4G Technology

ABSTRACT We are seeing massive demand for data, audio, image and video services on mobile phones. These services on mobile phones require a faster rate of data transfer. Though the projected data rate of 3G is around 2Mbps, the actual data rate is much slower, especially in crowded areas or when the network is congested. Further, data rates also depend on the users activity (moving on steady state) and location (indoor/outdoor). 4G systems are expected to allow much higher data rates of around 100 Mbps, higher bandwidths of order of hundreds of megahertz, plenty of services like data, audio and vedio , seamless connectivity and improved quality of service keeping in mind that all existing networks can be merged or interconnected to form an all-in-one. HISTORY The first pre-commercial 3G network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in JapanNTT DoCoMo branded FOMA, in May 2001 on a pre-release of W-CDMA-GA3Y technology. The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on October 1, 2001. The second network to go commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the 1xEV-DO technology in January 2002. By May 2002 the second South Korean 3G network was by KTF on EV-DO and thus the Koreans were the first to see competition among 3G operators. The first European pre-commercial network was at the Isle of Man by Manx Telecom, the operator owned by British Telecom, and the first commercial network in Europe was opened for business by Telenor in December 2001 with no commercial handsets and thus no paying customers. These were both on the W-CDMA technology. The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, but this network provider later shut down operations. The second 3G network operator in the USA was Verizon Wireless in October 2003 also on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO, and this network has grown strongly since then. In December 2007, 190 3G networks were operating in 40 countries and 154 HSDPA networks were operating in 71 countries, according to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). In Asia, Europe, Canada and the USA, telecommunication companies use W-CDMA technology with the support of around 100 terminal designs to operate 3G mobile networks. In many countries, 3G networks do not use the same radio frequencies as 2G, so mobile operators must build entirely new networks and license entirely new frequencies; an exception is the United States where carriers operate 3G service in the same frequencies as other services. China has been delaying its decisions on 3G for many years, partly hoping to have the Chinese 3G standard, TD-SCDMA, to mature for commercial production.

In November 2008, Turkey has auctioned four IMT 2000/UMTS standard 3G licenses with 45, 40, 35 and 25 MHz top frequencies. Turkcell has won the 45 MHz band with its 358 million offer followed by Vodafone and Avea leasing the 40 and 35 MHz frequencies respectively for 20 years. The 25 MHz top frequency license remains to be auctioned. The first African use of 3G technologies was a 3G videocall made in Johannesburg on the Vodacom network in November 2004. The first commercial launch of 3G in Africa was by EMTEL in Mauritius on the W-CDMA standard

4G: EDGE OVER 3G It is commonly said that 4G is the super enhanced version of 3g.4G systems will be deployed with software defined radio,allowing equipment upgrades for new protocols and services via software upgrades. In addition, 4G holds the promise of worldwide roming using a single handheld device. The main aim of 3G was to provide multimedia, multirate,cellular communications anytime and anywhere.. 4G systems will extend the scenario to an IP network that integrates, broadcasts,cellular,cardless WLAL / PAN and fixed wires.

4G is a network of networks with which users will be in control. They will be able to decide the right system and even right terminal for each application and forn each environment(mobility,coverage).These factors force the cellular industry to develop a common standard or system that overcomes almost all limitations imposed by previous cellular technologies.

APPLICATIONS In India, GSM is dominating the market, with CDMA competing with it. EDGE and GPRS are working, while complete 3G services have not been introduced yet. It may happen that the cellular networks waiting for 3G and upgrading themselves with 2G+ may switch directly to 4G by completely bypassing 3G as it seems a better option considering cost-effectiveness in network upgradation and replacement. Since the expected technology for 4G is ultra WCDMA and/or OFDM, the present GSM networks must upgrade or be replaced with the whole network of CDMA or OFDM. Themigration of all networks like LAN, MAN, WLAN, HIPERLAN, DVB and DAB also requires a transparent protocol and smart hand offs which should be able to work for maintaining the quality of service and offering such services at the lowest cost. The path to final 4G may be plotted in 4 steps:

Internetworking of 2G+, 3G and internet (circuit-switched voice/data). Integration of all networks (circuit switched voice or packed data).

IP-based harmonization (packet based voice /data).

Full convergence of the networking one handset is an attractive proposition if implanted

with reliable end to end quality of service and faster data transfer.

LOCATION APPLICATION

4G location applications will be based on visualized, virtual navigation skills that will support a remote data base containing graphical representations of streets, buildings and other physical characteristics of a large metropolitan area.

VIRTUAL NAVIGATION AND TELEGEOPROCESSING You will be able to see the internal layout of a building during an emergency rescue. This type of application is sometimes referred to as telegeoprocessing. They may also virtually see

the internal layout of buildings to plan an emergency rescue or engage hostile elements hidden in the building.

TELEMEDICINE A paramedic assisting a victim of a traffic accident in a remote location could access medical records(X-rays) and establish a video conference so that a remotely based surgeon could provide on /scene assistance.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT APPLICATION In the event of natural disasters where the entire communications infrastructure is array, restoring communications quickly is essential. With wide band wireless mobile communications, limited and even total communications capability (including internet and vedio services could be set up within hours instead of days or even weeks required at present for restoration of wire line communications.

ADVANTAGES

Support for inter active multimedia services like teleconferencing and wireless internet. Wider bandwidths and higher bit rates. Global mobility and service portability.
Scalability of mobile network.

Entirely packet-switced networks.

Digital network elements.

Higher band widths to provide multimedia services and lower cost(upto100 mbps).
Tight network security.

CONCLUSION 4G is a technology in search of a business case that will convince investors to part with the billions of dollars in investment needed to roll out the next generation of networks, while back haul, the cost of getting data to each radio cell site, will deliver a hidden sting in the tail as mobile operators struggle to upgrade their networks to support the huge data speeds that new radio technologies can deliver. 4G systems are expected to allow much higher data rates of around 100 Mbps,higher bandwidths of order of hundreds of megahertz, plenty of services like data, audio and vedio , seamless connectivity and improved quality of service keeping in mind that all existing networks can be merged or interconnected to form an all-in-one.

References

www.4g.co.uk www.4gworld.com www.wikipedia.org