Hot Topics In The Mobile Computing Industry
Wireless Network Technologies
Associated with 3G Evolution:
EDGE Enhanced Data rates for GSM
Evolution
Enhanced
Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) is a radio based high-speed mobile
data standard. It allows data transmission speeds of 384 kbps to be achieved
when all eight timeslots are used..
EDGE
was initially developed (by Ericsson) for mobile network operators who fail
to win Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) spectrum. EDGE gives GSM
operators the opportunity to offer data services at speeds that are near to
those available on UMTS networks.
EDGE
can also provide an evolutionary migration path from GPRS to UMTS by
implementing now the changes in modulation that will be necessary for
implementing UMTS later. The idea behind EDGE is to get higher data rates on
the current 200 kHz GSM radio carrier by changing the type of modulation
used, whilst still working with current circuit (and packet) switches.
- TDMA Edge - North American version of
European GSM Edge initiative - an interim step for TDMA IS-136 networks before 3G - same
principles of band but on a different band, different network infrastructure
and different modulation technique
- cdma
2000 - North America's other offering in answer to Europe's 3G UMTS
standard - a rather simplistic
explanation. cdma2000 is a 3G technology that increases data transmission
rates in CDMA systems. cdma2000 has been renamed the 1x Multi-Carrier mode
(1x MC), which provides a 307 Kbps data rate in the ITU's 3G specification.
The ITU 3G specification also includes a 3x Multi-Carrier mode (3xMC) at 2
Mbps as well as W-CDMA, the 3G path intended for GSM carriers in Europe and
Japan to upgrade to 3G CDMA (Source - TechWeb definition)
- GSM/GPRS -
General Packet Radio Service - another interim step towards 3rd Generation,
based on upgrading GSM network to provide faster data service than 2G GSM,
also called 2.5G
- HSCSD
- High Speed Circuit Switched Data - an interim step that gives 38.4
Kbps wireless speed
- UMTS
- Universal Mobile Telephone System - 3G GSM standard
primarily in Europe - UMTS is the standard for delivering 3G services being
developed under the auspices of ETSI. It builds on GSM standard for
increasing the speed and capacity by increasing the carrier bandwidth in a
slightly different band. With Europe already committed on long term basis
and North America reluctantly and grudgingly moving forward along with
competitive standards. It offers the prospect of a truly global wireless
standard for personal multimedia communications.
- WCDMA - Wide CDMA - See
Ericsson's explanation
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