GSM System Overview & Radio Network Planning

In-house Training

15-17 March 05 By Radio Access Network Department

OBJECTIVES
To provide preliminary / in-house training to new engineers on GSM system survey

To share knowledge on radio network planning, design and dimensioing concept

To introduce the usage of tools, parameters and features To present current strategies / practices for radio network planning in DiGi

TRAINING SCOPE
Day 1 GSM System overview BSS System Day 2 Cell Planning Link Budget Planning Day 3 Dimensioing Principles Features

Frequency Planning

Tools Usage
Common Projects

Parameters and CDD

9.30am 12.45pm 2.00pm 6.00pm

9.30am 12.45pm 2.00pm 6.00pm

9.30am 12.45pm 2.30pm 6.00pm

GROUND RULES
Turn on SILENT MODE for your mobile phone

LEAVE room to take phone calls

If you wish to use your laptop during training, type the keypad SOFTLY Be PUNCTUAL

TRY NOT TO keep leaving the room to attend to other matters

Agenda
DAY 1
Morning Session
Introduction to GSM System Architecture

Noon Session
Ericsson BSS System Siemens BSS System

Channel Concept
Idle Mode Behavior Locating Traffic Cases Handover Concepts

Other BSS system

Frequency Planning Frequency Hopping Dual-Band / EGSM

Evolution of Mobile Technology

What is mobile technology?

Wireless communication that provides mobility. Most common and widely used today is the GSM standard.

What is GSM?
Stands for Global System for Mobile communication. Is actually a digital wireless telecommunications standard widely used throughout the world, transmitting voice and data operating on 900 and 1800 frequency bands (800 and 1900 MHz frequency bands in the US)

Evolution of Mobile Standards

Year 1981 Standard NMT 450 Mobile System Nordic Mobile Telephony Advanced Mobile Phone System Technology Analogue Market Europe, Middle East

1983

AMPS

Analogue

North and South America

1985

TACS

Total Access Communication System

Nordic Mobile Telephony Global System for Mobile Communications

Analogue

Europe and China

1986

NMT 900

Analogue

Europe, Middle East

1991/2

GSM

Digital

Worldwide

1991
1994 1995

D-AMPS
PDC PCS 1900

Digital-AMPS
Personal Digital Cellular Personal Communication Services

Digital
Digital Digital

North and South America Japan

North America

Digital Communications

Why go to digital ? Digital is less prone to interference and able to rebuild to the original signal

Analogue signal
A continuous signal that is infinitely and continuously variable in amplitude and /or frequency.

Digital signal
A discreet or discontinuously signal using only 2 values, 0 or 1.

Acoustics

Analog Signal

Filtering

Sampling

PAMsignal

Quantization /Coding

Digital Signal

Digital signals can repair themselves!

X kms New pulse train Pulse train distorted by noise

Re-generated pulse train

GSM System Architecture

GSM System Architecture

Mobile Phone

BTS

SGSN
BSC/ TRA

GGSN
PSTN

HLR

AUC

EIR

BTS

MSC/ VLR

GMSC

MSC/VLR BSC

Mobile Phone

SIM card
Base Station System

OMC
Operation Terminal
BTS

Switching System

GSM System Architecture

Radio Mobile Phone Transmission Core Network

BTS

SGSN
BSC/ TRA

GGSN
PSTN

HLR

AUC

EIR

BTS

MSC/ VLR

GMSC

MSC/VLR BSC

Mobile Phone

SIM card

OMC
Operation Terminal
BTS

GSM System Architecture

Mobile Phone

BTS

Gb Um
BTS

SGSN

GGSN
PSTN

A-bis BSC/ TRA

HLR

AUC

EIR

A MSC/ VLR GMSC

MSC/VLR BSC Mobile Phone

SIM card

OMC
Operation Terminal
BTS

Abbreviations & Functions

BTS & BSC
A Base Transceiver Station controls the radio interface to the MS. The BTS comprises the radio equipment such as transceivers and antennas. Each BTS operates at 1 or several pairs of frequencies. There is an Uplink (MS to BTS) & Downlink (BTS to MS) frequency. At least 1 transmitter and 1 receiver is needed.

A Base Station Controller is the central point of the BSS. It controls all radio related functions of a GSM network. The BSC controls all radio related functions of a GSM network. It is a high capacity switch the provides function such as
- MS connection - MS handover - Radio Network Management - Remote control of the BTSs

Abbreviations & Functions

MSC, GMSC & HLR
A Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC) performs the telephony switching functions for the mobile network. It controls calls to and from other telephony and data systems.
A Gateway MSC (GMSC) interrogates HLR in order to route a call to a Mobile Station(MS). A Home Location Register is a centralized network database that stores and manages all mobile subscription belonging to a specific operator (PLMN - Public Land Mobile Network). Information stored includes:
Subscriber identity Subscriber supplementary services Subscriber location information

Abbreviations & Functions

VLR, AUC & EIR
A Visitor Location Register temporary stores information of all subscribers in an MSC area. There is a VLR for each MSC. When a subscriber move into a new MSC area, the VLR request a copy of a subscribed information from the HLR.
A Authentication Center is to authenticate subscribers attempting to use the network. The AUC is a database connected to the HLR

A Equipment Identity Register is a database of mobile equipment identity, which prevent calls from stolen or unauthorized MS.

Abbreviations & Functions

SGSN & GGSN
A Serving GPRS Support Node handles packet data traffic of users in one geographical area
A Gateway GPRS Support Node connects to outside data networks. Packet data traffic runs on a new backbone IP network and is separate from the existing GSM core network that is used mainly for speech.

Abbreviations & Functions

OMC & NMC
A Operation and Maintenance Centre is a computerized monitoring center which is connected to other network components such as MSCs and BSCs via X.25 data network links. In the OMC, staff are presented with information about the status of the network and can monitor and control a variety of system parameters. There may be one or several OMCs within a network depending on the network size.
A Network Management Centre is a centralized control of a network. Only one NMC is required for a network and this controls the subordinate OMCs. The advantage of this hierarchical approach is that staff at the NMC can concentrate on long term system-wide issues, whereas local personnel at each OMC can concentrate on short term, regional issues.

Abbreviations & Functions

Site, Cell, & TRX
A SITE is the physical location of which a base station is placed. Includes all equipment put up by the operator (mast, antennas,cabin, base station rack etc.) A CELL is each uniquely identified GSM capacity source in a BTS, defined by its own coverage footprint (or coverage cell) A Transceiver or TRX/TRU is a single transmitter/receiver unit that able to provide one single GSM frequency to the cells coverage footprint.

Abbreviations & Functions

Others
A MS = Mobile Station is used by a mobile subscriber to communicate with the mobile network. The range or coverage area of an MS depends on the output power of the MS.
A SIM = Subscriber Identity Module is a smart card that store subscribers information. A PLMN = Public Land Mobile Network. In any one country there may be serveral, one for each operators network A PSTN = Public Switched Telephone Network. The worldwide set of interconnected switched voice telephone networks that deliver fixed telephone services to the general public and are usually accessed by telephones/key telephone systems

Channel Concepts

TDMA Frame
f1
TS
0

TS
1

TS
2

TS
3

TS
4

TS
5

TS
6

TS
7

1 TDMA frame
1 physical channel

Each timeslot on a TDMA frame is called a physical channel Therefore there are 8 physical channels per carrier frequency Physical channels can be used to transmit speech, data or signaling information

A physical channel may carry different messages, depending on the information that is to be sent
These messages are called logical channel

Frames & Bursts

Logical Channel
Logical Channels

Control Channels

Traffic Channels

BCH

CCCH

DCCH

TCH

PDCH

FCCH

FCCH SCH

BCCH FCCH

FCCH PCH

AGCH FCCH

RACH FCCH

SDCCH FCCH SACCH FCCH

FACCH FCCH

FCCH HR

FR & FCCH EFR

Each burst is 156.25 bit times long (~0.577ms) and carried in 1 TS

Broadcast Channel (BCH)

Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH) - DL BTS - Transmits carrier frequency MS - Identify BCCH carrier by the carrier frequency Synchronization Channel (SCH) - DL BTS - Transmits information about the TDMA frame structure in a cell (e.g frame number) and the BTS identity (BSIC) MS - Synchronizes with the frame structure and decodes the BSIC Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) - DL BTS - Transmits LAI, max output power allowed in the cell, and identity of BCCH carriers of neighbouring cells MS - Receives LAI information. Set MS output power based on information received on the BCCH. The MS store the list off neighbouring cells BCCH to assist in measurements for handover decision.

Common Control Channel (CCCH)

If a MS subscriber wish to make of receive a call, CCCH must be read
Paging Channel (PCH) - DL BTS - Transmits a paging message to indicate incoming call or SMS. Paging message contains the identity of MS subscriber MS listen to paging channel at certain intervals and respond by using for a RACH Random Access Channel (RACH) - UL BTS - Receive request from MS for a signaling channel (e.g. to setup call) MS Respond to paging and request for a signaling channel Access Grant Channel (AGCH) - DL BTS - Assign a signaling channel(SDCCH) to MS MS - Receive signaling channel (SDCCH) assignment.

Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)

When the MS and BSS is ready to begin call set-up, MS & BSS will use DCCH
Standalone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) UL & DL BTS - Perform call set up. Assign a TCH. MS - MS receive TCH assignment information. SDCCH is also used for sending SMS and location updating Standalone Dedicated Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH) UL & DL BTS - Tell MS the transmitting power to use and give instruction on Timing Advance (TA) MS - Send measurements reports contain the info of own and neighbouring BTSs signal strength Standalone Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH) UL & DL BTS - Transmit handover information MS - Transmit handover information

Traffic Channel (TCH)

Traffic Channel (TCH) is a channel that carry voice traffic. Enhanced Full Rate (FR) Occupies one physical channel but with improved speech quality Full Rate (FR) Occupies one physical channel, and transmit full rate speech (13kbits/s) Half Rate (HR) Two Half Rate speech (6.5kbits/s) can share one physical channel, but with poorer speech quality compared to a Full Rate TCH

Packet Data Channel (PDCH)

Packet Data Channel (PDCH) is a channel that carry GPRS/EGPRS traffic.

Ericsson Definition
B-PDCH A Packet Data Channel (PDCH) used for the transfer of GPRS CS-1 to CS-2 G-PDCH A Packet Data Channel (PDCH) used for the transfer of GPRS CS-1 to CS-4 E-PDCH A Packet Data Channel (PDCH) used for the transfer of EGPRS and GPRS CS-1 to CS-4

Channel Allocation

TRX 0

BCCH SDCCH 0 1

TCH 2

TCH 3

PDCH 4

PDCH 5

PDCH 6

PDCH 7

TRX 1

TCH 0

SDCCH 1

TCH 2

TCH 3

TCH 4

TCH 5

TCH 6

TCH 7

TRX 2

TCH 0

TCH 1

TCH 2

TCH 3

TCH 4

TCH 5

TCH 6

TCH 7

15 mins Break

Idle Mode Behaviour

What is idle mode?

A powered on circuit-switched mobile station (MS) that does not have a dedicated channel allocated is defined as being in idle mode. While in idle mode it is important that the mobile is both able to access and be reached by the system The idle mode behaviour is managed by the MS. It can be controlled by parameters which the MS receives from the base station on the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)

Idle mode Behaviour

PLMN Selection Selection upon MS Power-On, or recovery from lack of coverage once registered to a PLMN, the MS will be capable of making/receiving calls will normally operate on the Home PLMN, unless no coverage available special settings required for National Roaming Cell Selection The algorithm tries to find the most suitable cell of the selected PLMN may enter limited service state if unable to register to a PLMN > Emergency Calls only when coverage lost, MS will return to the PLMN selection state Two Steps: 1) Stored BA List 2) Normal Cell Selection a. the cell belongs to the selected PLMN b. the cell is not barred c. the registered LA is not incl. in forbidden LAs d. the cell selection criterion is fulfilled

Idle mode Behaviour

Cell Reselection Continuously measures the BCCH of current Serving Cell, and 6 strongest neighbour cells also attempts to decode the BSIC parameter for each of the 6 neighbouring cells the selected cell instructs the MS which NCC is allowed to be monitored takes measurements when listening to its own paging group most of the time, the MS is in sleep mode Location Update The network must always be updated where the subscriber is! There are 3 types of location updating: a. Normal b. Periodic c. IMSI Attach/Detach

Idle mode Behaviour

PLMN Selection

Cell Selection

Cell Reselection

Location Updating

Idle mode Behaviour

Cell Selection The MS will find the most suitable cell of the home PLMN according to various requirement. A cell is considered suitable if: a) It belong to the home PLMN. b) It is not barred. c) The cell selection criterion is fulfilled (i.e. C1) C1 = (received Rx Level ACCMIN) max (CCHPWR P, 0) where, ACCMIN is min access requirement for a MS to access a PLMN. CCHPWR is max MS transmitted power allowed to use. P is the max power output of the MS according to its class. Hence, C1 = Rx Level - ACCMIN

Idle mode Behaviour

Cell Reselection C2 = C1 + CRO TO * H (PT-T) C2 = C1 CRO Where, CRO is cell reselection offset (0=0dB, 1=2dB 63=126dB) TO is temporary offset (0=0dB, 1=10dB 6=60dB) PT is Penalty Time (0=20s, 1=40s 30=600s) In DiGi, we use PT = 31, hence, 2nd formula is selected. for PT not equal to 31 for PT equal to 31

Locating

What is Locating?
The locating algorithm works out the basis for handover decisions. It is the algorithm for cell selection for active mobile after immediate assignment It is implemented in the BSC and has 2 major objectives: a) Quality & continuity of calls b) Cell size control in order to minimize total interference in the network

* The algorithm works continuously, completing a calculation cycle in general every 480ms. (1 SACCH period)

What is Locating?

Locating Algorithm
INPUT The input to the algorithm is signal strength and quality measurements from the MS and from the base station currently serving the connection. OUTPUT The output is a list of cells that the algorithm judges to be possible candidates for handover.

The cells in the list are ranked and sorted in descending order of preference for handover.

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

After a handover, a new locating individual is created and takes over the handling of the connection A penalty list will be transfer from old to the new locating individual.

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell Measure for SS, Quality & TA

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

Locating Algorithm
SACCH Measurement Period The SS, Quality & TA measurements are made and reported once for each SACCH period (i.e. 480ms).

DTX (Discontinuous Transmission)

When DTX is employed on a TCH, not all TDMA frames may be transmitted. However, there are some TDMA subset frames always be transmitted and these frames can be employed to assess SS & Quality level measurement. Full set is a measurement base on all TDMA frames during the SACCH period. Sub set is measurement based on those TDMA frames when DTX is active. Measurement Reports The measurement reports are sent from the BTS to the BSC every SACCH period (480 ms) starting when the MS is assigned an SDCCH. The measurement reports are stored and filtered in the BSC. Note that the MS can measure SS up to 32 neighbours but can only report the 6 strongest in a report.

Measurement Report
The MS transmits the downlink measurement to the BTS. The BTS adds the serving cell uplink measurement and transmits further to the BSC.
Example of MS downlink measurement report as observed in TEMS

Downlink Downlink Downlink Downlink

SS (full set) SS (sub set) Quality (full set) Quality (sub set)

Downlink SS (6 strongest neighbours)

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell

Measure for SS, Quality & TA BQ handover, TA handover

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

2 criteria are used for urgency detection: a) Bad Quality (BQ) own here while youre here b) Excessive Timing Advance (TA)

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell

Measure for SS, Quality & TA BQ handover, TA handover Signal strength ranking A neighbour must pass a minimum SS check in order to be ranked. a) Correction of BTS output power b) Evaluation of the minimum signal strength condition c) Subtraction of signal strength penalties (e.g. LOC_penalty, HCS_penalty)

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell

Measure for SS, Quality & TA BQ handover, TA handover Signal strength ranking HCS, Intra-cell handover, CLS, etc. 6 auxiliary radio network functions are incorporated in the locating algorithm: a) Assignment to Another Cell b) Hierarchical Cell Structures (HCS) c) Overlaid/Underlaid Subcells d) Intra-cell Handover e) Cell Load Sharing (CLS) f) Extended Range

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell

Measure for SS, Quality & TA BQ handover, TA handover Signal strength ranking HCS, Intra-cell handover, CLS, etc.

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

Ordering the Candidate List

Locating Algorithm
penalty list

Initiations

A locating individual is created; Transfer of penalty list to new cell

Measure for SS, Quality & TA BQ handover, TA handover Signal strength ranking HCS, Intra-cell handover, CLS, etc.

measurement results

Filtering Urgency Condition Basic Ranking Aux. Radio Network Functions Evaluation Organizing the list Sending the list Allocation reply

Ordering the Candidate List

Sent for Channel Allocation If Success, transfer to new locating individual, else connection remains

Locating Algorithm
Sending The List The first cell in the candidate list is the best candidate. At congestion the next cell in the candidate list is tried.

Allocation Reply At success a penalty list is transferred from the locating individual to the new one. If the handover reason was due to urgency a penalty for the abandoned cell must be included. The old locating individual is then deleted. At inter-BSC handover it is not possible to send the penalty list. However, it is possible to indicate if the cause of handover was due to BQ or TA. The penalties of the new cell will then be used

Traffic Cases

Power on (1)
The MS search the subscribed or available network by sending an IMSI attach message to the network

016

013 012 012

016

016 013
DiGi 016

The MS logon to the strongest signal

Power on (2)
If the subscribed network is available, Authentication Center (AUC) will decide whether or not to give permission for the subscriber. If authenticated, mobile phone will register to the network.

The VLR determines whether there is a record for the subscriber already present. If not, the VLR contacts the subscribers HLR for a copy of the subscription information.
The VLR update the MS status to IDLE and acknowledgement is sent to the MS HLR/ AUC

IDLE Mode

MSC/VLR

BSC

Location Update
During IMSI attach, the VLR may determine that the current LAI of the MS is different from the LAI stored in the MSs subscription information. If so, the VLR updates the LAI of the MS. The MS knows that the new cell LAI by listening to the BCCH in the new cell. If an MS changes cells within the same LA, the network is not updated

What is Periodic Registration?

LA 2

LA 1
send location updating message via SDCCH

Power on (3)
If Mobile phone cant search for a subscribed network, it will enter limited service state. Only allows Emergency Calls (112)

Operator C

Operator C Operator A Operator A

Operator B

Operator C DiGi

Making call (1)

check subscription

HLR/ AUC GMSC

MSC/VLR
I want to make a voice call

Telekom Malaysia

I want to make a voice call

1. RACH 2. AGCH BSC 3. SDCCH 4. TCH

calling 066513056

Receiving call
1. PCH 2. RACH 3. AGCH 4. SDCCH MSC/VLR BSC Penang

5. TCH

MSC/VLR

BSC KL

BSC PJ
Telekom Malaysia

GMSC MSC/VLR BSC JB

respond to page Assign SDCCH respond to call route the call here!

calling 0162200200

Query the HLR: Where is the subscriber?

HLR/ AUC
Hes in KL!

Example:
A connection from a Norwegian subscriber visiting Thailand, calling a Malaysian subscriber who is on a visit to the Philippines:
HLRA
Philippines
Norway 2
Request for authentication data Authentication data

Mobile A

3 Thailand
+6016**

MSC/ VLRB

Mobile B +6016***

MSC/ VLRA
A physical connection that has to remain connected throughout the call

+6016**

International phone network

MSC/ VLR
6
+6016** is in MSC/VLR xx

Malaysia 5
Where is +6016**?

HLRB

Handover Concept

Handover Concept
As the MS moves out of range (coverage) of old cell. The MS is assigned to new RF channel in adjacent cell based on signal strength. Old channel will then be available for reuse by another subscriber.

Reason of handover - signal strength - signal quality - timing advance - load balancing features setting - forced handover (maintenance)

Handover Concept
Intra-cell Handover It is a special type of handover. Performed when the BSC considers the quality of current connection too low, but no indication from the measurements that another cell would be better BSC identify another channel in the same cell which may offer better quality and MS is ordered to retune to it The BSC will attempt to handover first to a channel on another frequency

As we travel around
Ok..O k..
Station B, you are stronger than me! Please take over! Station C, you are stronger than me! Please take over!

Ok..O k..

Station C

Station B

Station A

As we travel around(3)
Station B, you are stronger than me! Please take over!

Ok..Ok ..

Oopsssorry, no one to pass the call

Station B Station A

Hellocant hear youyou breaking uphELLo!?!

Call Dropped!!

No COVERAGE!!

As we travel around(4)
Station B, you are stronger than me! Please take over!

Ok..Ok ..

What? Are you talking to me? Not clear

Station C, you are stronger than me! Please take over! Station C, can you hear me?

Station C

Station B Station A Call Drop!!

Bad Quality INTERFERENCE!!

As we travel around(2)
Station B, you are stronger than me! Please take over!

Ok..Ok ..
Station C, you are stronger than me! Please take over!

Oh no! My channels are all full!

Station C

Station B
Station A Call Drop!!

No Capacity CONGESTION!!

Power off
The MS sends an IMSI detach message to the network at power off, and the VLR will marks the IMSI as detached. No acknowledgement is sent to the MS. If IMSI detach message is sent when radio link quality is poor, the message might not be decoded. In this case, the MS is still considered as attached. If periodic registration is use, the system will soon determine that the MS is detached and the VLR will performs an implicit detach. MS purging is used to inform the HLR that the VLR is about to remove a subscriber record from the VLR. The HLR will marked the MS as unreachable. This saves unneccessary network signalling and database lookup.

HLR/ AUC

MSC/VLR

BSC
DiGi 016

END of Morning Session

to be continued at 2.00pm

Backup

Common Terminology
SIM Subscriber Identity Module

A smart card is used to store subscribers information. Advantages of security and portability to subscriber
PSTN SMS Public Switched Telephone Network A standard landline or fixed network phone system Short Message Service A service that enables the user to send and receive text messages to and from mobile device IN Intelligent Network Telecommunications network architecture that provides flexibility for facilitating the introduction of new capabilities and services, including those under customer control. Multimedia Messaging Service An evolution of SMS which that allows mobile subscribers to exchange multimedia messages with other mobile subscribers. MMS support the transmission of additional media types such as text, picture, audio, video and also a combination of mention media types

MMS

Common Terminology
WAP Wireless Application Protocol A standardised way that a mobile phone talks to a server installed in the mobile phone network. GPRS General Packet Radio Service Standardised as part of GSM Phase 2+, GPRS represents the first implementation of packet switching within GSM, which is a circuit switched technology. GPRS offers theoretical data speeds of up to 115kbit/s using multislot techniques. GPRS is an essential precursor for 3G as it introduces the packet switched core required for UMTS EDGE Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution A 3G technology that delivers broadband-like data speeds to mobile devices. It allows consumers to connect to the Internet and send and receive data, including digital images, web pages and photographs, three times faster than possible with an ordinary GSM/GPRS network 3G 3rd Generation (Mobile Network) 3G is characterized by high-speed, high-bandwidth services that support a variety of applications, including wireline quality voice and high-resolution video, wirelessly.

ITU-T Standard Management System

Business Management

Service Management

Network Management

Element Management

Network Element