GSM Protocol

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8 GSM PROTOCOL
Objective
Protocols are defined rules and procedures used in communication between entities.
In other words Rules and Procedures for peer (equal in h/w and S/w) communication are
called protocols. The most basic reason for the existence of a communication protocol is to
ensure that two communicating entities can send receive and interpret the information they
wish to exchange.

Functions Of Protocols
o Session establishment and termination between users.
o Orderly exchange of Data messages.
o Coding of the information.
o Routing and Sequencing
o Flow control and Congestion control.
o Error checking and recovery.
o Efficient network resource utilization
Communication is based on transfer of information Physical transfer of information is
transmission and not a communication. Communication process is involved between. Man To
Man, Machine To Machine and Network To Machine. Protocols Architecture is based on the
concept of Layering End system and transit system perform a hierarchy to facilitate
communication between application entities.

Example Of Some Functions

 Code conversion to facilitate understanding of the meaning.
 Routing of the messages through Network.
 Error control to counteract effect of disturbances.
 Transmission of Electrical Signals.
These functions are hierarchical in the sense that each function provides certain
services, which enable the next function to be carried out.

The General Criteria For Defining The Boundaries Of Layers

Each function must be distinctly identified.

A distinct function must be implemented precisely in one layer.

Sequentially of functions must be ensured.

Create boundaries where an acceptable implementation already exists.

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The implementation details of a function must be hidden so that effect of change in its
implementation does not affect other layers.

Specific layer function implementations are different in different Architecture.

Peer communication defines the external behavior of the End Systems. For two
devices to be able to communicate, the external behavior of the device needs to be
standardized. The Rules and Procedures of peer communication are specified by protocol.
Communication between layers is indirect as the only connecting path between is through the
lower layers.

An upper layer needs services of the next lowers for this communication. Therefore,
each entity communicates with adjacent layers entitles. It communicates with the upper layer
to provide services and with lower layer to receive services. To avail the services and to
provide the services, adjacent layers exchange interface control information (ICI) besides the
data transfer across the interface. ICI is of any significance between the adjacent layers only
and therefore, is not passed down further than the adjacent layers.

The physical layer is lowest layer of the protocol architecture and represents the
functions necessary to transfer bit stream on the physical medium, it includes functions such
as channel coding and decoding, modulation and demodulation, equalization, TDMA access
scheme, and radio transmission channel Characteristics. Control functions such as power
control link monitoring, and diversity are applied at this level to enhance the performance of
the system at level 1 physical channels are shared among many users and are allocated to
users on a temporary basis.

Layer 1 is the physical layer, is responsible for the physical transmission of zeros and
ones on the medium, and always contains specifications with respect to the size and shapes of
the pulses. Adapted rates we provided for the different functional channel that are lower than
ISDN bit rates. There are essentially two types of communication channel in GSM, namely,
traffic and signaling. The individual subscriber traffic data over the channel (air interface) is
at 16 Kbps. Between BTS and BSC both traffic and signaling may he carried at 65 Kbps
higher. One standard from is at the rate of 2 Mbps. Speech and data may be multiplexed to
form a 2-Mbpo PCM link The formation of a frame, consisting of 32 channels, is actually
done at the level 2 (LAPD) protocol.

The physical layer interfaces with layer 3, RR through MPH Primitives (management
physical). These primitive, exchanged with in the RR layer, are related to functions such as
the assignment of channel and measurement of channel level. This is a direct exchange of
information from layer 1 to layer 3 bypassing completely layer 2. During the Operation of a
dedicated physical channel, the physical layer measure the signal of neighboring BSs and the
signal quality of the Physical channel in use. These measurements are transferred to RR layer
3 through MPH primitive. The physical layer also interfaces with data link layer 2 through
PH-primitives (physical) for the transfer of layer 2 frames. These Primitives are also
responsible for the establishment of channel to the data link layer.

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The physical layer interfaces to other functional units in the MS and in the network
for supporting TCHs. Service Access Points (SAP) of a layer defined as gates through which
services are offered to the adjacent higher layers. In the system SAP is defined between the
physical layer and data link layers for BCCH, PCH+AGCH, RACH, SDCCH, SACCH, and
FACCH. Thus, a layer above requests services from the layer below by means of service
primitives, which is a logical exchange of information and control between layers.

Data Link Layer

The main purpose of a layer 2 protocols is to provide link connections to exchange
signaling between different entities, namely, MS, BTS, BSC, MSC, VLR, HLR, and CCIT
no.7 Network. In GSM, three types of layer 2 protocol are used LAPDM (link access protocol
for signaling channel) on the air interface, LAPD on A-bis interface, and the MTP-2
(message transfer part-CCITT recommended). The protocols LAPDM, between mobile user
and BTS, and LAPD, user in the BSS are similar to the ISDN protocol. However, the LAPD M
takes advantage of synchronized transaction to avoid use of flag and there by increases the
speed of operation and protection against errors. The MTP protocol uses standards ISDN
functions. On the terrestrial link, connecting the BSS to the MSC on the A interface, level 2
of the SS7 is used to provide 0 OSI layer 2 functions. Layer 2 achieves the reliable transport
of signaling data due to error detection and error recovery.
The Detailed Functions of the Layer 2 LAPDM Protocol.
Establishment and release of signalling layer 2 connections.

Multiplexing and de multiplexing of several signalling layer 2 connection on a

dedicated control channel and discrimination between them by including different Service
Access Point Identifiers (SAPI).

Mapping of signalling layer 2 service data units on protocol data unit (in case of
acknowledged operation service data units may be segmented and reassembled at
destination).

Detection and recovery of errors due to loss, duplication, and disorder.

Flow control.

The establishment and release of layer 2 connection coincides with the allocation
release, and change of dedication radio channels. Signaling layer 2 connections are frequently
established and released, and thus an average lifetime of a connection is short. Multiplexing
and demultiplexing deals with arranging different user (eight channels per frame) in a frame
format.

LAPDm uses on the two modes of operation for the transmission of layer 3 message;
unacknowledged operation of multiple frame operation.

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On the DCCH both unacknowledged and acknowledged operations are used, whereas
on the CCCHs only unacknowledged operation is applied. Thus, both modes are applicable
for transmission over on of the DCCHs (SDCCH, SACCH and FACCH) in contrast top
information transfer over CCCHs (BCCH, PCH and AGCH) where only unacknowledged
operation is possible.

For an unacknowledged information transfer, the use of layer 3 service implies that
the information transfer is not acknowledged by the data link layer, and thus error check
facilities are not provided. The transmission and reception of messages here use data link
service primitives, that is, DL-DATA-REQUEST and DL-DATA-INDICATION.

The main distinction between LAPD and LAPDm is the absence of address and
control fields. Thus, the protocol is only used for the unacknowledged mode of operation,
which applies to BCCHs and CCCHs only. Both FCCH and SCH under BCCH do not require
unacknowledged. Similarity, no acknowledgement is needed for PCH and AGCH. The LAPD
frame is used internal to BSS, namely, between BTS and BSC.

MTP3, SCCP, and TCAP Protocols.

CCIIT No.7 signaling links MTP and SCCP functions and part of the Transaction
Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) functions connects all network components. The link
layer function is provided through AM, and connection multiplexing is achieved using SCCP
in connection-oriented mode.

The MTP of SS7 is used on the BS-to MSC interface to provide a reliable data link
service. The MTP is the basic layer information The MTP is the basic layer information
exchange consisting of three sub layers (levels): MTP levels 1 and 2 (MU 1, MIP 2) provide
the means for protected message exchange between adjacent nodes of a signaling network;
whereas level 3 (MTP 3), which is of interest here, is built by functions for message routing
as well as of operation and maintenance of the network.

The SCCP provides addressing and routing information for transfer of data between
software adulation operating within capabilities of signaling network. SCCP is added to layer
3 of M'I'P to keep CCITT NO. 7 in line with OSI Model. The SCCP enhances MTP to
provide services according to layer 3 services of ISO OST Model. It allows addressing
messages on virtual or connection less services between arbitrary nodes of the signaling
network This signaling network can span several PLMNS. The SCCP messages can be either
be connection oriented or connectionless. This is contrary to MTP, which only use the
connections service.

Signaling in a GSM network could mean that operators in different and widely
separated countries may use the CCS signaling. This means that packets of signaling
frames(s) would be traveling between countries and may be passing through a large number
of switches. This demands a very comprehensive and reliable system for routing of signals.
These functions for routing and reliability are placed in the SCCP layer. As discussed, the

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SCCP supports the connection- oriented and connectionless methods of signal
communication.

In the connection -oriented method, the originating point first sends a pilot packet
before sending true data. This initial packet travels across the network and arrives at its
destinations. Which finding its way through the network, this pilot leaves behind a trace of
the path it has taken from start to end. When a path is traced success fully through the
network, the rest of the packets follow the same path; hence, the name virtual circuit is
sometimes used.

In the connectionless method each packet is furnished with the address and has to find
its own way to the destination. As one would expect, they do not follow the same path and
do not always arrive in the same order as transmitted. But as they are all provided with a
serial number, they can easily be stored back into the original order at the destination paint.
The other name designation for the service is Data gram. There are some special functions in
the SCCP to ensure that an entire frame has arrived intact. In the event of an error, repeat
transmission takes place. This signaling network is used not only for data transmission in
connection with speech connection but also for the transfer of short message.

The TCAP provides a set of query/response procedure that is used to obtain a service
that is requested. Dialogues are structured by the TCAP, a particular application service
element to support various transactional applications in SS7. The purpose of TCAP is to
provide a common and general system for the transfer of information between two nodes. It
supports a wide variety of applications and is useful over exchange in a telecommunication
network.

TCAP is structured into two sub layers, namely, component and transaction sub
layers. The component layer supports the exchange of Protocol data units (PDUs or TCAP
components), invoking remote operations and reporting their results. The transaction sub-
layer support related PDU exchange. These transactions can terminate prearranged, that is,
using timers, where no identification is given to the user.

Transaction Capability (TC) offers some general standardized protocol functions and
thus reduces the need for developing new protocols every time new features are introduced.

Application Layer
Layer 3 of the GSM protocol is composed of three sub layers; RR, MM, and CM. The
RR, together with the data link layer and the physical layer, provide the means for point-to-
point radio connections on which MM and CM message are carried. It should be noted that
RR protocol applies to air (Um) interface, while MM and CC interfaces apply between MS
and MSC.

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RR Layer
Functions and protocols of the RR layer are related to a common concept that is best
explained using an object-oriented approach. The management of RR connections deals with
means of establishing, maintaining, modifying and releasing the basic means of
communications on the radio interface and through the radio subsystem. The RR layer can be
regarded as consisting of three main protocols.

BSC protocol, allowing the BSC to control MS actions such as channel allocation,
channels release, and handover.

The BTS-BSC protocol, allowing the BSC to control to control the BTS:

The BSC-MSC protocol, allowing the MSC and the BSC to exchange the necessary
data for setting up, controlling and releasing the A-interface connections.

In Particular, the RR sub-layer provides procedures for the following phases:

Procedures For System Information Broadcasting
During this phase MS is not allocated any dedicated channel. It simply monitors
CCCH and BCCH. In idle mode, the MS listens to the BCCH and to the Paging sub-channel
for the paging subgroup where he belongs to. Since mobile belongs to different groups, they
only monitor the paging during the designated period. This is a power –saving approach for
mobile. MS also measures the radio propagation on BCCH for connection with other cells.
Procedures During Connection Establishment
The group of procedures consists of the immediate assignment procedure is to
establish an RR connection between the MS and the network. The immediate assignment
procedure can be initiated by a request from the MM sub-layer to establish an RR connection
or by the RR entity in response to a paging request from the network. The channel request
message on RACH consists of eight bits, among those eight bits, five and randomly allocated
by the MS and serve as discrimination between potentially colliding random accesses. The
three remaining bits define the kind of channel required. The network in turn allocates a
dedicated channel to the MS by sending an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message or an
IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT EXTENDED message. The IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT
message contains channel assignment information for two MSs at the same time. If the
channel is not available for the assignment at the time MS requests it, the network may send
to MS an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT REJECT message. The message will contain the
request reference from the MS (random number, which the mobile included in its original
channel request message over RACH). An immediate assignment procedure is terminated on
the network side when the main signaling link is established.

The network can initiate the establishment of an RR connection by a paging

procedure. Network initiation is achieved by broadcasting a paging request message on the
appropriate paging sub-channel. After the mobile receives the page, the initiates the channel

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request as described. The network to assign a suitable channel to MS can use the information
received on the Channel Request message.
Procedures During Connected Phases
Procedure in this phase are (1) MS level measurement report; (2) handover procedure,
that is, intra-and inter-cell handover; (3) frequency redefinition; (4) transmission mode
change; (5) ciphering mode setting; (6) additional channel assignment; and (7) partial channel
release.

When in RR-connected mode MS sends the level Measurement Report messages to

the network over SACCH in unacknowledged mode. These measurements include
measurement results about reception characteristics from the current cell and from the
neighboring cells. If neighboring cell information is not available, the MS indicates this in the
measurement report message to the system. MS measurement is regularly transmitted to the
BTS. These measurement are grouped with the measurement performed directly by the BTS
and are sent to the BSC through the A-bis interface.

The A interface specification allows handover to be performed regardless of the

relative position of the current and target cells in the equipment hierarchy. A handover
between two BTSs managed by the same BSC may be autonomously handled by the BSC.
The network initiates the handover procedure by sending a Handover Command message to
the MS on the main SDCCH. For handover between cells belonging to two different BSCs
(and even two different MSC(S), the A interface provides all the procedure needed for the
BSCs and MSCs to co-operate for the execution of the handover. After lower layer
connections are successfully established, the MS returns a Handover Complete message on
the SDCCH.

The network initiates the ciphering mode setting procedure by sending a Cipher Mode
Command message to the MS on the SDCCH, indicating whether ciphering will be used or
not and, if yes, which algorithm will be used. After taking the action on the Ciphering Mode
Command message, the MS send back a Ciphering Mode Complete (BSSMAP message
between BSC and MSC) message to the network. The complete ciphering process makes use
of RIL 3-RR and BSSMAP messages.
Procedure During Connection Release Phase
The purpose of this procedure is to deactivate the dedicated channel in use. The
procedure is applied for the release of TCH as well as for SDCCH signaling channel. When
the TCH is released, MS returns to CCCH and starts monitoring the PCH at that time the MS
is idle again. The process makes use of RR, BSSMAP, and DTAP messages.

MM Layer
The mobility management layer is mainly concerned with three families of functions:
location, registration, and security. Another function of the MM-sub-layer is to provide
connection management services to the upper CM layer. Based on how the procedure is
activated, one can categorize the MM layer into three groups.

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MM common procedure;

MM specific procedure.

CC Layer
The call control sub-layer includes several protocol entities, for example, CC itself,
SS, and SMS. The CC entity includes the control functions defined for the ISDN network
signaling. All messages and procedures required for call establishment call clearing, call
information, and some miscellaneous procedures are covered in this entity. In particular, it
covers the following procedures.

 Mobile-originating call establishment;

 Mobile terminating call establishment;

 Signaling procedure during active state, which includes user notification, call
re-arrangement DTMF protocol procedure, and in call modification;

 Call clearing initiated by the network;

 Call clearing initiated by the network;

 Call clearing initiated by the mobile;

 Miscellaneous procedures, including in band tones and announcement and

status enquiry procedures.

Mobile-origination call establishment can only be initiated after the establishment of a

peer to peer connection between the originating mobile and the network, since call
establishment initiation is done by the CC layer by requesting a sub -layer to establish a
mobile-originating MM connection and entry "MM Connection Pending State”. There are
two kinds of a mobile originating call: basic call and emergency call. The request to establish
an MM connection will contain a parameter to specify whether the call is a basic or an
emergency call. The procedure essentially consists of call set-up message from the mobile,
call proceeding, alert, and call connect /cal reject message from the network after receiving
the connect acknowledgement from the mobile, a TCH can be assigned. As to when the TCH
is assigned is a decision dependent upon the network.

Similar to the mobile-originating, case, the mobile-terminating call establishment can

only be initiated after the establishment of the MM connection by the network The procedure
starts when the mobile call setup message from the network is followed by a call confirm or a
release confirm message from the mobile, based on the result of its compatibility checking.
Upon receipt of the call confirm the network followed by channel assignment initiates
message by the network channel assignment, a command, a command is initiated by
complete message by the mobile. Conversation starts after the mobile answers the phone. It is

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once again a network-dependent decision when to initiate the assignment of a TCH during the
mobile-terminating call establishment phase.

The GSM system allows signaling during the active state of a call. The user
notification procedure allows the network to notify a MS of any appropriate call-related event
during the active state of a call (for example, RIL3. Call Proceeding). The MS can also notify
the remote user of any appropriate call-related event during the active state of the call by
sending a notify message containing a notification indicator to the network. Upon receipt of
the message, the network will forward the notify-message with the same indicator to the
destination party. A change of user terminal equipment at die mobile, or for. Non PLMN user
can be initiated, by call rearrangement procedure. A notify message is sent either by the
network to mobile or by mobile to network to inform the destination party. The use of DTNF
is only allowed when the speech teleservice is being used or during the speech phase of
alternate speech / data and alternate speech/facsimile teleservices and will be disallowed in
all other phases. DTMF message are only supported in the direction from mobile to the
network. When the mobile depresses a single key in its DTMF keypad, MS sends a “start
DTMF” message containing the value of the digit pressed

by the user. Upon receipts of the "start DTMF message the network sends a “start
DTMF” message. Each pressing and releasing of the DTMF key constitutes a single DTMF
transmission is possible by successively pressing DTMF keys. In call modification this is
used to alternate between speech and data or group 3 fax, and speech followed by data. The
type of change between the modes must be identified by means of the repeat indicator for
example, mode 1 “alternate” Mode 2 or Mode 1 "and then “ Mode 2. In some cases the
system may only change the configuration parameter while keeping the original channel,
while in other case a new channel may be assigned.

Call clearing can either be initiated by the network or by the mobile. The network
initiates call clearing by sending a DISCONNECT message to mobile. Upon receipt of the
disconnect message, mobile sends a RELEASE message to the network send a RELEASE
COMPLETE message, release the MM connection, and returns back to the null state. Call
clearing by mobile is initiated when one sends a DISCONNECT message to the network
followed by a RELEASE message from the network upon receipt of the RELEASE message
from the network, mobile will initiate a RELEASE COMPLETE message and also release the
MM connection and return back to the null state. When tones and announcements are
provided together with a call state change, the appropriate message, such as ALERTING and
DISCONNECT, are sent to the mobile. When a call control entity wishes to cheek the
correctness of a call state at a peer entity, a STATUS ENQUIRY may be sent requesting the
call state. Upon receipts of the, STATUS ENQUIRY message, the receiver will respond with
a STATUS message.

BSS Application Part

The MU and the SCCP are used to support signaling messages between MSC and
BSS. One user function of the SCCP is the BSSAP, which use one signaling connection per

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active MS, which has one or multiple transaction for the transfer of layer 3 messages. BSSAP
is divided into two functions Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) and BSSMAP.

DTAP protocol is used by BSS to transfer layer 3 messages between MS and MSC
without interpreting the message at BSS. In this sense, BSS is transparent to the DTAP
process, for example, no signal analysis is done at BSS.

BSSMAP is the process within BSS (A-bis interface) that controls RR in response to
instructions from MSC; BSSMAP is used in the assignment and switching of RR at both call
setup and handover. Both connectionless and connection – oriented procedures are used to
support the BSSMAP.

Both DTAP and BSSMAP message contain a discrimination parameter, a length field,
and the actual layer 3 messages. A DTAP message also contains a data Link Connection
Identification (DLIC). The discrimination parameter is 1-octot long and is act to a transparent
value of "1" for the nontransparent case; the value is set to "O". The length indicator is coded
in one octet and represents the number of octets of the layer three messages. The DLCI
parameter represents the type of connection such as originating data link over the radio
interface.

MAP Protocol
The MAP protocol is seen as a remote data base access performed by the exchange of
messages that am grouped into simple dialogues, mostly in the form of query and response in
the OSI model MAP resides above the TCAP protocol. MAP only uses the connectionless
class of SCCP protocol. The protocol is designed to interact with MSC, VLR / HLR, AUC,
and GMSC so that they can communicate with each other.

MAP initiates different operations and accepts the return of results or the return of
application specific errors. MAP contains a number of functional blocks known an
Application System Element (ASE), which are used for communication between two peer-to-
peer nodes. All messages contain either mandatory or optional application parameters. The
functions can be grouped, into two categories, namely, mobility management and basic
service support.

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Associated
VLR

Anchor HLR PSTN /

MS BTS BSC MSC MS AuC Gateway ISDN
MSC
Air (Um) A B C /D
Interface A-bis Interface Interface Interface SMS
Interface

Call Control
Management
A (CCM) RIL 3 - CC
P MAP / D MAP / C
P Mobility
L L Mgmt. (MM) RIL 3 – MM DTAP
I a
C y Radio
Resource RIL 3 - RR RSM BSSMAP
A e
T Mgmt (RR)
r
I
O Component Sub-layer
Distribution _____ TCAP _____
ON Protocol
S Transaction Sub-layer
I
L
A
L Presentation Layer
Y
E` Session Layer
R
Transport Layer

Network Layer SCCP SCCP SCCP SCCP

MTP 3 MTP 3 MTP 3 MTP 3 MTP 3

Data Link Layer LAP-Dm LAPD MTP 2 MTP 2 MTP 2 MTP 2 MTP 2

Physical Layer Radio Radio MTP 1 MTP 1 MTP 1 MTP 1 MTP 1

 TUP = Telephone User Part

 ISUP = ISDN user Part
 RSM = Radio Subsystem Mgmt.
 LAP-Dm = Link Access Protocol for Dm Channel  DTAP = Direct Transfer Application Part
 LAP-D = Link Access Protocol for D Channel  BSSMAP = BSS Mgmt. Application part
 MTP = Link Access Protocol for Dm  RIL 3 = Radio Interface Layer 3
 SCCP = Signaling Connection Control Part
 TCAP = Transaction Capabilities Application part
 MAP = Mobile Application Part

Fig : 1

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