Though the term BTS can be applicable to any of the wireless communication standards, it is generally and commonly associated with mobile communication technologies like GSM and CDMA. In this regard, a BTS has the equipment (transceivers) for transmitting and receiving of radio signals, signal processors, signal paths, signal amplifiers, and equipment for system management.

It may also have equipment for encrypting and decrypting communications, spectrum filtering tools etc. Antennas may also be considered as components of BTS in a general sense as they facilitate the functioning of BTS.

Typically a BTS will have several transceivers (TRXs) which allow it to serve several different frequencies and different sectors of the cell (in the case of sectorised base stations).

A BTS is controlled by a parent BSC via the Base Station Control Function (BCF). The BCF is implemented as a discrete unit or even incorporated in a TRX in compact base stations. The BCF provides an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) connection to the Network Management System (NMS), and manages operational states of each TRX, as well as software handling and alarm collection. The basic structure and functions of the BTS remains the same regardless of the wireless