Logical channels in GSM 900 and DCS 1800

GSM 900 DCS 1800 PCS 1900

Uplink 890 – 915 MHz 1710 – 1785 MHz 1850 – 1910 MHz
Downlink 935 – 960 MHz 1805 – 1880 MHz 1930 – 1990 MHz

Carrier separation is 200 kHz, which provides:

• 124 carriers in the GSM 900 band
• 374 carriers in the DCS 1800 band
• 299 carriers in the PCS 1900 band

Since eight mobile stations share each carrier, the total number of channels is:
• 124 x 8 = 992 channels in GSM 900
• 374 x 8 = 2992 channels in DCS 1800
• 299 x 8 = 2392 channels in PCS 1900

Each of these channels is one time slot on a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) frame and is called
a physical channel.

A variety of informations are transmitted between the BTS and the MS. Different logical channels
are used depending on the type of information being transmitted. Each logical channel is used for a
specific purpose such as paging, call set-up and speech. These logical channels are mapped onto the
physical channels. For example, speech is sent on the logical channel Traffic Channel (TCH).

Logical Channels

Control
channels Traffic channels

BCH
CCCH DCCH
Broadcas Dedicated Full
Common
t Control Control Half rate
Channels Channels Channels rate

FCC BCC AGC RAC SDCC SACC FACC

SCH PCH
H H H H H H H
 BCCH (always in TS 0)
SDCCH

TCHs

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

LOGICAL CHANNELS IN A GSM SYSTEM

CONTROL CHANNELS

First, the MS is switched on and searches for a BTS to connect to. The MS scans
the entire frequency band, or, optionally, utilizes a list containing the allocated
frequency carriers for this operator. When the MS finds the strongest carrier, it
must then determine if it is a BCCH carrier. A BCCH carrier is the frequency used
carrying the broadcast channels.

Broadcast CHannels (BCH) – from the word “broadcast”, it means that all signals are downlink signals

Frequency Correction CHannel (FCCH) - Downlink

On FCCH, a sinus wave signal is transmitted. This serves two purposes. One is to
make sure this is a BCCH carrier, the other is to enable the MS to synchronize with
the frequency. FCCH is transmitted on the downlink, point to multipoint.

Synchronization CHannel (SCH) - Downlink

Next, the MS must synchronize with the structure within this particular cell, and
ensure that the chosen base station is a GSM base station. Listening to the SCH,
the MS receives information on the TDMA frame structure in this cell (the TDMA
frame number) and on the Base Station Identity Code (BSIC) of the chosen base
station. BSIC can only be decoded if the base station belongs to the GSM network.
SCH is transmitted on the downlink, point to multipoint.

Broadcast Control CHannel (BCCH) - Downlink

The last information the MS must have to start roaming, waiting for calls to arrive
or making calls, is some general cell information. This is broadcast on the BCCH and
includes the Location Area Identity (LAI), maximum output power allowed in the cell
and the BCCH carriers for the neighboring cells, on which the MS will perform
measurements. BCCH is transmitted on the downlink, point to multipoint.
 Now the MS is tuned to a base station and synchronized with the frame structure in
this cell. The base stations are not synchronized with each other, so every time the
MS decides to camp on to another cell, its FCCH, SCH, and BCCH must be read.

Common Control CHannels (CCCH)

Paging CHannel (PCH) - Downlink

Within certain time intervals, the MS listens to the Paging CHannel (PCH) to check
if the network wants to contact MS. Contact could be for an incoming call or an
incoming Short Message. The information on PCH is a paging message, including the
MS’s identity number (IMSI) or a temporary number (TMSI). PCH is transmitted on
the downlink, point to point.

Random Access CHannel (RACH) - Uplink

If the MS is listening to the PCH it knows when it is being paged. The MS answers,
requesting a signaling channel on the RACH. RACH can also be used if the MS wants
to contact the network, e.g. when setting up a call. RACH is transmitted on the
uplink, point to point.

Access Grant CHannel (AGCH) - Downlink

The network assigns a signaling channel (the Stand-alone Dedicated Control CHannel
(SDCCH)). This assignment is performed on the AGCH. AGCH is transmitted on the
downlink, point to point.

Dedicated Control CHannels (DCCH)

Stand Alone Dedicated Control CHannel (SDCCH) - Uplink and downlink

The MS (as well as the BTS) switches over to the assigned signaling channel – the
SDCCH. The call setup procedure is performed on the SDCCH, as well as the
transmission of text messages (Short Message and Cell Broadcast) in idle mode.
SDCCH is transmitted on both up and downlink and point to point.

When call setup is performed, the MS is told to switch to a Traffic CHannel (TCH)
defined by the carrier and the time slot.

Cell Broadcast CHannel (CBCH) - Downlink

CBCH is used only on the downlink to carry Short Message Service Cell Broadcast
(SMSCB). It uses the same physical channel as the SDCCH.
Slow Associated Control CHannel (SACCH) - Uplink and downlink

Within certain time intervals on the SDCCH and on the traffic channel, information
on the Slow Associated Control channel (SACCH) is transmitted. On the uplink, MS
sends averaged measurements on its own base station (signal strength and quality)
and neighboring base stations (signal strength). On the downlink, the MS receives
information on which transmitting power to use and an instruction on the timing
advance. SACCH is transmitted on both the up and downlink and point to point.

Fast Associated Control CHannel (FACCH) - Uplink and downlink

If a handover must be performed suddenly during the conversation, Fast Associated

control channel is used. FACCH works in stealing mode, meaning that one 20 ms
segment of speech is exchanged for signaling information necessary for handover.
The subscriber does not notice this interruption in speech because the speech coder
repeats speech block.

TRAFFIC CHANNELS (TCH)

There are two types of TCHs. They are:

• full rate and

• half rate
• enhanced full rate

Full rate – occupies one time slot (13 kbps after speech coder; data up to 9.6 kbps)
Half rate – occupies just half of a time slot (6.5 kbps after speech coder; data up to
4.8 kbps)