Nokia Siemens Networks’ GSM solution for smart devices builds upon its previously introduced Smart Networks concept for 3G. With GSM and EDGE, operators can now keep devices connected for a longer duration. Users can secure service where it matters the most.
GSM and EDGE tuned up
Until recently, users checking email on their GSM only phone had incoming voice calls forwarded to their voice mail. Their phone would not ring. Receiving voice calls during data calls was in most cases not possible because the paging signal did not reach the phone. “Paging coordination” now ensures GSM phones will ring.
The very same problems would occur when a dual mode phone (GSM and 3G) is served by a GSM-only network.
Making a data call when engaged in a voice call – looking up a restaurant on Google maps while talking was not possible either. “Dual transfer mode” – supported by smart devices for instance from Nokia – enables parallel voice and data calls.
Many subscribers use mobile phones only for voice calls. However, if smart devices in the vicinity exhaust signaling channels in busy areas, voice calls may not reach the users. As in HSPA, frequent data connections of smart devices create signaling bottlenecks. In GSM, call control channel (CCCH) capacity can be quickly exhausted. When CCCH is filling up, paging is impacted which means incoming voice calls will not reach the users. “Extended CCCH” provides more capacity.
Finally, data throughput of EDGE can be increased, allowing high quality video. Measures include activating the second EDGE TRX in loaded cells and combining two or more timeslots for higher data rates – High Multislot Class (HMC) and Downlink Dual Carrier (DLDC).
Just in time end-to-end capacity upgrades
Monitoring traffic channels, packet control units and signaling between Base Station Subsystem (BSS) and Serving GPRS Support Node - SGSN (Gb connection) lets operators upgrade just in time as the traffic load increases.
The “EDGE Dynamic Abis pool” links radio and Abis transmission. In EDGE, data rates over the air-time slot vary. A static Abis allocation of transmission time slots between the base station and the base station controller is inefficient. Dynamic Abis creates a time slot pool only for data. When bit rates on the air interface increase, additional Abis transmission time slots are allocated from the pool, ensuring cost-efficient and flexible transmission from base station to base station controller. In RG20, our solution is further improved with Packet Abis over IP/Ethernet features which can create considerable transport capacity savings also when implemented over traditional Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) networks.
Preventive implementation
Preventive measures are also available - the second EDGE TRX/cell can be activated, the packet control unit hardware can be upgraded, the Gb connection can be moved to IP, and activating voice efficiency features builds room for data.
Nokia Siemens Networks has delivered 228 networks with EDGE. GSM/EDGE tune-up quickly gaining momentum (references status October 2010): Gb over IP – 151 references, High Multiclass (HMC) – 47 references, Dual Transfer Mode (DTM) – 22 references, Extended CCCH – 5 references, Downlink Dual Carrier – 18 references, Paging coordination with BSC – 8 references.
Audi A8 supports EDGE and UMTS for its Wi-Fi hotspot. Mercedes-Benz InCar Hotspot in E-class and S-class supports EDGE, UMTS and HSDPA. BMW services for latest X3 use GSM/EDGE.
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