General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)

Adapted from a presentation by

Miao Lu (mlu@site.uottawa.ca) Nancy Samaan (nsamaan@site.uottawa.ca)
SITE, Ottawa University

Agenda
Introduction

Part I

GPRS Architecture
Part II

Bearer Services and Supplementary Services Mobility Management GPRS Limitations

Introduction
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

Reuse the existing GSM infrastructure Introduce packet-switched routing functionality

Better data transfer rates Low cost and connectivity-oriented

Migration Path to 3G Networks

Packet-switched technique vs. circuit-switched

In circuit-switching, resources (e.g. a channel) are allocated to user for duration of connection

Inefficient use of resources User pays for the whole connection High QoS: channel maintains real-time connection

In packet-switching, resources are allocated to user only for the time it takes to send each packet

A channel can serve many users User pays by the packet Ideal for bursty data connections
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Comparison
Packet-switched Circuit-switched

High bit rates (up to 170kbit/s) Shared bandwidth Variable access times Friendly bill (based on volume) Robust application support
Frequent transmission of small volumes Infrequent transmission of small or medium volumes

Low bit rates (14.4kbit/s) Reserved bandwidth Fixed access time Unfriendly bill (based on duration) Limited application support
Large volumes

GPRS Architecture

GPRS Architecture - Components

New components introduced for GPRS services:

GSN (GPRS Support Nodes ) SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) IP-based backbone network

Old components in GSM upgraded for GPRS services:

HLR MSC/VLR Mobile Station

GSN
GSN are Routers.

GPRS Architecture
SGSN Serving GPRS Support Node
At the same hierarchical level as the MSC. Transfers data packets between mobile stations and GGSNs. Keeps track of the individual MSs location and performs security functions and access control. Detects and registers new GPRS mobile stations located in its service area Participates into routing, as well as mobility management functions. Performs several security functions such as access control. Collects charging information for billing purpose.
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GPRS Architecture
GGSN Gateway GPRS Support Node
Provides inter-working between PLMN and external packet-switched networks. Converts the GPRS packets from SGSN into the appropriate packet data protocol format (e.g., IP or X.25) and sends out on the corresponding packet data network. Participates into the mobility management. Maintains the location information of the mobile stations that are using the data protocols provided by that GGSN. Routing information for GPRS Users. Address Conversion Tunnels data to user via Encapsulation.
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 GPRS Register (GR) stores all user addresses to keep track individual MS locations. GR is part of HLR The SGSN is connected to BSC via frame relay .

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GPRS Architecture
Backbone Network
Tunnels of data and signaling messages between GPRS support nodes. Protocol architecture based on the Internet Protocol (IP). GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) used to tunnel user data and signaling between GPRS Support Nodes. All PDP (Packet Data Protocol) PDUs (Protocol Data Units) shall be encapsulated by GTP.
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GPRS Architecture Backbone Network (cont.)

Two kinds of GPRS backbone Network:

Intra-PLMN backbone network: The IP network interconnecting GSNs within the same PLMN. Inter-PLMN backbone network: The IP network interconnecting GSNs and intra-PLMN backbone networks in different PLMNs.

Two intra-PLMN backbone networks are connected via the Gp interface using Border Gateways and an inter-PLMN backbone network. Border Gateway handles the packet transfer between GPRS PLMNs.

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GPRS Architecture
Backbone Network
Packet Data Network

Inter-PLMN Backbone

Gi
GGSN BG

Gp BG GGSN

Gi

Intra-PLMN Backbone SGSN SGSN

Intra-PLMN Backbone SGSN

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GPRS Architecture
HLR
Enhanced with GPRS subscription data and routing information. Accessible from the SGSN via the Gr interface and from the GGSN via the Gc interface.

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GPRS Architecture
MSC/VLR
Not needed for routing of GPRS data. Needed for the co-operation between GPRS and the other GSM services. e.g.,

Paging for circuit-switched calls that can be

performed more efficiently via the SGSN Combining GPRS and non-GPRS location updates

Receives location information from SGSN or sends paging requests to SGSN via the Gs interface.
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GPRS Architecture
Mobile Station
GPRS MS includes two components:

MT (Mobile Terminal). Typically a handset

used to access the radio interface. TE (Terminal Equipment). Typically a laptop or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Could be one unit combing the functionalities of a MT and a TE.

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GPRS Architecture
Mobile Station (cont.)
Three types of MS:

Class-A: Could be attached to both GPRS and

other GSM services, and the MS supports simultaneous operation of GPRS and other GSM services. Class-B: Could be attached to both GPRS and other GSM services, but the MS can only operate one set of services at a time. Class-C: Could be exclusively attached to one service type at a given time.
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GPRS Architecture
Interfaces
MSC/VLR D Gs A Gb TE R MT Um Gn SGSN BSS SGSN Gp GGSN Other PLMN Gn GGSN Ga HLR Gr Gc Gi PDN Ga CGF Gf Billing System TE

EIR

CGF(Charging Gateway)

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Packet transfer

Intra-PLMN backbone

PLMN

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Packet Transfer
A laptop connects with a GPRS-capable handset. The handset communicates with GSM base station. Base station sends the GPRS packets to SGSN. SGSN encapsulates packets Handset location information is updated in other GSM components, such as HLR. SGSN sends encaps. packets to GGSN. GGSN decapsulates and sends to PDNs.
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Communication betw. GPRS station and IP host

Go red Return blue
BSC
BTS MS PLMN1
Intra-PLMN GPRS Backbone

BTS BSC SGSN SGSN

Gn
Border Gateway

Inter-PLMN GPRS Backbone

Gp
Border Gateway

Intra-PLMN GPRS Backbone

PLMN2

Gn Gn

GGSN
Gi
Packet Data Network(PDN) Eg.Internet,Intranet

SGSN
GGSN

Host

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Brasche and Walke (adapted)

Router

Routing example
MS located in PLMN1 sends IP packet to host (e.g. Web server)

SGSN where sender MS is registered encapsulates IP packets Routes them through intra-PLMN backbone to appropriate GGSN GGSN decapsulates packets and sends them to IP network, that forwards to appropriate host PLMN2s GGSN queries HLR and finds that MS is in PLMN1 Packet is encapsulated and sent to SGSN in PLMN1 SGSN decapsulates packet and delivers to MS
Note usefulness of inter-PLMN backbone so GPRS routing does not need to go through PDN No encapsulation-decapsulation needed to traverse backbone

host sends return packet to home PLMN2 of MS

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Agenda
Introduction

Part I

GPRS Architecture
Part II

Bearer and Supplementary Services Mobility Management GPRS Limitations

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Bearer and Supplementary Services of GPRS

The bearer services of GPRS offer end-to-end packet switched data transfer. Two different kinds of bearer services :

PTP (Point-to-point) services PTM (Point-to-multipoint) services

Supplementary Services : SMS call, call forwarding unconditional (CFU), call forwarding on mobile subscriber not reachable (CFNRc), and closed user group (CUG) .

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GPRS Bearer Services

PTP services
Two types :

Connection-Oriented Network Service (PTP-CONS) :

A logical relation is established between users. supports bursty transactional or interactive apps based on X.25. Multiple packets are sent between a single source and destination. Examples : Credit card validations, Telnet, and Database access.

ConnectionLess Network Service (PTP-CLNS) :

(ex: IP). Supports bursty non-interactive applications. No logical link required between users. Each packet is sent is independent of other packets. Examples :Electronic mail, Internet s World Wide Web.

A datagram type service based on the connectionless network protocol

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GPRS Bearer Services

PTM Services
enables the transmission of a single message to multiple destinations.

Multicast service (PTM-M):

Addressed to all subscribers in a geographical area group identifier

indicating whether to all subscribers or to a specific PTM group Example : News, Weather and Traffic reports.

Group call service (PTM-G):

Only a predefined group of subscribers controlled by a multicast

server will receive the message transmitted. Group members must join the PTM-G call. Real time delivery. Example: Conferencing services.

IP Multicast (IP-M ):

Messages are transmitted to a specific group. Group members must join the IP-M call. Real time delivery. Examples : Live multimedia transmissions.

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Mobility Management
Mobility management is the means by which GPRS keeps track of a mobile subscriber location while connected to the Network. Main concepts :

GPRS mobility management states

GPRS network access.

Attachment. Location management Packet Data protocol PDP context Detachment

Routing Example

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Mobility Management
Mobility Management States
IDLE
unreachable mobile
Explicit Detach GPRS Detach

READY reachable mobile

PDU Transmission /Reception

STANDBY
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Mobility Management
Mobility Management States (cont.)
IDLE State GPRS MS is unreachable - MS may receive PTM-M message

READY state
MS can send and receive PDP PDU, and receive PTM-P and PTM-G data. A timer monitors the ready state and upon its expiry, the MS is put on standby. STANDBY State
MS

is attached to GPRS MM. - MS and SGSN have established MM contexts. MS can receive PTM-M and PTM-G data (i.e. can receive paging message) PTP data reception and transmission, and PTM-G data transmission are not possible
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Mobility Management
GPRS network access
An MS can connect to the GPRS network by requesting a GPRS attach procedure. The outcome is the establishment of a logical link between the MS and a single SGSN and the creation of a mobility management context. The logical link is uniquely defined by the identifier TLLI and is used subsequently in messages exchanged between the MS and SGSN.

This identifier is changed when the MS is served by a new SGSN.

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Mobility Management
Attachment
Before a mobile station can use GPRS services, it must register with an SGSN of the GPRS network. The network checks if the user is authorized, copies the user profile from the HLR to the SGSN, and assigns a packet temporary mobile subscriber identity (P-TMSI) to the user.

Steps :
Inform the network for the MSs request to be active Network checks the Mss identity Download MSs subscription information from HLR to SGSN. Update MSC/HLR
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Mobility Management
Attachment
GPRS Attach function : Authenticate the mobile Generate the ciphering key Enable the ciphering Allocate temporary identity (TLLI) Copy subscriber profile from HLR to SGSN After GPRS attach The location of the mobile is tracked Communication between MS and SGSN is secured Charging information is collected SGSN knows what the subscriber is allowed to do HLR knows the location of the MS in accuracy of SGSN
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Mobility Management -Attachment [5]

MS BSS New SGSN Old SGSN GGSN EIR
1.Attach Request 3. Identity Request 3. Identity Response 4. Authentication 5. IMEI check 6a. Update Location 6b. Cancel Location

New old HLR MSC/VLR MSC/VLR

2. Identification Request 3. Identification Response

6c. Cancel Location ACK

6d. Insert Subscriber Data 6d. Insert Subscriber Data ACK 6e. Update Location ACK 7a. Location Update Request 7c. Cancel Location 7d.ACK

7b. Update Location

8. Attach Accept

7h. Location Update Accept

7e. Insert Subscriber data 7f. Insert Subscriber data ACK 7b. Update Location ACK

9. Attach Complete 10. TMSI Reallocation complete

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Mobility Management Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Session

An MS can request to activate one or more PDP (Packet Data Protocol) contexts which specify the PDNs (Packet Data Networks) it want to access. A PDP context activation procedure is initiated for each required PDP session. Triggered by the MS or a request from a PDN. Contains the parameters required to transfer packets between the MS and the PDN via a GGSN. An MS can have more than one PDP context.

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Mobility Management Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Session

An MS specifies its network service access point and the Access Point Name (APN) of the PDN it wants to connect to. The SGSN identifies the corresponding GGSN and make its aware of the MS. A two way point-to-point path (tunnel) is uniquely identified by a tunnel ID (TID ) and is established between the SGSN and the GGSN. At the MS a PDP context is identified by a Network Service Access Point Identifier(NSPAI), used by the MS for data transfers. Ms can be assigned static or dynamic addresses

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Mobility Management Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Content

A PDP (PACKET Data Protocol) contains: The type of network PDP used (X25, IP...). PDP Addresses of the terminal (x.121, IP). IP Addresses of the SGSN where the subscriber is localized. The access point to the service network used (NSAPI). The quality of service.

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Mobility Management Packet Data Protocol(PDP) Session[8]

An MS with two PDP contexts Active

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Mobility Management
PDP context Activation [5]
MS SGSN GGSN

Activate PDP Context Request PDP type,PDP Address QoS Requested,Access Point,

Create PDP Context Request PDP type,PDP Address, IMSI, QoS Negotiated,Access Point, MS Activate PDP Context Accept PDP type,PDP Address QoS Negotiated, Create PDP Context Response PDP type,QoS Negotiated,

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Mobility Management
PDP context Deactivation [5]
MS SGSN GGSN

MS DEACTIVATE PDP CONTEXT REQUEST(NSAPI)

GTP DELETE PDP CONTEXT REQUEST (NSAPI,IMSI)

SM DEACTIVATE PDP CONTEXT ACCEPT(NSAPI)

GTP DELETE PDP CONTEXT RESPONSE

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Mobility Management
Detachment
Two types of Detachments :

MS initiated Detachment: Network Initiated Detachment:

(Ex : service Termination, Network congestion)

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Mobility Management
MS Initiated Detachment [5]

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Mobility Management
Network Initiated Detachment [5]

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GPRS Limitations
Speeds Much Lower in Reality Support of GPRS Mobile Terminate by Terminals is Not Ensured Packet switching means that data packets can traverse different routes and then be reassembled in their final destination leading to potential transit delays affecting the Quality of Service. Operators may decide to charge based on time rather than volume, which may destroy the cost advantage that GPRS provides today. Requires major network modifications: Many network elements to be upgraded and totally new to be introduced Expensive: Not much time for invest to be returned due to upcoming 3rd generation technology

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References (papers)
[1] Dale R. Shelton, General Packet Radio Service, Aether Systems, Incorporated, 2001

[2] Agilent Technologies, Understanding General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Technical report, 2001.
[3] Christian Bettstetter, Hans-Jorg Vogel and Jorg Eberspacher, GSM Phase 2+ General Packet Radio Service GPRS: Architecture, Protocols, and Air Interface, IEEE Communication Surveys, vol. 2, n. 3, 1999. [4] ETSI, GSM 02.60 Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase2+): General Packet Radio Service, Service Description Stage 1. [5] ETSI, GSM 03.60 Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase2+); General Packet Radio Service, Service Description Stage 2, 1998. [6] L. Logrippo D. Amyot, N.Hart and P. Forhan, Formal Specification and Validation using a Scenario-Based Approach: The GPRS Group-Call Example,ObjecTime Workshop on Research in OO Real-Time Modeling, Ottawa, Canada, pp. 99118, Jan. 1998

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References (papers)
[7] B. Ghribi L. Andriantsiferana and L. Logrippo, Prototyping and Formal Requirement Validation of GPRS: A Mobile Data Packet Radio Service for GSM, Proceedings of 7th Int. Working Confrence on Dependable Computing For Critical Applications (DCCA-7), san Jose, California,USA, pp. 99118, Jan. 1999. [8] B. Ghribi and L. Logrippo, Understanding GPRS: The GSM Packet Radio Service, Computer Networks, vol. 34, pp. 763779, 2000. [9] Herman Rao Yi-Bing Lin and Imrich Chlamtac, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS): Architecture, Interfaces, and Deployment, Journal of Wireless Communiations and Mobile Computing, vol. 1, n. 1, pp. 7792, 2001.

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