GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE

COMMUNICATION (GSM)
Prepared By:
Md.Sohel Rana
Lecturer,Dept. of EEE
Daffodil International University
GSM NETWORK COMPONENTS
The SS is responsible for performing call processing and subscriber related functions. It
includes the following functional units:
• Mobile services Switching Center (MSC)
• Home Location Register (HLR)
• Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• Authentication Center (AUC)
• Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

The BSS performs all the radio-related functions. The BSS is comprised of the following
functional units:
• Base Station Controller (BSC)
• Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
The OMC performs all the operation and maintenance tasks for the network such as
monitoring network traffic and network alarms. The OMC has access to both the SS and
the BSS.

MSs do not belong to any of these systems.

 SWITCHING SYSTEM (SS) COMPONENTS

Mobile services Switching Center (MSC)

The MSC performs the telephony switching functions for the mobile network. It
controls calls to and from other telephony and data systems, such as the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN),
public data networks, private networks and other mobile networks.

Gateway Functionality Gateway MSC (GMSC)

Gateway functionality enables an MSC to interrogate a network’s HLR in order to route a
call to a Mobile Station (MS). Such an MSC is called a Gateway MSC (GMSC). For example,
if a person connected to the PSTN wants to make a call to a GSM mobile subscriber, then
the PSTN exchange will access the GSM network by first connecting the call to a GMSC.
The same is true of a call from an MS to another MS. Any MSC in the mobile network can
function as a gateway by integration of the appropriate software.
Home Location Register (HLR)
The HLR is a centralized network database that stores and manages all mobile
subscriptions belonging to a specific operator. It acts as a permanent store for a
person’s subscription information until that subscription is canceled. The information
stored includes:
• Subscriber identity
• Subscriber supplementary services
• Subscriber location information
• Subscriber authentication information
The HLR can be implemented in the same network node as the MSC or as a stand-
alone database. If the capacity of a HLR is exceeded by the number of subscribers,
additional HLRs may be added.
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
The VLR database contains information about all the mobile subscribers currently located
in an MSC service area. Thus, there is one VLR for each MSC in a network. The VLR
temporarily stores subscription information so that the MSC can service all the
subscribers currently visiting that MSC service area. The VLR can be regarded as a
distributed HLR as it holds a copy of the HLR information stored about the subscriber.
When a subscriber roams into a new MSC service area, the VLR connected to that MSC
requests information about the subscriber from the subscriber’s HLR. The HLR sends a
copy of the information to the VLR and updates its own location information. When the
subscriber makes a call, the VLR will already have the information required for call set-up.
AUthentication Center (AUC)
The main function of the AUC is to authenticate the subscribers attempting to use a
network. In this way, it is used to protect network operators against fraud. The AUC is a
database connected to the HLR which provides it with the authentication parameters
and ciphering keys used to ensure network security.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

The EIR is a database containing mobile equipment identity information which helps to
block calls from stolen, unauthorized, or defective MSs. It should be noted that due to
subscriber-equipment separation in GSM, the barring of MS equipment does not result
in automatic barring of a subscriber.
 BASE STATION SYSTEM (BSS) COMPONENTS
Base Station Controller (BSC)
The BSC manages all the radio-related functions of a GSM network. It is a high
capacity switch that provides functions such as MS handover, radio channel
assignment and the collection of cell configuration data. A number of BSCs may
be controlled by each MSC.

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

The BTS controls the radio interface to the MS. The BTS comprises the radio
equipment such as transceivers and antennas which are needed to serve each cell in
the network. A group of BTSs are controlled by a BSC.
 NETWORK MONITORING CENTERS
Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)
An OMC is a computerized monitoring center which is connected to other network
components such as MSCs and BSCs via X.25 data network links. In the OMC, staff are
presented with information about the status of the network and can monitor and
control a variety of system parameters. There may be one or several OMCs within a
network depending on the network size.

Network Management Center (NMC)

Centralized control of a network is done at a Network Management Center (NMC). Only
one NMC is required for a network and this controls the subordinate OMCs. The
advantage of this hierarchical approach is that staff at the NMC can concentrate on long
term system-wide issues, whereas local personnel at each OMC can concentrate on short
term, regional issues.OMC and NMC functionality can be combined in the same physical
network node or implemented at different locations.
 MOBILE STATION (MS)
An MS is used by a mobile subscriber to communicate with the mobile network. Several
types of MSs exist, each allowing the subscriber to make and receive calls. Manufacturers
of MSs offer a variety of designs and features to meet the needs of
different markets. The range or coverage area of an MS depends on the output
power of the MS. Different types of MSs have different output power capabilities and
consequently different ranges. For example, hand-held MSs have a lower output power
and shorter range than car-installed MSs with a roof mounted antenna.
GSM MSs consist of:
• A mobile terminal
• A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

Unlike other standards, in GSM the subscriber is separated from the mobile terminal.
Each subscriber’s information is stored as a "smart card" SIM. The SIM can be plugged
into any GSM mobile terminal. This brings the advantages of security and
portability for subscribers. For example, subscriber A’s mobile terminal may have been
stolen. However, subscriber A’s own SIM can be used in another person’s mobile
terminal and the calls will be charged to subscriber A.