4th Generation Based on IMT-Advanced - Coursework Example

The modern times are driven by advanced digital technological devices. The introduction of 4th generation technologies is a similar conceptthat has prevailed in the recent times. The 4th generation technology promises to provide large number of features and functions that were not offered by the 3rd generation and its predecessors. As a result of such advanced and fast speed technological advanced network, 4th generation technologies incorporate different set of protocols, different set of devices, different set of frequencies and other associated terms and concepts that are specifically suited and designated to the 4th generation applications only. Key words: Security, L.T.E Advanced, Q.O.S, remote connections, Wimax, 4.G, Giga Bit, OFDMA, interoperability Objectives: This paper looks in to the generic features provided by 4G, followed by the technical aspects such as the architectural considerations, followed by the non functional aspects and finally the impact that the future would feel through the introduction of such an advanced technological concept. 4th generation features: Designated primarily for the wireless medium of communication, the 4th generation technologies enable communication at highest rates achieved so far across the broadband interface. It facilitates the customers through the usage and availability of the higher broadband rates, advanced encryption techniques, further advanced system configuration and extensively secure and more sophisticated network of hardware devices. The 4th generation technology works in backward compatible mode with the previous devices, softwares and other technologies that were in place previously. This makes this medium and this interface easy to work with and relatively easy to implement in different environments. Based on its effective and broader network spectrum, 4th generation technologies can be used in medium scale organizations to large scale organizations that require state of the art and advanced technologically equipped devices with ever faster speeds and traffic facilities. The following are few of the basic features that are associated with the 4th generational digital advancements. Broader spectrum and frequency range Cost effective devices installation facility Q.O.S enabled services and infrastructure Ad-Hoc networks establishment Backward compatible technological advancements Network resources availability and sharing (Lu & Hu). Keywords: Evolution: The 4th Generation technologies come in a sequence of the generational developments that are taking place through different phases. They are preceded by the 3rd generation technologies. The third generation technologies were more or less an advancement of the 2nd generation technologies, operating in nearly the same spectrum and same frequency range with relative developments and advancements in the different areas, therefore it was imperative to bring about a technological standard that is relatively wider in operations, more accommodating and makes use of the different and bigger frequency bands in the form of Giga bit band. Standards: 4th Generation telecommunication system has its own set of standards specified. These are specified and authorized through the I.T.U administering commission. WIMAX, Wimax 802.16d, Wimax 802.16e, OFDMA, IMT-Advanced, L.T.E, translation transfer from IPV4 to IPV6 are few of the basic and prominent standards set forth against this generation of telecommunication family which will provide a new interface of operations and communications undertaking in the different arenas of digital communicational world. IMT Advanced: IMT Advanced came about after a prolonged dominance of the IMT-2000. IMT-2000 had given the telecom sector much broader dimension in terms of its functioning; however after nearly a decade of dominance and service facilitation, it is time for IMT-Advanced to be incorporated and provide the users with the state of the art technologies. IMT-Advanced has been incorporated through the assistance of the I.T.U International Telecommunication Union that internationally and globally administers over the overall progress of the telecom and digital communications networks. IMT-Advanced has given the digital communications a taste of the Giga Bit broadband spectrum and environment where the transfers and other services are performed through the Giga Bit environment which allows for faster and reliable data communication and outstanding voice quality services. IMT- Advanced, along with the technological developments, provides for a more flexible and digitally friendly hardware interface which is not just backward compatible but also easy to work with and replace and repair. Facilitation of the Fixed and Mobile Networks: In the previous generations of the mobile phone technologies, the digital devices could only operate in a fixed network that was predefined for them. The hardware so assigned would remain fixed and so would the infrastructure, the modern technology under the banner of 4th Generation technological communication means and networks system is suited to both the fixed and mobile networks. Ad- hoc network establishment and connections establishment in the remote areas and through alternate ad-hoc systems is a hall mark of the 4th generation technology. Dual Function network- Higher speeds plus Open Wireless Architecture: 4th generation based mobile communications are presently deployed in certain areas and is not as commonly spread as the 3rd Generation technologies, however there are multiple dimensions to its usage. Through the studies and observation of the experts and the panels from the I.T.U, it has been deducted that the 4th generation technologies provide multiple promises. The first is in the category of higher speeds through the usage of the Giga Bit bands, the second comes in the form of the open architecture usage. The Open architecture usage and service providing has made this technology much more sought after and has held the attention of the investors and the major players who have long been looking for a relatively changer approach and different functions facilities providing. The open wireless architecture is bound to create rounds once it is implemented fully (Walke and Shen). O.W.A and its domain: Through the incorporation of the Open Wireless Architecture, the 4th Generation technologies provide an edge in terms of conquering and overtaking the previously present technologies. This particular function enables 4th generation systems operating and working on a set of frequencies and interfaces that are compatible with the previously laid networks and infrastructure. For example through the Open Wireless Architecture Wireless LAN, WCDMA, and OFDM spectrum are captured and this allows for facilitating the users in the same manner as do the previous ones. The O.W.A allows it working in coherence with the previously standardized and operational technological trends and standards that are currently in use. The Open Wireless Architectural presence within the network and the services providing function under this domain is seen as a step towards converging upon the previous technologies and standards. This will allow for an increased market orientation and interest by the investors who are looking for a more robust and more compatible standardized technology which is promised by 4th generation technology at present. With businesses going global and operating in broader domains through the remotely established networks over digital interfaces, the Open Wireless Architecture is termed as the technology and the support system that will find large amount of demand and implementation in times ahead. L.T.E: Acronym for Long Term Evolution is a step into the 4th generation and it draws a clear line between the technologies that were on the line of pre 3rd generation technological standards and the ones that are to be introduced. L.T.E has seen further advancements in the form of L.T.E Advanced which paves the way for further faster and sophisticated network establishment. While the H.S.D.P.A and H.S.D.U.A were the transitional standards that marked the development and progress of 3rd generation into the 3.5 and 3.75 standards, the L.T.E paves way into the 4th generational developmental phase and working (Wheen, 172). L.T.E largely came about in to practice and functioning towards the middle of previous century and was fully implemented by 2008-2009. Currently efforts are in place to incorporate the L.T.E advanced in a more effective manner. L.T.E was modified in various versions till the Release 9.0; further on the L.T.E advanced has been incorporated into the systems for ensuring further development down the lane towards 4 and beyond technologies. L.T.E has found relatively large amount of encouragement on the account of flexibility and overall effective outcomes it promises and delivers. L.T.E Advanced: L.T.E Advanced as a more comprehensive and more established technology provides more flexible and improved system operations and functions. Cost factor is one of the most important elements that have been addressed throughout the incorporation of 4G digital technology installation. M.I.M.O: Acronym for Multiple Input Multiple Output; this is another salient feature of the 4th generation technologies that distinguishes it from the predecessor technologies. The M.I.M.O function allows for a more robust, friendly and more dynamic signal transmission and signal reception at either end. Making use of the multiple antennas at one single time period is one of the hallmarks that were not available to the previous technologies. This has been enabled through the installation and usage of the more advanced algorithms incorporation into the overall 4th generational gift. This feature adds the function of more clear and less prone transmission to the noise and other forms of disturbances and attenuations. 4th Generation Security Promise: Security is a main concern in the modern times, considering the fact that the digital media is becoming ever so fragile and ever so vulnerable to the external threats and challenges. In the wake of such events and developments the 4th Generation technologies have been equipped with advanced algorithms and other secure operational functions which make this technology more suited to sophisticated operations handling. Unique identifiers are allocated against each user and each I.D which makes it easy to handle the overall operations. Key Derivation function is another mechanism incorporated, which makes the network more secure and less prone to any kind of infiltration. Traffic Encryption Key is a generic system function integrated into the network which allows prevention from any kind of attack from a spammer or other bot source that may aim to flood the network. The need for security is more stressed for based on the fact that multi nationals and other multi billion dollars businesses are performed over the 4th generation tools and systems such as the video conferencing tools and other systems that work on the principles and systems of the incumbent technologies. The security architecture of L.T.E is developed along multiple tiers. These tiers allow for functioning on different levels and make the network ever so protected against any kind of threat of challenge faced. For example, three of the broad line networks that are installed for security include Network domain security, User Domain security, and Application Domain Security. Each of these is incorporated at different level making the overall network ever so secure and ever friendly towards exchange of any kind of data. WIMAX: Acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is one of the established standards of 4th generation technologies. It has been formally implemented in the different parts of the world, notably Korea, Japan and other parts of the Asia(Cunningham & Cunningham, 16). Wimax comes along in two variants, the fixed and mobile standardized network. Wimax has been assigned the standard of 802.16 by I.T.U. Wimax provides for multi mega bit rates per second which makes the streaming and other higher energy and higher rates consuming processes and online activities easy to perform. The data rates so provided can even shoot up to a Giga Bit transfer in the case of fixed networks that does not see any attenuation or disturbance of any kind. Multiplexing schemes: 4th Generation mobile communications make use of advanced multiplexing scheme. This includes the usage of OFDMA. OFDMA comes in contrast and development against TDM and FDM that were used in the previously established networks. The benefits of OFDMA are advanced support for higher data rates containing content; this is further supported by the accommodation of large number of users on a single network. OFDMA also provides the 4G support and resistance against any kind of attenuation or disturbances that may be present in the network or the network may come across it. OFDMA also makes use of the Fast Fourier Transform which allows for noise reduction, further improved digital quality content and removing of elements such as I.S.I and other disturbance producing agents in a digital network. Delays within the network are also nearly marginalized through OFDMA support for the network. Other architectural considerations: 4G makes use of the two basic and necessary functions of EPC and RAN technology support. Evolved Packet Core technology and RAN are two other concepts and techniques that are incorporated into the functioning of this technology. EPC gives 4G an edge in terms of the data service providing. While the predecessors made use of the circuit switching technology, the EPC makes use of the Internet Protocol to facilitate the clients. EPC within consists of various items which make up for a complete network. This includes the Mobile Management Entity, Service Gateway and Packet Data Node Gateway. All these enable operating over the I.P layer. Vertical Handover: Vertical handover is another added feature of the 4th generation technologies which are aimed at making the network more flexible. Vertical handover is performed with regard and consideration of two variables. These variables are cost consideration and the speed and quality at that particular instance. Any node and any cellular spectrum that allows for more improved quality and reduced costs, the base station connecting client is directly forwarded to that node resulting in improvements on both domains. It introduces remote operations and mobility to the networks. The advantage of vertical handover is the maximum speed attainment and the reduction in the costs when it comes to the tradeoff between the different options present. Formal procedure is undertaken in the form of advertisement of the node, and this is further followed by the Q.O.S function determination (Zhao et.al). Interoperability: 4G comes as a promise for inter operability and shift from the previous technologies that did not allow such features. Although certain obstacles have been faced with regard to this feature incorporation (Reardon), yet there is promise in this technology and it is hoped that this particular feature would make it to the number of advantages and edge possessed by the incumbent technology. Alcatel- Lucent, one of the pioneers of cellular services in America has undertaken the task of bringing about interoperability in the 4G technologies which in turn will bring about more features and ease of operation altogether. It managed providing the interoperable services towards the second half of 2013 in United States of America. Through the usage of the devices and the hardware systems of the other vendors, the technology was tested for its usefulness and compatibility with the other networks and hardwares (Paris). Impact of 4th generation technologies: Given the fact that the devices and various gadgets introduced by the different brands are coming equipped with various multimedia tools and functions, this in turn demand advanced service providing. The 4G technologies fulfill this demand in the most desired manner. It allows for performing the video conferencing function. This is made use of by the individual users as well as the business enterprises. The 4th generation technologies would facilitate the business communities and multinational business corporations largely. It would allow for the video and on demand interactive processes. The Wi Max technology is already deployed in number of regions across the world. 4th generation technologies would further allow for facilitating the V.P.N( Virtual Private Networks) that are deployed in the different parts of the world for business functions. The V.P.N would gain benefit from the 4th generation technologies in two ways. VOIP is the future trend and future technology that the world is about to embrace. Its incorporation would not be possible without the presence of such high speed and dynamic network availability. Conclusion: The 4G technologies fulfill the requirements that are set forth by the VOIP technology. This in turn would benefit the businesses, the individuals and the multinational corporations with regard to extensive savings that are otherwise incurred over travelling and other functions undertaking in official activities. With the introduction of the Web 2.0 and other high data rates consuming and demanding sources, the 4G technologies would serve the purpose and would enable introducing more advanced devices. With the concepts of Google Glass and Nano technology on the verge of introduction in the commercial markets, the 4th generation and beyond technologies will facilitate the balance in terms of the hardware advancements and the software support provided in the different forms. The first is that of the fast speeds provided, the second is the factor of security that is provided by the 4th generation technologies. With the presence and incorporation of the aforementioned coding schemes, algorithms and other security measures, it makes the V.P.Ns more secure and makes it the right choice for V.P.Ns to adopt this technology and standard for future operations. References: Cunningham, P. and Miriam Cunningham. Eadoption and the Knowledge Economy: Issues, Applications, Case Studies. IOS Press, 2004 Lu, Willie W. and Jenny Hu. Open Wireless Architecture - The Core to 4G Mobile Communications. FEATURE ARTICLES. Standford: U.S. Center for Wireless Communications, 2006 Paris. Alcatel-Lucent completes key interoperability testing of 4G LTE wireless communications for U.S. public safety applications. 19 March 2013. 15 May 2014 Reardon, Marguerite. Will AT&T and Verizon 4G LTE ever be compatible? 27 April 2012. 15 may 2014 http://www.cnet.com/news/will-at-t-and-verizon-4g-lte-ever-be-compatible/ Shheyderman. Fixed Mobile Convergence. Tata McGraw-Hill Education, 2008 Walke, B.H and Xuemin Shen. "4G mobile communications: toward open wireless architecture." Publiciation. 2004 Wheen, Andrew. Dot-Dash to Dot.Com: How Modern Telecommunications Evolved from the Telegraph to the Internet. Springer, 2010 Zhao, Zongyang, M. Ismail and J.G. Atallah. "Vertical Handover for 4G Multi-Standard Wireless Transceivers." International Conference Publiciation. 2007 Read More