CELLULAR TELEPHONY

Prepared by: L. Macam

MOBILE TELEPHONY
First Generation (1G)
systems

were analog with

reasonably reliable
networks but limited service offerings and
did not permit roaming between networks.

MOBILE TELEPHONY
Second Generation (2G) mobile
systems
are
digital
and
bring
significant
advantages
in
terms
of
sophistication,
capacity and quality.

GSM
GPRS
Other standards and features:
Intelligent network (IN) feaures
mobile positioning features
SMS (Short Message Service)

MOBILE TELEPHONY
Third Generation
systems

Will allow
communication,
information and
entertainment services
to be delivered via
wireless terminals.

Example:
Universal Mobile
Telecommunication Systems

1G

2G

3G

Analog Cellular

Digital Cellular

Digital Cellular

Voice

Voice/data

Voice/high-speed
data

AMPS

CDMA
1XRtt

CDMA2000

TACS

GSM

80

1992

GPRS W_CDMA
1999

2001

2003

AMPS Advanced Mobile Telephone

System
TACS
Total Access Communication
System
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
GSM Global System for Mobile
Communication

HISTORY OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

Date

Activity

1906

Reginald Fesseden successfully transmitted human voice

over radio.

1915

J. A. Fleming invents the vacuum tube making it possible to

build mobile radios.

1921

One-way radio messaging service started by Detroit Police

Department. It used a 2Mhz frequency in the departments
first vehicular mobile radio.

1930s

Amplitude Modulation (AM), two-way mobile systems in

place in the US took advantage of newly developed mobile
transmitters and push-to-talk halfduplex transmission.

1935

FM radio was patented; Edwin H. Armstrong invented it. FM

uses frequency modulation of the radio wave to minimize
static and interference from electrical equipment and the
atmosphere, in the audio program.

1940s

FCC recognizes mobile radio as new class of service as

Domestic Public Land Mobile (DPLM) radio service.

HISTORY OF WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION
Date

Activity

1947

D.H Ring working at Bell Laboratories, envisions the cellular

concept.

1948

Shockley, Bardeen and Brittain at Bell Laboratories, invent

the transistor which enables electronic equipment including
radio to be miniaturized.

1949

Radio Common Carriers (RCCs) were recognized.

1958

Bell Systems made broadband proposals.

1964

AT&Ts Improved Mobile Telephone Service (IMTS) eliminated

the need forpush-to-talk operation and offered automatic
dialing.

1968

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened

Docket 18262 toaddress questions regarding spectrum
reallocation.

1969

The first comprehensice international standardization group

was formed. Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) group is
composed of Nordic countries.

1973

The NMT group specifies a feature allowing mobile

HISTORY OF WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION
Date

Activity

1979

FCC authorized experimental cellular systems launched in

Chicago and the Washington,D.C./Baltimore region.

1981

Ericsson launches the worlds first cellular system in Saudi

Arabia based on the analog NMT 450 standard.

1991

The first digital cellular standard (GSM) is launched.

1998

Mobile subscribers world-wide number 200 million.

1999

The GPRS packet data standard released.

2000

First 3G test network built in Monaco, Isle of Man and

Sweden and first 3G licenses auctioned in UK

2001

First successful test calls made on 3G networks

2002

TDMA networks in the Americas moving to GSM

Year

MAIN CELLULAR
STANDARDS
Standard Mobile
Telephone
Technology
System

1981

NMT 450

Nordic Mobile
Telephony

1983

AMPS

Advanced Mobile Phone Analogue

System

North and
South
America

1985

TACS

Total Access
Analogue
Communication System

Europe and
China

1986

NMT 900

Nordic Mobile
Telephony

Analogue

EuropeMiddle East

1991

GSM

Global System for

Mobile communication

Digital

World-wide

1991

TDMA

Time-Division Multiple
Access

Digital

North and
South
America

Digital

N. America

1993

(D-AMPS)
(IS136)

(Digital-AMPS)

CdmaOne

Codedivisionmultipleac

Analogue

Primary
Markets
EuropeMiddle East

MAIN CELLULAR
STANDARDS
Year

Standard Mobile Telephone

System

Technology

Primary
Markets

1992

GSM 1800

Global System for

Mobile communication

Digital

EuropeMiddle East

1994

PDC

Personal Digital Cellular

Digital

North and
South
America

1995

PCS 1900

Personal
Communication
Services

Digital

Europe and
China

2001

GSM 800

Global System for

Mobile communication

Digital

EuropeMiddle East

GSM
NETWORK
COMPONENT
S
AuC Authentication
Center
BTS Base
Transceiver Station
HLR Home Location
Register
MSC Mobile services
Switching

Center
BSC Base Station
Controller
EIR Equipmenr
Identity
Registry

GSM NETWORK
COMPONENTS

Switching System (SS)

responsible for performing call
processing and subscriber related
functions

Base
BaseStation
StationSystem
System(BSS)
(BSS)
performs
performsall
allthe
theradio-related
radio-related
functions
functions

SWITCHING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Mobile services Switching Center
(MSC)
performs the telephony switching functions for
the mobile network.
It controls calls to and from other telephony
and data systems.
Gateway Functionality
- Gateway functionality enables an MSC to
interrogate a networks HLR in order to route a
call to a Mobile Station (MS).

SWITCHING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Home Location Register (HLR)
- a centralized network database that
stores and manages all mobile
subscriptions belonging to a specific
operator.
The

information
Subscriber
Subscriber
Subscriber
Subscriber

stored includes:
identity
supplementary services
location information
authentication information

SWITCHING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Visitor Location Register (VLR)
- temporarily stores subscription

information so that the MSC can service all

the subscribers currently visiting that MSC
service area.
There is one VLR for each MSC in a
network.

SWITCHING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Authentication
Center (AuC)
- it authenticates
the subscribers
attempting to use a
network.
- it is used to
protect network
operators against
fraud.

SWITCHING SYSTEM
COMPONENTS
Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
- a database containing mobile equipment
identity information which helps to block
calls from stolen, unauthorized, or
defective MSs.

BASE STATION
COMPONENTS
Base Station Controller (BSC)
- it manages all the radio-related functions
of a GSM network.
- it is a high capacity switch that provides
functions such as MS handover, radio
channel assignment and the collection of a
cell configuration data.

BASE STATION
COMPONENTS
Base Transceiver Station
- controls the radio interface to the
MS.
- comprises the radio equipment
such as transceivers and antennas
which are needed to serve each cell
in the network.

NETWORK MONITORING
CENTERS
Operation and Maintenance
Center (OMC)
- a computerized monitoring center which
is connected to other network
components.
- the status of the network and can
monitor and control a variety of system
parameters.

NETWORK MONITORING
CENTERS
Network Management Center
(NMC)
- centralized control of the network is done
here
- only one NMC is required for a network
and this controls the subordinate OMCs.

MOBILE STATION (MS)

An MS is used by a mobile subscriber to
communicate with the mobile network.
GSM MSs consists of:
A mobile terminal
A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

GSM GEOGRAPHICAL NETWORK

STRUCTURE
CEL
L
A cell is the basic unit of a cellular

system and is defined as the area of

radio coverage given by one BS antenna
system.

Each cell is assigned a unique number

called Cell Global Identity (CGI).

CELL
The hexagon shape was chosen because it
provides the most effective transmission by
approximating a circular pattern while
eliminating gaps inherently present between
adjacent circles.

CELL
The physical size of a cell varies depending on a user
density and calling patterns.
Macrocells (large cells) typically have a radius between 1
mile and 15 miles with base station transmit powers
between 1w and 6w.
Microcells (smallest cells) typically have a radius of 1500
feet or less with base station transmit powers between
0.1W and 1W.
Picocell is used indoors, where cellular radio signals are
week to provide reliable communications.

LOCATION AREA (LA)

A Location Area is defined as a group of cells.
Within the network a subscribers location is linked
to the LA in which they are currently located.
The identity of the current LA is stored in the VLR.

MSC SERVICE AREA

An MSC service area is made up of a number of Las
and represents the geographic part of the network
controlled by one MSC.
The subscribers MSC service area is stored in the
HLR.

PLMN SERVICE AREA

A Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) service
area is the entire set of cells served by one
network operator and is defined as the area
in which an operator offers a radio coverage
and access to its network.

GSM SERVICE AREA

The GSM service area is the entire geographical area in
which a subscriber can gain access the to a GSM
network to.
The GSM service area increases as more operators sign
contracts agreeing to work together.
GSM Service Area

GSM FREQUENCY BANDS

As GSM has at fogrown worldwidw, it has
expanded to operate ur main frequency
bands: 900, 1800, 1900 and 800.

WIRELESS CONCEPTS
Channels
A channel is a frequency or set of frequencies which
can be allocated for the transmission, and possibly
the receipt, of information.
It is an important factor in determining the capacity
of a mobile system.
TYPE

DESCRIPTION

EXAMPLES

Simplex

One way only

FM radio television

Half-duplex

Two way, only one

at a time

Police radio

Full-duplex

Two way, both at

the same time

Mobile systems

Duplex Distance
The use of full duplex requires that
uplink and downlink transmission are
separated in frequency by a
minimum distance.

Carrier Separation
Every mobile system includes a carrier separation.
This is the distance on the frequency band between
channels being transmitted in the same direction.
This is required to avoid overlapping of information
in one channel into an adjacent channel.
In GSM the carrier separation is fixed at 200 kHz.

Capacity and Frequency Reuse

It is the number of frequencies in a cell that
determines the cells capacity.
A cell may have one or more frequencies
allocated to it. It is important when
allocating frequencies that interference is
avoided.
A common factor is the use of similar
frequencies close to each other.

Capacity and Frequency Reuse

The same frequencies can not be used in neighboring
cells as they would interfere with each other, so special
patterns of frequency usage are determined during the
planning of the network.

The term frequency re-use distance is used to describe

between two identical frequencies in a re-use pattern.

Transmission Rate
The amount of information transmitted
over a radio channel over a period of
time is known is the transmission rate.
Transmission rate is expressed in bits
per second or bit/s.
In GSM the net bit rate over the air
interface is 270kbit/s.

Modulation Method
The modulation technique used in
GSM is Gaussian Minimum Shift
Keying (GMSK) and is a form of phase
modulation, or phase shift keying as
it is called.
GMSK enables the transmission of
270 kbit/s within a 200 kHz channel.
This gives a bit rate of 1.3 bit/s per
Hz.

Access Method: TIME DIVISION

MULTIPLE ACCESS (TDMA)
Most digital cellular systems use the technique of
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) to transmit and
receive speech signals.
With TDMA, one carrier is used to carry a number of
calls, each call using the carrier at designated periods
in time. These periods of time are referred to as time
slots.
Each MS on a call is assigned one time slot on the
uplink frequency and one on the downlink frequency.
Information sent during one time slot is called a burst.

Access Method: TIME DIVISION

MULTIPLE ACCESS (TDMA)
In GSM, a TDMA frame consists of 8
time slots. This means that a GSM
radio carrier can carry 8 calls.

Roaming and Handsoffs

Roaming is when a mobile unit
moves from one cell to another
possibly from one companys service
area into another companys service
area.

Roaming and Handsoffs

The transfer of a mobile unit from one base stations
control to another base stations control is called a
handoff (or handover).
A hard handoff is a break-before-make process; the
mobile unit breaks its connection with one base
station before establishing a voice communication
with a new base station.
A soft handoff is a flawless handoff that normally
takes approximately 200 ms, which is imperceptible
to voice telephone users.

Roaming and Handsoffs

Transmission Problems
PATH LOSS
Path loss occurs when the received signal becomes weaker
and weaker due to increasing distance between MS and
BTS, even if there are no obstacles between the transmitting
(Tx) and receiving (Rx) antenna.

SHADOWING
Shadowing occurs when there are physical obstacles
including hills and buildings between BTS and the MTS.

Transmission Problems

MULTIPATH FADING
Multipath fading occurs when there is more than one transmission
path to the MS or BTS, and therefore more than one signal is arriving
at the receiver.

Rayleigh fading
This occurs when a signal takes more than one path netween the MS
and BTS antennas. Rayleigh fading occurs when the obstacles are
close to the receiving antenna.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems
Bit Error Rate
BER defines the percentage of the total number
of received bits which are incorrectly detected.

CHANNEL CODING
Channel coding is used to detect and correct
errors in a received bit stream. It adds bits to a
message. These bits enable a channel decoder
to determine whether the message has faulty
bits.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems

ADAPTIVE MULTIRATE
With AMR, the rate of channel coding bits and
the underlying speech codec rate can be
adapted to suit the prevailing radio
environment.
AMR consists of a number of different codecs,
which with the associated channel coding has
been optimized for different radio environments.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems
INTERLEAVING
Interleaving is a process used to
separate consecutive bits of a
message so that these are
transmitted in a nonconsecutive way.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems

ANTENNA DIVERSITY
Antenna Diversity increases the received signal strength
by taking advantage of the natural properties of radio
waves.

Space Diversity
An increased received signal strength at the BTS may be
achieved by mounting two receiver antennae instead
of one. If the two Rx antennae are physically
separated the probabilty that both of them are
affectec by deep fading at the same time is low.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems

Polarization Diversity
With polarization diversity the two
space diversity antennae are
replaced by one dual polarized
antenna. The most common types of
ploarized antenna rays are
vertical/horizantal and are in 45
degree slant orientation.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems

Solutions to Transmission
Problems

FREQUENCY HOPPING
It is possible for the BTS and MS to hop from
frequency to frequency during a call. The
frequency hopping for the BTS and MS is
synchronized.
In GSM there are 64 patterns of frequency hopping;
one of them is a simple cyclic or sequential pattern.
The remaining 63 are pseudo-random patterns,
which an operator can choose from.

Solutions to Transmission
Problems
Two types of hopping are supported
by the BSC:
BASEBAND hopping involves hopping
between frequencies on different
tranceivers in a cell
SYNTHESIZER hopping involves
hopping from frequency on the same
tranceiver in a cell.

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

Also known as IS-95 (Interim Standard 95),
proposed by Qualcomm as a cellular
telephone system and standard based on
spread spectrum technology with the
primary goal of increasing capacity.
CDMA allows users to differentiate from
one another by a unique code rather than a
frequency or time assignment.

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

Channel: An individually-assigned, dedicated
pathway through
a transmission medium for one users
The transmission
medium is a resource that can be subdivided
information.
into individual channels according to the technology used.
FDMA : Frequency Division Multiple Access
A channel is a frequency
Each user on a different frequency

TDMA: Time Division Multiple Access

A channel is a specific time slot on a specific frequency
Each user on a different window period in time (timeslot)

CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access

A channel is a unique code pattern
Each user uses the same frequency all the time, but mixed with
different distinguishing code patterns

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

Each mobile user with a given cell, and mobile
subscribers in adjacent cells use the same radiofrequency channel.
This is made possible because of direct-sequence,
spread-spectrum CDMA system and does not follow
the channelization principles of traditional cellular
radio communication systems.
Interference is incorporated into the system so that
there is no limit to the number of subscribers that it
can support.

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

Subscribers data change in real time,
depending on the voice activity and
requirements of the network and
other users of the network.
IS-95 also specifies a different
modulation and spreading technique
for the forward and reverse channels.

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

On the forward channel, the base station
simultaneously transmit user data from all current
mobile units in that cell by using different spreading
sequences for each users transmission.
On the reverse link, all mobile units respond in an
asynchronous manner with a constant signal level
controlled by the base station.

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

CDMA reduces the importance of frequency planning within
a given cellular network. Each CDMA channel is allocated a
1.25 Mhz frequency sprectrum for each one-way CDMA
communications channel.
With CDMA, users can share common transit and receive
channel with a transmission data rate of 9.6 kbps.
Subscriber information is spread by a factor of 128 to a
channel chip rate of 1.2288 Mchips/s, and transmit and
receive channels use different spreading process.
Uplink channel data streams are encoded using a rate
convolution code while downlink channel are encoded
using a rate 1/3 convolution code.

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

CDMA: Code-Divison Multiple Access

Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
Each users narrowband signal hops among discrete
frequencies, and the receiver follows in sequence
Is NOT currently used in wireless systems, although
used in the military

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS)

Narrowband input from a user is coded (spread) by
a user-unique broadband code, then transmitted
Broadband signal is received; receiver knows, applies
users code, recovers users data
Is the method used in CDMA commercial systems

CELL PLANNING
INTRODUCTION
Cell planning can be described as all activities
involved in:
Selecting the sites for the radio equipment
Selecting the radio equipment
Configuring the equipment

Every cellular network requires cell planning in

order to provide adequate coverage and call
quality.

CELLS
A cell may be defined as an area of radio
coverage from one BTS antenna system.
It is the smallest building block in a mobile
network and is the reason why mobile nteworks
are often referred to as cellular networks.
Typically, cells are represented graphically by
hexagons.

Two Main Types of Cell

OMNI DIRECTIONAL CELL
An omnidirection cell (or omnicell) is served by a
BTS with an antenna which transmits equally in
all directions (360 degrees).
Typically used to gain coverage

Two Main Types of Cell

SECTOR CELL
A sector cell is the area of coverage from an
antenna, which transmits, in a given direction only.
This may be equal to 120 degrees or 180 degrees of
an equivalent omni-directional cell.
Two-sectored sites and three-sectored sites
Typically used to gain capacity

CELL PLANNING PROCESS

The major activities involved in the cell planning process are
shown below.

[1] TRAFFIC AND COVERAGE

ANALYSIS
The cell planning process is started by a
traffic and coverage analysis.
The analysis should produce information
about the geographical area and the
expected capacity need.
The different types of data collected are:
Cost
Capacity
Coverage
Grade of Service (GoS)
Available frequencies
Speech Quality Index
System growth capability

[1] TRAFFIC AND COVERAGE

ANALYSIS
The Erlang (E) is a unit of measurement of
traffic intensity. It can be calculated with the
following formula:

[1] TRAFFIC AND COVERAGE

ANALYSIS
The geographical distribution of the
traffic demand can be calculated
using demographic data, such as:

Population distribution
Car usage distribution
Income level distribution
Land usage data
Telephone usage statistics
Other factors, such as subscription charges, call
charges, and costs of mobile stations

[1] TRAFFIC AND COVERAGE

ANALYSIS
Calculation of required number of BTSs
To determine the number and layout of BTSs the
number of subscribers and the Grade Of Service
(GOS) have to be known.

The GOS is the percentage of allowed congested

calls and defines the quality of the service.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

A sample planning tool, Test Mobile
System (TEMS) CellPlanner, includes a
prediction package which provides:

coverage prediction
composite coverage synthesis
co-channel interference predictions
adjacent channel interference predictions

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

For example, if there are doubts about
the risks of time dispersion at a
particular site the following steps could
be taken:
o The site location could be changed
o The site could be measured with respect
to time dispersion
o The site could be analyzed with a
carrier-to-reflection ratio (C/R) prediction
tool

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

Radio
propagation
In reality, hexagons are extremely simplified
models of radio coverage patterns because
radio propagation is highly dependent on
terrain and other factors.

The problems of path loss, shadowing and

multipath fading all affect the coverage of an
area.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

The maximum radius of a GSM cell is 35km.
In areas where large coverage with small
capacity is required, it is possible to allocate
two consecutive TDMA time slots to one
subscriber on a call.
This enables a maximum distance from the
BTS of 70km.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

Frequency Reuse
A fundamental principle in the design of
cellular systems is the frequency reuse
patterns.

Frequency Reuse is defined as the use of

radio channels on the same carrier
frequency, covering geographically different
areas.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

Interferen
Co-channel Interference (C/I)
ce

The carriertointerference ratio (C/I) is defined as the

ratio of the level of the received desired signal to the level
of the received undesired signal.
This C/I ratio is dependent on the instantaneous position
of the mobile and is due to irregular terrain and various
shapes, types and numbers of local scatterers.
GSM states C/I > 9dB, with frequency hopping
implemented, and recommends C/I > 12dB when
frequency hopping is not employed.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

This C/I ratio is influenced by the following
factors:

The location of the MS

Local geographical and type of local scatter
BTS antenna type, site elevation and position

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

Adjacent channel interference (C/A)
The carriertoadjacent ratio (C/A) is defined as the relation in
dB in signal strength between the serving and an adjacent
frequency.
The GSM specification states that the carrier-to-adjacent ratio
(C/A) must be larger than -9dB. It is recommended that higher
than 3dB be used planning criterion.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

Cluste
r A cluster is a group of cells available

frequencies have been once and only

once.

The re-use pattern recommended for GSM

are the 4/12 and the 3/9 pattern. 4/12
means that there are four three-sector
sites supporting twelve cells using twelve
frequency groups.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

The 4/12 cell pattern is in common use
by GSM network operators.

[2] NOMINAL CELL PLAN

In the 3/9 cell pattern there are always 9
channels separating each frequency in a
cell.

[3] SURVEYS
Site
Surveys

Site surveys are performed for all

proposed site locations. The following
must be checked for each site:
Exact location
Space for equipment, including antennas
Cable run
Power facilities
Contract with site owner

[3] SURVEYS
Radio
measurements
Radio measurements are performed to adjust the

parameters used in the planning tool to reality. That is,

adjustment made to meet the specific climate and
terrain requirements.

A test transmitter is mounted on a vehicle, and signal

strength is measured while driving around the site area.
Afterwards, the results from these measurements can
be compared to the values the planning tool produced
when simulating the same type of transmitter.

[4] SYSTEM DESIGN

Once the planning parameters have been
adjusted to match the actual measurements,
dimensioning of the BSC, TRC and MSC/VLR
can be adjusted and the final plan produced.
As the name implies, this plan can then be
used for system installation.

[5] & [6] IMPLEMENTATION AND

TUNING
System installation, commissioning, and
testing are performed following the final
cell planning and system design.

[5] & [6] IMPLEMENTATION AND

TUNING
Once the system has been installed, it is
continuously monitored to determined how
well it meets demand. This is called
system
tuning.
It involves:
Checking
that the final plan was implemented

successfully
Evaluating costumer complaints
Checking that the network performance is acceptable
Changing parameters and taking other measurements,
if necessary

[7] SYSTEM
GROWTH/CHANGE
HEIRARCHICAL CELL STRACTURE
(HCS)
The feature HEIRARCHICAL CELL STRACTURE (HCS)

divides the cell network into up to 8 layers. The

higher are used for larger cells and the lower layers
for small cells.

The different cell layers can be seen as a priority

designation with the lower layer as the highest
priority. Thus, when selecting a BCCH carrier, an
MS will choose an acceptable signal, in as low a
layer as possible.

[7] SYSTEM
GROWTH/CHANGE
OVERLAID / UNDERLAID
SUBCELLS
The OVERLAID / UNDERLAID SUBCELLS features

provides a way to increase the traffic capacity in a

cellular network without building new sites.

A set of channels in a BST is assigned to transmit at a

certain power level. These are the under laid subcell
channels.
Another set of channels in the same BTS is assigned
to transmit at a lower power level. These are the
overlaid subcells channels.

[7] SYSTEM
GROWTH/CHANGE
BCCH IN OVERLAID
SUBCELL
The main overlaid subcell goal of the feature BCCH in
Overlaid subcell is to allow tighter re-use of BCCH
carrier frequencies.

This is achieved by configuring a BCCH carrier in the

Overlaid subcell and distributing the TCH traffic
between Overlaid and Underlaid subcells.
To ensure that the BCCH can be received in the whole
cell, the output power of the BCCH carrier in the
overlaid subcell shall be the same as if it had been in
the underlaid subcell.

[7] SYSTEM
GROWTH/CHANGE
Introducing BCCH in overlaid subcell,
in a network where the BCCH is not
frequency hopping, it gives the
following
benefits:
Possibility to substantially tighter the frequency reuse

Possibility to substantially tighter the frequency reuse

for the no hopping BCCH carrier.
Reduced need for investment in new sites/cells due to
increased capacity in existing cells.
Better speech quality since frequency hopping traffic
channels will used at the cell borders.
BCCH-frequency used for traffic in a smaller cell area,
that is the overlaid area (OL)

Review Questions
1. Using a cellular phone outside your home service area
a. Long distance communications
b. Roaming
c. Global communications
d. Jamming
2. What is the meaning of AMPS which is the standard for
analogue cellular telephones?
a. Advanced mobile phone service
b. Automatic mobile phone system
c. Analog Mobile passband system
d. Amplitude Mixing phone standard

Review Questions
3. The time spent on a cellular telephone which is usually
billed to the subscriber on a per minutes system.
a. Time division system
b. Airtime
c. Duration
d. Interval
4. Channel is known as the width of the spectrum which is
measured in kilohertz (kHz). What is the width of the
channel used by most analog cellular phones?
a. 50kHz
b. 60kHz
c. 40kHz
d. 30kHz

Review Questions
5. A digital technology that uses a low power signal spread across a
wide bandwidth. With this technology, a phone call is assigned a code
instead of a certain frequency. Using the identifying code and a low
power signal, a large number of callers can use the same group of
channels.
a. Time division multiple access
b. Pulse code division multiplexing
c. Pulse multiple access
d. Code division multiple access
6. A central computer that connects a cellular phone call to the public
telephone network. It controls the entire systems operation, including
monitoring calls, billing and handouts.
a. Personal communications services
b. Wide area network computer
c. Mobile telephone switching office
d. International standards organization

Review Questions
7. What is the meaning of IS-54 which is the dual mode
(analog and digital cellular standard in North America?) in
the analog mode, this conforms to the Advanced Mobile
Phone Service.
a. Interim standard number 54
b. International standard number 54
c. Integrated system number 54
d. Industry standard number 54
8. A phone that operates on both analog and digital networks.
a. Dual system
b. Coupled system
c. Paired-mode system
d. Dual-mode system

Review Questions
9. The geographic area by a single low-power
transmitter/receiver. It categorizes a cellular systems
service area.
a. Channel
b. Service area
c. Site
d. Cell
10. Radio frequencies assigned in one channel in a cellular
system are limited to boundaries of a signal cell because of
their low power. The carrier is free to use the frequencies
again in other cells in the system without causing
interference. What do you call this method?
a. Frequency assignment
b. Channel utilization

Review Questions
11. A loosely defined future universal telecommunications services that
will allow anytime, anywhere voice and data communication with
personal communication devices.
a. Personal communication system
b. Universal telephone services
c. Personal handy phone
d. Nation wide communication services
12. A special fee that local telephone companies are allowed to charge
all telephone costumers for the right to connect with the local phone
network.
a. Airtime fee
b. Access fee
c. Connection fee
d. Mandatory fee

Review Questions
13. A means of increasing the capacity of a cellular system by
subdividing or splitting cells into two or more smaller cells.
a. Spectrum allocation
b. Cell allocation
c. Channel splitting
d. Cell splitting
14. A process that provides security for wireless information.
Information is encoded so that it can be ready by a device
with a matching decoding procedure.
a. Wireless decoder
b. Cellular decoder
c. Encryption
d. decoder

Review Questions
15. An important safety features thats included with most of
todays car phones. It permits the driver to use his cellular
car phone without lifting or holding the headset to his ear.
a. Hands-free
b. Hands-off
c. Handy phone
d. Safety phone
16. A cellular phone features that automatically blows the
cars horn if a calls comes in, alerting the recipient standing
nearby.
a. Alert mode
b. Warning horn
c. Call horn
d. Alert mode

Review Questions
17. An important feature of a cellular phone subscribing of a voice mail
which indicates a light or other indicator announcing that a phone call
came in.
a. Alert mode
b. Call alert
c. Message alert
d. Voice mail alert
18. A sophisticated service provider by a cellular carrier that
automatically transfers an incoming cellular call to another phone
number if the cellular subscribing is unable to answer.
a. Call forwarding
b. Call transfer
c. Call waiting
d. No-answer transfer

Review Questions
19. The period of time during which the carriers offer discounted
airtime charges, usually available after 10 p.m. And before 6 a.m., on
weekends and holidays.
a. Night time
b. Lean time
c. Off-peak
d. Peak
20. The standard cellular antenna for a car which prefers to the springlike section in the lower third of the antenna known as a phasing coil.
a. Pigtail antenna
b. Omnidirectional antenna
c. Whip antenna
d. Flexible antenna

Review Questions
21. The type of cellular phone which is installed in a car or
truck. This unit is attached to the vehicle, draws its power
from the vehicles battery and has an external antenna.
a. Mobile or car phone
b. Portable
c. Electronic phone
d. Enhanced cellular phone
22. A protected database that holds a copy of the secret key
stored in each subscribers SIM card
a. HLR
b. VLR
c. AuC
d. EIR

Review Questions
23. The time which a cellular subscriber uses a carriers
service charge per unit time of call
a. Talk time
b. Air time
c. Stand-by time
d. Hands off time
24. The subscribers Identity Module (SIM) Card for GSM
contains a/n ____ number that identifies the user to the
network along with other user and security information.
a. IMEI
b. IMSI
c. ESN
d. MIN

Review Questions
25. The module technique in cellular communications wherein
each message is assigned with a frequency, which is unique
to a particular cell.
a. NBFM
b. NBDT
c. PCM
d. Modem
26. A channel used for the transformation of supervisory
information for a cell site to a mobile station or vice versa.
a. Speech
b. Control
c. Common
d. Voice

Review Questions
27. The database for good and known IMEIs
a. White
b. Black
c. Grey
d. Red
28. A means of increasing the capacity of a cellular system by
subdividing cells into two or more smaller cells.
a. Spectrum allocation
b. Cell allocation
c. Channel splitting
d. Cell splitting

Review Questions
29. A database used for management of mobile subscriber.
a. HLR
b. VLR
c. MSC
d. EIR
30. The following are the supervisory audio tones used in
cellular phones except
a. 5970 Hz
b. 6000 Hz
c. 6030 Hz
d. 3925 Hz

Review Questions
31. A special signal tone that is transmitted to the cell site to
free the voice channe; when the mobile terminates a cell.
a. 10 KHz
b. 20 KHz
c. 30 KHz
d. 25 KHz
32. In the CDMA cellular technology, the signal meant for a
given user is tagged with a distinctive ________ pattern that
only the users receiver can recognize.
a. PIN Code
b.PN Code
c. SIM Code
d. IMSI

Review Questions
33. In a cellular network , if you split a cell originally containing a
maximum of 20 channels into two cells, the theoretical total channel
capacity is
a. 10
b. 20
c. 30
d. 40
34. In wireless communications, a radio channel consists of _____
frequencies with in the RF spectrum, which allow a cell site and a
wireless phone to transmit and receive signals simultaneously.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d.5

Review Questions
35. A GSM security measure which is designed to prevent
eavesdropping of user data on the radio path
a. IMSI
b. TMSI
c. IMEI
d. MSRN
36. The uplink frequency range for GSM900
a. 935 960 MHz
b. 890 915 MHz
c. 935 960 MHz
d. 890 915 MHz

Review Questions
39. This is the Nordic analogue mobile radio telephone system
originally used in Scandinavia
a. NMT
b. GSM
c. PCN
d. PCS
40. It is a one-way wireless messaging allows continues
accessibility to someone away from the wired
communications network.
a. Paging
b. Trunked radio
c. Cellular telephony
d. Text messaging

Review Questions
41. The following are parts of the Trunked Radio System except
a. Channels
b. Central controller
c. Antenna and tower
d. 48 volts power supply
42. The method of dividing the channel into three time slots, each lasting a
fraction of a second, so a single channel can be used to handle three
simultaneous calls. This method increases the channel capacity by
chopping the signal into pieces and assigning each one to a different time
slot. This digital standard was established by the cellular industry in 1989.
a. Code Division Multiple Access
b. Time-Frequency Division Multiple Access
c. Pulse Division Multiple Access
d. Time Division Multiple Access

Review Questions
43. What is the meaning of AMPS, which is the standard for
analog cellular telephones?
a. Advanced Mobile Phone Service
b. Automatic Mobile Phone System
c. Analog Mobile Passband System
d. Amplitude Mixing Phone Standard
44. A central computer that connects a cellular phone call to
the public telephone network. It controls the entire
systems operation, including monitoring calls, billing and
handofs.
a. Personal Communication Service
b. Wide Area Network Computer
c. Mobile Telephone Switching Office
d. International Standards Organization

Review Questions
45. A phone that operates on both analog and digital networks
a. dual system
b. coupled system
c. pair-mode phone
d. dual-mode phone
46. The geographic area served by a single low-power
transmitter/receiver. It categorizes a cellular systems
service area.
a. channel
b. service area
c. site
d. cell

Review Questions
47. Radio frequencies assigned to one channel in a cellular
system are limited to boundaries of a single cell because of
their low power. The carrier is free to use the frequencies
again in other cells in the system without causing any
interference. What do you call this method?
a. Frequency assignment
b. Channel utilization
c. Frequency Re-use
d. Optimum Frequency assignment
48. What is the meaning of DSS?
a. Digital Service System
b. Dynamic Service System
c. Data Signal Standard
d. Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum

Review Questions
49. Cellular systems are designed so that a phone call can be
initiated while driving in one cell and continued no matter
how many cells are driven through. What is the method of
transferring to a new call which is designed to be
transparent to the cellular phone user?
a. Call Transferring
b. Call monitoring
c. Call forwarding
d. Handoff
50. What is the meaning of TDMA?
a. Time Data Multiple Access
b. Telephone Data Multiple Access
c. Time Division Multiple Access
d. Telecommunications Digital Data Access

Review Questions
51. The means of increasing the capacity of a cellular system
by subdividing or splitting cells into two or more smaller
cells.
a. Spectrum allocation
b. Cell allocation
c. Channel splitting
d. Cell splitting
52. This is known as SIM card which contains the subscribers
phone number and billing information as well as memory to
store phone numbers.
a. Security Identification Number
b. subscriber Identification Memory
c. Subscriber Identity Module
d. Security Information Module

Review Questions
53. This is automatically transmitted to the base station every
time a cellular call is placed so the Mobile Switching Center
can check the validity of the call, that the phone has not
been reported stolen, that the users monthly bill has been
paid before permitting the call to go through. Each cellular
phone is assigned with this number.
a. Electronic Serial Number
b. Enhanced Series Number
c. Electronic Support Number
d. Electronic Series Number
54. Using a cellular phone outside your home service area.
a. Long Distance Communication
b. Roaming
c. Global communications

Review Questions
55. GPRS stands for
a. General Packet Radio Service
b. Generic Protocol Radio Service
c. General Protocol for Radio Service
d. Gateway Procedure for Radio Service
56. What is the meaning of GSM, which is the digital standard
for Europe?
a. Global Signal Modulation
b. Global System Memory
c. Group Signal for Mobile Services
d. Global System for Mobile Communications