GSM
ARFCN
Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number
AGCH
Access Grant Channel
AMPS
Advanced Mobile Phone Systems was an early provider of 1G wireless services in the US, Australia, Asia, and Africa.
Logical Channels
Are a burst of digital information, both voice or data traffic.
Logical Channels
Are mapped on a 200 kHz wide channel and designed to fit into one of the GSM TDMA timeslots.
0-124 and 975-1023
Are the ARFCN assignments for EGSM 900
512-885
Are the ARFCN assignments for GSM 1800/DCS
512-810
Are the ARFCN assignments for GSM 1900/PCS
128-251
Are the ARFCN assignments for GSM 850
1-124
Are the ARFCN assignments for PGSM 900
900 MHz and 1800 MHz
Are the two common GSM bands in Europe and the rest of the world.
850 MHz and 1900 MHz
Are the two common GSM bands in the continental United States (CONUS).
FCCH and SCH
Are two logical broadcast channels that are always broadcast together with the broadcast control channel (BCCH).
ACCH
Associated Control Channel
AuC
Authentication Center
BRL
Barred Roaming List
BSC
Base Station Color Code
BSC
Base Station Controller
BSIC
Base Station Identity Code
BSS
Base Station Subsystem
BTS
Base Transceiver Station
BCH
Broadcast Channels
BCCH
Broadcast Control Channel
MSISDN
Can be 10-14 digits long but is generally 10-12 and is the permanent dialed number of a wireless telephone.
CGI
Cell Global Identification
CI
Cell Identity
CRO
Cell Reselection Offset
CDMA
Code Division Multiple Access
CCCH
Common Control Channel
T
Countdown timer current value
CC
Country Code
DCCH
Dedicated Control Channels
First Generation (1G)
Developed in the 1980's and is an analog system.
Second Generation (2G)
Developed in the 1990's and is a digital system.
3rd Generation (3G)
Developed in the 2000s, is a digital system with high speed data capabilities, and consists of UMTS, CDMA, and HSDPA.
European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)
Developed the GSM standard for protocols considered to be the second generation of digital cellular networks.
GSM
Early 2G service utilizing FDMA and TDMA and used worldwide.
IS-54/136
Early 2G service utilizing TDMA and used in the US
IS-95 A/B
Early 2G service utilizing cdmaOne and used in the US.
EDGE
Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
EIR
Equipment Identity Register
FACCH
Fast Associated Control Channel
1G
First generation analog cellular networks
FCCH
Frequency Correction Channel
FCH
Frequency Correction Channel
FDMA
Frequency Division Multiple Access
GMSC
Gateway Mobile Switching Center
GMSK
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying
GPRS
General Packet Radio Services
GSM
Global System for Mobile Communications
CI
Has a fixed length of 2 octets, can be coded using a full hexadecimal representation, and, when added to a location area code (LAC), is used to identify a cell within a base station subsystem (BSS) that is within a specific location area.
HLR
Home Location Register
Umbrella
In this example, a layer of micro cells is covered by at least one macro cell. The macro cell in this example is the covering cell but is also referred to as what?
TCH
In what type of logical dedicated control channel (DCCH) exists a combination of voice and data signals within the communication channel?
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network
IMEI
International Mobile Equipment Identity
IMSI
International Mobile Subscriber Identity
SDCCH
Is a DCCH not tied to the existence of a traffic channel and is used for signaling between a mobile station (MS) and the base station subsystem (BSS) when no active connection exists.
IMSI
Is a GSM component comprised of the Mobile Country Code (MCC), the Mobile Network Code (MNC), and the Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN).
IMSI
Is a GSM component made up of a 15 digit number that is responsible for identifying a specific subscriber to the GSM network.
BCH
Is a UNIDIRECTIONAL channel used by the base station to broadcast the same information to all mobile stations utilizing a specific cell.
4th Generation (4G)
Is a broadband data service and consists of LTE, LTE-A, and WiMAX.
FCH
Is a burst used to help a MS tune to the strongest control channel it sees.
*#06#
Is a code that gives up the IMEI when the code is dialed on the keypad of a handset
MSIN
Is a component of the IMSI and is assigned to a specific SIM card by the service provider. Is the last 9 digits of the IMSI.
HLR
Is a component of the NSS and, ordinarily, each network (PLMN) only has one.
EIR
Is a component of the NSS that is OPTIONAL and is generally not used.
Reverse/Uplink Frequency
Is a frequency within a GSM physical channel and carries information from the phone to the tower.
Forward/Downlink Frequency
Is a frequency within a GSM physical channel and carries information from the tower to the phone.
BA List
Is a list of allowable ARFCNs the mobile station can use for reselection if one were to become stronger.
Neighbor List
Is a list of the 6 strongest ARFCNs found in the BA List. This list is determined by the handset.
BCCH
Is a logical broadcast channel found on the air link Um interface.
FCCH
Is a logical broadcast channel that acts as a beacon and transmits information about correction of the transmission frequency.
SCH
Is a logical broadcast channel that transmits data for the frame synchronization of a mobile station (MS).
SCH
Is a logical broadcast channel that transmits information that is used to identify a base transceiver station (BTS). The base station identity code (BSIC) is an example of the information broadcast on this channel.
BCCH
Is a logical broadcast channel used to transmit radio channel configurations, neighbor cells, synchronization information (frequencies and frame numbering), and network information to user mobile stations.
CCCH
Is a logical channel that is responsible for the assignment of dedicated channels and paging to localize a mobile station (MS).
AGCH
Is a logical common control channel (CCCH) and is the downlink portion of the CCCH.
RACH
Is a logical common control channel (CCCH) and is the uplink portion of the CCCH.
AGCH
Is a logical common control channel (CCCH) that is used to assign a standalone dedicated control channel (SDCCH) or a traffic channel (TCH) to a mobile station.
PCH
Is a logical common control channel (CCCH) that notifies a mobile station (MS) of mobile terminated calls.
FACCH
Is a logical dedicated control channel (DCCH) that is only assigned in conjunction with a traffic channel (TCH) and its short-time usage goes at the expense of user data transport.
SACCH
Is a logical dedicated control channel that is always assigned and used with a traffic channel (TCH) or an ADCCH (??).
SDCCH
Is a logical dedicated control channel that is point to point and is a signaling channel found on timeslot 1
TCH
Is a logical dedicated control channel used for the actual point to point sending and receiving of messages in the form of voice or data communications.
SIM
Is a module that contains all the processes involved with the authentication key, the IMSI, and mobile subscriber related information.
SIM
Is a module that is capable of storing a number of Short Message Service (SMS) messages, billing information, a fixed number call indicator, a outgoing calls barred indicator, and a preprogrammed PLMN selector.
SIM
Is a module that is constructed with non-volatile storage and contains a truncated list of the following: authentication and encryption keys, IMSI, MSISDN (phone number), subscriber access control class, PIN/Personal Unblocking Key (PUK), Inter-PLMN roaming allowed/not allowed indicator, the user's phone book, and the handset's last known Location Area Code (LAC).
IMEI
Is a number sometimes located under the battery of a mobile handset.
IMEI
Is a number that identifies the type of mobile equipment utilized by a mobile subscriber.
IMEI
Is a number, when used in a GSM network, allows a network operator to trace the origin of production of a particular piece of mobile equipment and then decide if this equipment is allowed to accept calls on its network.
MCC
Is a part of the IMSI and consists of 3 digits. It uniquely identifies the country of domicile of a specific mobile subscriber.
MNC
Is a part of the IMSI and consists of a 2 digit number when seen in GSM applications. This code identifies the home GSM network of a specific mobile subscriber.
Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)
Is a part of the IMSI. Is the combination of the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC). Makes up the first 5-6 digits of the IMSI.
CCCH
Is a point to multipoint signaling channel that is responsible for access management functions.
DCCH
Is a point to point signaling channel between the base transceiver station (BTS) and the mobile station (MS).
Frequency Reuse
Is a process that exists in order to be able to serve several subscribers in spite of limited bandwidth within assigned frequency ranges and occurs when FREQUENCIES are spatially REUSED.
Grey List
Is a register defined by a network operator and contains all number series of mobile equipment identities (IMEIs) that are NOT barred from use on the operator's network (unless on the black list or NOT on the white list) but are tracked by the network for evaluation or other purposes.
Black List
Is a register defined by a network operator and contains all number series of mobile equipment identities (IMEIs) that are barred from use on the operator's network.
White List
Is a register defined by a network operator and contains all number series of mobile equipment identities (IMEIs) that are permitted for use on the operator's network.
TMSI
Is a temporary number allocated by the Visitor Location Registry (VLR) to visiting mobile subscribers.
TMSI
Is a temporary number composed of 4 octets and can be coded using a full hexadecimal representation.
TMSI
Is a temporary number that, when correlated with a particular IMSI, helps the Visitor Location Registry (VLR) identify a specific mobile subscriber.
MSRN
Is a temporary number used to route calls directed to a mobile station and shall have the same configuration as an international ISDN in the area where the mobile station is roaming.
TMSI
Is a temporary number used to support the subscriber identity confidentiality service.
TMSI
Is a temporary number with only local significance, a fact that allows its structure and coding to be determined by an agreement between the operator and manufacturer.
Macro
Is a type of cell that has a base station antenna installed on a mast or large building structure, are generally taller than an average rooftop, AND COVER A LARGER AREA (up to 25 KM).
Micro
Is a type of cell whose antenna height is below the average rooftop, is used in urban areas, and has a range of 200 meters to 1000 meters.
ACCH
Is a type of dedicated control channel (DCCH) but it is assigned only in connection with a traffic channel (TCH) or a standalone dedicated control channel (SDCCH).
SACCH
Is a type of logical dedicated control channel (DCCH) that carries information needed to ensure optimal radio operation.
FACCH
Is a type of logical dedicated control channel (DCCH) that is considered a signaling channel and is created by using dynamic preemptive multiplexing on a traffic channel (TCH) which makes additional bandwidth available for messaging.
Pico
Is a type of small, specialized cell whose coverage area is only a few dozen meters, used mainly in indoor applications, may cover a single floor of a building or the entire building.
CRO
Is a value between 0-63, measured between 0 dBm and 126 dBm in increments of two (2).
Temporary Offset
Is a value from 0-7 and represents values from 0 dBm to 60 dBm in increments of 10 with 7 being an infinite value.
MSC
Is an INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL NETWORK (ISDN)
TDMA
Is an access scheme that requires frame synchronization between transmitter and receiver.
FDMA
Is an access scheme where each conversation is carried on a different frequency.
CDMA
Is an access scheme where each user occupies a signal on a particular frequency at the same time as other users but each user is uniquely distinguishable from one another by a special code.
TDMA
Is an access scheme where mobile stations are assigned a frequency for exclusive use only for the duration of a timeslot.
BSIC
Is broadcast on each burst sent on the synchronization channel (SCH).
C1
Is calculated at the MS and is the path loss criterion defined using the minimal threshold for network access and the maximal allowed transmitter power.
Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number
Is composed of the forward/downlink frequency and the reverse/uplink frequency.
Network Switching Subsystem
Is comprised of 6 components: Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Visitor Location Register (VLR), Home Location Register (HLR), Authentication Center (AuC), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC).
BSS
Is comprised of two components: the Base Station Controller (BSC) and the Base Transceiver Station (BTS).
BSC
Is enumerated 0-7, consists of 3 bits, and is used to differentiate between cells utilizing the same frequencies.
NCC
Is enumerated 0-7, consists of 3 bits, and is used to differentiate between network operators utilizing the same frequencies.
Physical Channel
Is made up of a pair of frequencies, the forward/downlink frequency and the reverse/uplink frequency.
MSISDN
Is made up of the CC, NDC, and the SN.
BSIC
Is made up of the NCC and BSC.
PCH
Is part of the downlink of the common control channel (CCCH) and is used for paging in order to find a particular mobile station (MS).
MSC
Is responsible for "handling" mobile handsets
450 MHz
Is the GSM band used occasionally in rural areas.
Cell
Is the area covered by a single BTS, has an uplink frequency and downlink frequency identified by a single ARFCN, is omni-directional, and is typically divided into three 120 degree sectors.
200 kHz
Is the bandwidth of a frequency channel in GSM
45 MHz
Is the channel offset for EGSM 900
95 MHz
Is the channel offset for GSM 1800/DCS
80 MHz
Is the channel offset for GSM 1900/PCS
45 MHz
Is the channel offset for GSM 850
45 MHz
Is the channel offset for PGSM 900
CGI
Is the combination of the location area code (LAC) and the cell identity (CI).
BTS
Is the component of the BSS normally seen along roadways and, ordinarily, has a maximum range of 35 kilometers.
BTS
Is the component of the Base Station Subsystem made up of transmit and receive antennas.
BSC
Is the component of the Base Station Subsystem responsible for the control of several hundred base transceiver stations (BTSs).
MSC
Is the component of the NSS that controls 5-10 base station controllers (BSCs)
VLR
Is the component of the NSS that is responsible for temporary storage of subscriber data.
GMSC
Is the component of the NSS that serves as a pathway to other outside networks.
EIR
Is the component of the Network Switching Subsystem responsible for authenticating the IMEI of a handset.
GMSC
Is the component of the Network Switching Subsystem that functions similar to a Mobile Switching Center (MSC).
MSC
Is the component of the Network Switching Subsystem that is considered the brains of the GSM network.
HLR
Is the component of the Network Switching Subsystem that is responsible for permanent storage of subscriber data.
VLR
Is the component of the Network Switching Subsystem that is usually co-located with the Mobile Switching Center (MSC).
15
Is the digit not transmitted with the IMEI during IMEI check occasions.
15
Is the digit of the IMEI that is considered a "check digit"
925-960 MHz
Is the downlink frequency range for EGSM 900
1805-1880 MHz
Is the downlink frequency range for GSM 1800/DCS
1930-1990 MHz
Is the downlink frequency range for GSM 1900/PCS
869-894 MHz
Is the downlink frequency range for GSM 850.
935-960 MHz
Is the downlink frequency range for PGSM 900
Public Land Mobile Network
Is the entire area of service offered by a service provider.
TAC
Is the first 8 digits of the IMEI and identifies the particular make/model of a wireless telephone.
BCCH
Is the logical broadcast channel found in timeslot 0.
BCCH
Is the logical control channel responsible for a burst that transmits the CGI seen by a MS and used by the MS to partially decode the PLMN.
SACCH
Is the logical dedicated control channel (DCCH) responsible for transmitting synchronization commands, transmitter power control, timing advance, receive level quality, and channel measurements.
FACCH
Is the logical dedicated control channel (DCCH) that handles high priority messaging, call waiting, short message service (SMS), and handovers from one base transceiver station (BTS) to the another when a mobile station (MS) is actively involved in a call.
MS_TXPWR_CCH
Is the maximum allowed transmitter power allowed for transmission on a control channel (RACH) before having received the first power control command.
7
Is the maximum number of full-rate subscribers one GSM channel is capable of providing service to.
RXLEV_ACCESS_MIN
Is the minimum received power level required for registration into the network of the current cell.
8
Is the number of TDMA conversation channels within one 200 kHz-wide GSM frequency channel.
15
Is the number of digits making up the IMEI.
`8
Is the number of timeslots in one TDMA frame in GSM.
Slotted Aloha
Is the principle used by mobile stations to ask for a dedicated signaling channel for their exclusive use for one signaling transaction. Is a competitive multiple-access mode used without reservation by the mobile stations in a cell in order to access the RACH.
Modulation
Is the process of changing the amplitude frequency, or phase of a radio frequency carrier signal to change with the information signal.
Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying
Is the type of modulation used in GSM.
880-915 MHz
Is the uplink frequency range for EGSM 900
1710-1785 MHz
Is the uplink frequency range for GSM 1800/DCS
1850-1910 MHz
Is the uplink frequency range for GSM 1900/PCS
824-849 MHz
Is the uplink frequency range for GSM 850.
890-915 MHz
Is the uplink frequency range for PGSM 900
Half-duplex system
Is used by GSM networks and means that each user is assigned two timeslots, one for receiving and one for transmitting.
BSIC
Is used by a mobile station to avoid co-channel interference when the mobile station can receive two cells using the same broadcast control channel (BCCH) frequency.
SCH
Is used by the MS to synchronize to a BTS (with respect to timing) and to see the GSM TDMA frame.
CRO
Is used by the network to artificially increase chances of a handset reselecting to a particular cell, is transmitted by the BCCH of each BTS, and is added to the calculated C1 value. (BEER GOGGLES)
H
Is used to represent the penalty time, is a value from 0-31, and is measured in increments of 20 with 0 representing 20 seconds and 31 representing 620 seconds.
Preferred Control Channel List
Is what a MS looks for on its SIM when the handset is initially powered on.
MCC
Mobile Country Code
MNC
Mobile Network Code
MSISDN
Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network Number
MSRN
Mobile Station Roaming Number
MSIN
Mobile Subscriber Identity Number
MSC
Mobile Switching Center
NDC
National Destination Code
NCC
Network Color Code
NSS
Network Switching Subsystem
NTT
Nippon Telephone and Telegraph in Japan was an early provider of 1G wireless services.
NMT
Nordic Mobile Telephone system in Europe and Asia was an early provider of 1G wireless services in the 450 MHz band.
BCCH
On this logical broadcast channel, network information such as location area identification (LAI), cell identity (CI), the BA List, and the cell reselection offset (CRO) is broadcast to user mobile stations.
Groupe Special Mobile
Original term used to represent GSM
CRH
Page 15
PCH
Paging Channel
H
Penalty Time - T (T=countdown timer current value)
PUK
Personal Unblocking Key
PRL
Preferred Roaming List
PLMN
Public Land Mobile Network
RACH
Random Access Channel
2G
Second generation of digital cellular networks
SMS
Short Message Service
SACCH
Slow Associated Control Channel
SDCCH
Standalone Dedicated Control Channel
SIM
Subscriber Identity Module
SN
Subscriber Number
SCH
Synchronization Channel
TMSI
Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity
BCH
The broadcast control channel (BCCH), the frequency correction channel (FCCH), and the synchronization channel (SCH) are all examples of what type of logical channel?
TAC
The first two digits of this code indicate the country of origin of a wireless telephone.
CCCH
The random access channel (RACH), the access grant channel (AGCH), and the paging channel (PCH) are all examples of what type of logical channel?
DCCH
The standalone dedicated control channel (SDCCH), the slow associated control channel (SACCH), the fast associated control channel (FACCH), and the traffic channel (TCH) are all examples of this type of logical channel?
Frequency Reuse
This process is necessary due to limited bandwidth in allocated frequency ranges, guard bands, overhead signaling, and multiple carriers operating within the same cellular system.
31
This specific penalty time value is reserved to indicate that CRO has been subtracted from C2 and the temporary offset is ignored.
SDCCH
This type of DCCH can be reassigned once its released following the completion of a signaling transaction.
SDCCH
This type of DCCH is requested from the mobile station (MS) by means of the random access channel (RACH) and assigned by means of an access grant channel (AGCH).
TDMA
Time Division Multiple Access
TACs
Total Access Communications system was an early provider of 1G wireless services in Europe in the 900 MHz band.
TCH
Traffic Channell
TAC
Type Allocation Code
VLR
Visitor Location Register
