CHAPTER 1

THE GSM NETWORK

1.1 GSM NETWORK ELEMENTS
GSM stands for Global System for Mobile communication & is a globally accepted
standard for digital cellular communication. GSM is the name of a standardization group
established in 1982 to create a common European mobile telephone standard that would
formulate specifications for a pan-European mobile cellular radio system operating at 900
MHz. It is estimated that many countries outside of Europe will join the GSM
partnership.
GSM provides recommendations, not requirements. The GSM specifications define the
functions and interface requirements in detail but do not address the hardware. The
reason for this is to limit the designers as little as possible but still to make it possible for
the operators to buy equipment from different suppliers. 1
The GSM network is divided into three major systems:

\The Switching System (SS),

The Base Station System (BSS),

The Operation and Support System (OSS).

The basic GSM network elements are shown in Figure

Fig 1.1 GSM Network Elements

1.2 THE SWITCHING SYSTEM

The switching system (SS) is responsible for performing call processing and subscriberrelated functions. The switching system includes the following functional units.
Home Location Register (HLR) - The HLR is a centralized network database that stores
and manages all mobile subscriptions belonging to a specific operator. It acts as a
permanent store for a persons subscription information until that subscription is
cancelled. The information stored includes:

Subscriber identity

Subscriber supplementary services

Subscriber location information

Subscriber authentication information

The HLR can be implemented in the same network node as the MSC or as a stand-alone
database. If the capacity of a HLR is exceeded by the number of subscribers, additional
HLRs may be added.
Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC)-The MSC performs the telephony switching

functions of the system. It controls calls to and from other telephone and data systems. It
also performs such functions as toll ticketing, network interfacing, common channel
signalling, and others.
Visitor Location Register (VLR) - The VLR database contains information about all the
mobile subscribers currently located in an MSC service area. Thus, there is one VLR for
each MSC in a network. The VLR temporarily stores subscription information so that the
MSC can service all the subscribers currently visiting that MSC service area. The VLR
can be regarded as a distributed HLR as it holds a copy of the HLR information stored
about the subscriber. When a subscriber roams into a new MSC service area, the VLR
connected to that MSC requests information about the subscriber from the subscribers
HLR. The HLR sends a copy of the information to the VLR and updates its own location
information. When the subscriber makes a call, the VLR will already have the
information required for call set-up.
Authentication Centre (AUC)-A unit called the AUC provides authentication and
encryption parameters that verify the user's identity and ensure the confidentiality of each
call. The AUC protects network operators from different types of fraud found in today's
cellular world. The AUC is a database connected to the HLR which provides it with the
authentication parameters and ciphering keys used to ensure network security.
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)-The EIR is a database that contains information
about the identity of mobile equipment that prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized, or
defective mobile stations. The AUC and EIR are implemented as stand-alone nodes or as
a combined AUC/EIR node.

1.3 THE BASE STATION SYSTEM (BSS)

All radio-related functions are performed in the BSS, which consists of base station
controllers (BSC) and the base transceiver stations (BTS).
BSC-The BSC provides all the control functions and physical links between the MSC
and BTS. It is a high-capacity switch that provides functions such as handover, cell
configuration data, and control of radio frequency (RF) power levels in base transceiver
stations. A number of BSCs are served by an MSC.

BTS-The BTS handles the radio interface to the mobile station. The BTS is the radio
equipment (transceivers and antennas) needed to service each cell in the network. A
group of BTSs are controlled by a BSC.

1.4 THE OPERATION AND SUPPORT SYSTEM

The operations and maintenance centre (OMC) is connected to all equipment in the
switching system and to the BSC. The implementation of OMC is called the operation
and support system (OSS). The OSS is the functional entity from which the network
operator monitors and controls the system. The purpose of OSS is to offer the customer
cost-effective support for centralized, regional and local operational and maintenance
activities that are required for a GSM network. An important function of OSS is to
provide a network overview and support the maintenance activities of different operation
and maintenance organizations.
One of the most important tasks in a mobile telephony system is to continuously keep
track of where mobile stations are located. One primary function of the Mobile Services
Switching Centre (MSC) and Visitor Location Register (VLR) is to store information,
such as location area, about different mobile stations.
It is the responsibility of the mobile station to always inform the network about changes
in its location and it must also continuously verify that it is tuned to the strongest
frequency.

1.5 MOBILE STATION

A Mobile Station (MS) is used by a mobile subscriber to communicate with the cellular
system. Several types of mobile stations exist, each allowing the subscriber to make and
receive calls. Manufacturers of mobile stations offer a variety of designs and features to
meet the needs of different markets.
The range or coverage area of a mobile station depends on, for example, the output power
of the mobile station. Different types of mobile stations have different output power
capabilities and therefore, different ranges. For example, hand-held telephones have a
lower output power, (resulting in a shorter range), than a car installed phone with roof
mounted antenna.

Fig 1.2 Ranges for different types of MSs

GSM MS consist of:

A mobile terminal

A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Unlike other standards, in GSM the subscriber is separated from the mobile terminal.
Each subscribers information is stored as a "smart card" SIM. The SIM can be plugged
into any GSM mobile terminal. This brings the advantages of security and portability for
subscribers. For example, subscriber As mobile terminal may have been stolen. However,
subscriber As own SIM can be used in another persons mobile terminal and the calls
will be charged to subscriber A.

Additional Functional Elements

Other functional elements shown in Figure are as follows:
Message Centre (MXE)-The MXE is a node that provides integrated voice, fax, and data
messaging. Specifically, the MXE handles short message service, cell broadcast, voice
mail, fax mail, e-mail, and notification. 2
Mobile Service Node (MSN)-The MSN is the node that handles the mobile intelligent

network (IN) services.

Gateway Mobile Services Switching Centre (GMSC)-A gateway is a node used to
interconnect two networks. The gateway is often implemented in an MSC. The MSC is
then referred to as the GMSC.
GSM Inter Working Unit (GIWU)-The GIWU consists of both hardware and software
that provides an interface to various networks for data communications. Through the
GIWU, users can alternate between speech and data during the same call. The GIWU
hardware equipment is physically located at the MSC/VLR.

1.6 KEY TERMS

During the development of mobile systems, many terms arose which are used to describe
the call cases and situations involving MS. The primary terms used are described below.
An MS can have one of the following states:

Idle: the MS is ON but a call is not in progress

Active: the MS is ON and a call is in progress

Detached: the MS is OFF

The following table defines the key terms used to describe GSM mobile traffic cases
(there are no traffic cases in detached mode):

Table 1.1 Key Term used to describe GSM Mobile traffic

1.7 MS REGISTRATION & ROAMING

When an MS is powered off it is detached from the network. When the subscriber
switches power on, the MS scans the GSM frequencies for special channels called control
channels. When it finds a control channel, the MS measures the signal strength it receives
on that channel and records it. When all control channels have been measured, the MS
tunes to the strongest one. When the MS has just been powered on, the MS must register
with the network which will then update the MSs status to idle. If the location of the MS
is noticed to be different from the currently stored location then a location update will
also take place. As the MS moves through the network, it continues to scan the control
channels to ensure that it is tuned to the strongest possible channel. If the MS finds one

which is stronger, then the MS retunes to this new control channel2. If the new control
channel belongs to a new LA, the MS will also inform the network of its new location.

1.8 FUTURE OF GSM

Short Message Service which allows you to send and receive 126 character text
messages

Ability to use same phone in a number of network-related countries

Allows data transmission and reception across GSM networks at speeds up to

9,600 bps currently

Allows fax transmission and reception across GSM networks at speeds up to

9,600 bps currently

Forwarding of calls to another number

More capacity, ensuring rapid call set-up. Handsets also smaller and more robust.

Talk to a number of other parties simultaneously

Place a call on Hold while you access another call

Notifies you of another call whilst on a call

Encrypted conservations that cannot be tapped

You can barr outgoing calls and incoming calls

CLIP Allows you to see the telephone number of the incoming caller on the LCD
screen of the handset

CLIR allows you to bar anyone from seeing your number via CLIP

Real-time call costs on the handsets's LCD screen

Allows location/cell-specific reception of text messages.

Closed User Group - Allows a set of phones to be classed as PBX extensions.

Emergency Calls - In the majority of countries, the global 112 emergency number

can be dialled free.

No-static connections

1.9 ADVANTAGES OF GSM OVER ANALOG SYSTEM

Capacity increases

Reduced RF transmission power and longer battery life.

International roaming capability.

Better security against fraud (through terminal validation and user authentication).

Encryption capability for information security and privacy.

Compatibility with ISDN,leading to wider range of services

CHAPTER 2
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
2.1 INTRODUCTION
Communications using light occurred early in our development when human beings first
communicated by using hand signals This is obviously a form of optic communications,
because it does not work in darkness. During the day, the sun is the source of light for this
system. Hand motion modulates the light and the information is carried from the sender
to the receiver on the suns radiation. The eye is the message detecting device and brain
processes this message. Disadvantages for such a system are slow information transfer,
limited transmission distances, and more error chances. A later optic system, useful for
longer transmission distance, was the smoke signal. This system also have other
disadvantages.
The first telegraph devised by French Engineer Claude Chappe in the 1790s was an
optical telegraph. Operators in lowers relayed signals from one hilltop to the next by
moving semaphore arms. In the year 1870, British physicist John Tyndall demonstrated

that light can be guided along a curved stream of water in 1880. Alexander Graham Bell
invented a light communication system, the photo phone. That used sunlight reflected
from a thin voice-modulated mirror to carry conversation. At the receiver the modulated
sunlight fell on a photo conducting selenium cell, which converted the message to
electrical current.
The advent of lamps allowed the construction of simple optic communications system
such as automobile turn signals, traffic lights, blinker lights for ship-to-ship and ship-toshore links, etc. In fact, any type of indicator lamp is basically an optic communications
system All these systems have low information capacities.[3]
Invention of LASER in 1960 was a major breakthrough that led to high, capacity optic
communications. Unguided optic communications system (nonfibre) were developed
shortly after the discovery

of

the laser. Communication over light beams travelling

through the atmosphere was easily accomplished. The disadvantages of these systems
include dependence on a clear atmosphere, the need for a line-of-sight path between
transmitter and receiver.
In the 1960s, the key element in a practical fibre system was missing, that is, an efficient
fibre. Although light could be guided by a glass fibre, those available glass fibres
attenuated light by far too large an amount. Glass produced by the ancient Egyptians was
opaque. The artisans of Venice fabricated glass of much greater purity in the middle ages.
Venetian glass was moderately transparent, but still not suitable for modern long
distance communications until 1970 when the first truly low-loss fibre was developed and
fibre optic communications became practical. A typical commercial glass fibre when
operated at wavelength around 0.82 nm will have attenuation of 4 dB/km. Now, fibres
with losses of only a fraction of a dB/km are available for use around 1.3 nm and 1.55
nm.