Unit1- Basics of PCS and

GSM
12Marks
Personal Communication Services

PCS stands for Personal Communication System. The

objective of PCS is to enable communication with a person at
any time, at any place & in any form. It also manages their
individual call services according to their need by providing
unlimited reachability & accessibility.
 Key factors of PCS are:
 1. Reachability with respect to Location (Home, office, in
public, in transit)
 1. Accessibility with respect to Device (Cellular phone,
wired phone, fax etc.)
 2. Management of Service
PCS network Architecture
Architecture
 Architecture consists of two parts
 Radio Network
 PCS users carry mobile stations (MS) to communicate with a BS in a
PCS n/w.
 MS is also referred to as handset or mobile phone. The radio coverage
of a base station is called cell. In GSM n/w each cell is controlled by
BSC(Base Station Controller) which are connected to MS through BS.
The BSCs are connected to MSC by landlines.
 Wireline Transport Network
 An MSC is a telephone exchange configured specially for mobile
applications. It interfaces the MSC (via BS) with PSTN.
 MSCs are also connected with mobility database to track the location
of MS and roaming management. The databases are HLR & VLR (Home
Location Register and Visitor Location Register).
 HLR contains the authentication information like IMSI (International
Mobile Subscriber Identity), identification information like name,
address of the subscriber, billing information like prepaid or postpaid,
operator selection, denial of service to a subscriber etc.
 VLR gives information about the location area of the subscriber while
on roaming and power off status of the handset.
ROAMING
 ROAMING: When a mobile user moves from one PCS
system to another, then the system should be informed of
the current location of the user. Otherwise it is impossible
to deliver services.
 Two basic operations are performed under roaming
management.
1. Registration (location update): Where MS informs the
system its current location.
2. Location tracking: Process during which a system locates
MS. Location tracking is required when n/w attempts to deliver
call to a mobile user.
Global system for Mobile Communication
 GSM is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world. GSM (Global
System for Mobile communication) is a digital mobile telephony system
 GSM uses a combination of FDMA and TDMA. The GSM system has an allocation of
50 MHz bandwidth in the 900 MHz frequency band. Using FMA, 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. Therefore
with combination of FDMA and TDMA we can realize a maximum of 992 channels for
transmit and receive.

 Cell: Cell is the basic service area

 BTS: A base transceiver station (BTS) is a fixed radio transceiver in any mobile
network. The BTS connects mobile devices to the network.One BTS covers one cell.
Each cell is given a Cell Global Identity (CGI), a number that uniquely identifies the
cell.

 Location Area: A group of cells form a Location Area. This is the area that is paged
when a subscriber gets an incoming call. Each Location Area is assigned a Location
Area Identity (LAI). Each Location Area is served by one or more BSCs
GSM Architecture

 Abbreviations
 MSC : Mobile switching
center
 BSC : Base station
controller
 BTS : Base transceiver
station
 TRX : Transceiver.
 MS : Mobile station
 OMC : Operations and
Maintenance centre.
 PSTN : Public switched
telephone network.
 BSS : Base station sub-
system.
 HLR : Home location
register
 VLR : Visitor locations
GSM network can be divided into 4 groups.

1. MS (Mobile Station)
 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 MS offer
a variety of design and
features to meet the need
of different
 market.
 Functions of 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).
 The mobile station consists of:
 ME (Mobile Equipment)
 “Cellular phone without SIM card”
 The mobile equipment has a unique international mobile equipment
identity (IMEI) which is used by EIR. The numbers of GSM terminal
types are defined within the GSM specification. They are distinguished
primarily by their power output rating.
 The range or coverage area of an MS is dependent on the 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
 SIM (Subscriber Identity Module)
 SIM card used in phones are smart processor cards. It possesses a
processor and a small memory. The SIM stores permanent and
temporary data about the mobile, the subscriber and the network. It
contains a serial no, PIN, PUK (Pin Unblocking Key), an
authentication key (Ki), IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber
Identity).
 The SIM can be plugged into any GSM mobile terminal. This brings the
advantages of security and portability for subscriber. Example:
Subscriber A’s mobile terminal may have been stolen. However, A’s own
SIM can be used in another person’s mobile terminal and the calls will
2. BSS (Base Station Subsystem)
 BSS contains two components:
 BTS
 BSC
 BTS (Base Transceiver Station)
 It comprises all radio equipment (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. It manages the radio
resources for BTSs. It handles &
handover the radio frequency, radio
channel set up from one BTS to other.
 BSC (Base Station Controller)
 It connects the BTS and MSC of NSS.
It manages radio resources for one or
more BTS.
 It handles and Handover the radio
frequency, radio channel setup from
3. NSS (Network Switching Subsystem)
 The NSS combines the call rotating switches (MSC and GatewayMSC) with data base
registered required to keep track of subscriber’s movements and use of the system.
Key elements of NSS are:
1. MSC (Mobile Switching Centre)
The mobile-services switching centre is an exchange which performs all the
switching and signaling functions for mobile stations located in a geographical area
designated as the MSC area. These are high performance digital ISDN switches. It
is used for connection between mobile phone to mobile phone within same network.
It is used for connection between mobile phone to fixed phone within a network. It
manages BSC within a geographical area.
2. HLR (Home Location Register)
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 store for a person’s
subscription information until that subscription is cancelled. It provides call routing
and roaming facility by combining with MSC and VLR. It is considered as a
Database which stores the information about the subscriber within covering area of
MSC. Information includes current location of the mobile & all the service providing
information, when a phone is powered off this information is stored in HLR. It is
also a database but contains a temporary copy of some of important information
stored in HLR. If a new MS user comes into location area, then VLR will provide
relevant information by bringing it from HLR.
3. VLR (Visitor Location Resister)
It is a temporary storage device of GSM network. It stores subscribers’ subscription
information for MS which are within the particular MSC service Area. There is one
VLR for each MSC service area
4. OSS (Operation and Support Subsystem)
 It contains necessary function for network operation and maintenance.
 Key Elements are
 OMC (Operation and maintenance center)
It is connected to different components of NSS & to BSC. It controls the traffic
load of BSS.

 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).EIR contains a list of IMEI of all valid terminals. An IMEI is marked
invalid if it is stolen. EIR allows the MSC to forbid calls from this stolen terminal.
The equipment identification procedure uses the identity of the equipment itself
(IMEI) to ensure that the MS terminal equipment is valid.

 AUC (Authentication Center)

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.
GSM services
 Bearer services/ data services: GSM specifies different mechanism for
data transmission, The original GSM allowing for data rates of up to 9600
bits/s. Bearer services permit transparent or non transparent data
transmission.
 Transparent bearer services: Transparent bearer services only use the
physical layer to transmit data. Data transmission has a constant delay at
throughput if no transmission error occurs.
 Non-transparent bearer services: Non-transparent bearer services use
protocols of layer two and three two three to implement error correction and
flow control.(data link layer and network layer).
 Tele services: Tele services are nothing but we use now as at also Video
calls.
 Video text and face emoji.
 Short text message(SMS).
 Supplementary services: Supplementary services it means advanced
services.
 Conference calls.
 Call waiting.
 Call forwarding.
 GSM security: GSM offers several security using confidential information
stored in the AUC and in the individual SIM. The SIM stores personal secret
data and is protected with a pin against unauthorized use.
GSM Spectrum
GSM channel types
 GSM has been allocated an operational frequency from 890
MHz to 960 MHz.
 GSM uses the frequency band 890 MHz-915 MHz for uplink
(reverse) transmission, and for downlink (forward)
transmission, it uses be frequency band 935 MHz-960 MHz.
 The available 25-MHz spectrum for each direction is
divided into 124 Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
channels, each occupying 200 kHz with 100 kHz guard
band at two edges of the spectrum as shown in fig.
Logical Channels in GSM
Mobility Management in GSM
 Mobility Management function handles the function that
arises due to mobility of the subscriber.
 Main objective of MM is location tracking & call set up. The
current location of an MS is maintained by a 2-level
hierarchical strategy with HLR & VLR. When an MS visits a
new location it must register in the VLR of visited location.
The HLR must be informed about the registration. The
registration process of MS moving from one VLR to another
VLR follows following steps.
Steps
 STEP-1.MS periodically listens to the BCCH (Broadcast
Control Channel) broadcast
 from BSS. If the MS detects that it has entered into a
new location area, it sends a
 registration message to the new VLR by using SDCCH
(Standalone Dedicated Control
 Channel) channel.
 SDCCH: Used only for signaling & short message.
 BCCH: Provides system information.
 STEP-2.The new VLR communicates with old VLR to
find HLR of MS. The new VLR
 then performs authentication process.
 STEP-3.After MS is authenticated, new VLR sends a
registration message to HLR. If
 the registration request is accepted, the HLR provides
new VLR with all relevant
 subscriber information.
 STEP-4.The new VLR informs the MS of successful
registration.
 STEP-5.Then the HLR sends a deregistration
(Cancellation) message to old VLR. The
 old VLR cancels the record for MS & sends an
acknowledgement to the HLR regarding
 cancellation.
Mobile Subscriber Identity
 An International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a 15-digit
number for every user in a Global System for Mobile communication
(GSM). The IMSI is used by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and
is an important part of the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) profile.
 The 15 digits of the IMSI number consist of three parts that help
identify the user:
 Mobile Country Code (MCC). The first 2 or 3 digits of the IMSI
identifies which country the user operates in.
 Mobile Network code (MNC). The next 1 to 3 digits identifies
which MNO the user is associated with, essentially someone’s SIM
provider.
 Mobile Subscription Identification Number. The last 9 or 10
digits of the IMSI is a unique combination of digits to identify the
SIM card user.
If your IMSI number was 310260000111222,
you would be able to tell that you operate in
the United States and use T-Mobile. Here’s
how that IMSI breaks down:
310 is the MCC for the United States of
America.
260 is one of the MNCs for T-Mobile.
000111222 is the Mobile Subscription
Identification Number and would be unique
to you.
Network Signaling
 Abbreviations
 LAPD Link Access
Procedure D-Channel
Managed
 RR: Radio Resource
 MM: Mobility Management
 CM: Call Management
 BTSM: BTS MAnagement
 BSSMAP: BSS Application
Protocol
 SCCP: Signaling
Connection Control Part
 The signaling protocol in
GSM is structured into 3
layers.
 Layer1 Physical Layer
 Layer2 Data Link Layer
 Layer3 Network Layer
Abbreviations
MSC : Mobile switching center
BSC : Base station controller
BTS : Base transceiver station
TRX : Transceiver.
MS : Mobile station
OMC : Operations and Maintenance centre.
PSTN : Public switched telephone network.
BSS : Base station sub-system.
HLR : Home location register
VLR : Visitor locations register
AUC : Authentication centre
EIR : Equipment Identity Register.