These definitions may be used to categorise them, or they can just be used to indicate more about

them.

One of the first definitions is to define the physical and logical channels that are carried over the
GSM system.

 Physical channels: The physical channels are determined by the fact that they have a
particular position within the time-slot. In this way, they are physical, adopting a particular position
within the signal. It can be further summarised by saying that several recurring time-slots on a
carrier constitute a physical channel.
 Logical channels: The logical channels are contained within the physical channels
The channels can also be defined by the purpose they perform. They can be grouped according to
their function

 Broadcast channels: The broadcast channels are channels which provide data to all mobiles
to enable them to provide tasks such as registering and the like.
 Control channels: Control channels are those which give commands that are needed for the
operation of the link, etc.
 Traffic channels: Traffic channels are those which carry the payload data.
Another way in which the channels are described is as common channels or dedicated channels.

 Common channels: These channels are accessible by all users, i.e. they are common to all
users.
 Dedicated channels: The dedicated channels are those that are dedicated to a particular user
and not accessible by others.
These are all aways in which channels can be described. There are overlaps between them as they
are descriptions that apply to different aspects of the channels.

Control channels
As the name indicates, the control channels are used in various ways to control the link.

There are three main types of control channel, namely broadcast control channels, common control
channels, and dedicated control channels.

These types of control channel will be addressed in turn.

1) Broadcast channels
These broadcast channels are intended to be seen by mobiles that are enteringt he network. They
provide an initial point of entry.

 Frequency Control CHannel - FCCH: The Frequency Correction Channel is a broadcast

The FCCH is sent in the first time slot, and the mobile can wait for seven time slots and then
expect the first slot of the second frame which is the synchronisation channel.
 Synchronisation CHannel - SCH: The Synchronisation Channel is a downlink broadcast
channel, i.e. sent by the base stations. The SCH provides information to the mobile phones
needed to search for base stations, identify them and synchronise with them.
The SCH has a unique burst structure, as does the BCCH, but it sends a training sequence that
is the same through all GSM networks and it allows the mobile to gain exact synchronisation.
Also included within the SCH is the BSIC and the current frame location in relation to the
hyperframe.

 Broadcast Control CHannel - BCCH : The Broadcast Control Channel is a logical broadcast
channel that is used by the basestation to send information about the identity of the network. This
information is used by a mobile station to get access to the network. Essentially it contains all the
parameters used by all mobiles in the cell to set up and receive calls. This can include the access
parameters and configurations required. One broadcast control channel segment occupies four
frames per multiframe.
2) Common control channels
Common Control Channels support common procedures required to establish a dedicated link with
the Global System for Mobile Communications network.

 Paging Channel - PCH: The paging channel is used to inform the mobile that it has an
incoming call.
PCHs can also be organised to allow for a sleep mode - this will save battery life. To achieve this
the mobile can be given a specific group of PCHs to monitor and it will awake just in time to
receive them and check if the mobile is being paged.

 Access Grant CHannel - AGCH: After the PCH has informed the mobile that it has an
incoming call, the mobile needs to be directed to a form of control channel called the Standalone
Dedicated Control CHannel, SDCCH.
 Random Access CHannel - RACH: This channel originates from the mobile. It is sued when a
mobile wants to make a call. To achieve this it needs to gain access to the base station to tell it
that it wants to originate a call.
3) Dedicated control channels
 Standalone Dedicated Control CHannel - SDCCH : The SDCCH is a two way logical channel
that consists of four time slots in every multiframe. Each mobile on the network is assigned to one
of these channels.
Although the make-up of the SDCCH results in slow data transmission speeds, it is nevertheless
sufficient for the information that needs to be sent.

The SDCCH is used for carrying most of the access messaging and it is associated with an
SACCH to relay signalling information

 Slow Associated Control Channel - SACCH: The SACCH is a signalling channel that
provides a relatively slow signalling connection. The SACCH is associated with either a traffic or
dedicated channel.
Although originally intended for engineering communications, the SACCH soon became the
bearer for SMS, Short Message Service transfers.

Traffic channels
Apart from the control, it is also very important to carry the payload data as well. Once the link has
been set up using the control channels, then the payload data including speech or other data can be
sent in both the uplink and downlink directions.

Even though the link has been set up, the control data will stil be required to ensure that any
changes in the link can be reflected in the way it operates. Handover, changes in signal strength and
the like all need to be accommodated.

GSM has two types of traffic channels TCH/FS and TCH/HS and these are used in both the uplink
and downlink. These channels use a 26 frame multi frame structure.

 Traffic CHannel / Full Speed - TCH/FS: The TCH/FS carries full rate digitised speech at
13kbps data rate. After the channel coding had been applied the overall rate increased to
22.8kbps.
There were also channels called TCH/F9.6, TCH/F4.8 and TCH/F2.4 that were used to carry data
at a speed of 9.6kbps,4.8kbps and 2.4kbps respectively. All these channels after channel coding
was applied is were transmitted at a data rate of 22.8kbps.

 Traffic CHannel/Half Speed - TCH/HS: This channel was defined to enable half rate speech
data to be carried. The advantage of this was to enable two GSM calls to be supported on the
same slot, and thereby increasing the capacity of the cell.

There are many types of data that are used within a GSM wireless communications system. The
channels enable an orderly transfer of data so that the receiving end of the link understands what
the data is and what it is to be used for.