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Chapter: Mobile Communication

Mobile Communication Systems

Contents: 1. GSM Architecture-Location tracking and call setup 2. Mobility management 3. Handover-Security-GSM 4. SMS International roaming for GSM 5. Call recording functions-subscriber and service data mgt 6. Mobile Number portability 7. VoIP service for Mobile Networks 8. GPRS Architecture-GPRS procedures 9. Billing

Mobile Communication Systems

Contents:

1.     GSM Architecture-Location tracking and call setup

2.     Mobility management

3.     Handover-Security-GSM

4.     SMS  International roaming for GSM

5.     Call recording functions-subscriber and service data mgt

6.     Mobile Number portability

7.     VoIP service for Mobile Networks

8.     GPRS  Architecture-GPRS procedures

9.     Billing

 

 

Pre requisite Discussion :

 

In this unit we discuss Digital cellular networks are the segment of the market for mobile(GSM) and wireless devices which are growing most rapidly. They are the wireless extensions of traditional PSTN or ISDN networks and allow for seamless roaming with the same mobile phone nation or even worldwide. Today, these systems are mainly used for voice traffic. However, data traffic is continuously growing and, therefore, this chapter presents

 

1. GSM: Architecture

Concept:

 

Global system for mobile communication founded in 1982. Most successful Digital Mobile Telecommunication System. Used by over 800 million people in more than 190 countries. System Architecture

 

Radio subsystem

 

Network and switching subsystem Operation Subsystem

 

SMS Concept:

 

A useful service for very simple message transfer is the short message service (SMS) which offers transmission of messages of up to 160 characters.

 

SMS messages do not use the standard data channels of GSM but exploit unused capacity in the signalling channels.

 

Sending and receiving of SMS is possible during data or voice transmission. SMS was in the GSM standard from the beginning

 

The successor of SMS, the enhanced message service (EMS), offers a larger message size (e.g., 760 characters, concatenating several SMs), formatted text, and the transmission of animated pictures, small images and ring tones in a standardized way EMS never really took off as the multimedia message service (MMS) was available.

 

MMS offers the transmission of larger pictures (GIF, JPG, WBMP), short video clips etc. and comes with mobile phones that integrate small cameras.

Another non-voice tele service is group 3 fax, which is available worldwide.

 

In this service, fax data is transmitted as digital data over the analog telephone network according to the ITU-T standards T.4 and T.30 using modems.

 

Typically, a transparent fax service is used, i.e., fax data and fax signaling is transmitted using a transparent bearer service.


Mobile station (MS):

 

The MS comprises all user equipment and software needed for communication with a GSM network.

 

Significance:

Provides an interrupted connection between two or several users

 

2. Mobility Management:

Concept:

 

An MS consists of user independent hard- and software and of the subscriber identity module (SIM), which stores all user-specific data that is relevant to GSM.3 While an MS can be identified via the international mobile equipment identity (IMEI), a user can personalize any MS using his or her SIM,

 

i.e., user-specific mechanisms like charging and authentication are based on the SIM, not on the device itself. Device-specific mechanisms, e.g., theft protection, use the device specific IMEI.

 

Without the SIM, only emergency calls are possible.

 

The SIM card contains many identifiers and tables, such as card-type, serial number, a list of subscribed services, a personal identity number (PIN), a PIN unblocking key (PUK), an authentication key Ki, and the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)

 

Significance:

 

The most advantageous thing is that while moving between one base station to other base station it provides an uninterrupted connection

 

3. GSM   HANDOVER

 

Concept:

 

Cellular systems require handover procedures, as single cells do not cover the whole service area. The smaller the cell size and the faster the movement of a mobile station through the cells The more handovers of ongoing calls are required. A handover should not cause a cut-off, also called call drop. GSM aims at maximum handover duration of 60ms. 2 Basic Reasons for a Handover

 

The mobile station moves out of the range of a BTS of a certain antenna of a BTS respectively.

 

The received signal level decreases continuously until it alls below the minimal requirements or communication.

The error rate maygrow due to intererance, the distance to the BTS may be too high.

All these effects may diminish the quality of the radio link and make radio transmission impossible in the near future.

 

The wired infrastructure (MSC, BSC) may decide that the traffic in one cell is too high and shift some MS to another cells with a lower load. Handover may be due to load balancing.

 

Types of Handover in GSM 4 Possible Handover Scenarios in GSM

1. Intra-Cell Handover

 

2. Inter-Cell,Intra   BSC Handover

 

3. Inter BSC,Intra-MSC Handover

 

4. Inter MSC Handover

 

1. Intra-cell handover: o Within a cell

o Narrow band interference could make transmission at a certain frequency impossible. o The BSC could then decide to change the carrier frequency.

 

2. Inter-cell, intra   BSC handover:

 

o The mobile station moves from one cell to another, but stays within the control of the same BSC.

 

o The BSC then performs a handover, assigns a new radio channel in the new cell and releases the old one .

 

3. Inter BSC, intra MSC handover: o BSC controls a limited number of cells;

 

o GSM also has to perform handovers between cells controlled by different BSCs. o This handover then has to be controlled by the MSC.

 

4. Inter MSC handover:

 

o A handover could be required between two cells belonging to different MSCs. o Now both MSCs perform the handover together.

 

 

Necessary Information for a Handover

To provide all the necessary information for a handover due to a weak link

 

MS and BTS both perform periodic measurements of the downlink and uplink quality respectively. (Link quality comprises signal level and bit error rate.)

 

Measurement reports are sent by the MS about every half second and contain the quality of the current link used for transmission as well as the quality of certain channels in neighboring cells ( the BCCHs).


Significance:

 

The most advantageous thing is that while moving between one base station to other base station it provides an uninterrupted connection

 

4. SMS International roaming for GSM Concept:

 

GSM offers several security services using confidential information stored in the AUC and in the individual SIM.

 

The SIM stores personal, secret data and is protected with a PIN against unauthorized use.

 

The security services offered by GSM are

 

Access control and authentication:

 

The authentication of a valid user for the SIM. The user needs a secret PIN to access the SIM.

 

The next step is the subscriber authentication. This step is based on a challenge-response scheme.

 

Confidentiality:

All user-related data is encrypted.

After authentication BTS and MS apply encryption to

Voice

Data and

Signaling

This confidentiality exists only between MS and BTS.

 

Significance:

All data is encrypted before transmission, and user identifiers.

 

GSM transmits a temporary identifier (TMSI), which is newly assigned by the VLR after each location update.

 

5. Call recording functions-subscriber and service data mgt Concept:

 

Call recording is becoming increasingly important, with technology changing and working habits becoming more mobile. Addressing mobile recording is now the subject of many financial regulators' recommendations. It is also increasingly important to business continuity planning, especially for pandemic planning.

 

The actual recording takes place on a recording system with software for the management of calls and security of recordings. Most call recording software applications rely on an analogue signal via either a call recording adapter or a telephony board.

 

Digital lines cannot be recorded unless the call recording system can capture and decode the proprietary digital signaling, which some modern systems can. Sometimes a method is supplied with a digital PBX that can process the proprietary signal (usually a conversion box) before being channeled to a computer for recording. Alternatively a hardware adapter can be used on a telephone handset as the digital signal is converted at that point to analogue.

 

VoIP Recording is usually restricted to streaming media recorders or software developed by the soft phone or IP PBX creator. There are also solutions which use packet capture technology to passively record VoIP phone calls on the LAN.

 

Hardware is required to make the voice signal available to the computer equipment. Some of today's call recording software is sold as a turn-key solution with hardware.

Direct recording of mobile phone calls requires a hardware adapter connected to the handset. There are many other ways to record mobile phone calls. One approach is to route calls via a new PBX system linked to the recorder. However, such systems are typically expensive to purchase and change the way that calls are made, incurring running costs. Another approach links directly into existing recording systems from a PDA phone. Both of these approaches allow recordings to be time stamped, often required for legal reasons. Recording directly onto mobile devices does provide a legally valid recording in many countries.

 

 

Significance:

 

     Records the call for future use(References)

 

     Manages the Call whenever the user seems busy

 

     Service provided(data) can be monitored in a fair manner

 

 

6. Mobile Number Portability:

Concept:

 

MNP is a boon to the customer as he is allowed to keep the same mobile number even he switches over to other operator.

 

3 options : Service portability Location Portability Number portability

 

MNP Priniciple in INDIA:

Applicable only for mobile Numbers

Applicable only in intra licensed area

Applicable irrespective of Technology

 

LRN based routing DoT

 

Significance:

 

All mobile users can use MNP to get best tariff and network coverage without changing the number.

 

7. VOIP Service for mobile networks

Concept:

 

Voice over Internet protocol is simply the transmission of voice traffic over ip ased networks. Mobile VOIP is delivered by a third party service provider a WIFI or 3G network cellular network that a mobile device is connected to.

 

Mobile VOIP service providers typically require a user to download software onto their mobile device in order to gain access to their service.

 

Voip sends your calls across the internet

Phone calls are sent through VOIP phone adaptor to regular or cordless telephone.

 

Significance:

Used by all network service providers for help purposes ncluding toll free numbers.

 

8. GPRS SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

 

Concept:

The GPRS architecture introduces two new network elements, which are called

 

GPRS support nodes (GSN) and are in fact routers.

 

All GSNs are integrated into the standard GSM architecture, and may new interfaces have been defined .

 

GGSN - Gateway GPRS Support Node :-

 

The gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) is the inter working unit between the GPRS network and external packet data networks (PDN).

 

This node contains routing information for GPRS users, performs address conversion, and tunnels data to a user via encapsulation.

 

The GGSN is connected to external networks (e.g., IP or X.25) via the Gi interface and transfers packets to the SGSN via and IP-based backbone network (Gn interface).

Other New Element SGSN      Serving GPRS Support Node :-

 

The other new element is the serving GPRS support node (SGSN) which supports the MS via the Gb interface.

 

The SGSN, for example, requests user address form the GPRS register (GR), keeps track of the individual Mss  location, is responsible for collecting billing information (e.g., counting bytes), and performs several security functions such as access control.

 

The SGSN is connected to a BSC via frame relay and is basically on the same hierarchy level as an MSC.

 

 

GPRS Register (GR)

 

The GR, which is typically a part of the HLR, stores all GPRS relevant data. GGSNs can be compared with home and foreign agents, respectively, in a mobile IP network.

 

As shown in figure below, packet data is transmitted form a PDN, via the GGSN and SGSN directly to the BSS and finally to the MS.

 

The MSC, which is responsible for data transport in the traditional circuit switched GSM, is only used for signaling in the GPRS scenario.

 

Before sending any data over the GPRS network, an MS must attach to it, following the procedures of the mobility management.

 

CKSN   Cipher key sequence number (CSKN)

 

The attachment procedure includes assigning a temporal identifier, called a temporary logical link identity (TLLI), and a ciphering key sequence number (CKSN) for data encryption.

 

For each MS, a GPRS context is set up and stored in the MS and in the corresponding SGSN. This context comprises the status of the MS (which can be ready, idle, or standby), the CKSN, a flag indicating if compression is used, and routing data (TLLI, the routing area RA, a cell identifier and a packet data channel, PDCH, identifier).

Besides attaching and detaching mobility management also comprises functions for authentication, location management, and ciphering (here, the scope of ciphering lies between MS and SGSN, which is more than in standard GSM).

In idle mode an MS is not reachable and all contexts is deleted.

 

In the standby state only movement across routing areas is updated to the SGSN but not changes of the cell. Permanent paging.

 

The update procedure in standby mode is a compromise. Only in the ready state every movement of the MS is indicated to the SGSN.


Significance:

Provides Data connection for several Mobile Stations from the Base Stations.

 

9. Billing:

 

Concept:

 

As you travel, each network you access data or phone calls through sends a bill to your carrier back home. One your bills start coming in, your carrier mails it to you. Sometimes it can take several months to reconcile all the charges you've racked up while traveling. I've completely switched my travel calls to You Roam since I travel a lot. It lets you make and receive calls on your own number over Wi-Fi, 3G or a local sim anywhere in the world for free or really cheap.

 

Significance:

 

Allows the network provider companies, to process their billing procedures with their code of conduct.

 

Application:

 

     Provides the GSM architecture for nowadays Mobile usage.

     This is mainly used in the Voice IP call features

 

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Mobile Communication : Mobile Communication Systems |


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