Presentation Topic

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

Group Members

 Saad Saddam (26)

 Afzal Khan (31)
 Asad ullah (36)
 Talha Khan (08)
 What is GPRS ?
o General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a new
service for GSM that greatly improves and
simplifies wireless access to packet data networks
o GPRS applies packet radio principal to transfer
user data packets in an efficient way b/w MS &
external packet data network
Some key benefits of GPRS:
o Speed
o GPRS is packet switched. Higher connection
speeds are attainable at around 56–118 kbps, a
vast improvement on circuit switched networks
of 9.6 kbps. By combining standard GSM time
slots theoretical speeds of 171.2 kbps are
attainable. However in the very short term,
speeds of 20-50 kbps are more realistic.
Some key benefits of GPRS:

o Always on connectivity
o GPRS is an always-on service. There is no need to
dial up like you have to on a home PC for instance.
This feature is not unique to GPRS but is an
important standard that will no doubt be a key
feature for migration to 3G. It makes services
instantaneously available to a device.
Some key benefits of GPRS:
o New and Better applications
o Due to its high-speed connection and always-on
connectivity GPRS enables full Internet
applications and services such as video
conferencing straight to your desktop or mobile
device. Users are able to explore the Internet or
their own corporate networks more efficiently than
they could when using GSM. There is often no
need to redevelop existing applications.
Some key benefits of GPRS:

o GSM operator Costs

o GSM network providers do not have to start from
scratch to deploy GPRS. GPRS is an upgrade to the
existing network that sits along side the GSM
network. This makes it easier to deploy, there is
little or no downtime of the existing GSM network
whilst implementation takes place, most updates are
software so they can be administered remotely and
it allows GSM providers to add value to their
business at relatively small costs.
Some key benefits of GPRS:
o Efficient use of radio bandwidth (Statistical
Multiplexing)
Salient Features of GPRS
o Important step on the path to 3G
o GPRS is an overlay network over the GSM
o Provides Data Packet delivery service
o Support for leading internet communication
protocols
o Billing based on volume of data transferred
o Utilizes existing GSM authentication and privacy
procedures.
GPRS Terminals
o Class A

Class A mobiles can attach to the GPRS and

GSM network simultaneously. They can receive
GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data calls.
For this to happen, the mobiles must monitor
both the GSM and GPRS networks for incoming
calls. Class A mobiles also can make and receive
GPRS and GSM calls simultaneously.
GPRS Terminals

o Class B
This class is similar to class A with the exception that Class
B mobile phones will not support simultaneous traffic. If
a GPRS call is ON, the phone cannot receive GSM calls
and vice versa.
GPRS Terminals

o Class C
This class of mobile phones will have both GSM and
GPRS functionality but will attach to only one network
at a time. Thus, if the phone is attached to the GPRS
network, it will be detached from the GSM network and
will not be able to make or receive GSM calls.
Conversely, if it is attached to the GSM network, it will
not be able to make or receive GPRS calls.
GPRS Services

o GPRS Services are defined to fall in one of two

categories: PTP (Point-To-Point) and PTM (Point-
To-Multipoint) services. Some of the GPRS
services are not likely to be provided by network
operators during early deployment of GPRS due in
part to the phased development of the standard.
Market demand is another factor affecting the
decision of the operators regarding which services
to offer first.
GPRS Services
o Bearer Services
o PTP - Point-To-Point service (CLNS mode)
o PTM - Point-To-Multipoint service(CONS Mode)
o PTM-M Multicast service
o PTM-G Group call service
o Supplementary Services
o SMS Short Message Service
o CFU Call Forwarding Unconditional
GPRS Services

o CFNRc Call Forwarding on mobile subscriber

not reachable
o CUG (Closed User Group)
o Tele action, access to data bases
o Quality of Service
o GPRS allows defining QoS profiles
o Service precedence, reliability, delay,throughput
System Architecture of GPRS

o To understand GPRS system architecture it is

helpful to first understand the architecture of GSM
system.
o GPRS is an enhancement over the GSM and adds
some nodes in the network to provide the packet
switched services. These network nodes are called
GSNs (GPRS Support Nodes) and are responsible
for the routing and delivery of the data packets to
and from the MS and external packet data networks
(PDN).
Network Architecture

o Addition of two network elements:

o Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)
o Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)
Network Architecture
SGSN – Serving GPRS Support Node

 Delivers data packets to mobile stations & vice-versa

 Detect and Register new GPRS MS in its serving area
 Packet Routing, Transfer & Mobility Management
 Authentication, Maintaining user profiles
 Its location register stores location info. & user
profiles
GGSN – Gateway GPRS Support Node

o Interfaces GPRS backbone network & external

packet data networks
o Converts the GPRS packets from SGSN to the PDP
format
o Converts PDP addresses change to GSM addresses of
the destination user
o Stores the current SGSN address and profile of the
user in its location register
o Performs authentication
o Many-to- many relations among SGSNs & GGSNs
Connectivity Between the SGSN &
GGSN
o The connection between the two GPRS Support
Nodes is made with a protocol called GPRS
Tunnelling Protocol (GTP). GTP sits on top of
TCP/IP and is also responsible for the collection of
mediation and billing information. GPRS is billed
on per megabyte basis unlike GSM. In practice the
two GSN devices may be a single unit.
GTP – GPRS Tunneling Protocol
o GTP tunnels user data packets and related
signaling information between GSNs
o Signaling is used to create, modify and delete
tunnels
o Defined both at Gn and Gp interface
o Below GTP, TCP or UDP are employed to
transport the GTP Packets within backbone
network
Network Architecture
Network Architecture