Introduction To GPRS: RF Engineering Continuing Education & Training

RF Engineering
Continuing Education & Training
Introduction to GPRS
Prepared by:
Agilent Technologies
600 Atlantis Road
Melbourne, FL 32904 USA
Phone: (321) 952-8300
Fax: (321) 725-5062
www.agilent.com
Copyright2001 by Agilent Technologies

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without written permission
from Agilent Technologies
Class Agenda
• Overview of GSM
• What is GPRS?
• Network Architecture
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface
• Mobility Management
• Quality of Service
• Optimization and RF Planning
• Traffic Planning
• HSCSD, EDGE and 3G Growth Path
• Conclusions
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 2

Class Agenda
• Overview of GSM
– Network Architecture
– Air Interface
– Additional Features
• What is GPRS?
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface

Overview of GSM
• Second Generation Technology
• Groupe Speciale Mobile
• Developed by ETSI
• International wireless standard

N=4 Frequency Reuse Concept
• Based on the cellular concept
• Frequency reuse implementation
• Over 480 million subscribers
• GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, R-

GSM
A n
Overview of GSM
• All GSM documents are

standardized by ETSI
• Standards are grouped into

12 series
• Allows for easy integration of

network elements from
different equipment vendors
• Significantly reduces the

cost of the overall network
deployment

Overview of GSM - Network

Architecture
• GSM network can be divided into three main subsystems:
– Base Station Subsystem - BSS
– Mobile Station Subsystem - MSS
– Network Switching Subsystem - NSS
GSM Network Layout

Overview of GSM - Mobile Station
• Offered as a phone for voice

services
• Data services will bring new
devices to the market
• Two functional parts: C O N T R O L
S E C T I O N
– HW/SW radio interface
– SIM
GSM Mobile Architectural Diagram
• Two types of SIM

– Smart Card
– Plug-in

Overview of GSM - Base

Transceiver Station
• BTS is a set of transceivers (TX/RX).
• GSM BTS can host up to 16 TX/RX.
• In GSM one TX/RX is shared by 8 users.
• The main role of TX/RX is to provide conversion
between traffic data on the network side and RF
communication on the MS side.
• Depending on the application, it can be
configured as macrocell, microcell, omni,
sectored, etc.

Overview of GSM - Base Station

Controller
• Provides a small digital
exchange with some
mobility tasks
• Connects to one or several
BTS on the Abis Interface
• Connects to the MSC on the
A Interface
• Designed to offload most of
the radio link related
processes from the MSC
• Provides clock distribution to
BTS
• Communicates with the OMC

Overview of GSM - TRAU

• TRAU is responsible for transcoding • If it resides on the MSC side, it
the user data from 16Kb/sec to provides substantial changes in the
standard ISDN rates of 64Kb/sec. backhaul – 4 users over a single T-
1/E-1 TDMA channel.
• It can physically reside on either BSC
side or MSC side. • TRAU, BSC and BTSs form Base
Station Subsystem (BSS)

Overview of GSM - MSC

• Responsible for connecting the • One of the MSC has an added
mobile to the landline side functionality for communication with
public network – Gateway MSC
• GSM MSC is commonly designed (GMSC)
as a regular ISDN switch with
• All calls from the “outside networks”
some added functionality for are routed through GMSC
mobility support
• GSM Network can have more
than one MSC
GSM MSC and Gateway MSC

Overview of GSM - HLR/AuC
• Database for permanent or semi-permanent data associated with the user

• Logically, there is only one HLR per network
• Typical information stored in HLR: International Mobile Service Identification
Number (IMSI), service subscription information, supplementary services,
current location of the subscriber, etc.
• HLR is usually implemented as an integral part of MSC
• AUC is an integral part of HLR responsible for ciphering and encryption.
• GSM specifies elaborate encryption schemes.
• There are three levels of the encryption:
– A5/1 – Used by countries in Europe and USA
– A5/2 – Used by countries and the so called COCOM list
– No encryption – used by all other countries

Overview of GSM - VLR and EIR

• Temporary database that keeps the information about the users within the
service area of the MSC
• Usually there is one VLR per MSC
• The main task of the VLR is to reduce the number of queries to HLR. When
the mobile, registers on the system its information is copied from HLR to
VLR
• VLR is usually integrated with the switch
• Separation of SIM and mobile opens possibility for market of stolen and
fraudulent equipment.
• GSM Systems are equipped with Equipment Identity Register (EIR) –
responsible for tracking the equipment eligibility for service.
• EIR maintains three lists of mobile terminals:
– White list: is the list of approved mobile types.
– Black list: list of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers
that are barred from service.
– Gray List: The list of mobiles that are tracked within the GSM system.

Overview of GSM - Interfaces
• GSM defines different

interfaces between two
system components
• Allows for multi-vendor
implementation
• Promotes more
competition
• Lower costs
• Air interface is limiting in
terms of capacity
• Air interface is also called
Um interface
GSM Interfaces
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted
e Page 14
Overview of GSM - Air Interface
• GSM is a FDMA/TDMA based

technology USER 1,
AR FC N1
• Transmissions are discontinuous U S E R 2,

AR FC N1
• Each user is assigned a timeslot US ER 1 U SER 2 ... . U SER 8
ARFCN 1
USER 8,
• Each frequency is divided into AR FC N1
U SER 6 U SER 7 U SER 8 U SER 1
eight timeslots
ARFCN 2
• Each channel has a 200 kHz USER 9,

AR FCN2
bandwidth U SER 10,
AR FCN2
• Overhead signaling is required
for coordination and control U SE R 16,
ARFC N2
BTS
• Information is sent in bursts
GSM as a FDMA/TDMA Interface
• Several types of bursts

Overview of GSM - Burst Types
Normal Burst
3 5 7
• Used to carry information on both control and traffic channels
• Mixture of data and overhead
• GSM defines 8 training sequences assigned in color code mode
• Both on the forward and reverse link
T a i l T r a f f i c / S
Synchronization Burst
3 3 9
• Facilitates the synchronization of the MS to the network at the base band
• Commonly referred to as S-burst
• Only on the forward link
• The same sync sequence is used in all GSM networks
T a i l
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt
S
Agilent Restricted
y n c h r o n Page 16
Access Burst
• Used when the MS is accessing the system

• Shorter in length – burst collision avoidance 8 • GSM mobiles use slotted
ALOHA to access the system 4
• Extended synchronization sequence • In the case of collision – a
hashing algorithm is provided
• Used only on the reverse link
T a i l S Dummy Burst
y n c
• Supports MAHO
3
• Used to ensure constant power level of the broadcast control
channel
T a i l
• Sometimes referred to as P o w e r S p e c t r u m D e n s it y
the F-burst BW = 200KH z
• Provides mobile with

precise reference to the
frequency of the broadcast
control channel fc fc+ 6 7 .7 K H z fre q u e n c y
• Inserting the F-bursts on • Spectral characteristics of the

control channel.
the control channel
produces spectral peak • The peak in the spectrum allows
67.7 KHz above the central for easier MS network
acquisition
frequency of the carrier
3
Overview of GSM - Physical

Channels
• A GSM physical channel can carry several different types of logical channels
• Can be divided into two categories: traffic and signaling
• Signaling channels can be further categorized as:
– Broadcast
– Common Control
– Dedicated Control

Overview of GSM - Frame Hierarchy

• Different organization on the superframe level for different logical channels
0 1 2 3

Overview of GSM - Additional

Features
• GSM supports additional features that enable a better
spectrum utilization and increased capacity:
– Timing Advance - TA
– Discontinuous Transmission - DTX
– Mobile Assisted Handover - MAHO
– Dynamic Power Control - DPC
– Hierarchical Cell Structure - HCS
– Frequency Hopping - FH
– Intracell handovers

Overview of GSM - Quiz!
• Name some of the components of the GSM architecture and briefly

explain their function
• What are the different types of bursts?
– _______________
– _______________
– _______________
– _______________
– _______________
• What are the different types of logical channels ?
– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________

Class Agenda
• Overview of GSM
• What is GPRS?
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface
• HSCSD, EDGE, and 3G Growth Path

What is GPRS?
• 2G technologies were designed for mobile
telephony
• Landline services have higher data rates than
wireless counterparts
• Next step: mobile wireless data services
• GPRS: General Packet Radio Service
• GSM has distinctive approach towards 3G

• Intermediate step refers to as 2.5 G
• Allows for smooth transition from voice to data
services
• Maintain upgrade costs to a minimum

What is GPRS?
• In voice networks, RF is the main limiting factor. In data
networks, RF and many other factors will affect the
performance for individual users
• Fixed network infrastructure performance
• Types of applications and service provision
• Number of users active in an area
Source: Ericsson’s Web Site Oct-00
900
Subscribers (M)
600 et
l ular r n
l e
Ce Int
300
l lul ar In ternet
Ce
0
96 98 00 02 03

What is GPRS? - Circuit vs Packet

Switch
• 2G technologies are circuit switched
• Dial-up type connections
• A single user occupies a channel for the
entire transmission
• Requires time-oriented billing
• GPRS is packet switched technology
• GSM transmissions are bursty
• More appropriate for data services
• Bursty nature favors data services
• Continuous flow is not required
• Access is based on demand only
• Several users can be multiplexed
• Billing based on negotiated QoS and
usage

What is GPRS? - Types of Data

Services
• Most popular Internet data
applications include:
– E-mail
– Web browsing
– File transfers
– Real time audio
– Streaming video
• Different services have
different throughput
requirements
• GSM evolution is expected to
provide services at
throughputs similar to their
landline counterparts
What is GPRS? - A 2.5 G Solution

• GPRS is a 2.5 G solution implemented over existing GSM
network
• Theoretical data rates are up to 160 kbps
• GPRS makes a more efficient use of the air interface
• Supports point-to-point and point-to-multipoint transmissions
• GPRS will take over short message service (SMS) from GSM
signaling channels
• New QoS parameters:
– Precedence
– Reliability
– Delay
– Throughput A i
I n t e
What is GPRS? - Important

Challenges
• There are several hardware and software
limitations that will decrease the expected
data rates significantly
• Mobile data will impose a demand for more
IP addresses. The existing version of IP is
already reaching saturation
• The idea that the market will accept mobile
data service with eagerness is still
somewhat questionable
• The 3G standards are already finalized and
implementation will follow shortly after 2.5
G

Class Agenda
• Overview of GSM
• What is GPRS?
– SGSN, GGSN
– GR, PCU
– Mobile Station
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface

GPRS Network Architecture

• GPRS introduces new entities to support data packet transmissions
• New entities are PCU, GSN, Border Gateway, and GPRS register
GPRS Network Architecture

GPRS Network Architecture - SGSN

• Serving GPRS support node
• Delivers data packets to the
mobile stations
• Each SGSN is assigned to a
B S S
specific service area
• Allows for very little change in
the BTS and BSC
• All mobile stations communicate to the SGSN in the area
• Provides authentication and ciphering
• Handles mobility management
• Introduction of the routing area - RA
• Also responsible for billing over the air interface

GPRS Network Architecture - GGSN
• Gateway GPRS support node

• Allows the GPRS network to
communicate with external PDNs
• Routes all packet data units
through the corresponding SGSN
• Whereas the SGSNs can change
during cell reselections, the GGSN
remains the same during an
ongoing packet transaction
• Supports PTP and PTM
transmissions
• Responsible for billing related to
connections with external PDNs

GPRS Network Architecture - GR

and PCU
• GPRS Register
– Database containing information about GPRS subscribers
• Packet Control Unit
– Manages and controls radio-related operations
– Converts frames coming from the SGSN into TRAU frames
– Compresses and decompresses frames
– PCU allows very few modifications to the BSS

GPRS Network Architecture - PCU

Locations
• Possibilities for location are similar to the TRAU
• From the resource utilization perspective, the best location
for the PCU is at the SGSN
• Conceptually, PCU still remains a part of the BSC

GPRS Network Architecture -

Border Gateway
• Risk from hackers in external PLMNs
• Protect subscribers from security break-ins
• Border Gateway is implemented to provide a maximum level of
security
• Acts as a firewall to the GPRS network
• No guidelines for protection at the Gi interface
• Gi security is left open to equipment manufacturers

GPRS
• GPRS standard defines three mobile station classes
• Class A supports simultaneous circuit and packet switched
communications
• Class B supports packet and circuit switched sequentially
– Currently only Class B mobiles being developed
• Class C does not support parallel operation
• Operates in either packet or circuit mode only
• Low cost unit available for mass market deployment

GPRS Network Architecture - GSM

and GPRS
A i r
I n t e r f a c e

B T S Page 38
GPRS Network Architecture - Quiz!
• Name some of the components of the GPRS architecture and

briefly explain their function
• What are two types of GSNs?
– _______________
– _______________
• What are the different types of mobile classes ?
– _______________
– _______________
– _______________
• Which component allows for few changes at the BSS?
– _______________

Class Agenda
• What is GPRS?
• Protocol Stack
– OSI/ISO Model
– GPRS Protocol Stack
– GTP
– SNDCP and BSSGP
– RLC/MAC and LLC
• Air Interface

GPRS Protocol Stack - ISO/OSI

Model
• International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and International
Standardization Organization (ISO) developed Open Systems
Interconnect (OSI)
• Allows for compatibility between different equipment manufacturers
A p p l i c
7
L a y e
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted P r e s e Page 41

GPRS Protocol Stack - ISO/OSI

Model
• Each layer adds its own
header to the message
• Same layer at destination
node removes its
corresponding header
• Physical layer delivers
message from one node to
the next
• In GSM, layer 1 corresponds
to the air interface
• GPRS layers fall between
OSI layers 2 and 3

7
GPRS Protocol Stack
N e t w o
L a y e r
S I O
L a y e r
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted 3 Page 43
GPRS Protocol Stack - GTP

• GPRS Tunneling protocol
– Allows communication between the GGSN and SGSN
– Data transfer is done via encapsulation and tunneling
– GTP header includes such as PDU type, QoS parameters,
and tunnel identifier (TID)
– TID differentiates PTP from PTM transactions
N e t w o r k
GPRS Protocol Stack - SNDCP &

BSSGP
• Subnetwork Dependent Convergence Protocol
– Makes GPRS network transparent to the common subscriber regardless
of what application is running
– Responsible for converting network packet data units into GPRS suitable
format
– Multiplexing of SN packet data units over the LLC layer
– Segmentation and Desegmentation of SN packets into LLC packets
– Compression of the IP header information
• Base Station Subsystem GPRS Protocol
– Routing between SGSN and PCU
– Provide radio related info for RLC/MAC
– Routing goes via Network Relay
– Transparent transfer of LLC frames
– Convey QoS information
T C P
H e a Page 45
GPRS Protocol Stack - LLC

• Logical Link Control
– Provides a logical reliable link between MS and SGSN
– Designed as independent as possible from the radio interface
layers
– Encapsulation of SNDCP packet data units
– Ciphering procedures between MS and SGSN
– Detection and recovery of lost LLC packet data units
– Responsible for acknowledged/unacknowledged operation
S N D C P
GPRS Protocol Stack - RLC / MAC

• RLC sublayer
– Transmission of data blocks across the air interface
– Retransmission of error data blocks using ARQ
L L C L a y
• MAC sublayer
– Provides access to a given transmission medium
F r a m e
– Controls access signaling, medium sharing by multiple users
R
– Release operations over the radio channel
H e a d e r
– Access is based on slotted ALOHA
a d i o B
– Performs mapping of RLC blocks onto the GSM physical channels

GPRS Coding Schemes
• GPRS defines four coding schemes

• Only CS-1 is mandatory for the BTS
• All coding schemes are mandatory for
R
the MS
C S - 1H
• The higher the coding scheme, the
higher the throughput
• The higher the throughput, the lower
protection against errors

GPRS Radio Block Structure

• A packet transmission is
referred to as a temporary
block flow (TBF)
• Each TBF is assigned a
temporary flow identity (TFI)
• The TFI is located inside the
LLC header information
• The TFI allows for
multiplexing several users
N e t w o r
over the same timeslot
• The TFI also allows to assign
priority classes
a p p r o x 1
Protocol Stack - Quiz!
• Mention the seven different layers of the ISO/OSI reference model:

– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________
• The GPRS protocol stack consists of the following protocols
– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________, _______________
• The maximum throughput achieved using CS-2 and two timeslots is:
– _______________
• Different packet transactions from different users can be identified via
the
– _______________

Class Agenda
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface
– GPRS Logical Channels
– The Master Slave Concept
– The 52-Multiframe
– Timing Advance
– Power Control

GPRS Air Interface
• Air interface continues to be limiting

factor in terms of capacity
R L
• GPRS shares the same interface with
GSM
• Recall GSM has 200 kHz and eight
TS
• GPRS utilizes multiplexing and
M A
dynamic channel allocation to use
the air interface more efficiently
• Some channels can be configured
for data traffic and others for voice
traffic
• Channels are reconfigured
accordingly based on demand
R
GPRS Air Interface
F
GPRS Logical Channels
• Signaling and traffic channels are also required for GPRS

• A new family of packet data channels PDCHs has been defined
• Some of the existing GSM signaling channels can still be used for GPRS
• The GPRS mobile still requires to listen to the GSM broadcast channel
for GPRS channel information

GPRS 52-Multiframe
• Each radio block is transmitted over 4 TDMA frames

• Resource allocation is done in terms of blocks for both uplink
and downlink
• A 52-Multiframe consists of:
– twelve blocks for PDCHs signaling and traffic
– two timing advance frames
– two idle frames (for neighbor list and power control)
– 12 x 4 +2 + 2 = 52 frames
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
GPRS 52-Multiframe
• The PDCHs are mapped and organized into a 52-Multiframe
0 1 2 3 4

GPRS Master-Slave Concept
• One physical channel (frequency

and timeslot) can be used for
signaling and control
T S
• Remaining channels are used for
GPRS traffic channels - PDTCHs
• If no master channels are used,
GPRS will rely on GSM signaling
channels
• As demand for voice increases,
slave channels can be released
• If Master PDCH is released,
mobiles must retune to GSM
broadcast channel
0 B C C H
Master Slave Concept

GPRS Timing Advance - Uplink
• The PTCCH/U is divided into 16

subchannels with eight 52-
multiframes
• The 16 subchannels can be assigned
to 16 different active mobile stations
• Every PTCCH/U has a cycle of 1.92 s
• Active mobile stations will transmit
one access burst with TA=0 to the
BTS once per eight 52-multiframes
within their subchannel
• Based on the PTCCH/U message, the
BTS can recalculate the timing
advance value

GPRS Timing Advance - Downlink
• Each mobile is assigned a timing advance index (TAI) value via the
PTCCH/D
• The TA message sent on the downlink can convey timing advance
information for up to 16 mobile stations
• The timing advance message contains the TAI values associated
with each mobile station
• Since the message requires 4 frames, it is carried within four
consecutive TA frames

GPRS Timing Advance - Example

• Example: An uplink temporary block flow (TBF) is
initiated between a mobile station and a serving base
station. The total file size is 80 kilobits and is
transmitted using CS-1. The base station assigns the
mobile station a timing advance index (TAI = 3).
Assuming a constant data rate and no block
retransmissions, how many timing advance messages
are required from the mobile during this transmission.
– 1 frame =
– 1 block =
– A 52-multiframe =
– Time between identical TAIs =
– Total transmission time =
– Number of timing advances =

GPRS Power Control - MS Power

Classes
• Power control is used to minimize the transmit power and still
maintain a reliable link
• GSM power control is done by the BTS based on RXLEV and
RXQUAL
• GPRS power control is performed by the mobile based on several
parameters including: Mobile Station Power Class GSM 900
– Maximum allowed Tx power

– Received Signal Level - RSL
– Mobile station power class
• Several mobile station power Mobile Station Power Class DCS 1800
classes have been defined for
GSM 900 and DCS 1800
respectively

GPRS Power Control - Power

Control Calculation
• The formula for power control calculation as defined by ETSI
(GSM 03.64 version 8.50)
Pch = min(Γ − ΓCH − α × (C + 48), P max)

0
Γ 0 = 39 dBm for GSM 900 and 36 dBm for DCS 1800

Γ CH = mobile and channel specific power control parameter. It is sent to the mobile in any
resource assignment message. The values range from 0 to 62 dB in 2 dB increments based on
interference measurements of the BTS. At any time during a packet transfer, the network can
send new Γ CH values to the mobile on the downlink PACCH
α ∈ [0,1] = is a system parameter. Its default value is broadcast on the PBCCH. Furthermore,
the mobile and channel specific values can be sent to the mobile together with Γ CH
C = received signal level at the mobile

Pmax = maximum allowed transmit power in the cell

GPRS Power Control - Example
• A GSM-1800 Class 3 mobile station is engaged in

power control. The network parameters are
α =0.5, and Γ CH = 4. The mobile reported C is –
85dBm. What is the transmit power Pch ?
Pch = min(Γ − ΓCH − α × (C + 48), P max)

0

Air Interface - Quiz!
• What are the different types of GPRS logical channels ?

– _______________
– _______________, _______________, _______________
– _______________, _______________, _______________
• GPRS packet data channels are mapped onto a new structure
called ________________
• The Uplink PTCCH is divided into _____ subchannels
• One timing advance message on the downlink is transmitted
over _____ normal bursts and contains a timing advance index
for up to _____ users
• In GSM, power control is done at the ____________. In GPRS,
power control is done at the _____________.

Class Agenda
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface
– Mobility Management States
– GPRS Attach
– Mobile Originated Transfer
– Mobile Terminated Transfer
– Cell Selection/Reselection

GPRS Mobility Management States
• Mobility management states apply

for both the mobile and the SGSN
• Idle: Mobile is powered on but not
attached to GPRS
• Standby: Mobile is powered on and
attached to GPRS. No packet
transfer is in progress. Routing
area updates are sent as needed.
• Ready: The mobile is currently
engaged in packet transfer or
recently terminated a packet
transfer. The Ready state is
determined by a timer. No need to
page a mobile in Ready state
GPRS Mobility Management States for MS

GPRS Attach Process
• Process of registration of the mobile into the GPRS network

• Occurs when mobile is first powered on and can occur
afterwards based on network settings
• Mobile registers directly with the SGSN
• Information Exchanged
– IMSI or P-TMSI
– TLLI
– RA, LA
– Power class mark
– Type of registration
(GSM, GPRS)
– Authentication
A i r
– Ciphering

GPRS PDP Context Activation

• The mobile need to activate a packet data protocol context
before it can transmit or receive information
A i r
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt
I n t e r f a c e
Agilent Restricted Page 67
GPRS Mobile Originated Transfer
• A mobile initiates a transfer on

the random access channel
RACH or PRACH
• One phase access: Network
provides immediate packet
channel assignment message
with reserved PDTCHs for
uplink
• Two phase access: Network
provides immediate packet
channel assignment message
with only one single radio block
reservation. Mobile sends a
more detailed packet resource
request. Network responds
with message that contains
reserved resources
M S Page 68
GPRS - TFI, USF and CV

• Temporary flow identity (TFI) and uplink state flag (USF) allow for multiplexing of several users
on downlink and uplink directions respectively
• TFI is a 5-bit header that uniquely identifies a packet data transfer (TBF)
• The same TFI can be assigned to different PDCHs on the uplink and downlink
• USF is a 3-bit value (000 to 111), where 000 indicates “FREE”
• Each mobile listens to its assigned USF on the downlink and will transmit one or up to four
blocks on the uplink depending on the amount of reserved blocks
• Uplink also contains a countdown value (CV) to indicate blocks remaining

GPRS
Acknowledged/Unacknowledged
Mode
• RLC layer can be set to mode of
operation
• Unacknowledged mode offers no
means for error detection
• Acknowledged mode uses ARQ for error
detection
• Message type ACK/NACK contains a
bitmap of received blocks (UL/DL)
• Recipient sends ACK/NACK message
after receiving a packet transfer Block #
Bitmap
1 2 3 4
Status 1 1 0 1
• Correct blocks are “1”, incorrect blocks
are “0”
• Erroneous blocks are retransmitted
GPRS Mobility Management States
M S
GPRS Mobile Terminated

Transfer/Cell
• Mobile terminated transfer
Reselection
– The Countdown Value is used on the uplink to determine the end of a TBF
– The Final Block Indicator is used in the downlink to indicate the end of a TBF
• Cell reselection
– There are no handovers in GPRS, mobile performs cell reselection
– In GSM, cell reselections are performed when mobile is in idle mode
– GSM uses C1 and C2 algorithms for cell reselection
– GPRS Cell reselections can be network or mobile controlled
– GPRS uses C31 and C32 algorithms for cell reselection
– C31 is based on selecting the best GPRS server in the area
– C32 allows for cell ranking when HCS is implemented
– C31 and C32 allow for a more efficient cell planning of GPRS networks
– There are three modes of operation for cell reselection: NC0, NC1 and NC2

Mobility Management - Quiz!
• What are the different mobility management states ?

– _______________, _______________, _______________
• In order to register to the GPRS network, the mobile station must
perform a ________________
• In order to engage in a packet transfer, the mobile station must
perform a ________________
• The two options for mobile originated transfer are:
– __________________
– __________________
• For downlink multiplexing, the ________ is used
• For uplink multiplexing, the ________ is used
• Errors in transmitted blocks are notified to the transmitting party via
the _____

Class Agenda
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface
– Precedence Class
– Throughput
– Delay Class
– Reliability Class

Quality of Service - Precedence

Class
• Under normal network conditions, all users have equal access.
• During network congestion, users with a higher priority level shall be
served before users with a lower priority
• A user with lower priority will suffer higher delay times and packet
losses
• Three precedence class are defined

Quality of Service - Peak

Throughput
• Peak throughput refers to the
maximum data rate for packets to be
transferred across the network
• There is no guarantee that this
maximum data rate can be achieved
or sustained for any time period
• Peak throughput is measured in octets
per second
• Values are shown in bits per second
for easier clarification
• Network may limit the subscriber to
the negotiated peak throughput
regardless of additional capacity

Quality of Service - Mean

Throughput
• Average rate at which data is
expected to be transferred
across the GPRS network
• Measured in octets per hour
• Displayed in bits per second
for easier clarification
• GPRS network may limit the
subscriber to the mean
throughput regardless of
additional capacity
• A best effort throughput can
be negotiated based on need
and availability

Quality of Service - Delay
• ETSI has defined the maximum values for mean delay and 95 percentile delay
that a packet may encounter while transferred over the GPRS network
• Delay class does not include delays caused by networks outside the PLMN
• Delay is defined based on the transfer of a service data unit (SDU)
• Two SDU sizes are specified: 128 octets and 1024 octets

Quality of Service - Reliability

Quality of Service - Reliability
• Reliability class defines the probability of:

– Loss packets
– Out of sequence packets
– Duplicate packets
– Corrupted packets

Class Agenda
• Air Interface

– GSM Metrics
– GPRS Metrics
– Measurement Model
– RF Performance, Signal Quality, Data Performance
• Conclusions

Network Optimization Process

• Identify RF and fixed network parameters that impact network performance
RxLev BCH Pwr

Data
Data EE
BLER
RxQual
C/I Problem
Problem vv
aa AA
ll cc
Drive Problem
Problem uu tt
Drive ii
Test
Test ID
ID aa oo
tt nn
ii ss
Throughput
DNS Lookup
RF
RF oo
Packet
Problem nn
Packet Delay
Failure Re-Connects Problem

GSM Metrics - RXLEV and RXQUAL

• Reported as a quantized value RXLEV: RXLEV = RSL[dBm] + 110
• Minimum RXLEV: -110, MAX RXLEV = -47
• Downlink measurements for both serving cell and up to 32 neighbors
• Up to 6 strongest neighbors are reported back to BTS through SACHH
• Only on the serving channel

• Reported as a quantized value RXQUAL
• For a good quality call RXQUAL < 3
• Measurements are averaged before the
handover processing
• If DTX is active, the measurements are
performed over the subset of SACCH
that guarantees transmission

GSM Metrics - C/I, Neighbor Lists

and Call Stats
• Co-channel: Undesirable signal attributed to reuse of the same
frequency
• Adjacent: Undesirable signal attributed to bleed over from frequency
components
• Neighbor lists: Assigned based on strongest signals for handover
purposes
• Call Statistics:
– Dropped Calls
– Blocked Calls
 
 
PR _ Serving _ Cell  [ dB]
C / I = 10 log N
 
 ∑ PR _ i 
 i =1 

GPRS Metrics - Throughput

• Rate at which data is transferred in either uplink or downlink (kbps)
• Can be measured as raw or effective
• Different applications require different throughputs
16
14
12
Throughput (kbps)
10
Time
TX Throughput RX Throughput

GPRS Metrics - Throughput

Example
• A downlink TBF has been negotiated using CS-2.
Calculate the effective throughput if the
negotiated reliability is Class 1, assuming that the
probability of retransmitted blocks is 40%. Also
calculate the raw throughput if the negotiated
reliability class is Class 4 (no error protection).
Refer to Section for the reliability classes.
RTX = [1 − p(ReTX )]R0

GPRS Metrics - Reliability
• ETSI reliability classes allow the engineer to benchmark

performance against different types of applications
• Optimizing the RF link is first step towards correcting packets
• Duplicate packets are usually due to problems in the IP network

GPRS Metrics - Reliability
• Drive test measurement equipment can easily compute the

probability of blocks in error (BLER) received by a mobile
0 100
-10 90
-20 80
-30 70
-40 60
C Value
BLER
-50 50
-60 40
-70 30
-80 20
-90 10
-100 0
Time
C Value Rx BLER

GPRS Metrics - Delay

• Delay is specified for two SDU sizes: 128 octets and 1024 octets
• Smaller SDUs travel faster and with less delay than larger SDUs
• A good method to measure delay is by configuring a test server at the Gi interface and
timestamp each SDU with GPS measurements
• Delay can also be computed from any other node inside or outside the PLMN

GPRS Measurement Model

• Data Performance:
– Application layer end-to-end tests
– GPRS Layers information collected by the phone
• Signal Quality: Phone reported parameters
• RF Performance: Scanning Receiver

• Hierarchical layer diagram based on ISO/OSI reference model
A p p
L a y

• Collected measured data can be post-process and analyzed with commercial
tools
Shows uplink &

downlink application
layer throughput
along with coding
schemes in use for
each link
Agilent OPAS 32 Post-processing and analysis

tool
GPRS Measurements - BLER versus

C/I
• Block Error Rate (BLER) can be directly tied to the quality of
the RF link, typically measured in terms of C/I
1
CS1
CS2
CS3
CS4
0.1
BLER
0.01
0.001
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
C/I

GPRS Measurements - BLER

Example
• Calculate the effective Rx throughput for a mobile
station that operates under C/I of 10dB and uses
coding scheme CS-1. How long will it take to
download a 150Kb data file?
RRX = [1 − p ( BLER )]R0
• Total Download Time =

GPRS Measurements - Signal

Quality
• Phone reported measurements include Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3
parameters
• Provide valuable information about the performance of the network
Radio
RLC / MAC LLC / SNDCP GMM / SM
Layer 1 Resource
Layer Layers Information
(RR Info)
Service State
Ack/Unack
BCCH TCH - ARFCN Multislot Class (Idle, Standby,
Mode
Ready)
Number of P-TMSI, TLLI
BSIC MAIO SAPI
Timeslots values
Routing Area
RXQUAL HSN MS Output Power Ciphering Info
Identifier
SM state
Header
RXLEV MA List Ack/Unack Mode (PDP active,
Compression
inactive, etc.)
Timing Data
Coding Scheme
Advance Compression
Tx Power TFI number
Neighbors TBF status

GPRS Measurements - Drive Test

Tool
• Commercial GPRS tools can collect most GPRS related information
Agilent E7475 GPRS Drive Test Software

GPRS Measurements - Data

Performance
• GPRS measurements provide information below the application
layer and allows the engineer to detect the cause of problems
that are hidden to the user
• Application layer measurements describe the performance that
the user perceives depending on the application being tested
• Real-time applications can be simulated and tested
Type of service Conversational Streaming Interactive Background

Delay Tolerance Low High Medium High
Jitter Tolerance Low Low Medium High
Data rate
Small to large High Low to medium Low
requirement
Data symmetry Symmetrical Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Asymmetrical
Reliability
High High Low Low
Tolerance
Typical Circuit switched Audio-video E-commerce File transfer
Applications telephony broadcasting and WWW and e-mail

GPRS Measurements - End-to-End

Process
• End-to-end test process is best approach towards measuring performance at
the application layer
• Client - Server configuration
• On the uplink, the mobile sends packets over the GPRS network. A test server
measures the performance and reports results back to the mobile
• On the downlink, the test server sends packets over the GPRS network. The
test mobile measures performance and stores the results

GPRS Network Optimization

Challenges
• GPRS deployment is still in its beginning stages
• Many questions regarding the performance
metrics are yet to be answered
• As networks grow and more solutions arise a
more defined methodology will be developed
• As of today, GPRS radios are not capable of
frequency hopping
• Many GSM networks are already suffering
congestion problems with voice traffic. GPRS Sagem OT 96MGPRS
will add more to the problem
• Today only Class B mobiles are available
commercially
• Only coding schemes 1 and 2 are being
implemented in trials
Motorola GPRS Timeport

Network Optimization - Quiz!

• What are some GSM performance metrics ?
– _______________, _______________, _______________
• What are some GPRS performance metrics?
– ______________,________________,________________
• Packets in error can be
– ______________
– ______________
– ______________
– ______________
• The GPRS measurement model tests for
– ______________
– ______________
– ______________

Class Agenda
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface
– Estimation of GPRS Data Capacity
• Conclusions

Traffic Planning in GPRS
• GPRS over GSM creates a mixture of traffic types - voice & data
• Peak combined traffic does not necessarily coincide with either voice
or data busy hour
T r a f f i

• Proper dimensioning of GPRS over GSM requires:
– Peak circuit switched traffic in erlangs
– Peak data traffic in Kb/sec
– Circuit switched traffic load during total peak
– Packet switched traffic load during total peak
• Coding scheme usage depends on quality of radio channel
• The lower the coding scheme the higher the protection
• Traffic dimensioning assumes high loading and high
interference, therefore CS-1 is used for estimates

Traffic Planning in GPRS - Example
• Consider a GSM/GPRS base station designed to support the

aggregate data throughput of 40Kb/sec using coding scheme CS-1.
Assume that 50% of users with the cell site's coverage area operate
under favorable RF conditions that allow them to use coding scheme
CS-2. Estimate the aggregate throughput that can be supported by
the base station.
• The aggregate throughput can be calculated as:
Ragg = _________ [ Kb/sec]

• A GSM radio can hold eight timeslots

• Some of the timeslots are dedicated for signaling
• One trunk in GSM is defined as one timeslot on the radio transceiver
• Based on number of trunks and required Grade of Service (GOS), the
amount of traffic loading can be calculated using the traditional
Erlang B traffic model
Number of Number of time Voice capacity at Voice capacity at

transceivers slots available for GOS of 1% [E] GOS of 2% [E]
traffic
1 6 1.91 2.28
2 14 7.35 8.20
3 22 13.65 14.90
4 30 20.34 21.93


• To estimate the maximum aggregate data traffic that can be
supported per GSM/GPRS sector, the following is assumed:
– Coding scheme is CS-1
– Threshold throughput per time slot is 5Kb/sec
– Dominant type of data service is WWW browsing with Pareto
distribution
• Average throughput per timeslot can be calculated as
Ts R0
Rav = R0 =
Ts + Tq 1 + Tq Ts
• Where
– Rav = Threshold throughput
– R0 = Data rate of coding scheme
– Ts = Service time
– Tq = Waiting time in queue
• Using Allen-Cunneen’s formula and the Pareto characteristics of different

data traffic types, we can estimate the erlang data capacity of a GPRS site
EC [ C D , a D ] ( n − 1)   x0   1 − ( x0 xm )
2 n n−2
R0
= 1+ ⋅ ⋅ 1 −    ⋅
Rav
 [ 0 m ]
2( C D − a D ) n( n − 2 )   xm   1 − ( x x ) n −1 2
• Where
– n = shape parameter for the Pareto distribution
– = minimum message length
– xm = maximum message length
– = average data traffic load in erlangs
– C D = average number of time slots available for GPRS
service,
EC [ C D , a D ]
– = Erlang C delay formula

Traffic Planning for GPRS
• Typical values of the Pareto distribution shape parameter
• To illustrate the traffic dimensioning concept, consider the

following set of parameters

Traffic Planning for GPRS
240
220
• Using the previous equation
Aggregate GPRS throughput [Kb/sec]

200
and the information from the 180
160
previous tables, the following 140
information can be 120

GOS of 1%
GOS of 2%
computed 100
80
• The information from the 60
table below generates the 40
20
curves shown to the right 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Circuit switched traffic [erlang]
1 TX (6 TS) 2 TX (14 TS) 3 TX (22 TS) 4 TX (30 TS)

Traffic Planning in GPRS - Example

• Determine the number of GSM radios at the GSM/GPRS site required to support at
least 7.5 erlangs of voice traffic at 2% GOS and an aggregate CS-1 packet data
throughput of 80Kb/sec. If 50% of the users are in area of C/I that allows for CS-2
coding, what is the available aggregate throughput?
240
220

200
180
• The aggregate throughput can be 160
calculated as: 140
120
(7.5 E, 95 Kb/sec)
100
(9.7 E, 80 Kb/sec)
80
Ragg = _________ [ Kb/sec]

60
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
1 TX (7 TS) 2 TX (14 TS) 3 TX (22 TS)

Traffic Planning in GPRS - Case

Study
• Consider a GSM provider trying to role out the GPRS service within urban
core area. We will assume that the traffic is following a fairly uniform
geographical distribution and that the most dominant traffic type is
WWW browsing. Other relevant data is given below:
• Determine the following:

– Number of sites necessary for handling the circuit switched voice at 2% GOS
– Aggregate GPRS capacity per site (for CS-1 coding scheme)
– If the system is to provide aggregate capacity of 2.5Mb/sec while serving the
peak voice traffic load, how many sites need to be installed?

Traffic Planning in GPRS - Case

Study
• Analysis: 120
N ARFCN = 100

N CELL = 80
RD
= 5.95
Av
60
Ragg =
40
N CELL ⋅ av ≥ 20
GPRS Throughput Curve for 2TX
N CELL ⋅ RD ≥ 0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
RD
≤
av
N CELL = Ragg =

Class Agenda
• What is GPRS?
• Protocol Stack
• Air Interface

• Conclusions

HSCSD, EDGE and 3G Growth Path

SMS, Data (9.6Kbit/s)
HSCSD
GPRS
EDGE
UMTS
Technology
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Bandwidth 2 Mbit/s
384 kbit/s
171.2
kbit/s
60 kbit/s
9.6 kbit/s
GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 1 1 3

HSCSD, EDGE and 3G Growth Path

• High Speed Circuit Switch Data
– Existing GSM structure
– Combines multiple TS
– Software upgrade at BTS
• Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution
– Uses 8PSK modulation
– Provides higher data rates than
GPRS
– Major changes to GSM
• UMTS - FDD
– 3G solution for GSM
– Up to 2Mbps data rates
D a t a
R a t e s

Introduction To GPRS: RF Engineering Continuing Education & Training

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Introduction To GPRS: RF Engineering Continuing Education & Training

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RF Engineering

Continuing Education & Training

Copyright2001 by Agilent Technologies

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 2

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 3

• Second Generation Technology

• Groupe Speciale Mobile

• International wireless standard

• Frequency reuse implementation

• Over 480 million subscribers

• GSM900, DCS1800, PCS1900, R-

• All GSM documents are

• Standards are grouped into

• Allows for easy integration of

• Significantly reduces the

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 5

Overview of GSM - Network

GSM Network Layout

Overview of GSM - Mobile Station

• Offered as a phone for voice

GSM Mobile Architectural Diagram

• Two types of SIM

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 7

Overview of GSM - Base

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 8

Overview of GSM - Base Station

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 9

Overview of GSM - TRAU

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 10

Overview of GSM - MSC

GSM MSC and Gateway MSC

Overview of GSM - HLR/AuC

• Database for permanent or semi-permanent data associated with the user

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 12

Overview of GSM - VLR and EIR

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 13

Overview of GSM - Interfaces

• GSM defines different

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted

Overview of GSM - Air Interface

• GSM is a FDMA/TDMA based

• Transmissions are discontinuous U S E R 2,

• Each user is assigned a timeslot US ER 1 U SER 2 ... . U SER 8

• Each channel has a 200 kHz USER 9,

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 15

Overview of GSM - Burst Types

Overview of GSM - Burst Types

• Used when the MS is accessing the system

Overview of GSM - Burst Types

the F-burst BW = 200KH z

• Provides mobile with

• Inserting the F-bursts on • Spectral characteristics of the

Overview of GSM - Physical

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 19

Overview of GSM - Frame Hierarchy

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 20

Overview of GSM - Additional

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 21

Overview of GSM - Quiz!

• Name some of the components of the GSM architecture and briefly

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 22

GPRS Slides (Rev A).ppt Agilent Restricted Page 23

• GSM has distinctive approach towards 3G