GSM Call Processing & Layer-3 Messages

By:

Syed Farhan Raza Naqvi In-House Training RF Central 3

Introduction
Following are the highlights of todays training session. GSM Signaling Matrix.

Layer-3 Messages Classification.

Radio Interface Messages. Mobile Phone Modes during a Call. Mobile Originating Call Flow. Mobile Terminating Call Flow. Handover Flows for Intra/Inter Cell & Inter MSC HOs. SMS & Location Update Procedures.

GSM Signalling Matrix

GSM Signalling Matrix

The fig above gives an overview of GSM Protocol Matrix. The MSC uses ISUP/TUP protocols for PSTN signaling. It has MAP for signaling to database applications like HLR, VLR, EIR, AUC, SMSSC, and GMSC. On the A interface it has GSM specific protocol as BSSAP. The BSSAP comprises of DTAP and BSSMAP. DTAP signaling is direct signaling between mobile and MSC, whereas BSSMAP is mobile related signaling between MSC and BSC. The BSC also uses the BSSAP but only the BSSMAP part of it for MSC. On the BTS side GSM has defined its own set of protocols in 08.58 which have no official name but we term it as RSM (Radio Subsystem Management. The BSC on layer 2 uses LAPD (Link Access Procedures on D - Channel) which is an ISDN protocol and includes functions for error correction and detection and frame delimitation by insertion of flags.

GSM Signalling Matrix

The BTS on the mobile has again set of GSM protocols for physical layer which is the Radio Air Interface and uses LAPDm for Layer 2 signaling. This is a modified LAPD protocol with one difference being some LAPD functions like error correction are removed and used at Layer 1, and second major difference being the LAPDm messages cannot be lengthy due limitation of burst length. The BTS on the Mobile user part uses RIL3 which is again a GSM protocol for Radio Resource Management. The Mobile on the other hand in RIL3 has DTAP for MSC signaling and RR for Radio Resource signaling

MAP (Mobile Application Part)

MAP messages are between Switching and Database interfaces. MAP messages are not present on the Air Interface. Not much significance related to Drive Testing. Can be useful in analyzing some Protocol failures experienced on the air interface during drive testing.

BSSAP (BSS Application Part)

BSSAP is used between BSC and MSC on A interface. It uses the services of MTP and SCCP and hence it is based on C7. BSSAP deals with signaling between MSC and BSC and also MSC and Mobile.

BSSAP (BSS Application Part)

BSSAP (BSS Application Part)

BSSAP has two subsets the DTAP and the BSSMAP. DTAP deals with the signaling messages directly between the MSC and Mobile. The BSC and/or BTS just routes theses messages. DTAP messages are all connection oriented messaged. BSSMAP messages are MS related messages but originate and terminate at the BSC, from where BSC modifies the message and send it across in different message (RSM, 08.58 messages). BSSMAP: Between BSC and MSC Linked to certain messages on the Air Interface Useful in troubleshooting certain Blocked Calls and Dropped Calls problems in conjunction with Drive Testing DTAP (Direct Transfer Application Part): Transparent Messages between MSC and MS Further divided into sub-categories ( MM ,CC,SMS,SS)

BSSMAP Messages
Assignment Complete Assignment Failure Assignment Request Candidate Response Cipher Mode Command Cipher Mode Complete Classmark Update Complete Layer 3 Information Handover Candidate Enquiry Handover Command Handover Complete Handover Detect Handover Failure Handover Performed Handover Request Handover Request Acknowledge Handover Required Reject Trace Invocation Queuing Indication

DTAP Messages
Types of DTAP Messages: CC : Call control and call related SS Messages Related to call setup and activation/deactivation of SS between. MM : Mobility Management Messages Location updates, security procedures and connection management. SS : Non-Call related Supplementary Messages Like call barring, call forwarding etc. SMS : Short Message Service Messages Related of transmission and reception of SMS DTAP Messages: MM Message
Authentication Request Authentication Response CM Re-Establishment Request CM Service Accept CM Service Reject CM Service Request Identity Request Identity Response IMSI Detach Location Updating Accept Location Updating Reject Location Updating Request TMSI Reallocation Command TMSI Reallocation Complete

DTAP Messages
CC Messages Alerting Call Confirmed Call Proceeding Connect Connect Acknowledge Disconnect Emergency Setup Facility Hold Hold Acknowledge Modify Modify Complete Notify Progress Release Release Complete Retrieve Retrieve Acknowledge Setup SS Messages Hold Hold Acknowledge Hold Reject Retrieve Retrieve Acknowledge Retrieve Reject Facility Register SMS Messages CP-Ack CP-Data CP-Error RP-Ack RP-Data RP-Error

All types of DTAP messages described are RIL3 (Radio Interface layer 3) messages.

Radio Interface
Radio Interface (Layer 1): Following are the functions of layer 1: Mapping of Logical Channels to Physical Channel Channel Coding Ciphering Cell Selection and Reselection Connection Establishment on Logical Channels Measurement of serving and neighboring cells signal level Setting of Timing Advance Transmit Power Control as commanded by BTS. Radio Interface (Layer 3) Messages Categories: DTAP Messages: Transparent to BSC, CC, MM, SS, SMS as described earlier. RR Messages: Radio Resource messages specific to BTS and MS.

Radio Interface
RR Messages: Assignment Command Assignment Complete Assignment Failure Channel Mode Modify Channel Mode Modify Acknowledge Channel Release Channel Request Ciphering Mode Command Ciphering Mode Complete Classmark Change Frequency Redefinition Handover Access Handover Command Handover Complete Handover Failure Immediate Assignment Immediate Assignment Extended Immediate Assignment Reject Measurement Report Paging Request Type 1 Paging Request Type 2 Paging Request Type 3 System Information Type 1 System Information Type 2 System Information Type 3 System Information Type 4 System Information Type 5 System Information Type 6 System Information Type 2bis

Mobile Phone Mode

Layer-2 LAPDm
LAPDm signaling is done using Frames. LAPDm frames contain Address, Control and L3 information. LAPDm has a window size of 1 (every frame sent must be acknowledged before next is sent, in acknowledge mode) Lapdm has two SAPI (Service Access Point Identifier). SAPI 0 for RR and DTAP signaling & SAPI 3 for SMS.

Mobile Originating Call