GSM Technology and Its Architecture: An

Overview
Jaspreet Kaur, Srishti Sabharwal, Shabnam Khan, Karan Chauhan
Electronics and Communication Engineering Department
Chandigarh University, Mohali

ABSTRACT
Global System for Mobile Communication, a standard for cellular communication has been in
the demand for data transmission services due to rise in the use of internet application. GSM
emerged as second generation cellular standard and aided in solving the problems related to
fragmentation in the first cellular system. In this paper, we will survey the Global System for
Mobile Communication. The architecture of the GSM will also be discussed in addition to its
operations and some prominent features.

Keywords: GSM, PSTN, Base Station, Mobile Station.

1. INTRODUCTION

Wireless communication has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries revolutionizing
the communication system with its applications like cellular communication, Personal
communication services, satellite communication and Bluetooth etc. Out of these
applications, cellular communication system is most prevalent with noticeable hike in the
new cellular subscriptions. With increasing demand across the globe, the problems related to
compatibility came into effect and GSM came forward to address such issues.
Introduced in 1991, GSM is the first cellular system to specify network level architectures
and digital modulation [1].
GSM utilizes Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Frequency Division Duplex
(FDD) to transmit signals and is capable of transmitting at rate of 64 kbps to 120 Mbps [2].
The reception band of GSM is divided into 128 channels of 200 KHz bandwidth each [1]. It
is kind of advanced cell innovation, immensely acknowledged in broadcast communications
[3].
Guidelines followed by GSM services are of ISDN-Integrated services Digital Network,
sectioned into telephone services or data services. These are further divided into three service
classes: Telephone services, Bearer services, GSM supplementary services. These all are
 available as digital services only where GSM supplementary service serves as additional
feature of bearer and telephone services. It was originally designed for low user density but is
now coping up efficiently with increase in demand for subscribers [4].
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) is prominent feature of GSM, it is kind of memory device
which keeps the Subscriber Identification number, privacy keys, networks and countries in
which the service has been entitles by the user, stored in the module. The digital bit stream
can even be encrypted to achieve the call privacy in the digital systems.

2. GSM ARCHITECTURE

To promote the general framework, the different components and routes are characterized by
the GSM architecture [4]. The fundamental design and Framework of GSM has been
preserved with new advancements. The specifications of the GSM mainly focus on interface
requirements and functions rather than the hardware so as to facilitate the arrangement of
equipments from different suppliers [5].

The GSM network architecture can be divided into three major subsystems:
a) Base Station Subsystem.
- Mobile Station
b) Network and Switching Subsystem.
c) Operation and support subsystem.

2.1 Base Station Subsystem

It is also called Radio subsystem as it delivers and manages radio transmission paths
between Mobile switching centre and Mobile stations. In addition to this radio interface
between mobile station and other subsystem of GSM is also managed by BSS. Different
base station controllers are part of BSS and these BSCs control various Base Transceivers
Stations. Radio link control, Channel management, transmission functions are all
associated with Base Station Subsystem. Mobile Station is another subsystem but due to
architectural purposes it is considered as component of Base Station Subsystem .

The main components of Base station subsystem are:

2.1.1 Mobile station:

These are also referred to as versatile stations or portable gear; these stations are
that segment of GSM that the user can interact with. These acts as fundamental
equipment that along with SIM, forms the crucial component of the system. This
 mobile equipment also consists of International Mobile equipment Identity and
International Mobile Subscriber Identity.

2.1.2 Base Transceiver Station (BTS):

This part of the GSM consists of Radio transmitter recipients and other related
equipments to connect to the mobiles. For every cell, it acts as characterizing
component. The BTS connects with the mobile station, the interface between both
is called Um interface [6].

2.1.3 Base Station Controller (BSC):

The gatherings of the BTSs are controlled by BSC, and it is also part of these
gatherings of the BTSs. It takes care of the control things, such as; handover
within the gathering of the BTSs etc. The interface between Base station
Controller and Base Transceiver Station is referred to as Abis Interface.

2.2 Network Switching Subsystem ( NSS ):

The apparatus and functions linked to end – to-end calls are part of Network Switching
Subsystem. In addition to this, management of subscribers and switching to other
networks also comes under NSS.

The significant units under the Network Switching Subsystem are:

2.2.1 Mobile switching administration Centre ( MSC ):

It is the fundamental part of NSS and its demonstrations like exchanging hub
inside ISDN or PSTN provides extra utility to uphold the requirements of portable
client. It delivers services like verification and enlistment between MSC
handovers. It also acts as an interface to PSTN by allowing the channelling of
calls from mobile system to landline.

2.2.2 Home Location Register (HLR ):

This is database which consist information and regulatory data of every supporter
with their last known area. When the telephone is switched on by the client, it gets
registered with the database and this aids in obtaining the information of the BTS
involved. Even if the telephone is stationary, it re enrols to make sure that HLR
records the recent location.

2.2.3 Visitor Location Register ( VLR ):

VLR consist data of Roaming mobiles in the respective areas. Despite being a
separate element it is essential part of the Mobile Switching Centre.
 2.2.4 Equipment Identity Register ( EIR ):
EIR decides that whether the given mobile hardware is allowed in the system or
not. International Mobile Equipment Identity of every cell is checked by the
system and according to the data of the EIR it is allocated one of the three states:
Permitted, Banished or under observation.

2.2.5 Authentication Centre:

It is deployed to verify over radio channel. It is database consisting mystery
entries similar to those in SIM card of client [7].

2.2.6 Gateway Mobile Switching Centre:

GMSC obtains Mobile station Roaming Number (MSRN) from Home Location
Register (HLR) considering the Mobile Station ISDN number. It is basically
deployed to route the calls outside the Mobile network.

2.2.7 Short Message Service Gateway Mobile Switching Centre (SMS-G):

It allows exchange of text messages over the network and also handles these
messages. Short Message Service Inter working Mobile Switching Centre is used
for handling the short messages starting with mobile on that system.

2.3 Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS):

Operational and maintenance centre is the main unit of the OSS. It provides the facility to
check, monitor and troubleshoot all the features of the GSM. It is linked with the sections
of NSS and BSC and is used to control the General GSM system. The OSS aims at
providing customer a cost effective centralized, regional and local support. Providing the
overview of the network is one of the main functions of the OSS[8].

3. GSM OPERATIONS

The GSM operation consists of following:

3.1 Mobile Phone to Public Switched Telephone Network:

The request of call is received by Mobile Switching Centre, the MSC then verifies if the
MS is allowed to access the network. If it is authorized then the Mobile station is
activated. After analysing the number, the call setup is initialized with the PSTN. BSC
is asked by the MSC to assign a traffic channel. The channel is allocated by the BSC and
information is transmitted to the Mobile station. The call is connected and meanwhile the
mobile station takes readings of the radio channels in the existing cell and neighbouring
 cells, the information is then passed to the Base station Controller. Then the requirement
of the handover is checked by BSC. If there is need of handover, allocation of new traffic
channel occurs otherwise the transmission takes place undisturbed from existing
frequency.

3.2 Public Switched Telephone Network to Mobile Phone:

When the mobile station is called by the PSTN, the HLR is enquired by gateway MSC to
channel the call to MSC. The region of the mobile station is checked by the MSC from
the VLR and after obtaining the information the MS is contacted by the MSC via BSC.
The MS tunes to the channel and gives the signal. The discourse association is preceded
by reply from the supporter. The MS codes the discourse at 13 kbps [1]. The discourse is
further transcoded by BSC to 64 kbps and is sent to the MSC. The information is then
advanced to PSTN by the MSC. In one TDMA time slot, GSM can underpin 9.6 kbps
information [6].

4. CHANNEL AND FRAME STRUCTURE

There are two paired bans of 25 MHz each on which GSM system operates: 935-960 MHZ
for forward link or downlink i.e. transmission from Base station to Mobile Station and 890-
915 MHz for reverse link or uplink i.e. transmission from mobile to base station.
200 KHz wide channels are obtained from these two bands and after leaving 200 KHz for
guard bands we get 124 paired duplex channels with spacing of 45MHz. These 124 paired
duplex channel work at different frequency. The GSM logical channels are of two types:
Traffic Channels (TCH) for carrying data and Control Channels (CCH) for transmitting
commands between base station and MS.

5. GSM SECURITY

The networks which are established over air interface need to be secured with definite
mechanisms. Authentication plays an important role to prevent unwanted access on radio
channels. In GSM the authentication system comprises of two main elements: SIM Card and
Authentication centre (AUC). One secret key is provided to each subscriber; it has two
copies, one in SIM card and other at AUC. International Mobile Equipment ID number
(IMEI) is another form of security in GSM. Equipment Identity Register consists of list of
IMEI present in the network. Few cryptographic calculations are used by GSM for security.
For over the air voice security A5/1, A5/2, A5/3 figures are utilized [7]. These are basically
stream figures. For information exchanged on web GSM deploys General Packet Radio
Service.
6. CONCLUSION
In this paper, we have overviewed the GSM technology and its essential components and
operations. GSM as second generation mobile telephony has emerged as a worldwide
standard and its next generations are aiming at high quality data service and high bit rate. The
main aim of this paper was to deliver concise and brief description of the system to provide
quick framework before studying and analysing the advance role and possibilities of the
system.

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