Gprs

D900/ D1800/ D1900
Mobile Communication System Feature Description Base Station Subsystem <Release No.>BR5.5 - <GPRS>
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Feature Description
Base Station Subsystem List of Figures
Document Change Log

Date 13/08/1999 17/09/1999 05/11/1999 Name Petrau / Rehling Petrau / Rehling Petrau / Rehling Department PSE KB B / TMN ENS4 PSE KB B / TMN ENS4 PSE KB B / TMN ENS4 Change Comment Initial creation of this document. Review comments considered Review comments considered
This document consists of a total of 55 pages.
Siemens AG 2013
Issued by the Public Communication Networks Group Hofmannstrae 51, D-81359 Mnchen
Technical modifications possible Technical specifications and features are binding only insofar as they are specifically and expressly agreed upon in a written contract.
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Table of Contents
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List of Figures
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here.
1 Short Description
Today a number of wireless data services are available, but none are as innovative as the data service for GSM networks called General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). GPRS refers to a high-speed packet data technology. The most important aspects of GPRS are: Data transmission speeds of up to over 100 Kbps Packet-based technology Support of the world's leading Internet communications protocols, Internet Protocol (IP) and X.25 (??) Always online Volume-based billing. Example Packet data technology provides a seamless and immediate connection from a mobile PC to the Internet or corporate Intranet allowing all existing Internet applications such as E-mail and Web browsing to operate smoothly without even needing to dial into an Internet service provider via a fixed line (see Figure 1). The advantage of a packet-based approach is that GPRS only uses the medium, in this case the radio link, for the duration of time that data is being sent or received. This means that multiple users can share the same radio channel very efficiently. Since many applications have idle periods during a session, with the packet data technology users will only pay for the amount of data they actually transfer, and not the idle time. In fact, with GPRS, users could be "virtually" connected for hours at a time and only incur modest connection charges.
Figure 1: From a mobile PC to the Internet via GPRS While packet-based communications works well with all types of communications applications, it is especially well-suited for the frequent transmission of small
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. amounts of data ("bursty" data transfer), such as E-mail. But packet transmission is equally well-suited for large batch operations, and other applications involving large file transfers.
1.1
2 Functionality
GPRS is an integral part of GSM Phase 2+. It provides a direct high-speed radio access to Packet Switched Data Networks (PSDN). It defines four new Coding Schemes (CS1 to CS4; in BR5.5, the BSS handles CS1 and CS2) and uses channel combining to enable higher data rates and more network efficiency. As a packet-oriented service, GPRS is suited for all applications requiring both bulky and bursty data transfer. Thus, GPRS is an ideal solution for Internet applications, e.g. E-mail.
1.1.1
GPRS Features
The SBS design introducing GPRS, as implemented in the GPRS initial phase (BR5.5), carefully observedtook special care to: keep SBS flexible and modular, avoid resource waste, minimize the operators' investments, provide overnight service, and ensure good performance. In line with this concept GPRS offers the following features completing this concept: New logical channel types In GPRS, the physical radio resource is called Packet Data Channel (PDCH). A mobile station may use more than one PDCHs, and there is no exclusive use of a radio resource by a mobile station. Up to 7 mobile stations may share one PDCH. This is implemented by the definition of different logical channels, so-called Packet Data Transfer Channels (PDTCHs) in one PDCH. Thus, in addition to the existing Traffic Channel (TCH) and Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH), GPRS introduces new logical channel types in the connection between the mobile station and the BSS (Um interface): Packet Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH) group:
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Packet Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH) to transmit system information to all mobile stations in a cell (downlink)
Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH) group:

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Packet Random Access Channel (PRACH) to initiate packet transfer or to answer to paging messages (uplink)
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Packet Paging Channel (PPCH) to page a mobile station prior to downlink packet transfer (downlink) Packet Access Grant Channel (PAGCH) to send resource assignments in packet transfer establishment (downlink)
Packet Transfer Channel (PTCH) group:

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Packet Data Transfer Channel (PDTCH) to transfer data (uplink / downlink) Packet-Associated Control Channel (PACCH) to transfer signaling information (uplink / downlink) One PACCH is associated with one or more PDTCH(s) concurrently assigned to a mobile station and is allocated to one of the physical channels of the related PDTCH(s). In the case of half duplex / fixed allocation mobile stations, a PACCH block downlink is sent during a three (optionally two) timeslot gap in the uplink allocation on the PACCH; with this type of mobile station no data will be sent downlink in the timeslot preceding (optionally following) and during uplink PACCH timeslots.
Support on CCCH and PCCCH To provide GPRS services, the present GSM radio interface supports new logical and physical channel types. The functionality is similar to that requirested by normal GSM traffic: GPRS Common Control Channels (CCCHs) are among those logical resources whose similarity to normal GSM CCCHs allows the compatibility with actual physical CCCHs. It is therefore possible to support GPRS common signaling either on already existing CCCHs (shared CCCHs) or on GPRSdedicated CCCHs (PCCCHs). Shared CCCH There are nNo GPRS- dedicated control signaling channels exist, so that GPRS common control signaling packets access a CCCH following in accordance with its mapping rules. This mechanism is mandatory, whenever a dedicated CCCH is not allocated. The messages are carried in the LAPD related to the BTSE. The channel is routed via switching matrix to a PPLD where the LAPD protocol is processed. The extracted messages are read by TDPC via Telephonic Bus from the PPLD Dual Port RAM. In the TDPC, the messages are analyzsed: GPRS-related messages are written by TDPC via Telephonic Bus in to the Dual Port RAM of the Peripheral Packet Control Unit (PPCU), , where they are processed. Dedicated CCCH (PCCCH) PCCCH is mapped in the multiframe of a PDCH. In this case the common control signaling is carried oin a logical channel dedicated to GPRS traffic. The messages are carried in a TRAU frame of the 16 Kbps timeslot related to the physical PDCH where the dedicated CCCH is mapped. The timeslot is routed via switching matrix directly to the PPCU, where the channel is processed. To avoid GPRS signaling load on "normal" CCCHs, it is recommended to use PCCCHs as soon as GPRS traffic increases beyond a certain threshold, so that GPRS signaling traffic has no influence on normal signaling and the overall traffic capacity is improved. The advantages of using PCCCHs are straightforward: On the air interface, CCCH performance for normal GSM traffic is not reduced because of the GPRS messaging.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. On the Abis interface, the capacity of the LAPD link is not shared between GSM and GPRS traffic. The TDPC does not waste real time to route GPRS messages toward PPCUs and to multiplex in LAPDs the messages received from the PPCUs. The Telephonic Bus is not loaded (twice!)relieved in both directions by from the message exchange between PPLD, PPCU and TDPC.
52 multiframe number On the other hand, shared CCCHs are supported to provide the first access when USF=0 USF=1 n B0 B1 B2 channels 0 B3 are B4 B5 1 B6 B7 B8 2 B9 B10 B11 3 no GPRS allocated. n+1 n+2 n+3 B0 B0 B0
Besides, shared CCCHs are the only way to allow Class B mobile stations USF=2 USF=3 attached GPRS Paging on B1 B2 to 4 B3 to listen B4 to their B5 Circuit5 B6 Switched B7 B8 6 channel B9 B10CCCH. B11 7
Sig msg 1
Sig msg 1
Sig msg 1
Sig msg 1
B1 B1
B2 B2
8 12
B3 B3
B4 B4
B5 B5
USF=4
B6 B6
B7 B7
B8 B8
10 14
B9 B9
B10 B10
B11 11 B11 15
USF=5
Sig msg 2
Sig msg 2 USF=7
PDCH handling
USF=6
The relationship between MS, USF and position in uplink and downlink messages is fixed and does not require the knowledge of the identity of the MS by the BTS.
PDCHs are the physical channels dedicated to GPRS packet data and signaling Sig msg 2 Sig msg 2 traffic. They are organized in a RACCH-like multiframe structure by abroadcasting timeslot timing (seeadvance info = PACCH = free USF=x: uplink access Sig msg: carried downlink message Figure 2).
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52 multiframe number B0 B1 B2 x B3 B4 B5 x B6 B7 B8 x B9 B10 B11 x B0-B11 = RLC blocks composed by 4 burst x = idle frames
Figure 2: PDCH multiframe structure The radio blocks from B0 to B11 are allocated to PCCCHs and PTCHs according to the following rules: 1. The blocks are put in a logical order according to the following list of blocks: B0 B6 B3 B9 B1 B7 B4 B10 B2 B8 B5 B11 2. The BCCH indicates the PDCH containing the PBCCH. The PBCCH is allocated downlink to the first block of the list. The next 1 to 3 blocks of the list can be allocated to additional PBCCHs (the total PBCCH block number reported by BS_PBCCH_BLKS parameter, broadcast in the first PBCCH). 3. Additional PDCHs containing PCCCHs are indicated in the PBCCH: On these PDCHs, the first BS_PBCCH_BLKS blocks of the list are used for PDTCH or PACCH in the downlink. 4. On any PDCH with PCCCHs the next BS_PAG_BLKS_RES (broadcast in PBCCH, from 0 to (12 - BS_PBCCH_BLKS)) blocks of the list are used downlink for PAGCH, PNCH, PDTCH or PACCH. 5. The remaining blocks of the ordered list can be used to carry PPCH, PAGCH, PNCH, PDTCH or PACCH. 6. On the uplink of a PDCH containing PCCCHs, blocks can be used as PRACH, PDTCH or PACCH (PRACH are identified by the Uplink State Flag USF=FREE).
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. 7. Optionally, the first BS_PRACH_BLKS (broadcast in PBCCH) blocks of the list are used only for RACHs. 8. On PDCHs not containing PCCCHs, all blocks can be used as PDTCH or PACCH. 9. In any case, the current usage of a block is indicated by the message type.
Master / Slave Concept and Capacity on Demand Concept The flexible and dynamic allocation / deallde-allocation of radio resources allows for efficient radio resource sharing between circuit-switched and packet-switched services. Therefore two basic concepts are used within GPRS: Master / Slave concept This concept uses a master channel, which is a more or less statically allocated channel containing the GPRS CCCH, and one or more dynamically allocated slave channels carrying the user data. Capacity on Demand concept With this concept, the network dynamically allocates capacity from the common pool of all radio resources depending on the number of GPRS mobile stations (MS), their data amounts, multislot capabilities and requested Quality of Service (QoS). An optimized radio resource management mechanism also allows the use of resources due to the gaps between two consecutive circuit-switched connections. Timeslot combining Timeslot combining allows the use of applications which need more throughput than that achieved by using one timeslot only, and enables the operator to speed up simultaneous data transmission for several users. In BR5.5, a maximum of 7 timeslots can be combined (using a single BCCH carrier; in further phases up to 8, using different carriers other than BCCH.) Timeslot combining supports all MS multislot classes from 1 up to 29. Channel Coding CS1 and CS2 on PDTCH The introduction of GPRS into the networks in GSM Phase 2+ requires a modification of current channel coding. Four channel coding schemes (CS1 to CS4) are specified. For the first GPRS release, the CS1 and CS2 coding schemes are implemented. CS1 and CS2 differ in the number of transmitted data bits. (Please note that CS3 could add only 10 % performance both for throughput and spectrum efficiency, while CS4 works in specific radio environments only.) CS1 implements the basic coding for the RLC / MAC data and control blocks. The maximum net data throughput performed by CS1 is about 8 Kbps under good radio conditions and changes slowly as function of the C/I ratio. CS2 provides a higher data throughput (a maximum net data throughput of 12 Kbps) in good radio environments, the changes are more dependent on the C/I ratio.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. The initial coding scheme for downlink is based on a default value, which is anchored in the data base of the BSC. This initial value can be handled by O&M commands, and the default value is prescribed by the operator. The initial value in the data base works per cell class. The coding scheme for user data can be changed dynamically by the network, optimizing the throughput according to the current radio conditions. The PPCU regularly checks the C/I condition for every PDCH and performs the switch if necessary. Support of 11 data bit packet random access burst on PDCH In the current GSM, the burst carrying the random access uplink message contains 8 information bits. Evaluations have shown that this limitation is a bottleneck. To avoid this bottleneck, an 11 information bit random access uplink message has been defined. The new 11 bit random access request message allows more frequent one phase access instead of two phase access. In the one phase access procedure, an immediate channel assignment message assigning a suitable channel allocation follows directly after the random request message, whereas in a two phase access procedure an additional signaling step is necessary to find a suitable channel allocation. The 11 information bit random access request message speeds up the call set-up and therefore decreases the signaling load, which makes the GPRS call duration quite short in comparison to circuit-switched connections and, enables more frequent call set-ups. Power Control Power control is important for spectrum efficiency as well as for minimizing power consumption in the mobile stations. In order to minimize the impact on the existing frequency plans when introducing GPRS, the amount of interference power generated is kept at a minimum. The present GSM radio interface supports uplink and downlink power control, based on received signal level and received signal quality measurements during continuous two-way connections. This mechanism is not applicable to the unbalanced bursty nature of data communications. Therefore, new power control mechanisms are introduced as standardized by ETSI, which fulfill the GPRS requirements. In BR5.5, MS uplink open loop power control only will be supported. The algorithm is based on parameters configured by the customer. The specified algorithm (GSM 5.08, Annex B) is implemented at the MS side as follows: PMS = GAMMA00 - CH GAMMAch- ALFA * (C+48) PMS is the output power at the MS side. It holds that G0 AMMA0 equals 39 dbm for GSM 900 and 36 dbm for DCS 1800.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. CHGAMMAch is an operator-dependent parameter set on the PTPPKF object. Its value is calculated to reach a target value for received uplink signals at the BTS. is a constant system parameter broadcast on PBCCH or on BCCH C is the downlink signal level received at the MS side. Pms is the output power at the MS side(Later versions will support BTS downlink power control, too.) But already with the current GPRS version, the channel allocation algorithm will allocate PDCHs on the BCCH carrier preferably.
Quality of Service (Best Effort) The GSM standards define a Quality of Service (QoS) for data transmissions over the network for GPRS. The QoS is divided into four Delay Classes, the predictive classes Class1 to Class3 and the non-predictive Class4, the so-called "Best Effort" class. BR5.5 supports Class4 (Best Effort), thus providing an optimum of spectrum efficiency and being best suited for Web access. Operation and Maintenance Functionality The Operation and Maintenance (O&M) functionality as provided for the SBS system is enhanced to cover the management of the BSS part of the GPRS network. This means that all general management principles applicable to the GSM circuit-switched connections are also valid for the GPRS packet-switched connections. The O&M functions for GPRS are available from the Local Maintenance Terminal (LMT) as well as from the OMC-B. From there, the existing O interface is used for management purposes. With the introduction of GPRS in the network, the operator is able to: verify the correct dimensioning of the GPRS network (short- and long-term planning) examine the GPRS network planning parameters fine-tune the GPRS network configuration parameters identify the QoS and performance of the GPRS network Performance Measurements In order to check the GPRS network performance, new performance measurements have been introduced. This set of measurements provides information on the following functionalities and can be used to verify and optimize the GPRS configuration parameters in the network: GPRS radio access Radio resource usage GPRS radio resource reassignment Dynamic allocation and de-allocation of GPRS radio resources Packet queuing
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. Used coding schemes
1.1.2
GPRS Impacts on BSS
GPRS is based on the existing GSM network infrastructure, i.e. it introduces an overlaying architecture on the existing one with the definition of new entities and new interfaces. In the BSS, the Packet Control Unit (PCU) located in the BSC is a new network component for the BSS. In addition, the Channel Codec Unit (CCU) is a new BTS extension, which is easily installed via software download. In detail, GPRS has the following impacts on the BSS: BSC The GPRS network structure as standardized in SMG (??) requires a new interface in the BSC towards the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) / Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), the so-called Gb interface. This is caused by the fact that with the GPRS functionality packet-oriented data transfer and new protocols have to be handled in the otherwise circuit-switched BSS. In the BSS, this new interface is implemented by so-called Peripheral Packet Control Unit (PPCU) cards, which are plugged into the BSC rack as additional units. The PCU is scalable in steps of 64 channels per PPCU and can handle a maximum of up to 128 GPRS channels per BSC. TRAU In the BSS, no change of the TRAUs, neither in hardware nor in software, is necessary for the use of GPRS. BTS In the BSS, GPRS requires no hardware upgrade at all for the BTSs: The GPRSrelevant CCU components can be introduced by simple software download. Therefore, upgrade of a complete network for GPRS capability does not require any service staff at BTS sites, which constitutes an enormous advantage in terms of time, cost and manpower.
1.1.3
Function Split between BTS (CCU) and BSC (PCU)
The management of GPRS radio channels and the protocol stack conversion between the Gb and Abis interfaces is carried out by the PCU. The PCU is implemented in the BSC and is interfaced to several CCUs located in the BTSs, as outlined in the following Figure 3:
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BTS CCU CCU BTS CCU CCU BTS CCU CCU BSC P C U SGSN
Abis
Gb
Figure 3: CCU and PCU location
GPRS functions implemented in the BTS (CCU) are: Channel Coding, including Forward Error Correction (FEC) and interleaving Radio Channel Measurement, including received quality level, received signal level, and timing advance measurement information Mapping of GPRS data and signaling on the Abis interface toward the BSC GPRS functions implemented in the BSC (PCU) are: Mapping of GPRS data and signaling on the Abis interface towards the BTS MAC and RLC layer handling Packet Data Unit (PDU) assembly and segmentation PDCH uplink and downlink selective Automatic Request (ARQ) functions, including RLC block ACK / NACK, buffering and retransmission Scheduling functions for PDCH data transfer BSS GPRS Protocol (BSSGP) support Layer 1 (Frame Relay) protocol support on the Gb interface toward SGSN via dedicated link or embedded via Asub interface Setup and release of GPRS resources on the Abis (Um) interface upon request PCU MAC layer functions
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. PDCH multiframe management Multiframe synchronism (via bit in the PCU frame) Data and control signaling multiplexing based on a scheduling mechanism and on users' demand The USF sent in the PCU frame allows one MS to transmit in the next uplink radio block. On PCCCHs 7 MSs can be multiplexed, the eighth USF value means that the uplink radio block is free to be used as a RACH burst. On PDCHs not carrying PCCCHs up to 8 MSs can be multiplexed. Timing Advance (TA) management When the BTS receives a Packet Channel Request message in a (P)RACH, it computes the TA and sends both the result and the request to the BSC in a PCU frame or in an LAPD message. The relevant Packet Resource (Immediate) Assignment will notify the MS of the proper TA. After this initial TA estimation, the TA will be updated continuously by the BTS. The BTS is able to control the TA of the MSs without the intervention of the BSC. Broadcast information on PBCCH If PBCCH exists, GPRS cell parameters will be broadcast on it. Power Control MS Power Control uplink is implemented. Coding Scheme selection The Coding Scheme applied in a cell is an O&M condition. CS-1 will always be used for PACCH, PBCCH, PAGCH, PPCH, and PNCH. The information about the Coding Scheme to be used is reported in the PCU frame. Dynamic GPRS channel allocation Active MSs are associated dynamically with one Temporary Frame Identifier (TFI) and one USF upon resource assignment. Downlink packets are accepted by an MS if the MS TFI and the packet TFI match. The USF contained in downlink packets identifies the MS allowed to transmit in the relevant uplink packet. PCU RLC layer functions Segmentation and re-assembly of LLC-PDUs into RLC data blocks Backwards Error Corrections (BEC) procedures to allow selective retransmission of uncorrectable errored frames (Automatic Retransmission Request, ARQ) Packet acknowledge / not acknowledge (ACK / NACK) The transfer of RLC data blocks can take place both in a reliable Acknowledged Mode and in a faster Unacknowledged Mode. When the Acknowledged Mode is used, temporary / final Packet ACK / NACK messages are transmitted on the PACCH to the remote peer to report the status of the reception process. Transmitted RLC blocks are numbered through a Block Sequence Number (BSN). Temporary Frame Identifier (TFI) management In the PACKET DOWNLINK ASSIGNMENT message, the PCU assigns a TFI to an MS, the assigned TFI identifying the Temporary Block Flow (TBF) on a direction. The same TFI value may be used concurrently for TBFs in opposite directions. Upon reception of a final PACKET ACKNOWLEDGMENT message
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. from the MS (last data block received successfully), the TFI may be used for other users. PCU LLC layer functions The PCU has the responsibility of relaying the LLC layer between the RLC and the BSSGP. A buffering function is able to compensate LLC-PDU frame peaks. In LLC, for every cell queues are allocated for 4 QoS priority levels and one queue for signaling (in BR5.5, no QoS classes are supported, the transmission is of "Best Effort" type). PCU BSSGP layer functions Bi-directional data flow control One LLC-PDU is mapped in one UL-UNITDATA PDU and vice versa one DLUNITDATA PDU is mapped in one LLC-PDU. Downlink queues are managed via flow control procedures. Paging request handling At this level, paging requests issued by the SGSN through a PAGING PS PDU are managed in the PCU. Flushing of old data queues (e.g. when an MS changes the BSS) In case a link with an MS is interrupted (e.g. because the MS goes Out of Coverage), the reception of a FLUSH-LL PDU from ana SGSN shall flush all LLC-PDUs stored in the PCU. Queued BSSGP signaling (e.g. Pages) is not affected. Multiple level 2 link management Use of RLC/MAC level information to build BSSGP PDUs and invoke RLC / MAC operations using BSSGP information. PCU Frame Relay (Network Service) functions Permanent Virtual Connections (PVC) management A PVC is identified via a Bearer Channel Identifier (corresponding to the physical link, e.g. a 64 Kbps timeslot in a 2Mbps PCM link) and a Data Link Control Identifier (DLCI, addressing field in the header of an FR frame). Load sharing management Network Service-Service Data Units (NS-SDU) are distributed over NSVC on the Gb interface, in order to distribute traffic load and reorganize the traffic after of a failure. Frame Relay support
1.1.4 1.1.5 6 Protocols and Interfaces
In the BSS, GPRS data are carried from the BTS to the SGSN over the A bis and Gb interfaces according to the stack protocol described in Figure 4.
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Um interface The PDCH is the physical radio interface within GPRS. It differs in channel coding, multi-frame structure and MS multiplexing mechanisms from a circuitswitched traffic channel. On the Um interface, the common channels Random Access Channel (RACH), Paging Channel (PCH), and Access Grant Channel (AGCH) can be shared for channel requests, paging and assignment commands between GPRS and circuitswitched connection services. GPRS traffic is transferred over timeslots taken from the common TCH pool. Abis interface On the Abis interface, GPRS data and RLC / MAC-associated signaling are mainly transferred via 16 Kbps channels in frames of a fixed length of 320 bits, i. e. in socalled PCU frames (an extension of the existing TRAU frames). RLC / MAC signaling sent over shared control channels is logically multiplexed in the LAPDs between the BTSs and the BSCs. Inband signaling and GPRS traffic are encapsulated in PCU frames by the BTS. Gb interface The Gb interface connects the BSS, i.e. the PCU, to the GSN via Frame Relay protocol (FR), allowing the exchange of signaling information and user data, also in a multi-vendor environment. In contrast to the A interface, where a user is provided with a certain physical resource for the duration of the entire connection, a resource on Gb is only assigned when active (while data are being sent or received). The Gb interface is implemented as either a dedicated PCM link towards the SGSN or as an embedded bundle of timeslots of the A sub interface, which are transparently routed via the TRAU to the SGSN. Figure 4 shows the protocol stack that is used for data transmission in the GPRS network.
Application
Um
Abis
Gb
IP/X.25/ CLNP SNDCF LLC RLC MAC GSM RF GSM RF

new TRAU frame LLC Relay
SNDCF LLC BSSGP

Frame Relay
GTP
RLC MAC
new TRAU frame
BSSGP
Frame Relay
L2' L1'
MS
BTS
BSC/PCU CU
SGSN
Figure 4: GPRS protocol stack The layers carry out the following functions: GSM RF The GSM RF is the physical radio channel used to transfer packet data.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. MAC The Medium Access Control provides the access to the physical radio resources. It is responsible for the physical allocation of a PDTCH. RLC The RLC layer provides a reliable link over the air interface that fits the block structure of the physical channel. Therefore it segments and re-assembles the LLC frames. Additionally, it performs sub-multiplexing to support more than one mobile station by one physical channel, and channel combining to provide up to 8 physical channels to one mobile station. MAC The Medium Access Control provides the access to the physical radio resources. It is responsible for the physical allocation of a PDTCH. LLC The Logical Link Control (LLC) layer provides a logical connection between the mobile station and the SGSN even if no physical connection is established. The physical connection is set up by the RLC / MAC layer when there are data to be transmitted. BSSGP The BSSGP is used to transfer the LLC frames together with related information between the SGSN and the PCU. Such information includes QoS and routing information. SNDCF The Sub-Network Dependent Convergence Function (SNDCF) performs the following tasks: Encryption Compression Segmentation / re-assembling Multiplexing / de-multiplexing of signaling information and data packets. The encryption function is used to support data privacy, whereas the compression and segmentation functions are performed to limit the amount of data transferred by the LLC layer. Higher layers The higher layers are not within the scope of GPRS because these layers are independent of the underlying network.
1.2
7 Customer Benefits (Operator)

GPRS is a service for both bursty and bulky data transfer. The main benefits for the operator are as listed below: new business opportunities on the market with tremendous growth potential better ratio of cost to bandwidth ratio effective use of radio resources direct access to packet data networks, e.g. the Internet
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. optimized transfer media for frequent point-to-point transmission of small data volumes reliability scalability integrated services, Operation and Management future-proof technology GPRS principles as the basis of future networks With the new GPRS, the customer is able to go an evolutionary step towards UMTS, the third generation of mobile communications. Siemens GPRS hardware is suitable for the new UMTS networks.
1.2.1
Improvement of Quality of Service
The following features are designed to improve the QoS: Delay Class Quality profiles varying over a wide range have been defined for data transmission (GSM Rec.02.60). For the QoS, the Delay Class is an important attribute. In BR5.5, the Best Effort class is supported. Operation and Maintenance The O&M functionalities, as offered for the SBS, are supplemented with the management of the BSS part of the GPRS network. The management principles for switch-oriented GSM services are equally valid for packet-oriented GPRS services. The O&M functions for GPRS are equally available from an LMT and from the OMC-B. The individual network elements of the BSS are accessed from the Radio Commander for management purposes via the existing O interface and the BSCs. With the introduction of GPRS, the network provider is able to: verify the correct dimensioning of the GPRS network (for short- and long-term planning) check the parameters of the GPRS network planning provide fine-tuning of the GPRS network configuration parameters determine the QoS and performance of the GPRS network To meet this end, new performance measurements have been introduced. This measurement set supplies information on the following functionalities and may be used to confirm and optimize the GPRS configuration parameters in the network: GPRS radio access radio resource usage radio resource reassignment
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. dynamic allocation and deallde-allocation of GPRS radio resources packet queuing used coding schemes Performance measurements and counters GPRS's flexibility concerning transfer rates and radio assignment influenced and improved performance measurements. The PPCU (new board for the G b interface between the BSC and the SGSN) is responsible for all the GPRS traffic-related tasks in the BSC, e.g. access control, radio channel management or PDCH scheduling, and is also responsible for carrying out the GPRS performance measurements. The following measurements are available for GPRS: Dynamic allocation / deallde-allocation of GPRS radio resources There is no fixed number of radio resources allocated to GPRS traffic. Furthermore, the distribution of packet-switched and circuit-switched traffic is made dynamically. The number of PDCHs can increase to an operator-defined maximum and decrease to an operator-defined minimum (0 is also possible as minimum). Another PDCH is allocated when the traffic load over existing PDCHs exceeds a given threshold (operator-defined). A PDCH is dealldeallocated if the traffic load over existing PDCHs falls below another given threshold (also operator-defined). To provide the operator with information on how to set these thresholds appropriately, the following measurements are available: NAVPDTCH - Min/max/mean number of available (configured) PDTCHs per cell (3 counters, counter types: real) AALPDTT - All available PDTCH fully allocated time per cell' (1 counter, counter type: duration, unit: seconds) Initiation of a GPRS connection by a mobile station To supervise the establishment of a GPRS connection, the following measurements are available: TASAGPRS - Number of attempted GPRS accesses per cell (1 counter, counter type: integer) TASUGPRS - Number of successful GPRS accesses per cell (1 counter, counter type: integer) Resource reassignment The BSS can change the radio resources of an existing GPRS connection for different reasons. This change can be a simple change of channels but also an incrementation / decrementation of the number of PDTCHs used. The resource reassignment is carried out by a message on PACCH. The measurements related to these reassignment procedures are: NATPRRE - Number of attempted packet resource reassignment procedures per cell (1 counter, counter type: integer) NSUPRRE - Number of successful GPRS accesses per cell (1 counter, counter type: integer) Packet retransmission In case a GPRS packet (i.e. Packet Data Unit PDU) is not received correctly (uplink by the BSS or downlink by the mobile station), the sender is notified by a message. The sender is then able to retransmit the failed PDUs. (There is no similar mechanism in circuit-switched connections.) The measurement for counting these retransmissions is:
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. NRETPDU - Number of retransmitted PDUs (uplink / downlink) (2 counters, counter type: integer) Paging In GPRS, paging is possible in three different ways. It can be performed by using subchannels of CCCH, PCCCH or PACCH. The measurements related to paging are: NATGPPAG - Number of attempted GPRS paging procedures (1 counter, counter type: integer) NSUGPPAG - Number of successful GPRS paging procedures (1 counter, counter type: integer) PDTCH queuing There is a request queuing mechanism for GPRS connections which is similar to the TCH queuing mechanism. The following measurement provides the operator with information on the PDTCH queue. NPMSDISQ - Number of packet immediate assignment messages discarded from the packet queue per cell (1 counter, counter type: integer) Throughput measurements Throughput measurements provide the operator with the appropriate information transmitted through an interface, in KBytesKbytes/s. The result of these measurements can easily be taken to check whether the system is close to its upper level of capacity. The following throughput measurements are available: MUTHRF - Mean user data throughput (uplink / downlink) per cell on the RF interface (2 counters, counter type: mean throughput) MSTHRF - Mean signaling data throughput (uplink / downlink) per cell on the RF interface (2 counters, counter type: mean throughput) MUTHBS - Mean user data throughput (uplink / downlink) per cell on the BSSGP interface (2 counters, counter type: mean throughput) MSTHBS - Mean signaling data throughput (uplink / downlink) per cell on the BSSGP interface (2 counters, counter type: mean throughput) Allocated PDTCH This measurement gives the mean number of PDTCHs for a GPRS connection per cell. (There is no analogous measurement for TCHs.) MEALPDCO - Mean number of allocated PDTCHs per GPRS connection per cell (1 counter, counter type: calculated mean) BSC processor load The existing BSCPRCLD measurement will be extended in order to contain not only the processor load on the MPCC and TDPC boards but also on the PPCU boards. This means that this measurement now contains two more counters for each board (4 new in total), one for the prime time and one for the total time. Just with like in the case of the MPCC and the TDPC, the values are provided by the operating system.
1.2.2
Improvement of Resources Management
GPRS enables more efficient frequency usage on the air interface: radio resources are used on demand only. It offers shared use of physical radio resources, thus increasing the number of subscribers per channel.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. By channel combining and the use of new coding schemes, GPRS offers higher user data rates.
Timeslot combining GPRS enables high data rates by combining several timeslots. According to the recommendations (GSM Rec. 02.60, 03.60, 03.64) up to 8 timeslots may be combined for one user. In BR5.5, a maximum of 7 timeslots can be combined. The PDCH distribution is dynamically managed depending on instantaneous traffic conditions and service requests, in order to serve traffic spots and traffic peaks when and where necessary. Please note that in BR5.5, up to 7 timeslots may be allocated on a single carrier (BCCH carrier), in further phases up to 8, using different carriers than BCCH. Channel coding Channel coding was strongly modified for GPRS (GSM Rec.03.64). ETSI defined 4 new channel coding schemes (CS1 to CS4). In BR5.5, the CS1 and CS2 channel coding schemes will be used. Theoretically, CS1 allows the transmission of 9.05 Kbps and CS2 allows 13.4 Kbps. In practice, given excellent radio conditions, CS1 enables data transmission rates of up to 8 Kbps, and CS2 up to 12 Kbps. CS1 is especially suited for safe coding of the RLC / MAC data and control blocks. Channel coding starts with splitting the digital information into blocks to be transferred. These so-called radio blocks, i.e. the blocks before coding, consist of: MAC header RLC / MAC signaling block or RLC data block Block Check Sequence (BCS) Data loss of the radio blocks is prevented with convolutional coding. Furthermore, channel coding comprises interleaving, i.e. that the radio blocks are interleaved to a certain number of bursts / burst blocks. New logical channel types The packet-switched traffic provided by GPRS is much more suited for data transfer than the circuit-switched traffic. Its flexibility concerning transfer rates and assignment of radio resources meets the requirements of the bursty nature of data traffic. In GPRS, the physical radio resource is called PDCH. Each PDCH consists of 52 TDMA frames. A mobile station may use more than one PDCH and there is no exclusive use of a radio resource by a mobile station. Whereas in circuit-switched traffic each connection occupies one TCH, in GPRS downlink traffic up to 16 MS up to 7 mobile stations may share one physical radio resource (PDCH), howeverand, in uplink traffic only up to 7 mobile stations can be handled at a time, since one TCH is required by the PRACH.. This is implemented by the definition of different logical channels (PDTCHs) in one PDCH.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. Thus, in addition to the existing TCH and SDCCH, GPRS introduces new logical channel types in the connection between the mobile station and the BSS (U m interface): PBCCH group:
-
Packet Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH) to transmit system information to all mobile stations in a cell (downlink)
PCCCH group:
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Packet Random Access Channel (PRACH) to initiate packet transfer or to answer to paging messages (uplink) Packet Paging Channel (PPCH) to page an MS prior to downlink packet transfer (downlink) Packet Access Grant Channel (PAGCH) to send resource assignment in packet transfer establishment (downlink)
PTCH group:
-
Packet Data Transfer Channel (PDTCH) to transfer data (uplink / downlink) Packet-Associated Control Channel (PACCH) to transfer signaling information (uplink / downlink)
1.2.3
10 Additional Business
New subscriber groups can be reached, since GPRS allows completely new applications. It opens the way for the operator to participate in the tremendous growth of Internet-based services (Internet access, establishing Intranets). Furthermore, GPRS provides a means for new mobile applications and services (e.g. Telematic, E-commerce, etc.) Example: For business users, GPRS enables a data connection with the office wherever they go, so that they can have access to E-mail, the Internet, their files, faxes and other data wherever and whenever it is needed, giving them a competitive advantage and more flexible lifestyles. GPRS is expected to profoundly alter and improve the end-user experience of mobile data computing, by making it possible and cost-effective to remain constantly connected, as well as to send and receive data at much higher speeds than today. GPRS will complement rather than replace the current data services available through todays GSM digital cellular networks, such as circuit-switched data and Short Message Service (SMS).
1.2.4
11 Additional Revenue
Due to new applications and new data subscribers, aAdditional revenue may be obtained through new applications and new data subscribers.
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1.3
12 Customer Benefits (Subscriber)

The subscriber derives benefits from the following GPRS features: higher data transfer rates, cost reduction due to volume-dependent charging, faster Internet access, new applications enabling real plug and play.
1.4
13 Possible Applications
One way the user can benefit from GPRS is by the packet nature of GPRS, which makes a GPRS connection similar in many ways to a local area network (LAN) connection. Just as with a LAN connection, once a GPRS mobile station registers with the network, it is ready to send and receive packets. Example: A user with a laptop computer could be working on a document without even thinking about being connected, and then automatically receive new E-mail. The user could decide to continue working on a document, then half an hour later read the E-mail message and reply to it. All this time the user has had a network connection and not once had to dial in (as s/he must today with circuit-switched connections). Furthermore, GPRS allows for simultaneous voice and data communication, so the user can still receive incoming calls or make outgoing calls while in the midst of a data session. Since there is almost no delay before sending data, GPRS is ideally suited for applications such as extended communications sessions, E-mail communications, database queries, dispatch, and stock updates to name just a few. In addition, the high throughput of GPRS will overcome many obstacles in the use of graphical Web-based applications in multimedia. For example, mobile users will have easy access to graphically intensive Web-based map applications to get directions while traveling. GPRS meets the needs of most data applications in a wide range. The following point-to-point applications will be possible: Mobile Internet / Intranet access with corresponding applications Traffic guide and information systems General information services (e.g. stock exchange, tourist information) Entertainment Mobile Office Field sales / service Group call-based services (e.g. stock information) Wireless access to databases
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. Mobile Internet access Electronic commerce Point of sale Electronic banking Electronic cash Messaging Fleet management Security / supervisory systems Telemetry Reservation systems (e.g. hotel, theater, and flights) Highway charging systems
1.5
14 Implementation
GPRS includes certain BSS modifications: linking of the BSS to the new GPRS Support Nodes (GSN) via the G b interface, that is the installation of a PCU transmission of the packet data through the BSS the new channel coding schemes, i.e. the implementation of the CCU combining of physical channels to achieve high transmission rates via the U m radio interface BSC Due to the packet-oriented data transfer as well as the appropriate protocols that are now also handled in the BSS, the GPRS network structure has been provided with a new interface to the SGSN / GGSN. In the SBS, this interface is implemented with the PCU, i.e. PCU cards are inserted into the BSC rack. BTSE No hardware modification is required for the BTSE. This way, GPRS is supplemented with the CCU by simple software download. TRAU The TRAU requires neither hardware nor software changes. LMT
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. The terminal assigned to the SBS for the local use operation and maintenance of the SBS network elements is extended withgets the O&M functions added to manage the new HW and SW elements. Entity MS TRAU BSC Implementation Impact Must support GPRS by providing the respective protocols and functions No impact Must be extended by by adding the PCU, which- handles theing GPRS protocol stack and functions Must be extended for GPRS by software download Must support GPRS Must support GPRS
BTS OMC LMT
Table 1: Implementation impacts on network entities
1.6
15 Network Compatibility
One of the major aspects defining the GPRS standard was to minimize possible effects on the existing GSM network infrastructure. With BR5.5, the effects could be reduced to the extension of only two network elements: PCU for the BSS to reflect the new GPRS Gb interface onto the Abis interface, and the CCU in the BTS.
1.7
16 Performance
Through the use of GPRS, the existing GSM network will be enhanced by packet data services. These services rely on new network elements that will be particularly suited for specific packet switching needs. Since these new network elements are additionally assigned to the GSM network they will relieve the existing circuit-switched GSM data services. This does will not only affect the traffic connections but also the signaling channels.
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1.8
17 Prerequisites
The prerequisites required for BR5.5 have been limited to the following two items: PCU, added to the BSC, CCU, added to the BTS (by software download).
1.9
18 Man Machine Interface (Operator)

The operator administrates and maintains the new GPRS functionality via the new Radio Commander. The individual network elements of the BSS will be accessed from the Radio Commander (OMC-B) for management purposes via the existing O interface and the BSCs. The O&M functions for GPRS will be available from the OMC-B as well as from the LMT. The following new objects have been modeled and can be accessed via O&M commands: FRL (Frame Relay Link) object This is a functional object representing the physical link connection on the G b interface. NSVC (Network Service Virtual Connection) object This is a functional object representing the end-to-end communication between the BSS and the SGSN. PCMG (PCM line on Gb Interface) object This is a functional object representing the direct physical connection between the BSC and the SGSN. PCU (Packet Control Unit) object This is a functional object representing a packet control unit designed to implement GPRS in SBS. PPCU (Peripheral Packet Control Unit) object This is an equipment object representing the new card designed to implement the PCU unit. The PPCU objects are provided in redundant configuration (active / cold standby) for each PCU PTPPKF (Point-to-point Packet Function) object This is a functional object representing the presence of GPRS in a specific cell. The state of this object allows / denies the service in the cell. The PTPPKF object number corresponds to the BTS number, i.e.thus, e.g. PTPPKF-0 is the virtual circuit connected to BTS-0.
For performance measurements, i.e. for the new function type BTSGPRSMEAS the following new commands have been defined analogously to the existing ones for other function types: CREATE SCAN BTSGPRSMEAS:NAME=BSC:0/<scan_id>, ,LSTMEASTYPE=<new_meas>
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. GETACK SCAN BTSGPRSMEAS:NAME=BSC:0/<scan_id>, SET SCAN BTSGPRSMEAS:NAME=BSC:0/<scan_id>, ,LSTMEASTYPE=<new_meas> Example: CREATE SCAN BTSGPRSMEAS: NAME=REG:reg#/DIS:dis#/BSC:bsc#/SCAN:scan#, SCANNAME=" scanName, ACTMEASLS=LST_ELEM, ACTOBJLS=LST_ELEM, LST BTSGPRSMEASTYPE= <new_meas>,
BTSLST=bts#&bts#&bts#, GRANP=FIVE, REPMETHD=BYFILE, START=10April-1999; SET SCAN BTSGPRSMEAS: NAME=REG:reg#/DIS:dis#/BSC:bsc#/SCAN:scan#, SCANNAME=" scanName", ACTMEASLS=ADD_ELEM, LST BTSGPRSMEASTYPE= <new_meas>, GRANP=FIVE, REPMETHD= BYFILE, START=10-April-1999; <new_meas> can be chosen from: { NAVPDTCH | AALPDTT | TASAGPRS | TASUGPRS | NRETPDU | NATGPPAG | NSUGPPAG | MUTHRF | MSTHRF | MUTHBS | MSTHBS | NATPRRE | NSUPRRE | MEALPDCO | NPMSDISQ }.
1.10
19 Man Machine Interface (User)

Not applicable.
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2
2.1
2.1.1
20
Functional Description
21 Functionality
22 Functionality for the Subscriber
GPRS provides the mobile subscribers with means for services like point-to-point data transfer. In detail, these are: High system availability because of an extensive and improved system maintenance concept and maintenance functions Support of the standardized Gb interface Support of subscriber mobility including Routing Area update and cell update Support of the paging function to find subscribers at unknown locations Support of GSM security functions (authentication) for protection against misuse and fraud ?? Support of the acknowledged and unacknowledged logical link control operation mode, which allows the usage of multi-purpose applications
2.1.2
23 Functionality for the Operator

For the operator, GPRS offers the following functionality: High system availability because of an extensive and improved system maintenance concept and maintenance functions:
-
The consistency of data within the system is checked by audit programs which will be running periodically or on demand. By detecting errors, the applications will be requested to correct the data and audit symptom data will be collected. ?? Collecting of symptom data in the case of error detection in software applications. ?? Escalation to higher recovery levels in the case of frequent software errors. ?? Different recovery levels are defined. A recovery can also be requested manually by the operating personnel. Depending on the recovery level, data are initialized and OS resources are released. ?? The start-up info service holds information about the software state of the processors within the system.
The operator is able to manage

-
the network resources and network changes, the data specific for the GPRS network nodes, the parameters of the different protocols that are used for GPRS.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. The list below gives an overview of the data that are managed by the configuration management:
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Management of connections to other entities (e.g. from SGSN to the PCUs) ?? Management of internal connections between components ?? Management of office and project data ?? Own entity functions and own entity address
Standardized Gb interface according to GSM Support of GSM security functions to prevent misuse and fraud. ?? Support of two LLC modes (acknowledged and unacknowledged), hence the adaptation to different applications. ?? Support of a reliable transmission via the logical link.?? Support of the simultaneous use of up to 4 different independent data links.?? Support of the transport of the L3 signaling data packets. ??
2.2
2.2.1
24 Implementation
25 PCU and CCU
The GPRS features within the BSS are implemented in two functional units: The PCU located in the BSC provides resource allocation and protocol conversion between the BTS and the SGSN. The PCU acts (just like the BSC) as a statistical multiplexer and router (see Figure 5). It receives RLC packets from the Abis channel related to more than one mobile station and packs them into LLC frames. These LLC frames are then routed to the SGSN and vice versa together with other LLC frames coming from other Abis channels. The PCU is one unit composed of two cards named Peripheral Packet Control Unit (PPCU). While the first card provides service, the second one is in cold standby. Each BSC can include two PCU units. In this case, the traffic is divided statically to both units by means of configuration settings. The CCU performs channel coding functions and channel measurement functions. PCU The PCU is a functional unit within the BSC that provides resource allocation and protocol conversion between the BTS and the SGSN. Looking at the protocol stack, the PCU is responsible for: Channel Access Control functions, e.g. access requests and grants PDCH scheduling functions for uplink and downlink data transfer Radio Channel Management functions, e.g. power control, congestion control, broadcast control information, etc.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. PDCH RLC ARQ functions, including buffering and re-transmission of RLC blocks LLC layer PDU segmentation into RLC blocks for downlink transmission RLC layer PDU re-assembly into LLC blocks for uplink transmission BSSGP protocol provides PCU SGSN communication in terms of BVCI (BSSGP Virtual Connection Identifier) Network Service functions provide PCU SGSN communication in terms of Virtual Channel (Network Service Virtual Channel NSVC) CCU The functions inside the CCU are: Channel coding functions, including FEC and interleaving Radio channel measurement functions, including received quality level, received signal level and information related to timing advance Continuous Timing Advance PCU frames are transferred across the Abis interface every 20 msec (fixed length of 320 bits).
TRAU Frame TRAU Frame TRAU Frame TRAU Frame
Frame Relay
PCU
LAPD
Abis
TDPC BSC
Gb SGSN
Figure 5: PCU as multiplexer and router
2.2.2
26 PCU and PPCU Internal Structure

In order to introduce the GPRS service in the SBS, a new unit has been designed to support packet data interworking between the Gb and the Abis interfaces. The evaluation of the feasibility study phase has revealed that the amount of messages exchanged between the Gb and the Abis interfaces needs a dedicated processing resource in order to avoid capability losses in normal GSM traffic. The new PPCU unit will be inserted in the BSC rack instead of PPLDs, as can be seen in Figure 6. The internal physical connections are represented in Figure 7. The BSC can be configured with a maximum of two PCUs (each one redounded).
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PWRS
0
. . . . . . . . . .
PWRS EPWR
. . . . . . . . . .
PWRS EPWR
. . . . . . . . . .
PWRS EPWR
PPCU 1 Removed Removed PPCU 0 Removed Removed PPCU 0
LICD LICD LICD

8 7 6
PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD

15 14 13 12 11 10 9
LICD LICD LICD

8 7 6
PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD Removed PPCU 1 LICDS LICD LICD LICD LICD
PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD LICDS LICD LICD LICD LICD
5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
EPWR
0
5 4 3 2 1 0 8
6 5 4
FUSE & ALARM PANEL PLLH PPLD PPLD PPLD PPCC PPCC LICDS LICD LICD PLLH
0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 MPCC MPCC
FUSE & ALARM PANEL PLLH PPLD PPLD PPLD PPCC PPCC LICDS LICD LICD PLLH
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
0 1 0 0
1 0 2 1 0 1 MPCC MPCC
MEMT TDPC SN16 UBEX IXLT DK 40
Figure 6: The BSC module without GPRS (left) and ready for GPRS (right)
DK 40 IXLT UBEX SN16 TDPC MEMT
MEMT TDPC SN16 UBEX IXLT DK 40
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
DK 40 IXLT UBEX SN16 TDPC MEMT
PCU-0 PPCU-0 replaces PPLD-15 (not used on the BSC) in the frame. PPCU-1 substitutes PPLD-12. PPLD-14, PPLD-13, and PPLD-11 are removed from the frame. PCU-1 PPCU-0 substitutes PPLD-8 in the frame, and PPCU-1 replaces PPLD-9. PPLD-10 and PPLD-7 are removed from the frame. The new layout of the BSC module can be seen in Figure 7. The capacity of each PCU is selected via O&M commands in terms of bandwidth reserved on the A bis and Gb interfaces. The minimum bandwidth allowed, the sum of the A bis and Gb interfaces, is 32 * 64 Kbps which means that 4 PPLDs are removed from the system and replaced with two PPCU (0/1) cards.
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PPCC 0
PPCC 1
PPLD 0
PPLD 1
PPLD 2
LICD 0
PPLD 3
PPLD 4
PPLD 5
PPLD 6
SN
LICD 8
PPLD 7 PPLD 8 PPLD 9 PPLD 10
PPLD 11
PPLD 12
PPLD 13
PPLD 14
PPCC 0
PPCC 1
PPLD 0
PPLD 1
PPLD 2
LICD 0
PPLD 3
PPLD 4
PPLD 5
PPLD 6
SN
LICD 8
PPLD 7 PPLD 8 PPLD 9 PPLD 10
PPLD 11
PPLD 12
PPLD 13
PPLD 14
PCU 0
PPCC 0
PPCC 1
PPLD 0
PPLD 1
PPLD 2
LICD 0
PPLD 3
PPLD 4
PPLD 5
PPLD 6
SN
LICD 8
PPLD 7 PPLD 8 PPLD 9 PPLD 10 PCU 1
PPLD 11
PPLD 12
PPLD 13
PPLD 14
PCU 0
Figure 7: Internal BSC physical connections
Table 2 shows the capacity reduction in terms of LAPD channels with GPRS introduction, both for the SN16 and SN64 network cards. Card SN 16 or SN 64 No. of PCU 0 1 2 No. of LAPD channel 112 80 48
Table 2: Number of LAPD channels
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. The maximum number of LAPD channels is obtained by keeping retaining the PPLD-11 frame. The amount of data traffic handled by the PCU depends on the number of Kbps reserved for the PCU unit on the internal connection between SN16 (or SN64) and the PCU.
2.2.3
27 Interfaces and Protocol Stack

In the BSS, GPRS data are carried from the BTS to the SGSN over the A bis and Gb interfaces according to the stack protocol described in Figure 8. Um interface The PDCH is the physical radio interface within GPRS. It differs in channel coding, multiframe structure and MS multiplexing mechanisms from a circuitswitched traffic channel. Abis interface On the Abis interface, GPRS data and RLC / MAC-associated signaling are mainly transferred via 16 Kbps channels in frames of a fixed length of 320 bits, i. e. in PCU frames (an extension of the existing TRAU frames). Gb interface The Gb interface connects the PCU to the GSN via Frame Relay protocol (FR), allowing the exchange of signaling information and user data, also in a multivendor environment. In contrast to the A interface, where a user is provided with a certain physical resource for the duration of the entire connection, a resource on Gb is only assigned when active (while data are being sent or received). Figure 8 shows the protocol stack that is used for data transmission in the GPRS network.
Application
Um
Abis
Gb
IP/X.25/ CLNP SNDCF LLC RLC MAC GSM RF GSM RF

new TRAU frame LLC Relay
SNDCF LLC BSSGP

Frame Relay
GTP
RLC MAC
new TRAU frame
BSSGP
Frame Relay
L2' L1'
MS
BTS
BSC/PCU CU
SGSN
Figure 8: GPRS protocol stack
Figure 9 illustrates the data flow between the several protocol layers on the MS and SGSN.
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Data packet
Data packet
Network Layer
Data packet (encrypted & compressed) SNDCP Layer
LLC frame
Hdr
Info Field FCS Hdr
Info Field FCS
Hdr
Info Field FCS
LLC Layer
RLC frame
Hdr
Info Field FCS Hdr
Info Field FCS
Hdr
Info Field FCS
RLC/MAC Layer
Burst
Burst
Burst
Burst
Burst
Burst
Burst
Physical Layer
Figure 9: Data flows across GPRS protocol layers
2.2.4
28 Network Access
On the air interface, the cell structure organization remains the same as in the actual implementation. An additional identifier is introduced to group the cells supporting GPRS service in the Location Area (LA). This information is named Routing Area (RA) which can be less than or equal to the LA. One LA can include more than one RAs. The mobile stations with access to GPRS service receive information on the service in the System Information (SI) messages on the BCCH channel. SIs 3 and 4 are modified in order to insert parameters for GPRS. The new SIs 13 , 14, 15 are is sent on the air interface carrying all parameters for GPRS network access. In GPRS service, there is no handover: When the mobile station leaves one cell, it starts a cell re-selection procedure. The RR links are disconnected and a new access operation is started. The integrity and sequence of data must beis handled in the RLC layer.
2.2.5
29 Channel Configuration
The packet data logical channels are mapped onto the physical channels that are dedicated to packet data. The physical channel dedicated to packet data traffic is called PDCH. For GPRS, three types of channels have to be considered: Packet Data Traffic Channel (PDTCH) Packet Broadcast Control Channel (PBCCH) Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH) All channels described above are allocated on the BCCH TRX. This ensures that radio planning allows maximum cell power. PDCH channels are "normal" TCH channels allocated, on demand, to a GPRS service. Up to 8 mobile stations can be multiplexed on one PDTCH channel. If a service requires more bandwidth, it is possible to allocate to it up to 7 PDTCHs. This way, these channels are allocated to the same mobile station and they have the same ARFCN, MAIO, HSN, and TSC.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. PBCCH and PCCCH are semi-permanent channels configured with O&M commands. The PDTCH allocation is handled by LV3 Radio, i.e. the master in the radio resource allocation. For each PDTCH, a network connection must be set up in order to connect one 16 Kbps on the Abis interface with one 16 Kbps PDT on the PCU unit. By request of the PCU, the TDPC releases the PDTCH channel. The PBCCH and PCCCH have a semi-permanent connection between one A bis 16 Kbps and one PDT. The radio channels allocated to the PCCCH and PBCCH can no longer be used for normal speech traffic. The BCCH information is also replicated in the PBCCH if it is active in the cell to allow circuit-switched operation, even if the mobile station is monitoring the PBCCH only. In other words, the PBCCH works like a second BCCH for mobile stations supporting GPRS. The PCCCH works like the CCCH in normal operation and as PBCCH - if it is active in the cell - it also carries the information about circuit-switched operation.
2.2.6
30 Network Service Control

The Sub-Network Service entity provides communications service to Network Service Control peer entities. The peer-to-peer communication across the G b interface between remote Network Service Control entities is performed over Network Service Virtual Connections (NSVC). The Network Service Control takes care of the end-to-end NSVCs communication between the PCU and the SGSN. The Network Service Control entity is responsible for the following functions: NSDU transmission The Network Service Data Units (NSDUs) are transmitted on the NSVCs. The NSDUs are encapsulated in the Network Service Control PDUs, which in turn are encapsulated in the Sub-Network Service PDUs. On each NSVC, data are transferred in order. Load sharing The load sharing function distributes the NSDU traffic among the available (i.e. unblocked) NSVCs. NSVC management A blocking procedure is used by an NS entity to inform an NS peer entity when an NSVC becomes unavailable for NS user traffic. An unblocking procedure is used for the reverse operation. A reset procedure is used between peer NS entities in order to set an NSVC to a determined state, after events resulting in possibly inconsistent states of the NSVC on both sides of the G b interface. A test procedure is used to check whether an NSVC is operating properly between peer NS entities. When the Sub-Network Service entity detects that an NSVC becomes unavailable (e.g. DLCI failure detection) or when the NSVC becomes available again (e.g. DLCI failure recovery), the Network Service Control entity is informed.
2.2.7
31 Quality of Service
GSM 03.60 currently specifies five different attributes within the QoS profile associated with each PDP context. These attributes are:
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. Precedence class Delay class Reliability class Peak throughput class Mean throughput class During the QoS profile negotiation between the mobile station and the network, the mobile station can request a value for each QoS attribute; the network always attempts to provide adequate resources to support the negotiated QoS profile. For an uplink data transfer, the QoS profile is communicated by the mobile station as priority information in the PACKET_CHANNEL_REQUEST message. For a downlink data transfer, the BSSGP provides the means to transfer the full QoS profile together with each downlink LLC PDU from the SGSN to the BSS, which is the controller of the media utilization on the radio interface. In the latter case, the following QoS parameters are included in each LLC-PDU transferred to the BSS: Precedence class Peak throughput LLC-PDU lifetime Taking into account the available radio resources and the multislot capabilities of the mobile station, the PCU decides if and how the requested QoS may be satisfied. This means that the core algorithm of the PCU would try to satisfy the requested QoS by acting on many factors, for example changing the coding scheme on the air interface (CS2 has more transfer capacity than CS1), allocating more radio resources (capacity on demand), reshuffling subscribers in the available PDCHs according to the mobile station multislot capabilities, delay of the subscriber according to the subscriber priority, etc. In the first phase of GPRS, the QoS supported is the so-called Best Effort. This means that the PCU main scheduler queues the mobile stations requests without considering the QoS attributes.
2.2.8
32 PCCCH and PBCCH Channel Allocation

To introduce GPRS in the GSM network, new channel types have been specified. The PBCCH works like a secondary BCCH in the supporting GPRS cell. The PCCCH works like a secondary CCCH in the supporting GPRS cell. Both the PBCCH and PCCCH are recognized only by mobile stations supporting GPRS. These two channel types are allocated only on the BCCH carrier. No hopping is admitted for these channels in the SBS. To create these channels means to create a semi-permanent connection between the Abis 16 Kbps channels and one 16 Kbps PDT in one PCU. These channel types can be handled by adding a new parameter to the CHAN creation command in order to specify the combination used for the GPRS channel. The PBCCH or PCCCH creation can be allowed only if the PTPPKF object is created. The PDT is selected automatically by the system.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. Since, from the BTS point of view, these channels are managed in a completely different way than the other common control channels, the BTS is notified of the creation of these channels.
Create Channel PBCCH/PCCCH
Update Data Base of MPCC / TDPC Allocation Possible
No
Request Network Connection between Abis /PDT
Yes
Send Data Base to PCU
PTPPKF Created
No
Yes
Choose PDT on serving PCU CREATE NACK
Send Data Base to BTS
Request to send System Information to TL3RD
PDT Available
No
CREATE NACK
Yes
Figure 10: Logical flow chart of a CREATE PBCCH / BCCCH command The framing of these channels is managed by the PCU directly. The mobile stations are notified via a SI message on the BCCH channel that these channels are active in a cell. Special SI called Packet System Information (PSI) is sent on the PBCCH and PCCCH. When mobile stations that support GPRS mode are in a cell supporting GPRS service and where these kinds of channels are allocated, they listen to the information broadcast on these channels instead of to the one broadcast on the BCCH. Figure 10 represents the logical operational flow to be performed for the allocation of the PCCCH / PBCCH. These channels are created in the "Locked" state, that means that no power can be sent on them until the UNLOCK command is performed.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. The PCU is informed of the availability of the channels because it needs to know when they can be used. When the channel is working, the channel is transmitting at the power of the BCCH-TRX. Locking the PBCCH or PCCCH means to switch off the power at the BTS side and stop using it for paging and access grant on the PCU side. Framing of channel and SI transmission is continued. The GPRS service in the cell can be provided, even if no PBCCHs or PCCCHs are configured or available.
2.2.9
33 PDCH Channel Allocation Strategy

PDCHs are "normal" channels dynamically allocated for GPRS service. The allocation of a PDCH is performed on the BCCH-TRX carrier only. The resource allocation / deallde-allocation is driven by the PPCU software; the selection of the channel and the channel activation / release to the BTS is performed by the TL3RD. The rules for the PDTCH allocation in multislot configuration are as follows: Same frequency hopping law Same training sequence code Adjacent timeslot number A maximum of 7 timeslots allocated per mobile station The first two rules must be observed during configuration, which means that all TCH on the BCCH carrier must abide by the same hopping law and the same training sequence code. The third law is observed dynamically for the timeslot selection. If a request for a new PDCH comes from the PCU, the TL3RD system tries to allocate a new PDCH adjacent to the previous one. In the case of no free timeslots adjacent to the busy one, the adjacent timeslots are in a stable call state, and there is at least one free channel in the cell, a forced intracell handover is initiated in order to move the call camped in the adjacent timeslot to another one (see Figure 11). Because the intracell handover procedure needs more than 1.5 sec, a packet queuing report is sent to the PCU software in order to keep the channel allocation in standby state. In the case of channel locking (PBCCH, PCCCH, and PDTCH) the PDT and the corresponding radio channels are released to the idle state. A maximum of 7 PDCHs can be allocated for each cell; this parameter can be set by an O&M command for each PTPPKF.
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BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Busy 3 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5 PBCCH timeslots 0 - 7 BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Busy 3 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5
Intracell HO tried and successful for Busy 3 stable state call

Other Channels
Busy 6 Free 1 Busy 7 Free 2 Busy 8 Busy 9 Free 3 Busy 0
BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Free 4 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5
Other Channels
Busy 6 Busy 3 Busy 7 Free 2 Busy 8 Busy 9 Free 3 Busy 0
BCCH TS 0
BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Busy 3 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5 PBCCH Time Slots 0 - 7 BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Busy 3 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5
Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 PDT 1 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5
Busy x: TS allocated to a call Free x: TS not allocated PDT x: TS used by GPRS MS
Intracell HO Tried & Successful for Busy 3 stable state Call

Other Channels
Busy 6 Free 1 Busy 7 Free 2 Busy 8 Busy 9 Free 3 Busy 0
BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Free 4 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5
Other Channels
Busy 6 Busy 3 Busy 7 Free 2 Busy 8 Busy 9 Free 3 Busy 0
BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 PDT 1 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5
Busy x: TS allocated to some call Free x: TS not allocated PDT x: TS used by GPRS-MS
Figure 11: PDTCH multislot strategy allocation
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2.2.10
34 System Information Management

System Information messages (SIs) are regularly broadcast by the network on the BCCH and the busy TCH. SI broadcasts can be grouped in 6 classes as described in GSM 04.07 based on the information they contain. On the basis of this information, the mobile station is able to decide whether and how it may gain access to the network via the current cell. With the introduction of GPRS, the SI 3 and 4 rest octets are modified, while SIs 13, 14, 15 are is added. In addition, if the PBCCH is allocated to the cell, new System Information called Packet System Information (PSI), required by GPRS, is broadcast on this new logical channel. All mobile stations camping in a GPRS-supporting service cell in which PCCH is allocated, listen to the PSI instead of to the traditional SIs. A GPRS mobile station reading the PCCH can receive non-GPRS paging incoming from the network, because on this GPRS broadcast channel traditional SI is also sent to guarantee this event. When a mobile station moves to a new cell, it switches to the BCCH. The mobile station listens to the SIs 3, 4, 7 or 8. If the cell does not support GPRS, the mobile station cannot perform packet access to the network. If the cell supports GPRS, the mobile station reads SI 13. A mobile station that has read SI 13 but without first having read SIs 3, 4, 7 or 8 may assume that the current cell supports GPRS service. System Information 3 and 4 These messages are broadcast on the BCCH. They contain new additional information about supporting GPRS service in the cell. System Information 13 This message is broadcast on the BCCH only if GPRS is supported in the cell. It indicates: If the PCCCH is active in the cell: If the PCCCH is not configured, the mobile station in idle packet mode optionally reads SIs 14 and 15 (containing necessary information related to GPRS), then continues to read SI 13 according to GSM 05.08. In case the PCCCH is active in the cell, additional SI related to GPRS is sent on the PBCCH. If SIs 14 are available in the cell: In this case the mobile station is not allowed to initiate packet access until it has obtained a consistent set of SI 14 information. If SI 1 is necessary for packet access in the cell: In this case, the mobile station is not allowed to initiate packet access until it has obtained SI 1. The MA_CHANGE_MARK and IM_CHANGE_MARK when SIs 14 and 15 are available in the cell. The availability of SI 13 is sent on the BCCH using the SIs 3, 4 and, if sent, 7 or 8. System Information 14 This message is broadcast on the BCCH only if indicated in SI 13. It indicates: If RF hopping channels are used for packet data channels in the cell.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. SI 14 is needed only if RF hopping channels are used for packet data channels in the cell. The availability of SI 14 is sent on the BCCH using SI 13. System Information 15 This message is broadcast on the BCCH only if indicated in SI 13. It indicates: If the mobile station performs interference measurement (see GSM 05.08). The presence of SI 15 is sent on the BCCH using SI 13. If the mobile station is not able to read SI 13 in the cell, it performs a complete refresh of the information provided in SI 14 and SI 15. If the mobile station receives an MA_CHANGE_MARK and/or IM_CHANGE_MARK value that does not match with the change mark value last received with the corresponding set of SI 14 or SI 15, the mobile station deletes the corresponding information set. The mobile station then reads the corresponding SIs until it has obtained a consistent set of the required information. The MA_CHANGE_MARK and IM_CHANGE_MARK information is regularly broadcast in SI 13 when SI 14 and SI 15 are available in the cell. The mobile station may, e.g. also receive such information in an assignment message. Packet System Information 1 PSI 1 is sent by the network on the PBCCH or PACCH giving information for cell selection, for control of the PRACH, for the description of the control channel(s) and optional global power control parameters. Special requirements for the transmission of this message apply on the PBCCH, see (GSM 05.02). Packet System Information 2 PSI 2 is sent by the network on the PBCCH or PACCH giving information on reference frequency lists, mobile station allocations and PCCCH channel descriptions applicable for packet access in the cell. A consistent set of these messages is required to completely decode the information. Packet System Information 3 PSI 3 is sent by the network on the PBCCH or PACCH giving information on the BCCH allocation in the adjacent cells and cell selection parameters for serving cells and non-serving cells. Special requirements for the transmission of this message apply on the PBCCH, (see GSM 05.02). Packet System Information 3 bis This optional message is sent by the network on the PBCCH and PACCH giving information on the BCCH allocation in the adjacent cells and cell selection parameters for non-serving cells. If the entire information does not fit into one PSI 3 bis message, the PSI 3 bis message can be repeated. Special requirements for the transmission of this message apply on the PBCCH (, see GSM 05.02). Packet System Information 4 PSI 4 is optionally sent by the network on the PBCCH and PACCH giving information for directing the mobile station to make measurements on a list of serving cell PDCHs, during the idle frame of those PDCHs. Special requirements for the transmission of this message apply on the PBCCH, see (GSM 05.02). Packet System Information 5 This optional message is sent by the network on the PBCCH or PACCH giving information for measurement reporting and network-controlled cell reselection. If the entire information does not fit into one message, the remaining information will be sent in the PSI 5 bis message. The message is sent on PBCCH only if so indicated in PSI 1. Packet System Information 5 bis This optional message is sent by the network on the PBCCH or PACCH giving
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. information for measurement reporting and network-controlled cell reselection. If the entire information does not fit into one message, the remaining information will be sent in the PSI 5 bis message. The message is sent on PBCCH only if so indicated in PSI 5. Packet System Information 6 PSI 6 is sent by the network on the PBCCH giving information for scheduling of the PBCCH messages. In GSM networks, SI formatting is carried out by the TDPC, which sends them to the BTS to be broadcast on the cells after having updated all SIs. In GPRS / GSM networks, PSI, with the PCCCH active in the BSS area, must also be broadcast, again supported by the TDPC. For this reason, the TDPC reads all parameters needed by SI 1 to SI 153 and by PSI 1 to PSI 6 from its own database. After having formatted all / only-modified PSI, the TDPC sends them to the PCU which broadcasts the PSI on the air.
2.2.11
35 Paging Management
If in packet idle mode for mobile stations supporting GPRS the PCCCH is active in the serving cell, the mobile station listens to the PBCCH and to the corresponding paging sub-channels. If the PCCCH is not active in the considered cell, the mobile station listens to the BCCH and to the corresponding paging subchannels. Paging sub-channels are, in any case, monitored according to the paging groups determined for the mobile station in packet idle mode (defined in GSM 05.02) and its current DRX mode (defined in GSM 04.60 and GSM 05.02). Paging for GPRS is performed in the RA instead of in the LA as in standard GSM. Moreover, if a mobile station is in transfer mode, it can be paged in the cell where it is camping. GPRS-Paging Using Paging Sub-channel on the CCCH This type of paging is used to send paging information to mobile stations in idle mode and in packet idle mode if the PCCCH is not active in the cell. Three types of paging messages can be broadcast on this channel: PAGING REQUEST TYPE 1 PAGING REQUEST TYPE 2 PAGING REQUEST TYPE 3 as described in GSM 04.07. Paging request messages can include more than one mobile station, as well as priority levels related to the mobile station identification. For GPRS, just as for the well-known standard GSM service, a paging channel in combination with DRX can also be organized. If a mobile station chooses to use the DRX mode (as indicated in Classmark), it indicates to the network to which additional paging groups it listens, which allows acceptable access delay and/or acceptable battery consumption and/or the QoS needed by the application. A mobile station using DRX is only required to monitor the PCH blocks belonging to its paging group in the same way as in GSM 05.02. A mobile station not using DRX is required to monitor every PCH block on the same CCCH as for DRX. Paging reorganization is supported in the same way as for circuit-switched GSM.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. The internal network message flow is as follows: The SGSN, knowing how to use the DRX, sends a paging message to all PCUs supporting the proper RA. This message includes the information whether or not the DRX is used and, through the SPLIT_PG_CYCLE parameter, if the enhanced DRX mechanism is used. The PCU forwards the PACKET PAGING REQUEST message combined with the requested paging parameters over the internal interface to the BSC. The BSC calculates the proper paging group and forwards, per LAPD connection, the PACKET PAGING REQUEST Packet Paging Request messages to the paging queues inside the BTS. Additionally, the BSC evaluates all needed DRX parameters which have to be broadcast on the BCCH. The BTS queues all PACKET PAGING REQUEST Packet Paging Request messages and sends them, sorted by first-in first-out, on the PCHs in the CCCH multiframe. GPRS-Paging Using Paging Sub-channel on the PCCCH This type of paging is used to send paging information to mobile stations in packet idle mode if the PCCCH is active in the cell. The initiation procedure and paging request are specified in GSM 04.60. A mobile station using the DRX is required to monitor the PPCH. A mobile station not using the DRX is required to monitor every PPCH block on the same PCCCH as for the DRX. Paging reorganization may be supported in the same way as for circuit-switched GSM. The internal network message flow is as follows: The SGSN, knowing how to use the DRX, sends a paging message to all PCUs located in the proper RA. This message includes the information whether or not the DRX is used and, through the SPLIT_PG_CYCLE parameter, if the enhanced DRX mechanism is used. The PCU calculates the proper paging group and adds all PACKET PAGING REQUEST Packet Paging Request messages on its paging group queues. Additionally, the PCU evaluates all needed DRX parameters which have to be broadcast on the PBCCH. The PCU includes the PACKET PAGING REQUEST messages into the RLC / MAC blocks and schedules the messages into the PDCH multiframes which contain the PCCCH. The RLC / MAC blocks are transferred via TRAU frames to the BTS, which transmits the PACKET REQUEST Packet Request message immediately. GPRS-Paging Using Paging Sub-channel on the PACCH This type of paging is used to send paging information to mobile stations in packet transfer mode, if the PCCCH is active in the cell. The initiation procedure and paging request are specified in GSM 04.60. GPRS Mobile Classes and Crossed-paging Types
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. Three classes of GPRS mobiles stations are defined: Class A Simultaneous and independent execution for both circuit-switched and GPRS operation is possible. Therefore, the class A mobile station uses two independent receivers / transmitters. (The class A mobile station is a typical high-end MS.) Class B Simultaneous execution of circuit-switched and GPRS operation is possible, but the quality of service of a GPRS operation may decrease in the case of a pending or established circuit-switched connection. The minimum requirement is sequential support of the services, whereas the mobile station must be able to monitor the common control channelCCCH. (The class B mobile station is a typical all-purpose MS.) Class C Alternate use of circuit-switched and GPRS operation is possible. The mobile station supports either GPRS operation only or both circuit-switched and GPRS operation. In the latter case, only one service at a time is available by default or manual pre-selection. That means, a class C mobile station is either a GPRS or a non-GPRS mobile station. (The class C mobile station with exclusive GPRS capability is a typical low-cost MS for GPRS supporting a particular application.) Therefore, the introduction of GPRS in the GSM networks introduces a new concept in the management of paging message transmission, because a class A or B mobile station can be paged during data packet transfer for a traditional speech call or vice versa. In the case of a class A mobile station, no problems will arise because the two calls can be managed independently. In the case of a class C mobile station, no problems are expected because it supports only one mode at a time. In the case of a class B mobile station, it is necessary to perform different actions than the ones carried out till now. GPRS-Paging to Class B Mobile Stations During Speech Calls If, in a BSS, a paging message arrives from an SGSN node for a class B mobile station busy in a circuit-switched (originating / terminated) call, it is necessary that the PCU asks the TDPC to perform paging to the addressed mobile station. Since the mobile stations position in the RA is known, the TDPC scans the list of the cells belonging to the addressed RA and sends a paging message on the PCH channel to each of them. The addressed mobile station reads the paging message and can decide whether to to stop the conversation and start normal procedures for this case, to ignore to read the paging and continue the current speech call, or to put on hold the current conversation, switch to GPRS as long as data are transferred and, afterwards, switch back to non-GPRS mode to retrieve the first call. Paging a Class B Mobile Station During Data Transfer Mode
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. If, in a BSS, a paging message arrives from an SGSN node for a class B mobile station busy in a circuit-switched (originating / terminated) call, it is necessary that the PCU asks the TDPC to perform paging to the addressed mobile station. Since the mobile stations position in the RA is known, the TDPC scans the list of the cells belonging to the addressed RA and sends a paging message on the PCH channel to each of them. The addressed mobile station reads the paging message and can decide whether to to stop the conversation and start normal procedures for this case, to ignore to read the paging and continue the current speech call, or to put on hold the current conversation, switch to GPRS as long as data are transferred and, afterwards, switch back to non-GPRS mode to retrieve the first call. Paging a Class B Mobile Station in a GPRS-supporting Cell in Standby State If, in a BSS, a paging arrives from the MSC for a class B mobile station while it camps in a cell supporting GPRS and is in standby state so its LA is known , the TDPC needs to scan the list of the cells belonging to the addressed LA. Then, for each cell belonging to the addressed area and in which a PCCCH is not allocated, the TDPC sends a paging message on the PCH, while for each cell in the addressed area and in which a PCCCH is allocated, it asks the PCU to perform a paging. The PCU then broadcasts a paging message on the PPCH for each of the indicated cells. The addressed mobile station reads on the paging channel, listens to the paging message sent, and can switch back to non-GPRS mode to begin normal procedures to obtain a circuit-switched connection for the time required by the conversation and, finally, switches back to GPRS if the cell where it is located again supports this service.
2.2.12
36 Uplink Access to the Network by Mobile Stations

Access to the GPRS network uses a slotted-aloha protocol and is performed by sending a traditional 8 bit access burst type (GSM 05.01). According In line withto the ETSI specifications, a new enhanced access burst type with 11 information bits can be sent by the mobile station to try toto attempt access to the GPRS network. It depends on the network whether this one or the other message is used: the capability of the network to receive messages of 8 or 11 bit length is broadcast by the ACCESS_BURST_TYPE SI parameter that indicates the permitted access length; the 8 bits length is called "one phase access method" and the 11 bits length "two phase access method". In the one phase access, the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST is answered by the network with the PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT reserving the resources on PDCH(s) for uplink transfer of a number of radio blocks. This reservation is carried out according to the information on the requested resources that is comprised in the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST. On the RACH, there is only one cause value available for denoting GPRS and the network can only assign uplink resources on 1 or 2 PDCH(s) or two different priorities. One phase access on PCCCH and CCCH is used in the case of paging response, cell update, and MM procedure, as well as in all cases where the MS need not send more information than the MS class and priority.
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. In the two phase access, the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST is answered with the PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT which reserves the uplink resources for transmitting the PACKET RESOURCE REQUEST. The PACKET RESOURCE REQUEST message carries the complete description of the requested resources for the uplink transfer. This message is already sent on the assigned PDCH(s) in the PACKET ASSOCIATED CONTROL CHANNEL (PACCH). This channel is a transparent link between the mobile station and the PCU. If the number of PDCH(s) in the cell needs to be increased, the PCU requests additional channels from the BSC. Afterwards, the PCU responds on the PACCH with the PACKET RESOURCE ASSIGNMENT reserving resources for the uplink transfer. Two phase access on PCCCH and CCCH is used in the case of data transfer in unacknowledged mode as well as in all cases described for one phase access when additional information needs to be carried in the access phase. The mobile station is always able to override the one phase access by sending the PACKET RESOURCE REQUEST on the assigned resource to initiate the two phase access. The PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message includes the Timing Advance (TA) and Power Control (PC) information. If there is no response to the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST within a pre-defined time period, the mobile station initiates a retry after a random back-off algorithm as defined in the existing GSM. The mobile station request may also be rejected via a PACKET ACCESS REJECT message on the same PCCCH on which the channel requests were received. Currently, more PACKET CHANNEL REQUESTS can be received than can be served within a certain time limit. To handle this, the PCU sends a PACKET QUEUING NOTIFICATION to the mobile station. The message is transferred as an internal message from the PCU to the BSC and per LAPD to the BTS, and is then sent on the AGCH to the mobile station. The notification includes information that the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST message has been correctly received correctly and a PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT may be sent later. The PACKET QUEUING NOTIFICATION can be concatenated with the PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT to another mobile station in the same downlink radio block. If the TA information becomes inaccurate for a mobile station, the PACKET POLLING can be used to estimate the new TA before issuing the PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT. Therefore, the PCU decides to send a message to the BSC and per LAPD to the BTS, and then sends the PACKET POLLING on the PCH. The mobile station responds with a PACKET POLLING RESPONSE message, which is encoded in an access burst. When the mobile station initiates the transmission of a CHANNEL REQUEST message, it ignores the PAGING REQUEST messages. A mobile station belonging to class A or B continues to monitor its paging subchannel on the CCCH if it is a GPRS mobile station class B, then it can decide whether or not to abort the access procedure. Uplink Access on the CCCH A mobile station initiates a packet transfer by sending a PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST on the RACH (8 information bits). The BTS decodes the burst and sends the contents combined with measurement information per LAPD link to the BSC. The TDPC, as the manager of the radio resources, activates a PDTCH in the cell, if not active, and sends its identity to the PCU (including the cell ID). In
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. case the GPRS resource is not enough, the PCU will ask for an additional PDTCH. After successful channel activation at the BTS, the BSC switches a connection (via SN-16) between the PCU and the PDTCH(s) and delivers the PDTCH ID(s) to the PCU, which reserve the TFI and one or more USFs. The established PDCH(s), the TFI and the USF(s) are then included in the PACKET UPLINK ASSIGNMENT to the mobile station via LAPD on the AGCH. Uplink Access on the PCCCH A mobile station initiates a packet transfer by sending a PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST on the PRACH. The PRACH can be more or less dynamically allocated on block basis (four consecutive bursts) by the PCU. Therefore, the PCU needs to inform the receiver of the BTS that uplink capacity is provided on the uplink for sending PACKET CHANNEL REQUESTS. On the PRACH, more efficient new 11 information bit access bursts can be used. Therefore, the BTS needs an O&M command with the information which kinds of access burst have to be decoded on all PDCH(s) in the cell. The mobile station gets the information on the network capability for receiving the new access burst type by a specific broadcast message. The extra three bits enhance the information contents to make one phase access more probable. The BTS decodes the burst and sends the contents together with the measurement information per TRAU frame to the PCU. If additional PDCH(s) need to be allocated in the cell, the PCU requests channel(s) from the BSC, which manages the common pool of radio resources between GPRS and circuit-switched connections. Therefore a priority and preemption mechanism is necessary. A circuit-switched call is given priority over a GPRS call. Whenever a new GPRS call is set up and no timeslot is available on the BCCH, an intracell handover is made for the circuit-switched call. If no space is available, a directed retry is carried out. If this does not work either, the existing GPRS calls are downgraded (e.g. 2 timeslots on one timeslot). If this fails, too, the call is rejected. For a new circuit-switched call, an intracell handover is first carried out on existing circuit-switched calls. If this does not work, a cell selection/re-selection is carried out for the existing GPRS calls. Then, the other GPRS calls are downgraded as described above. As last option, a GPRS call may be disconnected (circuitswitched prioritized over GPRS). Afterwards, the PCU assigns a PDCH(s) to the mobile station. This assignment is an RLC block which is transferred with the help of a TRAU frame from the PCU to the BTS and is then sent on the PAGCH. As described in the above section, two different access methods are possible. But since more code points are available on the PRACH (11 bit AB is used) there is less need for the two phase access. If there is no response to the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST within a pre-defined period, the mobile station initiates a retry after a random back-off time defined by the GPRS specific back-off algorithm. The mobile station request may also be rejected via a PACKET ACCESS REJECT message on the same PCCCH on which the channel request was received. More PACKET CHANNEL REQUESTS can be received than can be served within a certain time limit. To handle this, the PCU sends an RLC block called PACKET QUEUING NOTIFICATION via TRAU frame to the BTS and then on the PAGCH to the
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. mobile station. The notification includes the information that the PACKET CHANNEL REQUEST message has been received correctly and a PACKET IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT may be sent later. If the TA information becomes inaccurate for the mobile station, an RLC block called PACKET POLLING is sent on the PPCH to the mobile station. The mobile station responds with a PACKET POLLING RESPONSE message, which is encoded in an access burst.
2.3
37 Recommendations
Relevant GSM recommendations GSM No. (ETSI TS) 02.60, 03.03, 03.20, 03.60, 03.64, 04.07, 04.08, 04.604, 05.01, 05.02, 054.0865, 08.14, 08.16, 08.18, 09.02, 09.60, 09.61
Implementation according to GSM
2.4
38 Remarks
BR5.5 features the following restrictions with respect to the standard: No support of BTS downlink power control (BCCH carrier used for PDCH allocations) No SMS support via GPRS ?? GPRS measurement results are reported "by file" No 51-multiframe for GPRS channels Abis transport mechanism is a proprietary PCU frame format No extended cell ?? In the PCU, no segmentation and re-assembling is foreseen and there is no flow control mechanism for uplink queues. The CS3 and CS4 coding schemes are not used No upgrade from CS1 to CS2 or vice versa "Best Effort" is the only QoS to be supported Only point-to-point service possible (without connection according to IP V4)
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. No handover functionality in GPRS MS controlled cell re-selection only (no network driven cell re-selection)
2.5
39 Man Machine Interface (Operator)

The Radio Commander (Operation and Maintenance Center for the BSS OMC-B) provides O&M functions to manage GPRS features: Gb and Um interface configurations PCU Fault and Maintenance functions, and Performance Measurements. These O&M functions for GPRS will be available from the OMC-B (via the existing O interface and the BSCs) as well as from the LMT. With the introduction of GPRS, the network provider is able to: Verify the correct dimensioning of the GPRS network (for short- and long-term planning) Check the parameters of the GPRS network planning Provide fine-tuning of the GPRS network configuration parameters Determine the QoS and performance of the GPRS network Objects The following new objects have been modelledmodeled and can be accessed via O&M commands: FRL (Frame Relay Link) object This is a functional object representing the physical link connection on the G b interface. NSVC (Network Service Virtual Connection) object This is a functional object representing the end-to-end communication between the BSS and the SGSN. PCMG (PCM line on the Gb interface) object This is a functional object representing the direct physical connection between the BSC and the SGSN. This line carries 32 timeslots of 64 Kbps that can handle a maximum of 31 FRLs. PCU (Packet Control Unit) object This is a functional object representing a PCU designed to implement GPRS in the SBS. Each PCU is able to handle a maximum of 64 PDTs on the A bis interface and a maximum of 16 FRLs on the Gb interface. The number of PDTs and the number of FRLs can be selected when creating the PCU object. One level of addressing is provided for the PCU: the PCU number (range: 0 to 1). The PCU can be considered "Enabled" when one super-ordinate PPCU is providing service. All attributes that are common for all subordinated objects (FRL, NSVC, PTPPKF) are inserted on the PCU object in order to avoid duplicate data and keep it easier to configure GPRS on the SBS. According to this idea, both
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. PPCU cards are implicitly handled, from the configuration point of view, acting on the PCU functional object, i.e. the creation of the PCU implies the creation of the couple pair of cards and the deletion of the PCU implies the deletion of both the cards. This way, it is possible to manage all the hierarchy acting on the single PCU object instead of two cards. PPCU (Peripheral Packet Control Unit) object This is an equipment object representing the new card designed to implement the PCU unit. The PPCU objects are provided in redundant configuration (active / cold standby) for each PCU. Each card is able to handle a maximum of 2 Mbps of data transmission split in two parts: Abis and Gb interface. The throughput in both interfaces is can be selectedable via configuration commands on the PCU objects. Two levels of addressing are provided for the PPCU. The first is the PCU number (range: 0 to 1), the second one is the PPCU copy (range: 0 to 1). The PPCU can be considered "Enabled" only after the software has been correctly loaded correctly. The PPCU object cannot be directly created or deleted directly by the operator, but it is implicitly equipped during the creation of the PCU object and deleted with the PCU deletion. PTPPKF (Point-to-point Packet Function) object This is a functional object representing the presence of GPRS in a specific cell. The state of this object allows or refuses the service in the cell. The state of the PTPPKF object can be affected by a BTS state change, a specific command on the object, or by a state change on the NSVC object.
Commands Table 3 gives an overview of all commands allowed ("Yes") or not allowed ("No") for each new GPRS-specific object introduced in the SBS system. Configuration command Object
CREATE DELETE SET GET LOCK UNLOC K SWITCH GET
State command
FRL NSVC PCMG PCU PPCU PTPPKF
Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
No No No No Yes No
Table 3: O&M commands for GPRS specific objects
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2.6
40 Man Machine Interface (User)

Not applicable.
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3
3.1
41
Additional Impacts
42 Interworking with Other Features

With the features of the GPRS, there is interworking with: the hardware for GSN point-to-point service (GPRS is the basis for point-to-point) GPRS constitutes the basis for the following sales features: GPRS volume-dependent charging (SF060002) GPRS point-to-point service (SF060003) GPRS Performance Management (SF060004) SR8 GPRS-HLR interface (SF000612) ??
3.2
43 Prerequisites
The following is required: Hardware for PCU BSC must support the Gb interface according the respective ETSI standard
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44
AGCH ARFCN ARQ BEC BCS BSC BSN BSS BSSGP BTS BTSE CCCH CCU CLNP CS CT DLCI DRX ETSI FEC FR GGSN GPRS GSM GSN GTP HSN IP Kbps LA LAN LAPD LIC LLC
Abbreviations
Access Grant Channel Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number Automatic Request Backwards Error Corrections Block Check Sequence Base Station Controller Block Sequence Number Base Station System BSS GPRS Protocol Base Transceiver Station Base Transceiver Station Equipment Common Control Channel Channel Codec Unit Connectionless Network Protocol Coding Scheme Craft Terminal Data Link Connection Identifier Discontinuous Reception European Telecommunications Standards Institute Forward Error Correction Frame Relay (protocol) Gateway GPRS Support Node General Packet Radio Service Global System for Mobile Communications GPRS Support Node?? GPRS Tunneling Protocol Hopping Sequence Number Internet Protocol Kilobits per second Location Area Local Area Network Link Access Protocol for D Channel Link Interface Concentrator Logical Link Control
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. LMT MAC MAIO Mbps MP MPCC MS NS NSDU NS-SDU NSVC O&M OMC-B PACCH PAGCH PBCCH PC PC PCCCH PCH PCM PCU PDCH PDP PDT PDTCH PDU PPCH PPCU PPLD PRACH PSDN PSI PTCH PTPPKF PVC QoS Local Maintenance Terminal Medium Access Control Mobile Allocation Index Offset Megabits per second Main Processor Main Processor Control Card Mobile Station Network Service Network Service Data Unit Network Service-Service Data Units Network Service Virtual Connections Operation and Maintenance Operation and Maintenance Center for the BSS Packet-Associated Control Channel Packet Access Grant Channel Packet Broadcast Control Channel Personal Computer Power Control Packet Common Control Channel Paging Channel Pulse Code Modulation Packet Control Unit Packet Data Channel Packet Data Protocol Packet Data Terminal Packet Data Transfer Channel Packet Data Unit Packet Paging Channel Peripheral Packet Control Unit Peripheral Processor for LAPD Channels Packet Random Access Channel Packet Switched Data Networks Packet System Information message Packet Transfer Channel Point-to-point Packet Function Permanent Virtual Connections Quality of Service
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D900/ D1800/ D1900 Base Station Subsystem Feature DescriptionError! Use the Home tab to apply berschrift 1 to the text that you want to appear here. RA RACH RF RLC RR SBS SDCCH SF SGSN SI SMS SNDCF TA TCH TDMA TDPC TFI TRAU TRX TS TSC UMTS USF Routing Area Random Access Channel Radio Frequency Radio Link Control Radio Resource Siemens Base Station System Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel Sales Feature (description) Serving GPRS Support Node System Information message Short Message Service Sub-Network Dependent Convergence Function Timing Advance Traffic Channel Time Division Multiple Access Telephony and Distributor Processor Card Temporary Frame Identifier Transcoder and Rate Adaption Unit Transceiver Timeslot Technical Service Center ?? Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Uplink State Flag
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D900/ D1800/ D1900

D900/ D1800/ D1900 Feature Description

Base Station Subsystem List of Figures

Document Change Log

This document consists of a total of 55 pages.

D900/ D1800/ D1900 Feature Description

Base Station Subsystem List of Figures

D900/ D1800/ D1900 Feature Description

Base Station Subsystem List of Figures

Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH) group:

Packet Transfer Channel (PTCH) group:

Sig msg 2 USF=7

GPRS Impacts on BSS

Function Split between BTS (CCU) and BSC (PCU)

Figure 3: CCU and PCU location

1.1.4 1.1.5 6 Protocols and Interfaces

IP/X.25/ CLNP SNDCF LLC RLC MAC GSM RF GSM RF

SNDCF LLC BSSGP

7 Customer Benefits (Operator)

Improvement of Quality of Service

Improvement of Resources Management

12 Customer Benefits (Subscriber)

BTS OMC LMT

Table 1: Implementation impacts on network entities

18 Man Machine Interface (Operator)

19 Man Machine Interface (User)

23 Functionality for the Operator

The operator is able to manage

TRAU Frame TRAU Frame TRAU Frame TRAU Frame

Figure 5: PCU as multiplexer and router

26 PCU and PPCU Internal Structure

PPCU 1 Removed Removed PPCU 0 Removed Removed PPCU 0

LICD LICD LICD

PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD PPLD

LICD LICD LICD

MEMT TDPC SN16 UBEX IXLT DK 40

DK 40 IXLT UBEX SN16 TDPC MEMT

MEMT TDPC SN16 UBEX IXLT DK 40

DK 40 IXLT UBEX SN16 TDPC MEMT

Figure 7: Internal BSC physical connections

Table 2: Number of LAPD channels

27 Interfaces and Protocol Stack

IP/X.25/ CLNP SNDCF LLC RLC MAC GSM RF GSM RF

SNDCF LLC BSSGP

Figure 8: GPRS protocol stack

Data packet (encrypted & compressed) SNDCP Layer

Info Field FCS Hdr

Info Field FCS

Info Field FCS

Info Field FCS Hdr

Info Field FCS

Info Field FCS

Figure 9: Data flows across GPRS protocol layers

30 Network Service Control

32 PCCCH and PBCCH Channel Allocation

Create Channel PBCCH/PCCCH

Update Data Base of MPCC / TDPC Allocation Possible

Send Data Base to BTS

Request to send System Information to TL3RD

33 PDCH Channel Allocation Strategy

Intracell HO tried and successful for Busy 3 stable state call

Busy 6 Free 1 Busy 7 Free 2 Busy 8 Busy 9 Free 3 Busy 0

BCCH TS 0 Busy 1 Busy 2 PDT 0 Free 4 Busy 4 Free 0 Busy 5