1 GSM Fundamentals

Internal
GSM Fundamentals
www.huawei.com
GBSS Training Team

HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
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After the completion of this course, the trainees

should understand the following contents:
Basic idea of GSM system
Features of GSM
The structure of the GSM system.
Certain numbers that refer to BSS
Handovers, frequency hopping and location
updates
Propagation Mechanisms
The idea of EDGE and GPRS
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BSS Feature Description

BSS Signaling Analysis Manual
BSC Technical Manual
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Chapter 1 GSM System Overview

Chapter 2 Features of GSM
Chapter 3 GSM Network Structure
Chapter 4 Service Area and Number Planning
Chapter 5 Handover and Frequency hopping
Chapter 6 Location Update
Chapter 7 Propagation Mechanisms
Chapter 8 GPRS & EDGE Introduction
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GSM system overview

The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a set of
recommendations and specifications for a digital cellular telephone

network (known as a Public Land Mobile Network, or PLMN).
These recommendations ensure the compatibility of
equipment from
different GSM manufacturers, and interconnectivity between different
administrations, including operation across international boundaries.
GSM networks are digital and can cater for high system capacities.
They are consistent with the world-wide digitization of the telephone
network, and are an extension of the Integrated Services Digital

Network (ISDN), using a digital radio interface between the cellular
network and the mobile subscriber equipment.
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GSM system overview

The GSM system is a frequency- and time-division cellular system,
each physical channel is characterized by a carrier frequency and a

time slot number
Cellular systems are designed to operate with groups of low-power
radios spread out over the geographical service area. Each group of
radios serve MSs presently located near them. The area served by
each group of radios is called a CELL
Uplink and downlink signals for one user are assigned different
frequencies, this kind of technique is called Frequency Division

Duplex (FDD)
Data for different users is conveyed in time intervals called slots ,
several slots make up a frame. This kind of technique is called Time

Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
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GSM system overview

CELLULAR TELEPHONY
A cellular telephone system links mobile subscribers into the public telephone system or to
another cellular subscriber.

Information between the mobile unit and the cellular network uses radio communication.
Hence the subscriber is able to move around and become fully mobile.
The service area in which mobile communication is to be provided is divided into regions
called cells.
Each cell has the equipment to transmit and receive calls from any subscriber located within
the borders of its radio coverage area.
Cell
Radio
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Mobile subscriber
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GSM History and Overview

1989
Standard Protocol for GSM take effect
1991
GSM system began to provide service in Europe(2G)
1992
System was named as Global System for

Mobile Communication
1994
Provide services for the whole world
1996
Micro Cell Technique is used in GSM system
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Cell Definitions
Macro Cell and Micro Cell
A certain radio coverage area formed by a set of transceivers that connected to a set of
antennas is called a CELL.

Macro Cell
In the beginning , High-Power BTSs are adopted to provide services. The BTS covers a
wider area , but its frequency utilization is not efficient. So , it can only provide a few
channels for subscribers.
Micro Cell
Later the Low-Power BTS joins the system for getting a better service area with high
capacity . At the same time it adopts the frequency reuse technique to improve the
efficiency of the frequency utilization and also the whole capacity of the network.
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Multiple Access Technique

Multiple Access Technique allows many subscribers to
use the same communication medium.

There are three kinds of basic Multiple Access
Technique :
1) FDMA
2) TDMA and
3) CDMA.
GSM system adopt FDD-TDMA (FDMA and TDMA
together).
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FDMA
Frequency
FDMA uses different frequency channels
to accomplish communication.
The whole frequency spectrum available is
divided into many individual channels (for

transmitting and receiving) every
channel can support the traffic for one
subscriber or some control information.
Time
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TDMA
Frequency
TDMA
accomplishes
the
communication
in
different
timeslot.
A carrier is divided into channels
based on time. Different signals

occupy different timeslots in
certain sequence , that is , many
signals are transmitted on the same
frequency in different time.
Time
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CDMA
Frequency
CDMA
accomplishes
the
communication in different code
sequences.
Special coding is adopted before
transmission, then different

information will lose nothing
after
being mixed and
transmitted together on the same
frequency and at the same time.
Time
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Frequency Spectrum
GSM 900
GSM systems use radio frequencies between 890-915 MHz for receive and between 935-960 MHz for
transmit.
RF carriers are spaced every 200 kHz, allowing a total of 124 carriers for use.
An RF carrier is a pair of radio frequencies, one used in each direction.
Transmit and receive frequencies are always separated by 45 MHz.
Uplink
890
Downlink
915
935
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960MHz
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Frequency Spectrum
Extended GSM(EGSM)
EGSM has 10MHz of bandwidth on both transmit and receive.
Receive bandwidth is from 880 MHz to 890 MHz.
Transmit bandwidth is from 925 MHz to 935 MHz.
Total RF carriers in EGSM is 50.

UPLINK FREQUENCIES
880
890
DOWNLINK FREQUENCIES
915
925
935
UPLINK AND DOWNLINK FREQUENCY SEPARATED BY 45MHZ

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960
Frequency Spectrum
DCS 1800
DCS1800 systems use radio frequencies between 1710-1785 MHz for receive and
between 1805-1880 MHz for transmit.
RF carriers are spaced every 200 kHz, allowing a total of 373 carriers.
Transmit and receive frequencies are always separated by 95 MHz.
Base Station Receive
1710
1880MHz
Base Station Transmit
1785 1805
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Frequency Spectrum
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Features of GSM
INCREASED CAPACITY
The GSM system provides a greater subscriber capacity than analogue systems.
GSM allows 25 kHz per user, that is, eight conversations per 200 kHz channel pair (a
pair comprising one transmit channel and one receive channel).
Digital channel coding and the modulation used makes the signal resistant to
interference from cells where the same frequencies are re-used (co-channel
interference).
This allows increased geographic reuse by permitting a reduction in the number of

cells in the reuse pattern.
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Features of GSM
AUDIO QUALITY
Digital transmission of speech and high performance digital signal processors provide good
quality speech transmission.
Since GSM is a digital technology, the signals passed over a digital air interface can be protected
against errors by using better error detection and correction techniques.
In regions of interference or noise-limited operation the speech quality is noticeably better than
analogue.
USE OF STANDARDISED OPEN INTERFACES
Standard interfaces such as C7 and X25 are used throughout the system. Hence different
manufacturers can be selected for different parts of the PLMN.
There is a high flexibility in where the Network components are situated.
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Features of GSM
IMPROVED SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
GSM offers high speech and data confidentiality.
Subscriber authentication can be performed by the system to check if a

subscriber is a valid subscriber or not.
The GSM system provides for high degree of confidentiality for the
subscriber. Calls are encoded and ciphered when sent over air.
The mobile equipment can be identified independently from the mobile

subscriber. The mobile has a identity number hard coded into it when it is
manufactured. This number is stored in a standard database and whenever
a call is made the equipment can be checked to see if it has been reported
stolen.
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Features of GSM
CLEANER HANDOVERS
GSM uses Mobile assisted handover technique.
The mobile itself carries out the signal strength and quality measurement of its
server and signal strength measurement of its neighbors.
This data is passed on the Network which then uses sophisticated algorithms to
determine the need of handover.
SUBSCRIBER IDENTIFICATION
In a GSM system the mobile station and the subscriber are identified separately.
The subscriber is identified by means of a smart card known as a SIM.
This enables the subscriber to use different mobile equipment while retaining
the same subscriber number.
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Features of GSM
ENHANCED RANGE OF SERVICES
Speech services for normal telephony.
Short Message Service for point ot point transmission of text

message.
Cell broadcast for transmission of text message from the cell to all
MS in its coverage area. Message like traffic information or
advertising can be transmitted.
Fax and data services are provided. Data rates available are 2.4 Kb/s,
4.8 Kb/s and 9.6 Kb/s.
Supplementary services like number identification , call barring, call

forwarding, charging display etc can be provided.
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Features of GSM
FREQUENCY REUSE
There are total 124 carriers in GSM900 (additional 50 carriers are available in EGSM band).
Each carrier has 8 timeslots and if 7 can be used for traffic then a maximum of 868 ( 124 X 7 )
calls can be made. This is not enough and hence frequencies have to be reused.
The same RF carrier can be used for many conversations in several different cells at the same
time.
The radio carriers available are allocated according to a regular pattern

which repeats over the whole coverage area.
The pattern to be used depends on traffic requirement and spectrum

availability.
Some typical repeat patterns are 4*3,4*12, 7*21etc.
The different Subscribers can use the same frequency in different places.
The quality of communication must be ensured.
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3
4
7
6
2
1
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Frequency Reuse
7
11
6
10
8
12
4 site X 3 cells reuse
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Cell Types
Omni
Omni-directional Cell
1
1
120
degree
120 Degree Cell
3
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GSM-GPRS Network Component

MSC/VLR
PSTN
ISDN
GMSC
GSM /GPRS BSS

MS
BSC
HLR/AUC
BTS
PCU
SS7
BSC
MS
SMS system
BTS
Internet,
Intranet
GPRS Backbone
SGSN
OMC
CG
GGSN
BG
Other PLMN
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Interface Between Different Entities

MSC/VLR
PSTN
ISDN
GMSC
GSM /GPRS BSS

MS
Abis
BSC
BTS
PCU
SS7
Gb
BSC
MS Um
HLR/AUC
C/D/Gs
Gr/Gs/Gd/Ge
BTS
SMS system
Gc
GPRS backbone
SGSN
Ga
OMC
CG
Gi
GGSN
BG
Gp
Internet,
Intranet
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Other PLMN
Mobile StationMS
An MS is used by a mobile subscriber to communicate with the mobile
network. Several types of MSs exist, each allowing the subscriber to make and
receive calls.
The range or coverage area of an MS depends on the output power of the MS.
Different types of MSs have different output power capabilities and

consequently different ranges.
GSM MSs consist of
A mobile terminal
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
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 of subscribers.
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Mobile StationMS
Mobiles
are classified into

according to their power rating.
five
classes
SIM
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Base Station Subsystem-BSS

MSC
The Base Station Controller
BSC
BSS
The Base Transceiver Station
BTS
The Trans-coder TC and Sub
multiplexer (SM)
TC/SM
TC/SM
BSC
BSC
BTS
BTS
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Base Station Subsystem-BSS
The BSS is the fixed end of the radio interface that provides control and radio coverage
functions for one or more cells and their associated MSs.
It is the interface between the MS and the MSC.
The BSS comprises one or more Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), each containing the radio
components that communicate with MSs in a given area, and a Base Site Controller (BSC)
which supports call processing functions and the interfaces to the MSC.
Digital radio techniques are used for the radio communications link, known as the Air Interface,
between the BSS and the MS.
The BSS consists of three basic Network Elements (NEs).
Transcoder (XCDR) or Remote transcoder (RXCDR) .
Base Station Controller (BSC).
Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) assigned to the BSC.
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Transcoder
The speech transcoder is the interface between the 64 kbit/s PCM channel in the land network and
the 13 kbit/s channel used on the Air Interface.
This reduces the amount of information carried on the Air Interface and hence, its bandwidth.
If the 64 kbits/s PCM is transmitted on the air interface without occupation, it would occupy an
excessive amount of radio bandwidth. This would use the available radio spectrum inefficiently.
The required bandwidth is therefore reduced by processing the 64 kbits/s PCM data so that the
amount of information required to transmit digitized voice falls to 13kb/s.
The XCDR can multiplex 4 traffic channels into a single 64 kbit/s timeslot. Thus a E1/T1 serial
link can carry 4 times as many channels.
This can reduce the number of E1/T1 leased lines required to connect remotely located equipment.
When the transcoder is between the MSC and the BSC it is called a remote transcoder (RXCDR).
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Transcoder
30 Timeslots
1 traffic channel / TS
64 Kbps / TS
4 E1 lines = 30 X 4
=120 Timeslots
MSC
Each Timeslot =16 X 4

= 64 Kb/s
30 timeslots = 30 x 4
=120 traffic channels
XCDR
BSC
Transcoded information from four calls
16
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Base Station Controller-BSC
The BSC network element provides the control for the BSS.
It controls and manages the associated BTSs, and interfaces with the Operations and
Maintenance Centre (OMC).
The purpose of the BSC is to perform a variety of functions. The following comprise the
functions provided by the BSC:
Controls the BTS components.-
Performs Call Processing.
Performs Operations and Maintenance (O & M).
Provides the O & M link (OML) between the BSS and the OMC.
Provides the A Interface between the BSS and the MSC.
Manages the radio channels.
Transfers signaling information to and from MSs.
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Base Tran receiver Station-BTS
The BTS network element consists of the hardware

components, such as radios, interface modules and antenna
systems that provide the Air Interface between the BSS and the
MSs.
The BTS provides radio channels (RF carriers) for a specific

RF coverage area.
The radio channel is the communication link between the MSs

within an RF coverage area and the BSS.
The BTS also has a limited amount of control functionality

which reduces the amount of traffic between the BTS and BSC.
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BTS Connectivity
Open ended Daisy Chain
MSC
BSC
BTS12
BTS13
BTS14
Star
BTS5
BTS11
BTS1
Daisy Chain with
a fork. Fork has a
return loop back
to the chain
BTS4
BTS2
BTS11
BTS6
BTS7
BTS3
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BTS8
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Daisy Chain with

a fork. Fork has a
return loop back
to the chain
BTS9
Packet Control Unit - PCU

MSC
Packet data switching
Bridge between SGSN
and BSC
Provide Pb and Gb
interface
BSS
TC/SM
TC/SM
BSC
BSC
GPRS
Backbone
PCU
PCU
BTS
BTS
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SGSN
SGSN
Network Switching System

NSS
OMC
AUC
AUC
HLR
HLR
EIR
EIR
EC
EC
MSC/VLR
MSC/VLR
Mobile-service Switching Center

Home Location Register
Visitor Location Register
Equipment Identity Register
Authentication Center
Echo Cancellor
MSC
HLR
VLR
EIR
AUC
EC
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BSS
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PSTN
Mobile-service Switching Center - MSC
The Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC) co-ordinates the setting up of calls to and
from GSM users.
It is the telephone switching office for MS originated or terminated traffic and provides the
appropriate bearer services, teleservices and supplementary services.
It controls a number of Base Station Sites (BSSs) within a specified geographical coverage
area and gives the radio subsystem access to the subscriber and equipment databases.
The MSC carries out several different functions depending on its position in the network.
When the MSC provides the interface between PSTN and the BSS in the GSM network it
is called the Gateway MSC.
Some important functions carried out by MSC are Call processing including control of
data/voice call setup, inter BSS & inter MSC handovers, control of mobility management,
Operation & maintenance support including database management, traffic metering and
man machine interface & managing the interface between GSM & PSTN N/W.
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Home Location Register - HLR
The HLR contains the master database of all subscribers in the PLMN.
This data is remotely accessed by the MSCs and VLRs in the network. The data can also be
accessed by an MSC or a VLR in a different PLMN to allow inter-system and inter-country
roaming.
A PLMN may contain more than one HLR, in which case each HLR contains a portion of the
total subscriber database. There is only one database record per subscriber.
The subscribers data may be accessed by the IMSI or the MSISDN.
The parameters stored in HLR are
Subscribers ID (IMSI and MSISDN )
Current subscriber VLR.
Supplementary services subscribed to.
Supplementary services information (eg. Current forwarding address ).
Authentication key and AUC functionality.
TMSI and MSRN
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Visitor Location Register -VLR
The Visited Location Register (VLR) is a local subscriber database, holding

details on those subscribers who enter the area of the network that it covers.
The details are held in the VLR until the subscriber moves into the area
serviced by another VLR.
The data includes most of the information stored at the HLR, as well as more
precise location and status information.
The additional data stored in VLR are
Mobile status ( Busy / Free / No answer etc. )
Location Area Identity ( LAI )
Temporary Mobile Subscribers Identity ( TMSI )
Mobile Station Roaming Number ( MSRN )
The VLR provides the system elements local to the subscriber, with basic
information on that subscriber, thus removing the need to access the HLR every
time subscriber information is required.
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Authentication Centre - AUC
The AUC is a processor system that

perform authentication function.
It is normally co-located with the HLR.
The authentication process usually takes

place each time the subscriber initializes
on the system.
Each subscriber is assigned an

authentication key (Ki) which is stored in
the SIM and at the AUC.
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Equipment Identity Register - EIR

White List: All Valid
assigned IDs
Black List: Service
IMEI is Checked In White List
allowed but noted

Grey List: Service
denied
EIR focus on the

equipment , not the
subscriber!!
If NOT found
IMEI is Checked in Black/Grey List
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Operation and maintenance Centre for Radio OMC-R
The OMC controls and monitors the Network elements within a region.
The OMC also monitors the quality of service being provided by the Network.
The following are the main functions performed by the OMC-R
The OMC allows network devices to be manually removed for or restored to

service. The status of network devices can be checked from the OMC and tests
and diagnostics invoked.
The alarms generated by the Network elements are reported and logged at the
OMC. The OMC-R Engineer can monitor and analyse these alarms and take
appropriate action like informing the maintenance personal.
The OMC keeps on collecting and accumulating traffic statistics from the
network elements for analysis.
Software loads can be downloaded to network elements or uploaded to the

OMC.
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OMC Functional Architecture
Security
Management
Event/Alarm
Management
MMI
OS
DB
Fault
Management
Configuration
Management
Performance
Management
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Different
Interfaces
in
GSM
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Terrestrial Interface
The terrestrial interfaces comprises all the connections between the GSM system
entities ,apart from the Um or air interface.
The terrestrial interfaces transport the traffic across the system and allows the
passage of thousands of data messages to make the system function.
The standard interfaces used are
2 Mb/s
Signaling System (C7 or SS7)
Packet Switched Data
Abis using the LAPD protocol (Link Access Procedure D )
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Interface Names
Each interface specified in GSM has a name associated with it.
NAME
INTERFACE
Um
MS ----- BTS
Abis
BTS ----- BSC
Ater
BSC ----- TRC
MSC ------ BSC
MSC ------ VLR
MSC ------ HLR
VLR ----- HLR
MSC ------ MSC
MSC ------ EIR
VLR ------ VLR
HLR ------ AUC
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2 Mbits/s Trunk 30-Channel PCM

This interface carries the traffic from the PSTN to the MSC, between MSCs, from
the MSC to the BSCs and from the BSCs to the BTSs.
It represents the physical layer in the OSI model.
Each 2 Mb/s link provides 30 traffic channels available to carry speech ,data or
control information.
Typical Configuration
TS 0
TS 1-15
TS 16
TS 17 - 31
TS 0 - Frame allignment/ Error checking/ Signalling/ Alarms

TS 1-15 , 17-31 - Traffic
TS 16 - Siganlling
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Service Area
Service Area
PLMN
PLMN service
service area
area
MSC service area...
PLMN service area

MSC service area...
Location area...
Location area...
cell
cell
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......
LAI
MCC
MNC
LAC
Location Area Identification
The LAI is the international code for a location area.

MCC: Mobile Country Code It consists of 3 digits .
For example: The MCC of China is "460"
MNC: Mobile Network Code It consists of 2 digits .
For example: The MNC of China Mobile is "00"
LAC: Location Area Code It is a two bytes hex code.
The value 0000 and FFFF is invalid.
For example: 460-00-0011
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CGI
CGI: Cell Global Identification
The CGI is a unique international identification for a cell

The format is LAI+CI
LAI: Location Area Identification
CI: Cell Identity. This code uses two bytes hex code to
the cells within an LAI.
For example : 460-00-0011-0001
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identify
BSIC
BSIC Base Station Identification Color Code)
NCC
BCC
BSIC
NCC: PLMN network color code. It comprises 3 bit. It

allows various neighboring PLMNs to be
distinguished.
BCC: BTS color code. It comprises 3 bit, used to
distinguish different cells assigned the same
frequency!
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MSISDN
CC
NDC
SN
National (significant)
Mobile number
Mobile station international
ISDN number
CC: Country Code. For example: The CC of China is "86".

NDC: National Destination Code. For example: The NDC of China
Telecom is 139, 138, 137, 136, 135.
SN: Subscriber Number. Format:H0 H1 H2 H3 ABCD
Example: 86-139-0666-1234
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IMSI
Not more than 15 digits
3 digits
2 digits
MCC
MNC
MSIN
NMSI
IMSI
MCC: Mobile Country Code It consists of 3 digits .
For example: The MCC of China is "460"
MNC: Mobile Network Code It consists of 2 digits .
For example: The MNC of China Telecom is "00"
MSIN: Mobile Subscriber Identification Number. H1H2H3 S ABCDEF
For example: 666-9777001
NMSI: National Mobile Subscriber Identification MNC and MSIN
form it together.
For Example of IMSI : 460-00-666-9777001
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TMSI
TMSI: Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identification)
The TMSI is assigned only after successful subscriber
authentication.
The VLR controls the allocation of new TMSI numbers and
notifies them to the HLR.

TMSI is used to ensure that the identity of the mobile subscriber
on the air interface is kept secret.

The TMSI consists of 4 bytes( 8 HEX numbers) and determined by
the operator.
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IMEI
IMEI: International Mobile Station Equipment Identification
TAC
FAC
SNR
SP
IMEI
TAC:
TAC: Type
Type approval
approval code,
code, 66 bit,
bit, determined
determined by
by the
the type
type approval
approval center
center
FAC:
FAC: Final
Final assembly
assembly code,
code, 22 bit,
bit, ItIt isis determined
determined by
by the
the manufacturer.
manufacturer.
SNR:
SNR: Serial
Serial number,
number,66 bits,
bits, ItIt isis issued
issued by
by the
the manufacturer
manufacturer of
of the
the MS.
MS.
SP:
SP: 11 bit
bit ,, Not
Not used.
used.
Check
Check the
the IMEI
IMEI in
in your
your MS
MS :: *#06#
*#06#
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Handover
The GSM handover process uses a mobile assisted technique for accurate and fast
handovers, in order to:
Maintain the user connection link quality.
Manage traffic distribution
The overall handover process is implemented in the MS,BSS & MSC.
Measurement of radio subsystem downlink performance and signal strengths received

from surrounding cells, is made in the MS.
These measurements are sent to the BSS for assessment.
The BSS measures the uplink performance for the MS being served and also assesses the
signal strength of interference on its idle traffic channels.
Initial assessment of the measurements in conjunction with defined thresholds and

handover strategy may be performed in the BSS. Assessment requiring measurement
results from other BSS or other information resident in the MSC, may be perform. in the
MSC.
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Handover
The MS assists the handover decision process by performing

certain measurements.
When the MS is engaged in a speech conversation, a portion

of the TDMA frame is idle while the rest of the frame is used
for uplink (BTS receive) and downlink (BTS transmit)
timeslots.
During the idle time period of the frame, the MS changes

radio channel frequency and monitors and measures the
signal level of the six best neighbor cells.
Measurements which feed the handover decision algorithm

are made at both ends of the radio link.
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Handover
MS END
At the MS end, measurements are continuously signalled, via the

associated control channel, to the BSS where the decision for handover
is ultimately made.
MS measurements include:
Serving cell downlink quality (bit error rate (BER) estimate.
Serving cell downlink received signal level, and six best neighbor
cells downlink received signal level.
The MS also decodes the Base Station ID Code (BSIC) from the six
best neighbor cells, and reports the BSICs and the measurement
information to the BSS.
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Handover
BTS END
The BTS measures the uplink link quality, received signal level, and MS
to BTS site distance.
The MS RF transmit output power budget is also considered in the

handover decision.
If the MS can be served by a neighbor cell at a lower power, the

handover is recommended.
From a system perspective, handover may be considered due to loading

or congestion conditions. In this case, the MSC or BSC tries to balance
channel usage among cells.
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Handover Types
Intra-Cell Handover
BSC
BTS
Call is handed
from timeslot 3 to timeslot 5
Handover takes place in the same cell from one timeslot to another timeslot of the same carrier
or different carriers( but the same cell).
Intra-cell handover is triggered only if the cause is interference.
Intra-cell handover can be enabled or disabled in a cell.
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Intra-BSC Handover
BSC1
0
BTS1
Handover takes place between different cell which are controlled by the same BSC.
Call is handed from timeslot 3

of cell1 to timeslot 1 of cell2 .
Both the cells are controlled
by the same BSC.
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Inter-BSC Handover
BSC1
0
BTS1
BTS2
Handover takes place between different cell which are controlled by the different BSC.
Call is handed from timeslot

of cell1 to timeslot 1 of cell2
by the different BSC.
MSC
BSC2
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Inter-MSC Handover
MSC1
BSS1
BTS1
Call is handed from timeslot 3

of cell1 to timeslot 1 of cell2 .
by the different BSC, each BSC
being controlled by different MSC
MSC2
BSS2
BTS2
Handover takes place between different cell which are controlled by the different BSC and each BSC is
controlled by different MSC.
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Frequency Hopping
f1
f4
Modulated
RF signal
f3
f2
Voice
M
OT
O
R
OL
A
Information is
transmitted
by different frequencies
at
different timeslot
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f1
63250/ 0/0/
1
Introduction to Frequency Hopping
Can be used to improve the quality of the network
Also can be used to increase the capacity of the Network

thereby reducing the number of sites required for
CAPACITY.
The way it works:
Each burst is transmitted on a different frequency
Both mobile and base station follow the same hopping

sequence
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Types of Hopping
Base Band Hopping (BBH)
The radio units transmit always the same frequency.
Number of frequencies for hopping = Number of carriers
The radio units are always transmitting a fixed frequency and

frequency hopping is performed by moving the information for
every call among the available radio units in a cell on a per
burst basis.
In reception the call is always processed by the same radio unit

(the one where the call started).
The number of frequencies to hop over is limited by the

number of radio units equipped in the cell.
The BCCH carrier can hop in timeslots 1 to 7.
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Types of Hopping
Synthesiser Frequency Hopping (SFH)
The radio units change (retune) the frequency every

burst.
The call always stays in the same radio unit.
Number of frequencies for hopping > Number of

carriers.
The radio units can hop over a range of different

frequencies.
Hybrid combiners are required in the base station

(Cavity Combiners can not be used with SFH).
The BCCH carrier can never hop.
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Location Update
MSC should always know the location of the MS so that it can contact it by sending pages whenever
required.
The mobile keeps on informing the MSC about its current location area or whenever it changes from one
LA to another.
This process of informing the MSC is known as location updating.
The new LA is updated in the VLR.
LAI = MCC + MNC + LAC
3 digits
1-2 digits
Max 16 bits
MCC
MNC
LAC
MCC = Mobile country code.

MNC = Mobile Network Code.
LAC = Location area code. Identifies a location area within a GSM PLMN network. The
maximum length of LAC is 16 bits. Thus 65536 different LA can be defined in one GSM
PLMN.
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Page 75
Location Update Types
Normal location update
Periodic location update
IMSI attach
Normal Location Update

Mobile powers on and is idle.
Reads the LAI broadcast on the BCCH.
Compares with the last stored LAI and if it is different does a location
update.
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IMSI Attach
Saves the network from paging a MS which is not active in the system.
When MS is turned off or SIM is removed the MS sends a detach signal to the
Network. It is marked as detached.
When the MS is powered again it reads the current LAI and if it is same does a
location update type IMSI attach.
Attach/detach flag is broadcast on the BCCH sys info.
Periodic Location Update
Many times the MS enters non-coverage zone.
The MS will keep on paging the MS thus wasting precious resources.
To avoid this the MS has to inform the MSC about its current LAI in a set period
of time.
This time ranges from 0 to 255 deci-hours.
Periodic location timer value is broadcast on BCCH sys info messages.
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Page 77

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Reflection
Occurs when a wave impinges upon a smooth surface.
Dimensions of the surface are large relative to .
Reflections occur from the surface of the earth and from buildings and walls.
Diffraction (Shadowing)
Occurs when the path is blocked by an object with large dimensions relative to
and sharp irregularities (edges).
Secondary wavelets propagate into the shadowed region.
Diffraction gives rise to bending of waves around the obstacle.
Scattering
Occurs when a wave impinges upon an object with dimensions on the order of
or less, causing the reflected energy to spread out orscatter in many directions.
Small objects such as street lights, signs, & leaves cause scattering.
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Multipath
Multiple Waves Create Multipath
Due to propagation mechanisms, multiple waves arrive at the receiver
Sometimes this includes a direct Line-of-Sight (LOS) signal
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Multipath
Multipath Propagation
Multipath propagation causes large and rapid fluctuations in a signal
These fluctuations are not the same as the propagation path loss.
Multipath causes three major things
Rapid changes in signal strength over a short distance or time.
Random frequency modulation due to Doppler Shifts on different

multipath signals.
Time dispersion caused by multipath delays
These are called fading effects
Multipath propagation results in small-scale fading.
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What is Fading?
The communication between the base station and mobile station in mobile systems is mostly
non-LOS.
The LOS path between the transmitter and the receiver is affected by terrain and obstructed by
buildings and other objects.
The mobile station is also moving in different directions at different speeds.
The RF signal from the transmitter is scattered by reflection and diffraction and reaches the
receiver through many non-LOS paths.
This non-LOS path causes long-term and short term fluctuations in the form of log-normal
fading and Raleigh and Rican fading, which degrades the performance of the RF channel.
Signal Power (dBm)
Large scale fading component
Small scale fading

component
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Rayleigh fading
This phenomenon is due to multipath propagation of the signal.
The Raleigh fading is applicable to obstructed propagation paths.
All the signals are NLOS signals and there is no dominant direct path.
Signals from all paths have comparable signal strengths.
The instantaneous received power seen by a moving antenna becomes a random variable
depending on the location of the antenna.
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Ricean fading
This phenomenon is due to multipath propagation of the signal.
In this case there is a partially scattered field.
One dominant signal.
Others are weaker.
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Diversity
Receive diversity provides an effective technique for both overcoming the impact of
fading across the radio channel and increasing the received signal to interference ratio.
The former is achieved by ensuring uncorrelated (i.e. low enough correlated) fading
between antenna branches i.e. not all antennas experience fades at the same time.
Building
Building
Building
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Page 85
Need of Diversity
In a typical cellular radio environment, the communication

between the cell site and mobile is not by a direct radio path
but via many paths.
The direct path between the transmitter and the receiver is

obstructed by buildings and other objects.
Hence the signal that arrives at the receiver is either by

reflection from the flat sides of buildings or by diffraction
around man made or natural obstructions.
When various incoming radio waves arrive at the receiver

antenna, they combine constructively or destructively, which
leads to a rapid variation in signal strength.
The signal fluctuations are known as multi-path fading.
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Kind of Diversity
t
Time diversity
Coding, interleaving
Frequency diversity
f
Frequency hopping
Space diversity
Multiple antennas
Polarization diversity
Dual-polarized antennas
Multi-path diversity
Equalizer
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Page 87
Interference
Interference is the sum of all signal contributions that are neither noise not the wanted signal.
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Effects of Interference
Interference is a major limiting factor in the performance of cellular systems.
It causes degradation of signal quality.
It introduces bit errors in the received signal.
Bit errors are partly recoverable by means of channel coding and error correction
mechanisms.
The interference situation is not reciprocal in the uplink and downlink direction.
Mobile stations and base stations are exposed to different interference situation.
Source of Interference
Another mobile in the same cell.
A call in progress in the neighboring cell.
Other base stations operating on the same frequency.
Any non-cellular system which leaks energy into the cellular frequency
band.
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TYPES OF INTERFERENCE
There are two types of system generated interference
Co-channel interference
Adjacent channel interference
Co-Channel Interference
This type of interference is the due to frequency reuse , i.e. several cells use the same set of
frequency.
These cells are called co-channel cells.
Co-channel interference cannot be combated by increasing the power of the transmitter. This is
because an increase in carrier transmit power increases the interference to neighboring co-channel
cells.
To reduce co-channel interference, co-channel cells must be physically separated by a minimum

distance to provide sufficient isolation due to propagation or reduce the footprint of the cell.
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Adjacent-Channel Interference
Interference resulting from signals which are adjacent in

frequency to the desired signal is called adjacent channel
interference.
Adjacent channel interference results from imperfect

receiver filters which allow nearby frequencies to leak into
the passband.
Adjacent channel interference can be minimized through

careful filtering and channel assignments.
By keeping the frequency separation between each channel

in a given cell as large as possible , the adjacent
interference may be reduced considerably.
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General packet radio service-GPRS

The first phase of GSM network architecture enhancements
that allow mobiles to connect to IP or X.25 networks.

Characteristics of GPRS:
Packet-switched
Data rate: 9Kbps ~ 150Kbps
New functionalities: point-to-point data transferring,
routing, logical link management, radio resource
management
Modulation: GMSK
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Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

Characteristics
Uses 200kHz carrier/multi-slot operation, time slot
structure
Modulation: 8PSK(8-phase Shift Keying)
modulation(3bits per modulated symbol) <->
apposed to the 1-bit per symbol GMSK in
GSM/GPRS
Data rates: 384Kbps
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GSM Development Evolution

3G
2.5G
2G
115 kbps
57.6 kbps
9.6 kbps
2Mbps
384kbps
IMT-2000
EDGE
GPRS
HSCSD
GSM
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The basic idea of GSM

The features of GSM
The structure of GSM
Certain service area and numbers
Handover, Frequency hopping and
Location Updates.
Evolution of GSM
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Thank You
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GBSS Training Team

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After the completion of this course, the trainees

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BSS Feature Description

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Chapter 1 GSM System Overview

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GSM system overview

recommendations and specifications for a digital cellular telephone

network, and are an extension of the Integrated Services Digital

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GSM system overview

each physical channel is characterized by a carrier frequency and a

frequencies, this kind of technique is called Frequency Division

several slots make up a frame. This kind of technique is called Time

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GSM system overview

another cellular subscriber.

the borders of its radio coverage area.

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GSM History and Overview

Standard Protocol for GSM take effect

GSM system began to provide service in Europe(2G)

System was named as Global System for

Provide services for the whole world

Micro Cell Technique is used in GSM system

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antennas is called a CELL.

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Multiple Access Technique

use the same communication medium.

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FDMA uses different frequency channels

divided into many individual channels (for

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A carrier is divided into channels

based on time. Different signals

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Special coding is adopted before

transmission, then different

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An RF carrier is a pair of radio frequencies, one used in each direction.

Transmit and receive frequencies are always separated by 45 MHz.

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EGSM has 10MHz of bandwidth on both transmit and receive.

Receive bandwidth is from 880 MHz to 890 MHz.

Transmit bandwidth is from 925 MHz to 935 MHz.