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Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: naviga tion, search This article needs additional citations for verification. Please h elp improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced mate rial may be challenged and removed. (November 2007) General packet radio service (GPRS) is a packet oriented mobile data service on the 2G and 3G cellular communication system's global system for mobile communica tions (GSM). GPRS was originally standardized by European Telecommunications Sta ndards Institute (ETSI) in response to the earlier CDPD and i-mode packet-switch ed cellular technologies. It is now maintained by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).[1][2] GPRS usage is typically charged based on volume of data transferred, contrasting with circuit switched data, which is usually billed per minute of connection ti me. GPRS data may be sold either as part of a bundle (e.g., up to 5 GB per month for a fixed fee) or on a pay-as-you-use basis. Usage above the bundle cap is ei ther charged per megabyte or disallowed. GPRS is a best-effort service, implying variable throughput and latency that dep end on the number of other users sharing the service concurrently, as opposed to circuit switching, where a certain quality of service (QoS) is guaranteed durin g the connection. In 2G systems, GPRS provides data rates of 56C114 kbit/second.[ 3] 2G cellular technology combined with GPRS is sometimes described as 2.5G, tha t is, a technology between the second (2G) and third (3G) generations of mobile telephony.[4] It provides moderate-speed data transfer, by using unused time div ision multiple access (TDMA) channels in, for example, the GSM system. GPRS is i ntegrated into GSM Release 97 and newer releases. Contents [hide] 1 Technical overview 1.1 Services offered 1.2 Protocols supported 1.3 Hardware 1.4 Addressing 2 Coding schemes and speeds 2.1 Multiple access schemes 2.2 Channel encoding 2.3 Multislot Class 2.3.1 Multislot Classes for GPRS/EGPRS 2.3.2 Attributes of a multislot class 3 Usability 4 See also 5 References 6 External links [edit] Technical overviewSee also: GPRS Core Network The GPRS core network allows 2G, 3G and WCDMA mobile networks to transmit IP pac kets to external networks such as the Internet. The GPRS system is an integrated part of the GSM network switching subsystem. [edit] Services offeredGPRS extends the GSM Packet circuit switched data capabil ities and makes the following services possible: SMS messaging and broadcasting "Always on" internet access Multimedia messaging service (MMS)

Push to talk over cellular (PoC) Instant messaging and presencewireless village Internet applications for smart devices through wireless application protocol (W AP) Point-to-point (P2P) service: inter-networking with the Internet (IP) Point-to-Multipoint (P2M) service: point-to-multipoint multicast and point-to-mu ltipoint group calls If SMS over GPRS is used, an SMS transmission speed of about 30 SMS messages per minute may be achieved. This is much faster than using the ordinary SMS over GS M, whose SMS transmission speed is about 6 to 10 SMS messages per minute. [edit] Protocols supportedGPRS supports the following protocols: Internet protocol IP. In practice, built-in mobile browsers use IPv4 since IPv6 was not yet popular. Point-to-point protocol (PPP). In this mode PPP is often not supported by the mo bile phone operator but if the mobile is used as a modem to the connected comput er, PPP is used to tunnel IP to the phone. This allows an IP address to be assig ned dynamically (IPCP not DHCP) to the mobile equipment. X.25 connections. This is typically used for applications like wireless payment terminals, although it has been removed from the standard. X.25 can still be sup ported over PPP, or even over IP, but doing this requires either a network based router to perform encapsulation or intelligence built in to the end-device/term inal; e.g., user equipment (UE). When TCP/IP is used, each phone can have one or more IP addresses allocated. GPR S will store and forward the IP packets to the phone even during handover. The T CP handles any packet loss (e.g. due to a radio noise induced pause). [edit] HardwareDevices supporting GPRS are divided into three classes: Class A Can be connected to GPRS service and GSM service (voice, SMS), using both at the same time. Such devices are known to be available today. Class B Can be connected to GPRS service and GSM service (voice, SMS), but using only on e or the other at a given time. During GSM service (voice call or SMS), GPRS ser vice is suspended, and then resumed automatically after the GSM service (voice c all or SMS) has concluded. Most GPRS mobile devices are Class B. Class C Are connected to either GPRS service or GSM service (voice, SMS). Must be switch ed manually between one or the other service. A true Class A device may be required to transmit on two different frequencies a t the same time, and thus will need two radios. To get around this expensive req uirement, a GPRS mobile may implement the dual transfer mode (DTM) feature. A DT M-capable mobile may use simultaneous voice and packet data, with the network co ordinating to ensure that it is not required to transmit on two different freque ncies at the same time. Such mobiles are considered pseudo-Class A, sometimes re ferred to as "simple class A". Some networks support DTM since 2007. Huawei E220 3G/GPRS ModemUSB 3G/GPRS modems use a terminal-like interface over U SB 1.1, 2.0 and later, data formats V.42bis, and RFC 1144 and some models have c onnector for external antenna. Modems can be added as cards (for laptops) or ext ernal USB devices which are similar in shape and size to a computer mouse, or no wadays more like a pendrive. [edit] AddressingA GPRS connection is established by reference to its access poi nt name (APN). The APN defines the services such as wireless application protoco l (WAP) access, short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), and for Internet communication services such as email and World Wide Web access

. In order to set up a GPRS connection for a wireless modem, a user must specify a n APN, optionally a user name and password, and very rarely an IP address, all p rovided by the network operator. [edit] Coding schemes and speedsThe upload and download speeds that can be achie ved in GPRS depend on a number of factors such as: the number of BTS TDMA time slots assigned by the operator the channel encoding is used. the maximum capability of the mobile device expressed as a GPRS multislot class [edit] Multiple access schemesThe multiple access methods used in GSM with GPRS are based on frequency division duplex (FDD) and TDMA. During a session, a user is assigned to one pair of up-link and down-link frequency channels. This is com bined with time domain statistical multiplexing; i.e., packet mode communication , which makes it possible for several users to share the same frequency channel. The packets have constant length, corresponding to a GSM time slot. The down-li nk uses first-come first-served packet scheduling, while the up-link uses a sche me very similar to reservation ALOHA (R-ALOHA). This means that slotted ALOHA (S -ALOHA) is used for reservation inquiries during a contention phase, and then th e actual data is transferred using dynamic TDMA with first-come first-served . [edit] Channel encodingChannel encoding is based on a convolutional code at diff erent code rates and GMSK modulation defined for GSM. The following table summar ises the options: Coding scheme Speed (kbit/s) CS-1 8.0 CS-2 12.0 CS-3 14.4 CS-4 20.0 The least robust, but fastest, coding scheme (CS-4) is available near a base tra nsceiver station (BTS), while the most robust coding scheme (CS-1) is used when the mobile station (MS) is further away from a BTS. Using the CS-4 it is possible to achieve a user speed of 20.0 kbit/s per time sl ot. However, using this scheme the cell coverage is 25% of normal. CS-1 can achi eve a user speed of only 8.0 kbit/s per time slot, but has 98% of normal coverag e. Newer network equipment can adapt the transfer speed automatically depending on the mobile location. In addition to GPRS, there are two other GSM technologies which deliver data ser vices: circuit-switched data (CSD) and high-speed circuit-switched data (HSCSD). In contrast to the shared nature of GPRS, these instead establish a dedicated c ircuit (usually billed per minute). Some applications such as video calling may prefer HSCSD, especially when there is a continuous flow of data between the end points. The following table summarises some possible configurations of GPRS and circuit switched data services. Technology Download (kbit/s) Upload (kbit/s) TDMA Timeslots allocated (DL+UL) CSD 9.6 9.6 1+1 HSCSD 28.8 14.4 2+1 HSCSD 43.2 14.4 3+1 GPRS 80.0 20.0 (Class 8 & 10 and CS-4) 4+1 GPRS 60.0 40.0 (Class 10 and CS-4) 3+2 EGPRS (EDGE) 236.8 59.2 (Class 8, 10 and MCS-9) 4+1

EGPRS (EDGE) 177.6 118.4 (Class 10 and MCS-9) 3+2 [edit] Multislot available in the hich the network ction. Multislot slot classes. ClassThe multislot class determines the speed of data transfer Uplink and Downlink directions. It is a value between 1 to 45 w uses to allocate radio channels in the uplink and downlink dire class with values greater than 31 are referred to as high multi

A multislot allocation is represented as, for example, 5+2. The first number is the number of downlink timeslots and the second is the number of uplink timeslot s allocated for use by the mobile station. A commonly used value is class 10 for many GPRS/EGPRS mobiles which uses a maximum of 4 timeslots in downlink directi on and 2 timeslots in uplink direction. However simultaneously a maximum number of 5 simultaneous timeslots can be used in both uplink and downlink. The network will automatically configure the for either 3+2 or 4+1 operation depending on t he nature of data transfer. Some high end mobiles, usually also supporting UMTS also support GPRS/EDGE multi slot class 32. According to 3GPP TS 45.002 (Release 6), Table B.2, mobile statio ns of this class support 5 timeslots in downlink and 3 timeslots in uplink with a maximum number of 6 simultaneously used timeslots. If data traffic is concentr ated in downlink direction the network will configure the connection for 5+1 ope ration. When more data is transferred in the uplink the network can at any time change the constellation to 4+2 or 3+3. Under the best reception conditions, i.e . when the best EDGE modulation and coding scheme can be used, 5 timeslots can c arry a bandwidth of 5*59.2 kbit/s = 296 kbit/s. In uplink direction, 3 timeslots can carry a bandwidth of 3*59.2 kbit/s = 177.6 kbit/s.[5] [edit] Multislot Classes for GPRS/EGPRSMultislot Class Downlink TS Uplink TS Act ive TS 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 3 3 2 2 3 4 3 1 4 5 2 2 4 6 3 2 4 7 3 3 4 8 4 1 5 9 3 2 5 10 4 2 5 11 4 3 5 12 4 4 5 30 5 1 6 31 5 2 6 32 5 3 6 33 5 4 6 34 5 5 6 [edit] Attributes of a multislot classEach multislot class identifies the follow ing: the maximum number of Timeslots that can be allocated on uplink the maximum number of Timeslots that can be allocated on downlink the total number of timeslots which can be allocated by the network to the mobil e the time needed for the MS to perform adjacent cell signal level measurement and get ready to transmit the time needed for the MS to get ready to transmit the time needed for the MS to perform adjacent cell signal level measurement and get ready to receive

the time needed for the MS to get ready to receive. The different multislot class specification is detailed in the Annex B of the 3G PP Technical Specification 45.002 (Multiplexing and multiple access on the radio path) [edit] UsabilityThe maximum speed of a GPRS connection offered in 2003 was simil ar to a modem connection in an analog wire telephone network, about 32C40 kbit/s, depending on the phone used. Latency is very high; round-trip time (RTT) is typ ically about 600C700 ms and often reaches 1s. GPRS is typically prioritized lower than speech, and thus the quality of connection varies greatly. Devices with latency/RTT improvements (via, for example, the extended UL TBF mod e feature) are generally available. Also, network upgrades of features are avail able with certain operators. With these enhancements the active round-trip time can be reduced, resulting in significant increase in application-level throughpu t speeds. [edit] See alsoCode division multiple access (CDMA) Enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) Universal mobile telephone system (UMTS) GPRS core network Sub-network dependent convergence protocol (SNDCP) IP Multimedia Subsystem High-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) Cellular data communication protocol List of device bandwidths [edit] References1.^ ETSI 2.^ 3GPP 3.^ General packet radio service from Qkport 4.^ Mobile Phone Generations from 5.^ GPRS and EDGE Multislot Classes [edit] External links3GPP AT command set for user equipment (UE) GPRS security information (archive.org) Free GPRS resources Free online tutorial. GSM World, the trade association for GSM and GPRS network operators. Palowireless GPRS resource center GPRS attach and PDP context activation sequence diagram [show]v t eInternet access

Wired Cable modem Dial-up DSL DOCSIS Ethernet FTTx G.hn HD-PLC HomePlug Hom r line

Wireless LTE Bluetooth DECT EVDO GPRS HSPA iBurst Li-Fi MMDS Muni Wi-Fi S Fi Wireless USB [show]v t eCellular network standards 0G (radio telephones) MTS MTA * MTB * MTC IMTS MTD AMTS OLT Autoradiopuhelin 1G AMPS family AMPS (TIA/EIA/IS-3, ANSI/TIA/EIA-553) N-AMPS (TIA/EIA/IS-91) TACS ETACS Other NMT C-450 Hicap Mobitex DataTAC

2G GSM/3GPP family GSM CSD 3GPP2 family cdmaOne (TIA/EIA/IS-95 and ANSI-J-STD 008)

AMPS family D-AMPS (IS-54 and IS-136) Other CDPD iDEN PDC PHS

2G transitional (2.5G, 2.75G) GSM/3GPP family HSCSD GPRS EDGE/EGPRS (UWC-136) 3GPP2 family CDMA2000 1X (TIA/EIA/IS-2000) 1X Advanced Other WiDEN

3G (IMT-2000) 3GPP family UMTS (UTRAN) WCDMA-FDD WCDMA-TDD UTRA-TDD LCR (TD-SCDMA) 3GPP2 family CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Release 0 (TIA/IS-856)

3G transitional (3.5G, 3.75G, 3.9G) 3GPP family HSPA HSPA+ LTE (E-UTRA) 3GPP2 family CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A (TIA/EIA/IS-856-A) EV-DO Revision B (TIA/EIA/IS-856-B) DO Advanced IEEE family Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) Flash-OFDM IEEE 802.20

4G (IMT Advanced) 3GPP family LTE Advanced (E-UTRA) IEEE family WiMAX-Advanced (IEEE 802.16m)

5G Research concept, not under formal development

Links Related articles Cellular networks Mobile telephony History List of standards C arison of standards Channel access methods Spectral efficiency comparison table Cellul ar frequencies GSM frequency bands UMTS frequency bands Mobile broadband NGMN Allianc O External links 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Third Generation Partners hip Project 2 (3GPP2) IMT-2000/IMT-Advanced Portal Institute of Electrical and Elect ronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecommuni cations Industry Association (TIA)

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