Mo

M ob
blll
le (GSM)
for
tem
System
for
551
ajobal

elosets throughout a building. IS-94 specifies a technique to provide private, or

e p l a c e d

chosed, celhu
stems that use nonstandard control channels. IS-94 systems were introduced in
i were proliferating throughout office buildings and hotels until 2001.
1994, a n d were

IS-54 Rev.C standard provided 48.6 kbps control channel signaling on the USDC-
The
trol ch
only control channels and 10 kbps FSK control channels on the original AMPS channels. How
losed network capabilities are not fully developed under IS-54 Rev.C. The final USDC
ever, c l o s e

sd. IS-136, was developed to provide a host of new features and services that allowed
standard

cDC to be competitive with IS-95 and GSM 2G standards. IS-136 specifies short messaging
USDC
vate, user group features, making it well-suited for wireless PBX applications
apabilities and privat.

snd paging applications.

Furthermore, IS-136 specifies a "sleep mode" that instructs compatible
ar phones to conserve battery power. IS-136 subscriber terminals are not compatible with
IS-54, since IS-136 48.6 kbps control channels exclusively on all con-
those produced for uses

This allows IS-136 modems to be more cost

rol
rol channels (the 10 kbps FSK is not supported).
efective, since only the
48.6 kbps modem is needed in each portable unit.

11.3 Global System for Mobile (GSM)

second generation cellular system standard that was
Global System for Mobile (GSM) is a

solve the fragmentation problems of the first cellular systems in Europe. GSM was
developed to
modulation and network level architectures
the world's first cellular system to specify digital
countries
and services, and is the world's popular 2G technology. Before GSM, European
most
and it was not possible for a customer
used different cellular standards throughout the continent,
the
to use a single subscriber unit throughout Europe.
GSM was originally developed to serve as
the use of
wide range of network services through
pan-European cellular service and promised a the
of virtually everyone, and it is now
SDN. GSM's success has exceeded the expectations

wOrld's most popular standard for new cellular

radio and personal communications equipment
subscriers worldwide.
350 million GSM
rOughout the world. As of 2001, there were over

for Europe in the 900 MHz

The task of a common mobile communication system
specifying committee which was a
d was taken up in the mid-1980s by the GSM (Groupe spécial mobile)
Global System for Mobile
OTKing changed its name to the
group of the CEPT. In 1992,
GSM
The setting of standards for GSM is under the
Ommunications for marketing reasons [Mou92].
EN of the Technical Standards Institute (ETS).
European
1993, several
European market in 1991. By the end of
uSM was first introduced into the
Australia had
and the tech- adopted GSM
America, Asia, and
European countries in South Personal ommunication
Services (PCS)
DCS 1800, which supports
yequivalent offshoot,
int created by governments throughoOut the world.
18 GHz to 2.0 GHz radio bands recently
 Chapter 11. Wireless
552
systems and Stane
andalards

11.3.1 GSM Services and Features

GSM services follow ISsDN guidelines and are classified as either teleservices or data serd
Teleservices include standard mobile telephony and mobile-originated or base-originated traf.
Data services include computer-to-computer communication and packet-switched traffic traffic
services may be divided into three major categories:
User

Telephone services. including emergency calling and facsimile. GSM also supports
S
Videotex and Teletex, though they are not integral parts of the GSM standard.
Bearer services or data services which are limited to layers 1, 2, and 3
open sys.
tem interconnection (OSI) reference model (see Chapter 10). Supported services
of the
include
packet switched protocols and data rates from 300 bps to 9.6 kbps. Data may be transmit
ted using either a transparent mode (where GSM provides standard channel coding for the
user data) or nontransparent mode (where GSM offers special coding efficiencies based
on the particular data interface).
Supplementary ISDN services, are digit¡l in nature, and include call diversion, closed
user groups, and caller
identification, and are not available in analog mobile networks.
Supplementary services also include the short messaging service (SMS) which allows
GSM subscribers and base stations to Ismit
alphanumeric pages of limited length (160
7 bit ASCII characters) while
simultaneously carrying normal voice traffic. SMS also pro-
vides cell broadcast, which allows
GSM base stations to repetitively transmit ASCIl mes-
sages with as
many as fifteen 93-character strings in concatenated fashion.
SMS may be
used for safety and advisory
applications, such as the broadcast of highway or weather
information to all GSM subscribers within
reception range.
From the user's point of view, one of the most remarkable features of GSM is the
Subscriber ldentity Module (SIM), which is a
memory device that stores information such as
the subscriber's
identification number, networks and countries where the subscriber s
the
entitled to service, privacy keys, and other
SIM with a
user-specific information. A subscriber uses the
four-digit personal
ID number to activate service from
available as smart cards (credit card sized cards that any GSM phone. SIMs are
may be inserted into any GSM phone) or
plug-in modules, which are less convenient than the SIM cards but are nonetheless removabie
and portable. Without a SIM installed, all GSM mobiles are
the SIM that gives GSM subscriber units identical and nonoperational. It 18
their identity. Subscribers
any suitable terminal-such as a may plug their SIM into
hotel phone, public phone,
phone-and then able to have all
are
or any
portable or monl
incoming GSM calls routed to that terminal
outgoing calls billed to their home and have a
phone, no matter where
A second remarkable feature they world.
are in the
of GSM is the on-the-air
privacy which is provided by he
system. Unlike analog FM cellular phone
systems which can be readily
impossible to eavesdrop on a GSM radio transmission. The privacy
monitored, it is virtua
ing the digital bit stream sent by a GSM transmitter, according is made secret cryptograypt-
to a specific
possible by ency raphic
 for
Moblie (GSM)
tem 553

eknown only to the cellular carrier. This key changes with time for each user. Every
key GSM equipment manufacturer must sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
carrierand
developing GSM equipment or deploying a GSM system. The MolU is an international
beront hich allows the sharing of cryptographic algorithms and other proprietary informa-
agreement which allows

betw
ntries and carriers.
cour
tion

11.3.2 GSM System Architecture

GSM system architecture consists of three major interconnected subsystems that intefact
heiween themselves and with the users through certain network interfaces. The subsystems are
the Base Station Subsystem (BSS), Network and Switching Subsystem (NsS), and the Operation
port Subsystem (OSS). The Mobile Station (MS) is also a subsystem, but is usually consid-
Suppo
ered to be part of the BSS for architecture purposes. Equipment and services are designed within
GSM to support one or more of these specific subsystems.

The BSS, also known as the radio subsystem, provides and manages radio tfransmission
paths between the mobile stations and the Mobile Switching Center (MSC). The BSS also man-
ages the radio interface between the mobile stations and all other subsystems of GSM. Each BSS
consists of many Base Station Controllers (BSCs) which connect the MS to the NSS via the
MSCs. The NSS manages the switching functions of the system and allows the MSCs to com-
municate with other networks such as the PSTN and ISDN. The OSS supports the operation and
maintenance of GSM and allows system engineers to monitor, diagnose, and troubleshoot all
aspects of the GSM system. This subsystem interacts with the other GSM subsystems, and is
provided solely for the staff of the GSM operating company which provides service facilities for
the network.

Figure 11.5 shows the block diagram of the GSM system architecture. The Mobile Stations
(MSs) communicate with the Base Station Subsystem (BSS) over the radio air interface. The BSs
of many BSCs which connect to a single MSC, and each BSC typically controls up to
consists
Several hundred Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs). Some of the BTSs may be co-located at the
BSC, and others may be remotely distributed and physically connected to the BSC by microwave
inkor dedicated leased lines. Mobile handoffs (called handovers, or HO, in the GSM specifica-
on) between two BTSs under the control of the same BSC are handled by the BSC, and not the
MSC. This greatly reduces the switching burden of the MSC.
As shown in Figure 11.6, the interface which connects a BTS to a BSC is called the Abis
erace. The Abis interface carries traffic and maintenanee data, and is specified by GSM to be
andardized for all manufacturers. In practice, however, the Abis for each GSM base station
aufacturer has subtle differences, thereby forcing service providers to use the same manufac-
turer for the BTS
and BSC equipment.
The BSCs are physically connected via dedicated/leased lines or microwave link to the
T h e interface between a BSC and a MSC is called the A interace, which is standardized
n USM. The A interface uses an SS7 protocol called the Signaling Correction Control Part
 Chapter 11 Wirelese Systems and Standaa
554

BTS

BTS BSC
HLR VLR AUC
MS BTS

PSTN

BTS

MSC ISDN
BTS BSC

BTS Data
Networks
OMC
Operation Support |
Subsystem
MS
Base Station Subsystem Network Switching Subsystemi Public Networks

Figure 11.5 GSM system architecture.

BTS

MS

BTS BSC MSC PSTN

SS7

BTS
MS A interface
Abis Interface (standardized)
(standardized)

GSM Radio Air Interface

(standardized)
Figure 11.6 The various interfaces used in GSM.

(SCCP) which supports communication between the MSC and the BSS, as well as network mes*
sages between the individual subscribers and the MSC. The A
interface allows a service pro
vider to use base stations and switching equipment made
by different manufacturers.
 Mobile(GSM)
ystemfor 555
Globa

NSS handles the switching of GSM calls between external networks and the BSCs in
aa Subsystem and is also responsible for managing and providing external access to sev-
the
radio.

theomer databases. The MSC is the central unit in the NSS and controls the traffic among
r a l c u s t o m e r

he BSCs. In the NSS, there are three different databases called the Home Location Regis-
R)Visitor Location Register (VLR), and the Authentication Center (AUC). The HLR is
tabase which contains subscriber information and location information for each user who
e s in the same city as the MSC. Each subscriber in a particular GSM market is assigned a
enternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMS), and this number is used to identify each
ne ser. The VLR is a database which temporarily stores the IMSI and customer information
ho
ach roaming subscriber who is visiting the coverage area of a particular MSC. The VLR is
ked between several adjoining MSCs in a particular market or geographic region and contains
aihscription information of every visiting user in the area. Once a roaming mobile is logged in

he VLR, the MSC sends the necessary information to the visiting subscriber's HLR so that calls
to the roaming mobile can be appropriately routed over the PSTN by the roaming user's HLR.
a strongly protected database which handles the authentication and
The Authentication Center is
in the HLR and VLR. The Authentication Center
encryption keys for every single subscriber
which identifies stolen or fraud-
contains a register called the Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
not match with information contained
ulently altered phones that transmit identity data that does
in either the HLR or VLR.
used
The OSS supports one Operation Maintenance Centers (OMC) which are
or several
GSM sys-
to monitor and maintain the performance of each MS, BS, BSC, and MSC within a
tem. The OSS has three main functions,
which are 1) to maintain all telecommunications hard-

ware and network operations with a particular

market, 2) manage all charging and billing
in the system. Within each GSM system, an
procedures, and 3) mnanage all mobile equipment
for adjusting all base station param-
OMC is dedicated to each of these tasks and has provisions
with the ability to deter-
eters and billing procedures, as well as for providing system operators
subscriber equipment in the system.
mine the performance and integrity of each piece of

11.3.3 GSM Radio Subsystem

now it is
bands set aside for all member countries, but
GSM originally used two 25 MHz cellular
band was for subscriber-to-base transmissions
used globally in many bands. The 890-915 MHz
base-to-subscriber transmissions (forward
(reverse link), and the 935-960 MHz band was for
TDMA and FHMA schemes to provide multiple
ink). GSM uses FDD and a combination of into 200
access to mobile users. The available forward
and reverse frequency bands are divided
Channel Numbers). The
kiz wide channels called ARFCNs (Absolute Radio Frequency
MHz
which is separated in frequency by 45
ARFCN denotes a forward and reverse channel pair
TDMA.
as eight subscribers using
and each channel is time shared between as many
timeslot (TS) per
ARFCN and occupies a unique
Each of the eight subscribers uses the same
reverse link are made at
a channel data rate of
Radio transmissions on both the forward and
rame. 0.3 GMSK modulation. Thus, the signaling
bit
0.833 kbps (1625.0/6.0 kbps) using binary BT=
 556 Chapter 11 Wireless
Systema and
and Star
Standarda

duration is 3.692 us, and th2 effective channel transmission rate per user
is 33 Rsa
(270.833 kpbs/8 users). With GSM overhead (described subsequently), user data is actually 33.854 kbps
a maximum rate of 24.7
kbps. Each TS has an equivalent time allocation of 156.25 chann sent at
but of this, 8.25 bits of guard time and six total start and
stop bits are provided to prevent
prevent coverlap
with adjacent time slots. Each TS has a time duration
of S76.92
jus as shown in
and aFigure 11.7. and
single GSM TDMA frame spans 4.615 ms. The total number of available
channels within
25 MHz bandwidth is 125 (assuming no vithin a
guard band). Since each radio channel consists of eich!
time slots, there are thus a total of 1000 traffic channels within GSM. In
practical implementations
a guard band of 100 kHz is provided at the upper and lower end of the GSM
124 channels
spectrum, and onlv
are implemented. Table 11.3 summarizes the GSM air interface.
The combination of a TS number and an ARFCN constitutes
physical channel for both the
a
forward and reverse link. Each physical channel in a GSM
system can be mapped into different
logical channels at different times. That is, each specific time slot or frame may be dedicated
to
either handling traffic data (user data such as
speech, facsimile, or teletext data), signaling data
required by the internal workings of the GSM system), or control channel data (from the MSC,
base station, or mobile user). The GSM
specification defines a wide variety of logical chanels
which can be used to link the physical
layer with the data link layer of the GSM network. These
logical channels efficiently transmit user data while simultaneously providing control of the
network on each ARFCN. GSM
provides explicit assignments of time slots and frames for specific
logical channels, as described below.

156.25 bits
576.92 us

TSo TS, TS2

TS TS3 TS TS TS TS7

4.615 ms

TS,: nth Time Slot

(Normal) Speech Multiframe 26 TDMA frames
=

120 ms

T TT T10 T Tia ST T T ****°**

Ta2 Tas Ta4 1S
LI
T:nh TCH frame
S: Slow Associated Control Channel frame
I: Idle frame

Elqure 11.7 The speech dedicated control channel frame

and multiframe structure.
 for Moblle (aSM)
aiobal System
557

Table 11.3 GSM Air Interface Specifications

Summary
Parameter
Specifications
Reverse Channel Frequency
890-915 MHz
Forward Channel Frequency
935-960 MHz
ARFCN Number 0 to 124 and 975 to 1023

Tx/Rx Frequency Spacing 45 MHz

Tx/Rx Time Slot Spacing
3 Time slots

Modulation Data Rate

270.833333 kbps
Frame Period
4.615 ms
Users per Frame (Full Rate) 8

Time Slot Period

576.9 us
Bit Period
3.692 us
Modulation 0.3 GMSK

ARFCN Channel Spacing 200 kHz

Interleaving (max. delay) 40 ms

Voice Coder Bit Rate 13.4 kbps

11.3.4 GSM Channel Types

There are two types of GSM
logical channels, called trafic channels (TCHs) and control chan-
nels (CCHs) [Hod90]. Traffic channels
carry digitally encoded user speech or user data and
ave identical functions and formats on both the forward and
reverse link. Control channels
ary signaling and synchronizing commands between the base station and the mobile station.
Certain types of control channels are defined for just the forward or reverse link. There are six
Terent types of TCHs provided for in GSM, and an even larger number of CCHs, both of
which are now
described.
11.3.4.1 GSM Traffic Channels (TCHs)
M raffic channels may be either full-rate or half-rate and may carry either digitized speech or

data. When transmitted as full-rate, user data is contained within one TS per frame. When
smatted as half-rate, user data is mapped onto the same time slot, but is sent in altemate
ames. That is, two half-rate channel users would share the same time slot, but would alter
nately transmit during every other frame.
 Chapter 11 Wireless
558 stems and Standarda

In the GSM standard, TCH data may

not be sent in TS 0 within a TDMA fr on certain
ARFCNs which serve as the broadcast station
for each cell (since this time slot
slot icis .
control channel bursts in most every frame, as described subsequently). Furthermore f f reserved
TCH data are broken up every thirteenth frame by either slow associated chan amesoof
ciated control ch
(SACCH) or idle frames. Figure 11.7 illustrates how the TCH data is transmitted:
in
data
tive frames. Each group of twenty-six consecutive TDMA frames is called a multifran onsecu
speech multiframe, to distinguish it from the control channel multiframe described hel07
every twenty-six frames, the thirteenth
and twenty-sixth frames consist of Slow a..ror
ssociated
Control Channel (SACCH) data, or the idle frame, respectively. The twenty-sixth frama
con
tains idle bits for the case when full-rate TCHs are used, and contains SACCH data when L
alf
rate TCHs are used.
Full-Rate TCH
The following full rate speech and data channels are supported:

Full-Rate Speech Channel (TCH/FS)-The full-rate speech channel carries user

speech which is digitized at a raw data rate of 13 kbps. With GSM channel coding added
to the digitized speech, the full-rate speech channel carries 22.8 kbps.
Full-Rate Data Channel for 9600 bps (TCH/F9.6)- The full-rate traffic data channel
carries raw user data which is sent at 9600 bps. With additional forward error correction
coding applied by the GSM standard, the 9600 bps data is sent at 22.8 kbps.
Full-Rate Data Channel for 4800 bps (TCH/F4.8)- The full-rate traffic datachannel
carries raw user data which is sent at 4800 bps. With additional forward error correction
coding applied by the GSM standard, the 4800 bps is sent at 22.8 kbps.
Full-Rate Data Channel for 2400 bps (TCH/F2.4)-The full-rate traffic datachannei
carries raw user data which is sent at 2400 bps. With additional forward error correctior
coding applied by the GSM standard, the 2400 bps is sent at 22.8 kbps.

Half-Rate TCH
The following half-rate speech and data channels are supported:

Half-Rate Speech Channel (TCH/HS)-The half-rate speech channel has been

designed to carry digitized speech which is sampled at a
rate half that of the full-rate cnau
nel. GSM anticipates the
availability of speech coders which can digiize speech at abu
6.5 kbps. With GSM channel
coding added to the digitized speech, the halt-rale sgeeech
channel will carry 11.4 kbps.
Half-Rate Data Channel for 4800 bps (TCH/H4.8)-The half-rate uraffic data c annel
carries raw user data which is sent at
bps. With additional forward error c rection
4800
coding applied the GSM standard, the 4800
by
bps data is sent at 11.4 kbps.
Half-Rate Data Channel for 240O bps annel

carries raw user data

(TCH/H2.4)-The
which is sent at 2400
half-rate traftic data c
ton
bps. With additional forward eror co
coding applied by the GSM standard, the 2400
bps data is sent at 114 kbps.
 for Mobile (GSM)
obel System
559

11.3.4.2 GSM Control Channels

(CCH)
Aeare three
There three main control channels
in the GSM
control system. These are the broadcast channel
BCH), thee common
comm channel (CCCH), and the dedicated
teal cchannel consists of several logical channels which are control channel (DCCH). Each
control
distributed in time to provide the
necessary
GSM control functions.
The BCH and CCCH forward control channels in GSM
implemented
ARFCN channels and are allocated timeslots in a very specific manner.
are
only the BCH
Specifically,
on certain

and CCCH forward control channels are allocated only TS 0 and are broadcast only during cer
tain frames within a repetitive fifty-one frame sequence (called the control channel
muliframe)
on those ARFCNs which are designated as broadcast channels. TS1
through TS7 carry regular
TCH traffic, so that ARFCNS which are designated as control channels are still able to carry
full-rate users on seven of the eight time slots.

The GSM specification defines thirty-four ARFCNs as standard broadcast channels. For
each broadcast channel, frame 51 does not contain any BCHICCCH forward channel data and is
considered to be an idle frame. However, the reverse channel CCCH is able to receive subscriber
transmissions during TS 0 of any frame (even the idle frame). On the other hand, DCCH data
may be sent during any time slot and any frame, and entire frames are specifically dedicated to
certain DCCH transmissions. GSM control channels are now described in detail.

Broadcast Channels (BCHs)-The broadcast channel operates on the forward link of a

first time slot (TS 0) of
specific ARFCN within each cell, and transmits data only in the
BCHs only use the forward link.
duplex,
certain GSM frames. Unlike TCHs which are
Just as the forward control channel (FCC) in AMPS is used as a beacon for all nearby
TDMA beacon channel any nearby
for mobile
mobiles to camp on to, the BCH serves as a
for all mobiles within the
to identify and lock on to. The BCH provides synchronization
in neighboring cells so that received power
cell and is occasionally monitored by mobiles
out-of-cell users. Although BCH data is
transmit-
and MAHO decisions may be made by available
GSM frame for that same ARFCN are
in a
0, the other seven timeslots
ted in TS
all eight
with dummy bursts. Furthermore,
for TCH data, DCCH data, or are filled
or DCCH data.
available for TCH
the cell are
timeslots on all other ARFCNs within
access to TS O during
channels which are given
The BCH is defined by three separate BCH is allocated
Figure 11.8 illustrates how the
frame
various frames of the
51 sequence.
BCH are now described.
frames. The three types of
control channel that is
(BCCH)- The BCCH is a forward
a) Broadcast Control Channel character
as cell and
network identity, and operating
information such
used to broadcast availability, and congestion).
control channel structure, channel
istics of the cell (current use within the
cell.
channels that are currently in
a list of
The BCCH also broadcasts 51 frames) contain
control multiframe (4 out of every
Frame 2 through frame 5
in a
 Chapter 11 Wireless Systems ane

560
Standards
Multiframe = 51 TDMA Frames
Control
235 ms
202122 39 40 4142 4950
o 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8910111213|14 c c
c l c P s c c Ps
FsB B B BccclcF s|c
F:FCCH burst (BCH)
S : SCH burst (BCH)
BCCH burst (BCH)
PCH/AGCH burst (CCCH)
Idle
(a)

TDMA Frames
Control Multiframe 51 =

235 ms

o 1234 56 4647 48 4950

RR RR R R|R RRRRR
R Reverse RACH burst (CCCH)
(b)
Figure 11.8 (a) The Control Channel Multframe (forward link for TSO); (6) The Control
Channel Multiframe (reverse link for TSO).

BCCH data. It should be noted from Figure 11.8 that Ts Ocontains BCCH dataduring
specific frames, and contains other BCH channels (FCCH and SCH), common control
channels (cCCHs), or an idle frame (sent every 51st frame) during other specific frames.

b) Frequency Correction Channel (FCCH)- The FCCH is a special data burst which
occupies TS 0 for the very first GSM frame (frame 0) and is repeated every ten frames
within a control channel multiframe. The FCCH allows each subscriber unit to syn-
chronize its internal frequency standard (local oscillator) to the exact frequency of the
base station.

) Synchronization Channel (SCH)-SCH is broadcast in Ts 0 ofthe frame immediately

following the FCCH frame and is used to identify the serving base station while allowing
each mobile to frame synchronize with the base station. The frame number (FN), Wnieu
ranges from 0 to 2,715,647, is sent with the base station identity code (BSIC) durnng ue
SCHburst. The BSIC is uniquely assigned to each BST ina GSM system. Since amou
may be as far as 30 km away from a
serving base station, it is often necessary to auju
timing of a particular mobile user such that the received signal at the base stauon
synchronized with the base station clock. The BS issues coarse timing advancemeu
commands to the mobile stations over the SCH,
as well. The SCH is transmitted on
every ten frames within the control channel multiframe, as shown in Figure 11.8.
 for Mobile (GSM)
al System 561

.Common Control Channels (CCCHs) -On the

broadcast (BCH) ARFCN, the com-
non control channels occupy TS 0 of
every GSM frame that is not otherwise used
BCH or the ldle frame. CCCH consists of three different by the
channels: the paging channel
PCH), which is a forward link channel, the random
access channel (RACH) which is a
reverse link channel, and the access grant channel
nel. As seen in Figure 11.8, CCCHs are the
(AGCH), which is a forward link chan-
used to page specific subscribers, assign
most commonly used control channels and are
signaling channels to
specific users, and receive
mobile requests for service. These channels are described
below.
a) Paging Channel (PCH) The PCH provides
-

all mobiles in the cell, and notifies a paging signals from the base station to
specific mobile of an incoming call which origi-
nates from the PSTN. The PCH transmits
the IMSI of the subscriber, along with
arequest for acknowledgment from the mobile unit on the target
RACH. Alternatively, the
PCH may be used to provide cell broadcast ASCII text
messages to all subscribers, as
part of the SMS feature of GSM.
b) Random Access Channel (RACH)-The RACH is a reverse
link channel used by a
subscriber unit to acknowledge a page from the PCH, and is also
used by mobiles to
originate a call. The RACH slotted ALOHA access scheme. All mobiles must
uses a
request access or respond to a PCH alert within TS 0 of a GSM frame. At the
BTS,
every frame (even the idle frame) will accept RACH transmissions from
mobiles dur-
ing TS 0. In establishing service, the GSM base station must
respond to the RACH
transmission by allocating a channel and assigning a stand-alone dedicated control
channel (SDCCH) for signaling during a call. This connection is
confirmed by the base
station over the AGCH.
c) Access Grant Channel
(AGCH)-TheAGCH is used by the base station to provide
forward link communication to the mobile, and carries data which instructs the mobile
to operate in a particular
physical channel (time slot and ARFCN) with a particular
dedicated control channel. The AGCH is the final CCCH message sent by the base
station before a subscriber is moved off the control channel. The AGCH is used by the
base station to respond to a RACH sent by a mobile station in a previous CCCH frame.
Dedicated Control Channels (DCCHs) --There are three types of dedicated control
channels in GSM, and, like traffic channels (see Figure 11.7), they are bidirectional and
have the same format and function on both the forward and reverse links. Like TCHs.
DCCHs may exist in any time slot and on any ARFCN except TSO of the BCH ARFCN.
The stand-alone dedicated control channels (SDCCHs) are used for providing signaling
services required by the users. The Slow- and Fast-Associated Control Channels (SACCHs
and FACCHs) are used for supervisory data transmissions between the mobile station and
the base station during a call.
a) Stand-alone Dedicated Control Channels (SDCCHs)- The SDCCH caries signaling
data
following the connection of the mobile with the base station, and just before a
CH assignment is issued by the base station. The SDCCH ensures that the mobile
 Chapter 11
Wireless Systema
562 andsSlandarda
while the base station
station remain connected
station and the base
allocate resources
for the mobile. The SDCCuSC SC verity
the subscriber unit and an be though
channel which accepts a newly co thou
of as an intermediate
and temporary
the traffic while waiting
for the base station to mpleted cacal
ad
from the BCH and holds
authentication and alert locate aTCH
a Tou
channel. The SDCCH is
used to send
the frame structure
messages
and (butonot
speech) as the mobile synchronizes itself with for aTCH
SDCCHs may be assigned their own physical channel or may occupy TSO
of TOH
if there is low demand for BCH or CCCH
traffic. BCH
-The SACCH is always
a) Slow Associated Control Channel(SACCH)
an.

a traffic channel or a SDCCH and maps onto the Same physical channel. The with
ARFCN systematically carries SACCH data for all ofits current users
users. As in
the
standard, the SACCH carries general information between the S and BTS. USDC
ward link, the SACCH is used to send slow but regularly changing controlOn
ct
tion to the mobile, such as transmit power level instructions and specifictimina forma-
advance instructions for each user on the ARFCN. The reverse SACCHcarmies infor
mation about the received signal strength and quality of the TCH, as well as BCH ma
mea-
surement resultsfrom neighboring cells. The SACCHis transmitted durine the
thirteenth frame (and the twenty-sixth frame when half-rate traffic is used) of every
speech/dedicated control channel multiframe (Figure 11.7), and within this frame.the
eight timeslots are dedicated to providing SACCH data to each of the eight full-rate lar
sixteen half-rate) users on the ARFCN.
a) Fast Associated Control Channels (FACCHs)- FACCH carries urgent messages, and
contains essentially the same type of 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). The FACCH gains access to a time slot by "steal-
ing" frames from the traffic channel to which it is assigned. This is done by setting two
special bits, called stealing bits, in a TCH forward channel burst. If the stealing bis are
set, the time slot is known to contain FACCH data, not a TCH, for that frame.

11.3.5 Example of a GSM Call

To understand how the various traffic and control channels are used, consider the case of a moble
call origination in GSM. First, the subscriber unit must be synchronized to a nearby base station
it monitors the BCH. By
as
receiving the FCCH, SCH, and BCCH messages, the subscnber
would locked on to the sysem and the
be
appropriate BCH. To originate a call, the user first das
the intended digit combination and presses the "send" button nobue
on the GSM phone. ocked
transmits a burst of RACH data, using the same ARFCN as thebase station to which it 1S Io
The base station then responds with an AGCH message on the CCCH which assigns themoou
unit to a new channel for SDCCH connection. The subscriber unit, which is monitoring
the BCH, would receive its ARFCN and TS
assignment from the AGCH and would immc
tune to the new ARFCN and TS. This ARFCN and TS
SDCCH
new
assignment is physically
 563
for Moblle (GSM)
Moblle.

System

Global

TCH). Once
tuned to the SDCCH, the subscriber unit first waits for the SACCH frame to
the

(not (the wait would last, at most, 26 frames or 120 ms, as shown in Figure 11.7),
transmitted

efortmsthe mobile of any required timing advance and transmitter powerthe mobile's The
ear-
command.
wation is able to determine the proper timing advance and signal level from
DACH transmission and sends the proper value over the SACCH for the mobilesubscriber
process. to
the is
receiving and processing the timing advance information in the SACCH,
ier

Upon .
sends
able
nowable to
transmit normal burst messages as required for speech traffic. The SDCCH
authentication and user val-
base station, taking care of
between the mobile unit and the
messages betw
switches the speech
aion, while the PSTN connects the dialed party to the MSC, and the MSC
is commanded by the base
h to the serving base station. After a few seconds, the mobile unit TCH
SDCCH to retune to a new ARFCN and new TS for the assignment. Oncee
tian via the
station
the call is
reluned to the TCH, speech data is transferred on both the forward and reverse links,
and the SDCCH is vacated.
Successfully underway,
When calls originated from the PSTN, the process is quite similar. The base station
are

TS O within an appropriate frame on the BCH. The mobile

broadcasts a PCH message during
that same ARFCN, detects its page and replies with an RACH message
station, locked on to
the CCCH to assign
acknowledging receipt of the page. The base station then uses the AGCH on
the mobile unit to a new physical
channel for connection to the SDCCH and SACCH while the
Once the subscriber establishes timing
network and the serving base station are connected.
base station issues a new physical channel
advance and authentication on the SDCCH, the
assignment over the SDCCH, and the TCH assignment is made.

11.3.6 Frame Structure for GSM

Each user transmits a burst of data during the time slot assigned to it. These data bursts may

defined in GSM 11.9 illustrates the five

[Hod90]. Figure
have one of five specific formats, as
bursts. Normal bursts are used for TCH
types of data bursts used for various control and traffic
and DCCH transmissions on both the forward and reverse link. FCCH and SCH bursts are used
in TS 0 of specific frames (shown in Figure 11.8(a)) to broadcast the frequency and time syn-

chronization control messages on the forward link. The RACH burst is used by all mobiles to
access service from any base station, and the dummy burst is used as filler information for
unused time slots on the forward link.

illustrates the data structure within a normal burst. It consists of 148 bits
Figure 11.10
wnch are transmitted at a rate of 270.833333 kbps (an unused guard time of 8.25 bits is
I14 information-bearing
POvIded at the end of each burst). Out of the total 148 bits per TS,
are

are transmitted as two 57 bit sequences close to the beginning

and end of the burst.
se which
midamble consists of a 26 bit training sequence which allows the adaptive equalizer in the
1 l e or base station receiver to analyze the radio channel characteristics before decoding the
data. On either side of the midamble, there are control bits called stealing flags. These two
a are used to distinguish whether the TS contains voice (TCH) or control (FACCH) data,
ES