Assignement1( Mobile&Satellite )

1.

Identify the frequency spectrum allocated by Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for cellular service (GSM and 3G) operators in Malaysia. Provide details on the frequency or code planning adopted by at least one of the service operator. Answer : 1. Global System for Mobile 900 Mhz band : Upper band : 925 to 969 Mhz Lower band : 880 to 915 Mhz GSM 900 Operators : Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad Maxis Mobile Sdn. Bhd. DiGi Telecommunication Sdn. Bhd.

2. Global System for Mobile 1800 Mhz band: Upper band : 1805 to 1880 Mhz Lower band : 1710 to 1785 Mhz GSM 1800 Operators : Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad Maxis Mobile Sdn. Bhd. DiGi Telecommunication Sdn. Bhd

3. International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT2000) : Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) Upper band: 2110 to 2200 MHz Lower band: 1920 to 2010 MHz Time Division Duplex (TDD) Frequency: 1915 to 1920MHz Frequency: 2010 to 2025MHz IMT2000 Operators : Celcom (Malaysia) Berhad UMTS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd U Mobile Sdn Bhd DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd

2.

The Fourth Generation (4G) technology candidates is foreseen most likely to be between Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-Advanced) proposed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and Mobile WiMAX using 802.16m standardised by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Distinguish the technical differences between these two technologies and give your opinion on the scenario and deployment of 4G in the near future. Table below presents the key elements of a comparison between Mobile WiMAX and LTE-Advanced standars as they converge to 4G broadband wireless access systems. Aspect Core Network Access Technology : Downlink (DL) Uplink (UL) Frequency Band Bitrate : DL UL Channel Bandwidth Cell Radius Cell Capacity

Mobile Wimax (IEEE802.16 e-2005) All IP network OFDMA

3GPP-LTE (E-UTRAN) UTRAN moving towards all IP Evolved UTRA CN with IMS OFDMA SC-FDMA

2.3 -2.4 GHz, 2.496 – Existing and new 2.69 GHz, frequemcy bands (~2GHz) 3.3. – 3.8 GHz 75Mbps (MIMO 2RX) 25Mbps 5, 8.75, 10Mhz 2 – 7km 100 – 200 users

2TX 100 Mbps (MIMO 2TX 2RX) 50Mbps 1.25-20MHz 5km >200 users @ 5MHz >400 users for larger

Spectral Efficiency Aspect Mobility : Speed Handovers Legacy MIMO: DL UL No of code words

3.75 bits/sec/Hz

bandwidth 5 bits/sec/Hz

Mobile Wimax (IEEE802.16 e-2005)

3GPP-LTE (E-UTRAN)

Up to 12km/hr Up to 250km/hr Optimized hard Inter-cell soft handover handover supported IEEE802.16a through GSM/GPRS/EGPRS/UMTS/H 16d SPA 2Tx X 2Rx 2Tx X 2Rx

Roaming Framework

2Tx X 2Rx 1Tx X NRx (Collaborative SM) 1 IEEE802.16 e-2005 PHY and MAC CN standdardization in Wimax Forum New

Schedule Forecast : Standard complete Initial Deployment Mass market

2005 2007 through 2008 2009

2007 2010 2012

Standardization Coverage

RAN (PHY + MAC) + CN

Aoto through existing GSM/UMTS

The parameters presented in Table 1 show that the Mobile WiMax and 3GPPLTE standars are technically similar. However, in term of market perspective the two standard differ in term of expected time to market and legacy. Although currently less matured and widespread, Mobile Wimax appears as if it will be first to market. Significantly, WiMax is already being tested for example in Korea, whereas LTE has not yet been standized. Following this observation, we may conclude that due to timeline benefits new service provider as well as existing cable and DSL providers wishing to offer mobile services are likely to select Mobile WiMax as their technology for mobile broadband access. We may also conclude that the developed world major UMTS/HSPA service provider naturally evolve to 3GPP-LTE, whereas most CDMA2000 provider, as well GSM/EDGE providers in the developing world, will select Mobile Wimax for mobile broadband wireless access while providing service continuity over their legacy network.

3.

In GSM and WCDMA (UMTS), during authentication process and roaming, the user database stored in the Home Location Register (HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR) and Authentication Centre (AuC) will be checked using Mobile Equipment and UMTS/Subscriber Identity Module (ME-U/SIM). Using example, explain how the process can be carried out and show signaling details involving MSIDN, IMSI, IMSEI and other identity.

GSM network The GSM network consists mainly of the following functional parts: MSC – the mobile service switching centre (MSC) is the core switching entity in the network. The MSC is connected to the radio access network (RAN). RAN is formed by the BSCs and BTSs within the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). Users of the GSM network are registered with an MSC. All calls to and from the user are controlled by the MSC. A GSM network has one or more MSCs, geographically distributed. VLR –the visitor location register (VLR) contains subscriber data for subscribers registered in an MSC. Every MSC contains a VLR. Although MSC and VLR are individually addressable, they are always contained in one integrated node.

GMSC – the gateway MSC (GMSC) is the switching entity that controls mobile terminating calls. When a call is established towards a GSM subscriber, a GMSC contacts the HLR of that subscriber to obtain the address of the MSC where that subscriber is currently registered. That MSC address is used to route the call to that subscriber. HLR –the home location register (HLR) is the database that contains a subscription record for each subscriber of the network. A GSM subscriber is normally associated with one particular HLR. The HLR is responsible for the sending of subscription data to the VLR during registration or GMSC during mobile terminating call handling. CN –the core network (CN) consists of, amongst other things, MSC, GMSC and HLR .These entities are the main components for call handling and subscriber management. Other main entities in the CN are the equipment identification register (EIR) and authentication centre (AUC). BSS –the base station system (BSS) is composed of one or more base station controllers (BSC) and one or more base transceiver stations (BTS). The BTS contains one or more transceivers (TRX). The TRX is responsible for radio signal transmission and reception. BTS and BSC are connected through the interface. The BSS is connected to the MSC through the A interface. MS –the mobile station (MS) is the GSM handset. A GSM network is a public land mobile network (PLMN). Other types of PLMN are the time division multiple access (TDMA) network or code division multiple access (CDMA) network. GSM uses the following sub-division of the PLMN: Home PLMN (HPLMN) –the HPLMN is the GSM network that a GSM user is a subscriber of. That implies that GSM user’s subscription data resides in the HLR in that PLMN. The HLR may transfer the subscription data to a VLR during registration in a PLMN or a GMSC during mobile terminating call handling. The HPLMN may also contain various service nodes, such as a short message service centre (SMSC) and service control point (SCP). Visited PLMN (VPLMN) –the VPLMN is the GSM network where a subscriber is currently registered. The subscriber may be registered in her HPLMN or in another PLMN. In the latter case, the subscribers are outbound roaming and inbound roaming when the subscriber is currently registered in her HPLMN, then the HPLMN is at the same time VPLMN. Interrogating PLMN (IPLMN) –the IPLMN is the PLMN containing the GMSC that handles mobile terminating (MT) calls. MT calls are always handled by a GMSC in the PLMN, regardless of the origin of the call. For most operators, MT call handling is done by a GMSC in the HPLMN. In that case, the HPLMN is at the same time IPLMN. This implies that calls destined for a GSM subscriber are always routed to the HPLMN of that GSM subscriber. Once the call has arrived in the HPLMN, the HPLMN will act as IPLMN.

The user of a GSM network is referred to as the served subscriber, the MSC that is serving that subscriber is known as the serving MSC. Examples are: • Mobile originated call –the MSC that is handling the call is the serving MSC for this call. The calling subscriber is the served subscriber; • Mobile terminated call –the GMSC that is handling the call is the serving GMSC for this call. The called subscriber is the served subscriber Signalling in GSM The various entities in the GSM network are connected to one another through signalling networks. Signalling is used for example, for subscriber mobility, subscriber registration and call establishment. The connections to the various entities are known as reference points. Examples include: • • • •

A interface –the connection between MSC and BSC Abis interface –the connection between BSC and BTS D interface –the connection between MSC and HLR Um interface –the radio connection between MS and BTS

Various signalling protocols are used over the reference points. Some of these protocols for GSM are the following: •

mobile application part (MAP) – used for call control, subscriber registration, short message service. MAP is used over many of the GSM network interfaces. • base station system application part (BSSAP) – used over the A interface. • direct transfer application part (DTAP) –used between MS and MSC. DTAP is carried over the Abis and the A interface. • ISDN user part (ISUP) –ISUP is the protocol for establishing and releasing circuit switched calls. ISUP is also used in landline Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). A circuit is the data channel that is established between two users in the network. Within ISDN, the data channel is generally a 64 kbit/s channel. The circuit is used for the transfer of the encoded speech or other data When it comes to call establishment, GSM makes a distinction between signalling and payload. Signalling refers to the exchange of information for call set up; payload refers to the data that is transferred within a call, i.e. voice, video, fax etc. For a mobile terminated GSM call, the signalling consists of exchange of MAP messages between GMSC, HLR and visited MSC (VMSC). The payload is transferred by the ISUP connection between GMSC and VMSC. It is a continual aim to optimize the payload transfer through the network, as payload transfer has a direct cost aspect associated with it. Some network services are designed to optimize the payload transfer. One example is optimal routing. ROAMING

Roaming with GSM is made possible through the separation of switching capability and subscription data. A GSM subscriber has her subscription data, permanently registered in the HLR in her HPLMN. The GSM operator is responsible for provisioning this data in the HLR. The MSC and GMSC in a PLMN, on the other hand, are not specific for one subscriber group. The switching capability of the MSC in a PLMN may be used by that PLMN’s own subscribers, but also by inbound roaming subscribers. In Figure below, the GSM user who is a subscriber of PLMN-A roams to PLMN-B. The HLR in PLMN-A transfers the user’s subscription data to the MSC in PLMN-B. The subscriber’s subscription data remains in the MSC/VLR as long as she is served by a BSS that is connected to that MSC. Even when the user switches her MS off and then on again, the subscription data remains in the MSC. After an extended period of the MS being switched off, the subscription data will be purged from the MSC. When the subscriber switches her MS on again, the subscriber has to re-register with the MSC, which entails the MSC asking the HLR in the HPLMN to re-send the subscription data for that subscriber.

Transfer of GSM subscription data for a roaming subscriber When the subscriber moves from one MSC service area to another MSC service area the HLR will instruct MSC to purge the subscription data of this subscriber and will send the subscription data to the new MSC. Mobile Station (MS), for example the GSM handset, is logically built up from the following components: • mobile equipment (ME) –this is the GSM terminal, excluding the SIM card; • subscriber identification module (SIM) –this is the chip embedded in the SIM card that identifies a subscriber of a GSM network, the SIM is embedded in the SIM card. When the SIM card is inserted in the ME, the subscriber may register with a GSM network. The ME is now effectively personalized for this GSM subscriber. The SIM card contains information such as IMSI, advice of charge parameters and

operator specific emergency number. For the UMTS network an enhanced SIM is specified, the universal subscriber identity module. Identifiers in the GSM Network GSM uses several identifiers for the routing of calls, identifying subscribers, locating the HLR and identifying equipment. Some of these identifiers play an important role for intelligence network. International Mobile Subscriber Identity The international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) is embedded on the SIM card and is used to identify a subscriber. The IMSI is also contained in the subscription data in the HLR. The IMSI is used for identifying a subscriber for various processes in the GSM network. Some of these are

Components of the mobile station

Structure of the IMSI

• •

location update –when attaching to a network, the MS reports the IMSI to the MSC, which uses the IMSI to derive the global title (GT) of the HLR associated with the subscriber terminating call –when the GSM network handles a call to a GSM subscriber, the HLR uses the IMSI to identify the subscriber in the MSC/VLR, to start a process for delivering the call to that subscriber in that MSC/VLR.

• • • • • • • •

roaming charging –a VPLMN uses the IMSI to send billing records to the HPLMN of a subscriber. mobile country code (MCC) –the MCC identifies the country for mobile networks. The MCC is not used for call establishment. The MCC values are allocated and published by the ITU-T. mobile network code (MNC) –the MNC identifies the mobile network within a mobile country MCC and MNC together identify a PLMN. The MNC may be two or three digits in length. Common practice is that, within a country all MNCs are either two or three digits. mobile subscriber identification number (MSIN) –the MSIN is the subscriber identifier within a PLMN. The IMSI is reported to the SCP during CAMEL service invocation. The IMSI may be needed, for example, when identifying a country; countries in North America have equal country code. Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network Number (MSISDN Number) - The MSISDN is used to identify the subscriber when, among other things, establishing a call to that subscriber or sending an SMS to that subscriber. Hence, the MSISDN is used for routing purposes. country code (CC) –the CC identifies the country or group of countries of the subscriber national destination code (NDC) –each PLMN in a country has one or more NDCs allocated to it, the NDC may be used to route a call to the appropriate network subscriber number (SN) –the SN identifies the subscriber within the number plan of a PLMN

Structure of the MSISDN

Structure of IMEI and IMEISV

The MSISDN is not stored on the subscriber’s SIM card and is normally not available in the MS.2The MSISDN is provisioned in the HLR, as part of the subscriber’s profile, and is sent to MSC during registration. The MSISDN is also reported to SCP. One subscriber may have multiple MSISDNs. These MSISDNs are

provisioned in the HLR. At any one moment, only a single MSISDN is available in the MSC/VLR for the subscriber. International Mobile Equipment Identifier The international mobile equipment identifier (IMEI) is used to identify the ME [or user equipment. Each ME has a unique IMEI. The IMEI is hard-coded in the ME and cannot be modified. The IMEI is not used for routing or subscriber identification. Mobile Station Roaming Number The mobile station roaming number (MSRN) is used in the GSM network for routing a call to a MS. The need for the MSRN stems from the fact that the MSISDN identifies a subscriber, but not the current location of that subscriber in a telecommunications network. The MSRN is allocated to a subscriber during MT call handling and is released when the call to that subscriber is established. Each MSC in a PLMN has a (limited) range of MSRNs allocated to it. An MSRN may be allocated to any subscriber registered in that MSC. The MSRN has the form of an E.164 number and can be used by the GMSC for establishing a call to a GSM subscriber. An MSRN is part of a GSM operator’s number plan. The MSRN indicates the GSM network a subscriber is registered in, but not the GSM network the subscriber belongs to. The MSRN is not meant for call initiation. GSM operators may configure their MSC such that subscribers cannot dial numbers that fall within the MSRN range of that operator. Basic Services All activities that may be done in the GSM network, such as establishing a voice call, establishing a data call and sending a short message are classified as basic services. In order for a subscriber to use a GSM basic service, she must have a subscription to that service. The handling of a basic service is fully standardized. Hence, a subscriber may use a basic service in any GSM network she roams to, provided that that basic service is supported in that network. The HLR will send a list of subscribed basic services to the MSC/VLR, during registration. When a GSM subscriber initiates a call, the MS supplies the serving MSC with a set of parameters describing the circuit- switched connection that is requested. These parameters are the bearer capability (BC), low-layer compatibility (LLC) and high-layer compatibility (HLC). The MSC uses the BC, LLC and HLC to derive the basic service for this call. The MSC then checks whether the subscriber has a subscription to the requested basic service, for example whether the subscription data in the VLR contains that basic service. If the service is not subscribed to, then the MSC disallows the call. The basic service is not transported over ISUP.

Usage of MSRN during call establishment to a GSM subscriber When an intelligence network service is invoked, the MSC reports the requested basic service to the SCP. The SCP may use the indication of the requested basic service for call service processing. Examples include: • •

video calls may be charged at a higher rate than speech calls for data calls and fax calls

Basic services are divided into two groups which are teleservices and bearer services

4.

The public cellular service operator in Malaysia are subjected to mandatory standards for Quality of Service (QoS) or Grade of Service (GOS) by Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). List various parameters and schemes used for providing QoS/GOS in cellular network and discuss their advantages/disadvantages to the subscribers and operators. How can QoS provisioning be managed in the future 4G cellular network?

Source: http://www.skmm.gov.my/index.php?c=public&v=art_view&art_id=402

QoS advantages: • • •

Guarantees bandwidth for key applications and users. Can put off the need for faster network infrastructure. Can help in network planning by measuring and managing traffic flow.

QoS disadvantages: • • •

Management-software packages are a must to avoid complex configuration challenges. Implementations may require swapping out some old gear. Can create political problems as battles arise over who gets the good QoS and who controls it.

4G broadband wireless technologies such as IEEE 802.16e/m and Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) – Long Term Evolution (LTE) have been designed with different QoS frameworks and means to enable delivery of the evolving Internet applications. QoS specifically for evolving Internet applications is a fundamental requirement to provide satisfactory service delivery to users and also to manage network resources. QoS refers to the ability (or probability) of the network to provide a desired level of service for selected traffic on the network. Service levels are specified in terms of throughput, latency, jitter and packet errors or loss. Different service levels are specified for different types or streams of traffic. To provide QoS, the network identifies or “classifies” different types or streams of traffic and processes these traffic classes differently to achieve the desired service level for each traffic class. The effectiveness of any QoS scheme can be measured based on its ability to achieve the desired service levels for a typical combination of traffic classes. QOS over LTE networks:

The QoS level of granularity in the LTE evolved packet system (EPS) is bearer, which is a

packet flow established between the packet data network gateway and the user terminal. The traffic running between a particular client application and a service can be differentiated into separate service data flows (SDFs). SDFs mapped to the same bearer receive a common QoS treatment for example scheduling policy, queue management policy, rate shaping policy, radio link control (RLC) configuration. A bearer is assigned a scalar value referred to as a QoS class identifier (QCI), which specifies the class to which the bearer belongs. QCI refers to a set of packet forwarding treatments preconfigured by the operator for each network element. The classbased method improves the scalability of the LTE QoS framework. The bearer management and control in LTE follows the network-initiated QoS control paradigm, and the network initiated establishment, modification, and deletion of the bearers. LTE bearers: Guaranteed bit rate (GBR): Dedicated network resources related to a GBR value associated with the bearer are permanently allocated when a bearer becomes established or modified. Non-guaranteed bit rate (non-GBR): A service utilizing a non-GBR bearer may experience A non-GBR bearer is referred to as the default bearer, which is also used to establish IP connectivity, similar to the initial Service Flow in WiMAX. Any additional bearer(s) is referred to as a dedicated bearer and can be GBR or non-GBR. In LTE the mapping of SDFs to a dedicated bearer is classified by IP five-tuple based packet filter either provisioned in PCRF or defined by the application layer signalling. However, the default bearer typically uses a match all packet filter, any SDF that does not match any of the existing dedicated bearer packet filters is mapped onto the default bearer. Therefore, if a dedicated the default bearer. LTE specifies a number of standardized QCI values with standardized characteristics, which are preconfigured for the network elements. This ensures multivendor deployments and roaming. The mapping of standardized QCI values to standardized characteristics is captured below diagram. Besides QCI, the following are QoS attributes associated with the LTE bearer:

QCI: A scalar representing a set of packet forwarding treatments for example scheduling weights, admission thresholds, queue management thresholds, and link layer protocol configuration. Allocation and retention priority (ARP): A parameter used by call admission control and overload control for control plane treatment of a bearer. The call admission control uses the ARP to decide whether a bearer establishment or modification request is to be accepted or rejected. Also, the overload control uses the ARP to decide which bearer to release during overload situations. Maximum bit rate (MBR): The maximum sustained traffic rate the bearer may not exceed; only valid for GBR bearers. GBR: The minimum reserved traffic rate the network guarantees; only valid for GBR bearers Aggregate MBR (AMBR): The total amount of bit rate of a group of non-GBR bearers In 3GPP Release 8 the MBR must be equal to the GBR, but for future 3GPP releases an MBR can be greater than a GBR. The AMBR can help an operator to differentiate between its subscribers by assigning higher values of AMBR to its higher-priority customers compared to lower-priority ones. LTE air interface scheduler The LTE air interface scheduler is responsible for dynamically allocating DL and UL air interface resources among the bearers appropriately while maintaining their desired QoS level in both DL and UL directions. In order to make a scheduling decision, the LTE air interface scheduler uses the following information as input: Radio conditions at the UE measured at the eNB and/or reported by the UE. The state of different bearers, such as uplink buffer status reports (BSR) that are required to provide

support for QoS-aware packet scheduling, elapsed time. The QoS attributes of bearers and packet forwarding parameters associated with the QCIs. The interference situation in the neighboring cells. The LTE scheduler can try to control intercell interference on a slow basis. This improves the QoE associated with the MSs at the cell edge. QOS over WiMAX networks:

WiMAX employs flow-based QoS – traffic can be classified to different service flows with different QoS parameters. The ASN (Access Service Network) supports admission control & resource scheduling to manage (nonguaranteed) QoS per service flow. The WiMAX ASN also marks traffic to enable other networks/elements (e.g. backhaul network) to provide QoS consistent with the air interface. WiMAX provides QoS by classifying traffic to service flows with different QoS. A service flow (SF) is a unidirectional MAC-layer transport connection with particular QoS parameters. The WiMAX network creates at least two (1 DL + 1 UL) service flows (default service flows) for a device when it enters the network. - The default service flows are Best Effort and support most traffic. - The default service flows are also used for DHCP and DNS.

Devices may also be pre-provisioned with additional “dedicated” service flows to provide QoS for selected applications. - Traffic must be classified to dedicated service flows. - A single device can currently support up to 8 active service flows (4 DL + 4 UL), including

the default service flows. WiMAX provides mechanisms for dynamically creating, modifying and deleting dedicated service flows during a subscriber’s active session. - Requests can be initiated by either the network or device. WiMAX Service Flows: IEEE 802.16e supports 5 SF types:

Unsolicited grant service (UGS): Supports real-time traffic with fixed-size data packets on a periodic basis Real-time polling service (rtPS): Supports real-time traffic with variable-size data packets on a periodic basis Extended rtPS (ertPS): Supports real-time traffic that generates variable-size data packets on a periodic basis with a sequence of active and silence intervals Non-real-time polling service (nrtPS): Supports delay-tolerant traffic that requires a minimum reserved rate Best effort (BE) service: Supports regular data services WiMAX air interface scheduler The SF framework provides QoS granularity and inter-SF isolation over the air interface. The air interface scheduler is responsible for enforcing QoS by assigning DL and UL physical (PHY) layer resource blocks among SFs. This mechanism is called bandwidth allocation. A scheduling decision is determined based on appropriate SFs’ QoS state variables, like buffer lengths, elapsed packet delay, SFs’ QoS requirements such as MRTR and maximum latency, and radio frequency (RF) conditions of different MSs. In general: • •

SFs with shorter maximum latency or SFs with higher MRTR receive higher priorities in the scheduling decision. SFs with late packets or long buffer lengths also, receive higher priorities in the scheduling decision.

MSs with better RF conditions receive higher priorities by the scheduler in order to improve overall sector throughput. However, an operator can adjust fairness to ensure MSs in poor RF conditions receive reasonable QoS. The air interface scheduler may differentiate between traffic flows within an SF by packet priority levels such as DSCP values (intra-SF). Also, it may further utilize the traffic priority attribute of SFs to differentiate between traffic associated with SFs of the same type (interSF). •

WiMAX and LTE Comparison: There are more components and functionalities in an end-to-end network providing QoS than the air interface QoS features discussed above, such as policy control and charging (PCC) functions in QoS provisioning. Here, we focus on a comparison of the QoS framework between LTE and IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m at the air interface: QoS transport unit: The basic QoS transport unit in the IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m system is an SF, which is a unidirectional flow of packets either UL from the MS/AMS or DL packets from the BS/ABS. The basic QoS transport in LTE is a bearer between UE and the PDNGW. All packets mapped to the same bearer receive the same treatment. QoS scheduling types: There are six scheduling service types in IEEE 802.16m including UGS, ertPS, rtPS, nrtPS, and BE from IEEE 802.16e and the newly defined aGP service. LTE supports GBR and non-GBR bearers. The GBR bearer will be provided by the network with a guaranteed service rate, and its mechanism is like rtPS; the non-GBR has no such requirement and performs like BE in IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m. QoS parameters per transport unit: Depending on the SF type, IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m can control maximum packet delay and jitter, maximum sustained traffic rate (MSTR), minimum reserved traffic rate (MRTR), and traffic priority. LTE MBR and GBR are similar to IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m MSTR and MRTR, respectively. However, MBR and GBR are only attributes of GBR bearers, while in IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m even a BE SF can be rate limited using its MSTR. Also, with 3GPP Release 8, GBR and MBR are set equal, while IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m allows the operator to select independent values for MSTR and MRTR. On the other hand, LTE AMBR allows the operator to rate cap the total non-GBR bearers of a subscriber. QoS handling in the control plane: The SF QoS parameters are signaled in IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m via DSx/AAI-DSx messages. In LTE the QCI and associated nine standardized characteristics are not signaled on any interface. Network initiated or client initiated QoS are both supported in IEEE 802.16e/IEEE 802.16m systems. Therefore, both operator managed service and unmanaged service can be supported. The flexible architecture gives the mobile client opportunities for differentiation. LTE only supports network initiated QoS control. QoS user plane treatment: The ARP parameter in LTE provides the following flexibilities to the operator: • Accept or reject establishment or modification of bearers during the call admission control decision based on not only the requested bandwidth, available bandwidth, or number of established bearers, but also the priority of the bearer • Selectively tear down bearers based on their priorities during an overload situation.

5.

The Very Small Aperture Terminal, VSAT service is becoming more popular in Malaysia. Obtain information on VSAT service operator in Malaysia including examples of application, network topology, user equipments, lease procedure and services offered and their data rate. How can a VSAT system accommodate subscriber that need higher data rate services. TM Berhad Maxis TIME Dot Com VSAT stands for Very Small Aperture Terminal. It is a small satellite dish that is capable of both receiving and sending satellite signals. VSAT systems can be designed to serve both broadcast and interactive applications whether data, voice or video, which are now being served by terrestrial lines. VSAT offers highly reliable, flexible support of integrated multimedia communications. Compared to alternative technologies, VSAT offers customers the following features and benefits: * Star network topology - offers end-to-end shared hub services for network requirements that cannot economically support a dedicated hub and operated by experienced staff to ensure optimum service levels. * Full mesh connectivity - provides a hubless network using only one satellite hop, offers lower delay and better response times. Smaller networks can be implemented at lower costs than traditional hub-based systems. * Bandwidth-on-Demand - architecture automatically allocates a pool of bandwidth to meet customer requirements of any site. The customer can move or add host computers and PABX's without having to re-engineer or resize the network. Servers may be centralized or distributed. The bandwidth automatically "follows" the new traffic patterns. * Scalability of network capacity - The aggregate network capacity can be increase from time to time as the number of sites and volume per site grows. * Modularity and open system architecture - supports modular and open system architecture. The customer can expand the number of interfaces at the indoor unit as he requires. * Economics of statistical multiplexing - Multiple applications share the same bandwidth. The customer uses and pays for less total bandwidth than

with the more traditional multiple dedicated network approaches. * Network Management and Control - operating on global standards and operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for some of major Earth Stations. * Cost effective solution - provides cost-effective communication solutions with high level functionality and performance since the pricing is distance independent. It offers a competitive alternative even for countries, which have a high degree of communication infrastructure. Why VSAT The dish is small, easily transportable and installation lead-time is much shorter if compared to terrestrial links. In addition, VSAT network allows rapid, low-cost network re-configuration and expansion to meet new or unexpected business requirements.Cost effective transmission and network operations are made possible by use of the C-band satellite frequency and frequency times division multiple access (FTDMA), Frequency division multiple access (FDMA) or Time division multiple access (TDMA) transmission techniques. VSAT offers a wide of protocols and features, providing extraordinary flexibility and virtually unlimited expansion capabilities. In addition, VSAT network is typically engineered to achieve a minimum of 99.7% end-to-end availability for all locations.

Application VSAT is an ideal satellite network that provides communications support for a wide range of applications: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Point-of-sales transaction Order-Entry Billing Inventory Control Financial Management Data processing Reservation System Telemetry & Data Collection News Wire Services Private-Line Voice Virtual Private Networks Distance Education High Speed Internet Acces

VSAT TOPOLOGY

VSAT can be customised and implemented with the topology of network that is best suited to the customers' requirement. 1) Hub type Hub type is a private network designed for data, multimedia and voice applications, providing highly reliable communications between a central hub and almost any number of geographically dispersed sites. It integrates both high-speed Internet access and video multicasting capabilities. The network is suitable for point to multi-point communication for customers having a single data center requiring connectivity to its branches in geographically dispersed locations. This service supports transmission bandwidth ranging from 9.6 kbps to 2 Mbps duplex. One of the advantages of Star topologies is that the hub can maintain effective control of the network through centralized processing. It is well suited for business traffic from the hub at the company headquarters and individual VSATs located at field offices, retail outlets or branches. 2) Hubless type Hubless type is a low cost rural telephony and Internet solutions that provides voice, fax and Internet service via satellite. It delivers toll-quality voice and IP transmission and represents the most cost-effective solutions. Hubless type may also be a communication network that provides ondemand data, voice and fax to remote locations via satellite with a flexible multi-channel communications for public, corporate and government applications. The available bandwidth ranging from 9.6 kbps up to 2048 kbps duplex. Its point-to-point or mesh architecture is useful for providing interconnectivity amongst relatively high volume VSATs utilization. It supports connection on demand between any pairs or terminals in the system. How high is VSAT reachability?

VSAT is a satellite-based service covering national and regional telecommunications needs. The service is served from small parabolic dishes (1.8m/2.4m/3.8m) accessing to the satellite directly from the customer premises. That explains the capability of the service reaching out to challenging areas of the country and region. This means of communication can also serve as part of company's network diversity. Value added services that VSAT can offer is as follows: 1) Gyro Stabilized System - Practical to cater for offshore communication especially for rough and choppy sea condition. A total service package that VSAT can offer to oil and gas customer. Typical applications are data transfer, voice communication and facsimile during oil exploration or drilling activities. 2) Potential back-up service

What is the access speeds for VSAT? The list of access speeds (in Kbps) are as below; 1. 1.2 up to 56

6. 512

2. 64

7. 768

3. 128

8. 1024

4. 256

9. 1536

5. 384

10. 2048

Satellite limitations: Satellite delay of 600 milisecond transmit and 600 milisecond receive is a universal standard. USER EQUIPMENTS