MOBILE

COMMUNICATION

ECED,SVNIT , Surat.
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 The GSM system is most widely used telecommunication system

 GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital
mobile telephony system that is widely used in Europe and other
parts of the world.
 In 1982, the European Conference of Postal and
Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) created the Groupe
Spécial Mobile (GSM) to develop a standard for a mobile
telephone system that could be used across Europe.
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 The first GSM network was launched in 1991 by Radiolinja in

Finland with joint technical infrastructure maintenance from
Ericsson.
 It was changed to Global System for Mobile Communication
(GSM).
 GSM standards were developed for mobile telephony in digital
form using cellular structure.
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Evolution in wireless System :

First Generation (1G)

 There was analog mobile phone and limited coverage area.

 this system offered Limited mobility and voice

communication within a group only. No data communication.

 Analog cellular phone with wide area coverage.

 This system offered complete mobility and connectivity to

PSTN and other networks without data communication.
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Evolution in wireless System :

Second Generation (2G)

 It was digital cellular phone system.

 This system offered complete mobility within the service

area and connectivity to PSTN and other networks.
 This system offered data communication facility also.

 The limitation was low spectral efficiency and low data rates.
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Evolution in wireless System :

Third Generation (3G)

 This system offered complete mobility within the service

area and connectivity to PSTN and Internet.

 This system offered very high data rate communication

facility.
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 The GSM system designed as a second generation (2G) cellular

telecommunication system.

 It is fully digitized technology for better speech quality.

 The GSM achieved this by using a TDMA along with FDMA.

 More users can be accommodate within the available bandwidth.

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GSM – 900 System specification :

 The frequency range is 890 MHz – 915 MHz (Uplink) and 935
MHz – 960 MHz (Downlink).
 It uses FDMA / TDMA multiple access technology.
 The GSM system has an allocation of 50 MHz bandwidth in the 900
MHz frequency band.
 This band is divided into 124 channels each with a carrier bandwidth of
200 KHz. Using TDMA, each of these channels is further divided into 8
time slots.
 The transmit/receive frequency spacing is 45 MHz.
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GSM System Architecture

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GSM System Architecture :

 The architecture of the GSM system can broadly be grouped into
three main areas :

1. The Mobile Station

2. The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)

3. The Network Subsystem (NSS)

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GSM System Architecture :

The Mobile Station (MS) :

 The MS consists of two units – Mobile handset with battery and
subscriber identity module (SIM).
 Each mobile handset has a unique identity number known as the
International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).
 It is installed in the phone at time of manufacturing.
 It is accessed by network during registration whether the
equipment has been reported stolen or not.
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GSM System Architecture :

The Mobile Station (MS) :

 The SIM contains the information that provides the identity of the
user to the network.
 It includes a number known as International Mobile Subscriber
Identity (IMSI) .
 The SIM is a removable module fits in the mobile handset.
 Each SIM has unique IMSI.
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GSM System Architecture :

The Mobile Station (MS) :

 Function of MS is transmission of signal from MS to BTS (using uplink)
and reception of signal from BTS to MS (using down link).
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GSM System Architecture :

Base Station Subsystem (BSS) :

 It consists two elements :

1. The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

2. The Base Station Controller (BSC)

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GSM System Architecture :

Base Transceiver Station (BTS) :

 It comprises all radio equipments (e.g.: antenna, signal processing &
amplifier required for transmission).
 It is placed in the center of a cell.
 Its transmitting power defines the size of a cell.
 It is connected to MS via Um interface and connected to BSC via Abis
Interface.
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GSM System Architecture :

Base Station Controller (BSC) :

 The BSC controls several BTSs.
 It manages channel allocation and handover calls from one BTS to
another BTS.
 The BSC is connected to MSC via the A interface.
 It provides path from MS to MSC.
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GSM System Architecture :

Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) :

 The main role is to manage the communication between the
mobile users and other users , such as other mobile users , ISDN
users , fixed telephone users etc.
 It also includes data base needed in order to store information
about the subscribers and to manage their mobility.
 It includes the elements such as , MSC , HLR , VLR , AUC,EIR
etc.
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GSM System Architecture :

Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) :

 It is heart of entire network .
 It manages all call related functions and billing information.
 It is connected to HLR and VLR for subscriber identification and
routing incoming calls.
 The MSC is connected to BSC at one end and to the fixed line
network at other end.
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GSM System Architecture :

Home Location Register (HLR) :

 The HLR is a centralized network data base that stores and manages all
mobile services belonging to a specific operator.
 It acts as a permanent database for a person’s subscription information
until that subscription is cancelled.
 When a user switches on the phone , the phone registers with the
network.
 When phone is not active , it re-registers periodically to ensure that
network is aware of its current location.
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GSM System Architecture :

Visitor Location Register (VLR) :

 An active subscriber is registered in VLR.
 It has a temporary database of all active subscriber for their call routing.
 The MSC asks VLR before routing incoming call.
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GSM System Architecture :

OSS (Operation and Support Subsystem)
 It contains necessary function for network operation and maintenance.
 Key Elements are
 OMC (Operation and maintenance centre)
 EIR (Equipment Identity Register)
 AUC (Authentication Centre)
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GSM System Architecture :

OMC (Operation and maintenance centre)
 It is connected to different components of NSS.
 It monitors the health of all the network elements & carries out any
maintenance operation.
 The OMC keeps records of all the faults occurred.
EIR (Equipment Identity Register)
 A database that contains a list of all valid mobile equipment within the
network where each MS is identified by IMEI (International Mobile
Equipment Identity).
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GSM System Architecture :

 The MSC asks the mobile to send its IMEI and then checks it data
available in EIR.

AUC (Authentication Centre)

 It is defined to protect user identity & transmission.
 It is a protected database and stores a copy of secret information stored in
SIM card .These data help to verify user’s identity.
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GSM System Architecture

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GSM System Architecture with Interfaces

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GSM Interfaces :
 Air Interface :

The interface between MS and BTS is called air interface. The

transmission rate on air interface is 13 kbps.
 Abis Interface :

The BTS is connected to BSC via Abis interface. The transmission rate on
Abis is 2Mbps.
 A interface :

the BSC is connected to MSC via the A interface. The transmission rate
on A interface is 2 Mbps.
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GSM Interfaces :
 Air Interface :

The interface between MS and BTS is called air interface. The

transmission rate on air interface is 13 kbps.
 Abis Interface :

The BTS is connected to BSC via Abis interface. The transmission rate on
Abis is 2Mbps.
 A interface :

the BSC is connected to MSC via the A interface. The transmission rate
on A interface is 2 Mbps.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

 GSM utilizes two bands of 25 MHz which have been set aside for
system use in all member countries.
 Two frequency bands 45 MHz apart have been reserved for GSM.
890 MHz – 915 MHz for Uplink
935 MHz – 960 MHz for Downlink
Each of these bands of 25 MHz is subdivided into 125 channels
(with no guard band) of 200 KHz.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

 This 200 KHz band is called ARFCNs( Absolute Radio Frequency
Channel Number).
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

 Each TDMA frames lasts 156.25 channel bits. Out of this 8.25 bits of guard time.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

 Each of the 200 KHz channel carries 8 TDMA frames / channel.
 Each of these 8 subscribers occupies a unique TS per frame.
 Each TS has a time duration of 576.92 μs . A single TDMA frame
spans 4.615 ms.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

 The total number of available channels within a 25 MHz
bandwidth is 125 ( No guard band).
 Total no. of Uplink / Downlink channel = 25 MHz / 200 KHz =
125 (If guard band used then 124 channels + 1 guard channel)
 Since each radio channel consists of 8 time slots , there are total of
1000 traffic channels within GSM.
 GSM uses GMSK modulation having channel data rate of 270.833
kbps.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

 The effective channel transmission rate / user = 33.854 Kbps
(270.833/8)
 The practical transmission rate is of 24.7 Kbps due to GSM
overheads.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

Example :

Consider GSM which is a TDMA/FDD system that uses 25 MHz for

the forward link , which is broken into radio channels of 200 KHz. If
8 speech slots are supported on a single radio channel and if no guard
band is assumed, find the simultaneous users that can be
accommodate in GSM.
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GSM Radio Subsystem :

Example :

If GSM uses a frame structure where each frame consists of 8 time slots
contains 156.25 bits and data is transmitted at a rate of 270.833 kbps in
each channel. Find

[1] the time duration of a bit

[2] the time duration of a slot

[3] the duration of a frame

[4] how long a user occupying a single time slot must wait between two
simultaneous transmission.
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GSM Frame Structure
o Out of 156.25 bits , 116 are information bearing bits transmitted as two 58
bit sequences.
o The midamble consists of a 26 bit training sequence which allows the
adaptive equalizer in the mobile or Base Station receiver to analyze the
channel characteristics before decoding data.
o On either side of the midamble , there are control bits called stealing flags.
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GSM Frame Structure
o The 8.25 bits of guard time and total 6 start and stop bits also called Tail
bits.
o These tail bits are provided to prevent overlap with adjacent time
slots.
o A frame contains 8 * 156.25 = 1250 bits
o The frame rate is 270.833 kbps / 1250 bits / frame or 216.66
frames / second.
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 The GSM frame structure is designated as hyperframe, superframe,
multiframe and frame.
 The minimum unit being frame (or TDMA frame) is made of 8 time slots.
 One GSM hyperframe composed of 2048 superframes. Each GSM
superframe composed of multiframes (either 26 or 51 as described).
 Each GSM multiframe composed of frames (either 51 or 26 based on
multiframe type).
 Each frame composed of 8 time slots. Hence there will be total of
2715648 TDMA frames available in GSM .
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 Example :

If a normal GSM time slot consists of 6 tail bits , 8.25 guard bits , 26
training bits and 2 traffic bursts of 58 bits of data. Find the frame
efficiency.
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GSM Traffic Channel types

 Full – Rate TCH
 Full-Rate Speech Channel (TCH/FS)
 Full-Rate Data Channel for 9.6 kbps (TCH/F9.6)
 Full-Rate Data Channel for 4.8 kbps (TCH/F4.8)
 Full-Rate Data Channel for 2.4 kbps (TCH/F2.4)
 Half – Rate TCH
 Half-Rate Speech Channel (TCH/HS)
 Half-Rate Data Channel for 4.8 kbps (TCH/H4.8)
 Half-Rate Data Channel for 2.4 kbps (TCH/H2.4)
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 It is used for the transmission of the user payload (data , speech).
They do not carry any control information.
 For Half Rate TCH , 11.4 kbps and 22.8 kbps for Full Rate
communication.
 Frames of TCH are broken up every 13th frame by either Slow
Associated Control Channel (SACCH) or idle frame. For Half Rate,
26th frame contains idle bits , and for full rate it happens to be
SACCH.
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Full - Rate Speech Channel (TCH/FS)

 Carries user speech digitized at a new data rate of 13 kbps.
 With GSM channel coding added to digitized speech , full rate
speech channel carries 22.8 kbps.

Half - Rate Speech Channel (TCH/HS)

 Carry digitized speech sampled at a rate half (6.5 kbps) that of
the full-rate channel.
 With GSM channel coding added to digitized speech , half
rate speech channel carries 11.4 kbps.
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GSM Control Channel :

Broadcast Channel :
 It is a unidirectional point to multipoint channel.
 It exists between BS and MS.
 On the channel the following information is send
 Radio Channel Configuration (During Handoff)
 Synchronization (Frequency & frame no.)
Registration Identifiers
 Only uses forward link
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GSM Control Channel :

Broadcast Channel :

 This is the channel where the BS sends information in a broadcast

mode to all the users within the cell.

 There are three types of BCH are available :

[1] Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)

[2] Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)

[3] Synchronization Channel (SCH)

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GSM Control Channel :

[1] Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)

 It is used to send information such as cell and network identity and
operating characteristics of the cell.
 It broadcast list of unavailable channels within the cell.
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GSM Control Channel :

[2] Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)

 It is a special data burst which occupies TS0 of GSM frame.
 It is repeated every 10 frames.
 Each subscriber unit gets synchronized its internal frequency (local
Oscillator) to the exact frequency of the BS.
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GSM Control Channel :

[3] Synchronization Channel (SCH)

 It broadcasts information to identify a BS.
 It also transmits information for frame synchronization of the MS.
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GSM Control Channel :

Common Control Channel (CCCH)

 On the broadcast (BCH) ARFCN , common control channels occupy
TS0 of every GSM frame.
 Used to page specific subscribers , assign signaling channels to specific
users and receive mobile requests for service.
 It consists of three different channels

[1] Paging channel (PCH)

[2] Random access channel (RACH)

[3] Access grant channel (AGCH)

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GSM Control Channel :

[1] Paging Channel (PCH)

 Forward link channel.
 Provides paging signals from the BS to all mobiles in the cell
 Notifies a specific mobile of an incoming call which originates from the
PSTN.
 Transmits the IMSI of the target subscriber along with a request for
acknowledgment from the mobile station on RACH.
 Used to provide cell broadcast ASCII text messages to all subscribers.
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GSM Control Channel :

[2] Random Access Channel (RACH)

 Reverse link channel.

 Used by a subscriber unit to acknowledge a page from PCH

and used by mobiles to originate a call.

 Uses a slotted ALOHA access scheme.

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GSM Control Channel :

[3] Access Grant Channel (AGCH)

 Used by the BS to provide forward link communication to the

mobile.

 Carries data which instructs the mobile to operate in a particular

physical channel with a particular dedicated control channel.

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GSM Control Channel :

Common Control Channel (CCCH)

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GSM Control Channel :

Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH) :

 They are bidirectional and have same format and function on both

forward and reverse links.

Three types of dedicated control channels :

[1] Stand-alone dedicated control channels (SDCCH)

[2] Slow Associated Control Channels (SACCH)

[3] Fast Associated Control Channels (FACCH)

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GSM Control Channel :

[1] Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCH)

 Used for providing signaling services required by the users.

 Carries signaling data following the connection of the mobile with the

BS , just before TCH assignment is issued by the BS.

 Ensures that mobile station and base station remain connected while the

base station and MSC verify the subscriber unit and allocate resources

for the mobile.

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GSM Control Channel :

[2] Slow Associated Control Channels (SACCH)

 Used for supervisory data transmissions between mobile station and
base station during a call.
 Always associated with a traffic channel.
 Each ARFCN systematically carries SACCH data for all the current
users.
 Carries general information between MS and BTS.
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GSM Control Channel :

[3] Fast Associated Control Channels (FACCH)

 Used for supervisory data transmissions between the mobile station and the

base station during a call.

 Carries urgent messages and contains essentially the same type information

as the SDCCH.

 A FACCH is assigned whenever a SDCCH has not been dedicated for a

particular user and there is an urgent message (such as a handoff request)

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GSM burst
 The GSM burst, or transmission can fulfill a variety of functions. Some
GSM bursts are used for carrying data while others are used for control
information.
 As a result of this a number of different types of GSM burst are defined.
 Normal burst (uplink and downlink )
 Frequency correction burst (downlink)
 Synchronisation burst (downlink)
 Random Access Burst (uplink)
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GSM burst
[1] Normal Burst :
 This GSM burst is used for the standard communications between
the BS and the MS, and typically transfers the digitized voice
data.
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GSM burst
[2] Frequency Correction Burst :
 With the information in the burst all set to zeros, the burst essentially
consists of a constant frequency carrier with no phase alteration.
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GSM burst
[3] Synchronisation burst :
 The purpose of this form of GSM burst is to provide
synchronisation for the mobiles on the network.
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GSM burst
[4] Random Access Burst :
 This form of GSM burst used when accessing the network, having a
much longer guard period. This GSM burst structure is used to ensure
that it fits in the time slot regardless of any severe timing problems that
may exist. Once the mobile has accessed the network and timing has
been aligned, then there is no requirement for the long guard period.
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GSM burst
[5] Dummy Burst :
 Dummy burst is used as filler information for unused time
slots on the forward link.
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Mobile Originated Call

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Mobile Originated Call

 To initiate a call, the MS sends a request for radio resource
allocation to the BSS, which mediates further connection to the
Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The BSS assigns the MS a
channel with a given frequency and time slot, which constitutes
the communication route between the MS and the BSS.
 once the MS confirms the established channel, the BSS can
initiate the connection to the MSC.
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Mobile Originated Call
 Once the MS has connected to the network, the subscriber needs to be
authenticated. This can be done using the IMSI number stored in the SIM
card, which allows the Authentication Center in the core network to verify
the subscriber’s identity. After this step, the MS and the MSC can start
communicating.

 in order to initiate the call setup, the MSC verifies that the requested service
is allowed for the subscriber. This information is available in the Visitor
Location Register, which maintains temporary subscriber data (location,
preferences, allowed services). Once the VLR confirms the service
requested by the originating MS, the MSC starts the call setup.
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Mobile Originated Call

 For the call to take place, the MSC allocates a voice channel between
the MSC and the BSS. The BSS notifies the MS about the change to
voice mode, and the MS returns a confirmation message. The MSC
routes the call to the dialled number. When the call is received in the
PSTN, the MSC is notified that the called subscriber is being alerted, at
which point the originating MS receives a ring notification.
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GSM Identifiers :
IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity
 Its an internationally-unique serial number allocated to Mobile Station
(MS) hardware at the time of manufacture. It is registered by the
network operator & stored in Aunthetication Center (AuC) for
Validation purpose.
 Type Approval Code (TAC)
 Final Assembly Code (FAC)
 Serial Number of the mobile station (SNR)
 Spare Bit (SP)
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GSM Identifiers :
IMEI - International Mobile Equipment Identity
 The network stores the IMEI numbers in the Equipment Identity
Register (EIR).
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IMSI - International Mobile Subscriber Number

 When a subscriber registered with a network operator, a unique subscriber
IMSI identifier is issued & stored in the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)
of the MS. A MS can only functional fully, if it is operated with a valid SIM
inserted into a MS with a valid IMEI.
 The total length of the IMSI is 15 digits and it consists of the following
elements:
MCC = Mobile Country Code (three digits)
MNC = Mobile Network Code (two digits)
MSIN = Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (ten digits)
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TMSI - Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
 Its used to protect the true identity (IMSI) of a subscriber. It is issued by
& stored within a VLR (not in the HLR) when an IMSI attach takes
place or a Location Area (LA) updates takes place. 
 The issues TMSI only has validity within a specific LA. The TMSI is
used for security purposes, so that the IMSI of a subscriber does not
have to be transmitted over the air interface. Its a temporary identity,
which regularly gets changed.
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MSISDN - Mobile Subscriber Integrated Service Digital number

It represents the True or dialed number associated with the subscriber. It is

assigned to the subscriber by the network operator at registration & is
stored in SIM. Its possible for a MS to hold multiple MSISDNs, each
associated with different services. 

It contains the following elements,

 CC = Country code (91 = India)
 NVN = National Valid Number (10 Digits)
MSC ID + HLR ID + SNR
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MSRN - Mobile Subscriber Roaming Number

It is temporary, location-dependent ISDN number issued by the parent

VLR to all MSs within its area of responsibility. It is stored in VLR &
associated HLR but not in the MS. The MSRN is used by VLR associated
MSC for call routing within MSC/VLR service area.

CC = Country Code (of the visited country)

NDC = National Destination Code (of the serving network)

SN = Subscriber Number
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LAI - Location Area Identity

Each location area within PLMN (Public Landline Mobile Network) has an
associated Internationally unique identifier (LAI). The LAI is broadcasted
regularly by the BTSs on the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), thus
uniquely identify each cell within an associated location area (LA).
 MCC= Mobile Country Code (of the visited country)
 MNC= Mobile Network Code (of the serving PLMN)
 LAC= Location Area Code
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CI - Cell Identifier

Its an identifier assigned to each cell within a network. however, CI is only

unique within a specific LA. When combined with the internationally
unique LAI for its associated LA, the Global Cell Identity (GCI) is
produced which is also internationally unique.

BSIC - Base Station Identity Code

Each BTS is issued with a unique identity, the BSIC & is used to distinguish
neighbouring BTSs. It is needed to identify that the frequency strength being
measured by the mobile station is coming from a particular base station.
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 when a call is placed from the PSTN towards a given phone number, the PSTN
uses the information in the phone number (country and if available, operator) to
locate gateway MSC leading to the MSC where the subscriber is registered.
 the GMSC can request information about the subscriber’s core network and
current location by interrogating the HLR (Home Location Register).

 the HLR constantly updates locations of the MS stored in the VLRs of the
networks the MS visits. In the HLR, the subscriber MSISDN (phone number) is
associated with the IMSI number of the SIM card, which was used to
authenticate the subscriber in the visited network as they registered.
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 In order for the GMSC to pass the call to the MSC, the HLR asks a
temporary roaming phone number from the MSC (Mobile Station Roaming
Number – MSRN).
 the MSRN is sent back from the HLR to the GMSC.
 the GMSC forward the call to the MSC using the assigned MSRN.
 having received the call, the MSC pages all the BSCs in the area that it
serves.
 the BSC, in turn, page the BTSs assigned to them.
 the called MS responds to the paging from the BTS, asking to establish a
radio channel to the BTS.
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 the response is forwarded to the MSC, which, once notified,
authenticates the MS and initiates the ciphering of the call using the
same procedure as in MO calls.
 when the MSC sends back to the radio network the call confirmation
message, the called MS starts to ring.
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GSM Speech Coding :

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GSM Speech Coding :

 The carrier is modulated using GMSK in GSM.

 It is resilient to noise , occupies relative narrow bandwidth and has a

constant power level.
 The carrier serves eight different users under the basic system.
 The data rate on the carrier is 270.388 kbps.
 In order to overcome the problems of interference , fading etc. speech
must be digitally transmitted.
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GSM Speech Coding :

 If digitized in linear fashion, the speech would occupy a far greater
bandwidth than any cellular system.
 To overcome this , a variety of voice coding or vocoders are used.
 This system analysing the incoming data that represent speech and then
performing variety of actions upon it to reduce the data rate.
 At the receiving end , the reverse process is undertaken to reconstitute
the speech data so that it can be understood.
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Speech coding:
 GSM speech coder is RELP (Residually Excited Predictive Coder),
which is enhanced by including a Long Term Predictor (LTP).
 This vocoder took each 20 ms block of speech and then represented
using 260 bits. This equates to data rate of 13 kbps.
 GSM system operates in Discontinuous Transmission mode (DTX) by
incorporating a Voice Activity Detector (VAD) in speech coder. This
mode provides a longer battery life and reduces instantaneous radio
interference since GSM transmitter is not active during silent periods.
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Channel coding:
 The outputs of the speech coder are ordered into for error protection,
based upon their significance in contributing groups to speech quality.
 Out of 260 bits in a frame, the most important 50 bits called type Ia bits,
have 3 parity check (CRC) bits added to them to detect errors at the
receiver. This makes a total length of 53 bits. If there are any errors, the
frame is not used and it is discarded.
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 These 53 bits, together with 132 class Ib bits with 4-bits tail sequence ,
are entered into ½ rate convolution encoder. The total length is 189 bits.
 The encoder encodes each of the bits that enters into two bits, the output
also being dependent upon a combination of previous four input bits.
 As a result the output from the convolution encoder consist of 378 bits.
 The least important 78 bits do not have error protection and
concatenated to existing sequence to form a block of 456 bits in 20ms
frame, data rate of speech signal becomes 22.8kbps.
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 These 53 bits, together with 132 class Ib bits with 4-bits tail
sequence , are entered into ½ rate convolution encoder. The
total length is 189 bits.
 The encoder encodes each of the bits that enters into two
bits, the output also being dependent upon a combination of
previous four input bits.
 As a result the output from the convolution encoder consist
of 378 bits.
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 GSM (GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE
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Interleaving:
 To minimize the effect of sudden fades on the received data,
the total of 456 encoded bits within each 20ms speech frame
or control message frame are broken into eight 57 bits sub
blocks and they are numbered even odd according to block
number. These eight consecutive blocks are spread over
eight consecutive TCH time slot. i.e total of 4 bursts as each
burst takes two sets of data.
 If a burst is lost due to interference or fading, channel
coding ensures that enough bits will still be received
correctly to allow the error correction to work.
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Burst formatting:
 Burst formatting adds binary data to the data block to help
synchronization and equalization of the received signal.
Ciphering:
 Ciphering modifies the contents of the eight interleaved
blocks by encryption techniques known only to the
particular mobile station and base transceiver station.
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Ciphering:
 The A3 ciphering algorithm is used to authenticate each
mobile by verifying the user password within the SIM with
the cryptographic key at the MSC.
 The A5 ciphering algorithm is used for encryption. It
provides scrambling for 114 coded bits sent in each TS.
 The A8 is used for ciphering key.
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Modulation:
 The modulation scheme used by GSM system is 0.3GMSK
where 0.3 describes 3db bandwidth of the Gaussian pulse
shaping filter.
 The channel data rate of GSM is 270.833 kbps which is four
times the RF frequency shift. This minimizes bandwidth of
the modulation spectrum and hence improves channel
capacity.
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Modulation:
 MSK modulated signal is then passed through Gaussian filter to
smooth the rapid frequency transitions which would otherwise
spread energy in adjacent channels.

Demodulation:
 The portion of the transmitted forward channel signal which is of
interest to a particular user is determined by the assigned TS and
ARFCN. The appropriate TS is demodulated with aid of
synchronization data provided by the burst formatting.
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Demodulation:
 After demodulation the binary information is deciphered, de-
interleaved, channel decoded and speech decoded.
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Example :

Find the theoretical maximum data capacity for a mobile radio link
that operates with SNR of 30 dB and utilize a 200 KHz channel.
Compare and contrast the capacity with GSM standard which
operates at a channel rate 270.833 kbps.