GSM

 GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)

 Introduction and Objectives.
 GSM Services.
 GSM System Architecture.
 GSM Radio Link.
 GSM Handover and types of handover.
 GSM Channel Types.
 Localisation and Calling in GSM.
 Frame Structure of GSM.
 GSM Security.
 Protocol architecture for Signaling.
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Radhika Gour, Asst. Prof., VNIT Nagpur
 GSM Handover
 Handover: Handover means changing of old allotted
frequency to a new frequency when call is ongoing.
 Handover is done to avoid the force-full call drop.
 Handovers can occur because of following two
reasons.
 When MS moves out of the range of coverage area of one BTS.

 If BSC/MSC decides that load on one cell/BTS is too high then

handover is done for some MS to second cell/BTS. (this is called as
load balancing)
 In standards, above 40 different types of handover are
identified.
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Radhika Gour, Asst. Prof., VNIT Nagpur
 GSM Handover

• But most prominent types of handover are:

• Intra-cell handover,
• Inter-cell, intra BSC handover,
• Inter-BSC, intra MSC handover and
• Inter MSC handover.

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 GSM Handover
• Intra Cell Handover:
• If interference is very high on allotted channel, then to
continue the call, BTS allots a fresh frequency to MS.
Base Station Controller (BSC) decides it.
• Inter-cell, intra-BSC Handover:
• It is Most typical type of handover used in cellular
communication system.
• In this handover, MS moves from coverage area of one
BTS to coverage area of second BTS.

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 GSM Handover
BTS BSC MSC

1
2
4
3

BTS BTS

BTS BSC

BSC MSC
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 GSM Handover
• Typically 60msec are given for proper handover.
• BTS and MS continuously monitors the received power
levels of signals and if it falls below a given threshold
then handover is initiated.
• During handover BSC sends signal to nearby all BTS and
requests for free channel status. If any free channel is
available then it is given to MS else call will get dropped.
• If only one channel is free and a new MS requests for
services, then services for that new MS will be blocked
and free channel will be given to handover MS (Because
call was ongoing).
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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

 Localization: In cellular systems it is necessary to locate the user

before establishing a call as users are allowed to move they can
go to any BTS.
 To achieve this, GSM periodically updates its HLR and VLR when
user is within the coverage area of the service provider and
even though MS is not accessing the services.(*)
 Even when MS goes on roaming, service provider continues to
update its HLR and VLR for given MS.
 To locate a MS, GSM uses various numbers.
 (*) >> Provided the user is within the coverage area and has not
switched of the mobile phone.

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)
• MSISDN: It is important number from user point of view.
– This number is associated with SIM card and not with the mobile phone device.
– It is dial number of phone line.
– MSISDN follows the ITU – T (international Telecommunication Union) standard
E.164 which is also used in ISDN networks.
– Users dial MSISDN number to call a person.
– It consists of:
• CC = For Country Code
• NDC = National Destination Code for Operator name and area of operation.
• SN = Subscriber’s number.
91 9822 012345

– Ex. Country National Subscriber’s

Code (CC) Destination code (NDC) Number (SN)

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

• MSRN: Mobile Station Roaming Number

– VLR generates this numbers on request of MSC and gives it to HLR also for
storage.
– This is a temporary number given to the MS which are currently on
roaming.
– This number is needed by GMSC to forward incoming call to the MSC
which is providing the services currently to the MS (Because when we dial
a number we call to the Home Service provider then it is automatically
transferred to the roaming service provider.
– Both home as well as roaming service provider’s HLR copies the contains
from each other.
– It consists of Visitor Country Code (VCC), the Visitor National Destination
Code (VNDC) and the identification of the current MSC along with the
Subscriber number (SN).

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

• IMSI: (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)

– GSM always uses IMSI to differentiate users.
– It consists of fields similar to MSISDN.
– Even if we dial a local GSM number, it is converted into IMSI format (see
example)
– Ex. Suppose we dial a local number as
• 9400 024365, then system converts this number as IMSI i.e.
• +91 9400 024365*
– The format for IMSI is given as
Mobile Country Mobile Network Mobile subscriber
Code (MCC) Code (MNC) Identification Number (MSIN)

– * This number is just taken for an example (It is BSNL’s Customer care
centre number)
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 GSM (Localization and Calling)
• TMSI: (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity)
– It is a temporary number given to MS so as to hide the actual
identity over air interface.
– As soon as MS moves into a new cell or switches on the device,
it gets an TMSI from system and it is generated by VLR.
– It is an 4-byte number in hex format.
– This number is stored in SIM card of MS.
– This number can be changed if needed and corresponding
change is informed to the MS.
– As soon as cell is changed, new TMSI will be given to MS
– Periodically system updates the location of every active MS and
correspondingly TMSI will be changed or refreshed.

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

• GSM can handle two types of voice calls i.e.

– MTC (Mobile Terminated Call) and
– MOC (Mobile Originated Call)
– In a telephonic communication system there exists
two parties.

1. Calling Party (The party which originates the call) and

2. Called Party (The party for which the call is originated).

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

• Mobile Terminated Call (MTC):

– In MTC, called party is GSM – MS and calling party
can be a PSTN, any other GSM – MS (of same service
provider or any other provider) or any fixed line
phone or any other cellular system.

– The call flow for an MTC is very important in GSM

because in MTC, localization of the called party is
required to be done.

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)
4
HLR 5 VLR
15
3 6 8 9

14
PSTN
1 GMSC MSC
2 7

10

13
BTS 16 BTS
(via BSC) (via BSC)

BTS
(via BSC)
11

12

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

• Mobile Originated Call (MOC):

– In MOC, calling party is GSM subscriber.
– Called party can be any other GSM of same or different
service provider, PSTN, WLL customers.
– MOC is simpler than MTC because localization of user
is not required.
– MS itself gives the location of itself.
– VLR is updated in this type of call.

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 GSM (Localization and Calling)

4 5 6
PSTN
VLR MSC GMSC
3 8 7
2 9 10
10
BSC BTS
1 1

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 References

1. “Wireless Communications: Principles and Practices”, 2nd

edition, Theodre S.Rappaport, Pearson Education”.

2. “Mobile Communication”, 2nd edition, Jochen Schiller, “Pearson

Education”.

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