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Introduction to GSM
Learning about GSM Network Architecture
Network components Radio Interface Cell structure Frequency re-use and tri-sector antenna
Understanding of GSM Localization Recognizing the Services provided by GSM Understanding of GSM Security Issues
Conclusions
1
Introduction to GSM
The most popular 2G cellular standard developed to cater voice services and data delivery using digital modulation.
Development background:
Developed by Groupe Spciale Mobile (founded 1982) which was an initiative of CEPT (Conference of European Post and Telecommunication). In 1989, ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) took the control of GSM and defined new acronym Global System for Mobile Communications. Commercial use has been started since 1991.
In March 2005, Around 1.3 billions subscribers in more than 135 countries (more than 70% world market) used GSM. Among them 43% users are from Europe and 40% users are from Asia specific region.
2
Controller (BSC)
Mobile equipment for transmitting and receiving signals. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) for storing necessary permanent and temporary data. Base Transceiver System (BTS) for
PSTN
VLR HLR AuC
transmitting and receiving signals; and manipulating signals such as encoding/decoding, encrypting, multiplexing and modulating.
EIR
Other GSM
Base station Controller (BSC) for assigning and managing resources, controlling handoff and power level, etc. Manage communications, mobility, and billing information.
Wireless Connection
P2P Wireless or optic fiber connection
Home Location Register (HLR): central master database for users under the MSC. Visitor location Register (VLR): Local database for the users currently under the domain of MSC.
Authentication Center (AuC): Authenticate mobile terminals and encrypt user data.
Equipment Identity Register (EIR): register MTs and locked stolen or malfunctioning MTs.
3
850 MHz and/or 1900MHz in Parts of Americas (including USA and Canada).
TDMA Frame:
Each frame contains 8 time slots. Channel data rate: 270.833 kbps Frame duration: 4.615 mS
Downlink
960MHz Uplink
935MHz
124 carriers 124 carriers Each Carrier has 200KHz Frequency band
Time-slots
4
Cell
(Covered by one BS)
Macrocell
Urban
Micro-cell
Pico-cell
Cell radius varies depending on antenna height, antenna gain, and condition of propagation.
Cell Representation
R R
Timing limitations: Longer distance takes more propagation time. So, utilization decreases with the increase is guard time between two time-slots. Interference: More noises are added and signal is attenuated with the increase in distance, requiring more power level. Limiting User: Longer cell radius reduces number of users.
5
Ideal cells
R = Radius of cell
Fictitious cells
For the purpose of filtering a given frequency used by a cell, a distance should be maintained between two cells using same frequency. For reusing frequency, cells are divided into clusters (each having K cells) so that a frequency band is used by only one cell of a cluster.
Tri-Sector Antenna
D
7 6
6 1 5 4 2
2 3 7 6 2 1 5 4 3
1
5 4 3
Cell Splitting
Distance,D 3K R 3 7 R 4.58 R
R = Radius of the cell.
7. Forward
information
8. Send Request
to called MSC
3. Location
Request HLR
MSC
1-2. Send call request from calling MT to MSC via BS. 3. MSC determines the address of HLR of the called MT and sends location request message. 4-5. HLR determines the serving VLR of the called MT and send route request message. VLR then send the message to the MSC serving the MT. 6. MSC allocates a TLDN to the MT and reply to HLR with TLDN.
4. Route
Request
VLR
7. HLR forward information to the MSC of the calling MT. 8. Calling MSC requests a call set up to the called MSC through SS7 networks.
HLR
MSC
5. Route
Request
4. Route
VLR Request
BS
2. Location
Update
3. Registration
query VLR
MSC
5. Registration Acknowledgement
5: HLR authenticates the MT and records information of new VLR of the MT.
old
6-7: HLR sends a registration cancellation message to old VLR. Old VLR then remove records and returns a cancellation acknowledgement message to the HLR.
Input Speech
Speech encoder
Data encryption
Data Modulator
Speech encoder
PSTN to GSM
GSM to PSTN
Speech decoder
10101
10101
Data demodulator
Data decryption
Speech Decoder
Output Speech
GSM Localization
GSM localization is the use of GSM mobile phones to determine the location of the user.
Location of an MT can be determined using Time of Arrival (TOA), Time difference of Arrival (TDOA), and Angle of Arrival (AOA) measures.
R1 R2 BS2
2. measure base station distances as R1= ct1, R2= ct2,and R3=ct3, where c is light speed. 3. Circles are formed with radius R1, R2, and R3. 4. Intersection point is the position of MT.
However, GPS is the most popular way of geolocating an MT precisely within 50 meters.
10
GSM Services
GSM network Provides three types of services:
Voice conversation
Emergency services
Supplementary Services:
call forwarding and call barring, Calling/connected line identification presentation and restriction Malicious call identification Multi-party services (i.e., tele-conferencing), etc.
11
MT
SIM
Network compares the SRES with its own SRES. If Authentication fails network may choose to repeat with International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).
TMSI: Temporary mobile subscriber identity SRES: Signed Response. SIM: Subscriber Identity Module.
User confidentiality is maintain by protecting SIM using a PIN and PUK (PIN unlock) code. If invalid PIN code is entered for a given time, PUK code should be collected from the operator. Using invalid PUK several times damage the SIM permanently.
12
Conclusions
People are now expecting wireless worldwide connectivity of their laptops and powerful handheld devices.
agencies.
Capacity is the main limitation of GSM networks. GSM cannot support the todays demand of wireless multimedia services.
2.5G General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and 3G CDMA2000 are now being used in some