Information & Communications Technology

GPRS Overview
2.1 GPRS Net w or k Cover age Ar ea

In GSM, the network is divided into several MSC/VLR service areas. Each MSC/VLR
spans over a group of Location Areas (LAs), which are sets of cells. Figure 2-1 illustrates
a simplified example of the GSM network service areas. The network is shown to be
divided into 5 LAs and 2 MSC/VLR service areas. The thick line in the figure is used to
show the separation between the two service areas. In GPRS on the other hand, a group
of cells is called a RA (Routing Area). The SGSN controls a service area containing
several RAs. There may not be a direct mapping between SGSN and MSC/VLR service
areas but a RA is a subset of one, and only one, LA. GPRS has chosen a different layout
from GSM (i.e., RAs instead of LAs) to allow for signaling and paging over geographically
smaller areas and thus, a better optimization of radio resources. One possible
implementation of GPRS in the existing GSM network of Figure 2-1 is shown in Figure 2-
2. The example suggests 3 SGSN service areas to span over 11 RAs. The reader should
be aware that the example is simplified to illustrate the difference between GSM and
GPRS service areas. In a real network implementation, the layout is decided by the
operator of the network.


Fig 2-1
GSM Network Service Area



Fig 2-2
-13-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview
GPRS Network Service Area
2.2 Pr ot oc ol St ac k
The GPRS protocol stack from a BSS perspective is shown in Figure 2-3. The layers are
described in the following list. The first layer is implemented in the BTS. The Packet
Control Unit (PCU), which is new hardware in the BSC, handles the other BSS protocol
layers.

Fig 2-3
GPRS Protocol Stack

1. GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) tunnels user data and signaling between GSN in the
GPRS backbone network. The GTP encapsulates all Point-To-Point (PTP) Packet Data
Protocol (PDP) Packet Data Units (PDUs). GTP provides mechanisms for flow control
between GSNs if required.

2. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) carries PDUs in the GPRS backbone network for
protocols that need a reliable data link, e.g. X.25. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) carries
PDUs for protocols that do not need a reliable link, e.g. IP.

3. IP is the GPRS backbone network protocol used for routing user data and signaling.

4. The SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol (SNDCP) is situated below the
network layer and above the Logical Link Control (LLC) layer in the MS and the SGSN,
as shown in Figure 2-3.
SNDCP performs the following subfunctions:
-14-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview -15-
Multiplexing of data packets from one or several applications onto one logical
link.
Compression of redundant protocol control information and user data. This may
include e.g. TCP/IP header compression and V.42 bis data compression.
Segmentation and reassembly. The output of the compression subfunctions are
segmented to maximum-length LLC frames, also called LLC Packet Data Unit
(LLC PDU)

5. The LLC protocol provides a reliable logical link between the MS and its SGSN. LLC
provides the services necessary to maintain a ciphered data link between an MS and an
SGSN. The LLC connection is maintained as the MS moves between cells served by the
same SGSN. The LLC layer supports:
Procedures for transferring LLC PDUs between the MS and SGSN, both in
acknowledged and unacknowledged mode.
Procedures for detecting and recovering from lost or corrupted LLC PDUs.
Procedures for flow control and ciphering of LLC PDUs between the MS and the
SGSN
Note that the logical link is sent transparently through the BSC and that all signaling
messages directed to the BSC will go from the MS through the BSC to the SGSN, which
then returns it back to BSC.

6. The relay function is different depending on whether it is in BSS or in SGSN. In BSS it
relays LLC PDUs between the Um and Gb interfaces. In SGSN it relays PDP PDUs
between the Gb and Gn interfaces.

7. Base Station System GPRS Protocol (BSSGP) conveys routing-, QoS (Quality of
Service)-related between BSS and SGSN.

8. Network Service (NS) transports BSSGP PDUs.

9. RLC/MAC (Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control) contains two functions. The
RLC function provides a radio-solution-dependent reliable link. The MAC function
controls the access signaling (request and grant) procedures for the radio channel, and
the mapping of LLC frames onto the GSM physical channel. This layer is further
described in the Radio Block section in this chapter.

10. GSM Radio Frequency (GSM RF) TSs makes up the Time-Division Multiple Access
(TDMA) frame.

2.3 Physi c al Layer
On the physical layer, GPRS is very similar to GSM in the context that it uses the same
frequency band, modulation technique, TDMA frame and burst structure, frequency
hopping methods and channel coding schemes. So that, the same physical channels in a
cell can serve for both CS traffic and PS traffic.

But the channel allocation in GPRS is different from GSM. GPRS allows a single mobile
station to transmit on multiple time slots of the same TDMA frame (multi-slot operation).
This results in a very flexible channel allocation: one to eight time slots per TDMA frame
can be allocated for one mobile station. Moreover, uplink and downlink are allocated
separately, which efficiently supports asymmetric data traffic (e.g., Web browsing).

In conventional GSM, a channel is permanently allocated for a particular user during the
entire call period (whether data is transmitted or not). In contrast to this, in GPRS the
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview
channels are only allocated when data packets are to be sent or received, and they are
released after the transmission. For bursty traffic this results in a much more efficient
usage of the scarce radio resources. With this principle, multiple users can share one
physical channel.

2.4 Radi o Bl oc k s
The RLC/MAC layer (see Figure 2-3) implements two functions, Radio Link Control (RLC)
and Medium Access Control (MAC) functions. RLC provides a radio-solution-dependent
reliable link. MAC controls the access signaling (request and grant) procedures for the
radio channel, and the mapping of LLC frames onto the GSM physical channel (also
referred to as GSM RF).

The LLC frames received from the SGSN, see Figure 2-4, in a downlink transfer are cut
up into smaller RLC /MAC blocks by the PCU, which are coded later into radio blocks in
the physical layer.

Each radio block is sent in four consecutive bursts on one time slot (TS). The structure of
the radio blocks is shown in Figure 2-5. For example, if one MS is assigned time slots
one to four, one radio block is sent in four bursts on time slot one, a second radio block is
sent in four bursts on time slot two etc.


Header User Data
Information field Header Tail Header Tail
RLC
Information
RLC
Information
RLC
Information
RLC
Information
RLC
Information
RLC
Header
USF BCS
RLC
Header
USF BCS
RLC
Information
RLC
Header
USF BCS
RLC
Information
RLC
Header
USF BCS
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
Normal
Burst
B0 B1 B2 T B3 B4 B5 I B6 B7 B8 T B9 B10 B11 I B0 B1 B2 T B0 B1 B2 T B3 B4 B5 I B3 B4 B5 I B6 B7 B8 T B6 B7 B8 T B9 B10 B11 I B9 B10 B11 I
GSM RF
(Physical Layer)
RLC/MAC
Layer
LLC Layer
Network Layer Packet
LLC PDU
Radio
Blocks
~ 1.6 kbytes
< 1500 bytes
20-50 bytes
4 x 114 bi ts


Fig 2-4
Multi Frame Structure


The transmission of packets to or from a certain MS is called a Temporary Block Flow
(TBF). The correspondence to a circuit switched call setup is an assignment of an uplink
or a downlink TBF for a packet transfer. An MS can have a TBF in one direction or one in
each direction. Each TBF is addressed by a Temporary Flow Identity (TFI) assigned by
the network. When a TBF is assigned, the MS is informed of which time slot(s) to use and
its TFI address. A number of MSs can be assigned resources on the same time slot(s).
The header of every downlink traffic block contains a TFI that shows which MS the radio
block is addressed to. The header of every downlink traffic block also contains the Uplink
-16-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview -17-
State Flag (USF), see Figure 2-7. The USF is used to notify the MS with uplink TBFs on
that time slot, which one of them that may send an uplink radio block in the next group of
four bursts.



In the 52 multi-frame structure, the bursts denoted by X are used in downlink to send
timing advance messages to the MS. On uplink, random access bursts are sent during
these periods to allow the calculation of timing advance by the BTS. The MS uses the
free time during the idle bursts in the uplink for power measurements. Note: No
measurement reports are sent since GPRS MS performs cell reselection itself even in
packet transfer mode.

The transmission of packets to or from a certain MS is called a Temporary Block Flow
(TBF). The correspondence to a circuit switched call setup is an assignment of an uplink
or a downlink TBF for a packet transfer. An MS can have a TBF in one direction or one in
each direction. Each TBF is addressed by a Temporary Flow Identity (TFI) assigned by
the network. When a TBF is assigned, the MS is informed of which time slot(s) to use and
its TFI address. A number of MSs can be assigned resources on the same time slot(s).
The header of every downlink traffic block contains a TFI that shows which MS the radio
block is addressed to. The header of every downlink traffic block also contains the Uplink
State Flag (USF). The USF is used to notify the MS with uplink TBFs on that time slot,
which one of them that may send an uplink radio block in the next group of four bursts.
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview


Fig 2-5
Structure of RLC/MAC Blocks4


2.4.1 Channel Codi ng
Channel coding is used to protect the transmitted data packets against errors. The
channel coding technique in GPRS is quite similar to the one employed in GSM. It uses
block coding and convolutional coding to add redundant bits to the information bits. Four
channel Coding Schemes are defined (CS1-CS4). They differ in the reliability they
provide for the transmitted data across the radio link and the throughput they allow for the
end user. Please refer to Figure 2-6.
-18-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview









Fig 2-6
GPRS Channel Coding Schemes



2.5 Logi c al Channel s
A number of new logical channels, similar to the existing ones, but for GPRS only, have
been standardized. The logical channels are mapped onto the physical channels that are
used for dedicated packet data. These physical channels are called Packet Data Channel
(PDCH). The logical channels in GPRS are:
Packet Data Traffic Channel (PDTCH)
is employed for the transfer of user data. It is assigned to one mobile station
(or in the case of PTM to multiple mobile stations). One mobile station can use
several PDTCHs simultaneously.

Packet Broadcast Channel (PBCCH)
is a unidirectional point-to-multipoint signaling channel from the BSS to the
mobile stations. It is used to broadcast specific information about the
organization of the GPRS radio network to all GPRS mobile stations in a cell.

Packet Common Control Channel (PCCCH)
is a bi-directional point-to-multipoint signaling channel that transports signaling
information for network access management, e.g., for allocation of radio
resources and paging. It consists of four sub-channels:

PRACH: Packet Random Access Channel, used by the mobile to request one or
more PDTCHs.
-19-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview
PAGCH: Packet Access Grant Channel, used to allocate one or more PDTCHs
to the mobile station.
PPCH: Packet Paging Channel, used by the BSS to page (find out the location
of a mobile station) the mobile prior to downlink packet transmission.
PNCH: Packet Notification Channel, used inform a mobile station of incoming
PTM messages (multi-cast or group call).

Dedicated Control Channels
are bi-directional point-t-point signaling channels. There are two channels:

PACCH: Packet Associated Control Channel, always allocated in combination
with one or more PDTCH that are assigned to one mobile station. It transports
signaling information related to one specific mobile station (e.g., power control
information, ACK/NACK messages & packet resource assignment messages).
PTCCH: Packet Timing advance Control Channel, used for adaptive frame
synchronization.



Tab 2-1
Logical Channels in GPRS




-20-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview

2.6 PDCH Al l oc at i on
The traffic channels and packet data channels belong to a common resource pool (see
Figure 2-7) utilizing the existing resources in an efficient way.




PDCH carrying PCCCH

PDCH not carrying PCCCH
CCCH, TCH or free time slot

Fig 2-7
Common Resource Pool


The PDCHs are allocated to the PCU. The PCU is responsible for assigning channels to
the different GPRS MSs. The PDCHs can be allocated in different ways:
Dedicated PDCHs are allocated and released by operator command.
On-demand PDCHs, serving as temporary dynamic GPRS resources, are
allocated and released depending on GPRS traffic demand.
Channels that are allocated for GPRS (PDCH) are allocated in sets of maximum four
consecutive time slots. Such a set is called a PSET, see Figure 2-8, and can consist of
both dedicated and on-demand PDCH. All channels in a PSET are on the same
frequency or hop the same frequency hopping set. A mobile station can only be assigned
PDCHs from one PSET. At present this limits the maximum number of assigned time
slots to four. There is no additional limit on the number of PDCHs that can be allocated in
a cell, except the number of available TCHs.




-21-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview




Fig 2-8
Channel Reservation


2.6.1 Dedi c at ed PDCH
Dedicated PDCHs can only be used for GPRS. The operator can specify zero to eight
dedicated PDCHs per cell. Dedicated PDCHs ensure that there are always GPRS
resources in a cell. The operator can specify to some extent where he wants his
dedicated PDCH(s) to be located. From a radio point-of-view, non-hopping channels on
the BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel) carrier are generally not equivalent to traffic
channels on other frequencies. The BCCH frequencies may have a separate frequency
plan, and bursts on the BCCH frequency are not power-regulated. The operator can
decide if the PDCH shall be allocated on the non-hopping BCCH frequency as primary or
secondary choice, or with no preference.

2.6.2 On-demand PDCH
On-demand PDCH can be pre-empted by incoming circuit switched calls in congested
cells. Note that a HSCSD user can never get more than one channel through the pre-
emption procedure. There is no physical limit on how many on-demand PDCHs there can
be in a cell. The number of on-demand PDCHs depends on how much packet switched
traffic there is, up to the limit where circuit switched traffic starts to pre-empt PDCH due to
congestion. In a cell without any circuit switched traffic it would be possible to use all
channels for GPRS traffic. A load supervision function is implemented so that in a cell

with or without dedicated PDCH, new on-demand PDCHs are allocated when the number
of GPRS users becomes too high with respect to the number of existing PDCHs in that
cell, assuming idle channels are available. At the allocation of on-demand PDCHs, the
operators choice of preferred frequency is also taken into account but if there is no free
channel on the primary choice, another channel is allocated.

-22-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview -23-
2.6.3 Mast er PDCH
A Master PDCH (MPDCH), is a PDCH carrying a PBCCH and a PCCCH, as well as
GPRS traffic. The PCCCH carries all the necessary control signaling to initiate packet
transfer. In the standard, the MPDCH is called the PDCH carrying the PBCCH.

The abbreviation MPDCH is only used within Ericsson. The first dedicated PDCH that is
allocated according to the operators preferences regarding non-hopping BCCH will be
configured as an MPDCH. The following PDCHs that are allocated will only carry GPRS
traffic and associated signaling. If the operator decreases the number of dedicated
PDCHs, the MPDCH is kept as long as there is at least one dedicated PDCH in the cell.
In a cell with no MPDCH (no dedicated PDCH allocated) the ordinary control channels,
like BCCH, RACH etc, will handle the broadcasting and signaling to the GPRS mobiles.

2.6.4 MPDCH pr esent or not
The operator can decide if there shall be an MPDCH in a cell or not. In a cell with no
MPDCH, the MS will listen to BCCH and PCH (Packet Channel) for broadcast information
and paging messages. The paging message will contain information to distinguish CS
pages from PS pages. The MS sends access bursts on the RACH. The MS specifies in
this message if it is a request for a CS or a PS connection. Information about the
allocated resources is then sent on the AGCH to the MS. In a cell with an MPDCH
allocated, an MS only reads the BCCH to get information about the physical channel
where the PBCCH and the PCCCHs can be found. The MS then listens to the PBCCH to
get all system information it needs. The MS will listen to the PPCH for paging messages.
The MS sends access bursts on the Packet Random Access Channel (PRACH) for
request for PS services, but on the RACH if the request is for a CS service. The GPRS
traffic and associated signaling, however, is always transmitted on GPRS-specific
channels, regardless of whether an MPDCH is allocated or not. The release of an
MPDCH is not broadcast in advance to the MS. The MS will discover that the MPDCH is
removed after trying to read broadcast information or its PPCH. Then the MS goes back
to BCCH and reads the information there. This procedure can take a long time for MSs
with a long sleeping period. Therefore it is recommended not to allocate and release the
MPDCH often.

2.7 GPRS MS STATES AND MODES
There are three GPRS mobility management states, listed below. See also Figure 2-9.
The SGSN knows the state of all MSs that are in standby or ready state.
Idle state:
The MS is turned on but not GPRS attached. The MS is invisible to GPRS, e.g. if the
MS is outside the coverage area for GPRS.
Standby state:
The MS is GPRS attached and sends routing area updates to the SGSN every time it
changes Routing Area.
Ready state:
A packet transfer is ongoing or has recently ended. A ready timer defines how long time
the MS shall remain in ready state after a transfer. The time is decided by SGSN and can

take values from zero to infinity; i.e. the MS shall never go back to Standby state. The MS
sends cell update to SGSN every time it changes cell. In ready state there is no need to
send a page to the MS. SGSN sends the LLC frames to the PCU and the PCU sends an
assignment to the MS immediately, since the location is known.
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview

Ready
Idle
Standby
GPRS Det ach
Or
Cancel Location
GPRS Det ach
Or
Cancel Location
LLC PDU
Reception
LLC PDU
Reception
GPRS
At tach
GPRS
At tach
Ready Timer Expir y
or
For ce to STANDBY
or
Abnormal RLC Condition
Ready Timer Expir y
or
For ce to STANDBY
or
Abnormal RLC Condition
Standby timer
Expir y
or
Cancel Location
Standby timer
Expir y
or
Cancel Location
Ready
Idle
Standby
GPRS Detach GPRS Detach
LLC PDU
Tr ansmission
LLC PDU
Tr ansmission
GPRS
At tach
GPRS
At tach
Ready Timer Expir y
or
For ce to STANDBY
Ready Timer Expir y
or
For ce to STANDBY
Standby timer
Expir y
Standby timer
Expir y
MM State Model of MS MM State Model of SGSN

Fig 2-9
GPRS States of MS & SGSN

There are two GPRS radio resource operating modes.
Packet Idle mode, when no packets are transferred.
Packet Transfer mode. A packet transfer is ongoing in uplink, downlink or in both
directions simultaneously.
The MS is only recognized by the PCU when in Packet Transfer Mode.

2.8 Net w or k Oper at i on Mode
The network may provide coordination of paging for circuit-switched and packet-switched
services and also a coordination of RA/LA updates done by the mobile station. These
coordinated procedures will save the battery consumption of the mobile station and
reduce the signaling on the air interface. Three network operation modes then are
defined:
Network operation mode I
The Gs interface is present and the Master PDCH may exist. All MSC originated paging
of GPRS-attached MSs shall go via the SGSN, thus allowing network coordination of
paging. The SGSN coordinates paging based on the IMSI, whether the MS is in standby
or ready state. The network sends CS paging message for a GPRS-attached MS on the
same channel as for the GPRS paging (i.e. the PPCH channel or the CCCH Paging
channel, or the assigned GPRS traffic channel). This means that the MS must only
monitor one paging channel, and that it receives CS paging messages on the assigned
packet data channel if it has a current packet transfer.
Network operation mode II
The Gs interface is not present and the Master PDCH doesnt exist. The network sends
CS paging message for a GPRS-attached MS on the CCCH paging channel, and this
channel is also used for GPRS paging.
-24-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview
This means that the MS must only monitor the CCCH paging channel, but that CS paging
continues on this paging channel, even if the MS has been assigned a packet data
channel.
Network operation mode III
The Gs interface is not present and the Master PDCH may exist The network sends CS
paging message for a GPRS-attached MS on the CCCH paging channel, and sends a
GPRS paging message on either the packet-paging channel (if allocated in the cell) or on
the CCCH paging channel. This means that an MS that wants to receive pages for both
circuit-switched and packet-switched services must monitor both paging channels if the
packet channel is allocated in the cell. The network performs no paging coordination.
Table 2-2 illustrates the different network operation modes.



Tab 2-2
GPRS Network Operation Modes

The network operation mode (mode I, II or III) shall be indicated as system information to
MSs. For proper operation, the mode of operation should be the same as in each cell of a
routing area. Based on the mode of operation provided by the network, the MS can then
choose, according to its capabilities, whether it can attach to GPRS services, to non-
GPRS services, or to both.


Fig 2-10
Network Operation Modes
-25-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview




2.9 Pac k et Tr ansf er

2.9.1 Upl i nk pac k et t r ansf er
Establishment of uplink TBF If an MS has no TBF established, the MS sends a Packet
Channel Request message to the PCU. In Ericssons implementation there are two main
ways to allocate resources after receiving a Packet Channel Request message from the
MS:
The MS is assigned resources on one or several time slots for a longer time
using the dynamic allocation method. For each time slot, the MS is assigned a
value of the USF. The TFI is used in signaling to identify the MS.
A single time slot is reserved for sending one RLC block. This can be used to let
the MS send a packet resource request message, to further specify its
capabilities and/or demands. This is called a two-phase access. The single RLC
block could also be used when the MS only has a very short LLC frame to send.
At two-phase access, the MS sends a packet resource request on the allocated time slot.
With the new information received, the PCU assigns resources and sends a new Packet
Uplink Assignment to the MS. The procedure is shown in Figure 2-11.



Fig 2-11
Uplink RLC Connection Establishment


TBF already established
If the MS already has a downlink TBF established, the MS sends a Packet Resource
Request message on the control channel associated with the downlink TBF, the Packet
Associated Control Channel (PACCH). The PCU has to consider the downlink allocation
when allocating uplink resources. The Packet Uplink Assignment message is then sent to
the MS on the PACCH. When an MS only has a single RLC block to send, such as an
acknowledgement or a packet resource request, the PCU can assign a time slot at a
certain time to the MS. Then no USF is assigned to the MS. In the header of the
corresponding downlink RLC block, the USF is then given a value that is not assigned to
any MS, in order to avoid collision.

-26-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview



2.9.2 Dow nl i nk pac k et t r ansf er
Paging
When an MS in class A or class B mode of operation is attached to both GPRS and CS,
and the Gs interface between MSC and SGSN is available, the MSC sends the pages to
the SGSN, via the Gs interface, instead of directly to the BSC. Since the SGSN knows
the location of the MS on cell level when it is in ready state and on routing area level
otherwise, the paging area will be of same size or smaller than when the page is sent
directly to the BSC. SGSN sends the page to the affected PCU(s) with information of the
cell or routing area. If the MS is involved in a packet transfer, the PCU sends the page on
the control channel associated with the packet transfer, PACCH. Otherwise the page is
sent out on PPCH, or on PCH if PPCH is not available. It is possible to have a network
without a Gs interface. In this case the MSC cannot send the page to SGSN. Instead the
MSC sends the page directly to the BSC. The operator can specify per BSC if there is a
GS interface or not and then the appropriate Network Operation Mode (I or III) will be
broadcast. If the MS is in GPRS MS standby state, the downlink packet transfer is
initiated by paging the MS in a Routing Area. This is initiated by the SGSN sending a
BSSGP Paging Request to the PCU. The PCU will then calculate which paging group to
which the MS belongs, and send the paging request in a time slot when the MS is awake
(listening). The MS responds to the page by sending a Paging response message to the
SGSN. This is done using the uplink packet transfer procedure. The message is
transparent to BSS and looks like an ordinary LLC frame. The MS is now in ready state
and the SGSN can start to send LLC frames to the PCU with the cell and MS identity.

PPCH or PCH
MS
PCU
Packet Paging Request
Packet Channel Request
Packet Immediate Assignment
Packet Paging Response
PRACH or RACH
PAGCH or AGCH
PACCH
Packet Downlink Assignment
PAGCH or AGCH

Fig 2-12
Downlink RLC Connection Establishment

Establishment of downlink TBF
When the PCU receives LLC frames from the SGSN, the PCU checks whether the
addressed MS is already involved in a packet transfer:
If the MS already has a downlink TBF, the new LLC frame is put in the queue
with the other LLC frames to that MS.
If the MS already has an uplink TBF, the PCU has to take this into consideration.
Probably the PCU will allocate downlink resources on the same time slots (or at
least partially) as the MS has uplink resources. This makes it possible for the MS
-27-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview -28-
to use both the uplink and downlink resources at the same time. The MS multislot
class notes the capability of the MS regarding how many PDCH it can handle in
each direction at the same time. The Packet Downlink Assignment message is
sent on the control channel that is associated with the uplink assignment, the
Packet Associated Control Channel (PACCH).

If the MS has no TBF established, a Packet Downlink Assignment message is
sent on a time slot that the MS listens to, according to its paging group. The MS
remains in non-DRX (Discontinuous Reception) mode for a certain time after it
has been involved in a packet transfer. That means that it is awake and there is
no need to wait for its paging group. The message can be sent immediately.

The Packet downlink assignment message consists of a list of the channels that will be
used and a TFI to address the MS.

2.9.3 Sc hedul i ng
In the diagram below, the three MSs have TSs 1 to 4 assigned to them for uplink packet
transfer. Since they are sharing the same TSs, then each TS must have a different name
for each MS. This name or indicator is called the USF. Hence TSs 1 to 4 are indicated to
by USFs 1 to 4 for MS1, USFs 5 to 8 for MS2 and USFs 9 to 12 for MS3. On the downlink
the three MSs will read the USF value and the one that has that value will use the
corresponding TS(s) to send uplink packets.
In the uplink Direction the reason for having a USF along with the TFI, is that MSs are
sending packets to one BSC/PCU, so collision would happen between two MSs on the
same TS(s). Where as in the downlink direction, MSs are receiving packets from one
BSC/PCU. The uplink TFI value would refer to the block flow to a certain MS and the
USF would determine on w ich TS(s) will it be sending on.
In the downlink direction, packets will be received by all MSs listening to that TS and the
MS with the matching downlink TFI will handle that packet.

Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview
7 6 5 4 TS
1 1 1 1 USF
7 6 5 4 TS
1 1 1 1 USF
6 5 4 TS
4 3 2 USF
6 5 4 TS
4 3 2 USF
7 6 5 TS
5 3 2 USF
7 6 5 TS
5 3 2 USF
MS 1
TFI 1
MS 1
TFI 1
MS 2
TFI 2
MS 3
TFI 3
MS 3
TFI 3
52 frame mult i frame on t imeslot 6 - Downlink Direction
T B2 B1 B0 B5 B4 B3 I B6
U
S
F
=
1
T
F
I
=
3
Data
MS1, whose USF
on TS 6=1, will use
the next uplink RLC
block on this time
slot to send its data
Data sent on this
RLC block belongs
to MS3, whose
TFI=3
52 frame mult i frame on t imeslot 6
Uplink Direct ion
T B2 B1 B0 B5 B4 B3 I B6
TFI =1
Data


Fig 2-13
Scheduling

2.9.4 Ac k now l edgement
Radio blocks can be sent in acknowledged or unacknowledged RLC mode. Actually
Ack/Nack messages are sent in both modes, but packets are only retransmitted over the
air interface in acknowledged RLC mode. The reason for sending acknowledgements in
unacknowledged mode can be several:
To check that the communication has not been broken.
To get knowledge about the transmission quality, in order to use the coding
scheme that gives the best performance.
To prioritize MS depending on link quality.

-29-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview





Fig 2-14
Acknowledgment and Retransmission of RLC Blocks




2.9.5 Endi ng a TBF
When there are no more LLC frames to a certain MS in the PCU (but there may be more
in the SGSN), the downlink TBF is released. If a new LLC frame arrives immediately
after, a new assignment corresponding to a new TBF is sent to the MS. The MS is still in
ready state, so there is no need to page the MS. When the MS has only a few more RLC
blocks to send, this is signaled to the network, and a countdown procedure begins. After
all blocks have been sent and acknowledged, the uplink TBF is released. If the MS has
more packets to send after the countdown procedure has been initiated, a new TBF has
-30-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview
to be established. The MS is not allowed to continue to send more packets than it had
when initiating the countdown procedure.

2.10 CELL SELECTI ON AND RESELECTI ON

2.10.1 Compar i ng GPRS w i t h c i r c ui t sw i t c hed
In a GSM network the BSC governs the cell selection behavior of MS in idle and active
mode by different methods. Idle mode MSs autonomously perform cell reselection by
using the C1/C2 criteria. In active mode, non-GPRS MSs are steered by the locating
functionality implemented in the BSC. That means that the BSC initiates handovers to
other cells. In GPRS, the MS determines the base station with which it will communicate.
In Figure 2-16 the handover procedures are compared between CS and PS. GPRS MS
manages both the idle packet and transfer packet mode behaviors.





















MS sends measurement
reports ~2/sec.
BSC decides when a
handover should occur.
MS measures on neighboring cells.
MS decides which cell to use.
Locating algorithm is in MS. Locating
parameter is broadcasting by the
network.

Fig 2-15
Handover Comparison, between CS & PS

The cell selection and reselection algorithms used for controlling idle/transfer mode
behaviors are governed by GPRS cell selection and reselection parameter settings
broadcast in the packet system information on PBCCH in each GPRS capable cell with
allocated PBCCH (MPDCH).
If no PBCCH is allocated in a cell, the GPRS MS will read the system information
broadcast on BCCH and use the C1/C2 criteria for cell selection and reselection as in the
circuit switched idle mode case.


The GPRS cell selection and reselection algorithms are governed by parameter settings.
These parameters, C31 and C32, are different from the corresponding parameters for the
circuit switched case. However, in the Ericsson implementation, GPRS cell selection
parameters are automatically mapped on those for cell selection/locating known from the
circuit switched case. This achieves the same cell selection behavior for GPRS and
enables an easy rollout of GPRS in the network.
-31-
Information & Communications Technology


GPRS Overview -32-
The standard allows the network to take over cell reselection for a specific MS or for all
MS. This is called Network Controlled Cell Reselection and is not implemented. This
means the overlaid sub-cell in an overlaid/underlaid cell structure cannot be used for
GPRS connections.


2.10.2 Cel l r esel ec t i on, a smal l t r af f i c c ase
In this example, the MS is involved in a downlink packet transfer. The MS discovers that
another cell is a better choice according to its own measurements and to the cell
selection parameters broadcast on PBCCH or BCCH. The MS stops listening to the old
cell and starts to read the necessary system information in the new cell. Then the MS
accesses the new cell and sends a cell update to the SGSN. This message is transparent
to the PCU.
The SGSN receives the cell update and discovers that there was already an ongoing
downlink packet transfer. The SGSN sends a flush message to the PCU responsible for
the old cell. The flush message contains the addresses of both the old and the new cell,
as well as the MS identity.
The PCU checks whether it is also responsible for the new cell. In that case all buffered
LLC frames that have not been acknowledged or not sent are moved to a queue towards
the new cell. The PCU assigns new resources to the MS in the new cell and transmission
is restarted.
If the PCU is not responsible for the new cell, it will delete all LLC frames destined to that
MS and leave the retransmission to higher layers.