Base station identity code
Encyclopedia
The Base Station Identity Code (BSIC) is a code used in GSM to uniquely identify a base station
. The code is needed because it is possible that mobile station
s receive the broadcast channel of more than one base station on the same frequency. This is due to frequency re-use in a cellular network
. The BSIC is defined in GSM specification 03.03 section 4.3.2.
Each base-station has its own BSIC, this code is at all times transmitted on the broadcast channel, so the Mobile Stations can distinguish between base stations. The BSIC is composed of a 3-bit Network Color Code (NCC) and a 3-bit Base station Color Code (BCC). The NCC is assigned to each network provider so the MS can sort out which base-stations it is allowed to camp on. The NCC of different providers must be different, also in national border-areas. The BCCHs (Broadcast Control Channel) of each base stations are assigned by the network operator, and must be assigned such that no neighbor stations have equal BCCH and thus equal BSIC.
As long as base stations use different frequencies
for their broadcasting channel, there is no problem in using the same Base Station Identity Code. Unique identification of a base station is especially important in border areas, where at both sides of the border there is a different operator who might use the same broadcasting channel on the same frequency.
Base station
The term base station can be used in the context of land surveying and wireless communications.- Land surveying :In the context of external land surveying, a base station is a GPS receiver at an accurately-known fixed location which is used to derive correction information for nearby portable GPS...
. The code is needed because it is possible that mobile station
Mobile Station
The mobile station comprises all user equipment and software needed for communication with a mobile network.The mobile station refers to global system connected to the mobile network, i.e. mobile phone or mobile computer connected using a mobile broadband adapter. This is the terminology of 2G...
s receive the broadcast channel of more than one base station on the same frequency. This is due to frequency re-use in a cellular network
Cellular network
A cellular network is a radio network distributed over land areas called cells, each served by at least one fixed-location transceiver known as a cell site or base station. When joined together these cells provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area...
. The BSIC is defined in GSM specification 03.03 section 4.3.2.
Each base-station has its own BSIC, this code is at all times transmitted on the broadcast channel, so the Mobile Stations can distinguish between base stations. The BSIC is composed of a 3-bit Network Color Code (NCC) and a 3-bit Base station Color Code (BCC). The NCC is assigned to each network provider so the MS can sort out which base-stations it is allowed to camp on. The NCC of different providers must be different, also in national border-areas. The BCCHs (Broadcast Control Channel) of each base stations are assigned by the network operator, and must be assigned such that no neighbor stations have equal BCCH and thus equal BSIC.
As long as base stations use different frequencies
Radio frequency
Radio frequency is a rate of oscillation in the range of about 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which corresponds to the frequency of radio waves, and the alternating currents which carry radio signals...
for their broadcasting channel, there is no problem in using the same Base Station Identity Code. Unique identification of a base station is especially important in border areas, where at both sides of the border there is a different operator who might use the same broadcasting channel on the same frequency.