GPRS: A new Dimension to Wireless Communication

CS625: Advanced Computer Networks Term Paper Dr. Dheeraj Sanghi CSE, IIT Kanpur

GPRS..
GPRS is a new set of GSM-bearer services that provide packet mode transmission within the GSM network & interconnects with external packet data networks.

Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Need for GPRS & other proposals A commercial perspective Architecture Protocols Inter-Connect Scenarios QoS Some results

Need for GPRS.

Existing Cellular networks have problems:
Data Rates too slow about 9.6 kbps Connections setup too long & complicated Proves expensive for bursty traffic utilization Inefficient resource utilization for bursty traffic No efficient method for packet transfers

Proposed Solutions
CDPD Cellular Digital Packet Data
Used on AMPS, IS95 & IS136 Similar Architecture Slightly poor performance

HSCSD High Speed Circuit Switched Data

Used to improve data rates Circuit Switched & no provision for data packets

SMS Short Messaging Service

Low Capacity Low time performance Loads down the GSM signalling network

What is GPRS A Commercial Perspective

2.5 G GPRS is an overlay network over the GSM Very Little change to GSM infrastructure Provides Data Packet delivery service Standardized by ETSI Direct support for Data Network Better Billing Mechanisms No need to reorganize spectrum

Applications.
Web browsing Email Banking Transactions Stock Market Updates News Weather & Traffic reports

Salient Features A technical Perspective

High Data Rates of about 100 kpbs an order of magnitude higher than GSM The setup time is negligible less than a second Resource utilization as per requirements air interface is assigned temporarily on per-packet basis Hosts can remain always on

GSM Architecture

GPRS Additions

The newcomers.
SGSN Serving GPRS support Node.
Performs packet routing & transfer Mobility management attach/detach & location management Logical Link Management AAA Stores user Profiles of all MS within its purview

The Newcomers continued

GGSN Gateway GPRS support Node
Interface between GPRS backbone & External packet data networks Converts GPRS packets into appropriate Packet Data Protocol & vice-versa It may also perform AAA

Many-2-Many relationship may exist between SGSN & GGSN

Interfaces
Gb Connects BSC with SGSN Gn SGSN SGSN/GGSN (in the same network) Gp SGSN SGSN/GGSN (in different networks) Gf For equipment querying at registering time Gi Connects PLMN with external Packet Data Networks (PDNs) Gr To exchange User profile between HLR & SGSN Gs To exchange Database between SGSN & MSC Gd Interface between SMS & GPRS

About the Backbones

GSNs connected through IP based backbone Data Packets are encapsulated & tunneled using GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) GTP may used TCP or IP based on application requirement Entire GPRS network phase consist of one IP hop Two Backbones:
Intra PLMN connect within the same network & are private IP networks Inter PLMN connects across different networks. Roaming agreement is necessary

PLMN Inter PLMN interconnect are called Border Gateways

GPRS Logical Architecture put together

ISDN/ PSTN Um

BTS BSC

GMSC MSC/VLR
Gs Gb

Gf Gr

EIR AUC HLR

External IP Network

Notebook & GPRS mobile

SGSN
Gn

Traffic & Signaling Signaling BTS - Base Transceiver Station BSC - Base Station Controller MSC - Mobile Switching Centre HLR - Home Location Register SGSN - Serving GPRS Support Node GGSN - Gateway GPRS Support Node PTM-SC - Point-to-Multipoint Service Centre

IP-Backbone Network

GGSN

Gi

External IP Network

PTM-SC

External X.25 Network

GPRS Protocols
Application

IP / X.25 SNDCP LLC RLC MAC GSM RF RLC MAC GSM RF BSSGP
Frame Relay

IP / X.25 SNDCP LLC BSSGP

Frame Relay

GTP UDP/ TCP IP L2 L1

GTP UDP/ TCP IP L2 L1

L1bis

L1bis

MS

Um

BSS (PCU)

Gb

SGSN

Gn

GGSN

Gi

SNDCP
Sub Network Dependent Convergence Protocol Convergence from different protocols to single link supported by LLC Multiplexing different sources onto one link Header Compression Data Compression Fragmentation of large packets

LLC
Logical Link Control Protocol Establishes a link between Mobile station & SGSN It may work either in acknowledged or unacknowledged modes

RLC
Radio Link Control Protocol Protocol Works in Acknowledge mode Using sliding window mechanism for flow control Uses Packet data Traffic Channel (PDTCH) 8 PDTCHs form a Packet Data Channel (PDCH) Each PDCH correspond to one timeslot in GSM TDMA frame

GPRS Channels
PRACH Packet Random Access Channel, uplink, used to initiate uplink transfer PPCH Packet Paging Channel, downlink, BSC uses this to page the MS before downlink transmission PAGCH Packet Access Grant Channel, downlink, resource assignments are sent on this channel PDTCH Packet Data Traffic Channel, up & downlink, used to send data packets PACCH Packet Associated Control Channel, up & downlink, used to convey signalling along with PDTCH

Mobile Station modes

Typical Scenario
BTS BSC MSC

SGSN

GPRS Register

GGSN

PSPDN

User

LAN

Router

IP Interconnect

GPRS Terminals
Class A
Simultaneous (attach & traffic) support for GPRS & GSM.

Class B
Simultaneous (attach but not traffic) support for GPRS & GSM.

Class C
No Simultaneous abilities.

Some QoS Talk

SGSN responsible for QoS. It sets the QoS parameters for entire duration of connection. QoS works only for external network. Within the PLMN, packets are considered equal. Tunneling makes QoS troublesome. RSVP is transparent. Additional RSVP messages used. Parameters Traffic Precedence Class 3 classes. Delay Class 4 classes. Reliability Class 5 classes. Peak Throughput Class 9 classes. Mean Throughput Class 19 classes.

Some results.
GPRS is well suited for TCP/IP as bearer service Highly acceptable web browsing experience Allows a large no. of parallel connections Operator can easily scale up a GPRS system by increasing PDCHs More practical than WAP May be an ideal bearer for WAP

Limitations..
New Terminals required Actual Speeds may vary may come down to about 38.4 kbps Could have an impact on cell capacity 20-30% (48+ bytes) protocol overhead in the headers unacceptable for application sending small packets

Conclusions
GPRS is a part in the transition from 2G to 3G Because of its salient features & implementations over different cellular bearers, over 100 million subscribers of 2G TDMA based technologies will benefit With little cost & major benefits, GPRS provides easy solution to ISPs Will pave the way for UMTS & EDGE

Questions??