BSS

Base Station Subsystem

Module Objectives:
BSS architecture
Purpose
Elements in BSS
Who maintains the Standards-
Uses and functioning of element
BSS maintenance
Understanding of Interfaces
Questionnaire
Examples with pictures
BSS Architecture
• BSS is a RAN-Radio Access Network

• Why RAN??????
PURPOSE:
• Its purpose is to manage the radio link between
mobile phones and a telecommunication core
network.
Different Types of Access Networks:
• In GSM it is called as GRAN-GSM Radio Access
Network.-It provides access to both Circuit switched
(CS) and Packet switched (PS) core networks.
• GERAN-GERAN is the radio part of GSM/EDGE
Network. It is essentially the same as GRAN
but specifying the inclusion of EDGE
packet radio services. A mobile phone
operator's network comprises one or more
GERANs-through which phone calls and packet
data are routed from and to the PSTN and
Internet to and from subscriber handsets.
• The standards for GERAN are maintained by the
3GPP.
• UTRAN-UMTS radio access network
Note:
It is also possible for a single handset/phone to be
simultaneously connected to multiple radio
access networks. Handsets capable of this are
sometimes called dual-mode handsets. For
instance it is common today (2008) for handsets
to support both GSM and UMTS (a.k.a. "3G")
radio access technologies. It is then possible to
seamlessly transfer an ongoing call between
different radio access networks without the user
noticing any disruption in service
 BSS elements
• One or more BTSs (Base Transceiver
Station)
• One BSC (Base Station Controller)
• One TRAU (Transcoding Rate and
Adaptation Unit)
 References:
• IS-54 and IS-136 are second-generation (2G)
mobile phone systems, known as Digital AMPS
(D-AMPS). It was once prevalent throughout the
Americas, particularly in the United States and
Canada. D-AMPS is considered end-of-life, and
existing networks have mostly been replaced by
GSM/GPRS or CDMA2000 technologies.
• Interim Standard 95 (IS-95) is the first CDMA-
based digital cellular standard pioneered by
Qualcomm. The brand name for IS-95 is
cdmaOne. IS-95 is also known as TIA-EIA-95.
• 3GPP-UMTS/EDGE
• The BTS houses the
radio transceivers that
define a cell and handles
the radio link protocols
with the MS.
• BTS contains the
equipment for
transmitting and receiving
of radio signals (between
BSC and MS), antennas,
equipment for
modulation, encrypting
and decrypting
communications with the
BSC.
BTS and Cell
•The BTS corresponds to the transceivers and
antennas used in each cell of the network
• Its transmitting power defines the size of a
cell .
• Each BTS has between 1 and 16
transceivers, depending on the density of
users in the cell. This is achieved by
sectorization.
• Each BTS serves a single cell.
• A base transceiver station
(BTS) or cell site is a physical
site that facilitates wireless
communication between the user
equipment (UE) and a network.
• UEs are devices like handsets,
WLL phones, computers with
wireless internet (Data Card)
connectivity, WiFi and WiMAX
gadgets etc. The network can be
that of any of the wireless
communication technologies like
GSM,CDMA, WLL, WAN, WiFi
and WiMAX etc. .
• In GSM it is communication in
uplink and downlink directions
• BTS is also referred to as the radio base
station (RBS), node B (in 3G Networks) or,
simply, the base station (BS). For
discussion of the LTE standard the
abbreviation eNB for enhanced node B is
widely used.
 Architecture of a BTS
• equipment for encrypting and decrypting
communications . antennas they facilitate the
functioning of BTS .
• TRXs which serve several different frequencies
in different sectors of the cell (in the case of
sectorised base stations).
• A BTS is controlled by a parent
base station controller via the base station
control function (BCF) . The BCF is implemented
as a discrete unit or even incorporated in a TRX
in compact base stations is it a card????
• Transceiver (TRX) also called as (DRX) driver receiver.
• Power amplifier (PA)-Amplifies the signal from DRX for
transmission through antenna; may be integrated with
DRX.
• Combiner
– Combines I/O feeds from several TRXs. So that they could be
sent out through a single antenna. Allows for a reduction in the
number of antenna used.
• Duplexer
– For separating sending and receiving signals to/from antenna.
Does sending and receiving signals through the same antenna
ports (cables to antenna).
• Antenna: For Transmission of the signals.
• Alarm extension system
– Collects working status alarms of various units in the
BTS and extends them to operations and maintenance
(O&M) monitoring stations.
• Control function
– Control and manages the various units of BTS
including any software. On-the-spot configurations,
status changes, software upgrades, etc. are done
through the control function.
• Base band receiver unit (BBxx): Frequency hopping,
signal DSP, etc..
 Functions
• Encoding, encrypting, multiplexing, modulating,
and feeding the RF signals to the antenna.
• Transcoding and rate adaptation
• Time and frequency synchronizing
• Voice through full- or half-rate services
• Decoding, decrypting, and equalizing received
signals
• Random access detection
• Timing advances
• Uplink channel measurements
BTS Structure
BTS Structure
BTS Structure

SC4812T-MC BTS
• BTS Tower
• BTS Shelter
• The BTS and the BSC
communicate across the
specified Abis interface,
enabling operations
between components that
are made by different
suppliers.-Means BTS
and BSC can be from two
different manufacturer.
• A separate high-speed
line (T1 or E1) is then
connected from the BSS
to the Mobile MSC.
• BTS Shelter
• BTS includes a BTS cabinet and one or
more extension cabinets depending on
BTS type.
• No of cabinets depend on number of
Radio Channels to be supported and the
site structure (single or multi-cellular site).
 Functions
• Encoding, encrypting, multiplexing, modulating,
and feeding the RF signals to the antenna.
• Transcoding and rate adaptation
• Time and frequency synchronizing
• Voice through full- or half-rate services
• Decoding, decrypting, and equalizing received
signals
• Random access detection
• Timing advances
• Uplink channel measurements
• BSC includes a control cabinet and
equipment cabinet. The amount of
constituent modules depend on no of PCM
links to be managed.
 BSC Functions
• frequency hopping, handover, performs
radio signal management functions for
base transceiver stations, frequency
assignment and handoff ,traffic
measurement.
• Power Control
 TCU
• TCU cabinet contains shelves managing PCM
links.
• No of shelves depend on no of PCM links to
be connected to MSC.
 TRAU-Transcoding and Rate
Adaptation Unit (TRAU)
• Also called as TCU(transcoder units)
• TRAU, inserted between the BSC and MSC,
enables speech compression and data rate
adaptation .
• The TRAU is designed to reduce transmission
costs by minimizing transmission resources
between the BSC and MSC. HOW
• This is achieved by reducing the number of PCM
links going to the BSC, since four traffic
channels can be handled by one PCM time slot.
 What does BTS Do??
• BTS broadcasts information about its
identity on a channel (BCCH).
• Mobile monitors this channel so that mobile will know to which cell it belongs
to and the Location area (LA) - is a group of cells.
• Location Update/Registration:
• Authentication.
• Radio Transmission Measurements.-Measurements include Power level,
Interference, Quality of the link.
• Based on these Measurements:
- Power Control
- Call clearing
- Inter cell-b/w BTS’s
- Intra cell-b/w the sectors