Global System For Mobile Communications Network Research Articles

Deriving origin–destination data from a mobile phone network

Acquiring high-quality origin-destination (OD) information for traffic in a geographic area is both time consuming and expensive while using conventional methods such as household surveys or roadside monitoring. These methods generally present only a snapshot of traffic situation at a certain point in time, and they are updated in time intervals of up to several years. A technique was developed that makes use of the global system for mobile communications (GSM) mobile phone network. Instead of monitoring the flow of vehicles in a transportation network, the flow of mobile phones in a cell-phone network is measured and correlated to traffic flow. This methodology is based on the fact that a mobile phone moving on a specific route always tends to change the base station nearly at the same position. For a first pilot study, a GSM network simulator has been designed, where network data can be simulated, which is then extracted from the phone network, correlated, processed mathematically and converted into an OD matrix. Primary results show that the method has great potential, and the results inferred are much more cost-effective than those generated with traditional techniques. This is due to the fact that no change has to be made in the GSM network, because the information that is needed can readily be extracted from the base station database, that is the entire infrastructure needed is already in place

Modern Wireless Telecommunication Technologies and Their Electromagnetic Compatibility with Life-Supporting Equipment

Hospitals rely on pagers and ordinary telephones to reach staff members in emergency situations. New telecommunication technologies such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), the third generation mobile phone system Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) might be able to replace hospital pagers if they are electromagnetically compatible with medical devices. In this study, we sought to determine if GPRS, UMTS (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access-Frequency Division Duplex [WCDMA FDD]), and WLAN (IEEE 802.11b) transmitted signals interfere with life-supporting equipment in the intensive care and operating room environment. According to United States standard, ANSI C63.18-1997, laboratory tests were performed on 76 medical devices. In addition, clinical tests during 11 operations and 100 h of intensive care were performed. UMTS and WLAN signals caused little interference. Devices using these technologies can be used safely in critical care areas and during operations, but direct contact between medical devices and wireless communication devices ought to be avoided. In the case of GPRS, at a distance of 50 cm, it caused an older infusion pump to alarm and stop infusing; the pump had to be reset. Also, 10 cases of interference with device displays occurred. GPRS can be used safely at a distance of 1 m. Terminals/cellular phones using these technologies should be allowed without restriction in public areas because the risk of interference is minimal.

SMART SHIRT THAT CAN CALL FOR HELP AFTER A FALL

A smart shirt was developed for geriatric healthcare purposes. It can summon medical assistances via SMS and e-mail when its bearer has fallen. Single axis accelerometers are arranged in medio-lateral, vertical and antero-posterior direction on the shoulder part of the shirt. Using Bluetooth™ transmitter/receiver, signals are transmitted and processed on a Personal Computer (PC) for fall-detection. Upon detection of falls, SMS (Short Messaging Service) and e-mail are sent through GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) network supported by a local telecommunication service provider. The primary advantage of our detection system compared to other researchers' systems is that fall notification can be sent to individuals and medical health care unit simultaneously to lead to a shortened interval of the arrival of assistance.

Wireless electrocardiogram transmission: Overcoming the technical barriers

Study objectives: Wireless ECG transmission relies on cellular network development and network transmission priority. During our study of the effect wireless ECGs have on acute coronary syndrome management, we encountered difficulty with a low first-transmission success rate. We then switched the type of cellular network in an effort to improve wireless transmission rates. Our objective is to improve the rate of successful first transmission of wireless ECGs. Methods: The initial network was a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) network, which transmits the ECG on a packet data network. On this network, data were given a lower priority than voice transmissions. The network was then switched to a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, which enabled ECGs to be transmitted with the same priority as voice information. Although the GPRS network is actually the more advanced network, the GSM network was more mature in terms of network development. Geographically, the transmission area spanned more than 2 small cities located in a valley and the surrounding towns. All the ECGs transmitted during this phase were used to test the system. ECGs were transmitted from the field by paramedics who had been trained to use the system. Some of the transmissions were chest pain patients, some were non–chest pain patients, and some were simply test transmissions. We recorded data on transmissions from August 17, 2003, to October 26, 2003. A successful first transmission occurred if the paramedic turned on the unit and on the first attempt was able to connect to the base station at the hospital and transmit data. "Retransmission" success occurred if the paramedics could successfully transmit any time after the first attempt, including during transport and after hospital arrival. Transmission status was considered "unknown" if the paramedic name was transmitted and we were unable to verify a successful or unsuccessful transmission, which happened in part because of the machine's automatic transmit feature, which is designed to transmit when the unit is activated, even when not being tested and logged by the paramedic. First transmission success rates and overall transmission success rates were compared with a χ 2 test of association. Results: Before switching networks, the first transmission success rate was 34.4% (N=17 out of total N=48). Adding in the retransmission successes (N=21) led to an overall success rate of 79.1% (N=38 out of total N=48). There were 2 unsuccessful transmissions (4.2%) and 8 unknown transmissions (16.7%). After the network switch, the first transmission success rate increased to 67.9% (N=36 out of total N=53). Adding in the retransmission successes (N=4) led to an overall success rate of 75.5% (N=40 out of total N=53). There were no documented unsuccessful transmissions and 13 unknown transmissions (24.5%). The difference in first transmission success rates was significant (χ 2 =10.67, P =.001), and there was no difference detected in overall transmission success rate between the 2 groups (χ 2 =0.196, P =.658). Conclusion: Wireless ECG transmission rates can be affected by the type and maturity of the cellular network. We found a higher first-transmission success rate by switching to a more mature network with equal voice and data transmission priority.

Implementation of Industrial Telemetry Over SMS

This paper introduces the implementation of Industrial Telemetry and control networks over GSM-SMS (Short Message Service). A GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) modem TC35 and microcontroller is integrated to complete data acquisition and communication to the control center. SMS is cost-efficiency means to transfer data and control information over the GSM networks. Design of the data acquisition terminal and framework of the telemetry control system is present; the system has come into use in industrial sections.

Efficient data mining for calling path patterns in GSM networks

In this paper, we explore a new data mining capability that involves mining calling path patterns in global system for mobile communication (GSM) networks. Our proposed method consists of two phases. First, we devise a data structure to convert the original calling paths in the log file into a frequent calling path graph. Second, we design an algorithm to mine the calling path patterns from the frequent calling path graph obtained. By using the frequent calling path graph to mine the calling path patterns, our proposed algorithm does not generate unnecessary candidate patterns and requires less database scans. If the corresponding calling path graph of the GSM network can be fitted in the main memory, our proposed algorithm scans the database only once. Otherwise, the cellular structure of the GSM network is divided into several partitions so that the corresponding calling path sub-graph of each partition can be fitted in the main memory. The number of database scans for this case is equal to the number of partitioned sub-graphs. Therefore, our proposed algorithm is more efficient than the PrefixSpan and a priori-like approaches. The experimental results show that our proposed algorithm outperforms the a priori-like and PrefixSpan approaches by several orders of magnitude.

Analysis of the WAP protocol over SMS in GSM networks

AbstractThis paper, based on the PALIO Project within the fifth Research Framework of the European Commission, deals with an information tourist service accessible through mobile phones by means of the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). We have considered a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network where the WAP traffic is transported by the Short Message Service (SMS) on a logical channel that also conveys signaling messages. Suitable models have been considered for both WAP browsing traffic and signaling traffic. We have proposed a theoretical approach to evaluate the mean delay to browse a WAP page taking into account the impact of the signaling load. Analytical predictions have been validated through comparisons with simulation results. Moreover, we have also considered a specific Quality of Service (QoS) requirement in terms of the maximum deck transmission delay that is guaranteed in 95 per cent of cases. Consequently, it has been possible to evaluate the number of WAP users that can be supported per cell. The study carried out in this paper permits to prove the feasibility for the envisaged mobile service based on WAP and it also allows dimensioning WAP pages so that each user experiences reasonable browsing delays. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Stream ciphers for GSM networks

With the advance of wireless communications technology, mobile communications has become more convenient than ever. However, because of the openness of wireless communications, how to protect the privacy between communicating parties is becoming a very important issue. In this paper, we focus on the security of transferring voice message on the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) networks. Stream cipher is recommended for message encryption and decryption. First, a key generator is presented. Then, on the basis of the key generator, stream ciphers are designed with respect to different levels of securities of GSM networks. Simulation results indicate that the key generator always produces key strings of evenly distributed 0’s and 1’s and with a very long period; i.e. it is very unlikely that repeated patterns will appear. Cryptanalysis and operational analysis show that the proposed stream ciphers are secure and efficient; consequently, they provide a comprehensive set of message encryption/decryption algorithms for GSM networks.

A tutorial overview of the short message service within GSM

Presents an overview of the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) short message service (SMS) from the viewpoint of implementing new telematic services. It is motivated by the increasing potential that the SMS offers for integration with existing messaging services and its ability to offer an alternative to TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol) for low-bandwidth applications. Initially, this tutorial gives a brief overview of the building blocks of GSM networks and then the SMS network and its protocol architecture. The most widely used protocols for message submission are then introduced and compared in terms of their ability to handle extended alphabets, two-way messaging etc. Finally, the tutorial outlines a summary of current and future issues for further research and development in the light of novel features for submission protocols and telematic services.

Simulating Authentication Delay in GSM Networks

Simulation measures are needed to evaluate the authentication protocol used in the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM). A simulation model is presented and used to evaluate the delay introduced by the authenti cation protocol used in GSM. The simulation results show the amount of signaling traffic introduced by the authentication messages in GSM systems.

An Electromagnetic-Time Delay Method for Determining the Positions and Velocities of Mobile Stations in a Gsm Network - Abstract

In this paper we propose a hybrid method to determine the positions and velocities of mobile stations (MSs) in a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) network. The proposed method can be implemented within the existing GSM standard without any additional hardware changes. The hybrid method operates at two levels. At a lower level, time delay method (TDM) is used to obtain coarse values for distances between a MS and three or more Base Transceivers (BTSs). At a higher level, field strength method (FSM) uses the coarse distances estimates obtained using TDM as initial values to obtain refined values for distances. The accurate position of a MS then can be determined by the refined distance values. Subsequently, the velocity of the MS be can obtained using the FSM estimates of the sequential positions of the MS. Least mean square (LMS) method is used to determine the refined distances in the FSM algorithm and to estimate the actual position of the MS from the refined distance estimates. The proposed method was tested for several cases, including complex MS trajectories and varying speeds along the trajectory. The heights of the BTSs were allowed to vary between 20 m and 60 m. The convergence characteristics were found to be satisfactory. For a SNR of 20 dB, position measurements accuracy in a roughly 4 km2 cell is 30 m in a Gaussian channel, 60 m in a Rayleigh channel and 80 m in a Rician channel. The velocity accuracy for a MS traveling at 200 km/h is 15 km/h in a Gaussian channel, 30 km/h in a Rayleigh channel and 50 km/h in a Rician Channel.

Secure communication mechanisms for GSM networks

With the advance of wireless communications technology, mobile communications has become more convenient than ever. However, because of the openness of wireless communications, the protection of the privacy between communicating parties is becoming a very important issue. We focus on the security of the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) networks. A secure communication architecture for the GSM network is proposed. In the proposed architecture, we use public-key cryptography for user authentication and stream cipher for message encryption and decryption. An authentication protocol and a key generation method are presented in conjunction with the proposed architecture. Cryptanalysis and operational analysis show that the authentication protocol is secure and efficient. Simulation results indicate that the key generation method can always produce key strings of evenly distributed 0s and 1s and with infinite period.

Application of dynamic channel allocation strategies to the GSM cellular network

We refer to the implementation and the performance of a specific class of dynamic carrier allocation (DCA) strategies which is suitable for being introduced in the pan-European Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) cellular network. One of the main concerns of this work is to verify if and to what extent strategies belonging to this class can offer better performance than fixed channel allocation (FCA) in realistic traffic and propagation conditions. The impact of the introduction in a real network of two of the more promising DCA strategies in the considered class is assessed. In particular, solutions are presented concerning the signaling exchanges entailed by the implementation of each of the considered DCA strategies. A performance evaluation of a realistic cellular network exploiting the above-mentioned DCA strategies is carried out, taking into account all of the main GSM transmission and network aspects. The simulations have been performed by considering a realistic cell layout corresponding to the urban area of Rome, its realistic propagation environment, and a user mobility model based on the building percentages in such an area. The results of the performance evaluation show that, by carefully choosing the values of the parameters characterizing each of the considered DCA strategies, a conspicuous increase in the number of users supported by the cellular network can be achieved.

Concepts, services, and protocols of the new GSM phase 2+ general packet radio service

For almost three years the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has been working on the specification of the general packet radio service (GPRS) for the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). In the course of 1997 standardization will come to an end, and a first introduction of GPRS by a service provider or network operator is likely to take place in 1999. The new service will accommodate data connections with variable bit rates and high bandwidth efficiency, and thus offers the possibility to attract a wide range of new applications to GSM networks. In this article possible applications and elementary concepts and service characteristics of GPRS are explained in detail. Furthermore, a medium access control protocol that conforms to the draft standard proposal for the GPRS air interface is introduced and analyzed. Thereafter, the simulation model is described and simulation results presented. The performance analysis carried out shows reasonable performance even under high load conditions.

Integration of intelligent network services into future GSM networks

This article introduces various difficulties and issues in the basic scenario of integrating intelligent networks (INs) and the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). As an example, implementation of Universal Personal Telecommunications (UPT) is considered. This article does not offer a comprehensive analysis, but rather a tutorial view. The separation of cellular networks and IN is not well suited to provide common mobility-related services. The present signaling systems do not enable transfer of mobility-related parameters, such as the cell identity and international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI). A call connection to the service switching point must be set up every time IN services are used from the GSM network. The same information is stored in several network elements, and service creation and management are complex. With those disabilities in mind, two integration scenarios are introduced and their characteristics are compared. However, the aim is not to give detailed guidance for implementation, but rather to introduce different options and describe their most significant characteristics. It is important to be able to provide mobility-based information directly to the IN. Flexible integration calls for changes both in mobile exchanges and signalling systems. Mobile exchanges will be built with additional IN functionality and, in fact, future signalling systems will better carry mobility-related information. Mobility can be implemented with a rather small investment, provided that there are digital exchanges and transmission systems and the basic infrastructure has already been built. The required intelligence can be offered by using the existing Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) or IN architecture.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Testbeds for assessing the performance of a TDMA-based radio access design for UMTS

With the successful introduction of GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) networks in many countries, attention is now turning to the development of the next, or third, generation of mobile cellular systems. The requirements for these systems are expressed in the ITU concept of FPLMTS (Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunication Systems), and the parallel ETSI concept of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Key elements in the definition of third generation systems are the radio access system and the subtending radio transmission technology. A procedure for evaluating the relative merit of radio transmission technologies is being developed as one of the instruments for identifying the radio access system(s) to be standardised. The evaluation phase will typically be performed by exercising testbeds related to the radio access proposals. A TDMA-based radio access design for UMTS has been introduced. This design bases on a new functional model for relating transport and control functions and has been developed in the framework of the European RACE Advanced TDMA Mobile Access (ATDMA) project. The performance of the ATDMA design is being assessed through a complex testbed activity aimed at: (1) proving the viability and the effective interworking of a range of radio techniques; and (2) estimating the traffic capacity of the design. >

Architecture of on integrated GSM‐satellite system

AbstractThe integration of satellite systems with cellular networks permits to provide wider and more efficient area coverage. This paper deals with the network aspects related to a full integration between the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) pan‐European cellular network and a spot‐beam geostationary satellite. The basic requirements of full integration are that the insertion of the satellite system does not entail any modification on the already existing GSM network and that the satellite system reuses, as far as possible, the same equipment and protocols, i.e. the same hardware and software, as the GSM network. In the fully integrated system the user need not be aware whether the actual connection goes through the satellite or the cellular network. In particular, this paper identifies the satellite system counterpart of the GSM functional areas (cell, location area, MSC area, PLMN area) and deals with the problems and the relevant solutions related to the extension of the GSM procedures (e.g. call set‐up, cell selection/reselection, handover, initial acquisition, tracking) to the integrated network. This paper is partly based upon the work performed by the author in the framework of an European Space Agency (ESA) study on the compatibility between satellite systems and the GSM cellular network (Telespazio is the prime contractor of this study) and partly results from the cooperation of the author with the INFOCOM department of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. The opinions herewith reported are not necessarily those of ESA.