A brief introduction for specifications of 3GPP CS domain.

2G

From 1995 to 1998, mobile communication remains in 2G phase.

R99

In 1999, 3GPP release its first edition 3G specifications, with the version number R99. 3G-R99 bring new entities UTRAN, UE, Node-B and so forth. They are all RAN (Radio Access Network) related.

In 3G-R99 architecture, the specifications concerned include:
For A-interface and Iu-interface, 24.008,48.008,3GPP 25.413 UTRAN Iu interface RANAP signalling;
Between MSCs, ISUP Q.761-Q.764, TUP Q.721-Q.724;
MAP, 29.002;
CAP, 22.078, 23.078, 29.078.

R4

3GPP encounters Y2K problem, too. So, from 2000 3GPP names version of its specifications R4, R5, R6, R7, etc. 3G-R4 is the prevailing applied version currently.

3G-R4 bring Nc(Network Control), Nb(Network Bearer), Mc(Media Control) interfaces. It separate bearer from signaling.

In 3G-R4 architecture, the specifications concerned include:
For Nc-interface, Q.1901-Q.1902;
For Mc-interface, Q.1950, H.248;
For Nb-interface, ATM, IP, TDM are supported;
23.205 describes the general architecture of 3G-R4.

Internal implementation

23.018 describes the procedures within a MSC. Many SDL process and procedure figures for basic call are involved in it.