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What is Power Control in GSM?

MS Power Control Level:
Displays range of power control from 0 to 8 depending upon network design. E.g. 0 means no power control and 1
means level that is defined by operator.

Power Control Overview

When MS accesses the network via RACH channel, its transmitting power is the MS max. TX power level get from the
system information sent on BCCH. MS send the first message on dedicated channel also uses the MS max TX power
level, this is not under the control of the system before the power control command which carried on SACCH of SDCCH
or TCH.
The implementation procedure is as follows:
1. According to the uplink receiving level and receiving quality reported by BTS, consider the maximum transmitting power
of MS, BSC calculates the proper transmitting power for the MS.
2. Power control command and the TA value will be transmitted to MS at layer 1 header carried by each downlink SACCH
block.
3. MS receives the power control command carried by SACCH header at the end of each SACCH report period, Then MS
will carry out the command in the beginning of next report period. MS can change power 2dB per 13 frames (60ms)
maximum.
4. After MS executed the power control command, it will set the current power class at the layer 1 message header of the
next uplink SACCH, and transmit it to BTS in the measurement report. Therefore, it will take 3 measurement report periods
for the new power class (in each power control command) to be available.
Note: Each integral SACCH message block (measurement report) is composed of 4 burst. A power control implementation
process in whole takes the time of 3 measurement reports.

MS Power Control
RF power control is a process of adjusting the power level of a mobile radio as it moves closer and further away from a
base station. RF power control is typically accomplished by the sensing of the received signal strength level and the
relaying of power control messages from a transmitter to the mobile device with commands that are used to increase or
decrease the mobile device's output power level. GSM RF power adjustments occur in 2 dB steps.

Prepared By. Farukh Munir

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The radio signal power level
output of a mobile telephone is
adjusted by commands received
from the base station to reduce
the average transmitted power
from the mobile telephone. This
lower power reduces
interference to nearby cell sites.
As the mobile telephone moves
closer to the cell site, less power
is required from the mobile
telephone and it is commanded
to reduce its transmitter output
power level. The base station
transmitter power level can also
be reduced, although the base
station RF output power is not
typically reduced.

GSM Power Control and Power Class

The power levels and power control of GSM mobiles is of great importance because of the effect of power on the
battery life. Also to group mobiles into groups, GSM power class designations have been allocated to indicate the power
capability of various mobiles.
In addition to this the power of the GSM mobiles is closely controlled so that the battery of the mobile is conserved, and
also the levels of interference are reduced and performance of the base station is not compromised by high power local
mobiles.

GSM Power Levels

The base station controls the power output of the mobile, keeping the GSM power level sufficient to maintain a good
signal to noise ratio, while not too high to reduce interference, overloading, and also to preserve the battery life.
A table of GSM power levels is defined, and the base station controls the power of the mobile by sending a GSM "power
level" number. The mobile then adjusts its power accordingly. In virtually all cases the increment between the different
power level numbers is 2dB.

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The power level numbers vary according to the GSM band
in use. Figures for the three main bands in use are given
below: GSM 900, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900

GSM Power class

Not all mobiles have the same maximum power output
level. In order that the base station knows the
maximum power level number that it can send to the
mobile, it is necessary for the base station to know the
maximum power it can transmit. This is achieved by
allocating a GSM power class number to a mobile. This
GSM power class number indicates to the base station
the maximum power it can transmit and hence the
maximum power level number the base station can
instruct it to use.

Again the GSM power classes vary according to the

band in use.

GSM POWER CLASS

NUMBER

POWER
LEVEL
NUMBER

POWER
OUTPUT
LEVEL
DBM

POWER
LEVEL
NUMBER

POWER
OUTPUT
LEVEL
DBM

POWER
LEVEL
NUMBER

POWER
OUTPUT
LEVEL
DBM

39

29

36

30

33

37

30

34

31

32

35

31

32

30

33

30

28

31

28

26

29

26

24

27

24

22

25

22

20

10

23

20

18

11

21

18

16

12

19

16

14

13

17

14

12

14

15

12

10

10

15

13

10

10

11

16

11

11

12

17

12

13

18

13

14

19

14

15

15

GSM 900
Power level
number

Maximum power
output

GSM 1800

GSM 1900

Power level
number

Maximum power
output

Power level
number

Maximum power
output

PL0

30 dBm / 1W

PL0

30 dBm / 1W

PL2

39dBm / 8W

PL3

24 dBm/ 250 mW

PL3

24 dBm / 250 mW

PL3

37dBm / 5W

PL29

36 dBm / 4W

PL30

33 dBm / 2W

PL4

33dBm / 2W

PL5

29 dBm / 800 mW

Prepared By. Farukh Munir