FAQS on GPRS Architecture and Protocol Stack.

Q1) What is “multiple GGSN and SGSN interface”?

Answer. One SGSN can be connected to different GGSN and vice-versa.
Interface between the two GSNs (GPRS support nodes) will always remain the
same i.e. Gn.

Q2) Whether LLC is a part of layer2 or layer3?

Answer. Its part of layer 3 only. See Spec. 24-007
The layer 3 for GPRS services is composed of four sub layers comprising:
- The Radio Resource Management (RR) functions;
- The Mobility Management (GMM);
- For the Logical Link Control (LLC);*
- The Connection Management (CM) functions.

Q3) What is Quality of Service?

Answer. QoS is initially set when the MS sends an Activate PDP request in which
it sends a desired QoS Profile.
The QoS profile is built from the following parameters:(GPRS PPT.)
Service Precedence / Priority
Does a subscriber enjoy transmission precedence.

Delay Class
How much times will a data packet need to be routed through the GPRS
network.

Throughput
Mean Throughput and Peak Throughput need to be distinguished.

Reliability Class
How much error control and correction is provided by GPRS.

Q.4) What is the function of Relay?

Answer. The Relay function provides buffering and parameter mapping between
the RLC/MAC and the BSSGP.(48.018).

Q.5) Depending upon functionality, how physical layer is split into two
parts?
Answer. The physical layer has been separated into two distinct sub-layers
defined by their functions:
1. Physical RF layer performs modulation of the physical waveforms based on
the sequence of bits received from physical link layer and demodulation of
received waveforms into a sequence of bits which are transferred to the
physical link layer for interpretation.
 2. Physical link layer provides services for information transfer over a physical
channel between the MS and the network. These functions include data unit
framing, data coding, and the detection and correction of physical medium
transmission errors. This layer uses the services of the physical RF layer.
See 43-064 Section 6.3,6.4 & 6.5.

Q.6) Is HLR common for both GSM and GPRS?

Answer. Yes, HLR is common for both GSM and GPRS. GGSN is connected to
HLR by
Gc interface and SGSN by Gr interface and hence both GSNs can obtain
information from HLR as and when required.

Q.7) Why SGSN in GPRS is connected to MSC in GSM?

Answer. An association is created between SGSN and MSC/VLR to provide for
interactions between SGSN and MSC/VLR.(23.060)
The SGSN - MSC/VLR association is created at the following occasions:
- Combined GPRS / IMSI attach.
- GPRS attach when the MS is already IMSI-attached.
- Combined RA / LA update when the MS performs IMSI attach and is
already GPRS-attached.
- Combined RA / LA update when an IMSI and GPRS-attached MS changes
from an area of network operation mode II or III to an area of network
operation mode I.
The association supports the following actions:
- IMSI attach and detach via SGSN. This makes combined GPRS / IMSI
attach and combined GPRS / IMSI detach possible, thus saving radio
resources.
- Co-ordination of LA update and RA update, including periodic updates, thus
saving radio resources. A combined RA / LA update is sent from the MS to
the SGSN. The SGSN forwards the LA update to the VLR.
- Paging for a CS connection via the SGSN.
- Alert procedures for non-PS services.
- Identification procedure.
- MM Information procedure.
The association is updated on the following occasions:
- When an MS changes VLR.
- When an MS changes SGSN.