GSM AND TDMA

TECHNOLOGY
Mr.Narayana Swamy.R
Assoc.Prof,Dept of ECE
T.John Institute of Technology,
Bangalore

GSM SYSTEM OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION TO GSM AND TDMA

GSM Services

In 1982 frequency bands of 890-915MHz and 935-960MHz i.e. 25MHz bandwidth and 45MHz
duplex spacing, were allocated for a PAN-European second generation digital cellular system
(GSM 900) which would allow roaming on an international basis and would replace the
incompatible first generation systems .
1982- task force, 1987 formally adopted by European commission, 1989-ETSI Took over, 1990standard published, 1992-deployment of functional system, 1997- GSM 1800 (DCS 1800),
GSM1900 (PCS).

First Generation Analog cellular systems were designed for basic voice service. Data
services for fax or circuit switched data transmission using a voice band modem were classified
as overlay services that run on top of the voice service.
Second Generation Digital Cellular systems (GSM) were designed for integrated wireless
voice-data service network that offered several services like teleservices, bearer services
and supplementary services (can be added to teleservices) over GSM network.
GSM System development and deployment to implement services happens in two phases shown
in table 5-1 (Phase-1), 5-2(Phase-2), Phase-2+ (addition of high speed packet data services to
GSM(EDGE and GPRS)).

GSM Radio frequency carriers

GSM900-FDMA divides
bandwidth.
GSM1800 374 Carrier
GSM1900 299 Carrier
Since each carrier can
each system is

25MHz bandwidth into 124 carrier frequencies each of 200khz

frequencies
Frequency
System
Direction
frequencies
band (MHz)
be shared by up to 8 users, the total number of channels for
GSM 900
Uplink
890-815

124 x 8 = 992 channels for GSM900

374 X 8 = 2992 channels for GSM1800
299x 8 = 2392 channels for GSM 1900/PCS1900
GSM/DCS180

Downlink

935-960

Uplink

1710-1785

Downlink

1805-1880

GSM Network and System

Architecture

Mobile Station

Consists of two elements

Mobile equipment
SIM

Is the device that provides radio link between GSM subscriber and wireless
mobile network.
Provides subscriber means to control their access to PSTN and PDN and also to
facilitate their mobility once connected to the network.
Supports setup and clearing of radio channels used for the TX of various forms
of subscriber traffic.
Constantly performing power and BER measurements on signals being received
from BTS. This along with handover algorithms performed BSS supports
mobility.
SIM

Makes MS functional
Subscriber IMSI number
Mobile MSISDN number
SIM PIN
Address book
Stored SMS
Additional services (video)

Base station system

Consists of two elements

Provide translation between MS (wireless protocols) and MSC (wireline protocol).

Communication Between BTS and BSC is through LAPD protocol (data link, ISDN (Network
layer)).
Components of BTS (RBS (radio base station))

Base transceiver system (BTS)

Base station controller (BSC)

Radio transceiver units,

Switching and distribution unit
RF Power combining and distribution units,
Environmental control units,
Power system,
Processing and database storage unit.

BSC components

Input and output interface multiplexers

Timeslot interchange group switch
Subrate switch
Speech coder/decoders
Transcoders and rate adaptors (stand alone TRC)
SS7 signaling points
Environment control units
Power supply and power distribution units
Various signal and control processing.

Network switching system

Provides necessary interface for connection of the
wireless network to other networks and provides
support for the mobility.
NSS includes

Atleast one MSC

A gateway MSC
VLR and HLR
Equipment identity register(EIR)
Authentication center(AuC)
Flexible numbering register (FNR)
Inter working location register

To handle SMS GMSC, IWMSC and GPRS for high

speed data TX/Rx requires additional SGSN and
GGSN.

Operation and support system

and other nodes
Supports operation and maintenance
of entire network
System operator
Perform configuration
Performance evaluation
Security management along with display
of fault or alarms

GSM Network interfaces and

protocols

GSM Interfaces

GSM Network interfaces and

protocols

GSM protocols and signaling model Layered

structured or OSI Model

GSM signaling protocols third layer is divided into three sub layers:

Radio Resource Management (RR),

Mobility Management (MM), and
Connection Management (CM).

Figure 5-6 shows signaling model for the GSM System. As shown
by the figure, the MS communicate with the MSC to provide
system connection, mobility, and radio resource management by
sending messages back and forth over the air interface from the
MS to the BTS, between the BTS and the BSC and between the
BSC and the MSC.

Um interface The "air" or radio interface standard that is used for exchanges between a mobile
(ME) and a base station (BTS / BSC). For signaling, a modified version of the ISDN LAPD, known as
LAPDm is used.

Major differences are LAPDm no error detection is employed (built into Layer 1 signaling)
LAPDm messages are segmented into shorter messages than LAPD to be compatible with the TDMA
frame length.

Abis interface This is a BSS internal interface linking the BSC and a BTS, and it has not been
totally standardised. The Abis interface allows control of the radio equipment and radio frequency
allocation in the BTS. There are some radio resource management messages handled by BTS.
(BTSM(BTS Management) example encryption)
A interface The A interface is used to provide communication between the BSS and the MSC.
Signaling over A interface is done according to BSSAP (base station signaling application part)
using the network service part of SS7.

In MSC in direction of MS layer 3 is subdivided into three parts: RR, CM, MM

The protocol used to transfer CM and MM messages is BSSAP and is subdivided into DTAP(Direct transfer
application part) and BSSMAP (Base station system management application part)
DTAP is used to send CM and MM messages between MSC and MS transparently through BSS.
BSSMAP is used to send messages between MSC and BSC.

Ater Interface

Only exists in GSM systems that have separate units for the transcoder controller and BSC . Signaling
between the BSC and the TRC Is performed by the use BSC/TRC application part (BTAP) protocol.

MSC interface

MTP,SCCP, TCAP, MAP and ISUP/TUP Protocols

MTP (Message Transfer Part) is used to transport messages and for routing and
addressing.MTP corresponds to OSI Layer 1,2 and Parts of 3
SCCP (signaling connection control part)adds functions to SS7 signaling to provide for more
extensive addressing and routing.
Together MTP and SCCP form the network service part(NSP) and corresponds to layers 1-3 in
the OSI Model.
TCAP and MAP are layer 7 protocols. TCAP provides services based on connection less
network services.MAP is a protocol specifically designed for mobile communications. MAP-n
signaling between databases (HLR, VLR, EIR, AUC..Etc).
ISDN-UP (ISDN User part) and temporary user part (TUP) are used from layer 3 up to layer
7and are used between MSC and the ISDN/PSTN for call setup and supervision.

B interface The B interface exists between the MSC and the VLR . It uses a protocol known as the MAP/B protocol. As most VLRs are collocated with an MSC, this makes
the interface purely an "internal" interface. The interface is used whenever the MSC needs access to data regarding a MS located in its area.
C interface The C interface is located between the HLR and a GMSC or a SMS-G. When a call originates from outside the network, i.e. from the PSTN or another mobile
network it ahs to pass through the gateway so that routing information required to complete the call may be gained. The protocol used for communication is MAP/C, the
letter "C" indicating that the protocol is used for the "C" interface. In addition to this, the MSC may optionally forward billing information to the HLR after the call is
completed and cleared down.
D interface The D interface is situated between the VLR and HLR. It uses the MAP/D protocol to exchange the data related to the location of the ME and to the
management of the subscriber.
E interface The E interface provides communication between two MSCs. The E interface exchanges data related to handover between the anchor and relay MSCs using
the MAP/E protocol.
F interface The F interface is used between an MSC and EIR. It uses the MAP/F protocol. The communications along this interface are used to confirm the status of the
IMEI of the ME gaining access to the network.
G interface The G interface interconnects two VLRs of different MSCs and uses the MAP/G protocol to transfer subscriber information, during e.g. a location update
procedure.
H interface The H interface exists between the MSC the SMS-G. It transfers short messages and uses the MAP/H protocol.
I interface The I interface can be found between the MSC and the ME. Messages exchanged over the I interface are relayed transparently through the BSS .

GSM Channel Concept

TDMA provides additional user capacity over a
limited amount of RF Spectrum.
Divides air interface connection period into eight equal
and repeating Timeslots know as Frames each
timeslots can be considered logical channels, that can
be used by different subscribers for voice, data traffic
and also for transmission of required system signaling
and control information. system can use several
different types of repeating frame (depending on
information
transmitted)
structures
known
as
Multiframes.

 Logical Channels
Logical channels may carry either subscriber traffic or
signaling and control information to facilitate
subscriber mobility.
Presently
there
and
three
types
of
traffic
channels(TCHs).

Full rate traffic channels (TCH/F or Bm) carries one conversation by

using one timeslot (voice encoded at 13kbps rate with additional
channel overhead bits at 22.8kbps and data at rates of 14.4,9.6,4.8
and 2.4kbps).
Half rate traffic channel (TCH/H or Lm) carries two conversations or
one conversation and a data transfer or two data transfers by using
one timeslot (voice encoded at 6.5kbps or data at rates of 4.8 or
2.4kbps with additional overhead bits data rate becomes 11.4kbps).
Enhanced full rate (EFR) encodes voice at 12.2kbps rate .

Three sub categories of Signaling and control channels.

Broadcast channels
Common control channels
Dedicate control channels

GSM Cellular system uses broadcast channels (BCHs) to provide

information to the mobile station about various system parameters and also
information about the location area identity(LAI).

Three types of BCHs are

Broadcast control channel,

Frequency correction channel,
Synchronization channel.

Using information transmitted over these three BCHs , the MS can tune
to a particular base transceiver system(BTS) and synchronize its timing
with frame structure and timing in that cell.
Broad cast control channel(BCCH)

BCCH Is only transmitted in downlink from BTS to MS.

Type of information broadcast include

LAI (Location Area Identity)

The maximum output power allowed in cell
BCCH Carrier frequencies for the neighboring cells (helps possible handover)

Frequency correction channel

FCCH is broadcast on downlink

Transmits bursts of zeros (unmodulated carrier signal ) to the MS.this signaling is
done for two reasons

MS can use this signal to synchronize itself to correct frequency and

the MS can verify that this is the BCCH carrier

Synchronization channel

SCH is broadcast in downlink

Synchronize MS with timing in a particular cell
By listening to SCH the MS can learn about the frame number in this cell and about
BSIC(base station identity code) of the BTS it is attached to ,

Common Control Channels (CCCHs)

Provide paging messages to the MS and a means by which the mobile
can request a signaling channel that it can use to contact the network.
Three types of CCCHs

Paging channel
Random access channel
Access grant channel

Paging channel (PCHs)

Transmitted in downlink direction only

Used by system to send paging messages to the mobiles attached to the cell.
MS listens to PCH at certain time intervals to learn if the network wants to make contact
with it.
Mobile will be paged when ever the network has an incoming call ready for the mobile or
some type of message (SMS,MMS) to deliver to the mobile.
Information transmitted contains paging message and mobile identity number (ISMI,
TMSI).

Random Access channels

Transmitted in uplink direction only

Is used by mobile to respond to a paging message requesting for a signaling channel.
To setup mobile originated calls
Allow to calculate distance of the mobile from the BTS , this measured time delay is then
translated into a timing advance (TA) that is sent to MS.
The use of TA allows any mobile with in cell to transmit information that will arrive at the
BTS in correct synchronization with start of TDMA frame (max cell radius of 35km).

Access grant channels

Transmitted in downlink direction only
Used by network to assign a signaling channel to MS.

Dedicated Control Channels (DCCHs)

Used for specific call setup, handover, measurement, and short message
delivery functions.
Four DCCHs are
Stand alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH)
The Slow associated control channel (SACCH)
Fast associated control channel (FACCH)
Cell broadcast channel (CBCH)

Stand alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH)

Transmitted in both uplink and downlink directions.
Call setup procedure is performed over SDCCH once complete switch to
available traffic channel.

Slow associated control channel (SACCH)

Fast associated control channel (FACCH)

Speech processing
Speech is digitized
and broken up into
20ms segments. It is
then coded to
reduce the bit rate
and to control errors.

Channel Model is created

 Time Slots and TDMA frames

 TDMA Frames

 Time Slots

 GSM Traffic and control bursts

 Mapping of logical channels to physical

channels

Traffic Channels

GSM Identities