DUAL TRANSFER MODE

DUAL TRANSFER MODE

Dual Transfer Mode (DTM) provides mobile users
with simultaneous circuit-switched (CS) voice and
packet-switched (PS) data services.
This means that users can, for example, send and
receive e-mail during an ongoing phone call.
Figure E-mail in dual transfer mode illustrates
how the user A can have a voice call while
downloading e-mail messages.

Figure Real time video sharing in dual transfer mode

illustrates how two DTM users share a video call.

Figure2:Real time video sharing in dual transfer mode

 In dual transfer mode, the mobile station (MS) is simultaneously in dedicated mode
and in packet transfer mode so that the timeslots allocated for each MS are
consecutive and within the same frequency. In dedicated mode, the MS has a CS
connection. In packet transfer mode, the MS has a PS connection. The CS connection
is always a single slot connection, whereas the PS connection can also be a multislot
connection.
The BSC supports only full rate CS connections in dual transfer mode. Simultaneously
obtained packet data rates can be up to 118 kbit/s for EGPRS and 40 kbit/s for
GPRS/CS-4.
Both the CS and PS parts of a DTM call are maintained in the PS territory. A DTM call
starts from an existing CS connection in the CS territory. During the DTM call
establishment, the CS connection is handed over to the PS territory and combined
with the related PS resources.
Dual Transfer Mode uses a native split between the circuit-switched (CS) and packetswitched (PS) parts of the BSC for radio resource management.
The CS connection control in the BSC (CS connection control) handles the following:
speech codec mode selection for the DTM CS connection
handover control

 The packet control unit (PCU) handles the

following:
admission control in the PS territory
channel allocation for both CS and PS
connections
PS territory management

 An MS is in dual transfer mode when it has simultaneous CS and

PS connections. It can enter dual transfer mode only through
dedicated mode. If the MS is in idle mode, it moves to dedicated
mode before entering dual transfer mode. If the MS is in packet
transfer mode, the PS connection is released before the MS moves
to dedicated mode. The PCU or the MS re-establishes the PS
connection as soon as the MS has a CS connection.
If a CS connection is released when the MS is in dual transfer
mode, also the PS connection is released. The PCU or the MS reestablishes the PS connection as soon as the CS channel release
has been completed. If a PS connection is released when the MS is
in dual transfer mode, the MS returns to dedicated mode. The MS
returns to idle mode when it has neither a CS nor a PS connection.
Figure DTM state transitions illustrates how an MS can move from
one mode to another.

 Figure3:DTM state transitions

 In the Nokia Siemens Networks implementation,

the PCU is a part of the BSC. Terminology is used
in the following way:
The BSC refers to the entire network element.
The term is also used when it is not necessary to
distinguish between the CS and PS functionality.
The PCU refers to the unit that manages PS
connections.
The CS connection control in the BSC (CS
connection control) refers to software that
manages CS connections.

 Benefits of Dual Transfer Mode

Mobile users require new services. With DTM, you can
expand your service portfolio to offer users enhanced
services in a GSM/EDGE network. DTM allows you to
provide a wide range of services that demand a
simultaneous CS and PS connection. Mobile users can
use data services, such as file transfer, web browsing,
video sharing, and mobile netmeeting, during a
speech call. This makes it possible to launch services
similar to UMTS class A services also in 2G networks.
In addition, these services can be used to complement
the 3G coverage in places where there is no 3G
network coverage.

 Compliance
DTM complies with the 3GPP standard (Rel5).
For more information, see section 3GPP 43.055
Dual Transfer Mode in Base Station SubSystem
BSS13, Compliance to 3GPP Rel-6 Specifications
of TSG-Geran #33 (February 2007). The
document is available on request via NSN Product
Management.