Introduction

This article covers MO MT call flow in GSM. This page covers mobile originated
(MO) call flow between Mobile(UE) and network. It covers messages exchanged
between Layer 3 entities(RR,MM,CC) at both side. It include
channels(RACH,AGCH,SDCCH,FACCH,TCH) used at layer 1 to carry these
messages over the air. This article assumes that initial frequency and time
synchronization is done between UE and Network as described in GSM tutorial in
tutorial section.

As described in the figure above, before RACH is sent by mobile(UE) mobile is

synchronized with network(BTS) both time and frequency wise.
 It means it has tuned frequency as per FCCH and time as per SCH burst.
Information here in this FCCH is all zeros which produces continuous sine wave
of about 67.7 KHz above the RF carrier centre frequency, This helps mobile(UE)
synchronize with the GSM Base station, READ MORE.

SCH carry frame number and BSIC (Base Station Identity Code) which helps
Mobile synchronize with GSM frame structure as well as helps in identification of
the Base station in the GSM network, READ MORE.

It has received and decoded SIs(System Information) from the received

BCCH, READ MORE. From the decoded system information of BCCH,mobile
station comes to know where it has to transmit CCCH(RACH) and where it has to
listen for CCCH(carrying PCH,AGCH).

RACH is used in mobile originated call while PCH is used in mobile terminated
call at the start.
Useful Links
SDCCH Channel SACCH Channel
As described in GSM protocol stack, messages flow between both mobile and
network at various layers(layer 3,layer 2,layer 1(physical layer). The message
flow is self explanatory to establish the circuit switched mobile originated(MO)
call in GSM.
Mobile Originated Call Release
The figure above mentions messages exchanged between mobile and network
for call release.
MT Call flow in gsm
Refer Mobile Terminated Call.
PS MO MT call flow in gsm
Refer following links for PS call flow in gsm:
GSM downlink PS data call flow
GSM uplink PS data call flow
Circuit Switching vs Packet Switching

Packet Switched data call in GSM

Downlink(PS call flow)

This tutorial section on GSM basics covers following sub topics:

Main Page Frame Burst types PHY gsm stack speech
processing ARFCN Channel types GSM Security Network Entry Mobile
basics
Introduction
This article covers Packet Swiched data, PS call flow between Mobile(UE) and
network for downlink(to download data). It covers messages exchanged for
GPRS attach and PDP context activation procedures between mobile and
SGSN/VLR/HLR/GGSN. It include channels(PPCH,PRACH,AGCH,PDCH) used
at layer 1 to carry various messages over the air. This article assumes that initial
frequency and time synchronization is done between UE and Network as
described in GSM tutorial in tutorial section.

As described in the figure, Packet Paging Request(carried by PPCH/PCH) will be

sent by network to alert mobile for packet call.Now RACH is sent by mobile(UE)
mobile to network(BTS) and network will assign slot(single/multiple) for packet
transfer.
GPRS attach procedures are completed by mobile station for location update and
to complete security check. Mobile in GPRS has three states viz. Idle,Ready and
Standby. When Mobile is switched on it is in Idle state. After GPRS attach it
switches to Ready state and it performs PDP context activation procedures as
mentioned below. When there is no PDU to be transmitted/received and when
timer expires it goes to standby state. It remains in this state till there is no PDU
for transmission/reception.

To establish internet connectivity IP address need to be assigned to the Mobile

and connectivity with APN need to be established. This is done using PDP
context activation procedures. PDP context provides routing information and QoS
possible with the GSM/GPRS network. Mobile Station(MS) specifies network
SAP and APN(Access Point Name) of the PDN to establish connection with.
PDN stands for Packet Data Network.All the messages goes to
SGSN/GGSN/PDN via BTS(Base Transceiver station). Tunnel is established
between SGSN and GGSN for communication of protocol messages.

As described in GSM protocol stack, messages flow between both mobile and
network at various layers(layer 3,layer 2,layer 1(physical layer). The message
flow is self explanatory to establish the Packet switched downlink data call in
GSM.