GSM Network Element Modification or Upgrade Required For GPRS

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GPRS

GPRS architecture works on the same procedure like GSM network, but, has additional
entities that allow packet data transmission. This data network overlaps a second-
generation GSM network providing packet data transport at the rates from 9.6 to 171
kbps. Along with the packet data transport the GSM network accommodates multiple
users to share the same air interface resources concurrently.
Following is the GPRS Architecture diagram:

GPRS attempts to reuse the existing GSM network elements as much as possible, but to
effectively build a packet-based mobile cellular network, some new network elements,
interfaces, and protocols for handling packet traffic are required.
Therefore, GPRS requires modifications to numerous GSM network elements as
summarized below:

GSM Network Element Modification or Upgrade Required


for GPRS.

Mobile Station (MS) New Mobile Station is required to


access GPRS services. These new
terminals will be backward
compatible with GSM for voice calls.

BTS A software upgrade is required in the


existing Base Transceiver
Station(BTS).

BSC The Base Station Controller (BSC)


requires a software upgrade and the
installation of new hardware called
the packet control unit (PCU). The PCU
directs the data traffic to the GPRS
network and can be a separate
hardware element associated with the
BSC.

GPRS Support Nodes (GSNs) The deployment of GPRS requires the


installation of new core network
elements called the serving GPRS
support node (SGSN) and gateway
GPRS support node (GGSN).

Databases (HLR, VLR, etc.) All the databases involved in the


network will require software
upgrades to handle the new call
models and functions introduced by
GPRS.

GPRS Mobile Stations

New Mobile Stations (MS) are required to use GPRS services because existing GSM phones
do not handle the enhanced air interface or packet data. A variety of MS can exist,
including a high-speed version of current phones to support high-speed data access, a new
PDA device with an embedded GSM phone, and PC cards for laptop computers. These
mobile stations are backward compatible for making voice calls using GSM.

GPRS Base Station Subsystem

Each BSC requires the installation of one or more Packet Control Units (PCUs) and a
software upgrade. The PCU provides a physical and logical data interface to the Base
Station Subsystem (BSS) for packet data traffic. The BTS can also require a software
upgrade but typically does not require hardware enhancements.
When either voice or data traffic is originated at the subscriber mobile, it is transported
over the air interface to the BTS, and from the BTS to the BSC in the same way as a
standard GSM call. However, at the output of the BSC, the traffic is separated; voice is sent
to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) per standard GSM, and data is sent to a new device
called the SGSN via the PCU over a Frame Relay interface.

GPRS Support Nodes

Following two new components, called Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GSNs) and, Serving
GPRS Support Node (SGSN) are added:

Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

The Gateway GPRS Support Node acts as an interface and a router to external networks. It
contains routing information for GPRS mobiles, which is used to tunnel packets through
the IP based internal backbone to the correct Serving GPRS Support Node. The GGSN also
collects charging information connected to the use of the external data networks and can
act as a packet filter for incoming traffic.

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)

The Serving GPRS Support Node is responsible for authentication of GPRS mobiles,
registration of mobiles in the network, mobility management, and collecting information
on charging for the use of the air interface.

Internal Backbone

The internal backbone is an IP based network used to carry packets between different
GSNs. Tunnelling is used between SGSNs and GGSNs, so the internal backbone does not
need any information about domains outside the GPRS network. Signalling from a GSN to a
MSC, HLR or EIR is done using SS7.

Routing Area

GPRS introduces the concept of a Routing Area. This concept is similar to Location Area in
GSM, except that it generally contains fewer cells. Because routing areas are smaller than
location areas, less radio resources are used While broadcasting a page message.

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