Description Value

Timer Name

4 SACCH
multiframes. That is
T100 RADIO- Detects the presence of the radio link by detecting
1.92 seconds if the
LINK-TIMEOUT SACCH frames every 480 ms.
SACCH is
completely absent.

T200 Data link Used for re-transmission on the data link. The value
155 ms for FACCH
timer varies depending on the message type.

T301 Alerting Timer used to limit the amount of time a user has to
20 seconds
(ringing) timer answer a call.

T303 Mobility Time the network waits after sending a CM SERVICE

Management REQUEST until receiving a response. This occurs before 10 seconds
connection timer initiating call clearing procedures towards the MS.

Time the network waits after transmitting a DISCONNECT

T305 Release message until receiving a RELEASE message. 10 seconds
timer
Time the network waits after transmitting a DISCONNECT
T306 In-band message while in-band tones/announcements are
10 seconds
tones release timer provided, until receiving a RELEASE message.

Time the network waits after sending a RELEASE

message until receiving a RELEASE COMPLETE
T308 Release
message. This occurs before re-transmitting the 10 seconds
timer
RELEASE or releasing the Mobility Management
connection.

Time the network waits after receiving a CALL

T310 Call CONFIRMED message until receiving a ALERTING, 10 seconds
proceeding timer CONNECT, or DISCONNECT message before initiating
clearing procedures towards the MS.

Time the network waits after transmitting a CONNECT

T313 Connect message until receiving the CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE 10 seconds
acknowledge timer message before performing clearing procedures with the
MS.

Time the network waits after sending a MODIFY message

T323 Modify during call mode changes, until receiving a MODIFY
10 seconds
complete timer COMPLETE or MODIFY REJECT message before
initiating call clearing procedures.

T3101 Immediate Time the network waits after sending the IMMEDIATE 1 second
assignment timer ASSIGNMENT or IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT
 Description Value
Timer Name

EXTENDED message until the main signalling link is

established before releasing the newly allocated
channels.
Time the network waits after transmitting a HANDOVER
COMMAND message until receiving HANDOVER
COMPLETE or HANDOVER FAILURE or the MS re-
T3103 Handover establishes the call before the old channels are released.
If the timer expires and the network has not received a 2 seconds
timer
correctly decoded L2 (format A or B) or TCH frame, then
the newly allocated channels are released.
Time the network waits after sending the PHYSICAL
INFORMATION message until receiving a correctly
T3105 Physical decoded L2 (format A or B) or TCH frame. This occur
information before re-transmitting the PHYSICAL INFORMATION 50 ms
repetition timer message or releasing the newly allocated channels.
Time the network waits after transmitting an
ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message until receiving the
T3107 Channel ASSESSMENT FAILURE message or the MS re-
establishes the call before releasing the old and the new 3 seconds
assignment timer
channels.

T3109 Signaling Time the network waits after sending the CHANNEL
disconnection RELEASE message before disconnecting the signalling 5 seconds
timer link.

T3111 Channel
deactivation after Time the network waits after disconnecting the signalling
500 ms
disconnection link before deactivating the channel.
timer

Time the network waits after transmitting the PAGING

REQUEST message until receiving the PAGING
T3113 Paging
RESPONSE message. This occurs before re-transmitting 5 seconds
timer
the PAGING REQUEST (if the maximum number of re-
transmissions have not been exceeded).

The location update timer is set to zero, periodic location

T3212 Location update by the MS are disabled. If the MS camps to the
zero = infinite time
update timer BCH and decodes a new MCC or MNC from the one it
last camped on, it should perform a location update.

Time the network waits after sending the TMSI

REALLOCATION COMMAND until receiving TMSI
T3250 TMSI
REALLOCATION COMPLETE. This occurs before 5 seconds
reallocation timer
aborting the procedure and releasing the Radio Resource
connection.
 Description Value
Timer Name

Time the network waits after an AUTHENTICATION

T3260
REQUEST until receiving AUTHENTICATION
Authentication 5 seconds
RESPONSE. This occurs before aborting the procedure
response timer
and releasing the Radio Resource connection.

GSM Timers
Timers on the mobile station side

T3122: This timer is used during random access, after the receipt of an IMMEDIATE
ASSIGN REJECT message. Its value is given by the network in the IMMEDIATE
ASSIGN REJECT message.

T3124: This timer is used in the seizure procedure during a hand-over, when the two
cells are not synchronized. Its purpose is to detect the lack of answer from the
network to the special signal. Its value is set to 675 ms if the channel type of the
channel allocated in the HANDOVER COMMAND is an SDCCH (+ SACCH);
otherwise its value is set to 320 ms.

T3126:This timer is started either after sending the maximum allowed number of
CHANNEL REQUEST messages during an immediate assignment procedure. Or on
receipt of an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT REJECT message, whichever occurs first.
It is stopped at receipt of an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message, or an
IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT EXTENDED message. At its expiry, the immediate
assignment procedure is aborted. The minimum value of this timer is equal to the
time taken by T+2S slots of the mobile station's RACH. S and T. The maximum value
of this timer is 5 seconds.

T3128: This timer is started when the mobile station starts the uplink investigation
procedure and the uplink is busy. It is stopped at receipt of the first UPLINK FREE
message. At its expiry, the uplink investigation procedure is aborted. The value of
this timer is set to 1 second.

T3130: This timer is started after sending the first UPLINK ACCESS message during
a VGCS uplink access procedure. It is stopped at receipt of a VGCS ACCESS
GRANT message. At its expiry, the uplink access procedure is aborted. The value of
this timer is set to 5 seconds.

T3110: This timer is used to delay the channel deactivation after the receipt of a (full)
CHANNEL RELEASE. Its purpose is to let some time for disconnection of the main
signalling link. Its value is set to such that the DISC frame is sent twice in case of no
answer from the network. (It should be chosen to obtain a good probability of normal
termination (i.e. no time out of T3109) of the channel release procedure.)
T3134:This timer is used in the seizure procedure during an RR network
commanded cell change order procedure. Its purpose is to detect the lack of answer
from the network or the lack of availability of the target cell. Its value is set to 5
seconds.

T3142: The timer is used during packet access on CCCH, after the receipt of an
IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT REJECT message. Its value is given by the network in
the IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT REJECT message.

T3146:This timer is started either after sending the maximum allowed number of
CHANNEL REQUEST messages during a packet access procedure. Or on receipt of
an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT REJECT message during a packet access
procedure, whichever occurs first. It is stopped at receipt of an IMMEDIATE
ASSIGNMENT message, or an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT EXTENDED message.
At its expiry, the packet access procedure is aborted. The minimum value of this
timer is equal to the time taken by T+2S slots of the mobile station's RACH. S and T
are defined in section 3.3.1.2. The maximum value of this timer is 5 seconds.

T3164: This timer is used during packet access using CCCH. It is started at the
receipt of an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message. It is stopped at the transmission
of a RLC/MAC block on the assigned temporary block flow, see GSM 04.60. At
expire, the mobile station returns to the packet idle mode. The value of the timer is 5
seconds.

T3190: The timer is used during packet downlink assignment on CCCH. It is started
at the receipt of an IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message or of an PDCH
ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message when in dedicated mode.It is stopped at the
receipt of a RLC/MAC block on the assigned temporary block flow, see GSM 04.60.
At expiry, the mobile station returns to the packet idle mode. The value of the timer is
5 seconds.

Timers on the network side

T3101: This timer is started when a channel is allocated with an IMMEDIATE

ASSIGNMENT message. It is stopped when the MS has correctly seized the
channels. Its value is network dependent. NOTE: It could be higher than the
maximum time for a L2 establishment attempt.

T3103: This timer is started by the sending of a HANDOVER message and is

normally stopped when the MS has correctly seized the new channel. Its purpose is
to keep the old channels sufficiently long for the MS to be able to return to the old
channels, and to release the channels if the MS is lost. Its value is network
dependent. NOTE: It could be higher than the maximum transmission time of the
HANDOVER COMMAND, plus the value of T3124, plus the maximum duration of an
attempt to establish a data link in multiframe mode.)

T3105: This timer is used for the repetition of the PHYSICAL INFORMATION
message during the hand-over procedure. Its value is network dependent. NOTE:
This timer may be set to such a low value that the message is in fact continuously
transmitted.

T3107: This timer is started by the sending of an ASSIGNMENT COMMAND

message and is normally stopped when the MS has correctly seized the new
channels. Its purpose is to keep the old channel sufficiently long for the MS to be
able to return to the old channels, and to release the channels if the MS is lost. Its
value is network dependent. NOTE: It could be higher than the maximum
transmission time of the ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message plus twice the
maximum duration of an attempt to establish a data link multiframe mode.

T3109: This timer is started when a lower layer failure is detected by the network,
when it is not engaged in a RF procedure. It is also used in the channel release
procedure. Its purpose is to release the channels in case of loss of communication.
Its value is network dependent. NOTE: Its value should be large enough to ensure
that the MS detects a radio link failure.

T3111: This timer is used to delay the channel deactivation after disconnection of the
main signalling link. Its purpose is to let some time for possible repetition of the
disconnection. Its value is equal to the value of T3110.

T3113: This timer is started when the network has sent a PAGING REQUEST
message and is stopped when the network has received the PAGING RESPONSE
message. Its value is network dependent. NOTE: The value could allow for
repetitions of the Channel Request message and the requirements associated with
T3101.

T3115: This timer is used for the repetition of the VGCS UPLINK GRANT message
during the uplink access procedure. Its value is network dependent. NOTE: This
timer may be set to such a low value that the message is in fact continuously
transmitted.

T3117: This timer is started by the sending of a PDCH ASSIGNMENT COMMAND

message and is normally stopped when the MS has correctly accessed the target
TBF. Its purpose is to keep the old channel sufficiently long for the MS to be able to
return to the old channels, and to release the channels if the MS is lost. Its value is
network dependent. NOTE: It could be higher than the maximum transmission time
of the PDCH ASSIGNMENT COMMAND message plus T3132 plus the maximum
duration of an attempt to establish a data link in multiframe mode.

T3119: This timer is started by the sending of a RR-CELL CHANGE ORDER

message and is normally stopped when the MS has correctly accessed the new cell.
Its purpose is to keep the old channels sufficiently long for the MS to be able to
return to the old channels, and to release the channels if the MS is lost. Its value is
network dependent. NOTE: It could be higher than the maximum transmission time
of the RR_CELL CHANGE ORDER, plus T3134, plus the maximum duration of an
attempt to establish a data link in multiframe mode.
T3141: This timer is started when a temporary block flow is allocated with an
IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT message during a packet access procedure. It is
stopped when the mobile station has correctly seized the temporary block flow. Its
value is network dependent.

Engineering Field Options Menu

The "Eng Field Options" menu is supported in the 8200/6200 ver. 1.7 (37.62.39), 7500 ver. 2.1
(58.62.15) and all later revisions - The software on the 3200 / 5200 / 7200 does not include the
menu but it is present in all the newer models like d460, 8700, 8900, StarTAC (70, 85, 130),
SlimLite, cd160/920/930 & d520 (The models mentioned here are the European / Asian GSM-
900/1800 digital units). Unfortunately the menu is never enabled from the factory but with some
special tools, it is possible to activate it. What follows here is the description of the menu, look at
the menu customization page for instructions on how to enable it.

The Engineering menu will provide you with detailed information about the connection between
the MS and the network. This is all information that the MS can measure by itself or decode from
the BCCH which is transmitted from the BTS. The menu only gives readout of parameters, you
are not able to change a thing with it, and consequently you can't do any harm to your phone -
it's perfectly safe to use the menu. On the latest software revisions, the menu is available in
several languages. In german it will show as "Eng Felder Optionen", "Aktive Zelle", "Nachbar-
zellen" and "System-Parameter"

It is easier to understand these terms if you have an idea about what the BCCH actually is: When
powering on your GSM phone, it doesn't know what frequency to tune into in order to
communicate with the cell, therefore it will start scanning all 125 GSM frequencies (GSM-900),
looking for a Frequency Correction Burst. Once this is found and the frequency has been
adjusted, it will "stay tuned" and listen for a Synchronization burst and decode it in order to
synchronize (time wise) to the network. After successfully synchronizing frequency and time, the
BCCH channel can be received and decoded, providing network identification and information
about how the mobile should "behave" on the net. The BCCH is on timeslot 0 - the remaining 7
timeslots are used for traffic. The BCCH never frequency-hops - it stays put all the time, like a
beacon, transmitting information to the mobiles. The mobile will continue to search for BCCH's
and keep a list of the 6 strongest BCCH in the area.

The "Eng Field Options" menu appears in the top level of the menus and consists of three sub-
menus:

Active Cell:

Displays what Channel the BCCH (Broadcast Control CHannel) is received on (If available).

During idle you can view the parameters : RxLev, RxLevAM, NCC, BCC, MSTxPwr, C1.
Dualbanders will also provide: CRO, TO, C2, 2ter, 2bis & ECSC

During dedicated mode you can view the parameters : RxLev, RxLevFull, RxLevSub,
RxQualFul, RxQualSub, Timeslot, TimeAdv and PwrLev. Dualbanders will also provide:
Vocoder, 5bis, BSIC, MBReport, MeasValid.

The ActCh (Active Channel) may read "Hopping" during a call. The GSM system can use slow
frequency hopping where the mobile station and the base station transmit each TDMA (Time
Division Multiple Access) frame on a different carrier frequency (The hopping rate is 217
hops/second which corresponds to one hop per. TDMA frame). The frequency hopping algorithm
is decoded from the Broadcast Control Channel which the mobile station continuously decodes.
Since multipath fading is dependent on carrier frequency, slow frequency hopping help mitigate
the problem. Frequency hopping is operator optional down to the individual cell.

When communicating with the BTS (for the reasons below) you can see how the SDCCH
(Standalone Dedicated Control CHannel) is mapped. The DCCH (Dedicated Control CHannels)
are used for registration, location updating, authentication and call set-up. This channel can be
mapped in two different ways: SDCCH8 ( 1/8 rate channel) if combined is off and SDCCH4
( 1/4 rate channel) if combined is on. See also Combined, below.

Adjacent Cells:

Lets you scroll through the 6 nearby cells with the highest C1 criterion and view the information
transmitted on their corresponding BCCH carriers (If they can be decoded). Pressing (OK) Will
let you view the data transmitted on the selected BCCH (some of thse are only available on
dualband units): RxLev, BCCH decode status, RxLevAM, CRO, TO, NCC, BCC, MSTxPwr,
C1, C2, CBA & CBQ.

System Parameters:

During idle you can view the parameters :Combined, AcsClas, MCC, MNC, LAC, CellID,
T3212, BS-PA-MFRM and XZQTY.

During dedicated mode you can view the parameters :Combined, DTX, MCC, MNC, LAC,
CellID

Pressing (OK) while in the Eng Field Opt menu, will toggle refresh on and off. When refresh is
enabled, the phone will continuously measure and display the strength of the signal and try to
decode the BCCH. If you disable the refresh the phone will remember and show the last set of
values until the refresh is enabled again. If you are driving around and the info changes real fast,
you can "freeze" the values so you can examine them before they change again.

KEY TO THE READOUTS:

ActCh: Displays the Active Channel on which the BCCH is received. GSM-900 has 124
(001-124) channels and GSM-1800 has 374 (512-885). The channels are split between
the operators - HERE is how it is done in Denmark (GSM-900)
Combined: Describes the channel organization in the 51-frame multiframe : off uses
SDCCH/8 and on uses SDCCH/4. The logical channels can be mapped differently :
Off: BCCH+CCCH and SDCCH are on different channels. On: BCCH, CCCH and
SDCCH are combined on the same channel - confused about all the channels ? Take a
look at the GSM channel structure section below
AcsClas: Access Control Class . The Access Control class is a parameter to control the
RACH (Random Access CHannel) utilization. 15 classes are split into 10 classes
randomly allocated to normal subscribers and 5 classes allocated to specific high priority
users. This way, the operator can cut out users when the net is getting clogged-up.
Denied classes can by cycled so that in extreme loading you may be denied for 10
minutes or so, but then you'll have service. Other classes are reserved for the emergency
services/operators so they can be excluded and have priority calling. What networks does
use this RACH regulation ???
RxLev:(7bits) The strength of the received BCCH signal (000 to 127 dBm), normally
between -55 to -90 - the MS will look for another BCCH carrier when the signal drops to
RxLevAm* ( RxLev and RxQual are sent regularly to the BSC during a call - )
RxLevAm: Rx Level Access minimum - Minimum Rx signal strength threshold (usually
around -100 dBm to -110 dBm). This is related to the minimum signal that the operator
wants the network to receive when being initially accessed by an MS.
CRO:(6 bits) Cell Reselect Offset. Applies an offset to the C2 reselection criterion. 0 -
126 dB in 2 dB steps, i.e. 0=0dB, 1=2 dB, etc.
TO:(3 bits) Temporary Offset. Applies a negative offset to C2 for the duration of
PENALTY_TIME. 0 - 60 dB, 10 dB steps i.e. 0=0dB, 1=10 dB, etc. and 7 = infinity
BCC:(3 bits) Base-station Color Code (0-7)- This is used to distinguish neighboring cells
of the same operator broadcasting BCCH on the same FDMA (Frequency Division
Multiple Access) channel from each other (Different channel "sets" are used by GSM
operators in the same country, so their BCCH will always be on different FDMA
channels). A set of cells that covers all the channels available for a specific operator is
called a "cluster". BCC has the same value in all the cells of a cluster, because of each
cell, in the cluster, transmits on different channels. NCC+BCC is called BSID (Base
Station Identity)
NCC:(3 bits) Network Color Code (0-7) - this is used to distinguish neighboring cells
between operators of different countries broadcasting BCCH on the same FDMA channel
from each other. The NCC is equal within a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network). It's a 3
bit value.
MSTxPwr: The maximum power level that the MS (Mobile Station) is allowed to access
the RACH - this means that even though you have a 8W unit, you are not always
allowed to blast away at full power. Generally MSTxPwr is low in urban areas (small
cells) and high in rural areas (large cells) - See notes on power control below
C1: The path loss criterion parameter C1 (defined as C1=(RxLev-RxLevAm-
MAX((MSTxPwr-MSMaxTxPwr),0)) ) used for cell selection and reselection. This is
calculated by the MS and used for deciding which cell to camp to (selection and
reselection). C1 is more useful than just RxLev, since it takes the MSTxPwr &
MSMaxTxPwr into account. MSMaxTxPwr is the phones maximum output in dBm (for
GSM normally 33 but 39 with carkit). The reason Tx power is factored into C1 is so that
 an MS only camps to a cell where it has a reasonable chance to be heard by the base
station if it transmitted.
C2: Cell reselection criterion. Identical to C1 when camped in 900 band. You will notice
that the dual band units do have a preference for the 1800 band. The C1 can be much
higher than C2 but it doesn't result in the phone switching back to the 900 band. The
reason C2 is included is to handle small cells, where an MS may select and camp to a cell
but not have long enough to do anything before loosing it completely. C2 is time varying
so it can get bigger after a certain period. If the MS can still see it then it will camp to it.
CBA:(1 bit)Control parameter Cell Bar Access. If enabled and CBQ=0 then cell selection
and reselection will be barred.
CBQ:(1 bit)Control parameter Cell Bar Qualify. If enabled, then cell selection priority will
be low, but cell reselection status (barred/normal)will be normal.
2ter: This message is sent optionally on the BCCH by the network to all mobile stations
within the cell giving information on the extension of the BCCH allocation in the
neighbour cells.. Based on this information the mobile station is able to decide whether
and how it may gain access to the system via the current cell. The 2ter message shall be
sent if and only if this is indicated in TYPE 3 message. Can be ignored by units only
capable of GSM900.
2bis: This message is sent optionally on the BCCH by the network to all mobile stations
within the cell giving information on control of the RACH and of the extension of the
BCCH allocation in the neighbour cells. Based on this information the mobile station is
able to decide whether and how it may gain access to the system via the current cell.
The 2bis message shall be sent if and only if the EXT-IND bit in the Neighbour Cells
Description IE in both the TYPE 2 and TYPE 2bis messages indicates that each IE only
carries part of the BA. Can be ignored by units only capable of GSM900.
ECSC:(1 bit) Early Classmark Sending Control. This bit controls the early sending of the
classmark by the Mobile Stations implementing the Controlled Early Classmark Sending
option: 1= Early Sending is explicitly accepted 0= Early Sending is explicitly forbidden.
RxLevFull:(6 bits) C1 value with continuous transmission from tower (calculated from
all the timeslots of one 51-multiframe)#
RxLevSub:(6 bits) C1 value with discontinuous transmission from tower (subset of the
timeslots in the 51-multiframe - usually from the SACCH timeslot)#
RxQualFull:(3 bits) Received signal quality is derived from the BER (Bit Error Rate)
with continuous transmission from tower (calculated from all the timeslots of one 51-
multiframe) - see notes on BER
RxQualSub:(3 bits) Received signal quality is derived from the BER (Bit Error Rate)
with discontinuous transmission from tower (subset of the timeslots in the 51-multiframe
- usually from the SACCH timeslot) - see notes on BER
Timeslot:(4 bits) The current Ts (Timeslot) (0 through 7 - TDMA allows eight
channels to be accommodated on a single RF (Radio Frequency) carrier)
TimeAdv:(7 bits) TA (Timing Advance) (0 through 63 ) - see notes on timing advance
below
PwrLev: Reports which power step/level the phone is transmitting at - (See section
below on power control)
Vocoder: EFR (Enhanced FullRate) / FR (FullRate) / HR (HalfRate) / NA
(NotApplicable) - (How many of these are actually implemented ?)
5bis: This system information message is sent optionally on the SACCH just after
handover by the network to mobile stations within the cell giving information on the
extension of the BCCH allocation in the neighbour cells. When received (and not ignored)
this information must be used as the list of neighbouring cells to be reported on. Any
change in the neighbour cells description must overwrite any old data held by the mobile
station. The mobile station must, with the exception stated above, analyse all correctly
 received system information type 5 messages. Can be ignored by units only capable of
GSM900.
BSIC:(6 bits) Control parameter Base Station Identity Code = |NCC (3 bits) BCC (3
bits)|
MBReport:(2 bits) MultiBand report. The number of neighbour cells (with known and
allowed NCC part of the BSID) for each frequency band supported is included in this
parameter. Possible values are: 6-0, 5-1, 4-2 & 3-3
MeasValid:(1bit) This bit indicates if the measurement results for the dedicated channel
are valid or not: 0=The measurement results are valid, 1=the measurement results are
not valid.
DTX:(1 bit) Discontinuous transmission, a feature used to save battery and reduce
network traffic by powering down the mobile station transmitter when there isn't any
speech to transmit.
MCC: Mobile Country Code - This is the X.121 code for the country ( 238 = Denmark
etc.)
MNC: Mobile Network Code 1 = Tele Denmark, 2 = Sonofon, 10 = TDM GSM-1800
(These are the ones for MCC 238 )
LAC: Local Area Code, Several cells are contained in a LA(Local Area). The size is
operator definable and may vary. A LU (Location Update) must take place if the MS
leaves the LA. The LAC is 2 bytes long and hence the value between 0 and 65535.
Together with MCC & MNC this gives the LAI (Local Area Information)
CellID: A number that identifies the active cell. The CID (CellID) is unique to the LA.
For a truly unique description of a cell, the CGI (Cell Global Identity) should be used.
The CGI consists of the CID, MCC, MNC & LAC
T3212: Time between periodic LU's (0-255). The value of the T3212 timer has to
be multiplied with 6 minutes to get the LU-period : 010=1 Hour, 050=5 hours the
theoretical maximum is 25.5 hours - It can be configured independently for each cell.
The Location Update Timer is much more a HLR (Home Locaton Register) time-out. If
a phone leaves the coverage area and has no chance to send a "IMSI Detach" (to log
off - please note that not all cells allow IMSI detach/attach), then the phone would be
paged in the last known LA, which may force a lot of traffic a) on the radio channels and
b) between the BTS, the BSC (Base Station Controller) and the HLR. The LU timer is
reset if a call or SMS is sent / received.
BS-PA-MFRM: Number (2...9) of MFRMs (MultiFRaMe) between two transmissions of
the same PAging message to MSs of the same paging group. I assume, that when we
are talking about paging, the channel at issue here is the paging channel, which is a
CCH (Control CHannel)- here the length of a multiframe is 234 ms - see note on TDMA
frame structure & duration. The value for my operator 238-01 is 9 which corresponds to
234 ms x 9 = 2.1 seconds between paging messages. The BS-PA-MFRM shows the
Discontinuous Receive (DRX) parameter of the network. DRX allows the mobile to
synchronize its listening period to a known paging cycle of the network. This can typically
reduce the standby power requirements by 90%. The paging procedure has been
designed to facilitate significant battery-saving potential in the hand portable - the larger
the period between listening periods the lower battery consumption. Unless a hand
portable is used excessively the biggest drain on its battery comes not from the time
spent using it, but from the standby cycle as it monitors the paging channel, in case it is
being called. In the GSM system the DRX allows the mobile, once it has located the
paging signal, to synchronize a clock knowing that it will not get another signal until a
specified time has elapsed. It can thus power down its circuits for most of the time
during standby. On a 8700 with a 600 mAh battery motorola specifies 60 hours of
standby with DRX=2 and 75 hours with DRX=9
XZQTY : From disassembling the firmware, it appears as if XZQTY is not variable at all,
but simply fixed at 14.3 all the time.
* When comparing RxLev's, remember the logarithmic nature of the dB scale and that the signal
intensity decays by a factor 4 when the distance from the BST is doubled ; Assuming line of sight
to the BST, the signal will drop 6 dB when the distance is doubled.

Comtinue here to read my description of the technical basis for the codes, BCCH decoding status,
powerlevels, bit error rate. timing advance, and TDMA channel structure.

I would like to thank Marcello Scata, Norbert Httisch, Patrick Zandl and Thomas
Kochanek for their help in the making of this page.