The growth of the Internet andmobile computers is increasingthe requirements for mobile datatransmission. GPRS, as a mandato-ry service of GSM phase 2+, offers

the operator the opportunity topush mobile data into the massmarket and thereby extend theirtraditional business into newrevenue sources.

General Packet Radio ServiceGPRS

Our vision is to provide mobile

access to all kinds of informa-

tion.Wherever you are.

To anywhere in the world.

Functional Description

GPRS is a universal packet-switcheddata service in GSM based on IP. Itprovides higher mobile user data ratesby utilizing existing bandwidth moreefficiently. Three new network entitiesare necessary:

■ Gateway GPRS Support Node(GGSN)

■ Serving GPRS Support Node(SGSN)

■ Packet Control Unit (PCU) –an extension of the BSS

The Siemens solution offers thefollowing improvements:

■ New SGSN and GGSN nodesbased on a new powerful platform

■ PCU integrated into the BSC■ BTS extension via software

download■ HLR extension by GPRS specific

subscriber data

BTS

PSTN

ISDN

Internet

Internet

PSPDN

GatewayMSC

GatewayGSN

BSC PCU

VisitedMSC/VLR

Serving-GSN

circuit switched

The hardware of SGSN and GGSN isbased on the same new hardwareused in other high-end products ofSiemens’ communication technology.Highlights are:

■ Main Processor (MP) for theoperation system and applicationsoftware. One MP consists oftwo identical Main ProcessorUnits (MPU) working in micro-synchronous mode for hotredundancy

■ Memory per MPU scalablefrom 128 up to 512 MB SDRAM

■ Line Interface Circuits (LIC) toprovide connectivity of externalline interfaces to the ATMSwitching Network (ASN)

■ ATM Switching Network (ASN)for the interconnection ofMPs and LICs

■ High scalability due to the flexiblecombination of MPs and/or LICs

Fig. Functional Overview

packet switched: GPRS

HLR

Operator Benefits

■ New business opportunities in amarket with tremendous growthpotential

■ Better ratio of cost to bandwidth ■ Efficient use of radio resources■ Direct access to packet data net-

works (e.g. Internet)■ Optimized transfer media for fre-

quent point-to-point transmissionof small volumes of data and forpoint-to-multipoint transmission ina specific geographical area

■ Reliability ■ Scalability■ Integrated services, operation and

management■ Future-proof technology■ Priniciples of GPRS as the basis of

future networks■ Colocated system minimizes

operational effort■ SMS over GPRS leads to

an increase in efficiency in the air interface

■ Siemens GPRS hardware can bereused in UMTS networks

■ Ability to offer the successful prepaid solution to GPRS subscribers too

Applications

As a packet-oriented service, GPRStargets applications requiring bulkyand bursty data transfer for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint services.Therefore, it is well suited for a widerange of applications, e.g.:

■ Mobile Office■ Field sales/service■ Group call based services (e.g.

stock information)■ Wireless access to databases■ Mobile Internet access (e.g. WAP)■ Electronic commerce

- point of sale- electronic banking- electronic cash- electronic payment

■ Messaging■ Fleet management■ Road guide systems■ Security/supervisory systems■ Telemetry■ Reservation systems (e.g. hotel,

theater, flights)■ Highway charging systems ■ Location based infoservices

User Benefits

■ Cost reduction due to volume-dependent charging. The useronly pays for the amount of datatransfered, not for the durationof the connnection

■ Higher user data rates■ Faster Internet access■ New applications enabling real

plug and play■ PrePaid services also possible

for data

Fig. Hardware of SGSN and GGSN:SGSN and GGSN based on thesame easily upgradable hardware; redundancy is offered for thesehardware elements

ASNAMX

AMX

ASMG

GMX

LIC

LIC

LIC

#7 LIC

MP PD

SP:GTP

MP MM

MP SM

MP SLT

MP SA

SP:ISP

SP:BSSGP

Order No. A50001-N3-P34-4-7600 • Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany • MR M616 SIE_012_00 PA 01003.

COPYRIGHT© • Siemens AG 2000 • Information and Communication Networks • Communication on Air • Hofmannstr. 51• 81359 Munich • Germany •

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Contact us!!Visit our website athttp://www.siemens.com/ic/networks/ca

Abbreviations:

ASMG ATM Switching ModuleGigabit

ASN ATM Switching NetworkAMX ATM MultiplexerATM Asynchronous Transfer

ModeBSC Base Station ControllerBSS Base Station Subsystem BSSGP Base Station System GPRS

Protocol (Gb-Interface)BTS Base Transceiver StationCSU Channel Service UnitDSU Data Service UnitGGSN Gateway GPRS Support

NodeGMX Gigabit MultiplexerGPRS General Packet Radio

ServiceGSM Global System for Mobile

CommunicationGSN GPRS Support NodeGTP GPRS Tunneling Protocol

(Gn/p-Interface)HLR Home Location RegisterIP Internet ProtocolISDN Integrated Services Digital

Network

ISP Internet Service Provider(Gi-Interface)

LIC Line Interface CircuitMM Mobility ManagementMP Main ProcessorMPU Main Processor UnitMSC Mobile Switching CenterPCU Packet Control UnitPD Packet DispatcherPSPDN Public Switched Packet

Data NetworkSA Stand AloneSDRAM Synchronous Dynamic

Random Access MemorySGSN Serving GPRS Support

NodeSLT Signalling Line TerminationSM Signalling ManagerSMS Short Message ServiceSP Service ProcessorUMTS Universal Mobile

TelecommunicationsSystems

VLR Visitor Location RegisterWAP Wireless Application

Protocol