GSM Air Interface

GSM Air Interface

GSM, UMTS & LTE Fundamentals

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

CT81483EN01GLA0 11
GSM Air Interface

Module Objectives

Explain differences between physical and logical channels

List and describe at least nine different types of logical
channels and their functions (including their abbreviations)
Describe the main functions of the transcoder
List three Base Station Controller (BSC) / Base Transceiver
Station (BTS) connections

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

CT81483EN01GLA0 2
GSM Air Interface

GSM frequency allocations

890 MHz 915 MHz 935 MHz 960 MHz

GSM-900 Uplink Downlink

1710 MHz 1785 MHz 1805 MHz 1880 MHz

GSM-1800 Uplink Downlink

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 1 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 7)

In GSM, Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) is used for duplex

transmission. In FDD, frequency resources are allocated to the mobile
communication system. Duplex transmission is enabled in GSM by
using different frequency bands. Therefore, uplink and downlink
communications are separated by frequency.

CT81483EN01GLA0 3
GSM Air Interface

Principle of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

TSL 7

TSL 6

TimeSLot 0
TSL 5
TSL 1
TSL 4
TSL 3 TSL 2 BTS
BTS

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 2 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 9)

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), is a method of sharing a

resource (in this case a radio frequency) between multiple users, by
allocating a specific time (known as a time slot) for each user. In TDMA
systems each user either receives or transmits bursts of information
only in the allocated time slot. These time slots are allocated for speech
only when a user has set up the call. Some timeslots are, however,
used to provide signalling and location updates etc. between calls.

CT81483EN01GLA0 4
GSM Air Interface

Carrier frequency range

GSM 900 GSM 1800

Uplink: 890 - 915 Mhz Uplink: 1710 - 1785 Mhz
Downlink: 935 - 960 Mhz Downlink: 1805 - 1880 Mhz

Carrier pairs (in Mhz) Carrier pairs (in Mhz)

890.0 935.0 1710.0 1805.0
890.2 935.2 1710.2 1805.2
890.4 935.4 1710.4 1805.4
.... .... .... ....
124 carriers 374 carriers
.... .... .... ....
914.8 959.8 1784.8 1879.8
915.0 960.0 1785.0 1880.0
Duplex frequency = 45 Mhz Duplex frequency = 95 Mhz

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 3 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 11)

Note that the uplink refers to a signal flow from the Mobile Station
(MS) to the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) and the downlink refers
to a signal flow from the Base Transceiver Station (BTS) to the
Mobile Station (MS). The simultaneous use of separate uplink and
downlink frequencies enables communication in both the transmit (TX)
and the receive (RX) directions. The radio carrier frequencies are
arranged in pairs and the difference between these two frequencies
(uplink-downlink) is called the duplex frequency. Hence, it can be
seen that for GSM900, duplex frequency is 45 MHz whereas for
GSM1800, duplex frequency is 95MHz.

CT81483EN01GLA0 5
GSM Air Interface

GSM frequency bands

GSM 450
UL: 450,4 457,6 MHz and DL: 460,4 467,6 MHz
GSM 480
UL: 478,8 486 MHz and DL: 488,8 496 MHz
GSM 700
UL: 747 762 MHz and DL: 777 792 MHz
GSM 850
UL: 824 849 MHz and DL: 869 894 MHz
GSM 900 (standard GSM, P-GSM, Primary GSM)
UL: 890 915 MHz and DL: 935 960 MHz
Extended GSM 900 (E-GSM; only in combination with GSM 900)
UL: 880 915 MHz and DL: 925 960 MHz
Railway GSM 900 (R-GSM; in combination with GSM)
UL: 876 980 MHz and DL: 921 925 MHz
GSM 1800 (DCS 1800)
UL: 1710 1785 MHz and DL: 1805 1880 MHz
GSM 1900 (PCS 1900)
UL: 1850 1910MHz and DL: 1930 1990 MHz
Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0
Fig. 4 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 13)

CT81483EN01GLA0 6
GSM Air Interface

Modulation Techniques

Digital signal 0 1 0

Frequency modulation

Amplitude modulation

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 5 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 15)

The transmitter sends a bit value, which is represented by an analogue

electro-magnetic wave. By changing the characteristics of the electro-
magnetic wave, a new bit value is represented. The number of changes
during one second gives the data rate. This also defines the duration of
one bit. In frequency modulation, after the transmission of the first bit,
the transmitter changes the frequency in accordance to the new bit
value.
In amplitude modulation the signal strength (or voltage level) is varied
according to bit value.

CT81483EN01GLA0 7
GSM Air Interface

Phase Modulation
Example: Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK)

Digital signal 1 1

00 phase shift
=> Interpretation

Phase modulation

1800 phase shift

=> Interpretation
duration of one bit duration of one bit

Digital signal 1 0

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 6 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 17)

A new bit value is represented either by a zero degree phase shift or

180 degrees phase shift. The amplitude and the frequency are not
changing.

CT81483EN01GLA0 8
GSM Air Interface

Phase Modulation

Digital signal 0 1 1 0

Phase modulation

3.69s

-900 +900 +900 -900

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 7 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 19)

GSM uses a phase modulation technique over the air interface known
as Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK). In order to understand
how it works, let us take a simple example. In this case, a new bit value
is represented by a plus 90 degrees or 90 degrees phase shift. In
contrast to BPSK, the phase shift does not happen abruptly in the MS.
The phase shift is done gradually over the bit period. By doing so, the
MS causes less inter-frequency interference.
In GMSK, phase transitions are smoothed by filtering data with a
Gaussian curve. This enables smooth phase shifts, keeping the
bandwidth comparably narrow. Thus, a bandwidth of only 200 kHz can
be achieved. The duration of one bit is 3.69 s in GSM.

CT81483EN01GLA0 9
GSM Air Interface

GMSK Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying

Phase changes of +/- 90 degrees for bit changes (new bit

values)
The phase change is done gradually over a small time period,
meaning that:

The change is not as abrupt as in BPSK.

The Mobile Station causes less inter-frequency interference.

In GSM, one bit duration is 3.69 s (0.00000369 seconds).

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

The radio air interface has to cope with many problems, such as
variable signal strength due to the presence of obstacles along the way,
radio frequencies reflecting from buildings, mountains etc. with different
relative time delays and interference from other radio sources.
With such levels of interference, complex equalisation techniques are
required with GMSK.

CT81483EN01GLA0 10
GSM Air Interface

Logistical Problem

8 seats in each vehicle

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 8 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 21)

There are different types of people in the army, soldiers and officers.
These could be referred to as "logical" differences, as they are all
human beings, but their functions are different. In addition, there can be
many different ranks of officers, each one with different responsibilities.
To move them from one place to another, a "physical" connection is
employed, that is, the vehicles and the seats.

CT81483EN01GLA0 11
GSM Air Interface

Number of channels required during call set-up (1)

Channel to transmit information to help the mobile station
to tune into the network.

Channel to transmit synchronisation information.

Channel to transmit information about the network to help

the mobile know about the frequencies being used in its cell
as well as in surrounding cells.

TDMA
TDMA Frame
Frame
Sync.
Sync. BTS
Information
Information

BTS

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 9 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 23)

1. FCCH
2. SCH
3. BCCH

CT81483EN01GLA0 12
GSM Air Interface

Number of channels required during call set-up (2)

Channel to transmit mobile stations request to initiate call set-
up.

Channel to set up a call.

Channel to transmit handover information.

TDMA
TDMA Frame
Frame

Channel
Channel
allocation
allocation
Request
Request
BTS
Traffic
Traffic

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 10 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 25)

4.RACH+AGCH
5.SDCCH
6.FACCH

CT81483EN01GLA0 13
GSM Air Interface

Number of channels required during call set-up (3)

Channel to page the called party.

Channel to transmit measurements.

Conclusion: No channel left for conversation!

Solution: We must send more than one type of information on a

channel by sharing it.

TDMA
TDMA Frame
Frame

Answer
Answer

BTS BTS Paging Traffic

Traffic
Paging

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 11 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 27)

7.PCH
8.SACCH
9. TCH for conversation

CT81483EN01GLA0 14
GSM Air Interface

Logical channels
LOGICAL
LOGICAL
CHANNELS
CHANNELS

COMMON
COMMON DEDICATED
DEDICATED
CHANNELS
CHANNELS CHANNELS
CHANNELS

BROADCAST COMMON DEDICATED TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC
BROADCAST COMMON DEDICATED
CHANNELS CONTROL CONTROL CHANNELS
CHANNELS
CHANNELS CONTROL CONTROL
CHANNELS
CHANNELS CHANNELS
CHANNELS

FCCH
FCCH SCH
SCH BCCH
BCCH SDCCH
SDCCH SACCH
SACCH FACCH
FACCH

PCH
PCH RACH
RACH AGCH
AGCH

TCH/F TCH/H TCH/EFR

TCH/F TCH/H TCH/EFR AMR/FR/HR
AMR/FR/HR

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 12 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 31)

Logical channels comprise of common channels and dedicated

channels. Common channels are those that are used for broadcasting
different information to mobile stations and for setting up signalling
channels between the MSC/VLR and the mobile station.
Over the radio path, different types of signalling channels are used to
facilitate the discussions between the mobile station and the BTS, BSC
and the MSC/VLR. All these signalling channels are called dedicated
control channels.
Traffic channels are also dedicated channels, as each channel is
dedicated to only one user to carry speech or data.

CT81483EN01GLA0 15
GSM Air Interface

Logical channels in TDMA frames

... 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ...
0 FCCH
1 SCH
2 BCCH
3 BCCH 0 TCH/F
4 BCCH 1 TCH/F
51 Frame - Multiframe

26 Frame - Multiframe
5 BCCH 2 TCH/F
3 TCH/F
...

...

...
PCH
...

AGCH 11 TCH/F
. . .

12 SACCH
...

FCCH 13 TCH/F

...

...
...

SCH
24 TCH/F
...

SDCCH 25 IDLE
...

SACCH
...

50 IDLE

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 13 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 33)

The common and dedicated channels are grouped in different

multiframes. The common channels are grouped in a 51 TDMA frame
order, and the dedicated channels are grouped in a 26 TDMA frame
order.

CT81483EN01GLA0 16
GSM Air Interface

Broadcast Channels

Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)

Pure sine wave.
The MS searches for this channels to switch on.
Downlink.
Synchronisation Channel (SCH)
After locking to the frequency the MS synchronises with the
SCH.
The SCH contains the BSIC of the BTS and the TDMA frame
number (used in encryption).
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)
Common information about the BTS:
Used frequencies
Frequency hopping sequence
Channel combination
Paging groups
Surrounding cell information

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Broadcast channels are downlink point-to-multipoint channels. They

contain general information about the network and the broadcasting
cell.

CT81483EN01GLA0 17
GSM Air Interface

Common control channels

Paging Channel (PCH)

Used by BTS to page a mobile.
A downlink channel only.
Random Access Channel (RACH)
Used by the MS to request a dedicated control
channel.
Used for e.g. mobile originated calls.
An uplink channel only.
Access Grant Channel (AGCH)
Used by the BTS to assign a dedicated control
channel.
A downlink channel only.

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Common control channels comprise the second set of logical channels.

They are used to set up a point to point connection.

CT81483EN01GLA0 18
GSM Air Interface

Dedicated channels

Stand Alone Dedicated Control Channel

(SDCCH)
Bi-directional channel.
Used for call set-up procedures, e.g. authentication.
The traffic channel (TCH) is assigned by using SDCCH.
Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)
Associated with SDCCH and TCH.
Measurement reports.
MS power control.
Timing alignment.
Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)
Associated with TCH.
For quick control communication, e.g. handover.
Physically replaces 20 ms of speech, stealing mode

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Dedicated control channels compose the third group of channels. Once

again, there are three dedicated channels. They are used for call set-
up, sending measurement reports and handover. They are all bi-
directional and point to point channels.

CT81483EN01GLA0 19
GSM Air Interface

Traffic channels

Full Rate
Bi-directional channel.
Used for speech or data transmission.
User data bit rate 13 kbit/s.
Half Rate
Bi-directional channel.
Used for speech or data transmission.
User data bit rate 6-7 kbit/s.
Enhanced Full Rate (EFR)
Bi-directional channel.
Used for high quality speech transmission.
User data bit rate 13 kbit/s.

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Traffic channels are logical channels that transfer user speech or data,
which can be either in the form of half rate traffic (5.6 Kbits/s) or full
rate traffic(13 Kbits/s). Another form of traffic channel is the Enhanced
Full Rate (EFR) traffic channel (12.2 Kbits/s). The speech coding in
EFR is still done at 13 Kbits/s, but the coding mechanism is different
than that used for normal full rate traffic. EFR coding gives better
speech quality at the same bit rate than normal full rate. Traffic
channels can transmit both speech and data and are bi-directional
channels.
Adaptive Multi Rate (AMR) is the fourth speech codec defined for the
GSM system. The AMR codec combines the benefits of the EFR and
HR codecs in order to achieve an improved standard of voice quality
and greater capacity. AMR generates improved speech quality in both
half-rate and full-rate modes by varying the balance between speech
and channel coding for the same gross bit-rate. This process, known as
codec mode adaptation, results in improved voice quality throughout the
cell and increases overall coverage.
AMR achieves this goal by dynamically adapting its bit-rate allocation
between speech and channel coding, thereby optimising speech quality
in various radio channel conditions. Depending on the conditions, AMR
dynamically uses either the GSM full rate traffic channel with a gross bit
rate of 22.8 kbps or the GSM half rate traffic channel with a gross bit
rate of 11.4 kbps. A part of this bit rate is used for speech coded bits
and a part for error control.

CT81483EN01GLA0 20
GSM Air Interface

Bursts and time slots in the Air Interface

TDMA
TDMA Time
Time Slot
Slot

... TDMA
TDMA Frame
Frame
...
BTS
BTS

Bursts 2Mbit/s
2Mbit/s to
to BSC
BSC
Bursts from
from Mobile
Mobile Stations
Stations

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 14 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 35)

A burst occupies one TDMA timeslot. In the air interface, a TDMA

timeslot is a time interval of approximately 576.9 s, which corresponds
to the duration of 156.25 bit times. All bursts occupy this period of time,
but the actual arrangement of bits in the burst depends on the burst
type.

CT81483EN01GLA0 21
GSM Air Interface

Multipath propagation

Approx.
17cm

RX sensitivity

BTS
BTS
Fading dips

Inter symbol interference Fading dips caused by

multipath propagation

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 19 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 43)

The signals arriving at the mobile station have been reflected from
various surfaces. Thus a mobile station (and the base transceiver
station) receives the same signal more than once.

CT81483EN01GLA0 22
GSM Air Interface

Speech processing flow

Speech 13kbit/s
Digitising and Channel
source coding coding

22.8kbit/s

Interleaving
and ciphering

22.8kbit/s
Air
Interface 33.8kbit/s
GMSK TDMA burst
modulation formatting

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 20 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 45)

CT81483EN01GLA0 23
GSM Air Interface

Frequency Hopping

F1

F2

F3

F4

Time

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 21 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 47)

With frequency hopping, the frequency on which the information is

transmitted is changed for every burst. Frequency hopping generally
does not significantly improve the performance if there are less than
four frequencies in the cell. Frequency hopping randomizes errors over
multiple user connections. The error correction can thus combat errors
more efficiently since each user will suffer from error during a limited
time.

CT81483EN01GLA0 24
GSM Air Interface

Antenna receiver diversity

Approx. 6m (GSM-900)
Approx. 3m (GSM-1800)

Received signal

Antennas

RX RX

Signal
Processing

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 22 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 49)

In this case, two physically separated antennas receive and process the
same signal. This helps to eliminate fading dips. If a fading dip occurs at
the position of one antenna, the other antenna will still be able to
receive the signal. Since the distance between two antennas is a few
metres, it can only be implemented at the Base Transceiver Station.

CT81483EN01GLA0 25
GSM Air Interface

BTS configurations

f1,f2, f3
BTS
BTS BTS

f1 f2

Omnidirectional BTS f1, f2

2 sectorized BTS

f5, f6 BTS

BTS
BTS

f3, f4

3 sectorized BTS
Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0
Fig. 25 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 55)

If a BTS is configured as one cell it is called an "omnidirectional BTS"

and if it is configured as either two or three cells it is called a
"sectorised BTS".

CT81483EN01GLA0 26
GSM Air Interface

BSC - BTS connections

BSC Point to point connection

BTS

Multi drop chain

BTS BTS BTS

Multi drop loop

BTS BTS BTS

BTS BTS BTS

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 26 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 57)

CT81483EN01GLA0 27
GSM Air Interface

Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)

300 - 3400 Hz A/D-

Converter 64000 bit / sec
Amplitude

o 8000 Hz x 8 Bit/s
o 64,000 Bit/s
o
o o o
o o

o
Time
1 o (8000 samples / second)
125 s o o
8000
o

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 27 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 59)

In PCM 8000 sample values are taken, e.g. one sample value every
125 s.

CT81483EN01GLA0 28
GSM Air Interface

PCM30

TS 0
used for synchronisation
32 time slots and alarms

TS 16
Exchange often used for common Exchange
1 channel signalling 2

125 s time frame

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 28 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 61)

The process of combining several calls on one physical medium is

called multiplexing. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is commonly
used, where 30 speech connections are multiplexed on single physical
media.

CT81483EN01GLA0 29
GSM Air Interface

Transcoder positions

MSC BSC TC BTS

64 kbps 64 kbps 13 kbps

Transcoder is at BTS site

BSC
MSC TC BTS

13 kbps
64 kbps 16 (13+3) kbps 16 (13+3) kbps

Transcoder is at MSC site

Nokia Siemens Networks CT81483EN01GLA0

Fig. 29 (TM5108-02AEN01GLA01 GSM Air Interface and Network Planning, 63)

The hardware that does the conversion from 13 Kbits/s to 64 Kbits/s

and vice versa is called a Transcoder. It can be placed at BTS side or
MSC side. But by using MSC side option, we can reduce a lot of
transmission cost. Therefore in NSN solution, transcoder is placed
towrds the MSc side over A-interface.

CT81483EN01GLA0 30