1

PRESENTATION
ON

GSM, CELL PLANNING &

FREQUENCY REUSE
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Contents:
1.

GSM
1.1. What is GSM?
1.2. GSM Phases
1.3. GSM specifications
1.4. GSM system architecture
1.5. GSM network areas
1.6. GSM service area
1.7. Advantages of GSM over Analog system
1.8. GSM Radio technology
2. Cell Planning
2.1. Cell Planning
2.2. Types of cell planning
2.3. Cell Planning Process
2.4. Cell cluster
3.Frequency reuse
3.1.what is frequency reuse
3.2.Example of frequency reuse

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1. GSM
1.1 What is GSM ?
Global system for mobile communication (GSM) is a globally
accepted standard for digital cellular communication which is
based on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technique.
GSM is a second generation cellular standard developed to
cater voice services and data delivery using digital
modulation.

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GSM devices range from mobile telephones to data cards that allow devices to
connect and communicate with the GSM system.GSM mobile devices may
include the capability to use GSM radio channels on different frequency bands.
Mobile Telephones - Portable devices that can be used for voice
communication.
PCMCIA Air Cards - Cards that can slide into computers to provide data
services.
Embedded Radio Modules - Radio assemblies that can be built-in or installed in
devices such as laptop computers, video cameras, or digital signage displays.
External Radio Modems - Assemblies that can be connected to other devices
through USB, Ethernet, or other connection types to provide data services.

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1.2. GSM PHASES

In the late 1980s, it was decided that GSM would be released in phases to complete
the specifications for the entire range of GSM services & features that originally
planned.
There are three GSM phases; Phase 1, Phase 2 & Phase 2+.

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1.3. GSM Specifications

Frequency bands:
GSM 900:
890 915 MHz: Uplink (MS transmit)
935 - 960 MHz: Downlink (MS receive)
GSM 1800:
1710 - 1785 MHz: Uplink
1805 - 1880 MHz: Downlink
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1.3. GSM Specification(cont.)

Carrier Bandwidth : 200 Khz

Duplex Distance
: 45 Mhz

Channels / carrier:

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No. of RF carriers : 124

Access Method
: TDMA/FDMA
Modulation Method : GMSK
Modulation data rate : 270.833 Kbps
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1.4. 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. This is the area that is
paged when a subscriber gets an incoming call. Each Location Area is assigned a
Location Area Identity (LAI). Each Location Area 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 PLMN. A PLMN can
contain one or more MSCs.

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1.5. GSM SERVICE AREA

The GSM service area is the entire geographical area in which a subscriber
can gain access to a GSM network. The GSM service area increases as
more operators sign contracts agreeing to work together.
International roaming is the term applied when an MS moves from one PLMN
to another.

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fig: relations between areas in GSM

1.6. GSM System

Architecture

PSTN
ISDN
PDN

BSC
MS

BTS
MSC
GMSC

BTS

BSC
VLR
MS
EIR

BTS

AUC
MS

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HLR
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1.6. GSM System Architecture(cont.)

Mobile Station (MS)
Mobile Equipment (ME)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
Base Station Controller (BSC)

Network Switching Subsystem(NSS)

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
Home Location Register (HLR)
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
Authentication Center (AUC)
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
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1.4. GSM system architecture

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1.7. Advantages of GSM over

Analog system
Capacity increases
Reduced RF transmission power and longer battery life.
International roaming capability.
Better security against fraud (through terminal validation and
user authentication).
Encryption capability for information security and privacy.
Compatibility with ISDN, leading to wider range of services

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1.8. GSM Radio Technology

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2. Cell Planning
2.1. What is Cell Planning?
Cell

planning means building a network able

to provide service to the customers wherever
they are.
The main issue of the cellular network Planner
is achieving the maximum capacity whilst
maintaining an acceptable grade of service
and good speech quality.

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2.2. Types of Cell planning

Three types of cells are used in cell planning :

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Macro cells :Have a typical coverage range from

1to 35 km. Normally the site location is on a hilltop
or a rooftop.

Micro cells :Have a typical coverage range from 0.1

to 1 km , it can maintain indoor coverage in the
lower levels of a building.

Pico cells :It supplies coverage in indoor

environment. Pico cells are used when the capacity
need is extremely high in certain hot spots.
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2.3. Cell Planning Process

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2.3. Cell Planning

Process(cont.)

1.
2.
3.
4.

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There are four steps in cell planning:

Traffic And Coverage Analysis
Nominal Cell Plan
Surveys
System Design

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2.3. Cell cluster

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A cellular system is based on re-use of

frequencies. All the available frequencies are
divided into different frequency groups so that
a certain frequency always belongs to a
certain frequency group. The frequency
groups together form a cluster.
A group of neighboring cells using all the
frequencies available in the system frequency
band is called a cluster of cells.
By repeating the cluster over and over again
a cellular network can be built.
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2.3. Cell cluster(cont.)

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3. Frequency Re-Use
3.1. Frequency re-use
A frequency used in one cell can be re-used in
another cell at a certain distance. This is known as
frequency re-use.

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References:
Wireless and Cellular Telecommunications
Willium C.Y.Lee
GSM System Survey
Ericsson
Wireless Communication
Theodore S.Rappaport (2nd Edition)

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