General Packet Radio Service

(GPRS)
 What is GPRS ?
• Up gradation of GSM
• General Packet Radio Service
• General -> not restricted to GSM use (3rd generation systems )
• Packet Radio -> enables packet mode communication over air
• Service, not System -> existing BSS (partially also NSS)
infrastructure is used
• Provides connections to external packet data networks (Internet,
X.25)
• Main benefits
• Resources are reserved only when needed and charged
accordingly
• Connection setup times are reduced-’always on’ characteristics
• Enables new service opportunities
 GPRS access interfaces and
reference points
R reference point Um Gi reference point

PDNs or
TE MT GPRS network 1 other networks

MS Gp

GPRS network 2

• GPRS provides packet switched connections from MS

to packet data networks (PDN)
• Different operator’s GPRS networks are connected
through Gp interface
 GPRS characteristics
GPRS uses packet switched resource allocation
• resources allocated only when data is to be
sent/received
• Charge the user for volume instead of time duration
of connection

Flexible channel allocation

• one to eight time slots
• available resources shared by active users
• up and down link channels reserved separately
• GPRS and circuit switched GSM services can use
same time slots alternatively
 GPRS characteristics

GPRS offers
• PTP_CONS service - Ability to maintain a virtual
circuit within GSM network in case of change of
cell is provided to GPRS.
• PTP_CLNS service - Support application based on
IP

GPRS provides services-

• SMS, CFU, CFNR, CUG
 Applications

• Standard data network protocol based

• IP based applications
– WWW, FTP, Telnet, ...
– Any conventional TCP/IP based applications
• X.25 based applications
– Packet Assembly/Disassembly (PAD) type approach
• GPRS specific protocol based
• Point-to-point applications
– Toll road system, UIC train control system
• Point-to-multipoint applications
– Weather info, road traffic info, news, fleet management
• SMS delivery (GPRS as a bearer for SMS)
 Advantages

• New data service

• High speed(14.4-115kbps)
• Efficient use of radio bandwidth
• Circuit switching & packet switching can be used in
parallel
• Constant connectivity
 GPRS architecture
SMS-GMSC
SMS-IWMSC SM-SC

MAP-H MAP-C
Gd
MSC/VLR HLR
MAP-D
Gs Gc
A
Gb Gr Gi
TE MT BSS SGSN GGSN PDN TE
Gn
R Um Gp MAP-F
EIR
GGSN

Other PLMN

Signalling Interface
Signalling and Data Transfer Interface
 Functional view on GPRS
BTS BSC Packet
Um network
PSTN
R/S

MSC
SMS-GMSC
Gb HLR/AuC
Gs Gr Gd
Gr Gd
Serving GPRS Packet Corporate 1
Support Node Gs SS7
network
(SGSN) Gn Network Server
EIR
Border GPRS
Gateway (BG) Intra-PLMN INFRASTRUCTURE MAP-F
Packet
Inter-PLMN backbone
network
Backbone network Router
Local
network Gp (IP based) Gateway GPRS Firewall area
Support Node Data
Packet
Firewall Point-To- network
(GGSN) network
network
Multipoint Gn (Internet)
Service Gi.IP
Corporate 2
Center Server
(PTM SC) Gi.X.25
Data
Packet
Firewall
network
network
(X.25)
Router
Local
area
network
 GPRS Network Nodes

• MS, BSS, MSC/VLR, HLR in existing GSM are

modified.

• Two new network nodes-

1. Servicing GPRS support Node(SGSN)- equivalent to
MSC

2. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) – provide

networking with external packet switch network.
 1. Mobile station

• Consist of Mobile Terminal & Terminal Equipment.

• MT has software for GPRS functionality in order to
establish link to the SGSN.
• TE can be a computer attached to MT.
• MS operation modes in GPRS-
1. CLASS A- Allows circuit switched & packet switched
services.
2. CLASS B – Provides automatic choice of ckt
switched or pkt switched but one at a time.
3. CLASS C – Support pkt switced data only
• An MS maintains MM& PDP to support GPRS mobility.
 2 Base Service Station

• BSS consist of Base Transreceiver Station(BTS) &

Base Station Controller(BSC)& Pkt Control Unit(PCU)
is added.
• BTS consist of transreceiver & antenna. Control by
BSC.
• BSC will control between Mobile Service Node(MSN) &
Base Transreceiver Station(BTS)
• BSC forward ckt switched call to MSC& Pkt switched
data SGSN through PCU.
• BSS also manage GPRS related radio resources such
as allocation of pkt data traffic channel in cell.
• PCU is responsible for medium access control & radio
link control layer function, pkt data traffic channel mgt &
radio channel mgt.
 3 Gateway GPRS Support Node

• Typically located at one of the MSC sites

• One (or few) per operator
• Main functions
• Interface to external data networks(PDN)
• Resembles to a data network routerContain routing
information for GPRS user.
• Address conversion.
• Routes mobile originated packets to right destination
• Filters end user traffic
• Connection between two GPRS support node BY a
protocol GTP
 4 Serving GPRS Support Node
• SGSN request user addresses from GPRS register,
keep track of the individual MS location& perform
several security function such as access control.
• SGSN is connected to BSC.
• Main functions
• Authenticates GPRS mobiles
• Handles mobile’s registration in GPRS network
• Handles mobile’s mobility management
• IP address assignment
• Collect charging information of air interface usage
5 Home location Register(HLR)

• GPRS subscription & routing information is provided by

HLR.
• Store permant data about subscriber such as profile,
location, states etc.
• HLR, VLR are accessed by SGSN & GGSN using IMSI
as indexed number.
• These fields are used to map an MS to one or more
GGSN , update SGSN of MS attach & detach & store
fixed IP adress & QoS profile for transmission path.
6. Mobile Switching Center/Visitor
Location Register(MSC/VLR)

• A new SGSN number is added to indicate SGSN

currently serving the MS.

• VLR is DB contain information about visitor subscriber.

• MSC /VLR may contact SGSN to request location
information or paging for voice call.
 GPRS Interfaces

1 Um Interfaces-
• Radio interface between MS & BTS.
• GPRS
 Other elements
BG (Border Gateway)
• (Not defined within GPRS)
• Routes packets from SGSN/GGSN of one operator to a SGSN/GGSN of an
other operator
• Provides protection against intruders from external networks
DNS (Domain Name Server)
• Translates addresses from ggsn1.oper1.fi -format to 123.45.67.89 format
(i.e. as used in Internet)
Charging Gateway
• Collects charging information from SGSNs and GGSNs
PTM-SC (Point to Multipoint -Service Center)
• PTM Multicast (PTM-M): Downlink broadcast; no subscription; no ciphering
• PTM Group call (PTM-G): Closed or open groups; Down/up -link; ciphered
• Geographical area limitation
 GPRS backbones

Enables communication between GPRS Support Nodes

Based on private IP network
• IPv6 is the ultimate protocol
• IPV4 can be used as an intermediate solution
Intra-PLMN backbone
• Connects GPRS Support Nodes of one operator
• Operator decides the network architecture
• LAN, point-to-point links, ATM, ISDN, ...
Inter-PLMN backbone
• Connects GPRS operators via BGs
• Provides international GPRS roaming
• Operators decide the backbone in the roaming agreement
 GPRS mobile types
Class A:
• Simultaneous GPRS and conventional GSM operation
• Supports simultaneous circuit switched and GPRS data transfer
Class B:
• Can be attached to both GPRS and conventional GSM services
simultaneously
• Can listen circuit switched and GPRS pages (via GPRS)
• Supports either circuit switched calls or GPRS data transfer but
not simultaneous communication
Class C:
• Alternatively attached in GPRS or conventional GSM
• No simultaneous operation
• ‘GPRS only’ mobiles also possible (e.g. for telemetric
applications)