Global System for Mobile (GSM)

-Global System for Mobile (GSM) is a second generation cellular system standard that was developed to solve the problems of the first cellular systems in Europe. -GSM is the world's first cellular system to specify digital modulation and network level architectures and services. -GSM's success has exceeded the expectations of virtually everyone, and it is now the world's most popular standard for new cellular radio and personal communications equipment throughout the world.

Global System for Mobile (GSM)

- AS of 2001,there were over 350 million GSM subscribers worldwide . - GSM was first introduced into the European market in 1991. By the end of 1993, several non-European countries in South America, Asia, and Australia had adopted GSM and the technically equivalent offshoot, DCS 1800, which supports Personal Communication Services (PCS) in the 1.8 GHz to 2.0 GHz radio bands recently created by governments throughout the world.

GSM Services
GSM services are classified as 1- teleservices. 2- data services. -Teleservices include standard mobile telephony and mobile originated or base-originated traffic. -Data services include computer-to-computer communication and packet-switched traffic.

GSM Services
User services may be divided into three major categories: 1- Telephone services, including emergency calling and facsimile. 2- Bearer services or data services which are limited to layers 1, 2, and 3 of the open system interconnection (OSI) reference model. Supported services include packet switched protocols and data rates from 300 bps to 9.6 kbps. Data may be transmitted using either a transparent mode (where GSM provides standard channel coding for the user data) or nontransparent mode (where GSM offers special coding efficiencies based on the particular data interface).

GSM Services
3- Supplementary ISDN services, are digital in nature, and include call diversion, closed user groups, and caller identification, and are not available in analog mobile networks. Supplementary services also include the short messaging service (SMS) which allows GSM subscribers and base stations to transmit alphanumeric pages of limited length (160 7 bit ASCII characters) while simultaneously carrying normal voice traffic. SMS also provides cell broadcast, which allows GSM base stations to repetitively transmit ASCII messages with as many as fifteen 93-character strings in concatenated fashion. SMS may be used for safety and advisory applications, such as the broadcast of highway or weather information to all GSM subscribers within the reception range.

GSM Features
1- one of the most remarkable features of GSM is the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), which is a memory device that stores information such as the subscriber's identification number, the networks and countries where the subscriber is entitled to service, privacy keys, and other user-specific information. A subscriber uses the SIM with a 4-digit personal ID number to activate service from any GSM phone. SlM's are available as smart cards (credit card sized cards that may be inserted into any GSM phone) or plug-in modules, which are less convenient than the SIM cards but are nonetheless removable and portable. Without a SIM installed, all GSM mobiles are identical and nonoperational. It is the SIM that gives GSM subscriber units their identity.

GSM Features
2-A second remarkable feature of GSM is the on-the-air privacy which is provided by the system. Unlike analog FM cellular phone systems which can be readily monitored, it is virtually impossible to eavesdrop on a GSM radio transmission. The privacy is made possible by encrypting the digital bit stream sent by a GSM transmitter, according to a specific secret cryptographic key that is known only to the cellular carrier. This key changes with time for each user. Every carrier and GSM equipment manufacturer must sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before developing GSM equipment or deploying a GSM system. The MoU is an international agreement which allows the sharing of cryptographic algorithms and other proprietary information between countries and carriers.

GSM System Architecture

The GSM system architecture consists of three major interconnected subsystems that interact between themselves and with the users through certain network interfaces. The subsystems are 1- Base Station Subsystem (BSS). 2- Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS). 3- Operation Support Subsystem (OSS). The Mobile Station (MS) is also a subsystem, but is usually considered to be part of the BSS for architecture purposes. Equipment and services are designed within GSM to support one or more of these specific subsystems.

GSM System Architecture

- The BSS, also known as the radio subsystem, provides and manages radio transmission paths between the mobile stations and the Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The BSS also manages the radio interface between the mobile stations and all other subsystems of GSM. Each BSS consists of many Base Station Controllers (BSCs) which connect the MS to the NSS via the MSCs. - The NSS manages the switching functions of the system and allows the MSCs to communicate with other networks such as the PSTN and ISDN.

GSM System Architecture

- The OSS supports the operation and maintenance of GSM and allows system engineers to monitor, diagnose, and troubleshoot all aspects of the GSM system. This subsystem interacts with the other GSM subsystems, and is provided solely for the staff of the GSM operating company which provides service facilities for the network.

GSM System Architecture

GSM System Architecture

- The BSCs are physically connected via dedicated/leased
lines or microwave link to the MSC. The interface between a BSC and a MSC is called the A interface, which is standardized within GSM. The A interface uses an SS7 protocol called the Signaling Correction Control Part (SCCP) which supports communication between the MSC and the BSS, as well as network messages between the individual subscribers and the MSC. The A interface allows a service provider to use base stations and switching equipment made by different manufacturers.

GSM System Architecture

GSM System Architecture

- The NSS handles the switching of GSM calls between external networks and the BSCs in the radio subsystem and is also responsible for managing and providing external access to several customer databases. The MSC is the central unit in the NSS and controls the traffic among all of the BSCs. - In the NSS, there are three different databases called the Home Location Register (HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR), and the Authentication Center (AUC).

GSM System Architecture

- The HLR is a database which contains subscriber information and location information for each user who resides in the same city as the MSC. Each subscriber in a particular GSM market is assigned a unique International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and this number is used to identify each home user. - The VLR is a database which temporarily stores the IMSI and customer information for each roaming subscriber who is visiting the coverage area of a particular MSC. Once a roaming mobile is logged in the VLR, the MSC sends the necessary information to the visiting subscriber's HLR so that calls to the roaming mobile can be appropriately routed over the PSTN by the roaming user's HLR.

GSM System Architecture

- The Authentication Center is a strongly protected database which handles the authentication and encryption keys for every single subscriber in the HLR and VLR. The Authentication Center contains a register called the Equipment Identity Register (EIR) which indentifies stolen or fraudulently altered phones that transmit identity data that does not match with information contained in either the HLR or VLR.

GSM System Architecture

The OSS supports one or several Operation Maintenance Centers (OMC) which are used to monitor and maintain the performance of each MS, BS, BSC, and MSC within a GSM system. The OSS has three main functions, which are 1) to maintain all telecommunications hardware and network operations with a particular market, 2) manage all charging and billing procedures, and 3) manage all mobile equipment in the system. Within each GSM system, an OMC is dedicated to each of these tasks and has provisions for adjusting all base station parameters and billing procedures, as well as for providing system operators with the ability to determine the performance and integrity of each piece of subscriber equipment in the system.