AMR basics in GSM

This page describes AMR(Adaptive Multi-Rate) basics in GSM technology. It covers various speech codec AMR rates supported in GSM.

AMR(Adaptive Multi-Rate) concept is used in GSM mobile, where speech codec rate is changed based on signal quality(i.e. C/I). Different rates are available based on redundancy required to be introduced based on carrier to interference ratio(C/I), which provides less or more error correction capability.

This tutorial section on GSM basics covers following sub topics:
Main Page  Frame  Burst types  PHY  gsm stack  speech processing  ARFCN  Channel types  GSM Security  Network Entry  Mobile basics 

In AMR, speech codec can be changed either by network or by GSM mobile.It is changed every two speech frames. If it is mobile initiated then, Mobile sends CMR(Codec Mode Request) to the network(i.e. BTS) and BTS responds with CMI(Codec Mode Indication). If it is network initiated then, BTS sends CMC(Codec Mode Command) to the mobile.

There are 14 modes in AMR speech codec, 8 in full rate(AMR narroband) and 6 in half rate(AMR wideband).
AMR uses DTx(discontinuous transmission) along with VAD(voice activity detection) and CNG(comfort noise generator to reduce BW(bandwidth) usage.

The AMR is based on the fact that in poor C/I:
•  Speech coding can be decreased in order to improve channel coding
•  Overall result is an improved voice quality (in terms of FER)
•  For AMR, the speech and channel coding data rates are dynamically adapted to best fit the current RF channel conditions.

AMR consists on a family of codec with different Channel Coding operating in GSM Full Rate (FR) and Half Rate (HR). The aim is to improve channel (FR/HR) quality by adapting the most appropriate channel codec based on the current radio conditions.

With AMR, the speech capacity is increased by using the half rate (HR) mode and still maintaining the quality level of current FR calls.

The idea behind the AMR codec concept is that it is capable of adapting its operation optimally according to the prevailing channel conditions. The speech coder is capable (theoretically) of switching its bit-rate every 20 ms speech frame upon command.

Frame Formats in AMR

AMR Bit rates

•  The protection classes are :
•  Class 1a - Data protected with the CRC and the convolution code
•  Class 1b - Data protected with the convolution code
•  Class 2 - Data sent without protection.

AMR Thresholds and Hysteresis Values

•  Thresholds (6-bits per threshold): steps: 0.5 dB, range:0 to 63
•  Hysteresis (4-bits per hysteresis): steps: 0.5 dB, range: 0 to 15
•  Thresholds and hysteresis are used for the link rate adaptation
•  Hysteresis values are given to prevent toggling between neighboring codec modes.

Setup Procedures for AMR

• AMR Channel Parameters given by BTS to MS during call setup and/or handover by layer3 signalling.
• These channel parameters can be changed during a call using RATSCCH signalling.
• AMR Channel Parameters are:
• ACS (Active Codec Set)
• Thresholds/Hysteresis is the one used to move from one codec mode to the other by changing C/I.
• ICM (Inital Codec Mode)
• ACS
• set of 1 to 4 codecs to be used during the communication. The link-rate adaptation will be done among these codecs.
• The same ACS is valid for UL and DL (this does not means that the same codec is used simultaneously for UL and DL)
• Generally represented as a bit-field of 8 bits, each one representing a codec.
12.2 ->10.2->7.95->7.40->6.70->5.90->5.15->4.75
EXAMPLE:If ACS = 0xA5 then ACS is (12.2, 7.95, 5.90, 4.75), Where CODEC_MODE1 (lowest bit rate) = 4.75, CODEC_MODE2 = 5.90 and so on.

Reference

3GPP 51.010 specifications, 26.16.2

RELATED LINKS

GSM Tutorial   GSM mobile originated call flow   GSM Mobile Terminated Call flow 
GSM protocol stack   GSM physical layer   GPRS protocol stack   GPRS tutorial  

RF and Wireless Terminologies