Training Solutions

GPRS Air Interface (e) *RETIRED*

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is the next evolutionary step of GSM. The difference is that the air interface supports both circuit-switched connections (in GSM) and packet-switched connections (in GPRS). This course provides the details of the GPRS air interface, including an understanding of the spectrum used and the radio technology. Since GPRS uses the same physical structure as GSM, the details on how the air interface can be used to support both voice and data services as well as the mechanism that is used to support variable data rates is presented. After exploring how the channels are configured and can coexist with a GSM radio environment, this course explores resource allocation management in GPRS, includeing how GPRS is capable of supporting “bandwidth on demand” and “always on” concepts. This course breaks down how GPRS can be used to manage air interface resources more efficiently.

Note: All eLearning courses are web-based and require an internet connection to access the course. eLearning courses purchased online have a 6 month access period per purchased license. Login information will be sent within 2 business days after receipt of payment (eChecks may take longer).

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the student will be able to:
• Describe the GPRS spectrum and its relationship to GSM
• Explain the channel structure in GPRS
• Describe how the GPRS service might be provided using GSM channels
• List the various radio interface protocols
• Describe how multiple users are multiplexed into resources as well as how one user may use multiple channels
• Explain how the “Always Connected” paradigm is supported in GPRS

Intended Audience

This course is intended for those seeking a detailed understanding of the GPRS Air Interface. This includes those in a design, test, systems engineering, sales engineering, network engineering, or verification role.

Suggested Prerequisites

• Overview of GPRS (eLearning)

Suggested Follow-up Training/Complementary Courses

• GPRS Packet Data Operations (eLearning)
• GPRS Mobility (eLearning)

Course Length

3 hours of eLearning

Course Outlines / Knowledge Knuggets

1. GPRS Network Refresher
1.1. Overview of the components of GPRS
1.2. Impact of GPRS on GSM

2. GPRS Radio Spectrum
2.1. Introduction to the GPRS radio spectrum
2.2. GSM and GPRS spectrum coordination

3. GPRS Radio Technology
3.1. Structure of GPRS radio interface
3.2. GPRS protocol stack

4. Radio Frequency Channel Structure
4.1. Adding GPRS to an existing GSM radio network
4.2. GPRS channel structure
4.3. GPRS physical and logical channels
4.4. Processing and preparing user data for transmission over the air
4.5. GPRS and GSM radio channel coordination

5. Medium Access Control and Radio Link Control Protocol Layers
5.1. Role of the Radio Link Control Layer
5.2. Role of the Media Access Control Layer
5.3. Traffic channel allocation
5.4. Difference between packet channels and circuit switched channels
5.5. Error correction and retransmission

6. End-to-End
6.1. End-to-end packet flow

7. Summary

Put It All Together
Assess the knowledge of the participant based on the objectives of the course

CATALOG

Download our course catalog!

2010 Catalog,
pdf format (7.8 MB)