Lecture 1:

Overview of Modern Wireless

Communication Systems

I. Introduction

Cellular subscription rates

Beyond expectations note that the below y-axis is
on a log scale.

 Many countries see 40% increase per year.

Projected to reach 2 billion subscribers worldwide by 2006
(30% of world's population).

Wireless communication is robust.

Viable voice transport mechanism
Viable data transport mechanism
High speed data communications in addition to voice calls.
Fixed wireless
To replace fiber optic or copper lines between two points.
Inside buildings and homes
Wireless local area networks (WLANs) to connect between
computers.
Bluetooth to connect between devices and peripherals.
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 Possible competition area: Inside buildings

1. WLANs and Bluetooth
2. Cellular Carriers

What ideas do you have of using the benefits of

both approaches? Then there would not need to
be a choice of one or the other.

II. Second Generation (2G) Cellular Networks

First Generation
Analog
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)
Multiple users are provided access to a system by
dividing the spectrum up into frequency bands.
Different users use different frequency bands.

AMPS standard.
30 kHz voice channels

 Second Generation
Digital modulation
TDMA/FDD or CDMA/FDD
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) 3 popular
standards use this.

Signal is digitized.
Users occupy different time slots.
Example from wired telephone: Each user needs to send an
8-bit block of digitized voice every 125 microseconds
(8000 times per second).
Requirement is for 64 kbps.
One type of channel can support a data rate of 1.544
Mbps (a "T1" telephone circuit).
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 So 24*64kbps = 1.536 Mbps, which means 24 users

can be supported (with a little bit of bandwidth used for
the framing bit).
As seen in figure above, each user takes a turn each
125 microseconds to send a burst of 8 bits.
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 Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) one main

standard uses this.
Instead of using a different time slot or frequency to
differentiate users, CDMA uses a different code.
These codes are used for Spread Spectrum Modulation.
The Tx multiplies the signal with a special code and then the
signal is transmitted. This expands (spreads) signal BW
many times. Then the signal is multiplied at the Rx with the
same code.
This then collapses (despreads) the signal back to its original
signal BW.
Other signals created with other codes just appear at the Rx
as random noise.

 Advantages
Resistant to narrowband interference - can only reasonably try
to affect part of the signal.
Allows multiple users with different codes to share same
range of frequencies.
The system can operate effectively at lower Signal-to-Noise
ratios, so more users can be supported than for a non-CDMA
system.
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 Signal spreading done by using a pseudo-noise

(PN) code or sequence
Pseudo-noise means it looks like noise to all except
those who know how to recreate the sequence.
Others cannot decode the signal
They cannot even recognize the signal because it
just looks like noise

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 Two types of SSM

1) Direct Sequence (DS)
Multiply baseband data by a high rate signal created with
the PN code.
New signal has much higher rate.
This spreads the baseband spectrum over a wide range of
frequencies.
2) Frequency Hopping (FH)
Randomly change channel frequency with time, following
the PN code.
Spread the frequency values that are used over a wide range.
In effect, this signal stays narrowband but moves around a
lot to use a wide band of frequencies over time.

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 TDMA/FDD versus CDMA/FDD

Use TDMA or CDMA to separate users
Use different frequencies for forward and reverse
voice channels (FDD).

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 4 popular standards for 2G

1. Global System for Mobile (GSM)
Eight time-slotted users for each 200 kHz radio
channel.
Deployed widely in Europe, Asia, Australia, South
America, and some parts of the U.S. in the PCS band
of spectrum.
GSM uses SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) cards
that can be transferred from phone-to-phone. Phones
for other types of technologies must be programmed.
T-Mobile, AT&T, and Cingular in the U.S.

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2. Interim Standard 136 (IS-136)

Also called North American Digital Cellular
(NADC)
Three time-slotted users per 30 kHz channel
Popular in North America, South America, and
Australia.
Cingular and AT&T in the U.S. Both companies
have larger areas for their TDMA networks

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3. Pacific

Digital Cellular (PDC)

Japanese standard
Similar to IS-136
4. Interim Standard 95 (IS-95)
CDMA
Also known as cdmaOne
64 users in a 1.25 MHz channel.
Can be used in 800 MHz and 1900 MHz
bands.
Sprint and Verizon in the U.S.
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III. Evolution to 2.5G

2G Data Transmission Capabilities

2G transmits data over voice circuits
Just like a modem
Data is sent in place of voice over the same channel
bandwidth, just like voice coding rates in the table
above.
Capabilities around 10 kbps.

Applications possible
Limited Internet Browsing
Short messaging
Short messaging service (SMS) in GSM.
Can send a short message to another subscriber's phone.
Popular in Europe and Japan.
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 New standards for data over 2G

Called 2.5G technology
Allows existing 2G equipment to be modified for
higher data-rate transmissions.
More advanced applications are possible.
Web browsing
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) that allows standard
web pages to be viewed in a compressed format.

E-mail
Mobile commerce
Location-based services (maps, directions, etc.)

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 Japan: First country to have a successful

widespread mobile data service.
From NTT DoCoMo
I-mode

Proprietary data service

Games
Color graphics
Interactive web page browsing at 9.6 kbps.
Surprisingly popular: 25 million subscribers

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 Upgrade Path
A 2.5G technology must match an upgrade path
from the 2G technology that is in place.
Same air interface
Do not want to require wholesale RF equipment
changes at the base stations.

Only require upgrades to software.

Plus addition of more equipment to work with base
station equipment.

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 TDMA upgrades
Three upgrade paths for GSM
Two are also upgrades for IS-136.
1. High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) for GSM
Allows subscriber to use consecutive time slots in TDMA.
Up to 57.6 kpbs
Four 14.4 kbps channels.

Ideal for "voice-like" services.

Since it still uses voice channel capabilities.
Streaming voice or low quality video
Interactive web sessions.

Only requires a software change at GSM base stations.

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2. Generalized Packet Radio Service (GPRS) for

GSM and IS-136
Good for data applications
E-mail, faxes, web browsing
Sets aside groups of TDMA channels as shared data
channels.
Assumes users download much more than they
upload.
Slower data rate upload than download

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 Shares individual radio channels and time slots.

All data is sent as packets.
Can support many more users, since user traffic is
usually bursty.
Users transmit in short bursts and then are idle.

Completely redefined air interface to handle packet

data.
GPRS units tune into GPRS radio channels and are
"always on" to send data at any time.

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 If all 8 time slots are taken by one user, can

achieve 171.2 kbps.
8 times 21.4 kbps (rate with error coding)
Applications must provide their own error
correction bits.
Add additional bits (like CRC codes) to be able to
detect errors.
As part of the carried data payload in GPRS.

Also cannot achieve 171.2 kbps when other users

are also sending data, since users share the channel.

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 Upgrade requirements
Need connections of base stations into a data
network through routers and Internet gateways.
New software in base station.
No change to RF hardware.

Originally designed for GSM but upgraded to also

support IS-136.

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3. Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

(EDGE) for GSM and IS-136
More advanced upgrade to GSM than GPRS.
Additional new hardware and software at base
stations.
Supports a technology path to 3G.
Uses new modulation schemes (8-PSK) that is
used in addition to GSMs standard (GMSK).
Adaptive modulation uses the best modulation for
instantaneous conditions of the network.

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 Much higher data rates from the new modulation

schemes and the adaptation.
Practical raw data rates up to 384 kbps.
For a single user taking a full 200 kHz GSM
channel.

Can achieve several megabits per second by using

multiple GSM channels.

Although your textbook considers this a 2.5G

service, some service providers call EDGE 3G.
Carriers who offer this service (for example,
Cingular/AT&T) say it offers rates up to 135 kbps.
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 Upgrade path from IS-95A to IS-95B for 2.5G

CDMA
Only one upgrade path for IS-95
Users can use up to 8 CDMA codes simultaneously.
14.4 kpbs * 8 = 115.2 kbps
Practical throughput is 64 kbps that can actually be
achieved.

Also changes the method of handoff between base

stations.

What summarizes the difference between 2G and

2.5G?
What is not different between 2G and 2.5G?
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V. Third Generation (3G) Wireless Networks

Unparalleled new capabilities

Multi-megabit Internet access

Voice communication over Internet protocols
Voice-activated calls
"Always on" access
Receiving live music
Videoconferencing
Virtual home entertainment
Broadcasting
Games
Interactive video
Simultaneous voice and data
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 For which of these applications do you believe a great

market exists and why?
New spectrum allocations are being considered for 3G.
Two major competing camps
Based on what 2G technology is used already by each
camp.
From GSM/IS-136/PDC (by the 3G Partnership Project
for Wideband CDMA 3GPP) versus coming from
IS-95/IS-95B (by the 3G Partnership Project for
cdma2000 3GPP2).
Recall the following figure.
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1. Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) or the Universal

Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
From GSM/IS-136/PDC.
Evolved since 1996.
From European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI)
Backwards compatible with GSM, IS-136, PDC,
HSCSD, GPRS, and EDGE
Equipment for the previous technologies will work in
UMTS.
Network structure same as GSM.
Bit level packaging same as GSM.
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 Up to 2.048 Mbps per user.

If user is stationary.
Up to 8 Mbps in the future.

Needs a minimum spectrum allocation of 5

MHz
Instead of 200 kHz for GSM
Requires complete change of RF equipment at each
base station.
6 times more efficient use of spectrum than GSM
Uses CDMA

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2. cdma2000
From IS-95/IS-95B
Works within original 2G CDMA channel
bandwidth of 1.25 MHz.
Allows wireless carriers to introduce 3G in a
gradual manner.
Can introduce 3G capabilities at each cell
Do not have to change out entire base stations
Do not have to use different spectrum.

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 First air interface: cdma2000 1xRTT

1X = one times the original IS-95 (cdmaOne) channel
bandwidth.
RTT = Radio Transmission Technology
Commonly just referred to as cdma2000 1X.
Instantaneous data rate of 307 kbps.
Typical rates up to 144 kbps
Depends on number of users.
Depends on velocity of the user.
Depends on the propagation conditions.
Uses rapidly adjusting rates.
No additional RF equipment is needed.
All changes made in software or with additional hardware.
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 cdma2000 1xEV
EV = Evolutionary enhancement
High data rate packet standard overlaid on existing IS-95, IS95B, and cdma2000 networks.
1xEV-DO
Data only channel
Restricts a shared 1.25 MHz channel strictly to data users.
Supports greater than 2.4 Mbps throughput per user.
Actual data rates usually much lower.
Typical: Several hundred kbps.
Highly dependent on number of users, propagation
conditions, and velocity of mobile.

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 1xEV-DV
Data and voice channel
144 kbps with twice as many voice channels as IS95B.

Verizon advertises its EV-DO as having average

speeds ranging from 300 kpbs to 1 Mbps.
Verizon and Sprint both offering this service and have the
highest rates in the industry
Highly dependent on number of users, propagation
conditions, and velocity of mobile.

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 Ultimate 3G CDMA
Multicarrier 3x and beyond.
3xRTT uses three adjacent 1.25 MHz channels.
Three channels can be operated simultaneously in
parallel.

What summarizes the differences in 2.5G and

3G?

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VI. Wireless Local Loop (WLL)

Rapid growth of demand for Internet connectivity
Can use wireless connections where there is inadequate
telecommunications infrastructure.
Particularly in developing nations.
Inexpensive
Rapidly deployable
One broadband Internet connection could handle all needs for
a home or office.
Voice, data, cable, Internet, etc.
Local loop
Old telephone term for a loop of copper to connect a
telephone to a telephone central office.
Now used to mean a "last-mile" connection to a home or
office.
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 Fixed wireless
Much more predictable wireless channel.
No mobility.
Time-invariant
Uses high frequencies
28 GHz and higher
Allows very high gain directional antennas to be used.
Antennas can be of small physical size.
Tens or hundreds of megabits per second are possible
without distortion.
Line-of-sight
Much like light.
Cannot have any obstructions in between Tx and Rx.
Can be affected by weather.
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 The IEEE 802.16 Standard has recently been

developed for WLL
Which they call Broadband Wireless Access
Also called WirelessMAN for a Wireless
Metropolitan Area Network.
WiMax 802.16e Mobility for Data
can create city-wide networks, incomparison with
WLANs with ranges of only 100 meters.

See
http://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/16/index.html

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VII. Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs)

Local Area Networks on the order of 100 meters or less
in diameter.
Use unlicensed spectrum
So owner does not need a license to set up a WLAN.
Unlicensed use has been encouraged through lots of
spectrum allocation at several frequency levels .
ISM band- 902-928 MHz, 2.4-2.4835 GHz, 5.725-5.825
GHz

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 IEEE 802.11
Predominant standard in the U.S.
Uses CDMA
802.11 2 Mbps in 2.4 GHz band
802.11b 11 Mbps, 5.5 Mbps, in addition to 2 Mbps in
2.4 GHz band
Named Wi-Fi by the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility
Alliance (www.wi-fi.com)
Goal is to promote interoperability between vendors
(interoperability between one vendors wireless card and
a different vendors wireless access point).

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 802.11a 54 Mbps in 5 GHz band with much shorter

range (only about 1/3 the range of 802.11b).
Use OFDM

802.11g 54 Mbps at 2.4 GHz

Called Further Higher Data Rate Extension in the 2.4
GHz Band.
Uses OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing) to achieve much higher rates.
Equipment is less expensive to produce for 2.4 GHz.
Much WLAN equipment is now being sold for
802.11g.

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 802.11n Just started considering proposals for

much higher data rates.
802.11b and 802.11g only actually achieve of their
raw data rates.
Goals are in excess of 100 Mbps.
Uses Multiple Input-Multiple Output (MIMO)
technology (more than one TX antenna, more than one
RX antenna)
MIMO Makes use of the concept of diversity (studied
later in the semester) to overcome propagation
impairments.

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 And 802.11i is addressing an important non-radio

issue - security.
Also 802.11e (quality of service), 802.11f
(roaming) and 802.11x (security keys)!

HIPERLAN

High Performance Radio Local Area Network

European standard
Current standard: Up to 20 Mbps
HIPERLAN/2: Up to 54 Mbps

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 Standards might eventually converge to one

WLAN standard, or 802.11 may just win.
WLAN performance depends heavily on how
well the WLAN is installed.
Needs good placement of equipment.
Author discusses tools for easy and effective
installation based on a building floor plan.

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VIII. Bluetooth and Personal Area Networks (PANs)

Removing the Wire

Ability to replace cumbersome cords
Printer cables
Headphone cables
Mouse cables

Ability to move equipment throughout an office.

Bluetooth
Open standard
Embraced by over 1,000 manufacturers.
Uses an Ad-hoc network approach
Important concept in wireless communication.
Seen in WLANs, military applications, etc.
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 In "ad hoc networks" devices talk to whatever

other devices they can talk to.
Ad hoc - Formed for or concerned with one specific
purpose (usually also considered temporary).
Networks of devices that are all peers and talk to
whoever is near enough.
As devices move, they change their connections with
other devices.
Why would Bluetooth want to use an ad-hoc
approach?

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 May have to send data through a sequence of

neighbors to reach and end destination.
No "base station" concept.
Ad hoc networking is a very popular research topic
ad hoc routing, quality of service, sensor networks,
power management, etc.
Bluetooth is named after King Harold Bluetooth,
the 10th century Viking who united Denmark and
Norway.
Goal is to unify the connectivity chores of
appliances.

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 Within 10 meter range.

Uses 2.4 GHz ISM unlicensed band
Uses frequency hopping spread spectrum
(1600hops/sec).
Symbol rate 1Mbps using GFSK modulation

Wearable computers
New opportunities for computers that are worn.
PDAs, cell phones, smart cards, position location
devices all could be wireless.
In a Personal Area Network (PAN)
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