Mobile Computing

Introduction
Mobile Computing
Introduction
What Is Mobile Computing?
 What is computing?
Operation of computers
(according to oxfords advance learner’s dictionary)

 What is the mobile?

That someone /something can move or be moved easily and
quickly from place to place

 What is mobile computing?

Users with portable computers still have network
connections while they move
What Is Mobile Computing?
 A simple definition could be:
Mobile Computing is using a computer (of one kind or
another) while on the move

 Another definition could be:

Mobile Computing is when a (work) process is moved from
a normal fixed position to a more dynamic position.

 A third definition could be:

Mobile Computing is when a work process is carried out
somewhere where it was not previously possible.
What Is Mobile Computing? (Cont.)
Mobile Computing is an umbrella term used to
describe technologies that enable people to access
network services anyplace, anytime, and
anywhere.

Mobile computing can be defined as a computing

environment over physical mobility.
Comparison to Wired Net

 Wired Networks  Mobile Networks

 high bandwidth  low bandwidth
 low bandwidth variability  high bandwidth variability
 can listen on wire  hidden terminal problem
 high power machines  low power machines
 high resource machines  low resource machines
 need physical  need proximity
access(security)  higher delay
 low delay  disconnected operation
 connected operation
Why Go for Mobile?
 Enable anywhere/anytime connectivity
 Bring computer communications to areas without pre-
existing infrastructure
 Enable mobility
 Enable new applications
 An exciting new research area
Types of Wireless Devices
 Laptops
 Palmtops
 PDAs
 Cell phones
 Pagers
 Sensors
…
Challenges
 Disconnection
 Low bandwidth
 High bandwidth variability
 Low power and resources
 Security risks
 Wide variety terminals and devices with different
capabilities (Device attributes)
 Fit more functionality into single, smaller device
 MOBILE COMPUTING

The user of a mobile computing environment will be able to

access data, information or other logical objects from any device
in any network while on the move.

Mobility
User Mobility
Device Mobility
 MOBILE COMPUTING Cont.
Anywhere, Anytime Information: This is the generic
definition of ubiquity, where the information is available
anywhere, all the time.
Virtual Home Environment: (VHE) is defined as an
environment in a foreign network such that the mobile users
can experience the same computing experience as they have
in their home or corporate computing environment.
For example, one would like to put ones room heater on
when one is about 15 minutes away from home.
MOBILE COMPUTING Cont.
Nomadic Computing: The computing environment is
nomadic and moves along with the mobile user.
 This is true for both local and remote services.

Pervasive Computing: A computing environment, which is

pervasive in nature and can be made available in any
environment.

Ubiquitous Computing: A disappearing (nobody will notice

its presence) everyplace computing environment. User will be
able to use both local and remote services.
MOBILE COMPUTING Cont.
Global Service Portability: Making a service portable and
available in every environment. Any service of any
environment will be available globally.

Wearable Computers: Wearable computers are those

computers that may be adorned by humans like a hat, watch,
shoe or clothes (these are wearable accessories).
 Mobile Computing Functions
We can define a computing environment as mobile if it
supports one or more of the following characteristics:
User Mobility
Network Mobility
Device Mobility
Service Mobility
Bearer Mobility
Session Mobility
Host Mobility (client –server, ip)
Issues in categories
Software Issues - Apps
Technical Issues - Battery, h/w
Network Issues - connection
User Interface Issues - understanding
Security Issues - attacks
Future of Mobile Computing
Use of Artificial Intelligence

Integrated Circuitry -> Compact Size

Increases in Computer Processor speeds

etc….
Still, Open Areas…
Interference
Regulations and Spectrum
Low Bandwidth
High delays, large delay variations
Lower security, simpler to attack
Shared medium
Adhoc networking
 1G, 2G, 3G & 4G

Mobile Generations….
Wireless Standards: History
A new generation of cellular standards has
appeared approximately every tenth year
1G systems were introduced in 1981.
Each generation is characterized by
new frequency bands,
higher data rates and
non-backwards compatible transmission
technology.
3G is considered successor to 1G and 2G.
1G
1G: The original analog cellular systems
are considered the first generation of
mobile telephony (1G).
In the early 1980s, 1G systems were
deployed.
AMPS
 2G
After 1G, second generation of mobile
telephony (2G) came into being.
The difference between 1G and 2G is in the
signaling techniques used:
1G used analog signaling,
 2G used digital signaling.
2G-based mobile telephony were intended
primarily for voice transmission and Data
(low rate)
3G for high speed data rate
2.5G
2.5G used some of the advanced
technique like packet-switching
This can use some of the existing 2G
infrastructure in GSM and CDMA
networks.
GPRS is a 2.5G technology used by GSM
operators.
Some protocols, such as
EDGE(Enhanced Data rates for GSM
Evolution) for GSM and CDMA2000 1x-
RTT for CDMA have data rate of above
144 kbps are considered close to 3G.
2.5G Cell Phone Systems

- between original 2G digital phones and the newer 3G

phones.

- bring data transmission capability to 2G phones in

addition to normal voice service.

- permits subscribers to exchange e-mails and access the

Internet by cell phone.
1. General Packet Radio Service, GPRS
–uses one or more of the eight TDMA time slots in a
GSM phone system to transmit data rather than
digitized voice.
- data rate is from 20 kbps up to 160 kbps
- typical rate is about 40 kbps, which is more than
enough for e-mail and short message service but poor
for Internet access.
- involves an automatic rate adjustment algorithm that
adjusts the class and data rate to the robustness of the
wireless channel.
2. Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution,
EDGE
based upon GPRS system but uses 8-PSK modulation to
achieve even higher data rates up to 384 kbps, thereby
tripling the rate.

theoretical max. data rate is 473.6 kbps with all eight slots
used

if implemented, EDGE needs linear power amplifiers at the

base station and in the handset.
CDMA2000 –

 uses 1.25 MHz wide channels

 packet-based; permits a data rate of 144 kbps

 uses three 1.25 MHZ channels = 3.75 MHz

 Evolution-Data Optimized,

a recent version has higher rate approaching 3.1

Mbps downlink and an uplink rate up to 1.8 Mbps.
These speeds qualify for 3G.
Evolving of 3G Standards: IMT 2000
3G has been specified as International
Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT
— 2000) as per definition of International
Telecommunication Unit(ITU).
 IMT-2000 specifications embodies standards
for mobile phones and mobile
telecommunications services as per ITU
3G goals
Unifying pre-3G technologies
3G uses CDMA while 1G used FDMA and 2G
used TDMA, CDMA
Making Global roaming feasible
Higher security level
Advanced Video:
Streaming
IPTV
Mobile TV
What is 3G?
3G refers to the third generation of cellular
wireless standards. Its aim is to provide a
wide range of data rates for internet
access to mobile as well as stationary
users and is able to efficiently support both
Voice & Data application.
3G Data rate
3G data rate
a minimum data rate of 2 Mbit/s for
stationary or walking users, and
384 kbit/s in a moving vehicle
Note: 2G was limited to 128 and 144 kbps
respectively
ITU does not clearly specify minimum or
average rates
 so various rates are sold as 3G intended to
meet customers expectations of broadband
data.
How to use 3G?
3G Compatible device
3G service provider
First 3G International launch
The first pre-commercial 3G network was best
launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan branded
FOMA, in May 2001 on a pre-release of
W-CDMA technology.

The first commercial launch of 3G was also by

NTT DoCoMo in Japan on 1 October 2001,
although it was initially somewhat limited in scope
3G in India
20 May 2010: Concluded spectrum Auction
Raised 50,968.37 Crore INR
Operators: Bharti Airtel, Aircel, Idea Cellular,
Reliance Communications, S Tel, Tata Teleservices,
Vodafone Essar
Beyond 3G
 Beyond 3G is fourth generation of wireless
standards (4G)
 4G will be a super-enhanced version of 3G, when all
networks are expected to embrace Internet protocol
(IP) technology
 The fifth generation of mobile technologies - 5G -
connects people, things, data, applications,
transport systems and cities in smart networked
communication environments. The networks
transport a huge amount of data much faster,
reliably connect an extremely large number of
devices and process very high volumes of data with
minimal delay.
INTRODUCTION: 4G

A brief discussion on these terminologies

follows …..

Wireless Standard
Next generation futuristic wireless system
4G BASICS
4G infrastructure shall be all IP-based
(including IPV6 and MIPV6)
This shall develop into an optimized packet-
switched networks supporting high data
speed.
Expected data rates for 4G are:
100 MBPS for high mobility devices and
1 GBPS for slow moving objects or stationary
objects
4G EXPECTED FEATURES
(INFERRED FROM VARIOUS RESEARCH PAPERS)
4G co-exist and interwork with 2G and 3G
systems as well as satellite, WLAN, IEEE
802.16e (WMAN – WiMAX)

Achieve local/global roaming capabilities

4G have clear advantages in terms of

bandwidth, coverage, power consumption
and spectrum usage
4G EXPECTED FEATURES (INFERRED
FROM PAPERS) CONTD…

 4G shall be “Always Best Connected” i.e. the user

shall be connected through best network.
 A 4G terminal shall support multi-mode, multi-
access and reconfiguration capabilities.
 4G shall combine existing and emerging services
such as voice, data, streamed multimedia, sensory,
e-health, and social networking on mobile devices
at best.
 4G envisages that mobile services shall be
available on Mobile Cloud.
With mobile cloud the various developers and
service providers shall be able to make their
services available to the end mobile user.
5G Basics:
5G stands for Fifth Generation of wireless cellular technology.

It's the successor to 4G LTE, offering significantly faster speeds, lower

latency, and greater capacity.
5G utilizes new spectrum bands and advanced technologies to deliver
a superior user experience.

Key Features of 5G:

Enhanced Mobile Broadband: Faster speeds for downloads, uploads,

and streaming.
Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC): Critical for
applications like self-driving cars and remote surgery.
Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC): Enables the
connection of billions of devices for the Internet of Things (IoT)
5G Use Cases:
Enhanced Mobile Broadband:
Faster streaming, downloads, and uploads
High-quality video conferencing and virtual reality experiences

Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC):

Self-driving cars and autonomous vehicles
Remote surgery and telemedicine
Industrial automation and robotics

Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC):

Smart cities and smart homes
Wearable devices and healthcare sensors
Industrial IoT and connected factories
Cellular Concept

Cellular Networks
 Cellular Telephone Service

1940s MTSs (Mobile Telephone Systems

or Manual Telephone systems):
– all calls were handled by an operator, use FM
- use a single carrier frequency in the 35 MHz to 45
MHz range for both the mobile unit and base station
- half duplex operation,
-120 kHz bandwidth per channel
- only one conversation could take place at a time
- could not be accessed directly through the PSTN with
five digit long numbers.
1964 IMTS (Improved Mobile Telephone
Systems):

– use several carrier frequencies and could,

therefore, handle several simultaneous mobile
conversations at the same time

-high output power between 13 W and 30 W

and a range of 25 mile radius

-transmit power a channel bandwidth of 30

kHZ increasing the number of channels, .
 Cellular Telephone Service

Disadvantages of early mobile telephone systems:

High cost, limited availability, and narrow frequency
allocation.

1983 AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System)

– the first U.S. cellular telephone system by AT&T
with 666 30 kHz half-duplex mobile telephone
channels, was based on analog radio technologies and
has been phased out.
 AMPS
Specifications
Parameter AMPS
Frequency Band:
Forward Link 869 – 894 MHz
Reverse Link 824 – 849 MHz
Channel Spacing 30 kHz
Spacing between Transmission 45 MHz
and Reception
Number of Channels 832
(previously 666)
Coverage Radius 2 – 20 km
Audio Signal
Type of Modulation FM
Frequency Deviation +/- 12 khz
Control Signal
Type of Modulation FSK
Frequency Deviation +/- 8 khz
Data Transmission Rate 10 kbps
Fundamental Concepts of
Cellular Phone

• Coverage zone – a large geographic area.

• Cells – the small sections of the large geographic
area. It is defined by its physical size, and the size of
its population.
a. Macrocells – large cells typically have a radius 1
mile and 15 miles with base station transmit power
between 1 W and 6 W.
b. Microcells – the smallest cells typically have a
radius of 1500 feet or less with base station transmit
power between 0.1 W & 1 W
Honeycomb – the pattern formed by the
hexagonal- shaped cells.
Picocells – very small cells used indoor.
Fundamental Concepts of
Cellular Phone

Different locations of base station

transmitters:
1. Center-excited cell

3. Edge-
2. excited cell
Corner
-
excite
d cell
Frequency Allocation: Bands
1. 800 – 900 MHz – original frequency assignment;
previously occupied by UHF TV channels 68 through
83
2. 824 and 849 MHz – reserved for uplink
3. 869 and 849 MHz – are for downlink
Both 2) and 3) are divided into 832 channels with 30 kHz
bandwidth.
4. 30 kHz, 200 kHz, 1.25 MHz – the different bandwidths
used in different ways by different companies in
different locations.
5. 700 to 800 Mhz – abandoned UHF TV channels for
digital high-definition TV in 2009.
6. 1700 to 1750 Mhz – from military
7. 1900 to 2300 Mhz – available for 3G.
 Multiple Access – refers how the subscribers are
allocated to the assigned frequency spectrum.

Types:
1. Frequency reuse
2. FDMA - the spectrum is divided into many smaller
channels.
3. TDMA – multiple users use different time slots
4. CDMA – with unique coding, up to 64 subscribers can
share a 1.25 Mhz channel.
5. SDMA – it uses highly directional antennas to pinpoint
users and reject others on the same frequency.
Handoff
Types of Handoff:

1. Hard Handoff – a connection that is momentarily

broken during the cell-to-cell transfer. It is a break-
before-make process.

2. Soft Handoff – a flawless handoff, normally takes

approximately 200ms, which is imperceptible to voice
telephone users, although the delay may be disruptive
when transmitting data.
 Multiple Access – refers how the subscribers are
allocated to the assigned frequency spectrum.

Types:
1. FDMA - the spectrum is divided into many smaller
channels.
2. TDMA – multiple users use different time slots
3. CDMA – with unique coding, up to 64 subscribers
can share a 1.25 Mhz channel.
4. SDMA – it uses highly directional antennas to
pinpoint users and reject others on the same
frequency.

54
FDMA

➲ Frequency
➲ Division
➲ Multiple
➲ Access
FDMA
FDMA

(1G Cellular Networks)

TDMA

➲Time
➲Division
➲Multiple
➲Access
TDMA
F/TDMA

➲Frequency and
Time
➲Division
➲Multiple
➲Access
F/TDMA

(2G Cellular Networks)

F/TDMA

Ham Bands
CDMA

➲CODE
➲Division
➲Multiple
?
➲Access
CDMA
CDMA

Uses the whole band, for the whole time

CDMA

Everyone transmits on top of everyone else.

How do we show this?
CDMA
Some people show it like this...

… but preferred one is..

CDMA

(3G Cellular Networks)

 YES.
With different codes,
and if you know the right code, you
can receive just the person
transmitting with that code.
 FDMA/TDMA/CDMA
Which telecommunication service is better for
you?
 Say…
FDMA – Large room divided up into small rooms.
Each pair of people takes turns speaking.

TDMA – Large room divided up into small rooms.

Three pairs of people per room, however, each pair gets
20 seconds to speak.

CDMA – No small rooms. Everyone is speaking in

different languages. If voice volume is minimized, the
number of people is maximized.
 Definitions
TDMA – Time Division Multiple Access

FDMA – Frequency Division Multiple Access

CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access

General Specification of TDMA
Rx: 869-894MHz Tx: 824-849MHz
832 Channels spaced 30kHz apart
(3 users/channel)
DQPSK modulation scheme
48.6kbps bit rate
Interim Standard (IS) – 54
Digital AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System)
Uses Time Division Duplexing (TDD) usually
Advantages of TDMA
Flexible bit rate
No frequency guard band required
No need for precise narrowband filters
Easy for mobile or base stations to initiate and
execute hands off
Extended battery life
TDMA installations offer savings in base station
equipment, space and maintenance
The most cost-effective technology for upgrading
a current analog system to digital
Disadvantages to using TDMA
Requires network-wide timing synchronization
Requires signal processing fro matched filtering and
correlation detection
Demands high peak power on uplink in transient mode
Multipath distortion
General Specification of FDMA
Rx: 869-894MHz Tx: 824-849MHz
832 Channels spaced 30kHz apart
(3 users/channel)
DQPSK modulation scheme
48.6kbps bit rate
Used in analog cellular phone systems (i.e. AMPS)
Uses Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD)
ISI (Intersymbol Interference) is low
Advantages of FDMA
If channel is not in use, it sits idle
Channel bandwidth is relatively narrow (30kHz)
Simple algorithmically, and from a hardware standpoint
Fairly efficient when the number of stations is small and
the traffic is uniformly constant
Capacity increase can be obtained by reducing the
information bit rate and using efficient digital code
No need for network timing
No restriction regarding the type of baseband or type of
modulation
Disadvantages to using FDMA
The presence of guard bands
Requires right RF filtering to minimize adjacent
channel interference
Maximum bit rate per channel is fixed
Small inhibiting flexibility in bit rate capability
Does not differ significantly from analog system
General Specification of CDMA
Rx: 869-894MHz Tx: 824-849MHz
20 Channels spaced 1250kHz apart
(798 users/channel)
QPSK/(Offset) OQPSK modulation scheme
1.2288Mbps bit rate
IS-95 standard
Operates at both 800 and 1900 MHz frequency
bands
CDMA Operation
Spread Spectrum Multiple Access Technologies
Advantages of CDMA
Many users of CDMA use the same frequency,
TDD or FDD may be used
Multipath fading may be substantially reduced
because of large signal bandwidth
No absolute limit on the number of users
Easy addition of more users
Impossible for hackers to decipher the code sent
Better signal quality
No sense of handoff when changing cells
Disadvantages to using CDMA
As the number of users increases, the overall quality of
service decreases
Self-jamming
Near- Far- problem arises
Cell Structure
 Frequency Reuse

Frequency reuse
– the process in which the
same set of frequencies
(channels) can be allocated
to more than one cell,
provided the cells are
separated by sufficient
distance.
Cluster
– groups of cells

84
 Frequency Reuse

The number of channels available in a cluster, F:

F = GN

The total channel capacity in a given area, C:

C = mF

Where:
G = # of channels in a cell
N = # of cells in a cluster = 3, 7, or 12
m = # of clusters in a given area
85
 Example:
Determine the number of channels per cluster
and the total channel capacity for a cellular
telephone area comprised or 10 clusters with
seven cells in each cluster and 10 channels in
each cell.

F = 10(7) channels per cluster

C = 10(7)(10) total channels

86
Frequency Planning

3 cell clusters with

3 sectors antennas
 Basics on signals

Concepts On Signals
Signal Propagation ranges
Signal Propagation
 Multipath Propagation
Signal can take many different paths between sender
and receiver due to reflection, scattering, diffraction
 Modulation
Basic schemes
Amplitude Modulation
Frequency Modulation
Phase Modulation
Modulation & Demodulation
Digital Modulation
DSSS : Direct Sequence
FSSS : Frequency Spread
GSM
GSM ----- Generations
 2nd Generation
 GSM -9.6 Kbps (data rate)

 2.5 Generation ( Future of GSM)

 HSCSD (High Speed ckt Switched data)
Data rate : 76.8 Kbps (9.6 x 8 kbps)

 GPRS (General Packet Radio service)
 Data rate: 14.4 - 115.2 Kbps
 EDGE (Enhanced data rate for GSM Evolution)
 Data rate: 547.2 Kbps (max)
 3 Generation
 WCDMA(Wide band CDMA)
 Data rate : 0.348 – 2.0 Mbps
 Evolution Chart Broad Band
4G
Service type
Narrow Band Wide Band
1G 2G 3G
Multi
media
Wireless
Internet
Digital Mobile
IMT
IS 95 system
2000
Voice IS 136
Analog
AMPS GSM

~ 24kbps ~64kbps ~2Mbps ~20Mbps

1980 1990 2000 2010

Years
GSM - Overview
Global System for Mobile Communication
Architecture
Components & Sub Systems
Types of services
Call originating and receiving
 GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard
General Architecture Of GSM

HLR VLR
BSC
BSC
BTS
BTS
SIM PSTN,
MSC
ISDN

ME BTS
BTS BSC
BSC
EIR AuC

MS Um BSS NS
Mobile Base Station Network
station Subsystem Subsystem
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard

Mobile Station (MS): Two Blocks

Mobile Equipment (ME)
Subscribers Identity Module (SIM)

Function of Mobile Station:

1. Personal Mobility
2. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment
Identity)
3. IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard
Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
Base Station Controller (BSC)

BSC
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard

BSC: Base station Controller

1. It manages radio resources for one
or more BTS.
BSC
2. Allocation and Deallocation of
channels.
3. Transmitter power control.
4. Handoff control
BTS : Base Tranceiver station
1. It defines the cell .
2. It handles the radio link protocol with the mobile station
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard

HLR VLR
BSC PSTN,
BSC MSC ISDN
EIR AuC
 Network Subsystem
MSC: Mobile Switching Center
HLR: Home Location Register
VLR: Visitor Location register
AuC: Authentication Center
EIR: Equipment Identity Register
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard
Mobile Switching center:(MSC)
call set up/supervision/release
call routing
billing information colllection
mobility management
paging, alerting, echo cancellation
connection to BSC, other MSC and other local exchange
networks
Access to HLR and VLR
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard

Home Location Register (HLR)

One HLR per GSM operator
 Contains permanent database of all the subscribers in
the network
contains MSRN(mobile station routing no.)
It is reffered for every incomming call
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard
Visitor Location Register(VLR)
Temporary visitors database
One VLR per MSC
Authentication Center(AuC)
Provides security
Authentication and encryption
Equipment Identity Register:
Contains IMEI
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard

Services Provided By GSM

1. Tele services
- Basic Teleservice
- Calling – Voice Communication
- Voice mailbox
- SMS
-Emergency calling
-Voice Messaging
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard
Services Provided By GSM (Cont..)
2. Bearer Services
- Transmission of data
- Low Speed data transfer (upto 9.6 Kbps)
- Synchronous /asynchronous

3. Supplementary Services
- call offering , call forwarding, call restriction,
call waiting, call hold
- Multiparty teleconferencing, special schemes
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard
Handover

GMSC Handover is of
4 types
MSC MSC 1. Intra BTS
2. Intra BSC
BSC BSC BSC 3. Inter BSC
4. Inter MSC
Handovers

 Intra BTS
 Between 1 and 2
– Inter BTS / Intra
BSC
 Between 1 and 3 –
Inter BSC/ Intra MSC
 Between 1 and 4 –
Inter MSC
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard
GSM Radio Aspects :
 Uplink(Mobile to base)
 890-915 MHz (Total 25 MHz)
 Downlink ( Base to Mobile)
 935-960 MHz (Total 25 MHz)

 Total 45 MHz spacing for duplex operation

 GSM uses TDMA and FDMA
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard
GSM Using FDMA

200KHz

1 2 3 4 5 124
890MHz 915Mhz
Uplink Freq

Total Frequency range(Uplink)=25Mhz

Spacing between two carriers= 200kHz
No. of Carriers=25MHz/200KHz = 124
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard
GSM Using TDMA
TDMA Frame is divided into 8 time slots.

Freq
Time slots
Down
Link 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 200 KHz
carrier
45MHz
Up Link 0 1 33
2 3 4 55 6 7
carrier
4.6 ms
0.57ms
Time
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard

Classification of Channels
1 Traffic (TCH)
Speech
 Full rate 22.8 kb/s
 Half rate 11.4 kb/s
Data
 9.6kb/s
 4.8kb/s
 2.4kb/s
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular Standard
2 Control (CCH)
Broadcast (BCCH)
 Freq correction (FCCH)
 Synchronization (SCH)
Common (CCH)
 Paging (PCH)
 Access grant (AGCH)
 Random Access (RACH)
Dedicated (DCCH)
 Fast Associative (FACCH)
 Slow Associative (SACCH)
 Stand alone (SDCCH)
 GSM System Architecture 2 PSTN
ISDN
PDN
BSC
MS BTS
MSC

GMSC

BTS BSC

VLR
MS

BTS EIR
AUC
MS HLR
GSM
GSM network layout

PSTN
ISDN
OMC

BSC
MSC GMSC
E
BSC A B,C
BTS

HLR
EIR
BTS
VLR
AUC
BTS
123
 Abbreviations
 ISC: International switching center
 OMC: Operations and maintenance center
 GMSC: Gateway switching center
 MSC: Mobile switching center
 VLR: Visitor location register
 HLR: Home Location register
 EIR: Equipment Identification register
 AUC: Authentication center
 BSC: Base station controller
 BTS: Base transceiver station
 MS: Mobile subscriber
 TMSI: Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
 IMSI: International Mobile Subscriber Identity
 MSRN: Mobile Station Roaming Number

124
Call Routing
Call Originating from MS
Call termination to MS
GSM
The European TDMA Digital Cellular
Standard
Mobile call originating

VLR

BSC MSC

HLR GMSC
BSC MSC
PSTN.
ISDN
VLR
Outgoing Call
1. MS sends dialled number to
BSS
2. BSS sends dialled number
to MSC
3,4 MSC checks VLR if MS is
allowed the requested
service.If so,MSC asks BSS
to allocate resources for
call.
5 MSC routes the call to
GMSC
6 GMSC routes the call to
local exchange of called
user
7, 8,
 1. Calling a GSM
subscribers
Incoming Call 2. Forwarding call to
GSMC
3. Signal Setup to HLR
4. 5. Request MSRN
from VLR
6. Forward responsible
MSC to GMSC
7. Forward Call to
current MSC
8. 9. Get current status
of MS
10.11. Paging of MS
12.13. MS answers
14.15. Security checks
16.17. Set up
 Types of handover (same as “handoff”)
There are four different types of handover in the
GSM system.
Handover involves transferring a call between:
Channels (time slots) in the same cell
Cells (Base Transceiver Stations) under the control of the
same Base Station Controller (BSC),
Cells under the control of different BSCs, but belonging
to the same Mobile services Switching Center (MSC),
and
Cells under the control of different MSCs.

129
 Location management
Set of procedures to:
track a mobile user
find the mobile user to deliver it calls
Current location of MS maintained by 2-level
hierarchical strategy with
HLRs and
VLRs.

130