What Is 3G Wireless Technology - Research Paper Example

The Third Generation (3G) CONTENT PAGE Introduction __________________________________________________________ 3 The Different Types/Standard of 3G_______________________________________ 4 1. WCDMA - Wideband Code Division Multiple Access__________________________ 5 2. CDMA 2000 - Code Division Multiple Access 2000 ___________________________ 5 3. UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System _________________________6 4. EDGE - Enhanced Data for Global Evolution ________________________________ 6 Advantages of 3G_______________________________________________________7 Disadvantages of 3G_____________________________________________________7 Applications Enables with 3G _____________________________________________8 Popular Applications ____________________________________________________9 Demand of 3G Wireless____________________________________________­­­­_____ 10 Reference____________________________________________________________ 12 Introduction: 3G wireless technology is the new version and is the junction of different 2G wireless telecommunications systems into a sole uniform global system which includes up gradation of terrestrial and satellite components in its functioning. 3G or the third-generation wireless was used to refer to this age developments in personal & business wireless technology, particularly the mobile communications. 3G or The Third Generation ushers in many benefits with its mobility, broad bandwidth and high speed communication (upwards of 2Mbps).  Network operators & telecommunications service providers are busy in implementing this global third generation (3G) wireless standards in order to fulfill the demand of the customers of that mobile company.3G wireless technology represents a shift from voice-centric services to multimedia-oriented like video, voice, data, fax services. Figure 1: An Integrated 3G and Wireless LAN Network Figure shows an integrated design of a 3G cellular and wireless LAN system (Chuah & Zhang). In a wireless network system, we generally have a mobile terminal communicating with a base station in a radio access portion. The radio interface usually terminates within the base station in a wireless LAN system and usually terminates in radio network controller in a cellular system. In CDMA/WCDMA technology, the radio network controller combines the radio frames to facilitate the path diversity from different base station to the users. The circuit and packet data from the radio network controller will be segregated and routed to different portions of the core network. Later voices data are transferred to a mobile switching center and as other data get transferred via specialized routers it support the mobility of accessing the internet. The Different Types/Standard of 3G: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is in charge for standardizing 3G. After trying to establish a single 3G standard, ITU at last permitted a family of five 3G standards, which are part of the 3G structure namely IMT-2000: Three standards based on CDMA, namely CDMA2000, WCDMA, and TDSCDMA. Two standards based on based on TDMA, namely, FDMA/TDMA and TDMA-SC (EDGE). The CDMA standards are the most important 3G standards. 1. WCDMA - Wideband Code Division Multiple Access: It is a technology for wideband digital radio communications of Internet, multimedia, video and other capacity-demanding applications. WCDMA is approved as a standard by the ITU under the name IMT-2000 direct spread. It converts the data into a narrowband digital radio signal first, and then it assigned a marker (spreading code) to distinguish it from the signal of other users. WCDMA uses variable rate techniques in digital processing and it can achieve multi-rate transmissions. 2. CDMA 2000 - Code Division Multiple Access 2000: CDMA was launched in 1995 commercially and it very quickly became one of the world's fastest-growing wireless technologies. While later in 1999, CDMA was selected as a standard for new "third-generation" (3G) wireless systems by the International Telecommunications Union. Many wireless service provider companies then upgraded the technology to 3G CDMA which resulted in better voice traffic and high-speed data capabilities. a- CDMA2000 1X for Voice and Data CDMA2000 1X technology supports both voice and data services over a standard (1X) CDMA channel, and provides many performance advantages over other technologies. CDMA2000 1X phones also feature longer standby times. And because it's backwards-compatible with earlier CDMA technology, CDMA2000 1X provides an easy and affordable upgrade path for both carriers and consumers. b- CDMA2000 1xEV-DO for Faster Data The higher-speed or higher capacity data services, a data-optimized version of CDMA2000 called 1xEV-DO provides peak rates of over 2 Mbps and "always-on" packet data connections. 3. UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications System  UMTS is the name for the third generation mobile telephone standard in Europe, standardized by ETSI. 4. EDGE - Enhanced Data for Global Evolution  A technology which gives GSM the capability of handling services for the 3G mobile telephony. EDGE enables the transmission of large amounts of data at a high speed. EDGE is now used by many mobile companies to with the same TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) frame structure, logic channel and 200 kHz carrier bandwidth. Europe, Japan, and Asia have approved a 3G standard called the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), which is WCDMA operating at 2.1GHz. UMTS and WCDMA are usually used as synonyms. In the USA and other parts of Americas, WCDMA will have to use another part of the radio spectrum. Incidentally, most of the world’s wireless operators have chosen to use UMTS. 3G basically combines high-speed mobile access with Internet Protocol (IP) based services. This not only increase the speed of the mobile connection to the World Wide Web immensely – giving us a break from slow connections, bulky equipment and fixed access points, 3G enables new ways of communication, along with instant information access, conduct live business and provide great learning experience. Advantages of 3G: 3G networks offer users advantages such as: 3g by its new radio spectrum will relieve the congestion in present systems. 3g offers extra bandwidth with enhanced security, and reliability. It can work as interoperable between service providers. It contains fixed and variable data rates. Asymmetrical data rates. It can easily get compatibility of devices with existing networks like 1g or 2g. It provides ultimate connection which always keeps the users online with its special devices. 3G will use IP connectivity, IP is packet based (not circuit based). With its faster internet service it provides the good quality and rich multimedia services. Disadvantages of 3G: There are some issues in deploying 3G: The cost is extremely high which is required for up gradation base stations and cellular infrastructure. The mobile handsets which have 3g technology are costly and which do not have requires different handsets. Not all the mobile company has many mobile models which have 3g technology. 3G handsets will be a complex product like for example Iphone. Roaming and making both data/voice works has not been demonstrated yet. While it requires high power requirements (more bits with the same energy/bit) along with a larger handset, (shorter talk time, and larger batteries) To make it work fast it needs its base stations closer to each other (meaning more cost). Incredible spectrum-license costs, network deployment costs, handset subsidies to subscribers, etc. Wireless service providers in Germany and Britain who won spectrum licenses in auction, paid astronomical prices for them. As a result, they have little money left for building the infrastructure. As a result, deployment of 3G in Germany and Britain got delayed. Applications Enables with 3G: 3G clearly demonstrate the shift in the paradigm of the global voice centric of the earlier generations of wireless networks towards the multi-media centric world of 3G. 3G high rate bandwidth and the packet based technology, offers different devices which have the capabilities and are a combination of a phone, PC, and a TV. 3G networks offer following services: It offers 24 hours connection but cost the customer only when they are using the internet facility. Personalized entertainment. Real-time access to multiple services, each service offering some combination of voice, video, data, etc. Internet surfing. With the highest speed of internet it provides multimedia data services like video conferencing and streaming video without getting stuck. It can also receive faxes. Like earlier time, it provides instant messaging and email with multimedia attachments. 3G devices give an opportunity of finding locations and directions with a multi-modal user interface. International roaming capability. Location based services. Personalized services, where content can be pushed to users. It is Capable of supporting circuit and packet data at higher bit rates. These includes 144 kilobits/second or higher in high mobility (vehicular) traffic and 384 kilobits/second for pedestrian traffic. It also can handle 2 Megabits/second or higher for indoor traffic. It uses the easy and common billing/user profiles. Firstly, sharing of usage/rate information between service providers. Secondly, standardized call detail recording and thirdly, standardized user profiles Popular Applications: The high bandwidth 3G network has leaded us towards the creation of new services. These services are the big revenue producer for the every wireless service companies. Like for example in 2G technology, the most popular services were short text messaging in GSM networks (from Asia to Europe, except USA) and image downloads and forwarding on iMode networks in Japan usually known as MMS (multimedia services). Two services which are very popular because of 3G are Video conferencing and Video messaging. Demand of 3G Wireless: Table: Applications that could drive demand for mobile data Product Service examples Communications SMS, E-mail Information News, weather, sport, finance, timetables Financial Stock quotes, trading Organizational Personal organizer functions Office services Access to company networks E-commerce Electronic wallets, tickets, gambling Advertising TV-style, full-screen ‘flash’ adverts Entertainment Games, video, music Source: ABN-AMRO, Telecom Sector Research, June 2001. Table 1 gives a summary about the 3G technology and its demand. The following table further describes the advanced 3G technology and how it is better than the previous. It is a comparison of 1G 2G and 3G References: Chuah, Mooi Choo, & Zhang, Qinqing (2006). Design And Performance of 3G Wireless Networks and Wireless LANs. New York: Springer. http://www.3g.co.uk .Introduction of 3G. Retreived May 1st, 2009, from http://www.3g.co.uk/All%20About%203G.htm EurActve. 3G – The Third Generation Mobile Communications. Retreived May 1st, 2009, from http://www.euractiv.com/en/infosociety/3g-third-generation-mobile-communications/article-117436#lxcielxh_Background BBC. How do 3G phones Work ? Retreived May 1st, 2009, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/1273944.stm Hatch, William T. Spectrum Management and 3rd generation wireless service. Retreived May 1st, 2009, from http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/congress/2001/073101hatch3g.htm CXO Media Inc. What is 3G Technology ? Retreived May 1st, 2009, from http://www.darwinmagazine.com/learn/curve/column.html?ArticleID=182 Read More