Internal Use Only

GSM Training Materials for Skill Certificates

(E)GPRS Signaling Flow & Test

Suitable for staff with 1/2 year work experience in ZTE after probation
Issued by GSM Product Support Department

Internal Use Only

Version Introduction
Version

Date

Writer

Assessor

Translator

Amendment Records

V1.0

2009-01-14

Bo Zongjun

Zheng Hao,
Hou Shuai,
Yang Jiazhi,
Gan Wenjun

Wang Hangyan

None

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Course Objectives
To be familiar with common (E)GPRS
signaling flow
To be familiar with (E)GPRS test content
To master (E)GPRS test techniques

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling
Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows
(E)GPRS Field Test
Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

(E)GPRS Signaling Protocol Stack

GPRS Protocol Stack of Data

Transmission Platform

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

( (E)GPRS Signaling Protocol Stack

GPRS Protocol Stack of

Control Platform

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

GSM RF Protocol
Physical layer can be divided into two sub-layers by functionphysical RF
sub-layer and physical link sub-layer:

Physical RF sub-layer is used to modulate the bit stream sent from upper
physical sub-layer and to demodulate the waveform coming from peer layer;

Physical link sub-layer provides information transmission on the physical

channel between MS and network, including: data delimitation, coding, error
detection and correction, on physical medium.

Internal Use Only

A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

RLC/MAC Protocol
RLC/MAC layer is a lower-layer data link layer. The functions for RLC/MAC layer
are as follows:

MAC

1.

4.

Provide effective multiplexing of UL/DL data and control signaling.

Provide contention solution, including conflict detection & recovery, for channel
access initiated by MS.
Provide access scheduling, including the PS queuing, for the channel access
terminated by MS.
Priority processing.

RLC

1.

Provide interface primitives for transmitting LLC-PDU between LLC and MAC.
Segment LLC-PDU and reorganize it into RLC data block.
The reverse error correction process for the selective retransmission of incorrect data.

2.
3.

2.
3.

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

LLC Protocol
LLC layer, i.e. Logical Link Control (LLC) layer, is used to transmit packet
data between MS and SGSN.

Functions of LLC:
1. Provide one or more logical link connections through DLCI.
2. Sequence control, guaranteeing the sequence of frames on logical link.
3. Check transmission, format and operation errors on logical channels.
4. Recover errors detected.
5. Notification of unrecoverable errors.
6. Flow control.
7.

Encryption

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

SNDCP (Sub-Network Dependent Convergence Protocol )

Functions of SNDCP
1. Multiplex many PDPs;
2. Compress/extract user data and protocol control information ;
3.

Segment N-PDU into LL-PDU or desegment LL-PDU into N-PDU

Relay
The Relay in BSS is used to relay the LLC PDU between Um interface and
Gb interface. The Relay in SGSN is used to relay the PDP PDU between Gb
interface and Gn interface.

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A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

BSSGP (Base Station System GPRS Protocol )

This layer transmits routing-related and QoS-related information between
BSS and SGSN, and does not perform error correction. In BSS, this layer
likes the interface between LLC and RLC/MAC.

NS (Network Service Layer)

Functions of NS:
1.
2.
3.

Provide NS SDU transmission

Provide network congestion indication
Provide status indication, e.g. changes of usable transmission capacity

Internal Use Only

A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

Different Parts of NS Protocol

NSCtrl (Functions of NS Control layer)

Provide NS SDU transmission
Load splitting
NSVC management, including block, unblock, reset, and test.

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.

Functions of SNS (Functions of Sub-network Service)

Provide the access to intermediate transmission network, i.e. NSVL
Transmit data sequentially on NS-VC
Detect and report errors in protocol, and errors such as failure of
intermediate transmission network, equipment fault, and link failure, etc.

Internal Use Only

A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling

GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol)

This protocol supports data and signaling transmission between the supporting nodes of
GPRS backbone network. All PTP PDU PDP need be encapsulated by GTP.

UDP/TCP
TCP carries the GTP PDU that need be supported by reliable data link (e.g. X.25) in
GPRS backbone network; UDP carries the GTP PDU that need not be supported by
reliable data link (e.g. IP). TCP provides flow control and protects GTP PDU from
being lost or damaged. UDP protects GTP PDU from being damaged.

IP
It is a GPRS backbone network protocol applied to router user data and control
signaling. GPRS backbone network was based on IP version 4 protocol initially, and
will use version 6 finally.

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling
Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows
(E)GPRS Field Test
Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Summary of Main Signaling Flows

Categories

Subcategories

Access flow in PIM

TBF Flow

Signaling
Flow

Access flow in PTM

Signaling Flows
One-phase Access on CCCH
Two-phase Access on CCCH
One-phase Access on PCCCH
Two-phase Access on PCCCH
Establishment of DL TBF with UL TBF
Establishment of UL TBF with DL TBF

Access flow (initiated by

Paging flow
network side)
UL RLC acknowledge transmission
TBF transmission &
release flow
DL RLC acknowledge transmission
ATTACH
DEATTACH
GMM flow
Authentication
RAU (intra SGSN/inter SGSN/intra RA)
SM flow

PDP activation
PDP deactivation

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

One-phase Access on
PBCCH
Contention Solution
After receiving UL assignment
message, MS must send three RLC
blocks with TLLI. After receiving
the first RLC data block, network
will respond with PACKET
UPLINK ACK, in which TLLI
received should be set. If the TLLI
in the PACKET UPLINK ACK is
consistent with the one of MS, the
wireless resource for this message
is assigned to the MS. Otherwise,
MS should ignore the message.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Two-phase Access on CCCH

Contention Solution
After receiving the
second PACKET
UPLINK ASSIGN, MS
will compare the TLLI
contained in the message
with the one sent by
itself in PACKET
RESOURCE REQ. If the
two TLLIs are
consistent, the contention
solution is successful.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Uplink TBF Establishment in PTM

Network

MS

Packet Downlink Assignment

RLC/MAC BLOCK

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Downlink TBF Establishment in PTM

Network

MS
Packet Downlink ACK/Nack (Channel Request)
Packet Uplink Assignment
RLC/MAC BLOCK(USF)
RLC DATA BLOCK

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Paging Flows

Network

MS
Packet Paging Request

Packet Channel Request

Packet Immediate Assignment
Packet Paging Response (LLC frame)

PPCH or PCH
PRACH or RACH
PAGCH or AGCH
PACCH

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Uplink Data Transmission

MS

BSS

SGSN

Access and Assignment

PDTCH

Data Block

PDTCH

Data Block

PDTCH

Data Block (last in send window)

PACCH

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack

PDTCH

Data Block

PDTCH

Data Block

PACCH

Packet Uplink Ack/Nack

PACCH
PDTCH
PACCH

Data Block
Data Block (CV=0)
LLC PDU
final Packet Ack/Nack(FAI=1)
Packet Control Ack

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Downlink Data Transmission

MS

AGCH
PACCH
PDTCH
PDTCH
PDTCH
PACCH
PDTCH
PDTCH
PACCH
PDTCH
PACCH
PACCH

Network
Immediate Assignment
Packet Downlink Assignment
Data Block
Data Block
Data Block (polling)
Packet Downlink Ack/Nack
Data Block
Data Block
Packet Downlink Assignment
Data Block
Data Block (last, polling)
final Packet Ack/Nack

SGSN
LLC PDU

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Attach

Flow 1: MS initiates attach

request, if SGSN cannot
identify P-TMISI, New
SGSN will initiate
Identification Request;
Authentication and IMEI
Check are optional;
Flow 2: New SGSN
requests Subscriber data
from HLR; HLR sends back
Subscriber Data Ack and
delete the Subscriber data
on the old SGSN;
Flow 3: United IMSI/GPRS
attach procedure
Flow 4: Finish attach, if PTMSI changes, MS should
respond to Attach Accept.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Detach Signaling Flows

Upper left: Detach initiated by MS

Upper right: Detach initiated by SGSN
Lower left: Detach initiated by MSC

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Signaling Flow of Subscriber Authentication

SGSN sends MS
Authentication
Request
(including
RAND, CKSN,
and encryption
algorithm)

MS sends back
Authentication
Response (SRES)
to finish
authentication
process

If SGSN did not

save the
authentication
triple, it will send
HLR the Send
Authentication
Info message,
which contains
IMSI.

HLR responds with

Send Authentication
Info Ack that
contains
authentication triple.
Each authentication
triple contains
RAND, SRES and
Kc.

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

RAU intra SGSN

MS

BSS

1. Routing Area Update Request

2. Security Functions
3. Routing Area Update Accept
4. Routing Area Update Complete

SGSN

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

RAU inter SGSN

MS

BSS

new SGSN

old SGSN

GGSN

1. Routing Area Update Request

2. SGSN Context Request
2. SGSN Context Response
3. Forward Packets
4. Security Functions
5. Update PDP Context Request
5. Update PDP Context Response
6. Update Location
7. Cancel Location
7. Cancel Location Ack
8. Insert Subscriber Data
8. Insert Subscriber Data Ack
9. Update Location Ack
10. Location Updating Request
10. Location Updating Accept
11. Routing Area Update Accept
12. Routing Area Update Complete

HLR

MSC/VLR

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

Cell Update (RAU intra RA)

1.

1.

RA1

Move from one

cell to another
cell within the
same RAC

BSC

SGSN

1. Send LLC PDU

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

GGSN uses the
PDP Activation Signaling Flow (initiated by MS side)
information
provided by
SGSN to
Including NSAPI,
MS
SGSN
GGSN
confirm the
TI, PDP type,
APN, the required
external PDN,
1. Activate PDP Context Request
QoS, and PDP
allocate
configuration
2. Security Functions
dynamic
options
address, start
3. Create PDP Context Request
charging, and
3. Create PDP Context
define QoS, etc.
Response
Create a TID
4. Activate PDP Context Accept
(IMSI+NSAPI), and
send GGSN Create
Insert NSAPI,
PDP Context Request
GGSN address,
(including PDP type,
dynamic PDP
PDP address, APN, the
address, the
The negotiating QoS, and
negotiating QoS, TID,
negotiating QoS,
the Charging ID
and wireless
selection mode, and
priority.
PDP configuration
options.)

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

PDP Activation Signaling Flow (Initiated by network side)

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Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows

PDP Deactivation Signaling Flow

Initiated by Ms

Initiated by SGSN

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling
Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows
(E)GPRS Field Test
Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Test Purpose

To understand customers true feeling

To collect information unobtainable in OMCR, including:

service model specific to each region;

radio environment specific to each region;

service performance in moving state.

Major technical support in specific areas (e.g. large gathering, sports events)

To handle customers complaints

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Test Items
Categories

CQT

DT

Test Items
ATTACH
PDP
WAP login
WAP refresh
WAP picture & ringtone
download
PING
FTP download
Email upload/download
KJAVA download
WAP login
WAP refresh
WAP picture & ringtone
download
FTP download
EGPRS coverage rate
GPRS coverage rate

Relevant NEs
SGSN
GSN
WAP gateway
WAP gateway
WAP gateway
INTERNET gateway
INTERNET gateway
INTERNET gateway
WAP gateway
WAP gateway
WAP gateway
WAP gateway
INTERNET gateway
CELL
CELL

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention before Test

Test time: As PS service is influenced a lot by the number of users,

different test should be conducted at different time.

Cell reselection: As a result of the inherent defects in GSM system, cell

reselection will inevitably lead to TBF interruption; in CQT, there should
be no more than 4 cell reselections according to CMCC test protocol,
otherwise, the tests for this cell will be invalid.

Traveling speed for the test: CMCC requires that DT should not exceed
40km/h in urban districts, and should not exceed 70km/h on expressway.
In network optimization, the same traveling speed should be adopted in
the comparative tests before and after the optimization.

Test level: PS service needs high C/I value, taking MCS9 as an example,
to reach an ideal rate, C/I should be above 20, and the level should be
above -70dBm.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention about Test Equipment

Except test software, all software that may occupy bandwidth in the test PC
should be disabled;

Change the connection rate of testing handset to 115200 and disable the MMS
Auto Extract function; choose version R97 for GPRS test, and versions above
R97 for EGPRS test;

Points for attention about Modem setting:

Modify Modem
transmission rate to
115200; some mobile
phones need extra
initiation command.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention about Test Equipment

Setting of network connection;

Disable all PPP

functions in
network
connection

Disable
hardware
functions of
the Modem

Choose
correct
Modem

Modify Modem
transmission rate
to 115200

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention in Test

Level: The mean RxLev in CQT should be above -70dBm, the

mean RxLev in DT should be above -80dBm, and should not be
lower than -90dBm.
Maximum TxPower: In PS service, MS does not perform power
control; during the test process, the maximum TxPower should be
33 for GSM network and 30 for GSM1800 network.
Whether to enable frequency-hopping: It is not recommended to
enable frequency-hopping in PS service, and it is recommended to
adopt BCCH frequency in RF frequency-hopping cells.
BEP value: BEP value is specific to EGPRS. These two values are
used to decide which coding rate should be adopted, the maximum
value for CV_BEP and MEAN_BEP is 7/31 respectively, the
average value should be above 6.5/27.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention in Test

Number of channels & coding scheme: In a test, uplink

should occupy a certain number of channels, e.g. CMCC
protocol requires that downlink should occupy 4 channels,
and uplink should occupy 1 channel; the higher level the
encoding mode, the better, and MCS9 encoding mode
should be over 90% during EGPRS test.
Throughput: PS service test involves mainly RLC layer
throughput and APP throughput. RLC layer throughput is
the actual throughput on the Um interface, while APP
throughput is the user data throughput.

Block error rate: Occasional block error occurring under

high-level encoding mode is normal, but if there are
continuous block errors, it needs to pay attention to
wireless quality and hardware.

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Points for Attention in Test

C1/C2: At present, PS
service shares the same
C1/C2 algorithm as CS
service. A comparison
between C2 and RxLev
can display those cells
with unreasonable
reselection parameters.
Conflicts between CS
service and PS service
should be avoided during
the adjustment to
unreasonable parameters.

CRH: In PS service,
CRH in GMM
STANDBY state
works only when an
MS is crossing
routing area and
location area; while
CRH in GMM
READY state
works all the time.

CRO: This
parameter affects
both CS service and
PS service greatly.
As adjustment to
this parameter tends
to cause changes to
cell load and hence
generate side effect,
the adjustment
should be avoided
as much as possible.

PT & PO: These

two parameters can
avoid too fast the
GPRS reselection,
but the step size is
too large, e.g. the
step size is 10dBm
for PT, and 20s for
TO, which should
be paid close
attention to during
adjustment.

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Contents
A Brief Introduction to (E)GPRS Signaling
Main (E)GPRS Signaling Flows
(E)GPRS Field Test
Main (E)GPRS Test Signaling Flow

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(E)GPRS Field Test

Attach &Detach

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(E)GPRS Field Test

PDP active & deactive

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(E)GPRS Field Test

RAU

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(E)GPRS Field Test

FTP & Ping

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