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GSM stands for ‘Global Services for Mobile communication' and is an

open, digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and
data services. GSM supports voice calls and data transfer speeds of up
to 9.6 kbit/s, together with the transmission of SMS (Short Message
Service).

This technology is globally accepted and most popular among all

countries. It is started in Europe to integrate all countries with wireless
communication. Earlier each country in Europe has its own standard for
wireless communication ,so due to this a person cannot use the same
mobile in two different country and cannot even communicate with the
same mobile in different countries, so due to this fragmentation
problem occurred. So to overcome this problem European Union (EU)
came with GSM technology that is accepted by whole continent and
standardized by ITU-T. It is a 2 G technology and world’s first cellular
technology and it is most popular 2G technology. Today GSM operator
has largest customer base. In India total cellular operator have more
than 550 million customers and GSM has more than 400 million
customer bases alone. It is a second generation cellular standard

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developed to cater voice services and data delivery using digital
modulation.

Objectives of GSM

• To eliminate the fragmentation problem in European Union.

• To allow interaction with ISDN and PSTN.

The Goals of GSM

• Improved spectrum efficiency

• International roaming

• Low-cost mobile sets and base stations

• High-quality speech

• Compatibility with ISDN and other telephone

• Company services.

• Support for new services

Specifications and Characteristics for GSM:

• Frequency band – the frequency range specified for GSM is

1,850 to 1,990 MHz (mobile station to base station).

• Duplex distance – the duplex distance is 80 MHz. Duplex

distance is the distance between the uplink and downlink
frequencies. A channel has two frequencies, 80 MHz apart.

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 • Channel separation – the separation between adjacent carrier
frequencies. In GSM, this is 200 kHz.

• Modulation – Modulation is the process of sending a signal by

changing the characteristics of a carrier frequency. This is done in
GSM via Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK).

• Transmission rate – GSM is a digital system with an over-the-air

bit rate of 270 kbps.

• Access method – GSM utilizes the time division multiple access

(TDMA) concept. TDMA is a technique in which several different
calls may share the same carrier. Each call is assigned a
particular time slot.

• Speech coder – GSM uses linear predictive coding (LPC). The

purpose of LPC is to reduce the bit rate. The LPC provides
parameters for a filter that mimics the vocal tract.

EVOLUTION OF GSM
In 1982, the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications
administrations (CEPT) created the Group Special Mobile (GSM) to
develop a standard for a mobile telephone system that could be used
across Europe. In 1987, a memorandum of understanding was signed
by 13 countries to develop a common cellular telephone system across
Europe. Finally the system created by SINTEF led by Torleiv Maseng
was selected.

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In 1989, GSM responsibility was transferred to the European
Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and phase I of the
GSM specifications were published in 1990. The first GSM network was
launched in 1991 by Radio linja in Finland with joint technical
infrastructure maintenance from Ericsson. By the end of 1993, over a
million subscribers were using GSM phone networks being operated by
70 carriers across 48 countries.

GSM around the

world

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GSM statistics in
India

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ARCHITECTURE
The basic architecture of the GSM is described in the figure below:

The abbreviations used in the figure above are described herein under:

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Home Location
Register:
HLR is database, which holds very important information of
subscribers. It is mostly known for storing and managing information of
subscribers. It contains subscriber service profile, status of activities,
information about locations and permanent data of all sorts. When new
connections are purchased, these subscribers are registered in HLR of
mobile phone companies.

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MS-Mobile station:
It consists of mobile equipment and SIM. At the time of manufacturing,
an international mobile equipment number (IMEI) is programmed in
ME.A SIM is required to activate the GSM services. A international
mobile subscriber identification (IMEI) number is programmed along
with security parameter and algorithm. The called number is not linked
to ME but to SIM.A SIM has following data stored in it. MSISDN (mobile
subscriber isdn) IMSI (international mobile subscriber identity) - 15 digit
number. TMSI (temporary mobile subscriber identity) – 4 octets,
allocated by VLR, continuously changed.IMEI (international mobile
equipment identity) unique, permanently assigned to MS.

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AUC- Authentication
Center:
AUC is small unit which handles the security end of the system. Its
major task is to authenticate and encrypt those parameters which verify
user’s identification and hence enables the confidentiality of each call
made by subscriber. Authentication center – AUC makes sure mobile
operators are safe from different frauds most likely to happen when
hackers are looking for even smallest loop wholes in systems.

MSC- Mobile Services Switching Center:

MSC is also important part of SS, it handles technical end of telephony.

It is build to perform switching functionality of the entire system. It’s
most important task is to control the calls to and from other telephones,
which means it controls calls from same networks and calls from other
networks. Toll ticketing, common channel signaling, network interfacing
etc are other tasks which MSC is responsible for.

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 .

VLR- Visitor Location

Register:
VLR performs very dynamic tasks; it is database which stores
temporary data regarding subscribers which is needed by Mobile
Services Switching Center-MSC VLR is directly connected to MSC,
when subscribe moves to different MSC location, Visitor location
register – VLR integrates to MSC of current location and requests the
data about subscriber or Mobile station (MS) from the Home Location
Register –HLR. When subscriber makes a call the Visitor location
register-VLR will have required information for making call already and
it will not required to connect to Home Register Location - HRL again.

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BSS-The Base Station
System:
The base station syerystem have v important role in mobile
communication. BSS are basically outdoor units which consist of iron
rods and are usually of high length. BSS are responsible for connecting
subscribers (MS) to mobile networks. All the communication is made in
Radio transmission. The Base station System is further divided in two
systems. These two systems, they are BSC, and BTS.

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BTS – The Base
Transceiver Station:
Subscriber, MS (Mobile Station) or mobile phone connects to mobile
network through BTS; it handles communication using radio
transmission with mobile station. As name suggests, Base transceiver
Station is the radio equipment which receive and transmit voice data at
the same time. BSC control group of BTSs.

BASE TRANSIEVER STATION (BTS)

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BSC – The Base
Station Controller:
The Base Station normally controls many cells; it registers subscribers,
responsible for MS handovers etc. It creates physical link between
subscriber (MS) and BTS, then manage and controls functions of it. It
performs the function of high quality switch by handover over the MS to
next BSC when MS goes out of the current range of BTS, it helps in
connecting to next in range BTS to keep the connection alive within the
network. It also performs functions like cell configuration data, control
radio frequency in BTS.

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SIM-Subscriber
Identity Module:
One of the key features of GSM is the Subscriber Identity Module,
commonly known as a SIM card. The SIM is a detachable smart card
containing the user's subscription information and phone book. This
allows the user to retain his or her information after switching handsets.
Alternatively, the user can also change operators while retaining the
handset simply by changing the SIM.

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OSS -The Operation
and Support
System:
OMC- Operations and maintenance center is designed to connect to
equipment of MSC- Mobile Switching Center and BSC-Base Station
Controller. The implementation of OMC is called OSS-The Operations
and Support System.OSS helps in mobile networks to monitor and
control the complex systems. The basic reason for developing
operation and support system is to provide customers a cost effective
support and solutions. It helps in managing, centralizing, local and
regional operational activities required for GMS networks.

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Authentication &
Encryption:
Authentication: - Whenever a MS requests access to a network, the
network must authenticate the MS. Authentication verifies the identity
and validity of the SIM card to the network and ensures that the
subscriber is authorized access to the network.

Encryption:- In GSM, encryption refers to the process of creating

authentication and ciphering crypto variables using a special key and
an encryption algorithm.

Ciphering:- Ciphering refers to the process of changing plaintext data

into encrypted data using a special key and a special encryption
algorithm. Transmissions between the MS and the BTS on the Um link,
are enciphered.

Ki:- The Ki is the individual subscriber authentication key. It is a 128-bit

number that is paired with an IMSI when the SIM card is created. The
Ki is only stored on the SIM card and at the Authentication Center
(AuC). The Ki should never be transmitted across the network on any
link.

RAND:- The RAND is a random 128-bit number that is generated by

the Auc when the network requests to authenticate a subscriber. The
RAND is used to generate the Signed Response (SRES) and Kc crypto
variables.

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Signed Response:- The SRES is a 32-bit crypto variable used in the
authentication process. The MS is challenged by being given the RAND
by the network; the SRES is the expected correct response. The SRES
is never passed on the Um (Air) interface. It is kept at the MSC/VLR,
which performs the authentication check.

A3 Algorithm:- The A3 algorithm computes a 32-bit Signed Response

(SRES). The Ki and RAND are inputted into the A3 algorithm and the
result is the 32-bit SRES. The A3 algorithm resides on the SIM card
and at the AuC.

A8 Algorithm:- The A8 algorithm computes a 64-bit ciphering key (Kc).

The Ki and the RAND are inputted into the A8 algorithm and the result
is the 64-bit Kc. The A8 algorithm resides on the ISM card and at the
AuC.

Kc:- The Kc is the 64-bit ciphering key that is used in the A5 encryption
algorithm to encipher and decipher the data that is being transmitted on
the Um interface.

A5:- The A5 encryption algorithm is used to encipher and decipher the

data that is being transmitted on the Um interface. The Kc and the
plaintext data are inputted into the A5 algorithm and the output is
enciphered data. The A5 algorithm is a function of the Mobile
Equipment (ME) and not a function of the SIM card. The BTS also
makes use of the A5 algorithm.

There are three versions of the A5 algorithm:

A5/1:- The current standard for U.S. and European networks. A5/1 is a
stream cipher.

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A5/2:- The deliberately weakened version of A5/1 that is intended for
export to non-western countries. A5/2 is a stream cipher.
A5/3:- A newly developed algorithm not yet in full use. A5/3 is a block
cipher.
Triplets: - The RAND, SRES, and Kc together are known as the
Triplets. The AuC will send these three crypto variables to the
requesting MSC/VLR so it can authenticate and encipher.

Value added services

Call waiting:

With Call Waiting on a Hutch phone, you can receive and hold an
incoming call when you are already talking to another person. When
this service is activated, the network notifies you of a new incoming call
while you have a call in progress, which means that if another person
tries calling you midway through a conversation, he/she will hear a
message informing him/her that your line is busy, while you will hear
beeps at intervals.

Call Divert:

In case you are busy in a meeting, or if your cell phone is switched off,
you can forward incoming calls to a landline or another mobile phone -
where someone can receive messages on your behalf. You can also
forward an incoming call while speaking to someone.

Voice response services:

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By using these services one can access information, download
ringtones and logos, and more. For this one has to just dial and speak
on a no. for the desired service. With Hutch World, one can enjoy a
host of GPRS-based services exclusively on Hutch GPRS phone. From
astrology to photo messaging, gaming, chat, news and even internet
access.

Mail:

One can now send an SMS - without even using a mobile phone, from
wherever they are. All they need to do is type in their message and
send it as e-mail.

Roaming:

Roaming is defined as the ability for a cellular customer to

automatically make & receive voice calls, send & receive data, or
access other services when traveling outside the geographical
coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited
network.

If the visited network is in the same country as the home network, this
is known as National Roaming. If the visited network is outside the
home country, this is known as International Roaming (the term Global
Roaming has also been used).

If the visited network operates on a different technical standard than the

home network, this is known as Inter-standard roaming.

GSM Roaming, which involves roaming between GSM networks, offers

the convenience of a single number, a single bill and a single phone

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with worldwide access to over 205 countries. The convenience of GSM
Roaming has been a key driver behind the global success of the GSM
Platform.

Mobile subscriber
identities in GSM
International Mobile Subscriber
Identity (IMSI):

An IMSI is assigned to each authorized GSM user. It consists of a

mobile country code (MCC), mobile network code (MNC) (to identify the
PLMN), and a PLMN unique mobile subscriber identification number
(MSIN). The IMSI is the only absolute identity that a subscriber has
within the GSM system. The IMSI consists of the MCC followed by the
MNC and MSIN and shall not exceed 15 digits.

Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity

(TMSI)

A TMSI is a MSC-VLR specific alias that is designed to maintain user

confidentiality. It is assigned only after successful subscriber
authentication. The correlation of a TMSI to an IMSI only occurs during

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a mobile subscriber’s initial transaction with an MSC (for example,
location updating). Under certain condition (such as traffic system
disruption and malfunctioning of the system), the MSC can direct
individual TMSIs to provide the MSC with their IMSI.

Mobile Station ISDN Number:

The MS international number must be dialed after the international

prefix in order to obtain a mobile subscriber in another country. The
MSISDN numbers is composed of the country code (CC) followed by
the National Destination Code (NDC), Subscriber Number (SN), which
shall not exceed 15 digits. Here too the first two digits of the SN identify
the HLR where the mobile subscriber is administrated.

The Mobile Station Roaming Number

(MSRN):

The MSRN is allocated on temporary basis when the MS roams into

another numbering area. The MSRN number is used by the HLR for
rerouting calls to the MS. It is assigned upon demand by the HLR on a
per-call basis. The MSRN for PSTN/ISDN routing shall have the same
structure as international ISDN numbers in the area in which the MSRN
is allocated. The HLR knows in what MSC/VLR service area the
subscriber is located. At the reception of the MSRN, HLR sends it to
the GMSC, which can now route the call to the MSC/VLR exchange
where the called subscriber is currently registered.

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International Mobile Equipment
Identity:

The IMEI is the unique identity of the equipment used by a subscriber

by each PLMN and is used to determine authorized (white),
unauthorized (black), and malfunctioning (gray) GSM hardware. In
conjunction with the IMSI, it is used to ensure that only authorized
users are granted access to the system.

FREQUENCY BANDS
There are three different frequency bands on which mobile phones are
usually operates and these are Dual Band, Tri-Band and Quad Band.

Dual Band : Dual frequency band operates on 900MHz

and 1800 MHz, that means mobile phone that supports dual band
can be operated anywhere in the world where 900 MHz and 1800
MHz frequencies are used. Dual Band GSM networks usually
found in all continents Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South
America.

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 Tri-Band: three frequencies are supported in Tri Band,
these frequencies are 900 MHz, 1800MHz and 1900 MHz Tri
band is also supported all around the world these days.

Quad-Band: Quad Band supports four frequencies

which are 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz , 1900 MHz Quad band
also enables GSM phones to road almost anywhere in the world.
All countries support GSM networks hence make communication
possible.

Handover:
Handover, or handoff as it is called in North America, is the switching of
an ongoing call to a different channel or cell. There are four different
types of handover in the GSM system, which involve transferring a call
between

• Channels (time slots) in the same cell,

• Cells (Base Transceiver Stations) under the control of the same

Base Station Controller (BSC),

• Cells under the control of different BSCs, but belonging to the

same Mobile services Switching Center (MSC), and

• Cells under the control of different MSCs.

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The first two types of handover, called internal handovers, involve only
one Base Station Controller (BSC). To save signaling bandwidth, they
are managed by the BSC without involving the Mobile service
Switching Center (MSC), except to notify it at the completion of the
handover. The last two types of handover, called external handovers,
are handled by the MSCs involved. Note that call control, such as
provision of supplementary services and requests for further handoffs,
is handled by the original MSC.

Handovers can be initiated by either the mobile or the MSC (as a

means of traffic load balancing). During its idle time slots, the mobile
scans the Broadcast Control Channel of up to 16 neighboring cells, and
forms a list of the six best candidates for possible handover, based on
the received signal strength. This information is passed to the BSC
and MSC, and is used by the handover algorithm.

The algorithm for when a handover decision should be taken is not

specified in the GSM recommendations. There are two basic
algorithms used, both closely tied in with power control. This is because
the BSC usually does not know whether the poor signal quality is due
to multipath fading or to the mobile having moved to another cell. This
is especially true in small urban cells.

The 'minimum acceptable performance' algorithm [Bal91] gives

precedence to power control over handover, so that when the signal
degrades beyond a certain point, the power level of the mobile is
increased. If further power increases do not improve the signal, then a
handover is considered. This is the simpler and more common
method, but it creates 'smeared' cell boundaries when a mobile

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transmitting at peak power goes some distance beyond its original cell
boundaries into another cell.

Future Opportunities
for GSM:
• 2nd Generation

• GSM -9.6 Kbps (data rate)

• Generation ( Future of GSM)

• HSCSD (High Speed ckt Switched data)

• Data rate : 76.8 Kbps (9.6 x 8 kbps)

• GPRS (General Packet Radio service)

• Data rate: 14.4 - 115.2 Kbps

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• EDGE (Enhanced data rate for GSM Evolution)

• Data rate: 547.2 Kbps (max)

• 3 Generation

• WCDMA(Wide band CDMA)

• Data rate : 0.348 – 2.0 Mbps

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CONCLUSION
During the period of Evolution of mobile communication technologies
various systems were introduced and deployed to achieve
standardization in mobile industry, but all the efforts were failed.
Multiple issues were sustained like incompatibility of systems,
development of digital radio frequency. That is, when GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communication) Technology was introduced and
problems like standardization, incompatibility etc were overcame.
TDMA solution was chosen in 1987, it is narrowband system and
TDMA standards for Time Division Multiple access.

In 1991 in Finland. GSM based mobile phones are operated on TDMA

Systems, in TDMA single radio frequency is offered to users with any
interference. After all these years, GSM is now the largest mobile
communication technology worldwide, all manufacturers of Mobile
phones develop their products based on GSM, and all mobile
companies provide their subscribers GSM networks.

GSM technology facilitates with high speed integrated data, voice data,
fax, mail, voice mail and mostly used SMS feature. GSM also make
sure that all the communication made between networks are secured
and protected from intruders and frauds.

.SM actually brought the concept of being Mobile way beyond the
limits. It enabled us to communicate across the continents.

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GSM supports multiple frequency levels like 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900
MHz 1900MHz frequency is used in North America where as 1800MHz
is used in other parts of the world. Different frequency bands are used
by different mobile phone operators.

Moreover, there are over 700 GSM networks available in the world
operating in their respective countries and providing international
roaming services courtesy GSM technology. There are over 2 billion
GSM subscribers in the world. Countries which are using GSM
networks on larger scales are Russia, china Pakistan, United States,
India.

Giver the above facts and very good voice quality, support useful
services and standards, delivered by GSM, it is expected that GSM
shall remain the prominent technology for offering the mobile
telephony.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

o www.gsmworld.com

o www. whytelecom.com

o www.google.com

o www.ask.com

o www.search.com

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Annexure
GSM: Global System for Mobile Communication

CEPT: Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications

ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network

SIM: Subscriber Identity Module

VAS: Value Aided Services

BSS: The Base Station Subsystem

NSS: The Network and Switching Subsystem

OSS: The Operation and Support Subsystem

FDMA: Frequency Division Multiple Access

TDMA: Time Division Multiple Access

HLR: Home Location Register

MS: Mobile station

VLR: Visitor Location Register

AUC: Authentication Center

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MSC: Mobile Services Switching Center

BTS : The Base Transceiver Station

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