GPRS Network Interfaces-Um,Gb,Gn,Gp,Gi,Gr,Gc,Gf,Gd,Gs

This page covers GPRS network interfaces used in transmission plane and control plane. It includes Um,Gb,Gn,Gp,Gi,Gr,Gc,Gf,Gd and Gs interfaces.

Transmission plane provides means for exchange of the user data. The control plane is used to ensure availability of the transmission plane. The control plane also facilitates signalling between the Mobile Station(MS) and the GPRS network elements.

Transmission Plane


GPRS interface type Between What? Basic description Protocol Reference
Um MS-BSS Used between MS and BSS for exchange of user and signaling information Physical
RLC/MAC
43.064/45.002
44.060
Um MS-SGSN Used between MS and SGSN for exchange of user and signaling information LLC
SNDCP
44.064
44.065
Gb SGSN-BSS Used between SGSN and BSS for data transfer and mobility management Physical network service
BSSGP
48.014,48.016.48.018
Gn SGSN-GGSN Used to support mobility;applicable when GGSN and SGSN are located in the same PLMN GTP-U 29.060
Gp SGSN-GGSN Used to support mobility;applicable when GGSN and SGSN are located in different PLMNs GTP-U 29.060
Gi GGSN-PDN Used to exchange data with external packet data network IP 29.061

Control Plane


GPRS interface type Between What? Basic description Protocol Reference
Um MS-BSS Used between MS and BSS for exchange of user and signaling information Physical
RLC/MAC
43.064/45.002
44.060
Um MS-SGSN Used between MS and SGSN for exchange of user and signaling information LLC
GMM
SM
SMS
44.064
24.008
24.008
24.011
Gb SGSN-BSS Used between SGSN and BSS for data transfer and mobility management Physical
network
service
BSSGP
48.014
48.016
48.018
Gn SGSN-GGSN Used to support mobility ;applicagle when GGSN and SGSN are located in same PLMN GTP-C 29.060
Gp SGSN-GGSN Used to support mobility ;applicagle when GGSN and SGSN are located in different PLMNs GTP-C 29.060
Gr SGSN-HLR Used by the SGSN to obtain subscriber information from HLR MAP 29.002
Gc GGSN-HLR Used by the GGSN to retrieve information about the location and supported services for the MS,to be able to activate a packet data network address ;this is optional interface MAP 29.002
Gf SGSN-EIR Used by SGSN to enagbel EIR to verify the IMEI retrieved from MS; this is optional interface MAP 29.002
Gd SGSN-SMS-IWMSC
SGSN-SMS-GMSC
Used to deliver to and receive short message form MS to SM service center MAP 29.002
Gs SGSN-VLR Used for coordinating the functions of SGSN and VLR when and Mobile has both GSM and GPRS services; this is optional interface BSSAP+ 29.016,29.018


RELATED LINKS

GSM Tutorial
GPRS tutorial
BER vs BLER vs DBLER
Test Mode A vs Test Mode B
GPRS RxQUAL vs BER
EGPRS Basics
EGPRS vs GPRS
What is GPRS