General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)

Introduction

GPRS, as it reads General Packet Radio Service, was initialized by ETSI/SMG in 1994, to provide end-to-end packet-switched services to mobile users. GPRS was important as a migration step toward third-generation (3G) networks and allows network operators to implement an IP-based core architecture for data applications, which will continue to be used and expanded for 3G services for integrated voice and data applications.

Many Problems Solved 

GPRS enabled a variety of new and unique services to the mobile wireless subscriber. These features include the following:

Mobility: The ability to maintain constant voice and data communications while on the move.

Immediacy: Allowed subscribers to obtain connectivity when needed, regardless of location and without a lengthy login session.

Localization: Allowed subscribers to obtain information relevant to their current location.

GPRS Architecture

GPRS is a data network that overlays a second-generation GSM network. This data overlay network provides packet data transport at rates from 9.6 to 171 kbps. Additionally, multiple users can share the same air-interface resources simultaneously.

Following is the GPRS Architecture diagram:

GPRS Architecture

Following two new components, called GPRS support nodes (GSNs), are added into existing GSM architecture with a few modifications in BSS and BSC:

Gateway GPRS support node (GGSN):
The Gateway GPRS Support Node acts as an interface and a router to external networks. The GGSN contains routing information for GPRS mobiles, which is used to tunnel packets through the IP based internal backbone to the correct Serving GPRS Support Node. The GGSN also collects charging information connected to the use of the external data networks and can act as a packet filter for incoming traffic.

Serving GPRS support node (SGSN):
The Serving GPRS Support Node is responsible for authentication of GPRS mobiles, registration of mobiles in the network, mobility management, and collecting information for charging for the use of the air interface.

GPRS MS Classses

The handset is probably the most well-known piece of equipment, because this is the part we use to make phone calls and to access data services. When we talk about advanced services, the handset is commonly called an MS, which consists of terminal equipment (TE) and a mobile terminal (MT). TE is the device that hosts the applications and the user interaction, while the MT is the part that connects to the network.

In order to take advantage of the new GPRS services, we need new GPRS enabled handsets. There are three different classes of GPRS terminal equipments:

Class A:
Class A terminals can handle packet data and voice at the same time. In other words, we need two transceivers because the handset has to send and/or receive data and voice at the same time. This situation makes class A terminals significantly more expensive to manufacture than class B and C terminals.

Class B:
Class B terminals can handle both packet data and voice, but not at the same time. In other words, you can use the same transceiver for both, keeping the cost of the terminals down.

Class C:
Class C terminals can only handle either voice or data. Examples of class C terminals are GPRS PCM/CIA cards, embedded modules in vending machines, and so on.

Network Processes

This gives a brief description of the basic processes used in GPRS networks:

• Attach process: Process by which the MS attaches (i.e, connects) to the SGSN in a GPRS network

• Authentication process: Process by which the SGSN authenticates the mobile subscriber

• PDP activation process: Process by which a user session is established between the MS and the destination network

• Detach process: Process by which the MS detaches (i.e., disconnects) from the SGSN in the GPRS network

• Network-initiated PDP request for static IP address: Process by which a call from the packet data network reaches the MS using a static IP address

• Network-initiated PDP request for dynamic IP address: Process by which a call from the packet data network reaches the MS using a dynamic IP address 
  

All the latest GSM phones available in the market are enabled to use GPRS services. So if you are planning to buy a GPRS enabled mobile phone then most probably you have to choose one GSM Mobile Phone unless you are using CDMA technology.

GPRS is a crucial step in the mobile evolution, and it opens endless possibilities for application developers and users. In the next article I will talk about UMTS and other 3G technologies.

GPRS signalling in Dual Transfer Mode

A MS in Dual Transfer Mode (DTM) has resources for an RR (Radio Resource) connection and is simultaneously allocated resources for one or more TBFs (Temporary Block Flow in GPRS network), provided that the BSS co-ordinates its allocation of radio resources. DTM is optional
both for the MS and the network. A DTM mobile is a class A mobile.

Introduction

The definition of GPRS class A mode of operation in Release 97 assumes a total independence between the CS and PS domains. Thus the direct implementation would result in MS that are required to operate in two different frequencies either in the same time slot or different time slots.

Also, operators have expressed their needs to offer services that allow the simultaneous existence of a CS connection and a PS session in GSM/GPRS coverage area due to unavailability of UMTS in all areas.

The DTM solution overcomes the restrictions mentioned above and makes possible to have simultaneous CS and PS active connections. This is achieved by sending PS data (signaling and user data) on the time slot used by the CS connection or other time slot(s) that in both directions are contiguous with the time slot used by the CS connection.

PS data established over DTM

GPRS signalling over DCCH

In DTM, the MS has resources allocated for an RR connection and for one or more TBFs. So the current GPRS resources are used for the transfer of GPRS signalling instead of the main DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel).

The use of the main DCCH  is only allowed when the MS is in dedicated mode.

GPRS signaling over DCCH

MS-SGSN tunnelling

If GPRS signaling needs to be sent during a voice call (i.e. in dedicated mode), then LLC (Logical Link Connection) frames are sent on the main DCCH with Layer 2 SAPI 0. This uses a new Protocol Discriminator in Signaling Layer 3 message structure for LLC: GTTP (GPRS Transparent Transport Protocol).

The GPRS information from upper layers (i.e. GMM or SM) is always sent inside an LLC frame. This LLC frame can now be passed down:

• to RLC (Radio Link Control) and transmitted on a TBF; or
• to RR, if the MS is in dedicated mode, and transmitted on the main DCCH.

The new tunneling mechanism for the transmission of the LLC frame is shown graphically.

LLC PDU over DCCH

The LLC PDU is inserted in a new Layer 3 message, with a new Protocol Discriminator (GTTP) so that the BSC identifies the tunneling mechanism without the need to analyze the Message Type. This Layer 3 message is sent to the BSC on the main DCCH, with the existing Layer 2 mechanisms. The BTS re-assemblies the Layer 3 message and sends it to the BSC.

Single slot operation

If the MS in DTM has one TimeSlot allocated for the CS services, it is possible to reuse the same TS for the transmission of GPRS signaling and user data. In such case the CS information and RLC/MAC blocks are multiplexed in the same TS of the TDMA frame.

The configuration of logical channels used in that case is called ‘TCH/H+ PDCH/H’, which means that on one physical channel network configures one CS half rate connection and PS connection uses the remaining half of the physical channel.

This configuration is very useful when it is impossible for the network to allocate a TBF in some circumstances on separate TS (e.g. congested cell, multi slot capabilities not supported in the serving cell). 

On the 'TCH/H' part, the support of AMR as the speech codec is mandatory.
The PDCH/H is a resource dedicated (allocated exclusively) to the MS in both directions and can not be shared with other GPRS MS. For instance, if an uplink TBF is established, the network may send a control message in any of the downlink blocks. No downlink data, however, are sent without a previous downlink assignment.
In the uplink, the MS transmits in any of the blocks of the PDCH/H, irrespective of the USF in the previous blocks.

Multi slot operation

In multi slot operation, the GPRS data is sent on a PDCH. The number of time slots comprising the PDCH is decided by the network after taking into account the multi slot capabilities supported by the MS. The PDCH/F may be shared with other GPRS MS.

This article explains the basic GPRS signaling in DTM. More would be coming up to explain the signaling procedures during MO and MT call. Furthermore, I will discuss the need of DTM in today's scenario where UMTS and HSPA are taking lead.