TSG SA – Service and System Aspects

The Technical Specification Group – Service and System Aspects (TSG SA) is responsible for the overall architecture and service capabilities of systems based on 3GPP specifications and, as such, has a responsibility for cross TSG co-ordination.

Terms of Reference

The latest terms of reference were approved at SA#36 in document SP-070453.

The technical specification development work within 3GPP is accomplished by Technical Specification Groups (TSGs) according to the principles and rules contained in the Project reference documentation (Partnership Project Description, Partnership Project Description, Partnership Project Agreement, and Partnership Project Working Procedures).

In particular the TSGs report to the Project Coordination Group (PCG), and may organize their work in Working Groups and liaise with other groups as appropriate.

Each TSG has the responsibility to develop, approve and maintain the specifications within its terms of reference.

The TSG Service and System Aspects (TSG SA) is responsible for the overall architecture and service capabilities of systems based on 3GPP specifications and, as such, has a responsibility for cross TSG co-ordination. Any difficulty that may appear in this role shall be reported to the PCG.

Specifically TSG SA has a responsibility for:

• Definition, evolution and maintenance of the overall system architecture including the assignment of functions to particular subsystems (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Core network, terminal, Subscriber Identity Module/Universal Subscriber Identity Module), identification of key information flows and definition of required bearers and services offered by these different subsystems.
• Development of a framework for services, service capabilities, service architecture, charging and consideration of need for «default» services and/or applications
• Definition of a security framework and review of security aspects of overall system
• Management of work items including assignment of tasks to other TSGs and monitoring of progress

More specifically, TSG SA will address the following areas of work:

Services Capabilities

• Definition of service and feature requirements
• Development of service capabilities and a service architecture for cellular, fixed and cordless applications
• Ensure an open environment for industry wide development of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)

Stage 1 and 2 description of:

• Charging and Accounting
• Network Management
• Security Aspects

Architecture

• Definition, evolution and maintenance of the overall architecture including the assignment of functions to particular subsystems (e.g. Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), Core network, Terminal, Subscriber Identity Module/Universal Subscriber Identity Module) and identification of key information flows.
• In co-operation with the other TSGs, define required services, service capabilities and bearers capabilities offered by the different subsystems, including Quality of Service requirements for access to both packet and circuit switched networks.

CODEC aspects

• Principles for definition of end-to-end transmission.
• Definition, evolution and maintenance of relevant specifications.

Project Coordination

• High level co-ordination of the work performed in other TSGs and monitoring of progress.