Introduction to GSM Technology

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History of Communication

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History of Communication (Contd.)

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History of Communication (Contd.)

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What is Telephony?
The word 'telephony' comes from a Greek word meaning 'far sound'.

Telephony can be categorized into:

Basic telephony

Mobile telephony

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Basic Telephony
Communication between two fixed points. The sender and the receiver's physical location are fixed. landline telephones Communication over a fixed medium The telephone lines

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Mobile Telephony
The sender or the receiver does not have to be in one physical location to be able to communicate.

No physical medium of communication.

Wireless transmission of voice and information.

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Mobile Telephony (Contd.)

Mobile telephony came into existence during the 1960s. Personal handheld cell phone invented by Dr. Martin Cooper of Motorola in 1973. Mobile telephony primarily operates by transmission of radio signals. These signals are transmitted at different frequencies.

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Mobile Platforms GSM and CDMA

Based on the frequency usage and the mode of transmission there are two technology platforms:
- GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)

- CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)

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GSM
GSM association was formed in Europe in 1982. Initially called Groupe Speciale Mobile. Now known as Global System for Mobile Communication. GSM is a digital mobile telephony system that is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world.It operates on 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 1900 MHz frequencies. GSM is a chip dependent technology. - GSM handsets have to be loaded with a SIM card.

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CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access A special coding scheme (where each transmitter is assigned a code). In CDMA every channel uses the full available spectrum.

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Mobile Telephony the Nuts and Bolts

The mobile station communicate. is what the customer uses to

The mobile station consists of:

- The Mobile Handset

- The SIM card

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SIM
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is part of a removable ICC (Integrated Circuit Card), which contains crucial information such as a phone number and all billing coordinates ,can store telephone numbers, ring tones, messages etc.

The use of SIM cards is mandatory in GSM devices.

Many CDMA-based standards do not include any such card, and the service is bound to a unique identifier contained in the handset itself. The uniqueness of the GSM technology lies in the fact that users must insert SIM-Cards in their handsets. Every SIM has a unique number,which could be 19 or 20 digits. 89 91 97 1003 00 0002594

Telecom Country Network Id. Code Code for circle

mmyy

Vendor Unique Serial (SIM) identifier Number

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SIM (Contd.) International Mobile Subscriber Identity:

Every SIM card contains an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) number that identifies the user to

the network.
404 Country Code 02 Network Code 3564857695 Subscriber Identity

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Types of SIM Card

8k Used earlier by most of the operators. Now not in use.

16k Memory of 150 phone book numbers Memory of 15 messages 32k Memory of 250 phone book numbers Memory of 30 messages 64k Memory of 400 phone book numbers Memory of 30 messages

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MSISDN
Mobile Station International Subscriber Dialing Network Number: The MSISDN is the subscriber's mobile number. This is the number that the customer is usually aware of and gives to all his friends and contacts. For example, if a cell phone number (MSISDN) is 919818112345, its break up will be as following:

91

98181

12345

Country Code

National Destination Code

Subscriber Number

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IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity: It is the unique serial number of the GSM phone.

It is fixed in the phone and cannot be changed.

It is usually found printed on the phone underneath the battery. The IMEI number is used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network. For example, if a mobile phone is stolen, the owner can call his or her network provider and instruct them to "ban" the phone using its IMEI number. This renders the phone useless, regardless of whether the phone's SIM is changed.

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Other Terminologies
PIN Personal Identification Number. This is of four digits and is used for security purpose of handset. It can be activated/deactivated by using security settings option in handset menu. By default it is 1234 and can be changed to any other four digit number. On entering PIN number wrong 3 times, SIM prompts for PUK Code PUK Pin Unblocking Key. This is of 8 digits and can be acquired from Customer care. In case this is entered wrong 10 times than the SIM card is permanently blocked and is required to be replaced IVR Interactive Voice Response - is a technology that automates interaction with telephone callers. Enterprises are increasingly turning to IVR to reduce the cost of common sales, service, collections, inquiry and support calls to and from their company
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Other Terminologies Contd..

PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network. This terminology is used to refer to all fixed line telephone network across world. VAS Value Added Service. This term is used to refer to all additional services provided to customer other than the basic feature of phone. POI Point of Interconnect. Refers to the connectivity between two networks GPRS General Packet Radio Service. This is a handset dependent feature which allows user to access Internet.

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GSM Technology
CELL STRUCTURE Each city is divided into adjacent hexagonal cells.

Cell 6 Cell 1 Cell 2 Cell 5 Cell 7

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Cell 3

Cell 4

The BTS Base Transceiver Station :

Each hexagonal cell has a BTS or the Base Transceiver Station - A BTS consists of a tower and an enclosure containing radio equipment. - It receives radio signals from the subscribers' phones

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CELL STRUCTURE

.contd

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BSC Base Station Controller :

The BSC is the functional entity within the GSM architecture that is responsible for RR (Radio Resource) allocation to a MS (Mobile Station). Frequency administration and handover between BTS (Base Transceiver Station) are controlled by the BSC. When a BTS reaches full capacity, it can no longer take calls. The call has to be switched to another BTS with available capacity. This is done by a Base Station Controller (BSC). The BSC controls the routing of calls to BTSs. The BSC routes the call to the Mobile Switching Center

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The MSC
The Mobile Switching Center

The MSC performs the following functions:

- AUC Authentication Center - HLR Home Location Register

- VLR Visitor Location Register

- CDR - Call Detail Record

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The Authentication center

AUC the AUC authenticates the caller whether the caller is a valid subscriber whether the caller has call credit whether the call should be barred e.g. the caller might have barred ISD calls. if the caller does not have call credit, the call is terminated at the AUC itself

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The HLR and VLR

HLR Home Location Register VLR Visitor Location Register The HLR and VLR check is performed by the MSC. HLR the MSC identifies the location of the caller within the home network. VLR the MSC identifies the location of the caller outside the home network i.e. when the customer is roaming. Based on HLR and VLR check the call rate is decided.

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The CDR

CDR - Call Detail Register CDR the CDR records the details of incoming and outgoing calls.
whether the call is local/STD/ISD. whether one or both parties are roaming. the duration of the call. This information is passed on to the billing system.

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Call Routing
If the receiver is on a mobile number:
The call is routed to the receiver from the caller's MSC.

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Call Routing
If the receiver is on a landline number:

.contd

The call is routed to the landline service provider's exchange from the caller's MSC.
From the exchange, the call is routed to the receiver.

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Call Routing
9897574233

Same Network MSC BSC

BSC

9897623985
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Call Routing
9359123453

Different Mobile Network

Calling MSC

BSC

Called MSC

BSC

9837622495

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Call Routing
9897574233

Mobile to PSTN BSC

MSC

PSTN Local Exchange

01212622557
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Call Routing
9897574233

Mobile to Landline STD/ISD

MSC

BSC

GATEWAY

01212542368 1-800-23682558

PSTN Local Exchange

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Handover
Handover is the process by which the call is switched from one base station to another.

This happens when

the caller is moving the base station is overloaded with call traffic

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Situation 1
A person is traveling from area X to area Y within the city. While traveling he is speaking over his mobile phone.

Suddenly, his signal starts becoming weak.

A minute later the signal strength picks up.

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Situation 2
A person is traveling from area X to area Y within the city. While traveling he is speaking over his mobile phone.

Suddenly, his signal starts becoming weak.

A minute later the signal dies for an instant and the caller is disconnected.

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What is the difference between the two situations?

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Handover

.contd

When the caller is moving away from a BTS, the signal weakens. When the call has to be transferred from one BTS to another in a neighboring cell: The receiving BTS may have free capacity and the signal again picks up. The call is transferred successfully across cells.

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Handover

.contd

When the caller is moving away from a BTS, the signal weakens. When the call has to be transferred from one BTS to another in a neighboring cell: The receiving BTS may not have free capacity and the signal dies. The call is then dropped.

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Poor Coverage (Indoor/ Outdoor)

Call Congestion

Typical Network Problems

Call Drop

Voice clipping

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