VGCSVBS
VGCSVBS
GBSS12.0
Feature Parameter Description
Issue 01
Date 2010-06-30
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GSM BSS
VGCS/VBS Contents
Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................1-1
1.1 Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1
1.2 Intended Audience ........................................................................................................................ 1-1
1.3 Change History.............................................................................................................................. 1-1
4 Engineering Guidelines...........................................................................................................4-1
5 Parameters .................................................................................................................................5-1
6 Counters ......................................................................................................................................6-1
7 Glossary ......................................................................................................................................7-1
8 Reference Documents .............................................................................................................8-1
1 Introduction
1.1 Scope
This document describes the technologies related to VGCS/VBS, eMLPP in VGCS/VBS, and
enhancement of VGCS/VBS in the GSM-R system.
Document Issues
The document issues are as follows:
01 (2010-06-30)
Draft (2010-03-30)
01 (2010-06-30)
This is the first release of GBSS12.0.
Compared with issue draft (2010-03-30) of GBSS12.0, issue 01 (2010-06-30) of GBSS12.0 incorporates
the changes described in the following table.
Draft (2010-03-30)
This is the draft release of GBSS12.0. .
2 Overview of VGCS/VBS
Compared with the traditional GSM system, the Railways Global System for Mobile communication
(GSM-R) has new features, such as the Voice Group Call Service (VGCS), Voice Broadcast Service
(VBS), and enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption (eMLPP) service. The GSM-R can
provide diversified voice dispatch services required in the private network.
VGCS
A VGCS call is a half-duplex group call that is established in a predefined area for multiple service
subscribers to participate in. Simply, VGCS is a service where several persons talk and more persons
listen.
VBS
VBS is a service where one person talks and several persons listen (no limitation on the number of
listeners).
The difference between VGCS and VBS is that only the initiator is allowed to talk during a VBS call
and other members are always in the listening state.
eMLPP
The eMLPP service provides seven priorities (A, B, 0-4).
The GSM-R system is a digital railway dispatching communications system, which is used for the
communication between the train dispatcher and the train drivers. Other independent and parallel radio
systems, such as the flat shunting communications system, tunnel radio system, and maintenance radio
system can be integrated into the GSM-R system to form a functionally mature integration system. In
addition, the GSM-R transmission can be used to establish a general railway communications system on
the basis of Auto Trail Control (ATC). The GSM-R radio interface supports the maximum speed of 500
km/h, so GSM-R can be used for high-speed trains.
If the core network of the traditional GSM network cannot be replaced, GSM-R services can be
forwarded through the BSC of the traditional GSM network. In this manner, the network investment is
reduced and the network construction is simplified.
3 Technical Description
3.1 VGCS
3.1.1 Overview
A VGCS call is a half-duplex group call that is established in a predefined area for multiple service
subscribers to participate in. (GBFD-510301 Public Voice Group Call Service)
For better understanding of VGCS/VBS, key concepts related to VGCS/VBS are described as follows:
Group call channel
The group call channel is similar to the traffic channel (TCH). When a VGCS or VBS call is established,
each cell in the group call area is assigned an A-interface circuit and radio channel.
In the group call area, the listening subscribers of the same VGCS call share the downlink of the
channel. The VGCS subscribers preempt the uplink of the channel at different time points. This
channel is called the group call channel.
Group call member
Any service subscriber or dispatcher participating in an ongoing VGCS call.
Notification channel (NCH)
The NCH is included in the BCCH. Similar to the paging channel, the NCH is used to broadcast the
notification messages. During a VGCS or VBS call, the notification messages are periodically sent on
the NCH so that the MS entering the group call area can join the call.
Call initiator
The service subscriber that initiates a VGCS or VBS call is called the call initiator.
Talker
At a specific time, only one group call member is allowed to talk over the uplink of the group call
channel. This group call member is called the talker. After the talker releases the channel, other group
call members preempt the uplink of the channel.
Listener
Except the talker, other group call members share and listen to the downlink of the group call channel.
These group call members are called the listeners.
Group call area (GCA)
Predefined in the network, the GCA is composed of one cell or a cluster of cells. The minimum unit of a
GCA is a cell.
Group call reference
If the group call members contain a mobile terminal, the group call reference consists of the 5-bit
(decimal coding) GCA ID and the 3-bit (decimal coding) group ID. The group call reference is used for
the dispatching terminal to initiate a VGCS call.
If the group call members are only fixed-line terminals, the group call reference is the wired group call
number.
Dispatcher
The dispatcher is the group call member that is entitled to service dispatching. A dispatcher can be a
mobile or fixed-line terminal. Each VGCS or VBS call has a maximum of five dispatchers. The
dispatchers can participate in the call through the dedicated channel established by the network.
Anchor MSC/Relay MSC
If a GCA covers several MSCs, the MSC responsible for call management is called the anchor MSC
and the other MSCs are called the relay MSCs.
− The anchor MSC is responsible for the establishment of all the connections, including the
connections to the specified cells under the MSC, to the related relay MSCs, and to the dispatchers.
The anchor MSC also distributes speech signals.
− Only one link is required between each relay MSC and the anchor MSC. Each relay MSC distributes
the downlink speech signals to all the cells under the MSC.
Notification response
If the following conditions are met, the MS assigns this cell the group call channel by starting the
notification response procedure: First, the cell is not assigned the group call channel. Second, the cell
has a VGCS subscriber or a VGCS subscriber is reselected to the cell from another cell. Third, the
NCH notification message does not contain the channel description. Fourth, a VGCS subscriber needs
to join the VGCS call.
The members of a VGCS call are classified into dispatchers and service subscribers.
Dispatcher
A VGCS call has a maximum of five dispatchers, which can be fixed-line or mobile subscribers. In a
VGCS call, dispatchers participate in the speech conversation through a dedicated channel that is
established by the network.
Service subscriber
Mobile subscriber that subscribes to the VGCS. In a VGCS call, a destination service subscriber
participates in the speech conversation through the voice group call channel in the group call area.
In a VGCS call, only one service subscriber and a maximum of five dispatchers are allowed to talk
simultaneously at any specific time. A listening service subscriber can participate in the speech
conversation by requesting the seizure of the uplink of the group call channel (by pressing the PTT key).
The seizure of the uplink of the group call channel is performed on a first-come, first-served basis. In
other words, the service subscriber that seizes the uplink first has the right to talk. Other service
subscribers can request the seizure of the uplink only when the uplink is idle.
A dispatcher has a dedicated channel. Therefore, a dispatcher can participate in the speech
conversation at any time without seizing the uplink.
A service subscriber is allowed to establish a call to a group of subscribers that belong to a predefined
service area and group ID. During the call, all the dispatchers can talk and all the service subscribers
seize one uplink channel. The service area can be made up of a certain cells belonging to one or more
MSCs. During the call, each cell involved has a group call channel, where the uplink is available for only
the current talker (group transmit mode) and the downlink available for all the listeners to camp on
(group receive mode). The notification messages are broadcast on the notification channel (NCH).
The group call register (GCR) is configured with VGCS data (including VGCS type, VGCS reference,
and cell list).
The calling service subscriber initiates a call in the group call area.
The prerequisites for a dispatcher to initiate a VGCS call are as follows:
The anchor MSC is configured with the prefix of the VGCS call.
The anchor MSC is configured with the dispatcher ID and the dispatcher has the right to originate a
call.
Channel Request(1)
Channel Required(2)
Channel Activation(3)
Channel Activation
ACK(4)
Immediate Assignment(5)
SABM(CM
Service Request)(6) Establish
Indication(CM CR(Complete L3
UA(CM Service Request)(7)
Service Request)(8) INFO)(9)
CC(10)
CM Service Accept(11)
Setup(12)
Assignment Request(13)
Channel Activation(14)
Channel Activation
ACK(15)
Assignment Command(16) VGCS/VBS Setup(17)
7. The BTS sends the BSC an Establish Indication message, containing the cause for MS access.
8. The BSS establishes an SCCP connection on the A interface and sends the MSC a Complete Layer3
Information message.
9. The MSC responds to the BSC with a Connection Confirm message.
10. The MSC responds to the MS with a CM Service Accept message.
11. The MS of the calling service subscriber sends a Setup message on the SDCCH.
12. After receiving the Setup message, the MSC sends the BSC an Assignment Request message,
requesting the assignment of traffic channels (TCHs).
13. After receiving the Assignment Request message, the BSC sends the BTS a Channel Activation
message.
14. After receiving the Channel Activation message, the BTS sends the BSC a Channel Activation
Acknowledge message.
15. The BSC sends the MS an Assignment Command message to assign the MS a dedicated TCH.
16. The MSC sends the BSC a VGCS Setup message to establish a VGCS call control connection. The
uplink management messages are transmitted on the connection. This connection is not released
until the call is complete.
17. The BSC sends the MSC a VGCS Setup Acknowledge message to acknowledge the establishment
of the VGCS call control connection.
18. The MSC sends each cell in this group call area a VGCS Assignment Request message, requesting
the establishment of the group call channel. The message contains the group call reference.
19. After receiving the VGCS Assignment Request message, the BSC sends the BTS a Channel
Activation message to establish the group call channel.
20. After receiving the Channel Activation message, the BTS sends the BSC a Channel Activation
Acknowledge message.
21. The BSC sends the MS a Notification Command message, indicating that the group call channel is
established successfully. At the same time, the BSC responds to the MSC with a VGCS Assignment
Result message.
22. At the same time, the dedicated TCH between the MS and the network is established.
23. The BSC sends the MSC an Assignment Complete message.
24. After receiving the Assignment Complete message, the MSC sends the MS a Connect message,
indicating that the VGCS call connection is successfully established.
25. At the same time, the BSC sends the MSC a Clear Request message, requesting the release of CC
connection on the A interface.
26. The MSC sends the BSC a Clear Command message to release the CC connection on the A
interface.
27. At the same time, the BSC releases the SDCCH occupied during the establishment of the VGCS call.
If the channel establishment mode in the VGCS Assignment Request message is immediate establishment of group
call channel, the BSC assigns a TCH as the group call channel. Then, the BSC sends on the NCH and FACCH a
notification message that contains group call channel description. After detecting the notification message, the MS is
automatically switched to listen on the group call channel.
If the channel establishment mode in the VGCS Assignment Request message is delayed establishment of group call
channel, the BSC directly responds to the MSC with a VGCS Assignment Complete message. Then, the BSC sends
on the NCH and FACCH a notification message that does not contain group call channel description. After detecting the
notification message, the MS initiates the notification response procedure.
Handing Over the Initiator from the Dedicated Channel to the Group Call
Channel as a Talker
When a VGCS call is established, the system assigns a dedicated channel for the initiator to talk. After
the group call channel of the cell is successfully assigned, the MSC assigns the initiator the group call
channel to continue talking through the SCCP connection on the dedicated channel.
If the MSC does not support the assignment of the group call channel to the initiator as a talker, the
initiator occupies the dedicated channel all the time. The MSC instructs the BSC to assign the group call
channel to the initiator as a listener only when the initiator stops talking by releasing the PTT key.
Figure 3-2 shows the procedure for handing over the initiator from the dedicated channel to the group
call channel as a talker.
Figure 3-2 Handing over the initiator from the dedicated channel to the group call channel as a talker
3.1.4 Release and Seizure of the Uplink of the Group Call Channel
After the talk is complete, the VGCS subscriber can release the uplink of the group call channel by
pressing the PTT key. The MSC can limit the talking duration of a subscriber by requesting the BSC to
release the uplink of the group call channel. After the uplink of the group call channel is released, other
subscribers can request to be the talker by preempting the uplink.
Uplink Release
The uplink release involves the following: assigning group call channel to the initiator as a listener, talker
releasing the uplink, and BSC releasing the uplink.
Assigning group call channel to the initiator as a listener
When the initiator seizes the dedicated channel, the MSC instructs the BSC to assign the group call
channel to the initiator as a listener if the talk is complete and the uplink is released.
Talker releasing the uplink
The talker stops talking and the BSC releases the uplink of the group call channel. At the same time,
the BSC informs the MSC that the uplink of the group call channel is released. Then, the MSC informs
other BSCs of the release of the uplink. Thus, other subscribers can request to be the talker by
preempting the uplink.
BSC releasing the uplink
During an ongoing VGCS call, if the MSC requires that the uplink of the group call channel be released
because of the limitation on the talking duration of a subscriber, the MSC instructs the BSC to release
the uplink. Then, the BSC releases the uplink and instructs the talker to stop talking.
Uplink Seizure
For the VGCS, any subscriber can request to talk. At a specific time, however, only one subscriber
(except dispatchers) can talk. If a service subscriber wants to talk, the service subscriber must seize the
uplink of the group call channel by pressing the PTT key. The VGCS subscriber can request to seize the
uplink of the group call channel only when the uplink is idle.
If the group call area covers the cells of several BSCs, the MSC should inform other BSCs that the uplink
of the group call channel is seized when the subscriber served by one BSC successfully seizes the
uplink.
talker is triggered. Figure 3-3 shows the procedure for the intra-BSC inter-cell handover upon the
seizure of group call channel by the talker.
Figure 3-3 Procedure for the intra-BSC inter-cell handover upon the seizure of group call channel by the
talker
Measurement
Measurement Report(1)
Channel Result(2)
Activation(3) SACCH
Channel
Channel Activation Modify
Acknowledge(4) Prepare(5)
Handover
Handover Command(6)
Access(7)
FACCH
FACCH Start T3103
Start T3124
Handover
Access(7) Handover Detect(8)
FACCH
PHY INFO(9)
FACCH
Stop T3124
SABM(10) Establish
Indication(11)
FACCH
UA(12)
FACCH Handover
Complete(13)
FACCH
Stop T3103
Handover
Performed(14)
The procedure for the intra-BSC inter-cell handover upon the seizure of group call channel by the
talker is similar to the normal call procedure. The difference is that the VGCS call handover is
performed only between the cells in the group call area. If the target cell is beyond the group call area,
the MS is handed over to the dedicated TCH of the target cell. After receiving a Handover Perform
message, the MSC, however, finds that the target cell is beyond the group call area and then clears
the uplink of the group call channel forcibly.
Inter-BSC handover
If the talker moves to the cell under another BSC in the same group call area, or if an intra-cell
handover is performed, the procedure for the inter-BSC handover upon the seizure of group call
channel by the talker is triggered.
Figure 3-4 shows the procedure for the inter-BSC handover upon the seizure of group call channel by
the talker.
Figure 3-4 Procedure for the inter-BSC handover upon the seizure of group call channel by the talker
Measurement
Handover
Report from MS(1) Handover
Required(2) Channel
SACCH Request(3)
Activation(4)
Start T7
Channel Activation
Handover Request Acknowledge(5)
Handover Acknowledge(6)
Command(7)
Stop T7
Handover
Handover
Command(8) Handover
Command(9)
Access(9)
FACCH
Start T8
Start T3124
Handover
Handover Access(10)
Handover Detect(11)
FACCH
Detect(12)
PHY
INFO(13)
FACCH
Stop T3124
Establish SABM(14)
Indication(15) FACCH
UA(16)
FACCH
Handover
Handover Complete(17)
Handover Complete(18)
Handover Complete(19) FACCH
Succeed(20)
Stop T8
Clear
Complete(21)
The procedure for the inter-BSC handover upon the seizure of group call channel by the talker is
similar to the normal call procedure. The differences are as follows:
− After the handover is complete, the MSC sends the original BSC a Handover Succeed message
instead of Clear Command message.
− The VGCS call handover is performed only between the cells in the group call area. If the target cell
is beyond the group call area, the MS is handed over to the dedicated TCH of the target cell. During the
handover, if the MSC finds that the target cell is beyond the group call area, the MSC clears the uplink
of the group call channel forcibly.
Among the service subscribers, only the calling service subscriber can release the VGCS call. Other
service subscribers cannot release the VGCS call, but they can leave the call, without affecting the
ongoing call. The calling service subscriber can leave or terminate the call.
After the calling dispatcher hangs up the phone, the VGCS call is released.
During a VGCS call, if no dispatcher is connected to the network or no service subscriber seizes the
uplink channel in the predefined period, the MSC automatically releases the call.
3.2 VBS
3.2.1 Overview
The VBS is similar to the VGCS. The difference is that only the initiator is allowed to talk during a VBS
call and other members are always in the listening state. (GBFD-510302 Public Voice Broadcast
Service)
The members of a VBS call are classified into dispatchers and service subscribers.
Dispatcher
A VBS call has a maximum of five dispatchers, which can be fixed-line or mobile subscribers. In a VBS
call, dispatchers participate in the speech conversation through a dedicated channel that is
established by the network.
Service subscriber
A mobile subscriber that subscribes to the VBS is called a service subscriber. In a VBS call, a
destination service subscriber participates in the speech conversation through the voice broadcast
channel in the group call area.
The calling dispatcher is allowed to establish a call to a group of subscribers that belong to a predefined
service area and group ID. During the call, only the initiator is allowed to talk and other dispatchers and
service subscribers are only allowed to listen. The service area can be made up of cells belonging to one
or more MSCs. During the call, each cell involved has a voice broadcast channel, where the uplink is
available for only the current talker (group transmit mode) and the downlink available for all the listeners
to camp on (group receive mode). The notification messages are broadcast on the notification channel
(NCH).
Assigning the Initiator a Dedicated Channel and Then the Voice Broadcast
Channel as a Talker
When a VBS call is established, the system assigns a dedicated channel for the initiator to talk. After the
voice broadcast channel is successfully assigned, the MSC assigns the voice broadcast channel for the
initiator to continue talking through the SCCP connection on the dedicated channel.
If the MSC does not support the assignment of the voice broadcast channel to the initiator as a talker, the
initiator occupies the dedicated channel all the time. The MSC instructs the BSC to assign the group call
channel to the initiator only when the initiator stops talking by releasing the PTT key. In this case, the
initiator becomes a listener.
DLTESTRESENDINT. If the BSC does not receive an acknowledge message from a VGCS subscriber
after the number of retransmissions reaches the DLTESTRESENDNUM, the BSC releases the group
call channel in the cell to save the channel resources.
After the group call channel is released, the BSS sends a notification message (without channel
description) in the cell. If a VGCS subscriber enters this cell, the group call channel is reactivated
through the notification response procedure without affecting the ongoing services.
2(for subscription)
3(for subscription)
4(lowest, for subscription)
Priorities A and B are the highest priorities, and are used for only network maintenance. Priorities A and
B are meaningful for the local MSC. In the areas out of the control of the local MSC, priorities A and B are
regarded as priority 0. Other priorities are applicable globally and can be used in different networks.
Before the VGCS attribute data of a VGCS/VBS call is obtained, the priority of the call is determined
according to the priority of the calling service subscriber. After the VGCS attribute data of a VGCS/VBS
call is obtained, the priority of the call is determined according to the priority of the group specified in the
GCR.
For details of the eMLPP function, see eMLPP Feature Parameter Description. The application of
eMLPP in VGCS/VBS is described here.
Periodical VGCS resource checks are performed on the BSC and BTS to eliminate inconsistent VGCS
calls. At present, the VGCS resource check function can be used to solve the problem that a VGCS
call exists on the BTS side but does not exist on the BSC side.
The fallback function takes effect quickly and effectively during emergencies, such as emergency service,
disaster relief, first aid, and emergency evacuation. The fallback function is mandatory for Public Access
Mobile Radio (PAMR) networks.
When the BSS system malfunctions, the following condition may occur: A VGCS call is terminated but
the BTS periodically sends the notification message. Thus, an MS responds repeatedly, but it cannot join
the VGCS call. If the periodical VGCS resource check is performed on the BSC and BTS, the following
case can be avoided: A VGCS call exists on the BTS side but does not exist on the BSC side.
3.9.1 Fallback
In fallback mode, if a VGCS call is configured in the BTS, the BTS initiates the VGCS call once
transmission is disrupted. Subscribers can seize the uplink but cannot abort the VGCS call. If a VGCS
call is not configured in the BTS, subscribers can initiate VGCS calls.
The features of the fallback function are as follows:
The disruption and recovery of transmission links are automatically detected.
After the BTS enters the fallback mode, the MS keeps communicating with the network.
After a transmission link is disrupted, the network initiates the previously configured VGCS call.
Subscribers automatically participate in the group.
A subscriber can become the talking subscriber in the group.
The talking duration of a subscriber can be limited so that resources are optimally allocated.
In the case of multiple cells under a BTS, the BTS can initiate cross-cell VGCS calls.
The parameters related to the fallback function can be configured on the Local Maintenance Terminal.
These parameters are as follows:
ENABLE
STARTTIME
STOPTIME
NOVGCSTIME
UPLNKMAXLENGTH
CHNTYPE
GROUPCALLNUM1
GROUPCALLNUM2
SPEECHVERSION
2. After receiving the VGCS resource check message, the BTS sends the BSC a list of ongoing VGCS
calls in the cells under the BTS.
3. Based on the list of ongoing VGCS calls reported by the BTS and the group call reference table in the
BSC, the BSC performs consistency check. If a VGCS call does not exist in the group call reference
table, the BSC sends the BTS a notification message, instructing the BTS to abort the VGCS call.
4. If none of the cells under the BTS has VGCS calls, the BTS does not send any message to the BSC.
4 Engineering Guidelines
If the core network of the traditional GSM system cannot be replaced with the GSM-R core network,
GSM-R services and traditional GSM services can be processed in the same network. That is, the BSC
implements the function of forwarding GSM-R services. Figure 4-1 shows the co-networking of GSM-R
services and traditional GSM services. (GBFD-510310 GSM-T Relay)
Figure 4-1 Co-networking of GSM-R services and traditional GSM services
SGSN/GGSN
GSM services MSC
Cluster MSC
BSC
BTS BTS
BTS
The BSC is connected to both the public MSC and the cluster MSC, and the two MSCs are independent
of each other. Whether the public MSC supports MSC Pool has no impact on the cluster MSC. One BSC
can be shared by multiple operators. Each operator has only one cluster MSC. The co-networking
solution does not affect the total number of signaling points supported by the BSC.
SptPaging must be set to YES to enable the BSC to forward GSM-R services.
5 Parameters
Table 5-1 Parameters Description
Parameter ID NE MML Description
GCSCHNASSULCHN BSC6900 SET Meaning: Whether the
EN GCELLGSMR(Optional) assignment of channels in
overlaid subcells is enabled for
the VGCS service in the case
of underlaid subcell
congestion. Generally, only the
channels in underlaid subcells
can be assigned to the VGCS
service.
6 Counters
For the counters, see the BSC6900 GSM Performance Counter Reference.
7 Glossary
For the acronyms, abbreviations, terms, and definitions, see the Glossary.
8 Reference Documents
[1] 3GPP TS 42.068 V4.2.0 (Stage 1)
[2] 3GPP TS 43.068 V4.6.0 (Stage 2)
[3] 3GPP TS 42.069 V4.2.0 (Stage 1)
[4] 3GPP TS 43.069 V4.5.0 (Stage 2)
[5] 3GPP TS 03.67 V7.2.0
[6] 3GPP TS 48.008 V4.10.0
[7] 3GPP TS 48.058 V4.1.0
[8] 3GPP TS 44.018 V4.23.0
[9] BSC6900 Feature List
[10] BSC6900 Optional Feature Description
[11] BSC6900 GSM Parameter Reference
[12] BSC6900 GSM MML Command Reference
[13] BSC6900 GSM Performance Counter Reference