Commercial Mobile Communications Systems

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Commercial mobile communications systems first appeared in the early 1980's (1G). These systems were based on analogue transmission and a relatively small proportion of the population had access to these systems. Some flaws with these systems were that they did not provide a great deal of security and standardisation was not controlled particularly well.

2G

The first 2G systems were standardized and deployed in the early 90's. The GSM (Global System Mobile) standard has come to dominate but other co-existing technologies also operate such as CDMAone. GSM uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) in which each cellular channel is divided into a number of time-slots that are shared amongst a group of callers within a cell. CDMAone, on the other hand, employs CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) in which multiplexing is done on the basis of special mathematical codes used to encode the signal from each phone.

2G systems were developed primarily for voice communications and incorporated circuit-switching technology. In the past decade, some data capability has been added on with SMS (Short Message Service) and WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) but these are quite limited in terms of functionality and available capacity. GSM can offer a maximum of 9.6 Kbps per channel which is sufficient for voice but not suitable for any substantial data traffic.

In a GSM network mobile phones are in constant contact with the nearest BTS (Base Terrestrial Station) which is connected to a BSC (Base Station Controller) along with several other BTSs). The network of BSCs reports to a MSC (Master Station Controller) which manages the communications. It performs a number of functions including mobility management, authentication, encryption, billing, connectivity to PSTN (Public Switched Telephone System), etc.

GPRS allows for a GSM channel to be divided into 8 streams of 13 KBps each and for concurrent transmission of packets along each to yield a maximum of around 100 KBps. Another feature of GPRS is that it allows for simultaneous data transfer and voice calls. Because of the packet-switched nature of the mobile Internet services to GPRS phones charging is on the basis of how much data is transferred rather than how long the phone is connected to the Internet (as with WAP over circuit-switched GSM). As this applied to any packet-switching approach prices for data services in GPRS and beyond are significantly reduced, and also, constant connectivity to the IP-backbone is also made possible.

The public interest in GPRS has not been particularly enthusiastic, the reason being that it has not lived up the expectations. Actual speeds have been considerably lower than the 100 KBps mark. EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GPRS Evolution) is an attempt to improve data rates and deliver up to 384 Kbps. It represents another step towards 3G. In some respects EDGE itself can be considered a 3G technology and some operators may choose to skip this step and implement the IMT-2000 3G standard.

3G

3rd Generation systems are beginning to be deployed in many countries. 3G extends mobile services to include multi-rate multimedia content. The inter-connection between the wired Internet and the cellular world is firmly established with 3G. The IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications System 2000) encompasses the standards that 3G systems will be based upon. The standards use one of two technologies - W-CDMA (Wideband CDMA) or CDMA-2000. UMTS (which is likely to dominate as GSM has) will employ W-CDMA. Although there is a genuine attempt to unify IMT-2000 totally, 3G will not be cross-compatible on a world-wide scale which means that world-wide roaming is not 100% feasible across all carrier networks. An improved radio air interface standard in 3G supports high spectral efficiency and higher frequency bands (2 GHz band) with greater bandwidths are also utilised to achieve the higher data rates.

In the UMTS 3G architecture the UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) is a hierarchical network comprising of RNCs (Radio Network Controllers) and BSs. Since backward compatibility is maintained in 3G the BTS is simply augmented to incorporate the BS.

The RNC takes the place of the BSC but it has a greater role to play. As it is interconnected with other RNCs it provides local hand-over and some call-control between cells that fall under these RNCs in the hierarchy. This decentralises some of the MSC functionality freeing up MSC resources. The RNC also connects directly to the 3G SGSN.

The BS also has a more evolved role. Soft Hand-over, or Diversity Hand-over is a particularly useful inheritance from CDMAone. In this scheme, when a MT (Mobile Terminal) can reach more than one BS (eg. at a cell boundary) the uplink signal reaches the RNC through both BSs. The RNC uses sophisticated signal handling to combine them into a single data stream. This improves signal quality and provides a more seamless service.

3G to 4G

A basic comparison of 3G and 4G:

3G

4G

Data Rates of 100 Kbps to 2 Mbps

Goal is 'to provide multimedia multirate mobile communications anytime and anywhere'.

Connection between the cellular world and the wired Internet firmly established.

Mobile devices used mainly for Human-to-Human and Human-to-Machine communication.

Data Rates up to 100 Mbps.

Expansion on the 3G goal to provide a wider range of new and improved multimedia services.

Integration of broadcast, cellular, cordless, Wireless LAN, short-range and fixed wire systems to appear as a single seamless network.

Not only the 3G modes of communication but also characterized by a great deal of Machine-to-Machine traffic

4G

Location Management

4G will allow for Concatenated Location Registration. If the movement characteristics of a group of MTs are more or less similar their location registrations are concatenated, provided there is a common entity to concatenate with. Using the train example, assuming that the train itself performs location registration, a MT boarding the train only has to report to the Core Network that it is concatenated to the train. For the duration of the trip the Core network can perform location management based on the train's registration information.

Coverage

4G will provide varied service quality according to distance from dense urban areas. Data rates in rural areas are expected to be lower than those enjoyed in dense urban areas. In the most likely case 4G coverage will extend to metropolitan areas and 3G systems will be utilized beyond them. The reason is partly economical, but cell-sizes also play a role in this.

Hand-over

Due to the increased hand-over frequency the load on RNC signal processing equipment is also increased greatly. This is detrimental to system performance and seamless service. At such high data rates the hand-over process must be as quick and efficient as possible.

Movable Networks

Among the diverse range of wireless devices that 4G will support there will be many that are not capable of cellular access because of impracticality due to antenna size, power consumption, etc. Instead these devices will have short-range communications capabilities allowing Ad Hoc networking with other devices. There must be support services to allow the MH to be disconnected from the MN while staying connected to the backbone by being handed over to another access point or MT.

Mobility Control

Mobile devices based on IP need some form of mobility control so that data can continue to be routed to them correctly. However, the IP address is based on the Network ID and this may change as the user roams.

Wireless LAN Integration

One of the major evolutionary steps on the path to 4G is the integration of Wireless LANs so that they can access the IP backbone of a 4G network. A Wireless LAN is an extension to wired LAN where it uses electromagnetic airwaves for communication whereas wired LAN does uses cables. Wireless LAN types include Infrared (IR) Technology, Spread Spectrum Technology, Frequency hopping, Direct sequence and Narrowband Technology.

HIPER LAN 2

HIPER LAN 2 is one such broadband wireless technology. It operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and is intended to provide undeterred connectivity for mobile devices in corporate, public, and home environments. It uses a new type of radio technology called Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM).

HyperLAN will provide mobility and high-speed transmission with a raw over-the-air data rate of 54 Mbps at the physical layer as well as sustained throughput. For applications such as voice and video, the transmission speeds are somewhat lower at 20 Mbps. 

Bluetooth

The fact that 4G networks will support Ad Hoc Networking has been made quite clear but how it will do this has not yet been elaborated upon. Bluetooth is most likely to be the standard that will be a part of the 4G standards allowing for this functionality.

Social Implications

The availability of such high level services practically anywhere, anytime.

The availability of on-demand entertainment services will play a major role in this regard.

The most important social issue that is likely to come up time and time again is that of privacy. What personal information will be required to be stored, what part of this can be divulged publicly, what level of authentication and encryption will be required to secure communications - these are all questions that have to be answered but there are no straightforward answers. Solutions will most probably be found in legislation and it is quite likely that not everyone will agree with these.

Economic Implications

Apart from the technological challenges there are a number of economic and political challenges that will also come into play. It is not just a case of ‘best technology prevails’.

Assuming that widely accessible and affordable systems are in place within the next decade 4G systems will have a major effect on the economy and the way business is carried out. Higher levels of efficiency will be facilitated by the superior communications systems. For example, video Telephony will eliminate or reduce the need for 'face-to-face' meetings and the information and transaction services will be availability on the move.

Health Issues

The main concern, apart from mental health issues relating to social implications, is that of radiation levels. The effects of exposure to radio transmissions are still being researched. Although there is no unanimous, concrete connection between mobile devices and deterioration of health, the heavier, more condensed traffic characteristics of future generation mobile networks do pose a risk that must be studied in more detail.

5G

5G mobile technology has changed the means to use cell phones within very high bandwidth. User never experienced ever before such a high value technology. Nowadays mobile users have much awareness of the cell phone (mobile) technology. The 5G technologies include all type of advanced features which makes 5G mobile technology most powerful and in huge demand in near future.

High resolution for cell phone user and bi-directional large bandwidth shaping.

The high quality services of 5G technology based on Policy to avoid error. Provides large broadcasting of data in Gigabit which supports 65,000 connections.

5G technology offer transporter class gateway with unparalleled consistency. The traffic statistics by 5G technology makes it more accurate.

Through remote management offered by 5G, a user can get better and fast solution. The remote diagnostics also a great feature of 5G technology.

The 5G technology is providing up to 25 Mbps connectivity speed. The 5G technology also support virtual private network.

The new 5G technology will take all delivery service out of business prospect. The uploading and downloading speed of 5G technology touching the peak.

The 5G network offering enhanced and available connectivity just about the world

Through 5G technology now you can use worldwide cellular phones and this technology also strike the china mobile market and a user being proficient to get access to Germany phone as a local phone. With the coming out of cell phone alike to PDA now your whole office in your finger tips or in your phone. 5G technology has extraordinary data capabilities and has ability to tie together unrestricted call volumes and infinite data broadcast within latest mobile operating system. 

5G technology has a bright future because it can handle best technologies and offer priceless handset to their customers. May be in coming days 5G technology takes over the world market. 5G Technologies have an extraordinary capability to support Software and Consultancy. The Router and switch technology used in 5G network providing high connectivity. The 5G technology distributes internet access to nodes within the building and can be deployed with union of wired or wireless network connections. The current trend of 5G technology has a glowing future.

A new revolution of 5G technology is about to begin because 5G technology going to give tough completion to normal computer and laptops whose marketplace value will be effected. There are lots of improvements from 1G, 2G, 3G, and 4G to 5G in the world of telecommunications. The new coming 5G technology is available in the market in affordable rates, high peak future and much reliability than its preceding technologies.

Sources of reference.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-4g-network.htm

http://freewimaxinfo.com/5g-technology.html