Introduction To GPRS and EGPRS EDGE

Introduction to GPRS and EGPRS
Introduction to GPRS and EGPRS/EDGE
Alcatel
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CONTENTS
1.
SCOPE..................................................................................................................... 3
2.
SETTING THE SCENE ............................................................................................ 4
2.1
Acronyms............................................................................................................................................. 4
2.2
Why all that effort ? ............................................................................................................................ 6
3.
GPRS/EGPRS ARCHITECTURE ............................................................................ 7
3.1
Overview .............................................................................................................................................. 7
3.2
GPRS network elements .................................................................................................................... 9
4.
NOW, HOW DOES IT WORK ?............................................................................. 11
4.1
The processes................................................................................................................................... 11
4.2
Logical and physical channels ........................................................................................................ 15
4.3
The protocol stack ............................................................................................................................ 20
5.
THE PHYSICAL LAYER ........................................................................................ 25
5.1
Modulation schemes ........................................................................................................................ 25
5.2
Coding schemes ............................................................................................................................... 29
6.
NETWORK COVERAGE AND THROUGHPUT..................................................... 35
6.1
Some basics ...................................................................................................................................... 35
6.2
GPRS and EGPRS performance ...................................................................................................... 36
6.3
How to plan a GPRS/EGPRS network............................................................................................. 42
7.
TRAFFIC ASPECT................................................................................................. 47
7.1
What is the difference to speech transmission ? .......................................................................... 47
7.2
Multi-Service Traffic Model .............................................................................................................. 47
7.3
Mobile station capabilities ............................................................................................................... 49
8.
INTERFACES AND TRANSMISSION ASPECTS.................................................. 50
8.1
Capacity aspect for the Abis interface............................................................................................ 50
8.2
Transmission management on the Ater interface ......................................................................... 50
8.3
The Gb Interface................................................................................................................................ 50
9.
LITERATURE......................................................................................................... 53
10. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................... 54

Notice of proprietary information
This document contains proprietary technical information belonging to Alcatel. By accepting this
material, the recipient agrees that this material will not be reproduced or used in whole or part except
as otherwise agreed between Alcatel and the recipient.
Subject to change without notice.
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1. SCOPE
The following document provides a first introduction to GPRS and EDGE (EGPRS). In order to ease
the reading, some simplifications are made. Sometimes, the GSM recommendations specify several
possibilities for certain functions. This document does not cover all these alternatives, but is
restricted to the most commonly implemented ones.
The know-how acquired by working through this paper shall enable the reader to better understand
other documents going further into details.
This document can be grouped into four parts:
The first part (chapter 2) is setting the scene: It introduces the acronyms related to data services
offered for GSM network evolutions and gives some rationales for GPRS / EGPRS.
The second part (chapter 3 to 5) describes the GPRS / EGPRS system from top to bottom:
Starting with the network architecture, via an overview of the processes going on in GPRS /
EGPRS, the protocol stacks are introduced. This part ends with describing the physical layer.
The third part (chapter 6 and 7) gives a first insight into network performance and planning
aspects, from a coverage / throughput aspect as well as from a traffic aspect.
The fourth part (chapter 8) gives a short introduction to the transmission aspects.
For the interested reader, recommendations on further documents are provided in chapter 9. A list of
abbreviations is appended at the end of the document.
A reasonable knowledge of telecommunications and conventional (circuit-switched) GSM systems is
required to fully understand this document.
Please note that this document contains preliminary information:
Performance indications are partially based on simulations and need to be verified in real
hardware.
This document does not give any commitments of Alcatel on product parameters and availability
schedules.
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2. SETTING THE SCENE

2.1 Acronyms
GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. This packet data service is introduced into GSM
networks in addition to the old fashioned circuit switched services. GPRS provides a true, end-toend packet-switched transmission.
Two steps for the GPRS-introduction are distinguished: Step 1 with the (slower) coding schemes
CS-1 and CS-2, and Step 2 with the additional coding schemes CS-3 and CS-4 (higher throughput).
Later in this document, you will find more information on CS-1 to CS-4.
With GPRS, a new entity is
introduced into the radio
network: The Packet Control
Unit
(PCU),
realized
Alcatel networks
Multi-BSS
Fast
Vihhrh
in
%6&
*
by the
packet
Server (MFS). This entity
%76
"GPRS-intelligence"
within the BSS and controls

all
packet
data
T
C
Tiihhrh
%6&
*
contains the major part of

the
&LUFXLW
&RUH
1HWZRUN
%76
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related
$
*E
,3
&RUH **61
6*61
1HWZRUN
processes. For the rest of the BSS, GPRS is just software.

A packet data core network consisting of the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and the Gateway
GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is complementing the circuit switched core-network mainly consisting
of the MSC/VLR.
HSCSD stands for High Speed Circuit Switched Data. For a HSCSD connection, more than one
time-slot in a time-division multiple access (TDMA) frame is assigned exclusively to one user. This
allows to offer circuit-switched data services with higher bit-rates.
EDGE stands for Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution. EDGE is a concept of improving data
rates in GSM systems. This definition is the headline for all possible applications, let it be circuit- or
packet-switched services including architectural issues, all protocol levels etc. With EDGE, a new
modulation scheme on the Air interface (called 8PSK) is introduced, which allows higher throughput
while maintaining the existing bandwidth and time-division multiple access (TDMA) structure of GSM.
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EGPRS stands for Enhanced General Packet Radio Service. This is nothing else than the application
of GPRS within EDGE: A Packet data services with a higher bit rate.
ECSD is the acronym for EDGE Circuit Switched Data. This is the application of EDGE for circuit
switched traffic applications and could be the evolution of HSCSD. Using 8PSK modulation, data
rates of 28.8 and 32 kbit/s per timeslot in transparent mode, 28.8 and 43.2 kbit/s in non-transparent
mode are available. This service has so far only met limited interest from network operators and is
therefore not further considered in this document.
GERAN stands for GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network. GERAN combines all the GSM services as
described before:
GSM
and circuit-switched data)
(voice and circuit-switched data)
GSM (voice
GPRS
GPRS
GERAN
GERAN
HSCSD
HSCSD
EDGE
EDGE
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EGPRS
ECSD
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2.2 Why all that effort ?
Because of the Internet. There are big expectations on the potential of

Internet services (Internet including World Wide Web www, e-mail, Intranet
and the like) offered to mobile subscribers.
The good old circuit switched mode of data transmission is not very well
suited to the bursty way the data actually flow between the end-user and
the network.
A packet mode transmission allows other users to reuse the transmission

resources while you are reading the page just downloaded from the
Internet. This even without urging you to disconnect, reconnect, disconnect,
... GPRS is a real Always On service.
And, quite important, only the actual transmitted data have to be billed to
the subscriber, thus offering a much more affordable way for mobile
Internet surfing.
These are the reasons behind the idea of the General Packet Radio
Service GPRS. This service improves already the data capability of GSM
remarkably.
A further way to increase the speed was found: The use of a new
modulation scheme, named EDGE in combination with GPRS: EGPRS.
The ultimate evolution step will be the availability of services similar to all
you ever expected (and a lot you never expected) from UMTS. The
limitation is just the bandwidth available to the operators (yes, we still need
UMTS ! ).
But what is ultimate ? Some engineers already started discussing about

adding new modulation schemes to GSM allowing even higher data rates ...
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3. GPRS/EGPRS ARCHITECTURE
3.1 Overview
The technical solution adopted by ETSI for the GPRS / EGPRS service is based on the common use
of the BSS by circuit and packet-switched services and the introduction of new logical network
entities:
Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN),
Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN),
Packet Control Unit (PCU), in the Alcatel implementation supported by the A935 MFS (Multi-BSS
Fast Packet Server),
GPRS Backbone Network.
The following figure shows the architecture of a GPRS / EGPRS capable network on the example of
the Alcatel implementation with the Multi-BSS Fast Packet Server MFS:
TC
BTS
Abis
MSC
VLR
PTSN
ISDN
Ater
BSC
MFS
(PCU)
BTS
Abis
HLR
AuC
BTS
Gb
Gn
Packet-switched services
SGSN
Circuit-switched services
GPRS
backbone
Gi
GGSN
Internet
X.25
Mixed packet- and circuitswitched services
GPRS / EGPRS services use the same BSS architecture as circuit-switched services. Packetswitched services are routed via Gb and Gn interfaces to SGSN and GGSN prior to interconnection
with the terminating IP- or X.25 based Packet Data Networks (PDNs).
The ETSI specifications allow to combine the SGSN and GGSN in the same physical node or to
implement them in different physical nodes with an IP-based backbone providing interconnection.
The latter option is adopted by Alcatel.
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The Home Location Register HLR holds GPRS-specific subscriber information. It provides them to
the SGSN at the instant of a mobile attaches to GPRS services.
The complete overview of all network elements and all interfaces related to GPRS/EGPRS is given
here:
SMS-GMSC
SMSC
Short Message Service Gateway-MSC
Short Message
Service Center
SMS-IWMSC
Short Message Service - Interworking MSC
MSC/VLR
HLR/AuC
Mobile Switching Center

Visitor Location Register
Home Location Register

Authentication Center
Gd
Gc
Gs
Gr
R
Um
Gb
Gn
Gi
TE
MT
BSS
SGSN
GGSN
Terminal
Equipment
Mobile
Termination
Base Station
System
Serving GPRS
Support Node
Gateway GPRS
Support Node
SGSN
Terminal
Equipment
Gf
Gn
Serving GPRS
Support Node
TE
PDN
Packet Data Network
Gp
EIR
Equipment
Identification Register
GGSN
Gateway GPRS
Support Node
Data and signalling transfer
Other PLMN
Signalling transfer
Public Land Mobile Network
Some of the elements and associated interfaces are optional. Examples (not exhaustive): Equipment
Identification Register EIR with interface Gf, or the Short Message Service Center SMSC with
interface Gd.
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3.2 GPRS network elements

3.2.1 Alcatel BSS solution
In the BSS, the Packet Control Unit (PCU) is responsible for the lower layer functions on the Um
interface (Radio Link Control and Medium Access Control):
Protocol Data Unit (PDU) segmentation/re-assembly,
Channel access control,
Radio channel management,
Packet Data Channel (PDCH) scheduling,
Transmission error detection,
Automatic request for repetition (ARQ).
The BSC is used for circuit versus packet radio resource allocation and supports Common Control
Channel (CCCH) based GPRS paging, access request and access grant.
Alcatels solution for the BSS part of GPRS is based on no hardware changes to any existing BSS
equipment. Consequently, the key GPRS functions are split between the BTS (only software
upgrade) and the new Multi-BSS Fast packet Server (A935 MFS) located at the transcoder site.
$
Abis
BTS
TC
Ater
BSC
BTS
Abis
MFS
(PCU)
Gb
BTS
The only difference for EGPRS service is the requirements for EDGE-capable transceivers in the
BTSes, and likely capacity extensions to the BSC and the transmission network. A BTS can be
equipped with a mixture of normal and EDGE-capable transceivers. The network can consist of a
mixture of normal and EDGE-capable BTS.
The A935 MFS is based on redundant IT (Information Technology) platforms for control aspects and
dedicated Digital Signal Processor boards (known as GPUs) for Gb-interface termination and the
Packet Control Unit (PCU) function. A single MFS can be shared by several BSCs (controlled by the
same OMC-R) terminated at the same MSC site, and its capacity can be incrementally increased to
match GPRS / EGPRS traffic build-up.
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3.2.2 Alcatel NSS solution

Serving GPRS Support Node
The heart of the GPRS NSS is the SGSN that plays the central role in managing all GPRS and
EGPRS capable mobile stations within the network.
The basic functions of the SGSN are interfacing to BSS over the Gb interface and to GGSN over
the Gn or Gp interface, mobility management, paging, encryption, data compression, traffic
measurement and charging.
The SGSN detects new GPRS / EGPRS Mobile Stations (MS) in its service area and handles
the process of registering the new MS along with the GPRS registers. It transmits /receives data
packets to/from the GPRS / EGPRS mobile. Records of the location of MS inside of its service
area are kept by the SGSN.
Gateway GPRS Support Node:
The GGSN provides interaction with the external Packet Data Network (PDN).
It transmits/receives data packets from SGSN or PDN. GGSN interfaces to SGSN over Gn or
Gp and to PDN over Gi interface. GGSN updates the location directory using routing information
supplied by the SGSN about the MSs path.
It handles the routing of encapsulated external PDN protocol packets over the GPRS backbone
to the target SGSN that serves the terminating MS and the external PDN.
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The charging traffic data to/from external PDNs are registered and handled by the GGSN.
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4. NOW, HOW DOES IT WORK ?

The precondition for a subscriber to make use of GPRS / EGPRS services is a subscription with a
service provider or a network operator for certain packet data services. The subscription is related to
one or more Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses.
Some examples for such addresses:
z The gateway of the GSM-network to the

Internet
z A WAP-server for services offered by the
GSM-operator
z An e-mail server
Each Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address is described by an individual PDP context in the mobile,
the SGSN and the GGSN.
In the following, a simplified description on what is going on in a GPRS / EGPRS network for packet
data transmission is given.
4.1 The processes

Three logical management entities are sharing the tasks of controlling packet data services:
The Session Management (SM)
The GPRS Mobility Management (GMM)
The Radio Resource Management (RRM)
In the following simplified process description, the responsible entities are indicated.
4.1.1 Connecting to GPRS

In order to receive service, a mobile needs to be known as active by the network. For circuit-switched
traffic, this is automatically done when switching-on the mobile: A so-called Location Update is
performed. The Visitor Location Register (VLR) and the Home Location Register (HLR) are informed
about the present location of the mobile and its capabilities.
For packet data services, the mobile needs to register with the network as well. This is, however, not
necessarily done by switching-on of the mobile (it could be done automatically, though).
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In order to prepare the mobile and the network for a packet data exchange (i.e. to establish a
session), two main activities have to be performed:
Initiation of a session (Session management SM)
Activation of a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context (SM)
As the first step, the mobile notifies the Serving GPRS Support Node SGSN. The network checks the
access rights of the mobile (to be precise, the subscriber identity stored in the SIM), copies the
subscriber specific data from the HLR to the SGSN and assigns a Packet Temporary Mobile
Subscriber Identity P-TMSI to the mobile. During this activity, the SGSN and the HLR are informed
about the location of the mobile on a cell level.
This process is associated with the GPRS Attach (GMM). It changes the (GPRS-) Mobility
Management State of the mobile from IDLE to READY (GMM). In the READY state, the mobile
continues to inform the SGSN about all changes in its location on a cell level.
Now, the mobile can apply for one or more Packet Data Protocol (PDP) addresses (SM). Each PDP
address is described by a PDP context, which includes:
The PDP type (IPv4 for example)
The PDP address of the mobile
The requested Quality of Service (QoS) class (presently only Best Effort supported, QoS
handling is only specified in GERAN R5)
The address of the GGSN, which acts as the access point to the respective packet data network
This PDP context is stored in the mobile, the SGSN and the GGSN.
Upon reaching the READY state (GMM) and activation of at least one PDP context (SM), the mobile
is visible to the outside packet data network PDN and can sent and receive packet data. The Mobility
Management State remains READY regardless if radio resources are allocated or not and if data is
transferred or not. But not for ever: If the READY-timer expires, the mobile goes to the STANDBY
state (more later in chapter 4.1.2).
The mobile can establish several PDP context in parallel. This allows the mobile to communicate, for
example, with the Internet and a Public Switched Packet Data Network PSPDN at the same time.
While in the Mobility Management State READY, two different Radio Resource (RRM) states are
possible for the mobile:
The Radio Resource state Packet idle mode (not to be mixed-up with the Mobility Management
State IDLE). The mobile listens to the broadcast control channel and the paging sub-channel.
The Radio Resource state Packet transfer mode. A Temporary Block Flow (TBF) is established.
The sub-chapter 4.1.3 below is dedicated to this state.
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4.1.2 The STANDBY state

If no packets are transferred for a while, the READY-timer expires and the mobile falls into the
Mobility Management State STANDBY (GMM). The changes:
In the STANDBY state, the location information in the SGSN is only maintained on a Routing
Area (RA) level. A Routing Area (RA) consists normally of several cells. The minimum is one
cell, the maximum the same cells as defined for the Location Area for the circuit-switched
services.
If a packet data exchange shall take place, first a paging for the mobile in the respective Routing
Area has to be performed. The paging answer changes the MS state from STANDBY to READY
(GMM).
While in the Mobility Management State STANDBY, only the Radio Resource state Packet idle mode
exists. The mobile is still visible to the outside packet data network PDN.
4.1.3 Temporary Block Flow

If packet data units are to be transmitted, the mobile enters the Radio Resource state Packet transfer
mode (RRM) and sets up a temporary physical connection on the radio interface: The Temporary
Block Flow (TBF).
A summary:
A TBF is an uni-directional link.
A Temporary Block Flow can be initiated by either the mobile or the network.
Several modes of TBF establishment in uplink and downlink exist. More details can be found in
GSM 03.60 and GSM 03.64.
Radio resources on one or more Packet Data Channels (PDCH) are allocated to one TBF.
The TBF is, as its name suggest, only temporary and maintained for the duration of the data
transfer.
A TBF is addressed by a Temporary Flow Identity (TFI). The TFI is managed by the Packet
Control Unit PCU, the Multi-BSS Fast Packet Server MFS respectively.
An example: During an Internet session, the user clicks on a hyperlink. This action
initiates a short data portion to be transmitted from the mobile to the Internet server. In
order to transport this packet, an uplink TBF is established and addressed by a
Temporary Flow Identity (TFI). After this data portion is completely delivered, the uplink
TBF is terminated, the TFI and the radio resources are available for another user.
As a response, the Internet delivers, for example, the next page to which the hyperlink
refers. A downlink TBF is established and addressed by another TFI. This TBF is
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maintained until the page is completely delivered and then terminated, the TFI and the
radio resources are then free for another user. While the user is reading this page, no
TBF is active for this user.
A typical user session, in which data is exchanged bi-directionally as in the example above, requires
the establishment and termination of several TBFs in each direction. The user, however, has the
impression of a continuous end-to-end dialogue. Such a set of uplink and downlink TBFs is also
called "transaction".
Uplink
TBF
Downlink
TBF
TBF
TBF
Transaction
Depending on the mobile capabilities (more to come on that issue in chapter 7.3), TBFs on uplink
and downlink can be active simultaneously.
4.1.4 What about handovers ?

There are no handovers for GPRS / EGPRS mobiles (at least not in the near future). Roaming to
other cells is performed by cell (re)-selection.
When a mobile in packet transfer mode leaves the coverage range of a BTS or suffers from
interference, the link quality will degrade and retransmission will be activated. If the mobile detects
another cell with a better field-strength, the temporary block flow (TBF) is interrupted, the mobile
changes into the Packet idle mode, selects a new cell, reads the system information, enters the
Packet transfer mode and sets up a new TBF.
The cell re-selection is done by the mobile autonomously by measuring the received field-strength of
the Packet Broadcast Control Channels PBCCH of its own and neighboring cells (the field-strength of
the "circuit-switched" Broadcast Control Channel BCCH, in case no PBCCH is available). More about
these logical channels comes in chapter 4.2.1 below. This mode is called NC0.
A little bit later in the product evolution, the feature Network Controlled Cell Reselection (called
NC2) is planned, both for GPRS and EGPRS. Upon activation of this feature and in case the mobile
is in the READY state (GMM), the mobile station does no longer perform cell reselection
autonomously, but sends measurement reports to the network. The network controls the cell
reselection.
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The main goal of NC2 is to reduce the number of cell re-selection. Each time there is a cell reselection in packet transfer mode, the interruption can be quite significant for the application level.
NC2 allows to maintain a TBF in a cell as long as reasonably possible, therefore improving the total
throughput on the application layer.
In addition, NC2 can be used to push an (E)GPRS-mobile to another cell (for example for traffic load
reasons), given the coverage overlap is sufficient.
4.1.5 Some more key features in short
Discontinuous reception (DRX) is still possible with GPRS and EGPRS.
Uplink power control is provided for GPRS and EGPRS.
Frequency hopping is possible for GPRS and EGPRS.
Ciphering for the packet data is used. In contradiction to circuit-switched voice or data, where
ciphering/de-ciphering for the network side is performed in the BTS, for GPRS/EGPRS this is
handled by the SGSN.
4.2 Logical and physical channels

4.2.1 Logical channels
Similar as defined for voice services, different logical channels are defined for GPRS / EGPRS.
These channels are classified into traffic channels and control channels. Some channels are bidirectional, other channels are uni-directional. An overview:
Group
Class
Traffic channels
Control channels
Name
Function
Direction
Packet Data Traffic Channel PDTCH
Packet Data Traffic
MSBSS
Packet Broadcast Control
PBCCH
Packet Broadcast Control
MSBSS
PRACH
Packet Random Access
MSBSS
PAGCH
Packet Access Grant
MSBSS
PPCH
Packet Paging
MSBSS
PACCH
Packet Associated Control
MSBSS
PTCCH
Packet Timing Advance Control
MSBSS
Channel *)
Packet Common Control
Channel (PCCCH) *)
Packet Dedicated Control

Channel
*) PBCCH and PCCCH capability is mandatory for mobiles, optional for the network.
Table 1: Logical Channels
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The function is analog to the logical channels defined for voice service and for the reader probably
self-explaining. New is the Packet Timing Advance Control Channel PTCCH. In the uplink, the
mobile transmits a random access burst (one mobile per PTCCH). In the downlink, the network
transmits timing advance information to the mobiles (several mobiles per PTCCH).
4.2.2 Coordination between packet-switched and circuit-switched services

After introduction of GPRS, mobiles can be attached to two types of services (GSM circuit-switched
and GPRS packet-switched). In that case, they have to receive paging messages for both types.
Three different modes of coordination between paging, called Network Mode of Operation (NMO),
are defined:
NMO I
MPDCH used. Paging coordination between CCCH and PCCCH. Mobile needs only to
monitor one paging channel. If attached to GPRS, circuit-switched paging messages
are transmitted on the PDCH. Interface Gs between MSC/VLR and SGSN is required.
NMO II
MPDCH not used. Paging for circuit- and packet switched services always on CCCH.
Interface Gs between MSC/VLR and SGSN not required.
NMO III
MPDCH used. No paging coordination between CCCH and PCCCH. If attached to

GPRS, the mobile needs to monitor both circuit- and packet switched paging channels.
Interface Gs between MSC/VLR and SGSN is not required.
Recommendation on use of Network Mode of Operation:

NMO I
NMO II
NMO III
Medium to high data usage
High performance (fast TBF establishment) required
First phase of GPRS rollout
Low data usage
Compromise on performance acceptable
Not recommended, as not all mobiles can monitor CCCH and PDCCH
simultaneously
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4.2.3 Physical channel: The Packet Data Channel (PDCH)

One physical Packet Data Channel (PDCH) consist of one radio timeslot on the Air interface. Four
bursts from four consecutive TDMA frames are combined to form a radio block:
One TDMA frame
= 8 TS (4,615 ms)
0
One PDCH
Block B0
Block B1
10
Block B2
11
12
T
PTCCH
13
14
15
16
47
Block B3
48
49
50
Block B11
51
X
idle
One 52-multiframe (240 ms)
Up to eight Packet Data Traffic Channels (PDTCH) (in the first software releases limited to five due
to mobile constraints) on different time-slots but the same transceiver can be allocated to one mobile
at the same time (depending on the multi-slot capabilities of the mobile). Several mobiles can share
the same PDCH.
An example:
User 1:
no multislot
capability
User 2:
with multislot
capability
User 3:
with multislot
capability
PDCH 1
User 2
User 2
User 3
User 3
User 2
User 2
PDCH 2
User 1
User 2
User 3
User 3
User 2
User 2
PDCH 3
User 3
User 2
User 3
User 1
User 2
User 3
n+1
n+2
n+3
n+4
n+5
Block
...
It is possible, to mix GPRS and EGPRS on the same Packet Data Channel (PDCH).
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Up to 16 users can share a Packet Data Channel (PDCH). The Alcatel implementation allows a
maximum of seven users in uplink plus nine users in downlink for the initial release. In later releases,
a maximum of six users in uplink plus ten users in downlink can share one PDCH.
Depending on what logical channels are conveyed on a PDCH, it is named:
Primary Master Packet Data Channel (primary MPDCH). PDCH carrying PBCCH and PCCCH.
Minimum 0, maximum 1 per cell.
Secondary Master Packet Data Channel (secondary MPDCH). PDCH carrying PCCCH.
Minimum 0, maximum 15 per cell. Only exists when primary MPDCH is available.
Slave Packet Data Channel (SPDCH). PDCH carrying PDTCH and PACCH, but neither PBCCH
nor PCCCH. Minimum 0, maximum only limited by equipped resources.
The specification allows to multiplex also PDTCH on primary and secondary MPDCH to squeeze out
some more capacity in case the MPDCH is only partially used. The benefit is in reality very limited
compared to the complexibility of this feature. This option is therefore usually not implemented.
Timeslots usable for PDCH are grouped into PDCH groups. One PDCH group contains time-slots
belonging to the same TRX, having the same frequency configuration without holes (= consecutive
timeslots).
4.2.4 Dynamic Packet Data Channel (PDCH) allocation

An important feature in the Alcatel implementation of GPRS/EGPRS is the PDCH Dynamic
allocation. This feature allows to use the same timeslots both for circuit-switched and GPRS traffic
depending on the demand.
The network entity in charge of the coordination between circuit-switched and GPRS traffic is the
MFS. The MFS sents PDCH allocation and de-allocation requests to the BSC, which is in charge of
the execution of such requests. BSC circuit switched traffic load is indicated from the BSC to the
MFS.
There are a number of parameters to tune the dynamic PDCH allocation. They can be controlled by
the operator from the OMC. Some highlights:
An absolute upper limit for the number of PDCH can be set to guarantee the quality of service for
voice.
If circuit-switched services get priority over GPRS, the upper limit for the number of PDCH can
be configured to be dynamically adapted to the traffic situation. Under high traffic load situation
for circuit-switched services, the upper limit for PDCH can be reduced to make room for more
voice calls. There are two possibilities to react on high traffic load:
-
A slow mechanism using soft pre-emption to react on normal changes of the traffic profile.
The traffic evaluation period = reactivity is about 15 seconds.
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A fast mechanism using fast pre-emption to react on sudden voice traffic peaks. Even if all
timeslots are occupied by circuit- and packet-switched traffic, a new circuit-switched request
will be served. One PDCH will be cleared immediately, its traffic resumes on other PDCH
with a lower total performance.
A minimum number of PDCH timeslots can be configured to guarantee a minimum performance

for GPRS/EGPRS. These timeslots are not available for circuit-switched services, even if no
GPRS transactions are ongoing. The value for the minimum number of PDCH timeslots can be
set to 0.
4.2.5 Master Packet Data Channel (MPDCH) allocation

The primary MPDCH (NMO I or NMO III) is allocated statically. The MPDCH is allocated per
command from OMC and stays on its timeslot permanently. The advantage: Improved TBF handling
available permanently.
The secondary MPDCH can be enabled or disabled. It can only be enabled, if a primary MPDCH is
allocated. If it is enabled, it can only be allocated dynamically. The maximum number of secondary
MPDCH can be limited by O&M settings.
4.2.6 Mapping of uplink Packet Data Channels: The Uplink State Flag
With GPRS / EGPRS, we have now the situation, that several subscribers share the same physical
resources. For the downlink, the mobile has just to wait for the data addressed to it, but what about
the uplink Packet Data Traffic Channel PDTCH and Packet Associated Control Channel PACCH ?
In order to tell the mobile, when it is allowed to use the Packet Data Channel (PDCH), the Uplink
State Flag USF has been invented.
This flag consists of three bits and is contained in the header of the preceding RLC/MAC block
transmitted in downlink on the same PDCH. If several PDCHs are allocated to a multislot-capable
mobile, each PDCH gets its Uplink State Flag. If the mobile reads his value in the Uplink State Flag,
it is allowed to use the next uplink block on the PDCH.
If a mobile can not decode the Uplink State Flag USF correctly, it can not use it's radio block. You
will therefore find this Uplink State Flag USF regularly mentioned as reference in radio performance
related articles and specifications.
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4.3 The protocol stack

4.3.1 Introduction
A rather good way to show the split of responsibilities within a GPRS / EGPRS network is the
protocol stack. This chapter shall give a very brief introduction to the most interesting protocol stacks
used for GPRS and EGPRS. The emphasis is put on the air interface (the Um interface).
Two protocol-stacks have to be considered:
The transmission plane. This plane shows how the data travels through the network.
The control plane. This plane shows the way of control and signaling information.
4.3.2 Transmission plane
Application example
The complete protocol-stack including the example of surfing the world wide web is shown below:
www
World Wide Web
http
Hypertext Transfer
Protocol
TCP
Transmission Control
Protocol
RFC 793
IP
IP
Internet Protocol
RFC 791
Internet Protocol
RFC 791
relay
SNDCP
SNDCP
GTP
GTP
Subnetwork
Dependent
Convergence
Protocol
GSM 04.65
Subnetwork
Dependent
Convergence
Protocol
GSM 04.65
GPRS Tunneling
Protocol
GSM 09.60
GPRS Tunneling
Protocol
GSM 09.60
LLC
LLC
Logical Link Control

GSM 04.64

GSM 04.64
UDP
UDP
User Datagram
Protocol
RFC 768
User Datagram
Protocol
RFC 768
or:
relay
RLC
Radio Link Control
GSM 04.60
RLC
BSSGP
BSSGP
BSS GPRS Protocol
BSS GPRS Protocol
IP
IP
GSM 08.18
GSM 08.18
Internet Protocol
RFC 791
Internet Protocol
RFC 791
NS
NS
Ethernet
FR
Ethernet
FR
Network Service
GSM 08.16
Network Service
GSM 08.16
MAC
MAC
Medium Access
Control
GSM 04.60
relay
Physical L2-GCH
Layer 2 GPRS
Link Layer
Channel
Physical
RF Layer
Physical
RF Layer
MS
Um
L2-GCH
Layer 2 GPRS
Channel
L1-GCH
L1-GCH
Layer 1 GPRS
Channel
Layer 1 GPRS
Channel
BTS
Abis / Ater
TCP
Protocol
RFC 793
Radio Link Control

GSM 04.60
Medium Access
Control
GSM 04.60
Physical
Link Layer
or:
TCP
Protocol
RFC 793
Frame Relay
Frame Relay
or:
or:
ATM
ATM
Asynchronous
Transfer Mode
Asynchronous
Transfer Mode
L1bis
L1bis
and/or:
and/or:
Layer 1bis
GSM 08.14
Layer 1bis
GSM 08.14
E1 (PCM30)
E1 (PCM30)
G.703 / G.704
G.703 / G.704
MFS
SGSN
Gb
Gn
GGSN
Gi
The blocks highlighted in orange (left from the Gb interface and up to the RLC/MAC layer) are
managed by the BSS and the green ones (right hand from the Gb interface and up to the IP layer) by
the Core Network. Grey blocks (above the IP layer) are examples of external applications, for which
the GSM/GPRS/EGPRS network is transparent. Some explanations are given in chapter 4.3.4 ff.
Alcatel
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4.3.3 Control plane

Two different modes are provided as mentioned in chapter 4.2.1 above:
In the first mode, the network uses the existing signaling resources of the circuit-switched
channels (the Common Control Channel CCCH) to establish packet data connections.
The second mode introduces separate signaling channels for packet data. These channels are
called Packet Broadcast Control Channel PBCCH and Packet Common Control Channel
PCCCH.
The complete protocol-stack of the control plane is shown below on the example of the second
mode:
GMM/SM
GMM/SM
GPRS Mobility
Management/
Session
Management
GPRS Mobility
Management/
Session
Management
LLC
LLC

GSM 04.64

GSM 04.64
relay
RLC
Radio Link Control
GSM 04.60
Radio Link Control

GSM 04.60
GSM 08.18
MAC
MAC
Medium Access
Control
GSM 04.60
relay
Physical L2-GCH
Layer 2 GPRS
Link Layer
Channel
Physical
RF Layer
Physical
RF Layer
MS
Alcatel
BSS GPRS Protocol
Medium Access
Control
GSM 04.60
Physical
Link Layer
Um
File
GDEGPRE5.DOC
L2-GCH
BSS GPRS Protocol

GSM 08.18
NS
NS
Network Service
GSM 08.16
Network Service
GSM 08.16
L1bis
L1bis
Layer 1bis
GSM 08.14
Layer 1bis
GSM 08.14
Layer 2 GPRS
Channel
L1-GCH
L1-GCH
Layer 1 GPRS
Channel
Layer 1 GPRS
Channel
BTS
BSSGP
BSSGP
RLC
Abis / Ater
Reference
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4.3.4 The "tunnels"

The user data of the application is transported using tunneling. The packets of one protocol are
encapsulated within packets of an underlying protocol. This process is totally transparent for the
application protocol. The advantage is that the applications do not need to be modified for the
specific mechanism of GPRS. That means GPRS/EGPRS can transmit everything that is called data
packet, even protocols which are not yet invented.
There are two parts of the tunnels:
The backbone-part, the GPRS Tunneling Protocol GTP
The radio-part, the SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol SNDCP
relay
SNDCP
SNDCP
Subnetwork
Dependent
Convergence
Protocol
GSM 04.65
Subnetwork
Dependent
Convergence
Protocol
GSM 04.65
MS
Um
BTS
Abis / Ater
MFS
SGSN
Gb
GTP
GTP
GPRS Tunneling
Protocol
GSM 09.60
GPRS Tunneling
Protocol
GSM 09.60
Gn
GGSN
Gi
The tunnels are established upon the PDP context activation.

The backbone-part, the GPRS Tunneling Protocol GTP, is set up between the GGSN (the fixed part
in all matters relating to a certain data service) and the SGSN. If the mobile leaves the area served
by the SGSN, a new GTP tunnel is established between the GGSN and the new SGSN. For each
PDP context, one GTP tunnel is established.
The GPRS Tunneling Protocol GTP is defined for the Gn-interface between SGSN and GGSN within
one network and for the Gp-interface between the SGSN in one network to the GGSN in another
network.
The radio part, the SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol SNDCP, is the "mobile" part of the
tunnel. It follows the mobile to each cell. If several PDP contexts are activated at the same time, the
SubNetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol SNDCP multiplexes all of them onto a single logical
connection of the Logical Link Control LLC layer. User data and redundant header data are
compressed by the SNDCP to save precious Air interface resources.
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4.3.5 The Data Link Layer LLC and RLC/MAC

The data link layer between the mobile and the BSS is divided into two sub-layers:
The Logical Link Control LLC
The Radio Link Control / Medium Access Control RLC/MAC
LLC
LLC

GSM 04.64

GSM 04.64
relay
RLC
RLC
Radio Link Control

GSM 04.60
Radio Link Control

GSM 04.60
MAC
MAC
Medium Access
Control
GSM 04.60
MS
Medium Access
Control
GSM 04.60
Um
BTS
Abis / Ater
Gb
MFS
SGSN
The Logical Link Control LLC provides a highly reliable logical connection between the mobile and
the SGSN. The functionality includes:
Flow control
Provision of data packets in the correct sequence
Error detection
Automatic repetition of erroneously received packets (Automatic Repeat Request ARQ)
Support of different Quality of Services QoS classes
Support of acknowledged and unacknowledged operation
Ciphering of data, user confidentiality
The functionality is based on the LAPDm protocol, which is a High-Level Data Link Control HDLC
derivative (just for the protocol experts of you).
The Radio Link Control RLC is responsible for
Segmentation of the data units to be transferred into radio blocks which will be transmitted in
four subsequent bursts in a PDCH (you remember, we have seen this in chapter 4.2.3 above)
Link adaptation, the dynamic selection of the modulation and coding scheme taking into account
the measured channel quality (you will find more about this later in the document)
The error correction by selective retransmission of erroneous blocks (Automatic Repeat Request
ARQ)
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The Medium Access Control MAC is in charge of
the access control to the radio channel. MAC uses paging and random access messages to
control the access to the radio transmission resources. It handles the connection attempts of
several mobiles onto a common resource and the multiplexing of multiple users onto a common
Packet Data Traffic Channel PDTCH.
Queuing of access requests and assignment of resources.
Scheduling of radio block transmission.
In case of different Quality of Service QoS classes, the MAC protocol reserves resources to
ensure the guaranteed service quality.
The MAC protocol used for GPRS / EGPRS is based on the slotted-ALOHA technology as used for
MAC in the GSM voice domain.
4.3.6 The Physical Layer
The physical layer on the air interface is divided into the
Physical Link Layer, specified in GSM 05.03, 05.08, 05.10 and in charge of
-
Cell (re)selection, TX power control,
Discontinuous reception,
Synchronization, timing advance,
Forward error correction,
Channel coding, Interleaving
Physical RF Layer, defined according to GSM 05.02, 05.04, 05.05 and describing the
-
GMSK / 8PSK modulation
TRX characteristics
The Physical Link Layer is rather similar to the well-known procedures of circuit-switched
transmission. The Physical RF Layer is detailed in chapter 5 below.
4.3.7 Comparison GPRS to EGPRS
The basics are the same. The protocol stacks as shown in chapter 4.3.2 and 4.3.3 above look the
same for both GPRS and EGPRS. What is different:
Of course the Physical Layer is different (8PSK modulation as detailed in chapter 5.1).
The RLC/MAC layer is different: Different RLC block formats. Different headers depending on
the modulation and coding schemes used. For modulation and coding schemes providing high bit
rates, two RLC blocks are sent per radio block.
Radio Resource management: There are impacts on the Packet Data Channel (PDCH)
allocation algorithms. Some modification to the allocation of Temporary Block Flows (TBF).
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5. THE PHYSICAL LAYER

5.1 Modulation schemes
As mentioned before, an additional, different modulation scheme is introduced in EDGE: While the
standard GSM including GPRS uses exclusively a so-called Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying
(GMSK), for EDGE a Phase Shift Keying with eight states (8PSK) is added for higher bitrates. A
comparison:
5.1.1 Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)

Minimum Shift Keying can be understood as an Offset-Quadrature Phase Shift Keying, where the
modulation signals are applied in form of cosine signals and filtered by a Gaussian function. So far
for the specialists.
Important for us are:
Two states out of four are allowed to

Q
represent a symbol at one instant of

time. After each symbol, a rotation of
/2 takes place as shown to the right.
Q
I
This means, that one bit per symbol

can be transported. There is always a
phase change of 90 from one symbol

to the next (not less and not more).
With GMSK, the vector is staying on the circle

of the state diagram. The amplitude is
dB
PN
therefore constant over the whole burst. This

is indicated by the time mask for a normalduration burst with GMSK modulation:
The average power during the burst (this is
Alcatel
the reference for the power definition) is equal
(147 bits)
to the peak power.
542.8 s
GMSK is a compromise between the width of the occupied spectrum and the side-lobes.
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5.1.2 Phase Shift Keying with eight states (8PSK)
8PSK uses eight states as shown to the right:

This
means,
modulation
that
period
each
110
transports
111
three information bits (2 bits = 8
011
elements). This roughly triples
010
010
the bit rate compared to GMSK

000
as used for GSM.
111
010
with each symbol clock.
001
000
100
111
The states are rotated by 3/8
101
110
000
011
011
001
100
001
101
110
101
100
With 8PSK, we can no longer remain on the circle of the state diagram. To come from one state
to another one (for example from 011 to 101), we are going the direct way through the inner part
of the diagram. This results in the change of the amplitude when transiting from one state to
another, or to say in other words, the amplitude during the active part does depend on the
modulated data.
Without the trick of rotating the phase by
3/8 from symbol to symbol, the
transitions could go through the center of
the state diagram. This results in an
amplitude of zero for the respective
transitions for a infinitesimal duration of
time:
By using the trick of rotating the phase by

3/8 from symbol to symbol, the center will
not be touched and the amplitude will never
go to zero during the burst:
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dB
This is indicated by the time mask for a

normal
duration
burst
with
8PSK
modulation as shown on the right:
PN
As you can see, the minimum level

-15
during the active part of the burst is

-15 dB relative to the nominal level (and
not going to - dB).
(147 bits)
542.8 s
The nominal output power of the transmitters is specified as the average power during the active
part of the burst. In GMSK, the average power is identical to the peak power (ignoring
imperfections like overshoots and ripples). In 8PSK, even though the peak power is the same as
in GMSK, the average power is lower than the GMSK power. This is sometimes called power
back-off. This power backoff is theoretically about 4.8 dB assuming the same peak power as for
GMSK and a random bit pattern. In reality, transmitters are often not limited by the ability to
deliver instant power peaks, but by thermal constraints. It is in that case therefore possible to
increase the peak power for 8PSK without violating the thermal limits. The real power back-off in
the Alcatel products is, depending on the product, lower than the theoretical value of 4.8 dB
(please refer to the EVOLIUM Radio Solutions Alcatel 9100 Base Station Product
Description for details).
The modulated bits are Gray-coded. In case one state is distorted due to interference so much
as to be decoded in its neighboring state, only one bit out of three is wrong. The following picture
tries to explain this effect:
Observation at time tx
Q
Ideal location of the symbol
010
Possible real
locations of the
symbol due to
non-perfect transmission
000
Received symbol,
distorted so much as to
be interpreted as 010
instead of 000
011
111
001
I
Area, in which the value of
the received signal will be
decoded correctly
110
101
100
Thanks to the
Gray-coding,
only one out
of the three
Bits is wrong.
Not using Gray-coding, the neighbouring symbol could be 111 for example.
Then, all three bits would be wrong.
The probability, that the signal is distorted so much as to be decoded two or
even more zones away, in the area of 011 for example, is low.
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It is obvious, that the different states in 8PSK are closer together as in GMSK. Without giving
mind-squeezing mathematical formulas, we can conclude, that this modulation scheme is more
susceptible to interference.
Or, to put it in another way: We transmit more bits within a certain time with the same total
energy. The available energy per bit is therefore lower, which automatically results in a lower bit
energy to noise density ratio (Eb/N0).
This is the reason, why within the EDGE concept, the GMSK modulation is kept for transmission
under more degraded radio conditions.
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5.2 Coding schemes

5.2.1 Overview
The coding schemes are different between GPRS and EGPRS. The table below gives the
comparison:
System
Scheme
Modulation
Coding schemes
schemes
for RLC data block
Code rate
Maximum data rate

per time slot (RLC payload)
[kbps]
EGPRS
GPRS
MCS-9
8PSK
1/3 rate convolutional

coding, punctured
1.00
59.2
MCS-8
8PSK

coding, punctured
0.92
54.4
MCS-7
8PSK

coding, punctured
0.76
44.8
MCS-6
8PSK

coding, punctured
0.49
29.6
MCS-5
8PSK

coding, punctured
0.37
22.4
MCS-4
GMSK

coding, punctured
1.00
17.6
MCS-3
GMSK

coding, punctured
0.80
14.8
MCS-2
GMSK

coding, punctured
0.66
11.2
MCS-1
GMSK

coding, punctured
0.53
8.8
CS-4
GMSK
No coding
1.00
20.0
CS-3
GMSK
Half rate convolutional

coding, punctured
0.75
14.4
CS-2
GMSK

coding, punctured
0.66
12.0
CS-1
GMSK

coding
0.50
8.0
Table 2: Coding schemes

Please note, that the maximum data rate given in the table above refers to the RLC payload (= the
throughput offered to the Logical Link Control LLC layer). The RLC/MAC header, Block Check
Sequence (BCS), Tail bit etc. are already subtracted.
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Still, these data rates do not represent the final throughput available to the end user. This is
explained in chapter 5.2.4 below.
Signaling uses always the CS-1 coding scheme, both for GPRS and EGPRS, as it offers the best
error correction capabilities.
You may ask, why four new modulation and coding schemes with GMSK were introduced for
EGPRS. There are already four defined for GPRS, why not use them for EGPRS as well ? Well, in
order to ease the link adaptation, a similar coding scheme (1/3 rate convolutional coding, punctured)
is required for all modulation and coding schemes. Back in time, when the GPRS schemes were
defined, nobody thought about the future extension with EGPRS, the chosen coding schemes are
hardly upwards compatible.
5.2.2 Convolutional coding

In the column Coding scheme in the table above, you find terms like Half rate convolutional coding,
punctured. You also find a column Code rate. Just let us recollect some basics:
Purpose:
Convolutional coding is one form to implement a forward error correction (FEC)

function. With forward error correction, additional - redundant information is
inserted into the bit-stream. This allows detection and correction of bit errors (caused
by non-perfect transmission quality) at the receiving side.
Characteristic: Convolutional coding can be applied to a continuous bit stream (in contradiction to
block codes, where a defined number of bits is collected, processed and then
transmitted).
Code rate:
The code rate is the relation of the payload to the total transmitted bits. A half rate
convolutional coder produces therefore twice the number of output bits compared to
the input (payload) bits. The lower the code rate, the more "redundancy" is added
which improves the error correction capabilities, but reduces the payload throughput.
Puncturing:
It is possible, to cut some bits out of the convolutional coded bit stream reducing the
error protection capabilities but without losing information. This is used to squeeze
the coded bits into the frames of a given, fixed length. This process is called
puncturing. The code rate given in the table of the previous chapter is actually
already considering the puncturing.
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5.2.3 Coding Scheme Adaptation, Link Adaptation (LA) and Incremental Redundancy (IR)
Coding Scheme Adaptation (for GPRS)
The choice of the coding scheme used for a given GPRS user at a given time is done using the
dynamic Coding Scheme adaptation algorithm according to the reception quality (RxQual) and level
(RxLev) measurements performed by the BTS and the mobile. Both uplink and downlink Coding
Scheme adaptation are under control of the network.
Link Adaptation (LA) (for EGPRS)

The modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used for a given EGPRS connection depends on the
radio conditions as well. Measurements of the bit error probability (BEP) and the standard-deviation
of the BEP are used to determine the most suitable MCS for the actual radio propagation. The
process to select the appropriate MCS is called Link Adaptation. The influence of the Link Adaptation
on the performance is discussed in chapter 6.2.6.
Incremental Redundancy (IR) (for EGPRS)

In addition, the feature Incremental Redundancy is introduced for EGPRS. This function was
specified by ETSI as optionally for base stations and mandatory for mobiles. The Alcatel base station
implementation makes use of this feature.
How does it work ? If a block is not properly decoded in the first instance, the bits are stored in the
base station, the mobile respectively, as soft bits. The same block is repeated with a different
puncturing scheme. The resulting soft bits of the second (and, if necessary, third) transmission are
then combined with the previously transmitted block(s). This improves the likelihood of ending up
with the correct data.
Even if one block of data is found to be not good, it still can be used to improve the total bit error rate
of the system (you remember, in GSM speech transmission, blocks with a too high error rate are just
discarded - wasted).
You probably noted when reading table 2, that MCS-9 uses a 1/3 rate convolutional
coding scheme with puncturing resulting in a code rate of 1.0. You wondered, perhaps,
why MCS-9 is not specified like CS-4 without coding at all. Now you understand, that
this way of coding is necessary to allow incremental redundancy for MCS-9 (if you
would not use puncturing, you could not retransmit and combine the block with a
different puncturing scheme).
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5.2.4 Bit rates available to the application

The bit rates given for the different modulation and coding schemes in chapter 5.2.1 above refer to
the data payload on the RLC/MAC layer.
These bit rates are not available to the applications of the end-user. Two effects eat up some of the
speed:
The different headers for the protocols
The bit error rate is not 0 %, some data blocks needs to be re-transmitted depending on the
radio conditions.
The first point, the header-overhead, can be visualized on the protocol layers as seen from the
mobile (example of surfing the web):
Application Layer
www
World Wide Web
Utility Layer
Transport Layer
Internetwork Layer
http
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
TCP
Transaction Control Protocol
IP
Internet Protocol
SNDCP
Network Layer
Outside of the PLMN
Subnetwork Dependent
Convergence Protocol
NSS
(Core Network)
LLC
RLC
Radio Link Control
Link Layer
MAC
BSS
Medium Access Control
Physical Layer
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The table below gives the maximum payload data throughput on the RLC layer for error-free
transmission and the payload data throughput on the RLC layer for the ETSI reference point (block
error rate of 10 %). The figures are given for one timeslot each.
System
EGPRS
GPRS
Scheme
Max RLC data throughput (RLC

payload)
RLC data throughput at Reference

Point (BLER=10%)
[kbps]
[kbps]
MCS-9
59.2
53.3
MCS-8
54.4
49.0
MCS-7
44.8
40.3
MCS-6
29.6
26.7
MCS-5
22.4
20.2
MCS-4
17.6
15.9
MCS-3
14.8
13.3
MCS-2
11.2
10.1
MCS-1
8.8
7.9
CS-4
20.0
18.0
CS-3
14.4
13.0
CS-2
12.0
10.8
CS-1
8.0
7.2
Table 3: Data throughput
In general, we define the "real" user data rate to be the rate the IP-layer provides to the upper layers,
as we do not know, which application will actually be used. We therefore take into account the
LLC/SNDCP and IP/X.25 headers to evaluate the "real" user throughput. This is not so easy because
the rate depends on the IP payload: For short packets, the overhead is relatively higher than for long
packets.
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IP Payload
The table to the right gives a correction factor depending
Correction factor
[Bytes]
on the length of the IP payload. In order to get the real user
50
63 %
throughput, simply multiply the RLC throughput with the
100
77 %
200
87 %
300
91 %
500
94 %
1000
97 %
1500
98 %
factor given.
Table 4: Correction factor

Example:
IP payload = 300 bytes

CS-4 RLC data throughput at Reference Point (BLER=10%) = 18.0 kbps
Real user data rate = 18.0 kbps x 91 % = 16.38 kbps per time-slot
5.2.5 End-user data-rates

GPRS and EGPRS allow several users to share one timeslot and also to combine several timeslots
for one user. The bitrate seen by one user (the peak bit-rate) can therefore be higher than the
throughput of one timeslot. You will find fantastic rates announced in literature and brochures: Up to
384 kbps, sometimes even 473.6 kbps (8 x 59.2 kbps) are promoted.
We learned in the previous chapter, that these rates are on the RLC layer and are not really seen by
the end-user. There are a lot of dependencies which have an influence on the transmission rate. The
transmission mechanisms used, for example by the Internet protocols, have a great influence. High
traffic load situations can decrease the throughput drastically.
In addition, we have to be careful on the ability of the mobile terminals, especially for small handheld
devices. As from the knowledge of today, the mobile part will in most cases not provide more than a
3+1 or 4+2 configuration (timeslots in downlink + timeslots in uplink). The processing capabilities of
the terminals will probably not allow to exceed 100 to 150 kbps. This message is based on the
extrapolation of the technology of today taking also battery limitations into account (the more
processing power, the higher the power consumption).
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6. NETWORK COVERAGE AND THROUGHPUT

6.1 Some basics
The introduction of GPRS and EGPRS into existing GSM networks designed for voice is very easy,
as the standard has been defined in a way to offer at least the lowest coding (and modulation)
scheme over the full cell area without constraints on the existing network plan.
If a network, however, shall be planned for a certain minimum throughput, we have to look a little bit
closer on the way to design the GPRS/EGPRS part.
From the design of GSM networks for voice, we are used to cell ranges, cell areas respectively, in
which, with a certain probability, coverage is provided. Considering a certain, market-defined
coverage class and coverage probability, a cell range or an cell area could be defined, where mobile
telephony service can be offered.
A common way for calculating the cell range for voice is the link budget. Based on the equipment
parameters like transmit power, receiver sensitivity, consideration of losses and gains, a path-loss
can be calculated which, using empirical models like Hata-Okumura, COST 231 etc. results in the
cell range.
With GPRS and EGPRS, this is different: Service can be offered everywhere within the cell range
as for voice, but due to the link adaptation, the throughput differs significantly from the center of the
cell towards the edge of the cell. The comparison between voice and packet data:
Voice service
Packet data service (GPRS/EGPRS)
Service available, or service not available (based Service available, service quality (data
on a certain, specified probability)
throughput) dependent on the location
Service
Quality
Service
Quality
Distance from base station
Distance from base station
The depiction is very much simplified
The conclusion: There is no fixed cell range for GPRS/EGPRS. The coverage area depends
directly on the requested data throughput. If the requested data throughput is low, the cell range for
GPRS/EGPRS can be much larger than for voice. If the requested data throughput is high, the cell
range can be lower as for voice.
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6.2 GPRS and EGPRS performance

6.2.1 Introduction
The performance in terms of data throughput per PDCH depends on several parameters:
The carrier-to-interference and noise ratio C/(I+N)

-
Carrier
Interference -> Co- and adjacent channel interference from non-serving cells
-
Noise
-> Level (fieldstrength) from the serving cell at the mobile location
-> assumed to be thermal noise and the noise created by the non-perfect
receivers of mobiles and base stations
Use of frequency hopping
Link adaptation
Use of Incremental Redundancy
6.2.2 Different definitions for network performance

Usually, the data throughput specified refers to one PDCH, ignoring that in GPRS and EGPRS
several PDCH per user can be combined to get a higher data throughput.
Due to the asymmetric traffic expected for packet data services (much more downlink traffic than
uplink traffic), GPRS and EGPRS networks are planned commonly for the downlink only. The
throughput is therefore specified for the downlink.
There are different ways to define the data throughput in a network:
Mean Data Throughput
The area of the network can be considered to be divided into equally

sized pixels. The data throughput is calculated pixel per pixel. The
pixels close to the base station will have a high data throughput; the
pixels at the cell border provide only a low throughput. The mean data
throughput is the average of all pixels within one cell.
This is the most common definition for data throughput.
x% Data Throughput
Again, the data throughput is calculated pixel per pixel. The defined
data throughput is the minimum value reached by at least x % of all the
pixels. Common values for x are 50%, 90% and 95%.
Example: 90% Data throughput of 20 kbit/s. 90% of the cell area
provides a data throughput of at least 20 kbit/s, 10% of the cell area are
below that value.
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Guaranteed Data Throughput
A guaranteed throughput in the pure sense does not exist. It is similar

to voice: A coverage probability of 100.0% is not possible.
When talking about a guaranteed data throughput, in fact a minimum
throughput with a certain area probability is meant. The definition is
usually the same as above for x% Data Throughput.
The diagram below visualizes the difference between the mean data throughput and, as example,
the 90% data throughput (this diagram is heavily simplified):
kbit/s
Assumed cell border
60
Data throughput as function of
the distance mobile to BTS
50
Mean
data
throughput
90%
throughput
40
30
20
10
0
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
Distance BTS - Mobile [m]
Why is the Mean Data Throughput the most common definition ?

Because this definition describes best the performance of the complete system. GPRS/EGPRS is
not, like voice, limited to one timeslot. Depending on the mobile capability, several timeslots (up to
eight in theory, up to five with real mobiles) can be combined to provide a higher throughput.
A mobile close to the base station receives a higher data throughput. It therefore occupies less
timeslots. The mobile farther away from the base station receives a lower data throughput, but can
get more timeslots to compensate for that.
Or in other words, even a mobile at the cell border benefits from the higher throughput: The mobiles
close to the BTS occupys less time-slots for a given data throughput or completing the data transfer
earlier. The mobile at the cell border (assuming mobiles with multi-slot capability) can compensate its
lower throughput per timeslot by combining timeslots not occupied by the mobile close to the BTS.
This is an important idea on optimizing the spectrum usage and often ignored !
The mean data throughput is therefore the appropriate value to design the network.
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6.2.3 Simulation results

The following diagrams show exemplary simulation results for the data throughput dependent on the
distance between the mobile and the base station for EGPRS. The results are shown for four
different frequency reuse cluster sizes (1x3, 3x3, 4x3 and 7x3) and a fixed inter-site distance.
Dense urban, GSM 900, with incremental redundancy, no frequency hopping, three-sectored
Fading profile
TU3
Indoor loss
17 dB
Body loss
3 dB
Mean Throughput [kbit/s]
60
50
40
7x3
4x3
30
3x3
1x3
20
10
BTS antenna height 20 m

Antenna beamwidth 65
EIRP GMSK
57.7 dBm
EIRP 8PSK
52.9 dBm
0
0
500
1000
1500
Diagram 1: EGPRS, mean throughput over distance, GSM 900, dense urban
Rural, GSM 900, with incremental redundancy, no frequency hopping, three-sectored

Fading profile
RA100
In-car loss
8 dB
Body loss
3 dB
Mean Throughput [kbit/s]
60
50
40
7x3
4x3
30
3x3
1x3
20
10
BTS antenna height 35 m

Antenna beamwidth 90
EIRP GMSK
59.3 dBm
EIRP 8PSK
54.5 dBm
0
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
Diagram 2: EGPRS, mean throughput over distance, GSM 900, rural
We can see, that EGPRS shows a very good performance both for urban and rural applications. And
please remember, that several timeslots can be combined for one user !
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For urban areas, we have to consider, that the cell range for voice with indoor coverage is in a range
of one to three kilometers. EGPRS would, in fact, offer a much wider service area as voice when
accepting lower data rates.
We can also see the influence of the interference: The more intensively we are using the spectrum,
the lower the data rates per timeslot get. The difference between a 3x3 and a 4x3 reuse is rather
small, while a 1x3 leads to a severe degradation. Going to a 7x3 reuse increases the data throughput
per timeslot within a certain cell. As the frequencies are less utilized, the total spectrum efficiency is
reduced.
Remark: Important for the interpretation of the above diagrams is to keep in mind that they are done
as function of the distance mobile to BTS for a fixed cell range/site distance. Close to the
base station, the C/I and therefore the data throughput is high (field strength from serving
base station high, distance to neighbour cells high -> interference low). Further away from
the base station, the C/I is low and therefore the data throughput is lower (field strength
from serving base station low, distance to neighbour cells lower -> interference higher).
An alternative representation would be to show the data throughput as function of the cell
range (mobile would always be located at the cell border for varying cell ranges/site
distances). The resulting diagram would look different. As the C/I is more or less constant
for different cell ranges (reducing the cell range improves the field strength from serving
base station, but also increases the interference level from neighbouring base stations), the
resulting graph would show a more constant bit rate for different cell ranges.
rd
You can find more details on how these simulations were done in the document "Introducing 3
Generation Mobile Communication Services on Evolved GSM Platforms" by Dr.-Ing. Michael

Tangemann, Dr.-Ing. Andreas Weber and Dr.-Ing. Dirk Nikolai.
6.2.4 Some remarks to spectrum efficiency

GPRS and EGPRS will provide a much better spectrum efficiency (in kbps/MHz) compared to voice.
The reason is that the design of a voice network is done to ensure a minimum quality level in the cell.
This leads to an "excessive" good signal-to-noise-and-interference-ration SINR in most of the cell
area. An example for the probability function is given below:
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0.18
0.16
Probability
0.14
0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00
-4
12
16
20
24
28
32
36
40
SINR / dB
Diagram 3: Probability function for SINR
A SINR-value of around 17 dB has the highest probability, while 9 dB would be sufficient for voice.
This can be utilized by GPRS and EGPRS by transporting more information bits per second
wherever possible: The total spectrum usage per cell is optimized.
As mentioned before in chapter 6.2.2, even a mobile at the cell border benefits from the higher
throughput: The mobiles close to the BTS get a higher throughput per timeslot, therefore occupying
less time-slots for a given data throughput or completing the data transfer earlier. The mobile at the
cell border can compensate its lower throughput per timeslot by combining several timeslots
(assuming mobiles with multi-slot capability).
As the throughput of GPRS is reaching its saturation point (the point, where an improvement in C/I
does not result in increased data throughput anymore) earlier than EGPRS, the spectrum efficiency
of EGPRS is better. This is visualized in the curves below:
60
Throughput [kbit/s]
50
40
EGPRS
GPRS
30
20
10
0
-10.0
0.0
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
C/I [dB]
Diagram 4: Throughput of GPRS and EGPRS as function of C/I
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6.2.5 Influence of frequency hopping on data throughput

As we have seen above, the data throughput for GPRS and EGPRS depends to a large extend on
the interference experienced within the coverage area. For circuit-switched speech-traffic, frequency
hopping was proven to be a good feature to combat the effects of co-channel and adjacent channel
interference. Frequency hopping is especially useful for slow-moving subscribers. It is now
interesting to know, whether the same positive effect of frequency hopping can be utilized for GPRS
and EGPRS.
With GPRS and EGPRS, it is not so easy:
A GPRS/EGPRS radio block consists of four bursts. If frequency hopping is switched off, there is a
good chance that either all four bursts are good or all four bursts are bad (containing errors). This is
due to the fact that the channel quality changes slowly in case of no frequency hopping, while it
changes for every burst in case of frequency hopping.
Example for frequency hopping: Let us assume we have 25% of bursts with errors before decoding.
Consequently, with frequency hopping there is a chance of 25% that the next burst has errors (before
decoding). The chance that the whole radio block, i.e. at least one of the four bursts, has errors
4
(before decoding) is 1.0-(1.0-0.25) = 68%.

In case of no frequency hopping, the chance that the next burst is defect depends on the present
burst (due to the slowly changing channel quality, see above). If the present burst is without errors
(before decoding), then there is a good chance that the next one is also without errors because most
probably the channel is good and it will stay good for some time for the chosen frequency. Obviously,
the same is true for defect bursts.
For Coding Schemes without error correction capability (like CS-4, MCS-4 and MCS-9) the block
cannot be decoded if at least one burst has errors. With frequency hopping we get a block error
probability of 68% according to the example above. Without frequency hopping, we have a higher
chance that all four bursts are without errors and the radio block can be successfully decoded.
The conclusion of the simulations:
GPRS step 1 (CS-1 and CS-2): Frequency hopping is recommended
GPRS step 2 (CS-1 to CS-4), EGPRS (MCS-1 to MCS-9): Frequency hopping is not
recommended (however, the performance difference is not dramatic). If MCS-9 is disabled
(which is possible in the Alcatel realization), frequency hopping can be used.
6.2.6 Influence of Real Link Adaptation on Data Throughput

The network will adapt the data throughput dynamically. The target is the optimum selection of the
modulation and coding scheme for a given radio condition. For GPRS, the radio condition is defined
by the received level (RXLEV) and the received quality (RXQUAL). For EGPRS, the bit error
probability (BEP) and the standard-deviation of the BEP is used. For the downlink, this is measured
by the mobile and transmitted in signaling messages to the BSS.
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Most simulation results are done for ideal Link Adaptation, i.e. always the most appropriate
modulation and coding scheme is used. Ideal link adaptation would be able to make perfect forecasts
of the channel condition before a radio block is transmitted, which is not possible in reality.
In reality, the results are below this optimum value. This is mainly due to the delay between the
measurements of RXLEV and RXQUAL and the execution of the modulation/coding scheme change.
The delay comes mainly from necessary averaging of the values and the time implied by the
protocol. The real performance depends on lots of parameters including fading profile (mobile
movements), packet length, BSS parameter settings and the link adaptation algorithm.
The data throughput loss under real conditions can be in a range of 7% to around 20%.
6.3 How to plan a GPRS/EGPRS network

We distinguish two levels of network planning:
Preliminary Network Design, resulting in an estimation of the required network elements to reach
a certain network quality. This is commonly done to support business case calculations in an
early stage of the decision making process.
Radio Network Planning, providing as result plots with a prediction of data throughput per
timeslot at given locations (i.e. pixels on a map). This is done to find the most suitable locations
for the base stations.
6.3.1 Process for Preliminary Network Design

Within Alcatel, a simulation tool exists which allows to calculate
either the data throughput possible with a certain cell range,
or the maximum cell range possible when a minimum data throughput has to be met.
The Mobile Network Design department of Alcatel can help to provide the data throughput
estimations for any specific conditions.
One remark to link budgets for GPRS/EGPRS: Designers used to plan GSM networks for
voice are sometimes asking for link budgets for GPRS and EGPRS. The expected
schemes are concentric rings around the base station giving the cell range for each
modulation and coding scheme MCS. The MCS found at the cell border is then taken as
equal to the minimum data throughput.
Now, the explanations given above make something very clear: Link budgets for GPRS /
EGPRS do not make sense. They neither consider the influence of interference, nor the
properties of the link adaptation algorithms, incremental redundancy, frequency hopping
etc.
The results from link budgets for GPRS/EGPRS are misleading and should never be
used to estimate the expected data performance.
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6.3.2 Radio Network Planning process for GPRS/EGPRS

The basis for GPRS/EGPRS planning is the radio network planning tool A955. Required are digital
databases for morpho-structure (clutter, landuse) and height (Digital Terrain Model DTM).
Morpho-structure
Digital Terrain Model DTM
Urban
Suburban
80 m
Rural
40 m
Some of the planning steps are well known:

Calculation of field strength prediction per
pixel
Some details: GSM 1800
53.4 dBm EIRP 8PSK
(58 dBm EIRP GMSK not shown)
Antenna height over ground 23m
dBm
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Best server plot
1000 m
Automatic frequency assignment
Average frequency reuse (approximately) 10 except

between the sites e 01, e 05 and e 06, were (by
intention) a higher interference was created. Three
TRX per cell are assigned. The ones with the green
background are used for EGPRS.
Site
Cell 1
Cell 2
Cell 3
name TRX 1 TRX 2 TRX 3 TRX 1 TRX 2 TRX 3 TRX 1 TRX 2 TRX 3
e 01
582
563
571
561
569
577
576
584
573
e 02
582
570
579
586
568
576
589
574
560
e 03
570
560
566
568
580
588
564
583
586
e 04
575
562
579
560
585
577
583
570
566
e 05
585
561
565
579
582
567
576
589
563
e 06
572
588
577
579
568
586
584
581
564
e 07
587
578
573
589
580
567
576
561
585
e 08
563
571
588
578
581
585
568
573
561
e 09
585
571
562
577
573
568
583
588
575
e 10
563
582
575
565
578
573
570
588
560
e 11
583
569
564
588
560
585
566
571
574
e 12
565
589
561
587
568
572
570
585
574
e 13
589
569
581
562
567
571
587
583
565
e 14
589
571
583
577
569
580
564
586
567
e 15
582
588
565
572
563
584
579
560
586
Interference calculation per pixel

Between the cells e01 and e06, a spot with high
interference was created by intention. This was
done to show the influence of the interference on
the throughput (see the plots below). In a real
system, such spots would be avoided.
Increasing C/I
C/I
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As a result, we have for each pixel the signal level, the interference level, and implicitly the noise
level (just the thermal noise). This is exactly, what we need to calculate the throughput per pixel. The
result for the above example:
Data throughput on RLC/MAC layer.
If you compare with the field strength plot and the

interference plot above, you can see
-
the influence of low field strength
and the influence of high interference
Kbit/s
Please note, that throughput plots

based on the level only as provided
by most other tools will not result in
a correct prediction.
As you can see, the result is too optimistic,
especially in areas with high interference.
Kbit/s
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Another interesting information is the

modulation and coding scheme used.
To the left, the modulation and coding
scheme for the example above
considering both level and interference
is shown.
A large portion of the area is covered with MCS9. This is due to incremental redundancy.
MCS
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Remark: The data throughput per pixel is a snapshot of a static situation. During cell reselection, the
data stream is interrupted for a moment. This is not considered in such plots.
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7. TRAFFIC ASPECT
7.1 What is the difference to speech transmission ?
With the introduction of packet data schemes, the range of applications available to the users is
much wider than before: We arrive in the multi-media world.
PC, laptop, PDA
Remote access
Traffic management
Automation
Entertainment
Information
E-commerce
And much more
(m-commerce)
It is quite clear, that the traffic behavior can no longer be described with just the Erlang B formula.
We need a more advanced Multi-Service Traffic Model.
7.2 Multi-Service Traffic Model

A complete deterministic multi-service traffic model distinguishes between a session level (for
example, the user dials his Internet service provider), a page level (loading of a selected HTMLpage) and a packet level (the segmented datagrams actually routed from server to client).
This model has to be set up for all services offered, to calculate the average and peak data rate for
which the network has to be designed for. This subject is very mathematical. An interesting study on
this subject has been done and documented by the University of Malaga: "A page-oriented WWW
traffic model for wireless system simulations" (A. Reyes-Lecuona, E. Gonzlez-Parada, E. Casilari, J.
C. Casasola and A. Daz-Estrella).
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The deterministic multi-service traffic model is visualized in the diagram below:

Session inter-arrival time: exponential
Session level
Number of pages: log-normal
Page size:
Pareto
Reading time:
Gamma law
Page level
Packet size:
multimodal
Inter-packet time:
exponential
Packet level
For a complete view, this static model has to be complemented by a dynamic simulation. This
approach is not easy to use. Other solutions allowing a good approximation with less effort are
discussed. To give more details would go beyond the scope of this document.
Due to the dynamic PDCH allocation available by Alcatel as described in chapter 4.2.4, the model
should combine the circuit-switched and the packet-switched traffic. Just calculating both traffic types
separately and adding up of the results leads to an over-design of the Air interface.
Lets look into a simple example (without proof). We assume the traffic for a cell as below:
Service quality
Subscribers
number
Volume per
subscriber in busy
hour
Voice service
280
20 mErlang
Blocking Probability 2.00%
Data service
280
102 Kbytes
Service bit rate 12 Kb/s, mean page size 2.5

Kbytes, queuing time delay max. 5 seconds
with a quantile of 95%
Table 5: Traffic example

Using a simplified multi-service traffic model considering the dynamic PDCH allocation, the requested
traffic can be served with 14 timeslots on the Air interface, we have to equip the cell with two TRX.
By calculating the required resources for both circuit- and packet-switched traffic separately and adding
up the results, we would come to 19 timeslots, the cell would have to be equipped (unnecessarily) with
three TRX.
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7.3 Mobile station capabilities

Different MS classes and types are defined for GPRS / EGPRS. First of all, three classes of GPRS /
EGPRS mobile devices are supported:
Class-A mobile station:
Can operate packet and circuit-switched services simultaneously.
Class-B mobile station:
Can monitor control channels for both packet-switched services and

circuit-switched services simultaneously, but can only operate one set of
services at a time.
Class-C mobile station:
Can either be attached to circuit-switched services or to GPRS /

EGPRS services, but not to both simultaneously.
The maximum number of PDCHs granted to a mobile depends on its multi-slot class. The constraints
determining the maximum capacity per user are the following:
MS type:
Type 1: simplex MS (either transmit or receive)

Type 2: duplex MS (receive and transmit simultaneously)
Maximum number of receive/transmit timeslots per TDMA frame. Examples: 1+1 (one TS
for the downlink plus one TS for the uplink), 3+1 (three TS for the downlink plus one TS for
the uplink)
Minimum time (in timeslots) between receive, transmit and measurements. These values
are defined in GSM 05.02 in more detail.
EGPRS-mobiles can further be divided into two sub-groups:
A first type with 8PSK capability on the downlink only (using only MCS-1 to MCS-4 in uplink)
and a second type with 8PSK capability downlink and uplink.
Considering the unbalanced traffic in Internet-like applications, the first type makes a lot of sense.
Even if the second type is used, it might be acceptable, to have lower data rates on the uplink.
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8. INTERFACES AND TRANSMISSION ASPECTS

An overview on all possible interfaces within an GPRS / EGPRS network was given in chapter 3.1.
Some hints on whats going on on some of them can be extracted from the protocol stacks in chapter
4.3. A complete overview of all interfaces with their functions and protocols would fill a book, we
therefore concentrate on some aspects which might be most interesting for the practical engineer.
8.1 Capacity aspect for the Abis interface

Without GPRS step 2 or EDGE/EGPRS, the amount of information provided per Air interface timeslot
allowed to have the eight timeslots of one TRX mapped onto two 64kbit/s timeslots of the Abis
interface (adding some timeslots for signalling and O&M). Using this scheme, even a fully equipped
BTS cabinet could be served by one E1-interface (PCM30).
Introducing GPRS step 2 or even EGPRS, the amount of information provided by the timeslots of the
Air interface increases. If a BTS is fully equipped with TRXes, one E1-link may no longer be sufficient
to carry all data between BTS and BSC.
Upon the introduction of GPRS step 2 and EGPRS, the possibility to connect two E1-links between
BTS and BSC is added. This requires no hardware change to Alcatel EVOLIUM BTS.
8.2 Transmission management on the Ater interface

Two types of Ater interfaces are supported between the BSC and the MFS:
Submultiplexed Ater interface for mixed circuit-switched and GPRS CS-1 and CS-2 channels.
Direct connection of PCM30 links for 64 kbit/s packet data channels between the BSC and the
MFS (no sub-multiplexing, no mixture with circuit-switched channels).
The MFS is the master for the Ater resources used for packet data.
8.3 The Gb Interface

The Gb interface connects the BSS to the NSS (or more fashionable, the Core Network). This is the
interface, where multi-vendor interworking is interesting. The Gb interface has therefore to follow
strictly the GSM recommendations.
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Lets recall the protocol stack to see what is transported by the Gb interface:
BSSGP
BSSGP
BSS GPRS Protocol
BSS GPRS Protocol
GSM 08.18
GSM 08.18
NS
NS
Network Service
GSM 08.16
Network Service
GSM 08.16
L1bis
L1bis
Layer 1bis
GSM 08.14
Layer 1bis
GSM 08.14
PCU (MFS)
Gb
The BSS GPRS Protocol BSSGP handles Radio

Resource information, Quality of Service information
and routing information. It is based to a large extend on
the BSSMAP protocol.
The Network Service NS transfers the Packet Data
Units PDU between the BSS and the SGSN. It allocates
PDUs to Virtual Channels VC and takes care of the
load-sharing. The Network Service is based on a Frame
Relay Data Network, which is a specific type of a packet
data network.
The physical layer can, for example, be provided by
64 kbit/s timeslots on PCM 30 (E1) trunks according to
ITU G.703 / G.704.
SGSN
The PCU (MFS) and the SGSN are often not located in the same room. Therefore different
possibilities are provided to route the Gb interface:
TC
Direct connection between PCU (MFS)

and SGSN
BSC
MSC
VLR
PTSN
ISDN
MSC
VLR
PTSN
ISDN
Ater
MFS
(PCU)
Gb
SGSN
TC
Via a (public) Frame Relay Data

Network
BSC
Ater
MFS
(PCU)
Gb
Frame Relay
Network
Gb
SGSN
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Via the MSCs
BSC
PTSN
ISDN
MSC
TC
VLR
Ater
MFS
(PCU)
Gb
Gb
MSC
VLR
SGSN
Co-located
Via the Ater multiplexed interface

through the transcoder and the MSCs
BSC
Ater
PTSN
ISDN
MSC
TC
VLR
Gb
Gb
MFS
(PCU)
MSC
VLR
Gb
SGSN
Co-located
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9. LITERATURE
Papers giving introductions and overviews:
Alcatels approach to GPRS, Position Paper (3DC 21141 0007 TQZZA)
Wireless Data with HSCSD or GPRS? (Alcatel)
Dr.-Ing. Michael Tangemann, Dr.-Ing. Andreas Weber, Dr.-Ing. Dirk Nikolai: Introducing 3
rd
Generation Mobile Communication Services on Evolved GSM Platforms
Data Throughput in EDGE / EGPRS Networks (3DC 21150 0285 TQZZA)
On the Road to 3G with Alcatel
Spectrum Efficiency: A Comparison between EDGE and UMTS (3DC 21084 0005 TQZZA)
Related ETSI documents and recommendations (check for the latest edition):
EDGE: Concept Proposal for Enhanced GPRS (Tdoc SMG2 657/99)
ETSI EN 301 344 (GSM 03.60)
ETSI TS 101 350 V8.2.0 (GSM 03.64)
ETSI EN 301 349 (GSM 04.60)
ETSI TS 100 573 V7.0.1 (GSM 05.01)
Draft ETSI EN 300 959 V7.1.0 (GSM 05.04)
ETSI EN 300 910 V 8.5.1 (GSM 05.05)
ETSI documents are available on the Internet under http://www.etsi.org. As all standardization
activities of GERAN have been transferred to 3GPP, you might better check http://www.3gpp.org.
If you want to dig deeper into theory:
A. Reyes-Lecuona, E. Gonzlez-Parada, E. Casilari, J. C. Casasola and A. Daz-Estrella: "A

page-oriented WWW traffic model for wireless system simulations" (Dpto. Tecnologa
Electrnica, E.T.S.I. Telecomunicacin, Universidad de Mlaga)
Description of Alcatel products related to GPRS and EGPRS:
EVOLIUM Radio Solutions Alcatel 9100 Base Station Product Description

(3DC 21083 0001 TQZZA)
EVOLIUM Radio Solutions Alcatel GSM 900/GSM 1800 G2 Base Station

Controller Product Description (3DC 21016 0003 TQZZA)
EVOLIUM Radio Solutions A935 MFS Multi-BSS Fast packet Server Product
Description (3DC 21016 0005 TQZZA)
Alcatel
Alcatel GPRS NSS Product Description (3DN 00501 AAAA DEZZA)
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10. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

1
3GPP.......Third Generation Partnership Project
A
AAL5........ATM Adaptation Layer 5
APN .........Access Point Name
ARQ.........Automatic Repeat Request
ATC .........ATM Transfer Capability
ATM.........Asynchronous Transfer Mode
AuC .........Authentication Center
B
BCCH ......Broadcast Control Channel
BEP .........Bit Error Probability
BGP.........Border Gateway Protocol
BLER .......Block Error Rate
BSC .........Base Station Controller
BSS .........Base Station System
BSSGP ....BSS GPRS Protocol
BSSMAP..BSS Mobile Application Part
BTS .........Base Transceiver Station
BVC .........BSSGP Virtual Connection
C
CAC.........Call Acceptance control
CCCH ......Common Control Channel
C/I............Carrier to Interference Ratio
C/ICO ........Carrier to Interference Ratio - Common Channel
Interference
CLNP.......Connectionless Network Protocol
CLNS.......Connectionless Network Service
CONP ......Connection-Orientated Network Protocol
CONS ......Connection-Orientated Network Service
CS ...........Circuit-Switched
CS-x ........Coding Scheme x (x = 1, 2, 3, 4)
D
DF............Delivery Function
DHCP ......Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DNS.........Domain Name Server
DR ...........Dual Rate
DRX.........Discontinuous Reception
DSP .........Digital Signal Processor
E
ECSD ......Enhanced Circuit Switched Data
Eb/N0 ........Bit Energy to Noise Density ratio
EDGE ......Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
EGP.........Exterior Gateway Protocol
EGPRS....Enhanced General Packet Radio Service
G
Gb ........... Interface between BSS and SGSN
GERAN ... GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network
Gc ........... Interface between GGSN and HLR
Gd ........... Interface between SGSN and SMS-GMSC
Gf ............ Interface between SGSN and EIR
GGSN ..... Gateway GPRS Support Node
Gi ............ Interface between a GGSN and a PDN.
GMM ....... GPRS Mobility Management
GMSC ..... Gateway MSC
GMSK ..... Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying
Gn ........... Interface between SGSNs and between SGSN
and GGSN.
Gp ........... Interface between SGSN and GGSN of other
network
GPRS...... General Packet Radio Service
GPU ........ GPRS Processing Unit
Gs ........... Interface between SGSN and MSC/VLR
GSL......... GPRS Signaling Link
GSN ........ GPRS Support Node
GSM........ Global System for Mobile communication
GTP ........ GPRS Tunneling Protocol
H
HDLC ...... High-Level Data Link Control
HLR......... Home Location Register
HPLMN ... Home PLMN
HSCSD ... High Speed Circuit Switched Data
http.......... Hypertext Transfer Protocol
I
IAP .......... Internet Access provider
IMSI ........ International Mobile Subscriber Identity
IP ............ Internet Protocol
IPv4......... Internet Protocol Version 4
IR ............ Incremental Redundancy
ISDN ....... Integrated Service Digital Network
ISP .......... Internet Service Provider
IT............. Information Technology
ITU .......... International Telecommunication Union
Iu_CS...... Interface between RAN and core network, CS
Iu_PS ...... Interface between RAN and core network, PS
IWMSC ... Interworking MSC
K
kbps ........ Kilo Bit Per Second
ERAN ......EDGE Radio Access Network

ETSI ........European Telecomm. Standardization Institute
E1 ............ITU-T G.703/G.704 physical interface
L
LA ........... Location Area
LA ........... Link Adaptation
LAN......... Local Area Network
LLC ......... Logical Link Control
L1............ Layer 1
L2............ Layer 2
F
FEC .........Forward Error Correction
FR............Frame Relay
FR............Full Rate
M
MAC ........ Medium Access Control
MCS ........ Modulation and Coding Scheme
MFS ........ Multi-BSS Fast Packet Server
EIR......... Equipment Identification Register
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MM .......... Mobility Management

MO .......... Mobile Originated
MPDCH... Master Packet Data Channel ().
MS .......... Mobile Station
MSC ........ Mobile Services Switching Center
MSP ........ Multiple Subscriber Profile
MT........... Mobile Terminating
Q
QoS .........Quality of Service
R
RA ...........Routing Area
RAN.........Radio Access Network
RF ...........Radio Frequency
RFC.........Request for Comment
RLC .........Radio Link Control
RNC ........Radio Network Controller
RRM ........Radio Resource Management
N
NMC........ Network Management Center
NMO........ Network Mode of Operation
NS........... Network Service
NSS ........ Network Subsystem
O
OAM........ Operation, Administration and Maintenance
OMC-R.... Operation and Maintenance Center - BSS
O&M........ Operation and Maintenance
P
PACCH ... Packet Associated Control Channel
PAD ........ Packet Assembly/Disassembly facility
PBCCH ... Packet Broadcast Control Channel
PCCCH ... Packet Common Control Channel
PCH ........ Paging Channel
PCM........ Pulse Code Modulation
PCU ........ Packet Control Unit
PDA ........ Personal Data Assistant
PDCH...... Packet Data Channel
PDTCH.... Packet Data Traffic Channel
PDP ........ Packet Data Protocol
PDN ........ Packet Data Network
PDU ........ Protocol Data Unit
PLMN ...... Public Land Mobile Network
PPCH...... Packet Paging Channel
PPP......... Point to Point Protocol
PSK......... Phase Shift Keying
PTM ........ Point-To-Multipoint
PTM-G .... Point-To-Multipoint Group
PTM-M .... Point-To-Multipoint Multicast
PTP......... Point-To-Point
PRACH ... Packet Random Access Channel
PSPDN ... Public Switched Packet Data Network
PSTN ...... Public Switched Telephone Network
P-TMSI.... Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
PVC ........ Permanent Virtual Connection
S
SAP .........Service Access Point
SDCCH....Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel
SDU.........Service Data Unit
SGSN ......Serving GPRS Support Node
SIM..........Subscriber Identity Module
SINR........Signal-to-Noise-and Interference Ratio
SM...........Session Management
SMS.........Short Message Service
SNDCP....Sub-Network dependent Convergence Protocol
SVC.........Switched Virtual Circuit
T
TBF .........Temporary Block Flow
TC ...........Transcoder
TCP .........Transfer Control Protocol
TFI...........Temporary Flow Identity
TDMA ......Time Division Multiple Access
TLLI .........Temporary Logical Link Identity
TMN.........Telecommunication Management Network
TRX .........Transceiver
TS............Timeslot
TU ...........Typical Urban
U
UDP.........User Datagram Protocol
UMTS ......Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
USF .........Uplink State Flag
V
VLR .........Visitor Location Register
VPLMN ....Visited PLMN
VoIP ........Voice over IP
W
WAP........Wireless Application Protocol
www.........World Wide Web
End of DOCUMENT
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