Mobile Interfaces (GSM Originating Call) Cell Mobile Network Mobile Station Base Stations NSS User Mobile

BSS MSC VLR

Fixed Network PSTN PSTN

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LEG: GSM Mobile Originated Call This sequence diagram was generated with EventStudio System Designer 4.0 (http://www.EventHelix.com/EventStudio). Copyright 2008 EventHelix.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. The EventStudio source files for this document can be downloaded from http://www.eventhelix.com/call-flow/gsm-call-setup.zip. This scenario describes the call setup for a GSM originating call. A mobile user calling a land line subscriber is covered here. Copyright 2000-2008 EventHelix.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. Send Button Begin RR Connection Establishment Call related information needs to be transported from the mobile phone to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC). This requires the establishment of a Radio Resource (RR) connection to MSC. The first phase of the call setup just sets up this RR connection. RR CHANNEL REQUEST
RACH

.. presses the Send button

RR connection establishment is triggered by sending the Channel Request message. This message requests the Base Station System (BSS) for allocation for radio resources for the RR connection setup. The mobile now waits for an assignment on the Access Grant Channel (AGCH). At this point the mobile is listening to the AGCH for a reply.

Note: The RR CHANNEL REQUEST is sent on a Random Access Channel (RACH). This is a slotted aloha channel that can be used at random, without any coordination between the mobiles. Any mobile can transmit on this channel whenever it wishes. If two mobiles transmit on the channel at the same time, their messages will be lost in a collision. The mobiles will detect the collision via a timeout and retransmit the message after a random back off. RR IMMEDIATE ASSIGNMENT
AGCH, Radio_Resource = (TCH, Frequency, Timeslot), Time Correction, Frequency Correction

Apply the time and frequency corrections

Tune to the frequency and timeslot

RR SABM + MM CM SERVICE REQUEST

RR UA
TCH, SAPI = 0

The BSS transmits the radio resource assignment to the Mobile via the AGCH channel. The message also contains the time and frequency corrections. The time corrections allow the mobile to time it's transmissions so that they reach the BSS only in the specified slot. The frequency corrections correct for the Doppler shift caused by the mobile's motion. Adjust the frequency and timing based on the advice from the BSS. This step is required so that transmissions from the mobile reach the base station at the precise time and with the correct frequency. The mobile detunes from the AGCH and tunes to the specified radio channel. This is the first message that is sent after tuning to the channel. The Mobile initiates a LAPm connection with the BSC by sending a Set Asynchronous Balanced Mode (SABM) message. The service request message meant for the MSC is also sent in this message. The BSS replies with Unnumbered Acknowledge (UA) to complete the LAPm setup handshake LEG: Skip Authentication Procedure

Enable Ciphering RR CIPHERING MODE COMMAND

Enable ciphering for received and transmitted data

The BSS sends the CIPHERING MODE COMMAND to the mobile. The mobile will be able to receive this message as the transmission from the BSS is still in clear. As a second step, the Mobile receives the message and enables ciphering in transmit and receive directions. This action will result in all BSS data being received in error. (The BSS is still transmitting data in clear.)

Mobile Interfaces (GSM Originating Call) Cell Mobile Network Mobile Station Base Stations NSS User Mobile BSS MSC VLR RR CIPHERING MODE COMPLETE
mode = CIPHERED

Fixed Network PSTN PSTN

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Ciphering has already been enabled, so this message is transmitted with ciphering. The BSS will receive this message as it is already expecting ciphered data in the receive direction.

RR Connection Establishment Completed At this point a connection has been setup between the Mobile and the MSC. From this point onward, the BSS is just acting as a conduit for transporting the signaling messages between the Mobile and the MSC. Call Setup CC SETUP
Dialed Digits

CC CALL PROCEEDING Connecting...

The Mobile sends the setup message to establish a voice call. The message contains the dialed digits and other information needed for call establishment. The mobile is informed that the call setup is in progress. At this point, the mobile phone displays a message on the screen to indicate that call setup is being attempted. The BSS notifies the Mobile about the changeover to voice mode. Mobile acknowledges. The MSC informs the mobile that the called subscriber is being alerted via a ring

Mode Modify RR CHANNEL MODE MODIFY RR CHANNEL MODE MODIFY ACKNOWLEDGE CC ALERTING Alerting Tone CC CONNECT CC CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE Connected Conversation Call Release End Button CC DISCONNECT CC RELEASE CC RELEASE COMPLETE RR Connection Release RR CHANNEL RELEASE RR DISC RR UA Call Released Indication The BSS initiates RR release with the mobile. The mobile sends a disconnect message to release the LAPm connection. The BSS replies with an Unnumbered Acknowledge message. Mobile goes back to the default display to indicate that call has been completely released. LEG: Mobile initiates call release The mobile subscriber hits End to clear the call. The mobile sends the disconnect message to the MSC. The MSC informs the Mobile that it has initiated call release Mobile indicates that the call has been released. The MSC informs the mobile that the call has been answered. Acknowledge the recipt of CC CONNECT. Display that the call has been connected.