The GSM system originally offers the following 4 features:

 Voice service.
 SMS Services.
 Fax service.
 Data service , maximum Transfer rate 9.6Kbps

 Limited capacity, 9.6 kbps.

 Uplink and downlink channels were allocated for the entire call
time.
 The user consequently paid a lot, as charging was based on
connection time rather than being volume based.
Connection set-up was slow, typically 20-25 secs.
 The fact that GSM was designed for voice and not data, meant that,
on average, 50% of radio resources were wasted as the transfer of
data was optimized for speech.

To increase the data transmission rates, in GSM phase 2+ new

bearer services with rates comparable to or higher as ISDN are
developed:

 HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data)

 GPRS (General Packet Radio Services)
 EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for the GSM Evolution)

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HSCSD is a circuit switched data service (only point-to-point) for
applications with higher bandwidth demands and continuous data
stream, e.g. motion pictures or video telephony. The higher bandwidth
is achieved by combining 1-8 physical channels for one subscriber.
Additionally, the data transmission codec was changed such that a
maximum of 14.4 kbit/s instead of 9.6 kbit/s can be transmitted per
physical channel. In this way, HSCSD theoretically enables
transmission rates up to 115.2 kbit/s.

With GPRS it is possible to combine 1-8 physical channel for one

user, just as with HSCSD. Various new coding schemes with
transmission rates of up to 21.4 kbit/s per physical channel enable
theoretical transmission rates up to 171.2 kbit/s. Opposite to HSCSD,
GPRS is a packet-switched bearer service, meaning that the same
physical channel can be used for different subscribers. GPRS is
resource efficient for applications with a short-term need for high data
rates (e.g. surfing the Internet, E-mail, ...). GPRS also enables point-
to-multipoint transmission and volume dependent charging.
Extensions of the GSM network and protocol architecture are
necessary for GPRS implementation.

Fig1

83
EDGE is able to realize up to 69.2 kbit/s per physical channel though
the change of the GSM modulation procedure (8PSK instead of
GMSK). Theoretically, transmission rates of up to 553.6 kbit/s
(meeting 3G requirements) would be possible by combining up to 8
channels. A combination of GPRS and EDGE could offer optimum
usage of Inter- and Intranet, ensuring highest economy in frequency
resource utilization at the same time.

For circuit-switched communication, the network sets up an air

interface connection by allocating one radio channel to an MS when
data is to be transmitted through the network. Even if only small
amounts of data are transferred, the MS occupies the radio channel
during the connection. The user must pay for the total connection
time. Circuit-switched communication is suitable for data traffic when
one or more of the following cases apply:
 Constant bandwidth data flow.
 Data is sensitive to even small connection delays.
For example circuit-switched communication should be chosen for
videoconferences and notification, the former because of its sensitivity
to connection delays, and the latter because of its almost constant
bandwidth.

For packet-switched communication, the network delivers a packet

with data when the need arises. Thus, for the air interface, one radio
channel can be shared between several MSs simultaneously. When an
MS generates a data packet, the network forwards the packet to its
addressee on the first available radio channel. Since data traffic often
consists of bursts of data, the radio channels will be used efficiently.
Address information is included with each packet to enable the packet
to find its addressee. Packet-switched communication is suitable for
data traffic when one or more of the following cases apply:
 Data is sent in bursts. (e.g.-mail)
 Data is sensitive to errors.(e.g.-Telementry)

For example packet-switched communication should be chosen for

telemetry applications and e-mail, the former because of its sensitivity
to errors and the latter because the data is sent in bursts.

84
 General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) is a standardized packet-
switched data service for GSM enabling mobile use of internet.
The GPRS system provides a basic solution for Internet Protocol
(IP) communication between Mobile Stations (MS) and Internet
Service Providers (ISP) or a corporate LAN (Local Area Network).
GPRS establishes an end-to-end IP connection from the mobile
terminal to the servers at the ISP. The packet data transmission is
thus carried out on an end-to-end basis, including the air interface.
GPRS users can remain on-line without continuously occupying a
specific radio channel.. The same physical channels will be used
but in a more efficient way since several GPRS users will be able
to share one channel. Thus giving a better channel utilization. In
addition, GPRS channels are allocated only when data is sent or
received.

GPRS is an extension of the GSM architecture; packet data traffic

runs on a new backbone IP network and is separate from the
existing GSM core network that is used for circuit switched traffic.

GPRS stands out as one major development in the GSM standard

that benefits from packet switched techniques to provide mobile
subscribers with the much-needed high bit rates for bursty data
transmissions. It is possible theoretically for GPRS subscribers to
use several time slots (packet data channels) simultaneously
reaching a bit rate of about 170kbit/s.

Volume-based charging is possible because channels are allocated

to users only when packets are to be sent or received.

Overall the GPRS offers the following:

 Enhancement of GSM data transfer capabilities.

 A new set of bearer services.
 A new kind of “data-pipe”.
 Focus on IP-networking.
 Quality of Service categories.
 Packet switching technology.
 Efficient use of air interface resources.
 Volume based traffic.
 Always connected.
 High data rate.

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 Fig2
 This Figure roughly illustrates areas of bursty and/or bandwidth
consuming communication. Burstiness and bandwidth requirements
affect the type of communication chosen - circuit-switched, packet-
switched, or e.g. SMS (Short Message Service) communication.

 Burstiness applications are those that require too many bursts of the
same or similar signals, therefore low bandwidth. Bandwidth
applications are those that require large bandwidth to convey the
information but a few bursts are used at the beginning of the session
to establish a connection.

86
 GPRS is, on the one hand, intended to provide the possibility of
transmitting large volumes of data in a very short time.

 On the other hand it is meant to ensure effective management of

available resources, which will increase the number of users and
reduce the costs arising for the individual user (volume-oriented
fees).

 Another positive consequence of the introduction of GPRS is its

direct access to the Intra- and Internet and the possibility to use
point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services side by side.

Fig3

GPRS Services are defined to fall in one of two categories: PTP

(Point-To-Point) and PTM (Point-To-Multipoint) services.

 PTP (Point-To-Point) Services:-

GPRS will support applications based on IP. Applications based
on the Connection Oriented Network Protocols are also defined
to be supported. The X.25 protocol was initially mentioned but
has been dropped in recent standard developments

 PTM (Point-To-Multipoint) Services:-

The PTM services provide the subscribers with the capability to
send data to multiple destinations within one single service
request. With the exception of PTM-M (Point-To-Multi-point
Multicast) services, groups must be defined and members are
required to join an ongoing call to become participants.

87
It is probable that once a wireless Internet infrastructure is in place, it
will be used in ways that we cannot predict. This is all the more likely
as parallel developments in technology will, for example, raise the
computing power of a wireless terminal by a factor of hundreds.

With GPRS a new complete solution to mobile computing is

available.

It is possible to build cars with GPRS communication facilities.

This would provide GPRS subscribers

with the opportunity to utilize their
laptops while traveling on the bus or
train.

GPRS will make the work of journalists and photographers easier

and cheaper.

For introducing GPRS, the logical GSM architecture is extended

by two functional units:

 The Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN is on the same

hierarchic level as MSC and has functions comparable to
those of a Visited MS (VMSC).

 The Gateway GPRS Support Node GGSN has functions

comparable with those of a Gateway MSC (GMSC) and
offers interworking functions for establishing contact
between the GSM/GPRS-PLMN and external packet data
networks PDN.

 A GPRS Support Node GSN includes the central functions

required to support the GPRS. One PLMN can contain one or more
GSNs.

88
 In addition to GSN, extensions of functions in other GSM functional
units are necessary:

 In the BSS a Packet Control Unit PCU ensures the

reception/adaptation of packet data from SGSN into BSS and
vice versa.

Fig4

Fig5

The Architecture with Interfaces

Terminal Equipment TE
Mobile Terminal MT
Mobile Station MS
Base Station Controller BSC
Base Transceiver Station BTS

89
 Gateway Mobile Services GMSC
Switching Center
Mobile Services Switching MSC
Center
Visitor Location Register VLR
Home Location Register HLR
Authentication Center AUC
Equipment Identity EIR
Register
Serving GPRS Support SGSN
Node
Gateway GPRS Support GGSN
Node
GPRS Interfaces Gx

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) Functions:-

SGSN is on the same hierarchic level as an MSC and handles
many functions comparable to a Visited MSC (VMSC)

 Is the node serving GPRS mobile stations in a region

assigned to it.

 Traces the location of the respective GPRS MSs (Mobility

Management functions).

 Is responsible for the paging of MS.

 Performs security functions and access control

(authentication/cipher setting procedures).

 Has routing/traffic-management functions.

 Collects data connected with fees/charges.

 Realizes the interfaces to GGSN (Gn), PCU (Gb), other

PLMNs (Gp), HLR (Gr), VLR (Gs), SMS-GMSC (Gd),
EIR (Gf).

90
Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) Functions
GGSN realizes functions comparable to those of a gateway MSC.
GGSN
 Is the node allowing contact/interworking between a GSM
PLMN and a packet data network PDN (realization Gi-
interface).
 Contains the routing information for GPRS subscribers
available in the PLMN.
 Has a screening function.
 Can inquire about location information's from the HLR via the
optional Gc interface.
 Transfers data/signaling to SGSN via Gn interface.

Fig7

SGSN and GGSN functions, respectively, can be located within the

same physical unit or at different locations in different physical units.
SGSN and GGSN include the internet protocol (IP) routing function
and can be linked together/Interconnected with IP routers (IP-based
GPRS backbone network for Gn). The same holds for the Gp interface
(SGSN and GGSN in different PLMNs).

91
HLR (GPRS Register GR)
HLR includes the GPRS subscriber information (GPRS Register GR)
and routing information.
Access to HLR is possible from SGSN via Gr and from GGSN via Gc
interface.

Packet Control Unit PCU:-

In the BSS, the PCU serves
 For the management of GPRS radio channels (Radio
Channel Management functions), e.g. power control,
congestion control, broadcast control information
.
 For the temporal organization of the packet data transfer for
uplink and downlink it has channel access control functions,
e.g. access request and grants.

 It serves for converting protocols from the Gb interface to

the radio interface Um.

Three options for positioning the PCU are provided

 Option A: In the BTS
 Option B: in the BSC
 Option C: In spatial connection with the SGSN.

Fig9
Channel Codec Unit CCU:-
The CCU contains the following functions:
Channel coding, including forward error correction FEC and
interleaving.
Radio channel measurements, including received quality and signal
level, timing advance measurements.

92
Terminal Equipment (TE)
TE is the computer terminal on which the end-user works. This is the
component used for the GPRS system to transmit and receive end-user
packet data. For example, the TE could be a laptop computer. The
GPRS system provides IP connectivity between the TE and an Internet
Service Provider or Corporate LAN (Local Area Network) connected
to the GPRS system. From the TE point of view, you could compare
the Mobile Terminal to a modem, connecting the TE to the GPRS
system.

Mobile Terminal (MT)

The MT communicates with a TE, and over the air with a BTS. The
MT must be equipped with software for GPRS functionality when
used in conjunction with the GPRS system.

Mobile Station (MS):-

A GPRS MS can work in three different operational modes. The
operational mode depends on the service an MS is attached to (GPRS
or GPRS and other GSM services) and on the mobile station‟s
capacity of simultaneously handling GPRS and other GSM services.

 Class A:- mode of operation allows an MS to have a circuit-

switched connection at the same time that it is involved in a
packet transfer.

 Class B:- mode of operation allows an MS to be attached to

both CS and PS but it cannot use both services at the same
time. However, MS that is involved in a packet transfer can
receive a page for circuit-switched traffic. The MS can then
suspend the packet transfer for the duration of the circuit-
switched connection and afterwards resume the packet transfer.

Fig10
Class C:- mode of operation allows an MS only to be attached to one
service at the time. An MS that only supports GPRS and not circuit-
switched traffic will always work in class C mode of operation.

93
Hint About GPRS Subscriber Profile:-
 The GPRS Subscriber Profile is the description of the services a
subscriber is allowed to use. Essentially, it contains the description
of the packet data protocol used.
A subscriber may also use different packet data protocols (PDPs),
or one PDP with different addresses. The following parameters are
available for each PDP:

 The packet network address is necessary to identify the subscriber

in the public data net. Either dynamically assigned (temporary)
addresses or (in the future) static addresses are used in case of IP.

 The quality of service QoS: QoS describes various parameters. The

subscriber profile defines the highest values of the QoS parameters
that can be used by the subscriber.

 The screening profile: This profile depends on the PDP used and
on the capacity of the GPRS nodes. It serves to restrict acceptance
during transmission/reception of packet data.

Fig11

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 A is
shown in Figure B. The example suggests 3 SGSN service areas to

94
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..

GSM Network Service Area GPRS Network Service Area

 The air interface makes it necessary to introduce protocols, which

adopt the size of the packets. They perform segmentation/re-
assembly depending on the direction of the packets to be able to
send IP packets via an air interface which consists of bursts which
a fixed bit structure.

 One of the main advantages of GPRS compared to HSCSD is that

it is packet switched. This can only be done by introducing new
network elements using new hardware/protocols and by changes in
the protocol structure on Um to enable packet switching. The latter
is done by the MAC protocol.

 The GPRS protocol stack from a BSS perspective is shown in next

Figure. 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.

95
 Fig12
 L2„, L1„: L2„ and L1„ are the link layer and physical layer of the
external networks connected via the Gi-interface to the GSM-GPRS-
PLMN.

 GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol):-

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.

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

 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,

 SNDCP performs the following subfunctions:

 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.

96
  Segmentation and reassembly. The output of the
compression subfunctions are segmented to
maximum-length LLC frames, also called LLC Packet
Data Unit (LLC PDU)

 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 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.

 Base Station System GPRS Protocol (BSSGP) conveys routing-,

QoS (Quality of Service)-related between BSS and SGSN.

 Network Service (NS) transports BSSGP PDUs.

 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.

 GSM Radio Frequency (GSM RF) TSs makes up the Time-

Division Multiple Access (TDMA) frame.

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.

97
Channel coding starts with the division of digital information into
transferable blocks.
These radio blocks, i.e. the data to be transferred (prior to encoding)
comprise:
 A header for the Medium Access Control MAC (MAC
Header).

 Signaling information (RLC/MAC Signaling Block) or user

information (RLC Data Block).

 A Block Check Sequence BCS.

Fig14
The RLC/MAC layer 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).

Multiframe Structure

98
In addition to the nine existing logical radio channels used for
signaling (BCCH, SCH, FCCH, PCH, RACH, AGCH as well as
SDCCH, SACCH and FACCH) and the Traffic Channel (TCH) for
circuit switched user information, a new set of logical channels was
defined for GPRS.

Fig15
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.

 PRACH: Packet Random Access Channel, used by the

mobile to request one or more PDTCHs.

 PAGCH: Packet Access Grant Channel, used to allocate one

or more PDTCHs to the mobile station.

99
  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.

Summary of Logical Channels in GPRS

100
The GPRS packet data traffic is arranged in 52-type multiframes.
52 TDMA frames in each case are combined to form one GPRS
traffic channel multiframe, which is subdivided into 12 blocks with 4
TDMA frames each. One block (B0-B11) contains one radio block
each (4 normal bursts, which are related to each other by means of
convolutional coding). Every thirteenth TDMA frame is idle. In the
idle frame the PTACCH is sent. The idles frames are used by the MS
to be able to determine the various base station identity codes BSIC, to
carry out timing advance updates procedures or interference
measurements for the realization of power control.

Fig17

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 which TS(s) will it be sending on.

101
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.

Fig18

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.

Master 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 first dedicated PDCH that is allocated according to the

operator‟s preferences regarding non-hopping BCCH will be
configured as an MPDCH. The following PDCHs that are

102
 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.

There are three GPRS mobility management states, listed below. See
also. The SGSN knows the state of all MSs that are in standby or
ready state

Fig20

 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.

103
  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.

Fig21

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.
Three network operation modes then are defined:

 Mode I:- The Gs interface is present and the Master PDCH may
exist.

 Mode II:- The Gs interface is not present and the Master PDCH
doesn‟t exist.

 Mode III:- The Gs interface is not present and the Master

PDCH may exist.

104
105
106