GSM BSS G10 BSC Operation and

Configuration

Dmytro Chystyakov
August 2013

BSC, TRC, BSC/TRC

TRC
The Transcoder Controller (TRC) node contains the pooled transcoder resources and is
a stand-alone node. The TRC node requires its own AXE hardware platform
components such as APZ, IO and APT, as well as the transcoder hardware. The TRC is
connected to the MGW via the A-interface and to the BSC via the Ater-Interface. The
TRC node has the ability to support up to 16 BSCs over the Ater interface.

BSC
The stand-alone BSC is developed and optimized especially for rural and suburban
areas and is a complement to the BSC/TRC node in the BSC product portfolio. The
BSC contains the SRS and the TRH. It requires its own AXE 810 hardware platform
components, such as APZ, IOG or APG, APT. The BSC does not contain any
transcoders. It utilizes transcoder resources from a central BSC/TRC or from a TRC
node. The BSC is connected to the BSC/TRC or TRC via the Ater interface. It can be
remote controlled from the OSS.

BSC/TRC
The BSC/TRC is a combined BSC and TRC node. The transcoders are set up on a per
call basis, which implies a more efficient use of the transcoder resources. The
BSC/TRC is capable of handling 4095 TRXs.

APZ Control System

Central Processor, CP
The CP has the most processing capacity in the AXE. It is responsible for all high-level
functionalities, like the analysis of telephone numbers and processing of charging
information. The call setup procedure is one of the main tasks controlled by the CP.

Regional Processor, RP
The RP is responsible of controlling all hardware located in the APT switching part of AXE.
The RP also off-load the CP with simple routine tasks and administrative operations.

I/O System
The main task of the I/O system is to connect the user to the AXE in form of Alphanumeric
Terminals, Alarm panels and External Media. The examples are: IOG 20, APG 40 and
APG43.

APT Switching System

Group Switch, GS
The GS is the heart of the AXE. It is responsible for switching of calls, connection of APT
equipment and synchronization both internally and externally. The GS is implemented in
the XDB boards.

Exchange Terminal, ET
The ET connects traffic links to the AXE. There are a lot of different standards for these
links where STM-1 (155 Mbit/s) and E1 (2 Mbit/s) are the most common.

Signaling Terminal, ST
The signalling terminal is used to communicate with other nodes over signalling links.

Subscriber Equipment
The subscriber equipment is used to connect subscribers to the AXE. It can for example be
a radio base station (RBS) in GSM, an ENGINE Access Ramp (EAR) for local fixed
subscribers or a PABX for Enterprise subscribers. This is not considered to be a part of the
AXE.

APZ
APZ 212 30 - High Capacity Version
The high capacity processor is housed in a double depth cabinet. It supports serial RP-bus,
parallel RP-bus, or both. The memory in the processor is scalable to a maximum of 4 GW
DS. The BSC uses DRAM memory. PS and RS are not scalable.

APZ 212 33
The APZ 212 33 supports serial RP-bus, parallel RP-bus, or both. The RP's can be spread
over max 32 RPB branches, each handling max 32 RP's. The DS is scalable
(dimensionable) in steps of 512 MW using DRAM based boards. PS and RS are not
scalable.

APZ 212 33C - Compact Version

APZ 212 33C is the single magazine version of the APZ 212 33, called Compact Version.
The CP of APZ 212 33C has about 5 6% less real time capacity compared to the APZ 212
33 CP.
It supports serial RP-bus, parallel RP-bus, or both. Support for IPN, up to 960 RP on serial
RPB, 96 MW PS, 4 GW DS (DRAM memory only), size reduced to one magazine, power
consumption reduced to about 200w.

APZ
APZ 212 55
APZ 212 55 is based on Generic Ericsson Processor board (GEP) and consists of two
different components: two CP boards (CPUB) running the A and B side and one
Maintenance Unit Board (MAUB). APZ 212 55 is placed in the same eGEM magazine as
APG 43. The computational capacity of APZ 212 55 is at least the same as APZ 212 33c.
The processor is equipped with either 4 GB or 8 GB memory. For a node equipped with 4
GB memory, 128 MW16 is reserved for PS and 862 MW16 for DS. For a node equipped
with 8 GB memory is 128 MW16 for PS and 2902 MW for DS.
Only Ethernet based RP bus (RPB-E) is supported to communicate with the RPs in new deliveries.

APZ 212 60C

The APZ 212 60C is an evolution of the APZ 212 55 architecture.
APZ 212 60C is based on Generic Ericsson Processor board (GEP) and consists of two
different components: two CP boards (CPUB) running the A and B side and one
Maintenance Unit Board (MAUB). APZ 212 60C is placed in the same eGEM magazine as
APG 43/2. The computational capacity of APZ 212 60C is higher than APZ 212 55.
The processor is equipped with 8 GB memory, 128 MW16 is reserved for PS and 2.2 GW
for DS.

APG (I/O System)

APG40
The APG40 is a high capacity IO system for AXE exchanges. It is based on a standard
Windows 2003 Server platform. APG40 supports protocols for external interfaces such as
TCP/IP, Telnet (remote login), FTP (file transfer) and RPC for message transfer.
The APG40 is housed in a full width BYB 501 magazine. The basic HW configuration is a
10-slot node comprising the two APG40 nodes (one active, one standby), 54 GB of
mirrored Hard Disk and a DAT unit.

APG43
APG43 is based on Generic Ericsson Processor (GEP) HW and consists of four different
components: two APUB running the redundant AP, two disc cards one external media and
one alarm panel.

APG43/2
APG43/2 is based on Generic Ericsson Processor (GEP) HW and consists of four different
components: two APUB2 running the redundant AP, two disc cards one external media
and one alarm panel.
APG43 (43/2) is placed in the same eGEM magazine as APZ 212 55 or APZ 212 60. APG43 (43/2)
is a based on Windows 2003 server as APG40.

APZ 212 33C and APG40C/2 (C/4)

APZ 212 55 and APG43

Interfaces
Serial RP Bus - RPB-S
The communication between the CP and RPs are transported over a dedicated serial
interface. There are cables from the RPH in the CP to two RPs in each magazine. Through
these RPs the bus is also available in the backplane of most magazines.

IPN
The IPN is a 100Mbit/s interface between CP and AP which is based on Ethernet. It is
realized as an optional board in the RPH magazine and can be used by APZ 212 30.

IP/Ethernet LAN
The optional BSC LAN switch provides traffic separation and routing environment for BSC
applications shielding the internal Ethernet communication from the external IP
communication. The magazines that house RPs running the GPH application or the PGW
application are connected individually or in cascade to the LAN switches. The connection is
done with external cabling from the magazine Ethernet switch or a GESB placed in the
magazine to the LAN switch. Other applications or modules that are connected to the LAN
switch are APG, STOC and SIGTRAN.

Interfaces
Maintenance Bus
The maintenance bus is housed in the backplane of all BYB 501 magazines. It is managed
by RPs adapted to the serial RP bus.

The functionality provides possibility for the system to get information of board identity,
version of HW and also to indicate status of the board by controlling the MIA LED (Manual
Intervention Allowed Light Emitting Diode) placed at the front of the boards.

Ethernet Backplane Communication

A duplicated Ethernet bus in the backplane is used in the magazines for communication
between the RP and the Ethernet magazine switches. In the GDDM-H type of magazine
the Ethernet switch is called EPS/EPSB in the GEM type of magazine the Ethernet switch is
integrated with the SCB-RP. The communication between different magazines is either
done with cables directly connecting the magazine switches or through GESB with external
cabling.

Interfaces
DL34 Interface
The DL34 interface is a backplane interface, optimized for communication between the
GS890 and the various high-speed devices. Capacity is variable between 128 and 2688
time slots, in step of 128 time slot. Variable capacity of DL34 makes it possible to get
maximal utilization of the GS890. It is achieved by mixing of high, low and medium
capacity devices in the GEM, without wasting of the Group Switch capacity. Physical bit
rate is 222.22 Mbit/s.

DL3 Interface
This is the internal GSS interface which is used to interface the group switch (TSMs) with
either subrate switch or DLHBs in GDM/GDDM type magazines. The interface is a
redundant high speed interface and serves 512 MUPs (logically 16 DL2 interfaces).

DL2B Interface
DL2B interface is the DL2 interface housed in the backplane of GDM/GDDM type
magazines.

Interfaces

AXE 810 Group Switch - GS890

The GS890/CL890 switch has a distributed architecture with the switch boards residing together
with clock and device boards in a Generic Ericsson Magazine (GEM). The switch capacity is 16
kMUPs per switch board and GEM.
The GS890 switch can be used for subrate, together with normal rate, with a maximum capacity
of 128 kMUPs. Extensions can be made in steps of 16K in this mode.
The GS890 switch is plane duplicated with both planes contained in the same magazine. A GEM is
always equipped with two board types: 2 XDB (one for each plane) and 2 SCB-RP (one for each
plane). The CLMs are also duplicated, each CGB comprising two oscillators. If more than one GEM
is used, the CGBs are placed in different GEMs.
The interface between the Group Switch and devices in the GEM is provided by the DL-34, which
offers variable capacity from 128 MUPs up to a maximum of 2688 MUPs, in steps of 128 MUPs.
Devices residing in GDM magazines that do not support the DL-34 interface may be connected
using a duplicate DLEB board. Each pair of DLEB boards has sufficient capacity for connection of
up to four GDM magazines, i.e., four DL-3 interfaces.

GEM, eGEM, eGEM2

GEM
GEM in its basic configuration contains two duplicated 16 kMUPs Group switch units per
magazine plus a pair of regional maintenance processors. The GEM provides physical
space for up to 22 different devices such as: TRA, ET155, SCB-RP, XDB, DLEB, CGB, IRB,
LRB and CDB. The RP Bus and a 100 Mbit/s Ethernet are connected to each physical slot
of the GEM magazine.

eGEM - Evolved GEM

eGEM Evolved Generic Ericsson Magazine is based on the present GEM with addition of
10G Ethernet interfaces, Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) and Telecom
Synchronization signal distribution.
It is possible to use units designed for GEM in eGEM but there are some limitations. Some
boards designed for GEM are not fully eGEM compliant these limitations are well
documented.

eGEM2 - Evolved GEM 2

eGEM2 Evolved Generic Ericsson Magazine 2 is based on the present eGEM.
eGEM is always equipped with two Switching Distribution Boards (XDBs), one for each
switching plane, and two SCXB (Main Switch Board). There are also two slots reserved for
future. In addition to these 22 device boards can be housed.

SLOTNO
XM-0

0
CDB
CDB

178

165
167
169
171
173
175
177
179
181

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

197
199
201
203
205
207
209
211
213

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

376
357
359
361
363
365
367
369
371
373
375
377

8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

SCB-RP

374

XDB

370

193

XM-3

368

195

366

355
353

372

364

SCB-RP

210

362

XDB

CDB

208

360

161

XM-1

CDB

206

2
CLM-1 CL890 CGB

204

0
214

202

IRB

200

358

163

CLM-0 CL890 CGB

176

0
182

174

IRB

172

1
170

xm-0-0168

1
198

356

XM-5

SCB-RP

XDB

196

XDB

XM-4

354

166

XM-2

XDB

xm-0-1194

SCB-RP

352

xm-0-2-

164

XDB

bus 5
162

SLOTNO
SCB-RP

bus 6
192

SLOTNO

SCB-RP

bus 11

160

GEM, eGEM, eGEM2

GEM 0-2

GEM 0-1
24
25

GEM 0-0
24
25

24
25

SCB-RP, SCXB, XDB

Maintenance Processor Board - SCB-RP
The SCB-RP controls the GEM magazine. This board takes in, filters and supervises the 48V. It also supervises the Maintenance Bus and distributes the control bus from CP.
Maintenance Processor Board - SCB-RP/3
SCB-RP/3 provides the same functionaliy as SCB-RP and in addition it also acts as an GEM
magazine Ethernet switch and provide accessibility to up to 26 boards via 10/100BaseT
and provide external Ethernet switch accessibility one 1000BaseT and two 10/100BaseT.
Maintenance Processor Board - SCB-RP/4
SCB-RP/4 controls the eGEM magazine, but can also be used in an GEM magazine. It
provides the same functionaliy as SCB-RP and in addition it also acts as an GEM/eGEM
magazine Ethernet switch and provide accessibility to up to 26 boards via 10/100/
1000BaseT and provide external Ethernet switch accessibility six 10/100/1000BaseT.
Maintenance Processor Board - SCXB
SCXB controls the eGEM2 magazine. It provides the same functionaliy as SCB-RP and in
addition it also acts as an eGEM2 magazine Ethernet switch and provide accessibility to up
to 30 boards via 10/100/1000BaseT with autonegotiation and provide external Ethernet
switch accessibility four 10/100/1000/10000BaseT and two 10/100/1000BaseT ports in
the front.

CGB, CDB, IRB, GARP-2, XDB

Clock Generation Board - CGB
CGB generates Clock and Synchronization signal to the switch.
Two CGBs are housed in the same GEM, in case of one GEM configuration (16 kMUPs). If
the switch size is bigger than 16 kMUPs the CGBs are housed in different GEMs in order to
improve the reliability of the system.
Clock Distribution Board - CDB
The CDB distributes clock and synchronization to the switch. It is necessary if the switch is
bigger than 16 kMUPs.
Incoming Reference Board - IRB
The IRB receives three external synchronization references that are terminated, converted
and distributed to the CGBs.
GARP-2

The Generic Application Resource Processor ver. 2 (GARP-2) is connected to the DL34
interface in the backplane. GARP-2 has two Gigabit Ethernet interfaces in the backplane
and two on the front. Following applications are using GARP-2: GPH, TRH, PGW, AGW
Distributed Switch Board - XDB
XDB is 16 kMUPs switch board with switching and DLMUX functions.

GESB, PGWB, STEB, BSC NIE

GESB Gigabit Ethernet Switch Board
GESB is a Gigabit Ethernet switch, able to handle inter communication between GEM
magazines as well as communication to GEM-external stations. GESB provides eight
1000Base-TX ports towards the front.
PGWB Packet Gateway Board
PGWB is an Inter-Working Unit between the IP Ethernet interfaces and the GSS. Two
100Base-TX Ethernet ports are provided to the backplane. The DL34 interface is provided
to the backplane. DL34 is the interface between PGWB and XDB.

STEB
The STEB implements signalling terminal (ST) functionalities of No. 7 signalling using Nb
and HSL protocol in AXE 810 system. The protocol layers implemented on STEB are MTP1
and MTP2 for Nb and HSL Q.703 Annex A or SAAL for HSL (ATM based). STEB supports up
to: 4 HSL links or 128 Nb signalling links.
BSC Network Interface Ethernet
The BSC NWI-E 450A is a single-slot width board L2/L3 switch for the BSC. The NWI-E
450A are housed in a GEM or eGEM magazine. Two NWI-E 450A boards are used to
provide redundancy.
The NWI-E 450A provides a VLAN environment for BSC modules that uses IP over
Ethernet communication.

TRA
TRA R6 (CSPB 1.0)
TRA R6 is a CSPB 1.0 based application. It supports all codecs used in GSM system, i.e.
EFR, FR, HR and Adaptive MultiRate codec (AMR) HR & FR. It also supports TFO for EFR,
AMR-FR and AMR-HR. The TRA R6 is built in a DSP ASIC technology developed especially
for speech processing. This results in the ability to handle 192 speech channels per board,
small size and low power consumption. When TFO is used the channel density is reduced
to 128 channels per board for narrowband codecs. It is connected to the Group Switch via
a DL34 interface and is controlled by the APZ via an on-board regional processor (RPI).
TRA R7 (CSPB 2.0)
TRA R7 is a CSPB 2.0 based application. It supports all codecs used in GSM system, i.e.
EFR, FR, HR and Adaptive MultiRate codec (AMR) HR & FR & WB. It also supports TFO for
EFR, AMR-FR, AMR-HR and AMR-WB. The TRA R7 is built in a DSP ASIC technology
developed especially for speech processing. This results in the ability to handle 384
speech channels per board, small size and low power consumption. Compare to TRA R6,
the channel density is not reduced when running TFO for narrowband codecs. It is
connected to the Group Switch via a DL34 interface and is controlled by the APZ via an
on-board regional processor (RPI).

ET155-1, DLEB
ET155-1 STM-1
ET155-1 STM-1 is a 155 Mbit/s STM-1 Exchange Terminal that can terminate up to sixty
three 2 Mbit/s PDH tributaries. It supports ETSI standards. The ET155-1 STM-1 is a single
board implementation (two boards if protection is required) that is mounted in the GEM
magazine. A maximum of 8 fully utilized ET155-1 and 8 standby (protection) ET155-1 can
fit into a GEM magazine when using fully equipped STM-1 frames. For non-fully utilized
STM-1 frames, a maximum of 22 ET-155-1 can be placed into the GEM magazine. In any
case, the limitation is 16k ports and 22 board positions. The ET155-1 is connected to the
Group Switch via a DL34 interface and is controlled by the APZ via an on-board regional
processor (RPI).
Digital Link MUX for Existing Equipment Board - DLEB
DLEB is a DLMUX that demultiplexes DL34 to DL3. One DLEB can handle four DL3 cables
from GDM magazines and one DL3 cable from ET155-7 for LOT protection. (The DL3 cable
for LOT protection is not used under normal conditions. It is connected to the same TS4B
used by the other four DL3. If a fault occurs this DL3 is electrical inserted by a three-state
connector. No manual intervention is needed.) There is one DLEB for each plane. The two
DLEBs for plane A and B are placed in the slots 11 positions apart.

GDM, GDDM
Duplicated DLHB boards and an RP-pair are housed in each magazine. DLHB converts one DL3
interface to 16 DL2B interfaces, where the DL2B interface is a DL2 interface adapted for the
backplane. DL3 is the interface used between TSM and GDM/GDDM type magazines.
The GDDM magazine also includes a duplicated Ethernet bus in the backplane.

GDM-H, GDDM-H
GDM-H (Generic Device Magazine for Half Sized Boards)

One duplicated DL3 interface (one for each plane) is handled. One RP pair and duplicated
DLHB are housed in the magazine.
The devices adapted to this type of magazine are ETC5, ETC-T1H, RPG2 and RPG3.

GDDM-H (Generic Device Datacom Magazine for Half Sized Boards)

One duplicated DL3 interface (one for each plane) is handled. One RP pair and duplicated
DLHB are housed in the magazine. The magazine is also equipped with duplicated
Ethernet Packet Switch Board (EPS or EPSB).
The device adapted to this type of magazine is RPP.
Also note that any devices adapted to GDM-H can be fitted in this magazine.

RPG2/RPG3
RPG2

RPG2 is an RPG adapted for BYB501 practice, i.e. GDM-H, DL2B and serial RP-bus. The
half size board requires 40 mm spacing, which means that every second device slot is
used. Each board handles one DL2. The RPG2 is used as a platform for TRH, No. 7 and
STC.
RPG3
Regional Processor with Group switch Interface (RPG3) is a one board, plug in unit,
adapted for BYB501 practice and located in GDM-H magazine. It supports regional
processing and communication between the Central Processor (CP) in AXE and the remote
devices through the Switching Network Terminal/Digital Link, variant 2 (SNT/DL2)
interface.
The RPG3 is the successor to the RPG2, which means that only the Serial Regional
Processor Bus (RPB-S) is supported. All interfaces toward the application in RPG2 are still
intact in RPG3. The RPG3 provides an Ethernet interface, that can be used for connection
to external equipment. There are also maintenance bus and test interfaces.
The RPG3 has significantly higher performance than RPG2, which means it has higher
processing capacity and higher memory capacity. It also contains 8 MByte of flash PROM.
The RPG3 is used as a platform for TRH, No. 7, STC and STOC applications.

RPP
RPP
The RPP is based on Power PC hardware platform. The RPP is a half size board with double
width, it is of the same size as an RPG2 board. A fully equipped GDDM magazine can
house up to 7 RPPs. A fully equipped GDDM-H also include two Ethernet Packet Switch
Boards (EPS or EPSB). The duplicated switch boards allow the RPPs to use the Ethernet
bus
The RPPs are used to run the GPRS Packet Handler (GPH), High Speed Signalling Link
(HSL).
The RPP boards used for GPRS Packet Handler (GPH) implements the RP part of the PCU
functionality which gives the BSC GPRS functionality. The GPH application is distributed
over several RPPs and use Ethernet for RP-RP communication and functional distribution.
The Gb and GSL interfaces are terminated in the RPPs.
The RPP boards used for the High-speed Signalling Link (HSL) can administrate one high
speed signalling link each. It is recommended to have at least two HSLs in the BSC
working side by side for redundancy reasons. Each HSL occupies a full 2 Mbit/s link. The
maximum number of HSL which can be used is 16.

Flow of CS Traffic/Signalling and PS

Traffic/Signalling in the BSC/TRC.

RBS

RBS2000/RBS6000
DXU
Distribution Switch Unit

ACCU/DCCU
AC/DC Connection Unit

PSU

DUG
Digital Unit GSM

RUS (MCPA)
Power Supply Unit

CDU
Combining and Distribution Unit

IDM
Internal Distribution Module

Radio Unit all Standards (Multi Carrier

Power Amplifier)

RBS

RBS
MANAGED OBJECTS (MO)

An MO is a logical representation of hardware units and software in the BTS. However,

hardware units may actually be shared between MOs of different classes. These classes include:
Transceiver Group (TG)
Central Function (CF)
The CF is the control part of a TG. It is a software function, handling common control
functions within a TG. There is one CF defined per TG.
Concentrator (CON)
The CON (also known as the LAPD Concentrator) is used by the optional feature LAPD
Concentration for RBS 2000. Therefore, the CON, as an MO, is itself optional. There is one
CON defined per TG.
Transceiver Controller (TRX)
The TRXC controls all the functions for signal processing, radio reception, and radio
transmission. In a normal configuration, each TRXC (also known as TRX) corresponds to
one TRU. There can be up to 16 TRXCs defined per TG.

RBS
Transmitter (TX) and Receiver (RX)

The MO representing the transmitter functions for example, transmitted power and
frequency on the bursts sent is called the TX. The RX represents the radio receiving
functions. There can be up to 16 TXs and RXs defined per TRXC.
Interface Switch (IS)
The IS provides a system interface to the PCM links and crossconnects individual timeslots
to specific transceivers. There is one IS defined per TG
Timing Function (TF)
The TF extracts synchronization information from the PCM links and generates a timing
reference for the RBS. There is one TF defined per TG.
Time Slots (TS).
TS is the MO that represents the handling of timeslots. There can be up to eight TSs
defined per TRXC.
Multi Carrier Transmitter Receiver (MCTR).
MCTR represents the TRX functionality in the MCPA (RUS) HW.

CELL
CELL DEFINITION
DESCRIPTION DATA
DEFINITION OF SUBCELLS
CHANNEL GROUPS
FREQUENCY HOPPING DATA
CONFIGURATION FREQUENCY DATA
CONFIGURATION CONTROL CHANNEL DATA
MEASUREMENT FREQUENCIES
NEIGHBOR RELATIONS

CONNECTION OF CELL TO TRANSCEIVER GROUP

CELL STATE

WinFIOL

OSS/CNA

OSS/CNA

OSS/BSM