INTRODUCTION: Link Access Procedure for Dm channel (LAPDm) is the protocol of Data link layer in GSM network which

is used to convey signaling information between layer 3 entities across the radio interface. LAPDm is based on the ISDN protocol LAPD, used on the Abis interface. Due to the radio environment, the LAPD protocol cannot be used in its original form. Therefore, LAPDm segments the message into a number of shorter messages. Two types of operation of the data link layer are defined for layer 3 information transfer: unacknowledged operation and acknowledged (multiple frame) operation. Messages that need not be acknowledged are sent in Unnumbered Information (UI) frames. This means that there is no flow control or error recovery mechanism defined. The BCCH and the (PCH + AGCH) will only support unacknowledged operation. When an answer or acceptance is required, operation in acknowledged mode is applied. Acknowledged mode is applicable on dedicated control channels only. Multiple frame operation is the only form of acknowledged operation that is defined.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this thesis is to develop the LAPDm protocol at MS side for STE-Ericsson chipsets for GSM network and test it on customer hardware. The scope of this thesis is to verify the correct operation of the Layer 2 on the radio interface (LAPDm) on a per channel basis. The tests in this thesis will be mostly carried out using the radio interface exclusively.

METHODOLOGY: Firstly some basic concepts of LAPDm protocol will be explained and then types of LAPDm operation will be defined. Based on those concepts, LAPDm protocol will be developed in C and the Inter-process communication (IPC) concept will be used in order to realize communication of LAPDm with upper & lower layer of GSM protocol stack.

In order to verify the correct operation of the Layer 2 on the radio interface (LAPDm), one customer handset will be used for different GSM scenarios. The Layer 2 tests will be accomplished by frame sequences which are under control of the MS and are related to the state that the BTS perceives the MS to be in as a result of frames transferred across the air interface.

REFERENCES: [1] 3GPP TS 44.005 v10.0.0 Release 10, GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network: Data Link Layer. [2] 3GPP TS 44.006 v10.0.0 Release 10, GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network: MS-BSS Interface; Data Link Layer Specification. [3] ETS 300 557 (GSM 04.08): "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2); Mobile radio interface layer 3 specification". [4] ETS 300 577 (GSM 05.05): "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2); Radio transmission and reception". [5] ETS 300 607-1 (GSM 11.10-1): "Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2); Mobile Station (MS) conformance specification; Part 1: Conformance specification".