GSM PHASE 2+ GENERAL PACKET RADIO SERVICE (GPRS)

What Is GPRS?
General Packet Radio Service, more commonly known as GPRS, is a non-voice, value added, high-speed, packet-switching technology, for GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) NETWORKS. GPRS offers faster data transmission via a GSM network within a range 9.6Kbits to 115Kbits (although conceptually up to 172Kbps is possible). It reserves radio resources only when there is data to send and uses packet-based transfer method instead of circuitswitching method used by GSM networks.

Features Of GPRS
This new technology makes it possible for users to make telephone calls and transmit data at the same time. (For example, if you have a mobile phone using GPRS, you will be able to simultaneously make calls and receive e-mail massages.) Supports both TDMA (Time division Multiple Access) and GSM techniques.
With GPRS, an IP data transmission protocol (used in INTERNET), which is characteristic of computer networks, is being introduced to GSM.

Features of GPRS
It makes it possible to send and receive small chunk of data such as in web-browsing as well as large amount of data on mobile phone networks. Its technology exists between that of todays widely in use GSM technology and tomorrows 3G(third gen.) technology. GPRS resources are only needed while the message is being transferred. Hence , consumer pays less ,that is ,only for the downloading the data and not for the whole time of connection.

Features OF GPRS
GPRS allows us to send and receive data anytime as the need arises. NO dial-up modem is necessary. GPRS makes internet facility available to mobile users .For example, phones like NOKIA 6600 give allow this facility of internet on phone, whereas simple GSM phones allow you a WAP browser (Wireless Application Protocol) which allow you to load WAP pages while on move. (Next Page)

GPRS To Access Internet

Features Of GPRS
GPRS involves overlaying a packed based air interface on existing GSM networks. that is , information is split into related packets before being transmitted and then reassembled again at receiving station. Due to packet switching technique, the spectrum efficiency increases since radio resources are used only when user is sending and receiving data. Allows multiple users to use the same bandwidth.

Comparison
56 K Dial-up GSM GPRS (ideal) GPRS (actual)

56Kbps

9.6Kbps

43-56Kbps 171.2Kbps

History Behind GPRS

1999-2000 Incorporation of GPRS into GSM networks. 2000 summer First trail versions available at 28Kbps. 2001 Network operators launch GPRS commercially. 2001/2002 Speed increased to 56Kbps.Other features include higher bit rate,higher network resolution etc. 2002 GPRS is routinely incorporated into mobiles. 2002/2003 3GSM arrive in the market.

GSM Architecture (in brief)

GSM Architecture
GSM mobile station is denoted as MS. A cell is formed by the radio area coverage of Base Transciever station (BTS). Several BTS combined together form one Base Service Controller (BSC). Several BTS and one BSC together form Base Station Subsystem (BSS). The combined traffic of mobile stations is routed through Mobile Switching Center (MSC). Connections originating from fixed stations is handled by dedicated Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC).

GSM Architecture
Permanent data such as user profile and temporary data such as users current location is stored in HLR (Home Location Register). In case of call to a user ,his HLR is contacted to find his current location. VLR (Visited Location Register) us responsible for list of users currently in its area of command. AUC (Authentication Control) contains information such as keys used for authentication and encryption. EIR (Equipment Identity Register) contains information regarding equipment data instead of user data.

GSM Working
The International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) uniquely identifies a mobile station internationally. It is a kind of serial number. The IMEI is allocated by the equipment manufacturer and registered by the network operator who stores it in the EIR.

Each registered user is uniquely identified by its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). It is stored in the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

A mobile station can only be operated if a SIM with a valid IMSI is inserted into equipment with a valid IMEI.

GPRS Architecture

GPRS Working
In order to integrate GPRS into the existing GSM architecture, a new class of network nodes, called GPRS support nodes (GSN), has been introduced. GSNs are responsible for the delivery and routing of data packets between the mobile stations and the external Packet Data Networks (PDN).
A Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is responsible for the delivery of data packets from and to the mobile stations within its service area. Its tasks include packet routing, mobility management and authentication and charging functions.

GPRS Working
A Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) acts as an interface between the GPRS backbone network and the external packet data networks. It converts the GPRS packets coming from the SGSN into the appropriate Packet Data Protocol (PDP) format (e.g., IP or X.25) and sends them out on the corresponding Packet Data Network (PDN) In the other direction, PDP addresses of incoming data packets are converted to the GSM address of the destination user. The readdressed packets are sent to the responsible SGSN. For this purpose, the GGSN stores the current SGSN address of the user and his or her profile in its location register. The GGSN also performs authentication and charging functions.

In general, there is a many-to-many relationship between the SGSNs and the GGSNs: A GGSN is the interface to external packet data networks for several SGSNs; an SGSN may route its packets over different GGSNs to reach different Packet Data Networks (PDN) .

GPRS Services
The bearer service of GPRS offers end-to-end packet switched data transfer. These are of two kinds:

1.

The point-to-point (PTP) service offers transfer of data between two users. Its offered both in connection mode and connectionless node. The point-to-multipoint (PTM) offers transfer of data from one user to multiple users. Its offered in multicast service (PTM-M) where one message is distributed over whole geographic area group and other is group call service (PTM-G) where message is distributed to a particular group of users.

2.

GPRS Services
The supplementary services includes various extra facilities given to users .For example:

1. 2. 3.

It is also possible to send SMS messages over GPRS. It is planned to implement closed user group (CUG) service very soon. As a location manager. That is , it will be easy to locate ones position using GPRS phones.

Classes Of Mobile Stations

In a GSM/GPRS network, conventional circuit switched services (speech, data, and SMS) and GPRS services can be used in parallel. Three classes of mobile stations are defined : 1. A class A mobile station supports simultaneous operation of GPRS and conventional GSM services.

2. A class B mobile station is able to register with the network for both GPRS and conventional GSM services simultaneously. In contrast to an MS of class A, it can only use one of the two services at a given time. 3. A class C mobile station can attach for either GPRS or conventional GSM services. Simultaneous registration (and usage) is not possible. An exception are SMS messages, which can be received and sent at any time

Routing In GPRS

Routing In GPRS
A GPRS mobile station located in Public Land Mobile Network PLMN1 sends IP packets to a host connected to the IP network, The SGSN that the mobile station is registered with encapsulates the IP packets coming from the mobile station, examines the PDP context, and routes them through the intra-PLMN GPRS backbone to the appropriate GGSN. The GGSN decapsulates the packets and sends them out on the IP network, where IP routing mechanisms are used to transfer the packets to the access router of the destination network. The latter delivers the IP packets to the host.

Location Management In GPRS

Three States In GPRS

In IDLE state the MS is not reachable.
Performing a GPRS attach, the MS gets into READY state. With a GPRS detach it may disconnect from the network and fall back to IDLE state. The STANDBY state will be reached when an MS does not send any packets for a longer period of time, and therefore the READY timer (which was started at GPRS attach) expires.

Location Management In GPRS

In IDLE state, no location updating is performed. An MS in READY state informs its SGSN of every movement to a new cell. For the location management of an MS in STANDBY state, a GSM location area (LA) is divided into several routing areas (RA).The SGSN will only be informed when an MS moves to a new RA.

Security
GPRS security functionality is equivalent to the existing GSM security. The SGSN performs authentication and cipher setting procedures based on the same algorithms, keys, and criteria as in existing GSM. GPRS uses a ciphering algorithm optimised for packet data transmission.

Applications Of GPRS
Textual And Graphical Messages: A wide range of content can be delivered to mobile phone users. This information need not necessarily be textual- it may be maps or graphs or other types of visual information. Chat: GPRS would allow mobile users to participate fully in existing Internet chat groups rather than needing to set up their own groups that are dedicated to mobile users. Moving Images: The nature and form of mobile communication is getting less textual and more visual. Videoconferencing is another application for moving images.

Applications Of GPRS
Job Dispatch: Non-voice mobile services can be used to assign and communicate new jobs to mobile field staff. GPRS non-voice services can be used not only to send the job out, but also as a means for the service engineer or sales person can keep the office informed of progress towards meeting the customers requirement .

Internet connections And E-mails: GPRS can be used to connect internet through your mobile phones. its possible to send and receive mails through mobile.

Applications Of GPRS
LAN Access: A user will soon be able to connect to his office or home LAN through his mobile itself as if he is sitting at the disk .
File Transfer: File transfer applications encompass any form of downloading sizeable data across the mobile network. The file could be anything such as .pdf files or some word documents or some http files. This type of application is bandwidth intensive.

Limitations Of GPRS
Limited Radio Resources: Even today the resources of the company are not sufficient to handle the flow of traffic. Hence service is not sufficient. Speed Much Lower In Reality: Attaining maximum speed of 171.2Kbps would mean giving all the 8-timeslots to a single user which is a constraint for the companies. Only 1-3 timeslots per TDMA are given hence the speed is so low (around 56Kbps). Suboptimal Modulation: GPRS is based on modulation technique called Guassian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) whereas EDGE is based on 8-Phase Shift Keying(8-psk) which supports higher bit rate.

Limitations Of GPRS
Transit Losses Possible: Since GPRS works on principle of packet switching, hence, there is every possibility of some being lost or some getting delayed in traffic.
No Store And Forward Technique Available: There is no storage mechanism incorporated in GPRS techniques whereas SMS techniques use store and forward technique.

Summary
The General Packet Radio Service GPRS is an important step in the evolution toward third-generation mobile networks.
Its packet switched transmission technology is optimized for bursty traffic such as Internet/intranet services. One of the main benefits for users is that they can always be online and may be charged for service based on the amount of transmitted data. The GPRS system architecture has two new network nodes, namely, the SGSN and GGSN apart from the basic structure of GSM networks.

References
During the preparation of seminar , following sites helped me a lot: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. www.gsmworld.com www.comsoc.org www.topology.com www.filesaveas.com www.webopidia.com