GSM Network
Architecture and
Radio Subsystem
GSM Network Components, Logical Channels,
and Multiplexing
Radio Subsystem (RSS)
The Radio Subsystem (RSS) comprises all radio-specific
entities, including the Mobile Stations (MS) and the Base
Station Subsystem (BSS). It connects to the NSS via the A
interface (solid lines) and to the OSS via the O interface
(dashed lines).
Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
A GSM network consists of multiple BSSs, each controlled
by a Base Station Controller (BSC). The BSS manages
radio connections, coding/decoding of voice, and rate
adaptation. It includes several Base Transceiver Stations
(BTSs).
Base Station Controller (BSC)
The BSC provides control functions and
physical links between the MSC and BTS. It
handles handovers, manages RF power levels,
and controls cell configurations. Multiple BSCs
are served by an MSC.
Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
The BTS handles the radio interface to the
Mobile Station (MS). A BTS forms a radio cell or
multiple sectorized cells. It connects to the MS
via the Um interface and to the BSC via the
Abis interface.
Operation and Support System
(OSS)
The OSS, implemented through the Operations and
Maintenance Center (OMC), allows network
operators to monitor and control the GSM network.
It provides centralized, regional, and local
maintenance support, offering a comprehensive
network overview for engineers.
Mobile Station (MS) & SIM
The MS consists of mobile equipment and a SIM
card. The SIM provides personal mobility, allowing
users to access services on any compatible
terminal. The SIM contains IMSI for user identification
and a secret key for authentication.
Radio Interface (Um) &
Multiplexing
The Um interface is the primary radio interface
in GSM. It includes various multiplexing
mechanisms such as SDMA (using BTS cells)
and TDMA/FDMA techniques for channel
assignment.
GSM Frame Hierarchy
GSM divides frequency carriers into TDMA frames:
• Each TDMA frame contains 8 timeslots (4.615 ms duration).
• TDMA frames are grouped into multiframes:
- 26-frame multiframe (120 ms) for traffic channels.
- 51-frame multiframe (235.4 ms) for control channels.
• Superframe (6.12 sec) consists of:
- 51 multiframes of 26 frames.
- 26 multiframes of 51 frames.
• Hyperframe (3 hours, 28 minutes) is the highest level in GSM
timing structure.
Traffic Channels (TCH)
TCHs carry user information (voice/data):
• Full Rate TCH (TCH/F): 22.8 kbps gross bit rate.
• Half Rate TCH (TCH/H): 11.4 kbps gross bit rate.
Uplink and downlink separation by 3 slots simplifies
mobile duplexing.
Control Channels (CCH)
CCHs carry system signaling and synchronization data:
• Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH): Transmits cell info.
• Common Control Channel (CCCH): Handles paging,
call setup.
• Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH): Manages
authentication, registration, and handovers.
GSM Logical Channels
Logical channels are multiplexed into physical channels.
Two main types:
• Traffic Channels (TCHs): Carry user data.
• Control Channels (CCHs): Handle network signaling.
- BCCH: Broadcasts cell parameters.
- CCCH: Manages connection setup.
- DCCH: Handles bidirectional control traffic.
Additional Bursts in GSM
Apart from normal bursts, ETSI defines special bursts for network
functionality:
• Frequency Correction Burst: Allows MS to adjust frequency.
• Synchronization Burst: Synchronizes MS with BTS.
• Access Burst: Used for initial connection setup.
• Dummy Burst: Used when no data is available for a slot.
Logical Channel Structure &
Multiplexing
Logical channels in GSM are structured as follows:
• 26-frame multiframe: Carries traffic channels & control
channels.
• 51-frame multiframe: Exclusively for control channels.
• Logical channels are further grouped into superframes and
hyperframes to support encryption.
Handover & Associated
Channels
During handovers, GSM dynamically reallocates channels:
• Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH): Periodic
signal quality updates.
• Fast Associated Control Channel (FACCH): Temporarily
replaces TCH during handovers for higher-rate signaling.
Common Control Channel
(CCCH) Functions
CCCH handles communication between MS and BTS:
• Paging Channel (PCH): Used to locate MS for incoming calls.
• Random Access Channel (RACH): Allows MS to initiate calls.
• Access Grant Channel (AGCH): Assigns a dedicated
channel for setup.
Security & Authentication in
GSM
GSM security is based on encryption and authentication:
• Subscriber authentication via IMSI & secret key.
• Encryption via A5 ciphering algorithm.
• TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity) is used to
protect user identity on the network.
