INTRODUCTION TO GSM

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications):

The GSM is a set of recommendations and specifications for a digital cellular phone network (known as Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN). These recommendations ensure the compatibility of the equipment from different GSM manufacturers and interconnectivity between different administrations. GSM was designed with a moderate level of service security. The system was designed to authenticate the subscriber using a pre-shared key and challenge response. Communications between the subscriber and the base station can be encrypted.

CELLULAR TELEPHONY
A cellular telephone system links mobile subscribers into the public telephone system or to another cellular subscriber. Information between the mobile unit and the cellular network uses radio communication. Hence the subscriber is able to move around and become fully mobile. The service area in which mobile communication is to be provided is divided into regions called cells. Each cell has the equipment to transmit and receive calls from any subscriber located within the borders of its radio coverage area.

GSM Phases:
The original version of GSM were released in various phases each adding on some features on the existing phase. The various phases are: 1. Phase I:
This phase contains the most common services such as:

Voice Telephony

Phase I also incorporated features like ciphering and Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). Phase I features were then closed and cannot be modified.

2. Phase II: Additional features included in Phase II are:

3. Phase 2+: The Phase 2+ program will cover multiple subscriber numbers and a variety of business oriented features. Some of the enhancements include:

Features of GSM:
The GSM system provides a greater subscriber capacity than analogue systems. processors provides good quality speech transmission.

protected against errors by using better error detection and correction techniques. ference or noise-limited operation the speech quality is noticeably better than analogue.

. subscriber is identified by means of a smart card known as a SIM.

subscriber number.

GSM carrier frequencies:

GSM networks operate in a number of different carrier frequency ranges (separated into GSM frequency ranges for 2G and UMTS frequency bands for 3G), with most 2G GSM networks operating in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands. Where these bands were already allocated, the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands were used instead. Regardless of the frequency selected by an operator, it is divided into timeslots individual phones to use. This allows eight full-rate or sixteen half-rate speech channels per radio frequencies. These eight radio timeslots are grouped into a TDMA frame. Half rate channels use alternate frames in the same timeslot. The channel data rate for all 8 channels is 270.833 Kbit/s, and the frame duration is 4.615 ms. The transmission power in the handset is limited to a maximum of 2 watts in GSM850/900 and 1 watt in GSM1800/19.

GSM ARCHITECTURE
GSM Network Components:

A GSM system is basically designed as a combination of four major subsystems: 1. Radio subsystem (RSS) 2. Network (switching) subsystem (SSS) 3. Operation and maintenance subsystem (OMS)

The SS is responsible for performing call processing and subscriber related functions. It includes the following functional units: Mobile services Switching Center (MSC) Home Location Register (HLR) Visitor Location Register (VLR) Authentication Centre (AUC) Equipment Identity Register (EIR) The BSS performs all the radio-related functions. The BSS is comprised of the following functional units: Base Station Controller (BSC) Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

SWTICHING SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC):
The MSC performs the telephony switching functions for the mobile network. It controls calls to and from other telephony and data systems, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), public data networks, private networks and other mobile networks. Gateway Functionality: Gateway functionality enables an MSC to interrogate a network's HLR in order to route a call to a Mobile Station (MS). Such an MSC is called a Gateway MSC (GMSC). For example, if a person connected to the PSTN wants to make a call to a GSM mobile subscriber, then the PSTN exchange will access the GSM network by first connecting the call to a GMSC. The same is true of a call from an MS to another MS. Any MSC in the mobile network can function as a gateway by integration of the appropriate software.
10

Home Location Register (HLR):

The HLR is a centralized network database that stores and manages all mobile subscriptions belonging to a specific operator. It acts as a permanent store for a person's subscription information until that subscription is cancelled. The information stored includes: Subscriber identity Subscriber supplementary services Subscriber location information Subscriber authentication information The HLR can be implemented in the same network node as the MSC or as a stand-alone database. If the capacity of a HLR is exceeded by the number of subscribers, additional HLRs may be added.

Visitor Location Register (VLR):

The VLR database contains information about all the mobile subscribers currently located in an MSC service area. Thus, there is one VLR for each MSC in a network. The VLR temporarily stores subscription information so that the MSC can service all the subscribers currently visiting that MSC service area. The VLR can be regarded as a distributed HLR as it holds a copy of the HLR information stored about the subscriber.

Authentication center (AUC):

The main function of the AUC is to authenticate the subscribers attempting to use a network. In this way, it is used to protect network operators against fraud. The AUC is a database connected to the HLR which provides it with the authentication parameters and ciphering keys used to ensure network security.

Equipment Identity Register (EIR):

The EIR is a database containing mobile equipment identity information which helps to block calls from stolen, unauthorized or defective MSs.
11

BASE STATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS

Base Station Controller (BSC):

The BSC manages all the radio-related functions of a GSM network. It is a high capacity switch that provides functions such as MS handover, radio channel assignment and the collection of cell configuration data.

Base Transceiver Station (BTS):

The BTS controls the radio interface to the MS. The BTS comprises the radio equipment such as transceivers and antennas which are needed to serve each cell in the network. A group of BTSs are controlled by a BSC.

MOBILE STATION (MS)

An MS is used by the mobile subscriber to communicate with the mobile network. The range or coverage of the MSs depends on the output power of the MS. GSM MS consists of:

Unlike other standards, in GSM the subscriber is separated from the mobile terminal. Each subscriber's information is stored as a "smart card" SIM. The SIM can be plugged into any GSM mobile terminal. This brings the advantages of security and portability for subscribers.

GSM GEOGRAPHICAL NETWORK STRUCTURE

Every telephone network needs a specific structure to route incoming calls to the correct exchange and then on to the subscriber. In a mobile network, this structure is very important because the subscribers are mobile. As subscribers move through the network, these structures are used to monitor their location.

CELL
A cell is the basic unit of a cellular system and is defined as the area of radio coverage given by one BS antenna system. Each cell is assigned a unique number called Cell Global Identity (CGI). In a complete network covering an entire country, the number of cells can be quite high.

There are five different cell sizes in a GSM networkmacro, micro, Pico, femto and umbrella cells. The coverage area of each cell varies according to the implementation environment: Macro cells can be regarded as cells where the base station antenna is installed on a mast or a building above average roof top level. typically used in urban areas.

mainly used indoors. d for use in residential or small business environments and connect to the service providers network via a broadband internet connection. coverage between those cells.

LOCATION AREA (LA)

A Location Area (LA) is defined as a group of cells. Within the network, a subscribers location is known by the LA, which they are in. The identity of the LA in which an MS is currently located is stored in the VLR. When an MS crosses the boundary between two cells belonging to different LAs, it must report its new Location Area to the network. If it crosses a cell boundary within a LA, it does not report its new cell location to the network. When there is a call for an MS, a paging message is broadcast within all the cells belonging to the relevant LA.

GSM MODEM GSM MODEM GSM Modem, provides full functional capability to Serial devices to send SMS and Data over GSM Network. The product is available as Board Level or enclosed in Metal Box. The Board Level product can be integrated in to Various Serial devices in providing them SMS and Data capability and the unit housed in a Metal Enclosure can be kept outside to provide serial port connection. The GSM Modem supports popular "AT" command set so that users can develop applications quickly. The product has SIM Card holder to which activated SIM card is inserted for normal use. The power to this unit can be given from UPS to provide uninterrupted operation. This product provides great feasibility for Devices in remote location to stay connected which otherwise would not have been possible where telephone lines do not exist Application areas __ Mobile Transport vehicles. __ LAN based SMS servers __ Alarm notification of critical events including Servers __ Network Monitoring and SMS reporting __ Data Transfer applications from remote locations __ Monitor and control of Serial services through GSM Network __ Integration to custom software for Warehouse, Stock, Production, Dispatch notification through SMS. __ AMR- Automatic Meter Reading __ And many more Connection Diagram

Block Diagram

Pinouts and details

Note :Short the pin numbers 2 and 3 of JP2 for TTL Serial Operations Short the pin numbers 1 and 2 of JP2 for RS 232 Operations.

SMS sending with a phone or modem connected to the PC

If you are planning to send less than 4000 SMS a day from your office computer or IT environment, than installing an SMS service with GSM modem connection is the best option. The system can be set up in a day and it is very easy to maintain.

What do you need?

This solution requires a GSM modem (or a mobile phone), a SIM card, a data cable that can be used to connect the GSM modem (or mobile phone) to your PC and an SMS gateway software. For long term operations it is best to use a professional GSM modem, such as a Wavecom Fastrack, a Siemens or a Multitech modem. For testing purposes any mobile phone will do. The SIM card needs to be placed inside the GSM modem and it will determine the phone number and the SMS cost. When you purchase your SIM card, it is worth to consider choosing a tariff package which offers favorable text message prices. There is a good chance you can find a plan that offers free or very low cast SMS messages. The data cable can be RS232 or USB. RS232 is a better choice, because it does not require you to install a driver. The SMS gateway software should be Ozeki NG SMS Gateway because it supports all mobile phones and modems, that make SMS sending possible. Ozeki NG SMS Gateway handles all international characters, long (multipart) messages and provides several easy to use interfaces that allow you to add automated SMS functionality to your IT system.