The GSM technology

GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION

HISTORY
 In 2001 the first commercial launch of 3G was done in Japan. With
3G following services are available :

 Video Conferencing
 online games
 net surfing..
 Network Architecture
1 MSC=16 BSC
HLR

1 BSC=1024 BTS
OSS
PSTN
ISDN

B
T
S

B GMSC
T
S BSC
BSC
A Interface MSC VLR Data
B A-bis Networks
T interface
S

Air interface
MSC VLR
GSM System Architecture
• Mobile Station (MS)
• Mobile Equipment (ME)
• Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
• Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
• Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
• Base Station Controller (BSC)
• Network Switching Subsystem(NSS)
• Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
• Home Location Register (HLR)
• Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• Authentication Center (AUC)
• Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
 Mobile switching centre

• It is included in the GSM system for call-switching. Its overall

purpose is the same as that of any telephone exchange.

The functions carried out by the MSC are listed below:

• Call Processing
Includes control of data/voice call setup, inter-BSS and inter-
MSC handovers and control of mobility management (subscriber
validation and location).
• Operations and Maintenance Support
Includes database management, traffic metering and
measurement, and a man–machine interface.
• Internetwork Interworking
Manages the interface between the GSM network and the PSTN.

When the MSC provides the interface with the other networks
in the
GSM network it is known as a Gateway MSC.
 Home location register

Reference database for

subscriber parameters.
 Subscriber ID (IMSI &
MSISDN).
 Current location of
subscriber.
 Subscriber status
(registered/unregistered
)
 Authentication key and
AUC functionality.
 Mobile subscriber
roaming number.
 Visitor location register

 Itprovides local database for

the subscribers wherever
they are physically located
within a PLMN, this may or
may not be the “home”
system. It is a local database
and contains copy of most of
the data stored in HLR.
It contains:
 Mobile status
(busy/free/no answer)
 Location area identity(LAI)
 TMSI AND MSRN .
 Authentication centre

• It provides authentication and

encryption parameters for verification
of subscriber identity.
• It ensures confidentiality of each cell.
• It protects network operators from
frauds in today's cellular world.
• It is associated with HLR.
• The authentication process will usually
take place each time the subscriber
“initializes” on
the system.
 EQUIPMENT IDENTITY
REGISTER
• The EIR contains a centralized database for validating the
International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).

• It contains three lists:

• White List
Contains those IMEIs which are known to have been
assigned to valid MS equipment.

• Black List
• Contains IMEIs of MS which have been reported stolen or
which are to be denied service for some other reason.

• Grey List
Contains IMEIs of MS which have problems (for example,
faulty software). These are not, however, sufficiently
significant to warrant a ‘‘black listing”.
base station controller

 It is connected to MSC.
 Controls one or more
BTS.
 Switches traffic and
signaling to/from BTSs
and MSC.
 Connects terrestrial
circuits and channels on
air interface.
 Controls handover
performed by BTS.
 Frequency allocation and
power control.
 Mobile station (MS)

SIM is a removable module that goes

Mobile Equipment Capabilities into mobile set. Each SIM has a unique
Encryption capability number called IMSI number.
Frequency capability Stores user addresses
Short messages service capability. -IMSI
Location updates. - MSISDN
Voice and data recognition. -Temporary addresses for location,
Identified by IMEI no.( International Mobile roaming, etc
Equipment Identity)
 From Speech to Radio Transmission
Blah... Blah... Blah... Blah… Blah… Blah...
Digitizing and
Source Decoding
Source Coding

Channel Coding Channel Decoding

Interleaving De-interleaving

Ciphering Deciphering

Burst Formatting Burst De-formatting

Modulating Demodulating
Gsm network area
Mobile Identification numbers/ mobile identifiers
1. International Mobile Equipment Identity
 Uniquely identifies the mobile equipment.
 A 15 digit hierarchical address assigned to user at time of manufacturing.

2. International Mobile Subscriber Identity

 Uniquely identifies the user (SIM CARD).
 A 15 digit hierarchical address assigned by operator to SIM card upon
subscription .
3.Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number
(MSISDN)

4.TEMPORARY ADDRESS
OUTGOING CALL
1. MS sends dialed number to BSS

2. BSS sends dialed number to

MSC
3,4 MSC checks VLR if MS is
allowed the requested service. If
so, MSC asks BSS to allocate
resources for call.
5 MSC routes the call to GMSC
6 GMSC routes the call to local
exchange of called user
7, 8,
9,10 Answer back(ring back) tone
is routed from called user to MS
via GMSC,MSC,BSS
INCOMING 1. Calling a GSM
subscribers
CALL 2. Forwarding call to
GSMC
3. Signal Setup to HLR
4. 5. Request MSRN from
VLR
6. Forward responsible
MSC to GMSC
7. Forward Call to current
MSC
8. 9. Get current status of
MS
10.11. Paging of MS
12.13. MS answers
14.15. Security checks
16.17. Set up connection
• Handoff

GMSC Handoff is of
3 types
MSC MSC
1. Intra BSC
2 Inter BSC
BSC BSC BSC
3. Inter MSC
Location Update

VLR

BSC MSC

HLR GMSC
BSC MSC
PSTN.
ISDN
VLR
 FUTURE OF GSM
 2nd Generation
 GSM -9.6 Kbps (data rate)
 2.5 Generation ( Future of GSM)
HSCSD (High Speed ckt Switched data)
Data rate : 76.8 Kbps (9.6 x 8 kbps)
GPRS (General Packet Radio service)
Data rate: 14.4 - 115.2 Kbps
EDGE (Enhanced data rate for GSM Evolution)
Data rate: 547.2 Kbps (max)
 3 Generation
WCDMA(Wide band CDMA)
Data rate : 0.348 – 2.0 Mbps
 GSM Specifications
Carrier Separation - 200 kHz

Duplex Distance - 45 MHz

No. of RF Carriers - 124

Access Method - TDMA/FDMA

Modulation Method - GMSK

Transmission Rate - 270.833 Kbps

 GSM FDMA
(Frequency Division Multiple
Access
890 915 935 960
25 MHz 25 MHz

0 1 2 0 1 2

Mobile to Base Base to Mobile

(MHz)
890.2 890.4 890.6 935.2 935.4 935.6
200 kHz
45MHz
200 kHz

Channel layout and frequency bands of operation

 introduction

Global System for Mobile (GSM) is a second generation

cellular standard developed to cater voice services and data
delivery using digital modulation.

GSM Services
TELE SERVICES : Includes mobile phones, emergency calling etc.
DATA SERVICES : Includes SMS (Short message service), fax,
voicemail, electronic mail.

SUPPLYMENTARY SERVICES : I/C & O/G calls, call forwarding,

call hold, call waiting, conference, etc.
 Communication
– mobile, wireless communication, support for voice
and data services
 Total mobility
– international access, chip-card enables use of
access points of different providers.
 Worldwide connectivity
– one number, the network handles every location.
 High capacity
– better frequency efficiency, smaller cells, more
customers per cell.
 High transmission quality
– high audio quality and reliability for wireless,
uninterrupted phone calls at higher speeds (e.g., from
cars, trains).
• Security functions
 SMS & MMS

SMS MMS
rich content including text, graphic,
Text Based Messaging
photos etc.
Proprietary Standard Based upon 3 GPP & WAP standards.
Store & Forward system Store & Forward system
Uses signaling links MMS uses main data channel.

** 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) **

Thanks