minibilling system. Hence, we come to a mum charging information that must be point where the system is dependent collected in the Stage 1 service descripupon the service provider to charge its tion. These include destination and customers. But as the technology is source address, usage of radio interface, deployed, there will be a standard adoptusage of external PDN, usage of PDP ed by all service providers. Until then, it address, usage of general GPRS is sensible not to comment on any of the resources and location of mobile station. policies until one becomes widely used. Current technology charges customers on the amount of time the serGPRS Detach PDU transmission vice is used. For any Internet access, the billing system takes into account how IDLE READY long the network was accessed. It may STANDBY be a dialupconnection, an ISDN line or an ADSL. But the system devised for GPRS is Ready timer expires GPRS Attach Or somewhat different. We know that Force to STANDBY GPRS is a packet-based service. Hence, the new system believes in counting the MM State Model of MS packets delivered to the end user, since the entire block of data transmitted is Implicit Detach or Cancel Location broken into small packets. But this again complicates the rules, since there GPRS Detach or PDU are different types of data being transCancel Location Reception mitted like text, images, voice, video and such. Also, the peak hours of the STANDBY IDLE READY network need to be taken into account. What is the price of images and video? Is it the same for simple text? Technically, the system for billing Ready timer expires Or GPRS Attach Force to STANDBY can lie between the SGSN and the Or GGSN, where the actual packets are Abnormal RLC condition transmitted to the mobile station. GPRS call records are generated in the GPRS MM State Model of SGSN service nodes. The GGSN and SGSN may not be able to store charging inforFig. 3 GPRS mobility management

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Applications
GPRS has many applications. This is because GPRS maps all the Internet content of todays PC onto a mobile computing device. But there are some fundamental constraints. The PC has a larger memory and more processing power. But in the case of handheld devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs or palmtops, there is constraint of memory and processing power. This would surely tax the service of the system. The overall efficiency is not drastiBox B

The GPRS network protocol stack

GPRS tunneling protocol (GTP): This protocol tunnels the data and signaling between the GPRS support nodes, i.e., the SGSN and the GGSN. The GTP encapsulates all the PDP PDUs. TCP/UDP layer: The TCP carries packet data in the GPRS backbone network for protocols that need reliable data link for, e.g., X.25 protocol. The UDP carries PDUs that do not need reliable data link, e.g., IP. The TCP provides flow control and protection against lost and corrupted GTP PDUs. UDP provides protection against corrupted GTP PDUs. IP: This protocol is used for routeing user data and control signaling. Subnetwork dependent convergence protocol (SNDCP): This transmission functionality maps the network-level characteristics onto to characteristics of the underlying network. Logical link control (LLC): This layer provides a highly reliable, encrypted logical link. LLC will be independent of the underlying radio interface protocols in order to allow introduction of alternative GPRS radio solutions in the minimum changes to the NSS. Relay: This function relays LLC PDUs between the Um and Gb interfaces. In the SGSN, this function relays PDP PDUs between the Gb and Gn interfaces. Base station system GPRS protocol (BSSGP): This layer conveys routeing and QoS-related information between BSS and SGSN. This protocol does not perform error correction. Network service (NS): The function carried out is the transportation of BSSGP PDUs. It is based on a frame relay connection between BSS and SGSN, and may be multi-hop and traverse a network of frame relay switching nodes. RLC/MAC: This layer performs two functions. The radio link control function controls the access signaling (request and grant) procedures for the radio channel, and the mapping of LLC frames onto the GSM physical channel.
(Courtesy: ETSI)

cally affected, but surely hampered in case of very niche and specific applications. But these devices are designed for GPRS services. Hence, they have the capability to handle bursty data. Their hardware specifications do involve the prowess to accept, manipulate and transmit data. This turn in the technological front has undoubtedly paved the way for porting the Internet utilities to these devices. Thus, we have reached the point, where we can have Internet everywhere. The basic services, such as chat, email, news groups and other community services, are the most underlying and common utilities accessed through GPRS services. Many nonvoice applications are also mapped. GPRS also supports streaming audio and video. This is due to the broad bandwidth available and high data transfer rate. GPRS also provides access to remote LAN, so that a user is always connected to its home or office. It supports theglobal positioning system (GPS) of positioning various objects. With the help of Bluetooth technology, GPRS will play an important role in simulating communication between the various wireless systems. In short, all major Internet services and applications can be easily overlaid on GPRSenabled devices. It is up to us to decide how much we support it.

graph will be a bit slow, but as the technology penetrates, the graph will transform to an exponential function.

Read more about it

http://www.gsmworld.com/. http://www.mobilegprs.com/. http://www.etsi.org/ GSM 3.60. http://www.wapforum.org WAP Technical Documents. http://www.3gpp.org UMTS Specification. http://www.gtl.com/. http://www.gprscongress.com Market Strategy. Peter Rysavyhttp://www.rysavy.com/ Prototyping and Formal Requirement Validation of GPRS: A Mobile Data Packet Radio Service for GSM By Laurent Andriantsiferana, Brahim Ghribi, Luigi Logrippo. Telecommunications Software Engineering Research Group, School of Information Technology and Engineering, University Of Ottawa. {andrian, bghribi, luigi}@csi.uottawa.ca. Cisco http://www.cisco.com/. Mobility Management in IETF and GPRS Specifications: By Samila Luukko, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Helsinki University of Technology. GPRSTrillium Digital Systems, Inc. http://www.trillium.com/.

About the author

Azim A. Samjani obtained his Bachelor of Engineering in computer science from the Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, University of Pune in August, 2001. Contact: <azim@computer.org>.
Acronyms
BSS CDR CGF CS LA RA MS NSS PDN PDP PDU PLMN PPF QoS Base station subsystem Call detail record Charging gateway functionality Circuit switched Local area Router area Mobile station Network subsystem Packet data network Packet data protocol Packet data unit Public land mobile network Paging proceed flag Quality of service
(Courtesy: ETSI)

Market impact
How about the commercial aspects and the calls for Information Everywhere? The architecture is ready for execution. There are still some problems of standardization, compatibility and such, but these problems are common when new systems are evolving. Big Telecom companies are taking their first big steps, but with a lot of risk. The most common difficulty at the consumer level is the availability of cheap and standardized GPRS-enabled devices. Every company is manufacturing its own product in the race. Problems of incompatibility may arise at a later stage. This could affect the services by not making them cost effective and economical. The initial phase may lead to chaos, since every service provider will have its own billing system and will decide how many GPRS services will reach the subscriber. This system will be embraced by every part of society, since it caters to all the needs, which are now available on our desktops. The initial part of the

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