Motorola - Introduction To GSM Cellular - CP02 PDF

Cellular Infrastructure Group
VERSION 1 REV. 2
CP02
INTRODUCTION TO GSM CELLULAR
FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE
UPDATED
VERSION 1 REV.
2
CP02
INTRODUCTION TO
GSM CELLULAR
FOR TRAINING
PURPOSES ONLY
THIS MANUAL
WILL NOT BE
UPDATED
VERSION 1 REV. 2
CP02
Introduction to GSM Cellular
Motorola 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the U.K.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
CP02: Introduction to GSM Cellular
FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE UPDATED
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Copyrights, notices and trademarks

Copyrights
The Motorola products described in this document may include copyrighted Motorola computer
programs stored in semiconductor memories or other media. Laws in the United States and other
countries preserve for Motorola certain exclusive rights for copyright computer programs, including the
exclusive right to copy or reproduce in any form the copyright computer program. Accordingly, any
copyright Motorola computer programs contained in the Motorola products described in this document
may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without the express written permission of Motorola.
Furthermore, the purchase of Motorola products shall not be deemed to grant either directly or by
implication, estoppel or otherwise, any license under the copyrights, patents or patent applications of
Motorola, except for the rights that arise by operation of law in the sale of a product.
Restrictions
The software described in this document is the property of Motorola. It is furnished under a license
agreement and may be used and/or disclosed only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Software and documentation are copyright materials. Making unauthorized copies is prohibited by
law. No part of the software or documentation may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored
in a retrieval system, or translated into any language or computer language, in any form or by any
means, without prior written permission of Motorola.
Accuracy
While reasonable efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of this document, Motorola
assumes no liability resulting from any inaccuracies or omissions in this document, or from the use
of the information obtained herein. Motorola reserves the right to make changes to any products
described herein to improve reliability, function, or design, and reserves the right to revise this
document and to make changes from time to time in content hereof with no obligation to notify any
person of revisions or changes. Motorola does not assume any liability arising out of the application
or use of any product or circuit described herein; neither does it convey license under its patent
rights of others.
Trademarks
and MOTOROLA are trademarks of Motorola Inc.

UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through
X/Open Company Limited.
Tandem, Integrity, Integrity S2, and Non-Stop-UX are trademarks of Tandem Computers
Incorporated.
X Window System, X and X11 are trademarks of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Looking Glass is a registered trademark of Visix Software Ltd.
OSF/Motif is a trademark of the Open Software Foundation.
Ethernet is a trademark of the Xerox Corporation.
Wingz is a trademark and INFORMIX is a registered trademark of Informix Software Ltd.
SUN, SPARC, and SPARCStation are trademarks of Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett Packard Inc.
ii
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Important notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cross references . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Text conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1
1
1
1
2
2
First aid in case of electric shock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Artificial respiration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Burns treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
3
3
3
Reporting safety issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
4
4
Warnings and cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
5
5
5
General warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specific warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High voltage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RF radiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Laser radiation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lifting equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do not ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toxic material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
7
Human exposure to radio frequency energy (PCS1900 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum permitted exposures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum permitted exposure ceilings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Example calculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power density measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
8
8
8
9
10
10
10
Beryllium health and safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Health issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inhalation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Skin contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Eye contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Handling procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposal methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Product life cycle implications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
12
12
General cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Caution labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specific cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fibre optics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Static discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
13
13
13
13
13
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
iii
VERSION 1 REV. 2
iv
Devices sensitive to static . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Special handling techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
14
14
Motorola GSM manual set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Generic manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tandem OMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scaleable OMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Service manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Category number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Catalogue number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ordering manuals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
15
15
15
16
16
16
17
17
17
Chapter 1
Principles of Cellular Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principles of Cellular Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advantages of Cellular Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
11
12
12
Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
Frequency Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
16
Cell Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Large Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Small Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Trade Off Large vs Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
18
18
18
Frequency Re-use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Co-channel Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjacent Channel Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
110
110
110
Sectorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
112
Using Sectored Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Site/3 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
114
114
Switching and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
116
Chapter 2
Features of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Features of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
21
22
Noise Robust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
Flexibility and Increased Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
Use of Standardised Open Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Improved Security and Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
210
Flexible Handover Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
212
ISDN Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2B+D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
214
214
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Enhanced Range Of Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Speech Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency Calls (with/without SIM Card inserted in MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short Message Service Point To Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short Message Cell Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advanced Message Handling Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dual Personal and Business Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplementary Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
216
218
218
218
218
218
218
218
220
222
Chapter 3
GSM Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GSM Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31
31
GSM Network Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
Mobile Station (MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
Mobile Equipment (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38
Base Station System (BSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
310
Base Station Controller (BSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Base Transceiver Station BTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
312
312
BSS Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
314
Transcoder (XCDR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
316
Network Switching System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
318
Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
320
Home Location Register (HLR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
322
Visitor Location Register (VLR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Location Area Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
324
324
324
324
Equipment Identity Register (EIR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
326
Authentication Centre (AUC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Authentication Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
328
328
Interworking Function (IWF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
330
Echo Canceller (EC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
332
Operations and Maintenance System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Network Management Centre (NMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
334
334
334
334
Network Management Centre (NMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
336
Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
338
The Network In Reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
340
Chapter 4
GSM Terrestrial Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GSM Terrestrial Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41
41
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vi
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
2 Mbit/s Trunk 30-channel PCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
X.25 Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
ITU-TS Signalling System #7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
48
A-bis (LAPD) Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
410
Interconnections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
412
Interface Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
414
Chapter 5
Channels on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Channels on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51
51
Transmission of Analogue and Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modulation Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
52
Transmission of Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phase Shift Keying (PSK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
54
54
Physical and Logical Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GSM Physical Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
56
GSM Logical Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Traffic Channels (TCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
58
GSM Control Channel Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BCCH Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CCCH Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DCCH Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
510
510
510
510

Control Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Channel Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Channel Combinations and Timeslots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
512
512
518
518
Multiframes and Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The 26-frame Traffic Channel Multiframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe (BCCH/CCCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe DCCH/8 (SDCCH and SACCH) . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe Combined Structure . . . . . . . . . . . .
520
520
522
524
526
528
Superframes and Hyperframes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
530
Mobile Activity Transmit and Receive Timeslots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
532
532
GSM Basic Call Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
534
Chapter 6
Channel Coding on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

61
61
GSM Bursts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Burst Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
64
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Error Protection and Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Speech Channel Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
68
Channel Coding for Enhanced Full Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preliminary Channel Coding for EFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
610
610
610

Control Channel Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Channel Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
612
612
614
Mapping Logical Channels onto the TDMA Frame Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interleaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagonal Interleaving Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rectangular Interleaving Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagonal Interleaving Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
616
616
618
620
622
622
624
624
Chapter 7
Radio Interface Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio Interface Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71
71
Transmission Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
72
Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
74
74
Voice Activity Detection (VAD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
76
76
Discontinuous Reception (DRX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78
Multipath Fading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
710
Equalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
712
714
Frequency Hopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
716
716
Chapter 8
Call and Handover Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
82
Mobile to Land Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84
Land to Mobile Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
86
MS Initiated Call Clearing Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
810
Inter-BSS Handover Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
812
Location Update Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
814
Authentication and Ciphering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Equipment Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
816
818
Chapter 9
Introduction to Microcellular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction to Microcellular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
91
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Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What is Microcell? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why Deploy Microcells? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
92
92
How are Microcells Deployed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
96
Antenna Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Omni Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
98
98
The Microcellular Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
910
Picocells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
912
CP02 Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9i
Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9ii
Notes Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9viii
Appendix 1 (GSM History & Organization) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 11

GSM History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 12
Frequency Band Reserved for Cellular (1979) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 12
Groupe Special Mobile Created Within CEPT (1982) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 12
Permanent Nucleus Established (1986) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 12
ETSI takes over GSM (1988) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 12
Phase 1 GSM Recommendations Frozen (1990) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 12
GSM Changes to SMG (1991/1992) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 14
GSM is launched (1992) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 14
Phase 2 GSM Technical Specifications Frozen (1993) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 14
GSM Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 14
SMG Subsidiary Bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
App 16
App 16
App 16
GSM History & Organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 18

The GSM Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 18
GSM Coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . App 110
viii
Glossary of technical terms and abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G1
Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G2
A .........................................................................
G2
B .........................................................................
G4
C .........................................................................
G6
D .........................................................................
G10
E .........................................................................
G13
F .........................................................................
G14
G .........................................................................
G16
H .........................................................................
G17
I ..........................................................................
G18
K .........................................................................
G20
MOTOROLA LTD.
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
L . ........................................................................
G20
M .........................................................................
G21
N .........................................................................
G25
O .........................................................................
G26
P .........................................................................
G27
Q .........................................................................
G29
R .........................................................................
G30
S .........................................................................
G32
T .........................................................................
G36
U .........................................................................
G38
V .........................................................................
G39
W ........................................................................
G40
X .........................................................................
G40
Z .........................................................................
G40
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
General information
VERSION 1 REV. 2
General information
Important notice
If this manual was obtained when you attended a Motorola training course, it will not be
updated or amended by Motorola. It is intended for TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY. If it
was supplied under normal operational circumstances, to support a major software
release, then corrections will be supplied automatically by Motorola in the form of
General Manual Revisions (GMRs).
Purpose
Motorola Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Technical Education manuals
are intended to support the delivery of Technical Education only and are not intended to
replace the use of Customer Product Documentation.
WARNING
Failure to comply with Motorolas operation, installation and maintenance
instructions may, in exceptional circumstances, lead to serious injury or death.
These manuals are not intended to replace the system and equipment training offered by
Motorola, although they can be used to supplement and enhance the knowledge gained
through such training.
About this
manual
The manual contains ...

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
General information
Cross references
Throughout this manual, cross references are made to the chapter numbers and section
names. The section name cross references are printed bold in text.
This manual is divided into uniquely identified and numbered chapters that, in turn, are
divided into sections. Sections are not numbered, but are individually named at the top
of each page, and are listed in the table of contents.
Text conventions
The following conventions are used in the Motorola GSM manuals to represent keyboard
input text, screen output text and special key sequences.
Input
Characters typed in at the keyboard are shown like this.
Output
Messages, prompts, file listings, directories, utilities, and environmental
variables that appear on the screen are shown like this.
Special key sequences

Special key sequences are represented as follows:
CTRL-c
Press the Control and c keys at the same time.
ALT-f
Press the Alt and f keys at the same time.
Press the pipe symbol key.
CR or RETURN
Press the Return (Enter) key. The Return key is

identified with the symbol on both the X terminal and
the SPARCstation keyboards. The SPARCstation
keyboard Return key is also identified with the word
Return.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
First aid in case of electric shock
VERSION 1 REV. 2
First aid in case of electric shock

Warning
WARNING
Do not touch the victim with your bare hands until the electric circuit is
broken.
Switch off. If this is not possible, protect yourself with dry insulating
material and pull or push the victim clear of the conductor.
Artificial
respiration
In the event of an electric shock it may be necessary to carry out artificial respiration.
Send for medical assistance immediately.
Burns treatment
If the patient is also suffering from burns, then, without hindrance to artificial respiration,
carry out the following:
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
1.
Do not attempt to remove clothing adhering to the burn.
2.
If help is available, or as soon as artificial respiration is no longer required, cover

the wound with a dry dressing.
3.
Do not apply oil or grease in any form.
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Reporting safety issues
Reporting safety issues

Introduction
Whenever a safety issue arises, carry out the following procedure in all instances.
Ensure that all site personnel are familiar with this procedure.
Procedure
Whenever a safety issue arises:
1.
Make the equipment concerned safe, for example, by removing power.
2.
Make no further attempt to tamper with the equipment.
3.
Report the problem directly to GSM MCSC +44 (0)1793 430040 (telephone) and
follow up with a written report by fax +44 (0)1793 430987 (fax).
4.
Collect evidence from the equipment under the guidance of the MCSC.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Warnings and cautions
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Warnings and cautions

Introduction
The following describes how warnings and cautions are used in this manual and in all
manuals of the Motorola GSM manual set.
Warnings
Definition
A warning is used to alert the reader to possible hazards that could cause loss of life,
physical injury, or ill health. This includes hazards introduced during maintenance, for
example, the use of adhesives and solvents, as well as those inherent in the equipment.
Example and format

WARNING
Do not look directly into fibre optic cables or optical data in/out connectors.
Laser radiation can come from either the data in/out connectors or
unterminated fibre optic cables connected to data in/out connectors.
Cautions
Definition
A caution means that there is a possibility of damage to systems, or individual items of
equipment within a system. However, this presents no danger to personnel.
Example and format

CAUTION
Do not use test equipment that is beyond its calibration due date when testing
Motorola base stations.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
General warnings
General warnings
Introduction
Observe the following warnings during all phases of operation, installation and
maintenance of the equipment described in the Motorola GSM manuals. Failure to
comply with these warnings, or with specific warnings elsewhere in the Motorola GSM
manuals, violates safety standards of design, manufacture and intended use of the
equipment. Motorola assumes no liability for the customers failure to comply with these
requirements.
Warning labels
Personnel working with or operating Motorola equipment must comply with any warning
labels fitted to the equipment. Warning labels must not be removed, painted over or
obscured in any way.
Specific
warnings
Warnings particularly applicable to the equipment are positioned on the equipment and
within the text of this manual. These must be observed by all personnel at all times when
working with the equipment, as must any other warnings given in text, on the illustrations
and on the equipment.
High voltage
Certain Motorola equipment operates from a dangerous high voltage of 230 V ac single
phase or 415 V ac three phase mains which is potentially lethal. Therefore, the areas
where the ac mains power is present must not be approached until the warnings and
cautions in the text and on the equipment have been complied with.
To achieve isolation of the equipment from the ac supply, the mains input isolator must
be set to off and locked.
Within the United Kingdom (UK) regard must be paid to the requirements of the
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. There may also be specific country legislation
which need to be complied with, depending on where the equipment is used.
RF radiation
High RF potentials and electromagnetic fields are present in the base station equipment
when in operation. Ensure that all transmitters are switched off when any antenna
connections have to be changed. Do not key transmitters connected to unterminated
cavities or feeders.
Refer to the following standards:
ANSI IEEE C95.1-1991, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human
Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3kHz to 300GHz.
CENELEC 95 ENV 50166-2, Human Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields High

Frequency (10kHz to 300GHz).
Laser radiation
Do not look directly into fibre optic cables or optical data in/out connectors. Laser
radiation can come from either the data in/out connectors or unterminated fibre optic
cables connected to data in/out connectors.
6
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
General warnings
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Lifting
equipment
When dismantling heavy assemblies, or removing or replacing equipment, the competent
responsible person must ensure that adequate lifting facilities are available. Where
provided, lifting frames must be used for these operations. When equipments have to be
manhandled, reference must be made to the Manual Handling of Loads Regulations
1992 (UK) or to the relevant manual handling of loads legislation for the country in which
the equipment is used.
Do not ...
... substitute parts or modify equipment.
Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install substitute parts or
perform any unauthorized modification of equipment. Contact Motorola if in doubt to
ensure that safety features are maintained.
Battery supplies
Do not wear earth straps when working with standby battery supplies.
Toxic material
Certain Motorola equipment incorporates components containing the highly toxic material
Beryllium or its oxide Beryllia or both. These materials are especially hazardous if:
Beryllium materials are absorbed into the body tissues through the skin, mouth, or
a wound.
The dust created by breakage of Beryllia is inhaled.
Toxic fumes are inhaled from Beryllium or Beryllia involved in a fire.
See the Beryllium health and safety precautions section for further information.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Human exposure to radio frequency energy (PCS1900 only)

Introduction
This equipment is designed to generate and radiate radio frequency (RF) energy. It
should be installed and maintained only by trained technicians. Licensees of the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) using this equipment are responsible for insuring
that its installation and operation comply with FCC regulations designed to limit human
exposure to RF radiation in accordance with the American National Standards Institute
IEEE Standard C95.1-1991, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human
Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3kHz to 300GHz.
Definitions
This standard establishes two sets of maximum permitted exposure limits, one for
controlled environments and another, that allows less exposure, for uncontrolled
environments. These terms are defined by the standard, as follows:
Uncontrolled environment
Uncontrolled environments are locations where there is the exposure of individuals who
have no knowledge or control of their exposure. The exposures may occur in living
quarters or workplaces where there are no expectations that the exposure levels may
exceed those shown for uncontrolled environments in the table of maximum permitted
exposure ceilings.
Controlled environment
Controlled environments are locations where there is exposure that may be incurred by
persons who are aware of the potential for exposure as a concomitant of employment, by
other cognizant persons, or as the incidental result of transient passage through areas
where analysis shows the exposure levels may be above those shown for uncontrolled
environments but do not exceed the values shown for controlled environments in the
table of maximum permitted exposure ceilings.
Maximum
permitted
exposures
The maximum permitted exposures prescribed by the standard are set in terms of
different parameters of effects, depending on the frequency generated by the equipment
in question. At the frequency range of this Personal Communication System equipment,
1930-1970MHz, the maximum permitted exposure levels are set in terms of power
density, whose definition and relationship to electric field and magnetic field strengths are
described by the standard as follows:
Power density (S)

Power per unit area normal to the direction of propagation, usually expressed in units of
watts per square metre (W/m2) or, for convenience, units such as milliwatts per square
centimetre (mW/cm2). For plane waves, power density, electric field strength (E) and
magnetic field strength (H) are related by the impedance of free space, 377 ohms. In
particular,

where E and H are expressed in units of V/m and A/m, respectively, and S in units of
W/m 2. Although many survey instruments indicate power density units, the actual
quantities measured are E or E2 or H or H2.
8
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Maximum
permitted
exposure
ceilings
Within the frequency range, the maximum permitted exposure ceiling for uncontrolled
environments is a power density (mW/cm2) that equals f/1500, where f is the frequency
expressed in MHz, and measurements are averaged over a period of 30 minutes. The
maximum permitted exposure ceiling for controlled environments, also expressed in
mW/cm 2, is f/300 where measurements are averaged over 6 minutes. Applying these
principles to the minimum and maximum frequencies for which this equipment is intended
to be used yields the following maximum permitted exposure levels:
Uncontrolled Environment
1930MHz
Ceiling
1970MHz
Controlled Environment
1930MHz
1.287mW/cm 2 1.313mW/cm 2 6.433mW/cm 2
1970MHz
6.567mW/cm 2
If you plan to operate the equipment at more than one frequency, compliance should be
assured at the frequency which produces the lowest exposure ceiling (among the
frequencies at which operation will occur).
Licensees must be able to certify to the FCC that their facilities meet the above ceilings.
Some lower power PCS devices, 100 milliwatts or less, are excluded from demonstrating
compliance, but this equipment operates at power levels orders of magnitude higher, and
the exclusion is not applicable.
Whether a given installation meets the maximum permitted exposure ceilings depends, in
part, upon antenna type, antenna placement and the output power to which this
equipment is adjusted. The following example sets forth the distances from the antenna
to which access should be prevented in order to comply with the uncontrolled and
controlled environment exposure limits as set forth in the ANSI IEEE standards and
computed above.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Example
calculation
For a base station with the following characteristics, what is the minimum distance from
the antenna necessary to meet the requirements of an uncontrolled environment?
Transmit frequency
1930MHz
Base station cabinet output power, P
+39.0dBm (8 watts)
Antenna feeder cable loss, CL
2.0dB
Antenna input power Pin
PCL = +39.02.0 = +37.0dB (5watts)
Antenna gain, G
16.4dBi (43.65)
Using the following relationship:

Where W is the maximum permissible power density in W/m2 and r is the safe distance
from the antenna in metres, the desired distance can be calculated as follows:

where W = 12.87 W/m2 was obtained from table listed above and converting from
mW/cm 2 to W/m2.
NOTE
The above result applies only in the direction of maximum radiation of the
antenna. Actual installations may employ antennas that have defined radiation
patterns and gains that differ from the example set forth above. The distances
calculated can vary depending on the actual antenna pattern and gain.
Power density
measurements
While installation calculations such as the above are useful and essential in planning and
design, validation that the operating facility using this equipment actually complies will
require making power density measurements. For information on measuring RF fields for
determining compliance with ANSI IEEE C95.1-1991, see IEEE Recommended Practice
for the Measure of Potentially Hazardous Electromagnetic Fields - RF and Microwave,
IEEE Std C95.3-1991. Copies of IEEE C95.1-1991 and IEEE C95.3-1991 may be
purchased from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., Attn:
Publication Sales, 445 Hoes Lane, P.O. Box 1331, Piscattaway, NJ 08855-1331,
(800) 678-IEEE or from ANSI, (212) 642-4900. Persons responsible for installation of this
equipment are urged to consult these standards in determining whether a given
installation complies with the applicable limits.
Other equipment
Whether a given installation meets ANSI standards for human exposure to radio
frequency radiation may depend not only on this equipment but also on whether the
environments being assessed are being affected by radio frequency fields from other
equipment, the effects of which may add to the level of exposure. Accordingly, the overall
exposure may be affected by radio frequency generating facilities that exist at the time
the licensees equipment is being installed or even by equipment installed later.
Therefore, the effects of any such facilities must be considered in site selection and in
determining whether a particular installation meets the FCC requirements.
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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Beryllium health and safety precautions
VERSION 1 REV. 2

Introduction
Beryllium (Be), is a hard silver/white metal. It is stable in air, but burns brilliantly in
Oxygen.
With the exception of the naturally occurring Beryl ore (Beryllium Silicate), all Beryllium
compounds and Beryllium metal are potentially highly toxic.
Health issues
Beryllium Oxide is used within some components as an electrical insulator. Captive
within the component it presents no health risk whatsoever. However, if the component
should be broken open and the Beryllium Oxide, which is in the form of dust, released,
there exists the potential for harm.
Inhalation
Inhalation of Beryllium Oxide can lead to a condition known as Berylliosis, the symptoms
of Berylliosis are similar to Pneumonia and may be identified by all or any of the
following:
Mild poisoning causes fever, shortness of breath, and a cough that produces
yellow/green sputum, or occasionally bloodstained sputum. Inflammation of the mucous
membranes of the nose, throat, and chest with discomfort, possibly pain, and difficulty
with swallowing and breathing.
Severe poisoning causes chest pain and wheezing which may progress to severe
shortness of breath due to congestion of the lungs. Incubation period for lung symptoms
is 220 days.
Exposure to moderately high concentrations of Beryllium in air may produce a very
serious condition of the lungs. The injured person may become blue, feverish with rapid
breathing and raised pulse rate. Recovery is usual but may take several months. There
have been deaths in the acute stage.
Chronic response. This condition is more truly a general one although the lungs are
mainly affected. There may be lesions in the kidneys and the skin. Certain features
support the view that the condition is allergic. There is no relationship between the
degree of exposure and the severity of response and there is usually a time lag of up to
10 years between exposure and the onset of the illness. Both sexes are equally
susceptible. The onset of the illness is insidious but only a small number of exposed
persons develop this reaction.
First aid
Seek immediate medical assistance. The casualty should be removed immediately from
the exposure area and placed in a fresh air environment with breathing supported with
Oxygen where required. Any contaminated clothing should be removed. The casualty
should be kept warm and at rest until medical aid arrives.
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Skin contact
Possible irritation and redness at the contact area. Persistent itching and blister
formations can occur which usually resolve on removal from exposure.
First aid
Wash area thoroughly with soap and water. If skin is broken seek immediate medical
assistance.
Eye contact
May cause severe irritation, redness and swelling of eyelid(s) and inflammation of the
mucous membranes of the eyes.
First aid
Flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical assistance as soon
as possible.
Handling
procedures
Removal of components from printed circuit boards (PCBs) is to take place only at
Motorola approved repair centres.
The removal station will be equipped with extraction equipment and all other protective
equipment necessary for the safe removal of components containing Beryllium Oxide.
If during removal a component is accidently opened, the Beryllium Oxide dust is to be
wetted into a paste and put into a container with a spatula or similar tool. The
spatula/tool used to collect the paste is also to be placed in the container. The container
is then to be sealed and labelled. A suitable respirator is to be worn at all times during
this operation.
Components which are successfully removed are to be placed in a separate bag, sealed
and labelled.
Disposal
methods
Beryllium Oxide or components containing Beryllium Oxide are to be treated as
hazardous waste. All components must be removed where possible from boards and put
into sealed bags labelled Beryllium Oxide components. These bags must be given to the
safety and environmental adviser for disposal.
Under no circumstances are boards or components containing Beryllium Oxide to be put
into the general waste skips or incinerated.
Product life cycle

implications
Motorola GSM and analogue equipment includes components containing Beryllium Oxide
(identified in text as appropriate and indicated by warning labels on the equipment).
These components require specific disposal measures as indicated in the preceding
(Disposal methods) paragraph. Motorola will arrange for the disposal of all such
hazardous waste as part of its Total Customer Satisfaction philosophy and will arrange
for the most environmentally friendly disposal available at that time.
12
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
General cautions
VERSION 1 REV. 2
General cautions
Introduction
Observe the following cautions during operation, installation and maintenance of the
equipment described in the Motorola GSM manuals. Failure to comply with these
cautions or with specific cautions elsewhere in the Motorola GSM manuals may result in
damage to the equipment. Motorola assumes no liability for the customers failure to
comply with these requirements.
Caution labels
Personnel working with or operating Motorola equipment must comply with any caution
labels fitted to the equipment. Caution labels must not be removed, painted over or
obscured in any way.
Specific cautions
Cautions particularly applicable to the equipment are positioned within the text of this
manual. These must be observed by all personnel at all times when working with the
equipment, as must any other cautions given in text, on the illustrations and on the
equipment.
Fibre optics
The bending radius of all fibre optic cables must not be less than 30 mm.
Static discharge
Motorola equipment contains CMOS devices that are vulnerable to static discharge.
Although the damage caused by static discharge may not be immediately apparent,
CMOS devices may be damaged in the long term due to static discharge caused by
mishandling. Wear an approved earth strap when adjusting or handling digital boards.
See Devices sensitive to static for further information.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Devices sensitive to static
Devices sensitive to static

Introduction
Certain metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices embody in their design a thin layer of
insulation that is susceptible to damage from electrostatic charge. Such a charge applied
to the leads of the device could cause irreparable damage.
These charges can be built up on nylon overalls, by friction, by pushing the hands into
high insulation packing material or by use of unearthed soldering irons.
MOS devices are normally despatched from the manufacturers with the leads shorted
together, for example, by metal foil eyelets, wire strapping, or by inserting the leads into
conductive plastic foam. Provided the leads are shorted it is safe to handle the device.
Special handling
techniques
In the event of one of these devices having to be replaced observe the following
precautions when handling the replacement:
Always wear an earth strap which must be connected to the electrostatic point
(ESP) on the equipment.
Leave the short circuit on the leads until the last moment. It may be necessary to
replace the conductive foam by a piece of wire to enable the device to be fitted.
Do not wear outer clothing made of nylon or similar man made material. A cotton
overall is preferable.
If possible work on an earthed metal surface. Wipe insulated plastic work surfaces
with an anti-static cloth before starting the operation.
All metal tools should be used and when not in use they should be placed on an
earthed surface.
Take care when removing components connected to electrostatic sensitive

devices. These components may be providing protection to the device.
When mounted onto printed circuit boards (PCBs), MOS devices are normally less
susceptible to electrostatic damage. However PCBs should be handled with care,
preferably by their edges and not by their tracks and pins, they should be transferred
directly from their packing to the equipment (or the other way around) and never left
exposed on the workbench.
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MOTOROLA LTD.
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Motorola GSM manual set
VERSION 1 REV. 2

Introduction
The following manuals provide the information needed to operate, install and maintain the
Motorola GSM equipment.
Generic manuals
The following are the generic manuals in the GSM manual set, these manuals are
release dependent:
Category
number
Name
Catalogue
number
GSM-100-101
System Information: General
68P02901W01
GSM-100-201
Operating Information: GSM System Operation 68P02901W14
GSM-100-311
Technical Description: OMC in a GSM System
GSM-100-313
Technical Description: OMC Database Schema 68P02901W34
GSM-100-320
Technical Description: BSS Implementation
68P02901W36
GSM-100-321
Technical Description: BSS Command

Reference
68P02901W23
GSM-100-403
Installation & Configuration: GSM System

Configuration
68P02901W17
GSM-100-423
Installation & Configuration: BSS Optimization
68P02901W43
GSM-100-501
Maintenance Information: Alarm Handling at

the OMC
68P02901W26
GSM-100-521
Maintenance Information: Device State

Transitions
68P02901W57
GSM-100-523
Maintenance Information: BSS Field

Troubleshooting
68P02901W51
GSM-100-503
Maintenance Information: GSM Statistics

Application
68P02901W56
GSM-100-721
Software Release Notes: BSS/RXCDR
68P02901W72
68P02901W31
Tandem OMC
The following Tandem OMC manuals are part of the GSM manual set for systems
deploying Tandem S300 and 1475:
Category
number
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Name
Catalogue
number
GSM-100-202
Operating Information: OMC System

Administration
68P02901W13
GSM-100-712
Software Release Notes: OMC System
68P02901W71
15
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Scaleable OMC
The following Scaleable OMC manuals replace the equivalent Tandem OMC manuals in
the GSM manual set:
Category
number
Name
Catalogue
number
GSM-100-202
Operating Information: Scaleable OMC System 68P02901W19

Administration
GSM-100-413
Installation & Configuration: Scaleable OMC

Clean Install
68P02901W47
GSM-100-712
Software Release Notes: Scaleable OMC

System
68P02901W74
Related manuals
The following are related Motorola GSM manuals:
Category
number
Name
Catalogue
number
GSM-001-103
System Information: BSS Equipment Planning
68P02900W21
GSM-002-103
System Information: DataGen
68P02900W22
GSM-005-103
System Information: Advance Operational

Impact
68P02900W25
GSM-008-403
Installation & Configuration: Expert Adviser
68P02900W36
Service manuals
The following are the service manuals in the GSM manual set, these manuals are not
release dependent. The internal organization and makeup of service manual sets may
vary, they may consist of from one to four separate manuals, but they can all be ordered
using the overall catalogue number shown below:
Category
number
16
Name
Catalogue
number
GSM-100-020
Service Manual: BTS
68P02901W37
GSM-100-030
Service Manual: BSC/RXCDR
68P02901W38
GSM-105-020
Service Manual: M-Cell2
68P02901W75
GSM-106-020
Service Manual: M-Cell6
68P02901W85
GSM-201-020
Service Manual: M-Cellcity
68P02901W95
GSM-202-020
Service Manual: M-Cellaccess
68P02901W65
GSM-101-SERIES
ExCell4 Documentation Set
68P02900W50
GSM-103-SERIES
ExCell6 Documentation Set
68P02900W70
GSM-102-SERIES
TopCell Documentation Set
68P02901W80
GSM-200-SERIES
M-Cellmicro Documentation Set
68P02901W90
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Category number
The category number is used to identify the type and level of a manual. For example,
manuals with the category number GSM-100-2xx contain operating information.
Catalogue
number
The Motorola 68P catalogue number is used to order manuals.
Ordering
manuals
All orders for Motorola manuals must be placed with your Motorola Local Office or
Representative. Manuals are ordered using the catalogue number. Remember, specify
the manual issue required by quoting the correct suffix letter.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
18
MOTOROLA LTD.
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Chapter 1
Principles of Cellular
Telecommunications
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
ii
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Chapter 1
Principles of Cellular Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Principles of Cellular Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advantages of Cellular Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
11
12
12
Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14
Frequency Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
16
Cell Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Large Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Small Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Trade Off Large vs Small . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
18
18
18
Frequency Re-use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Co-channel Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjacent Channel Interference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
110
110
110
Sectorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
112
Using Sectored Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 Site/3 Cell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Switching and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Principles of Cellular Telecommunications
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Objectives
On completion of this section the student will be able to:
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Name the main components of a cellular network and describe their functionality.
State the options available for site configuration.
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Overview
A cellular telephone system links mobile station (MS) subscribers into the public
telephone system or to another cellular systems MS subscriber.
Information sent between the MS subscriber and the cellular network uses radio
communication. This removes the necessity for the fixed wiring used in a traditional
telephone installation.
Due to this, the MS subscriber is able to move around and become fully mobile, perhaps
travelling in a vehicle or on foot.
Advantages of
Cellular
Communications
Cellular networks have many advantages over the existing land telephone networks.
There are advantages for the network provider as well as the mobile subscriber.
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Overview

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Network Components
Network Components
GSM networks are made up of Mobile services Switching Centres (MSC), Base Station
Systems (BSS)and Mobile Stations (MS). These three entities can be broken down
further into smaller entities; such as, within the BSS we have Base Station Controllers,
Base Transceiver Stations and Transcoders. These smaller network elements, as they
are referred to, will be discussed later in the course. For now we will use the three major
entities.
With the MSC, BSS and MS we can make calls, receive calls, perform billing etc, as any
normal PSTN network would be able to do. The only problem for the MS is that not all
the calls made or received are from other MSs. Therefore, it is also necessary to connect
the GSM network to the PSTN.
Mobile Stations within the cellular network are located in cells, these cells are provided
by the BSSs. Each BSS can provide one or more cells, dependent on the manufacturers
equipment.
The cells are normally represented by a hexagon, but in practice they are irregular in
shape. This is as a result of the influence of the surrounding terrain, or of design by the
network planners.

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Frequency Spectrum
Frequency Spectrum
Introduction
The frequency spectrum is very congested, with only narrow slots of bandwidth allocated
for cellular communications. The list opposite shows the number of frequencies and
spectrum allocated for GSM, Extended GSM 900 (EGSM), GSM 1800 (DCS1800) and
PCS1900.
A single Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number (ARFCN) or RF carrier is actually a
pair of frequencies, one used in each direction (transmit and receive). This allows
information to be passed in both directions. For GSM900 and EGSM900 the paired
frequencies are separated by 45 MHz, for DCS1800 the separation is 95 MHz and for
PCS1900 separation is 80 MHz.
For each cell in a GSM network at least one ARFCN must be allocated, and more may
be allocated to provide greater capacity.
The RF carrier in GSM can support up to eight Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
timeslots. That is, in theory, each RF carrier is capable of supporting up to eight
simultaneous telephone calls, but as we will see later in this course although this is
possible, network signalling and messaging may reduce the overall number from eight
timeslots per RF carrier to six or seven timeslots per RF carrier, therefore reducing the
number of mobiles that can be supported.
Unlike a PSTN network, where every telephone is linked to the land network by a pair of
fixed wires, each MS only connects to the network over the radio interface when
required. Therefore, it is possible for a single RF carrier to support many more mobile
stations than its eight TDMA timeslots would lead us to believe. Using statistics, it has
been found that a typical RF carrier can support up to 15, 20 or even 25 MSs. Obviously,
not all of these MS subscribers could make a call at the same time, but it is also unlikely
that all the MS subscribers would want to make a call at the same time. Therefore,
without knowing it, MSs share the same physical resources, but at different times.
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Frequency Spectrum
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Frequency Range

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Cell Size
Cell Size
The number of cells in any geographic area is determined by the number of MS
subscribers who will be operating in that area, and the geographic layout of the area
(hills, lakes, buildings etc).
Large Cells
The maximum cell size for GSM is approximately 70 km in diameter, but this is
dependent on the terrain the cell is covering and the power class of the MS. In GSM, the
MS can be transmitting anything up to 8 Watts; obviously, the higher the power output of
the MS the larger the cell size. If the cell site is on top of a hill, with no obstructions for
miles, then the radio waves will travel much further than if the cell site was in the middle
of a city, with many high-rise buildings blocking the path of the radio waves.
Generally large cells are employed in:
Remote areas.
Coastal regions.
Areas with few subscribers.
Large areas which need to be covered with the minimum number of cell sites.
Small Cells
Small cells are used where there is a requirement to support a large number of MSs, in a
small geographic region, or where a low transmission power may be required to reduce
the effects of interference. Small cells currently cover 200 m and upwards.
Typical uses of small cells:
Urban areas.
Low transmission power required.
High number of MSs.
The Trade Off

Large vs Small
There is no right answer when choosing the type of cell to use. Network providers would
like to use large cells to reduce installation and maintenance cost, but realize that to
provide a quality service to their customers, they have to consider many factors, such as
terrain, transmission power required, number of MSs etc. This inevitably leads to a
mixture of both large and small cells.
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Cell Size

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Frequency Re-use
Frequency Re-use
Standard GSM has a total of 124 frequencies available for use in a network. Most
network providers are unlikely to be able to use all of these frequencies and are generally
allocated a small subset of the 124.
Example:
A network provider has been allocated 48 frequencies to provide coverage over a large
area, let us take for example Great Britain.
As we have already seen, the maximum cell size is approximately 70 km in diameter,
thus our 48 frequencies would not be able to cover the whole of Britain.
To overcome this limitation the network provider must re-use the same frequencies over
and over again, in what is termed a frequency re-use pattern.
When planning the frequency re-use pattern the network planner must take into account
how often to use the same frequencies and determine how close together the cells are,
otherwise co-channel and/or adjacent channel interference may occur. The network
provider will also take into account the nature of the area to be covered. This may range
from a densely populated city (high frequency re-use, small cells, high capacity) to a
sparsely populated rural expanse (large omni cells, low re-use, low capacity).
Co-channel
Interference
This occurs when RF carriers of the same frequency are transmitting in close proximity to
each other, the transmission from one RF carrier interferes with the other RF carrier.
Adjacent
Channel
Interference
This occurs when an RF source of a nearby frequency interferes with the RF carrier.
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Sectorization
Sectorization
The cells we have looked at up to now are called omni-directional cells. That is each site
has a single cell and that cell has a single transmit antenna which radiates the radio
waves to 360 degrees.
The problem with employing omni-directional cells is that as the number of MSs
increases in the same geographical region, we have to increase the number of cells to
meet the demand. To do this, as we have seen, we have to decrease the size of the cell
and fit more cells into this geographical area. Using omni-directional cells we can only go
so far before we start introducing co-channel and adjacent channel interference, both of
which degrade the cellular networks performance.
To gain a further increase in capacity within the geographic area we can employ a
technique called sectorization. Sectorization splits a single site into a number of cells,
each cell has transmit and receive antennas and behaves as an independent cell.
Each cell uses special directional antennas to ensure that the radio propagation from one
cell is concentrated in a particular direction. This has a number of advantages: firstly, as
we are now concentrating all the energy from the cell in a smaller area 60, 120, 180
degrees instead of 360 degrees, we get a much stronger signal, which is beneficial in
locations such as in-building coverage. Secondly, we can now use the same
frequencies in a much closer re-use pattern, thus allowing more cells in our geographic
region which allows us to support more MSs.
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Site Sectorization

3 cell site
3 Transmit/receive
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Using Sectored Sites

The distribution of RF carriers, and the size of the cells, is selected to achieve a balance
between avoiding co-channel interference by geographically separating cells using the
same RF frequencies, and achieving a channel density sufficient to satisfy the anticipated
demand.
The diagram opposite illustrates how, by sectoring a site we can fit more cells into the
same geographical area, thus increasing the number of MS subscribers who can gain
access and use the cellular network.
This sectorization of sites typically occurs in densely populated areas, or where a high
demand of MSs is anticipated, such as conference centres/business premises.
4 Site/3 Cell
A typical re-use pattern used in GSM planning is the 4 site/3 cell.
For example, the network provider has 36 frequencies available, and wishes to use the 4
site/3 cell re-use pattern he may split the frequencies up as follows:

In this configuration each cell has a total of 3 carriers and each site has a total of 9
carriers. If the provider wished to reconfigure to a 3 site/3 cell then the result would be:

As can be seen from the table, each cell now has 4 carriers and each site has 12
carriers. This has the benefit of supporting more subscribers in the same geographic
region, but problems could arise with co-channel and adjacent channel interference.
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Switching and Control

Having established radio coverage through the use of cells, both omni-directional and
directional (sectored sites), now consider what happens when the MS is in motion (as
MSs tend to be).
At some point the MS will have to move from one cells coverage area to another cells
coverage area. Handovers from one cell to another could be for a number of reasons
(e.g. the signal strength of the serving cell is less than the signal strength of a
neighbour cell, or the MS is suffering a quality problem in the serving cell) and by
handing over to one of its neighbours this may stop the quality problem.
Regardless of the reason for a handover it has to be controlled by some entity, and in
GSM that entity is the Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC).
To perform a handover, the network must know which neighbour cell to hand the MS
over to. To ensure that we handover to the best possible candidate the MS performs
measurements of its surrounding neighbour cells and reports its findings to the network.
These are then analyzed together with the measurements that the network performs and
a decision is made on a regular basis as to the need for a handover. If a handover is
required then the relevant signal protocols are established and the handover is controlled
by the MSC.
Handovers must be transparent to the MS subscriber. That is the subscriber should be
unaware that a handover has occurred.
As we will see later in this course, handovers are just one of the functions of the MSC,
many more are performed by the MSC and its associated entities (e.g. such as
authentication of MS, ciphering control, location updating, gateway to PSTN).
Note:
Some networks may allow certain handovers to be performed at the BSS level. This
would be dependent on the manufacturers equipment.
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Chapter 2
Features of GSM
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Chapter 2
Features of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Features of GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
21
22
Noise Robust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
Flexibility and Increased Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
Use of Standardised Open Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28
Improved Security and Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Flexible Handover Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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ISDN Compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2B+D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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214
Enhanced Range Of Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Speech Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Telephony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency Calls (with/without SIM Card inserted in MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short Message Service Point To Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short Message Cell Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advanced Message Handling Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dual Personal and Business Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplementary Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Features of GSM
Section
Objectives
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State the advantages of a digital air interface.
State the implications of using standard open interfaces.
Recognise the enhanced range of services that may be offered by a GSM network.
State the part played by the mobile station in the handover process.
State how software is used to provide flexibility.
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Features of GSM
Features of GSM
Cellular telephone systems provide the MS subscriber and network provider with many
advantages over a standard telephone network, but there are still many drawbacks.
Compatibility
The rapid development of analogue cellular networks during the 1980s resulted in many
different cellular systems which were incompatible with one another.
The need for a common standard for mobile telecommunications was therefore obvious,
and so an executive body was set up to co-ordinate the complicated task of specifying
the new standardized network.
GSM has been specified and developed by many European countries working in
co-operation with each other. The result is a cellular system which has been
implemented throughout Europe and many parts of the world.
An additional advantage resulting from this is that there is a large market for GSM
equipment. This means that manufacturers can produce equipment in higher quantities
and of better quality, and also, due to the number of manufacturers, a competitive and
aggressive pricing structure exists. This results in lower costs for the MS subscriber and
the network operators.
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Noise Robust
Noise Robust
In cellular telephone systems, such as AMPs, TACs or NMT the MS communicates with
the cell site by means of analogue radio signals. Although this technique can provide an
excellent audio quality (it is widely used for stereo radio broadcasting, for example), it is
vulnerable to noise, as anyone who has tried to receive broadcast stereo with a poor
aerial will testify!
The noise which interferes with the current system may be produced by any of the
following sources:
A powerful or nearby external source (a vehicle ignition system or a lightning bolt,

perhaps);
Another transmission on the same frequency (co-channel interference);
Another transmission breaking through from a nearby frequency (adjacent

channel interference);
Background radio noise intruding because the required signal is too weak to
exclude it.
In order to combat the problems caused by noise, GSM uses digital technology instead
of analogue.
By using digital signals, we can manipulate the data and include sophisticated error
protection, detection and correction software. The overall result is that the signals
passed across the GSM air interface withstand more errors (that is, we can locate and
correct more errors than current analogue systems). Due to this feature, the GSM air
interface in harsh RF environments can produce a usable signal, where analogue
systems would be unable to. This leads to better frequency re-use patterns and more
capacity.
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Sources of Noise

GSM Answers

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Flexibility and Increased Capacity

With an analogue air interface, every connection between an MS and a cell site requires
a separate RF carrier, which in turn requires a separate set of RF hardware. In order to
expand the capacity of a cell site by a given number of channels, an equivalent quantity
of hardware must be added. This makes system expansion time consuming, expensive
and labour intensive.
Re-configuration of an analogue site suffers similar problems since much of the
equipment requires manual re-tuning and this makes the system inflexible.
GSM equipment is fully controlled by its software. Network re-configurations can be
made quickly and easily with a minimum of manual intervention required. Also, since one
carrier can support eight users, expansion can be made with less equipment.
An enhancement soon to be realised is the half rate speech channel, where mobiles will
use new speech algorithms requiring half as much data to be sent over the air interface.
By implementing half rate, one carrier will be able to support 16 users, effectively
doubling the capacity of the network. However, this is the optimum since the mobile, as
well as the BTS, will need to be modified to support half rate.
GSM networks also offer the flexibility of international roaming. This allows the mobile
user to travel to foreign countries and still use their mobiles on the foreign network. If
necessary, the user may leave their mobile equipment at home and carry only the SIM
card, making use of a hired mobile or any available equipment.
GSMs use of a digital air interface makes it more resilient to interference from users on
the same or nearby frequencies and so cells can be packed closer together, which
means more carriers in a given area to give better frequency re-use.
Multi-band networks and mobiles are available where a user can make use of both the
900 MHz network and the 1800/1900 networks. The mobile must be capable of
operation in dual frequency bands, however, to the user it will be transparent. This
enables network operators to add in capacity and reduce network interference by using
cells operating in different frequency bands. The operator will be required to show that
they have made efficient use of their existing frequencies before they will be granted
access to frequencies in another band. This means using techniques like sectorisation,
microcells and frequency hopping.
GSM is highly software dependent and, although this makes it very complex, it also
provides for a high degree of flexibility.
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Use of Standardised Open Interfaces

The equipment in each of the analogue cellular networks tends to be produced by one
manufacturer. This is because the equipment is only designed to communicate with
other equipment made by that manufacturer. This situation is very profitable for the
manufacturers as they have a great deal of influence over the pricing of their product.
Unfortunately for the MS user and the network provider, this means high prices.
The situation is very different with GSM, where standard interfaces such as C7 and X.25
are used throughout the network. This means that network planners can select different
manufacturers for different pieces of hardware. Competition between manufacturers is
therefore intense in the GSM market and manufacturers must ensure they support the
latest developments at a competitive price.
In addition, network planners have a great deal of flexibility in where the network
components are situated. This means that they can make the most efficient use of the
terrestrial links which they operate.
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Improved Security and Confidentiality

Security figures high on the list of problems encountered by some operators of analogue
systems. In some systems, it is virtually non-existent and the unscrupulous were quick
to recognize this. With some of the first generation systems, it has been estimated that
up to 20% of cellular phone calls are stolen.
Extensive measures have been taken, when specifying the GSM system, to substantially
increase security with regard to both call theft and equipment theft.
With GSM, both the Mobile Equipment (ME) and Mobile Subscriber are identified. The
ME has a unique number coded into it when it is manufactured. This can be checked
against a database every time the mobile makes a call to validate the actual equipment.
The subscriber is authenticated by use of a smart card known as a Subscriber Identity
Module (SIM), again this allows the network to check a MS subscriber against a
database for authentication.
GSM also offers the capability to encrypt all signalling over the air interface. Different
levels of encryption are available to meet different subscriber/country requirements.
With the authentication processes for both the ME and subscriber, together with the
encryption and the digital encoding of the air interface signals, it makes it very difficult for
the casual hacker to listen-in to personal calls.
In addition to this, the GSM air interface supports frequency hopping; this entails each
burst of information being transmitted to/from the MS/base site on a different frequency,
again making it very difficult for an observer (hacker) to follow/listen to a specific call.
Although it should be noted that frequency hopping is employed to optimize network
performance by overcoming interference problems in busy areas, to increase call quality
and capacity.
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Flexible Handover Processes

Handovers take place as the MS moves between cells, gradually losing the RF signal of
one and gaining that of the other.
The MS switches from channel to channel and cell to cell as it moves to maintain call
continuity. With analogue systems, handovers are frequently a problem area and the
subscriber is often aware that a handover has occurred!
When GSM was specified a great deal of thought went into the design and
implementation of handovers. Although the GSM system is more complicated than
analogue in this area, the flexibility of the GSM handover processes offer significant
improvements which provide a much better quality of service to the subscriber.
GSM provides handover processes for the following:
Quality (uplink/downlink).
Interference (uplink/downlink).
RF level (uplink/downlink).
MS distance.
Power budget.
More handover algorithms have been developed for specific applications, such as
microcellular, and are currently being implemented.
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ISDN Compatibility
ISDN Compatibility
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a standard that most developed countries
are committed to implement. This is a new and advanced telecommunications network
designed to carry voice and user data over standard telephone lines.
Major telephone companies in Europe, North America, Hong Kong, Australia and Japan
are committed to commercial enterprises using ISDN.
The GSM network has been designed to operate with the ISDN system and provides
features which are compatible with it. GSM can provide a maximum data rate of 9.6
kbit/s while ISDN provides much higher data rates than this (standard rate 64 kbit/s,
primary rate 2.048 Mbit/s).
2B+D
This refers to the signals and information which may be carried on an ISDN line. There
are effectively three connections, one for signalling (D) and the other two for data or
speech (2B).
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Enhanced Range Of Services

GSM has the potential to offer a greatly enhanced range of services compared to existing
analogue cellular systems. As well as a full range of data transmission options and fax,
there will be a wide range of supplementary services.
The basic call services which are already provided within analogue systems such as Call
Forwarding, Voice Message Services etc, are already available in some operational
systems. Whether these services and others are provided as part of the basic service or
at additional cost to the subscriber will depend on the network provider.
When services were specified on GSM, the current land PSTN and ISDN system had to
be taken into consideration; after all it is these systems we are most likely to be
communicating with.
The services available to a subscriber will be determined by three factors:
216
The level of service provided by the network provider.
The level of service purchased by the subscriber.
The capabilities of the subscribers mobile equipment.
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Speech Services
The following services listed involve the transmission of speech information and would
make up the basic service offered by a network provider:
Telephony
Provides for normal MS originated/terminated voice calls.
Emergency Calls
(with/without SIM
Card inserted in
MS)
The number 112 has been agreed as the international emergency call number. This
should place you in contact with the emergency services (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
whichever country you are in.
Short Message
Service Point To
Point
Provides the transmission of an acknowledged short message (128 bytes maximum)
from a service centre to a MS. It is also intended that the MS should be able to send
short messages to land-based equipment. This will obviously depend upon the
equipment owned by the land-based user.
Short Message
Cell Broadcast
Provides the transmission of an unacknowledged short message (75 bytes maximum)
from a service centre in the fixed network to all MSs within one cell. This may carry
information from the network provider, for example traffic information or advertising.
Advanced
Message
Handling Service
Provides message submission and delivery from the storage from a public Message
Handling System (MHS) for example, electronic mail.
Dual Personal
and Business
Numbers
Permits the allocation of dual telephone numbers to a single subscriber. This will allow
calls to be made and be billed either to business or personal numbers.
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Data Services
Data can be sent over the air using some of the present systems, but this requires
specially designed add ons to protect the data content in the harsh environment of the
air interface.
Special provision is made in the GSM technical specifications for data transmission.
Therefore, like ISDN, GSM is specially designed for data transmission. GSM can be
considered as an extension of ISDN into the wireless environment.
Text files, images, messages and fax may all be sent over the GSM network. The data
rates available are 2.4 kbit/s, 4.8 kbit/s and 9.6 kbit/s.
In addition to supporting data transmission, GSM also provides for Group 3 Fax
transmission.
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Supplementary
Services
A supplementary service is a modification of, or a supplement to, a basic
telecommunication service. The network provider will probably charge extra for these
services or use them as an incentive to join their network.
Here is a list of some of the optional supplementary subscriber services that could be
offered to GSM subscribers:
Number Identification
Receiving party requests calling number to be shown.
Calling party requests calling number not to be shown.
Call Barring
Bar all incoming or all outgoing calls.
Bar specific incoming or outgoing calls.
Call Forwarding
Forward all calls.
Forward calls when subscriber is busy.
Forward calls if subscriber does not answer.
Forward calls if subscriber cannot be located.
Call Completion
Enable incoming call to wait until subscriber completes current call.
Enable subscriber to place incoming calls on hold.
Charging
Display current cost of call.
Multi-party
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Three party service.
Conference calling.
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Chapter 3
GSM Network Components
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Chapter 3
GSM Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GSM Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

31
31
GSM Network Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32
Mobile Station (MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
34
Mobile Equipment (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
38
Base Station System (BSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
310
Base Station Controller (BSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Base Transceiver Station BTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
312
312
BSS Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
314
Transcoder (XCDR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
316
Network Switching System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
318
Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
320
Home Location Register (HLR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
322
Visitor Location Register (VLR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Location Area Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
324
324
324
324
Equipment Identity Register (EIR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
326
Authentication Centre (AUC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Authentication Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
328
328
Interworking Function (IWF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
330
Echo Canceller (EC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
332
Operations and Maintenance System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Network Management Centre (NMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
334
334
334
334
Network Management Centre (NMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
336
Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
338
The Network In Reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Section
Objectives
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Name the major components of a GSM network and state the functionality of these
components.
Draw a diagram illustrating how the components of the GSM network are
connected.
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GSM Network Overview

The diagram opposite shows a simplified GSM network. Each network component is
illustrated only once, however, many of the components will occur several times
throughout a network.
Each network component is designed to communicate over an interface specified by the
GSM standards. This provides flexibility and enables a network provider to utilize system
components from different manufacturers. For example Motorola Base Station System
(BSS) equipment may be coupled with an Ericsson Network Switching System.
The principle component groups of a GSM network are:
The Mobile Station (MS)

This consists of the mobile telephone, fax machine etc. This is the part of the
network that the subscriber will see.
The Base Station System (BSS)

This is the part of the network which provides the radio interconnection from the
MS to the land-based switching equipment.
The Network Switching System

This consists of the Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC) and its associated
system-control databases and processors together with the required interfaces.
This is the part which provides for interconnection between the GSM network and
the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
The Operations and Maintenance System

This enables the network provider to configure and maintain the network from a
central location.
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Mobile Station (MS)
Mobile Station (MS)

The MS consists of two parts, the Mobile Equipment (ME) and an electronic smart card
called a Subscriber Identity module (SIM).
The ME is the hardware used by the subscriber to access the network. The hardware
has an identity number associated with it, which is unique for that particular device and
permanently stored in it. This identity number is called the International Mobile
Equipment Identity (IMEI) and enables the network operator to identify mobile equipment
which may be causing problems on the system.
The SIM is a card which plugs into the ME. This card identifies the MS subscriber and
also provides other information regarding the service that subscriber should receive. The
subscriber is identified by an identity number called the International Mobile Subscriber
Identity (IMSI).
Mobile Equipment may be purchased from any store but the SIM must be obtained from
the GSM network provider. Without the SIM inserted, the ME will only be able to make
emergency calls.
By making a distinction between the subscriber identity and the ME identity, GSM can
route calls and perform billing based on the identity of the subscriber rather than the
equipment or its location.
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Mobile Station (MS)
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Mobile Station

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Mobile Equipment (ME)

The ME is the only part of the GSM network which the subscriber will really see. There
are three main types of ME, these are listed below:
Vehicle Mounted
These devices are mounted in a vehicle and the antenna is physically mounted on
the outside of the vehicle.
Portable Mobile Unit

This equipment can be handheld when in operation, but the antenna is not
connected to the handset of the unit.
Handportable Unit
This equipment comprises of a small telephone handset not much bigger than a
calculator. The antenna is be connected to the handset.
The ME is capable of operating at a certain maximum power output dependent on its

type and use.
These mobile types have distinct features which must be known by the network, for
example their maximum transmission power and the services they support. The ME is
therefore identified by means of a classmark. The classmark is sent by the ME in its
initial message.
The following pieces of information are held in the classmark:
Revision Level
Identifies the phase of the GSM specifications that the mobile complies with.
RF Power Capability
The maximum power the MS is able to transmit, used for power control and
handover preparation. This information is held in the mobile power class number.
Ciphering Algorithm
Indicates which ciphering algorithm is implemented in the MS. There is only one
algorithm (A5) in GSM phase 1, but GSM phase 2 specifies different algorithms
(A5/0A5/7).
Frequency Capability
Indicates the frequency bands the MS can receive and transmit on. Currently all
GSM MSs use one frequency band, in the future this band will be extended but not
all MSs will be capable of using it.
Short Message Capability

Indicates whether the MS is able to receive short messages.
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Mobile Equipment Capabilies
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Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

The SIM as mentioned previously is a smart card which plugs into the ME and contains
information about the MS subscriber hence the name Subscriber Identity Module.
The SIM contains several pieces of information:
International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)

This number identifies the MS subscriber. It is only transmitted over the air during
initialization.
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)

This number identifies the subscriber, it is periodically changed by the system
management to protect the subscriber from being identified by someone
attempting to monitor the radio interface.
Location Area Identity (LAI)

Identifies the current location of the subscriber.
Subscriber Authentication Key (Ki)

This is used to authenticate the SIM card.
Mobile Station International Services Digital Network (MSISDN)

This is the telephone number of the mobile subscriber. It is comprised of a country
code, a network code and a subscriber number.
Most of the data contained within the SIM is protected against reading (Ki) or alterations
(IMSI). Some of the parameters (LAI) will be continuously updated to reflect the current
location of the subscriber.
The SIM card, and the high degree of inbuilt system security, provide protection of the
subscribers information and protection of networks against fraudulent access. SIM
cards are designed to be difficult to duplicate. The SIM can be protected by use of
Personal Identity Number (PIN) password, similar to bank/credit charge cards, to prevent
unauthorized use of the card.
The SIM is capable of storing additional information such as accumulated call charges.
This information will be accessible to the customer via handset/keyboard key entry.
The SIM also executes the Authentication Algorithm.
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Base Station System (BSS)

The GSM Base Station System is the equipment located at a cell site. It comprises a
combination of digital and RF equipment. The BSS provides the link between the MS
and the MSC.
The BSS communicates with the MS over the digital air interface and with the MSC via
2 Mbit/s links.
The BSS consists of three major hardware components:
The Base Transceiver Station BTS

The BTS contains the RF components that provide the air interface for a particular
cell. This is the part of the GSM network which communicates with the MS. The
antenna is included as part of the BTS.
The Base Station Controller BSC

The BSC as its name implies provides the control for the BSS. The BSC
communicates directly with the MSC. The BSC may control single or multiple
BTSs.
The Transcoder XCDR

The Transcoder is used to compact the signals from the MS so that they are
more efficiently sent over the terrestrial interfaces. Although the transcoder is
considered to be a part of the BSS, it is very often located closer to the MSC.
The transcoder is used to reduce the rate at which the traffic (voice/data) is transmitted
over the air interface. Although the transcoder is part of the BSS, it is often found
physically closer to the NSS to allow more efficient use of the terrestrial links.
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Base Station Controller (BSC)

As previously mentioned, the BSC provides the control for the BSS. The functions of
the BSC are shown in the table opposite.
Any operational information required by the BTS will be received via the BSC. Likewise
any information required about the BTS (by the OMC for example) will be obtained by the
BSC.
The BSC incorporates a digital switching matrix, which it uses to connect the radio
channels on the air interface with the terrestrial circuits from the MSC.
The BSC switching matrix also allows the BSC to perform handovers between radio
channels on BTSs, under its control, without involving the MSC.
Base Transceiver
Station BTS
The BTS provides the air interface connection with the MS. I also has a limited amount of
control functionality which reduces the amount of traffic passing between the BTS and
BSC. The functions of the BTS are shown opposite. Each BTS will support 1 or more
cells.
BSS Functionality
Control
Terrestrial Channel Management

Channel Allocation
Radio Channel Management
Channel Configuration Management
Handover Control
BSC
BSC
BSC
BSC
Frequency Hopping
Traffic Channel Management
Control Channel Management
Encryption
Paging
Power Control
BSC/BTS
BSC/BTS
BSC/BTS
BSC/BTS
BSC/BTS
BSC/BTS
Channel Coding/Decoding
Timing Advance
Idle Channel Observation
Measurement Reporting
BTS
BTS
BTS
BTS
Where the BSC and BTS are both shown to control a function, the control is divided
between the two, or may be located wholly at one.
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Base Station System

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BSS Configurations
BSS Configurations
As we have mentioned, a BSC may control several BTSs, the maximum number of BTSs
which may be controlled by one BSC is not specified by GSM.
Individual manufacturers specifications may vary greatly.
The BTSs and BSC may either be located at the same cell site co-located, or located
at different sites Remote. In reality most BTSs will be remote, as there are many more
BTSs than BSCs in a network.
Another BSS configuration is the daisy chain. A BTS need not communicate directly with
the BSC which controls it, it can be connected to the BSC via a chain of BTSs.
Daisy chaining reduces the amount of cabling required to set up a network as a BTS can
be connected to its nearest BTS rather than all the way to the BSC.
Problems may arise when chaining BTSs, due to the transmission delay through the
chain. The length of the chain must, therefore, be kept sufficiently short to prevent the
round trip speech delay becoming too long.
Other topologies are also permitted, including stars and loops. Loops are used to
introduce redundancy into the network, for example if a BTS connection was lost, the
BTS may still be able to communicate with the BSC if a second connection is available.
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Transcoder (XCDR)
Transcoder (XCDR)
The Transcoder (XCDR) is required to convert the speech or data output from the MSC
(64 kbit/s PCM), into the form specified by GSM specifications for transmission over the
air interface, that is, between the BSS and MS (64 kbit/s to 16 kbit/s and vice versa).
The 64 kbit/s Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) circuits from the MSC, if transmitted on the
air interface without modification, would occupy an excessive amount of radio bandwidth.
This would use the available radio spectrum inefficiently. The required bandwidth is
therefore reduced by processing the 64 kbit/s circuits so that the amount of information
required to transmit digitized voice falls to a gross rate of 16 kbit/s.
The transcoding function may be located at the MSC, BSC, or BTS.
The content of the 16 kbit/s data depends on the coding algorithm used. There are two
speech coding algorithms available and selecting which one to use depends on the
capabilities of the mobile equipment and the network configuration.
The Full Rate speech algorithm is supported by all mobiles and networks. It produces 13
kbit/s of coded speech data plus 3 kbit/s of control data which is commonly referred to as
TRAU data (Transcoder Rate Adaption Unit). The TRAU data on the downlink will be
used by the BTS and therefore removed from the 13 k of speech data before
transmission on the air interface. the 13 kbit/s of speech data is processed at the BTS to
form a gross rate of 22.8 kbit/s on the air interface which includes forward error
correction. In the uplink direction the BTS adds in TRAU data which will be used by the
transcoder.
Enhanced Full Rate is an improved speech coding algorithm and is only supported by
Phase 2+ mobiles and is optional in the Network. It produces 12.2 kbit/s from each 64
kbit/s PCM channel. The TRAU data in this case is made up to 3.8 kbit/s to keep the
channel rate to and from the BTS at 16 kbit/s as for Full Rate. As with Full Rate the
TRAU data is used at the BTS and Transcoder.
For data transmissions the data is not transcoded but data rate adapted from 9.6 kbit/s
(4.8 kbit/s or 2.4 kbit/s may also be used) up to a gross rate of 16 kbit/s for transmission
over the terrestrial interfaces, again this 16 kbit/s contains a 3 kbit/s TRAU.
As can be seen from the diagram opposite, although the reason for transcoding was to
reduce the data rate over the air interface, the number of terrestrial links is also reduced
approximately on a 4:1 ratio.
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Transcoder (XCDR)
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Transcoder

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Network Switching System

The Network Switching System includes the main switching functions of the GSM
network. It also contains the databases required for subscriber data and mobility
management. Its main function is to manage communications between the GSM
network and other telecommunications networks.
The components of the Network Switching System are listed below:
Mobile Services Switching Centre MSC
Home Location Register HLR
Visitor Location Register VLR
Equipment Identity Register EIR
Authentication Centre AUC
InterWorking Function IWF
Echo Canceller EC
In addition to the more traditional elements of a cellular telephone system, GSM has
Location Register network entities. These entities are the Home Location Register
(HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR), and the Equipment Identity Register (EIR). The
location registers are database-oriented processing nodes which address the problems of
managing subscriber data and keeping track of a MSs location as it roams around the
network.
Functionally, the Interworking Function and the Echo Cancellers may be considered as
parts of the MSC, since their activities are inextricably linked with those of the switch as it
connects speech and data calls to and from the MSs.
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Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC)

The MSC is included in the GSM system for call-switching. Its overall purpose is the
same as that of any telephone exchange.
However, because of the additional complications involved in the control and security
aspects of the GSM cellular system and the wide range of subscriber facilities that it
offers, the MSC has to be capable of fulfilling many additional functions.
The MSC will carry out several different functions depending upon its position in the
network. When the MSC provides the interface between the PSTN and the BSSs in the
GSM network it will be known as a Gateway MSC. In this position it will provide the
switching required for all MS originated or terminated traffic.
Each MSC provides service to MSs located within a defined geographic coverage area,
the network typically contains more than one MSC. One MSC is capable of supporting a
regional capital with approximately one million inhabitants. An MSC of this size will be
contained in about half a dozen racks.
The functions carried out by the MSC are listed below:
Call Processing
Includes control of data/voice call setup, inter-BSS and inter-MSC handovers and
control of mobility management (subscriber validation and location).
Operations and Maintenance Support

Includes database management, traffic metering and measurement, and a
manmachine interface.
Internetwork Interworking
Manages the interface between the GSM network and the PSTN.
Billing
Collects call billing data.
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Home Location Register (HLR)

The HLR is the reference database for subscriber parameters.
Various identification numbers and addresses are stored, as well as authentication
parameters. This information is entered into the database by the network provider when
a new subscriber is added to the system.
The parameters stored in the HLR are listed opposite:
The HLR database contains the master database of all the subscribers to a GSM PLMN.
The data it contains is remotely accessed by all the MSCs and the VLRs in the network
and, although the network may contain more than one HLR, there is only one database
record per subscriber - each HLR is therefore handling a portion of the total subscriber
database. The subscriber data may be accessed by either the IMSI or the MSISDN
number. The data can also be accessed by an MSC or a VLR in a different PLMN, to
allow inter-system and inter-country roaming.
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Visitor Location Register (VLR)

The VLR contains a copy of most of the data stored at the HLR. It is, however,
temporary data which exists for only as long as the subscriber is active in the particular
area covered by the VLR. The VLR database will therefore contain some duplicate data
as well as more precise data relevant to the subscriber remaining within the VLR
coverage.
The VLR provides a local database for the subscribers wherever they are physically
located within a PLMN, this may or may not be the home system. This function
eliminates the need for excessive and time-consuming references to the home HLR
database.
The additional data stored in the VLR is listed below:
Mobile status (busy/free/no answer etc.).
Location Area Identity (LAI).
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI).
Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN).
Location Area
Identity
Cells within the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) are grouped together into
geographical areas. Each area is assigned a Location Area Identity (LAI), a location area
may typically contain 30 cells. Each VLR controls several LAIs and as a subscriber
moves from one LAI to another, the LAI is updated in the VLR. As the subscriber moves
from one VLR to another, the VLR address is updated at the HLR.
Temporary
Mobile
Subscriber
Identity
The VLR controls the allocation of new Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)
numbers and notifies them to the HLR. The TMSI will be updated frequently, this makes
it very difficult for the call to be traced and therefore provides a high degree of security
for the subscriber. The TMSI may be updated in any of the following situations:
Call setup.
On entry to a new LAI.
On entry to a new VLR.
Mobile
Subscriber
Roaming Number
As a subscriber may wish to operate outside its home system at some time, the VLR
can also allocate a Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN). This number is assigned
from a list of numbers held at the VLR (MSC). The MSRN is then used to route the call
to the MSC which controls the base station in the MSs current location.
The database in the VLR can be accessed by the IMSI, the TMSI or the MSRN.
Typically there will be one VLR per MSC.
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Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

The EIR contains a centralized database for validating the International Mobile
Equipment Identity (IMEI).
This database is concerned solely with MS equipment and not with the subscriber who is
using it to make or receive a call.
The EIR database consists of lists of IMEIs (or ranges of IMEIs) organized as follows:
White List
Contains those IMEIs which are known to have been assigned to valid MS
equipment.
Black List
Contains IMEIs of MS which have been reported stolen or which are to be denied
service for some other reason.
Grey List
Contains IMEIs of MS which have problems (for example, faulty software). These
are not, however, sufficiently significant to warrant a black listing.
The EIR database is remotely accessed by the MSCs in the network and can also be
accessed by an MSC in a different PLMN.
As in the case of the HLR, a network may well contain more than one EIR with each EIR
controlling certain blocks of IMEI numbers. The MSC contains a translation facility, which
when given an IMEI, returns the address of the EIR controlling the appropriate section of
the equipment database.
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Call Processing Functions (EIR)

$"$ !% $
$$
#$ $ #$
%
#$
"& #$
#$ "& #$
% "$%"# " "& #$

$" # " "$
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Authentication Centre (AUC)

The AUC is a processor system, it performs the authentication function.
It will normally be co-located with the Home Location Register (HLR) as it will be required
to continuously access and update, as necessary, the system subscriber records. The
AUC/HLR centre can be co-located with the MSC or located remote from the MSC.
The authentication process will usually take place each time the subscriber initializes on
the system.
Authentication
Process
To discuss the authentication process we will assume that the VLR has all the
information required to perform that authentication process (Kc, SRES and RAND). If
this information is unavailable, then the VLR would request it from the HLR/AUC.
1.
Triples (Kc, SRES and RAND) are stored at the VLR.
2.
The VLR sends RAND via the MSC and BSS, to the MS (unencrypted).
3.
The MS, using the A3 and A8 algorithms and the parameter Ki stored on the MS
SIM card, together with the received RAND from the VLR, calculates the values of
SRES and Kc.
4.
The MS sends SRES unencrypted to the VLR
5.
Within the VLR the value of SRES is compared with the SRES received from the
mobile. If the two values match, then the authentication is successful.
6.
If cyphering is to be used, Kc from the assigned triple is passed to the BTS.
7.
The mobile calculates Kc from the RAND and A8 and Ki on the SIM.
8.
Using Kc, A5 and the GSM hyperframe number, encryption between the MS and
the BSS can now occur over the air interface.
Note: The triples are generated at the AUC by:

RAND
Randomly generated number.
SRES
Derived from A3 (RAND, Ki).
Kc
Derived from A8 (RAND, Ki).
A3
From 1 of 16 possible algorithms defined on allocation of IMSI and

creation of SIM card.
A8
From 1 of 16 possible algorithms defined on allocation of IMSI and

creation of SIM card.
Ki
Authentication key, assigned at random together with the versions of

A3 and A8.
The first time a subscriber attempts to make a call, the full authentication process takes
place.
However, for subsequent calls attempted within a given system control time period, or
within a single system providers network, authentication may not be necessary, as the
data generated during the first authentication will still be available.
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Interworking Function (IWF)

The IWF provides the function to enable the GSM system to interface with the various
forms of public and private data networks currently available.
The basic features of the IWF are listed below.
Data rate adaption.
Protocol conversion.
Some systems require more IWF capability than others, this depends upon the network
to which it is being connected.
The IWF also incorporates a modem bank, which may be used when, for example, the
GSM Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) exchanges data with a land DTE connected via
an analogue modem.
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Echo Canceller (EC)
Echo Canceller (EC)

An EC is used on the PSTN side of the MSC for all voice circuits. Echo control is
required at the switch because the inherent GSM system delay can cause an
unacceptable echo condition, even on short distance PSTN circuit connections.
The total round trip delay introduced by the GSM system (the cumulative delay caused
by call processing, speech encoding and decoding etc) is approximately 180 mS. This
would not be apparent to the MS subscriber, but for the inclusion of a 2-wire to 4-wire
hybrid transformer in the circuit. This is required at the land partys local switch because
the standard telephone connection is 2-wire. The transformer causes the echo. This
does not affect the land subscriber.
During a normal PSTN land to land call, no echo is apparent because the delay is too
short and the user is unable to distinguish between the echo and the normal telephone
side tone. However, without the EC and with the GSM round trip delay added, the effect
would be very irritating to the MS subscriber, disrupting speech and concentration.
The standard EC will provide cancellation of up to 68 milliseconds on the tail circuit (the
tail circuit is the connection between the output of the EC and the land telephone).

! !
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Operations and Maintenance System

Overview
The operations and maintenance system provides the capability to manage the GSM
network remotely.
This area of the GSM network is not currently tightly specified by the GSM specifications,
it is left to the network provider to decide what capabilities they wish it to have. The
Operations and Maintenance System comprises of two parts:
Network
Management
Centre (NMC)
The Network Management Centre (NMC) has a view of the entire PLMN and is
responsible for the management of the network as a whole. The NMC resides at the top
of the hierarchy and provides global network management.
Operations and
Maintenance
Centre (OMC)
The Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) is a centralized facility that supports the
day to day management of a cellular network as well as providing a database for long
term network engineering and planning tools. An OMC manages a certain area of the
PLMN thus giving regionalized network management.
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Operations & Maintenance System

!

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Network Management Centre (NMC)

The NMC offers the ability to provide hierarchical regionalized network management of a
complete GSM system.
It is responsible for operations and maintenance at the network level, supported by the
OMCs which are responsible for regional network management.
The NMC is therefore a single logical facility at the top of the network management
hierarchy.
The NMC has a high level view of the network, as a series of network nodes and
interconnecting communications facilities. The OMC, on the other hand, is used to filter
information from the network equipment for forwarding to the NMC, thus allowing it to
focus on issues requiring national co-ordination. The NMC can also co-ordinate issues
regarding interconnection to other networks, for example the PSTN.
The NMC can take regional responsibility when an OMC is not manned, with the OMC
acting as a transit point between the NMC and the network equipment. The NMC
provides operators with functions equivalent to those available at the OMC.
!

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Network Management Centre

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Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC)

The OMC provides a central point from which to control and monitor the other network
entities (i.e. base stations, switches, database, etc) as well as monitor the quality of
service being provided by the network.
At present, equipment manufacturers have their own OMCs which are not compatible in
every aspect with those of other manufacturers. This is particularly the case between
radio base station equipment suppliers, where in some cases the OMC is a separate
item and Digital Switching equipment suppliers, where the OMC is an integral, but
functionally separate, part of the hardware.
There are two types of OMC these are:
OMC (R)
OMC controls specifically the Base Station System.
OMC (S)
OMC controls specifically the Network Switching System.
The OMC should support the following functions as per ITSTS recommendations:
Event/Alarm Management.
Fault Management.
Performance Management.
Configuration Management.
Security Management.
The OMC functional architecture is illustrated in the diagram opposite.
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The Network In Reality

In reality a GSM network is much more complicated than we have seen. The diagram
opposite illustrates how multiple BSS and Network Switching System components will be
connected within a network.
A typical city for example, London) will have approximately the following number of
network components:
*-%(! %#&%$$*
+$* *.
&(* %$) $ $*$$ $*( )

** %$ '+ &#$*
&(* %$) $ $*$$ $*(

- * $
% " (, ) - * $ $*(

) ** %$ %$*(%""(

) ($) ,( ** %$

A typical network (for example, UK) will have approximately the following number of
network components.
*-%(! %#&%$$*
+$* *.
&(* %$) $ $*$$

$*( ) ** %$ '+ &#$*

340
&(* %$) $ $*$$

$*( - * $
% " (, ) - * $ $*(

) ** %$ %$*(%""(

) ($) ,( ** %$

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MS

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Chapter 4
GSM Terrestrial Interfaces
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Chapter 4
GSM Terrestrial Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GSM Terrestrial Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

41
41
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
42
2 Mbit/s Trunk 30-channel PCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44
X.25 Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46
ITU-TS Signalling System #7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
48
A-bis (LAPD) Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
410
Interconnections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
412
Interface Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Section
Objectives
On completion of this course the student will be able to:
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Identify the protocols used on the terrestrial interfaces between the GSM system
entities.
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Introduction
Introduction
The terrestrial interfaces comprise all the connections between the GSM system entities,
apart from the Um, or air interface.
They are represented on the diagram opposite by the lines that connect the various
entities together.
The GSM terrestrial interfaces and message-transport mediums all conform to ITU-TSS
specifications widely used throughout the world. As we stated previously, it is from this
use of standardized interfaces that the flexibility of GSM largely derives.
The terrestrial interfaces transport the traffic across the system and allow the passage of
the thousands of data messages necessary to make the system function. They transport
the data for software downloads and uploads, the collection of statistical information and
the implementation of operations and maintenance commands.
The standard interfaces used are as follows:
2 Mbit/s.
Signalling System ITU-TSS #7 (C7 or SS#7).
X.25 (packet switched data); (LAPB).
A bis using the LAPD protocol (Link Access Procedure D).
Whatever the interfaces and whatever their function, they will often share a common
physical bearer (cable) between two points, for example, the MSC and a BSS.

*!)
((%# +#'&

!+-')$

#&$

".*# %
42

((%# +#'&*

((%# +#'&*

#+* ),&$
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The GSM System

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2 Mbit/s Trunk
2 Mbit/s Trunk
This diagram opposite shows the logical GSM system with the 2 Mbit/s interfaces
highlighted. They carry traffic from the PSTN to the MSC, between MSCs, from an MSC
to a BSC and from a BSC to remotely sited BTSs. These links are also used between
the MSC and IWF.
Each 2.048 Mbit/s link provides thirty 64 kbit/s channels available to carry speech, data,
or control information.
The control information may contain C7, LAPD or X.25 formatted information.
These 2 Mbit/s links commonly act as the physical bearer for the interfaces used
between the GSM system entities.
Typical Configuration

0
115
16
1731
Frame Alignment/ Error Checking/ Signalling/ Alarms

Traffic
Signalling (other TS may also be used)
Traffic
TS = Timeslot
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X.25 Interfaces
X.25 Interfaces
The diagram opposite shows the X.25 packet data connections of the system.
The X.25 packets provide the OMC with communications to all the entities over which it
has control and oversight. Remember that these X.25 connections will commonly be
contained within 2 Mbit/s links using a dedicated timeslot.
Note that the X.25 connection from the OMC to the BSS may be nailed through (or
permanently connected by software) at the MSC, or may be supported by a completely
independent physical route.

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X.25 Interfaces

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ITU-TS Signalling System #7

The diagram opposite illustrates the use of C7 in the GSM system; carrying signalling
and control information between most major entities, and to and from the PSTN.
The following message protocols, which are part of C7, are used to communicate
between the different GSM network entities:
Interfacing the PSTN, the MSC performs call signalling functions using the
Telephone User Part (TUP), or interfacing the ISDN, the ISDN User Part (ISUP).
Between the MSC and the BSC, the Base Station System Management
Application Part (BSSMAP) is used. The Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP)
is used to send messages between the MSC and the mobile (MS). MAP is used
between the MSC and the VLR, EIR, and HLR.
Acronyms:
BSSAP
BSSMAP
DTAP
ISUP
MAP
SCCP
TUP
TCAP
Base Station System Application Part

Base Station System Management Application Part
Direct Transfer Application Part
ISDN User Part
Mobile Application Part
Signalling Connection Control Part
Telephone User Part
Transaction Capabilities Application Part

!
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C7 Interfaces

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A-bis (LAPD) Interfaces

Because of the specific nature of the signalling and control information passing over the 2
Mbit/s links between the BSC and remotely sited BTS, a different type of interface is
required. GSM has specified the use of LAPD. This protocol uses the standard frame
structure shown below.
The GSM specifications for this interface (termed A-bis) are not very specific and
therefore interpretations of the interface vary. This means that one manufacturers BTS
will not work with another manufacturers BSC. As we have already mentioned, the
functionality split between the BTS and BSC is also largely in the hands of the
manufacturer and therefore it is unlikely that they would operate together, even if this
interface were rigidly enforced by the specifications.

410
FRAME CHECK
SEQUENCE


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Interconnections
Interconnections
The interface between the BSC and the MSC is a standardized ITU-TSS signalling
system No7 (C7) interface, referred to as the A interface.
The interface supports the following connections:
BSCMSC, BSCBTS and MSCMS.
Operation and Maintenance interface.
All call processing functions.
These interfaces are commonly transported on a physical bearer, the 2 Mbit/s link.
Each of these 2 Mbit/s links provide 32 x 64 kbit/s channels (timeslots), the first channel
(TS0) is used for frame alignment, leaving 31 channels available for carry traffic
channels or signalling interfaces.
The signalling protocols used between GSM networks are:
X.25 (LAPB), 1 x 64 kbit/s timeslot.
C7 (SS7), 1 x 64 kbit/s timeslot (BSSAP, MAP, TCAP, SCCP, MTP).
LAPD, 1 x 64 kbit/s timeslot.
The X.25 protocol is used between the BSCOMC.

The C7 link is between the BSCMSC, dependent on what type of signalling is required
will depend on which part of the C7 protocol will be used (for example, MSCMS will use
a subset of BSSAP called DTAP to transfer messages).
The LAPD protocol is used between the BSCBTS, this is normally 64 kbit/s as stated
but some manufactures offer 16 kbit/s links as well.
The link between the BSCCBC does not use a specified protocol. The choice of
protocol is decided between the PLMN provider and the CBC provider. (Typically X.25 or
C7 may be used).
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BSC Connections

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Interface Names
Interface Names
Each interface specified within the GSM system has a name associated with it. The
diagram opposite illustrates the names of all the interfaces specified by
GSM.
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Interface Names
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The GSM System Interface Names

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Interface Names
416
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Chapter 5
Channels on the Air Interface
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Chapter 5
Channels on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

51
51
Transmission of Analogue and Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Modulation Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
52
52
Transmission of Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phase Shift Keying (PSK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
54
54
54
Physical and Logical Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GSM Physical Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
56

Traffic Channels (TCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58
58
GSM Control Channel Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BCCH Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CCCH Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DCCH Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
510
510
510
510

Control Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Channel Combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Channel Combinations and Timeslots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
512
512
518
518
Multiframes and Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The 26-frame Traffic Channel Multiframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe (BCCH/CCCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe DCCH/8 (SDCCH and SACCH) . .
The 51-frame Control Channel Multiframe Combined Structure . . . . . . . . . . . .
520
520
522
524
526
528
Superframes and Hyperframes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
530
Mobile Activity Transmit and Receive Timeslots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
532
532
534
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Section
Objectives
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State why GMSK is used to modulate the GSM signal.
Name the four most commonly used channel combinations and provide reasons
why each would be used.
State the reason why multiframes, superframes and hyperframes are utilized.
51
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Transmission of Analogue and Digital Signals

The main reasons why GSM uses a digital air interface:
It is noise robust, enabling the use of tighter frequency re-use patterns and
minimizing interference problems;
It incorporates error correction, thus protecting the traffic that it carries;
It offers greatly enhanced privacy to subscribers and security to network providers;
It is ISDN compatible, uses open standardized interfaces and offers an enhanced

range of services to its subscribers.
Modulation
Techniques
There are three methods of modulating a signal so that it may be transmitted over the air:
Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Amplitude Modulation is very simple to implement for analogue signals but it is
prone to noise.
Frequency Modulation (FM)

Frequency Modulation is more complicated to implement but provides a better
tolerance to noise.
Phase Modulation (PM)

Phase Modulation provides the best tolerance to noise but it is very complex to
implement for analogue signals and therefore is rarely used.
Digital signals can use any of the modulation methods, but phase modulation provides
the best noise tolerance. Since phase modulation can be implemented easily for digital
signals, this is the method which is used for the GSM air interface. Phase Modulation is
known as Phase Shift Keying (PSK) when applied to digital signals.
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Modulation Techniques
1. Amplitude Modulation (AM)

2. Frequency Modulation (FM)
3. Phase Shift Keying (PSK)
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Transmission of Digital Signals

Phase Shift
Keying (PSK)
Phase modulation provides a high degree of noise tolerance. However, there is a
problem with this form of modulation. When the signal changes phase abruptly, high
frequency components are produced, thus a wide bandwidth would be required for
transmission.
GSM has to be as efficient as possible with the available bandwidth. Therefore, it is not
this technique, but a more efficient development of phase modulation that is actually
used by the GSM air interface, it is called Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK).
Gaussian
Minimum Shift
Keying (GMSK)
With GMSK, the phase change which represents the change from a digital 1 or a 0
does not occur instantaneously as it does with Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK).
Instead it occurs over a period of time and therefore the addition of high frequency
components to the spectrum is reduced.
With GMSK, first the digital signal is filtered through a Gaussian filter. This filter causes
distortion to the signal, the corners are rounded off. This distorted signal is then used to
phase shift the carrier signal. The phase change therefore is no longer instantaneous but
spread out.
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Frequency Spectrum

Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK)

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Physical and Logical Channels

The physical channel is the medium over which the information is carried, in the case of
a terrestrial interface this would be a cable. The logical channels consist of the
information carried over the physical channel.
GSM Physical
Channels
A single GSM RF carrier can support up to eight MS subscribers simultaneously. The
diagram opposite shows how this is accomplished. Each channel occupies the carrier for
one eighth of the time. This is a technique called Time Division Multiple Access.
Time is divided into discrete periods called timeslots. The timeslots are arranged in
sequence and are conventionally numbered 0 to 7. Each repetition of this sequence is
called a TDMA frame.
Each MS telephone call occupies one timeslot (07) within the frame until the call is
terminated, or a handover occurs. The TDMA frames are then built into further frame
structures according to the type of channel. We shall later examine how the information
carried by the air interface builds into frames and multi-frames and discuss the
associated timing.
For such a system to work correctly, the timing of the transmissions to and from the
mobiles is critical. The MS or Base Station must transmit the information related to one
call at exactly the right moment, or the timeslot will be missed. The information carried in
one timeslot is called a burst.
Each data burst, occupying its allocated timeslot within successive TDMA frames,
provides a single GSM physical channel carrying a varying number of logical channels
between the MS and BTS.
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Timeslots and TDMA Frames

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GSM Logical Channels

There are two main groups of logical channels, traffic channels and control channels.
Traffic Channels
(TCH)
The traffic channel carries speech or data information. The different types of traffic
channel are listed below:
Full rate
TCH/FS:
Speech (13 kbit/s net, 22.8 kbit/s gross)
TCH/EFR:
Speech (12.2 kbit/s net, 22.8 kbit/s gross)

TCH/F9.6:
9.6 kbit/s data
TCH/F4.8:
4.8 kbit/s data
TCH/F2.4
2.4 kbit/s data
Half rate
TCH/HS:
speech (6.5 kbit/s net, 11.4 kbit/s gross)

TCH/H4.8
4.8 kbit/s data
TCH/H2.4
2.4 kbit/s data
Acronyms:
TCH
TCH/FS
TCH/EFR
TCH/HS
TCH/9.6
TCH/4.8
TCH/2.4
Traffic Channel
Full rate speech channel
Enhanced full rate speech
Half rate speech channel
Data channel 9.6 kbit/s
Speech Channels
Speech channels are supported by two different methods of coding known as Full Rate
(FR) and Enhanced Full Rate (EFR). Enhanced Full Rate coding provides a speech
service that has improved voice quality from the original Full Rate speech coding, whilst
using the same air interface bandwidth. EFR employs a new speech coding algorithm
and additions to the full rate channel coding algorithm to accomplish this improved
speech service, however, it will only be supported by Phase 2+ mobiles onwards.
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GSM Control Channel Groups

These are: Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH); Common Control Channel (CCCH);
Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH).
BCCH Group
The Broadcast Control Channels are downlink only (BSS to MS) and comprise the
following:
BCCH carries information about the network, a MSs present cell and the
surrounding cells. It is transmitted continuously as its signal strength is measured
by all MSs on surrounding cells.
The Synchronizing Channel (SCH) carries information for frame synchronization.
The Frequency Control Channel (FCCH) provides information for carrier

synchronization.
CCCH Group
The Common Control Channel Group works in both uplink and downlink directions.
Random Access Channel (RACH) is used by MSs to gain access to the system.
Paging Channel (PCH) and Access Granted Channel (AGCH) operate in the
downlink direction. The AGCH is used to assign resources to the MS, such as a
Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH). The PCH is used by the
system to call a MS. The PCH and AGCH are never used at the same time.
Cell Broadcast Channel (CBCH) is used to transmit messages to be broadcast to

all MSs within a cell, for example, road traffic information, sporting results.
DCCH Group
Dedicated Control Channels are assigned to a single MS for call setup and subscriber
validation. DCCH comprises:
Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel (SDCCH) which supports the transfer of

Data to and from the MS during call setup and validation.
Associated Control Channel. This consists of Slow ACCH which is used for radio
link measurement and power control messages. Fast ACCH is used to pass
event type messages, for example, handover messages. Both FACCH and
SACCH operate in uplink and downlink directions.
Acronyms
BCCH
DCCH
SDCCH
AGCH
510
Broadcast Control Channel

Dedicated Control Channel
Stand-alone Dedicated Control
Channel
Access Grant Channel
CCCH
ACCH
RACH
PCH
CBCH
Common Control Channel

Associated Control Channel
Random Access Channel
Paging Channel
Cell Broadcast Channel
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Control Channels

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Control
Channels
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)
The Broadcast Control Channel is transmitted by the BTS at all times. The RF carrier
used to transmit the BCCH is referred to as the BCCH carrier. The information carried
on the BCCH is monitored by the MS periodically (at least every 30 secs), when it is
switched on and not in a call.
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) Carries the following information (this is only a
partial list):
Location Area Identity (LAI).
List of neighbouring cells which should be monitored by the MS.
List of frequencies used in the cell.
Cell identity.
Power control indicator.
DTX permitted.
Access control (for example, emergency calls, call barring).
CBCH description.
The BCCH is transmitted at constant power at all times, and its signal strength is
measured by all MS which may seek to use it. Dummy bursts are transmitted to ensure
continuity when there is no BCCH carrier traffic.
Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)

This is transmitted frequently on the BCCH timeslot and allows the mobile to
synchronize its own frequency to that of the transmitting base site. The FCCH
may only be sent during timeslot 0 on the BCCH carrier frequency and therefore it
acts as a flag to the mobile to identify Timeslot 0.
Synchronization Channel (SCH)

The SCH carries the information to enable the MS to synchronize to the TDMA
frame structure and know the timing of the individual timeslots. The following
parameters are sent:
Frame number.
Base Site Identity Code (BSIC).
The MS will monitor BCCH information from surrounding cells and store the information
from the best six cells. The SCH information on these cells is also stored so that the MS
may quickly resynchronize when it enters a new cell.
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Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)

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Control
Channels
Common Control Channels (CCCH)
The Common Control Channel (CCCH) is responsible for transferring control information
between all mobiles and the BTS. This is necessary for the implementation of call
origination and call paging functions.
It consists of the following:
Random Access Channel (RACH)

Used by the mobile when it requires to gain access to the system. This occurs
when the mobile initiates a call or responds to a page.
Paging Channel (PCH)

Used by the BTS to page MS, (paging can be performed by an IMSI, TMSI or
IMEI).
Access Grant Control Channel (AGCH)

Used by the BTS to assign a dedicated control channel to a MS in response to an
access message received on the Random Access Channel. The MS will move to
the dedicated channel in order to proceed with either a call setup, response to a
paging message, Location Area Update or Short Message Service.
Cell Broadcast Channel (CBCH)

This channel is used to transmit messages to be broadcast to all MSs within a cell.
The CBCH uses a dedicated control channel to send its messages, however it is
considered a common channel because the messages can be received by all
mobiles in the cell.
Active MSs must frequently monitor both BCCH and CCCH. The CCCH will be
transmitted on the RF carrier with the BCCH.
Acronyms:
CCCH
RACH
PCH
AGCH
CBCH
514
Common Control Channel

Random Access Channel
Paging Channel
Access Grant Channel
Cell Broadcast Channel
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Common Control Channel (CCCH)

Control Channel

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Control
Channels
Dedicated Control Channels (DCCH)
The DCCH is a single timeslot on an RF carrier which is used to convey eight
Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCH). A SDCCH is used by a single MS
for call setup, authentication, location updating and SMS point to point.
As we will see later, SDCCH can also be found on a BCCH/CCCH timeslot, this
configuration only allows four SDCCHs.
Associated Control Channels (ACCH)

These channels can be associated with either an SDCCH or a TCH. They are used for
carrying information associated with the process being carried out on either the SDCCH
or the TCH.
Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH)

Conveys power control and timing information in the downlink direction (towards
the MS) and Receive Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and link quality reports in
the uplink direction.
Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH)

The FACCH is transmitted instead of a TCH. The FACCH steals the TCH burst
and inserts its own information. The FACCH is used to carry out user
authentication, handovers and immediate assignment.
All of the control channels are required for system operation, however, in the same way
that we allow different users to share the radio channel by using different timeslots to
carry the conversation data, the control channels share timeslots on the radio channel at
different times. This allows efficient passing of control information without wasting
capacity which could be used for call traffic. To do this we must organise the timeslots
between those which will be used for traffic and those which will carry control signalling.
Acronyms:
SDCCH
SACCH
FACCH
516
Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channel

Slow Associated Control Channel
Fast Associated Control Channel
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Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)

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Channel
Combinations
The different logical channel types mentioned are grouped into what are called channel
combinations. The four most common channel combinations are listed below:
Full Rate Traffic Channel Combination TCH8/FACCH + SACCH
Broadcast Channel Combination BCCH + CCCH
Dedicated Channel Combination SDCCH8 + SACCH8
Combined Channel Combination BCCH+CCCH+SDCCH4+SACCH4
The Half Rate Channel Combination (when introduced) will be very similar to the Full
Rate Traffic Combination.
Half Rate Traffic Channel Combination TCH16/FACCH + SACCH
Channel
Combinations
and Timeslots
The channel combinations we have identified are sent over the air interface in a selected
timeslot.
Some channel combinations may be sent on any timeslot, but others must be sent on
specific timeslots. Below is a table mapping the channels combinations to their
respective timeslots:

The diagram opposite illustrates how these different channel combinations may be
mapped onto the TDMA frame structure.
* If broadcast is assigned to timeslots 2, 4 or 6 then FCCH and SCH will be replaced

with dummy bursts since these control channels may only occur on timeslot 0.
Note:
Only one BCCH/CCCH timeslot is required per cell (not RF carrier).
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Timeslots and TDMA Frames

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Multiframes and Timing

There are eight timeslots within each TDMA frame, enabling eight physical channels to
share a single physical resource the RF carrier. In turn, each physical channel may be
shared by a number of logical channels.
In order to understand how a single physical channel is shared by various logical
channels, it is necessary to introduce the GSM multiframe structures that make it
possible.
The 26-frame
Traffic Channel
Multiframe
The illustration opposite shows the time relationship between time-slot, TDMA frame, and
the 26-frame multiframe. Some of the times shown are approximate numbers as the
GSM recommendations actually state the exact values as fractions rather than in decimal
form (for example, the exact duration of a time-slot is 15/26 ms).
Note:
The 12th frame (no. 13) in the 26-frame traffic channel multiframe is used by the Slow
Associated Control Channel (SACCH) which carries link control information to and from
the MSBTS. Each timeslot in a cell allocated to traffic channel usage will follow this
format, that is, 12 bursts of traffic, 1 burst of SACCH, 12 bursts of traffic and 1 idle.
The duration of a 26-frame traffic channel multiframe is 120 ms (26 TDMA frames).
When half rate is used, each frame of the 26-frame traffic channel multiframe allocated
for traffic will now carry two MS subscriber calls (the data rate for each MS is halved over
the air interface). Although the data rate for traffic is halved, each MS still requires the
same amount of SACCH information to be transmitted, therefore frame 12 WILL BE
USED as SACCH for one half of the MSs and the others will use it as their IDLE frame,
and the same applies for frame 25, this will be used by the MSs for SACCH (those who
used frame 12 as IDLE) and the other half will use it as their IDLE frame.
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26-Frame Traffic Channel Multiframe

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The 51-frame
Control Channel
Multiframe
The 51-frame structure used for control channels is considerably more complex than the
26-frame structure used for the traffic channels. The 51-frame structure occurs in several
forms, depending on the type of control channel and the network providers
requirements.
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51-Frame Control Channel Multiframes

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The 51-frame
Control Channel
Multiframe
(BCCH/CCCH)
The BCCH/CCCH 51-frame structure illustrated on the opposite page will apply to
timeslot 0 of each TDMA frame on the BCCH carrier (the RF carrier frequency to which
BCCH is assigned on a per cell basis). In the diagram, each vertical step represents one
repetition of the timeslot (= one TDMA frame), with the first repetition (numbered 0) at the
bottom.
Looking at the uplink (MSBSS) direction, all timeslot 0s are allocated to RACH. This is
fairly obvious because RACH is the only control channel in the BCCH/CCCH group which
works in the uplink direction. In the downlink direction (BSSMS), the arrangement is
more interesting. Starting at frame 0 of the 51-frame structure, the first timeslot 0 is
occupied by a frequency burst (F in the diagram), the second by a synchronizing burst
(S) and then the following four repetitions of timeslot 0 by BCCH data (B) in frames 25.
The following four repetitions of timeslot 0 in frames 69 are allocated to CCCH traffic
(C), that is, to either PCH (mobile paging channel) or AGCH (access grant channel).
Then follows, in timeslot 0 of frames 10 and 11, a repeat of the frequency and
synchronising bursts (F and S), four further CCCH bursts (C) and so on. Note that the
last timeslot 0 in the sequence (the fifty-first frame frame 50) is idle.
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BCCH/CCCH Multiframe

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19992002
#!


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VERSION 1 REV. 2
The 51-frame
Control Channel
Multiframe
DCCH/8 (SDCCH
and SACCH)
The diagram opposite shows the 51-frame structure used to accommodate eight
SDCCHs, although, as it takes two repetitions of the multiframe to complete the entire
sequence, it may be more logical to think of it as a 102-frame structure. This structure
may be transmitted on any timeslot.
Note that the SACCHs (shaded) are associated with the SDCCHs. It is important to
remember that each SDCCH has an SACCH just like a traffic channel.
i.e.
D0 associated with A0
..
..
..
..
..
Note: The downlink and uplink channels are staggered in order to give the mobile time to
process the received message and formulate a response.
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DCCH/8 Multiframe

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51
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The 51-frame
Control Channel
Multiframe
Combined
Structure
As we can see in the diagram opposite, each of the control channel types are present on
a single timeslot. The number of MSs which can effectively use this cell is therefore
reduced, as we now only have 3 CCCH groups and 4 SDCCHs, which translates into
fewer pages and simultaneous cell setups.
A typical use of this type of control channel timeslot is in rural areas, where the
subscriber density is low.
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Combined Multiframe

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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Superframes and Hyperframes

It is not by accident that the control channel multiframe is not a direct multiple of the
traffic channel multiframe. From the diagram, it can be seen that any given frame
number will only occur simultaneously in both multiframes every 1326 TDMA frames (26
x 51). This number of TDMA frames is termed a superframe and it takes 6.12 s to
transmit. This arrangement means that the timing of the traffic channel multiframe is
always moving in relation to that of the control channel multiframe and this enables a MS
to receive and decode BCCH information from surrounding cells.
If the two multiframes were exact multiples of each other, then control channel timeslots
would be permanently masked by traffic channel timeslot activity. This changing
relationship between the two multiframes is particularly important, for example, to a MS
which needs to be able to monitor and report the RSSIs of neighbour cells (it needs to be
able to see all the BCCHs of those cells in order to do this).
The hyperframe consists of 2048 superframes, this is used in connection with ciphering
and frequency hopping. The hyperframe lasts for over three hours, after this time the
ciphering and frequency hopping algorithms are restarted.
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Superframe and Hyperframe

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Mobile Activity Transmit and Receive Timeslots

Overview
As the MS only transmits or receives its own physical channel (normally containing TCH
and SACCH) for one-eighth of the time, it uses the remaining time to monitor the BCCHs
of adjacent target cells. It completes the process every 480 ms, or four 26-TCH
multiframes. The message that it sends to the BSS (on SACCH, uplink) contains the
Receive Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the adjacent cells, plus that of the link to
the BSS itself, plus an indication of the quality of the current connection. This quality
measurement is somewhat similar to a bit error rate test. Just as the mobile completes
one series of measurements, it completes sending the previous series to the BSS and
starts to send the latest series; thus the processes of compilation and transmission form
a continuous cycle.
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Mobile Activity

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GSM Basic Call Sequence

The diagram opposite reminds us of the basic components and processes involved in
setting up a call between a GSM MS and an ordinary land telephone.
In the MS to Land direction

The BTS receives a data message from the MS which it passes it to the BSC. The
BSC relays the message to the MSC via C7 signalling links, and the MSC then
sets up the call to the land subscriber via the PSTN. The MSC connects the
PSTN to the GSM network, and allocates a terrestrial circuit to the BSS serving
the MSs location. The BSC of that BSS sets up the air interface channel to the MS
and then connects that channel to the allocated terrestrial circuit, completing the
connection between the two subscribers.
In the Land to MS direction

The MSC receives its initial data message from the PSTN (via C7) and then
establishes the location of the MS by referencing the HLR. It then knows which
other MSC to contact to establish the call and that MSC then sets up the call via
the BSS serving the MSs location.
The actual processes are, of course, considerably more complex than described above.
Also, there are many different GSM call sequence and handover scenarios enough to
form the subject of their own training programme! In this course we consider in detail just
the MS to Land and Land to MS call sequences and the intra-MSC (inter-BSS) handover
sequence. This will give you a good appreciation of the messaging that occurs in the
GSM system, and how the PLMN interacts with the PSTN.
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Chapter 6
Channel Coding on the Air

Interface
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Chapter 6
Channel Coding on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Channel Coding on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

61
61
GSM Bursts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Burst Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62
64

Speech Channel Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
68
Channel Coding for Enhanced Full Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preliminary Channel Coding for EFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
610
610
610

Control Channel Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Channel Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
612
612
614
Mapping Logical Channels onto the TDMA Frame Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interleaving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagonal Interleaving Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rectangular Interleaving Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diagonal Interleaving Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transmission Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
616
616
618
620
622
622
624
624
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Channel Coding on the Air Interface
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Channel Coding on the Air Interface

Section
Objectives
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Draw the structure of a GSM burst and identify the purpose of each component.
State the different mechanisms used to protect the air interface from errors on
speech, data and control channels.
61
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM Bursts
GSM Bursts
The diagram opposite illustrates a GSM burst. It consists of several different elements.
These elements are described below:
Information
This is the area in which the speech, data or control information is held.
Guard Period
The BTS and MS can only receive the burst and decode it, if it is received within
the timeslot designated for it. The timing, therefore, must be extremely accurate,
but the structure does allow for a small margin of error by incorporating a guard
period as shown in the diagram. To be precise, the timeslot is 0.577 ms long,
whereas the burst is only 0.546 ms long, therefore there is a time difference of
0.031 ms to enable the burst to hit the timeslot.
Stealing Flags
These two bits are set when a traffic channel burst has been stolen by a FACCH
(the Fast Associated Control Channel). One bit set indicates that half of the block
has been stolen.
Training Sequence
This is used by the receivers equalizer as it estimates the transfer characteristic of
the physical path between the BTS and the MS. The training sequence is 26 bits
long.
Tail Bits
These are used to indicate the beginning and end of the burst.
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GSM Burst and TDMA Frame

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GSM Bursts
Burst Types
The diagram opposite shows the five types of burst employed in the GSM air interface.
All bursts, of whatever type, have to be timed so that they are received within the
appropriate timeslot of the TDMA frame.
The burst is the sequence of bits transmitted by the BTS or MS, the timeslot is the
discrete period of real time within which it must arrive in order to be correctly decoded by
the receiver:
Normal Burst
The normal burst carries traffic channels and all types of control channels apart
from those mentioned specifically below. (Bi-directional).
Frequency Correction Burst

This burst carries FCCH downlink to correct the frequency of the MSs local
oscillator, effectively locking it to that of the BTS.
Synchronization Burst
So called because its function is to carry SCH downlink, synchronizing the timing
of the MS to that of the BTS.
Dummy Burst
Used when there is no information to be carried on the unused timeslots of the
BCCH Carrier (downlink only).
Access Burst
This burst is of much shorter duration than the other types. The increased guard
period is necessary because the timing of its transmission is unknown. When this
burst is transmitted, the BTS does not know the location of the MS and therefore
the timing of the message from the MS can not be accurately accounted for. (The
Access Burst is uplink only.)
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GSM Bursts
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM Burst Types

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
65
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Error Protection and Detection

To protect the logical channels from transmission errors introduced by the radio path,
many different coding schemes are used. The diagram overleaf illustrates the coding
process for speech, control and data channels; the sequence is very complex.
The coding and interleaving schemes depend on the type of logical channel to be
encoded. All logical channels require some form of convolutional encoding, but since
protection needs are different, the code rates may also differ.
Three coding protection schemes:

Speech Channel Encoding

The speech information for one 20 ms speech block is divided over eight GSM
bursts. This ensures that if bursts are lost due to interference over the air interface
the speech can still be accurately reproduced.
Common Control Channel Encoding

20 ms of information over the air will carry four bursts of control information, for
example BCCH. This enables the bursts to be inserted into one TDMA multiframe.
Data Channel Encoding

The data information is spread over 22 bursts. This is because every bit of data
information is very important. Therefore, when the data is reconstructed at the
receiver, if a burst is lost, only a very small proportion of the 20 ms block of data
will be lost. The error encoding mechanisms should then enable the missing data
to be reconstructed.

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19992002

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19992002
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Speech Channel
Encoding
The BTS receives transcoded speech over the A-bis interface from the BSC. At this
point the speech is organized into its individual logical channels by the BTS. These
logical channels of information are then channel coded before being transmitted over the
air interface.
The transcoded speech information is received in frames, each containing 260 bits. The
speech bits are grouped into three classes of sensitivity to errors, depending on their
importance to the intelligibility of speech.
Class 1a
Three parity bits are derived from the 50 class 1a bits. Transmission errors within
these bits are catastrophic to speech intelligibility, therefore, the speech decoder is
able to detect uncorrectable errors within the class 1a bits. If there are class 1a bit
errors, the whole block is usually ignored.
Class 1b
The 132 class 1b bits are not parity checked, but are fed together with the class 1a
and parity bits to a convolutional encoder. Four tail bits are added which set the
registers in the receiver to a known state for decoding purposes.
Class 2
The 78 least sensitive bits are not protected at all.
The resulting 456 bit block is then interleaved before being sent over the air interface.
Note:
Over the A-bis link, when using Full Rate Speech vocoding, 260 bits are transmitted in 20
ms equalling a transmission rate of 13 kbit/s. If Enhanced Full Rate is used then 244 bits
are transmitted over the A-bis link for each 20 ms sample. The EFR Frame is treated to
some preliminary coding to build it up to 260 bits before being applied to the same
channel coding as Full Rate.
The encoded speech now occupies 456 bits but is still transmitted in 20 ms thus raising
the transmission rate to 22.8 kbit/s.
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Speech Channel Coding

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19992002
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Channel Coding for Enhanced Full Rate

Overview
The transcoding for Enhanced Full Rate produces 20 ms speech frames of 244 bits for
channel coding on the air interface. After passing through a preliminary stage which
adds 16 bits to make the frame up to 260 bits the EFR speech frame is treated to the
same channel coding as Full Rate.
The additional 16 bits correspond to an 8 bit CRC which is generated from the 50 class
1a bits plus the 15 most important class 1b bits and 8 repetition bits corresponding to 4
selected bits in the original EFR frame of 244 bits.
Preliminary
Channel Coding
for EFR
EFR Speech Frame
50 Class 1a + 124 Class 1b + 70 Class 2 = 244 bits
Preliminary Coding
8 bit CRC generated from 50 Class 1a + 15 Class 1b added to Class 1b bits
8 repetition bits added to Class 2 bits
Output from Preliminary Coding
50 Class 1a + 132 Class 1b + 78 Class 2 = 260 bits
EFR frame of 260 bits passed on for similar channel coding as Full Rate.
610
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Preliminary Coding for Enhanced Full Rate Speech

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19992002
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VERSION 1 REV. 2

Control Channel
Encoding
The diagram opposite shows the principle of the error protection for the control channels.
This scheme is used for all the logical signalling channels, the synchronization channel
(SCH) and the random access burst (RACH). The diagram applies to SCH and RACH,
but with different numbers.
When control information is received by the BTS it is received as a block of 184 bits.
These bits are first protected with a cyclic block code of a class known as a Fire Code,.
This is particularly suitable for the detection and correction of burst errors, as it uses 40
parity bits. Before the convolutional encoding, four tail bits are added which set the
registers in the receiver to a known state for decoding purposes.
The output from the encoding process for each block of 184 bits of signalling data is 456
bits, exactly the same as for speech. The resulting 456 bit block is then interleaved
before being sent over the air interface.
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Control Channel Encoding

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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Data Channel
Encoding
The diagram opposite shows the principle of the error protection for the 9.6 kbit/s data
channel. The other data channels at rates of 4.8 kbit/s and 2.4 kbit/s are encoded
slightly differently, but the principle is the same.
Data channels are encoded using a convolutional code only. With the 9.6 kbit/s data
some coded bits need to be removed (punctuated) before interleaving, so that like the
speech and control channels they contain 456 bits every 20 ms.
The data traffic channels require a higher net rate (net rate means the bit rate before
coding bits have been added) than their actual transmission rate. For example, the 9.6
kbit/s service will require 12 kbit/s, because status signals (such as the RS-232 DTR
(Data Terminal Ready) have to be transmitted as well.
The output from the encoding process for each block of 240 bits of data traffic is 456 bits,
exactly the same as for speech and control. The resulting 456 bit block is then
interleaved before being sent over the air interface.
Note:
Over the PCM link 240 bits were transmitted in 20 ms equalling a transmission rate of 12
kbit/s. 9.6 kbit/s raw data and 2.4 kbit/s signalling information.
The encoded control information now occupies 456 bits but is still transmitted in 20 ms
thus raising the transmission rate to 22.8 kbit/s.
614
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Data Channel Encoding

244

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19992002
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
Mapping Logical Channels onto the TDMA Frame Structure

Interleaving
Having encoded, or error protected the logical channel, the next step is to build its
bitstream into bursts that can then be transmitted within the TDMA frame structure. It is
at this stage that the process of interleaving is carried out. Interleaving spreads the
content of one traffic block across several TDMA timeslots. The following interleaving
depths are used:
Speech 8 blocks
Control 4 blocks
Data 22 blocks
This process is an important one, for it safeguards the data in the harsh air interface
radio environment.
Because of interference, noise, or physical interruption of the radio path, bursts may be
destroyed or corrupted as they travel between MS and BTS, a figure of 1020% is quite
normal. The purpose of interleaving is to ensure that only some of the data from each
traffic block is contained within each burst. By this means, when a burst is not correctly
received, the loss does not affect overall transmission quality because the error
correction techniques are able to interpolate for the missing data. If the system worked
by simply having one traffic block per burst, then it would be unable to do this and
transmission quality would suffer.
It is interleaving that is largely responsible for the robustness of the GSM air interface,
enabling it to withstand significant noise and interference and maintain the quality of
service presented to the subscriber.
616
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Interleaving
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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
617
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Diagonal
Interleaving
Speech
The diagram opposite illustrates, in a simplified form, the principle of the interleaving
process applied to a full-rate speech channel.
The diagram shows a sequence of speech blocks after the encoding process previously
described, all from the same subscriber conversation. Each block contains 456 bits,
these blocks are then divided into eight blocks each containing 57 bits. Each block will
only contain bits from even bit positions or bits from odd bit positions.
The GSM burst will now be produced using these blocks of speech bits.
The first four blocks will be placed in the even bit positions of the first four bursts. The
last four blocks will be placed in the odd bit positions of the next four bursts.
As each burst contains 114 traffic carrying bits, it is in fact shared by two speech blocks.
Each block will share four bursts with the block preceding it, and four with the block that
succeeds it, as shown. In the diagram block 5 shares the first four bursts with block 4
and the second four bursts with block 6.
618
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Diagonal interleaving Speech

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

"

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619
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Transmission
Speech
Each burst will be transmitted in the designated timeslot of eight consecutive TDMA
frames, providing the interleaving depth of eight.
The diagram opposite shows how successive bursts from this particular subscriber
conversation are transmitted. The subscriber is allocated timeslot 4 of the TDMA frame;
it will share this frame with up to seven other subscribers.
It is important to remember that each timeslot on this carrier may be occupied by a
different channel combination: traffic, broadcast, dedicated or combined.
Note that FACCH, because it steals speech bursts from a subscriber channel,
experiences the same kind of interleaving as the speech data that it replaces
(interleaving depth = 8). The FACCH will steal a 456 bit block and be interleaved with the
speech. Each burst containing a FACCH block of information will have the appropriate
stealing flag set.
620
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Diagonal Interleaving Speech

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
621
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Rectangular
Interleaving
Control
The diagram opposite illustrates, in a simplified form, the principle of rectangular
interleaving. This is applied to most control channels.
The diagram shows a sequence of control blocks after the encoding process previously
described. Each block contains 456 bits, these blocks are then divided into four blocks
each containing 114 bits. Each block will only contain bits for even or odd bit positions.
The GSM burst will be produced using these blocks of control.
Transmission
Control
Each burst will be transmitted in the designated timeslot of four consecutive TDMA
frames, providing the interleaving depth of four.
The control information is not diagonally interleaved as are speech and data. This is
because only a limited amount of control information is sent every multiframe. If the
control information was diagonally interleaved, the receiver would not be capable of
decoding a control message until at least two multiframes were received. This would be
too long a delay.
622
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Rectangular Interleaving Control

!

!

FRAME 3

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
623
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Diagonal
Interleaving
Data
The diagram opposite illustrates, in a simplified form, diagonal interleaving applied to a
9.6 kbit/s data channel.
The diagram shows a sequence of data blocks after the encoding process previously
described, all from the same subscriber. Each block contains 456 bits, these blocks are
divided into four blocks each containing 114 bits. These blocks are then interleaved
together.
The first 6 bits from the first block are placed in the first burst. The first 6 bits from the
second block will be placed in the second burst and so on. Each 114 bit block is spread
across 19 bursts and the total 456 block will be spread across 22 bursts.
Data channels are said to have an interleaving depth of 22, although this is sometimes
also referred to as an interleaving depth of 19.
Transmission
Data
The data bits are spread over a large number of bursts to ensure that the data is
protected. Therefore, if a burst is lost, only a very small amount of data from one data
block will actually be lost. Due to the error protection mechanisms used, the lost data
can be reproduced at the receiver.
This wide interleaving depth, although providing a high resilience to error, does introduce
a time delay in the transmission of the data. If data transmission is slightly delayed, it will
not effect the reception quality, whereas with speech, if a delay were introduced this
could be detected by the subscriber. This is why speech uses a shorter interleaving
depth.
624
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Diagonal Interleaving Data

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002


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VERSION 1 REV. 2
626
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Chapter 7
Radio Interface Optimization
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Chapter 7
Radio Interface Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio Interface Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

71
71
Transmission Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
72
Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
74
74
74
Voice Activity Detection (VAD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
76
76
Discontinuous Reception (DRX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
78
Multipath Fading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
710
Equalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
712
714
Frequency Hopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
716
716
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19992002
iii
VERSION 1 REV. 2
iv
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

Section
Objectives
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
State the methods used to overcome the problems of transmission timing,

multipath fading and battery life within GSM.
71
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Transmission Timing
Transmission Timing
To simplify the design of the MS, the GSM specifications specify an offset of three
timeslots between the BSS and MS timing, thus avoiding the necessity for the MS to
transmit and receive simultaneously. The diagram opposite illustrates this.
The synchronization of a TDMA system is critical because bursts have to be transmitted
and received within the real time timeslots allotted to them. The further the MS is from
the base station then, obviously, the longer it will take for the bursts to travel the distance
between them. The GSM BTS caters for this problem by instructing the MS to advance
its timing ((that is, transmit earlier) to compensate for the increased propagation delay.
This advance is then superimposed upon the three timeslot nominal offset.
The timing advance information is sent to the MS twice every second using the SACCH.
The maximum timing advance is approximately 233 s. This caters for a maximum cell
radius of approximately 35 km.
72
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Transmission Timing
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Timing Advance

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
73
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Battery Life
Battery Life
Introduction
One of the main factors which restrict reducing the size of a MS is the battery.
A battery must be large enough to maintain a telephone call for an acceptable amount of
time without needing to be recharged. Since there is demand for MSs to become smaller
and lighter the battery must also become smaller and lighter.
Four features which enable the life of a GSM MS battery to be extended.
Power Control
Voice Activity Detection (VAD)
Discontinuous Transmission (DTX)
Discontinuous Reception (DRX)
Power Control
This is a feature of the GSM air interface which allows the network provider to not only
compensate for the distance from MS to BTS as regards timing, but can also cause the
BTS and MS to adjust their power output to take account of that distance also. The
closer the MS is to the BTS, the less the power it and the BTS will be required to
transmit. This feature saves radio battery power at the MS, and helps to reduce
co-channel and adjacent channel interference.
Both uplink and downlink power settings can be controlled independently and individually
at the discretion of the network provider.
Initial power setting for the MS is set by the information provided on the Broadcast
Control Channel (BCCH) for a particular cell.
The BSS controls the transmit power of both the MS and the BTS. The received MS
power is monitored by the BSS and the receive BTS power is monitored by the MS and
then reported to the BSS. Using these measurements the power of both MS and BTS
can be adjusted accordingly
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Battery Life
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Power Control

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VERSION 1 REV. 2

Overview
VAD is a mechanism whereby the source transmitter equipment identifies the presence
or absence of speech.
VAD implementation is effected in speech mode by encoding the speech pattern
silences at a rate of 500 bit/s rather than the full 13 kbit/s. This results in a data
transmission rate for background noise, known as comfort noise, which is regenerated
in the receiver.
Without comfort noise the total silence between the speech would be considered to be
disturbing by the listener.
Discontinuous
Transmission
(DTX)
DTX increases the efficiency of the system through a decrease in the possible radio
transmission interference level. It does this by ensuring that the MS does not transmit
unnecessary message data. DTX can be implemented, as necessary, on a call by call
basis. The effects will be most noticeable in communications between two MS.
DTX in its most extreme form, when implemented at the MS can also result in
considerable power saving. If the MS does not transmit during silences there is a
reduction in the overall power output requirement.
The implementation of DTX is very much at the discretion of the network provider and
there are different specifications applied for different types of channel usage.
DTX is implemented over a SACCH multiframe (480 ms). During this time, of the
possible 104 frames, only the 4 SACCH frames and 8 Silence Discriptor (SID) frames are
transmitted.
76
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
VAD & DTX

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
77
VERSION 1 REV. 2

DRX allows the MS to effectively switch off during times when reception is deemed
unnecessary.
By monitoring the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), the Frequency Correction Control
Channel (FCCH) and the Synchronisation Control Channel (SCCH) the MS is aware of
the Frame Number and repetition format for Frame Synchronization. It can therefore,
after initially locking on to a BCCH, determine when the next relevant information is to be
transmitted. This allows the MS to go to sleep and listen-in only when necessary, with
the effective saving in power usage.
DRX may only be used when a MS is not in a call.
When DRX is employed, the MS using information broadcast on the BCCH determines
its paging group. The paging group may appear once during a control channel
multiframe, or may only be scheduled to appear once over several multiframes the rate
of repetition is determined by the network provider and it is this information which is
broadcast over the BCCH, which allows the MS to determine its paging group.
78
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
DRX

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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

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79
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Multipath Fading
Multipath Fading
Multipath Fading results from a signal travelling from a transmitter to a receiver by a
number of routes. This is caused by the signal being reflected from objects, or being
influenced by atmospheric effects as it passes, for example, through layers of air of
varying temperatures and humidity.
Received signals will therefore arrive at different times and not be in phase with each
other, they will have experienced time dispersion. On arrival at the receiver, the signals
combine either constructively or destructively, the overall effect being to add together or
to cancel each other out. If the latter applies, there may be hardly any usable signal at
all. The frequency band used for GSM transmission means that a good location may
be only 15 cm from a bad location!
When the receive antenna is moving, the exact phase of each path changes and
consequently the combined signal-strength is also continually changing. When the
antenna is moving rapidly, this loss is recovered by interleaving and channel coding.
When it is slow moving or stationary however, the receiver may be in a null (point of
minimum signal) for several consecutive frames.
The diagram opposite shows a few routes by which a pulse of radio energy might be
propagated from a base station to a mobile.
Each has suffered varying losses in transmission (path attenuation), hence the variety of
amplitudes. A typical urban profile would cause dispersion of up to 5 microseconds,
whereas, a hilly terrain would cause dispersion of up to 20 microseconds.
GSM offers five techniques which combat multipath fading effects:
Equalization.
Diversity.
Frequency hopping.
Interleaving.
Channel coding.
The equalizer must be able to cope with a dispersion of up to 17 microseconds.
710
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Multipath Fading
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Multipath Fading

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
711
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Equalization
Equalization
Due to the signal dispersion caused by multipath signals the receiver cannot be sure
exactly when a burst will arrive and how distorted it will be. To help the receiver identify
and synchronize to the burst, a Training Sequence is sent at the centre of the burst. This
is a set sequence of bits which is known by both the transmitter and receiver.
When a burst of information is received, the equalizer searches for the training
sequence code. When it has been found, the equaliser measures and then mimics the
distortion which the signal has been subjected to. The equalizer then compares the
received data with the distorted possible transmitted sequences and chooses the most
likely one.
There are eight different Training Sequence codes numbered 07. Nearby cells
operating with the same RF carrier frequency will use different Training Sequence Codes
to enable the receiver the discern the correct signal.
712
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Equalization
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Training Sequence Code

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
713
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Equalization
Diversity
Signals arrive at the receive antenna from multiple paths. The signals are therefore
received by the antenna at different phases, some at a peak and some at a trough. This
means that some signals will add together to form a strong signal, while others will
subtract causing a weak signal.
When diversity is implemented, two antennas are situated at the receiver. These
antennas are placed several wavelengths apart to ensure minimum correlation between
the two receive paths. The two signals are then combined and the signal strength
improved.

714

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Equalization
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Diversity

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
715
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Frequency Hopping
Frequency Hopping
Introduction
Frequency hopping allows the RF channel used for carrying signalling channel timeslots
or traffic channel (TCH) timeslots to change frequency every frame (or 4.615 msec).
This capability provides a high degree of immunity to interference, due to the effect of
interference averaging, as well as providing protection against signal fading.
The effective radio channel interference averaging assumes that radio channel
interference does not exist on every allocated channel and the RF channel carrying TCH
timeslots changes to a new allocated RF channel every frame. Therefore, the overall
received data communication experiences interference only part of the time.
All mobile subscribers are capable of frequency hopping under the control of the BSS.
To implement this feature, the BSS software must include the frequency hopping option.
Cyclic or pseudo random frequency hopping patterns are possible, by network provider
selection.
716
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
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Frequency Hopping
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

VERSION 1 REV. 2
Frequency Hopping
718
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19992002
Chapter 8
Call and Handover Sequences
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
ii
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Chapter 8
Call and Handover Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Call and Handover Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81
81
82
Mobile to Land Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84
Land to Mobile Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
86
MS Initiated Call Clearing Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
810
Inter-BSS Handover Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
812
Location Update Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
814
Authentication and Ciphering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Equipment Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
816
818
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
iii
VERSION 1 REV. 2
iv
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

Section
Objectives
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
State the sequences used for call setup and handover.
81
VERSION 1 REV. 2

The diagram opposite reminds us of the basic components and processes involved in
setting up a call between a GSM MS and an ordinary land telephone.
In the MS to Land direction

The BTS receives a data message from the MS which it passes it to the BSC. The
BSC relays the message to the MSC via C7 signalling links, and the MSC then
sets up the call to the land subscriber via the PSTN. The MSC connects the
PSTN to the GSM network, and allocates a terrestrial circuit to the BSS serving
the MSs location. The BSC of that BSS sets up the air interface channel to the MS
and then connects that channel to the allocated terrestrial circuit, completing the
connection between the two subscribers.
In the Land to MS direction

The MSC receives its initial data message from the PSTN (via C7) and then
establishes the location of the MS by referencing the HLR. It then knows which
other MSC to contact to establish the call and that MSC then sets up the call via
the BSS serving the MSs location.
The actual processes are, of course, considerably more complex than described above.
Also, there are many different GSM call sequence and handover scenarios enough to
form the subject of their own training programme! In this course we consider in detail just
the MS to Land and Land to MS call sequences and the intra-MSC (inter-BSS) handover
sequence. This will give you a good appreciation of the messaging that occurs in the
GSM system, and how the PLMN interacts with the PSTN.
82
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

83
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Mobile to Land Sequence
# -/-,$ , *, --$(" .# 3- ( % 2 $($.$. - 3 #(( & +/ -. ' --" !,)'
.# .) .#
#$- $- !)&&)1 2 .# --$"(' (. )! $. )(.,)& #(( &
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$(!),'.$)(
# ' --" .4* $- - (. 2 .# .) .# )'*($ 2 .# &&

$(!),'.$)( .2* )! && ( (/' , $(" && . # ' --" $- !),1,
!,)' .# .) .#
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). .#. .#$- # %
'2 )/, &. , $( .# ' --" - +/ (
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# ( (-1 , (-1 , !,)' .# .# ' --" )(( . $!),1, .) .# 2 .# -.)**$(" .# ,$(" .)( # .# ( )(( ..# .,!!$ #(( & .) .# $,/$. .#/- )'*& .$(" .# ( .) ( .,!!$
)(( .$)(

)(0 ,-.$)( .% - *& !), .# /,.$)( )! .# &&
84
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

*('# '
)#$(

+

Subscriber details
if necessary

$$ #%!&

#'*#)
"%% $

MS HEARS
RINGTONE
FROM LAND
PHONE

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
85
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Land to Mobile Sequence
)%/%' ) %)'
-!.. !..#!
--%1!. / 4#/!23
$! /* ! ''! %. % !)/%"%! 3 %/.
.%)# /$! (!..#! !) *0/%)# )"* ./%'' /##! 3 /$! . /$!
-!,0!./. -*0/%)# %)"*-(/%*) "-*( /$! $%. "*-2- . /$! (!..#!
)*2 -!/##! 2%/$ /$! . /* /$! .!-1%)# /$!
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/$! /* 2$%$ /$!
(0./ ! %-!/!
$! -!.+*) . 2%/$ /$! (!..#! *0/%)# )"*-(/%*)

& )*2 /##!
2%/$ ) 2$%$ %. !%/$!- )!2'3 -2) "-*( %/. +**' *" . *- '-! 3
..*%/! 2%/$ /$! !%)# ''! $! )*2 .!) . )
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$! 1%.%/*- /$!) -!,0!./. '' .!/50+ %)"*-(/%*) "-*( /$! !) )"*
"*- '' !/0+
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-!,0%-! %)"*-(/%*) $! /$!) .!) . #%)# !,0!./ /* /$! 1% /$!
++-*+-%/!
$! -!.+*) . ) -!,0!./. ! %/! *)/-*' $))!' "-*( /$!

$))!' !,0!./ ) /$! %- %)/!-"! .%#)''%)# '%)& %. !./'%.$! )!
!./'%.$! /$%. ! %/! *)/-*' $))!' --%!. #%)# !.+*).! /* /$!
2$%$ -!'3. %/ /* /$! 1% /$!
86
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

<PCH>

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

87
VERSION 1 REV. 2
&(&%% & ('"'' " $% !# & &' #$'
,
#!$ '
!&& & '" &"' '# '
%#! ' & & % +
'# ' ) ' & ' !&& ,'($
&"& ' !&& ,

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& "'& ''
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&&
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* "#* % %" '#"

88

'" &&"& '% "" '# ' &&"!"'
#!!"
* " '(%" &&"& " %-"'% '% "" %&$#"& '# '
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'

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#""' ' '% "" " ' %(' '#'%
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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

!#"

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
89
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MS Initiated Call Clearing Sequence
%%$ % # ! % * $ % +

$! % $$
%! % ( % $ +$ $$ %! % (
( % $%#% %! #$ % ) %(!# #&%$ $$!% (% %
( $! $ +$ $$ %! % %! % %% % * #
!( %
% #'$ % $$ % ( #$ % #$"! (% %
+$ !"% $$ ( $! #$"! (% +$
!"% $$
!( %%$ % # &" ! % # %# #! #$!&#$ %
%# %##$%# #$!&#$ #% %! % ( $ % + #
! %! % %&# ( $ + $ ! %!
% %$ ( $%#% % #$ ! % #! #$!&#$ &$ !# %%
( % #$"! %! % (% % + # !"% $$
% %% $ $ #$ % #! %##$%# #$!&#$
( !"% % #$ ! % #! #$!&#$ * $ % +

$$ %! % ( #$"! (% + &#
!( % $$
( !( %% % #$ ! % $ ! %! #% %! %
( $ % +$ $$ %! % ( ( #$"!
(% % +$ !"% $$
$ !( # #$!&#$ # ' !# !%# $&$##
810
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Mobile Initiated Call Clearing Sequence

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
811
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Inter-BSS Handover Sequence

" #, #' -" ('/+,-#(' ,-- ' #, ('-#'.(.,%2 (&)#%#'!

&,.+&'-, (-" ( -" .++'- -+',&#,,#(' ' -" +(,- ('-+(%
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*.,- -!! 0#-" -"
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-+&#' 0"-"+ -" (++- !#', ,, -( -" #+ #'-+ "''%
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' %% ',,+2 #' (+&-#(' ", ' -+', ++ -" &,,! 3'(/+
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+,(.+, (+ '(-"+ " "''% #, '(- %+ .'-#% -"#, )(#'- #' , -"
'0 ' '(- (&&(- -" #'! "' (/+
" ,-#%% #' -" ('/+,-#(' &( -"' ('-#'., -( )+)+ )+#(#
&,.+&'- +)(+-, ' ,', -"& -( -" '0
Acronyms:

812
&)(++2 (#% .,+#+ '-#-2

(#% --#(' (&#'! .&+
'-+'-#('% (#% .,+#+ '-#-2
(#% --#(' .&+
(-#(' + '-#-2
%(0 ,,(#- ('-+(% "''%
,- ,,(#- ('-+(% "''%
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

* ((#!%(

#' #%)' )' #
"%%$

) &

&

&

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002


813
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Location Update Sequence

#(#" )$( ' "(( , ( +" ( ((' (( ( ' "(& "+
#(#" & #(#" & ' (&"'!(( #" (
' (
+ ''" "
, ( ( #(#" )$(" $&#)&
+ && #)( )'" (' ""
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( "+ " ( )&&"( ")!& (# ( "#&!(#" +
'# '"( (# (
( ' "#( $&*#)' , " )$( #" (
"(+#&
)("((#" " $&" !, "#+ ( $ &%)&
+ "#+ ''" "+ #& ( (' ")!& + '"( (# (
)'" ( - #&+& + !'' + "#+ "(( (
- #(#" $( $( !'' + + (&"'!( ( "+ "
(# (
" ( ' '(#& #( ( " ( #" (' & ( + '"
( - #( #!$ ( !'' (# ( + (" '"
( - !'' (# ( (# #"&! (( ( #(#" )$( '
" #!$ (

+ (" & ' , (
814
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

(LAI &
TMSI)

%#, )%* *&

" *!") ") *! "()* *"$
*! !) #&*"&%
+'* "% *!")

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
815
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Authentication and Ciphering

,+%+ + &% $0 /,+ ,) % ## *+,' #&+ &% ,'+ % %
*,''#$%+)0 *)- *
')&, + ,+%+ + &% ')$+)*
+* ) ## 1+) '#* ) '#* ) *%+ +& + .)
+ * ) *+) * +) '#* ) *%+ % )&,'* & * / % *+&) % +
* %*,)* ++ + % ))0 &,+ + ,+%+ + &% % ++ + . ##
%&+ - +& &%++ +
% + +* + ,+%+ + &% 0 *% % $** 1,+%+ + +& +

. ## )'" + * $** % *% + &% +& +
$** * % 1,+%+ + &% (,*+ % &%+ %* + )%&$ %,$)

)*'&%* . + + 1,+%+ + &% *'&%* $** + * &%+ %*

+ * % )*'&%*
,+%+ + &% * *,**,# + . ## )(,*+ ++ +

*+)+ ') %
')&,)* ,* % + 1+)+
') % $** * $** &%+ %*
%&)$+ &% % + % .+) ') % * )(, )

. ## *+)+ ') % ')&,)* 0 *% % + 1
') &
&$$% $** +& + * $** &%+ %* + %)0'+ &%
%&)$+ &% )(, ) 0 + . ## )*'&% . + + 1
') &
&$'#+ $**

+ ,+%+ + &% #* + . ## %&+ % % 1,+%+ + &% !+
$** . ## *% +& +
816
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

817
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Equipment
Identification
#" "" % "" & " ! " '#"

#!" !! " " ! % #" !! #"& "
#""" #& " ! % " " ! " "
"% $ #" "" % #" #
"
" "#
% ! " " !! & ! " ' !! !!
! !! "! " #"! #
% ! " # " " #! " '
!! % ! %" " ' !!
" " " & # " " ! " " "
818
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Equipment Identification

Note:
IMEI check may be deferred until after traffic channel has been established!
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
819
VERSION 1 REV. 2
820
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Chapter 9
Introduction to Microcellular
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
ii
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Chapter 9
Introduction to Microcellular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction to Microcellular . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
91
91
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What is Microcell? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Why Deploy Microcells? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
92
92
92
How are Microcells Deployed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
94
Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
96
Antenna Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Directional Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Omni Antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
98
98
98
The Microcellular Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
910
Picocells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
912
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iv
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Section
Objectives
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
State the purpose and function of a microcell.
State the advantages of microcellular over other capacity enhancement

techniques.
91
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Introduction
Introduction
What is
Microcell?
The term microcell suggests a small cell. This is true, but microcells are defined as cells
for which the antennas are mounted below local rooftop level. This helps contain the
microcells RF radiation to within the street canyons.
Why Deploy
Microcells?
At present 80 to 90% of the current worldwide GSM subscribers fall into one category,
that of slow moving and stationary handportable units (class 4 mobiles).
92
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Introduction
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Microcellular Concept

!

! "
!

!"
!

"
" !

!
!

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19992002
93
VERSION 1 REV. 2
How are Microcells Deployed?

By placing the antenna below the rooftop, the RF propagation can be contained. This
allows the frequency reuse within the microcells coverage area to be tighter that in the
existing network. This means greater spectrum efficiency. The microcells are also
deployed underneath the existing network. This introduces the term, layered architecture.
This would suggest that the current system cells become umbrella or macrocells.
Therefore, in the area of macro- and microcell coverage we have enhanced capacity.
We can now say that the microcells have introduced better capacity and spectrum
efficiency.
We could also assume that any areas of poor or no coverage in the existing network
could also be overcome by the use of microcells. This would mean that microcells can
provide greater:
Capacity
Coverage
Spectrum efficiency
or
Erlangs
Km2
MHz
Note:
One Erlang is a measure of one traffic channel permanently utilized.
94
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Layered Architecture

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

95
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Building Penetration from Externally Mounted Cells

For a cell with an outdoor mounted antenna, path loss defines the limit of possible
coverage, including building penetration losses and on-street path loss. This suggests
that, as the distance from the antenna increases, the depth of penetration into buildings
will reduce.
There may be situations where a building further away has better indoor coverage, for
example, due to the fact that the angle of incidence to the building is more favourable for
better penetration. The level of penetration into a building depends on a number of
factors some of which are:
Building material.
Number of windows.
Angle of incidence.
Internal structure.
A microcell could give enhanced coverage within a building, even if it is deployed

primarily as an external or on-street microcell. This aids providing the user with greater
coverage.
Microcells may even be deployed within buildings, especially in larger indoor areas (for
example, conference centres etc.).
96
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19992002
97
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Antenna Types
Antenna Types
Both directional and omni-directional antennas have their uses in a microcellular system.
The different attributes of these antennas can be used by the cell planners to avoid
shadows, reduce handover requests, and maximize call success.
Directional
Antennas
Directional antennas are useful for covering long streets and have the following
advantages:
Extra gain in the forward direction.
Suppressed signal in the reverse direction, this is a useful characteristic if the cell
is a potential interferer with another cell located behind it.
It is also worth noting that a directional antenna could be used to improve in-building
coverage, in specific buildings, within the microcell area.
Omni Antennas
Omni antennas are useful for covering open areas (for example squares, plazas). In
these areas, it is desirable to have a clearly designated best server cell to avoid
excessive handovers and their attendant problems.
Another application is to create a corner crossroads cell. This avoids having transient
cells at street crossroads. However, by intersecting with more streets, the potential for
interference with other cells may be increased.
98
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Antenna Types
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Antenna Types
Directional Antennas
Buildings
Antenna
Coverage

Buildings
Antenna
Coverage
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19992002
99
VERSION 1 REV. 2
The Microcellular Solution

As the GSM network has evolved and matured, its traffic loading has increased as the
number of subscribers has grown. Eventually, the network could reach a point of traffic
saturation. The use of microcells can provide high traffic capacity in localized areas.
The use of microcells can alleviate the increase in congestion. Microcells could be
stand-alone cells to cover traffic hotspots or a contiguous coverage of cells in a
combined architecture.
910
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19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
911
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Picocells
Picocells
The future capacity and coverage requirements of a network may require the introduction
of indoor cellular coverage. This may be provided by picocells. Picocells could offer
further capacity, coverage and quality enhancement to a network which has already
deployed microcells to provide on street coverage and capacity.
912
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Picocells
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Picocells

! !
! !
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
913
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Picocells
914
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
CP02 Exercise
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
9i
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Exercise
Exercise
Please answer all questions on the answer sheet provided.
9ii
1.
Which network component provides switching and connection to other networks

such as PSTN?
A.
Operation and Maintenance Centre
B.
Network Management Centre
C.
Base Station System
D.
Mobile Services Switching Centre
2.
There are five criteria used by GSM to perform handovers, RF level, MS distance
and power budget are three, but what are the other two?
A.
Quality and power class of the mobile
B.
Quality and interference
C.
Interference and short message services
D.
Power class of the mobile and short message services
3.
What feature will GSM use to double the number of traffic channels for the same
bandwidth?
A.
Discontinuous transmission
B.
Half rate speech
C.
Higher data rates
D.
Phase two phones
4.
The BSS has three main components, what are they?
A.
MS, MSC and OMC
B.
BSC, BTS and XCDR
C.
BSC, SCDR and MSC
D.
MSC, HLR and VLR
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Exercise
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
5.
The BSC connects _____________ circuits to ____________ on the air interface.

(Fill in the blanks).
A.
The BSC connects DATA circuits to CONTROL BITS on the air interface.
B.
The BSC connects TERRESTRIAL circuits to FRAMES on the air interface.
C.
The BSC connects TERRESTRIAL circuits to CHANNELS on the air interface.
D.
The BSC connects RADIO circuits to CHANNELS on the air interface.
6.
The XCDR converts _____ kbps voice circuits to GSM defined _____ kbps
channels. (Fill in the blanks).
A.
The XCDR converts 64 kbps voice circuits to GSM defined 16 kbps channels
B.
C.
D.
7.
Which network elements use the OML signalling link?
A.
MSC and MS
B.
BSC and BTS
C.
OMC and BSC
D.
BTS and MSC
8.
The Message Transfer Link (MTL) carries signalling information between the MSC
and BSC. Which signalling protocol does the MTL use?
A.
X.25
B.
LAPB
C.
C7
D.
LAPD
9.
What type of burst is used to carry Traffic or Control information and is

bi-directional?
A.
Frequency correction
B.
Normal
C.
Dummy
D.
Access
9iii
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Exercise
9iv
10.
Which type of coding provides error protection and increases the number of bits to
be transmitted by a factor of 1:2?
A.
Speech and data coding
B.
Encryption coding
C.
convolutional coding
D.
Parity bit coding
11.
Interleaving spreads the contents of a coded speech or data block over a number
of air interface bursts to provide error protection. What type of interleaving is used
for speech blocks?
A.
Diagonal
B.
Rectangular
C.
Both
D.
Cyclic
12.
What is the maximum timing advance that can be ordered at the mobile station?
A.
4.615 mS
B.
233uS
C.
3 timeslots
D.
577uS
13.
Which one of the following is NOT a technique to combat the effects of multi-path
fading?
A.
Frequency hopping
B.
Equalisation
C.
Diversity
D.
Sectorisation
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Exercise
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
14.
The duration of a timeslot on the Air Interface is 577uS. What is the duration of a
burst?
A.
20mS
B.
577uS
C.
546uS
D.
4.615mS
15.
Which of the following channels carries measurement information from a mobile

during a call?
A.
SACCH
B.
SDCCH
C.
BCCH
D.
TCH
16.
Which logical channel is used by the mobile station for its first access to the
cellular system?
A.
FACCH
B.
RACH
C.
SACCH
D.
AGCH
17.
Which timeslots in the TDMA frame can be used to carry DCCH channels?
A.
Any
B.
Zero
C.
17
D.
0, 2, 4, and 6
18.
Which logical channel assigns an SDCCH to a mobile station?
A.
FACCH
B.
RACH
C.
SACCH
D.
AGCH
9v
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Exercise
9vi
19.
What is the best location for a Microcell antenna?
A.
Outside, below roof top level
B.
Outside, on top of the roof
C.
Inside the building
D.
As close to the BTS as possible
20.
What name is given to a cell located inside a building?
A.
Erlang
B.
Picocell
C.
Nanocell
D.
Macrocell
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Exercise
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
9vii
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Notes Page
Notes Page
9viii
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Notes Page
VERSION 1 REV. 2
CP02 Introduction to Digital Cellular

Please write clearly and answer all questions on this answer sheet.
Name:
_________________________
Date:
_________________________
Company: _________________________
Country:
_________________________
Please mark once per question in the relevant box.

Percentage:
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
9ix
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Notes Page
9x
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Appendix 1 (GSM History & Organization)
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
App 11
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM History
GSM History
Frequency Band
Reserved for
Cellular (1979)
Due to the increasing use of radio communications throughout Europe, the frequency
spectrum was becoming congested and cluttered. Some bandwidth needed to be set
aside if a Europe wide cellular system was ever to become a reality. At the World
Administrative Radio Conference (WARC) of 1979, the frequency band to be used was
agreed upon. Since then, many analogue systems have come into service in Europe
(Sweden1981, UK1985 etc).
Groupe Special
Mobile Created
Within CEPT
(1982)
In 1982, the Conference of European Posts and Telecommunications Administrations
(CEPT) established a committee called Groupe Speciale Mobile (GSM) . This committee
was set up to specify a unique radio communication system for Europe, this system was
to be called GSM. Four working parties were set up to specify the different parts of the
GSM system.
Permanent
Nucleus
Established
(1986)
The GSM committee met regularly and eventually it was decided that a permanent body
was required. In 1986 a small team of full time members was established in Paris. This
team were to co-ordinate the working parties and manage the edition and updating of the
specifications. (There are now 130 recommendations divided into 12 series)
ETSI takes over

GSM (1988)
In 1988 the European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI) was created. This
institute took over most of the technical standardization activities of CEPT including
GSM. The introduction of ETSI enabled network providers and telecommunications
equipment manufacturers to become involved in the specification of GSM. The GSM
Recommendations were now renamed the Interim ETSI Technical Specifications to
comply with the ETSI standards.
Also, in1988 the first invitations to tender were issued for GSM equipment. Motorola was
awarded contracts for validation systems in the UK, Germany, Spain and Scandinavia.
Phase 1 GSM
Recommendation
s Frozen (1990)
The first phase of the Recommendations for GSM were frozen in 1990 to enable
development of the first GSM systems.
App 12
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
GSM History
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM History

1979
Europe wide frequency band set aside for cellular.
1982
Groupe Special Mobile is created within CEPT.
1986
GSM has full time team in Paris.
1988
ETSI takes over GSM Committee.

First Tender invitations made.
1990
The phase 1 GSM Recommendations are frozen.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
App 13
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM History
GSM Changes to
SMG (1991/1992)
In January 1991 phase 1 issue of DCS 1800 was approved by ETSIGSM
At the end of 1991 the GSM committee was given responsibility for the next generation
of mobile communications equipment. To avoid confusion between the GSM system and
the GSM committee with its wider responsibilities, the committee was renamed Special
Mobile Group (SMG) in 1992. The SMG committees are now responsible for GSM,
Digital Communication System (DCS)1800 and the Universal Mobile Telecommunication
System (UMTS).
Also during this year, the GSM System was renamed. Rather than being called Groupe
Special Mobile it was now named Global System for Mobile Communications. The
name was changed to make the product attractive to a world-wide market rather than a
Europe-wide market, as was the initial intention. The acronym GSM was retained to
avoid confusion.
GSM is launched
(1992)
Commercial service for some major cities started in 1992, these are now firmly
established. The aim is to have GSM networks available along corridors linking major
cities. The introduction of GSM has occurred at different rates throughout the various
participating countries.
Phase 2 GSM
Technical
Specifications
Frozen (1993)
Several major changes have been made to the GSM technical specifications since phase
1 was frozen in 1990. These changes include rewriting a number of specifications to
remove ambiguities and faults. Many specifications have also been extended to detail
new services and features.
The GSM Recommendations have now passed through the appropriate ETSI procedures
and may now be referred to as ETSI Technical Specifications. These procedures
involve public enquiries and voting and the process takes several months.
GSM Coverage
GSM is widely used throughout the world, both GSM900/DCS1800.
App 14
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
GSM History
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM History

1991

DCS1800 phase 1 recommendation frozen.
GSM committee takes on next generation radio
communication systems (UMTS).
1992
The GSM committee is renamed Special Mobile Group

GSM System is renamed Global System for Mobile
Communications.
1992
GSM is launched for commercial operations.
1993
The phase 2 GSM technical specifications are frozen.

Worlds first personal communication network (DCS1800) launched in
UK in September.
1994
GSM commercial operations coverage world-wide exceeded GSM

committee expectations (Russia, China, India, Middle East, Far East).
1995
DCS1800 commercial operations launched in Thailand, Qatar and

United Kingdom.
GSM System declared as the Gateway for Iridium Satellite System.
1996
Introduction of microcellular techniques in GSM900/DCS1800

networks.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
App 15
VERSION 1 REV. 2
SMG Subsidiary Bodies

Overview
The SMG committee specifies all aspects of GSM. There are seven main subcommittees which meet several times per year to discuss and update the technical
specifications that relate to their areas of concern. Each committee is responsible for a
number of specifications.
The permanent nucleus is responsible for the co-ordination and release of the
specifications. This group is now referred to as ETSI Project Team #12 (PT12).
The Technical
Specifications
The scope of the technical specifications, and the committees that are responsible for
them, are shown in the tables opposite.
App 16
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM Committees

SMG1
Definition of Services
01 ,02
SMG2
Specification of Radio Transmission
03, 05, 06
SMG3
Network Architecture,
Signalling Protocols, Open Interfaces
03, 04, 08, 09
SMG4
Data Services
07
SMG5
UMTS
SMG6
Operation and Maintenance
12
11 Series
Test Specification
11
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
App 17
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM History & Organisation

The GSM
Memorandum of
Understanding
(MoU)
The technical specifications make up only part of the definition for GSM. Since so many
countries are working together on this one system, commercial and operational aspects
must also be taken into account.
A Memorandum of Understanding was put together which covered a number of items not
covered by the technical specifications, these are listed below:
Timescales.
Procurement.
Routing plans.
System deployment.
Tariff principles.
Concerted service introduction.
Roaming agreements.
This memorandum was first signed in 1987 by operators and regulatory bodies in the
participating countries. The MoU was updated in 1991.
Australia was the first non-European country to sign the the MoU many others have also
signed since then.
App 18
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM Technical Specifications

00
Preamble
01
General
02
Service aspects
03
Network aspects
04
MSBS interface and protocols
05
Physical layer in the radio path
06
Audio aspects
07
Terminal adaptors for Mobile Stations
08
BTS/BSC and BSC/MSC interfaces
09
Network interworking
10
Service interworking
11
Equipment specification and type approval specification
12
Network management (including O&M)
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
App 19
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM Coverage
GSM has been widely accepted throughout the world.
International roaming is available between many of the networks, and more agreements
are added constantly as new networks go live.
A list of GSM networks is given opposite.
App 110
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM Coverage
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MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
%
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App 111
VERSION 1 REV. 2
App 112
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Glossary of technical terms and

abbreviations
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G1
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Numbers
Numbers
#
Number.
2 Mbit/s link
As used in this manual set, the term applies to the European

4-wire 2.048 Mbit/s digital line or link which can carry 30
A-law PCM channels or 120 16 kbit/s GSM channels.
4GL
4th Generation Language.
A interface
Interface between MSC and BSS.
A3
Authentication algorithm that produces SRES, using RAND

and Ki.
A38
A single algorithm performing the function of A3 and A8.
A5
Stream cipher algorithm, residing on an MS, that produces

ciphertext out of plaintext, using Kc.
A8
Ciphering key generating algorithm that produces Kc using

RAND and Ki.
AB
Access Burst.
Abis interface
Interface between a remote BSC and BTS. Motorola offers a

GSM standard and a unique Motorola A-bis interface. The
Motorola interface reduces the amount of message traffic and
thus the number of 2 Mbit/s lines required between BSC and
BTS.
ABR
Answer Bid Ratio.
acdc PSM
ACDC Power Supply module.
ac
Alternating Current.
AC
Access Class (C0 to C15).
AC
Application Context.
ACC
Automatic Congestion Control.
ACCH
Associated Control CHannel.
ACK, Ack
ACKnowledgement.
ACM
Accumulated Call meter.
ACM
Address Complete Message.
ACPIM
AC Power Interface Module. Used in M-Cell6 indor ac BTS

equipment.
AC PSM
AC Power Supply Module. Used in M-Cell6 BTS equipment.
ACSE
Associated Control Service Element.
ACU
Antenna Combining Unit.
A/D
Analogue to Digital (converter).
ADC
ADministration Centre.
ADC
Analogue to Digital Converter.
ADCCP
ADvanced Communications Control Protocol.
ADM
ADMinistration processor.
ADMIN
ADMINistration.
ADN
Abbreviated Dialling Number.
G2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
ADPCM
Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation.
AE
Application Entity.
AEC
Acoustic Echo Control.
AEF
Additional Elementary Functions.
AET
Active Events Table. Alarms and events are sent to the

Events Log in the GUI. Different operators will have different
subscription lists. All alarms and events are sent to the AET
before they are re-routed to different subscription lists.
AFC
Automatic Frequency Control.
AFN
Absolute Frame Number.
AGC
Automatic Gain Control.
AGCH
Access Grant CHannel. A GSM common control channel

used to assign MS to a SDCCH or a TCH.
Ai
Action indicator.
AI
Artificial Intelligence.
AIB
Alarm Interface Board.
AIO
A class of processor.
Air interface
The radio link between the BTS and the MS.
AM
Amplitude Modulation.
AMA
Automatic Message Accounting (processor).
AM/MP
Cell broadcast mobile terminated message. A message

broadcast to all MSs in a cell.
AoC
Advice of Change.
AoCC
Advice of Change Charging supplementary service.
AoCI
Advice of Change Information supplementary service.
AOC
Automatic Output Control.
AP
Application Process.
ARFCN
Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number. An integer

which defines the absolute RF channel number.
ARQ
Automatic ReQuest for retransmission.
ARP
Address Resolution Protocol.
ASCE
Association Control Service Element. An ASE which

provides an AP with the means to establish and control an
association with an AP in a remote NE. Maps directly onto
the Presentation layer (OMC).
ASE
Application Service Element (OMC)
ASE
Application Specific Entity (TCAP).
ASN.1
Abstract Syntax Notation One.
ASP
Alarm and Status Panel.
ASR
Answer Seizure Ratio.
ATB
All Trunks Busy.
ATI
Antenna Transceiver Interface.
ATT (flag)
ATTach.
G3
VERSION 1 REV. 2
ATTS
Automatic Trunk Testing Subsystem.
AU
Access Unit.
AuC
Authentication Centre. A GSM network entity which provides

the functionality for verifying the identity of an MS when
requested by the system. Often a part of the HLR.
AUT(H)
AUThentication.
AUTO
AUTOmatic mode.
B Interface
Interface between MSC and VLR.
BA
BCCH Allocation. The radio frequency channels allocated in a

cell for BCCH transmission.
BAIC
Barring of All Incoming Calls supplementary service.
BAOC
Barring of All Outgoing Calls supplementary service.
BBBX
Battery Backup Board.
BBH
Base Band Hopping.
BCC
BTS Colour Code.
BCCH
Broadcast Control CHannel. A GSM control channel used to

broadcast general information about a BTS site on a per cell
or sector basis.
BCD
Binary Coded Decimal.
BCF
Base station Control Function. The GSM term for the digital
control circuitry which controls the BTS. In Motorola cell sites
this is a normally a BCU which includes DRI modules and is
located in the BTS cabinet.
BCIE
Bearer Capability Information Element.
BCU
Base station Control Unit. A functional entity of the BSS

which provides the base control function at a BTS site. The
term no longer applies to a type of shelf (see BSC and BSU).
BCUP
Base Controller Unit Power.
BER
Bit Error Rate. A measure of signal quality in the GSM

system.
BES
Business Exchange Services.
BFI
Bad Frame Indication.
BHCA
Busy Hour Call Attempt.
BI
all Barring of All Incoming call supplementary service.
BIB
Balanced-line Interconnect Board. Provides interface to 12

balanced (6-pair) 120 ohm (37-pin D-type connector) lines for
2 Mbit/s circuits (See also T43).
BICRoam
Barring of All Incoming Calls when Roaming outside the

Home PLMN Country supplementary service.
BIM
Balanced-line Interconnect Module.
Bin
An area in a data array used to store information.
BL
BootLoad. Also known as download. For example, databases

and software can be downloaded to the NEs from the BSS.
G4
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
BLLNG
BiLLiNG.
bit/s
Bits per second (bps).
Bm
Full rate traffic channel.
BN
Bit Number. Number which identifies the position of a

particular bit period within a timeslot.
BPF
Bandpass Filter.
BPSM
BCU Power Supply Module.
BS
Basic Service (group).
BS
Bearer Service. A type of telecommunication service that

provides the capability for the transmission of signals
between user-network interfaces. The PLMN connection type
used to support a bearer service may be identical to that used
to support other types of telecommunication service.
BSC
Base Station Controller. A network component in the GSM

PLMN which has the digital control function of controlling all
BTSs. The BSC can be located within a single BTS cabinet
(forming a BSS) but is more often located remotely and
controls several BTSs (see BCF, BCU, and BSU).
BSG
Basic Service Group.
BSIC
Base Transceiver Station Identity Code. A block of code,

consisting of the GSM PLMN colour code and a base station
colour code. One Base Station can have several Base
Station Colour Codes.
BSIC-NCELL
BSIC of an adjacent cell.
BSP
Base Site control Processor (at BSC).
BSN
Backward Sequence Number.
BSS
Base Station System. The system of base station equipment

(Transceivers, controllers and so on) which is viewed by the
MSC through a single interface as defined by the GSM 08
series of recommendations, as being the entity responsible
for communicating with MSs in a certain area. The radio
equipment of a BSS may cover one or more cells. A BSS
may consist of one or more base stations. If an internal
interface is implemented according to the GSM 08.5x series
of recommendations, then the BSS consists of one BSC and
several BTSs.
BSSAP
BSS Application Part (of Signalling System No. 7) (DTAP +

BSSMAP).
BSSC
Base Station System Control cabinet. The cabinet which

houses one or two BSU shelves at a BSC or one or two RXU
shelves at a remote transcoder.
BSSMAP
Base Station System Management Application Part (6-8).
BSSOMAP
BSS Operation and Maintenance Application Part (of

Signalling System No. 7).
BSU
Base Station Unit shelf. The shelf which houses the digital
control modules for the BTS (p/o BTS cabinet) or BSC (p/o
BSSC cabinet).
BT
British Telecom.
BT
Bus Terminator.
G5
VERSION 1 REV. 2
BTC
Bus Terminator Card.
BTF
Base Transceiver Function.
BTP
Base Transceiver Processor (at BTS). One of the six basic

task groups within the GPROC.
BTS
Base Transceiver Station. A network component in the GSM

PLMN which serves one cell, and is controlled by a BSC.
The BTS contains one or more Transceivers (TRXs).
Burst
A period of modulated carrier less than one timeslot. The

physical content of a timeslot.
Conditional.
C Interface
Interface between MSC and HLR/AUC.
C7
ITU-TSS Signalling System 7 (sometimes referred to as S7 or

SS#7).
CA
Cell Allocation. The radio frequency channels allocated to a

particular cell.
CA
Central Authority.
CAB
Cabinet.
CADM
Country ADMinistration. The Motorola procedure used within

DataGen to create new country and network files in the
DataGen database.
CAI
Charge Advice Information.
CAT
Cell Analysis Tool.
CB
Cell Broadcast.
CB
Circuit Breaker.
CBC
Cell Broadcast Centre.
CBCH
Cell Broadcast CHannel.
CBF
Combining Bandpass Filter.
CBL
Cell Broadcast Link.
CBM
Circuit Breaker Module.
CBMI
Cell Broadcast Message Identifier.
CBSMS
Cell Broadcast Short Message Service.
CBUS
Clock Bus.
CC
Connection Confirm (Part of SCCP network connectivity).
CC
Country Code.
CC
Call Control.
CCB
Cavity Combining Block, a three way RF combiner. There

are two types of CCB, CCB (Output) and CCB (Extension).
These, with up to two CCB Control cards, may comprise the
TATI. The second card may be used for redundancy.
CCBS
Completion of Calls to Busy Subscriber supplementary

service.
G6
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
CCCH
Common Control CHannels. A class of GSM control

channels used to control paging and grant access. Includes
AGCH, PCH, and RACH.
CCCH_GROUP
Group of MSs in idle mode.
CCD
Common Channel Distributor.
CCDSP
Channel Coding Digital Signal Processor.
CCF
Conditional Call Forwarding.
CCH
Control CHannel. Control channels are channels which carry

system management messages.
CCH
Council for Communications Harmonization (referred to in

GSM Recommendations).
CCIT
Comit Consultatif International Tlgraphique et

Tlphonique. This term has been superceded by ITUTSS
(International Telecommunications Union
Telecommunications Sector).
CCM
Current Call Meter.
CCP
Capability/Configuration Parameter.
CCPE
Control Channel Protocol Entity.
CCS
Hundred call-seconds. The unit in which amounts of

telephone traffic are measured. A single call lasting one
hundred seconds is one CCS. See also erlang.
Cct
Circuit.
CDB
Control Driver Board.
CDE
Common Desktop Environment. Part of the SUN software

(crontab cron job file).
CDR
Call Detail Records.
CDUR
Chargeable DURation.
CEB
Control Equalizer Board (BTS).
CED
Called station identifier.
CEIR
Central Equipment Identity Register.
Cell
By GSM definition, a cell is an RF coverage area. At an

omni-site, cell is synonymous with site; at a sectored site, cell
is synonymous with sector. This differs from analogue
systems where cell is taken to mean the same thing as site.
(See below).

MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

G7
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G8
CEND
End of charge point.
CEPT
Confrence des administrations Europennes des Postes et

Telecommunications.
CERM
Circuit Error Rate Monitor.
CF
Conversion Facility.
CF
all Call Forwarding services.
CFB
Call Forwarding on mobile subscriber Busy supplementary

service.
CFC
Conditional Call Forward.
CFNRc
Call Forwarding on mobile subscriber Not Reachable

supplementary service.
CFNRy
Call Forwarding on No Reply supplementary service.
CFU
Call Forwarding Unconditional supplementary service.
Channel
A means of one-way transmission. A defined sequence of

periods (for example, timeslots) in a TDMA system; a defined
frequency band in an FDMA system; a defined sequence of
periods and frequency bands in a frequency hopped system.
CIM
Coaxial Interconnect Module.
CHP
CHarging Point.
CHV
Card Holder Verification information.
CKSN
Ciphering Key Sequence Number.
CI
Cell Identity. A block of code which identifies a cell within a

location area.
CI
CUG Index.
CIC
Circuit Identity Code.
CIR, C/I
Carrier to Interference Ratio.
Ciphertext
Unintelligible data produced through the use of encipherment.
CKSN
Ciphering Key Sequence Number.
CLI
Calling Line Identity.
CLIP
Calling Line Identification Presentation supplementary

service.
CLIR
Calling Line Identification Restriction supplementary service.
CLK
Clock.
CLKX
Clock Extender half size board. The fibre optic link that
distributes GCLK to boards in system (p/o BSS etc).
CLM
Connectionless Manager.
CLR
CLeaR.
CM
Configuration Management. An OMC application.
CM
Connection Management.
CMD
CoMmanD.
CMM
Channel Mode Modify.
CMIP
Common Management Information Protocol.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
CMISE
Common Management Information Service Element. An ASE

which provides a means to transfer management information
via CMIP messages with another NE over an association
established by ASCE using ROSE (OMC).
CMR
Cellular Manual Revision.
CNG
CalliNg tone.
COLI
COnnected Line Identity.
Collocated
Placed together; two or more items together in the same

place.
Coincident Cell
A cell which has a co-located neighbour whose cell boundary

follows the boundary of the said cell. The coincident cell has
a different frequency type, but the same BSIC, as that of the
neighbour cell.
COLP
COnnected Line Identification Presentation supplementary

service.
COLR
COnnected Line Identification Restriction supplementary

service.
CODEX
Manufacturers name for a type of multiplexer and packet

switch commonly installed at the Motorola OMC-R.
COM
Code Object Manager.
COM
COMplete.
COMB
Combiner.
CONNACK
CONNect ACKnowledgement.
COMM, Comms
COMMunications.
CommsLink
Communications Link. (2Mbit/s)
CONF
CONFerence circuit.
CONFIG
CONFIGuration Control Program.
CP
Call Processing.
CPU
Central Processing Unit.
C/R
Command/Response field bit.
CR
Carriage Return (RETURN).
CR
Connection Request (Part of SCCP network connectivity).
CRC
Cyclic Redundancy Check (3 bit).
CRE
Call RE-establishment procedure.
CREF
Connection REFused (Part of SCCP network connectivity).
CRM
Cell Resource Manager.
CRM-LS/HS
Cellular Radio Modem-Low Speed/High Speed. Low speed

modem used to interwork 300 to 2400 bit/s data services
under V.22bis, V.23, or V.21 standards. High speed modem
used to interwork 1200 to 9600 bit/s data services under
V.22bis, V.32, or V.29/V.27ter/V.21 standards.
CRT
Cathode Ray Tube (video display terminal).
CSFP
Code Storage Facility Processor (at BSC and BTS).
CSP
Central Statistics Process. The statistics process in the BSC.
CSPDN
Circuit Switched Public Data Network.
G9
VERSION 1 REV. 2
CT
Call Transfer supplementary service.
CT
Channel Tester.
CT
Channel Type.
CTP
Call Trace Product (Tool).
CTR
Common Technical Regulation.
CTS
Clear to Send. Method of flow control (RS232 Interface).
CTU
Compact Transceiver Unit (M-Cellhorizon radio).
CUG
Closed User Group supplementary service.
Cumulative value
The total value for an entire statistical interval.
CW
Call Waiting supplementary service.
D Interface
Interface between VLR and HLR.
D/A
Digital to Analogue (converter).
DAB
Disribution Alarm Board.
DAC
Digital to Analogue Converter.
DACS
Digital Access Cross-connect System.
DAN
Digital ANnouncer (for recorded announcements on MSC).
DAS
Data Acquisition System.
DAT
Digital Audio Tape.
DataGen
Sysgen Builder System. A Motorola offline BSS binary object

configuration tool.
dB
Decibel. A unit of power ratio measurement.
DB
DataBase.
DB
Dummy Burst (see Dummy burst).
DBA
DataBase Administration/Database Administrator.
DBMS
DataBase Management System.
dc
Direct Current.
DCB
Diversity Control Board (p/o DRCU).
DCCH
Dedicated Control CHannel. A class of GSM control

channels used to set up calls and report measurements.
Includes SDCCH, FACCH, and SACCH.
DCD
Data Carrier Detect signal.
DCE
Data Circuit terminating Equipment.
DCF
Data Communications Function.
DCF
Duplexed Combining bandpass Filter. (Used in

Horizonmacro).
DCN
Data Communications Network. A DCN connects Network

Elements with internal mediation functions or mediation
devices to the Operations Systems.
DC PSM
DC Power Supply Module.
G10
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
DCS1800
Digital Cellular System at 1800 MHz. A cellular phone

network using digital techniques similar to those used in GSM
900, but operating on frequencies of 1710 1785 MHz and
1805 1880 MHz.
DDF
Dual-stage Duplexed combining Filter. (Used in

Horizonmacro).
DDS
DataGen Directory Structure.
DDS
Data Drive Storage.
DDS
Direct Digital Synthesis.
DEQB
Diversity Equalizer Board.
DET
DETach.
DFE
Decision Feedback Equalizer.
DGT
Data Gathering Tool.
DHP
Digital Host Processor.
DIA
Drum Intercept Announcer.
DINO E1/HDSL
Line termination module.
DINO T1
Line termination module.
DISC
DISConnect.
Discon
Discontiuous.
DIQ
Diversity In phase and Quadrature phase.
DIR
Device Interface Routine.
DL
Data Link (layer).
DLCI
Data Link Connection Identifier.
DLD
Data Link Discriminator.
DLNB
Diversity Low Noise Block.
DLSP
Data Link Service Process.
DLSP
Digital Link Signalling Processor.
Dm
Control channel (ISDN terminology applied to mobile service).
DMA
Deferred Maintenance Alarm. An alarm report level; an

immediate or deferred response is required (see also PMA).
DMA
Direct Memory Access.
DMR
Digital Mobile Radio.
DMX
Distributed Electronic Mobile Exchange (Motorolas

networked EMX family).
DN
Directory Number.
DNIC
Data network identifier.
Downlink
Physical link from the BTS towards the MS (BTS transmits,

MS receives).
DP
Dial/Dialled Pulse.
DPC
Destination Point Code. A part of the label in a signalling

message that uniquely identifies, in a signalling network, the
(signalling) destination point of the message.
DPC
Digital Processing and Control board.
G11
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G12
DPNSS
Digital Private Network Signalling System (BT standard for

PABX interface).
DPP
Dual Path Preselector.
DPR, DPRAM
Dual Port Random Access Memory.
DPSM
Digital Power Supply Module.
DRAM
Dynamic Random Access Memory.
DRC
Data Rate Converter board. Provides data and protocol

conversion between PLMN and destination network for 8
circuits (p/o IWF).
DRCU
Diversity Radio Channel Unit. Contains transceiver, digital

control circuits, and power supply (p/o BSS) (see RCU).
(D)RCU
Generic term for radio channel unit. May be standard RCU or

diversity radio channel unit DRCU.
DRI
Digital Radio Interface. Provides encoding/decoding and

encryption/decryption for radio channel (p/o BSS).
DRIM
Digital Radio Interface extended Memory. A DRI with extra

memory.
DRIX
DRI Extender half size board. Fibre optic link from DRI to
BCU (p/o BSS).
DRX, DRx
Discontinuous reception (mechanism). A means of saving

battery power (for example in hand-portable units) by
periodically and automatically switching the MS receiver on
and off.
DS-2
German term for 2 Mbit/s line (PCM interface).
DSE
Data Switching Exchange.
DSI
Digital Speech Interpolation.
DSP
Digital Signal Processor.
DSS1
Digital Subscriber Signalling No 1.
DSSI
Diversity Signal Strength Indication.
DTAP
Direct Transfer Application Part (6-8).
DTE
Data Terminal Equipment.
DTF
Digital Trunk Frame.
DT1
DaTa form 1 (Part of SCCP network connectivity).
DTI
Digital Trunk Interface.
DTMF
Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (tone signalling type).
DTR
Data Terminal Ready signal. Method of flow control (RS232

Interface).
DTRX
Dual Transceiver Module. (Radio used in M-Cellarena and

M-Cellarena macro).
DTX, DTx
Discontinuous Transmission (mechanism). A means of

saving battery power (for example in hand-portable units) and
reducing interference by automatically switching the
transmitter off when no speech or data are to be sent.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Dummy burst
A period of carrier less than one timeslot whose modulation is

a defined sequence that carries no useful information. A
dummy burst fills a timeslot with an RF signal when no
information is to be delivered to a channel.
DYNET
DYnamic NETwork. Used to specify BTSs sharing dynamic

resources.
See Erlang.
E Interface
Interface between MSC and MSC.
EA
External Alarms.
EAS
External Alarm System.
Eb/No
Energy per Bit/Noise floor.
EBCG
Elementary Basic Service Group.
EC
Echo Canceller. Performs echo suppression for all voice

circuits.
ECB
Provides echo cancelling for telephone trunks for 30 channels

(EC).
ECID
The Motorola European Cellular Infrastructure Division.
ECM
Error Correction Mode (facsimile).
Ec/No
Ratio of energy per modulating bit to the noise spectral

density.
ECT
Event Counting Tool.
ECT
Explicit Call Transfer supplementary service.
EEL
Electric Echo Loss.
EEPROM
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory.
EGSM900
Extended GSM900.
EI
Events Interface. Part of the OMC-R GUI.
EIR
Equipment Identity Register.
EIRP
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power.
EIRP
Equipment Identity Register Procedure.
EL
Echo Loss.
EM
Event Management. An OMC application.
EMC
ElectroMagnetic Compatibility.
EMF
Electro Motive Force.
EMI
Electro Magnetic Interference.
eMLPP
enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption service.
EMMI
Electrical Man Machine Interface.
EMU
Exchange office Management Unit (p/o Horizonoffice)
EMX
Electronic Mobile Exchange (Motorolas MSC family).
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G13
VERSION 1 REV. 2
en bloc
Fr. all at once (a CCITT #7 Digital Transmission scheme);

En bloc sending means that digits are sent from one system
to another ~ (that is, all the digits for a given call are sent at
the same time as a group). ~ sending is the opposite of
overlap sending. A system using ~ sending will wait until it
has collected all the digits for a given call before it attempts to
send digits to the next system. All the digits are then sent as
a group.
EOT
End of Tape.
EPROM
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory.
EPSM
Enhanced Power Supply Module (+27 V).
EQB
Equalizer Board. Control circuit for equalization for 8 time

slots each with equalizing circuitry and a DSP (p/o RCU).
EQCP
Equalizer Control Processor.
EQ DSP
Equalizer Digitizer Signal Processor.
Erlang
International (dimensionless) unit of traffic intensity defined as

the ratio of time a facility is occupied to the time it is available
for occupancy. One erlang is equal to 36 CCS. In the US
this is also known as a traffic unit (TU).
ERP
Ear Reference Point.
ERP
Effective Radiated Power.
ERR
ERRor.
ESP
Electro-static Point.
ESQL
Embedded SQL (Structured Query Language). An RDBMS

programming interface language.
E-TACS
Extended TACS (analogue cellular system, extended).
Ethernet
Type of Local Area Network.
ETR
ETSI Technical Report.
ETS
European Telecommunication Standard.
ETSI
European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
ETX
End of Transmission.
EXEC
Executive Process.
F Interface
Interface between MSC and EIR.
FA
Fax Adaptor.
FA
Full Allocation.
FA
Functional Area.
FAC
Final Assembly Code.
FACCH
Fast Associated Control Channel. A GSM dedicated control

channel which is associated with a TCH and carries control
information after a call is set up (see SDCCH).
FACCH/F
Fast Associated Control Channel/Full rate.
FACCH/H
Fast Associated Control Channel/Half rate.
FB
Frequency correction Burst (see Frequency correction burst).
G14
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FC-AL
Fibre Channel Arbitration Loop. (Type of hard disc).
FCCH
Frequency Correction CHannel. A GSM broadcast control

channel which carries information for frequency correction of
the mobile (MS).
FCP
Fault Collection Process (in BTS).
FCS
Frame Check Sequence.
FDM
Frequency Division Multiplex.
FDMA
Frequency Division Multiple Access.
FDN
Fixed Dialling Number.
FDP
Fault Diagnostic Procedure.
FEC
Forward Error Correction.
FEP
Front End Processor.
FER
Frame Erasure Ratio.
FFS, FS
For Further Study.
FH
Frequency Hopping.
FIB
Forward Indicator Bit.
FIR
Finite Impulse Response (filter type).
FK
Foreign Key. A database column attribute; the foreign key

indicates an index into another table.
FM
Fault Management (at OMC).
FM
Frequency Modulation.
FMIC
Fault Management Initiated Clear.
FMUX
Fibre optic MUltipleXer.
FN
Frame Number. Identifies the position of a particular TDMA

frame within a hyperframe.
FOA
First Office Application.
FOX
Fibre Optic eXtender.
FR
Full Rate. Refers to the current capacity of a data channel on

the GSM air interface, that is, 8 simultaneous calls per carrier
(see also HR Half Rate).
FRU
Field Replaceable Unit.
Frequency correction
Period of RF carrier less than one timeslot whose modulation

bit stream allows frequency correction to be performed easily
within an MS burst.
FS
Frequency Synchronization.
FSL
Free Space Loss. The decrease in the strength of a radio

signal as it travels between a transmitter and receiver. The
FSL is a function of the frequency of the radio signal and the
distance the radio signal has travelled from the point source.
FSN
Forward Sequence Number.
FTAM
File Transfer, Access, and Management. An ASE which

provides a means to transfer information from file to file
(OMC).
ftn
forwarded-to number.
G15
VERSION 1 REV. 2
FTP
Fault Translation Process (in BTS).
FTP
File Transfer Protocol.
G Interface
Interface between VLR and VLR.
Gateway MSC
An MSC that provides an entry point into the GSM PLMN

from another network or service. A gateway MSC is also an
interrogating node for incoming PLMN calls.
GB, Gbyte
Gigabyte.
GBIC
Gigabit Interface Converter.
GCLK
Generic Clock board. System clock source, one per site (p/o
BSS, BTS, BSC, IWF, RXCDR).
GCR
Group Call Register.
GDP
Generic DSP Processor board. Interchangeable with the XCDR

board.
GDP E1
GDP board configured for E1 link usage.
GDP T1
GDP board configured for T1 link usage.
GHz
Giga-Hertz (109).
GID
Group ID. A unique number used by the system to identify a

users primary group.
GMB
GSM Multiplexer Board (p/o BSC).
GMR
GSM Manual Revision.
GMSC
Gateway Mobile-services Switching Centre (see Gateway

MSC).
GMSK
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying. The modulation technique

used in GSM.
GND
GrouND.
GOS
Grade of Service.
GPA
GSM PLMN Area.
GPC
General Protocol Converter.
GPROC
Generic Processor board. GSM generic processor board: a

68030 with 4 to 16 Mb RAM (p/o BSS, BTS, BSC, IWF,
RXCDR).
GPROC2
Generic Processor board. GSM generic processor board: a

68040 with 32 Mb RAM (p/o BSS, BTS, BSC, IWF, RXCDR).
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service.
GPS
Global Positioning by Satellite.
GSA
GSM Service Area. The area in which an MS can be reached

by a fixed subscriber, without the subscribers knowledge of
the location of the MS. A GSA may include the areas served
by several GSM PLMNs.
GSA
GSM System Area. The group of GSM PLMN areas

accessible by GSM MSs.
GSM
Groupe Spcial Mobile (the committee).
GSM
Global System for Mobile communications (the system).
G16
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
GSM MS
GSM Mobile Station.
GSM PLMN
GSM Public Land Mobile Network.
GSR
GSM Software Release.
GT
Global Title.
GTE
Generic Table Editor. The Motorola procedure which allows

users to display and edit MCDF input files.
Guard period
Period at the beginning and end of timeslot during which MS

transmission is attenuated.
GUI
Graphical User Interface.
GUI client
A computer used to display a GUI from an OMC-R GUI

application which is beingbrun on a GUI server.
GUI server
A computer used to serve the OMC-R GUI application

process running locally (on its processor) to other computers
(Gui clients or other MMI processors).
GWY
GateWaY (MSC/LR) interface to PSTN.
H Interface
Interface between HLR and AUC.
H-M
Human-Machine Terminals.
HAD, HAP
HLR Authentication Distributor.
HANDO, Handover
HANDOver. The action of switching a call in progress from

one radio channel to another radio channel. Handover allows
established calls to continue by switching them to another
radio resource, as when an MS moves from one BTS area to
another. Handovers may take place between the following
GSM entities: timeslot, RF carrier, cell, BTS, BSS and MSC.
HCU
Hybrid Combining Unit. (Used in Horizonmacro).
HDLC
High level Data Link Control.
HDSL
High bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line.
HLC
High Layer Compatibility. The HLC can carry information

defining the higher layer characteristics of a teleservice active
on the terminal.
HLR
Home Location Register. The LR where the current location

and all subscriber parameters of an MS are permanently
stored.
HMS
Heat Management System. The system that provides

environmental control of the components inside the ExCell,
TopCell and M-Cell cabinets.
HO
HandOver. (see HANDO above).
HPU
Hand Portable Unit.
HOLD
Call hold supplementary service.
HPLMN
Home PLMN.
HR
Half Rate. Refers to a type of data channel that will double

the current GSM air interface capacity to 16 simultaneous
calls per carrier (see also FR Full Rate).
HS
HandSet.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G17
VERSION 1 REV. 2
HSI/S
High Speed Interface card.
HSM
HLR Subscriber Management.
HSN
Hopping Sequence Number.
HU
Home Units.
HW
Hardware.
Hyperframe
2048 superframes. The longest recurrent time period of the

frame structure.
Information frames (RLP).
IA
Incoming Access (closed user group (CUG) SS

(supplementary service)).
IA5
International Alphanumeric 5.
IADU
Integrated Antenna Distribution Unit. (The IADU is the

equivalent of the Receive Matrix used on pre-M-Cell BTSs).
IAM
Initial Address Message.
IAS
Internal Alarm System.
IC
Integrated Circuit.
IC
Interlock Code (CUG SS).
IC(pref)
Interlock Code op the preferential CUG.
ICB
Incoming Calls Barred.
ICC
Integrated Circuit(s) Card.
ICM
In-Call Modification.
ICMP
Internet Control Message Protocol.
ID, Id
IDentification/IDentity/IDentifier.
IDN
Integrated Digital Network.
IDS
INFOMIX Database Server. (OMC-R relational database

management system).
IE
Information Element (signalling).
IEC
International Electrotechnical Commission.
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
IEI
Information Element Identifier.
I-ETS
Interim European Telecommunication Standard.
IF
Intermediate Frequency.
IFAM
Initial and Final Address Message.
IM
InterModulation.
IMACS
Intelligent Monitor And Control System.
IMEI
International Mobile station Equipment Identity. Electronic

serial number that uniquely identifies the MS as a piece or
assembly of equipment. The IMEI is sent by the MS along
with request for service.
IMM
IMMediate assignment message.
G18
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
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IMSI
International Mobile Subscriber Identity. Published mobile

number (prior to ISDN) (see also MSISDN) that uniquely
identifies the subscription. It can serve as a key to derive
subscriber information such as directory number(s) from the
HLR.
IN
Intelligent Network.
IN
Interrogating Node. A switching node that interrogates an

HLR, to route a call for an MS to the visited MSC.
INS
IN Service.
INS
Intelligent Network Service.
InterAlg
Interference Algorithm. A single interference algorithm in a

cell.
Interworking
The general term used to describe the inter-operation of

networks, services, supplementary services and so on. See
also IWF.
Interval
A recording period of time in which a statistic is pegged.
Interval expiry
The end of an interval.
I/O
Input/Output.
IOS
Intelligent Optimization Platform.
IP
Initialisation Process.
IP
Internet Protocol.
IPC
Inter-Process Communication.
IP, INP
INtermodulation Products.
IPR
Intellectual PRoperty.
IPSM
Integrated Power Supply Module (48 V).
IPX
(A hardware component).
ISAM
Indexed Sequential Access Method.
ISC
International Switching Centre.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network. An integrated services

network that provides digital connections between
user-network interfaces.
ISG
Motorola Information Systems group (formally CODEX).
ISO
International Organisation for Standardization.
ISQL
Informix Structured Query Language.
ISUP
ISDN User Part (of signalling system No. 7).
IT
Inactivity Test (Part of SCCP network connectivity).
ITC
Information Transfer Capability.
ITU
International Telecommunication Union.
ITUTSS
International Telecommunication Union Telecommunications

Sector.
IWF
InterWorking Function. A network functional entity which

provides network interworking, service interworking,
supplementary service interworking or signalling interworking.
It may be a part of one or more logical or physical entities in a
GSM PLMN.
G19
VERSION 1 REV. 2
IWMSC
InterWorking MSC.
IWU
InterWorking Unit.
kilo (103).
Windows size.
Constraint length of the convolutional code.
KAIO
Kernal Asynchronous Input/Output.
kb, kbit
kilo-bit.
kbit/s, kbps
kilo-bits per second.
kbyte
kilobyte.
Kc
Ciphering key. A sequence of symbols that controls the

operation of encipherment and decipherment.
kHz
kilo-Hertz (103).
Ki
Individual subscriber authentication Key (p/o authentication

process of AUC).
KIO
A class of processor.
KSW
Kiloport SWitch board. TDM timeslot interchanger to connect

calls (p/o BSS).
KSWX
KSW Expander half size board. Fibre optic distribution of

TDM bus (p/o BSS).
kW
kilo-Watt.
L1
Layer 1.
L2ML
Layer 2 Management Link.
L2R
Layer 2 Relay function. A function of an MS and IWF that

adapts a users known layer2 protocol LAPB onto RLP for
transmission between the MT and IWF.
L2R BOP
L2R Bit Orientated Protocol.
L2R COP
L2R Character Orientated Protocol.
L3
Layer 3.
LA
Location Area. An area in which an MS may move freely

without updating the location register. An LA may comprise
one or several base station areas.
LAC
Location Area Code.
LAI
Location Area Identity. The information indicating the location

area in which a cell is located.
LAN
Local Area Network.
LANX
LAN Extender half size board. Fibre optic distribution of LAN

to/from other cabinets (p/o BSS etc).
LAPB
Link Access Protocol Balanced (of ITUTSS Rec. x.25).
LAPD
Link Access Protocol Data.
LAPDm
Link Access Protocol on the Dm channel.
G20
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VERSION 1 REV. 2
LC
Inductor Capacitor (type of filter).
LCF
Link Control Function.
LCN
Local Communications Network.
LCP
Link Control Processor.
LE
Local Exchange.
LED
Light Emitting Diode.
LF
Line Feed.
LI
Length Indicator.
LI
Line Identity.
LLC
Lower Layer Compatibility. The LLC can carry information

defining the lower layer characteristics of the terminal.
Lm
Traffic channel with capacity lower than a Bm.
LMP
LAN Monitor Process.
LMS
Least Mean Square.
LMSI
Local Mobile Station Identity. A unique identity temporarily

allocated to visiting mobile subscribers in order to speed up
the search for subscriber data in the VLR, when the MSRN
allocation is done on a per cell basis.
LMT
Local Maintenance Terminal.
LNA
Low Noise Amplifier.
LND
Last Number Dialled.
Location area
An area in which a mobile station may move freely without

updating the location register. A location area may comprise
one or several base station areas.
LPC
Linear Predictive Code.
LPLMN
Local PLMN.
LR
Location Register. The GSM functional unit where MS

location information is stored. The HLR and VLR are location
registers.
LSSU
Link Stations Signalling Unit (Part of MTP transport system).
LSTR
Listener Side Tone Rating.
LTA
Long Term Average. The value required in a BTSs GCLK

frequency register to produce a 16.384 MHz clock.
LTE
Local Terminal Emulator.
LTP
Long Term Predictive.
LTU
Line Terminating Unit.
LU
Local Units.
LU
Location Update.
LV
Length and Value.
Mandatory.
Mega (106).
MOTOROLA LTD.
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G21
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G22
M-Cell
Motorola Cell.
M&TS
Maintenance and Troubleshooting. Functional area of

Network Management software which (1) collects and
displays alarms, (2) collects and displays Software/Hardware
errors, and (3) activates test diagnostics at the NEs (OMC).
MA
Mobile Allocation. The radio frequency channels allocated to

an MS for use in its frequency hopping sequence.
MAC
Medium Access Control.
MACN
Mobile Allocation Channel Number.
Macrocell
A cell in which the base station antenna is generally mounted

away from buildings or above rooftop level.
MAF
Mobile Additional Function.
MAH
Mobile Access Hunting supplementary service.
MAI
Mobile Allocation Index.
MAIDT
Mean Accumulated Intrinsic Down Time.
MAINT
MAINTenance.
MAIO
Mobile Allocation Index Offset.
MAP
Mobile Application Part (of signalling system No. 7). The

inter-networking signalling between MSCs and LRs and EIRs.
MAPP
Mobile Application Part Processor.
MB, Mbyte
Megabyte.
Mbit/s
Megabits per second.
MCAP
Motorola Cellular Advanced Processor.
MCC
Mobile Country Code.
MCDF
Motorola Customer Data Format used by DataGen for simple

data entry and retrieval.
MCI
Malicious Call Identification supplementary service.
MCSC
Motorola Customer Support Centre.
MCU
Main Control Unit for M-Cell2/6. Also referred to as the Micro

Control Unit in software.
MCUF
Main Control Unit, with dual FMUX. (Used in M-Cellhorizon).
MCU-m
Main Control Unit for M-Cell Micro sites (M-Cellm). Also

referred to as the Micro Control Unit in software.
MCUm
The software subtype representation of the Field Replaceable

Unit (FRU) for the MCU-m.
MD
Mediation Device.
MDL
(mobile) Management (entity) - Data Link (layer).
ME
Maintenance Entity (GSM Rec. 12.00).
ME
Mobile Equipment. Equipment intended to access a set of

GSM PLMN and/or DCS telecommunication services, but
which does not contain subscriber related information.
Services may be accessed while the equipment, capable of
surface movement within the GSM system area, is in motion
or during halts at unspecified points.
MEF
Maintenance Entity Function (GSM Rec. 12.00).
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
MF
MultiFrame.
MF
Multi-Frequency (tone signalling type).
MF
MultiFunction block.
MGMT, mgmt
Management.
MGR
Manager.
MHS
Message Handling System.
MHS
Mobile Handling Service.
MHz
Mega-Hertz (106).
MI
Maintenance Information.
MIB
Management Information Base. A Motorola OMC-R

database. There is a CM MIB and an EM MIB.
MIC
Mobile Interface Controller.
Microcell
A cell in which the base station antenna is generally mounted

below rooftop level. Radio wave propagation is by diffraction
and scattering around buildings, the main propagation is
within street canyons.
min
minute(s).
s
micro-second (106).
BCU
Micro Base Control Unit.
MIT
Management Information Tree. Name of a file on the

Motorola OMC-R.
MM
Man Machine.
MM
Mobility Management.
MME
Mobile Management Entity.
MMF
Middle Man Funnel process.
MMI
Man Machine Interface. The method in which the user

interfaces with the software to request a function or change
parameters.
MMI client
A machine configured to use the OMC-R software from an

MMI server.
MMI processor
MMI client/MMI server.
MMI server
A computer which has its own local copy of the OMC-R

software. It can run the OMC-R software for MMI clients to
mount.
MML
Man Machine Language. The tool of MMI.
MMS
Multiple Serial Interface Link. (see also 2Mbit/s link)
MNC
Mobile Network Code.
MNT
MaiNTenance.
MO
Mobile Originated.
MO/PP
Mobile Originated Point-to-Point messages.
MOMAP
Motorola OMAP.
MoU
Memorandum of Understanding.
MPC
Multi Personal Computer (was p/o OMC).
G23
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G24
MPH
(mobile) Management (entity) - PHysical (layer) [primitive].
MPTY
MultiParTY (Multi ParTY) supplementary service.
MPX
MultiPleXed.
MRC
Micro Radio Control Unit.
MRN
Mobile Roaming Number.
MRP
Mouth Reference Point.
MS
Mobile Station. The GSM subscriber unit.
MSC
Mobile-services Switching Centre, Mobile Switching Centre.
MSCM
Mobile Station Class Mark.
MSCU
Mobile Station Control Unit.
msec
millisecond (.001 second).
MSI
Multiple Serial Interface board. Intelligent interface to two

2 Mbit/s digital links (see 2 Mbit/s link and DS-2) (p/o BSS).
MSIN
Mobile Station Identification Number.
MSISDN
Mobile Station International ISDN Number. Published mobile

number (see also IMSI). Uniquely defines the mobile station
as an ISDN terminal. It consists of three parts: the Country
Code (CC), the National Destination Code (NDC) and the
Subscriber Number (SN).
MSRN
Mobile Station Roaming Number. A number assigned by the

MSC to service and track a visiting subscriber.
MSU
Message Signal Unit (Part of MTP transport system). A

signal unit containing a service information octet and a
signalling information field which is retransmitted by the
signalling link control, if it is received in error.
MT
Mobile Terminated. Describes a call or short message

destined for an MS.
MT (0, 1, 2)
Mobile Termination. The part of the MS which terminates the

radio transmission to and from the network and adapts
terminal equipment (TE) capabilities to those of the radio
transmission. MT0 is mobile termination with no support for
terminal, MT1 is mobile termination with support for an S-type
interface and MT2 is mobile termination with support for an
R-type interface.
MTM
Mobile-To-Mobile (call).
MTP
Message Transfer Part.
MT/PP
Mobile Terminated Point-to-Point messages.
MTBF
Mean Time Between Failures.
MTK
Message Transfer LinK.
MTL
MTP Transport Layer Link (A interface).
MTP
Message Transfer Part.
MTTR
Mean Time To Repair.
Multiframe
Two types of multiframe are defined in the system: a

26-frame multiframe with a period of 120 ms and a 51-frame
multiframe with a period of 3060/13 ms.
MU
Mark Up.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MUMS
Multi User Mobile Station.
MUX
Multiplexer.
N/W
Network.
NB
Normal Burst (see Normal burst).
NBIN
A parameter in the hoping sequence.
NCC
Network (PLMN) Colour Code.
NCELL
Neighbouring (of current serving) Cell.
NCH
Notification CHannel.
ND
No Duplicates. A database column attribute meaning the

column contains unique values (used only with indexed
columns).
NDC
National Destination Code.
NDUB
Network Determined User Busy.
NE
Network Element (Network Entity).
NEF
Network Element Function block.
NET
Norme Europennes de Telecommunications.
NETPlan
Frequency planning tool.
NF
Network Function.
NFS
Network File System.
NHA
Network Health Analyst. Optional OMC-R processor feature.
NIC
Network Interface Card.
NIC
Network Independent Clocking.
NIS
Network Information Service. It allows centralised control of

network information for example hostnames, IP addresses
and passwords.
NIU
Network Interface Unit.
NIU-m
Network Interface Unit, micro.
NLK
Network LinK processor(s).
Nm
Newton metres.
NM
Network Management (manager). NM is all activities which

control, monitor and record the use and the performance of
resources of a telecommunications network in order to
provide telecommunication services to customers/users at a
certain level of quality.
NMASE
Network Management Application Service Element.
NMC
Network Management Centre. The NMC node of the GSM

TMN provides global and centralised GSM PLMN monitoring
and control, by being at the top of the TMN hierarchy and
linked to subordinate OMC nodes.
NMSI
National Mobile Station Identification number.
NMT
Nordic Mobile Telephone system.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G25
VERSION 1 REV. 2
NN
No Nulls. A database column attribute meaning the column

must contain a value in all rows.
Normal burst
A period of modulated carrier less than a timeslot.
NPI
Number Plan Identifier.
NRZ
Non Return to Zero.
NSAP
Network Service Access Point.
NSP
Network Service Provider.
NSS
Network Status Summary.
NT
Network Termination.
NT
Non Transparent.
NTAAB
New Type Approval Advisory Board.
NUA
Network User Access.
NUI
Network User Identification.
NUP
National User Part (of signalling system No. 7).
NV
NonVolatile.
NVRAM
Non-Volatile Random Access Memory.
nW
Nano-Watt (109).
Optional.
OA
Outgoing Access (CUG SS).
O&M
Operations and Maintenance.
OASCU
Off-Air-Call-Set-Up. The procedure in which a

telecommunication connection is being established whilst the
RF link between the MS and the BTS is not occupied.
OCB
Outgoing Calls Barred within the CUG.
OCXO
Oversized Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator.
OD
Optional for operators to implement for their aim.
OFL
% OverFlow.
offline
IDS shutdown state.
online
IDS normal operatng state.
OIC
Operator Initiated Clear.
OLM
Off_Line MIB. A Motorola DataGen database, used to modify

and carry out Radio Frequency planning on multiple BSS
binary files.
OLR
Overall Loudness Rating.
OMAP
Operations and Maintenance Application Part (of signalling

system No. 7) (was OAMP).
OMC
Operations and Maintenance Centre. The OMC node of the

GSM TMN provides dynamic O&M monitoring and control of
the PLMN nodes operating in the geographical area
controlled by the specific OMC.
OMC-G
Operations and Maintenance Centre Gateway Part.

(Iridium)
G26
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
OMC-G
Operations and Maintenance Centre GPRS Part.
OMC-R
Operations and Maintenance Centre Radio Part.
OMC-S
Operations and Maintenance Centre Switch Part.
OMF
Operations and Maintenance Function (at BSC).
OML
Operations and Maintenance Link.
OMP
Operation and Maintenance Processor.
OMS
Operation and Maintenance System (BSCOMC).
OMSS
Operation and Maintenance SubSystem.
OOS
Out Of Service.
OPC
Originating Point Code. A part of the label in a signalling

message that uniquely identifies, in a signalling network, the
(signalling) origination point of the message.
ORAC
Olympus Radio Architecture Chipset.
OS
Operating System.
OSI
Open Systems Interconnection.
OSI RM
OSI Reference Model.
OSF
Operation Systems Function block.
OSF/MOTIF
Open Software Foundation Motif. The basis of the GUI used

for the Motorola OMC-R MMI.
OSS
Operator Services System.
Overlap
Overlap sending means that digits are sent from one system
to another as soon as they are received by the sending
system. A system using ~ will not wait until it has received all
digits of a call before it starts to send the digits to the next
system. This is the opposite of en bloc sending where all
digits for a given call are sent at one time.
PA
Power Amplifier.
PAB
Power Alarm Board.
PABX
Private Automatic Branch eXchange.
PAD
Packet Assembler/Disassembler facility.
Paging
The procedure by which a GSM PLMN fixed infrastructure

attempts to reach an MS within its location area, before any
other network-initiated procedure can take place.
PATH
CEPT 2 Mbit/s route through the BSS network.
PBUS
Processor Bus.
PBX
Private Branch eXchange.
PC
Personal Computer.
PCH
Paging CHannel. A GSM common control channel used to

send paging messages to the MSs.
PCHN
Paging Channel Network.
PCHN
Physical Channel.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G27
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G28
PCM
Pulse Code Modulation (see also 2 Mbit/s link which is the

physical bearer of PCM).
PCN
Personal Communications Network.
PCR
Preventative Cyclic Retransmission. A form of error

correction suitable for use on links with long transmission
delays, such as satellite links.
PCU
Packet Control Unit (p/o GPRS).
PCU
Picocell Control unit (p/o M-Cellaccess).
pd
Potential difference.
PD
Protocol Discriminator.
PD
Public Data.
PDB
Power Distribution Board.
PDF
Power Distribution Frame (MSC/LR).
PDN
Public Data Networks.
PDU
Power Distribution Unit.
PDU
Protected Data Unit.
PEDC
Pan European Digital Cellular.
Peg
A single incremental action modifying the value of a statistic.
Pegging
Modifying a statistical value.
PH
Packet Handler.
PH
PHysical (layer).
PHI
Packet Handler Interface.
PI
Presentation Indicator.
Picocell
A cell site where the base station antenna is mounted within a

building.
PICS
Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement.
PID
Process IDentifier/Process ID.
PIM
PCM Interface Module (MSC).
PIN
Personal Identification Number.
PIN
Problem Identification Number.
PIX
Parallel Interface Extender half size board. Customer alarm

interface (p/o BSS).
PIXT
Protocol Implementation eXtra information for Testing.
PK
Primary Key. A database column attribute, the primary key is

a not-null, non-duplicate index.
Plaintext
Unciphered data.
PlaNET
Frequency planning tool.
PLL
Phase Lock Loop (refers to phase locking the GCLK in the

BTS).
PLMN
Public Land Mobile Network. The mobile communications

network.
PM
Performance Management. An OMC application.
PM-UI
Performance Management User Interface.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
PMA
Prompt Maintenance Alarm. An alarm report level; immediate

action is necessary (see also DMA).
PMS
Pseudo MMS.
PMUX
PCM MUltipleXer.
PN
Permanent Nucleus (of GSM).
PNE
Prsentation des Normes Europennes.
POI
Point of Interconnection (with PSTN).
POTS
Plain Old Telephone Service (basic telephone services).
p/o
Part of.
pp, p-p
Peak-to-peak.
PP
Point-to-Point.
ppb
Parts per billion.
PPE
Primative Procedure Entity.
ppm
Parts per million (x 106).
Pref CUG
Preferential CUG.
Primary Cell
A cell which is already optimized in the network and has a

co-located neighbour whose cell boundary follows the
boundary of the said cell. The primary cell has a preferred
band equal to the frequency type of the coincident cell.
PROM
Programmable Read Only Memory.
Ps
Location probability.
PSA
Periodic Supervision of Accessability.
PSAP
Presentation Services Access Point.
PSM
Power Supply Module.
PSPDN
Packet Switched Public Data Network. Public data

communications network. x.25 links required for NE to OMC
communications will probably be carried by PSPDN.
PSTN
Public Switched Telephone Network. The UK land line

telephone network.
PSU
Power Supply Unit.
PSW
Pure Sine Wave.
PTO
Public Telecommunications Operator.
PUCT
Price per Unit Currency Table.
PVC
Permanent Virtual Circuit.
PW
Pass Word.
PWR
Power.
PXPDN
Private eXchange Public Data Network.
QA
Q (Interface) Adapter.
Q3
Interface between NMC and GSM network.
Q-adapter
Used to connect MEs and SEs to TMN (GSM Rec. 12.00).
QAF
Q-Adapter Function.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G29
VERSION 1 REV. 2
QEI
Quad European Interface. Interfaces four 2 Mbit/s circuits to

TDM switch highway (see MSI).
QIC
Quarter Inch Cartridge (Data storage format).
QOS
Quality Of Service.
Quiescent mode
IDS intermediate state before shutdown.
Value of reduction of the MS transmitted RF power relative to

the maximum allowed output power of the highest power
class of MS (A).
RA
RAndom mode request information field.
RAB
Random Access Burst.
RACCH
Random Access Control CHannel. A GSM common control

channel used to originate a call or respond to a page.
RACH
Random Access CHannel.
RAM
Random Access Memory.
RAND
RANDom number (used for authentication).
RATI
Receive Antenna Transceiver Interface.
RAx
Rate Adaptation.
RBDS
Remote BSS Diagnostic System (a discontinued Motorola

diagnostic facility).
RBER
Residual Bit Error Ratio.
RBTS
Remote Base Transceiver Station.
RCB
Radio Control Board (p/o DRCU).
RCI
Radio Channel Identifier.
RCP
Radio Control Processor.
RCU
Radio Channel Unit. Contains transceiver, digital control

circuits, and power supply (p/o BSS) (see DRCU).
RCVR
Receiver.
RDBMS
Relational DataBase Management System (INFORMIX).
RDI
Radio Digital Interface System.
RDIS
Restricted Digital Information.
RDM
Reference Distribution Module.
RDN
Relative Distinguished Name. A series of RDN form a unique

identifier, the distinguished name, for a particular network
element.
REC, Rec
RECommendation.
REJ
REJect(ion).
REL
RELease.
RELP
Residual Excited Linear Predictive.
RELP-LTP
RELP Long Term Prediction. A name for GSM full rate (see
full rate).
resync
Resynchronize/resynchronization.
REQ
REQuest.
G30
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
Revgen
A Motorola DataGen utility for producing an MMI script from a

binary object database.
RF
Radio Frequency.
RFC, RFCH
Radio Frequency Channel. A partition of the system RF

spectrum allocation with a defined bandwidth and centre
frequency.
RFE
Receiver Front End (shelf).
RFEB
Receiver Front End Board (p/o DRCU II).
RFI
Radio Frequency Interference.
RFM
Radio Frequency Module.
RFN
Reduced TDMA Frame Number.
RFU
Reserved for Future Use.
RJ45
Network cable/Connector type.
RISC
Reduced Instruction Set Computer.
RL
Remote login.
RLC
Release Complete.
RLP
Radio Link Protocol. An ARQ protocol used to transfer user

data between an MT and IWF. See GSM 04.22.
RLR
Receiver Loudness Rating.
RLSD
ReLeaSeD.
RMS
Root Mean Square (value).
RMSU
Remote Mobile Switching Unit.
RNTABLE
Table of 128 integers in the hopping sequence.
ROM
Read Only Memory.
ROSE
Remote Operations Service Element. An ASE which carries

a message between devices over an association established
by ASCE (a CCITT specification for O & M) (OMC).
Roundtrip
Time period between transmit and receive instant of a

timeslot in the BTS, propagation determined by the response
behaviour of the MS and the MS to BTS delay distance.
RPE
Regular Pulse Excited.
RPE-LTP
Regular Pulse Excitation - Long Term Prediction. The GSM

digital speech coding scheme.
RPOA
Recognised Private Operating Agency.
RPR
Read Privilege Required. Access to the column is allowed

only for privileged accounts.
RR
Radio Resource management.
RR
Receive Ready (frame).
RRSM
Radio Resource State Machine.
RS232
Standard serial interface.
RSE
Radio System Entity.
RSL
Radio Signalling Link.
RSLF
Radio System Link Function.
G31
VERSION 1 REV. 2
RSLP
Radio System Link Processor.
RSS
Radio SubSystem (replaced by BSS).
RSSI
Received Signal Strength Indicator.
RSZI
Regional Subscription Zone Identity.
RTC
Remotely Tuneable Channel Combiner.
RTE
Remote Terminal Emulator.
RTF
Radio Transceiver Function.
RTF
Receive Transmit Functions.
RTS
Request to Send. Method of flow control (RS232 Interface).
RU
Rack Unit.
Run level
System processor operating mode.
Rx
Receive(r).
RXCDR
Remote Transcoder.
RXF
Receive Function (of the RTF).
RXLEV-D
Received signal level downlink.
RXLEV-U
Received signal level uplink.
RXQUAL-D
Received signal quality downlink.
RXQUAL-U
Received signal quality uplink.
RXU
Remote Transcoder Unit. The shelf which houses the

remote transcoder modules in a BSSC cabinet at a remote
transcoder site.
S/W
SoftWare.
SABM
Set Asynchronous Balanced Mode. A message which

establishes the signalling link over the air interface.
SABME
SABM Extended.
SACCH
Slow Associated Control CHannel. A GSM control channel

used by the MS for reporting RSSI and signal quality
measurements.
SACCH/C4
Slow Associated Control CHannel/SDCCH/4.
SACCH/C8
Slow Associated Control CHannel/SDCCH/8.
SACCH/T
Slow Associated Control CHannel/Traffic channel.
SACCH/TF
Slow Associated Control CHannel/Traffic channel Full rate.
SACCH/TH
Slow Associated Control CHannel/Traffic channel Half rate.
SAGE
A brand of trunk test equipment.
SAP
Service Access Point. In the reference model for OSI, SAPs

of a layer are defined as gates through which services are
offered to an adjacent higher layer.
SAP
System Audits Process.
SAPI
Service Access Point Indicator (identifier).
SAW
Surface Acoustic Wave.
SB
Synchronization Burst (see Synchronization burst).
G32
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
SBUS
Serial Bus.
SC
Service Centre (used for Short Message Service).
SC
Service Code.
SCCA
System Change Control Administration. Software module

which allows full or partial software download to the NE
(OMC).
SCCP
Signalling Connection Control Part (6-8).
SCEG
Speech Coding Experts Group (of GSM).
SCH
Synchronization CHannel. A GSM broadcast control channel

used to carry information for frame synchronization of MSs
and identification of base stations.
SCI
Status Control Interface.
SCIP
Serial Communication Interface Processor.
SCM
Status Control Manager.
SCN
Sub-Channel Number. One of the parameters defining a

particular physical channel in a BS.
SCP
Service Control Point (an intelligent network entity).
SCSI
Small Computer Systems Interface.
SCU
Slim Channel Unit.
SCU900
Slim Channel Unit for GSM900.
SDCCH
Stand-alone Dedicated Control CHannel. A GSM control

channel where the majority of call setup occurs. Used for
MS to BTS communications before MS assigned to TCH.
SDL
Specification Description Language.
SDT
SDL Developement Tool.
SDU
Service Data Unit.
SDR
Special Drawing Rights (an international basket currency for

billing).
SE
Support Entity (GSM Rec. 12.00).
Secondary Cell
A cell which is not optimized in the network and has a

co-located neighbour whose cell boundary follows the
boundary of the said cell. The secondary cell has a preferred
band the same as that of its own frequency type.
SEF
Support Entity Function (GSM Rec.12.00).
SFH
Slow Frequency Hopping.
SI
Screening Indicator.
SI
Service Interworking.
SI
Supplementary Information.
SIA
Supplementary Information A.
SID
Silence Descriptor.
SIF
Signal Information Field. The bits of a message signal unit

that carry information for a certain user transaction; the SIF
always contains a label.
G33
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G34
SIM
Subscriber Identity Module. Removable module which is

inserted into a mobile equipment; it is considered as part of
the MS. It contains security related information (IMSI, Ki,
PIN), other subscriber related information and the algorithms
A3 and A8.
SIMM
Single Inline Memory module.
SIMM
System Integrated Memory Module.
SIO
Service Information Octet. Eight bits contained in a message

signal unit, comprising the service indicator and sub-service
field.
SITE
BSC, BTS or collocated BSC-BTS site.
SIX
Serial Interface eXtender. Converts interface levels to TTL

levels. Used to extend 2 serial ports from GPROC to external
devices (RS232, RS422, and fibre optics).
SK
Secondary Key. A database column attribute, the secondary

key indicates an additional index and/or usage as a
composite key.
SL
Signalling Link.
SLNK
Serial Link.
SLR
Send Loudness Rating.
SLTM
Signalling Link Test Message.
SM
Switch Manager.
SM
Summing Manager.
SMAE
System Management Application Entity (CCITT Q795, ISO

9596).
SMCB
Short Message Cell Broadcast.
SME
Short Message Entity.
SMG
Special Mobile Group.
SMP
Motorola Software Maintenance Program.
SMS
Short Message Service.
SMSCB
Short Message Service Cell Broadcast.
SMS-SC
Short Message Service - Service Centre.
SMS/PP
Short Message Service/Point-to-Point.
Smt
Short message terminal.
SN
Subscriber Number.
SND
SeND.
SNDR
SeNDeR.
SNR
Serial NumbeR.
SOA
Suppress Outgoing Access (CUG SS).
SP
Service Provider. The organisation through which the

subscriber obtains GSM telecommunications services. This
may be a network operator or possibly a separate body.
SP
Signalling Point.
SP
Special Product.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
SP
SPare.
SPC
Signalling Point Code.
SPC
Suppress Preferential CUG.
SPI
Signalling Point Inaccessible.
SPP
Single Path Preselector.
SQE
Signal Quality Error.
SQL
Structured Query Language.
SRD
Service Request Distributor.
SRES
Signed RESponse (authentication).
SS
Supplementary Service. A modification of, or a supplement

to, a basic telecommunication service.
SS
System Simulator.
SSA
SCCP messages, Subsystem-allowed (see CCITT Q.712

para 1.15).
SSAP
Site System Audits Processor.
SSC
Supplementary Service Control string.
SSF
Subservice Field. The level 3 field containing the network

indicator and two spare bits.
SSM
Signalling State Machine.
SSN
SubSystem Number.
SSP
Service Switching Point (an intelligent network element).
SSP
SCCP messages, Subsystem-prohibited (see CCITT Q.712

para 1.18).
SSP
SubSystem Prohibited message.
SSS
Switching SubSystem (comprising the MSC and the LRs).
SS7
ANSI Signalling System No. 7 (alias C7).
STAN
Statistical ANalysis (processor).
STAT
STATistics.
stats
Statistics.
STC
System Timing Controller.
STMR
Side Tone Masking rating.
SUERM
Signal Unit Error Rate Monitor.
STP
Signalling Transfer Point.
Superframe
51 traffic/associated control multiframes or 26

broadcast/common control multiframes (period 6.12s).
Super user
User account that can access all files, regardless of

protection settings, and control all user accounts.
SURF
Sectorized Universal Receiver Front-end (Used in

Horizonmacro).
SVC
Switch Virtual Circuit.
SVM
SerVice Manager.
SVN
Software Version Number.
G35
VERSION 1 REV. 2
SW
Software.
SWFM
SoftWare Fault Management.
sync
synchronize/synchronization.
Synchronization burst
Period of RF carrier less than one timeslot whose modulation

bit stream carries information for the MS to synchronize its
frame to that of the received signal.
SYS
SYStem.
SYSGEN
SYStem GENeration. The Motorola procedure for loading a

configuration database into a BTS.
Timer.
Transparent.
Type only.
T43
Type 43 Interconnect Board. Provides interface to 12

unbalanced (6-pair) 75 ohm (T43 coax connectors) lines for
2 Mbit/s circuits (See BIB).
TA
Terminal Adaptor. A physical entity in the MS providing

terminal adaptation functions (see GSM 04.02).
TA
Timing Advance.
TAC
Type Approval Code.
TACS
Total Access Communications System (European analogue

cellular system).
TAF
Terminal Adaptation Function.
TATI
Transmit Antenna Transceiver Interface. The TATI consists

of RF combining equipments, either Hybrid or Cavity
Combining. (See CCB).
TAXI
Transparent Asynchronous Transmitter/Receiver Interface

(physical layer).
TBD
To Be Determined.
TBR
Technical Basis for Regulation.
TBUS
TDM Bus.
TC
Transaction Capabilities.
TCAP
Transaction Capabilities Application Part (of Signalling

System No. 7).
TCB
TATI Control Board.
TCH
Traffic CHannel. GSM logical channels which carry either

encoded speech or user data.
TCH/F
A full rate TCH.
TCH/F2.4
A full rate TCH at 2.4 kbit/s.
TCH/F4.8
TCH/F9.6
TCH/FS
A full rate Speech TCH.
TCH/H
A half rate TCH.
TCH/H2.4
A half rate TCH at 2.4 kbit/s.
G36
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
TCH/H4.8
A half rate TCH at 4.8 kbit/s.
TCH/HS
A half rate Speech TCH).
TCI
Transceiver Control Interface.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
TC-TR
Technical Commitee Technical Report.
TCU
Transceiver Control Unit.
TDF
Twin Duplexed Filter. (Used in M-Cellhorizon).
TDM
Time Division Multiplexing.
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access.
TDU
TopCell Digital Unit.
TE
Terminal Equipment. Equipment that provides the functions

necessary for the operation of the access protocols by the
user.
Tei
Terminal endpoint identifier.
TEI
Terminal Equipment Identity.
TEMP
TEMPorary.
TEST
TEST control processor.
TFA
TransFer Allowed.
TFP
TransFer Prohibited.
TFTP
Trivial File Transfer Protocol.
TI
Transaction Identifier.
Timeslot
The multiplex subdivision in which voice and signalling bits

are sent over the air. Each RF carrier is divided into 8
timeslots.
Timing advance
A signal sent by the BTS to the MS. It enables the MS to

advance the timing of its transmission to the BTS so as to
compensate for propagation delay.
TLV
Type, Length and Value.
TM
Traffic Manager.
TMI
TDM Modem Interface board. Provides analogue interface

from IWF to modems for 16 circuits (p/o IWF).
TMM
Traffic Metering and Measuring.
TMN
Telecommunications Management Network. The

implementation of the Network Management functionality
required for the PLMN is in terms of physical entities which
together constitute the TMN.
TMSI
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity. A unique identity

temporarily allocated by the MSC to a visiting mobile
subscriber to process a call. May be changed between calls
and even during a call, to preserve subscriber confidentiality.
TN
Timeslot Number.
TON
Type Of Number.
Traffic channels
Channels which carry users speech or data (see also TCH).
Traffic unit
Equivalent to an erlang.
G37
VERSION 1 REV. 2
Training sequence
Sequence of modulating bits employed to facilitate timing

recovery and channel equalization in the receiver.
TRAU
Transcoder Rate Adaption Unit.
TRU
TopCell Radio unit.
TRX
Transceiver(s). A network component which can serve full

duplex communication on 8 full-rate traffic channels according
to specification GSM 05.02. If Slow Frequency Hopping
(SFH) is not used, then the TRX serves the communication
on one RF carrier.
TS
Technical Specification.
TS
TeleService.
TS
TimeSlot (see Timeslot).
TSA
TimeSlot Acquisition.
TSA
TimeSlot Assignment.
TSDA
Transceiver Speech & Data Interface.
TSC
Training Sequence Code.
TSI
TimeSlot Interchange.
TSDI
Transceiver Speech and Data Interface.
TSM
Transceiver Station Manager.
TSW
Timeslot SWitch.
TTCN
Tree and Tabular Combined Notation.
TTL
Transistor to Transistor Logic.
TTY
TeleTYpe (refers to any terminal).
TU
Traffic Unit.
TUP
Telephone User Part (SS7).
TV
Type and Value.
Tx
Transmit(ter).
TXF
Transmit Function (of the RTF).
TXPWR
Transmit PoWeR. Tx power level in the

MS_TXPWR_REQUEST and MS_TXPWR_CONF
parameters.
TxBPF
Transmit Bandpass Filter.
UA
Unnumbered Acknowledgment. A message sent from the

MS to the BSS to acknowledge release of radio resources
when a call is being cleared.
UDI
Unrestricted Digital Information.
UDP
User Datagram Protocol.
UDUB
User Determined User Busy.
UHF
Ultra High Frequency.
UI
Unnumbered Information (Frame).
UIC
Union International des Chemins de Fer.
G38
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
UID
User ID. Unique number used by the system to identify the

user.
UL
Upload (of software or database from an NE to a BSS).
Um
Air interface.
UMTS
Universal Mobile Telecommunication System.
UPCMI
Uniform PCM Interface (13 bit).
UPD
Up to Date.
Uplink
Physical link from the MS towards the BTS (MS transmits,

BTS receives).
UPS
Uninterruptable Power Supply.
UPU
User Part Unavailable.
Useful part of burst
That part of the burst used by the demodulator; differs from

the full burst because of the bit shift of the I and Q parts of
the GMSK signal.
USSD
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data.
UUS
User-to-User Signalling supplementary service.
Value only.
VA
Viterbi Algorithm (used in channel equalizers).
VAD
Voice Activity Detection. A process used to identify presence

or absence of speech data bits. VAD is used with DTX.
VAP
Videotex Access Point.
VBS
Voice Broadcast Service.
VC
Virtual Circuit.
VCO
Voltage Controlled Oscillator.
VCXO
Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator.
VDU
Visual Display Unit.
VGCS
Voice Group Call Service.
VLR
Visitor Location Register. A GSM network element which

provides a temporary register for subscriber information for a
visiting subscriber. Often a part of the MSC.
VLSI
Very Large Scale Integration (in ICs).
VMSC
Visited MSC. (Recommendation not to be used).
VOX
Voice Operated Transmission.
VPLMN
Visited PLMN.
VSC
Videotex Service Centre.
V(SD)
Send state variable.
VSP
Vehicular Speaker Phone.
VSWR
Voltage Standing Wave Ratio.
VTX host
The components dedecated to Videotex service.
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G39
VERSION 1 REV. 2
W
WAN
Wide Area Network.
WPA
Wrong Password Attempts (counter).
WS
Work Station. The remote device via which O&M personnel

execute input and output transactions for network
management purposes.
WSF
Work Station Function block.
WWW
World Wide Web.
X.25
CCITT specification and protocols for public packet-switched

networks (see PSPDN).
X.25 link
A communications link which conforms to X.25 specifications

and uses X.25 protocol (NE to OMC links).
XBL
Transcoder to BSS Link. The carrier communications link

between the Transcoder (XCDR) and the BSS.
XCB
Transceiver Control Board (p/o Transceiver).
XCDR
Full-rate Transcoder. Provides speech transcoding and 4:1

submultiplexing (p/o BSS, BSC or XCDR).
XCDR board
The circuit board required to perform speech transcoding at

the BSS or (R)XCDR). Also known as the MSI (XCDR)
board. Interchangeable with the GDP board.
XFER
Transfer.
XID
eXchange IDentifier.
X-Term
X terminal window.
ZC
Zone Code
G40
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
VERSION 1 REV. 2
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002
G41
VERSION 1 REV. 2
G42
MOTOROLA LTD.
19992002

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Cellular Infrastructure Group

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY

CP02: Introduction to GSM Cellular

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE UPDATED

Copyrights, notices and trademarks

and MOTOROLA are trademarks of Motorola Inc.

CP02: Introduction to GSM Cellular

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE UPDATED

First aid in case of electric shock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reporting safety issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Warnings and cautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Human exposure to radio frequency energy (PCS1900 only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beryllium health and safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CP02: Introduction to GSM Cellular

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE UPDATED

Devices sensitive to static . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Motorola GSM manual set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Principles of Cellular Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using Sectored Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Switching and Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Flexibility and Increased Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Use of Standardised Open Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Improved Security and Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Flexible Handover Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CP02: Introduction to GSM Cellular

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE UPDATED

Enhanced Range Of Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GSM Network Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GSM Network Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mobile Station (MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mobile Equipment (ME) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Base Station System (BSS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Base Station Controller (BSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Network Switching System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mobile Services Switching Centre (MSC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Home Location Register (HLR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Visitor Location Register (VLR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Equipment Identity Register (EIR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Authentication Centre (AUC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interworking Function (IWF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Echo Canceller (EC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operations and Maintenance System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Network Management Centre (NMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Network In Reality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GSM Terrestrial Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CP02: Introduction to GSM Cellular

FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY THIS MANUAL WILL NOT BE UPDATED

2 Mbit/s Trunk 30-channel PCM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ITU-TS Signalling System #7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A-bis (LAPD) Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Channels on the Air Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transmission of Analogue and Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transmission of Digital Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .