Mobile Communication Systems and Radio Networks

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering radio transmissions, GSM architecture, GPRS, EDGE, and UMTS (3G) concepts.

Radio transmissions

Electromagnetic waves (EM waves) that propagate through space and enable wireless communication.

f = 1/T

The formula for frequency where $f$ is the frequency and $T$ is the period.

Channel Capacity (C)

The maximum data rate of a channel, determined by bandwidth ($B$) and the signal-to-noise ratio ($s/n$).

PCM (Pulse Code Modulation)

A digital representation of an analog signal used in MS voice processing, typically with sampling at $8\,\text{kHz}$ and $8\text{-bit}$ resolution.

FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)

A channel access method where the frequency spectrum is divided into distinct frequency bands assigned to users.

TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)

An access method where the shared medium is divided into time slots, and each user is assigned a specific slot.

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)

A channel access method where multiple users share the same frequency and time, separated by unique codes.

BTS (Base Transceiver Station)

The equipment that facilitates wireless communication between user equipment and a network, serving a single cell.

Handover

The process of a mobile station transitioning between cells during an active communication to ensure an uninterrupted connection.

BSS (Base Station Subsystem)

The section of a traditional cellular network which is responsible for handling traffic and signaling between a mobile phone and the network switching subsystem.

NSS (Network Switching Subsystem)

The core network of GSM that carries out call switching and mobility management functions.

OSS (Operation Support System)

The functional entity used for the operation and maintenance of the network.

HLR (Home Location Register)

The central database that contains details of each mobile phone subscriber authorized to use the GSM core network.

VLR (Visitor Location Register)

A database that contains temporary information about subscribers who are currently roaming in the area of a particular MSC.

TCH (Traffic Channel)

A logical channel used for the transmission of speech and user data.

CCH (Control Channel)

Logical channels used for signaling, synchronization, and control information.

FDD (Frequency Division Duplex)

A method where uplink and downlink transmissions use separate frequency bands.

TDD (Time Division Duplex)

A method where uplink and downlink transmissions alternate in time on the same frequency band.

A/D Converter in MS

Converts analog voice signals to digital data using sampling at $8\,\text{kHz}$ and $13\text{-bits}$, resulting in a speed of approximately $104\,\text{kb/s}$.

RPE-LTP

A source coding method used for data compression in GSM to reduce rate from $104\,\text{kb/s}$ to $13\,\text{kb/s}$.

GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying)

The modulation technique used in GSM with a transmission rate of $270.83\,\text{kb/s}$.

IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity)

A unique identifier stored on the SIM card used for identifying a subscriber within the network.

TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity)

A temporary identity assigned to a subscriber to provide anonymity and prevent tracking on the radio interface.

A3 Algorithm

The security algorithm used in GSM for the authentication of the user.

A8 Algorithm

The algorithm used in GSM to generate the encryption key (cipher key).

TDMA Frame size

A frame consisting of 8 time slots, where each slot is $0.577\,\text{ms}$ and the total frame length is $4.615\,\text{ms}$.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)

A 2.5G technology that enables packet-oriented data transfer over GSM by utilizing free TDMA time slots.

SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node)

A node responsible for the delivery of data packets from and to the mobile stations within its service area, handling registration and mobility.

GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node)

A gateway that connects the GPRS network to external IP networks like the Internet.

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution)

A 2.75G technology that uses 8PSK modulation to achieve higher data rates than standard GPRS, reaching up to $473.6\,\text{kb/s}$.

UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System)

A 3G mobile network technology using the UTRAN access network and WCDMA air interface.

WCDMA (Wideband CDMA)

An air interface used in 3G networks based on spread spectrum technology where each user has a unique code.

UE (User Equipment)

The user device in UMTS, consisting of Mobile Equipment (ME) and the USIM card.

Node B

The base station in UMTS networks, responsible for WCDMA coding, modulation, and radio transmission.

RNC (Radio Network Controller)

The element in UMTS that manages multiple Node Bs and handles radio resource allocation and handovers.

IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)

A framework for delivering IP multimedia services, such as VoIP and multimedia communication, in mobile networks.

QoS (Quality of Service)

A measure of network performance based on parameters like delay, jitter, Bit Error Rate (BER), and transmission rate.

BER (Bit Error Rate)

The percentage of bits that have errors relative to the total number of bits received in a transmission.