GSM Architecture

GSM Architecture
The GSM technical specifications define the different entities that form the GSM network
by defining their functions and interface requirements.
GSM Architecture
The GSM network is divided into four major systems
 Network andSwitching Subsystem (NSS)
 Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
 Mobile station (MS)
 Operation and maintenance center (OMC)
The Network and Switching System (NSS) is responsible for performing call
processing and Subscriber-related functions. The switching system includes the
following functional units
 Mobile Switching Center
 Home Location Register
 Visitor Location Register
 Equipment Identity Register
 Authentication Center
Mobile Station
It refers to the terminal equipment used by the wireless subscriber. A Mobile Station
consists of two main elements:
The Terminal
There are different types of terminals distinguished principally by their power and
application:
• The `fixed' terminals are the ones installed in cars. Their maximum allowed
output power is 20 W.
• The GSM portable terminals can also be installed in vehicles. Their maximum
allowed output power is 8W.
• The handheld terminals have experienced the biggest success thanks to the
weight and volume, which are continuously decreasing. These terminals can
emit up to 2 W. The evolution of technologies allows decreasing the
maximum allowed power to 0.8 W.
The SIM
The SIM is a smart card that identifies the terminal. By inserting the SIM card into the
terminal, the user can have access to all the subscribed services. Without the SIM card,
the terminal is not operational.
The SIM card is protected by a four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN). In order
to identify the subscriber to the system, the SIM card contains some parameters of the
user such as its International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).
Another advantage of the SIM card is the mobility of the users. In fact, the only element
that personalizes a terminal is the SIM card. Therefore, the user can have access to its
subscribed services in any terminal using its SIM card.
Mobile Switching Center

MSC (Mobile Switching Center) MSC performs all switching functions for all
mobile stations, located in the geographic area controlled by its assigned BSSs. Also it
interfaces with PSTN, with other MSCs, and other system entities.
The Functions of MSC

 Call handling that copes with the mobile nature of subscribers
Considering Location Registration, Authentication of subscribers and
Equipment, Handover and Prepaid service.
 Management of required logical radio link channel during calls
 Management of MSC-BSS signaling protocol
 Handling location registration and ensuring interworking between
mobile station and VLR.
 Controls inter BSS and inter MSC hand overs.
 Acting as a gateway MSC to interrogate HLR. The MSC which is
connected to the PSTN/ISDN network is called as GMSC.This is the only
MSC in the network connected to the HLR.
 Standard functions of a switch like charging.
Home Location Register (HLR)

The HLR contains information relevant to mobile subscribers who are fee-paying
customers of the organization that operates the PLMN.
The HLR stores two types of information:
Subscription information
The subscription information includes the identity code and directory number allocated to
the subscriber, the type of service(s) provided, and any related restrictions.
Location Information
The location information includes the address of the VLR in the area where the
subscriber’s MS is currently located, and the address of the associated MSC.
The location information enables incoming calls to be routed to the MS. The absence this
information indicates that the MS is inactive and cannot be reached.
When an MS moves from one VLR area to another, the location information in the HLR
is updated with the new VLR and MSC addresses. The VLR then creates a new entry for
the MS, using subscription data copied from the HLR.
Visitor Location Register (VLR)

A VLR contains a data record for each of the MS that are currently operating in its area.
Each record contains a set of subscriber identity codes, related subscription information,
and a Location Area Identity (LAI) code. This information is used by the MSC when
handling calls to or from an MS in the area.
When an MS moves from one area to another, the responsibility for its supervision passes
from one VLR to another. A new data record is created by the VLR that has adopted the
MS, and the old record is deleted.
Provided that an interworking agreement exists between the network operators
concerned, data transactions can cross both network and national boundaries.
Equipment Identity Register(EIR)

Equipment Identity Register consists of identity of mobile station equipment
called IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), which may be valid, suspect and
prohibited. When a mobile station accesses the system the equipment validation
procedure is evoked before giving the services. The information is available in the form
of three lists.
 White list-The terminal is allowed to connect to the Network.
 Grey List-The terminal is under observation from the network for the
possible problems.
 Black List-The terminals reported as stolen are not type approved They are not
allowed to connect to the network
EIR informs the VLR that in which list the particular IMEI in.
Authentication Centre(AUC)
It is Associated with a HLR. It stores an Identity key called Authentication key (Ki)
for each Mobile subscriber. This key is used to generate –The authentication triplets
 RAND (Random Number)
 SRES (Signed Response) -To authenticate IMSI
 Kc (Cipher Key) - To cipher communication over the radio path between the MS and
the network.
Operation and Maintenance Centre (OMC)

It is the functional entity through which the network operator can monitor and
control the system by performing following functions
 Software installation
 Traffic Management
 Performance data analysis
 Tracing of subscribers and equipment.
 Configuration management
 Subscriber administration.
 Management of mobile equipment.
 Management of charging and billing.
The Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)
The OSS is connected to the different components of the NSS and to the BSC, in order to
control and monitor the GSM system. It is also in charge of controlling the traffic load of
the BSS.
However, the increasing number of base stations, due to the development of cellular radio
networks, has provoked that some of the maintenance tasks are transferred to the BTS.
This transfer decreases considerably the costs of the maintenance of the system
Base Station System (BSS)

BSS connects the MS and the NSS.
It is composed of
1.Base Transceiver Station (BTS) also called Base Station.
2.Base Station Controller (BSC).
BTS and BSC communicate across the standardized Abis interface.

BTS is controlled by BSC and one BSC can have many BTS under its control.
Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

BTS houses the radio transceivers and handles the radio-link protocols with the
Mobile Station.
Each BTS comprises of radio transmission and reception devices including

antenna, signal processors etc.
Each BTS can support 1 to 16 RF carriers .The parameters differentiating the

BTSs are Power level, antenna height, antenna type and number of carriers.
Functions of BTS
 It is responsible for Time and Frequency synchronization
 The process of channel coding, Encryption, Multiplexing and modulation for Trans
direction and reverse for reception are to be carried out.
 It has to arrange for transmission in advance from the mobiles depending upon their
distance from BTS.(Timing Advance)
 It has to detect Random access requests from mobiles, measure and monitor the
radio channels for power control and handover.
Base Station Controller:
BSC manages the radio resources for one or a group of BTSs

It Handles radio-channel setup, frequency hopping, handovers, and control of the RF
power levels.
BSC provides the time and frequency synchronization reference signals broadcast by its
BTSs.
It establishes connection between the mobile station and the MSC.
BSC is connected via interfaces to MSC,BTS and OMC
Mobile Station ISDN Number (MSISDN)

The MSISDN is the directory number allocated to the mobile subscriber. It is dialed to
make a telephone call to the mobile subscriber. The number consists of Country Code
(CC) of the country in which the mobile station is registered (for example, Germany is
49, and Brunei is 63), followed by national mobile number which consists of Network
Destination Code (NDC) and Subscriber Number (SN). A Network Destination Code is
allocated to each GSM PLMN. The maximum number of digits of the Digit Subscriber
Number is a standard of 12 in accordance with ITU Recommendation. Previously the
maximum number of digits allowed was limited to 10.
International Mobile Subscriber identity (IMSI)

A MS is identified by its IMSI. The IMSI is embodied in the SIM of the mobile
equipment. The MS provides it anytime it accesses the network. An IMSI code has three
components:
• Mobile Country Code (MCC)
The MCC component of the IMSI is a 3-digit code that uniquely identifies the country of
the domicile of the subscriber. It is assigned by the ITU-T.
• Mobile Network Code (MNC)
The MNC component is a 2-digit code that identifies the home GSM PLMN of the
mobile subscriber. The government of each country assigns it. For GSM-1900 a 3-digit
MNC is used.
• Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN)
The MSIN is a code that identifies the mobile subscriber within a GSM PLMN. An
operator assigns it.
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)

The TMSI is an identity alias that is used instead of the IMSI when possible. The use of
the TMSI ensures that the true identity of the `Mobile subscriber remains
confidential by eliminating the need to transfer an IMSI code enciphered over a
radio link. A VLR allocates a unique TMSI code to each mobile subscriber that is
operating in its area. This code, which is only valid within the area supervised by
the VLR, is used to identify the subscriber in messages to and form the MS. When
a change of location area also involves a change of VLR area. A new TMSI code
is allocated and communicated to the MS. The MS stores the TMSI on its SIM.
The TMSI consists of four octets; coded using a full hexadecimal representation.
International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI):
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 and registered by
the network operator who stores it in the EIR. By means of IMEI one recognizes
obsolete, stolen or nonfunctional equipment.

GSM Architecture

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GSM Architecture

Mobile Switching Center

The Functions of MSC

Home Location Register (HLR)

Visitor Location Register (VLR)

Equipment Identity Register(EIR)

Operation and Maintenance Centre (OMC)

The Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS)

Base Station System (BSS)

BTS and BSC communicate across the standardized Abis interface.

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

Each BTS comprises of radio transmission and reception devices including

Each BTS can support 1 to 16 RF carriers .The parameters differentiating the

Base Station Controller:

BSC manages the radio resources for one or a group of BTSs

Mobile Station ISDN Number (MSISDN)

International Mobile Subscriber identity (IMSI)

Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)

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