INTERNSHIP REPORT

On In plant Training in Advanced Telecom at RTTC, BSNL

FACULTY GUIDE: Prof. Saravanan K

SUBMITTED BY:
Ch. Sreekar (13BEC0611)
 ABSTRACT

The following is a report on the in plant training received from BSNL at RTTC,
Gachibowli, Hyderabad. The training covered several concepts based on fixed
line and wireless communications. Concepts such as optical fibre
communication and mobile communication were extensively studied and their
real world applications were analysed.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank Mr. Srinivasa Rao, SDE for guiding me throughout the
training programme and offering their constant support. Furthermore, I would like
to thank the entire staff of the RTTC, Gachibowli for always being there to help me
learn and gain the skills required for pursuing my career in the near future.
 INTRODUCTION

Telecommunication department provides a strong and reliable technology for

Telephone Communication. The telecom services have been recognized the
world over as an important tool for socio-economic development for a nation. It
is one of the prime support services needed for rapid growth and modernization
of various sectors of the economy. Indian telecommunication sector has
undergone a major process of transformation through significant policy
reforms, particularly beginning with the announcement of NTP 1994 and was
subsequently re-emphasized and carried forward under NTP 1999. Driven by
various policy initiatives, the Indian telecom sector witnessed a complete
transformation in the last decade. It has achieved a phenomenal growth during
the last few years and is poised to take a big leap in the future also.
 CONTENTS

RADIO WAVES AND SPECTRUM CRUNCH

CELLULAR TECHNOLOGIES

ACCESS TECHNIQUES

NETWORK ELEMENTS

MSC INFRASTRUCTURE

GSM CHANNELS

GSM CALL FLOW

PACKET CORE NETWORK GPRS AND UMTS

GSM INTERFACES

PACKET CORE NETWORK LTE

THE OSI MODEL

SS7 PROTOCOL

OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION

VALUE ADDED SERVICES

TSG OPERATIONS

SITE AND ITS COMPONENTS

DRIVE TESTING

CONCLUSION
Radio Waves

Radio Waves are a type of electromagnetic radiations and have

wavelength higher than Infra-red light.
Frequencies range from 3kHz to 300GHz.
Travel at the speed of light (3x10m/s).

Radio Waves occur naturally in the form of Cosmic rays from outer space
and are also generated by lightening.
Man-made radio waves are used for fixed and mobile radio communication,
broadcasting, radar and other navigation systems, communications satellites,
computer networks and innumerable other applications.
Propagation characteristics vary with frequency of radio waves -higher
wavelengths can propagate longer distances beyond earths horizon
whereas shorter waves are reflected off the ionosphere and can travel
around the world.
Very short wavelengths reflect very little and travel on a line of sight.

Spectrum Limitations

"Spectrum" is the range of radio frequencies available.

Telecommunication systems all require a certain amount of
electromagnetic bandwidth to operate.
Spectrum is a scarce resource and with growing telecommunication
utilities and applications, it has to be optimally used.
Each country manages the spectrum allocation in their geographical areas
as per best practices described by international recommendations.
Dense utilization of spectrum increases the interference and effects
network quality.
Regular network planning and optimization is needed for best
performance of telecom networks and interference control.
 CELLULAR GENERATIONS

1G 2G 2.5G 2.75G 3G 3.5G 4G

1G

Radio signals used were analog.

Modulated to higher frequencies 150MHz or up.
Only voice traffic.

2G
GSM standard(Global System for mobile communications).
Phone conversations are digitally encrypted.
Introduced data services, SMS(Short Message Service) , picture
message and MMS(Multimedia Message Service).
Uses 900MHz and 1800MHz frequency bands.
Supports circuit switched (CS) technology.
Uses TDMA(Time Division Multiple Access ) and CDMA(Code
Division Multiple Access).
Speed is 14.4kbps.
Channel bandwidth is 200KHZ.

2.5 G

GPRS(General Packet Radio Service).

Packet oriented mobile data.
Supports both circuit switch(CS) and packet switch(PS).
Speed is 128kbps.

2.75 G

EDGE(Enhanced Datarates for Global Evolution).

Also known as eGPRS(evolved GPRS)
Supports both CS and PS modes.
Speed is 286kbps.
3G

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service).

Uses WCDMA (Wide band Code Division Multiple Access) for radio
interface.
Channel bandwidth is 5MHz.
Uses 900MHz and 2100MHz frequency bands.
Speed is 2Mbps.
Mobile access to video signals.
Modulation technique used is QPSK(Quadrature Phase Shift Keying).

3.5G

HSDPA(High Speed Downlink Packet Access), HSUPA(High Speed

Uplink Packet Access).
Downlink speed is 14.4Mbps and uplink is 5.76Mbps.
Combinedly it is HSPA+ ( evolved High Speed Packet Access).
Speed of HSPA+ is 21Mbps.
New modulation technique 16 QAM is used.

4G

LTE(Long Term Evolution),EPC(Evolution Packet Core )Amended

web access , video conferencing.
Access technique is OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiple Access).
Uses 1800MHz (in FDD) and 2300MHz (in TDD) frequency bandS.
Only Packet Switched technique for all services including voice.
Dynamic channel bandwidth.
Speed is 170Mbps.
IP telephony.
Modulation technique used is 64QAM.
 MULTIPLE ACCESS TECHNIQUES

FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)

The available bandwidth of the common channel is divided into bands that are
separated by guard bands. One user uses one frequency.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)

The bandwidth is just one channel that is time shared between different
stations.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)

Only one channel occupies the entire bandwidth of the link and all stations can
send the data simultaneously.

No time sharing

OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access)

OFDMA is the access technique used in LTE.

It is Frequency Division Multiplexing used as a digital multi-carrier
modulation method.
A large number of closely spaced orthogonal sub carrier signals are used
to carry data on several parallel data streams or channels.
Each sub channel is sub channel is modulated with a conventional
modulation schemes (QAM or QPSK).
They have low symbol rates similar to conventional single carrier
modulation schemes in the same bandwidth.
 In OFDMA the primary advantage is the ability to cope with the several
channel conditions.

FREQUENCY DIVISION DUPLEX (FDD)

In FDD, uplink and downlink are in a pair and they cannot be

varied independently.

Both uplink and downlink transmission will be assign

different frequencies.
Both utilize the same time slot.
Uses symmetric frequencies for the uplink and downlink.

TIME DIVISION DUPLEX (TDD)

It uses same frequency for transmit and receive but uses the alternate
time slots for those operations.
In TDD, uplink and downlink can be varied independently.
It doesnt have to be 50-50 symmetry in UL and DL.
Transmissions are concurrent rather than simultaneous.
 GSM NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

The GSM network architecture comprises of many functional blocks

and interfaces. The GSM network can be broadly classified into
The Mobile Station (MS)

The Base Station Subsystem (BSS )

The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)

The Operation Suppor t Subsystem (OSS)

There are 3 interfaces in GSM network

Um Interface: Between MS(Mobile Station) and BSS(Base Station

Subsystem). It allows the exchange of user and signalling information.
Abis Interface(open air interface): Between BTS(Base Transceiver
Station) and BSC(Base Station Controller). It allows the exchange of
traffic information.
A Interface: Between BSC(Base Station Controller) and MSC(Mobile
Switching Center).
 MOBILE STATION (MS)

In GSM mobile phone is known as Mobile Station.

It provides access to GSM network for voice and data.
It is a combination of terminal equipment and subscribers data.
The terminal equipment is known as Mobile Equipment (ME). Each MS has
a unique number called IMEI number which is used for authentication
purposes.
Mobile transmits and receives voice at 12.4Kbps.
Subscribers data is fed from the SIM
card. Therefore MS = ME + SIM

MOBILE STATION IDENTITIES

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity):

15 digit number used for equipment identification.

When the phone is switched on , the unique IMEI number is transmitted and
checked against the data base in the EIR.
IMEI = TAC + FAC + SNR +sp

TAC (Type Approval Code): 6 digits, determined by GSM body

FAC
(Final Assembly Code): 2 digits, identifies the manufacturer SNR
(Serial Number): 6 digits, phone serial number
Sp: 1 digit, spare for future use

MSISDN:

A GSM number which uniquely identifies a mobile subscription in the

Public Switched
Telephone Network(PSTN)
It is the telephone number
MSISDN = CC+ NDC + SN
CC: Country Code
NDC: National Destination Code
SN: Subscriber Number

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module):

It is a removable card that plugs into the MS.

It identifies the mobile subscriber and provides information about the service
that the subscriber should receive.
SIM number is mapped to IMSI number.
 The International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is the primary identity
of the subscriber within the mobile network and is permanently assigned to
that subscriber.

Subscribers Authentication Key ( Ki ) is used to authenticate the SIM card.

It also contain information about TMSI and LAI.
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) - This number also identifies
the subscriber. It can be alternatively used by the system. It is periodically
changed by the system to protect the subscriber from being identified by
someone attempting to monitor the radio interface.
Location Area Identity ( LAI ) - Identifies the current location of the
subscriber.

BASE STATION SUBSYSTEM (BSS)

The Base Station Subsystem is responsible for managing the radio network, and
it is controlled by an MSC. Typically, one MSC contains several BSS. The BSS
consists of the following elements:
BSC Base Station Controller.
BTS Base Transceiver Station.
TRAU Transcoder and Rate Adaptation Unit.

BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION (BTS)

It facilitates the wireless communication between User Equipment and

network.
It is connected to the cell through feeder cables.
Each BTS is given several TRXs which allows it to serve different
frequencies.
All the BTS are connected to the BSC through Abis interface which
controls them.
User Equipment may be several BTS serving it at a time but only one of
them will be dominant.
BTS is connected to UE through air interface.
It is referred as NodeB in 3G networks and eNodeB (evolved NodeB)
in LTE.
BASE STATION CONTROLLER (BSC)

Several BTS are connected to one BSC.

It deals with the allocation of the radio channels and the handover from
one BTS to another BTS etc
All the BSC are connected to the MSC through A interface.
It serves as a mediators between base stations and MSC providing a voice
pathway for mobile phones.
BSC has the entire database for all cell parameters associated with the
BTSs.

TRANSCODER AND RATE ADAPTION UNIT (TRAU)

This performs the transcoding functions for the voice channels and Rate
Adaption for the data channels.
Transcoding is the compression of the speech data from 64kbps to 12.4kbps.
Rate Adaption allows the original encoded data to be carried in 64kbps.
Transcoding leads to degradation of the voice quality.
It can be collocated with the BTS , BSC or MSC or it can be a separate unit.
 NETWORK SWITCHING SUBSYSTEM (NSS)

MSC (MOBILE SWITCHING CENTRE)

It is a core network element which controls the Network Switching

Subsystem.
Communicates with BSC on MS side and PSTN on other side.
It handles all the inter BSC handovers.
All the MSC are connected to GMSC.
Calls were established , maintained and released in MSC.

GMSC (Gateway Mobile Switching Centre)

All the MSC of different operators are connected to one

GMSC. It is used to route the calls outside the mobile network.

HLR (Home Location Register)

HLR is connected to the MSC and it has all the subscriber data.
HLR contains user information including address , account status and
preferences.
When a call routes to MSC ,it gets all the information related to the customer
whether customer is activated or issued.
When the subscriber switches from one operator to other , all the information
is transferred to other operators HLR.
VLR (Visitor Location Register)

It contains the exact location of the all the subscribers currently

present in the service area of MSC.
The additional data stored in VLR is
Location Area Identity (LAI)
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)
Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN)
Mobile Status (Busy/available/switched off etc)
VLR is the temporary database.
AUC (Authentication Centre)

It carries out the verification of the SIM.

It provides the security information which is required for this process.
It is associated with HLR.

EIR (Equipment Identity Register)

It is responsible for IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) checking.

It stores all IMEI numbers and checks the validity.
EIR classifies the IMEI numbers into:
White list (Mobile is allowed on the network)
Black list (Mobile is not allowed on the network)
Grey list (Mobile needs to be monitored)

IN (Intelligent Network)

Prepaid system.
It does all the functions of billing.
Checks whether the subscriber has enough balance to make or receive a call.
It contain all the information about the plans of the subscriber and duration of the
sessions.

OPERATION SUPPORT SUBSYSTEM (OSS)

MSC is connected to OMC (Operations and Maintenance Centre).

It focuses on the maintenance of the network.
It helps the network provider to access the health of the overall
telecommunication network.
It gives the operator the ability to perform FCAPS.

Fault Management

Configuration Management
Accounting Management

Performance Management
Security Management
 BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE MSC

For the proper functioning of the MSC and other network switching elements,
proper conditions has to maintained in the switching room. The three important
parameters we have to take care are

1) Power supply
2) Temperature
3) Humidity

Power Supply

The network elements are given a supply of -48V (negative sign indicates that
supply is given to the negative terminal and positive is grounded)

The AC supply is connected to rectifier which converts the AC power supply to

DC which is supplied to the network elements

If there is any problem in the power supply and it fails, the supply is drawn from
the Battery Banks
This is called SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply)

The supply given is Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS). It is like a backup

supply.

UPS is an electrical apparatus which provides power supply when the main
power supply fails

Temperature and Humidity

The temperature in the switching room has to be maintained at

21degrees For this purpose PAC (precession Air Conditioners) are used.

The Precession Air Conditioner is to precisely control the temperature,

humidity and dust The sensitivity of PAC is +/- 1degree and +/- 5%
Relative Humidity

Components of PAC: Evaporator, condenser, compressor and heater

If the temperature of the switch room goes down than 21degree then heater
is switched on and temperature is retained

If the temperature is more, then the cooler is switched on and cool air is sent
to the equipment to prevent them from damage due to excess heat

The basic refrigeration cycle is followed for maintaining this temperature and
humidity

If the humidity is less than the required, then equipment will have the cracks
due to dryness

If the humidity is more, then the water droplets may accumulate on the
equipment. This causes the destruction of the equipment. So the excess water
is condensed

LOGICAL CHANNELS IN GSM AIR INTERFACE

The logical channels are divided into

two groups.

1) Common channels

Broadcast channels and common control channels

2) Dedicated channels

Dedicated Control Channels and Traffic Channels

BROADCAST CHANNELS

FCCH: Frequency Correction Channel. It allows the MS to synchronize to the

frequency. It carries 142 bit zero sequence that repeats once in every 10 frames
SCH: Synchronization channel. This is used by the MS to synchronize to
TDMA frame structure within the particular cell

BCCH: Broadcast Control Channel. The last information the MS must receive
in order to make/receive calls is carried by BCCH

CBCH: Cell Broadcast Channel. Used for the transmission of generally

accessible information like Short Message Services (SMS)

COMMON CONTROL CHANNELS

RACH: Random Access Channel. Used by MS for requesting for a channel.

RACH is also used when it wants to make a call. It is transmitted in uplink

AGCH: Access Grant Channel. On requested for a signalling channel by MS

the network assigns a signalling channel through AGCH. It is transmitted on the
downlink

PCH: Paging Channel. The information on this channel is a paging message

including the MS identity (IMSI/TMSI). It is used in downlink

DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNELS

SDCCH: Stand alone Dedicated Control Channel. It is a signalling channel.

Used for location update, authentication and assignment of traffic channels

SACCH: Slow Associated Control Channel. Transmission of radio link signal

measurement, power control
FACCH: Fast Associated Control Channel. Used for handover commands and
during call setup and release

TRAFFIC CHANNELS

TCH: Traffic Channel. Carries voice data. Two blocks of 57 bits contain voice
data. One TCH is allocated for every call. A full rate TCH carries 12.4kbps
voice data and half rate TCH carries 6.5 kbps voice
CALL FLOW IN GSM

REQUEST ACCESS

The MS send as a channel request message to the BSS through RACH.

BSS responds with the radio resource assignment on the AGCH.
Then MS sends a service request message to the BSS on the SDCCH.

AUTHENTICATION

Before the network provide any service to MS, it has to authenticate itself
on the network.
The BSC sends an authentication request message to the MS.
The MS calculates SRES based on the given RAND and sends it to the
BSS as authentication response message.
The BSS checks the SRES and if it is correct then the MS is authenticated
and allowed on the network.
The BSS sends service accept message letting the MS know that service
request is received and proceeded.
After authentication, the MS switches to cipher mode.
 INITIAL CALL SETUP

After switching to the cipher mode, MS sends a cipher mode complete

message.
The MS sends a call set up message to BSS. This message includes the
address of the called party.
The BSC assigns the TCH. It also mentions which TRX and which
Timeslot to use.
The BSC does not assign the TCH until the MSC sends a call proceeding
message to BSC that the IAM has been sent.
The MS immediately switches to assigned TCH and MS sends an
assignment complete message to BTS through FACCH.

CALL SETUP
The MSC sends an Initial Address Message (IAM). The IAM contains
the MSISDN of the called party.
The MSC will also send a call proceeding message to the BSS.
Based on the dailed number, the GMSC decides where to route the IAM
within the PSTN.
The PSTN will continue to route the IAM until it reaches the correct Switching
Centre and call routing is complete.
The PSTN will establish a call circuit and sends the address complete message to
the GMSC.
The GMSC forwards that to MSC indicating that the call circuit is established.
CALL ESTABLISHMENT
Once the MSC receives the ACM, it sends an alert message to MS indicating
that the call is going through.
The BSC sends that message on FACCH.
Once the MS receives an alert message, it will generate the ringing sound in the
earpiece.
The BSS sends an alerting message the subscriber will hear the line ringing.
Once the called party answers phone, the PSTN will send an answer message to the
MSC.
The MSC forwards this to the MS in a connection message.
Once the MSC receive the message, it switches over to voice and begins the call.

CALL TERMINATION
When either the caller or the called party hangs up, the call will be
disconnected. Either party can initiate the disconnect.
The MS sends a disconnect message to the BTS on the FACCH.
BTSforwards it to MSC.
Once the MSC receives the message, it sends an release message through
the GMSC to the PSTN as well as down through the BSS to the MS.
The MS responds by sending a release complete message to the BSS on
the FACCH. forwards the message up to the MSC.
Once MSC receives the message the call is considered ended from the
call control perspective.
The MSC sends a channel release message to the BSS to release the TCH
allocated to MS.
The BSC forwards it to MS and it responds with the DISC message and
turns to idle mode.
The BSS reallocates the channel for the other call or release the TR.

HANDOVER
It is a process by which the control of a mobile is transferred from one BTS to
another. When the call is in process, the change in location need special
processing

In hard handover, within the BSS the BSC which knows the current radio link
configuration prepares a new channel in new BTS. The MS is told to switch
over to the new BTS

In soft handover, the MS is connected to two BTS simultaneous.

 PACKET CORE NETWORK GPRS AND UMTS

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. it
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.

The UMTS 3G architecture is required to provide a greater level of performance

of the original GSM. It has migrated through the use of other architectures
which already had the ability to carry data. Accordingly many of the elements
required for the UMTS network were seen as a migration. This considerably
reduced the cost of implementing the UMTS network
MS (Mobile Station)

It is device used by end user to communicate.

Mobile Station is required to access GPRS services. These new terminals
will be backward compatible with GSM for voice calls.

BSS (Base Station Subsystem)

The base station subsystems require a software upgrade and a new

hardware called packet control unit (PCU).

The PCU directs the data traffic to the GPRS network and can be separate
hardware element associated with the BSS.

UTRAN (UMTS Radio Access Network)

The UMTS Radio Access Network or Radio Network Subsystem comprises of

two main components

Radio Network Controller (RNC)

This element of the Radio Network Subsystem controls the Node Bs that
are connected to it.
The RNC undertakes the radio resource management and some of the
mobile management functions, although not all.
It is also the point where the data encryption and decryption takes place
to protect the user data.
Node B

Node B is the term used within UMTS to denote Base Transceiver Station.
This part of the UTRAN contains the transmitter and receiver to
communicate with UEs within the cell.

It participates with RNC in resource management.

PACKET SWITCHED ELEMENTS

Following two new components, called Gateway GPRS Support Nodes

(GGSN) and Serving GPRS Support Nodes are added

Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN):

As the name implies, this entity was first developed when GPRS was
introduced and its uses has been carried over into the UMTS network
architecture.
The SGSN provides a number of functions within the network.

MOBILE MANAGEMENT: when a UE attaches to a packet switched

domain of the core domain, it generates MM information about the mobile
current location

SESSION MANAGEMENT: The SGSN manages the data sessions

providing the required quality of service and PDP (Packet Data Protocol) contexts

INTERACTION WITH OTHER AREAS OF THE NETWORK:

SGSN is able to manage its elements within the network only by
communicating with the other areas of network for example MSC

BILLING: The SGSN is also responsible for billing. It achieves this by

monitoring the flow of user data across the network. CDR (Call Detail Records)
are generated by the SGSN before being transferred to charging entities

Gateway GPRS Serving Node (GGSN)

Like the SGSN, this entity was also first introduced into the GPRS network.
The Gateway GPRS Support Node is the central element within packet
switched networks.
It handles inter working between the packet switched network and external
networks.
It is considered as a sophisticated router.
In operation, when the GGSN to a specific user, it checks if the user is
active and then forwards the data to the SGSN serving the particular UE.
Shared elements

The shared elements of the packet core network architecture include the
following network entities

Home Location Register (HLR): This database contains all the

administrative information about each subscriber along with their last
known location. In this way, the packet core network is able to route the
information to the relevant node B.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR): This checks whether the UE is

allowed on the network or not.
Authentication Centre (AuC): protected database that carries out the
verification of the SIM.

Policy and Charging Rule Functions (PCRF)

It is a software node designated in real time to determine policy rules.

It aggregates the information from network, other operational systems and
other sources in real time.

It can be integrated to different platforms like billing, charging and rating.

Domain Name System (DNS)

Delegates the responsibility of assigning the domain names and mapping

them to the internet sources.
It translates the domain names to the IP addresses.

It also specifies the functionality of the database which is at its core.

Signalling Transfer Point (STP)

SGSN is connected to HLR through STP.

It routes messages between signalling end points.
 PACKET CORE NETWORK ARCHITECTURE -LTE
LTE is different from the GPRS or UMTS. It is completely packet core, there
are no circuit switched elements in LTE. All the elements are newly placed.

MOBILE MANAGEMENT ENTITY (MME)

Key control node for LTE access network. It

replaced MSC of the earlier architectures.
Activation and deactivation of the user.
Responsible for the authentication of the user.

SERVING GATEWAY NODE (SGN)

It replaced SGSN of GPRS.

It acts as an IP server. It contains the network internal routing information.

PDN GATEWAY NODE (PGN)

It replaces the GGSN of the GPRS.

PUBLIC DATA NETWORK (PDN)

It is the network established and operated by the telecommunication

administrator.
It can be Circuit switches or Packet Switched network that can transmit data
in the digital form.

Connects the UE and external packet data network.

 It is the point of entry and point of exit for the traffic.

HOME SUBSCRIBER SERVER (HSS)

It replaced the HLR.

Until now we used HLR for the access of the subscriber information
but now due to the upgrade in the protocols and the other network elements,
HLR cant be used in the LTE.
So we switched to the upgraded version of HLR.
It is central database
Contains user related and subscription related information.
It has same functions of HLR and AuC.

POLICY AND CHARGING RULE

FUNCTIONS (PCRF)

It does billing. Aggregates the information from all the sources Post paid.

EVOLVED NODE B (e-nodeB)

It does the same functions of BTS in GPRS and Node B in UMTS.

As the name indicates the eNode B has an upgrade in its functions.
It transmits the data packets from the SGW to UE - Wireless transmission

THE 7 LAYERS OF THE OSI MODEL

The Open Systems Interconnection model is a conceptual model that

characterizes and standardizes the communication functions of a
telecommunication system without regard to the underlying internal structure
and technology

It partitions the communication system into abstraction layers. The original

version of the model has 7 layers. A layer serves the layer above it and is served
by the layer below it.
LAYER 1: PHYSICAL
It defines the electrical and physical specifications of the data connection
and voltages , frequency and cable specifications for the wireless devices.
It defines the relation between the device and the physical transmission medium.
It defines the transmission mode and the network topology.
It is responsible for the transmission of the unstructured data in the physical
medium.

LAYER2: DATA LINK

The data link provides the node to node data transfer i.e. a link between two
directly connected nodes.
It detects and corrects the errors that may occur in the physical layer.
It defines the protocols to establish and terminates the connection between
two physically connected devices.
The data link layer has two sub layers :-
Logic Link Control layer (LLC): responsible for identifying
network layer and encapsulating them and control error checking and
frame synchronization

Media Access Control (MAC): responsible for controlling how

devices in the network gain access to medium and permission to transmit
it
LAYER3: NETWORK
The network layer provides the functional and procedural means of
transferring variable length data sequence from one node to
another connected to the same network.
It translates logical network address into physical machine address.
A network layer may provide reliable message delivery.
If the message is too large to be transmitted from one node to another,
then network layer may implement message delivery by splitting the
message into several fragments at one node, sending them
independently and reassembling the fragments at another node.

LAYER4: TRANSPORT
The transport layer segments data from the sending hosts system and
reassembles the data into a data stream on the receiving hosts system.
It controls the reliability of the given link through flow control,
segmentation and error control.
It can keep the track of segments and retransmit if any fails.
It also provide the acknowledgement for the successful data transmission
and sends the next data if no error occurred.
OSI has 5 classes of transport protocols.

LAYER5: SESSION

It controls the dialogues between the two points.

It establishes, manages and terminates the connection between the
connection between the remote and local applications.
It provides simplex, half duplex and full duplex operations and controls
termination, reestablishment processes.

It is responsible for the graceful close of sessions, session check

pointing and recovery.
Commonly implemented explicitly in the application environment.

LAYER6: PRESENTATION
It provides context between application layer entities, in which it may use
different syntax and semantics, the presentation layer provides an
mapping between them.
The layer provides independence from data representation by translating
application and network formats.
 The presentation layer transforms the data into the form that the
application layer accepts.
Sometimes called as syntax layer.

LAYER7: APPLICATION

It is closest layer to the user end.

It interacts with the software applications and implement the communicating
component.
Identifying communication partners, resource availability and synchronizing
communication.
While identifying, it determines the identity and availability for data transmission.
In resource availability, it is checked whether sufficient network resource
available are not.
In synchronization, all communication between the application require
communication.
Everything in this layer is application specific.

SS7: SIGNALLING SYSTEM 7

SS7, Signalling System number 7, supports the PSTN (Public Switched
Telephone Network) in:

Call setup
Call management

Call release and

Between telephone office and CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) to

simply transport voice traffic and data/video traffic.

SS7 uses

In-band signalling mechanism:-

The signalling information and the user data are carried on the same channel
Out-of-band signalling mechanism:-

Some application require a high quality transfer of the signalling

information so this band is used.
 In the out-of-band signalling, the signalling information is carried in a
separate and dedicated physical channel, and the user data is carried in
other channels

MTP1: MESSAGE TRANSFER PART LEVEL 1

The MTP1 is the physical layer.

It provides a transport for an individual signalling data link.
It defines the physical, electrical and functional characteristics of a signalling
data link layer and the means to access it.

MTP2: MESSAGE TRANSFER PART LEVEL 2

The MTP2 is the data link layer.

It provides the functions and procedures to transfer signalling messages

over an individual signalling data link.
It is primarily responsible for error free transmission of data for some
basic communication functions.
Once information enters the network, it must be transferred in the proper
sequence and without error between network nodes over each segment of
the transmission path.
MTP3: MESSAGE TRANSFER PART LEVEL 3

The MTP3 is the network layer .

MTP3 provides the means to establish, maintain and terminate connections
between systems.
It provides the services that transmit the data through the network from
originator to its final destination.

MTP3 performs two functions:-

Signalling Message Handling (SMH): Delivers incoming messages to

their intended User Part and routes outgoing messages toward their destination.
MTP3 uses the PC to identify the correct node for message delivery. Each
message has both an Origination Point Code (OPC) and a DPC. The OPC is
inserted into messages at the MTP3 level to identify the SP that originated the
message. The DPC is inserted to identify the address of the destination SP.
Routing tables within an SS7 node are used to route messages.

Signalling Network Management (SNM): Monitors link sets and route

sets, providing status to network nodes so that traffic can be rerouted
when necessary. SNM also provides procedures to take corrective action
when failures occur, providing a self-healing mechanism for the SS.

SCCP: SIGNALLING CONNECTION CONTROL PART

SCCP is a combination of parts of network layer and parts of transport layer.

It relies on the MTP level 1,2,3 to provide additional functions for both
connectionless and connection oriented network services to transfer circuit-
related and non circuit related signalling information between switches.
When coupled with the MTP layers, SCCP provides specialized routing and
management and control functions for the transfer of higher level messages
between the MTP layers and the SCCP users.

TCAP: TRANSACTION CAPABILITIES APPLICATION PART

It provides application level functions for special SS7 services.

Service information exchanged between the SSP and the network
database would typically be defined with the TCAP.
 The TCAP is supported by SCCP. TCAP messages are encapsulated into
the SCCP header part.

ISUP AND TUP

TUP and ISUP sit on top of MTP to provide circuit-related signalling to

set up, maintain, and tear down calls.
TUP has been replaced in most countries because it supports only POTS
calls.
Its successor, ISUP, supports POTS and ISDN calls as well as a host of
other features and added flexibility.
Both TUP and ISUP are used to perform inter switch call signalling.
ISUP also has inherent support for supplementary services, such as
automatic call back, calling line identification etc

OPTICAL FIBER COMMUNICATION

Transmitting information from one place to another by sending by
sending pulses of light through an optical fiber using light intensity
modulation.
It uses laser as light source.

Advantages : less attenuation(0.2Db/km), very high i/f carrying

capacity, greater safety and immune to EMI & RFI, moisture and
corrosion.
An optical fiber consists of core, cladding and buffer.

The cladding guides the light along the core by using the method of
TIR ( Total Internal Reflection).
TIR: For all angles of incidence greater than the critical angles, the
incident ray gets reflected back into the denser medium itself.

Fiber optics with the glass fiber, it uses light wavelengths around 850,
1310, 1550nm(IR).
 Transmission losses or attenuation of the signal in an optical fiber is
measured in Db/km
Losses: material absorption, Rayleigh scattering, radiative losses.
Basic elements to determine transmission system performance:
Fiber loss factor
Type of fiber,
Transmitter Receiving
sensitivity, Number of
splices Types of
splices and
Margin (minimum sensitivity of signal that receiver can take)
SINGLE MODE AND MULTI MODE FIBERS

Multi mode fiber

It has a very large core which allows multiple modes of light to travel

simultaneously.

Large core
allows the use of low cost optical transmitters (LEDs) and
connectors.
Primarily used in systems with short transmission distances.

Single mode fiber

Has a smaller

core diameter, allowing only one mode of light to propagate
at a time.

Maintain spatial and spectral integrity of optical signals over

long distances, allowing more information to be transmitted.

SPLICERS AND CONNECTORS

Splicing and connectorizing is done to precisely match the core on one

optical fibre cable to that of the other.

This is done to produce a smooth junction through which light signals

can pass without alteration or interruption.

Fibres are joined in two ways:

Splices, which form permanent connections between fibres in the system.

Connectors, which form remateable connections, typically at

termination points.

MUX and WDM

In fibre-optic communications, wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is

a technology which multiplexes a number of optical carrier signals onto a single
optical fibre.
This technique enables bidirectional communications over one strand
of fibre, as well as a multiplication of capacity.
 PDH vs SDH
PDH SDH
PDH
Digital multiplexers inputs are of
same bit rate and are derived from
different clocks from different
oscillators. Each will differ within
tolerance of few clock periods.
Bit interleaving is used to combine
digital signals.
Rates derived from 2.048 Mbps
basic rate include bit stuffing in 30
channels:
2.048 x 4 gives 8.448 Mbps (120
channels)
8.848 x 4 gives 34.368 Mbps (480
channels)
34.368 x 4 gives 139.264 Mbps (1920
channels)
139.264 x 4 gives 564.992 Mbps (7680
channels)
SDH
Digital multiplexers inputs are of
same bit rate and are derived from
common clock, hence are in phase.
Word (group of bits) interleaving is
used to combine digital signals.
Uses basic bit rate of 155.52Mbps
(STM-1) and four time multiples of
this, i.e., 622.08 (STM-4) Mbps,
2488.32 Mbps (STM-16) and 9953.28
Mbps (STM-64).
STM stands for Synchronous
Transport Module.
 Value Added Services (VAS)
Term for non -core services. All the services apart from voice calls and
data are Value Added Services.

Major value added services

SMS
Ringback tones and caller tunes
Missed call alerts and voicemail box
Devotional services
Location based services etc

SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS)

It is a text message component service component of phone, web or mobile
communication

It uses standardized communication protocols to allow fixed line or mobile

phone devices to exchange short text messages

The SMS are sent trough SMSC (Short message Service Centre)

The SMSC provides store and forward mechanism. It attempts to send the
message to the
SMSC recipients, if the recipient is not available, then it stores the message for
the later retry

The delivery of the SMS is best effort but there is no guarantee that the
message is actually delivered to the recipient
Each subscriber has a unique number called message sender number in the
mobile handset which is also present in the SMSC by which the senders are
identified and message is routed

The size of the message is restricted and different for each handset or operator
TSG OPERATIONS
The complaints are divided into two categories

1 FTR: First Time Resolutions. Complaints which are resolved in the first time

2 SR: Service Request. Complaints which are not resolved by the first time are
sent to the technical service group (TSG)

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPLAINTS

Coverage problems
Connectivity issues
Data complaints
IN/VAS

Coverage problem

Coverage is checked in 3 ways 1. out door coverage 2. indoor coverage 3.while

moving

Depends upon the distance between the site and complaint location
 Call drops while travelling, lack of voice quality etc come under connectivity
issues

Connectivity issues

Customer profile is checked for any changes in the settings

If channels are blocked or if the site reaches the maximum number of calls

Data complaints

Data issues can occur due to the same reasons

1. profile : if the user is blocked or has the balance for the session
2. quota: if the quota for using the data is finished or the date is over
3. throttling issues 4. Third party server problems

IN/VAS

SMS are not being due to change in the message sender number or any other
settings

Prepaid and post paid billing issues etc

TOOLS USED IN TSG

1. Quick HLR

2. MINSAT
3. DMS
4. MBS
5. Geocode
6. FSSAT
7. ICRM
8. PACS Supervisor
CELL SITE
The cell site or cell tower is a cellular telephone site where antenna and electronic
communication equipment are placed.
The site is connected to the BTS through the feeder cables.
It is responsible for the transmission and reception of the signals.
each site has two types of antennas GSM antenna and Microwave antenna.
 The number of GSM antenna depends upon on the number of sectors.
Each cell site has some sectors on which the GSM antenna are placed through
which the signal transmission takes place.
The microwave antenna is used for the connection between two towers.
The sited are divided into different types based on the construction and number
of sectors/coverage.

GSM ANTENNA
The GSM antenna or a sector antenna is a directional microwave antenna with a
sector shaped radiation pattern. At the bottom, there are RF connectors and
coaxial cables and adjustment mechanics. The main reflector screen is produced
from aluminium and all the internal parts are housed into fibreglass enclosure to
keep its operation stable regardless of the weather conditions

Typically the BTS contains 3 sector antennas will have the 66 degrees of
horizontal beamwidth. This means the signal strength at the 33 degrees is half
of its peak value at the centre. There is usually a downward beam tilt so that the
base station can more effectively cover its immediate area and not cause RF
interference

The coverage area which is equal to the square of the sectors projection to the
ground can be effectively adjusted by changing electrical and mechanical tilt.
Electrical tilt is set by using a special control unit, which is usually built into the
antenna case, through different remote control devices. Mechanical tilt is set
manually by adjusting an antenna fastener.

To increase or widen the coverage area, several sector antennas are installed on the
same supporting structure. Once it is attached, then it has to be positioned for good
data rates and the consistency of the good signal strength with the coverage area.
Prior to the positioning, the grounding and lightening protection is required.

MICROWAVE ANTENNA
Microwave antenna is used for point to point communications because their
small wavelength allows them to direct in narrow beams, which can be pointed
directly at the receiving antenna. Due to high frequencies, the microwave band
has the very large information carrying capacity.

Microwave radio transmission is used to transmit and receive the analog or

digital signals using a line of sight radio path. But the line of sight limits the
distance. It cannot pass through the mountain and hilly areas
Line Of Sight: it is a type of propagation that can transmit and receive data only
where transmit and receive stations are in view of each other without any sort of
an obstacle between them. FM radio, microwave and satellite transmission are
examples of line-of-sight communication
The cell sites are classified into three types based on the type of tower

1) GBT: Ground Base Towers. The structure or the tower is built on the ground.
Generally seen in the rural areas where there are no high buildings

2) RTT:Roof Top Towers. They are present on the already existing buildings.
The tower is built on the roof to match the required height

3) RTP: Roof Top Poles. They are placed on the buildings where the height
increment is not required. The GSM antenna is installed on the pole and placed
on the building

DRIVE TESTING
Drive testing is a method of measuring and assessing the coverage,
capacity and Quality of Service (QoS) of a mobile radio network.

The technique consists of using a motor vehicle containing mobile

radio network air interface measurement equipment that can detect and
record a wide variety of the physical and virtual parameters of mobile
cellular service in a given geographical area.
By measuring what a wireless network subscriber would experience in any
specific area, wireless carriers can make directed changes to their networks
that provide better coverage and service to their customers.

Drive testing requires a mobile vehicle outfitted with drive testing

measurement equipment. The equipment is usually highly specialized
electronic devices that interface to OEM mobile handsets. This ensures
measurements are realistic and comparable to actual user experiences. The data
set collected during drive testing field measurements can include information
such as: Signal intensity, Signal quality, Interference, Dropped calls, Blocked
calls, Anomalous events, Call statistics, Service level statistics, Quality of
Service information, Handover information, Neighboring cell information,
GPS location co-ordinates.
 CONCLUSION

In short, the internship I had at BSNL Regional Telecom Training Centre was
very much helpful in learning the concepts of
1. GSM technology
2. Call flow in GSM
3. packet core of GPRS, UMTS and LTE
4. Optical fiber communications
5. Intelligent Network and Value Added Services
6. TSG operations
7. Cell site and types of sites
8. Drive test.

It has been a great opportunity to know about the various techniques which are
used in networking. The concept of how cellular generations are evolved, how a
call is established and how it terminates are very much interesting. I am grateful to
those people who helped me in the successful completion of the internship and this
will surely be helpful to me in my academics.