The Telecommunications Handbook: Engineering Guidelines for Fixed, Mobile and Satellite Systems

11 3GPP Mobile Communications: GSM

Jyrki T. J. Penttinen

11.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the architecture, core and radio systems of GSM. This chapter also includes essential information about the interfaces, elements, modulation, coding, modes, functionality and performance of the system, as well as frequencies, terminals, planning, dimensioning and optimization of radio, transport and core networks. Later, the chapter presents practical use cases. There are also modern functionalities presented to optimize the capacity and interference levels of GSM as one part of the refarming strategies, and information about the advanced data and signaling methods which can be utilized until the end of the useful lifecycle of GSM networks.

11.2 Development of GSM

Mobile communications have become the most important method for exchanging information between persons, with regards to both voice and data. Long before devices utilizing electromagnetic waves were invented people tried to send and receive messages across distances. We have come a long way since the methods of the early days – like drumbeats and smoke signals. However, the actual content of person-to-person communication probably remains largely unchanged.

The communication of data was ignored in the early days of the development of modern mobile communications networks. However, even first generation analog devices such as NMT-phones (of Nordic Mobile Phone system) could be used to transfer data with the help of modems ...