Gujarat Technological University

SAL INSTITUTE OF DIPLOMA STUDIES (SIDS)

UNIT: 4 Third generation communication

Prepared by,
Vaibhavi D Joshi
Sal Institute of Diploma Studies
(Information Technology)
Outline
4.1 GPRS
4.1.1 Architecture
4.1.2 Protocol Stack
4.1.3 Quality of Service Parameters
4.1.4 Types of GPRS handsets
4.1.5 Mobility Management
4.1.6 GPRS service Parameters
4.2 EDGE
4.2.1 Architecture
4.2.2 Evolved EDGE
4.2.3 Advantages
Outline
4.3 UMTS
 4.3.1 Architecture
4.3.2 Air Interface
4.3.3 Handoff and its types
4.3.4 Advantages
4.4 WCDMA
4.4.1 Architecture
4.4.2 Advantages
4.5 TD-SCDMA
4.5.1 Specification
4.5.2 Comparison with WCDMA
GPRS
Compariso
GSM
n GPRS
• GSM stands for Global Systems for
Mobile.
• System generation is 2G.
• The type of connection is a
circuit-switched network.
• In GSM billing is based on the
duration of the connection.
• It does not allow direct connection
to the internet.
• In GSM, single time slot is allotted
to a single user.
• SMS (Short Messaging Service) is
one of the popular features.
• GPRS stands for General Packet
GPRS
Radio Service.
• System generation is 2.5G. • Here the
type of connection is a
packet-switched network.
• In GPRS billing is based on the
features amount of data transferred. • It
allows direct connection to the
internet.
• In GPRS, multiple time slots can be
allotted to a single user.
• MMS (Multimedia Messaging
Service) is one of the popular
features.
• GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. • It is
the modified version of GSM architecture service.
• In GSM architecture we can only transport the voice
signal.
• But if signal consists of the data then only GSM
architecture cannot use. For that there are two more
software components are used, SGSN (Serving
GPRS supporting Node) and GGSN (Gateway
GPRS supporting Node).
GPRS Architecture
GPRS Architecture
• GPRS has MS that can carry both data and voice. •
For enabling of data the GPRS architecture has PCU
(Packet control unit).
• The BSC is connected with NSS (Network station
subsystem) part with the first entity SGSN (Serving
GPRS Support Node);
• this will be IP network and then it has GGSN
(Gateway GPRS support node).
GPRS Architecture
• This is the NSS part and this is connected with firewall
and external network. SGSN is connected with BG
(Border gateway), CG (Charging gateway) and DNS
 (Domain name server).
• For GPRS architecture, addition of new entities in the
NSS part are required.
• The NSS part requires data connectivity with data
centre. So, there are external networks like google
servers etc.
GPRS Architecture
• The BSC which is having the PCU, requires to
conduct SGSN for data.
• If the user has to call, it will flow through BTS and
then BSC and then it will forward to MSC. • If the
MS has to access data, then data will take the GPRS
route.
• It has to access data from the external networks. I • t
means the MS, which has only the voice or call, will
follow the GSM path and the MS, which has both voice
and data, will follow the GPRS path.
GPRS Architecture
• Packet Control Unit(PCU)- This PCU is the core unit
to segregate between GSM and GPRS traffic. • It
separates the circuit switched and packet switched traffic
from the user and sends them to the GSM and GPRS
networks respectively which is shown in the figure
above.
• In GPRS PCU has following two paths.
1. PCU-MSC-GMSC-PSTN
 2. PCU-SGSN-GGSN-Internet (packet data network)
GPRS Architecture
• Serving GPRS Support Node(SGSN)- It is similar
to MSC of GSM network.
• SGSN functions are outlined below.
- Data compression which helps minimize the size of
transmitted data units.
- Authentication of GPRS subscribers.
- Routing of data to the corresponding GGSN when a
connection to an external network is needed. -
Mobility management as the subscriber moves from
one PLMN area to the another PLMN, and possibly
one SGSN to another SGSN.
 - Traffic statistics collections.
GPRS Architecture
• Gateway GPRS Support Node(GGSN)- GGSN is
the gateway to external networks such as PDN
(packet data network) or IP network.
• It does two main functions.
• It is similar to GMSC of GSM network
- Routes mobile destined packet coming from
external IP networks to the relevant SGSN within the
GPRS network
- Routes packets originated from a user to the
respective external IP network
 GPRS Architecture
• Border Gateway(BG)- It is a kind of router which
interfaces different operators GPRS networks. • The
connection between two border gateways is called GPRS
tunnel.
• It is more secure to transfer data between two
operators using their own PLMN networks through a
direct connection rather than via the public Internet
which is less secure.
• For this both operators need to agree to provide such
connectivity and terms and conditions including
charging terms.
 GPRS Architecture
• Charging Gateway(CG)- GPRS users have to be
charged for the use of the network, this is taken care
by Charging gateway.
• Charging is done based on Quality of Service or plan
user has opted either prepaid or post paid.
• This charging data generated by all the SGSNs and
GGSNs in the network is referred to as Charging Data
Records (CDRs).
• The Charging Gateway (CG) collects all of these
CDRs, processes the same and passes it on to the
Billing System.
 GPRS Architecture
• DNS server- Connected at ISP location or at IP
network. It converts domain name to IP addresses
required to establish internet connection and to deliver
web pages on user's terminal screen.

• Intra PLMN- An IP based network inter-connecting

all the above mentioned GPRS network elements in
one PLMN area.

• Inter PLMN- Connection between two different

PLMN areas.
 GPRS Architecture
• GPRS has some subsystems.
• They are:
• I. Base Station System (BSS): The mobile station can
communicate with the radio part. In the radio part we
have a controller and that part of a radio network that
is known as BSS. BSS consists of BTS and BSC.
• II. Network station subsystem (NSS): The core
network or manager of the GSM network is called as
NSS. It assists in verification, operation and
maintenance of subsystems. NSS consists of SGSN
and MSC.
 GPRS Architecture
• III. Radio Station Subsystem (RSS): Consists of MS,
BTS and BSC. MS having GPRS capability and
reserve the cipher key sequence number (CKSN).
• IV. Gateway Subsystem (GSS): Consists of SGSN
and GGSN.
GPRS Architecture
• GPRS has some network interfaces. They are given
below:
• Air interface: Connects MS and BTS. It’s also called
as Um interface.
• Abis interface: Connects BTS and BSC. • Gb
interface: Connects BSC with the SGSN. • Gn
interface: Connects SGSN and GGSN. • Gp
interface: User profile with the signaling
information between SGSN and GGSN of other area.
• Gr interface: Connects SGSN and HLR. Exchange
the user information between SGSN and HLR.
GPRS Architecture
• Gc interface: Connects GGSN and HLR. Exchange
the location information between GGSN and HLR. •
Gs interface: Connects the SGSN with VLR. • Gf
interface: Connects SGSN with EIR. It is used to
register the MS in the network.
• Ga interface: Connects SGSN/GGSN with CG. •
Gi interface: Connects GGSN with external PDN
(Packet data network).
GPRS Architecture
Applications of GPRS are given below:
• Sending and receiving E-mail, short message service
(sms), multimedia message (mms), fax etc. • Internet
access and video conference.
• Serves the connection with PC’s and other devices. •
Serves location based service
 GPRS Architecture
• Advantages GPRS technology provides some benefits.
They are given below:
• Speed: GPRS technology offers much higher data rate
than GSM technology. GPRS provides speed limit up
to 171kbps and offers throughput up to 40Kbps.
• Packet switched: GPRS technology offers packet
switching while GSM technique was a circuit
switched system. Circuit switching and packet
switching can be used in parallel.
GPRS Architecture
• Always on capability: GPRS provides an “Always
On” capability.
• Spectral efficiency: Because of the shared use of radio
channels, GPRS provides a better traffic management
and it has service access to a greater number of users.
• Packet transmission: Generally, GPRS works more
efficiently for long data packet transmission compared
to short ones.
GPRS Architecture
• Drawbacks GPRS technology has some disadvantages
as well. They are given below: • Since GPRS utilizes the
GSM band to transfer data, calls and other
network-related functions cannot be used when a
connection is active.
• Depending on the individual service provider, GPRS is
usually to be paid per megabyte or kilobyte. But, this
has been modified in various places, where there are
no longer charge for per usage of GPRS downloads.
Instead GPRS downloads are rather unlimited with a
flat fee to be paid every month.
Quality of Service Parameters
• Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of conventional
mobile packet data applications are in assorted forms.
• The QoS is a vital feature of GPRS services as there
are different QoS support requirements for assorted
 GPRS applications like real-time multimedia, web
browsing, and e-mail transfer.
Quality of Service Parameters
• GPRS allows defining QoS profiles using the
following parameters :
1. Service Precedence
2. Reliability
3. Delay and
4. Throughput
Quality of Service Parameters
• These parameters are described below:
• Service Precedence
• The preference given to a service when compared to
another service is known as Service Precedence.
This level of priority is classified into three levels
called:
– high
– normal
– low
Quality of Service Parameters
• When there is network congestion, the packets of low
priority are discarded as compared to high or normal
priority packets.
 Quality of Service Parameters
• Reliability
• This parameter signifies the transmission
characteristics required by an application. The
reliability classes are defined which guarantee certain
maximum values for the probability of loss,
duplication, mis-sequencing, and corruption of
packets.
Quality of Service Parameters
• Delay
• The delay is defined as the end-to-end transfer time
 between two communicating mobile stations or
between a mobile station and the GI interface to an
external packet data network.
• This includes all delays within the GPRS network,
e.g., the delay for request and assignment of radio
resources and the transit delay in the GPRS backbone
network. Transfer delays outside the GPRS network,
e.g., in external transit networks, are not taken into
account.
Quality of Service Parameters
• Throughput
• The throughput specifies the maximum/peak bit rate
and the mean bit rate.
• Using these QoS classes, QoS profiles can be
negotiated between the mobile user and the network
for each session, depending on the QoS demand and
the available resources.
• The billing of the service is then based on the
transmitted data volume, the type of service, and the
chosen QoS profile.
Types of GPRS handsets
• Mobile Station Classes talk about the globally-known
equipment handset which is also known as Mobile
Station (MS) and its three different classes. This
equipment, more popular as handset, is used to make
phone calls and access data services. The MS
 comprises of Terminal Equipment (TE) and Mobile
Terminal (MT).
• TE is the equipment that accommodates the
applications and the user interaction, while the MT is
the part that connects to the network.
• In the following example, Palm Pilot is TE and Mobile
phone is MT.
Types of GPRS handsets
• In order to take advantage of the new GPRS services,
we need new GPRS enabled handsets. There are three
different classes of GPRS terminal equipments: –
Class A
– Class B
 – Class C
Types of GPRS handsets
• Class A
• Class A terminals can manage both packet data and
voice simultaneously. Which means, one needs two
transceivers, as the handset has to send or receive data
and voice at the same time.This is the main reason
why class A terminals are high-priced to
manufacture than class B and C terminals.
Types of GPRS handsets
• Class B
• Class B terminals do not play the same role like
Class A. These terminals can manage either packet
data or voice at a time. One can use a single
transceiver for both, resulting in the low cost of
terminals.
• For example, If a user is using the GPRS session
(like WAP browsing, file transfer, etc.) then this
session is halted if he or she receives a call. This
terminal does not allow both the sessions active in
one go. This backlog needs rectification thereby
giving the user a facility of both receiving a call
and maintainin the data session.
Types of GPRS handsets
• Class C
• Class C terminals can manage either only packet data
or only voice. Examples of class C terminals are
GPRS PCM/CIA cards, embedded modules in vending
machines, and so on.
• Due to the high cost of class A handsets, most handset
manufacturers have announced that their first handsets
will be class B. Currently, work is going on in 3GPP to
standardize a lightweight class A in order to make
handsets with simultaneous voice and data available at
a reasonable cost.
Mobility Management
• The main task of the mobility management is to keep
track of the user’s current location. • The MS sends
the location update message to the SGSN so that the
network can be always aware of the current location of
the MS.
• There are three states exist in the GPRS mobility
management and the different location information is
available in each state.
• As a result, the different mobility management
strategies are applied in the different states.
Mobility Management
• Location change of an MS is detected as follows.
• The cells broadcast their cell identities.
• The MS periodically listens to the broadcast cell
identity, and compares it with the cell identity stored
in the MS’s buffer.
• If the comparison indicates that the location has been
changed, then the MS sends the location update message
to the network.
Mobility Management State Model of
 GPRS Mobile

Mobility Management
• STANDBY state:
• In the STANDBY state, the MS sends the location
update message seldom (rarely) so its location is not
known exactly and the paging is necessary for every
downlink packet, resulting in a significant delivery
delay.
• In the READY state, the MS updates its location
frequently.
• Consequently the MS’s location is known precisely
and no paging delay during delivery downlink packet. •
However this consumes much more the uplink radio
Mobility Management
• Location Update:
• The State Model of GPRS Mobile Station deploys an
appropriate location update strategy in order to
maintain the optimum network capacity as well as the
MS battery drain.
• Figure shows the fundamental concept of network
cell-structure.
• Cell is the coverage area of the radio transmission of
base station (BS).
• Location Area (LA) and Routing Area (RA) consist of
one or several cells and RA is always in one LA.
Mobility Management
• When MS crosses LA border, a location update and
RA update shall be done.
• In case MS moves within the same LA but crosses
different RA, the RA update is needed.
• When the MS moves within the same LA and RA, cell
update may be needed. It depends on the current state
of the MS.
• The first case, that the MS updates the location every
cell change, is used in READY state.
Mobility Management
• This strategy ensures that the accurate location of the MS is
always known and packet data can be delivered faster as no
paging procedure is necessary.
• However the MS battery is drained more and uplink radio
capacity is wasted for cell updates.
• The second case, used in STANDBY state, is that the MS
updates the location only when the MS moves to a new routing
area (RA).
• In this strategy, when data packet is sent to the MS, 10 paging is
required in order to find out the current location of the MS. •
Thus, uplink capacity will be wasted for paging response and
every downlink packet requires paging of the mobile delay.

Mobility Management

Figure – Cell, Routing Area and Location

Area.
 Mobility

Management • RA Update:

Mobility Management
• Whenever the MS moves to a new RA, it sends a
routing area update request including the routing area
identity (RAI) of the old RA to its assigned SGSN.
• When the message arrives at the base station
subsystem (BSS), the BSS adds the cell identifier (CI)
of the new cell.
• Based on the RAI and CI data, the SGSN can derived
 the new RAI.
• Two different cases are possible;
• Intra-SGSN and Inter-SGSN routing area update.
Mobility Management
• Intra-SGSN routing area update: The MS has moved to
an RA, assigned to the same SGSN as the old RA. In
this case, the SGSN knows already all necessary user
profile, and can assign a new packet temporary mobile
subscriber identity (P-TMSI) to the user without the
need to inform other network elements.
• Figure shows the message exchange diagram of the
Intra-SGSN routing area update.
 Mobility Management
• Inter-SGSN routing area update: In this case, the MS has
moved to an RA, assigned to a different SGSN, thus, the
new SGSN does not have the user profile of the MS.
• The SGSN contacts the old SGSN and requests the PDP
context of the user.
• After receiving the PDP context of the user, the new
SGSN informs the involved network elements, such as
the GGSN about the new PDP context of the user, and
the HLR about the user’s new SGSN, etc.
• Figure shows the message exchange diagram of the
Inter-SGSN routing area update.
Mobility Management
 Mobility Management
• Cell Reselection:
• When Mobile Station is in IDLE state, if the MS
initiates attach procedure and the currently camped on
cell already supports GPRS then no cell reselection is
required.
• On the other hand, if the currently camped-on cell does
not support GPRS then a reselection procedure is
required before execution of GPRS attach procedure.
• When MS is in STANDBY and READY state, it
continuously monitors the surrounding cells.
Mobility Management
• If the more suitable cell is found, a cell reselection
procedure is performed.
• The cell reselection procedure in this case can be
helpful to minimize the cell changes.
• Besides, when the MS moves to a new location,
the cell reselection is needed to select a new cell
most appropriate to the new location.
• While MS is in dedicated mode, then the changes
from one cell to another is performed according to
the network-controlled handover procedures.
Mobility Management
• Paging of GPRS Mobile Station:
• When the MS is in STANDBY state, the network does
not know the precise location of MS, thus paging
procedure is required to retrieve the accurate cell on
which the MS has camped.
• The MS in STANDBY state is paged by the SGSN
before a downlink transfer to that MS.
• The paging procedure cause the MS to move to
READY state to allow the SGSN to forward downlink
data to the radio resource.
•
Mobility Management
• The SGSN supervises the paging procedure with a
timer.
• If the SGSN receives no response from the MS to the
Paging Request message, the SGSN will repeat the
paging.
• Figure demonstrates the message exchange in the
Paging procedure.
Mobility Management Figure – GPRS
 Paging

GPRS service Parameters

• Packet switching
• Speed
• Always on Connectivity
• New and better applications
• Operator costs
• Immediacy
• Spectrum efficicency
GPRS service Parameters
• The GPRS service charging can be based on the following
parameters.
• Volume
• Time
• Duration
• SMS
• Final Destination
• Free of charges
• Location
• QOS
• Reverse Charging
• Flat rate
• Bearer Service
Benefits of GPRS
1. It provides higher data transfer speed than fixed
telecommunication networks. Its optimum speed is
171.2 kbps, almost three times quicker than fixed
telecommunication speed.
2. It provides instant connection and immediate data
transfer.
3. It is very cost-effective.
4. It has innovative and superior applications. It provides
internet applications over mobile and also facilitates
Web browsing, IM messages, E commerce etc.
Benefits of GPRS
5. Mobility:
The capacity to keep up consistent voice and
information interchanges while moving.
6. Cost Efficient:
Communication via GPRS is cheaper than through
the regular GSM network.
7. Immediacy:
Allows customers to obtain connectivity when
needed, regardless of location and without a lengthy
login session.
Benefits of GPRS
8. Localization:
Enables customers to acquire data applicable to their
present area.
9. Easy Billing:
GPRS packet transmission offers an easier to use
billing than that offered by circuit switched
administrations.
What is needed to use GPRS?

• An application with a GPRS modem

• A GSM/GPRS network
• A SIM card with GPRS service
• A remote station with access to the internet or the
GPRS network
• Newer technologies like EDGE and 3G are much
faster than GPRS.
• GPRS is considered as 2.5G technology because it is
more advanced than standard 2G digital technology, but
does not meet the requirements of 3G technology.
GPRS Specific Applications:

• GPRS Specific Applications:

• Chat: Groups of like minded people use chat services
as a means to communicate and discuss matters of
 common interest. GPRS offers by integrating Internet
chat and wireless chat using SMS and WAP.
• Multimedia Service: Multimedia objects like
photographs, pictures, postcards, greeting cards and
presentations, static web pages can be sent and
received over the mobile network.
GPRS Specific Applications:

• Virtual Private Network: GPRS network can be used

to offer VPN services. Many blank ATM machines are
VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) to connect the
ATM system with the banks server.
• Personal Information Management: Personal diary,
address book, appointments, engagements etc. Are very
 useful for a mobile individual.
• Vehicle Positioning: This application integrates GPS
(Global Positioning System) that tell people where they
are. Vehicle Positioning system can be used to deliver
several services including remote vehicle diagnostics,
stolen vehicle tracking. It can be used in logistics
industry.
Limitations of GPRS:

• There are some limitations with GPRS which can be

summarized as:
• Limited Cell Capacity for All Users: Only limited
radio resources can be deployed for different uses.
Both Voice and GPRS calls use the same network
 resources.
• Speed Lower in Reality: Achieving the theoretical
maximum GPRS data transmission speed of 172.2
kbps would require a single user taking over all eight
time slots without any error protection.
Limitations of GPRS:

• Support of GPRS Mobile Terminate Connection for

a mobile server not supported: As of date, a GPRS
terminal can only act as a client device. There are
many services for which server has to be mobile.
EDGE
EDGE
• EDGE (also known as Enhanced GPRS or EGPRS) is a
data system used on top of GSM networks. It provides
nearly three times faster speeds than the outdated
GPRS system.
GPRS VS EDGE
• GPRS is 2G and EDGE is 2.75G
• GPRS is based upon GMSK modulation scheme while
EDGE is based upon 8-PSK scheme • GPRS speed limit
is 115Kbps and EDGE speed limit is 473Kbps EDGE
speed is three times than GPRS • GPRS is used to
provide internet facility while EDGE provides more
enhanced features on internet that is wireless internet,
emailing, and video calling, file transferring
GPRS VS EDGE
• EDGE stands for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM
Evolution whereas GPRS stands for General Packet
Radio Service.
• EDGE is a digital mobile phone technology but GPRS
is a mobile data service.
• EDGE allows existing TDMA and GSM carriers to
provide 3G services whereas GPRS allows both 2G
and 3G communication systems.
EDGE
• Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution
(EDGE).
• It is enhancement to the GSM mobile cellular
phone system.
• It also known as Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS) •
EDGE is significantly faster with a download speed
of up to 473Kbps.
• EDGE is sometimes called a 2.5G network as it
also has some characteristics of a 3G network.
EDGE
• EDGE can be used for any packet switched
 application, such as an Internet connection. • EDGE is
most talked technology in mobile
communication technologies in recent times and it
turn out to be the evolution of most widely used GSM
technology.
EDGE
• It has following features:
• 1. 8 PSK modulation:
• EDGE provides speed enhancements by changing the
type of modulation used and making a better use of
the carrier currently used.
• 8 PSK modulation automatically adapts to local radio
conditions, offering the fastest transfer rates near to
 the base stations.
• It offers up to 48Kbps per channel, compared to
14Kbps per channel with GPRS and 9.6Kbps per
channel for GSM.
EDGE
2. Modulation and coding scheme:
• GPRS acquires four coding schemes while EDGE posses
nine Modulation and Coding Schemes.
EDGE Architecture
• The edge technology uses same architecture as GPRS.
• The two main elements that are required by the
EDGE network architecture are GGSN and SGSN. •
These enable the network to be able to provide packet
data that is passed over the network.
• Gateway GPRS Service Node (GGSN)
• Serving GPRS Service Node (SGSN)
EDGE Architecture Fig: EDGE Architecture

EDGE Architecture
• PCU:
• Packet Control Unit
• The PCU is a hardware router that is added to the
BSC.
• PCU separates the circuit switched and packet
switched traffic from the user and sends them to
GSM and EDGE networks respectively.
• The PCU can be either located in BTS,BSC or some
other point between the MS and MSC.
They are suitable for long continuous transmission, like voice calls.
They are unsuitable for applications that cannot afford delays in communication like high quality voice
calls.
Once a route is established between the source and the destination, the route cannot be
used by any other user. This leads to poor utilization of resources.
It allows simultaneous usage of the same channel by multiple users. This guarantees
better resource utilization.
 EDGE Architecture

SGSN:
-Serving GPRS support Node
- The SGSN of the GPRS network is equivalent to the MSC of

the GSM network.

- The SGSN provides a variety of services to the network. -

Attach/detach
- Logical link management
- Authentication
- Packet routing & transfer
- Mobility Management
- charging data
- It has location register that stores current location information.

- It also stores the registered user’s profiles.

 EDGE Architecture

- GGSN:
-Gateway GPRS Support Node.
-This provides variety of services:
-Organize the inter-working between the GPRS / EDGE network
& external packet switched networks.
-Interfaces to external IP networks & deals with security issues.
-The GGSN is the gateway to external networks.
-Every connection to a fixed external data network has to go
through a GGSN.
-When the GGSN receives data addressed to a specific user,it
checks if user is active then forwarding the data.
Evolved EDGE
- Evolved EDGE improves on EDGE in number of ways. -
There are number of new elements that are included to upgrade
from GSM or GPRS to EDGE.
1. Higher Order Modulation
2. Multiple Receiver chains
3. Simultaneous Radio Channels
4. Independent Transmission & Reception Chains.