Here you can find explanation to some terms, which can be found in this FAQ:
ACCH (Analog Control Channel) (TDMA 800/TDMA 1900)
AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service)
Analogue cellular system working in 800 Mhz used, for example, in North America.
ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)
Electronic chips designed for some concrete purposes
(for example, in phone it controlls communication between MCU and DSP)
They're designed and produced by the companies which use them.
AVCH (Analog Voice Channel) (TDMA 800/TDMA 1900)
BCC (Base-station Color Code)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
3-bit number (from 0-7 range) used to distinguish neighbor cells of the same operator,
transmitting using BCCH in the same
FDMA channel. Such distinguish is not needed when the cells belong to different operators
(they use different channels and their BCCH are in different FDMA channels).
It is given in BSIC of each BTS (you can check it for example in
test 2).
BSC (Base Station Controller)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
It controls and supervises one or more BTSes.
BSIC (Base Station Identity Code
or Base transceiver Station Identity Code)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Unique ID number of each BTS. If we code this value binary, first three digits (in decimal format)
are BCC and next three are NCC. These values range from 0 - 63.
BSIC values can be found among others in test 2.
BTS (Base Transceiver Station)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
This device allows communication between phones and cellular network
(many parameters, like current communication channel, distance to BTS and signal quality can be found, for example,
in test 1).
And here are another classes with maximum power of BTS:
GSM 1800 | |
160 W (52 dBm) 80 W (49 dBm) 40 W (46 dBm) |
- - - |
10 W (40 dBm) 5 W (37 dBm) 2,5 W (34 dBm) |
In Polish version of this FAQ I give many links to WWW pages with BTS lists, their descriptions, pictures (in Poland).
From English pages I recommend www.geckobeach.com/cellular/cellpixs/cellid.htm site - it's about networks and BTSes in North America.
Another links connected with it:
C1 (path loss-criterium)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
This is a parameter (ranging from -99 to 99 dBm) calculated by the phone to decide which cells to use
(it uses the cell only if its C1 is positive). This value is based on:
It is calculated using following formula:
C2 (cell-reselection criterion)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
This parameter (-99 to 99 dBm) is calculated with following formula:
H(x) function for currently not used cells is 0 (if x<0) or 1 (if x>=0). For current cell H(x) is always equal 0.
By a skillful manipulation of this parameter (through CELL_RESELECT_HYSTERESIS), operators can direct
connections to specific cells (thus lightening load of the network).
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access; also known as IS-95)
One of the newer digital technologies in 800 or 1900 Mhz. Used in North America, Australia and some southeastern Asian countries
(e.g. Hong Kong and South Korea). It doesn't divide the radio frequency
spectrum into separate user channels by frequency slices or time slots, but
separates users by assigning them digital codes within the same broad spectrum.
DCCH (Digital Control Channel) (TDMA 800/TDMA 1900)
DCS (Digital Cellular System)
Cellular communication system working in 1800 MHz frequency band
(currently more often called GSM 1800) – a changed version of GSM (900 MHz) system.
Its new features allowed to increase network capacity (that’s why this system is used in urban areas with huge number
of subscribers) at the cost of thick net of the base stations (BTSes)
and to provide roaming within one country. GSM 1800 has different channel numbers
(see test 17), different phone
(see RX description) and BTSes
transmission power and also different max speed of the user, at which he can use his phone
(250 km/h in GSM and 130 km/h in DCS).
DSP (Digital Signal Processor)
Signal processor (digital signals processing chip - controls radio interface and speech coding/decoding).
Its version can be checked in test 88.
DTCH (Digital Traffic Channel) (TDMA 800/TDMA 1900)
DTX (Discontinous Transmission Exchange)
Some phones and networks "care" ;-) about battery life using so called discontinuous transmission (DTX),
which turns off phone’s transmitter when we don’t talk (but – for example - listen to the calling party).
During that period the phone generates a so called comfortable :-) noise, because if our interlocutor heard the silence,
he could think that the connection was broken.
(GSM/DCS/PCS):
DTX must be supported by the phone (Nokia does - see
test 78) and BTS - you can check and
(sometimes) change this in test 12 and
test 13.
FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
This name means multiaccess on frequency field: transmission proceeds on different frequencies at the same time
(this is a "full duplex" connection): there is a “down-link” from BTS to the phone and
“up-link” - from the phone to BTS (this is called "up" and "down" because BTS
antennas are usually higher than phone ones, so the signal from BTS to the phone
really must go down (and vice versa)).
Frequency hopping (channel hopping)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
During connection your phone can continuously change used frequency (used channel) in communication with cell.
It's used, when some channel is still troubled - without channel hopping
communication with phone could not be possible, with it it's - only this
part of transmition, which is made on this frequency, is lost (so, if gives less number of
signal loss, but doesn't change sound quality - methods of coding it are always
the same). You can check (during a call) if your phone uses this function in
test 1. test 12 informs
if it is allowed by the cell (these values are updated only during a call). Channel hopping requires
Hopping Sequence Number (frenquencies are changed according to known for phone and network sequence)
- see test 2.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)
Cellular telecommunication system working at 900 MHz. It also has a 1800 MHz (DCS) and
1900 MHz (PCS) version.
HLR (Home Location Register)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Network register containing information about subscribers (i.e. about their subscribed services,
tariff, last network they were logged in, etc.).
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identification code)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Unique 15-digit identification number of every GSM phone on the world. It can be checked using *#06# code
(all phones) or in service menu (Nokia), which can be activated by typing a code *#WAR0ANTY# or
*#WARRANTY# (Nokia 6130). In Nokia 3110 after entering service menu (*#WAR0ANTY#)
you have to additionally enter a code 9268. IMEI contains information about the manufacturer,
place of production and serial number (check www.tele-servizi.com/janus/texts/imei.txt
for such list for Motorola phones,
here is my list for Nokia phones).
Operators can restrict network access for particular phones – for example the stolen ones
(identified using IMEI number). Different operators can exchange such lists too.
IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identify)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Unique (max 15-digit) number given to the phone:
IMSI attach
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
It is a procedure executed after each power on. The phone informs network that it is active (and is ready for communication
- receiving waiting SMS, etc.) and then it receives the IMSI number.
The counter connected with IMSI attach is located in test 64,
test 7 informs whether this is allowed by the current cell.
IMSI detach
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
The phone informs network that it is going to switch off and the communication won’t be possible
(its IMSI expires). The counter connected with IMSI detach is located in
test 64. test 7
informs whether this is allowed by the current cell.
Location Update
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Every GSM phone periodically informs network about its current location.
This function is called Location Update. It is executed after changing Location Area (phone makes
it "intelligent" - when it's moved out of network coverage and the logs again to the network, makes Location Update
only when current BTS has different LAC than previous one – before losing the signal) or
PLMN (after leaving the range of one network and trying to log in to another).
Then information about Location Update is transferred to a new MSC/VLR,
which in turn passes this information to HLR. When the phone works in new
MSC/VLR, HLR doesn’t identify the user by
the number received from old MSC/VLR anymore. Location Update
has a couple of varieties: PLU, IMSI attach and IMSI detach
(they're distinquished in test 64). Current Location Area code can be checked in
test 11.
MCU (Master Control Unit processor)
Main processor in phone.
MSC (Mobile Switching Center)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Part of the system responsible for communication between subscribers and other users (also from other networks).
NCC (National Color Code or Network Color Code)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
3-bit number (from 0-7 range) used to differentiate cells of the operators from different countries
(for example near the border, where the phone is in range of several different networks) transmitting using
BCCH in the same FDMA channel. This number is constant
within PLMN. It is given in BSIC of every BTS
(you can check it in test 2).
PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Area covered by one operator (one network). After changing this area, the phone executes
Location Update.
PLU (Periodic Location Update)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
The phone informs network, on which country area (in the range of which cells) it is located.
This procedure is executed periodically (depending on the network, for example in polish
Era GSM and
Plus GSM networks every 3rd hour, in
Idea every 2th hour)
- this can be checked in test 10. This period is counted from the
last „contact” with network (the counter doesn’t stop even if the phone loses network signal!) – from the last call, sending/receiving
SMS, requesting some services (for example enabling call diverting), because the network is then informed about phone’s
location (but this is not registered in test 64).
The counter connected with PLU is in test 64.
TCH (Traffic Channels)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
Two way user data (computer data or digitized voice) channels. They can be divided to:
enabling | disabling |
cell 0070 value for 78
cell 011F value for 84 |
cell 0070 value for 70
cell 011F value for 7C |
When you network doesn't support one of these channel and phone recognizes its activation code, you may see "Not ready" message.
You can check this in test 1. The sequence of TCH channels can be freely set using some of the service programs (for example WinTesla – in Software/Product Profile menu) - it can be only possibility to enable HR channel in phone.
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
This means multiaccess in time: several phones can transmit signal (either digitized voice or computer data) in the
same time on the same channel (its number can be checked in test 1) –
actually, this period of time is divided into very small parts (see TS description),
invisible for us, so we can assume it happens simultaneously).
TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity):
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
During signalization procedures encrypted on radio channel
(for example, during location update) this number is assigned by
MSC to phone. In the moment, when network wants to contact
with concrete phone and transmission on radio channel is not encrypted, it's send
instead of IMSI and allows phone to indentify, that concrete
call concern on it. It doesn't have global meaning
and it's structure is definited by network administrator. Actual TMSI
you can check in test 10.
TS (Time Slot)
Each radio channel used in communication between phone and
BTS is divided into 8 parts (called TS - time slots). If in all BTSes
(available for your phone) all time slots are in use, you won't be able to make/receive a call and you'll get a 'Network busy'
message (information about reason of connection failure is given among others in
test 39). Unfortunately, each type of connection has the same priority in
networks not supporting GSM Phase 2+ (it isn't available in older GSM Phases) - so if you want to dial emergency number 112
and the network is busy, no other call will be interrupted and you won't get connected. This problem can also be solved by
adding more BTSes (for example in dual GSM 900/1800 MHz network) or by modifying
current stations to allow the use of HR channels (FR
and EFR transmission uses whole assigned time slot, while HR
(defined in GSM Phase 2) only half of it). Max data transmission speed using one TS is 9.6 kbit/sec (or 14.4 kbit/sec,
but only in some additional conditions). There are new systems allowing higher transmission speeds
(for example GPRS (Generic Packet Radio Services) or HSCSD
(High Speed Circuit Switched Data), but they achieve this using several time slots
at the same time (which decreases network capacity). Actual used TS can be checked
in test 1, in phones with HSCSD (like Nokia 6210)
use also test 8 for it...
VLR (Visitor Location Register)
(GSM/DCS/PCS)
This register contains the same data as HLR, but for roaming guests
(their data are taken from their home network HLR).
Marcin Wiacek (WWW)
Last modification: 10 March 2002