GSM Architecture

Training Document

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 GSM Architecture

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Copyright © Nokia Networks Oy 2002. All rights reserved.

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 Contents

Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................4

2 Open interfaces of GSM.........................................................................5

2.1 Mobile Station (MS)..................................................................................7

3 Subsystems and network elements in GSM ........................................8

3.1 Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) ......................................................8
3.1.1 Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC) .................................................9
3.1.2 Visitor Location Register (VLR) ................................................................9
3.1.3 Home Location Register (HLR) ..............................................................10
3.1.4 Authentication Centre (AC) ....................................................................10
3.1.5 Equipment Identity Register (EIR)..........................................................10
3.2 Base Station Subsystem (BSS)..............................................................11
3.2.1 Base Station Controller (BSC)................................................................13
3.2.2 Base Transceiver Station (BTS).............................................................14
3.2.3 TC(SM) − Transcoder (SubMultiplexer) .................................................15
3.3 Network Management Subsystem (NMS) ..............................................17

4 Network elements and connections – Nokia implementation..........20

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 GSM Architecture

1 Introduction
A connection between two people − a caller and the called person − is the basic
service of all telephone networks. To provide this service, the network must be
able to set up and maintain a call, which involves a number of tasks: identifying
the called person, determining the location, routing the call, and ensuring that
the connection is sustained as long as the conversation lasts. After the
transaction, the connection is terminated and (normally) the calling user is
charged for the service he has used.
In a fixed telephone network, providing and managing connections is a
relatively easy process, because telephones are connected by wires to the
network and their location is permanent from the networks’ point of view. In a
mobile network, however, the establishment of a call is a far more complex
task, as the wireless (radio) connection enables the users to move at their own
free will − providing they stay within the network's service area. In practice, the
network has to find solutions to three problems before it can even set up a call:

• Where is the
subscriber

• Who is the
subscriber

• What does the

subscriber want

Information about
the subscriber

Figure 1. Information required by a mobile communications network

In other words, the subscriber has to be located and identified to provide

him/her with the requested services. In order to understand how we are able to
serve the subscribers, it is necessary to identify the main interfaces, the
subsystems and network elements in the GSM network, as well as their
functions.

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 Open interfaces of GSM

2 Open interfaces of GSM

One of the main purposes behind the GSM specifications is to define several
open interfaces, which then limit certain parts of the GSM system. Because of
this interface openness, the operator maintaining the network may obtain
different parts of the network from different GSM network suppliers. When an
interface is open, it also strictly defines what is happening through the interface,
and this in turn strictly defines what kind of actions/procedures/functions must
be implemented between the interfaces.
The GSM specifications define two truly open interfaces within the GSM
network. The first one is between the Mobile Station (MS) and the Base Station
(BS). This open-air interface is appropriately named the “air interface”. It is
relatively easy to imagine the need for this interface to be open, as mobile
phones of all different brands must be able to communicate with GSM networks
from all different suppliers.
The second interface is located between the Mobile services Switching Centre,
MSC, (which is the switching exchange in GSM) and the Base Station
Controller (BSC). This interface is called the “A-interface”. These two network
elements will be discussed in greater detail in later chapters. The system
includes more than the two defined interfaces, but they are not totally open, as
the system specifications had not been completed when the commercial systems
were launched.
When operating analogue mobile networks, experience has shown that
centralised intelligence generates excessive load in the system, thus decreasing
the capacity. For this reason, the GSM specification, in principle, provides the
means to distribute intelligence throughout the network. Referring to the
interfaces, the more complicated the interfaces in use, the more intelligence is
required between the interfaces in order to implement all the functions required.
In a GSM network, this decentralised intelligence is implemented by dividing
the whole network into three separate subsystems:
• Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
• Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
• Network Management Subsystem (NMS)
The actual network needed for establishing calls is composed of the NSS and
the BSS. The BSS is responsible for radio path control and every call is
connected through the BSS. The NSS takes care of call control functions. Calls
are always connected by and through the NSS.

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 GSM Architecture

Air A

MS BSS NSS
O&M

NMS

Figure 2. The three subsystems of GSM and their interfaces

The NMS is the operation and maintenance related part of the network and it is
needed for the control of the whole GSM network. The network operator
observes and maintains network quality and service offered through the NMS.
The three subsystems in a GSM network are linked by the air-, A-, and O&M
interfaces as shown in Figure 2.

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 Open interfaces of GSM

2.1 Mobile Station (MS)

The MS (Mobile Station) is a combination of terminal equipment and
subscriber data. The terminal equipment as such is called ME (Mobile
Equipment) and the subscriber's data is stored in a separate module called SIM
(Subscriber Identity Module).
Therefore, ME + SIM = MS.

Figure 3. Inserting a SIM card in a mobile phone

From the user’s point of view, the SIM is certainly the best-known database
used in a GSM network. The SIM is a small memory device mounted on a card
and contains user-specific identification. The SIM card can be taken out of one
mobile equipment and inserted into another. In the GSM network, the SIM card
identifies the user − just like a traveller uses a passport to identify himself.
The SIM card contains the identification numbers of the user and a list of
available networks. The SIM card also contains tools needed for authentication
and ciphering. Depending on the type of the card, there is also storage space for
messages, such as phone numbers. A home operator issues a SIM card when the
user joins the network by making a service subscription. The home operator of
the subscriber can be anywhere in the world, but for practical reasons the
subscriber chooses one of the operators in the country where he/she spends
most of the time.

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3 Subsystems and network elements in

GSM
The GSM network is divided into three subsystems: Network Switching
Subsystem (NSS), Base Station Subsystem (BSS), and Network Management
Subsystem (NMS). The three subsystems, different network elements, and their
respective tasks are presented in the following.

3.1 Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)

The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) contains the network elements MSC,
VLR, HLR, AC and EIR.

AC

EIR HLR

HLR

VLR VLR

GMSC MSC

Figure 4. The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)

The main functions of NSS are:

Call control
This identifies the subscriber, establishes a call, and clears the connection after
the conversation is over.

Charging
This collects the charging information about a call (the numbers of the caller
and the called subscriber, the time and type of the transaction, etc.) and transfers
it to the Billing Centre.

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 Subsystems and network elements in GSM

Mobility management
This maintains information about the subscriber's location.

Signalling
This applies to interfaces with the BSS and PSTN.

Subscriber data handling

This is the permanent data storage in the HLR and temporary storage of relevant
data in the VLR.

3.1.1 Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC)

The MSC is responsible for controlling calls in the mobile network. It identifies
the origin and destination of a call (mobile station or fixed telephone), as well as
the type of a call. An MSC acting as a bridge between a mobile network and a
fixed network is called a Gateway MSC.
The MSC is responsible for several important tasks, such as the following.

Call control
MSC identifies the type of call, the destination, and the origin of a call. It also
sets up, supervises, and clears connections.

Initiation of paging
Paging is the process of locating a particular mobile station in case of a mobile
terminated call (a call to a mobile station).

Charging data collection

(Charging will be covered later in this material.)

3.1.2 Visitor Location Register (VLR)

In the Nokia implementation, Visitor Location Register (VLR) is integrated

with the MSC. VLR is a database which contains information about subscribers
currently being in the service area of the MSC/VLR, such as:
• Identification numbers of the subscribers
• Security information for authentication of the SIM card and for ciphering
• Services that the subscriber can use

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 GSM Architecture

The VLR carries out location registrations and updates. It means that when a
mobile station comes to a new MSC/VLR serving area, it must register itself in
the VLR, in other words perform a location update. Please note that a mobile
subscriber must always be registered in a VLR in order to use the services of the
network. Also the mobile stations located in the own network is always
registered in a VLR.
The VLR database is temporary, in the sense that the data is held as long as the
subscriber is within its service area. It also contains the address to every
subscriber's Home Location Register, which is the next network element to be
discussed.

3.1.3 Home Location Register (HLR)

HLR maintains a permanent register of the subscribers, for instance subscriber

identity numbers and the subscribed services. In addition to the fixed data, the
HLR also keeps track of the current location of its customers. As you will see
later, the MSC asks for routing information from the HLR if a call is to be set
up to a mobile station (mobile terminated call). In the Nokia implementation,
the two network elements, Authentication Centre (AC) and Equipment Identity
Register (EIR), are located in the HLR.

3.1.4 Authentication Centre (AC)

The Authentication Centre provides security information to the network, so that

we can verify the SIM cards (authentication between the mobile station and the
VLR, and cipher the information transmitted in the air interface (between the
MS and the Base Transceiver Station). The Authentication Centre supports the
VLR's work by issuing so-called authentication triplets upon request. Later we
will discuss more about the Authentication Centre's role, and how the
authentication triplets are used.

3.1.5 Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

As for AC, the Equipment Identity Register is used for security reasons. But
while the AC provides information for verifying the SIM cards, the EIR is
responsible for IMEI checking (checking the validity of the mobile equipment).
When performed, the mobile station is requested to provide the International
Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. This number consists of type
approval code, final assembly code and serial number of the mobile station.

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 Subsystems and network elements in GSM

The EIR contains three lists:

• A mobile equipment in the white list is allowed to operate normally.
• If we suspect that a mobile equipment is faulty, we can monitor the use of
it. It is then placed in the grey list.
• If the mobile equipment is reported stolen, or it is otherwise not allowed
to operate in the network, it is placed in the black list.
Note that IMEI checking is an optional procedure, so it is up to the operator to
define if and when IMEI checking is performed. (Some operators do not even
implement the EIR at all.)

3.2 Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

The Base Station Subsystem is responsible for managing the radio network, and
it is controlled by an MSC. Typically, one MSC contains several BSSs. A BSS
itself may cover a considerably large geographical area consisting of many cells
(a cell refers to an area covered by one or more frequency resources). The BSS
consists of the following elements:
• BSC Base Station Controller
• BTS Base Transceiver Station
• TC Transcoder

BSC
TC

BTS BSC
TC
BTS

BTS

Figure 5. The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

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 GSM Architecture

Some of the most important BSS tasks are listed in the following:

Radio path control

In the GSM network, the Base Station Subsystem (BSS) is the part of the
network taking care of radio resources, that is, radio channel allocation and
quality of the radio connection.

Synchronisation
The BSS uses hierarchical synchronisation, which means that the MSC
synchronises the BSC, and the BSC further synchronises the BTSs associated
with that particular BSC. Inside the BSS, synchronisation is controlled by the
BSC. Synchronisation is a critical issue in the GSM network due to the nature
of the information transferred. If the synchronisation chain is not working
correctly, calls may be cut or the call quality may not be the best possible.
Ultimately, it may even be impossible to establish a call.

Air- and A-interface signalling

In order to establish a call, the MS must have a connection through he the BSS.

Connection establishment between the MS and the NSS

The BSS is located between two interfaces, the air- and the A-interface. The MS
must have a connection through these two interfaces before a call can be
established. Generally speaking, this connection may be either a signalling
connection or a traffic (speech, data) connection.

Mobility management and speech transcoding

BSS mobility management mainly covers the different cases of handovers.
These handovers and speech transcoding are explained in later sections.

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 Subsystems and network elements in GSM

Let us now have a closer look at each of the individual network elements (BSC,
BTS, and Transcoder.

3.2.1 Base Station Controller (BSC)

The BSC is the central network element of the BSS and it controls the radio
network. It has several important tasks, some of which are presented in the
following:

Connection establishment between the MS and the NSS

All calls to and from the MS are connected through the group switch of the BSC
(GSWB).

Mobility management
The BSC is responsible for initiating the vast majority of all handovers, and it
makes the handover decision based on, among others, measurement reports sent
by the MS during a call.

Statistical raw data collection

Information from the Base Transceiver Stations, Transcoders, and BSC are
collected in the BSC and forwarded via the DCN (Data Communications
Network) to the NMS (Network Management Subsystem), where they are post-
processed into statistical views, from which the network quality and status is
obtained.

Air- and A-interface signalling support

In the A-interface, SS#7 (Common Channel Signalling System No. 7) is used as
the signalling language, while the environment in the air interface allows the
usage of a protocol adapted from ISDN standards, namely LAP-Dm (Link
Access Protocol on the ISDN D Channel, modified version). Between the Base
Transceiver Station and the BSC (Abis interface), a more standardised LAP-D
protocol is used. The BCSU (Base Station Controller Signalling Unit) in the
BSC will therefore need to convert from LAP-D to SS#7 and vice versa in the
uplink/downlink directions. The BSC also enables the virtual signalling
connection needed between the MSC/VLR and the MS.

BTS and TC control

Inside the BSS, all the BTSs and TCs are connected to the BSC(s). The BSC
maintains the BTSs. In other words, the BSC is capable of separating (barring) a
BTS from the network and collecting alarm information. Transcoders are also
maintained by the BSC, that is, the BSC collects alarms related to the
transcoders.

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 GSM Architecture

3.2.2 Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

The BTS is the network element responsible for maintaining the air interface
and minimising the transmission problems (the air interface is very sensitive for
disturbances). This task is accomplished with the help of some 120 parameters.
These parameters define exactly what kind of BTS is in question and how MSs
may "see" the network when moving in this BTS area.
The BTS parameters handle the following major items: what kind of handovers
(when and why), paging organisation, radio power level control, and BTS
identification. The BTS has several very important tasks, some of which are
presented in the following.

Figure 6. Nokia MetroSite Base Transceiver Station

Air interface signalling

A lot of both call and non-call related signalling must be performed in order for
the system to work. One example is that when the MS is switched on for the
very first time, it needs to send and receive a lot of information with the
network (more precisely with the VLR) before we can start to receive and make
phone calls. Another example is the signalling required to set up both mobile
originated and mobile terminated calls. A third very important signalling in
mobile networks is the need to inform the MS when a handover is to be
performed (and later when the MS sends a message in the uplink direction
telling the network that the handover is completed. Later in this chapter, we will
have a closer look at all of these different cases.

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 Subsystems and network elements in GSM

Ciphering
Both the BTS and the MS must be able to cipher and decipher information in
order to protect the transmitted speech and data in the air interface.

Speech processing
Speech processing refers to all the functions the BTS performs in order to
guarantee an error-free connection between the MS and the BTS. This includes
tasks like speech coding (digital to analogue in the downlink direction and vice
versa), channel coding (for error protection), interleaving (to enable a secure
transmission), and burst formatting (adding information to the coded speech /
data in order to achieve a well-organised and safe transmission).
The base station can contain several TRXs (Transceivers), each supporting one
pair of frequencies for transmitting and receiving information. The BTS also has
one or more antennas, which are capable of transmitting and receiving
information to/from one or more TRXs. The antennas are either omnidirectional
or sectorised. It also has control functions for Operation and Maintenance
(O&M), synchronisation and external alarms, etc.

3.2.3 TC(SM) − Transcoder (SubMultiplexer)

In the air interface (between MS and BTS), the media carrying the traffic is a
radio frequency. To enable an efficient transmission of digital speech
information over the air interface, the digital speech signal is compressed. We
must however also be able to communicate with and through the fixed network,
where the speech compression format is different. Somewhere between the BTS
and the fixed network, we therefore have to convert from one speech
compression format to another, and this is where the Transcoder comes in.
For transmission over the air interface, the speech signal is compressed by the
mobile station to 13 Kbits/s (Full Rate and Enhanced Full Rate) or 5.6
Kbits/s (Half Rate). The compression algorithm for Full Rate is known as
"Regular Pulse Excitation with Long Term Prediction" (RPE-LTP). For
Enhanced Full Rate, speech coding is based on the algorithm "Algebraic Code
Excited Linear Prediction" (ACELP). "Vector Sum Excited Linear
Prediction" (VSELP) is used in the case of Half Rate. However, the standard
bit rate for speech in the PSTN is 64 Kbits/s. The modulation technique is
called "Pulse Code Modulation" (PCM).

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 GSM Architecture

Transcoder and
Submultiplexer (TCSM)
BSC
MSC
TC

TC
SM2M
TC

TC

A ter Interface

A ter’ Interface
A Interface

Figure 7. Location of Transcoder and Submultiplexer

The Transcoder (TC) thus takes care of the change from one bit rate to another.
If the TC is located as close as possible to the MSC with standard PCM lines
connecting the network elements, we can, in theory, multiplex four traffic
channels in one PCM channel. This increases the efficiency of the PCM lines,
and thus lowers the costs for the operator. When we connect to the MSC, the
multiplexed lines have to be de-multiplexed. In this case the unit is called
Transcoder and Submultiplexer (TCSM).
Another task for the TC is to enable DTX (Discontinuous transmission), which
is used during a call when there is nothing to transmit (no conversation). It is
activated in order to reduce interference and to save MS battery.
In the Nokia solution, the submultiplexing and transcoding functions are
combined in one equipment called TCSM2E (European version) or TCSM2A
(American version).

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 Subsystems and network elements in GSM

3.3 Network Management Subsystem (NMS)

The Network Management Subsystem (NMS) is the third subsystem of the
GSM network in addition to the Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) and Base
Station Subsystem (BSS), which we have already discussed. The purpose of the
NMS is to monitor various functions and elements of the network. In the Nokia
implementation, these tasks are carried out by the NMS/2000, which consists of
a number of workstations, servers, and a router, which connects to a Data
Communications Network (DCN).

N M S /2 0 0 0

BTS

D a ta C o m m u n ic a tio n s
N e tw o r k

DN2

BTS

BSC H LR
AC
E IR
MSC
VLR
BTS

BTS SMSC

Figure 8. The NMS and the GSM network

The operator workstations are connected to the database and communication

servers via a Local Area Network (LAN). The database server stores the
management information about the network. The communications server takes
care of the data communications between the NMS and the equipment in the
GSM network known as “network elements”. These communications are carried
over a Data Communications Network (DCN), which connects to the NMS via
a router. The DCN is normally implemented using an X.25 Packet Switching
Network.

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 GSM Architecture

The functions of the NMS can be divided into three categories:

• Fault management
• Configuration management
• Performance management
These functions cover the whole of the GSM network elements from the level
of individual BTSs, up to MSCs and HLRs.

Fault management
The purpose of fault management is to ensure the smooth operation of the
network and rapid correction of any kind of problems that are detected. Fault
management provides the network operator with information about the current
status of alarm events and maintains a history database of alarms.
The alarms are stored in the NMS database and this database can be searched
according to criteria specified by the network operator.

Figure 9. Fault management

Configuration management
The purpose of configuration management is to maintain up-to-date information
about the operation and configuration status of network elements. Specific
configuration functions include the management of the radio network, software
and hardware management of the network elements, time synchronisation, and
security operations.

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 Subsystems and network elements in GSM

Figure 10. Configuration management

Performance management
In performance management, the NMS collects measurement data from
individual network elements and stores it in a database. On the basis of these
data, the network operator is able to compare the actual performance of the
network with the planned performance and detect both good and bad
performance areas within the network.

Figure 11. Performance management

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 GSM Architecture

4 Network elements and connections –

Nokia implementation
In the previous sections we have discussed all subsystems and network elements
thoroughly. The picture below shows an overall picture of the GSM network,
where you can also see some of the connections to external elements, such as
SMSC and Billing Centre. Note that the network picture below contains
equipment from a typical GSM network, some of which is not included in the
GSM specifications. Furthermore the picture exemplifies how Nokia
implements the network.

Base Station Subsystem Network Management Subsystem

Mobile Stations
Base Station
Controller Database Server Network
Planning
Data System
Communication Workstations
Network
Network Measurement
Base System
Transceiver Communications
Stations Server

Network Switching Subsystem

Home Location Register/
Authentication Centre/
Equipment Identity
Register TCP/IP

Data Communications
Digital Cross Server
Connect
PSTN/ISDN
Transcoder Mobile Switching Centre/
Submultiplexer Visitor Location Register
Voice
mail

Short Message IN Service Control Point

Service Centre
A-Interface Air Interface X.25 Interface Abis Interface

Figure 12. GSM network architecture – Nokia implementation

Up until now, we have covered the history of GSM, the subsystems, and
interfaces. Step by step, we have also built a (virtual) GSM network by
describing the different network elements and their respective tasks. Now it is
finally time to start to use this network, in other words to make calls, receive
calls, and use the different services offered by the network. However, before it
is possible to use the network, we must tell the system that we are there and that
we are authorised users. These will be covered in the following modules.

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