Chapter 2

Common Cellular System Components

Objectives List the components of a wireless cellular network. Discuss the functions of the following cellular network hardware components: MS, RBS, BSC, and MSC Discuss the functions of the following cellular network databases: HLR, VLR, AUC, EIR, and so forth Discuss the changes in the network components used to implement 3G wireless networks Discuss the use of identification numbers with cellular network components. Explain the basics of SS7 signaling used in wireless cellular telecommunications networks. Explain the basic operations needed for call setup and call release

3.1 Common Cellular Network Network switching system Base station system Mobile station

Components

Subscriber devices Transmitter/Receiver section Man-machine interface Control subsystem Power subsystem

Base station system components Radio base station TDMA and CDMA radio base stations Base station controller

Transcoder controller Vocoder Switching system components Visitor location register Mobile switching center

MSC interface and switching functions MSC signaling functions MSC database functions Home location register HLR implementation and operation HLR subscription profile HLR/AUC interconnection Interworking location register Authentication center and equipment identity Register Gateway MSC Interworking units Network management systems Other nodes Service center Billing gateway Service order gateway

Hardware view of a cellular network

Serving areas

Cells MSC boundaries

Software view of a cellular network

Location area identity Cell global identity Mobile country code and network code

 Core network Radio access network Radio network controller Radio base station

Subscriber device identification

Mobile station ISDN identification number North American version The rest of the world

International mobile subscriber identity

International mobile equipment identity

Cellular system component addressing Location area identity Cell global identity Radio base station identity code Location numbering Addressing cellular network switching nodes Global title and global title translation Mobile-terminated call PSTN messages

GMSC operations MSC/VLR operations BSC operations

Call Establishment
Mobile-originated call
Mobile operations Radio base station operations Base station controller operations MSC operations

Call release
Connection management operations Radio resource operations