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Modules
Functional Frames
Circuit Boards
Figure 1.1 900/M1800 BSC modular architecture The modular design makes the installation and expansion of BSC convenient and flexible i.e., new functions and technologies can be introduced by just addition/removal of functional frames. Application of very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) in circuit designing gives a
compact and highly reliable system with low power consumption. Hardware design is simplified due to the application of microprocessors and programmable logic chips. To enhance functions, it is only required to add corresponding hardware and software.
I. Types of BSC
BSC can be divided into multi-module BSC and single-module BSC. The functional composition and the modular composition of the BSC are shown respectively in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 BSC types
BSC types Multi-module BSC Functional description When BSC has more than 128TRXs, it is called multi-module BSC, and AM/CM is required. The quantity of BMs depends on a specific capacity. 8 BMs can be configured at the most. Modules AM/CM BM BAM TCSM CDB Singlemodule BSC With SMUX Without SMUX When BSC has only 128TRXs or less, only one BM needs to be configured. The AM/CM is not required. Only one basic cabinet and an extension cabinet are required for BSC without SMUX. When BSC has only 128TRXs or less, only one BM needs to be configured. The AM/CM is not required. Only one basic cabinet is required for BSC with SMUX. BM BAM TCSM CDB BM BAM TCSM CDB
II. Modules
The module functions and cabinet composition are shown in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 BSC modules
Modules AM/CM Function description Designed only for multi-module BSC, the AM/CM, a center for BSC speech channel switching and information exchange, accomplishes inter-modular communication between BMs. Functional frames Communication control frame Transmission interface frame Clock frame
Modules BM
Function description BM performs mainly such functions as call handling, signaling processing, radio resources management, radio link management and circuit maintenance.
Functional frames Main control frame BIE frame Clock frame (when there is no AM/CM in BSC) TCSM frame CDB frame
TCSM implements the transcoding / rate adaptation and sub-multiplexing functions. Linked with the short message center, the CDB module is a traffic processing center, supporting the broadcast short message service. BAM is a bridge between BSC and OMC. The latter conducts the operation & maintenance of BSC via BAM.
BAM frame
Functional frames
Function description
The transmission interface frame implements multiplexing/demultiplexing of inter-modular speech channels and signaling links, optic-electric conversion and E1 interface driving so that the intermodular communication messages can be transmitted on the optical fiber.
Fiber Communication Board (GFBI) Enhanced E3 Sub-multiplexer (E3M) Power Control Board (PWC)
TCSM Frame
The TCSM frame fulfills the functions of transcoding / rate adaptation and submultiplexing.
Transcoding Board (FTC) Sub-Multiplexer (MSM) Power Control Board (PWS) BS Interface Board (BIE) Power Control Board (PWC) Sub-Multiplexer Interface Board (SMI) The CDB is physically a Windows NT computer, occupying half of the frame. The BAM is placed in the BAM frame as standalone equipment.
BIE Frame
Designed for the BM, the BIE frame presents an Abis interface in between BSC and BTS.
CDB Frame
The CDB frame, a traffic processing center, supports the broadcast short message service.
The BAM frame is a bridge between BSC and OMC. The latter performs the operation & maintenance of the BSC via OMC.
Function description GALM provides a hardware interface for room environment alarms, collecting temperatures, humidity and fire alarms, etc. The GCTN is a speech channel switching center of AM/CM. In the multi-module BSC, GCTN is mainly designed for network switching and equipment control.
GCKS
GCKS
The GCKS board, a high-level reference clock source generation board, is designed mainly to provide the equipment with a superb clock source.
GSNT GMCCS
SNT GMCC
The GSNT switches the inter-modular signals and the internal messages of AM/CM, and delivers loading paths for modules. GMCCS provides a signaling communication link between BM and AM/CM, transfers control messages from BM to BM, from BM to GMCCM and from BM to GCTN, and presents a serial port for maintenance.
GMCCM controls the entire AM/CM and provides an interface with BAM. Located in the main control unit of the BM, the GMEM is a data storage board, which serves mainly for network communications. The GNET implements the function of intra-module speech channel switching. GMPU, a central processing unit in the module, conducts active/standby switchover via GEMA and operates in hot backup mode.
GNOD GEMA
GNOD GEMA
The GNOD is responsible for the communication of GMPU with other frames. The GEMA is an Emergency Message Automatic Transmission System. It communicates with two GMPUs and controls their switchover.
LPN7 GLAP
LAP GLAP
LPN7 handles SS7 signaling on the A-interface. The GLAP is a LAPD protocol processing board. The LAPD signaling at the Abis interface and Pb interface is processed by the GLAP.
The GMC2 is an inter-module communication processing board of BM. GOPT is the physical bearer for the communication between BM and AM/CM. The DRC presents E1 interfaces in collaboration with E3M, and coupling and over-voltage protection modules, etc. The DRC is plugged on the backplane.
Function description FBC collaborates with GFBI to accomplish electric-optic conversion and optic-electric conversion of 40.96Mbit/s signals. The FTC is mainly designed for coding/decoding of speech signals, data format conversion and rate adaptation as well as transparent transmission of SS7 signaling.
The MSM performs the multiplexing/demultiplexing function in multi-module BSC. The SMI performs the multiplexing/demultiplexing function in single-module BSCs. A power board, whose power is 100W, supplies power to each board in the frame. A power board, whose power is 300W, supplies power to each board in the TCSM frame and bears an emergency serial port.
BTS
E1 interface
TCSM
MSC
CDB
Control system
Alarm system
BAM
OMC
I. Control System
The M900/M1800 BSC works on distributed processing and centralized control principles. A single-module BSC has only one BM and no AM/CM, GOPT or inter-module communications function. In terms of structure and control system, the single-module BSC is a subset of a multi-module BSC so we will focus on the multi-module BSC, which is illustrated in Figure 1.2.
1)
System structure
communication circuit, intra-module communication circuit, signaling switching circuit and signaling processing circuit, etc. Main processing boards refer to the GMCCM of AM/CM and GMPU of BM. Inter-module communication circuit includes the GMCCS in AM/CM and the GMC2 in BM. Intra-module communication circuit: The communication within the AM/CM module is accomplished by GMCCS, and GNOD mainly accomplishes the communication within BM module. Signaling switching circuit is mainly responsible for signaling switching control, here signaling refers to various control and state information. In the AM/CM module, GSNT accomplishes the signaling switching function, and in the BM module, GNET accomplishes that function. Signaling processing circuit mainly refers to LPN7 (LAP) and GLAP.
2)
Communication routes
The data channels for the communication between modules of the multi-module BSC are composed of the GMCCM and GMCCS in the AM/CM, and GMPU & GMC2 in the BM, as shown in Figure 1.3. The communication messages among modules mainly include management data, call handling messages, maintenance & testing messages, loaded programs & data, traffic statistics, etc.
GMCCM
GMCC S
GMCC S
GMCC S
GMCC S
GMC2
GMC2
GMC2
GMC2
GMC2
GMC2
GMPU
GMPU
GMPU
BM1 Module
BM2 Module
BM8 Module
As illustrated in Figure 1.3, the GMC2 of a BM is responsible for the two-channel HDLC inter-module communication, and the GMCCS of AM/CM is responsible for multi-channel HDLC inter-module communication. All possible inter-module communication routes are shown in Figure 1.4.
AM/CM AM/CM
Data bus GMCCS HDLC HDLC
GMCCM
GMCCS HDLC
GMCCS HDLC
BMa
GMC2 Dual port GMPU
BMb
GMC2 Dual port GMPU GMC2
BMa
GMC2
BMc
(a) Communication between two BMs that have direct links with the same GMCCS
(b) Communication between two BMs that do not have direct links with the same GMCCS
AM/CM GMCCM
Figure 1.4 Inter-module communication routes Communication between GMPU and GMC2 in the BM and that between GMCCM and GMCCS in the AM/CM module are conducted through dual-port buffer (mail box), while the communication between GMC2 and GMCCS is through the HDLC link. GMC2 and GMCCS communicate through optical fiber. GOPT and GFBI are their respective optical fiber interfaces. Each BM houses two GMC2 boards which communicate with two GMCCS boards respectively, thus improving reliability. The two GMCCS boards communicate with corresponding GMC2 boards of BM in load sharing mode. On the failure of one link, the second link will take over the full load automatically, which ensures the system reliability.
The physical layer of inter-module communication is achieved by optical fibers and HSCX (High level Serial Communication Controller with extended feature and functionality). The data link layer is fully compliant with X.25 LAPD protocol. The transfer layer is realized by GMCCS, and the transmission layer and application layer are accomplished by GMCCM and GMPU software.
Figure 1.1 Switching network structure of multi-module BSC The switching network of the single-module BSC is much simpler, as shown in Figure 1.2 (including TCSM). It only has 4 k 4 k T switching network boards (GNET)
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Figure 1.1 Position of TCSM in the system When the multiplexing mode is adopted between BSC and MSC, the TCSM unit is put on the MSC side physically to save the transmission lines between BSC and MSC by multiplexing the lines between E3M (or SMI) and TCSM. When the multiplexing mode is not introduced between BSC and MSC (in the case of single-module BSC), the TCSM unit is put on the BSC side. BSC delivers a standard A-interface to MSC via the TCSM unit. The A-interface, a standard E1 interface physically, can interconnect with MSCs of other manufacturers.
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BSC and OMC are in the same premises, BAM and OMC can be connected through LAN, and in case of long distance, these can be connected through WAN with the help of network adapter, router and transmission equipment. The position of BAM in the system is shown in Figure 1.1.
Operation & Maintenance Interface
BSC
Telnet Terminal BAM
Router Router Backbone Network Router
BSS
OMC
1)
System features
The clock can be synchronized by Phase-lock Loop (PLL) and by software, so that the clock of the system can follow the MSC or BITS clock reliably. BSC clock uses international stratum 3 clock which provides a reliable clock source for the system. Clock system is equipped with perfect display, alarm, maintenance and operation system, and internal parameters of the clock can be set through OMC directly. System structure
2)
Both small and multi-module BSCs extract, "purify", and synthesize the clock synchronization signals from the MSC/BITS reference sources. But they have quite different clock synchronization system structures, as shown in Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2.
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Figure 1.1 Clock synchronization system structure of the multi-module BSC In a multi-module BSC, the synthesized clock synchronization signals are sent to GCTN and GSNT, and then to other units/parts of the AM/CM. The BM's GOPT extracts clock signals from optical signals and generates required clock synchronization signals. These signals are sent to GNET, which will forward the signals to other parts of the BM.
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Clock Frame
GMPU
GNET
BIE
BIE
Figure 1.2 Clock synchronization system structure of single-module BSC In a single-module BSC, the synthesized clock synchronization signals are directly sent to GNET, which then sends these signals to other parts of the BM.
3)
System control
The clock synchronization system is configured in the clock frame that contains two GCKS boards in hot backup mode. In multi-module BSC, the OMC communicates with GMCC through BAM, and the GMCCM implements the maintenance and operation over 2 GCKS boards via two serial ports. In this way, the OMC can operate and maintain the clock synchronization system. In single-module BSC, the OMC communicates with GMPU through BAM, the GMPU communicates with GALM through HDLC link, and GALM communicates with GCKS through serial port. In this way, the OMC can implement the operation and maintenance of the clock synchronization system. The clock control methods for the clock synchronization systems in multi-module and single-module BSCs are shown in Figure 1.3 and Figure 1.4 respectively.
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GMPU GMPU HDLC GALM Serial port GCKS Serial port GCKS BAM OMC
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Figure 1.2 Alarm system structure of single-module BSC In a multi-module BSC, the BM's GMPU and AM/CM's GMCCM collect alarm information of the system software/hardware, which is sent to the OMC alarm console
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and alarm box. In a single-module BSC, the BM's GMPU collects alarm information of the system software/hardware, which is sent to the OMC alarm console and alarm box. GALM provides the hardware interfaces for equipment room environmental alarms. It collects alarms including temperature, humidity, fire, and secondary power supply alarms. These alarm messages are also sent to the OMC alarm console and alarm box.
VIII. CDB
Cell Broadcast Database (CDB) is a traffic processing center, responsible for providing the interface between the Short Message Center (SMC) and BSC, and supporting short message broadcast service. Its server communicates with the GMEM boards of the modules through the Ethernet interface. In M900/M1800 BSC, CDB is a centralized database. Each BM communicates with CDB via Ethernet interface provided by a GMEM board, as shown in Figure 1.1.
AM/CM
BM1 GMPU
BMn GMPU
1 n 8
GMEM
GMEM
GMEM
Ethernet
CDB Server
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Figure 1.1 Hardware structure of single-module BSC A single-module BSC has only one BM and no AM/CM, GOPT or inter-module communications function. In terms of structure and control system, the single-module BSC is a subset of a multi-module BSC, which is our next topic for discussion. A standard 2100800550 mm cabinet can hold six frames and is used to install BM and other related equipment. A BM cabinet has six frames, numbered 0-5 from bottom to top, including main control frame (frames 1 & 2), clock frame (frame 3) and BIE. BAM is installed in the frame 0 of the main BM cabinet. If there is no SMUX configured in the single-module BSC then two cabinets, basic and extension cabinets are needed. And if it contains SMUX, only one basic cabinet is required. If CDB is configured, it can be put in the extension cabinet.
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configuration, refer to Figure 1.2. Only FTC board but not MSM board is plugged in the TCSM frame.
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PCU
MSC
OMC
BSC
E1
TCSM E1 AM/CM
BMx
BTS1
1 x 8 1 y 64
Figure 1.1 Hardware structure of multi-module BSC In multi-module BSC, 8 BMs can be configured at the most. Each BM can support 64 BTSs or 128 TRXs, i.e. M900/M1800 multi-module BSC can support up to 512 BTSs or 1024 TRXs at the most, which is the ultimate solution for large cellular networks. A multi-module BSC has multiple BMs and one AM/CM. Eight BMs can be installed in four BM cabinets, and AM/CM is configured in AM/CM cabinet. Each cabinet has six frames, numbered 0-5 from bottom to top. AM/CM cabinet contains clock frame (frame 5), communication control frame (frame 4), transmission interface frame (frames 3&2), CDB (frame 1) and BAM in frame 0. Since clock frame, BAM and CDB are installed in AM/CM cabinet, the only equipment to be installed in BM cabinet is main control frame and BIE. For alarm prompts, external alarm boxes, including BSC alarm box and BTS centralized alarm box, shall be installed.
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UPS
FAN
UPS
FAN
U PS UPS
Clock Frame
Frame 5
BIE Frame
BIE Frame
TCSM Frame
Communication Control Frame Main Control Frame Transmission Interface Frame BIE Frame Active CDB Standby CDB Main Control Frame BAM Main Control Frame BIE Frame Main Control Frame
Frame4
TCSM Frame
TCSM Frame
Frame3
TCSM Frame
Frame2
TCSM Frame
Frame1
TCSM Frame
Frame0
AM/CM Cabinet
BM Cabinet
BM Cabinet
TCSM Cabinet
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I. System Composition
AM/CM module is mainly composed of communication control unit, central switching network, transmission interface unit, clock synchronization system, alarm system and back administration module. The communication control unit manages and controls the whole system. It is mainly composed of GMCCM (GMCC0-1), GMCCS (GMCC2-11) and GSNT. The central switching network mainly handles speech channel switching between BMs. The function of central switching network is accomplished by GCTN board. Transmission interface unit mainly responsible for multiplexing/demultiplexing of intermodule speech channels and signaling links, optic-electric conversion and E1 interface driving, so that inter-module communication messages can be transmitted over optical fibers. Transmission interface unit is mainly composed of GFBI and E3M. GFBI provides the optical interface from AM to BM module, E3M provides E1 interface from BSC to TCSM unit. Clock synchronization system provides standard stratum 3 clock for the whole BSC system. Functions of clock synchronization system are mainly accomplished by the GCKS in clock frame. Alarm system collects alarms and drives the alarm box. The alarm system of AM/CM is mainly composed of the GALM and the alarm box.
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2.3.2 BM
BM is the basic unit of M900/M1800 BSC. It handles most of the functions of call handling, signaling processing, radio resources management, radio link management and circuit maintenance.
I. System Structure
BM is mainly composed of main control unit, switching network, base station interface equipment and alarm system, as shown in Figure 1.1. When BSC does not have AM/CM, the clock synchronization unit is also installed in the BM.
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The main control unit mainly accomplishes the management and control over BM module, communication with AM/CM module and signaling processing. It is mainly composed of GMPU, GNOD, GMEM, GMC2, GOPT, GALM, LPN7 and GLAP. The switching network accomplishes the switching of timeslots in the module, which is mainly handled by GNET board. Base station interface equipment (BIE) can multiplex/de-multiplex the transmitted signals. The alarm system is designed to collect alarms and drive the alarm box. The collected alarm messages can either be reported to OMC or sent directly to the external alarm box (used in single-module BSC). The BM alarm system consists mainly of the GALM boards.
I. TRAU
Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) is used for normal speech in PSTN, at a rate of 64
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kbit/s whereas in GSM, RPE-LTP or CELP coding with much lower rate (16 kbit/s) is used due to the limitation of radio channel resources. If a subscriber of PSTN network wants to access a GSM subscriber, then there is a need of code conversion. This conversion is completed by Transcoder & Rate Adapter Unit (TRAU). The main functions of TRAU are, to perform coding/decoding on speech signal and rate adaptation to realize the communication between GSM subscribers and PSTN subscribers. In addition, TRAU can also accomplish the rate adaptation of digital signals and transparent transmission of SS7 signaling on A-interface. The position of the TRAU in the GSM system is shown in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.1 TRAU in the GSM system In M900/M1800 BSC, the functions of TRAU are accomplished by FTC board.
1)
Speech service
The most fundamental function of TRAU is to encode and decode voice. Regular Pulse Excitation Long Term Prediction (RPE-LTP) algorithm is used. TRAU frames the speech signals received from MSC in one frame per 20 ms. One frame of speech data includes 160 PCM sampling points, 1280 bits in total, the encoded output parameters are 260 bits altogether (EFR service adopts CELP algorithm, the encoded parameters are 244 bits altogether). After the addition of synchronization bits and command words, TRAU frame has 320 bits. The reverse process of coding is called decoding. After receiving TRAU frame from BSC, TRAU will restore it to speech data by decoding algorithm and send to the MSC. TRAU adopts discontinuous transmission (DTX) technology to minimize the power consumption of BTS and MS, and to reduce the co-channel interference of radio interface. Voice activity detection (VAD) is used together with SID (Silence Descriptor) technique in the discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode of GSM. If TRAU detected that there is no speech information in the data received from MSC through VAD functional module, it will clear voice flag in the encoded TRAU frame. After BTS identifies this flag bit, downlink transmission will be disconnected till the flag resets. In the same way, TRAU will also identify SID flag at the reception of uplink frame.
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When SID flag is reset, it indicates that MS is in the interval of emission. To make the subscribers feel that GSM network is still in service, TRAU adopts the substitution technology to insert comfortable noise in uplink to avoid the impression of interrupted communication.
2)
Data service
GSM system provides various services for subscribers, which are defined and classified into telephony and data services. For telephony services, the transferred information is speech signals within audio range, for data services, signals other than voice are transferred, e.g. text, image, fax, various messages, computer files, etc. TRAU determines current service operation type by detecting the TRAU frame format command word sent from base station. During data service communication, TRAU accomplishes the format converting of data frame and rate adaptation without transcoding transferred data.
3)
Signaling timeslot
In TRAU, each FTC board is responsible for one PCM stream (32 timeslots in each PCM stream), where timeslot 0 is for transferring frame synchronization signals. Signaling timeslot may be assigned through OMC randomly. FTC board forwards the content of signaling timeslot transparently so that signaling information will not be affected.
II. SMUX
To save terrestrial line resources, Sub-multiplexer (SMUX) is used between MSC and BSC to multiplex 416 kbit/s channels to carry four speech channels through one terrestrial line channel. No matter speech signals or data, they are transferred with a rate of 16kbit/s between the BSC and TRAU. The position of SMUX in the system is illustrated in Figure 1.1, where TCSM consists of MSM and FTC boards. In multi-module BSC, the functions of SMUX are accomplished by MSM and E3M board. While in a single-module BSC, this function is implemented in the MSM plugged in the TCSM frame and the SMI plugged in the BIE slot.
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TCSM
SMI/E3M E1 MSM
E1
MSC
HW
SMUX
BSC
Figure 1.1 Position of SMUX in the system SMUX has the following functions. Multiplexing/demultiplexing speech channels: SMUX can multiplex 4 channels into 1 standard E1 link and demultiplex 4 channels from 1 standard E1 link. Transparent transmission of signaling: SMUX can transparently transfer signaling. Operation and maintenance link: MSM and E3M boards can communicate with each other through HDLC link, which occupies the last two bits of 31st timeslot on E1 link. BSC can operate and maintain the remote TCSM units through this HDLC link.
2.3.4 BAM
I. Functions
Back Administration Module (BAM) helps customers to maintain and operate BSC through OMC. It forwards the maintenance and operation commands from OMC to BSC system and sends back the system response to the corresponding OMC terminal. It also stores and forwards alarm messages, traffic statistics data, etc. BAM keeps normal communication with GMPU during operation. In case of any abnormality in BAM software, it can restart within preset time. BAM communicates with control system through HDLC link, and communicates with OMC directly or indirectly via network adapter. When BSC and OMC are in the same premises, then BSC can communicate with OMC directly through network adapter. When BSC and OMC are not in the same premises, they communicate through network adapter, router and transmission equipment.
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Figure 1.1 BAM structure The BAM is composed of three major parts, which are: Peripheral Interface (PI), Terminal Network Interface (TNI) and MCP. Through Peripheral Interface (PI), various devices can be handled such as dual CDROMs, hard disk array, printer and tape drive used to dump or hard copy of data. With TNI, terminal systems (maintenance, test, traffic statistics and data setting systems) can form a LAN attached with network servers to provide 10Mbit/s to 100Mbit/s transmission links, and to extend the network through devices such as network bridge/router, achieving data sharing in a larger scope. In M900/M1800 BSC, this interface is directly or indirectly connected to OMC. MCP is the PC card for the communication between BAM and BSC. Each card provides two 2 Mbit/s HDLC links to connect with BSC, serving as the message paths between BSC and BAM.
2.3.5 CDB
Cell Broadcast Database (CDB) is a traffic processing center, responsible for providing the interface between the Short Message Center (SMC) and BSC, and
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supports short message broadcast service. Its server communicates with the GMEM boards of the modules through Ethernet. CDB can communicate with CBC through either TCP/IP or X.25 interface. To support X.25 interface, a X.25 card should be added to CDB for communication with CBC.
Able to explain and response to the message primitives from CBC. Able to report to CBC about CBCH channel state and the conditions of message sending. Reporting error information to CBC when received message primitives can not be understood or executed. Able to report cell fault to CBC. BSC sends overload indication of related cell to CBC when the frequency of CBC message is beyond the load of BSC. Storage and management of cell broadcast short message. Supporting DRX mode. Arrangement of cell broadcast short messages in CBCH channel and sending them to BTS.
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P W C
B G I C E K S
G C K S
P W C
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Figure 1.1 Clock frame in full configuration The clock reference source is input via the backplane interface of the clock frame to the GCKS board. GCKS locks and pulls-in the reference source by software phaselocking and generates clock signals identical in frequency and phase with the reference source. In a multi-module BSC, the synthesized clock synchronization signals are sent to GCTN and GSNT, and then to other units/parts of the AM/CM. The BM's GOPT extracts clock signals from optical signals and generates required clock synchronization signals. These signals are sent to GNET, and then forwarded to other parts of the BM. In a single-module BSC, the synthesized clock synchronization signals are directly sent to GNET, which then sends these signals to other parts of the BM. Both PWC and GCKS operate in 1+1 redundant mode to ensure the reliable operation of the clock frame.
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GMPU (A)
GEMA
GMPU (B)
GNOD
GNOD
G O P T
G M C 2
L P N 7
G L A P
G M E M
G A L M
Inter-module communication
CPU
CPU
Figure 1.1 Hierarchical structure of the main control unit For internal communication, mailbox mode is employed between the first and the second level CPUs, while the master node/slave node high-speed serial communication mode of point-to-point or point-to-multipoint is employed between the second and third level CPUs. GMPU is the central processor in the main control unit of the BM. To improve the system reliability, two GMPU are used in hot backup mode. The GEMA is used to help GMPU data backup and to control the GMPU switchover. Active/standby GMPUs are determined by GEMA, forming the first level control system. GMPU directly controls GNET via the bus, and exchanges messages with GNOD, LPN7, GMEM and GLAP via mailbox communication mode. These boards in the main control unit constitute the second level control system. GMPU sets up the connection with respective functional slave nodes via GNOD. Here, slave node refers to the microprocessor on functional circuit board (such as BIE board). GNOD communicates with CPUs on related circuit boards via serial ports and controls respective CPUs in master/slave node communication mode. The CPUs accommodated in respective control interface ports in the BM cooperate with each other, forming a functional multi-processor control system. The interprocessor communication is conducted through the mailbox by using memory mapping technology, which greatly reduces the overhead for internal communication.
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The processor circuit mainly consists of GMPU, GEMA and GNOD. Among them, GMPUs are the central processing units in the module, whose active/standby state is controlled by the GEMA. Both GMPUs work in redundant mode and communicate with slave nodes via GNOD. The processing of SS7 signaling on A-interface is implemented by LPN7. GLAP is responsible for signaling on Abis interface and Pb interface. Inter-module communication circuit mainly consists of GMC2 and GOPT. (Note: There is no inter-module communications circuit in the single-module BSC.) The BSC is connected with CDB through GMEM.
GMPU GNOD GMEM GMC2 GOPT GALM LPN7 GLAP PWC GEMA GNET CKV
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P W C
G N O D
G N O D
G N O D
G N O D
G N O D
G N O D
G E M A
G M P U
G M E M
L P N 7
L P N 7
G L A P
G L A P
G M C 2
G M C 2
G A L M
P W C
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G N O D
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G N O D
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G M P U
C G C G K N K N 11 12 13 14 V E V E T T
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P W C
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Figure 1.1 Main control frame in full configuration In multi-module BSC, two GOPTs and two GMC2s should be configured in the main control frame. The GOPT connects with the AM/CM via optical fiber. The GMEM works only when the cell broadcast service is in operation.
I. Functional Blocks
The functional blocks of the communication control frame are shown in Figure 1.1.
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Figure 1.1 Functional blocks of communication control frame The GMCCM communicates with GCTN, GALM and BAM through GSNT. It provides signaling communication links for the BM and AM/CM, and transfers control messages from BM to BM, from BM to GMCCM, from BM to GCTN and from BM to TCSM unit. The GMCCM also processes the maintenance messages of all the boards in the AM/CM and clock frame. It also controls the GSNT in its provision of loading paths for the BM and AM/CM, but it is not responsible for the switching control of the overall system. The GMCCS communicates with GCTN and BM via the HDLC link. The GMCCS provides signaling communication links for the BM and AM/CM and transfers control messages from BM to BM, from BM to GMCCM, from BM to GCTN and from BM to TCSM unit. The GSNT, a signaling switching center of AM/CM, performs switching of signaling messages between boards in the AM/CM, and provides loading paths to the modules.
GMCC GSNT
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GALM PWC
P W C
G A L M
G M C C 9
G M C C 8
GG MM C C C C 7 6
G M C C 5
G M C C 4
G M C C 3
G M C C 2
G M C C 1
G M C C 0
G S N T
G S N T
P W C
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Figure 1.1 Communication control frame in full configuration The communication control frame occupies one frame space and accommodates 10 GMCC boards in full configuration. The GMCC boards are numbered from right to left. GMCC0 can only be plugged in Slot 16 and GMCC1 only in Slot 15. The right-most two GMCC slots hold GMCCM boards. The other GMCC slots hold GMCCS boards (at most 8 GMCCS boards can be configured).
I. Functional Blocks
The functional blocks of the transmission interface frame are shown in Figure 1.1.
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Figure 1.1 Functional blocks of transmission interface frame The transmission interface frame uses GCTN as the center for speech channel switching. Each BM connects with the GFBI via two pairs of optical fibers. The GFBI extracts and separates 32 Mbit/s speech channel signals from the optical path signals and sends them to the GCTN, and then separates 2.048 Mbit/s signals and sends them to the GSNT of the communication control frame for processing. In addition, it combines the speech channel signals from the GCTN and the link signals from the GSNT into 40.96 Mbit/s stream and sends them to the FBC. The E3M connects with GCTN via 32 Mbit/s HW. It fulfils the switching from super HW (512 timeslots) to 16 E1s, compresses these 16 E1s into 4 E1s by 4:1, thus greatly reduces transmission lines. It provides 4 Pb ports to the PCU. The speech channel signals are sent to the MSC after switching by GCTN and E3M. The DRC board, in collaboration with the E3M, provides the external E1 interface coupling and over-voltage protection modules. The DRC is installed on the backplane.
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P W C
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Figure 1.1 Transmission interface frame in full configuration The transmission interface frame occupies two frame spaces. GCTN, a central speech channel switching system of AM/CM, occupies two slots. The two GCTNs work in active/standby mode and implement 16k 16 k speech channel switching. The FBC and GFBI are used in pairs. The FBC is plugged in the socket on the backplane of the AM/CM interface frame, in one-to-one correspondence with the GFBI board. Featuring optical interface and conversion functions, the GFBI splits the optical fiber signals between BM and AM/CM into 32 Mbit/s super HW signaling and 2 Mbit/s HW signaling. The GFBI collaborates with the GOPT in the BM to provide paths for intermodular communications. The E3M performs the timeslot switching of 2 k network and E1 multiplexing function. Four PWCs are configured, fixed in positions.
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transmission BIE (responsible for transmitting SS7 signaling transparently to E3M). The two boards are identical in hardware and compatible in slot, with the only difference of DIP switch settings. The BIE boards are installed in the BIE frame work in active/standby group. There is no association between different working groups. The functional blocks of the BIE frame are shown in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1.1 Functional blocks of BIE frame BIE performs transcoding, re-timing, control, hot backup and signal multiplexing. The BIE is a transmission interface device between BSC and BTS. Operating in active/standby (1+1) mode, the BIE provides the largest convergence ratio (15:1) of the Abis interface and supports star, chain, tree and hybrid topologies for BTS networking. It connects BTS to BSC in a flexible way to minimize the E1 links between BSC and BTS.
BIE PWC
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Figure 1.1 BIE frame in full configuration There are two kinds of BIE boards in the BIE frame: one is the BIE that transmits transparently SS7 signaling and the other is the general BIE that establishes connection between BSC and BTS. The only difference of these boards is their DIP switch settings. The BIE boards are numbered from left to right starting from 0. The two adjacent BIE boards operate in active/standby state. The number of active/standby groups depends on the number of configured boards. There are a variety of BIE active/standby combinations in 1+1 redundancy mode: Slot 2 and Slot 3 (group 0) Slot 5 and Slot 6 (group 1) Slot 7 and Slot 8 (group 2) Slot 10 and Slot 11 (group 3) Slot 12 and Slot 13 (group 4) Slot 15 and Slot 16 (group 5) Slot 17 and Slot 18 (group 6) Slot 20 and Slot 21 (group 7) Slot 23 stands alone with no active/standby relationship, but its active/standby group number is still defined as 8. When the quantity worked out by BIE is N, the total number of slots required is 2 N-1.
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Figure 1.1 TCSM frame in full configuration The TCSM frame can be placed on the MSC side (with multiplexing) or on the BSC side (without multiplexing).
Figure 1.1 CDB network interface The major software functional modules of the CDB are comprised of CBC command interface module, GMEM interface module, CBS message storage module, CBS message scheduling module, CBS message transmission module, flow control module, network interface module, and protocol conversion module. When TCP/IP is
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adopted for the communication between CDB and CBC, the protocol conversion module is not needed, as shown in Figure 1.2. When X.25 protocol is adopted for the communication between CDB and CBC, the protocol conversion module is used to convert different protocols, as shown in Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3 CDB functional blocks (using X.25 protocol) The CBC command interface module handles command interactivity between CDB
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and CBC. The CBS message storage module is designed to store the CBS messages to be sent or not sent completely. The CBS message scheduling module is designed to process the majority of operation requests of CBC, schedule CBS messages and generate schedule messages under the discontinuous reception (DRX) mode. The CBS message transmission mode serves to send the CBS messages to BTS. The GMEM interface handles command interactivity between CDB and BSC, forwards the internal operation commands of the CDB to BSC, which in turn transmits transparently these messages to the BTS. The flow control module exercises flow control over the CBCH. The network interface module, which establishes connections directly with external network, is responsible for receiving and transmitting messages. The protocol conversion module converts the TCP/IP data packets sent from CDB to CBC into X.25 data packets, and converts the packets received by X.25 card into TCP/IP data packets and sends them to CDB.
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