Channel Concepts

Chapter 4

This chapter is designed to provide the student with an overview

of the air interface, including physical and logical channels. It
addresses air interface components, their functions, features, and
required specifications.

OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter the student will be able to:

• Describe the difference between a logical and a physical

radio channel
• Describe the content of the different logical channels that are
used
• Describe the different burst formats which are used
• Describe how the logical channels are used in a sample
traffic case
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 4 Channel Concepts

4 Channel Concepts
Table of Contents

Topic Page

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL AND LOGICAL CHANNELS ..........71

LOGICAL CHANNELS ........................................................................72

CONTROL CHANNELS ............................................................................................... 73
TRAFFIC CHANNELS ................................................................................................. 75

BURSTS...............................................................................................76
BURST TYPES ............................................................................................................ 76
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BURSTS AND FRAMES........................................ 77

MAPPING OF LOGICAL CHANNELS ONTO PHYSICAL

CHANNELS..........................................................................................78
CARRIER 0, TIME SLOT 0 .......................................................................................... 78
CARRIER 0, TIME SLOT 1 .......................................................................................... 79
CARRIER 0, TIME SLOT 2-7 AND ALL TIME SLOTS ON OTHER CARRIERS
IN THE SAME CELL .................................................................................................... 79

SAMPLE TRAFFIC CASE: CALL TO AN MS .....................................80

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 4 Channel Concepts

INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL AND LOGICAL CHANNELS

Each timeslot on a TDMA frame is called a physical channel.
Therefore, there are 8 physical channels per carrier frequency in
GSM.

Physical channels can be used to transmit speech, data or

signaling information.

MHz 890 915

TDMA Frame n
TDMA Frame n+1
TDMA Frame n+2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Physical Channel 5

TDMA Frame n+x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Physical Channel 5: 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
TDMA Frame n n+1 n+2 n+x

Logical Channel: TCH TCH FACCH TCH

Figure 4-1 The TDMA channel concept

A physical channel may carry different messages, depending on

the information which is to be sent. These messages are called
logical channels. For example, on one of the physical channels
used for traffic, the traffic itself is transmitted using a Traffic
CHannel (TCH) message, while a handover instruction is
transmitted using a Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)
message.

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LOGICAL CHANNELS
Many types of logical channels exist (see Figure 4-2), each
designed to carry a different message to or from an MS.

All information to and from an MS must be formatted correctly,

so that the receiving device can understand the meaning of
different bits in the message. For example, as seen previously, in
the burst used to carry traffic, some bits represent the speech or
data itself, while others are used as a training sequence.

There are several types of burst. The relationship between bursts

and logical channels is shown in the figure below.

Logical Channels

Control Channels Traffic Channels

BCH and CCCH

(except for RACH)
uses timeslot 0
BCH of C0 downlink
CCCH DCCH SDDCH and SACCH
uses timeslot 1 of C 0
RACH uses on the uplink and
timeslot 0 of C0 downlink Full Rate
on the uplink Half Rate
and EFR

SCH FCCH BCCH PCH AGCH RACH SDCCH SACCH FACCH

Synchronization Frequency Normal Dummy Access

Burst Correction Burst Each Burst is 156.25 bit times
Burst Burst
Burst long and is carried in 1 timeslot

Figure 4-2 Logical channels and bursts

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CONTROL CHANNELS
When an MS is switched on, it searches for a BTS to connect to.
The MS scans the entire frequency band, or, optionally, uses a
list containing the allocated carrier frequencies for this operator.
When the MS finds the strongest carrier, it must then determine
if it is a control channel. It does so by searching for a particular
logical channel called Broadcast Control CHannel (BCCH).

A frequency carrying BCCH contains important information for

an MS, including e.g. the current LA identity, synchronization
information and network identity. Without such information, an
MS cannot work with a network. This information is broadcast
at regular intervals, leading to the term Broadcast CHannel
(BCH) information.

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Frequency Downlink, Transmits a carrier Identifies BCCH carrier by the
Correction point to frequency. carrier frequency and
CHannel multipoint synchronizes with the
(FCCH) frequency.
Synchronization Downlink, Transmits information Synchronizes with the frame
CHannel (SCH) point to about the TDMA frame structure within a particular
multipoint structure in a cell (e.g. cell, and ensures that the
frame number) and the chosen BTS is a GSM BTS -
BTS identity (Base Station BSIC can only be decoded by
Identity Code (BSIC)). an MS if the BTS belongs to a
GSM network.
Broadcast Downlink, Broadcasts some general Receives LAI and will signal to
Control CHannel point to cell information such as the network as part of the
(BCCH) multipoint Location Area Identity Location Updating procedure if
(LAI), maximum output the LAI is different to the one
power allowed in the cell already stored on its SIM. MS
and the identity of BCCH sets its output power level
carriers for neighboring based on the information
cells. received on the BCCH. Also,
the MS stores a list of BCCH
carriers on which it will
perform measurements to assist
in efficient handover.

Table 4-1 Broadcast channels

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When the MS has finished analyzing the information on a BCH,

it then has all the information required to work with a network.
However, if the MS roams to another cell, it must repeat the
process of reading FCCH, SCH and BCCH in the new cell.

If the mobile subscriber then wishes to make or receive a call,

the Common Control CHannels (CCCH) must be used.

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Paging CHannel Downlink, Transmits a paging At certain time intervals the
(PCH) point to message to indicate an MS listens to the PCH. If it
point incoming call or short identifies its own mobile
message. The paging subscriber identity number on
message contains the the PCH, it will respond.
identity number of the
mobile subscriber that the
network wishes to contact.
Random Access Uplink, Receives request from MS Answers paging message on
CHannel point to for a signaling channel (to the RACH by requesting a
(RACH) point be used for call set-up). signaling channel.
Access Grant Downlink, Assigns a signaling Receives signaling channel
CHannel point to channel (SDCCH) to the assignment (SDCCH).
(AGCH) point MS.

Table 4-2 Common Control Channels

At this stage the MS and BSS are ready to begin call set-up
procedures. For this the MS and BSS use Dedicated Control
CHannels (DCCHs).

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Stand alone Uplink and The BTS switches to the The MS switches to the
Dedicated downlink, assigned SDCCH. The call assigned SDCCH.Call set-up is
Control CHannel point to set-up procedure is performed. The MS receives a
(SDCCH) point performed in idle mode. TCH assignment information
The BSC assigns a TCH. (carrier and time slot).
(SDCCH is also used to
transmit text messages).
Cell Broadcast Downlink, Uses this logical channel to MS receives cell broadcast
CHannel point to transmit short message messages.
(CBCH) multipoint service cell broadcast.
Slow Associated Uplink and Instructs the MS the Sends averaged measurements
Control CHannel downlink, transmitting power to use on its own BTS (signal strength
(SACCH) point to and gives instructions on and quality) and neighboring
point timing advance. BTSs (signal strength). The MS
continues to use SACCH for
this purpose during a call.
Fast Associated Uplink and Transmits handover Transmits handover request.
Control CHannel downlink, information.
(FACCH) point to
point

Table 4-3 Dedicated Control Channels

TRAFFIC CHANNELS
Once call set-up procedures have been completed on the control
physical channel, the MS tunes to a traffic physical channel. It
F Did you know? uses the Traffic CHannel (TCH) logical channel. There are two
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LPSURYHWKHVSHHFK • Full rate (TCH): transmits full rate speech (13 kbits/s). A full
TXDOLW\RIIHUHGDFURVV rate TCH occupies one physical channel.
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VWLOOXVHDIXOOUDWH7&+ • Half rate (TCH/2): transmits half rate speech (5.6 kbits/s).
ORJLFDOFKDQQHO Two half rate TCHs can share one physical channel, thus
doubling the capacity of a cell.

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BURSTS

BURST TYPES
There are five burst types. (See in Table 4-4 and Figure 4-3.)

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Normal Used to carry information on
traffic and control channels
Frequency Used for frequency
Correction synchronization of the mobile
Synchronization Used for frame
synchronization of the mobile
Access Used for random and
handover access
Dummy Used when no other channel
requires a burst to be sent and
carries no information
BCCH, • Two blocks of 57 bits each for
PCH, traffic
AGCH,
• Training sequence (26 bits)
SDCCH,
CBCH, • Steal flags (1 bit each) to indicate
SACCH, that FACCH has temporarily stolen
FACCH, 57 bits
TCH
• Tail bits (always 000)
• Guard period: 8.25 bit durations
FCCH • 142 frequency correction bits
• Tail bits
• Guard period: 8.25 bit durations
SCH • Two blocks of 39 bits for TDMA
frame structure information
• 64 synchronization bits
• Tail bits
• Guard period: 8.25 bit durations
RACH • 41 synchronization bits
• 36 bits of access information (e.g.
dialed number)
• Tail bits
• Guard period: 68.25 bit durations.
A longer GP is used because it’s the
first transmission from the mobile -
no timing advance information is
available
• Pattern is identical to normal burst,
but carries no information

Table 4-4 Burst types

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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BURSTS AND FRAMES

The relationship between bursts and frames is shown in the
figure below. There are two types of multiframe:

• 7'0$IUDPHPXOWLIUDPH used to carry TCH, SACCH

and FACCH
• 7'0$IUDPHPXOWLIUDPH used to carry BCCH, CCCH,
SDCCH and SACCH.

1 timeslot = 156.25 bit durations (15/26 ~ 0.577 ms)

( 1 bit duration 48/13 ~ 3.69 micro sec )
Normal burst (NB) TB Encrypted bits flag Training sequence flag Encrypted bits TB GP TB: Tail bits
(Flag is relevant for 3 57 1 26 1 8.25 GP: Guard period
TCH only) 57 3

Frequecy correction TB Fixed bits TB GP

burst (FB) 3 142 3 8.25

Synchronization TB Encrypted bits Synchronization sequence Encrypted bits TB GP

burst (SB) 3 39 64 39 3 8.25

TB Synchronization sequence Encrypted bits TB GP

Access burst (AB) 8 41 36 3 68.25

TB Mixed bits Training sequence Mixed bits TB GP

Dummy burst (DB)
3 58 26 58 3 8.25

Figure 4-3 Bursts and frames

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MAPPING OF LOGICAL CHANNELS ONTO PHYSICAL

CHANNELS
Logical channels are transmitted on physical channels. The
method of placing logical channels on physical channels is
called PDSSLQJWhile most logical channels take only one time
slot to transmit, some take more. If so, the logical channel
information is carried in the same physical channel time slot on
consecutive TDMA frames.

Because logical channels are short, several logical channels can

share the same physical channel, making the use of time slots
more efficient.

The figure below shows the carrier frequencies for a sample cell,
including an additional allocation of a time slot for DCCH
information (due to a high call set-up load in the cell).

Time slot
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Carrier Frequency 0 B,C D T T T T T T

1 T T T T T T T T
Legend:
B: BCH 2 T T T T T T T T
C: CCCH
D: DCCH 3 D T T T T T T T
T: TCH

Figure 4-4 Mapping of control and traffic logical channels to

physical channels

CARRIER 0, TIME SLOT 0

Time slot 0 of the first carrier frequency in a cell is always
reserved for signaling purposes. In this way, when an MS is
determining whether a carrier frequency is a BCCH carrier, it
knows where to look.

On the downlink, BCH and CCCH information is transmitted.

The only logical channel on the uplink is RACH. By having the
uplink free for RACH only, a mobile subscriber can initiate a
call at any time.

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CARRIER 0, TIME SLOT 1

Generally, time slot 1 of the first carrier frequency in a cell is
F Did you know? also reserved for signaling purposes. The only exceptions to this
606WH[WPHVVDJHVDUH are in cells with high or low traffic loads. As can be seen in
WUDQVPLWWHGRQFKDQQHOV Figure 4-4, if there is a high traffic load in a cell, it is possible to
DVVLJQHGIRU'&&+$V assign a third physical channel for the purpose of call set-up
WKHXVHRI606 (using DCCH). This may be any physical channel other than 0
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FRQWUROSK\VLFDO Similarly, if there is a low traffic load in a cell, it is possible to
FKDQQHOV(ULFVVRQ¶V use physical channel 0 on carrier frequency 0 for all signaling
V\VWHPVHQDEOHVWKH information: BCH, CCCH and DCCH. By doing so, physical
DXWRPDWLF channel 1 can be freed up for traffic.
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Eight SDCCHs and 8 SACCHs can all share the same physical
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PHVVDJHWUDIILF channel. This means that 8 calls can be set-up simultaneously on
one physical channel.

CARRIER 0, TIME SLOT 2-7 AND ALL TIME SLOTS ON OTHER

CARRIERS IN THE SAME CELL
All time slots in a cell other than those assigned for signaling
information are used for traffic, i.e. speech or data. Logical
channel TCH is used.

In addition, at regular intervals during a call, an MS transmits to

the BTS measurements it has made about signal strength and
quality. Logical channel SACCH is used for this, replacing one
TCH time slot at a time.

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SAMPLE TRAFFIC CASE: CALL TO AN MS

The following traffic case describes a call to an MS and
highlights the use of some logical channels during the call.

MSC/VLR

TRC

BSC 2
5
3
2 2
4

BTS
6
BTS 5
3
2
4

Figure 4-5 Call to an MS

1. The MSC/VLR knows which LA the MS is located in. A

paging message is sent to the BSCs controlling the LA.
2. The BSCs distribute the paging message to the BTSs in the
desired LA. The BTSs transmit the message over the air
interface using 3&+.
3. When the MS detects a PCH identifying itself, it sends a
request for a signaling channel using 5$&+.
4. The BSC uses $*&+ to inform the MS of the signaling
channel (6'&&+ and 6$&&+) to use.
5. 6'&&+ and 6$&&+ are used for call set-up. A 7&+ is
allocated and the 6'&&+ is released.
6. The MS and BTS switch to the identified 7&+ frequency
and time slot. The MS rings. If the subscriber answers, the
connection is established. During the call, the radio
connection is maintained by information sent and received
by the MS using 6$&&+.

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