Article written by John Scourias, with comments in maroon by Tom Farley

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Generic GSM architecture by Scourias / Lucent GSM architecture / Ericsson GSM architecture / Nokia architecture / Siemen's GSM architecture

Ericsson GSM architecture

 

AXE: Automatic Exchange Electric: Ericsson's digital switch. They operate as either a landline or wireless switch. OSS: Operations support system EET: Ericsson engineering tool, network planning software. SOG: service order gateway BGW: billing gateway. MIN: Mobile intelligent network. SCP: service control point.

For a pictorial view of all of this, click here

Overview

Ericsson divides a system into several parts, such as a switching system, base station system, network management system and so on. Here's a quick guide to some of the terms.

Base station system

Made up of a base station controller (BSC) and the individual base transceiver stations (BTS), which most people just call base stations. AXE stands for Automatic Exchange Electric, Ericsson's digital switch. Seeing AXE in the outlined box means that element is tied or linked to the switch.

Gateway products

The service order gateway (SOG) means a service desk, where clerks access network databases. Operators enter and cancel accounts and do administrative chores. The billing gateway (BGW) is where customer and administrative billing information contacts the individual carrier.

Message Center

"Stores and forwards voice, fax and electronic mail, as well as short texts from paging networks."

MIN Network

MIN stands for mobile intelligent network. The service control point (SCP), The service management system (SMAS) provides service management functions. "800-number lookup services, calling card services, calling number identification, short message service, message waiting indicator, and debit card services" are all provided through databases linked to the cellular system by the much larger, countrywide MIN.

Operations support system

Every cellular system has an OMC or operation maintenance center. Some call it network control. It monitors every aspect of a cellular system. A maintenance center may monitor several carrier's systems. Every OMC is staffed twenty four hours a day. In the case of Ericsson terminology, Operations support system (OSS) is the word for the operation and maintenance center. EET stands for Ericsson engineering tool, a network planning device.

For a pictorial view of all of this, click here

http://www.ericsson.com

 

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