General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) A new Dimension to Wireless Communication

Contents
Introduction Need for GPRS Salient Features of GPRS Architecture of GSM and GPRS Bearer and Supplementary Services Mobility Management PDP context SGPRS Conclusion
2

Introduction
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service): GPRS is a new bearer service for GSM that greatly improves and simplifies wireless access to packet data networks, e.g. to the Internet. Applies a packet radio principle to transfer user data packets in an efficient way between GSM mobile stations and external packet data networks.
3

Need for GPRS.

Existing Cellular networks have problems:

Data Rates too slow about 9.6 kbps. Connections setup too long & complicated. Proves expensive for bursty traffic utilization. Inefficient resource utilization for bursty traffic.

Comparison (Packet-switched vs Circuit Switched)

Packet-switched Circuit-switched

High bit rates Shared bandwidth Variable access times Friendly bill (based on volume)

Low bit rates Reserved bandwidth Fixed access time Unfriendly bill (based on duration)

Salient Features of GPRS

High Data Rates of about 100 kpbs an order of magnitude higher than GSM. The setup time is negligible less than a second. Improved utilization of the radio resources. User can be online over a long period of time but will be billed based on the transmitted data volume.
6

GSM Architecture

GPRS Architecture

GPRS Architecture - Components

1.Terminal Equipment 2.BTS 3.BSC New terminal equipment required to access GPRS services. A software upgrade is required. Requires s/w upgrade and installation of new h/w- Packet Control Unit.

4.GPRS Support Nodes Serving GPRS Support node (SGSN) Gateway GPRS Support node (GGSN) 5.Databases (HLR,VLR) Require software upgrades.
9

GPRS Architecture
Mobile Station
Three types of MS:

Class-A: Could be attached to both GPRS and

other GSM services, and the MS supports simultaneous operation of GPRS and other GSM services. Class-B: Could be attached to both GPRS and other GSM services, but the MS can only operate one set of services at a time. Class-C: Could be exclusively attached to one service type at a given time.
10

GPRS Architecture
SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node Responsible for the delivery of data packets from and to the mobile stations within its service area. Its tasks include Packet routing and transfer, Mobility management (attach/detach and location management), Authentication and Charging functions.
11

GPRS Architecture
GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node
Acts as an interface between GPRS backbone network and external packet data networks. Converts the GPRS packets from the SGSN into the appropriate packet data protocol format (e.g., IP or X.25) and sends out on the corresponding packet data network. The GGSN stores the current SGSN address of the user and her profile in its location register. Also performs authentication and charging functions.

12

GPRS Interfaces
Ga - Connects GSN nodes with Charging Gateway. Gb - Connects BSS with SGSN. Gc Connects GGSN and HLR. Gn - SGSN SGSN/GGSN (in the same network) Gp - SGSN SGSN/GGSN (in different networks) Gi - Connects GGSN with external PDNs. Gf - Connects SGSN with EIR. Gr - To exchange User profile between HLR & SGSN. Gs Connects SGSN with MSC/VLR. Gd - Interface between SMS & GPRS.

13

GSM Carrier Frequencies

14

Logical channels in GPRS

15

Bearer and Supplementary Services of GPRS

The bearer services of GPRS offer end-to-end packet switched data transfer. Two different kinds of bearer services :

PTP (Point-to-point) services PTM (Point-to-multipoint) services

Supplementary Services : SMS call, call forwarding unconditional (CFU), call forwarding on mobile subscriber not reachable (CFNRc), and closed user group (CUG) .

16

Mobility Management
Mobility Management States
IDLE unreachable mobile
GPRS Attach
Explicit Detach GPRS Detach

READY reachable mobile

Timer expiry/ Force STANDBY/ Abnormal RLC condition
PDU Transmission /Reception

STANDBY
17

Mobility Management
Mobility Management States (cont.)
IDLE State GPRS MS is unreachable. The MS gets into Ready state performing a GPRS attach. No location update is performed. READY state An MS in ready state informs its SGSN of every movement to a new cell. A timer monitors the ready state and upon its expiry, the MS is put on standby. STANDBY State For Location management of an MS in standby state, a GSM location area is divided into a several routing areas. The SGSN will only be informed when an MS moves to a new RA.

18

Attachment Procedure

Before a mobile station can use GPRS services, it must register with an SGSN of the GPRS network. The network checks if the user is authorized, copies the user profile from the HLR to the SGSN, and assigns a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) to the user.

19

Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Session

To

exchange data packets with external PDNs after a successful GPRS attach, a MS must apply for one or more addresses used in the PDN. A PDP context activation procedure is initiated for each required PDP session. With an active PDP context, the MS is visible to the external PDN. The allocation of the PDP address can be static or dynamic. An MS can have more than one PDP context.
20

Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Content

A

PDP (Packet Data Protocol) contains:

The type of network PDP used (X.25, IP...). PDP Addresses of the terminal. IP Addresses of the SGSN where the subscriber is localized. The access point to the service network used (NSAPI). The quality of service.

21

PDP context Activation

MS SGSN GGSN

Activate PDP Context Request PDP type,PDP Address QoS Requested,Access Point,

Create PDP Context Request PDP type,PDP Address, IMSI, QoS Negotiated,Access Point, MS Activate PDP Context Accept PDP type,PDP Address QoS Negotiated, Create PDP Context Response PDP type,QoS Negotiated,

22

PDP context Deactivation

MS SGSN GGSN

MS DEACTIVATE PDP CONTEXT REQUEST(NSAPI)

GTP DELETE PDP CONTEXT REQUEST (NSAPI,IMSI) GTP DELETE PDP CONTEXT RESPONSE

MS DEACTIVATE PDP CONTEXT ACCEPT(NSAPI)

23

Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Session

An MS with two PDP contexts Active

24

SGPRS
SGPRS - GPRS simulator for SGSN. - a tool that allows creation of automated test
suites to be run during system/regression testing of the GGSN. GPRS System Test Simulator

25

SGPRS contd..
The simulator will have interfaces connected to the GGSN (may connect to multiple GGSNs), simulating the SGSN, CG and GTP-MAP convertor entities in the network. The simulator will run on IOS. The SGSNs will send/receive GTP messages over UDP/IP over media-independent network to the GGSN. The user will use the CLI to send specific messages from a particular SGSN/CG to the GGSN to activate PDP contexts, send traffic over these sessions, handover between SGSNs, deactivate sessions, etc. Responses from the GGSN will be validated, and messages displayed on the router console to indicate their arrival. A database of PDP contexts will be stored in the simulator and statistics per context may be examined by the user.
26

Conclusions
GPRS is a part in the transition from 2G to 3G. Because of its salient features and implementations over different cellular bearers, over 100 million subscribers of 2G TDMA based technologies will benefit. With little cost & major benefits, GPRS provides easy solution to ISPs.
27

Thank you!!!

28