BSC CONFIGURATION

BSC CONFIGURATION

BSS OVERVIEW

The Base Station Controller (BSC) controls and supervises the radio resources in the
Base Transceiver Station (BTS). Together with the BTS, the BSC constitutes the Base
Station System (BSS), responsible for the management and cell configuration data of
the radio network. The main functions of the BSC are:

Administration of BSS resources

Supervision of the BTS

Connection handling of mobile stations

Locating and handover

Administration of paging

Transmission network management

Operation and maintenance of the BSS

The unit that performs the speech conversion from 64 kbit/s into a total of 16k or 8k,
13+3kbit/s and 15.1+0.9kbit/s (Full rate and Enhanced speech coder, FR and EFR) or
6.5+1.5 kbit/s (Half rate speech codec, HR) per channel is called the transcoder. This
function can either be placed in a separate node, called the Transcoder Controller
(TRC), or together with the BSC, which then becomes a BSC/TRC. The different
configuration types are illustrated in the picture below.
TRC - a Stand Alone transcoder controller node

The TRC node allows a flexible location of the transcoder resources. Typically, the
TRC is located at or near the MSC. It is controlled by the BSC. 16 BSCs can be
connected to one TRC.

BSC/TRC - a combined BSC and transcoder controller

The BSC/TRC is suitable for medium and high capacity BSC applications, that is, urban
and suburban area networks. This node can handle up to 1,020 Transceivers (TRXs). 15
stand alone BSCs can be connected to the BSC/TRC.

BSC - a Stand Alone BSC without transcoders

The BSC is optimized for low and medium capacity BSS networks and is a complement
to the BSC/TRC, especially in rural and suburban areas. For GSM 900/GSM 1800, it
can handle up to 1,020 TRXs.

GPRS SYSTEM OVERVIEW

An overview of the system components in the GSM system, integrated with the circuit-
switched part of the GSM System, is shown in Figure 2-2.
NETWORK NODES

Terminal Equipment (TE)

The Terminal Equipment (TE) is the computer terminal that the end-user works on. This
is the component used for the GPRS system to transmit and receive end-user packet
data. The TE can be, for example, a laptop computer. The GPRS system provides IP
connectivity between the TE and an Internet Service Provider or Corporate LAN,
connected to the GPRS system. From the TE kbit/s of view, it is possible to compare the
MT to a modem that connects the TE to the GPRS system.

Mobile Terminal (MT)

The Mobile Terminal (MT) communicates with a TE, and over the air with a BTS. The
MT must be equipped with software for the GPRS functionality when used in
conjunction with the GPRS system. The MT is associated with a subscriber in the GSM
system. The MT establishes a link to an SGSN. Channel reselection is provided at the
radio link between the MT and the SGSN. The IP connection is static from the TE kbit/s
of view, that is, the TE is not aware of being mobile and retains its assigned IP address
until the MT detaches.

Mobile Station (MS)

The combination of a TE and an MT is an MS (Mobile Station). Often in this document

as in the ETSI GSM standard for GPRS, the term MS is used when discussing the
GPRS features. It can be concluded from the context which parts relate to the MT or the
TE parts. Note that the MT and TE parts can co-exist in the same piece of equipment.
GPRS MSs can, depending on the MS and the network capabilities, operate in three
different modes:

Class A mode of operation allows an MS to have a circuitswitched connection at the

same time as it is involved in a package transfer.
Class B mode of operation allows an MS to be attached to both CS and PS but it
cannot use both services at the same time. However, an MS that is involved in a
package transfer can receive a page for circuit-switched traffic. The MS can then
suspend the packet transfer for the duration of the circuit-switched connection and
afterwards resume the package transfer.

Class C mode of operation allows an MS only to be attached to one service at a time.

An MS that only supports GPRS and not circuit-switched traffic always works in class
C mode of operation.

Base Station System (BSS)

The Base Station System (BSS) consists of a Base Station Controller (BSC) and a Base
Transceiver Station (BTS). The BTS is the radio equipment, which transmits and
receives information over the air to allow the BSC to communicate with MSs in the
BSCs service area. A group of BTSs is controlled by a BSC. The BTS must contain
GPRS-specific software. The BSC provides all radio-related functions. The BSC has the
functionality to set up, supervise, and disconnect circuitswitched and packet-switched
calls. It is a high capacity switch that provides functions including handover, cell
configuration data, and channel assignment. The BSC must be equipped with GPRS
hardware and software when used for GPRS. One or several BSCs are served by an
MSC, and a number of BSCs are served by an SGSN. The BTS separates the MS-
originated circuit-switched calls from packet data communication, before the BSC
forwards CS calls to the MSC/VLR, and PS data to the SGSN. The protocols towards
the BSC are standard GSM protocols, for the desired compatibility.

Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC)

The Mobile services Switching Center (MSC) performs the telephony switching
functions of the GSM circuit-switched system, as the SGSN switches the GSM packet-
switched traffic. 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 Land Mobile Network (PLMN), Public Data Networks, and, possibly,
some private networks.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

The Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is a primary component in the GSM network
using GPRS and is a new component in GSM. The SGSN forwards incoming and
outgoing IP packets addressed to/from a mobile station that is attached within the SGSN
service area. The SGSN provides

Packet routing and transfer to and from the SGSN service area. It serves all GPRS
subscribers that are physically located within the geographical SGSN service area. A
GPRS subscriber may be served by any SGSN in the network, all depending on
location. The traffic is routed from the SGSN to the BSC, via the BTS to the mobile
station.

Ciphering and authentication,

Session management

Mobility management

Logical link management towards the MS

Connection to HLR, MSC, BSC, SMS-GMSC, SMSIWMSC, GGSN

Output of charging data. The SGSN collects charging information for each MS related
to the radio network usage.

Both the SGSN and the GGSN collect charging information on usage of the GPRS
network resources.

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

Like the SGSN, the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is a primary component in
the GSM network using GPRS and it is a new component. The GGSN provides

The interface towards the external IP packet networks. The GGSN, therefore, contains
access functionality that interfaces external ISP functions like routers and RADIUS
servers (Remote Access Dial-In User Service), which are used for security purposes.
From the external IP network’s kbit/s point of view, the GGSN acts as a router for the
IP addresses of all subscribers served by the GPRS network. The GGSN, thus,
exchanges routing information with the external network

GPRS session management; communication set-up towards external network

Functionality for associating the subscribers to the right SGSNs of traffic.

Output of charging data. The GGSN collects charging information for each MS,
related to the external data network usage. Both the GGSN and the SGSN collect
charging information on the usage of the GPRS network resources.

Home Location Register (HLR)

The Home Location Register (HLR) is the database that holds subscription information
for every person who has bought a subscription from the GSM/GPRS operator. The
HLR stores information for CS and for PS communication. The HLR contains
information about, for example, supplementary services, authentication parameters, and
whether or not packet communication is allowed. In addition, the HLR includes
information about the location of the MS. For GPRS, subscriber information is
exchanged between HLR and SGSN. Note that the authentication triplets for GPRS are
fetched directly from the HLR to the SGSN, that is, it does not use the MSC/VLR like
for CS GSM. For more information, see section Visitor Location Register (VLR)
Functionality in SGSN and in MSC, above. The information going from the HLR to the
SGSN is what the operator sets up for the subscriber. This information transfer occurs
when the operator changes subscriber information, or when a new SGSN needs to have
data for a subscriber after attach or roaming. The old SGSN also receives information
about the roaming. The information going from the SGSN to the HLR is the routing
information that is transferred upon MS action, for example, attach or roaming. For a
roaming mobile, the HLR may be in a different PLMN than the SGSN serving the
mobile.

Gateway Mobile Services Switching Center (GMSC)

The Gateway Mobile services Switching Center (GMSC) switches the circuit-switched
calls between the GSM circuitswitched network and the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN), that is, the fixed telephony network. The GMSC is not changed for
use by the GPRS system.

Non-GPRS-Specific System Components

Those components that are not specific to the GPRS system will only be discussed in
terms of their involvement in the packet data services. Such components include, for
example, the Authentication Center (AUC). Since the mobile stations use IP addresses,
you can connect from the GPRS system to Internet Protocol services, obtained from an
Internet Service Provider or from a Corporate LAN. The services can be, for example,
World Wide Web, e-mail, or telemetry.

BSC/TRC HARDWARE AND BASIC CONCEPTS

The BSC/TRC node comprises all hardware that constitute the stand alone nodes TRC
and BSC, so this will be explained first. The differences are briefly described later on in
the chapter.

GROUP SWITCH (GS)

The GS is the central part of the BSC/TRC. The GS connects an incoming channel with
an outgoing channel. For example, it can connect any incoming PCM timeslot and send
it out on any outgoing PCM link on any timeslot. The GS comprises Time Switch
Modules (TSM) and Space switch Modules (SPM) and can switch down to 64 kbit/s. If
switching should be done to lower bitrates, for example, 16 kbit/s, the SubRate Switch
(SRS) must be used.

Switching Network Terminal (SNT)

All equipment connected to the group switch uses the same standardized interface,
which is called Switching Network Terminal (SNT). The SNT is a software concept and
represents the software connection of the physical hardware to the Group Switch. The
hardware is normally referred to as device hardware. Each SNT is connected to the GS
at a Switching Network Terminal Point (SNTP). In Figure 2-3, the following device
hardware is shown, which will be further explained in the chapter:

Exchange Terminal Circuit (ETC)

Signaling no.7 terminal (ST7, C7-ST)

Transcoder and Rate Adaptor (TRA)

Transceiver Handler (TRH)

Subrate Switch(SRS)

Device (DEV)

As previously mentioned, the hardware connected to the GS is referred to as device

hardware. A device is the resource that each SNT has connected to the GS. Depending
on what device hardware and what software is loaded the device can have different
capabilities. The devices and their names will be explained under each device hardware.

EXCHANGE TERMINAL CIRCUIT (ETC)

The ETC board is the common hardware in the AXE to handle the PCM transmission
links, in this case between the MSC-BSC and BSC-RBS. The links can either be 1.5
Mbit/s (T1) or 2 Mbit/s (E1) PCM links. The two link types use different hardware, that
is, for BYB 501, which is the latest building practice, the 1.5 Mbit/s uses ETC-T1
boards and the 2 Mbit/s uses ETC5 boards. What differs, though, between the ETC
boards towards the MSC and those towards the RBSs, is that they have different
software loaded. This means that the resources are named differently. Figure 2-4 shows
the different names and concepts connected to the PCM links in an E1 system.
ETRALT and ETRBLT

Figure 2-4 illustrates two types of SNTs: The ETRALT and the ETRBLT use the same
type of hardware (ETC), but they are loaded with different types of software. This
means that they have slightly different functions. The SNT concept supervises
everything from the connection to the GS, the SNTP, to the output from the ETC board.
The Digital Path (DIP) then takes over the supervision of the PCM link.

Digital Path (DIP)

Digital Path (DIP) is the name of the function used for supervision of the connected
PCM lines. ITU-T has issued recommendations which state how the PCM links should
be supervised. All these recommendations are implemented in the DIP function and the
ETC. Depending on whether the PCM link goes toward the MSC or the RBS the DIP
will have different names. RALT towards the MSC and RBLT towards the RBSs.
RBLT stands for RTS A-Bis interface Line Terminal whereas RTS stands for Radio
Transmission & Transport Subsystem. RALT stands for RTS A-interface Line
Terminal.

RBLT Devices

Each Time Slot (TS), which is 64 kbit/s, on the PCM link towards the RBS is called an
RBLT device. The device is a resource that the BSC can store information on. In this
case it is either LAPD signaling or speech towards the RBS. The number of RBLT
devices is 32 on an E1 PCM link and 24 on a T1 PCM link. Figure 2-4 illustrates an E1
PCM system. The numbering of the RBLT devices starts from 1 to 31 for the first DIP
RBLT-0. This is written as -1&&-31, where the "&&" stand for how to
specify a range of numbers in an AXE command. It should also be noted that the RBLT
devices 0, 32, 64, and 96 are not used. It is TS 0 on the PCM link that is used for
synchronization and which, therefore, cannot be used for other purposes. This is not the
case in a T1 PCM link, where synchronization is performed differently. In the T1
system, the devices are also called RBLT24 devices. There is a more detailed
explanation of what the RBLT devices can be used for in the A-bis chapter.

RALT Devices

Each Time Slot (TS), which is 64 kbit/s, on the PCM link towards the MSC is called an
RALT device. The device is a resource that the BSC can store information on. In this
case, it is either C7 signaling or speech towards the MSC. The numbering principle of
the RALT devices are the same as for the RBLT devices.

ETC 155 MBIT/S

ETC 155 hardware can be used for connecting different switches to the SDH transport
network. The interface may be optical fibers or electrical cables.

DESCRIPTION

The SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) standard was originally introduced into
transmission networks (now called transport networks). Now, the BSC can be connected
via SDH to the MSC. ETC 155 is an SDH interface, supporting both electrical (155.52
MHz) and optical (1310 nm) communication. The ET155 terminates an STM1
(Synchronous Transfer Mode) and contains 63 E1/T1. The ETC 155 is not a part of the
SDH network but is connected to the SDH network.

TRANSCODER AND RATE ADAPTOR (TRA)

The TRA is the function responsible for the speech coding and rateadaption of incoming
speech and data from the MSC and the RBS. The hardware where the function is
implemented is called Transcoder and Rate Adaption Board (TRAB). It has the
following basic functions:

Transcoding of speech information. Speech at 64 kbit/s to/from the MSC is transcoded

to 13 kbit/s to/from the RBS enabling four compressed channels to be multiplexed onto
one 64 kbit/s channel. This is if Full Rate (FR) or Enhanced Full Rate (EFR) is used,
which have a bit rate of 13/15.1 kbit/s. For Half Rate (HR) speech is transcoded to 6.5
kbit/s
Additional control information, 3 kbit/s for FR, 0.9 for EFR, and 1,5 kbit/s for HR, is
added to the transcoded rate towards the RBS giving a final output of 16 kbit/s or 8
kbit/s. The control information which is called in-band signaling, basically tells what
type of information the information contains, for example, speech, data.

Rate adaptation of data information. The maximum data rate supported at present in
GSM is 14.4kbit/s per TS. With High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) it is
possible to have higher bit rates, since then the MS will be assigned more than one TS.

Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) functions on both uplink and downlink. This

reduces the interference in the network and saves mobile batteries.

Figure 2-6 illustrates how the TRA works.

The incoming 64 kbit/s is sent through the GS to the TRA. Four 64 kbit/s channels are
transcoded to 16 kbit/s (FR and EFR) and multiplexed onto one 64 kbit/s. They are then
sent out via the GS to the RBS on the Abis interface on an RBLT device.

Multiplexing and Demultiplexing of Channels

The transcoder multiplexes a number of transcoded channels into one 64 kbps channel,
used between the BSC and BTS. The number of multiplexed channels depends on the
type of speech codec:

Four traffic channels for FR or EFR.

Eight traffic channels for HR.

In terms of hardware, a TRA-EM consists of 32 devices, requires 32 GS inlets, and can

handle 24 TCHs.
In an FR or EFR TRA-EM:

Six MUXs handle 24 multiplexed channels towards the BTS.

24 DEMUXs handle the demultiplexed channels towards the MSC.

Four DEMUXs are statically connected to each MUX device.

In an HR TRA-EM:

Three MUXs handle 24 multiplexed channels towards the BTS.

24 DEMUXs handle the demultiplexed channels towards the MSC.

Eight DEMUXs are statically connected to each MUX device.

In both configurations, two TRABs are used (for TRAU type TRA R4). The relation
between a TRA-EM and an SNT is one to one. The connection and disconnection of a
transcoder device to and from an SNT is performed by command. Furthermore, a
printout of transcoder device states and transcoder-SNT connections can be obtained by
command. Before the transcoder equipment can be seized for a connection towards the
BTS, it must be physically and logically connected, and manually deblocked. The
transcoder equipment requested can be either semi-permanently connected or seized in a
transcoder pool:

Transcoder devices can be semi-permanently connected through the GS for FR only.

Once the connection is established, it is possible to use it for traffic as soon as
synchronization is established between the transcoder and the BTS.
Pooled transcoder devices are seized according to TRA capability and availability.
The connections through the GS, for a transcoder device seized in a transcoder pool, are
set up on a per call basis.

TRA Devices and SNT

Each SNT in Figure 2-6 has 30 devices, for example, SNT -> RTTF1S1-0 has devices
RTTF1D1-2&&-31. From this you can deduce, using Figure 2-9 below, that this is
TRA R5 hardware, with an FR speech version. The number of 64kbit/s that can be
transcoded on this type of TRA is 24. They are called demultiplexed (DEMUX)
devices. The other six devices are called multiplexed (MUX) devices. One MUX device
is 16kbit/s (FR and EFR) and a DEMUX device is 64 kbit/s.

Transcoders in Pool and

Semi-permanently Connected Transcoders

The transcoder devices can either be in a pool or be semipermanently connected. If they

are semi-permanently connected, the transcoder device is always connected to the same
TS in the RBS. This means that the resource is not accessible for others, even if there is
no ongoing traffic. One TRA device is required for each air TS, which will require a lot
of TRA boards. To put the transcoders in a pool, transcoders are seized on a per call
basis leading to better utilization of the installed transcoder hardware. Figure 2-10
illustrates how the TRA in pool generally works and the hardware that is involved.
In this configuration of the transcoder, the TRA resources can be set to be “pools”. In
one BSC/TRC there can be different pools, for example, one pool with EFR devices,
one with FR devices, and one with HR devices. Depending on what MS equipment
should be connected, the BSC/TRC seizes a device that is dependent on each MS's
capabilities, for example, not all MSs can handle EFR, and releases the device when the
call is terminated. This results in less hardware being required, since all people in the
BSC area will not call simultaneously. There is seldom congestion, due to no available
TRA devices in the pool. To be able to handle semi-permanently connected transcoders,
there is no need for extra hardware. However, if "transcoders in pool" are going to be
used, the BSC/TRC must have a Subrate Switch (SRS). The reason for this is that
different TRA resources, for example, FR and EFR, are mixed onto the same 64 kbit/s,
and the GS (as previously mentioned) cannot switch lower than 64kbit/s. The SRS can
switch down to 8 kbit/s and can then put different 16 kbit/s devices on the same 64
kbit/s. The SRS function is explained below.

TRANSCEIVER HANDLER (TRH)

The TRH performs the activities that are required to control the RBS and the
transceivers, and is responsible for a multitude of functions including:

Handling of signaling on the Link Access Protocol on the Dchannel (LAPD) link
between BSC-BTS.

Handling of logical channel addressing part of signaling to/from the BTS and mobile
stations (MS).

Processing of measurement data from the BTS and MSs

Operation and maintenance of the BTS.

Figure 2-11 illustrates the principle of the TRH.

TRH Devices and SNT

Each SNT in Figure 2-11 has 32 devices. The SNT, in this case, is called RHSNT and it
handles the TRH devices, named RHDEV. Each transceiver in the RBS must have a
signaling connection towards the BSC. The device handling the signaling connection
towards the RBS is the RHDEV. One RHDEV is semipermanently connected to one
transceiver in the RBS.

As previously mentioned, the RHSNT has 32 devices, but in reality only 24 of them are
usable (RPG2). This is due to the fact that one TS is used for test purposes and the
others are excluded so as not to load the TRH with tasks. That is why the numbering in
the picture states RHDEV-1&&-24 and RHDEV-33&&-56.

The TRH that is explained above, is the latest TRH which uses Regional Processor
Group (RPG) hardware. The older hardware that uses Regional Processor Device (RPD)
hardware has only eight RHDEVs per board, seven of which can be used. The LAPD
protocol is explained further in the A-bis chapter.

SUBRATE SWITCH (SRS)

Subrate switching allows for the connection of rates lower than 64 kbit/s. The rates
allowed are n*8 kbit/s (where n=1->7). An example of how the SRS can be used to
switch calls to different destinations using only one TRA resource is illustrated in
Figure 2-12. Four 64 kbit/s timeslots that contain speech arrive at the BSC from the
MSC. The TRH controls the call set-up and determines whether the SRS should be
used, which TRA should be used, the call type, destination BTS, etc. The GS sets up
connections to the TRA which transcodes the four 64 kbit/s channels into four 16 kbit/s.
The 4x16 kbit/s channels are then multiplexed into one 64 kbit/s channel which is
returned to the GS. In this example, the destination of two of the calls is BTS1, and of
the other two calls, BTS2. The TRH has this information and determines that it is
necessary to set up a connection towards the SRS.
The SRS switches the 16 kbit/s subrate channels to two 64 kbit/s channels that are
returned to the GS. Hereafter, the GS can set up connections towards BTS1 and BTS2,
which contain the correct subrate channels.

The SRS is required when TRA in pool is used. In addition, it is needed when utilizing
LAPD multiplexing, which occurs when the speech and signaling towards the RBS is
multiplexed onto the same 64 kbit/s. This will be explained further in the A-bis chapter.

SIGNAL TERMINAL NO.7 (ST7)

The MSC must have the ability to signal with the BSC. This is done using Signaling
Terminals (ST). The signaling devices are called, for example, C7ST2C for E1 PCM
links. The signaling between the MSC and BSC is slightly different in a T1 network,
since T1 has a separate signaling network. This means that there is no connection
between the GS and the ST. Generally, there are two signaling TSs between the BSC
and MSC. Whereas one is sufficient for all signaling, the second is installed for
redundancy purposes.

PROCESSORS (RP AND CP)

The RPs are designed to execute simple high-repetition functions and are mainly used
for the direct control of the hardware units of the application systems. These hardware-
units offer the traffic devices of the exchange, for example, ETC, TRA. The CPs
execute complex and data demanding tasks. The standard RPs are called either RPM6A
or RP4, but there are a few other types.

Regional Processor Device (RPD)

The RPD device hardware can supply TRH or C7 signaling and is integrated with the
RP.

Regional Processor Group (RPG)

The RPG has the same functionality as the RPD, but it has higher capacity than the
RPD. The RPG, with different software loaded, can, in the BSC, serve as TRH, C7, or
STC terminal.

STAND ALONE TRC AND BSC

TRC

The Transcoder Controller (TRC) node contains the pooled transcoder resources and
is a stand alone node.

The TRC is connected to the MSC via the A-interface and to the BSC via the A-Ter
Interface. The TRC node has the ability to support up to 16 BSCs over the A-ter
interface. The transcoders in the various TRAnscoder (TRA) pools in a TRC can be
shared between all BSCs, associated with the TRC. One of the connected BSCs may be
residing on the same physical platform as the TRC, that is, in a combined BSC/TRC
network element. One TRC can be connected to up to four MSCs. This makes it
possible to build rather large TRCs supporting several MSCs. One BSC is still
controlled by one specific MSC. The TRC can contain several transcoder resource
pools, one pool per type of transcoder resource, for example, Full Rate, Enhanced Full
Rate, and Half Rate. The A-interface signaling remains unchanged in the new system
structure. For the communication between the TRC and a remote BSC, a C7 based
Ericsson proprietary communication protocol is used. Concerning a combined
BSC/TRC, internal signaling between the TRC and BSC part is used.

The TRC node handles the A-ter transmission interface resources. The operation and
maintenance signaling and the handling of the A-ter interface are similar to the current
implementation on the A-interface. At call set-up and after signaling connection set-up,
an assignment request is sent via the MSC to the BSC. The request is sent directly to the
BSC and can pass transparently through the TRC. The BSC receives the assignment
request and requests a transcoder device from the TRC, also indicating the Ainterface
Circuit Identification (CIC) to be used for this specific call. The TRC allocates a
transcoder device and the time slot on the A-ter interface, which is connected to the A-
interface CIC, specified by the MSC. The TRC replies to the BSC, which establishes the
connection to the mobile.

BSC

The stand alone BSC has been developed and optimized especially for rural and
suburban areas and is a complement to the BSC/TRC node in the BSC product
portfolio. The BSC contains the SRS and TRH, as previously explained. The BSC,
however, does not contain any transcoders. It utilizes transcoder resources from a
central BSC/TRC, or from a TRC node. The BSC is connected to the BSC/TRC, or the
TRC via the A-ter interface.

PCM LINK DEVICE TYPES

Figure 2-15 illustrates the different names of the PCM link devices in the three types of
BSS implementation.