WELCOME

TO
GSM OVERVIEW
 GSM

GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR

MOBILE
COMMUNICATIONS
 FEATURES OF GSM
 A MOBILE SUBSCRIBER GETS
CONNECTED TO ANY PART OF THE
WORLD IN A FEW SECONDS

 IT USES 890MHZ-915MHZ IN THE

UPLINK (MOBILE TO BASE STATION),
935MHZ TO960 MHZ IN DOWN LINK
(BASE STATION TO MOBILE)
 FEATURES OF GSM
 25MHZ FREQUENCY BAND IS
AVAILABLE IN EACH DIRECTION
FOR COMMUNICATION

 THE USE OF LOW POWER TRANSMITTERS

TO SERVE A SMALL AREA CALLED
A “ CELL ”

 FREQUENCY “REUSE” IS THE MAIN FEATURE

WHICH HELPS IN ACCOMDATING HIGHER
NO OF SUBSCRIBERS.
 RADIO TOWER

MOBILE COMMUNICATION
OBJECTIVES OF GSM
SYSTEM
1. Common Radio Spectrum in all Countries
As a pan-European standard, the European Commission
issued a directive to reserve frequencies in the 900 MHz
band for GSM.

2. Integrated European System with

international Roaming
GSM would allow users to roam between GSM network in
different countries using same phone & phone no.
 3. Create large single market
The GSM standard had the aim of creating a large single market
for mobile telephone network, & for the phones themselves –
promotes open competition & driving down the prices.

4. Increase available cellular radio capacity

The digital GSM technology is at least three times more efficient
in its use of radio spectrum than analog networks & so it can
accommodate at least three times as many users.
5. Standardization of n/w components & n/w
interfaces
Important aspect of the GSM standard was that it standardized the
components of the network & the interfaces between them – this
allow operators to shop around for different components in the
n/w, as there would be no compatibility problem.

6. Better Security Functions.

Being digital & making use of advanced encryption techniques,
means that GSM is very well protected against eavesdropping – a
significant worry of analog cellular n/w.
7.Compatibility with evolution of fixed
digital networks.
A no. of supplementary telephone services were included in
the GSM standard - like call forwarding, charge advice, call
baring, & conference calls.

8. Accommodate new services.

The GSM standard also supports services like SMS, Data
and FAX transmission at speeds up to 9.6kbp/s is available
allowing GSM phone users to link their phones to portable
computers in order to send & receive faxes and data files.
GSM - Characteristics

Technical Characteristics : -

* Radio frequency spectrum of the GSM System are 

- for P- GSM – 900 : 890-915MHz & 935-960MHz
- for E - GSM : 880-915MHz & 925-960MHz
- for R - GSM : 876-915MHz & 921-960MHz
- for GSM – 1800 : 1710-1785MHz & 1805-1880MHz

* Use of FDD (Freq. Division Duplexing), FDMA

(Freq. Divn. Multiple Access) & TDMA (Time
Divn. Multiple Access) techniques
* Digital Cellular System
 Digital Systems Using TDMA, FDMA, and FDD - GSM
Freq. (MHz) FDD
960 0.57 ms
4.6 ms 124 Channels

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 Channel X+1
8 Timeslots
Down-link
TDMA
Channel X
Down-link

FDMA
935
915 45MHz
124 Channels

Channel X+1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 UP-link
8 Timeslots
TDMA Channel X
UP-link

890 Channel Spacing 200 KHz

Time
 GSM Radio Frequency Spectrum : 

1. GSM-900 System Mobile Radio Networks 124 frq. Chls. With a bandwidth of
200KHz – for both UP-Link & Down-Link.
2. The UP-Link ie Mobile station to BTS uses Freqs. between 890 & 915 MHz.
3. The Down-Link ie BTS to Mobile station uses freqs. Between 935 &
960MHz.
4. The Duplex spacing, the spacing between the Up-Link & Down-Link Channel
is 45MHz.
1. GSM-1800 System Mobile Radio Networks 374 frq. Chls. With a bandwidth
of 200KHz – for both UP-Link & Down-Link.
2. The UP-Link ie Mobile station to BTS uses Freqs. between 1710 &
1785MHz.
3. The Down-Link ie BTS to Mobile station uses freqs. Between 1805 &
1880MHz.
4. The Duplex spacing, the spacing between the Up-Link & Down-Link Channel
is 95MHz.
Cellular System Characteristics :

GENERAL : Cellular system allow the subscriber to place &

receive telephone calls over the wire line
telephone network where ever cellular coverage
is provided. Roaming capabilities extended
service to users traveling outside their
“outside” home service area.

Features of Digital Cellular Systems : 

# Small Cells

# Frequency Reuse

# Small, Battery-Powered handsets

# Performance of handovers
Frequency Reuse :

The spectrum for a cellular is limited. As a result the

no. of chls / frqs. For the use are limited. For this
reason each frequency is used simultaneously by
multiple base-mobile pairs. This frq. reuse allows a
much higher subscriber density per MHz of spectrum
than other systems.

Performance of handovers :

In cellular system, continuous coverage is achieved

by executing a “handover” – the seamless transfer of
the call from one base station to another- as the
mobile unit crosses cell boundaries. This requires the
mobile to change frequencies under control of the
cellular network.
 FREQUENCY REUSE

G
F B G
A F B
E C A
D E C
G D
F B
A
E C
D 7 – CELL CLUSTER
 3 – Sector Site Site Configuration
Consisting of :

f1, f2 - 3 Cells
- 2 frqs./cell OMNI Site
f3, f4
- 6 TRXs Consisting of :
f5, f6
- 1 Cell
f1, f2, f3, f4
- 4 frqs. / cells
2 – Sector Site
- 4 TRXs
Consisting of :

f2 - 2 Cells
- 1 frq,/Cell
f1
- 2 TRXs

Highway
IMPCS Briefing
 Objectives Of Mobile Communications

 Anytime Anywhere
 Mobility & Roaming
 High capacity & subs. density
 Efficient use of radio spectrum
 Seamless Network Architecture
 Low cost
 Flexibility
 Standard Interfaces
 Innovative Services
 Network
Architecture
OSS

HLR

X25
B SS#7
GSM12.20
MAP
PSTN
T
S ISDN
SS#7
TUP,ISUP
B
T MSC VLR
S BSC SS#7
Data
BSSAP
(BSSMAP, Networks
DTAP) SS#7
ISUP,MAP
B
T
S

Air interface MSC VLR

 GSM Network Elements
MSC Mobile services Switching Centre
VLR Visitor Location Register
HLR Home Location Register
AUC Authentication Centre
EIR Equipment Identity Register
BSC Base Station Controller
BTS Base Transceiver Station
SIM Subscriber Identity Module
VMS Voice Mail System
SMS Short Message Services
OMC Operations and Maintenance Centre
 IMPCS Network Elements

 Network Subsystem (NSS)

 Radio Subsystem (RSS)
 Mobile Stations (MS)
 Intelligent Network System(IN)
 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
 Network Management Centre (NMC)
 NSS Network Elements

 Mobile Switching Centre (MSC)

 Home Location Register (HLR)
 Visitor Location Register (VLR)
 Authentication Centre (AUC)
 Equipment Identity Register
(EIR)
  GSM
 RADIO Tower
SUBSYSTEMS
Base Station Subsystem
IN

WAP
BTS BSC

MOBILE
SUB
EIR PSTN
PSPDN
AUC HLR MSC RABMN
Authentication Location Register MOBILE
sub system NETWORK
 Network and
Switching Subsystem (NSS)
SS7 Signaling

Traffic Path VLR D

C HLR AUC
F
E
Other
EIR A
MSC MSC

(PSTN)
MSC to PSTN usually country
(BSS)
specific Signaling (ISUP)
development
 Mobile Switching Centre (MSC)
A switching Centre in the IMPCS
– Functions as a gateway to
other networks
– Is connected to other MSCs in
the network
– Connects the network elements
of the network Sub System
(NSS) to the network of the
Radio Sub System (RSS)
 Functions of MSC
 Call handling function : Routing, and Signaling
 Radio resource management and RSS Signaling
protocol management
 Location registration
 Hand-over
 Inter-working functions
 Support the transfer of encryption parameters
 Special security functions like checking the IMEI.
 Control the operation of echo-chancellors.
 Collect billing data and Collect traffic data
 Operation and Maintenance
 Home Location Register (HLR)
 Contains the permanent subscriber
description Parameters i.e.
– Subscriber identity,
– Subscribed Services: Basic-services
and Supplementary-services
– Mobile subscriber ISDN number
(MSISDN)
– Location of the subscriber .
– International mobile subscriber
identity (IMSI)
– Routing information (e.g. Mobile
station Roaming Number MSRN)
 Functions Of HLR
cont.

– Service restrictions (e.g. roaming

restrictions)
– Administrative software for database
management
– Traffic measurement
– Any other information needed for
management of mobile station.
– Temporary location of a subscriber
 Visitor Location Register
(VLR)

 Database and a part of MSC

 Contains information about all mobile
subscribers currently active in its
service area.
 Stores temporary data of subscribers
roaming in its MSC area.
 Functions Of VLR
 Organization of the subscriber data
 Management and allocation of numbers and
identities e.g. MSRN (Mobile Subscriber
Roaming Number), TMSI (Temporary Mobile
Subscriber Identity Number)
 Call handling functions
 Handling of supplementary services
 Short message service handling
 Location registration
 Support of encryption
 Hand-over
 IMSI detach/attach operation
 Information Stored in VLR
VLR store the following information:
 The IMSI
 The Mobile Station International ISDN number
 The Mobile Station roaming number, if allocated at
location updating.
 The Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity, if
applicable.
 The location area where the mobile station has been
registered.
 Supplementary service parameters.
 Any other information needed for management of
mobile station.
 Technical characteristics of the mobile equipment
 Authentication Centre AUC
 Contains all information related to security and
authentication.
 The ciphering keys / algorithm.
 protects against unauthorized access and
ciphering of the communication.
 functions:
– Security related functions e.g. generation and
management of authentication keys like,
– Storing the specific algorithms etc.
– Call handling functions
– Subscriber database, triplet’s table, key
database etc.
– Administration software
 Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
 Database of the MS types and equipment
identities
 functions:
– Management of IMEI
– Check the category of a mobile equipment
i.e
is it authorized,
to be supervised
to be barred.
– Updating of other network equipment.
 Operations and Maintenance Centre OMC
 The centralized operation of the system /
maintain the subsystems.
 Dynamic monitoring/ controlling the network
 Separate OMC-S and OMC-R for NSS and
RSS
 Based on the GSM specifications,
* series 12, for operations and maintenance,
* series 08 for the relevant RSS layer 3
specifications,
* TMN principles as per ITU-T M3010.
The general philosophy based on ITU-T M.20.
 Functions Of OMC

 O&M functions
– Configuration management
– Status report handling
– Fault report and alarm handling
– Performance
supervision/management
– Storage of system software and data
– Security management.
 Network Management Centre (NMC)

 Centralizedcontrol of the GSM network

linked to various OMC's.

 globalview of the network operations

and traffic flow for the management of
the network.

 Thegeneral philosophy based on ITU--

-T Recommendation M.3010 (1992).
 Functions Of NMC

 Functions:
– Network configurations/re-
configurations, including
neighboring cell's descriptions
– Network performance analysis
– High level problem display
– Overall networking supervision
– Administration support
– Trouble ticketing
 RADIO SUB SYSTEM (RSS)

MSC/VLR

BSC BSC

BSC
RSS

n BTS n BTS
 GSM Network Topology

MSC/VLR MSC/VLR

BSC BSC
BSC BSC
BSC

n BTS n BTS n BTS n BTS

Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS)

SS7 Signalling

Traffic Path VLR D

C HLR AUC
F
E
Other
EIR A
MSC MSC

(PSTN)
MSC to PSTN usually country specific
(BSS)
Signalling (ISUP)
INTER CONNECTION OF BTS ,BSC AND MSC
BTS BTS BTS BTS

BCF
RouterSTF
A link A bis BTS
BSC
MSC
Um

BTS
MS
BTS
BTS
 BASESTATION TRANSRECEIVER
(BTS)
• IT IS A RADIO REPEATER COVERING GEOGROPHICAL
AREA IN THE CELL.

• IS USUALLY LOCATED AT THE CENTER OF THE CELL

• ACTS AS MOBILE INTERFACE BETWEEN MOBILE

STATION AND BASE STATION SUB SYSTEMS

• IT PERFORMS THE FUNCTIONS RELATED TO CHANNEL

CODING / DECODING,
CALL SETUP
MOBILE HLR
SERVICE AREA For MS_MS & PSTN-MS Calls

MS

PSTN

MS TO MS INTERROGATION
MS TO PSTN
PSTN TO MS ON CCS7
 HLR
SERVICE AREA-1 SERVICE AREA-2 SERVICE AREA-3

MSC-1 MSC-2 MSC-3

MS 1A
MS 2A MS

PSTN

MS 1A MS 2A
 HLR
SERVICE AREA-1 SERVICE AREA-2 SERVICE AREA-3

MSC-1 MSC-2
MS 2A MSC-3

MS 1A

PSTN

MS 1A MS 2A in Service Area 1
PSTN MS 2A in Service Area 1
 OPTIMUM ROUTING
HLR
SERVICE AREA-1
SERVICE AREA-2 SERVICE AREA-3

MSC-1 MSC-2 MSC-3

MS 2A

MS 1A

PSTN
MS 1A MS 2A in Service Area 1
PSTN MS 2A in Service Area 1
 BTS
M KAA
S
HLR
PSTN
KAA BSC KAA

TAX MSC
KAA TAX
HYD PSTN

BSC HYD

BTS BTS
GCBL EGD

MS to MS - KAA

M MS-HD to PSTN - KAA M

S MS to MS / PSTN - HD S
FORMULA FOR CALCULATION OF FREQUENCY

UP LINK = 890 + 0.2 * CHL. NO.

Example : For CHL NO. 63 is
890 + 0.2 * 63 = 902.6 MHz

DOWN LINK = 935 + 0.2 * CHL. NO.

Example : For CHL. NO. 63 the Freq is
935 + 0.2 * 63 = 947.6 MHz
 THANKYOU

GSM