4G MOBILE NETWORKS – TECHNOLOGY BEYOND 3G
INTRODUCTION
In a world of fast changing technology, there is a rising requirement for people to communicate and get connected with each other and have appropriate and timely access to information regardless of the location of the each individuals or the information. The increasing demands and requirements for wireless communication systems ubiquity have led to the need for a better understanding of fundamental issues in communication theory and electromagnetic and their implications for the design of highly-capable wireless systems. In continuous development of mobile environments, the major service providers in the wireless market kept on monitoring the growths of 4th generation (4G) mobile technology. 2G and 3G are well-established as the mainstream mobile technology around the world. 3G is stumbling to obtain market share for a different reasons and 4G is achieving some confidence.
Based on the study, 4G mobile technology is in a determining and standardization stage. Although 4G wireless technology offers higher data rates and the ability to roam across multiple heterogeneous wireless networks, several issues require further research and development. Since 4G is still in the cloud of the sensible standards creation, ITU and IEEE form several task forces to work on the possible completion for the 4G mobile standards as well. 3GPP LTE is an evolution standard from UMTS, and WiMAX is another candidate from IEEE. These technologies have different characteristics and try to meet 4G characteristics to become a leading technology in the future market.
In 2010, the total mobile subscriber base in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, is expected to grow up to 2500 millions and penetration will be over 50%. This kind of demand growth will require the support of higher capacity networks.
4G CHARACTERISTICS
1.) CONVERGENCE SERVICES
The idea of convergence means that the creation of the atmosphere that can eventually provide seamless and high-reliable and quality broadband mobile communication service and ubiquitous service through wired and wireless convergence networks without the space problem and terrestrial limitation, by means of ubiquitous connectivity. Convergence among industries is also accelerated by formation of alliances through participation in various projects to provide convergence services.
4G mobile systems will mainly be characterized by a horizontal communication model, where such different access technologies as cellular, cordless, wireless LAN type systems, short-range wireless connectivity, and wired systems will be combined on a common platform to complement each other in the best possible
way for different service requirements and radio environments. The development is expected to inspire the trend of progressive information technologies a far from the current technical focus on fully mobile and widespread convergence of media. The trends from the service perspective include integration of services and convergence of service delivery mechanisms.
In accordance with these trends, mobile network architecture will become flexible and versatile, and new services will be easy to deploy.
2.) BROADBAND SERVICES
Broadband is a basis for the purpose of enabling multimedia communications including video service, which requires transmission of a large amount of data; it naturally calls media convergence aspect, based on packet transport, advocating the integration of various media on different qualities.
The increasing position of broadband services like Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and optical fiber access systems and office or home LANs is expected to lead to a demand for similar services in the mobile communication environment. 4G service application characteristics will give broadband service its advantages;
I. Low cost
To make broadband services available to the user to exchange various kinds of information, it is necessary to lower charges considerably in order to keep the cost at or below the cost of existing service. PTC’07 Proceedings
II. Coverage of Wide Area
One feature of mobile communications is that it’s availability and omnipresent. That advantage is important for future mobile communication as well. In particular, it is important to maintain the service area in which the terminals of the new system can be used during the transition from the existing system to a new system.
III. Wide Variety of Services Capability
Mobile communication is for various types of users. In the future, we expect to make the advanced system performance and functionality to introduce a variety of services not only the ordinary telephone service. Those services must be made easier for anyone to use.
3.) INTERACTIVE BCN (ALL-IP) WITH HOME-NETWORKING, TELEMETRIC, SENSOR-NETWORK SERVICES
Since technologies are becoming more collaborative and essential. Evolution of all network services based on All-IP network is needed for more converged services. IP-based unified network for far above the ground quality convergence services through active access is what broadband convergence network is all about. ALL-IP or Next Generation Network-IP based convergence of wired or wired backbone network, which may be the most rapidly deployed case of convergence.
All-IP technology networking and IP multimedia services are the major trends in the wired and wireless network. The idea of the broadband convergence network (BcN) fit in the provision of a common, unified, and flexible service architecture that can support multiple types of services and management applications over
multiple types of transport networks.
The primary purpose of putting 4G service application into more interactivedriven broadband convergence network is its applicability for home-networking, telemetric, and sensor-network service. Collaborative converged network will give a more beneficial service and application, especially if it is in broadband computing to the users and its providers.
To give more emphasis on this service application, one example is homenetworking as its applicability binds to give more advantage to the users and the society in terms of broadband connectivity. Far more than broadband convergence network application, telemetric application will put more tangible emphasis on the 4G mobile technology application.
4.) FLEXIBILITY AND PERSONALIZED SERVICE
The key concern in security designs for 4G networks is flexibility. 4G systems will support comprehensive and personalized services, providing stable system PTC’07 Proceedings performance and quality of service. To support multimedia services, high-datarate services with good system reliability will be provided. At the same time, a low data rate transmission cost will be maintained. In order to meet the demands of these diverse users, service providers should design personal and customized services for them. Personal mobility is a concern in mobility management.
Personal mobility concentrates on the movement of users instead of users’ terminals, and involves the provision of personal communications and personalized operating environments. Implementing SDR to 4G offers an advantage benefits to service providers, manufacturers and subscribers as well; such as, for service providers;
I. Enhance the effectiveness of the infrastructure resources.
II. Superior space efficiency
III. Decrease operational expenditure suitable to reduced need for hardware site
upgrades.
IV. Decrease capital expenditure because of rise in usage of accessible network
elements.
V. Improbable and faster time to market for new service and applications.
The benefit of SDR for manufacturers is through a decrease in the number of separate platforms which will be needed for the purpose of the diverse wireless technologies.
Considering 4G characteristics, expected scenarios and market trends, we can find out strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of 4G with better understandings. The lists and findings follow.
Strengths in 4G:
- 4G visions take into account installed base and past investments
- Strong position of telecommunications vendors expected in the marketplace.
- Faster data transmission and higher bit rate and bandwidth, allow more business applications and commercialization
- Has advantage for personalized multimedia communication tools
Weakness in 4G:
- No large user community for advanced mobile data applications yet
- Growing divergence between telecommunications vendors and operators
- Not possible to offer full internet experience due to limited speed and bandwidth
- Comparatively higher cost to use and deploy infrastructure compared fast mobile generation PTC’07 Proceedings
Opportunities in 4G:
- Evolutionary approach may yield opportunities for the 4G
- Emphasis on heterogeneous networks capitalizes on past investments
- Strategic alliance and coalition opportunities with traditional nontelecommunication industries
- Sophisticated and mature commercialization of 4G technology would encourage more applications of e-commerce and m-commerce
- Worldwide economy recover stimulates consumption and consumer confidence, therefore bring in opportunities for telecommunication sections
- It is expected and predicted that consumers will continue to replace handsets with newer technology at a fast rate.
- Desirable higher data capacity rates, the growth opportunity for 4G is very bright and hopeful.
Threats in 4G:
- Faster rate of growth and developments in other region
- Since 3G mobile is still in the market, it squeezes the market competition in the mobile industry.
0 Leave / View your comment:
Post a Comment