General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)

Abstract The purpose of this document is to describe the feature " General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)" from a data transcript point of view. Contents 1 2 2.1 2.2 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 4 4.1 Revision Information Description General GPRS system overview Data Transcript Impacts General Packet Control Unit (PCU) Description of DT example APZ Size Alteration Events APT Size Alteration Events Traffic DT - BSC Exchange Properties RP Database Table How to enable Ethernet in the PCU Allocation of RP Allocation of EM Insertion of CLM/SPM/TSM & Allocation of SNT Digital Path, RALT, RTG, RTT & RBLT CCITT7 Signalling Deblocking of RP Deblocking of EM, RPG's and RPP's Deblocking of GS Deblocking of the Gb-interface Subfile 85xxx - Cell Data Miscellaneous Information Abbreviations

1 Revision Information

This document has been revised due to the introduction of Fixed Size Alteration.

2 Description

2.1 General
GPRS is a standardized packet switched data service for GSM based systems. This feature helps the operator to make desired data services, i.e. e-mail, file transfer and Web browsing more efficient, allowing several users to share the same data channel. The GPRS feature enables a smooth and efficient introduction of internet services in the GSM network. Benefits:

Suitable for bursty traffic as well as frequent traffic of small data volumes as e.g. Web browsing. A number of users can share the same frequency carrier allowing a cost efficient use of radio resources and good service to the subscriber. Cost efficient and fast introduction of GPRS due to reuse of existing RBS and BSC. GPRS enables a co-existence of GSM and GPRS within the existing GSM infrastructure.

2.2 GPRS system overview

2.2.1 Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)
The Serving GPRS Support Node is a primary component in the GSM network using GPRS. This new node forwards incoming and outgoing IP packets addressed to/from an MS that is attached within the SGSN service area. The SGSN handles packet routing and transfer to and from the SGSN service area. It serves all GPRS subscribers that are physically located within the geographical SGSN service area. A GPRS subscriber may be served by any SGSN in the GPRS network, all dependent on location. The traffic is routed from the SGSN to the BSC, via the BTS to the mobile station.

2.2.2 Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)

The Gateway GPRS Support Node is the second new nodetype introduced to handle GPRS connections. The GGSN handles the interface to the external IP packet networks and acts like a router for the IP addresses of all GPRS subscribers in the network.

2.2.3 Connection to BSS

To be able to connect the new GPRS nodes to a GSM network, a new interface (Gb) is introduced in the BSC. New hardware is also introduced to handle the incoming and outgoing GPRS packets.

To connect the SGSN to the BSC the Gb interface is used. The connection can be direct to the BSC or via the MSC. The latter solution requires that all devices on the Gb interface is semipermanently connected through the MSC towards the BSC. See Figure 1.

Figure 1 Connection of SGSN to BSS

3 Data Transcript Impacts

3.1 General
The Capacity for circuit switched calls will be degraded due to GPRS. How much depends on the amount of GPRS traffic. The degradation is mostly because of channel allocation/deallocation as GPRS and circuit switched calls share the same resources hence complicates the allocation process. If a cell is expected to have much GPRS traffic, the number of timeslots on the radio interface used for GPRS traffic can be set to a fixed value. This will result in that the number of timeslots available for speech will be reduced by the same value. It is also possible to have the amount of GPRS timeslots dynamically allocated depending on the amount of circuit switched calls in the cell.

3.2 Packet Control Unit (PCU)

The PCU is situated in the BSC or BSC/TRC. It takes care of the connection to the Gb interface and functions as an interface between the Abis interface and the Gb interface. The PCU is equipped with two types of RP:s. The RP:s are of the type RP4 and RPP. The RP4 (RP 96&97 in the following example) is used only to connect the PCU to the serial RP bus. The RPP (RP 98&99 in the following example) is a new type of RP developed to handle the GPRS connections. The most simple configuration is the single RPP PCU and consists of one RPP only. This RPP processes all GPRS protocols. Paging and access over CCCH must be done via the TRH. See Figure 2.

Figure 2 Single RPP PCU If more than one RPP is used, the RPP:s will communicate with each other via an Ethernet bus situated in the back plane of the PCU magazine.

3.3 Description of DT example

The DT example in the following chapters describes the DT needed to define and integrate the PCU magazine. The PCU is here a multi RPP PCU equipped with 2 RPP:s. The example covers the definition of the complete PCU magazine including hardware, connections to SGSN and activation of the feature in the BSC. The following Size Alteration Events are affected by this function :

3.4 APZ Size Alteration Events

SAE 807 , Block RPDI SAE 304 SAE 1822 How to set the SAE number of individuals is described in document "Setting of Size Alteration Events in BSC/TRC" no. 105/19046-FAD 10406 , included in this DTInfomodel.Two methods are described but we recommend that the Fixed SAE method is used.

3.5 APT Size Alteration Events

SAE 515 , Block DIPRTG SAE 529 , Block ETRTG SAE 500 , Block RTGLT SAE 500 , Block HIDRTG How to set the SAE number of individuals is described in document "Setting of Size Alteration Events in BSC/TRC" no. 105/19046-FAD 10406 , included in this DTInfomodel.Two methods are described but we recommend that the Fixed SAE method is used.

3.6 Traffic DT - BSC Exchange Properties

A number of exchange properties are needed to configure GPRS correctly. The property ALPHA is a Power control parameter used for the GPRS connections.
RAEPC:PROP=ALPHA-0;

By setting the property CHCODING, the operator can choose between CS-1 (Coding Scheme) and CS-2 on a per BSC level. The maximum data rate will increase by using CS-2, however, all signalling uses CS-1 only. Note that older versions of RBS 2301 do not support CS-2. Table 1 Property value 2 1
RAEPC:PROP=CHCODING-2;

Description of CHANNELCODING Description CS-2 is used (default) CS-1 is used

is used to set the parameter NETWORK_OPERATION_MODE in the messages System Information type 13 and Packet System Information type 1. It is also used to control the creation of master channels.
GPRSNWMODE RAEPP:ID=ALL;

Printout of properties Table 2 Property value Description of GPRSNWMODE Description

0 1 2 3
RAEPC:PROP=GPRSNWMODE-2;

Network Mode of Operation I. No master PDCH exists. Network Mode of Operation I. Master PDCH can exist. Network Mode of Operation II. No master PDCH exists. (default) Network Mode of Operation II. Master PDCH can exist.

The property ONDEMANDGPHDEV is used for setting the number of reserved GPH devices in an RPP that can be used for on-demand PDCH only.
RAEPC:PROP=ONDEMANDGPHDEV-20;

The property PILTIMER is used for setting the Packet Idle List Timer. When an ondemand PDCH becomes idle it is placed in idle list for the packet switched domain and PILTIMER is started. When the PILTIMER expires for a PDCH the channel is returned to circuit switched domain. The value shall be given in multiples of 1 seconds.
RAEPC:PROP=PILTIMER-20;

The property TBFDLLIMIT is used for setting the Temporary Block Flow (TBF) downlink limit. TBFDLLIMIT is a preference parameter for the number of TBF in the downlink direction. The parameter shall be set according to the wanted number of TBF per PDCH before new on-demand PDCH shall be allocated from the CSD.
RAEPC:PROP=TBFDLLIMIT-2;

The property TBFULLIMIT is used for setting the Temporary Block Flow (TBF) uplink limit. TBFULLIMIT is a preference parameter for the number of TBF in the uplink direction. The parameter shall be set according to the wanted number of TBF per PDCH before new on-demand PDCH shall be allocated from the CSD.
RAEPC:PROP=TBFULLIMIT-2;

3.7 RP Database Table

Four new RP:s have been added in the DT to handle GPRS traffic. RP 96 and RP 97 are only handling the connection of the PCU to the serial RP bus. RP 98 and 99 handles the actual GPRS traffic. The GB-interface is defined in an ordinary ETC magazine using RP=48 and RP=49.
DBTRI; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPBSPOS, RPADDR=48, BRNO=1, MAGNO=07,

SLOTNO=0, BUSCONN=YES; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPBSPOS, RPADDR=49, BRNO=1, MAGNO=07, SLOTNO=19,BUSCONN=YES; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPBSPOS,RPADDR=96,BRNO=3,MAGNO=10, SLOTNO=0,BUSCONN=YES; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPBSPOS,RPADDR=97,BRNO=3,MAGNO=10, SLOTNO=19,BUSCONN=YES; DBTRE:COM; DBTRI; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPBSPOS,RPADDR=98,BRNO=3,MAGNO=10, SLOTNO=3,BUSCONN=NO; !RPP! DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPBSPOS,RPADDR=99,BRNO=3,MAGNO=10, SLOTNO=15,BUSCONN=NO; !RPP! DBTRE:COM; DBTSP:TAB=AXEPARS; !Check that GPRS value = 1!

3.8 How to enable Ethernet in the PCU

3.8.1 Define an Ethernet Group
1) Block RP NET A and NET B in RPIG
BLRCI:GROUP=CHARLIE,NET=A; BLRCI:GROUP=CHARLIE,NET=B;

2) Define a RPIG
DBTRI; DBTSP:TAB=RPSRPIGOUPS; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPIGROUPS,GROUP=CHARLIE,GROUPNO=1; DBTRE:COM;

3.8.2 Connect RPs to the Ethernet Group

1)Connect all RPs to be used with ethernet to the group
DBTRI; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPIRPS,RPADDR=98,GROUP=CHARLIE; DBTSI:TAB=RPSRPIRPS,RPADDR=99,GROUP=CHARLIE; DBTRE:COM; DBTSP:TAB=RPSRPIRPS;

2)Deblock RP NET A and NET B in RPIG

BLRCE:GROUP=CHARLIE,NET=A; BLRCE:GROUP=CHARLIE,NET=B;

N.B. The RPPs will not be part of the ethernet until they are blocked and deblocked.

3.8.3 Check if Ethernet is Working

1) Check which RPs are up or down
DBTSP:TAB=RPSRPISUPERVS,GROUP=CHARLIE,RPADDR1=98,RPADDR2=99,NET=A; DBTSP:TAB=RPSRPISUPERVS,GROUP=CHARLIE,RPADDR1=98,RPADDR2=99,NET=B;

2) Check which RPs have state UP

DBTSP:TAB=RPSRPISUPERVS,GROUP=CHARLIE,STATE=UP;

3) Check which RPs have state DOWN

DBTSP:TAB=RPSRPISUPERVS,GROUP=CHARLIE,STATE=DOWN;

3.9 Allocation of RP
EXRPI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRPI:RP=96,RPT=97, EXRPI:RP=98, EXRPI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRUI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRUI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRUI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRUI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRUI:RP=48,RPT=49, EXRUI:RP=96,RPT=97, EXRUI:RP=96,RPT=97, EXRUI:RP=96,RPT=97, EXRUI:RP=96,RPT=97, EXRUI:RP=96,RPT=97, EXRUI:RP=98, ! EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=98, EXRUI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=99, TYPE=RP4S1A ; TYPE=RP4S1A; TYPE=RPPS1; TYPE=RPPS1; SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA SUID="1/CAA 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 135 !RTG!

2517/RPMM 3024/ETRTG 2518/RPMBH 2509 004/RPFD 005 2517/RPMM 2518/RPMBH 2509 004/RPFD 005

R1A01";! R2A01";! R1C02";! R3A01";! R3A01";! R1A02";! R1A01";! R1C02";! R3A01";! R3A01";! R1A02";!

RPMMR ETRTGR RPMBHR REXR RPFDR TERTR RPMMR RPMBHR REXR RPFDR TERTR

! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

SUID="9000/CXC 146 03 SUID="9000/CXC 146 19 SUID="9000/CXC 146 05 SUID="9000/CXC 146 07 SUID ="CXC 146 1000 SUID ="CXC 146 1001 SUID ="CXC 146 1002 SUID ="CXC 146 1003 SUID="9000/CXC 146 03 SUID="9000/CXC 146 19 SUID="9000/CXC 146 05 SUID="9000/CXC 146 07 SUID ="CXC 146 1000

R1A08"; ! RPIFDR R1B03";! R1A03";! R1A03";! R7A02";! R8A02";! R2A04";! R4A02";! R1A08";! R1B03";! R1A03";! R1A03";! R7A02";! RPEXR ! RPFDR ! FSIR ! RGSERVR ! RGRLCR ! RTGPHDVR! RTGBR ! RPIFDR RPEXR RPFDR FSIR RGSERVR ! ! ! ! !

EXRUI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=99, EXRUI:RP=99,

SUID ="CXC SUID ="CXC SUID ="CXC

146 1001 146 1002 146 1003

R8A02";! RGRLCR ! R2A04";! RTGPHDVR! R4A02";! RTGBR !

3.10 Allocation of EM
EXEMI:EQM=ETRTG-0&&-31 EXEMI:EQM=ETRTG-32&&-63 EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461000R7A02", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461003R4A02", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461002R2A04", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461001R8A02", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461000R7A02", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461003R4A02", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461002R2A04", EXEMI:SUID="CXC1461001R8A02", ,RP=48 ,RPT=49 ,EM= 6; ,RP=49 ,RPT=48 ,EM= 7; RP=98,EQM=RGSERV-0, RP=98,EQM=RTGB-0, RP=98,EQM=RTGPHDV-0&&-63, RP=98,EQM=RGRLC-0, EM=0; EM=1; EM=2; EM=3;

RP=99,EQM=RGSERV-1, EM=0; RP=99,EQM=RTGB-1, EM=1; RP=99,EQM=RTGPHDV-64&&-127,EM=2; RP=99,EQM=RGRLC-1, EM=3;

3.11 Insertion of CLM/SPM/TSM & Allocation of SNT

NTCOI:SNT=ETRTG-0, NTCOI:SNT=ETRTG-1, NTCOI:SNT=RTGPHDV-0, NTCOI:SNT=RTGPHDV-1, NTCOI:SNT=RTGPHDV-2, NTCOI:SNT=RTGPHDV-3, EXDUI:DEV=RTGLT-1&&-31; EXDUI:DEV=RTGLT-33&&-63; EXDUI:DEV=RTGPHDV-0&&-31; EXDUI:DEV=RTGPHDV-32&&-63; EXDUI:DEV=RTGPHDV-64&&-95; EXDUI:DEV=RTGPHDV-96&&-127; ! RPP ! ! RPP ! ! RPP ! ! RPP ! SNTV=1, SNTV=1, SNTV=1, SNTV=1, SNTV=1, SNTV=1, SNTP=TSM-9-6; SNTP=TSM-9-7; SNTP=TSM-29-1; SNTP=TSM-29-2; SNTP=TSM-29-13; SNTP=TSM-29-14;

3.12 Digital Path, RALT, RTG, RTT & RBLT

DTDII:DIP=0RTGLT,SNT=ETRTG-0; DTDII:DIP=1RTGLT,SNT=ETRTG-1; DTIDC:DIP=0RTGLT,MODE=0,INACT=0,MULTFS=00,CRC=0; DTIDC:DIP=1RTGLT,MODE=0,INACT=0,MULTFS=00,CRC=0;

3.13 CCITT7 Signalling

The Network Service Identity is defined with the command RRNEI. This identifies each BSC to the SGSN.
RRNEI:NSEI=1;

3.14 Deblocking of RP
BLRPE:RP=48; BLRPE:RP=49; BLRPE:RP=96; BLRPE:RP=97;

3.15 Deblocking of EM, RPG's and RPP's

BLEME:RP=48, EM=6; BLEME:RP=49, EM=7; BLEME:RP=98, BLEME:RP=98, BLEME:RP=98, BLEME:RP=98, BLEME:RP=99, BLEME:RP=99, BLEME:RP=99, BLEME:RP=99, BLRPE:RP=98; BLRPE:RP=99; EM=0; EM=1; EM=2; EM=3; EM=0; EM=1; EM=2; EM=3; ! RPP ! ! RPP !

3.16 Deblocking of GS
NTBLE:SNT=ETRTG-0; NTBLE:SNT=ETRTG-1; NTBLE:SNT=RTGPHDV-0; NTBLE:SNT=RTGPHDV-1; NTBLE:SNT=RTGPHDV-2; NTBLE:SNT=RTGPHDV-3; ! RPP (98) ! ! RPP (99) ! ! RPP (98) ! ! RPP (99) !

3.17 Deblocking of the Gb-interface

DTBLE:DIP=0RTGLT; DTBLE:DIP=1RTGLT;

A Network Service Virtual Connection is defined with the command RRNSI. This will result in a wideband semipermanent connection between the specified ETC devices (1-31 & 33-63) and the automatically selected GPRS Packet Handler devices (RTGPHDV).
RRNSI:DEV=RTGLT-1 ,NSVCI=1 ,DLCI=16 ,NUMDEV=31; RRNSI:DEV=RTGLT-33 ,NSVCI=2 ,DLCI=17 ,NUMDEV=31; RRVBE:NSVCI=1; RRVBE:NSVCI=2; EXDAI:DEV=RTGLT-1&&-31; EXDAI:DEV=RTGLT-33&&-63; EXDAI:DEV=RTGPHDV-0&&-31; EXDAI:DEV=RTGPHDV-32&&-63; EXDAI:DEV=RTGPHDV-64&&-95; EXDAI:DEV=RTGPHDV-96&&-127; BLODE:DEV=RTGLT-1&&-31; BLODE:DEV=RTGLT-33&&-63; BLODE:DEV=RTGPHDV-0&&-31; BLODE:DEV=RTGPHDV-32&&-63; BLODE:DEV=RTGPHDV-64&&-95; BLODE:DEV=RTGPHDV-96&&-127; RABLC:DETY=RTGLT, LVB=16& 32& 48 RABLI:DETY=RTGLT; , ACL=A3; ! RPP ! ! RPP ! ! RPP ! ! RPP !

3.18 Subfile 85xxx - Cell Data

GPRS is activated in the cells with command RLGSI. The number of fixed Packet Data Channels is here set to 0 which means that all TS are allocated dynamically between circuit switch and packet switch connections.
RLGSI:CELL=KISTA1A; RLGSI:CELL=KISTA1B; RLGSI:CELL=KISTA1C; RLGSC:CELL=KISTA1A, RLGSC:CELL=KISTA1B, RLGSC:CELL=KISTA1C, FPDCH=0, FPDCH=0, FPDCH=0, GAMMA=31; GAMMA=31; GAMMA=31;

4 Miscellaneous Information

4.1 Abbreviations
BSC BTS CCCH CSD GGSN GPRS IP LAN PCU RBS SGSN SNT TBF TRC TRH WAN Base Station Controller Base Transceiver Station Common Control Channel The domain where circuit switched calls are handled (speech, data, signalling). Gateway GPRS Support Node General Packet Radio Services Internet Protocol Local Area Network Packet Control Unit Radio Base Station Serving GPRS Support Node Switching Network Terminal Temporary Block Flow. A PS connection, that can be either uplink or downlink. Transceiver Controller Transceiver Handler Wide Area Network