Technical Report on Switch

Operations

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
AXE Node.......................................................................................................................................3
APZ (goto alex type CSPB in bsc)..........................................................................................3
APG 40.....................................................................................................................................4
APT..........................................................................................................................................4
RAN architecture.............................................................................................................................4
Transcoder Controller..................................................................................................................5
Base Station Controller................................................................................................................5
Interfaces......................................................................................................................................5
Air Interface.............................................................................................................................5
Abis Interface...........................................................................................................................5
A-ter interface...........................................................................................................................6
A interface................................................................................................................................6
PCM Link Devices.......................................................................................................................6
Mobile Soft Switch Solution...........................................................................................................8
Layered Architecture....................................................................................................................8
Classic MSC solution...................................................................................................................8
Mobile Switch Center..................................................................................................................8
Media Gate Way..............................................................................................................................9

IP signaling...............................................................................................................................9
Interfaces......................................................................................................................................9
Nb interface..............................................................................................................................9
lu Interface..............................................................................................................................10
Mb Interface...........................................................................................................................10
Node Element manager..............................................................................................................10
Signaling........................................................................................................................................10
Signaling Link........................................................................................................................11
Signaling Point.......................................................................................................................11
Protocol stack of SS7..............................................................................................................11

Introduction
The report gives the summary of the GSM and WCDMA. The main concern of the report is to
fully describe the operations, maintenance and configuration of the following network elements,
BSC, TRC, MSC, MGW and GPRS.

AXE Node
The AXE telephone exchange is a line of products of circuit switched digital telephone
exchanges. AXE system has a dual processor system, both of which run together so that even if
one of them fails there is no disruption of services. The system handles all kinds of landline and
mobile telephone networks like GSM, WCDMA and international telephony traffic. In the AXE
system the computer control system is called APZ. AXE is divided into these two parts APZ and
APT.

APZ
The function of the APZ is to provide the real time processing capacity required by the
communications applications. The man machine communication between operational personnel
and the AXE system is also handled by the APZ. The APZ consists of several subsystems such
as:
Central Processor (CP) which is used for controlling most of the activities in the node. For
instance, size alteration of data functions, program correction or modification of the program
code in software units loaded in APZ, measurement of processor loads and handling of system
backups. The call setup procedure is one of the main tasks controlled by the CP.
Regional Processor it is responsible for controlling all the hardware located in the APT
switching part of AXE. It sometimes offloads the CP with simple routine tasks and
administrative operations.
Input Output System there are 2 types of I/O systems in AXE called the APG40 and IOG20.
The main task of the I/O system is to connect the user to the AXE. APG40 supports protocols
for external interfaces such as TCP/IP, Telnet for remote login, FTP for file transfer and RPC
for message transfer. APG40 is also used for storing backups, statistics and log files.
APT
Is used in AXE as the switching part, for instance APT provides the switching functions needed
to implement a PSTN local exchange or node. APT is implemented both in software and
hardware. APT is divided into subsystems called Group Switching Subsystems (GSS). GSS is

used for connection or disconnection of traffic and signal path through the Group Switch (GS).
GSS is also used for supervision of the hardware in subsystems by continuous parity check,
supervision of digital links connected to the switch and monitoring stable clock frequency of the
system.
Group Switch Subsystems
Group Switch (GS) is used for storing connection information. It connects an incoming
channel to an outgoing channel. For instance it can connect incoming PCM timeslots to any
outgoing PCM link. GS is made up of Time Switch Module and Space Module .
Time Switch Module (TSM) used for switching connection and release of speech path. TSM
also have counter s used in statistics of traffic measurement.
Network Synchronization used for synchronization of the network.
Group Switch Board Names (GSBOARD) used for translation of fault cases.
Clock Pulse Generation and Timing (CLT) it is a three clock module that supply TSM and
Space Modules (SPM) with clock pulse.
GSM1 and GSM2 these blocks help the TSM with maintenance functions regarding TSM and
SPM. They contain administrative functions for all Switching Network Terminals (SNT)
connected to the switch.

Radio Access Network Architecture

All radio related functions are concentrated in Radio Access Network. It is responsible for
establishing and maintaining a connection between Mobile Stations. Besides that it also allocates
radio channels for voice and data messages. RAN consists of three nodes, Transcoder Controller,
Base Station Controller and Radio Base Station.
Transcoder Controller
Transcoder Controller (TRC) is a network element that serves as the transmission link between
the MSC and the BSC. TRC reduces the bit rate from 64kbps to 16kbps by multiplexing four
channels of 64kb/s into one channel. Transcoder node contains pooled transcoder resources
which are Full Rate, Half Rate and Enhance Full Rate. TRC can be integrated with the BSC and
the node is called TRC/BSC or it can stand on its own and it is called Stand-Alone TRC. Stand
Alone TRC is connected to the MSC via the A interface and it is connected to the BSC via the Ater interface.
Base Station Controller
Base Station Controller (BSC) is a network element that manages all radio related functions of a
GSM network such as handling allocation of radio channels, frequency administration, power
and signal measurement from the Mobile Station (MS), and handover from one BTS to another.

BSC also manages or controls Base Transceiver Station (BTS). BSC works as a transmission link
between the BTS and the Mobile Switch Center (MSC). BSC have two interfaces called Abis
interface and A interface. Abis Interface is the interface that connects the BSC and the BTS. A
interface is the interface that connects the the BSC to the MSC.
Interfaces
In Radio Access Network there are four kinds of interface and they are Air interface, Abis
interface, A-ter interface and A interface. There are basically two methods of building interfaces.
2Mbs PCM (E1) interface it is a physical channel that is divided into 32 timeslots, each having
a bit rate of 64Kbps.
2Mbs PCM (T1) interface which is a physical channel that is divided into 24 timeslots, each
having a bit rate of 64Kbps.
Air Interface
This interface operates between the BTS and the MS. It uses the Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA) to transmit and receive traffic and signaling information. The TDMA technique is used
to divide each carrier into eight timeslots. These timeslots are then assigned to specific users,
allowing up to eight conversations to be handled simultaneously by the same carrier.
Abis Interface
This interface is responsible for transmitting traffic and signaling information between the BTS
and BSC. The transmission protocol used for sending signaling information on the A-bis
interface is called Link Access Protocol on the D channel (LAPD) and there is 3 different
protocol formats that can be used to carry traffic on the A-bis interface:
LAPD Unconcentrated
LAPD Concentrated
LAPD Multiplexing
In LAPD Unconcentraed, the channel used for signaling of 64Kbps is transmitted first and then it
is accompanied by two 64Kbps channels each carrying four 16Kbps sub-multiplexed voice or
data channels.
A-ter interface
A-ter interface is the link between the TRC and the BSC. In the TRC speech is transcoded from
64Kbps to 16Kbps whereby 13Kbps is used for traffic and 3Kbps is used for signaling.
A interface
This interface provides with traffic information and signaling between the RAN (BSC or
TRC/BSC) and the MSC. Speech is transcoded in the TRC, and the SS7 signaling is
transparently connected through the TRC or on a separate link to the BSC.

PCM Link Devices

Exchange Terminal Circuit (ETC) it is a common hardware in AXE to handle the Pulse Code
Modulation (PCM) transmission links between the BSC and the MSC also between the BTS and
the BSC. The difference between the ETC boards used between MSC and TRC/BSC, and
TRC/BSC and RBS is that they have different software uploads. The figure below shows the
PCM Link types.

ETCs in the MSC, TRC, and BSC (or TRC/BSC) use the same type of hardware since they are
all based on the same type of platform (AXE) but they are loaded with different types of
software.
MSC A interface Line Terminal (MALT) is the name of the ETC in the MSC that goes
towards the TRC or TRC/BSC.
Radio Transmission and Transport Subsystem (RTS) A interface Line Terminal (RALT)
is the name of the ETC in the TRC or TRC/BSC that goes towards the MSC.
RTS A-Bis interface Line Terminal (RBLT) is the name of the ETC in the BSC or TRC/BSC
that goes towards the RBSs.
RTS A-Ter Line Terminal TRC (RTLTT) is the name of the ETC in the stand-alone
TRC (or TRC/BSC) that goes towards a stand-alone BSC.
RTS A-Ter Line Terminal BSC (RTLTB) is the name of the ETC in the stand-alone
BSC that goes towards the stand-alone TRC (or TRC/BSC).

RALT and RBLT

Each timeslot or device, which is 64 kbps, on the PCM link towards the MSC is called a RALT
device. The device is a resource that the BSC can store information on. In this case, it is either
signaling or speech towards the MSC. Timeslots or devices on the PCM link towards the RBS
are called RBLT devices. In the case of the RBLT, stored BSC information is either LAPD
signaling or speech towards the RBS. The number of RBLT devices is 32 on an E1 PCM link and
24 on a T1 PCM link.

Switching Network Terminal

Switching Network terminal (SNT) refers to all the equipment that is connected to the GS using
the standardizes interface and SNTP is the point where the SNT is connected to the CS. The
function of the SNT is to supervise the DIPs connected to tha GS.

Digital Path
Digital Path (DIP) is the name of the function used for supervision of the connected PCM lines
between the nodes. For instance the DIP between the TRC/BSC is called RALT while the DIP
between the TRC/BSC is called RBLT.

SUBRATE SWITCH
Subrate Switch (SRS) allows connections of lower than 64Kbps. SRS can switch
down to 8Kbps and it can then put different 16Kbps devices on the same 64Kbps
channel. When pooled transcoders which have the following resources Half Rate,
Full Rate and Enhanced Full Rate integrated in the same 64kps channel is used, SRS
is need because the GS cannot switch lower than 64kbps.

Health check of BSC

The health check is done two times every day in the morning and in the afternoon.
The purpose of the health check is to check the status and alarms of the network.
The excel sheet below shows the report of the health check.

Health check
@009am_11032011.xlsx

The report shows the processor load of the Central Processor in each node, the CP
utilization, types of alarms on each node if any and the route utilization.

BSC Daily routines commands

a) ALLIP The commands print the entire alarm list in APT and in APZ.
b) DPWSP Check the status of the CP
c) Prcstate, CLUSTER NODE, and ALIST these commands are used to look at the
status and alarms in AP.

d) GDSTP Check the status of the Group Switch

e) DTSTP:dip =all prints the state of all the defined digital paths.
f) EXEMP:EM=ALL,RP=ALL prints the state of the External Modules and
Regional Processor.
g) NSSTP, and CACLP the commands print the state of all connected clock
reference and the system time respectively.
h) DBTSP :TAB=SAACTIONS used to check the pending size alterations.
i) DTQSR used to clean all the digital paths.
j) RLCRP:CELL=ALL prints all the cell resources.
k) RXASP:MOTY=RXOTG and RXASP:MOTY=RXETG prints the state of the
managed objects.

Mobile Soft Switch Solution

Ericsson introduced layered architecture which is a technique that separates systems or network
components in layers so that changes can be made in one layer without affecting the other layers.
Soft switch separates the call control and switching functions into separate nodes.
Layered Architecture
The layered architecture uses IP backbone technology and it is made up of two layers.
A) Control layer provides centralized location of servers which helps in reducing Operation
and maintenance costs. It also allows independent of transport technology. In this layer
resides MSC-severs which are the ones that handles call control.
B) Connectivity layer allows for free choice of transmission technology, enables transport
of coded voices and distributed MGWs enables transmission and interconnection charges
savings. In this layer resides MGW which handles switching of calls.
Classic MSC solution
It is not made up of layers. It is a monolithic architecture which has the MSC used for both
control and switching of calls. Classic MSC solution uses TDM backbone technology.
Mobile Switch Center
Mobile Switch Center (MSC) is the heart of the entire network connecting the fixed line network
and the mobile network. It manages all call related functions (call routing, call setup and basic
switching functions) and billing information. MSC handles multiple BSCs and also interfaces
with other MSC's and registers. It also handles iner-BSC handoffs as well as coordinates with
other MSC's for inter-MSC handoffs.
Media Gate Way
The Media Gateway for Mobile Networks (M-MGw) connects the Mobile Core Network with
external networks such as WCDMA and GSM Radio Access Networks, PSTN, Private
Automatic Branch Exchanges (PABXs), IP Multimedia Subsystem or Voice over IP (IMS/VoIP)
networks or other Mobile Networks. It resides in the connectivity layer of the core network and it
is remotely controlled by the MSC-Server using Gateway Control Protocol (GCP). MGW use
standard protocols and it is able to communicate with other nodes using TDM, ATM and IP
networks.
IP signaling
M-MGW supports IP (IP version 4) traffic and signaling both over fast Ethernet and Gigabit
Ethernet. M-MGW provides payload transport over IP for Nb, lu and Mb interfaces as well as
signaling over IP.

Interfaces
M-MGW has several interfaces to connect to other network elements;
Nb interface
It is an interface that connects the M-MGW to another M-MGW, the IP bearer connections over
the Nb interface are made with the help of IP Bearer Control Protocol (IPBCP) and IP payload is
carried over these protocols NbUP/RTP/UDP/IPv4/Ethernet.The diagram below shows Protocol
stack for Nb interface.

NbUP : is a protocol used between two MGWs and is used to carry user payload traffic (64
Kbps PCM of data or compressed speech).
RTP : Real Time Transfer Protocol is used to transport user data, maintain delivery order of
packets and specify timestamp of a packet.
UDP : is a protocol used to multiplex the IP payload traffic.
IPV4: it is a protocol that used for storing addressing information and some control
information of packets, this would enable the packets to be routed in the network.
Ethernet: is used for transportation and connection.

lu Interface
It is an interface that connects the MGW and the Radio Access Network. IP bearer connection
over the lu interface are made possible by the help of Gateway Control Protocol (GCP) , Radio
Access Network Application Part (RANAP) and payload luUP/RTP/UDP/IP.The figure below
shows the protocol stack for lu interface

luUP

lu User Plane is a framing protocol used to convey or support the user data that is
associated to Radio Access Bearers.

Mb Interface
It is an interface that connects MGW to IP Multimedia Subsystems (I MS) network. In this
interface the IP payload is transported directly over RTP. The protocol stack of Mb interface is
shown below.

Node Element manager

Its a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that is used to manage the M-MGW by using Managed
Objects (MO).The main tasks in node manager is the fault management, software management
and configuration management of the MGW

Managed Objects in MGW

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

ATM
Devices
Equipment
MGW Application
Signaling
Software management

g) Synchronization
h) System Configuration
i) TDM

Signaling
Signaling refers to the exchange of information between call components required to provide and
maintain service. In GSM network, type of signaling that is used is called SS7 signaling. SS7 is a
global standard for telecommunications defined by the International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). The standard defines the procedures
and protocols by which network elements in the public switched telephone network (PSTN)
exchange information over a digital signaling network to effect wireless and wired call setup,
routing and control. Signaling network consist of Signaling Point (SP), Signaling Transfer Point
(STP) and Signaling Link (SL)
Signaling Link
Signaling Link is defined as a bidirectional channel that carries SS7 messages and exchange it
between network elements over 65kbps. Signaling links occurs out of band on dedicated
channels rather than in band channel that carry voice. Signaling link provides with the following
functions, faster call setup times, efficient use of voice circuits and support Intelligent Network
(IN) services.
Signaling Point
Signaling Point in SS7 is identified by a numeric point code. Point codes are used to identify the
source and the destination of each message in SS7. There are 3 types of signaling point:
a) Service Switching point (SSP) is responsible for terminating or originating calls. It
sends a message to another SSP to set up, manage and release voice circuits needed to
complete a call.
b) Signal Transfer Point (STP) routes each incoming message to an outgoing signaling
link based on the routing information contained in the SS7 messages.
c) Signaling Control Point (SCP) serves as the interface to the telephone company
database.
The figure below shows the architecture of SS7

Protocol stack of SS7

SS7 protocol stack provides a set of rules in which data or information is transmitted and
received over data communication network. SS7 protocol stack maps Open System Interconnect
(OSI) model. SS7 is divided into 4 separate layers. The first three layers Physical, data and
network layer make what is called Message Transfer Part (MTP). MTP is responsible for
transmitting messages between signaling nodes.

Physical layer or MTP level 1 this layer is used for physical connection. It converts the digital
data into bit stream transmission. It is defined for use by different interfaces.

Data layer or MTP level 2 used for error detection or correction. It ensures accurate end to end
transmission of a message across a signaling link.
Network Layer or MTP level 3 provides message routing between signaling points in SS7
network. It is also responsible for message discrimination (determines to whom the message is
addressed).
User and Application Parts This layer is made up of the following protocols, SCCP, TUP, ISUP
and TCAP
SCCP Signaling Connection Control Part provides connectionless and connection oriented
network services and Global Title Translation
(GTT) capabilities. CTT is a mechanism whereby the destination signaling point is
determined by the digits present in the signaling message.
TUP Telephone User Part is used to handle analog circuits used to carry voice traffic.
ISUP ISDN User Part is used to set up and manage trunk circuits used to carry voice and Data
calls over Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
TCAP Transaction Capabilities Applications Part support exchange of non circuit of related
data applications across the network using SCCP. IT also enables use of intelligent
network services.

MSC Daily Routine Commands

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
j)

Prcstate, cluster node and alist checks the state and alarms on APG40.
Allip:acl=a1 prints the alarm list of class A1 only.
Gdstp prints the status of the Group Switch.
Nsstp and caclp cheks the clock reference.
Syrip:survey prints software recovery information.
Exrpp:rp=all cheks the status of the Regional Processor.
Exemp:em=all,rp=all cheks the status of the External modules.
C7ltp:ls=all checks the status of all the defined link sets.
C7rsp:dset=all prints the routing data for all destination.
C7ncp:ssn=all,sp=all prints network configuration data for all Signaling
Point (SP) in SCCP network.
k) Ntstp:snt=all prints the state of the Switching Network Terminal.
l) Tpstp:sdip=all prints the state of all Synchronous Digital Paths.
m) Dtstp:dip=all prints the state of the Digital Path.
n) Strsp:r=all check the status of all defined routes.
o) Blorp used to check all the blocked route.
p) Ahstp:atmport=all prints the state of all defined ATM ports.
q) Dbtsp:tab=saactions checks pending Size Alteration Event (SAE).
r) Dbtsp:tab=saefaults checks the SAE faults.
s) Erepp:enum=all prints event reporting data for all specified event numbers.

General Packet Radio Services

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is network that offers packet data services to Global
System for Mobile Communication (GSM) and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
(WCDMA) systems. GPRS provides with the following functions; efficient transport of packets
in cellular network, Connectivity to other external Packet Data Networks (PDNs) using IP, it also
provides with simultaneous Circuit Switched and Packet Switched services. The backbone of
GPRS is built on 2 GPRS Support Nodes (GSN) known as Serving GPRS Serving Node (SGSN)
and Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN).
Overview of GPRS for GSM

Overview of GPRS for WCDMA

Serving GPRS Support Node

SGSN handles all packet switched data within the network. It also provide with mobility and
session control for the mobile station. SGSN has several interfaces connecting it to other network
elements.
A) Gb Interface connects the SGSN to the BSC in GSM network.
B) Gf Interface connects the SGSN to the Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
C) Gn Interface connects the SGSN to the GGSN

D) Gr Interface connects the SGSN to the HLR.

E) Gs Interface connects the SGSN to the MSC/VLR
F) lu Interface connects the SGSN to the RNC in WCDM network. It can also be simplified
into 2 parts where there is lu-C interface that connects signaling messages to the RNC
and lu-U interface that connects user data to the RNC.
Each of the interfaces uses the protocols in order to allow transfer of packets from one node to
another. The picture below shows the protocols used in GPRS network.

GPRS Mobility Management (GMM) is used to handle mobility issues such as roaming.
Sub Network Dependent Convergence Protocol (SNDCP) provides services to high layers
which may include connectionless and connection oriented mode.
Logical Link Control (LLC) is used for multiplexing of protocols such that they can be carried
on the same network medium, it also ensures reliable flow control and helps in error correction.

Base Station Subsystem GPRS Protocol (BSSGP) handles paging request form the SGSN to
the BSS and it also provides with flow control between the SGSN and the BSS.
Network Service (NE) manages the convergence sub layer that operates between the BSSGP
and the Frame Relay.
User Datagram Protocol (UDP) it is an interface between the IP and the upper layer processes
it is used to multiplex IP payload traffic.
Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) it is used in 3G for signaling and GTP
connections between the SGSN and RNC.
Signaling Connection Control (SCCP) provides end to end routing for TCAP messages.
MTP level 3(MTP3) User Adaptation layer (M3UA) enables SS7 protocols user parts (IUSP,
TUP and SCCP) to run over IP using Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP).
Message Transfer Part Layer 3 (MTP-L3) routes SS7 signaling messages to public networks
nodes by means of Destination Point Codes (DPC).
Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) it is a Signaling Transport (SIGTRAN) it was
designed to transport PSTN signaling messages now it also have the capabilities of transporting
IP. It is always on top of IP.
Signaling ATM Adaptation Layer (SAAL) is responsible for reliable transfer of signaling
messages between nodes. It is a protocol in control plane of ATM that is different from the user
plane. It is always on top of ATM
.
Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) it is a connection oriented technology which have
protocol suite which helps in carrying all traffic on a stream of fixed 53 bytes.
GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) it is a group of IP based protocols used to carry General
Packet Radio services to GSM or WCDMA networks.
GPRS Tunneling Protocol- User (GTP-U) it is used to carry user data within the GPRS core
network.
GPRS Tunneling Protocol-Control (GTP-C) it is used within the GPRS network core for
signaling. For example it allows the SGSN to activate the session (PDP context).

Base Station Subsystem Application Part (BSSAP+) it enables paging of for voice
connections from MSC via SGSN.
Message Transfer Part Layer (2MTP-L2) it provides error detection, sequence checking and
initiate retransmission in a case of incorrect reception of messages. Transaction Capabilities
Application Part (TCAP).
E1/T1 this is the physical layer that is used for connection between different Notes in the
WCDMA, GSM and GPRS network.
Mobile Application Part (MAP) it is a SS7 protocol that resides in application and user parts in
SS7 protocol stack. It helps the application layers in GSM, WCDMA and GPRS to communicate
with each other in order to provide services to Mobile Stations.
Gateway GPRS Support Node
GGSN is responsible for interworking between the GPRS network and external packet switched
network like internet.

Mobility Management
Mobility Management (MM) describes the state of the Mobile Station in SGSN perspective.
The states differ for GSM and WCDMA networks. There are four states of GSM Mobility
Management and three states for WCDMA Mobility Management.

GSM Mobility Management

A) Idle Mobile Station (MS) is Idle state if it is not attached(it has not shown its
presence in packet switched network) hence the SGSN cannot locate it or
reach it
B) Ready MS is in ready state if it is attached or if there is existence of Packet
Data Protocol (PDP) context. It also means that a signal procedure or payload
transfer is ongoing. In ready state the location of MS is known by the SGSN
with an accuracy of the serving cell and in this stage paging is not required to
reach the cell.
C) Standby Reachable in this state paging is required to reach the cell. The
location about the MS is only known on the cell level.
D) Standby Not Reachable The location information about the MS is only
known on the Routing Area (RA) level.

WCDMA Mobility Management

a) PMM Detached the MS in this state it is not attached. The MS location is not known and
it is not reachable by the SGSN.
b) PMM Connected in this state the MS is attached. The MS location is known with the
accuracy of the serving Radio Network Controller (RNC) and there is no paging required
to reach the MS
c) PMM Idle in this State the paging is required to reach the MS because the location of the
MS is known by the SGSN with an accuracy of the serving RA.

Session Management

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Adjunct Processor (AP) is a decentralized form of signaling control point (SCP) databases that
are used by switching systems to reduce the requirement of signaling service point (SSP) central
office switches from connecting to SCPs
Adjunct Processor. In the advanced intelligent network (AIN) architecture, a decentralized
service control point (SCP) that supports service offerings limited either to a single service
switching point (SSP) or to a regional subset of SSPs. An AP might support routing tables or
authorization schemes specific to a single switch or to a regional subset of switches
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