GPRS

Overview
GSM systems do not support
easy access
High data rate
Attractive prices

To offer better services GPRS

Uses the existing GSM infrastructure to provide
end-to-end packet switched services
Initiated by ETSI/SMG in 1994
Approved in 1997 and completed in 1999
Also developed for IS-36 TDMA systems
New radio channels are defined
Security is equivalent to the existing GSM

GPRS Functional Group

Include
Network access
Packet routing & transfer
Mobility management
Logical link management
Radio resource management
Network management

Supports point-to-point data transfer

and anonymous access

Functions
Registration : associates MS with packet data
protocols
Authentication & authorization
Admission control : determines the radio and
network resources
Message Screening : filters unsolicited
messages
Packet terminal adaption : adapts data
transmission across the GPRS network
Charging information collection for packet
transmission in GPRS and external networks

Functions
Packet routing and transfer functions route the data
b/w an MS and destination through the serving and
gateway GPRS Supports Nodes (GSNs)
Relay function that is used by the Base Station System
(BSS) to forward packets between a MS and a serving
GSN by serving GSN to forward packets between a BSS
and a serving or gateway router
Routing, determines the destinations of packets
Address translation and mapping that coverts a GPRS
network address to an external data network address and
vice versa
Encapsulation & tunneling which encapsulates packets at
at the source of a tunnel ; decapsulate at destination
Compression and ciphering
Domain name service functions resolve GSN names to IP
addresses

GPRS Functional
Groups(2/2)
Logical
link management

Radio resource management

Mobility management
Network management

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Logical Link Management

Maintains communication channel
between an MS and the GSM network
Logical Link Establishment
Logical Link maintenance
Logical link release

Radio Resource
Management
Allocates and maintains radio
communication paths
Um management : determines the
amount of radio resources to be
allocated for GPRS usage
Cell selection : enables the MS to select
the optimal cell for radio communication
Um-tranx : provides packet data transfer
capability
Path management : maintains the
communication paths between the BSS

 A GSM network mainly consists of four

components.
Mobile Station (MS)carried by the subscriber
Base Station Subsystem (BSS)controls radio link
with mobile station
Mobile Switching Center (MSC)is the central
component of the NSS. Operates all switching functions
for the mobiles within its jurisdiction. Interface between
mobile and other (including fixed) network.
Network Databases: Home Location Register and
Visitor Location Register together with MSC provides the
call routing and roaming capabilities of GSM.

GPRS integrated into GSM

In order to integrate GPRS into the
existing GSM network, two major
new core network elements are
introduced:
the Serving GPRS Support Node
(SGSN) and t
the Gateway GPRS Support node
(GGSN).

SGSN
responsible for the delivery of data packets
from and to the mobile stations within its
service area.
send queries to Home Location Registers
(HLRs) to obtain profile data of GPRS
subscribers.
detect new GPRS mobile stations in a given
service area; and, finally, SGSNs process
registration of new mobile subscribers and
keep a record of their location inside a given
service area.

GGSN
used as interfaces between the GPRS
backbone network and the external Public
Packet Data Networks.
maintain routing information that is necessary
to tunnel the Protocol Data Units (e.g IP) to the
SGSNs that service particular mobile stations.
Other functions include network and
subscriber screening and address mapping.
One or more GGSNs may support multiple
SGSNs.

Databases
In addition to the new GPRS components,
following existing GSM network elements must
also be enhanced in order to support GPRS.
Base Station System (BSS): must be enhanced
to recognize and send user data to the SGSN
that is serving the area.
Home Location Register (HLR): must be
enhanced to register GPRS user profiles and
respond to queries originating from SGSNs
regarding these profiles.

GPRS Architecture

GPRS System Architecture

GPRS Architecture(2/3)
GPRS transmission plane

BSSGP: BSS GPRS Protocol

RFL: Radio Physical Layer
FR: Frame Relay
PLL: Physical Link Layer
GTP: GPRS Tunneling
RLC: Radio Link Control
Protocol
SNDCP: SubNetwork Dependent
LLC: Logical Link Protocol
Convergence
MAC: Medium Access
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UDP:
User
Datagram
Protocol
Control

GPRS Architecture(3/3)
GPRS signaling plane

BSSAP+: Base Station System Application Part+

GMM: GPRS Mobility Management
MAP: Mobile Application Part
MTP: Message Transfer Part
SCCP: Signaling Connection Control Part
SM: Session Management
TCAP: Transaction Capabilities Application Part

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Interfaces
GbFrame relay connection between the SGSN and
the PCU within the BSS. This transports both user
data and signalling messages to/from the SGSN.
GnThe GPRS backbone network, implemented using
IP LAN/WAN technology. Used to provide virtual
connections between the SGSN and GGSN.
GiThe point of connection between GPRS and the
external networks, each referenced by the Access
Point Name. This will normally be implemented
using IP WAN technology.
GrInterface between the HLR and SGSN that allows
access to customer subscription information. This
has been implemented using
enhancements to the existing GSM C7 MAP interface.

GPRS Terms
Mobility Management Context
MM State and other MM related
information stored in the MS and the SGSN
Specifies the MM activities pf an MS
IDLE/Standby/Ready

PDP context
Stored in MS,HLR SGSN and GGSN
Contain mapping & routing information

Quality-of-Service profile

QoS Attributes
Precedence Class 3 transmission priority levels
Delay Class 1 -3 are < 0.5 sec, 5 sec and 50 sec
4th class best effort delivery
Reliability class : residual error rates for data loss
Out-of- sequence delivery and corrupted data
5 classes depending upon the support for ack.

Peak Throughput class : expected maximum data

transmission rate . 9 classes from 8-2018 Kbps
Mean Throughput class specifies the average
data transmission rate
19 classes best effort to 111 Kbps

GPRS Network Nodes

MS
BSS
SGSN and GGSN
HLR and VLR

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Other
elements
BG (Border Gateway)

(Not defined within GPRS)

Routes packets from SGSN/GGSN of one operator to a
SGSN/GGSN of an other operator
Provides protection against intruders from external
networks
DNS (Domain Name Server)
Translates addresses from ggsn1.oper1.fi -format to
123.45.67.89 format (i.e. as used in Internet)
Charging Gateway
Collects charging information from SGSNs and GGSNs
PTM-SC (Point to Multipoint -Service Center)
PTM Multicast (PTM-M): Downlink broadcast; no
subscription; no ciphering
PTM Group call (PTM-G): Closed or open groups;
Down/up -link; ciphered

GPRS backbones
Enables communication between GPRS
Support Nodes
Based on private IP network
IPv6 is the ultimate protocol
IPV4 can be used as an intermediate solution
Intra-PLMN backbone
Connects GPRS Support Nodes of one operator
Operator decides the network architecture
LAN, point-to-point links, ATM, ISDN, ...

Inter-PLMN backbone
Connects GPRS operators via BGs
Provides international GPRS roaming
Operators decide the backbone in the roaming agreement

Mobile Station(1/2)
MT (Mobile Terminal) and TE (Terminal Equipment)
MS operation mode
Class A mode :Simultaneous circuit-switched and
packet-switched service
Class B mode :Automatic choice of circuit-switched or
packet-switched service
Class C mode :Only packet-switched data

Some of the MM context fields stored in a GPRSaware

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)
P-TMSI (Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity)
Address of the routing area where the MS resides
Current ciphering key, Kc, and its CKSN (Ciphering Key
Sequence Number)

Mobile Station(2/2)
Some of non-SIM-related fields
MM state (either IDLE, STANDBY, or READY)
Identity of the cell where the MS resides
Ciphering algorithm defined in the GSM 01.61
specification
Radio access classmark for the radio capabilities
SGSN classmark for network related capabilities

PDP contexts
PDP type
PDP address
PDP state
Dynamic-Address-Allowed
Requested and negotiated QoS profiles
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Base Station System

BTS (Base Transceiver Station) :new
GPRS channel coding schemes
BSC (Base Station Controller) :forward
circuit-switched calls to the MSC and
packet-switched data to the SGSN
PCU (Packet Control Unit)
Packet data services
Co-location with the BTS or remotely
location in the BSC
Medium access control and radio link
control layer functions
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GPRS Support Node(1/2)

SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node)
The same as MSC/VLR in GSM network
Ciphering, mobility management, charging, statistics
collection
MM context

IMSI, P-TMSI, MSISDN, MM state

Routing area identity and cell identity
Address of the VLR currently serving the MS
IP address of the new SGSN where the buffered packets should be
forwarded
Authentication and ciphering parameters
Current ciphering key Kc and the selected ciphering algorithm
MS radio access capabilities and GPRS network access capabilities
MNRG (Mobile Station Not Reachable for GPRS flag) indicating
whether activity from the MS should be reported to the HLR
NGAF (non-GPRS Alert flag) indication whether activity from the MS
should be reported to the VLR
PPF (Paging Proceed flag) indication whether paging for GPRS and
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non-GPRS services can be initiated

GPRS Support Node(2/2)

SGSN (contd)
PDP contexts (a partial list)

PDP context identifier, PDP type, PDP address, and PDP state
Access point name to the external data network
Subscribed, requested and negotiated QoS profiles
IP address of the GGSN currently used by the activated PDP context
Identifier of the charging records generated by SGSN and GGSN

GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node)

Traditional gateway functionality : DNS, DHCP.
The information items (a partial list)

IMSI
PDP type and PDP address
Dynamic address indication
QoS profile negotiated
IP address of the SGSN currently serving this MS
Access point name of the external data network
Charging ID
MNRG flag, which indicates whether
the MS is marked as not
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reachable for GPRS at the HLR

HLR and VLR

To accommodate GPRS subscription and routing
information
HLR
IMSI and MSISDN, which serves the MS
SS7 address of the SGSN, which serves the MS
IP address of the SGSN, which serves the MS
MS Purged for GPRS flag, which indicates whether the MM and
PDP contexts of the MS are deleted from the SGSN
MNRG, which indicates whether the MS is not reachable for
GPRS service
GGSN-list, which provides a GGSN IP address list to be
contacted for MS activity when MNRG is set

MSC/VLR
SGGN number : Indication the SGSN currently serving the MS
Contact SGSN to request location information or paging for
voice calls

GPRS Interfaces

Um Interface
Gb Interface
Gn and Gp Interface
Gs Interface
Gi Interface

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Um Interface
Between the MS and the BTS
Um protocol layers
RF layer
PLL
RLC/MAC
Coding schemes-CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4

Gb Interface(1/2)

Connection the BSS and the SGSN

Allocation resources to a user during the periods
when data are actually delivered
LLC
Convey information
Logical link connection with sequence control, flow
control, detection of transmission, format.
Maintain ciphered data link
GPRS Mobility Management

SNDCP
Multiplexing of data coming from the different
sources to be sent across LLC
Segmentation and reassembly and compression of
redundant protocol information and user data

Gb Interface(2/2)
NS layer
Deliver encapsulated packets between the SGSN and BSS
Perform load sharing to distribute the packet traffic
among the unblocked NS-VCs (Network Service Virtual
Connections)

BSS GPRS Protocol

Provides the radio-related QoS and routing information
required to transmit user data
Node management control functions
Three service models
BSSGP/RL
GMM
NM

Gn and Gp Interface
Utilize the GPRS Tunneling Protocol
(GTP)
GTP tunnel management
Create, update and delete tunnels

GTP mobility management

GPRS attach, GPRS routing area update,
and activation of PDP contexts

Gs Interface
Connection the database in the
MSC/VLR and the SGSN
Base Station System Application
Part+(BSSAP+)
Gs procedures
Paging, suspend, resume, and location
update procedures

Gi Interface
Interwork with PSDN and PDN
through Gi interface
PSDN : X.25 and X.75
PDN : IP and PPP
Transparent Internet access and
nontransparent access to an intranet
or ISP

Mobility management
(1/3)
Instead of Location Area, GPRS uses

Routing Areas to group cells. RA is a

subset of LA.
IDLE:
MS is not known by the network (SGSN)
STANDBY:
MSs location is known in accuracy of Routing Area
MS can utilize DRX (Discontinuous reception to save battery)
MS must inform its location after every Routing Area change (no need

to inform if MS changes from one cell to another within same Routing

Area)
Before the network can perform MT data transfer MS must be paged
within the Routing Area
MS may initiate MO data transfer at any time

Mobility management
(2/3)

READY:

MSs location is known in accuracy of cell

MS must inform its location after every cell change
MS can initiate MO data transfer at any time
SGSN does not need to page the MS before MT
data transfer
MS listens continuously GPRS PCCCH channel

DRX in READY state is optional

Mobility management
(3/3)
Mobility management
messages:
Cell update (implicit, with any message)

When MS changes the cell within a Routing Area in

READY state

Routing Area update

When MS changes the cell between two Routing

Areas in READY or STANDBY state

Two types of Routing Area Updates (from MSs point
of view only one type)
Intra-SGSN Routing Area Update
Inter-SGSN Routing Area Update

Periodic Routing Area updates are applicable

GPRS Procedures
GPRS Attach/Detach
Between MS and SGSN

PDP Context Manipulation

Allows data transmission between MS and
external data network

RA/LA Update
Tracks the location of the MS
Reestablishes the logical link between Ms and
SGSN

Indicate how the service primitives

/messsges interact with each other

GPRS Procedures : Attach

Attach : register with a SGSN before using

services
MS

BSS

New SGSN

Old SGSN

GGSN

1.1. Attach Request

Um and Gb using
GMM layer

1.2. Identification_Request
1.2. Identification_Request

RA/LA Update
1.3. Attach Accept
Um and Gb using
GMM layer

GTP MM / Gn
interface for IMSI,
P_TMSI

Attach message flow

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HLR

VLR

GPRS Procedures : Detach

Detach : disconnect the GPRS network; initaited
by MS/SGSN or HLR
MS

BSS

New SGSN

GGSN

2.1. MAP_CANCEL_LOCATION
2.2. Detach Rdquest
GMM/Um&Gb)

GSM MAP / Gr

2.3. Delete_PDP_Context Request

GTP tunnel mgmt/Gn

2.3. Delete_PDP_Context Response

2.5. Detach Accept

GMM/Um&Gb)

2.4. GPRS_Detach_Indication
BSSAP+/Gs interface

2.6. MAP_CANCEL_LOCATION-ack
GSM MAP / Gr interface

Detach message flow

HLR Initiated
Detach
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HLR

VLR

PDP Context Procedures : Activation

MS

BSS

SGSN

GGSN

1.1. Active PDP context Request

1.2. Create_PDP_Context_Rquest
1.2. Create_PDP_Context_Response
1.3. Activate PDP Context Accept

PDP context activation message flow

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PDP Context Procedures :

Update
MS

BSS

SGSN

GGSN

2.1. Update_PDP_Context_Request
2.1. Update_PDP_Context_Response
2.2. Modify PDP Context Request
2.2. Modify PDP Context Response

PDP context update message flow

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PDP Context Procedures :

Deactivation
MS

BSS

SGSN

GGSN

3.1. Delete_PDP_Context_Request
3.1. Delete_PDP_Context_Response
3.2. Deactivate PDP Context Request
3.2. Deactivate PDP Context Response

PDP context deactivation message flow

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RA/LA Update (1/2)

MS

BSS

New SGSN

Old SGSN

GGSN

1. Routing Area Update Request

2. SGSN_Context_Request
2. SGSN_Context_Request
2. SGSN_Context_ACknowledge

(Packet forwarding)
3. Update_PDP_Context_Request
3. Update_PDP_Context_Request

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New VLR

HLR

RA/LA Update (2/2)

MS

BSS

New SGSN

Old SGSN

GGSN

New VLR

HLR

4. MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION
4. MAP_CANCEL_LOCATION
4. MAP_CANCEL_LOCATION_ack
4. MAP_INSERT_SUBSCRIBER_DATA
4. MAP_INSERT_SUBSCRIBER_DATA_ack
4. MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_ack
5. GPRS_Location_Updating_Request
Standard GSM
Inter-VLR
Location Update
5. GPRS_Location_Updating_Accept
6. Routing Area Update Accept

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GPRS Billing (1/2)

MSC collect the billing records in GSM , but SGSN and
GGSN in GPRS
SGSN : Charging information for an MS
Location information
The amount of data transmitted
The amount of time an MS occupies a PDP address
The amount of GPRS-related network resources and the GPRS
network activity

GGSN
The addresses of the destination and the source defined
The amount of data delivered between the MS and the
external data network
The period that the MS has used the PDP addresses
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GPRS Billing (2/2)

The data volume counted
SNDCP level in SGSN
GTP level in GGSN

CDR(Call Detail Record) types

S-CDR is generated in the SGSN for the radio usage
G-CDR is generated by the GGSN for the external data network
usage
M-CDR is generated by the GGSN for mobility management
activity

CCF (Charging Gateway Function)

Support charging information collection, immediate storage, and
CDR transfer
CCF is either implemented in a separate network node or is
distributed among the GSNs
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Evolving from GSM to GPRS

ELEMENT

SOFTWARE

HARDWARE

MS

Upgrade required

Upgrade required

BTS

Upgrade required

No change

BSC

Upgrade required

PCU interface

TRAU

No change

No change

MSC/VLR

Upgrade required

No change

HLR

Upgrade required

No change

SGSN

New

New

GGSN

New

New

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Two Phases in GPRS (1/2)

Phase 1 : implements basic GPRS features
Standard packet services delivery ; that is , point-to-point
packet bearer service
Support for CS-1 and CS-2 channel coding schemes
GPRS internal network interfaces such as Gn, Gb, Gp, and Gs
Flexible radio resource allocation
Support for Classes B and C MSs
GPRS charging
GSM-based services, such as SMS over GPRS
IP and X.25 interfaces to packet data network
Static and dynamic IP address allocation
Anonymous access
Security ; authentication and ciphering
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Two Phases in GPRS (2/2)

Phase 2
Enhanced QoS support in GPRS
Unstructured octet stream GPRS PDP
type
Access to ISPs and intranets
GPRS prepaid
GPRS advice of charge
Group call
Point to multipoint services
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