Co-operation with GSM

After the module, the participants will be

able to:
Explain how GPRS and GSM networks can
co-operate
Give examples how traffic load can be
divided between GPRS and GSM networks
Explain some interactions between GSM
and GPRS features

1 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 SMS
GPRS mobiles are capable of transmitting and
receiving short messages via GPRS channels.
This enables class-C GPRS MSs to use the short
message services.
GPRS mobiles also enable short messages to be sent
via traffic channels of the radio network.

2 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 Paging
BSC S9 software supports network operation modes I
and II.
Mode I requires Gs interface between the SGSN and
MSC/HLR.
In mode II circuit switched paging messages are
transferred through the A interface from the MSC to the
BSC.
In mode I circuit switched paging messages are routed
through the Gb interface for GPRS-attached mobiles.
GPRS pages always come from the SGSN through the
Gb interface.

3 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 GPRS Paging
The SGSN initiates the GPRS paging process.
Sends one or more PAGING PS PDUs messages to the
BSC (PCU).
The BSC translates the incoming GPRS and circuit
switched paging messages into one corresponding Abis
paging message per cell.
A GPRS paging message is sent only to cells that
support GPRS services.

4 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 Circuit Switched Paging Using
GPRS in Network Operation Mode
I
In order to initiate circuit-switched transmission between
the MSC and the MS, the SGSN sends one or more
PAGING CS PDUs to BSC.
These PDUs contain the information elements necessary
for the BSS to initiate paging for a MS within a group of
cells.
The paging area is the same as in GPRS paging.
After the paging procedure, the circuit switched
connection is set up as usual GSM call.
If within the SGSN area there are cells that do not
support GPRS services, the cells are grouped under a
'null RA'. The 'null RA' covers all the cells in the indicated
paging area that do not support GPRS services.
5 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala
 Combined GPRS/IMSI Attach and
Detach
When a MS performs a combined GPRS/IMSI Attach, the
MS sends the request to the SGSN, which informs the
MSC/VLR, which in turn stores the address of the SGSN.
The GPRS/IMSI Detach operates in a similar way
through the SGSN.
Combining GPRS and GSM attach and detach we can
reduce signalling load in a network.

6 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 Combined RA/LA Update
A combined Routing Area/Location Area update is
performed when a MS changes both the Routing Area
and the Location Area, and the MS does not have a
circuit switched connection. The update is made
through the SGSN.
Network Operation mode I when the MS enters a new
RA or when a GPRS-attached MS performs an IMSI
attach.
With this feature we reduce signalling and processing
load in a network.

7 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 Interaction with Other Features
Half Rate
It is recommended to avoid configuring permanent HR TSLs in
GPRS TRXs
TRX prioritisation in TCH allocation
It is recommended to set parameters so that GPRS territory is
preferred in an other type of TRX than CS calls
Dynamic SDCCH
TCH TSL to be reconfigured as a dynamic SDCCH TSL is always
selected in the CS territory
Dynamic Hot Spot
GPRS TSLs are regarded as busy TSLs in dynamic hot spot
algorithm
Dynamic hot spot algorithm must be applied when allocating
additional type of resources for GPRS if the feature has been set on
Base Band Hopping
TSL0 is not included in the GPRS territory
Territory method is utilised in implementing avoiding of TSL0 in TCH
allocation even if GPRS is not used at all

8 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala

 GPRS Restrictions
Super-reuse TRXs can not handle GPRS traffic due to
Release1 not supporting Network requested cell re-
selection
GPRS is not supported with Extended Cell Range:
ETRX can not carry GPRS TCHs
GPRS is not supported on Satellite Abis

GPRS has similar restrictions concerning frequency

hopping as HSCSD: timeslots for multislot mobile has
to be allocated from the same hopping group

9 NOKIA CTXX 4284/1.0en.PPT/ 29.6.2000 / Timo Vakkala