GSM Network Infrastructure: Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

GSM Network Infrastructure

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

• Also known as a Base Station or Cell Site
• Responsible for transmitting and receiving radio signals to/from mobile devices
• Comprises of:
  • Transceivers (trx) that transmit and receive radio signals
  • Antennas that amplify and direct the signals
  • Power supplies and backup systems
• Can have multiple transceivers to support multiple frequencies and cells
• Typically located at the cell site, but can be co-located with other BTSs

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)

• Also known as the Mobile Telephone Exchange (MTX)
• Responsible for controlling multiple Base Station Controllers (BSCs) and connecting calls between them
• Performs:
  • Handover management between cells
  • Routing of calls between the PSTN and mobile networks
  • Authentication and billing functions
• Acts as a gateway between the GSM network and the PSTN
• Typically located in a central location, serving a large area

Base Station Controller (BSC)

• Responsible for controlling multiple Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs)
• Performs:
  • Radio resource management (e.g., channel allocation, power control)
  • Handover management between BTSs
  • Traffic management and congestion control
• Acts as an intermediary between the BTS and the MSC
• Typically located near the BTS sites or in a central location

Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)

• Responsible for monitoring and controlling the GSM network
• Performs:
  • Real-time monitoring of network performance and alarms
  • Remote software updates and configuration management
  • Fault detection and correction
• Typically located in a central location, serving the entire network

Packet Control Unit (PCU)

• Responsible for controlling packet data transmission in the GSM network
• Performs:
  • Packet routing and forwarding
  • Packet scheduling and prioritization
  • Traffic shaping and policing
• Typically co-located with the BSC or MSC
• Enables GPRS and EDGE data services in the GSM network

GSM Network Overview

• Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a 2G mobile network standard
• Uses Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) for radio resource management
• Network architecture consists of BTS, BSC, MSC, OMC, and PCU components
• Enables voice and data services, including GPRS and EDGE

GSM Network Infrastructure

Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

• Transmits and receives radio signals to/from mobile devices
• Comprises of transceivers, antennas, power supplies, and backup systems
• Can have multiple transceivers to support multiple frequencies and cells
• Typically located at the cell site, but can be co-located with other BTSs

Mobile Switching Center (MSC)

• Controls multiple Base Station Controllers (BSCs) and connects calls between them
• Performs handover management between cells, routing of calls, and authentication and billing functions
• Acts as a gateway between the GSM network and the PSTN
• Typically located in a central location, serving a large area

Base Station Controller (BSC)

• Controls multiple Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs)
• Performs radio resource management, handover management, and traffic management
• Acts as an intermediary between the BTS and the MSC
• Typically located near the BTS sites or in a central location

Operation and Maintenance Center (OMC)

• Monitors and controls the GSM network
• Performs real-time monitoring, remote software updates, and fault detection and correction
• Typically located in a central location, serving the entire network

Packet Control Unit (PCU)

• Controls packet data transmission in the GSM network
• Performs packet routing, scheduling, and prioritization, and traffic shaping and policing
• Enables GPRS and EDGE data services in the GSM network
• Typically co-located with the BSC or MSC

GSM Network Overview

• Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) is a 2G mobile network standard
• Uses FDMA and TDMA for radio resource management
• Network architecture consists of BTS, BSC, MSC, OMC, and PCU components
• Enables voice and data services, including GPRS and EDGE

Learn about the components and functions of a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in a GSM network, including transceivers, antennas, and power supplies. Understand how it supports multiple frequencies and cells.