Specifications
Frequency Bands
Architecture
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A Mobile Station (MS) has Mobile Equipment (ME) and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).
ME is a portable, handheld device.
An internationally unique serial number or International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) stored in the SIM card characterizes the mobile. The subscriber-specific call number and certain cryptographic algorithms for authentication and encryption of user data are incorporated into the SIM card. Just by changing the SIM card, the users can change operators while retaining the same handset.
A Base Station Subsystem (BSS) allows operation between components of different suppliers. It has Base Transceiving Station (BTS) and Base Station Controller (BSC).
BTS acts as an interface between the network provider and mobile phone by transmitting and receiving resources.
BSC manages Radio resources for BTS and communicates with Mobile Switching Centre (MSC) and BTS.
MSC controls the base station through switching nodes.
A Home Location Register (HLR) is a database of semi-permanent mobile subscriber information for a carriers' entire subscriber base. The database contains information of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), service subscription, location, service restrictions and supplementary services.
A Visitor Location Register (VLR) is a database that has temporary information related to the mobile subscribers currently located in a given MSC serving area.
An Authentication Centre (AUC) contains algorithms and subscriber-related keys to authenticate a mobile subscriber.
An Equipment Identity Register (EIR) contains the details of all the mobile transceivers permitted on the network, in the form of white, grey and black lists. The white list has all reliable functioning mobile phones, the grey list has all defective mobile phones, and the black list has all fault or stolen mobile phones.
GSM uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technique that allows several different calls to share the same carrier with each call assigned with a particular time slot. When a user switches on his mobile phone, it gets registered with the network provider through the nearest base station.
Outgoing Call Process
MS sends called number to BSS
BSS sends called number to MSC
MSC checks VLR and asks BSS to allocate resources for the call
MSC routes the call to GMSC
GMSC routes the call to local exchange of the called user
Ring back tone is routed from called user to MS via GMSC, MSC, BSS
Incoming Call Process
Calling a GSM subscriber
Forwarding call to GSMC
Signal Setup to HLR
Request MSRN from VLR
Forward responsible MSC to GMSC
Forward Call to current MSC
Get current status of MS
Paging of MS
MS answers
Security checks
Set up connection
Security
SIM card has four to eight digits Personal Identification Number to avoid unauthorized access. Authentication is ensured through AUC.
Data transmission can be encrypted on the radio link between the mobile phone and the base station. No other transmission paths use encryption.
Enhancements to GSM
High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) is an enhanced version of the GSM and it uses multiple channels simultaneously for data transmission. The maximum number of timeslots used is 4. HSCSD is expensive and does not transmit data in packets.
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhances GSM phones for rapid data transfer in video calling, video download, web browsing, email, etc. It is a packet-oriented service and uses IP address for every mobile data device. GPRS ensures permanent online connectivity.
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) or EGPRS offers faster transfer rates than GPRS or HSCSD. It uses up to 8 timeslots.
Enhancements to GSM
Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) is used for various control purposes.
Facsimile Group III is used to connect fax machines to a telephone using analog signals
Short Message Service allows sending and receiving messages of max160 alphanumeric characters.
Cell Broadcast allows broadcasting a message of a maximum of 93 characters.
Voice Mail works like an answering machine controlled by the subscriber.
Fax Mail allows the subscriber to receive fax messages at any fax machine.
Call Forwarding allows the subscriber to forward incoming calls to another number.
Barring of Outgoing Calls allows the subscriber to prevent all outgoing calls.
Barring of Incoming Calls allows the subscriber to prevent all incoming calls.
Advice of Charge (AoC) allows the subscriber to estimate the call charges.
Call Hold allows the subscriber to interrupt an ongoing call and then subsequently reestablish the call.
Call Waiting allows the subscriber to be notified of an incoming call during a conversation.
Multiparty Service allows the subscriber to establish a multiparty conversation.
Calling Line Identification supplies or restricts the called party with the integrated services digital network (ISDN) number of the calling party.
Closed User Groups (CUGs) similar to PBX allows a group of subscribers to only call themselves or certain numbers.
Advantages
For Users
Superior sound quality
International roaming capability
Reduced congestion
Longer battery life
Data support (SMS, Web browsing, email)
Flexibility of spectrum
Better security against fraud
Compatibility with ISDN
Encryption capability for information security and privacy
Instant transfer of SIM cards
Wide variety of product selection
For Operators
Highly economical due to low cost infrastructure
Increased capacity
Highly scalable
Spectral flexibility and efficiency
Device selection
Interoperability standard
Flexible, cost-effective migration to 3G
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