Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Nokia Networks Oy
1 (53)
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and describes only the product defined in the introduction of this documentation. This document is intended for the use of Nokia Networks' customers only for the purposes of the agreement under which the document is submitted, and no part of it may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or means without the prior written permission of Nokia Networks. The document has been prepared to be used by professional and properly trained personnel, and the customer assumes full responsibility when using it. Nokia Networks welcomes customer comments as part of the process of continuous development and improvement of the documentation. The information or statements given in this document concerning the suitability, capacity, or performance of the mentioned hardware or software products cannot be considered binding but shall be defined in the agreement made between Nokia Networks and the customer. However, Nokia Networks has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the instructions contained in the document are adequate and free of material errors and omissions. Nokia Networks will, if necessary, explain issues which may not be covered by the document. Nokia Networks' liability for any errors in the document is limited to the documentary correction of errors. Nokia Networks WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE IN ANY EVENT FOR ERRORS IN THIS DOCUMENT OR FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL (INCLUDING MONETARY LOSSES), that might arise from the use of this document or the information in it. This document and the product it describes are considered protected by copyright according to the applicable laws. NOKIA logo is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Other product names mentioned in this document may be trademarks of their respective companies, and they are mentioned for identification purposes only. Copyright Nokia Networks Oy 2003. All rights reserved.
2 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Contents
Contents
1 2 3 3.1 3.1.1 3.1.2 3.2 3.2.1 3.2.1.1 3.2.1.2 3.2.1.3 3.3 3.3.1 3.3.1.1 3.3.1.2 3.3.1.3 3.3.2 3.3.2.1 3.3.2.2 3.3.2.3 3.3.2.4 3.3.2.5 3.3.2.6 3.3.2.7 3.3.3 3.3.3.1 3.3.3.2 4 4.1 4.1.1 4.1.2 4.1.3 4.2 5 5.1 5.1.1 5.2 5.3 5.3.1 Module objectives ..................................................................................5 Introduction to mobile applications .....................................................6 Potential applications ..........................................................................10 Applications categorisation from the business area point of view ..........10 Person-to-person communications.........................................................11 Mobile Internet .......................................................................................12 Potential application utilising the UMTS circuit switched service ...........13 Video call and video services .................................................................13 Video telephony .....................................................................................14 Video download......................................................................................15 Video streaming .....................................................................................15 Potential applications utilising the UMTS packet switched service ....................................................................................................16 Voice over IP ..........................................................................................16 Push to talk over Cellular .......................................................................16 Voice and video over IP .........................................................................16 Point-to-multipoint, multicast via SGSN .................................................17 Data........................................................................................................18 Web browsing ........................................................................................18 Interactive games ...................................................................................19 High-priority transaction services (E-commerce) ...................................19 Two-way control telemetry .....................................................................20 E-mail (server access)............................................................................20 Voice messaging and dictation...............................................................20 Presence ................................................................................................21 Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)...................................................21 MMS Architecture...................................................................................23 MMS Flow examples ..............................................................................25 User Location .......................................................................................30 Location Service (LCS) ..........................................................................30 Cell ID based method.............................................................................31 OTDOA-IPDL .........................................................................................31 GPS........................................................................................................32 Location Based Services (LBS)..............................................................32 Virtual Home Environment (VHE) .......................................................35 What is a Virtual Home Environment? ...................................................35 Mobile applications from the USIM and terminal point of view...............37 (UMTS) SIM Application Toolkit - (U)SAT ..............................................38 Mobile (Station Application) Execution Environment (MExE).................41 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)/ Wireless Telephony Application (WTA) ..................................................................................42
Nokia Networks Oy
3 (53)
Customised Application for Mobile Network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL)................................................................................................ 43 Open Service Access (OSA) conception............................................... 45 Nokia Mobile Internet solution (optional topic)....................................... 48 Mobile Business (mBusiness) ............................................................... 49 Mobile commerce (mCommerce) .......................................................... 49 Review questions ................................................................................ 51
4 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Module objectives
Module objectives
The aim of this module is to give the student the conceptual knowledge needed for explaining what the GSM/UMTS mobile applications are. Topics to be covered in this module include the differentiation between UMTS services and applications, a general discussion of the Virtual Home Environment, and the introduction of the most important service platforms. After completing this module, the participant should be able to:
Outline the Virtual Home Environment concept (VHE) Briefly explain the difference between a tele-, bearer- and supplementary service within the VHE concept Name the UMTS services Sketch the ideas of (U)SAT, MExE, CAMEL, and OSA
Nokia Networks Oy
5 (53)
The term application refers to services as seen by the subscriber. Applications have not been standardized in UMTS. The (GSM/UMTS) network offers service elements, which are used by applications. The applications form the value added for the subscriber (see also Next Generation Network Group). A set of services have been made available by UMTS, which are: Circuit switched services, which are the teleservices, such as speech call, facsimile call, CS data. Packet switched services, which are based on the PS connectivity provided by PDP contexts. message services, including SMS and CBS.
The services speech call, facsimile, and SMS are both services and applications. Circuit switched data is only a service the subscriber gets a circuit switched bearer for data transport. The bearer itself adds no value to the subscriber. The subscriber requires the CS data bearer to run a data application, where content is for instance exchanged between the handheld device and an application related content server. The same is true for packet switched services, which are used to establish a packet switched bearer. Again, the PS bearer alone adds no value to the subscriber. But when the subscriber can use the bearer in combination with an application, then a value added is generated. For instance, a subscriber can use a PS bearer between the handheld device and the Internet to gain content via the application HTTP/TCP/IP. Consequently, the GSM/UMTS services must be selected in such a way, that the application running on top of it can be served in the best possible way.
6 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Service model
Therefore, the spirit of the UMTS specifications is to separate the applications and the network from each other as completely as possible. This can be expressed in the model drawn in the following picture.
Content
Content
Applications
Open Interface
Applications
Service Platform
Open / Proprietary Interface
Service Platform
3G Network
Access Methods:
UE
Uu
Node B - WCDMA
- GSM900/1800 - etc.
Iub/Iur
RNC
Iu
Core Network
Figure 1.
Service model
In principle, the radio access network (RAN) could be implemented with any technology but the core network (CN) and the user equipment (UE) must support the access method used. The terminals and the network together form the physical platform. The service platform layer maintains the applications offered and it is located on top of the physical platform. It should be noted that this model is logical and in real life the physical platform and service platform are somewhat mixed up together in the same equipment. On the core network side, the service platform is often distributed on many different pieces of equipment, for instance in the Home Location Register (HLR). The interfaces between the physical platform and the service platform are either open or proprietary. Where possible, the Nokia solution supports standardised interfaces. Service platforms offer completely open interfaces towards applications. Actually, one of the requirements of UMTS is that the system must offer open interfaces for application development and this is it. For instance, WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is one occurrence of open application development interfaces.
Nokia Networks Oy
7 (53)
Due to the layered structure presented previously, the commercial points related to the application creation and provision will remarkably change compared to GSM. In the early phase of GSM, every application for the end user basically came from the equipment vendor. Either it required fine-tuning of the equipment or the operator was not able to establish a service itself. In UMTS, the open interfaces enable a situation where basically anyone may create a applications and create application related content to be supplied to the end-users.
Content Provider
Content Provider
Content Provider
Application Provider Application Provider Application Provider Bearer/Carrier Provider (3G Network) End-Users
Figure 2.
From the point of view of the telecommunications business, the emphasis is moving rapidly from equipment to application and content. This model, indirectly specified in UMTS, fastens that development. Indications of this development can already be seen in the existing GSM networks. For instance, stock exchange rates can be queried through the GSM network. In this case, the carrier provider (operator) and application provider are the same, but the content for the service is queried somewhere else, such as from the stock exchange database.
Service platforms
Service platforms are entities, which offer the implementation means for applications. A service platform is a logical entity often containing several pieces of equipment. As the majority of existing applications (December 2002) were adopted from GSM:
VMS (Voice Mail System) for Voice Call Completion Service Delivery Platform: A set of service enabling servers that support different types of applications. A typical example is the SMSC (Short Message Service Centre) for Short Message Delivery.
8 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Service Creation & Execution Platform is built upon the principles of IN (Intelligent Network) and is almost obligatory to provide the envisioned services.
RAN
Control Plane
Core Network
HLR
BTS
Internet
3G MSC Voice Servers
SCP
BSC
Node B
AXC Fiber MWR ATM Access RNC Fiber 2G 3G SGSN SGSN Service Delivery Platform
Node B
GGSN
PSTN
Gateway Plane
NMS
Figure 3.
The new WCDMA radio interface will improve the quality and convenience of these applications. It will also enable higher packet data rates, which is highly important for the new e-mail and Internet services. The circuit connections can initially be made to the GSM switches to provide speech and other circuit switched services of up to 64 Kbps.
Nokia Networks Oy
9 (53)
Potential applications
Applications are the end user services. They are no longer standardized. It is up to operators and value added service providers to determine the need for an application and implement them. GSM/UMTS offer the bearer and call control to exchange content and content related signaling information between the mobile device and the application driven content server.
Potential applications
The following is a list of the applications that have been planned for GSM/UMTS to realize:
News and traffic flashes Public video phoning Ticketing services and interactive shopping Desktop video conferencing Voice recognition and response Interactive and virtual school Universal SIM with credit card function Virtual banking Currency downloading Video on demand On-line library and books
In addition to these, the supplementary services used in GSM are available from the very beginning of the 3G.
3.1
Person-to-Person Multimedia Communications Mobile Internet Business Solutions Mobile Commerce Location Based Services
10 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
Although it is difficult to predict, which services will be the most popular; it is foreseen that the more lucrative services will be those that are working together.
Entertainment Choose Restaurant Transact Choose Theatre Make Booking Get Map
Travel Get Bus Transact Get Train Make Booking Enter in Diary PIM Create Reminder MicroPayment
Check Availability
Make Payment
Find Parking
Make Payment
Figure 4.
In the previous figure, we use searching based upon our location to find a theatre. The mobile network allows users to make an instant reservation (Nokia mCommerce solution). Then, as the user travels to the chosen theatre, the mobile network provides a map application, assisted with location based services suggesting means of traveling towards the destination. Finally the user updates a Personal Information Management application (PIM) with the information of the travel and theatre.
3.1.1
Person-to-person communications
Person-to-person communications is the interaction and sharing of end user created information between the individuals. Today, person-to-person communication is mainly related to voice calls and Short Message Service (SMS). In 3G, person-toperson communications will evolve to new types of messaging and telephony, including:
Chat (one to many) Calendar and email (including synchronization) Rich call and video telephony Picture messaging and multimedia messaging
Evolution of messaging will bring richer content into the messages. With multimedia messaging, it is possible to combine the conventional short messages with much
Nokia Networks Oy
11 (53)
richer content type photographs, images, and eventually also video clips. In addition to sending messages from one hand set to another, it is also possible to send messages from handset to email.
Versatility of Content and User Benefits Mobile Multimedia Multimedia Message Service Picture Messaging
SMS
Text
Figure 5.
Student Facts: During the month of June 2001, around 20 billion SMSs were sent globally. In September 2002, 27 billion of them were sent. During 1999 and 2000, Norway saw an increase of 1000% SMSs. Italy saw an increase of 700% during 7 months.
3.1.2
Mobile Internet
The introduction of Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) has shaped the mobile industry into the direction where mobile technology is combined with the Internet. The added value provided by Mobile Internet (as opposed to fixed Internet) could be summed up with four key words:
thus always relevant to me wherever I need it information when I need latest version, as it happens
The question to ask is: "What can I do with it?" The figures below give an example of how the Mobile Internet can be used for a subscriber's life style. The categories of services can be divided into information and entertainment.
12 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
NEWS
General Headlines Financial & Business Politics Tabloids Culture & Entertainment Sports Lottery
TRAVEL
Traffic (traffic jams, radar, control,) Public transportation Navigation services Train schedules Flight schedules Hotels Holiday packages
Special Interest
Mobile telephones Internet sites and services Computers and hardware Automobile
INFORMATION
MUSIC ENTERTAINTMENT
Ringtones Short clips (e.g. MP3)
TV
LIFESTYLE
FUN
CHATS
Topic specific Private
PICTURES
Icons Logos Photos Postcards
GAMES
Puzzles Quizzes Tamagotchi Games Gambling/Betting
ASTROLOGY
DATING
Program Gastronomy Jokes me schedules Hobbies Sayings Highlights Fashion Dream analysis Parties
Figure 6.
As mentioned previously in this module, there is a misconception that these services are only introduced in UMTS. However, there is nothing limiting the operator/content provider in introducing these services today. Although in circuit switched networks there are limitations in terms of speed and connection set-up. The advantage of GPRS should overcome, or reduce, these limitations.
3.2
3.2.1
Nokia Networks Oy
13 (53)
Figure 7
3.2.1.1
Video telephony
Thsi service refers to making or receiving a video call where the mobile user can see as well as talk to the other person. In effect, it allows the user both visual and verbal communications since users can see each other. The conversation experience can be furhter improved by allowing one or both users to see what the other person sees. It is thus possible to not only see each other but a more general concept of sharing is allowed for
I the future the CS and PS-domains may merge and video call could then be supported via either domain
Figure 8
The mobile devices display, including screen size and resolution, as well as local memory, make mobile video content different from content from other media, making it essential to design the content to suit the mobile device and the method of
14 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
distribution. In order to ensure that video services take off, a vast database of video content must be developed, one that is constantly improved with new ideas and substance. The video formats in which the video content has been encoded, such as the open standards 3GPP file format, can be used throughout the evolution of video services.
Figure 9
3.2.1.2
Video download
This as the name implies, refers to the delivery of video clips to a mobile device, usually through discovery such as browsing and then followed by a WAP or TCP/IP session where the clip is sent to the device to be viewed or stored. Digital rights management will define the usage rules for commercial quality content, while the available memory capacity of the device will determine storage possibilities In video downloading cases, wireless profile of TCP/IP is a key enabler for the download of larger files. Although large video files can be downloaded over the WAP stack, the download time is substantially faster with the same network bandwidth if the transfer is done over the TCP/IP stack. This is better for the user, as there it reduces the waiting time while the file is being delivered from a server to the users device. The evolution of the underlying network to EDGE and WCDMA will secure capacity and cost-effectiveness. Similarly, roaming agreements between operators are required.
3.2.1.3 Video streaming
Streaming commonly indicates immediate consumption of on demand or live video content on a mobile device and where the content is not stored on the device. This method allows the consumption of large video fi les without any dependence on
Nokia Networks Oy
15 (53)
device memory, since the file is not physically stored on the client. This can be compared to the broadcast model of watching television programs. Control of Quality of Service is needed in the radio access and core network to ensure that video applications work properly. This can be done by network dimensioning and configuration to ensure sufficient capacity for streaming users. Early GPRS is based on best effort, where capacity is shared evenly among the users in a cell. In WCDMA and later EGPRS networks, it is possible to provide the user with a guaranteed bit rate for good service performance.
3.3
3.3.1
Voice over IP
The most well known use of voice telecommunication is telephony speech (e.g. GSM), but with Internet and multimedia, a number of new applications will require this scheme, for example voice over IP and video conferencing tools. Realtime conversation is always performed between peers (or groups) of live (human) end-users. This is the only scheme where the required characteristics are strictly given by human perception (the senses).
3.3.1.1
PoC is a direct, real-time voice communications service. The principle of the service is simple: just push to talk. Thanks to the direct connection, calls can be started to both individuals and groups with just a push of a key. The half-duplex (one way at a time) call connection is almost instant. The technology uses the capabilities of the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) as specified by 3GPP. It is based on a half-duplex, always-on VoIP (Voice over IP) service over the second generation GSM/GPRS network. Push to talk uses the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) service architecture as SIP messaging, making new applications - such as voice chat and group chat messaging - possible. Groups can also be created using SMS, which is familiar and easy for the user to control.
3.3.1.2 Voice and video over IP
Videophone implies a full-duplex system, carrying both video and audio, and is intended for use in a conversational environment. As such, the same delay requirements as for conversational voice will apply in principle, with the added
16 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
requirement that the audio and video must be synchronized within certain limits to provide 'lip-synch' (that is, synchronization of the speakers lips with the words being heard by the end-user). In fact, due to the long delays in even the latest video codecs, it will be difficult to meet these requirements. Once again, the human eye is tolerant to some loss of information, so that some degree of packet loss is acceptable depending on the specific video coder and amount of error protection used. It is expected that the latest video codecs will provide acceptable video quality with frame erasure rates up to about 1%.
Figure 10.
Video telephony
3.3.1.3
When the user is looking at (listening to) video (audio), the scheme streams apply. The real-time data flow is always aiming at a live (human) destination. It is a oneway transport called unidirectional continuous stream. This scheme is one of the newcomers in data communication, raising a number of new requirements in both telecommunication and data communication systems.
Audio streaming is expected to provide better quality than conventional telephony, and requirements for information loss in terms of packet loss will be correspondingly tighter. As with voice messaging, however, there is no conversational element involved and delay requirements can be relaxed, even more so than for voice messaging. An example of audio streaming is the web radio station.
The main distinguishing feature of one-way video is that there is no conversational element involved, meaning that the delay requirement will not be so stringent, and can follow that of streaming audio. An example of one-way video is monitoring your home via the Internet
Nokia Networks Oy
17 (53)
3.3.2
Data
Although there may be some exceptions, as a general rule it is assumed that from a user point of view, a prime requirement for any data transfer application is to essentially guarantee zero loss of information. At the same time, delay variation is not applicable. The applications, therefore, tend to distinguish themselves on the basis of the delay that can be tolerated by the end user from the time the source content is requested until it is presented to the user. The Release 5 feature HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) marks a similar boost for WCDMA that EDGE does for GSM. It provides a two-fold increase in air interface capacity and a five-fold increase in data speeds in the downlink direction. HSDPA also shortens the round-trip time between the network and terminals and reduces variance in downlink transmission delay
3.3.2.1
Web browsing
In this category, we will refer to retrieving and viewing the HTML component of a web page. Other components (e.g. images, audio/video clips) are dealt with under their separate categories. From the user point of view, the main performance factor is how fast a page appears after it has been requested. A value of 2 - 4 seconds per page is proposed. However, improvements on these figures to a target figure of 0.5 seconds would be desirable. Mobile browsing delivers formatted Web pages to the users terminal and displays them on the screen, enabling interaction with active elements on the page, such as links and forms. In the case of pull, the user consumes the product by clicking links and form buttons to request the next page. Mobile browsing also supports pushwhich is an action initiated by the server to deliver content to the terminal. Users may receive a Service Initiation push message, asking for permission to display a page, or a Service Load push message, which, depending on the users settings, can automatically load a page and then display it, or simply have it ready in the cache for immediate display later.
Figure 11
18 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
3.3.2.2
Interactive games
Requirements for interactive games are obviously very dependent on the specific game, but it is clear that demanding applications will require very short delays, and a value of 250 ms is recommended consistent with demanding interactive applications.
Figure 12
Interactive gaming
3.3.2.3
The main performance requirement here is to provide a sense of immediacy to the user that the transaction is proceeding smoothly. A value of 2 - 4 seconds is suggested to be acceptable to most users. A mobile wallet in the terminal can improve the convenience of mobile commerce significantly. By providing local storage of, for example, payment and access credentials and support or federated identity technologies, such as Liberty, the terminal wallet reduces the number of actions required by the user during a browsing session. Instead of the consumer remembering and typing payment card numbers and access profiles (PINs and passwords), the mobile wallet can provide them to the service provider automatically through an intuitive user interface. In addition, a mobile wallet can extend this automation to shipping address information that would otherwise be entered manually. Lifecycle management can be facilitated by over-theair (OTA) provisioning of the credentials to be stored in the mobile wallet. Instead of the user keying in the data manually, he can simply receive, for instance, credit card details from the card issuer over-the-air. Credentials storage is secure and protected by terminal security architecture and a password. Future opportunities for the mobile wallet can include support for operator-based payment services, such as server wallets and premium SMS, new card association technologies for browser-based payments, such as 3D secure, as well as an open development environment.
Nokia Networks Oy
19 (53)
3.3.2.4
Two-way control telemetry is included here as an example of a data service that requires a real-time streaming performance. Two-way control implies a low allowed delay. A value of 250 ms is proposed, but a key difference between the voice and video services in this category is the zero information loss tolerance, needed when for instance controlling important industrial processes. There are billions of machines waiting to be able to communicate. An ice-cream vending machine wants to tell the supplier that its running out of chocolate cones, enabling the vending operator to better schedule his onsite visits. An electricity meter wants to send consumption figures to the energy providers billing system, thus providing more frequent meter reading. Or the other way around using your mobile handset, you may want to activate the alarm system at your cottage remotely, check if the doors at your home are locked or tell your greenhouse to water your plants.
3.3.2.5
E-mail is generally thought to be a store and forward service, which in principle can tolerate very long delays. It is important, however, to differentiate between communications between the user and the local e-mail server and server-to-server transfer. When the user communicates with the local mail server, there is an expectation that the mail will be transferred quite rapidly, although not necessarily instantaneously. Consistent with the research findings on delay tolerance for web browsing, a requirement of 2 - 4 seconds is proposed.
Figure 13.
Electronic postcard
3.3.2.6
Requirements for information loss are essentially the same as for conversational voice, but the key difference here is that there is more tolerance for delay since there is no direct conversation involved. The main issue therefore is how much delay can
20 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
be tolerated between the user issuing a command to replay a voice message and the actual start of the audio. There is no precise data on this, but a delay on the order of a few seconds appears reasonable.
3.3.2.7 Presence
Presence is a familiar concept to those using instant messaging services on the fixed Internet. With mobile phones, presence will not only enhance messaging but will introduce a service of its own that can be used in many other applications and services. It will be at the center of all communication and mobile telephony will benefit from presence information just as it has done from messaging. Instant messaging is the first presence-enabled application that utilizes presence information in the operator's presence server.
Figure 14
Presence groups
A definition of presence, is a dynamic variable profile of the user, which is visible to others and used to represent oneself, share information and control services. In essence, presence is two things: a users status to others and others status to the user. Status may contain information such as personal and device status, location or context, terminal capabilities and preferred contact method.
3.3.3
SMS is currently the most successful data service in GSM. In September 2002, more than 27 billion SMS messages were transmitted. It is expected, that SMS will grow in numbers of transmitted messages. In the year 2002 about 11% of an operators income was earned with the short message service.
Nokia Networks Oy
21 (53)
Nokia was the first handheld supplier to use the SMS infrastructure for another kind of application. Instead of just sending text messages, download of simple pictures or ringing tone became possible with Nokia Smart Messaging phones. Smart messaging enabled the subscribers to personalize their messages to a higher degree. The great success of Smart Messaging resulted in a standard for enhanced SMS capabilities: Enhanced Message Service (EMS), which was developed by the 3GPP. EMS allows the transmission and reception of ring tones, sounds, animations, simple pictures, etc. Hereby, the user can even create own pictures and tones. EMS supports both phone personalization and person-to-person messaging. The main advantage of EMS from the operators point of view is that no investment in an EMS infrastructure is required. EMS is based on and uses the existing SMS infrastructure. MMS was specified with UMTS Release 4. During the specification process, the 3GPP worked with several assumptions: Firstly, the potential transmission rates will be higher than in the second generation, thus allowing a higher data rate and more flexible bearer allocation. Secondly, many mobile phones will have colored screens and higher resolution than earlier models. Given the new options both in terms of bearers and terminal capabilities, the aim was to specify a more advanced option for transmitting pictures, music, text, and video. MMS was thus specified to allow the transmission of larger messages, containing a wide range of content. It supports person-to-person communication, and both service providers and subscribers can generate content.
Multimedia Messaging Service music
Smart Messaging & EMS Text, simple graphics, ringing tones stills etc.
video
timeline
Figure 15.
An MMS message can be compared with a standardized envelope neither content, nor size, was specified. The MMS message is represented by a standardized presentation language: SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language). A
22 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
SMIL page holds information on how, where, and when to display the different multimedia elements. The media elements such as pictures, text, and sound are combined to a single message, using MIME. MIME stands for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension. MIME is a standard, which specifies how several media are placed within a message. (In the Internet, the message is the email; in the mobile network, it is the MMS message.) A wide range of media types are supported, such as audio (e.g. MP3), video (e.g. MP4), text (e.g. ISO-8859-1), and pictures (e.g. baseline JPEG). Several mobile phone manufactures have agreed in supporting a minimum set of media types to guarantee interoperability.
variable size
Content: Minimum set of supported media types recommended: text audio images video
m SMS-
e essag
Figure 16.
MMS envelope
MMS today
More than 40 operators have already started the commercial launch of MMS (December 2002). The GPRS infrastructure is currently in use for the MMS transport. MMS over WAP is the common way nowadays to transfer MMS message. But MMS was specified independent from WAP, so other means of MMS transport may be possible in the future.
3.3.3.1 MMS Architecture
The MMS Architecture consists of several network entities. Please note, that some of them can be combined within a single network element. MMS User Agent (UE) MMS is based on the client server principle. A MMS UA can reside on the mobile equipment. But it can be also made available on external devices, such as
Nokia Networks Oy
23 (53)
laptops, PDAs, and other devices. These external devices can be connected to a UE to use MMS via the radio interface. But MMS was specified in such a way, that it can be deployed e.g. on a fixed network personal computer. The MMS UE interacts with the Multimedia Message Service Environment (MMSE). The MMSE incorporates MMS service elements, which are responsible for the delivery and storage of MMS messages. The MMSE entities are the MMS Server This network entity is responsible for managing incoming and outgoing messages. It is also in use as MMS storage. MMS Relay This network element is responsible for the interworking between different messaging systems. It can be connected to voice mail servers, E-mail servers, Fax servers, etc. In addition to that, it is also responsible for CDR generation.
Although MMS Server and MMS Relay were specified as two individual network entities in UMTS Release 4, most vendors are offering their functionalities in one network element. Nokia calls its MMS Server/Relay MMS Center. MMS over WAP is currently the common way to transfer MMS message. But MMS was specified independently from WAP, so other means of MMS transport may be possible in the future The figure below shows the MMSC including its reference points (MM1 to MM8). Please note, that most reference points are not open! Only the format of the user data is specified. (Reference point MM2 is between the MMS Relay and the MMS Server.)
Legacy systems
MMS C enter
MM4
I-MMSC
HLR
Figure 17.
24 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
3.3.3.2
In this example, we outline an MMS transfer between two UEs. Hereby, we assume that the multimedia messages are transmitted via WAP. Before multimedia messages can be exchanged, MMS related signalling between the MMS UA and the MMS Center must take place. To transmit the signalling information, we need a bearer between the UE and the MMS Center. In this example, a bearer is made available via the packet switched domain. A PDP context between the UE and the external PDN WAP was established. This bearer is used to transmit MMS messages over WAP. 1. The UE invokes a WSP/HTTP POST operation with the M-Send.req message embedded as the content body. This message is submitted using a URI that addresses the MMS Center that supports the specific terminal. The UE composes a transaction ID for the submitted message. This ID is used by the UE and the MMS Center to provide linkage between the originated MSend.req and the response M-Send.conf messages. The value used for the transaction ID is determined by the UE, and no interpretation is expected from the MMS Center. The MMS Center assigns a message ID to the message when successfully received for delivery. The ID is used in activities that need to refer to the specific sent message, e.g. sending the possible delivery report later. Upon receipt of the M-Send.req message, the MMS Center responds to the WSP/HTTP POST with an answer that includes the M-Send.conf message in its body (body=HTTP level payload). The response message provides a status code for the requested operation. If the MMS Center is willing to accept the request to send the message, the status is accepted and the message includes the message-ID composed by the MMS Center.
BTS BSC MSC /VLR/HLR BSC BTS
2.
SGSN
GPRS BB
GGSN
SMS C enter
Message sending
M-S end.req M-S end.conf
WAP GW PPG
MMS C enter
Figure 18.
Nokia Networks Oy
25 (53)
3. The headers of the PDU (the ones that the sender's MMS Center has added to the original PDU) are used to generate a notification to the recipient, and are delivered with the message body parts to the recipient at retrieval. The MMS Center creates a transaction identifier before sending the notification. The identifier is unique up to the following M-NotifyResp only. If the MMS Client requests deferred (delayed) delivery with M-NotifyResp, the MMS Center may create a new transaction identifier. The notification uses SMS as bearer; the MMS Center sends the MNotification.ind to the SMS Center. The SMS Center further forwards the message to SMS-GMSC. The SMS-GMSC asks routing info from HLR, i.e. the location of the MSC that the recipient UE was last connected with (SendRoutingInfoForShortMs). SMS-GMSC forwards the message to MSC (ForwardShortMessage). MSC checks VLR to make sure that the UE has not been barred or otherwise restricted from using the network (SendInfoForMTSMS). MSC forwards the message through the BSS to the receiving UE. 4. The information in M-Notification.ind includes the URI that will be used to actually retrieve the message in a subsequent operation by the receiving terminal. The terminal may use additional information about the message (e.g. message size, expiry) to determine its behaviour. For example, the UE may delay the retrieval of the message if it exceeds a defined size. The receiver of the MNotification.ind tells the action to be taken to the MMS Center with the MNotifyResp.req, which is routed to the MMS Center the same way as the MNotification.ind.
BTS BSC MSC /VLR/HLR BSC BTS
SGSN
GPRS BB
GGSN
SMS C enter
WAP GW PPG
MMS C enter
Figure 19.
5. The URI (MMS Center address) required for the retrieval, sent in the preceding M-Notification.ind message, is used in the GET request.
26 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
6. The data returned (M-Retrieve.conf) includes the multimedia message. The header component can provide additional information, such as the tariff class, which is useful in AT messages. 7. The MMS Center may decide to request an acknowledgement from the UE to confirm the delivery status of the retrieval. It may make this decision based on whether it needs to provide a delivery notice back to the originating UE or not. Alternatively, it may make that decision based upon an expectation that it would then be able to delete the message from its own store.
BTS MSC /VLR/HLR BSC BTS
BSC
SGSN
GPRS BB
GGSN
SMS C enter
Fetching message
WSP GET.req M-Retrieve.conf M-Acknowledge.req
WAP GW PPG
MMS C enter
Figure 20.
8. The MMS Center sends the M-Delivery.ind message to the originating MS using WAP PUSH to inform when message delivery has occurred. The Message ID identifies the message. It is generated when the original message is posted. It also provides addressing information of the originally targeted entity. 9. M-read-rec.ind message is sent by the receivers UE to the MMS Center to inform when the receiver has opened the message. 10. The MMS Center sends the M-read-orig.ind message to the originating MS using WAP PUSH to inform when the the receiver has opened the message.
Nokia Networks Oy
27 (53)
BTS
BSC
MSC /VLR/HLR
BSC
BTS
SGSN
GPRS BB
GGSN
SMS C enter
WAP GW PPG
MMS C enter
Figure 21.
28 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Potential applications
E-Mails are nowadays a very popular means of communication both in business and private. Here we can see a flow example of mobile E-mail transfer via MMS. The MMS Center (MMS Relay functionality) converts the MM to an E-mail message and sends it to the Mail Server. The communication between Mail GW and Mail Server is based on SMTP (/MIME) protocol. SMTP understands only pure text based data and is used for the actual data transfer. MIME is used for attachment support. The Mail Server acknowledges the MMS Center that it has received the message. This is an acknowledgement belonging to the SMTP protocol.
BTS BSC
WAP GW
GGSN GPRS BB
SGSN
E-mail server
Figure 22.
E-mail connectivity
Nokia Networks Oy
29 (53)
User Location
For a mobile subscriber, the current location of his terminal may add value to him. His terminal equipment can be combined with a navigation aid, which helps the subscriber to find his route in a foreign city. Knowing the users location is also helpful for emergency services in order to help the calling person faster. Two concepts have to be separated, when we talk about the subscribers location: Location Service (LCS) LCS offers the possibility to identify the current location of the subscribers terminal. The current location is reported in a standard format, such as geographical co-ordinates. The location information can be made available to the subscriber himself, the ME, the network operator, the service operator, and for PLMN internal operations. LCS is specified. Location Based Service (LBS) LCS can be used to enable the provision of location based services (LBS). These applications are service provider specific and are not specified.
4.1
30 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
User Location
Cell ID based method OTDOA-IPDL (Observed Time Difference of Arrival -Idle Period Downlink) GPS (Global Positioning System).
4.1.1
4.1.2
OTDOA-IPDL
OTDOA-IPDL (Observed Time Difference of Arrival - Idle Period Downlink) is a method with network configurable idle periods (In the Nokia Solution, it has been named mCatch) The OTDOA-IPDL method involves measurements made by the UE and LMU (Location Measurement Unit) of the UTRAN frame timing. For instance, the observed time difference between different System Frame Numbers (SFN) can be used. These measures are then sent to the SRNC (Serving Radio Network Controller) where the position of the UE is calculated through triangulation estimate. The location can here be defined down to between 70 - 50 meters. The Base Station may provide idle periods in the downlink in order to potentially improve the hear ability of neighboring BSs. The support of these idle periods in the UE is optional. The support of idle periods in the UE means that the OTDOA performance is improved when idle periods are available. Alternatively, the UE may perform the calculation of the position using measurements and assistance data.
Nokia Networks Oy
31 (53)
BTS
BTS
BTS
Figure 23.
4.1.3
GPS
GPS (Global Positioning System) is one approach. These methods make use of UEs, which are equipped with radio receivers capable of receiving GPS signals. The UE receives signals from many satellites and the position of the UE can be calculated very accurately. But one has to remember that there has to be a line of sight to the satellites, which means that the GPS does not work properly indoors or in bad weather conditions.
4.2
Different applications can access information on the subscriber's location. The standards dictate that the subscriber can control whether the location information is kept or not (except if there is local government legislation). An example of how useful this location information is could be a car device that can download maps or information based upon your location.
32 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
User Location
Figure 24
Location aware applications and services stand out because they provide the consumer with: Enhanced personal navigation and route finding. For instance, by listening to the turn-by-turn directions on how to get to a meeting. Enhanced personal communication when using e-mail or MMS: For example, the user can receive a picture with attached location as an invitation to a house-warming party. Location aware personalized information, e.g. where are the nearest restaurants? This can be done with no need to enter the current address or city district information, making the service faster and easy to use. Location aware games and entertainment, e.g. catch the enemy spies around you while taking the bus to school. Increased safety, e.g. locating lost hikers. Professional tracking services e.g operate a fleet of trucks and optimize usage knowing where they are.
In many countries this is a legal requirement in the case of emergency calls. For example in the U.S., the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has stated that, by October 2001, emergency calls from mobile stations should be located with accuracy of 125 meters or better. This E911 requirement has been the most important single driving factor for current MS location activity. Operators can also benefit from location information for network planning purposes. They can track user movements and detect hot spots with dense traffic. Operators
Nokia Networks Oy
33 (53)
can delineate areas with poor radio coverage or use location information to enhance basic services. Special tariff zones provide a particularly good example of such a service enhancement. A cellular operator can offer reduced tariffs for subscribers when they call from their home zone. However, operators can earn revenue from offering related position servers, such as location specific advertising. This is because they know the user's location, personal profile information or segmented channel. Push advertisements can be subscription based so that the mobile user can indicate to the operator the information he is interested in, according to his personal profile.
Figure 25.
Sample application
Location information can be utilized by the applications in many different ways. For instance, by knowing the location, the menu of available services can be narrowed down to the ones that are interesting in relation to the location. Furthermore, the content could change according to the location; for example, information of the closest restaurants or the closest hotels could pop up on the mobile terminal's screen based on the current location. As you imagine, there is an endless amount of services that could utilize the information. For an operator, the existing network can be utilized although new network elements are needed to help in taking measurements from the network and location servers. Also, supporting servers are also needed. Today's networks and mobiles also have location-based services, based upon the cell ID and location area. This information is used already for charging and routing of calls.
34 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
5.1
Figure 26.
Each application toolkit has a specified application execution environment. The application execution environment is used to run specific, non-standardized
Nokia Networks Oy
35 (53)
applications. The options to personalize applications exist. The application toolkits for operator specific services are (U)SAT, MExE, and CAMEL. The VHE can be viewed both from the user perspective and network perspective. From a users point of view VHE is enabled by user profiles as in the figure below. The home environment allows a user to personally manage one or more user profiles (e.g. activate, modify, deactivate etc.) The network side of VHE; (the Home Environment and Home Environment Value Added Service Provider) is also able to manage one or more user profiles (e.g. activate, modify, deactivate etc.). Furthermore it is necessary to enable the identification of a user's personalized data and services information directly or indirectly from the user's profile and an authorized Home Environment Value Added Service Provider must have access the user's profile. In some cases it required that Value Added Service Providers are enabled to control and have limited access to the user's profile (e.g. for general user preferences and subscribed services information).
USER
Limited access and control of user profile User profile and preferences provided and controlled by Home Environment
Home environment
Service
Figure 27
The home environment (VHE) from a network point of view is designed to be able to provide and control services to the user in a consistent manner even in cases when a user is roaming. It is also necessary to provide the means to create and maintain a set of user profiles and support the execution of services through its Service Toolkits in the network, the USIM and in the ME. The VHE must be able to uniquely identify the user in any of the telecommunication networks supported by the Home Environment.
36 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Home Environment
User Profile
User Profile
Home Network
Visited Network
Figure 28
5.1.1
The UMTS SIM (USIM) has open application programming interfaces (APIs). The option for download application programs exist. The mobile equipment (ME), which is also called mobile terminal (MT), is able to handle RT/NRT bearers. Depending on the application platforms it supports, open application programming interfaces support the execution of applications on the ME.
Figure 29.
SIM card
Nokia Networks Oy
37 (53)
Because nobody requires every potential application (and is willing to pay all the development costs which come with the application), terminal differentiation will occur. The standards have specified how additional network-independent services, such as SAT and MExE, should operate within terminals (see the next subsections).
Mobile terminal operating systems
A mobile terminal consists of hardware, an operating system, and applications. The three main contenders to set the standard for handheld operating systems are:
Symbian with its EPOC operating system Microsoft with Windows CE (Consumer Electronics) 3Com with its Palm operating system
The Nokia wireless operating system for the next generation of smart phones, including the 9210(i) Communicator, is the EPOC operating system. By using a standard operating system, it means that applications that are not dependent on a particular phone can be built. This should open the way for more applications for subscribers.
Figure 30.
5.2
It is possible to specify open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for the mobile equipment (ME) and the SIM-card. Application programs can then use these
38 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
APIs. (U)SAT specifies APIs for the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). In other words, this APIs represent an enhanced set of SIM-ME interfaces. The SIM-ME interfaces are used by the SIM-card to trigger ME functions and vice versa. The SIM-card cannot be accessed from outside application servers. There is only one exception: If the supplier of the SIM-card allows it, application programs can be downloaded on the SIM. The APIs for the ME are called terminal adaptation functions. They can be used to interact directly with higher layer protocols such as USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data), SM (Session Management), CC (Call Control), and SMS protocols. The ME can be accessed from external application servers.
(U)SAT working principle
Universal Subscriber identity module Application Toolkit (USAT) provides a standardized execution environment for applications stored on the USIM/SIM card and the ability to utilize certain functions of the supporting mobile equipment. SAT/USAT provides mechanisms which allow applications, existing in the USIM/SIM, to interact and operate with any ME which supports the specified mechanism(s) thus ensuring interoperability between a USIM/SIM and an ME, independent of the respective manufacturers and operators. A transport mechanism is provided enabling applications to be down-loaded and/or updated. The central idea of USAT is to execute an application program on the SIM-card. Information required for the application can be retrieved from an application related content server. The location of the content server and how to establish a connection to the content server is specified in the application program on the SIM-card
Figure 31
Nokia Networks Oy
39 (53)
Example
Content provider can remotely provision content to users mobile equipment by exchanging codes embedded in short messages between the application client on the SIM and the content/application server. In the (U) SAT specification, SMS is a key mechanism for personalizing the SIM in each users GSM phone. In the figure below, a simple service request and response by means of SAT is illustrated. As you can see, most of the interaction takes place locally between the user and the MS/UE. Only the specific service request and the response are transmitted as short messages in the air interface.
1.Set up Menu 4.Menu Selection 5.Select Item 8.Select Reply 9.Send SMS 12. SMS PP Download 13. Display Text 10. SMS sending 11. SMS Download
14.Show text
Figure 32.
A significant aspect of SAT/USAT is the highly secure environment provided by the USIM/SIM card. This is further enhanced by the fact that the subscriber and the issuer of the USIM/SIM and also the SAT/USAT applications have a "trusted relationship" (e.g. the subscriber trusts the issuer of the card to charge correctly for the resources used). This allows certain features, such as call control, to be implemented with a degree of freedom, which would not be acceptable in a "nontrusted relationship". Because of this, (U)SAT is often seen as prerequisite for applications with high security requirements, such as mobile banking and mobile commerce.
40 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
5.3
Mobile Execution Environment (MExE) provides a standardized execution environment in an ME, and an ability to negotiate the Mobile Equipments supported capabilities with a MExE service provider, allowing applications to be developed independently of any UE platform. A User Equipment (consisting of the ME and SIM/USIM) can then be targeted with a range of implementations for MExE from small devices with low bandwidth, limited displays, low processor speeds, limited memory, MMI etc. At the other end of the scale are sophisticated User Equipments with a complete MExE execution environment The aim of MExE is to provide a comprehensive and standardized environment on the mobile equipment (ME) for executing operator or service provider specific applications. MExE is designed as a full application execution environment on the mobile terminal. A set of mobile terminal operating system such as Symbian or Windows CE can be used, which were optimized for small, handheld devices such as mobile phones or PDAs. Similar to (U)SAT, a set of open interfaces (so-called terminal adaptation functions) are specified for the ME. These standardized interfaces allow the execution of applications on the handheld device, an interaction with external application related content servers, independent of the used operating system.
MExE device
Voice access
MMS SMS Notification service Fax service E-mail WWW-access Service download
PLMN
CS/PS services
Content download Handset upgrade Synchronization service User to User service Bearer control Etc.
MExE device
Figure 33
MExE architecture
Nokia Networks Oy
41 (53)
Strongly simplified, we can say that MExE converts a mobile phone to a small mobile computer. Manufactures of mobile phones have agreed in using WAP/WTA and/or Java virtual machines in order to design and program applications locally on the mobile equipment. For that reason, WAP/WTA and Java were explicitly mentioned in the MExE specifications. Because of that, WAP/WTA and Java are listed below in separate subsections. Please note, that neither WAP nor Java are specified within MExE.
5.3.1
Basically the WAP architecture is similar to the normal Internet architecture: There is the client sending a request, and on the other side there is a server, which returns response to the client. The special issue about WAP is given by the fact that the client is a mobile station. The content for the mobile phones is stored on standard WWW servers. Thus, they use TCP/IP. A WAP Gateway between the mobile phone client and the WWW server is required to translate WAP into the standard Internet format. (Http/TCP/IP). Besides translating the protocols the WAP Gateway also compresses the text based Internet content to a binary format that is used on the air interface.
URL request
decoding
WWW Server
response (WML)
WAP Gateway
coding
42 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Figure 34.
WAP infrastructure
Within WAP, the Wireless Markup Language (WML) is standardized based on the XML framework. WML copes with the problem that normal HTML pages are too big to be shown on most handheld devices like PDAs and mobile phones. One problem is rooted in the fact that HTML has no fixed page size. WML consequently reduces the page size dramatically to a size that can be presented on a mobile device screen. These small pages are called cards. The content of one card will never be sufficient for an application and so the application content is spread upon a whole stack of cards that is called a deck. As the content is distributed between several cards in one deck, a navigation trough different cards is required, which is one of the most demanding and time consuming tasks when writing WML applications. Links within a WML deck refer to the same deck they are carried out without delay because the whole deck is stored in the memory of the mobile device. But links to other decks are also required. They trigger a new download from the server.
Internet-Content: Hypertext Markup Language HTML
HTML
- large pages - each page unique address (URL) - texts &pictures - links - programs
(Browser)
Figure 35.
5.4
In fixed networks and early GSM networks, the signalling between core network and IN application platforms was made through INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part). This allowed the core network to send and receive signalling messages about the applications that the users have.
Nokia Networks Oy
43 (53)
However, this protocol was vendor-dependant and as a result, if a subscriber was roaming, the services provisioning normally did not work. A well-known example of this is the prepaid subscription. Therefore, a new protocol was introduced in GSM offering complete service portability on an advanced IN platform: CAMEL (Customised Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic). Provided that CAMEL is used both in the Home and Visited PLMN, the subscriber is able to carry all applications with her from one network to another. CAMEL is carried on the protocols CAP (CAMEL Application Part) and MAP (Mobile Application Part) between operators.
CAMEL architecture
CAMEL specifies three network entities: Service Switching Point (SSP) For IN and CAMEL services, the SSP is implemented in the (G)MSC. The functional entity is an enhanced IN call control unit. It interfaces the (G)MSC and the SCP. Service Control Point (SCP) The SCP is a function entity, which contains the CAMEL service logic. It is sometimes called service execution platform, because here the subscriber specific IN applications are made available. It interfaces the SSP, HLR, GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre, for location services), and gsmSRF (GSM Specialised Resource Function, among others for variable announcements, such as account announcements for prepaid subscribers).
The interaction between CAMEL network elements and CAMEL supporting networks requires the protocols MAP (Mobile Application Part) and CAP (CAMEL Application Part).
H LR
hom e PLM N
M AP
CA P
SCP
CA P
M AP
MA
P
SSP in co m in g line G M SC
VLR SSP
ou tg oi ng le g (M O ca ll)
M AP
roam in g leg
M SC /V LR
visited PLM N
interrogating PLM N
Figure 36.
44 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Why is it possible, that for a roaming subscriber, applications are made available as if he is in the home PLMN? When the mobile phone registers in the supply area of a MSC/VLR, the subscriber profile is downloaded to the VLR. The subscriber profile holds the address of the SCP in the home PLMN, which is responsible to run the subscriber related service logic. For instance, the subscriber uses the number 777 to listen to messages delivered to the subscribers voice mail system. The number 777 is unknown to the visited PLMN. But the SSP/MSC in the visited PLMN forwards the service request to the SCP in the home network. The SCP resolves the request, and returns e.g. an ISDN number to the MSC/SSP, which can be used to establish a dial-in connection to the VMS in the home network. Thus the voice mail service is available in all visited networks, which support CAMEL, the same way as it is in the home PLMN.
5.5
There are three operator specific service (OSS) solutions: MExE, (U)SAT, and CAMEL. Let us look on the advantages first: With the help of OSS solutions, applications are not standardized. Thus the operator can offer a wide range of customized services. This enables the operator to conduct both price and end user service competition. The portability of applications is at least in principle given. Depending on the OSS solution, there exist standardized interfaces and/or bearers for the transport of application related data. One example for a standardized interface is the signaling protocol CAP (CAMEL Application Part). But CAP is a very good example to demonstrate the limitations of the OSS solutions. When a new application has to be introduced, it must be programmed. When programming new applications, a lot of drawbacks can be observed in CAP: CAP is a mobile specific SS7 protocol. The programmer of a new application must thus have a profound knowledge of SS7 itself, and the mobile specific CAP. In addition to that, he must be familiar with the conceptions of the mobile communication system, be it GSM and/or UMTS. To gain the required know how is both time consuming and costly. The CAMEL interfaces are standardized, but not the vendor specific CAMEL platforms. Each supplier of CAMEL solutions has his own CAMEL service creation environment. The programmer of the application must be familiar with that too. If for instance an application is very successful with one operator, it is not necessarily easily installed by one and the same programmer in another operators network. The programmer must first familiarize himself with the new vendor specific service platform, before implementing software solutions
Nokia Networks Oy
45 (53)
The OSS infrastructure is located within the (mobile) operators infrastructure. The designer of the application must take this infrastructure into account, such as the topology of the network (to optimize the application provision in the HPLMN).
As can be seen, making applications available is complicated and costly even with OSS.
OSA conception
The application designer needs a specified set of capabilities from the PLMN. For an OSA application designer, the PLMN is a black box. The OSA application designer is not aware of an operators network topology OSA specifies open application programming interfaces (APIs) between the PLMN (service capability servers (SCS)) and the application (application server). The APIs represent a very accurately specified signaling between the application (outside the PLMN) and the PLMN itself. The APIs can be used to trigger events.
application
application server
discovery
e
registration
location information
call control
service
framework
HLR
INAP/CAP/MAP
network
GSM/GPRS/UMTS protocols
Bearers
Bearers
terminal
MExE client
SAT client
applications
Figure 37
For instance, an application may require information, whether the subscriber is in the home cell. If the subscriber is in the home cell, the mobile services are offered to him with a special price. An API for mobility management is used to inform the network to deliver the required location information. The same API is then used to return the information about a cell (location) change of the subscriber. There is another API with which the application gets informed about the (mobile) terminal capabilities. Given the subscribers terminal capabilities, the application can
46 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
then decide how to present the user data. In neither example does the OSA application designer need to know, how the mobile operator retrieved the required information internally. All the application designer and the operator have to agree on is a set of standardized APIs, which can be used between the application and the PLMN.
Application Server Application Application Application Server Application Application Server Application Application
Service Capabilities
Core Network
3G MSC
HLR
GGSN
Core Network
Figure 38.
OSA conception
Summary
The 3GPP specifications define the OSA as a standard for communication between the applications and the network is through an API (Application Programming Interfaces). API is a set of standard procedural and functional calls within a framework, which support applications that can be developed by third parties. The application logic is separated from the network and the application can be run by the operator or at a 3rd party service provider. The Advantage of OSA is that new service development is independent of the networking technologies. Also, new service development can utilize off-the-shelf products. This concept is very similar to (U)SAT and MExE. (U)SAT means the specification of open APIs for SIM capabilities; MExE means the specification of open APIs for ME capabilities; OSA results in the specification of open APIs between applications and PLMN capabilities.
Nokia Networks Oy
47 (53)
5.6
Nokia Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) Nokia Multimedia Message Service Centre (MMSC) Nokia Messaging Platform Nokia Profile Directory Nokia MAX Platform (Portal platform)
Profile Directory
MAX Platform
Personalization
MMSC
SMSC
Figure 39.
In the above figure person-to-person messaging is achieved through the use of the messaging centres. WAP access is made through the NMP server to the Internet. If the subscriber is using a location-based service, the information on the subscriber's location can be retrieved. With the choice of so many services, it is important that the operator and the subscriber are able to personalize the environment. This is made through the profile directory and MAX platform.
48 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
5.6.1
If we take another example from before of telematics, where a vending machine (e.g. sweets) supplier is able to track supply information about the goods in each of their machines. The Nokia core network is already evolving to support such concepts.
5.6.2
Confidentiality, meaning those contents of the transaction can not be seen by any outsider.
Nokia Networks Oy
49 (53)
Integrity, meaning that the parties performing the transaction can be sure of that the other party is the one he/she claims. Irrevocability, meaning that either party after performing the transaction can not claim the transaction has not been performed.
Loyalty cards Vending Machine Transportation Multi Media Kiosk Local payments Local Online
Music downloading Application downloading Auction Ticketing Online banking Online payments
Figure 40.
50 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Review questions
Review questions
Please take time and answer the following review questions: 1. Which of the following are UMTS services? a. cs data services b. Web browsing c. SMS d. speech call e. VoIP call f. voice mail service
2. Identify operator specific services (OSS): a. cell broadcast service b. packet switched service c. SIM application toolkit (SAT) d. CAMEL 3. (U)SAT specifies open application programming interfaces between a. SIM and ME b. SIM and a remote application server c. SIM and SCP d. ME and RNC 4. WAP/WTA was developed to a. support exclusively MexE b. to design and program application locally on the ME c. to allow interaction between the SCP and the ME d. to support radio interface protocols. 5. The abbreviation OSA stands for Open Systems Architecture. True
False
Nokia Networks Oy
51 (53)
6. Which of the following sentences best describes a bearer? a. A traffic channel only for speech b. A signalling connection between the core network and the radio access c. A variable channel that can carry different types of data d. A fixed-bit-rate data channel 7. VHE is the abbreviation for Virtual Home Environment. Which of the following is, or will be, a characteristic of the VHE (more than one)? a. Allows the subscribers to use their services whilst roaming. b. The subscribers can customise their own environment. c. It is the same as a SMSC (Short Message Service Centre). d. VHE is possible because of CAMEL. e. VHE is located within the HLR. f. It is only possible in UMTS.
8. Location Services a. can be offered only in combination with a subscription to basic telecommunication services b. are a prerequisite for roaming c. used for determining the position of the mobile terminal d. and Location Based Services have the same meaning
52 (53)
Nokia Networks Oy
Review questions
Further information
The specifications give detailed information on how services should be implemented into the network. The service classification of Release 2000 can be found from Specification 22.976. The below figure is taken directly from the specification and identifies where to find information on the types of services that have been covered in this module.
Supplementary services
(22.004)
IP multimedia services
Toolkits:
Circuit teleservices
(22.003) Telephony FAX SMS
CAMEL MExE SIM ATK OSA LCS "Internet tools" SoLSA etc...
GPRS
(22.060)
Figure 41.
In addition to the bearer description in the above figure, for more information on the VHE, refer to 22.970. This gives the overview of the specification and is useful in locating detailed information. For information on the wireless protocols of SAT and MExE, refer to the stage 1 (overview) specifications of 22.038 and 22.057 respectively. If you are interested in finding out more information on the supplementary services, the stage 1 specifications can be found in the range starting from 22.072 until 22.097 inclusive. Stage 2 and stage 3 (implementation and technical realisation) can be found from the specifications, but the stage 1 should give you a start on how to find the desired information. Finally, if you wish to read more about the UMTS service principles and service capabilities, then we recommend references to 22.101 and 22.105. At the time, there is little literature in the general media about services. Remember to check the Nokia web site (www.Nokia.com) for the latest information.
Nokia Networks Oy
53 (53)