GSM: Common Channels
Frequency Correction Control Channel (FCCH) and
Synchronization Channel (SCH) - downlink
n mobile stations listen to the FCCH and SCH to acquire time
synchronization with base station
n FCCH transmits a unique radio burst (F burst with 142 bits set
to 0)
n SCH immediately follows FCCH, and its burst (S burst with 64
bit training sequence) gives cell’s burst numbering - all
frequencies in cell follow same numbering
n exactly one set of FCCH and SCH channels per cell, by
definition on TN 0, on a non-hopping frequency called the
beacon frequency