Control Channel

What is it? 

A control channel is a separate line or communications channel designed to carry codes rather than data. 

How does it work? 

In the GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), control channels consist of the SDCCH (Standalone Dedicated Control Channel), the SACCH (Slow Associated Control Channel), and the FACCH (Fast Associated Control Channel). 

Within a cellular system, the primary roles attributed to a control channel encompass: 

• establishing and terminating calls 
• tracking the location of phones 
• assigning frequencies 
• switching cells 

Types of control channels 

Common channels within the GSM include the RACH (Random Access Channel), the PCH (Paging Channel), and the AGCH (Access Grant Channel).