Netcom Consultants

Confidential
Netcom Consultants

2G Overview
GPRS – Part 1
GPRS Part 1 - 1
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Objectives

Upon completion of the GPRS overview course, the participant

should be able to:
- describe the services offered by GPRS
- describe the GPRS network architecture
- describe the functions of each element of the GPRS network
- describe the main GPRS procedures
- describe the different interfaces and the relevant protocols

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Contents

 Section 1: Functions and Services

 Section 2: GPRS System Architecture
 Section 3: Functions of the Different GPRS Elements
 Section 4: Main GPRS Procedures
 Section 5: Radio and MS-PCU Interfaces
 Section 6: MS-SGSN Interface
 Section 7: PCU-SGSN Interface (Gb)
 Section 8: SGSN-GGSN Interface (Gn)
 Section 9: GGSN-PDN Interface (Gi)

Note: Product Description and dimensioning overview will be included part of the 3G
Core Overview course.

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Section 1

Functions and Services

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Objectives

•Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:

•- Explain the advantages of packet data technology

•- Describe the services offered by GPRS

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Internet and Wireless
 1 - Subscriber Growth

•300

•250

•200
•Million users

•150 •GSM
•Internet
•100

•50

•0 •Source:
•IDC Feb 98
•1996 •1997 •1998 •1999 •2000 •2001 GSM MoU Feb 98

Phenomenal growth in both Wireless and Internet

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Internet and Wireless
 2 - Merging

•Why is Wireless so important for Internet?

•Why is Internet so Important for Wireless?

Wireless
•Surpassing 300M subscribers in 1999
•13 years to penetrate 25% of market
•38% of subscribers say their “most
desired service” is Internet access
•44% of all U.S. subscribers also use the
Internet
•43 million mobile workers in the U.S.
Internet
•Approaching 175 million users
•7 years to penetrate 25% of market
•78% of U.S. Internet users are wireless
subscribers
•75% of laptop users have wireless
phones
•Basis of global “networked economy”
• e-business, intranets, extranets

• Wireless users = ideal type of subscribers for Internet providers

• Internet users = ideal type of subscribers for GSM operators
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Why General Packet Radio Service?

• Personal
• In contact
• In control

• Competitiveness • E-commerce
• Business efficiency

•Consumer
Devices

• Exciting
• Educational
• Entertaining

Adding the value of mobility to web and intranet services

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Wireless Data Technology Options

•2 M
•1 M
ck et
pa UMTS
•throughput kbps

•100 k
•64 k
EDGE
u it HSCSD
c
cir
14.4
•10 k GPRS
9.6

•Time frame
•1 k
•1998 •1999 •2000 •2001 •2002
•GPRS = General Packet Radio Service
•HSCSD = High Speed Circuit Switched Data
•EDGE = Enhanced Data rate for Gsm Evolution
•UMTS = Universal Mobile Telecomunication System
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Circuit-Switched or Packet-Switched?
traffic on
the link
Using a private tube
•capacity limit of the link
for sporadic traffic
is a waste

•time

Typical Internet data traffic

•Time

•ON period •OFF period

•(16 kbytes) •(average = 7 seconds)
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GPRS Radio Technology
 Many Users Sharing One TS
traffic on •User A
•User B •User C
the link

•time

One radio channel One user utilizes

for several users several radio channels
Time Slots are shared Time Slots are aggregated

Less blocking Higher rates

GPRS well adapted to bursty and interactive applications

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How to use the MS ?
 How to access the GPRS Network

WAP

GPRS
Network

Web

Phone as Modem

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GPRS Terminals
 MS Types

Type A - GSM attached AND GPRS

attached
– simultaneous voice and packet data
– two radio chains required
Type B - GSM attached AND GPRS
attached
– alternate voice and packet data
– required for mass market applications
– complex implementation
Type C - GSM attached OR GPRS attached
– manually switched
– simple to implement

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GPRS Terminals
 MS Classes for Multislot Capabilities

 MS Classes for Multislot Capabilities

What does Multislot Capabilities Class define?

That defines: Number of TimeSlots in UpLink

and

Number of TimeSlot in DownLink

•DL and UL can be different due to

a non symmetrical traffic

•The different combinations are

called “CLASSES”.
•(Refer to complete table in next slide)

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MS Classes for Multislot Capability

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GPRS Applications
 1 - Overview

•E-Mail access •Web access

•(Intranet) •(Internet)

•Information services
•File Transfer
•and
•E- Commerce

•Short Message Service •Telemetry

•(Simple messaging)

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GPRS Applications
 2 - E-mail Access (Intranet)

For corporate users,

accessing intranet
and downloading files
quickly and efficiently
will become essential
business skills

Two options:
• with file attachment
• without file attachment

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GPRS Applications

 3 - Web Access (Internet)

Two options:
• with file
• without file

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GPRS Applications
 4 - Information Services and E-commerce

Sports
Results

Stock
Prices

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GPRS Applications

 5 5 - Telemetry (simple messaging)

• 30 min delay

• alternative: A2

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GPRS Applications
 6 - File Transfer

Instantly send snapshots to

customers/partners
simply by connecting
a camera to a wireless
telephone

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GPRS Applications
 7 - GPRS and the SMS

•Reply

•A •B •C •D •E •F •G
•H •I •J •K •L •M •N
•O •P •Q •R •S •T •U
•V •W •X •Y •Z

•Creation •Reception •Management

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Section 2

System Architecture

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Objectives

•Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:

•- List all the elements of GPRS networks

•- Describe the GPRS Implementation

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GPRS Specifications
 The Three Stages

•Stage 1
•02.60 GPRS Service Description (Overview)
•Stage 2
•03.60 GPRS Service Description (System and
Architecture)
•03.64 Radio interface description
•Stage 3
•04.60 MS-BSS: RLC/MAC
•04.64 MS-SGSN: Logical Link Control
•04.65 MS-SGSN: SNDCP
•07.60 GPRS Mobile Stations
•08.14 Gb (BSS-SGSN) layer 1
•08.16 Gb (BSS-SGSN) network service
•08.18 Gb (BSS-SGSN) BSSGP
•09.16 Gs (MSC/VLR-SGSN) layer 2
•09.18 Gs (MSC/VLR-SGSN) layer 3
•09.60 Gn and Gp GPRS Tunneling Protocol
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Network Architecture
 1 - New Components

MSC - Mobile Switching Centre

VLR VLR - Visitor Location Register
HLR - Home Location Register
PSTN/ BSS - Base Station System
MSC ISDN
EIR - Equipment Identity Register

•A D
BTS
HLR
SMSC EIR
TCU
•Ater

BSC

PSPDN

GGSN
PCU SGSN
•PCU - Packet Control Unit
•PSPDN - Packet Switched Public Data Network
•SGSN - Serving GPRS Support Node
•GGSN - Gateway GPRS Support Node
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Network Architecture

 2 - New Interfaces

VLR
PSTN/
MSC ISDN
•A
BTS
SMSC HLR
TCU EIR
•Ater Gs

Gf Gr
Gd Gc
BSC
Agprs
Gb Gn Gi
PSPDN

GGSN
PCU SGSN Gp

SGSN of other PLMN

N.B. Gc & Gs interfaces are optional
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The Different Backbones Used

GGSN
Gn
Gi
internet
IP Backbone

Gn

SGSNs

Frame Relay Network

Gb
Gb
Gb

•PCUs

•PCUs
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Example of GPRS Implementation (1/2)

VLR PSTN/
ISDN
MSC
SMSC
•A HLR

BTS Gr DHCP
Gs Gd
TCU & DNS Internet

•SS7 Radius
•Ater •Gi
Server

BSC
Agprs Intranet A
Gb Gn Private IP Gn
Backbone Gi
OMC-R
GGSN Gi
PCU SGSN Intranet B
Charging
OMC-D Gateway

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Example of GPRS Implementation (2/2)

PCU Node
BSC 1
•A
gp
rs PCU 1 PCU 2 PCU 3 PCU 4
= = = =
BSC 1 BSC 2 BSC 3 BSC 4
BSC 2 •Agp
rs
M
U
X

PCU 5 PCU 12
= =
BSC 5 BSC 12
rs
gp
•A

BSC 12

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Section 3

Functions of the Different GPRS Elements

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Objectives

•Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:

•- Define the functions of all the GPRS elements

•- Explain the impact of GPRS on BSS

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Impact on BSS
•CCU = Channel Codec Unit
 1 - CCU and PCU Location
•PCU = Packet Control Unit
Gb

CCU BSC SGSN

PCU A
CCU

•CCU BTS BSC SGSN

PCU B
CCU

•CCU BTS BSC SGSN

PCU C
CCU

Gb
Um Abis
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Impact on BSS
 2 – Example: External PCU managing several BSCs

BSC

BTS + CCU NSS

Abis

Agprs

CCU deals with: Gb GPRS

• radio coding network

PCU Node
The PCU provide the
interworking function:
• between GPRS and BSS
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Impact on BTS
 Channel Codec Unit Function

• Four coding schemes CS-1 to CS-4:

 CS-1 mandatory for BSS, also used for signaling
 CS-1, CS-2, CS-3 and CS-4 mandatory for MSs
 CS-4 has no Forward Error Correction
• Higher data rates more sensitive to radio link quality
• Higher data rates (CS-3 & 4) impact the transmission
requirements

•25
•20 20
•kbps

•15 14.4
12
•10
8 kbps
•5
•0
•CS-1 •CS-2 •CS-3 •CS-4
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EDGE

•EDGE = Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution

•New Modulation technique: 8PSK

•GSM is using GMSK

•New Coding Schemes

•MCS-1 to MCS-9

•Throughput increased 3 to 4 times compared with GPRS

•Up to 59 kbps for 1 Time Slot

•Impacts
•On BTS h/w
•On PCU capacity
•On transmission requirements for higher Coding Schemes

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EDGE

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GPRS Throughput

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GPRS Throughput
Kbps 1 TS 2 TS 3 TS 4 TS
GPRS CS-1 8 16 24 32
CS-2 12 24 36 48
CS-3 14.4 28.8 43.2 57.6
CS-4 20 40 60 80
EDGE MCS-1 8.8 17.6 26.4 35.2
MCS-2 11.2 22.4 33.6 44.8
MCS-3 14.8 29.6 44.4 59.2
MCS-4 17.6 35.2 52.8 70.4
MCS-5 22.4 44.8 67.8 89.6
MCS-6 29.6 59.2 88.8 118.4
MCS-7 44.8 89.6 134.4 179.2
MCS-8 54.4 108.8 163.2 217.6
MCS-9 59.2 118.4 177.6 236.8
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PCU Functions

Packet Control Unit

BTS + CCU
PCU

Relay function

Abis SGSN

RLC blocks BSSGP

Agprs Gb
TRAU frames Frame Relay
BSC management Links

•Radio part •Packet part

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SGSN Functions

DNS
Serving Gprs Support Node
HLR

Mobility Management: SGSN

MS state: Idle, Ready, Standby
Routing resolution
PDP Context

Gb Ciphering GTP Gn
Tunneling
Frame Compression
Relay •IP
PCU GGSN
•backbone

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GGSN Functions

DHCP
Gateway Gprs Support Node
Charging
Gateway
GGSN
Billing Ga
Authentication
IP address management

Gn GTP VPN Gi Internet

Tunneling Tunneling
(IPSec,…) Intranets
Firewall
SGSN

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SGSN SS7 Functions

Gr interface:
• Interworking between the SGSN and the HLR via SS7
Gs interface:
• Interworking between the SGSN and the MSCs via SS7

HLR
7
/ SS
P
MA
Gr
SS7 SS7 Network
Gs
BSS MSC
MA
P/
SS7
SGSN

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DNS/DHCP Functions

 DHCP and DNS Servers

• DNS Server
– Domain Name <=> IP address.

• DHCP Server
– Dynamic allocation of IP addresses.

Example of DNS use:

Internet browser searching for a site
DNS/
www.tigo.com DHCP

136.147.52.12

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Radius Server Functions

Radius is a remote access/security standard that provides the AAA

key functions:
• Authentication by log-in name and password,
• Authorization based on predefined user profiles and privileges,
• Accounting allowing billing of each transaction.

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Charging Gateway Functions

The Charging Gateway (CGF) Functions are:

 Collecting the Billing Record (CDRs) from the GPRS nodes
(SGSN, GGSN)
 Aggregating the several Billing Records produced during a
session
 Providing the Billing Records to the Billing System

CGF

GPRS Nodes •Collector

•Aggregator
&
Distributor Billing Center

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Section 4

Main GPRS Procedures

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Objectives

•Upon completion of this section, you will be able to:

•- Understand the GPRS Mobility Management State Model

•- List and explain the most important GPRS procedures

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Mobility Management
 1 – MM State Model of MS

IDLE

GPRS GPRS
Attach Detach

READY

Ready timer expiry PDU

transmission

STANDBY
Global GSM Mobility
Card
The Smart Card to use

GSM

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GPRS Attachment
MS SGSN
PCU
HLR

IMSI or ( P_TMSI + old RAI )

Attach type
MultiSlot capability
requested READY timer value
DRX parameters

•GPRS Attach Request

Security Functions Update Location

Insert Sub Data
Insert Sub data Ack
Update Location Ack
GPRS Attach Accept
P_TMSI
Negotiated ready timer value
MS = READY Periodic RA timer

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GPRS Detachment
 1 - MS Initiated

SGSN
MS GGSN
BSS

GPRS Detach Request

(Detach type, Switch Off)
Delete PDP Context Request

PDP Context
Delete PDP Context Response Deactivation

GPRS Detach Accept

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GPRS Detachment
 2 - Network Initiated
SGSN
MS BSS GGSN

GPRS Detach Request

Delete PDP Context Request

PDP Context
Delete PDP Context Response Deactivation

GPRS Detach Accept

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Packet Routing and Transfer

 Packet Data Protocol

INACTIVE
Three PDP context functions are available:
• activation,
Deactivate PDP Context
• deactivation,
Activate
PDP Context
or • modification.
MM state change to IDLE

An MS in STANDBY or READY state

can initiate activation/deactivation
ACTIVE at any time
to activate or deactivate a PDP context in
the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.
Functional PDP State Model

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Packet Data Protocol Context Activation
 1 - MS Initiated DNS DHCP
MS SGSN
BSS GGSN
Tunnel

Activate PDP Context Request

(NSAPI, PDP type, PDP address, QoS Requested, APN)
Security Functions
Create PDP Context Request
(NSAPI, PDPtype, PDP@, QoS, APN)

Create PDP Context Response

(PDP address, QoS negociated)
Activate PDP Context Accept
(PDP type, PDP address, QoS Negotiated)

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Packet Data Protocol Context Activation
 2 - Network Initiated
MS SGSN
HLR
BSS GGSN

PDP PDU
Send Routing Info for GPRS
(IMSI)
Optional
Send Routing Info for GPRS Ack
(IMSI, SGSN Address, Cause)

PDU Notification Request

PDU Notification Response

Request PDP Context Activation

(PDP type, PDP Address)
PDP Context Activation procedure
(same as MS initiated)
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Packet Data Protocol Context Modification

MS SGSN
BSS GGSN
Tunnel

Modify PDP Context Request

(NSAPI, QoS Negotiated)

Modify PDP Context Accept

Update PDP Context Request

(TID, QoS Negotiated)

Update PDP Context Response

(TID)

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Packet Data Protocol Context Deactivation

 1 - MS Initiated
MS SGSN
BSS GGSN
Tunnel

Deactivate PDP Context Request

(NSAPI)
Security Functions

Delete PDP Context Request (TID)

Delete PDP Context Response (TID)

Deactivate PDP Context Accept

(NSAPI)

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Packet Data Protocol Context Deactivation

 2 - Network Initiated
MS SGSN
BSS GGSN
Tunnel

Delete PDP Context Request (TID)

Deactivate PDP Context Request

(NSAPI)

Deactivate PDP Context Accept

(NSAPI)
Delete PDP Context Response (TID)

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Security Functions
 Authentication
MS SGSN
HLR
BSS GGSN

Send Authentication Info

(IMSI)
RAND Ki

A3
Send Authentication Info Ack
Ki Authentication Request
(SRES, RAND, Kc)
(RAND)
A3 SRES

Authentication Response no Forbidden

(SRES)
= Subscriber
yes
Authenticated Subscriber
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Suspend and Resume Sequence
Mobile side PCU SGSN VLR

MSC

Dedicated Mode Entered

Suspend
(TLLI, RAI)
Suspend
(TLLI, RAI)

Suspend Ack
Start of GSM
call

End of GSM
call
Routing area Update Request

(P_TMSI, old RAI)

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Example: WEB Access

PCU GGSN Web

Server

MS
IDLE

GPRS
Attachement

READY

PDP Context
Activation

Home Page Request

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PDP Context Activation

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