GPRS Networks

Geoff Sanders, Lionel Thorens, Manfred Reisky, Oliver Rulik, Stefan Deylitz9780470853177, 0470853174

GPRS is a packet based wireless communication service that offers data rates from 9.05 up to 171.2 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users. GPRS is based on GSM communications and complements existing services such as circuit switched cellular phone connections and the Short Message Service (SMS).GPRS represents the bridge between 2G and 3G mobile telecommunications and is commonly referred to as 2.5G.Implementation of GPRS requires modification of the existing GSM networks in that GSM is a circuit switched technology while GPRS is packet oriented. GPRS enables packet data (the same as is used by an Ethernet LAN, WAN or the Internet) to be sent to and from a mobile station – e.g. mobile phone, PDA or Laptop.WAP and SMS can also be sent using GPRS and individuals working with GPRS need to learn and understand how the mobile stations, the air interface, network architecture, protocol structures and signalling procedures must be modified.GPRS offers much higher data rates than GSM and can be combined with 3G technologies such as EDGE to give even higher bit-rates. It offers many benefits for customers and network operators: such as volume (rather then time) dependent billing and more efficient use of network resources.Due to the worldwide delay in implementing 3G solutions such as CDMA and UMTS the demand for GPRS is still growing.GPRS Networks: * Offers detailed information ranging from standards to practical implementation * Answers ‘how’ and ‘why’ rather than just simply re-stating GPRS specifications * Provides comprehensive coverage in a single volumeEssential reading for all telecommunicationsproject managers, field engineers, technical staff in network operator and manufacturing organisations, GPRS application and service developers, Datacoms/IT engineers.The comprehensive coverage also makes this a superb reference for students of computer science, telecommunications and electrical engineering.

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Table of contents :
GPRS Networks……Page 5
Copyright……Page 6
Contents……Page 7
Preface……Page 9
Introduction……Page 11
1.1 Trend from Speech to Data Transmission……Page 13
1.2 The Third Generation……Page 15
1.3 GSM ¨C The Global System for Mobile Communications……Page 16
1.4 GSM ¨C Evolutionary Concept……Page 25
1.5 The Standards……Page 27
2.1 GPRS Objectives and Advantages……Page 29
2.2 GPRS Architecture……Page 30
2.3 Characteristics of a GPRS Connection……Page 42
2.4 Logical Functions……Page 52
3.2 Layer Model……Page 71
3.3 The Names of the GPRS Interfaces……Page 73
3.4 GPRS Procedures……Page 74
3.5 GPRS Attach……Page 75
3.6 Activation of a PDP Context……Page 76
3.7 Data Transfer……Page 78
3.8 Physical Implementation in the GPRS Network……Page 79
3.9 GPRS Signalling……Page 86
3.10 GPRS Protocol Planes……Page 95
4.1 GPRS Mobility Management Procedures……Page 99
4.2 Session Management Procedures……Page 115
4.3 Packet Transfer Procedures……Page 118
5.1 Overview and Key Architecture……Page 121
5.2 Introduction of EDGE, ECSD and E- GPRS……Page 132
6 Core Network……Page 137
6.1 Serving GPRS Support Node ( SGSN)……Page 139
6.2 Gateway GPRS Support Node ( GGSN)……Page 142
6.3 Access Network PCU ¨C SGSN ( Gb Interface)……Page 145
6.4 Core Network SGSN, GGSN ( Gn Interface)……Page 146
6.5 Additional Elements in the Core Network……Page 148
6.6 Additional Elements at the Gi Interface……Page 151
6.7 Connections Towards the GSM Network……Page 152
7.1 Types of Terminal Equipment……Page 155
7.2 Multi- slot Classes and GPRS MS Classes……Page 158
7.3 The Settings in a GPRS- enabled Mobile Device……Page 164
8.1 Introduction……Page 167
8.2 Network Dimensioning……Page 168
8.3 GPRS Radio Subsystem……Page 174
8.4 GPRS Core Network……Page 178
8.5 User Aspects……Page 201
8.6 Indoor Radio Networks……Page 202
9.1 The TCP/ IP Protocol Suite……Page 207
9.2 Convergence of Fixed, Mobile and Data Networks……Page 217
9.3 The Roles of GSM, GPRS and UMTS in Converged Networks……Page 219
10.1 Services……Page 229
10.2 Multimedia Messaging Service ( MMS)……Page 246
10.3 GSM- R……Page 248
10.4 m- Business and m- Commerce……Page 252
11.2 Why do we need Roaming in GPRS?……Page 257
11.3 Architecture……Page 258
11.4 GPRS Roaming eXchange ( GRX) Network……Page 259
11.5 Procedures……Page 260
11.6 Quality Aspects of GRX……Page 262
Glossary and Abbreviations……Page 263
Index……Page 295