GSM Fundamentals & RF

What you will learn here?

GSM Network Architecture
GSM channel Architecture
GSM Optimization Steps ( Performance, Drive testing &
Benchmarking)
Parameters Introduction
Case Study

Radio Interface
Another MSC
PSTN
ISDN

BTS
BSC
MS

A-bis

MSC/VLR

HLR/AUC

MS

Um
Page3

OMC

SMC

Multiple Access Methods

Power

Time

Time
Power

Power

FDM
A

Frequency

Time

CDMA

TDMA

Frequency

Frequency

Frequency Reuse Pattern

Three types of frequency reuse patterns
7 Cell reuse pattern
4 cell reuse pattern
3 cell reuse pattern

3 Site Reuse Pattern

c2
c1
b2

c3
a2

b1
b3

a1
a3
Cell Re-use

c1

c2
c3

Channels in GSM Air

interface
Logical Channels

Control Channels

Traffic Channels

TCH = TRAFFIC CHANNEL

Full rate => Used for speech at 13 Kbits/s
or sending data at 9.6 Kbits/s
Half rate => Used for speech at 6.5 Kbits/s
or sending data at 4.8 Kbits/s
Enhanced Full rate => Used for speech at 13
Kbits/s
or sending data at 9.6
Kbits/s but
with almost Land line
quality

Logical
Channel
Type
GSM900 and DCS1800 have the same logical channel category

Logical channel

Dedicated channel
(DCH)

Common channel
(CCH)

Broadcast control channel

(BCH)

FCCH

SCH

Common control channel

(CCCH)

BCCH
PCH
(system information)

AGCH

RACH

Voice channel
(TCH)

Control channel

SDCCH

FACCH

SACCH

Page9

TCH/F

TCH/H

Downlink Logical Channel

Common
Channel

BCCH

FCCH
SCH
BCCH

CCCH

PCH
AGCH

SDCCH

Dedicated
Channel

DCCH

SACCH
FACCH

TCH

TCH/F
TCH/H

Page10

Uplink Logical Channel

RACH

CCCH

SDCCH
SACCH

DCCH

FACCH
TCH/F
TCH/H

Page11

TCH

Common
channel

Dedicated
channel

Use of Logical Channels

Power-on

Search for frequency correction burst

Search for synchronous burst
Listen to the system information

Idle mode

Dedicated mode

Monitor paging message

Page12

SCH
BCCH
PCH

Send access burst

RACH

Allocate signaling channel

AGCH

Set up the call

SDCCH

Allocate voice channel

SDCCH

Conversation

TCH
FACCH

Release the call

Idle mode

FCCH

Network Identity Parameter

CGI

Network identity parameters mainly include cell global identity (CGI)

and base station identity code (BSIC).
CGI=MCC+MNC+LAC+CI

Once MS receives SYS INFO, it decodes the CGI information, and

decides whether it can stay in the cell according to the MCC and MNC
indicated by CGI. At the same time, it judges whether the current
location area is changed, so as to decide whether to execute location
update. During the location update process, MS will report the new
LAI to the network, so that the network can know the LA in which MS
is currently located.

Page13

Mobile Country
Code MCC
Definition
MCC consists of 3 decimal numbers. It
indicates the home country of the mobile
subscriber.

Format
MCC is composed of 3 decimal numbers. The
coding range is decimal 000-999.
Page14

Mobile Network
Code MNC
Definition
MNC is used to uniquely identify a specific
GSM PLMN network in a certain country
(decided by MCC).

Format
MNC is composed of two decimal numbers.
The coding range is decimal 00-99.
Page15

Location Area Code LAC

Definition
To locate the location of MS, the whole area covered by
each GSM PLMN is divided into different location areas.
LAC is used to identify different location areas.

Format
LAI contains LAC, which is composed of two bytes. LAC
adopts hexadecimal coding. The available range is from
0001H to FFFEH. The code 0000H and FFFFH cannot be
used (please refer to specification GSM0303, 0408, and
1111). One location area can contain one or more cells.

Page16

Cell Identity CI
Definition
To uniquely identify each cell in the GSM PLMN,
the network operator needs to allocate one code for
each cell, which is the cell identity (CI). Cell
identity, together with LAI, is used for identity of
each cell in the world. (specification 0303).

Format
CI is composed of 16 bits, The available range is
0~65535.
Page17

Network Identity Parameter BSIC

BSIC=NCC+BCC
In GSM system, each BTS is allocated with a color code, which is
called BSIC. MS can identify two cells with the same BCCH by the
help of BSIC. In network planning, effort should be made to make
sure that BCCH of neighbor cells are different from the serving cells
BCCH to reduce the interference. Practically it is still possible that a
same BCCH is re-used in the surrounding cells. For cells using the
same BCCH in a relevant near distance, their BSIC must be different
so that MS can identify two neighbor cells with same BCCH.

Page18

Network Color Code NCC

Definition
NCC is a part of BSIC. MS uses it to
distinguish adjacent BTS that belong to
different GSM PLMN.

Format
NCC is composed of 3 bits, with the range of 0
to 7.
Page19

BTS Color Code BCC

Definition

BCC is a part of BSIC. For its function,

please refer to above sections.

Format
BCC is composed of 3 bits. The available
range is from 0 to 7.
Page20

Mobile Maximum Range

Range = (Timing advance * bit period *
velocity) / 2
Range = (63 * (3.693 * 10e-6) * (3 * 10e5))
/2
So range is 34.9 Kms.

Example: Impact of PC & DTX

3.50

No Power Control no DTX

Non BCCH RF Hopping 2/2

Non BCCH RF Hopping 2/2 DLPC
3.00

Non BCCH RF Hopping 2/2 DLPC DTX

2.50
DCR (%)

Power Control
Power Control &

2.00

1.50

1.00
1.00000%

2.00000%

3.00000%

100% more speech

traffic with the same
DCR

4.00000%

5.00000%

Effective Frequency Load

6.00000%

7.00000%

r
o
tw
e
N
l
a
e
R

8.00000%

Hopping principles
Call is transmitted through several
frequencies in order to
average the interference (interference
diversity)
minimise the impact of fading (frequency
Frequency
diversity)
RANDOM

CYCLIC

F3
F2
F1
cycle

4 5 6 etc.

TDMA
frame

BB-FH vs. RF-FH

Less HW restrictions
supported by all BTS generations
all antenna combining methods feasible (RTC or AFE)
Minimum number of antennas required
Easy to Implement (switch on)
existing planning tools
the same interferers and frequency plan than with IUO

BB-FH

RF-FH

Limitations with small configurations (<3 TRX) and small BW

hopping may not be possible on both layers (IFH)
DL PC
limited PC range in downlink (mobile AGC problems)
Flexibility
hopping with small configurations and small BW is possible
Maximum FH gain or easy allocation possible
hopping enabled over large number of frequencies
Number of antennas
in large configurations the number of antennas increases if AFE used
HW dependencies
old BTS generations do not support RF-FH
wideband antenna coupling equipment needed (AFEs)

No simple answer, selection on case by case basis

BB Hopping Management
BCCH
BCCHtimeslot,
timeslot,does
doesnot
nothop.
hop.
RTSL-0 RTSL-1 RTSL-2 RTSL-3 RTSL-4 RTSL-5 RTSL-6 RTSL-7

TRX-1

BCCH

f1

TRX-2

f2

TRX-3

f3

TRX-4

f4

Timeslot
Timeslot00ofofTRXs
TRXs2-4
2-4hop
hopover
overMA(f2,f3,f4).
MA(f2,f3,f4).
This
hopping
group
uses
HSN-1
This hopping group uses HSN-1

All
Alltimeslots
timeslots1-7
1-7hop
hopover
overMA(f1,f2,f3,f4).
MA(f1,f2,f3,f4).
This
hopping
group
uses
HSN-2
This hopping group uses HSN-2

Frequency Hopping

Multipath Fading results in variations in signal strength which is known as

Rayleigh Fading.

Rayleigh Fading phenomenon is dependent on path difference and hence

frequency of reception.

A fast moving mobile may not experience severe effect of this fading since
the path difference is continuously changing.

A slow moving mobile ( or a halted mobile ) may experience severe

deterioration in quality.

But, if the frequency of reception is changed when this problem occurs,

could solve it.

The fading phenomenon is fast and almost continuos, this means the
frequency change should also be continuos.

This process of continuously changing frequency is known as Frequency

Hopping.

RF Hopping Management

BCCH
BCCHTRX
TRXdoes
doesnot
nothop.
hop.
RTSL-0RTSL-1RTSL-2RTSL-3 RTSL-4RTSL-5RTSL-6 RTSL-7
TRX-1

BCCH

TRX-2

TRX-3

TRX-4

HSN-1
HSN-1

MAIOs
MAIOsare
aredifferent
different
for
different
TRXs
for different TRXs
within
withinthe
thesame
same
hopping
hoppinggroup
group
->->no
nocollisions.
collisions.

f1

MA1 = {f2, f3, f4,..}

AMR INTRODUCTION

AMR Introduction
AMR (Adaptive Multi Rate) consists of a family of codecs with different
bit-rates operating in GSM FR and HR
The aim is to improve channel (FR/HR) quality by adapting the most
appropriate channel codec based on current radio condition
Codec mode adaptation (link adaptation) is based on received channel
quality in both MS and BTS (the codec adaptation possible each 40ms)
The basic AMR codec mode sets for MS and BTS are provided by BSC
via layer 3 signalling
MS shall support all speech codec modes, although only a set of up to 4
speech codec modes are used during a call
AMR Capacity benefits:

Improved robustness in Full Rate allows tightening of re-use patterns increased spectral efficiency
Operation of Half Rate channels will free available capacity for data traffic reduced blocking

AMR Coverage benefits:

Improved performance at cell edge

AMR Speech Codec

AMR codecs:
8 for Full rate and 6 for Half Rate:
Voice quality

EFR

Robustness

Full Rate Half rate

12.2
10.2
7.95

7.95 (*)
IS 136
7.4
7.4
6.7
6.7
5.9
5.9
5.15
5.15
4.75
4.75

Speech bit rate

(*)

Requires 16 kbit/s TRAU

Not supported by Nokia BSS

AMR Full Rate performance compared to

Full Rate EFR in Clean Speech
MOS (Mean Opinion Score)
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
No Errors

EFR
AMR FR
16 dB C/I

13 dB C/I

10 dB C/I

7 dB C/I

4 dB C/I

AMR Half Rate performance compared to

Full Rate in Clean Speech
MOS (Mean Opinion Score)
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0

FR
AMR HR

1.0
No Errors 19 dB C/I 16 dB C/I 13 dB C/I 10 dB C/I 7 dB C/I 4 dB C/I

Adaptive Multi Rate

Channel cross bit-rate is 22.8 kbit/s in GSM FR/EFR: 13 kbit/s speech

coding and 9.8 kbit/channel coding (HR channel gross bit rate 11.4 kbit/s)
In the AMR case, codec mode can be changed and more error correction
bits can be used whenever channel requires

Channel bit-rate (kbit/s)

25

Channel coding
Speech coding

20
15
10
5
0
FR
12.2

FR
10.2

FR FR 7.4 FR 6.7 FR 5.9 FR

7.95
5.15

FR
4.75

HR HR 7.4 HR 6.7 HR 5.9 HR

7.95
5.15

AMR codec mode

HR
4.75

AMR Codec Modes

Channel Channel
mode
codec

Source coding
bit-rate, speech

Mode

TCH/FR

TCH/HR

Net bitrate, inband

channel

Channel
coding
bit-rate,
speech

Channel
coding
bit-rate, inband

CH0-FS

12.20kbit/s (GSMEFR)

0.10 kbit/s

10.20 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH1-FS

10.20 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

12.20 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH2-FS

7.95 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

14.45 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH3-FS

7.40 kbit/s (IS-641)

0.10 kbit/s

15.00 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH4-FS

6.70 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

15.70 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH5-FS

5.90 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

16.50 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH6-FS

5.15 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

17.25 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH7-FS

4.75 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

17.65 kbit/s

0.30 kbit/s

CH8-HS

7.95 kbit/s (*)

0.10 kbit/s

3.25 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

CH9-HS

7.40 kbit/s (IS-641)

0.10 kbit/s

3.80 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

CH10-HS

6.70 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

4.50 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

CH11-HS

5.90 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

5.30 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

CH12-HS

5.15 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

6.05 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

CH13-HS

4.75 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

6.45 kbit/s

0.10 kbit/s

Table: Channel and speech codec modes for AMR

(*) Requires 16 kbit/s TRAU. Therefore it is not seen as a feasible codec mode and
will not be supported by Nokia.

AMR Link adaptation

Codec mode adaptation

Codec mode changed according

to channel conditions (UL/DL
C/I)

Only up to four codecs can be

used during a call

Goalthe highest MOS (Mean

Opinion Score)

Mode indications inform the

receiver about the currently
applied codec mode

Mode Command informs MS

about the codec mode to be
applied on the uplink

Channel mode adaptation

FR <-> HR changed by
handover (packing and
unpacking)

Based on BTS load (BSC

level) and channel condition
(RxQual)

AMR FR codec mode adaptation

example
C/I

C/I

EFR operation

AMR mode

AMR
Mode

30

25

12.2 kbit/s

AMR
FR

7.95 kbit/s

20

HR

12.2

[dB]

10.2
15

6.70 kbit/s

10

5.90 kbit/s

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

Time[s]

speech
coding

chan.
coding

7.95
7.4

7.4

6.7

6.7

5.9

5.9

5.15

5.15

4.75

4.75

Benefits of AMR 1/2

Speech quality enhancement: AMR maintains good speech quality in
the situation where the connection faces low C/I or low signal level
Capacity and coverage gain: Link level simulation results illustrated
improvement in terms of TCH FER (up to 6dB at 1% FER in C/I)
Signalling channel performance: due to retransmissions schemes used
by these channels the probability of signalling success maintain very
high even for very degraded conditions
Improved BCCH plan: tighter frequency reuse or better quality with
same frequency reuse, potentially releasing frequencies to be used on the
non-BCCH layer. This is applicable when EFR legacy terminals do not
represent a significant portion of the traffic.

Benefits of AMR 2/2

Mixed EFR AMR traffic networks: use more aggressive power control for
AMR mobiles in order to decrease the average interference level in the network.
Due to better error correction capability against the channel errors lower C/I
target can be set for AMR mobiles hence lower PC thresholds can be used.
Therefore, the overall interference decreases in the network (smaller average
transmission power) and thus the quality of the existing EFR connections
increase
HR utilisation increases the hardware capacity of the cell since two half-rate
connections can be allocated to fill only one timeslot.
When compare AMR HR to previous GSM HR codec, it is noticed that AMR
HR obtains remarkable better speech quality

DISCUSSION & QUESTIONS

Frequency Hopping

Frequency Hopping is done in both Uplink and Downlink .

Frequency is changed in every TDMA Frame

Mobile can Hop on maximum 64 frequencies

The sequence of Hopping can be Cyclic or Non-Cyclic

There are 63 Non-Cyclic Hopping sequences possible

Different Hopping sequence can be used in the same cell.

BCH Timeslot can never HOP, but the remaining Timeslots can
very well hop.

Frequency Hopping
Reduction in Average Interference

With Frequency Hopping consistent interference will become bursty.

So even though, both the co-channel cells will be using the same set of ARFCN's for
Hopping, interference will not be continuos.

This is because, GSM cells are not Frame synchronized, and change in frequency is
related to Frame nos.

If same HSN is used in two cells, then either the interference will be nil , or if a phase
correlation exists then it will be continuos.

So the two cells should preferably use different HSN's .

Sectorial cells ( controlled by the same BTS) can use same HSN, since the sectors don't
come up at the same time.

Cells if they are synchronized, can use same HSN, if each cell has an offset of some
TDMA frames.

Offset of TDMA frames is also required to avoid SACCH occurring at the same time in all
synchronized cells, as they kills away the objective of DTX.

Handovers
Hard Handoff
Analog, TDMA and GSM

Break before Make

Soft Handoff
CDMA

Make before Break

Cleaner Handovers
The mobile measures up to 32 adjacent cells for
Signal Strength (RxLevel)
Signal Quality (RxQual)
updated every 480 mS and sends to BTS
Sophisticated Handover based on
RxLevel
Interference
RxQual
Timing Advance
Power Budget

GSM NETWORK ELEMENTS

BSC
OML

i
Ab
s
BTS
BT
S
BTS
BT
S
BTS
BT

BTS
BT
S
BTS
BT

S
BTS
BT
S

OMC
OM

VMSC
VMS

A
BTS
BT
S

TRAU

MSC
MS

BTS
BT
S

AUC
C
AU

HLR
HL

R
VLR
VL
R
BC

B
C

MS

BSC
PSTN

C
EIR
EI
R

SMSC
SMS

GSM Network Components

Mobile Station consists of two parts Mobile Equipment (ME)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
ME
Hardware e.g. Telephone, Fax Machine, Computer.
SIM
Smart Card which plugs into the ME.

Channels On Air Interface

Physical Channel
Logical Channel
Physical Channel
Physical channel is the medium over which the
information is carried.
Logical Channel
Logical channels consists of the information carried over
the Physical Channel.

GSM Channels

Traffic Channel
Traffic Channels

Time is divided into discrete periods called Timeslots

TCH/F
TCH/H
Full rate 22.8kbits/s
Half rate 11.4 kbits/s
TCH carries payload data - speech, fax, data
Connection may be:
- Circuit Switched - voice or data

or

TCH may be:

Full Rate (TCH/F)
- one channel per user
- 13 kb/s voice, 9.6 kb/s data

or

Half Rate (TCH/H)

- one channel shared between two users

- Packet Switched data

Control Channel
Control Channels

BCH ( Broadcast channels )

Downlink only

BCCH
Broadcast
control channel

Synch.
Channels

FCCH

Frequency
Correction channel

SCH
Synchronization
channel

CCCH(Common Control Chan)

Downlink & Uplink

RACH

CBCH

Random
Access Channel

Cell Broadcast
Channel

PCH/
AGCH

Paging/Access grant

DCCH(Dedicated Channels)
Downlink & Uplink

SDCCH

Standalone
dedicated
control channel

FACCH

Fast Associated
Control Channel

ACCH

Associated
Control Channels

SACCH

Slow associated
Control Channel

Broadcast Channels (BCH)

BCH channels are all downlink and are allocated to timeslot zero.
Channels are:
FCCH: Frequency control channel sends the mobile a burst of all 0 bits which
allows it to fine tune to the downlink frequency
SCH: Synchronization channel sends the absolute value of the frame number
(FN), which is the internal clock of the BTS, together with the Base Station Identity
Code (BSIC)
BCCH: Broadcast Control Channel sends radio resource management and control
messages, Location Area Code and so on.
Some messages go to all mobiles, others just to those that are in the idle state

Common Control Channels (CCCH)

CCCH contains all point to multi-point downlink channels (BTS to
several MSs) and the uplink Random Access Channel:
CBCH: Cell Broadcast Channel is an optional channel for general
information such as road traffic reports sent in the form of SMS
PCH: Paging Channel sends paging signal to inform mobile of a call
RACH: Random Access Channel is sent by the MS to request a channel from
the BTS or accept a handover to another BTS.
A channel request is sent in response to a PCH message.
AGCH: Access Grant Channel allocates a dedicated channel (SDCCH) to the
mobile
NCH: Notification Channel informs MS about incoming group or
broadcast calls

Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)

SDCCH( Standalone Dedicated Control Channel )
Uplink and Downlink
Used for call setup, location update and SMS.
SACCH( Slow Associated Control Channel )
Used on Uplink and Downlink only in dedicated mode.
Uplink SACCH messages - Measurement reports.
Downlink SACCH messages - control info.
FACCH( Fast Associated Control Channel )
Uplink and Downlink.
Associated with TCH only.

Call Scenarios
Mobile to Mobile
Intra-city
Inter-city
Mobile to Land
Intra-city
Inter-city
Land to Mobile
Intra-city
Inter-city

Mobile To Land Sequence

MS
1
2
3
4

CHANNEL REQUEST
DCCH ASSIGN

AGCH

REQUEST FOR SERVICE SDCCH

SET-UP

EQUIPMENT ID
REQUEST

CR

CC

AUTHENTICATION
SET CIPHER MODE

MSC

RACH

SIGNALLING LINK
ESTABLISHED

BSS

SDCCH

Call
Info

VLR

HLR

PSTNEIR

Call Contt.
8
9

COMPLELTE CALL

MSSDCCH BSS

CALL PROCEEDING
ASSIGNMENT COMMAND

ASSIGNMENT COMPLELTE
INITIAL & FINAL
ADDRESS (IFAM)
ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE
(ACM)
ALTERING
10
MS HEARS RINGTONE
FROM LAND PHONE

SDCCH

RING TONE
STOPS

VLR HLR PSTN EIR

(circuit)

(channel)
FAACH
(TCH)

FACCH

Hello!

ANSWER(ANS)

11 CONNECT

MS
C

FACCH
FACCH

CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE
TCH

BILLING STARTS

Customer..Expectation

Good coverage where ever he goes

Good quality
No blocking
Value added services

SMS
Voice mail
MMS
Call forward/call waiting
Data/internet at high data rates
prepaid

Basic Network Design Objectives

The basic objectives of a wireless system are:
COVERAGE: provide sufficient cell sites to deliver RF coverage
of the entire desired area.
BUILDING/VEHICLE PENETRATION: deliver sufficient signal
levels to adequately penetrate buildings and vehicles where
appropriate.
TRAFFIC: ensure that no cell captures more traffic than it can
handle at the desired grade of service (i.e., blocking
percentage)
PERFORMANCE: design, construct, and adjust the network to
deliver reliable service free from excessive origination and call
delivery failures, dropped calls, quality impairments, and
service outages.
ECONOMICS: provide return on investment sufficient to support
operating and capital expenses, expand the network to take
advantage of growth opportunities, and retire costs of
construction prior to depreciation of the network equipment.

What is Performance Optimization?

The words performance optimization mean different things to

different people, viewed from the perspective of their own jobs
System Performance Optimization includes many different smaller
processes at many points during a systems life
recognizing and resolving system-design-related issues (cant
build a crucial site, too much overlap/soft handoff, coverage
holes, etc.)
cluster testing and cell integration to ensure that new base
station hardware works and that call processing is normal
fine-tuning system parameters to wring out the best possible
call performance
identifying causes of specific problems and customer
complaints, and fixing them
carefully watching system traffic growth and the problems it
causes - implementing short-term fixes to ease hot spots, and
recognizing problems before they become critical

Optimization
Optimisation is an ongoing process of analysing network performance
against Quality of Service targets:

Performance
Measurements of network performance cover:
Traffic in erlangs
TCH and SDCCH Grade of Service (Congestion)
Call success rate
Handover failure
Coverage area
Coverage quality
Subscriber base and growth
Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are measurable dynamic
parameters that help to target areas of concern

KPIs
Appropriate KPIs to use depend on:
The nature of the network
Data sources available
Measurement tools available
Ability of engineering team
Cost of network infrastructure
Sources of data include:
Surveyed data - from drive tests
Network statistics - from OMC
Field engineer reports

Radio Interface Optimization

Power Control
Diversity
Frequency Hopping
Antenna Parameters ( Height, Azimuth, Tilts )

Antenna Tilts

Antenna Tilts

Benchmarking
Surveyed data from test-mobile measurements can be used to
benchmark system performance against that of a competitor
Problems that may be identified from surveyed data:
Poor coverage
Unexpected interference
Missing handover definitions
Installation problems at BTS
Test-mobile measurements should include:
continuous calls to test coverage
repetitive short calls to test call-success