21EC72 Optical & Wireless Communication

Regulation – 2021 (CBCS Scheme)

MODULE - 5
Global System for Mobile (GSM)

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 21EC72 Optical & Wireless Communication
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Module - 5

Global System for Mobile (GSM): GSM Network Architecture, GSM signalling protocol architecture,
Identifiers used in GSM system, GSM Channels, Frame structure for GSM, GSM Call procedures,
GSM hand-off Procedures, GSM Services and features.

Introduction to GSM and TDMA:

Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) services are a standard collection of applications
and features available to mobile phone subscribers all over the world. The GSM standards are defined by the
3GPP collaboration and implemented in hardware and software by equipment manufacturers and mobile
phone operators. The common standard makes it possible to use the same phones with different companies'
services, or even roam into different countries. GSM is the world's most dominant mobile phone standard.
The design of the service is moderately complex because it must be able to locate a moving phone
anywhere in the world, and accommodate the relatively small battery capacity, limited input/output
capabilities, and weak radio transmitters on mobile devices.
In order to gain access to GSM services, a user needs three things:
• A billing relationship with a mobile phone operator. This is usually either where services are paid for
in advance of them being consumed (prepaid), or where bills are issued and settled after the service
has been consumed (postpaid).
• A mobile phone that is GSM compliant and operates at the same frequency as the operator. Most
phone companies sell phones from third-party manufacturers.
• A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, which is activated by the operator once the billing
relationship, is established. After activation the card is then programmed with the subscriber's
Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN) (the telephone number).
Personal information such as contact numbers of friends and family can also be stored on the SIM by
the subscriber.
After subscribers sign up, information about their identity (telephone number) and what services they are
allowed to access are stored in a "SIM record" in the Home Location Register (HLR). Once the SIM card is
loaded into the phone and the phone is powered on, it will search for the nearest mobile phone mast (also
called a Base Transceiver Station/BTS) with the strongest signal in the operator's frequency band. If a mast
can be successfully contacted, then there is said to be coverage in the area. The phone then identifies itself to
the network through the control channel. Once this is successfully completed, the phone is said to be
attached to the network.
The key feature of a mobile phone is the ability to receive and make calls in any area where coverage is
available. This is generally called roaming from a customer perspective, but also called visiting when

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describing the underlying technical process. Each geographic area has a database called the Visitor
Location Register (VLR), which contains details of all the mobiles currently in that area. Whenever a
phone attaches, or visits, a new area, the Visitor Location Register must contact the Home Location Register
to obtain the details for that phone. The Current cellular location of the phone (i.e., which BTS it is at) is
entered into the VLR record and will be used during a process called paging when the GSM network wishes
to locate the mobile phone.

Every SIM card contains a secret key, called the Ki, which is used to provide authentication and
encryption services. This is useful to prevent theft of service, and also to prevent "over the air" snooping of a
user's activity. The network does this by utilizing the Authentication Center and is accomplished without
transmitting the key directly.
Every GSM phone contains a unique identifier (different from the phone number), called the
International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). This can be found by dialing *#06#. When a phone
contacts the network, its IMEI may be checked against the Equipment Identity Register to locate stolen
phones and facilitate monitoring.

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA):

It can be easily adapted to the transmission of data and voice communication. TDMA offers the
ability to carry data rates of 64 kbps to 120 Mbps (expandable in multiples of 64 kbps). This enables
operators to offer personal communication-like services including fax, voice band data, and short message
services (SMSs) as well as bandwidth-intensive applications such as multimedia and videoconferencing. It
will not experience interference from other simultaneous transmissions Unlike spread-spectrum techniques

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 21EC72 Optical & Wireless Communication
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which can suffer from interference among the users all of whom are on the same frequency band and
transmitting at the same time, TDMA’s technology, which separates users in time, ensures that they will
not TDMA is the only technology that offers an efficient utilization of hierarchical cell structures
(HCSs) offering pico, micro, and macro cells. HCSs allow coverage for the system to be tailored to support
specific traffic and service needs. By using this approach, system capacities of more than 40- times AMPS
can be achieved in a cost-efficient way. TDMA allows service compatibility with the use of dual-mode
handsets because of its inherent compatibility with FDMA analog systems.

GSM Network and System Architecture

Mobile Station (MS)
Mobile Equipment (ME)
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
Base Station Controller (BSC)
Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
Home Location Register (HLR)
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
Authentication Center (AUC)
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)

Fig 4.1 components of GSM network

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 21EC72 Optical & Wireless Communication
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a. Mobile Station (MS)

The Mobile Station is made up of two entities:

Mobile Equipment (ME):

• Portable, vehicle mounted, hand held device
• Uniquely identified by an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity)
• Voice and data transmission
• Monitoring power and signal quality of surrounding cells for optimum handover
• Power level: 0.8W – 20 W
• 160 character long SMS.
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
• Smart card contains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)
• Allows user to send and receive calls and receive other subscribed services
• Protected by a password or PIN
• Can be moved from phone to phone – contains key information to activate the phone
b. Base Station Subsystem (BSS): Base Station Subsystem is composed of two parts that communicate across the
standardized Abis interface allowing operation between components made by different suppliers.
Base Transceiver Station (BTS): It is responsible for following functions:
• Encodes, encrypts, multiplexes, modulates and feeds the RF signals to the antenna.
• Communicates with Mobile station and BSC
• Consists of Transceivers (TRX) units
Base Station Controller (BSC): It is responsible for following functions
• Manages Radio resources for BTS
• Assigns Frequency and time slots for all MS’s in its area
• Handles call set up
• Handover for each MS
• It communicates with MSC and BTS
c. Network Switching Subsystem(NSS)
Mobile Switching Center (MSC):
• Heart of the network
• Manages communication between GSM and other networks
• Billing information and collection
• Mobility management
• Registration
• Location Updating
• Inter BSS and inter MSC call handoff

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Home Location Register (HLR):

• Stores information about each subscriber that belongs to it MSC in permanent and temporary fashion.
• As soon as mobile subscriber leaves its current local area, the information in the HLR is updated.
• Database contains IMSI, MSISDN, prepaid/ postpaid, roaming restrictions, supplementary services.
Visitor Location Register (VLR):
• Temporary database which updates whenever new MS enters its area, by HLR database.
• Assigns a TMSI to each MS entering the VLR area which keeps on changing.
• Controls those mobiles roaming in its area.
• Database contains IMSI, MSISDN, Location Area, authentication key.
Authentication Centre (AUC):
• Contains the algorithms for authentication as well as the keys for encryption.
• Protects network operators from fraud.
• Situated in special protected part of the HLR.
Equipment Identity Register (EIR):
• Stores all devices identifications registered for this network.
• Database that is used to track handsets using the IMEI(International Mobile Equipment Identity)
• Prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized or defective mobile devices
Operation and Maintenance Centre (OMC):
• The centralized operation of the various units in the system and functions needed to maintain the
subsystems.
• Dynamic monitoring and controlling of the network.
• Functions:
➢ configuration management
➢ fault report and alarm handling
➢ performance supervision/management
➢ storage of system software and data
GSM network interfaces and protocols:
The network structure is defined within the GSM standards. Additionally each interface between the
different elements of the GSM network is also defined. This facilitates the information interchanges can take
place. It also enables to a large degree that network elements from different manufacturers can be used.
However as many of these interfaces were not fully defined until after many networks had been deployed,
the level of standardization may not be quite as high as many people might like

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Fig 4.2 interfaces in GSM

GSM network interfaces and protocols:

Fig 4.3 GSM network interfaces and protocols

1. Um interface: The "air" or radio interface standard that is used for exchanges between a
mobile (ME) and a base station (BTS / BSC). For signaling, a modified version of the ISDN
LAPD, known as LAPDm is used.
2. Abis interface: This is a BSS internal interface linking the BSC and a BTS, and it has not been
totally standardized. The Abis interface allows control of the radio equipment and radio
frequency allocation in the BTS.
3. A interface The A interface is used to provide communication between the BSS and the MSC.
The interface carries information to enable the channels, timeslots and the like to be allocated to
the mobile equipment being serviced by the BSSs. The messaging required within the network
to enable handover etc to be undertaken is carried over the interface.

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4. B interface The B interface exists between the MSC and the VLR . It uses a protocol known as
the MAP/B protocol. As most VLRs are collocated with an MSC, this makes the interface purely
an "internal" interface. The interface is used whenever the MSC needs access to data regarding
a MS located in its area.
5. C interface The C interface is located between the HLR and a GMSC or a SMS-G. When a call
originates from outside the network, i.e. from the PSTN or another mobile network it as to pass
through the gateway so that routing information required to complete the call may be gained.
The protocol used for communication is MAP/C, the letter "C" indicating that the protocol is
used for the "C" interface. In addition to this, the MSC may optionally forward billing
information to the HLR after the call is completed and cleared down.

6. D interface The D interface is situated between the VLR and HLR. It uses the MAP/D protocol
to exchange the data related to the location of the ME and to the management of the subscriber.
7. E interface: The E interface provides communication between two MSCs. The E interface
exchanges data related to handover between the anchor and relay MSCs using the MAP/E
protocol.
8. F interface: The F interface is used between an MSC and EIR. It uses the MAP/F protocol. The
communications along this interface are used to confirm the status of the IMEI of the ME
gaining access to the network.
9. G interface: The G interface interconnects two VLRs of different MSCs and uses the MAP/G
protocol to transfer subscriber information, during e.g. a location update procedure.
10. H interface: The H interface exists between the MSC the SMS-G. It transfers short messages
and uses the MAP/H protocol.
11. I interface: The I interface can be found between the MSC and the ME. Messages exchanged
over the I interface are relayed transparently through the BSS.
12. Although the interfaces for the GSM cellular system may not be as rigorously defined as many
might like, they do at least provide a large element of the definition required, enabling the
functionality of GSM network entities to be defined sufficiently.
GSM Channel Concept:
➢ Time division multiple access
➢ Frames Multi frames
A single GSM RF carrier can support up to eight MS subscribers simultaneously. Each channel
occupies the carrier for one eighth of the time. This is a technique called Time Division Multiple Access.
Time is divided into discrete periods called Time slots. The timeslots are arranged in sequence and are
conventionally numbered 0 to 7. Each repetition of this sequence is called a TDMA frames. Each MS
telephone call occupies one timeslot within the frame until the call is terminated, or a handover occurs.

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The TDMA frames are then built into further frame structures according to the type of channel.
We shall later examine how the information carried by the air interface builds into frames and multi-
frames and discuss the associated timing. For such a system to work correctly, the timing of the
transmissions to and from the mobiles is critical. The MS or Base Station must transmit the information
related to one call at exactly the right moment, or the timeslot will be missed. The information carried in
one timeslot is called a access burst . Each data burst, occupying its allocated timeslot within successive
TDMA frames, provides a single GSM physical channel carrying a varying number of logical channels
between the MS and BTS.

Fig 4.4 TDMA time frame structure

GSM Channel Concept: Logical channels:
• Carry either sub scriber traffic or signaling and control information to facilitate subscriber mobility.
• Presently, there are three types of traffic channels (TCHS).
• The full-rate traffic channel (TCH/F or Bm) carries one conversation by using one timeslot. The
transmitted voice signal is encoded at a 13-kbps rate, but it is sent with additional overhead bits. This
information plus additional channel overhead bits yields a final channel data rate of 22.8 kbps. The
full-rate traffic channel may also carry data at rates of 14.4, 9.6, 4.8, and 2.4 kbps.
• The half-rate traffic channel (TCH/H or Lm) carries voice encoded at 6.5 kbps or data at rates of 4.8
or 2.4 kbps. With additional overhead bits, the total data rate for TCH/H becomes 11.4 kbps.
Therefore, two conversations or a conversation and a data transfer or two data transfers may be
transmitted over one channel at the same time.
• Enhanced full-rate (EFR) traffic encodes voice at a 12.2-kbps rate and like TCH/F adds overhead bits
to yield a 22.8 kbps channel data rate. The EFR channel may also transmit data at the TCH/F rates.
More will be said about these channels later. The signaling and control channels consist of three
channel sub categories: broadcast channels, common control channels, and dedicated control
channels. The function of these channels will be explained in more detail next.
Broadcast control channel
• The GSM cellular system uses broadcast channels (BCHS) provide information to the mobile station
about various system parameters and also information about the location area identity (LAI).
• The three types BCHS are
• Broadcast control channel: It contains information that needed by MS concerning the cell that it is

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attached to in order for the MS to be able to start making or receiving calls, or to start roaming.
• Frequency correction channel: It transmits bursts of zeros (this is an unmodulated carrier signal) to the
MS. This signaling is done for two reasons: the MS can use this signal to synchronize itself to the
correct frequency and the MS can verify that this is the BCCH carrier.
• Synchronization channel: It transmits the required information for the MS to synchronize itself with
the timing within a particular cell. By listening to the SCH, the MS can learn about the frame number
in this cell and about the BSIC of the BTS it is attached to.
• Using the information transmitted over these three BCHS, the MS can tune to particular base
transceiver system (BTS) and synchronize its timing with the frame structure and timing that cell.
• Each time the MS attaches to new BTS must listen these three BCHS.
Common control channels:
• The common control channels (CCCHS) provide paging messages the MS and a means which the
mobile can request signaling channel that it can use to contact the network.
• The three CCCHs are
• Paging channel: It is used by the system to send paging messages to mobiles attached to cell. The
mobile will paged whenever the network has an incoming call ready for mobile or some type of
message (e.g., short message multimedia message) to deliver to the mobile. The information
transmitted the PCH will consist of paging message and the mobile's identity number.
• Random access channel: It is used by the mobile to respond a paging message. If the mobile receives
page on the PCH, it will reply on the RACH with request for signaling channel.
• Access Grant channel: It is used by the network to assign a signaling channel to the MS. After the
mobile requests a signaling channel over the RACH, the network will assign a channel to the mobile
by transmitting this information over the AGCH. The AGCH is only transmitted in the downlink
direction.
Dedicated control channels:
• These dedicated channels are used for specific call setup, handover, measurement, and short message
delivery functions.
• The four DCCHs are
• Standalone dedicated control channel: Both the mobile station and the BTS switch over to the
network-assigned stand-alone dedicated control channel (SDCCH) that is assigned over the access
grant channel in response to the mobile's request that has been transmitted over the random access
channel.
• Slow associated control channel: It is used to transmit information about measurements made by the
MS or instructions from the BTS about the mobile's parameters of operation. In the uplink direction

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the mobile sends measurements of the received signal strength from its own BTS and those of
neighboring BTSS. In the downlink direction, the MS receives information from the BTS about the
mobile's output power level and the timing advance that the
• Fast associated control channel: It is used to facilitate the handover operation in a GSM system. If
handover is required, the necessary handover signaling information is transmitted instead of a 20-ms
segment of speech over the TCH. This operation is known as "stealing mode" since the time allotted
for the voice conversation is stolen from the system for a short period. The sub scriber is usually not
aware of this loss of speech since the speech coder in the mobile simply repeats the last received voice
block during this process.
• Cell Broadcast channel: It is used to deliver short message service in the downlink direction. It uses
the same physical channel as the SDCCH.
Timeslots and TDMA frames
TDMA frames
TDMA multiframes: Hyperframes, super frame, Multi frames (26+51 Frames)
Timeslot bursts : Normal Burst, Frequency Correction burst, Synchronization burst, Access burst, Dummy
burst.

Fig 4.6 TDMA Hyperframe structure

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A hyperframe is a multiframe sequence that is composed of 2048 superframes and is largest time interval
in the GSM system (3 hours, 28 minutes, 53 seconds). Every time slot during a hyperframe has a sequential
number (represented by an 11 bit counter) that is composed of a frame number and a time slot number. This
counter allows the hyperframe to synchronize frequency hopping sequence, encryption processes for voice
privacy of subscribers' conversations. The hyperframe in an IS-136 TDMA system consists of 192 frames.
The basic GSM frame defines the structure upon which all the timing and structure of the GSM messaging
and signalling is based. The fundamental unit of time is called a burst period and it lasts for approximately
0.577 ms (15/26 ms). Eight of these burst periods are grouped into what is known as a TDMA frame.
This lasts for approximately 4.615 ms (i.e.120/26 ms) and it forms the basic unit for the definition of logical
channels. One physical channel is one burst period allocated in each TDMA frame.
In simplified terms the base station transmits two types of channel, namely traffic and control.
Accordingly the channel structure is organised into two different types of frame, one for the traffic on the
main traffic carrier frequency, and the other for the control on the beacon frequency.
GSM Multiframe:
The GSM frames are grouped together to form multiframes and in this way it is possible to establish a time
schedule for their operation and the network can be synchronised.
There are several GSM multiframe structures:
• Traffic multiframe: The Traffic Channel frames are organized into multi frames consisting of 26
bursts and taking 120 ms. In a traffic multi frame, 24 bursts are used for traffic. These are numbered
0 to 11 and 13 to 24. One of the remaining bursts is then used to accommodate the SACCH, the
remaining frame remaining free. The actual position used alternates between position 12 and 25.
• Control multiframe: the Control Channel multi frame that comprises 51 bursts and occupies 235.4
ms. This always occurs on the beacon frequency in time slot zero and it may also occur within slots
2, 4 and 6 of the beacon frequency as well. This multiframe is subdivided into logical channels
which are time-scheduled.
GSM Superframe
Multi frames are then constructed into super frames taking 6.12 seconds. These consist of 51 traffic
multi frames or 26 control multi frames. As the traffic multi frames are 26 bursts long and the control multi
frames are 51 bursts long, the different number of traffic and control multiframes within the super frame,
brings them back into line again taking exactly the same interval.
GSM Hyperframe
Above this 2048 super frames (i.e. 2 to the power 11) are grouped to form one hyper frame which repeats
every 3 hours 28 minutes 53.76 seconds. It is the largest time interval within the GSM frame
[Link] the GSM hyper frame there is a counter and every time slot has a unique sequential number

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comprising the frame number and time slot number. This is used to maintain synchronization of the different
scheduled operations with the GSM frame structure. These include functions such as:
• Frequency hopping: Frequency hopping is a feature that is optional within the GSM system. It can
help reduce interference and fading issues, but for it to work, the transmitter and receiver must be
synchronised so they hop to the same frequencies atthe same time.
• Encryption: The encryption process is synchronized over the GSM hyper frame period where a
counter is used and the encryption process will repeat with each hyper frame. However, it is unlikely
that the cellphone conversation will be over 3 hours and accordingly it is unlikely that security will
be compromised as a result.
GSM SYSTEM OPERATIONS
GSM IDENTIFIERS:
GSM treats the users and the equipment in different ways. Phone numbers, subscribers, and equipment
identifiers are some of the known ones. There are many other identifiers that have been well-defined, which
are required for the subscriber's mobility management and for addressing the remaining network elements.
a. International Mobile Station Equipment GSM Identity (IMEI):
The International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) looks more like a serial number which
distinctively identifies a mobile station internationally. This is allocated by the equipment manufacturer and
registered by the network operator, who stores it in the Equipment Identity Register (EIR). By means of IMEI,
one recognizes obsolete, stolen, or non-functional equipment.
Following are the parts of IMEI
• Type Approval Code (TAC) − 6 decimal places, centrally assigned.
• Final Assembly Code (FAC) − 6 decimal places, assigned by the manufacturer.
• Serial Number (SNR) − 6 decimal places, assigned by the manufacturer.
• Spare (SP) − 1 decimal place.

Thus, IMEI = TAC + FAC + SNR + SP

It uniquely characterizes a mobile station and gives clues about the manufacturer and the date of
manufacturing.

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b. International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI)

Every registered user has an original International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) with a valid IMEI
stored in their Subscriber Identity Module (SIM). IMSI comprises of the following parts.
• Mobile Country Code (MCC) − 3 decimal places, internationally standardized.
• Mobile Network Code (MNC) − 2 decimal places, for unique identification of mobile network
within the country.
• Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) − Maximum 10 decimal places, identification
number of the subscriber in the home mobile network.

c. Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN)

The authentic telephone number of a mobile station is the Mobile Subscriber ISDN Number (MSISDN).
Based on the SIM, a mobile station can have many MSISDNs, as each subscriber is assigned with a separate MSISDN
to their SIM respectively. Listed below is the structure followed by MSISDN categories, as they are defined based on
international ISDN number plan
• Country Code (CC) − Up to 3 decimal places.
• National Destination Code (NDC) − Typically 2-3 decimal places.
• Subscriber Number (SN) − Maximum 10 decimal places.

d. Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN)

Mobile Station Roaming Number (MSRN) is an interim location dependent ISDN number, assigned to a mobile
station by a regionally responsible Visitor Location Register (VLA). Using MSRN, the incoming calls are channelled
to the MS. The MSRN has the same structure as the MSISDN.

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• Country Code (CC) − of the visited network.

• National Destination Code (NDC) − of the visited network.
• Subscriber Number (SN) − in the current mobile network.

e. Location Area Identity (LAI)

Within a PLMN, a Location Area identifies its own authentic Location Area Identity (LAI). The LAI
hierarchy is based on international standard and structured in a unique format as mentioned below:
• Country Code (CC) − 3 decimal places.
• Mobile Network Code (MNC) − 2 decimal places.
• Location Area Code (LAC) − maximum 5 decimal places or maximum twice 8 bits coded
in hexadecimal (LAC < FFFF).
f. Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI)
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) can be assigned by the VLR, which is responsible for the
current location of a subscriber. The TMSI needs to have only local significance in the area handled by the
VLR. This is stored on the network side only in the VLR and is not passed to the Home Location Register
(HLR). Together with the current location area, the TMSI identifies a subscriber uniquely. It can contain up
to 4 × 8 bits.
g. Local Mobile Subscriber Identity (LMSI)
Each mobile station can be assigned with a Local Mobile Subscriber Identity (LMSI), which is an original
key, by the VLR. This key can be used as the auxiliary searching key for each mobile station within its
region. It can also help accelerate the database access. An LMSI is assigned if the mobile station is
registered with the VLR and sent to the HLR. LMSI comprises of four octets (4x8 bits).
h. Cell Identifier (CI)
Using a Cell Identifier (CI) (maximum 2 × 8) bits, the individual cells that are within an LA can be
recognized. When the Global Cell Identity (LAI + CI) calls are combined, then it is uniquely defined.
CALL SETUP
• Call setup within a GSM system consists of quite a few necessary operations. For either a mobile-
originating call or a mole-terminating call the following ten operations need to be performed.
• For a mobile-terminating call it is necessary to perform an initial additional operation as shown:
➢ Interrogation (only for a mobile-terminating call)
➢ Radio resource connection establishment.

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➢ Service request
➢ Authentication
➢ Ciphering mode setting
➢ I MEI number check
➢ T MS I allocation
➢ Call initiation
➢ Assignment of a traffic channel
➢ User alerting signaling
➢ Call accepted signaling
Interrogation Phase (MT):
➢ For the interrogation operation, one notes that the initial address message (IAM) comes outside the
GSM network using ISUP/TUP protocols.

➢ In some vendors systems, the GMSC can send a request to the flexible numbering register (FNR)
system node before being sent to the HLR.
➢ Also, for security operations, the subscriber data can be simultaneously stored and updated in two
HLRS.
➢ This built-in system redundancy assures successful in all but the most catastrophic disasters.

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➢ In one final note about operation, one observes that in the last operation performed, the GSM system
nodes (the MSC/VLR and the GMSC) use a non-MAP protocol to communicate with each other
(i.e., the IAM message).
Service Request

➢ The service request phase occurs as soon as the MS has tuned to the new channel assigned to it by
the immediate assignment message sent during the radio resource connection phase.
➢ Figure shows these operations. At this time, a Layer 2 message known as set asynchronous balanced
mode (SABM) is sent from the MS to the BTS. This Layer 2 message contains a Layer 3 message
(i.e., the information field of the Layer 2 message contains the paging response message).
➢ Shortly thereafter, the BTS sends back to the MS a GSM System Operations (Traffic Cases).

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The service request phase occurs as soon as the MS has tuned to the new channel assigned to it by the
immediate assignment message sent during the radio resource connection phase.

◻ Figure shows these operations. At this time, a Layer 2 message known as set asynchronous balanced
mode (SABM) is sent from the MS to the BTS. This Layer

Prepared by: Dr. Anitha V/Prof. Savitha H S Sri Sairam College of Engineering, Anekal. Page
 21EC72 Optical & Wireless Communication
Regulation – 2021 (CBCS Scheme)

2 message contains a Layer 3 message (i.e., the information field of the Layer 2 message contains the
paging response message).

◻ Shortly thereafter, the BTS sends back to the MS a

GSM System Operations (Traffic Cases) : refer ppt from google classroom

Prepared by: Dr. Anitha V/Prof. Savitha H S Sri Sairam College of Engineering, Anekal. Page