2.

INTRODUCTION OF GSM
If you are in Europe or Asia and using a mobile phone, then most probably you are using
GSM technology in your mobile phone.

GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. It is a digital cellular
technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.

The concept of GSM emerged from a cell-based mobile radio system at Bell Laboratories
in the early 1970s.

GSM is the name of a standardization group established in 1982 to create a common

European mobile telephone standard.

GSM is the most widely accepted standard in telecommunications and it is implemented

globally.

GSM is a circuit-switched system that divides each 200 kHz channel into eight 25 kHz
time-slots. GSM operates on the mobile communication bands 900 MHz and 1800 MHz in
most parts of the world. In the US, GSM operates in the bands 850 MHz and 1900 MHz.

GSM owns a market share of more than 70 percent of the world's digital cellular
subscribers.

GSM makes use of narrowband Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technique for
transmitting signals.

GSM was developed using digital technology. It has an ability to carry 64 kbps to 120
Mbps of data rates.

Presently GSM supports more than one billion mobile subscribers in more than 210
countries throughout the world.

GSM provides basic to advanced voice and data services including roaming service.
Roaming is the ability to use your GSM phone number in another GSM network.

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2.1 Frequency Range of GSM
GSM works on four different frequency ranges with FDMA-TDMA and FDD. They are as
follows:

System P-GSM (Primary) E-GSM (Extended) GSM 1800 GSM 1900

Freq Uplink 890-915MHz 880-915MHz 1710-1785Mhz 1850-1910MHz

Freq Downlink 935-960MHz 925-960MHz 1805-1880Mhz 1930-1990MHz

2.2 Functional Unit Of GSM

A GSM network comprises of many functional units. These functions and interfaces are explained
in this chapter. The GSM network can be broadly divided into:

The Mobile Station (MS)

The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)

The Operation Support Subsystem (OSS)

2.3 Architecture Of GSM

Fig 2.3.1: Architecture o

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The additional components of the GSM architecture comprise of databases and messagessystems
functions:

o Home Location Register (HLR)

o Visitor Location Register (VLR)

o Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

o Authentication Center (AuC)

o SMS Serving Center (SMS SC)

o Gateway MSC (GMSC)

o Chargeback Center (CBC)

o Transcoder and Adaptation Unit (TRAU)

The following diagram shows the GSM network along with the added elements:

Fig 2.3.2 GSM Network along with added elements

The MS and the BSS communicate across the Um interface. It is also known as the air
interface or the radio link. The BSS communicates with the Network Service Switching (NSS)
center across the A interface.

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2.4 GSM network areas
In a GSM network, the following areas are defined:

Cell : Cell is the basic service area; one BTS covers one cell. Each cell is given a Cell
Global Identity (CGI), a number that uniquely identifies the cell.

Location Area : A group of cells form a Location Area (LA). This is the area that is paged
when a subscriber gets an incoming call. Each LA is assigned a Location Area Identity
(LAI). Each LA is served by one or more BSCs.

MSC/VLR Service Area : The area covered by one MSC is called the MSC/VLR service
area.

PLMN : The area covered by one network operator is called the Public Land Mobile
Network (PLMN). A PLMN can contain one or more MSCs.

2.5 The Mobile Station(MS)

The MS consists of the physical equipment, such as the radio transceiver, display and digital signal
processors, and the SIM card. It provides the air interface to the user in GSM networks. As such,
other services are also provided, which include:

Voice teleservices

Data bearer services

The features' supplementary services

2.5.1 The MS Functions

The MS also provides the receptor for SMS messages, enabling the user to toggle between the
voice and data use. Moreover, the mobile facilitates access to voice messaging systems. The MS
also provides access to the various data services available in a GSM network. These data services
include:

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 X.25 packet switching through a synchronous or asynchronous dial-up connection to the
PAD at speeds typically at 9.6 Kbps.

General Packet Radio Services (GPRSs) using either an X.25 or IP based data transfer
method at speeds up to 115 Kbps.

High speed, circuit switched data at speeds up to 64 Kbps.

2.5.2 SIM
The SIM provides personal mobility so that the user can have access to all subscribed services
irrespective of both the location of the terminal and the use of a specific terminal. You need to
insert the SIM card into another GSM cellular phone to receive calls at that phone, make calls from
that phone, or receive other subscribed services.

2.6 The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

Fig 2.6.0: Base Station Subsystem

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The BSS is composed of two parts:

The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

The Base Station Controller (BSC)

The BTS and the BSC communicate across the specified Abis interface, enabling
operations between components that are made by different suppliers. The radio components of a
BSS may consist of four to seven or nine cells. A BSS may have one or more base stations. The
BSS uses the Abis interface between the BTS and the BSC. A separate high-speed line (T1 or E1)
is then connected from the BSS to the Mobile MSC.

2.6.1 The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

The BTS houses the radio transceivers that define a cell and handles the radio link protocols with
the MS. In a large urban area, a large number of BTSs may be deployed.

Fig 2.6.1: Base Transceiver Station

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 The BTS corresponds to the transceivers and antennas used in each cell of the network. A BTS
is usually placed in the center of a cell. Its transmitting power defines the size of a cell. Each BTS
has between 1 and 16 transceivers, depending on the density of users in the cell. Each BTS serves
as a single cell. It also includes the following functions:

Encoding, encrypting, multiplexing, modulating, and feeding the RF signals to the antenna

Transcoding and rate adaptation

Time and frequency synchronizing

Voice through full- or half-rate services

Decoding, decrypting, and equalizing received signals

Random access detection

Timing advances

Uplink channel measurements

2.6.2 The Base Station Controller (BSC)

The BSC manages the radio resources for one or more BTSs. It handles radio channel setup,
frequency hopping, and handovers. The BSC is the connection between the mobile and the MSC.
The BSC also translates the 13 Kbps voice channel used over the radio link to the standard 64
Kbps channel used by the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSDN) or ISDN.

It assigns and releases frequencies and time slots for the MS. The BSC also handles intercell
handover. It controls the power transmission of the BSS and MS in its area. The function of the
BSC is to allocate the necessary time slots between the BTS and the MSC. It is a switching device
that handles the radio resources.

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 Additional functions include:

Control of frequency hopping

Performing traffic concentration to reduce the number of lines from the MSC

Providing an interface to the Operations and Maintenance Center for the BSS

Reallocation of frequencies among BTSs

Time and frequency synchronization

Power management

Time-delay measurements of received signals from the MS

2.7 The Network Switching Subsystem(NSS)

The Network switching system (NSS), the main part of which is the Mobile Switching
Center (MSC), performs the switching of calls between the mobile and other fixed or mobile
network users, as well as the management of mobile services such as authentication.

Fig 2.7: Network Switching System

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2.8 The Operation Support Subsystem(OSS)
Some of the OMC functions:

Administration and commercial operation (subscription, end terminals, charging and

statistics).

Security Management.

Network configuration, Operation and Performance Management.

Maintenance Tasks.

The operation and Maintenance functions are based on the concepts of the Telecommunication
Management Network (TMN), which is standardized in the ITU-T series M.30.

Following is the figure, which shows how OMC system covers all the GSM elemen

Fig 2.8: Operation and Maintenance Center

The OSS is the functional entity from which the network operator monitors and controls the
system. The purpose of OSS is to offer the customer cost-effective support for centralized,
regional, and local operational and maintenance activities that are required for a GSM network.
An important function of OSS is to provide a network overview and support the maintenance
activities of different operation and maintenance organizations.

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 3. Transmission Network system
3.1 Optical fiber cable
The use of visible optical carrier waves or light for communication has been common for
many years. Simple systems such as signal fires, reflecting mirrors and, more recently signaling
lamp shave provided successful, if limited, information transfer. initially the optical fibers
exhibited very high attenuation and were therefore not comparable with the coaxial cable they
were to replace. There were also problems involved in jointing the fiber cables in a satisfactory
manner to achieve low loss and to enable the process to be performed relatively easily and
repeatedly in the field.

In microwave system if we double the distance the loss will be increased by 6db.

For the shorter distance the loss is higher.

In ofc system Optical wire is small size, light weight, high strength and flexibility. Its
transmission benefits includes wide band width, low loss and low cost.

They are suitable for both analog and digital transmission.

It is not suffered by digging, electrical interference etc. problems

Figure 3.1: optical fiber cable

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3.2 THE GENERAL SYSTEM
An optical fiber communication system is similar in basic concept to any type
of communication system. A block diagram of a general communication system in fig.The
function of which is to convey the signal from the information source over the transmission
medium to the destination. In electrical communication, the information source provides an
electrical signal, usually derived from a message signal which is not electrical, to a transmitter
comprising electrical and electronic components which converts the signal into a suitable form for
propagation over the transmission medium. The transmission medium can consists of a pair of
wires, a coaxial cable or a radio link through free space down which the signal is transmitted to
the receiver where it is transformed into original electrical information signal before being passed
to the destination.

3.3Transmission Sequence

Transmitter

Input Coder or Light Source-to-Fiber

Signal Converter Source Interface

Fiber-optic
Cable
o/p
Fiber-to-light Light Amplifier/Shaper
Interface Detector Decoder

Receiver

Figure 3.3: fiber optic transmitter and receiver

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 Information is encoded into electrical signals.

Electrical signals are converted into light signals.

Light travels down the fiber.

A detector changes the light signals into electrical signals.

Electrical signals are decoded into information

3.4 APPLICATIONS OF OPTICAL FIBER

1. Long distance communication backbone

2. Inter exchange junctions

3. Video transmission

4. Broadband services

5. Computer data communication

6. High Emi areas

7. Non-communication application

3.5 Role of Antenna in Mobile Communication:

Antennas transform wire propagated waves into space propagated waves. They receive
electromagnetic waves and pass them onto a receiver or they transmit electromagnetic waves
which have been produced by a transmitter. As a matter of principle all the features of passive
antennas can be applied for reception and transmission alike (reciprocality) . From a connection
point of view the antenna appears to be a dual gate, although in reality it is a quad gate. The
connection which is not made to a RF-cable is connected to the environment, therefore one must
always note, that the surroundings of the antenna have a strong influence on the antennas electrical
features. The principle of an antenna can be shown by bending a co-axial cable open .

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a) A transmitter sends a high frequency wave into a co-axial cable. A pulsing electrical field is
created between the wires, which cannot free itself from the cable.

b) The end of the cable is bent open. The field lines become longer and are orthogonal to the
wires.

c) The cable is bent open at right angles. The field lines have now reached a length, which allows
the wave to free itself from the cable. The apparatus radiates an electromagnetic wave, whereby
the length of the two bent pieces of wire corresponds to half of the wave length. This simplified
explanation describes the basic principle of almost every antenna - the /2-dipole. Not only is an
electrical field (E) created due to the voltage potential (U) but also a magnetic field (H) which is
based on the current (I) . The amplitude distribution of both fields corresponds to the voltage and
current distribution on the dipole. The free propagation of the wave from the dipole is achieved by
the permanent transformation from electrical into magnetic energy and vice versa. The thereby
resulting electrical and magnetic fields are at right angles to the direction of propagation.

Figure 3.5: Antenna in mobile communication

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3.6 Telecommunication Network
A telecommunications network is a collection of terminal nodes, are connected so as to enable
telecommunication between the terminals. The transmission links connect the nodes together. The
nodes use circuit switching, message switching or package switching to pass the signal through
the correct links and nodes to reach the correct destination terminal. Each terminal in the network
usually has a unique address so messages or connections can be routed to the correct recipients.
The collection of addresses in the network is called the address space.

Examples of telecommunications networks are:

Computer network

the internet

the telephone network

the global Telex network

the aeronautical ACARS network

3.6.1 COMPUTER NETWORK:

A computer network consists of computers and devices connected to one another. Information can
be transferred from one device to the next. For example, an office filled with computers can share
files together on each separate device. Computer networks can range from a local network area to
a wide area network. The difference between the types of networks is the size. These types of
computer networks work at certain speeds, also known as broadband. The Internet network
connects computers worldwide.

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3.6.2 INTERNET NETWORK:
Access to the network allows users to use many resources. Over time the Internet network
will replace books. This will enable users to discover information almost instantly and apply
concepts to different situations. The Internet can be used for recreational, governmental,
educational, and other purposes. Businesses in particular use the Internet network for research or
to service customers and clients.

3.6.3 TELEPHONE NETWORK:

The telephone network connects people to one another. This network can be used in a
variety of ways. Many businesses use the telephone network to route calls and/or service their
customers. Some businesses use a telephone network on a greater scale through a private branch
exchange. It is a system where a specific business focuses on routing and servicing calls for another
business. Majority of the time, the telephone network is used around the world for recreational
purposes.

Fig 3.6.3: Telecommunication Network

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 3.7 SWITCHED COMMUNICATION NETWORK:
A switched communications network transfers data from source to destination through a
series of network nodes. Switching can be done in one of two ways. In a circuit-switched network,
a dedicated physical path is established through the network and is held for as long as
communication is necessary. An example of this type of network is the traditional (analog)
telephone system. A packet-switched network, on the other hand, routes digital data in small pieces
called packets, each of which proceeds independently through the network. In a process
called store-and-forward, each packet is temporarily stored at each intermediate node, then
forwarded when the next link becomes available. In a connection-oriented transmission scheme,
each packet takes the same route through the network, and thus all packets usually arrive at the
destination in the order in which they were sent. Conversely, each packet may take a different path
through the network in a connectionless or datagram scheme. Since datagrams may not arrive at
the destination in the order in which they were sent, they are numbered so that they can be properly
reassembled. The latter is the method that is used for transmitting data through the Internet.

3.8 BROADCAST NETWORK:

A broadcast network avoids the complex routing procedures of a switched network by
ensuring that each nodes transmissions are received by all other nodes in the network. Therefore,
a broadcast network has only a single communications channel. A wired local area network
(LAN), for example, may be set up as a broadcast network, with one user connected to each node
and the nodes typically arranged in a bus, ring, or star topology, as shown in the figure. Nodes
connected together in a wireless LAN may broadcast via radio or optical links. On a larger scale,
many satellite radio systems are broadcast networks, since each Earth station within the system
can typically hear all messages relayed by a satellite.

3.9 NETWORK ACESS:

Since all nodes can hear each transmission in a broadcast network, a procedure must be
established for allocating a communications channel to the node or nodes that have packets to transmit
and at the same time preventing destructive interference from collisions (simultaneous transmissions).

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This type of communication, called multiple access, can be established either by scheduling (a technique
in which nodes take turns transmitting in an orderly fashion) or by random access to the channel.

3.10 SCHEDULED ACCESS:

In a scheduling method known as time-division multiple access (TDMA), a time slot is
assigned in turn to each node, which uses the slot if it has something to transmit. If some nodes
are much busier than others, then TDMA can be inefficient, since no data are passed during time
slots allocated to silent nodes. In this case a reservation system may be implemented, in which
there are fewer time slots than nodes and a node reserves a slot only when it is needed for
transmission.

3.11 RANDOM ACCESS:

Scheduled access schemes have several disadvantages, including the large overhead
required for the reservation, polling, and token passing processes and the possibility of long idle
periods when only a few nodes are transmitting. This can lead to extensive delays in routing
information, especially when heavy traffic occurs in different parts of the network at different
timesa characteristic of many practical communications networks. Random-access algorithms
were designed specifically to give nodes with something to transmit quicker access to the channel.
Although the channel is vulnerable to packet collisions under random access, various procedures
have been developed to reduce this probability.

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