Example Network Diagram

Call Flow - Mobile to Mobile Call

MS A BTS1 BSC1 MSC/VLR1

Air Interface/LAPDm Abis Interface/LAPD A Interface MAP - E Interface

Subscriber A types Subscriber B's MSISDN number and presses "send button" on his mobile. RR
Connection Establishment begins and the called number digits needs to be transported from
Mobile A to MSC. For this first phase, Radio Resource (RR) connection is established to MSC

First Step: RR CONNECTION ESTABLISHEMENT

RR CHANNEL REQUEST
RACH
RR connection establishment is triggered by sending the RR CHANNEL REQUEST message. This
message requests BSS for allocation for radio resources for the RR Connection setup. The mobile
now waits for an Assignment on Access Grant Channel (AGCH). At this point the mobile is listening
to AGCH for a reply. RR CHANNEL REQUEST is sent on RACH and slotted aloha channel that
can be used at random without any co ordination between the mobiles, any mobile can transmit on
this channel whenever it wishes. If two mobiles transmit on the channel at the same time, thier
messages will be lost ina collision. The mobile will detect the collision via a timeout and retransmit
the messa after a random back off
 CHAN RQD

CHANnel ReQuireD procedure may occur on the Abis interface at any time, on an asynchronous
basis. The procedure is initiated by the TRX carrying the so called CCCH channel, upon detection
of a random access from an MS. The TRX then sends a CHANnel ReQuireD message to BSC
containing the Request Reference Parameter (random number selected by MS plus some low
order bits of the TDMA frame number for the access) and teh access delay

Channel Activate

Channel Act Ack

IMM ASS CMD

The IMMEDIATE ASSIGN COMMAND procedure may occur at any time, in an asynchronous
basis, to initiate the immediate assignment, the BSC sends an IMMEDIATE ASSIGN COMMAND
message, including an RR Immediate Assign message. The BSC will transmit this message on the
AGCH channel which is mapped on the same tmeslot as the received Channel Required message.
Upon receipt of this message the BTS transmits the immediate assignment as received. This
procedure can also be used to return an Immediate Assign Reject message to MS

RR IMM ASSIGNMENT rr_t3101 start

AGCH
(SDCCH Freq, TS,
Freq and Time)
The BSS shall allocate a SDCCH to the mobile. The SDCCH allocation assigns a specific
frequency and a timeslot on that frequency. After the mobile receives this messa, the mobile shall
only use the specified resourcs for communicaion with the mobile network. BTS transmits the radio
resource assignment to the mobile via the AGCH channel. The message also conatins the time
and frequency corrections. The time corrections allow the mobile to time it's transmisions so that
they reach the BSS only in the specified timeslot. The frequency corrections correct for the doppler
shift caused by the mobile's motion. After adjusting frequency and timing, the mobile detunes from
AGCH and tunes to the specified radio channel. BTS starts "rr_t3101" RR timer waiting replay from
MS

RR SABM+MM CM
SERVICE REQUEST rr_t3101 stop
SDCCH, SAPI=0
 This is the first message that is sent after tuning to the channel. The Mobile initiates a LAPDm
connection with the BSS by sending a Set Asynchronous Balanced Mode (SABM) message.
SABM used to set up a logical channel SDCCH in acknowledged Multi Frame Mode. The service
request message meant for the MS is also sent in this messge. On receipt of this message BTS
will stop rr_t3101 timer

RR UA
SDCCH, SAPI=0

The BSS replies with Unnumbered Acknowledge (UA) to complete the LAPDm setup handshake.
UA acknowledges SABM

MS Power Control
SACCH

SCCP CONNECTION
REQUEST + BSSMAP
COMPLETE LAYER 3
sccp_tconn est start INFORMATION
SS7

sccp_tconn est stop CONNECTION CONFIRM (CC)

SS7

DTAP, AUT REQ

SS7

dtap, I(aut req)

N(S)=0;N(R)=0
LAP D

Data REQ, I(AUT REQ)

N(S)=0;N(R)=0
SDCCH
Send I frame containing the L3 info
authentication request

DATA IND, I(AUT

RESP) N(S)=0;N(R)=1
SDCCH
 dtap, aut resp
LAP D

DTAP, AUT RESP

SS7

ID Request (Type:IMEI)
SS7
ID Request (Type:IMEI)
LAPD
ID Request (Type:IMEI)
SDCCH

ID Response IMEI)

ID Response IMEI)

ID Response IMEI)

CLASSMARK REQ

REQ CLASSMARK

CLASSMARK ENQ

CLASSMARK SEND

UPDATE CLASSMARK

CLASSMARK UPDATE

BSSMAP, CIPH MODE

CMD
SS7

Since the subscriber has been successfully authenticated, the MSC initates ciphering of the data
being sent on the channel. The channel is ciphered so as to protect the call from evesdropping.
Ciphering on the radio link is enabled in three steps. As a first step, the BSS starts expecting
ciphered data from the mobile but continues to send data in CLEAR, since the mobile has not been
informed about the ciphering, all data received from the mobile will be in error.

cipher req
LAP D
 ENCRYPT CMD,
CIPHERING MODE
CMD,Mode=Clear
SDCCH

The BSS sends the CIPHERING MODE COMMAND to the Mobile. The mobile will be able to
reeive this message as the transmission from the BSS is still in CLEAR. As a second step, the
Mobile receives the message and enables ciphering in transmit and receive directions. This action
will result in all BSS data being received in error The BSS is still transmitting data in CLEAR

CIPHERING MODE
COMPLETE, Mode=Ciphered
SDCCH

Ciphering has already been enabled, so this message is transmitted with ciphering. The BSS will
receive this message as it is already expecting ciphred data in the receive direction. The third and
final step in the ciphering handshake. The BSS enables the ciphreing in transmit direction. From
this point on ciphering is enabled in both directions.

ciper suc
LAPD

BSSMAP, CIPH CMPLT

SS7

BSS replies back to the MSC, including that ciphering has been successfully enabled

DTAP: TMSI REALLOCATION COMMAND

VLR1 generates a new TMSI and forwards to MSC1 for this MS. MS stores
TMSI in its non-volatile store

DTAP: TMSI REALLOCATIOM COMPLETE

MSC informs VLR that TMSI reallocaation was succesful. VLR associates the
TMSI with IMSI and old TMSI is deallocated if it is allocated by it previously

RR Connection Establishemnt completed - At this point a connection has been setup

between the mobile and the MSC. From this point onward, the BSS is just acting as a
conduit for transporting the signalling messages between the mobile and the MSC
SECOND STEP: CALL SETUP

DATA REQ, SET UP

SDCCH

The mobile sends the setup message to establish a Voice Call. The message contains the dialled
digits and other information needed for call establishement

dtap, setup
LAP D

DTAP SETUP

DTAP, CALL PROC

DT1, dtap, call proc

DATA REQ, CALL

PROC

The mobile is informed that the call setup is in progress. At this point the mobile phone displays
a meesage "Connecting….." on the screen to indicate that call setup is being attempted.

BSSMAP: Assignment
BSSMAP_T11 Request
starts

The MSC Allocates a voice circuit on one of the digital trunks

between the MSC and the BSS. MSC informs the BSS about
the allocated voice channel. The call is also switched from
signalling circuit to voice circuit.

Physical Context Req

Physical Context Conf

 Channel Activation

Chnal Act ACK

Initiate Assignment

Assignment Command BSSMAP_T10(T

SDCCH 3107)starts

SABM
FACCH

UA
FACCH

Assignment Complete BSSMAP_T10(T

FACCH 3107)stops

Assignment Successful

BSSMAP_T11 Assignment Complete

Stops

SD RF Chanl Release

SD RF Chanl Rel Ack

MSC1 Checks the class of service from VLR1 database. MSC1 sends VLR1 the
message "Send Info O/G Call". VLR1 verifies its database and if MSA is eligible
for making O/G call, VLR1 reples MSC1 with the message "Complete Call". If
MSA is not eligible for making O/G call announcement will be fed to MSA. It will
be transmitted to MSA by FACCH. If MSC1 receives "Complete Call" message
from VLR1. MSC1 analyzes the dialled digits using GT analysis defined in GT
analyses with NP=1 and routes it to GMSC

SRI (MSISDN-B)
ISUP
Since MSISDN-B is a mobile subscriber, MSC/VLR
go for HLR Enquire for subscriber B. There is no
connection between MSC1 and HLR. MSC/VLR1 w
Send Routing Information to GMSC. It refers to GT
with NP=1
Since MSISDN-B is a mobile subscriber, MSC/VLR
go for HLR Enquire for subscriber B. There is no
connection between MSC1 and HLR. MSC/VLR1 w
Send Routing Information to GMSC. It refers to GT
with NP=1

The GMSC refers to

on MSISDN forma
HLR2. GMSC reque

SRI_ACK
TCAP/SCCP

IAM (MSRN)
GMSC uses MSRN
MSRN as the r
MSC/VLR2 receiv
 ISUP ACM

Alerting

ISUP ANM

Connect
Charging Starts
Connect Ack

s/w s/w s/w

Conversation

END Button

CC Disconnect

REL
ISUP
 CC Release

CLEAR
BSSMAP

RR Channel Release

RR Channel Release
CLEAR
BSSMAP

RR DISC

RR UA
Release
indication
Diagram

Mobile Call

GMSC HLR 1 HLR 2 MSC/VLR2 BSC1

AP - E Interface MAP-D Interface

 s been setup
st acting as a
and the MSC
RI (MSISDN-B)

mobile subscriber, MSC/VLR1 has to

or subscriber B. There is no direct
SC1 and HLR. MSC/VLR1 will send
on to GMSC. It refers to GT analysis
with NP=1
 TC-INV[Send_Routing_Info (MSISDN-B)]
MAP/C

TC-BEGIN
SCCP

The GMSC refers to GT analysis for NP=1, TON = NAT or INT, depends
on MSISDN format received by GMSC. GT analsis in GMSC refers to
HLR2. GMSC requests routing information for the GSM subscriber from
HLR2.

TC-INV[Provide
Routing Number
(MSRN) {PRN(IMSI)}]
MAP/D
TC-BEGIN
SCCP

HLR2 uses MSISDN-B and finds out IMSI and the SS7 address of
MSC/VLR which is serving MS-B at that moment. SS7 address of the
serving MSC/VLR was obtained by HLR during LU of MS-B. In this case,
MS-B is present in MSC/VLR2 area. HLR 2 sends Provide Routing
Number message (PRN) to MSC/VLR2. HLR 2 sends IMSI number of
MS-B to VLR2 as data

TC-RES
[Provide_MSRN_Ack]
TC-END
SCCP[MAP/D]

MSC/VLR2 allocates a temporary roaming number (MSRN).

The MSRN is then passed to the HLR

TC-RES [Send_Routing_Info_Ack(MSRN)]
TC-END
SCCP[MAP/C]
HLR 2 Passes MSRN
to GMSC

SRI_ACK
TCAP/SCCP

IAM (MSRN)
 Send Info I/C call [IAM(MSRN)]
ISUP

SAM (mor digits if any will be sent)

GMSC uses MSRN and refers to digit analysis and finds out the route to MSC/VLR 2. GMSC 2 GMSC 2 sends
MSRN as the reference number for the call to establish and sends ISUP messae IAM to MSC/VLR2.
MSC/VLR2 receives the call. At this point, the MSRN is marked free and may be reassigned for other calls.

Check Subscriber B Class of service

BSSMAP Page (UDT)
SCCP-CL

MSC/VLR2 needs to locate the subscriber in the loction area (which BTS?
area might span several cells, paging mechanism is used to locate the su
MSC/VLR2 uses TMSI of MS-B which is allocated to MS-B earlier to addre
that, MSC/VLR2 will send PAGING messge to all BSCs that handle lo

RR Paging Reque
Type 3 (TMSI)

BSC1 of MSC2 receives the Page c

message to all the cells that serve th
that, all the BSCs, serving the location
the ce

All cells in the location area will broad

All the mobiles belonging pageing

message in BTS1. MS-B finds tha
message matches its own TMSI. Th
page. An RR Connection establishme
request to th

Channel Require

Channel ACT
 Channel ACT Ac

IMMEDIATE Assign C

Establish Ind (Pa

Response,CM Ser
Request)

UA (Page Respon

When BTS and MS are in contact o

messageis sent from BTS1 to BS
piggybacked on this message. BSC1
BTS1 sends UA(Pa

SCCP CR+RR Paging

Response

BSC1 sends a SCCP Connection Re

response message is pig

BSSMAP: CC
SCCP

MSC/VLR2 initiates authentication check, IMEI

Classmark request, TMSI Reallocation proced
similar to MS-A. Ref MS-A procedures given a

Assignment Req

Initiate Assignme

Assignment Succe
 Assignment Complete

CC Setup

Call Confirmed

CC Alerting

SRBT (IP
ISUP ACM

ISUP ACM

CC Connect

Charging Starts
ISUP ANM

ISUP ANM

s/w s/w s/w

Conversation Conversation

REL

ISUP REL
CC Release
BTS1 MSB
 loction area (which BTS?), since location
sm is used to locate the subscriber. The
ed to MS-B earlier to address MS-B. Note
to all BSCs that handle location area

RR Paging Request
Type 3 (TMSI)
LAPD

MSC2 receives the Page command. BSC will send the Page
to all the cells that serve the subscriber's location area. Note
BSCs, serving the location area will send page message to all
the cells

RR Paging Request
Type 3 (TMSI)
PCH

the location area will broadcast the Page message on PCH.

RR CHANNEL REQ
RACH
mobiles belonging pageing group of MS-B listen to paging
e in BTS1. MS-B finds that the TMSI specified in the page
matches its own TMSI. The MS-B decides to respond to the
RR Connection establishmentis initiated by sending a channel
request to the network

Channel Required

Channel ACT
 Channel ACT Ack

IMMEDIATE Assign CMD

LAPD
RR IMMEDIATE Assgn
AGCH

RR SABM + RR
PAGING RESPONSE

MS-B tunes to the assigned SDCCH channels and

transmits page response and piggybacks SABM to
intiate RR sesssion

Establish Ind (Page

Response,CM Service
Request)

UA (Page Response)
UA (Page Response)

TS and MS are in contact over SDCCH, Establishment Indication

geis sent from BTS1 to BSC1. Paging Response and SABM are
ed on this message. BSC1 sends UA(Page Response) to BTS1 and
BTS1 sends UA(Page Response) to MS-B

ds a SCCP Connection Request (CR) to the MSC/VLR2. The Page

response message is piggybacked with the request.

hentication check, IMEI Check, Ciphering activation, IMEI chek,

TMSI Reallocation procedures to MS-B. These procedures are
MS-A procedures given above and are not printed here again.

Initiate Assignment

Assignment Command

Assignment Complete

Assignment Success
CC Setup

Call Confirmed
Ringing

CC Alerting

ERS (External Ringtone Server)

SRBT (IP Network/IP Trunks)

Answers the call

CC Connect

s/w
CC Release