GSM Channel Types
There are two types of GSM logical channels, called traffic channel (TCH) and control cahnnel
(CCH). Traffic channels carry digitally encoded user speech or user data and control channels carry
signalling and synchronizing commands between the base station and the mobile station. Control
channels are also called signalling channels.
GSM divides up each ARFCN into 8 time slots. These 8 timeslots are further broken up into logical
channels. Logical channels can be thought of as just different types of data that is transmitted
only on certain frames in a certain timeslot. Different time slots will carry different logical
channels, depending on the structure the BSS uses. There are two main categories of logical
channels in GSM:
1. Signaling/Control Channels
2. Traffic Channels (TCH)
Signaling/Control Channels
These are the main types of signaling Channels:
Broadcast Channels (BCH) - Transmitted by the BTS to the MS. This channel carries system
parameters needed to identify the network, synchronize time and frequency with the network,
and gain access to the network.
Common Control Channels (CCH) - Used for signaling between the BTS and the MS and to request
and grant access to the network.
Standalone Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCH) - Used for call setup
Associated Control Channels (ACCH) - Used for signaling associated with calls and call-setup. An
ACCH is always allocated in conjunction with a TCH or a SDCCH.
The above categories can be divided into the following logical channels:
Broadcast Channels (BCH)
1. Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)
2. Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)
3. Synchronization Channel (SCH)
4. Cell Broadcast Channel (CBCH)
Common Control Channels (CCCH)
1. Paging Channel (PCH)
2. Random Access Channel (RACH)
3. Access Grant Channel (AGCH)
Standalone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH)
1. Associated Control Channel (ACCH)
2. Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)
3. Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)
Broadcast Channels (BCH) Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) - DOWNLINK - This channel
contains system parameters needed to identify the network and gain access to the network.
These parameters include the Location Area Code (LAC), the Mobile Network Code (MNC), the
frequencies of neighboring cells, and access parameters.
Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH) - DOWNLINK - This channel is used by the MS as a
frequency reference. This channel contains frequency correction bursts.
Synchronization Channel (SCH) - DOWNLINK - This channel is used by the MS to learn the Base
Station Information Code (BSIC) as well as the TDMA frame number (FN). This lets the MS know
what TDMA frame they are on within the hyper-frame.
Cell Broadcast Channel (CBCH) - DOWNLINK - This channel is not truly its own type of logical
channel. The CBCH is for point-to-omnipoint messages. It is used to broadcast specific information
to network subscribers; such as weather, traffic, sports, stocks, etc. Messages can be of any nature
depending on what service is provided. Messages are normally public service type messages or
announcements. The CBCH isnt allocated a slot for itself, it is assigned to an SDCCH. It only occurs
on the downlink. The CBCH usually occupies the second sub slot of the SDCCH. The mobile will
not acknowledge any of the messages.
Common Control Channels (CCCH) Paging Channel (PCH) - DOWNLINK - This channel is used to
inform the MS that it has incoming traffic. The traffic could be a voice call, SMS, or some other
form of traffic.
Random Access Channel (RACH) - UPLINK This channel is used by a MS to request an initial
dedicated channel from the BTS. This would be the first transmission made by a MS to access the
network and request radio resources. The MS sends an Access Burst on this channel in order to
request access.
Access Grant Channel (AGCH) - DOWNLINK - This channel is used by a BTS to notify the MS of the
assignment of an initial SDCCH for initial signaling.
Standalone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) - UPLINK/DOWNLINK - This channel is used for
signaling and call setup between the MS and the BTS.
Associated Control Channels (ACCH)
Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH) - UPLINK/DOWNLINK - This channel is used for control
requirements such as handoffs. There is no TS and frame allocation dedicated to a FAACH. The
FAACH is a burst-stealing channel, it steals a Timeslot from a Traffic Channel (TCH).
Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH) - UPLINK/DOWNLINK - This channel is a continuous
stream channel that is used for control and supervisory signals associated with the traffic
channels.
