RF Engineering Level-2

Course Duration : 8 days

Multi-path propagation Shadowing Terrain Building Reflection Interference

Reflections
Strong echoes can cause excessive transmission delay
No impact If the delay falls in the equalizer window Cause self-interference if the delay falls out of the equalizer window

direct signal strong reflected signal

amplitude

long echoes, out of equalizer window: self-interference

equalizer window 16 s

delay time

Fading(1)
Slow fading (Lognormal Fading)
Shadowing due to large obstacles on propagation direction Partially Scattered Field One Dominant Strong Path Others are comparable and weaker

Fast fading (Rayleigh fading)

Serious interference from multi-path signals Completely Scattered Field No Dominant Direct Path All Paths have comparable Strengths.

Level (dB) +10 0 -10

-20
920 MHz v = 20 km/h

-30 0 1 2 3 4 5m

Fading(2)

power

Rayleigh fading
+20 dB

lognormal fading

mean value

- 20 dB

2 sec

4 sec

6 sec

time

Propagation
Absorption
Heavy amplitude attenuation Material determining phase shift
A A - 5..30 dB

Diffraction
Wedge-model Knife edge Multiple knife edges

1. Antenna system 2. Diversity technique 3. Interference and interference reduction

Capacity can be increased by cell splitting where antenna realignment is necessary

New cell

Rotate original antennas through 30o Add new sites as shown New site Old site rotated

 Lobes
Main lobes Side and Back lobes Front-to-Back ratio

Half-power beam-width Antenna downtilt Polarization Frequency range Antenna impedance Mechanical size

 Down tilt of antennas often used to:

reduce interference adjust cell size direct coverage e.g. into a building

Mechanical tilt:
set by operator distorts azimuth (H plane) radiation pattern
Omni-directional antenna with electrical down tilt

Electrical tilt:
set by manufacturer reduces radiation H plane pattern equally in all directions, without distortion

0 -5

No Tilt

-10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35

Mechanical Downtilt

-5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35

Electrical Downtilt

0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35

Electrical Downtilt + Mechanical Uptilt

0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35

main lobe

Horizontal separation
Sufficient decoupling distance: 5-10 Antenna patterns superimposed if distance too close

Vertical separation Minimum coupling loss

5 .. 10

Decoupling distance:1 can provide good RX /TX decoupling

 Recommended decoupling
TX - TX: ~20dB TX - RX: ~40dB
0,2m

Horizontal decoupling distance depends on

Antenna gain Horizontal rad. pattern
Omni-directional.: 5 .. 20m directional : 1 ... 3m

Omni-directional antenna

Use vertical separation for RX and TX Use vertical separation (fork) for RX and diversity RX

Vertical decoupling is much more effective

 Directional antenna Antenna down tilt

Improve hotspot coverage Reduce interference

5..8 deg

 Feeder parameter
Type Diameter (mm) 1800MHz dB/100m 900MHz dB/100m

3/8 5/8 7/8 1 5/8

10 17 25 47

14 9 6 3

10 6 4 2

Use the short feeder whenever possible

 Leaking feeder
Cables with very high loss per length unit distributed antenna often used for tunnel coverage. This kind of feeder is expensive

Propagation loss: 4 ... 40 dB/100m

50 Ohm
coupling loss: ~ 60 dB (at 1m dist.)

Optic fiber distribution system

Distribute RF signal radiate from discrete antenna points at remote locations via (very thin) optic fiber.

 Repeater type
Narrow-band Repeater Wide-band Repeater

The Repeater is used to relay signal into shadowed area

Behind hill Into valley Into building

Note: The Repeater needs a host cell

decoupling ~40 dB needed

1. Antenna system 2. Diversity technique 3. Interference and interference reduction

Diversity reception is a way to improve the quality and strength of the signal arriving at the base station, by receiving it in several independent ways
t

Time diversity
Coding, interleaving

Frequency diversity
Frequency hopping

Space diversity
Multiple antennas

Polarization diversity
Dual-polarized antennas

Multi-path diversity
Equalizer

 Diversity gain depends on environment

Antenna diversity
3dB gain More path loss acceptable in link budget Higher coverage range

R(div) ~ 1,3 R

A 1.7 A 70% more coverage per cell Needs, less cells in total

The above case can be satisfied only under ideal condition. That is the environment is infinitely large and flat

 Two receiving antennas are used at the base station If they are far apart, the received signals will be independent of each other If one has suffered fading, the other may not A suitable distance is generally about 10 wavelengths GSM 900, 10l = 3 metres

Better isolation between the two signals can also be obtained by mounting the antennas at different heights on the tower

10

 Plan views of two possible tri-sectored site antenna systems

Transmit antenna is separate from the receivers
One antenna is used for transmit and receive, using a duplexer in the BTS to direct the signal

Rx Tx Rx Rx Rx

Tx/Rx

Rx
Tx Rx

Tx
Tx/Rx Rx Rx Tx/Rx

Rx

 As the radio signal undergoes multiple reflections and scattering, the plane of polarisation is rotated randomly This can be used to provide diversity reception by designing antennas with dipoles crossed to receive different components of the polarisation The preferred method is to cross the dipoles at 45o This gives good coverage of vertical polarisation and strong components of rotated signals

Dipoles crossed at 45o

Downlink limit

Uplink limit

Downlink limit

Uplink limit

Unbalanced system

Balanced system

Diversity is used when necessary to balance the system. It helps the uplink but not the downlink. Diversity allows the BTS to operate at higher power whilst
maintaining link balance.

Hence it allows greater coverage to be achieved.

1. Antenna system 2. Diversity technique 3. Interference and interference reduction

Signal quality = sum of all expected signals sum of all unexpected signal
expected signal

carrier (C ) interference (I)

atmospheric noise other signals

Notes: GSM specification : C / I >= 9 dB (Co-Channel)

 Affect signal quality Cause bit error

Repairable errors : Irreducible errors : channel coding, error correction phase distortions

Interference situation is
Non- reciprocal : Unsymmetrical : uplink <> downlink different situation at MS and BTS

C/I
Co-Channel C/I : 9dB Adjacent Channel C/I : -12dB

RX Quality RXQUAL class : 0 ... 7

good usable signal acceptable unusable signal

RXQUAL class 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Mean BER (%) 0.14 0.28 0.57 1.13 2.26 4.53 9.05 18.1

BER range from... to < 0.2% 0.2 ... 0.4 % 0.4 ... 0.8 % 0.8 ... 1.6 % 1.6 ... 3.2 % 3.2 ... 6.4 % 6.4 ... 12.8 % > 12.8 %

 Multi-path (long echoes) Frequency reuse External interference

Note : Interference has the same effect as poor coverage.

Reduce the interference as possible.

 Frequency planning Suitable site location Antenna azimuth, downtilt and height
bad location

good location

 Directional pattern of sectored antennas reduces response to interference Increases C/I significantly Allows greater frequency re-use, i.e. smaller cells If cells A and B use the same carrier:
B will cause co-channel interference in A A will cause very little co-channel interference in B

Interference is no longer mutual

 Frequency hopping A diversity technique, frequency diversity include:

Less fading loss De-coding gain Interference averaging

Power control based on quality

Evaluate signal level and quality

DTX
Silent transmission in speech pauses

 Adaptive antenna
According to subscriber distribution, concentrate signal energy to certain direction.

Adaptive channel allocation

Always assign the best available channel during call setup.

 Diversity technique
Frequency diversity can reduce fast fading effects Useful for static or slow-moving mobiles

Cyclic base-band hopping

TRX hops cyclic between its allocated frequencies

RF hopping
Either cyclic or random hopping Needs wideband combiner Can use any frequency included in the MA

 Save battery life-time Minimize interference

GSM : 15 steps and 2 dB for each
Use power control in both uplink and downlink triggered by level or quality
signal level target level e.g. -85 dm

Power control isnt allowed on BCCH

time

E=A+B+C-D

1.1.1: Signaling Protocol & Networks

Radio Interface

Um
BTS
MS

Another MSC

PSTN ISDN

BSC A interface MSC

A-bis interface Um

MAP interface

HLR/AUC/LR MS

OMC

SMC

There are three dominant interfaces, namely, an interface between MSC and the Base Station Controller (BSC), an Abis interface between BSC and the Base Transceiver Station (BTS), and an Urn interface between the BTS and MS.
Page 75

Hierarchical Structure of Um Interface

Communication management (CM) Network application layer (L3) Mobility and security management (MM) Radio resources management (RR)

Data link layer (L2)

Integrated management

RACH

BCCH

AGCH/PCH

SDCCH

SACCH

TCH

FACCH

TCH0 TCH1 TCH2 SACCH TCH23 IDL Physical link layer (L1) Multi-frame

Page 76

The physical layer of the A-interface is 120-ohm symmetrical twisted pair or 75-ohm coaxial cable whose rate is 2 Mbit/s. The physical layer of A-interface has the following features: The 2 Mbit/s transfer rate complies with G.703. Frame structure, synchronization and timing comply with G.705. Fault management complies with G.732. CRC4 complies with G.704.

The main function of MTP is to ensure reliable signaling message transfer in the signaling network. In case of system and signaling network faults, it takes measures to avoid or reduce the loss of messages, repeated messages and out-of-sequence packets. MTP comprises three functional levels: 1. signaling data link function 2. signaling link function 3. signaling network function 1) Signaling data link function Signaling data link (layer 1) is the channel used for signaling transmission. It comprises two data channels of the same data rate but two opposite working directions. The data rate is 64kbit/s. Generally, the signaling data link occupies timeslot 16 of a trunk cable. The specific timeslot is to be determined by negotiation between BSC and MSC. By data configuration, the timeslot can be used to establish a semi-permanent connection. The signaling data link is the information bearer of SS7. One of its important features is that the signaling link is transparent, i.e. the data transferred on it cannot be changed. Therefore, equipment such as echo canceller, digital attenuator, A/u rate converter, cannot be connected to this link.

2) Signaling link function

Signaling link function (layer 2) regulates the functions and procedures to send the signaling to the data link, and together with layer 1, it implements reliable signaling message transfer between two directly-connected signaling points. Due to long-distance transmission, a certain rate of bit errors may be caused on the data link between two adjacent signaling points. However, no error is allowed in CCS7 signaling message codes. The purpose of layer 2 is to guarantee error-free transmission of message codes in the case that there exist bit errors on layer 1.

Functions of layer 2 include: 1. signaling unit delimitation, 2. signaling unit alignment, 3. error detection, 4. error correction, 5. initial alignment, 6. processor fault, 7. level-2 flow control, and 8. signaling link error rate monitoring.

3) Signaling network function

By controlling the route and performance of the signaling network, signaling network function (level 3) guarantees that signaling information can be reliably transferred to the user part, whether the signaling network is in normal state or not.. Signaling network functions include 1. signaling message processing 2. signaling network management. Signaling message processing function sends signaling messages to the corresponding signaling links or user parts. The user part in BSS only contains SCCP. Signaling message processing functions comprise three parts: message routing (MRT), message discrimination (MDC) and message distribution (MDT),

Signaling network management is to reconstruct the signaling network and to keep and recover the normal transfer ability of the signaling unit when the signaling network fails. Signaling network management includes three parts: signaling traffic management, signaling ink management and signaling route management.

The purpose of SCCP is to provide complete network layer functions with the help of MTP. Network layer provides connectionless services and connection-oriented services. The connectionless service means that MS does not establish a signaling connection in advance, and uses the routing functions of SCCP and MTP to directly transfer data information in the signaling network. It is applicable to the transfer of a small quantity of data. The connection-oriented service means that a signaling connection is established in advance, and data are directly transferred on the signaling link, instead of using the route selection function of SCCP. It is applicable to the transfer of large quantities of data, and effectively shortens the transmission delay of batch data.

1) Protocol overview
The BSSAP protocol, which serves as A-interface specification, describes two kinds of messages, BSSMAP and DTAP message. BSSMAP messages are used for traffic flow control, and are to be processed by the internal functional module of the corresponding A interface. For DTAP messages, A interface is merely equivalent to a transport channel, On BSS side, DTAP messages are directly transferred to radio channels. On MSC subsystem side, DTAP messages are transferred to the corresponding functional processing unit.

2) Typical message contents

a) DTAP messages : The DTAP messages can be divided into Mobile Management (MM) messages and Call Control (CC) messages. The MM messages consist of messages related to authentication, CM service request, identification request, IMSI detach, location update, MM state, TMSI re-allocation, etc.

The call control messages consist of alerting, call proceeding, connection, setup, modification, release, disconnection, notification, state query, DTMF startup messages, etc.

b) BSSMAP messages The BSSMAP messages can be divided into connectionless and
connection-oriented messages. 1. The connectionless messages consist of Block/Unblock, Handover, Resource, Reset, Paging messages, etc. 2.The connection-oriented messages include Assignment, Handover, Clear and Cipher messages.

c) BSSAP protocol functionality The BSSAP protocol can deliver its own functions in
connection-oriented mode and connectionless mode of SCCP. When MS needs to exchange service-related messages over radio resources with the network side while there is no MS-related SCCP connection between MSC and BSS, a new connection will be established. A new connection shall also be set up for external handover. There are two kinds of connection setup: While MS sends the Access Request message on the RACH, BSS allocates a dedicated radio resource (DCCH or TCH) to MS. After the L2 connection is setup on the SDCCH (or FACCH) where resources are allocated, BSS starts the connection setup. When MSC decides to execute an external handover (the target BSS might be the original BSS), it must reserve a new DCCH or TCH from the target BSS. In this scenario, MSC starts the connection setup.

BTSM: Base Transceiver Station Management LAPD: Link Access Procedure on the D Channel LAPDm: Link Access Procedure on the Dm Channel SCCP: Signaling Connection Control Part MTP: Message Transfer Part BSSAP: Base Station Subsystem Application Part RR: Radio Resource

Layer 1 of the Abis interface is a physical link which receives data from and transmits data to the transport layer based on the bottom layer driver of the hardware. The layer 2 protocol of the Abis interface is based on the LAPD. LAPD addresses TRX (or BCF) through TEI, and uses different logical links for message transfer. RSL is to transfer traffic management messages. OML is to transfer network management messages. L2ML is to transfer L2 management messages.

RR (Radio Resource Management) messages are mapped onto the BSSAP (BSS Application Part) in BSC. In BTS, most of RR messages are handled as transparent messages. However, some of them have to be interpreted and executed by BTS (for example, cipher, random access, paging and assignment), these messages are processed by the BTSM (BTS Management) entities in BSC and BTS. BSC and BTS do not interpret CM (Connection Management) and MM (Mobility Management) messages. These messages are transferred over the A-interface by DTAP (Direct Transfer Application Part). At the Abis interface, DTAP messages are transferred as transparent messages.

The Abis interface can support three different internal BTS configurations 1. Single TRX. 2. Multiple TRXs are connected with the BSC via a common physical connection. 3. Multiple TRXs are connected with the BSC via different physical connections.

TRX (Transceiver) is the functional entity that supports 8 physical channels that belong to the same TDMA frame, which is defined in the PLMN. The BCF (Base Control Function) is the functional entity that performs common control functions including BTS initialization, software loading, channel configuration, operation and maintenance.

Function: The purpose of LAPD is to realize reliable end-to-end information transfer

between layer 3 entities through the user-network interface by using the D-channel. To be specific, LAPD supports: Multiple terminal equipment between subscriber and interface, Multiple L3 entities.

Functions of LAPD includes: Establishes one or several data links on the D channel. Delimits, locates and transmits transparently frames so that a string of bits transmitted on the D channel in the form of frames can be identified. Implements sequence control to keep the order of the frames that pass the data link connections. Checks the transmission errors, format errors and operation errors in the data link connections. Makes recovery based on the detected transmission errors, format errors and operation errors. Notifies the management layer entities of the unrecoverable errors. Flow control.

The function of Traffic Management are 1. Realizing the interworking of the MS and BSS/NSS on the Um interface. 2. Implementing part of the radio resource management functions under the control of BSC. The traffic management messages can be divided into four groups in terms of functions, which are: 1. Radio link layer management message, used for the management of the data link layer on the radio channel. 2. Dedicated channel management message used for the management of dedicated channels (SDCCH and TCH). 3. Common control channel management message used for the management of common control channels. 4. TRX management message used for TRX management.

Radio link layer management procedures

Link establishment indication procedure: BTS uses this procedure to indicate to BSC the success of setting up multi-frame link originated by the subscriber. BSC establishes a link from MSC to SCCP through the indication. Link establishment request procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to request the establishment of a link layer connection in multi-frame mode on the radio channel. Link release indication procedure: This procedure is used by BTS to indicate to BSC that a link layer connection on the radio channel has been released at the initiative of an MS. Link release request procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to request the release of a link layer connection on the radio channel. Transmission of a transparent L3-message on the Um interface in acknowledged mode: This procedure is used by BSC to request the sending of a transparent L3 message to MS on the Um interface in acknowledged mode. Reception of a transparent L3-message on the Um interface in acknowledged mode: This procedure is used by BTS to indicate the reception of a transparent L3 message on the Um interface in acknowledged mode. Transmission of a transparent L3-message on the Um interface in unacknowledged mode: This procedure is used by BSC to request the sending of a transparent L3 message to MS on the Um interface in unacknowledged mode. Reception of a transparent L3-message on the Um interface in unacknowledged mode: This procedure is used by BTS to indicate the reception of a transparent L3 message in unacknowledged mode. Link error indication procedure: Through this procedure BTS indicates BSC incase of any abnormality in the radio link layer.

Dedicated channel management procedures

Channel activation procedure: This procedure is used to activate a channel at BTS for an MS which later will be commanded to this channel by an Immediate Assignment, an Assignment Command, an Additional Assignment or a Handover Command message. Channel mode modification procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to request a change of the channel mode of an active channel. Handover detection procedure: This procedure is used between the target BTS and BSC to detect the accessing of the MS being handed over. Start of encryption procedure: This procedure is used to start encryption according to the procedure defined in Technical Specification GSM 04.08. Measurement report procedure: It includes the necessary basic measurement report procedure and measurement report preprocessing procedure. BTS reports all parameters related to handover decision to the BSC through this procedure. Deactivate SACCH procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to deactivate the SACCH at BTS according to the Channel Release procedure defined in Technical Specification GSM 04.08. Radio channel release procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to release a radio channel that is no longer needed. MS power control procedure: This procedure is used by BSS to set the MS power level or the parameters required by TRX. MS power control decision must be implemented in BSC, and as an optional procedure in BTS. BTS Transmission power control procedure: This procedure used between BSC and BTS to set the TRX transmission power level or the parameters required by TRX. The BTS transmission power control decision should be implemented in BSC, or in BTS. Connection failure procedure: This procedure is used by BTS to indicate to BSC that an active connection has been broken. Physical context request procedure: This is an optional procedure which allows the BSC to obtain information on the "physical context" of a radio channel just prior to a channel change. SACCH information modification procedure: BSC uses this procedure to instruct BTS to change the information (system information) filled in a specific SACCH channel.

Common channel management procedures

Channel request by MS procedure: The procedure is initiated by TRX upon detection of a random access from an MS (Channel Request message from MS). Paging principle procedure: It is used to page an MS on the specified paging sub-channel. The paging of an MS is initiated by BSC sending a Paging Command message to BTS. BSC determines the paging group to be used according to the IMSI of the called MS. The value of this paging group together with the identity of the mobile station is sent to BTS. Immediate assignment procedure: When a mobile station accesses BTS, BSC uses this procedure to assign a dedicated channel for the mobile station immediately. Delete indication procedure: This procedure is used by BTS to indicate that due to overload on the AGCH, an Immediate Assign Command has been deleted. CCCH load indication procedure: This procedure is used by BTS to inform BSC the load on a designate CCCH. Indication period is also set by OM. Broadcast information modification procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to indicate to BTS the new information to be broadcast on BCCH. Short message cell broadcast procedure: Short Message Service Cell Broadcast messages are sent to BTS as SMS Broadcast Request messages.

TRX management procedures

SACCH filling information modify procedure: This procedure is used by BSC to indicate to BTS the new information to be used as filling information on SACCHs. Radio resources indication procedure: This procedure is used to inform BSC on the interference levels on idle channels of a TRX. Flow control procedure: This procedure is defined to give some degree of flow control. It can be used for TRX processor overload, downlink CCCH overload and AGCH overload. Error reporting procedure: This procedure is used by BTS to report detected downlink message errors, which cannot be reported by any other procedure.

Managed objects : There are four types of

management objects: site, cell, carrier and channel

Object addressing:
Addressing of network management messages is realized by means of managed object types and cases. For each object case in BTS there is a complete L2 connection description. The setup of the first connection uses one (semi-) permanent default TEI. Subsequent connections use the TEIs provided when setting up TEI procedures. Object cases can also use layer 3 addresses. The mixed use of layer 2 and layer 3 addressing enables one BTS site to have one or multiple physical links.

Basic structure of Management Object

Managed object state

Management status include management status, operation status and availability status.

Management State

Description
BSC has disconnected all calls through this managed object, and no new calls can be connected to this object. New services can not be connected to this managed object, but those existing calls will be maintained. New calls can be connected to this managed object.

Locked Shut down Unlocked

Operation State
Disabled Enabled

Description
Resources are completely unavailable, and can no longer provide services to the users. All or part of resources are available and can be used.

Avavilability State
Locked Shut down Unlocked

Description
The resource is being tested. Its operational state is disabled. The source/object is not working due to some internal error. Its operational state is disabled. The resource needs power supply. Its operational state is disabled. The resource needs manual or automatic operations. Its operational state is disabled. Services provided by this resource are degraded in a certain sense, such as rate or operational capacity. Its operational state is disabled. Services provided by this resource are degraded in a certain sense, such as rate or operational capacity. Its operational state is enabled. Hardware or software of the managed objects is not installed. Its operational state is disabled.

Off line

Dependency

Degraded Not Installed

For a specific object, if a certain basic procedure is not completed, the system will not start its subsequent basic procedures. When there is no response to the formatted operation and maintenance message from the peer layer 3 before L3 timeout, the basic procedure is regarded as not completed. When the previous basic procedure has not received any response (ACK or NACK) before layer 3 timeout, then no subsequent basic procedure is sent to this object case. The default timeout for layer 3 is 10s. If part of an original message is not understood or supported, the whole message is discarded. A ACK message returned by the object indicates affirm response, it is used to notify the message sender that the command has been executed or will be executed. A NACK message returned by the object indicates disaffirm response, it is used to notify the message sender that the command executed unsuccessfully and the corresponding failure cause. Software loading management procedure Abis interface management procedure Transmission management procedure Air interface management procedure Test management procedure State management and event reporting procedure Equipment state management procedure Other procedure

Introduction: Um interface (air interface or radio

interface) is defined as the communication interface between MS and BSS. It is for the communication between MS and the fixed part of GSM. Its physical link is the radio link. The information transmitted via this interface include radio resource management, mobility management and connection management.

Layered Structure of Um Interface

The first layer(L1) is the physical layer at the bottom. It defines the radio access capabilities of GSM, and provides basic radio channels for information transfer on higher layer. The layer 2 is the data link layer using the LAPDm protocol. It defines various data transmission structures, and controls data transmission. The layer 3 is the highest layer. It includes various messages and programs, and controls services. It includes 3 sub-layers, which are Radio Resources management (RR), Mobility Management (MM), and Connection Management (CM).

The physical layer provides the following services:

Access capability: the physical layer provides a series of limited logical channels for transmission service. The logical channel is multiplexed on the physical channel. There exist 8 physical channels on each TRX. Through data configuration, logical channels are mapped to physical channels Error code detection: Physical layer provides error protection transmission, including error detection and correction. Ciphering: Use the selected encrypt algorithm to transmit bit sequence encrypted.

The purpose of the data link layer is to establish reliable dedicated data links between MS and BTS. The link layer protocol used by the GSM system at the radio interface is the LAPDm protocol which has evolved from the LAPD protocol. LAPDm receives the service from the physical layer and provides service to L3. The data link Service Access Point (SAP) is the node that provides services for layer 3. SAP is identified through SAPI. Each SAP is associated with one or multiple Data Link Connection End Points (DLCEP). Currently, two SAPI values are defined in the LAPDm protocol, 0 (main signaling) and 3 (short messages).

LAPDm Function
The provision of one or more data link connections on a Dm channel. Discrimination between the data link connections is by means of a data link connection identifier (DLCI). Allows for frame type identification. Allows L3 message units to be transmitted transparently between L3s. Exercises sequence control to maintain the order of frames that pass DLC. Check on the format and operation errors on the data links. Flow control. Contention resolution when establishing a data link after an access request has been made on the RACH.

LAPDm Operation Types Two types of operation of the data link layer are defined for layer 3 information transfer: unacknowledged operation and acknowledged (multiple frame) operation. They may co-exist on a Dm channel. 1. Unacknowledged mode: layer 3 information is transmitted in Unnumbered Information (UI) frames At the data link layer, the UI frames are not acknowledged. Flow control mechanisms and error recovery mechanisms are not defined. It is applicable to different types of control channels except for RACH.
2. Acknowledged mode: layer 3 information is transmitted in Unnumbered Information (UI) frames. The data link layer acknowledges the transmitted I frame. Error recovery procedures based on retransmission of unacknowledged frames are specified. Flow control procedures are also defined. In case of errors, which cannot be corrected by the data link layer, a report is issued to the layer 3 entity.

LAPDm Information Transfer Mode

Information transfer on the BCCH: Information transfer on the PCH + AGCH: Information transfer on the DCCHs: LAPDm Release of Data Links Multiple frame operation may be released in the following ways: Normal release by exchange of commands/responses. Local end release, i.e. without exchange of commands/responses, initiated and controlled by layer 3.

L3 Introduction : The signaling layer 3 of the Um interface provides the functions to establish, maintain and terminate circuit-switched connections across a GSM PLMN and other networks to which the GSM PLMN is connected. The objectives of the layer 3 are to provide the means for: The establishment, operation and release of a dedicated radio channel connection (RR). For location updating, authentication and TMSI reallocation (MM). For establishment, maintaining and termination of circuit-switched calls (CC). Supplementary services support (SS). Short messages service support (SMS). Layer 3 consists of 3 sub-layers including Connection Management (CM), Mobility Management (MM) and Radio Resource management (RR).
Layer 3 RRM MM CM CC SS SMS

L3 Structure: Radio Resources (RR) management handles the establishment, maintenance, and release of physical channels and logical channels, as well as cross-cell transfer on the request of CM sublayer. Mobility Management (MM) deals with the all necessary functions of mobile features to support mobile subscribers. It notifies the network when the mobile station is activated and deactivated, or the location area is changed. It is also responsible for the security of activated radio channels. CC deals with all necessary functions to establish or release the circuit-switched connections. SS deals with all necessary functions to support GSM supplementary services. SMS performs all necessary functions to support point-to-point short message services.

L3 Services: On MS Side 1. Registration services, i.e., IMSI attach and detach operations. 2. Call Control services, including MS originating normal call establishment, MS originating emergency call establishment, call hold, call termination, and call related Supplementary Services Support. 3. Call independent Supplementary Services Support. 4. Short Message Services Support. On Network Side 1. Call Control Services, including call establishment, call maintaining, call termination and call related supplementary service support. 2. Call independent Supplementary Services Support. 3. Short Message Services Support

Inter-layer services between the mobile station and network side Services provided by Radio Resource Management entity. These services are provided to MM via RR-SAP. They are used for establishing control channel connections, establishing traffic channel connections, ciphering mode indication, releasing control channel connections, and control-data transfer. Services provided by mobility management entities (MM). These services support call control, supplementary services and short messages services of connection management entities.

 The MM routing function route the messages of the CM entities and the messages of the MM entity of its own sublayer towards the service access point of RR, and multiplex them in case of parallel transactions. The routing function of Radio Resource Management shall distribute the messages to be sent according to their protocol discriminator (PD) and the actual channel configuration. The messages provided at the different service access points of layer 2 are split by the RR routing function according to the protocol discriminator (PD). If PD equals to RR, this message will be transferred to RR at the local sub-layer. Other messages are provided to MM via the access point RR-SAP. The routing function of MM passes the messages according to the protocol discriminator (PD) and the transaction identifier (TI) towards the MM entity or towards the CM entities via the various MM-SAP's. The RR sub-layer at the bottom receives services provided by layer 2 through various service access points (i.e., various types of channels) of layer 2, and provides services via RR-SAP to the MM sub-layer. The MM sub-layer provides services to the three entities (CC, SS and SMS) on the CM sub-layer through different service access points MMCC-SAP, MMSS-SAP and MMSMSSAP respectively, provides register services to the higher layer through MMREG-SAP service access points. The 3 independent entities on the CM sub-layer provide services to higher layers through MNCC-SAP, MNSS-SAP and MNSMS-SAP respectively.

1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

6.
7.

MS sends a CHANNEL REQUEST message to BTS on the access channel (RACH) of Um interface. The message contains the cause value "MOC BTS sends a CHANNEL REQUIRED message to BSC. Upon receipt of the CHANNEL REQUIRED message, BSC allocates a signaling channel and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION message to BTS. If the channel type is correct, upon receipt of the CHANNEL ACTIVATION message, BTS opens the power amplifier on the specified channel, and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION ACKNOWLEDGE message to BSC. BSC sends an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message to MS via BTS. The message is sent on AGCH on Um interface. MS sends an SABM frame on SDCCH to BTS to access the network. BTS returns a UA frame on SDCCH for acknowledgement.

8.

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

BTS sends an ESTABLISHMENT INDICATION message to BSC (This message contains the accurate causes for MS's access. For example, different cause values are indicated in the mobile originating call establishment procedure and IMSI detach procedure). This message contains the contents of the CM SERVICE REQUEST message. BSC establishes the SCCP link connection on A interface, and sends a CM SERVICE REQUEST message to MSC. MSC returns a message to BSC to acknowledge the link connection. MSC sends a CM SERVICE ACCEPTED message to MS. The message is sent on SDCCH on Um interface. The calling MS sends a SETUP message on SDCCH. MSC sends a CALL PROCEEDING message to the calling MS. The message is sent on SDCCH on Um interface. MSC sends an ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message to BSC, which contains the CIC allocated to A interface. BSC allocates a TCH, and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION message to BTS. If the channel type is correct, upon receipt of the CHANNEL ACTIVATION message, BTS opens the power amplifier on the specified channel, starts to receive the uplink information and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION ACKNOWLEDGE message to BSC. BSC sends an ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message to MS via BTS on SDCCH. MS sends an SABM frame to BTS, to access the network on FACCH indicated in the ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message. BTS sends a UA frame for acknowledgement on FACCH. BTS sends an ESTABLISHMENT INDICATION message to BSC. After accessing the TCH, MS sends an ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message to BSC on FACCH. After the radio traffic channel and terrestrial circuit are both successfully connected, BSC sends an ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message to MSC, and regards this call in session state.

23. MSC sends an ALTERING message to the calling MS. The calling MS will hear the ringback. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 24. MSC sends a CONNECT message to MS. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 25. The calling MS returns a CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE message on FACCH to MSC. 26. The calling MS and called MS enters the session state. 27. After the conversation is over, the calling MS hangs up and sends a DISCONNECT message on FACCH. 28. MSC sends a RELEASE message to MS. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 29. MS returns a RELEASE COMPLETE message. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 30. MSC sends a CLEAR COMMAND message to BSC. Upon receipt of the message, BSC initiates the release procedure. 31. BSC sends a CHANNEL RELEASE message to MS through BTS, The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 32. MS sends DISC frame on FACCH. 33. BTS returns UA frame on FACCH.

1. When the paged MS is located in the serving area of MSC, MSC sends a PAGING message to BSC, which contains a paged cell list, TMSI and IMSI. 2. BSC sends a PAGING COMMAND message to the paged cells, which contains the relevant paging subchannel Nos. and the occupied timeslot Nos. 3. Upon receipt of the PAGING COMMAND message from BSC, BTS sends a PAGING REQUEST message on the paging subchannel (PCH subchannel) that belongs to the paging group. This message contains the IMSI or TMSI of the paged MS. 4. MS sends a CHANNEL REQUEST message on RACH if it finds itself paged after decoding the paging message. 5. MS sends a CHANNEL REQUEST message to BTS on the access channel (RACH) of Um interface

6. 7.
8. 9.

10. 11. 12.

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

BTS sends a CHANNEL REQUIRED message to BSC. Upon receipt of the CHANNEL REQUIRED message, BSC allocates a signaling channel and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION message to BTS. If the channel type is correct, upon receipt of the CHANNEL ACTIVATION message, BTS opens the power amplifier on the specified channel, and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION ACKNOWLEDGE message to BSC. BSC sends an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message to MS via BTS. The message is sent on AGCH on Um interface. MS sends an SABM frame on SDCCH to BTS to access the network. BTS returns a UA frame on SDCCH for acknowledgement. BTS sends an ESTABLISHMENT INDICATION message to BSC (This message contains the accurate causes for MS's access. For example, different cause values are indicated in the mobile originating call establishment procedure and IMSI detach procedure). This message contains the contents of the CM SERVICE REQUEST message. BSC establishes the SCCP link connection on A interface, and sends a CM SERVICE REQUEST message to MSC. MSC returns a message to BSC to acknowledge the link connection. MSC sends a CM SERVICE ACCEPTED message to MS. The message is sent on SDCCH on Um interface. The calling MS sends a SETUP message on SDCCH. MSC sends a CALL PROCEEDING message to the calling MS. The message is sent on SDCCH on Um interface. MSC sends an ASSIGNMENT REQUEST message to BSC, which contains the CIC allocated to A interface. BSC allocates a TCH, and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION message to BTS. If the channel type is correct, upon receipt of the CHANNEL ACTIVATION message, BTS opens the power amplifier on the specified channel, starts to receive the uplink information and sends a CHANNEL ACTIVATION ACKNOWLEDGE message to BSC.

21. BSC sends an ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message to MS via BTS on SDCCH. 22. MS sends an SABM frame to BTS, to access the network on FACCH indicated in the ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message. 23. BTS sends a UA frame for acknowledgement on FACCH. 24. BTS sends an ESTABLISHMENT INDICATION message to BSC. 25. After accessing the TCH, MS sends an ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message to BSC on FACCH. 26. After the radio traffic channel and terrestrial circuit are both successfully connected, BSC sends an ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message to MSC, and regards this call in session state. 27. BTS sends a UA frame for acknowledgement on FACCH. 28. BTS sends an ESTABLISHMENT INDICATION message to BSC. 29. After accessing the TCH, MS sends an ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message to BSC on FACCH. 30. After the radio traffic channel and terrestrial circuit are both successfully connected, BSC sends an ASSIGNMENT COMPLETE message to MSC, and regards this call in session state. 31. MSC sends an ALTERING message to the calling MS. The calling MS will hear the ringback. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 32. MSC sends a CONNECT message to MS. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 33. The calling MS returns a CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE message on FACCH to MSC. 34. The calling MS and called MS enters the session state. 35. After the conversation is over, the calling MS hangs up and sends a DISCONNECT message on FACCH. 36. MSC sends a RELEASE message to MS. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 37. MS returns a RELEASE COMPLETE message. The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 38. MSC sends a CLEAR COMMAND message to BSC. Upon receipt of the message, BSC initiates the release procedure. 39. BSC sends a CHANNEL RELEASE message to MS through BTS, The message is sent on FACCH on Um interface. 40. MS sends DISC frame on FACCH. 41. BTS returns UA frame on FACCH.