Lecture 09 (The GSM Family of Systems)

Basic Concepts
GSM Family
Services
Network Components
Channels

Small areas in which GSM operates are

known as cells
Cell size varies according to transmission
environment between Base Station and Mobile
Station
Minimum distance less than 1 km
Maximum distance 35 km

Cell size depends on subscriber density and

transmission environment

Channels are distinguished based on

frequency
Each cell supports one or more frequencies

In GSM, uplink/downlink pairs can used for

up to 8 ms simultaneously
Achieved using TDMA

Cells use frequency reuse to maximise number

of channels available

GSM specifies open interfaces between

particular network elements
This enables network equipment to be produced by

different manufacturers

Two open interfaces in GSM

Radio interface, Um
A-interface between Base Station Subsystem

(BSS) and Network Subsystem (NSS)

The GSM Family of Systems

Since its introduction, GSM has evolved to meet

the evolving needs of the user
The following systems have evolved from GSM,
either directly or indirectly:
HSCSD
GPRS
EDGE
UMTS
HSDPA
HSUPA

Base Services
Bearer Services

Tele Services

Supplemented by
Supplementary Services
Value Added Services

All handled as circuit-switched services

Bearer Services
Guarantee transmission of signals between Access

Points in telecommunication networks

Used extensively for transport

Tele Services
Enable communication between users based on

agreed network protocols between network

operators

GSM provides four types of tele service

Voice
SMS

Fax
Data

Supplementary services
Modify or add to basic telecom services

Only offered in combination with a bearer or tele

Service
Most are inherited from fixed networks
E.g. Call forwarding

Value added services

Depend on service provider or network operator
E.g. Information services, News, football results

Line Identification Services include

Call Line Identification Presentation (CLIP)
Displays Callers number on the called partys MS

Multiparty Services (aka Conferencing Services)

Allows communication to more than one party simultaneously
Requires at least one active call and one call on hold

Call Offering Services

Allows a customer to forward calls to other target numbers

Call Completion Services

Allows customers to postpone calls currently not able to accept
Hold calls while simultaneously make another call

Closed User Group

Gives particular groups of customers the opportunity to talk with

each other

VMS is a memory
system for voice,
data and fax
Customers can be
notified of a Voice
Mail via an SMS or
on request from VMS

Short Message Service Centre (SMS-C)

Used to send messages to any MS

P2P (point-to-point) messages have a

maximum basic length of 160 characters
Cell broadcast SMS in a P2M (point-tomultipoint) from network to all MS within
geographic area
Basic length 93 characters

Base Station Subsystem

Network Subsystem
Operations and Maintenance Subsystem

Other Networks

Other Networks

Comprises the following elements

The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

The Base Station Controller (BSC)

Transcoder
Converts 64 kb/s speech to 16 kb/s signal

Connects to the MS via the Um-interface

Controls the transceiver (TRX)
The TRX
Central functional unit of the BTS

Monitors calls to maximise use of 8 ms time-slot

via 1 frequency pair

BTS is responsible for monitoring signal

quality, modulation and coding

Either
Omni-directional
High output mainly associated with a sparsely populated
region

Sectored radio cell

BTS supplies up to 3 radio cells in 120 sectors

Densely populated areas use combination of both

Omni-directional cell acts as an umbrella for fast

moving vehicles and for filling in gaps

Known as hierarchical cell structure

Assigns free radio channels to TRX and MS

Controls output power of TRX and MS
Monitors radio link to/from the MS
Controls handover between cells

An MSC:
Serves as a digital exchange
Monitors and controls calls
Is responsible for:
Call data acquisition and forwarding of signalling information to
connected users or registers
Radio resource management
Connects mobile subscribers to each other

A Gateway MSC (GMSC):

Delivers calls between mobile networks and fixed networks (e.g.
ISTN, ISDN, etc.)
Performs the routing function to the actual location of the MS
Often implemented in the same machines as the MSC.

Visitor Location Register (VLR)

Usually located in MSC
Has geographic area of responsibility, the Location

Area
Areas covered by a BSC form a Location Area

Home Location Register (HLR)

Network operator registers customer data
Data made available to VLR in which customer is

found, e.g. access rights

VLR informs HLR of location of customer
Location update occurs when a mobile moves from one
location area to another

Authentication Centre (AuC)

Provides protection against unauthorised access
Checks International Mobile Subscriber Identity

(IMSI) information stored on the SIM for

correspondence with own register
Identical data results in approval to enter the network,
otherwise access is disabled

Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

Optional implementation by network operator
Permits detection of stolen equipment
Checks International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)

Monitors and controls the GSM network from a

central point
Tasks

Fault Management System

Analyses alarms from BSS elements

Configuration Management System

Installs software, changes operation parameters, manages
hardware inventory list

Software Management System

Feeds in new software and manages software inventory

list

Performs functions associated with

performance management
Alarms and fault elimination times are statistically

evaluated
Capacity bottlenecks are detected
Service quality is monitored, e.g. call drop rate

NMC functions can be performed centrally or

decentralised according to geographic
distribution

Channels