GPRS Standards Overview

By

Mohan Palat

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS in a GSM Network

PSTN

MSC

GPRS

Voice
Calls
BSC
BTS

SGSN

GSM

GGSN

Packet
Data
Network

Packet Data
Calls

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Main Concepts

Packet-based transmission

1 to 8 timeslots can allocated on the air interface per

carrier

Timeslots can be shared between active users

Interworking with external IP and X.25 networks

QoS - different QoS levels defined

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Main Concepts - continued

No handovers in GPRS (on the RF interface)

only cell reselection

Uplink and Downlink timeslots allocated independently

1 2 3 4

1 2

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Types of Services
Point to Point

GPRS Network

Point to MultiPoint (PTM)

GPRS Network

Service
Requester

Service
Requester

Requires knowledge of the

location of receivers

Service Requester specifies

Receiver, Geographic Area (for
PTM calls)

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Types of MultiPoint (PTM) Service

PTM - Multicast

PTM - Group Call

Cells
Defined GPRS
Geographic Area(s)

Service
Requester

Service
Requester

Message may be targeted to specific group or

to all subscribers within a geographic area(s)
NOTE: No subscription is required to receive a
PTM-Multicast message

Message transmitted to a specific receiver group messages are transmitted only to cells containing
receiver group members

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Types of PTM Services (cont.)

PTM - IP Multicast
GPRS Network

IP Network

Service
Requester

IP messages are sent between participants

Group can be internal to PLMN or distributed across internet
Messages are compliant with Internet Protocols
GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Data Rates

GPRS Data Rates

Channel Coding Scheme

CS-1
CS-2
CS-3
CS-4

Code Rate
1/2
2/3
3/4
1

Data Rate
9.05 Kbps
13.4 Kbps
15.6 Kbps
21.4 Kbps

- Data Rates are per timeslot

- Maximum of 8 timeslots per carrier (shared among multiple users)

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Data Rate for Mobile Classes

Rate

Timeslots
1

9.05 9.05 18.1 27.15 36.2 45.25 54.3 63.35

72.4

13.4 13.4 26.8 40.2

53.6

67

80.4

93.8

107.2

15.6 15.6 31.2 46.8

62.4

78

93.6 109.2

124.8

21.4 21.4 42.8 64.2

85.6

107

128.4 149.8

171.2

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Backbone Networks

Inter PLMN
Backbone

GGSN

BG
Intra PLMN
Backbone

SGSN

BG
PLMN

SGSN

PLMN
SGSN

GGSN
Intra PLMN
Backbone

SGSN

Every intra-PLMN network is a private IP network

Inter-PLMN networks based on agreements between
operators
GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces

PSTN

Current GSM interfaces

MSC

GPRS

BSC

SGSN

GGSN

Packet
Data
Network

Abis

BTS

GSM

All the GPRS interfaces start with G

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces - Gb

PSTN

GSM

SGSN

MSC
A

BSC
Abis

BTS

GGSN

Packet
Data
Network

GPRS
G
b
Used for both signalling and user data exchange
Based on Frame Relay link protocol
frame relay virtual circuits between BSS & SGSN
data (PDU) field: 1-600 octets in size
Virtual circuits may be multi-hop
network of frame relay switching nodes
Users multiplexed over the Gb link
Access rates can vary over the Gb link

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces - Gs

PSTN

GSM

SGSN

MSC

Gs

GGSN

Packet
Data
Network

GPRS

BSC
Abis

SS7 link between SGSN and MSC

Mainly for signalling (no data flow)

BTS

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces - Gr/Gc

Gc

PSTN

HLR

GSM
MSC

SGSN
Gr

GGSN

Packet
Data
Network

GPRS

BSC
Abis

BTS

SS7 link between SGSN/GGSN and HLR

Signalling link, no user data transfer
Primarily for
lookup of GPRS subscriber info in HLR
GPRS mobile roaming (routing) information

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces - Gn

PSTN

GSM

GGSN

SGSN

MSC
A

BSC
Abis

BTS

G
n

Packet
Data
Network

GPRS

IP network protocol (UDP/IP, TCP/IP)

Used for signalling and data transfer
GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP) operates over IP
User data encapsulated with GTP
May be multi-hop

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces - Gi

PSTN

GSM

SGSN

MSC

Packet
Data
Network

GGSN
Gi

GPRS

BSC
Abis

BTS

IP or X.25 network protocol

Used for both signalling and data transfer
Main interconnection point between GPRS network
and external packet data network

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interfaces - Gp

PSTN

GSM

GPRS
SGSN

MSC
A

BSC

GGSN

Packet
Data
Network

G
p
GGSN
External PLMN

Abis

BTS

IP network protocol
Can be an Inter-PLMN backbone (internet, leased line)
Provides Gn interface + security
Connects to an external GPRS network

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Interfaces - Summary

Other Networks
Voice

Gp
Gi

Echo
MSC
VLR

Gs
A

GGSN
Gn
SGSN

XCDR

GPRS on a
different PLMN

HLR
Gr

Gb
BSC

BTS

BTS

BTS

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Packet Control Unit (PCU)

BTS
PCU

BSC

BTS

BSC

GSN

GSN

PCU

BTS

BSC

(1)

(2)

GSN
PCU

Provides GPRS radio channel control functions

Circuit
switched
GPRS
Sales Training
1999 - Greater China Packet
Network Solutions
Division
switched

(3)

GPRS Mobile Identification

IMSI - same as GSM

(Packet) TMSI local to an SGSN
assigned both by MSC/VLR and SGSN
MSC/VLR uses 00, 01, 10 & SGSN 11 as the two most
significant bits
MS can be allocated 2 TMSIs simultaneously

PDP Address
GPRS Mobile has one or more network layer addresses
can be temporary or permanent (eg, IP address)

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Subsystem Identities

GSN Address
each SGSN and GGSN has an IP Address

GSN Number
SGSN has a number for communication with HLR, etc.

TLLI (Temporary Logical Link Identity)

identifies the logical link between MS and SGSN
used for network layer routing

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

PTM Group Identification

IMGI (International Group Mobile Identity)

defines 2 levels of identification
Service provider
Application Level
IMGI can be stored on SIM Card or on the ME
2 types of IMGIs: HPLMN IMGI or IMGIs that can be
used in multiple PLMNs
IMSI used for authentication
Subscriber Profile:
subscribed services (PTP, PTM-G etc)
subscriber profile (priority, throughput, etc)
GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Mobile Classes

Class A:

Class B:

supports both GPRS and Circuit-Switched (including SMS)

user can make/receive calls on both services simultaneously
mimimum of 1 timeslot available to each type of service
supports both GPRS and Circuit-Switched
only one type of service at a time
can be attached to both services

Class C:

can be only attached to one service at a time

can receive/make calls from default/manually selected
service
GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Mobile Types

Type 1:

Type 2:

Classes 1 through 12
Class 12: 4 consecutive ts receive, transmit on 3rd. ts OR 2
consecutive ts receive and transmit
Classes 13 through 18
Can simultaneously transmit and receive on timeslots
Classes 13 = 3 ts, Class 14 = 4 ts .. Class 18 = 8 ts

Type 3:

Half Duplex, power efficient mode

Classes 19 through 28
Class 19-23 supports ts from 3-8
Classes 24-28 supports ts from 3-8

Difference is the
spacing of PACCH

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Network Interworking

GPRS must interwork with the following external
data networks:
X.25 networks
IP networks
a. users IP address is allocated from a pool of unused IP
addresses upon activation of access to IP network
b. users IP address is permanently allocated

other GPRS PLMNs

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Support in Cells

A cell may or may not support GPRS

Non-GPRS Cells
GPRS Cells

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Tunnelling in GPRS

GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP)

PLMN 1
SGSN

IP
Backbone

PLMN 2
GGSN

Point to Point path through one or more intermediate

nodes
Data Packet

add GPRS Tunnelling Protocol header

contains endpoint identifiers
insert this in a TCP or UDP packet data unit
insert this in an IP packet data unit
GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Anonymous Acess concept

MS does not identify itself (IMSI)

Authentication not required for Anonymous Access
Temporary TLLI assigned to MS

Regular GPRS call: all GPRS activities can be traced to a GPRS

subscriber
Anonymous GPRS call: all GPRS activities can be traced only to
an auxiliary TLLI.
Mobile requests Anonymous Access, and a logical link to SGSN
(TLLI) is established

Examples:

Services where Service Provider pays for the call

Services where user confidentiality is required
GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Half Duplex Mode

Fixed vs Dynamic Allocation

Dynamic: MS must continuously monitor downlink
(USF bits)
Fixed: MS is given specific time to start and stop
transmitting
Fixed Allocation Mode is the Half Duplex Mode of
operation

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Standards

GPRS Standards being done in phases

PHASE 1:

PTP
(TCP/IP, connectionless)
X.25 Support
Network Interfaces
(Gn, Gb, Gr, Gp, Gs, Gi)
Security
Charging Issues
(information to be
collected)
SMS over GPRS
anonymous access

PHASE 2:

PTM-Multicast
PTM-Group Call
Supplementary Services
Additional External Network
Interfaces

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

GPRS Standards Breakdown

02.60
General GPRS Overview

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

03.60
General System
Desc. & Network
Architecture

02.60
LLC
08.64
BSSGP
Gb Interface

03.64
Radio Arch.
Description

04.65
SNDCP

03.61
Point to MultiPoint
Multicast

09.60
Gb Interface

07.60
User
Interworking

03.62
Point to MultiPoint
Group Call

04.61
04.62
PTM-M Services PTM-G Services

09.60
External Network
Interworking

04.60

Plus modifications to existing standards (Stage 3)

Read 03.60 if you have time to read only one document !

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Air Interface - New Channels

PDTCH - Packet Data Traffic Channel

PACCH - Packet Associated Control Channel

Uplink &
Downlink

PBCCH - Packet Broadcast Control Channel

Downlink Only

PCCCH
PAGCH - Packet Access Grant Channel
PPCH - Packet Paging Channel
PNCH - Packet Notification Channel

PRACH - Packet Random Access Channel

Downlink Only

Uplink Only

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Air Interface Timeslot Allocation

Upto 8 timeslots can be allocated for GPRS

maximum one GPRS carrier per cell (initial release)

Air interface timeslot configuration:

GPRS only timeslots

GPRS and Circuit Switched timeslots
Circuit Switched (GSM voice) timeslots

Switchable

TCH

BCCH/CCCH
with GPRS msg
7

BCCH
Carrier

Second
Carrier

BCCH
Carrier

Second
Carrier

BCCH
Carrier

GPRS only
Second
Carrier

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Mobile States and Transitions

IDLE:
- not attached to GPRS
IDLE
- MS, SGSN has no valid
location routing information
STANDBY
GPRS Attach
GPRS Detach - MS can only receive PTM-M
timer
STANDBY
expiry
- MS attached to GPRS network
READY
- MS can receive pages for
incoming data
READY timer expiry
Packet Data - MS can receive CS pages
or
Transmission READY
Force to STANDBY
- MS sends and receives packet
STANDBY
data
- MS remains in this state until it
times out

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Basic Call Processing

MS turns on. MS initiates LOGON procedure with SGSN

GGSN gets location update of MS.

HLR assigns IP address to MS from its static pool of IP addresses

MS goes into standby mode

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Mobile Originated Call

Channel Request on PRACH or RACH

BSS assigns initial resources to MS (Timing Advance, Timeslots)

Data Blocks
Packet Data
Channel

Packet Acknowledge

PACCH Channel

MS goes into STANDBY Mode

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division

Mobile Terminated Call

Paging Request from BSS

Channel Request on PRACH or RACH
BSS assigns initial resources to MS (Timing Advance, Timeslots)
Data Blocks
Packet Data
Channel

Packet Acknowledge

PACCH Channel

MS goes into STANDBY Mode

GPRS Sales Training 1999 - Greater China Network Solutions Division