GSM BURSTS

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

The Normal Burst:

The normal burst is used to carry data and most signaling. It has a total
length of 156.25 bits, made up of two 57 bit information bits, a 26 bit
training sequence used for equalization, 1 stealing bit for each
information block (used for FACCH), 3 tail bits at each end, and an 8.25
bit guard sequence, as shown in Figure 2. The 156.25 bits are transmitted
in 0.577 ms, giving a gross bit rate of 270.833 kbps.

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

The Normal Burst:

.. This burst carries our conversation in digital form. That's what the
two 57 information, message, or data bits are for. The normal burst also
carries signaling information needed to manage call processing, that is,
data for setting up, maintaining, and then ending a call. What then are
training, tail, stealing, and guard bits? Once again we go step by step

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

The Normal Burst:

a.) Training sequence bits. Used for equalization. Bits which get the
base station and mobile in "tune" with each other. You need some
background. As John will write later on,
b.) Stealing bits. Whereby a bit is stolen from message bits, just
temporarily, to make way for the Fast Associated Channel. It runs in a
blank and burst mode. It transmits during handovers or when the slow
associated channel can't send information quickly enough

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

The Normal Burst:

c.) Tail bits: The tail bits clear the code that has gone before, setting
everything back to 0 or a null state.
d.) Guard bits: Empty time spaces separating data packets to make sure
one burst does not run into another. The guard period allows "the sender
some freedom to shift transmission timing to allow the receiver to receive
aligned bursts." Guard bits, in other words, permit some leeway or slack.

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

Frequency Correction Burst

This is used by the MS to detect a special carrier which transmitted by every BTS
in GSM network. This carrier is called BCCH, acts as a form of beacon as MS will
search for BCCH carriers to detect the presence of GSM network. The FB is also
used by MS as a frequency reference for their internal timebases.
Every bit in FB is set to zero and after GMSK modulation, this results in a pure
sinewave at a frequency around 68 KHz

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

Synchronous Burst
Carries 78 bits of coded data formed into two blocks of 39 bits on either side of a
64bit training sequence. This burst carries details of GSM frame structure and
allows an MS to fully synchronies with BTS, this is the first burst that a MS has to
demodulate.
Welcome to the synchronization burst. What the base station transmits to a mobile
to get in order with the rest of the digital traffic. It exists, not surprisingly, on a
channel called the Synchronization Channel or SCH.

GSM Bursts
There are FOUR different
types of bursts used for
transmission in GSM.
1) The normal burst
2) The "F" or frequency
correction burst
3) The "S" or synchronous
burst
4) The access burst

Access Burst
This consists of a 41bit Training Sequence, followed by a 36-bit information bits.
The Access burst is used by the MS to access the network initially and it is the first
uplink burst that a BTS will have to demodulate from a particular MS, the training
sequence is extended to ease the demodulation process.
The access control burst is only broadcast on the random access channel or
RACH.