UNIT 1

Introduction
Introduction – Wireless Transmission - Medium
Access Control: Motivation for Specialized MAC-
SDMA- FDMA- TDMA- CDMA- Comparison of
Access mechanisms; Tele communications
systems: GSM, GPRS and their architectures.
 Introduction
• A cellular network or mobile network is a telecommunications network where the link to and from end
nodes is wireless and the network is distributed over land areas called cells, each served by at least one
fixed-location transceiver (typically three cell sites or base transceiver stations).
• First generation mobile networks were reliant upon analogue radio systems, which meant that users could
only make phone calls, they could not send or receive text messages.
• The 1G network was first introduced in Japan in 1979 before it was rolled out in other countries such as
the USA in 1980.
What is the importance of mobile network?
• The mobile phone network enables wireless communication using mobile devices, such as mobile
phones, smart phones or tablets.
• Mobile phone networks provide the necessary infrastructure and are operated by mobile phone
providers.
• Examples of a mobile network today include Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks,
(WAN), and 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Cells sites like this are vital to providing access to radio signals
for calling and other purposes.
• Mobile Communication is the use of technology that allows us to communicate with others in different
locations without the use of any physical connection (wires or cables). Mobile communication makes our
life easier, and it saves time and effort.
• A mobile phone (also called mobile cellular network, cell phone or hand phone) is an example of mobile
communication (wireless communication). It is an electric device used for full duplex two way radio
telecommunication over a cellular network of base stations known as cell site.
Features of Mobile Communication
The following are the features of mobile communication:
• High capacity load balancing: Each wired or wireless infrastructure must incorporate high capacity
load balancing.
High capacity load balancing means, when one access point is overloaded, the system will actively shift
users from one access point to another depending on the capacity which is available.
• Scalability: The growth in popularity of new wireless devices continuously increasing day by day.
• The wireless networks have the ability to start small if necessary, but expand in terms of coverage and
capacity as needed - without having to overhaul or build an entirely new network.
• Network management system: Now a day, wireless networks are much more complex and may consist of
hundreds or even thousands of access points, firewalls, switches, managed power and various other components.
The wireless networks have a smarter way of managing the entire network from a centralized point.
• Role based access control: Role based access control (RBAC) allows you to assign roles based on what, who,
where, when and how a user or device is trying to access your network.
Advantages of Mobile Communication
• Flexibility: Wireless communication enables the people to communicate with each other regardless of location.
There is no need to be in an office or some telephone booth in order to pass and receive messages.
• Cost effectiveness: In wireless communication, there is no need of any physical infrastructure (Wires or cables) or
maintenance practice. Hence, the cost is reduced.
• Speed: Improvements can also be seen in speed. The network connectivity or the accessibility was much improved
in accuracy and speed.
• Accessibility: With the help of wireless technology easy accessibility to the remote areas is possible. For example,
in rural areas, online education is now possible. Educators or students no longer need to travel to far-flung areas to
teach their lessons.
• Constant connectivity: Constant connectivity ensures that people can respond to emergencies relatively quickly.
For example, a wireless device like mobile can ensure you a constant connectivity though you move from place to
place or while you travel, whereas a wired landline can't.
 Wireless Transmission
• Wireless transmission is a form of unguided media.
• Wireless communication involves no physical link established between two or more devices,
communicating wirelessly.
• Wireless signals are spread over in the air and are received and interpreted by appropriate antennas.
• When an antenna is attached to electrical circuit of a computer or wireless device, it converts the
digital data into wireless signals and spread all over within its frequency range.
• The receptor on the other end receives these signals and converts them back to digital data.
 Wireless Transmission
• Wireless communications is the transmission of voice and data without cable or wires.
• In place of a physical connection, data travels through electromagnetic signals broadcast from sending
facilities to intermediate and end-user devices.
• The various types of wireless communication include radio broadcast (RF), infrared (IR), satellite,
microwave, and Bluetooth. Mobile phones, GPS, Wi-Fi, and cordless telephones are devices that use wireless
transmission to exchange data and information.
Advantages of Wireless Communication
• Wireless networks are cheaper to install and maintain. Data is transmitted faster and at a high
speed. Reduced maintenance and installation cost compared to other form of networks.
What are the components of wireless transmission?
• A typical Wireless Communication System can be divided into three elements:
• the Transmitter,
• the Channel and the Receiver
The characteristics of wireless communication
1. It does not use any kind of physical medium
such as coaxial cable, optic fiber or twisted
pair cable to transmit.
2. The space- time frequency signal ordinarily
known as the radio frequency signals is
transmitted and received by antennas with
the help of propagation medium.

The advantages and disadvantages of wireless

technology
• They offer mobility and flexibility, are cost-
effective, and are highly scalable.
• However, they also pose security risks, have a
limited coverage area, are susceptible to
interference, and have limited bandwidth
Medium Access Control
CHANNEL PARTITIONING MAC PROTOOLS
– SDMA,FDMA,CDMA & TDMA
FDMA
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a sort of multiplexing that facilitates various signals to occupy
a single transmission channel. It optimizes the use of available bandwidth. The technology is commonly
used in ultra-high-frequency (UHF) cellular telephone systems, bands ranging between the 800-MHz and
1.9-GHz.
CDMA
ALOHA is basically a multiple access protocol which describes how all the
terminals can access a medium without interfering at all with one another or even
colliding. It operates at the data-link layer.
• If you are in Europe or Asia and using a mobile phone, then most probably
you are using GSM technology in your mobile phone. It is widely used
mobile technology across the world.

What is GSM?

• GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication.

• It is a digital cellular technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data
services.
 GSM - Architecture
What Is GSM?
• GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is a set of mobile
communications standards and protocols governing second-generation or 2G
networks, first developed and deployed in Europe.
• GSM is a digital cellular communication standard that is universally accepted.
• A GSM network comprises of many functional units.
• The GSM network can be broadly divided into −
• The Mobile Station (MS)
• The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
• The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
• The Operation Support Subsystem (OSS)
PSTN - Public Switched
Telephone Network.

PSDN - Public Switched

Data Network.

ISDN - Integrated
Services Digital Network.

PLMN - Public Land

Mobile Network
 GSM - The Mobile Station
• The MS consists of the physical equipment, such as the radio transceiver,
display and digital signal processors, and the SIM card.
• It provides the air interface to the user in GSM networks.
• As such, other services are also provided, which include −
• Voice teleservices
• Data bearer services
• supplementary services
• The MS also provides the receptor for SMS messages, enabling the user to toggle
between the voice and data use.
These data services include −
• X.25 packet switching through a synchronous or asynchronous dial-up connection to the
PAD at speeds typically at 9.6 Kbps.
• General Packet Radio Services (GPRSs) using either an X.25 or IP based data transfer
method at the speed up to 115 Kbps.
• High speed, circuit switched data at speeds up to 64 Kbps.
What is SIM?
• The SIM provides personal mobility so that the user can have access to all subscribed
services irrespective of both the location of the terminal and the use of a specific
terminal.
• You need to insert the SIM card into another GSM cellular phone to receive calls at that
phone, make calls from that phone, or receive other subscribed services.
 The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
The BSS is composed of two parts −
• The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
• The Base Station Controller (BSC)
The BTS and the BSC communicate across the specified Abis interface,
enabling operations between components that are made by different
suppliers.
The radio components of a BSS may consist of four to seven or nine cells. A
BSS may have one or more base stations.
The BSS uses the Abis interface between the BTS and the BSC. A separate
high-speed line (T1 or E1) is then connected from the BSS to the Mobile
MSC.
The Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
• The BTS houses the radio transceivers that define a cell and handles the
radio link protocols with the MS. In a large urban area, a large number of
BTSs may be deployed.
• The BTS corresponds to the transceivers and antennas used in each cell of the network.
A BTS is usually placed in the center of a cell.
• Its transmitting power defines the size of a cell. Each BTS has between 1 and 16
transceivers, depending on the density of users in the cell. Each BTS serves as a single
cell.
It also includes the following functions −
• Encoding, encrypting, multiplexing, modulating, and feeding the RF signals to the
antenna
• Transcoding and rate adaptation
• Time and frequency synchronizing
• Voice through full- or half-rate services
• Decoding, decrypting, and equalizing received signals
• Random access detection
• Timing advances
• Uplink channel measurements
The Base Station Controller (BSC)
• The BSC manages the radio resources for one or more BTSs. It handles radio
channel setup, frequency hopping, and handovers.
• The BSC is the connection between the mobile and the MSC.
• The BSC also translates the 13 Kbps voice channel used over the radio link
to the standard 64 Kbps channel used by the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSDN) or ISDN.
• It assigns and releases frequencies and time slots for the MS. The BSC also
handles intercell handover.
• It controls the power transmission of the BSS and MS in its area.
• The function of the BSC is to allocate the necessary time slots between the
BTS and the MSC. It is a switching device that handles the radio resources.
The additional functions include−
• Control of frequency hopping
• Performing traffic concentration to reduce the number of lines from the
MSC
• Providing an interface to the Operations and Maintenance Center for the
BSS
• Reallocation of frequencies among BTSs
• Time and frequency synchronization
• Power management
• Time-delay measurements of received signals from the MS
 GSM - The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)

• The Network switching system (NSS), the main part of which is the Mobile
Switching Center (MSC), performs the switching of calls between the
mobile and other fixed or mobile network users, as well as the
management of mobile services such as authentication.
The switching system includes the following functional elements −
Home Location Register (HLR)
• The HLR is a database used for storage and management of subscriptions.
• The HLR is considered the most important database, as it stores permanent
data about subscribers, including a subscriber's service profile, location
information, and activity status.
• When an individual buys a subscription in the form of SIM, then all the
information about this subscription is registered in the HLR of that operator.
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• The VLR is a database that contains temporary information about
subscribers that is needed by the MSC in order to service visiting
subscribers.
• The VLR is always integrated with the MSC. When a mobile station roams
into a new MSC area, the VLR connected to that MSC will request data
about the mobile station from the HLR.
• Later, if the mobile station makes a call, the VLR will have the information
needed for call setup without having to interrogate the HLR each time.
Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC)
• The central component of the Network Subsystem is the MSC.
• The MSC performs the switching of calls between the mobile and other
fixed or mobile network users, as well as the management of mobile
services such as registration, authentication, location updating, handovers,
and call routing to a roaming subscriber.
• It also performs such functions as toll ticketing, network interfacing,
common channel signaling, and others.
• Every MSC is identified by a unique ID.
Authentication Center (AUC)
• The Authentication Center is a protected database that stores a copy of the
secret key stored in each subscriber's SIM card, which is used for
authentication and ciphering of the radio channel.
• The AUC protects network operators from different types of fraud found in
today's cellular world.
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
• The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is a database that contains a list of all
valid mobile equipment on the network, where its International Mobile
Equipment Identity (IMEI) identifies each MS.
• An IMEI is marked as invalid if it has been reported stolen or is not type
approved.
 GSM - The Operation Support Subsystem (OSS)
• The operations and maintenance center (OMC) is connected to all
equipment in the switching system and to the BSC.
• The implementation of OMC is called the operation and support system
(OSS).
• Here are some of the OMC functions−
• Administration and commercial operation (subscription, end terminals,
charging, and statistics).
• Security Management.
• Network configuration, Operation, and Performance Management.
• Maintenance Tasks.
• The operation and Maintenance functions are based on the concepts of the
Telecommunication Management Network (TMN), which is standardized in
the ITU-T series M.30.
• Following is the figure, which shows how OMC system covers all the GSM
elements.
The additional components of the GSM architecture comprise of databases
and messaging systems functions −
• Home Location Register (HLR)
• Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
• Authentication Center (AuC)
• SMS Serving Center (SMS SC)
• Gateway MSC (GMSC)
• Chargeback Center (CBC)
• Transcoder and Adaptation Unit (TRAU)
 GPRS
• General Packet Radio System is also known as GPRS is a third-generation step toward internet
access.
• GPRS is also known as GSM-IP that is a Global-System Mobile Communications Internet Protocol
as it keeps the users of this system online, allows to make voice calls, and access internet on-the-go.
• Even Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA) users benefit from this system as it provides packet
radio access.
• GPRS also permits the network operators to execute an Internet Protocol (IP) based core
architecture for integrated voice and data applications that will continue to be used and expanded
for 3G services.
• General Packet Radio Service uses the architecture of GSM to transmit the data packets over the
network with a data transport rate from 9.6 to 171 kbps and can allow multiple users to share the
same interface at a single point in time.
• GSM systems do not provide easy access and performance when multiple users access the resources
concurrently and this has made GPRS systems in action to provide packet-switched services with
end-to-end support.
• Enhanced security services are included in GPRS to ensure authentication and confidentiality and
add a cipher algorithm during packet transmission.
• Key Features
Following three key features describe wireless packet
data:

1. The always online feature - Removes the dial-up process,

making applications only one click away.

2. An upgrade to existing systems - Operators do not have

to replace their equipment; rather, GPRS is added on top of
the existing infrastructure.

3. An integral part of future 3G systems - GPRS is the

packet data core network for 3G systems EDGE and
WCDMA.
• Goals of GPRS
1. Open architecture
2. Consistent IP services
3. Same infrastructure for different air interfaces
4. Integrated telephony and Internet infrastructure
5. Leverage industry investment in IP
6. Service innovation independent of infrastructure
GPRS - Applications

• GPRS has opened a wide range of unique services to the mobile wireless subscriber. Some of
the characteristics that have opened a market full of enhanced value services to the users. Below
are some of the characteristics:
• Mobility - The ability to maintain constant voice and data communications while on the move.
• Immediacy - Allows subscribers to obtain connectivity when needed, regardless of location and
without a lengthy login session.
• Localization - Allows subscribers to obtain information relevant to their current location.
 GPRS - Architecture
• GPRS architecture works on the same procedure like GSM network, but, has additional entities
that allow packet data transmission.
• This data network overlaps a second-generation GSM network providing packet data transport at
the rates from 9.6 to 171 kbps.
• Along with the packet data transport the GSM network accommodates multiple users to share
the same air interface resources concurrently.
• The new network elements added to the existing GSM architecture are the Serving GPRS
Support Node (SGSN) Gateway GPRS supporting node (GGSN) and Packet Control unit
(PCU).
GPRS Mobile Stations
• New Mobile Stations (MS) are required to use GPRS services because existing GSM phones do not
handle the enhanced air interface or packet data.
• A variety of MS can exist, including a high-speed version of current phones to support high-speed data
access, a new PDA device with an embedded GSM phone, and PC cards for laptop computers.
• These mobile stations are backward compatible for making voice calls using GSM.
GPRS Base Station Subsystem
• Each BSC requires the installation of one or more Packet Control Units (PCUs) and a software upgrade.
• The PCU provides a physical and logical data interface to the Base Station Subsystem (BSS) for packet
data traffic.
• The BTS can also require a software upgrade but typically does not require hardware enhancements.
• When either voice or data traffic is originated at the subscriber mobile, it is transported over the air
interface to the BTS, and from the BTS to the BSC in the same way as a standard GSM call.
• However, at the output of the BSC, the traffic is separated; voice is sent to the Mobile Switching Center
(MSC) per standard GSM, and data is sent to a new device called the SGSN via the PCU over a Frame
Relay interface.
GPRS Support Nodes
• Following two new components, called Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GSNs) and, Serving GPRS
Support Node (SGSN) are added:
1. Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)
• The Gateway GPRS Support Node acts as an interface and a router to external networks.
• It contains routing information for GPRS mobiles, which is used to tunnel packets through the IP based
internal backbone to the correct Serving GPRS Support Node.
• The GGSN also collects charging information connected to the use of the external data networks and can
act as a packet filter for incoming traffic.
• It acts as an internetworking unit between GPRS and external data packet networks.
• It has routing information and routes the packet from the external IP to the respective SSGN with the
same GPRS network.
• It also routes the packets from the user side to an external IP network address.
• It does address conversion and sends data to the destination address by encapsulation method.
• It acts as a traffic filter to control the data information, that is collected from external networks.
2. Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

• The Serving GPRS Support Node is responsible for authentication of GPRS mobiles, registration of
mobiles in the network, mobility management, and collecting information on charging for the use of
the air interface.
• It works similarly to the Mobile Switching Center of the GSM network system. This extends its
services listed below within a network, PCU determines the routing of the data either to be sent to
the circuit or packet-switched networks.
• To create a data connection or call, GPRS needs to activate SGSN via the BS (Base Station) of the
network area.
• The size of the data unit transmitted over the channel can be reduced by implementing data
compression methods.
• When the connection is made to the external network the routing of the actual data is done by the
SGSN node, which is then linked to the respective GGSN.
• It provides authentication, security, and session management.
• It supports mobility management, as users are connected wirelessly and move from one place to
other which can change from one SGSN to another SGSN node.
• Location register which is present within SGSN to store local information (visitor location) and user
profile details for all the users who use the GPRS system registered with the specific SGSN.
• Charging functions are included with Call Detailed Record (CDR) information which is needed by
the network service providers to send invoice details to the customers.
• Performance and maximum withhold capacity of SGSN are defined by parameters like the maximum
number of users at a single point in time, maximum throughput, and the number of packet data
control supported.
3. PCU -- The Packet Control Unit
• It is a piece of hardware connected to the BSC (Base Station Controller) either internally or near
SGSN outside.
• It is used to separate between GSM and GPRS traffic systems, which is the core unit in GPRS
architecture.
• It is used to classify the packet and circuit switched traffic from the user end and sends it to
respective GSM and GPRS networks.
4. Internal Backbone
• The internal backbone is an IP based network used to carry packets between different GSNs.
• Tunnelling is used between SGSNs and GGSNs, so the internal backbone does not need any
information about domains outside the GPRS network.
• Signalling from a GSN to a MSC, HLR or EIR is done using SS7.
Conclusion
• GPRS architecture supports circuit switches as well as packet services to transport the data through
the network.
• When GPRS is used in wireless communication devices, the data transfer rate is efficiently higher
than GSM as it supports multiple users to send and broadcast multimedia data concurrently.