GSM, GPRS and EDGE Performance: Evolution Towards 3G/UMTS - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0470844574 ISBN 13: 9780470844571

Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell, 2002

Synopsis

The introduction of GERAN (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network) will enable the existing GSM and IS–136 Radio Access Networks, based on digital 2nd Generation TDMA technologies, to evolve towards real 3rd Generation Radio Access Networks in terms of radio spectral efficiency, peak data throughput and support for 3rd Generation services.
At present there is a distinct lack of comprehensive books covering GPRS and EDGE and hence the authors aim to provide a comprehensive handbook which discusses the latest performance results of both. Operators will be implementing other performance solutions, such as Adaptive Multi Rate and Dynamic Channel Allocation, in the near future and as yet there aren′t any guidelines available. GSM, GPRS and EDGE Performance successfully fills both of these gaps.
∗ Explains the key parts of both ETSI GSM and 3GPP/GERAN standards
∗ Introduces 3GPP ALL IP architecture for future GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication)
∗ Examines the coverage and capacity of GSM/EDGE and AMR (Adaptive Multi Rate)
∗ Introduces a totally new approach for Radio Access Network automated optimisation
∗ Discusses positioning of GERAN and UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network)
∗ Highlights 3GPP Release 4 and Release 5 architecture and also illustrates ideas for future All IP architectures

About this title

From the Author

From the Foreward

I have worked in the mobile communications industry longer than I would like to admit. In the early 1970’s I started my career as a radio engineer for Motorola. At that time Motorola designed and manufactured low, mid and high tier private land mobile radios. Motorola had few competitor’s for the mid and high tier product lines (50 to 100 watt radios). However, in the low tier, less than 25 watt radio category, there were numerous contenders, mostly from European manufacturers with a "Nordic Mobile Telephone" heritage.

But times were changing. In the late 1970’s the American public got their first taste of mobile communications when Citizen Band (CB) radio became popular ("10-4, good buddy"). It was an unlicensed, short range, "party-line" experience. Those skilled in the art knew that something better was needed. And the American communications industry responded. The Federal Communications Commission and major industry players, like AT&T and Motorola, specified America’s first public mobile radio telephone system, AMPS (Advanced Mobile Telephone System). By the mid 1980’s AMPS was a proven technology and cellular subscriber growth was constantly exceeding forecasts.

But times were changing. By the early 1990’s cellular had become so popular that the first generation analog systems couldn’t keep up with demand. New second generation digital systems were developed to address the capacity shortfall. In the U.S. three digital technologies were standardized and deployed: IS-136 (a TDMA technology utilizing the AMPS 30 KHz structure), IS-95 (a 1.25 MHz CDMA carrier scheme), and GSM (the European 200 kHz TDMA standard). This multi-standard wireless environment provided a unique proving ground for the three technologies. While IS-136 and IS-95 engaged in "standards wars," GSM gained a foothold in America. At the same time GSM was achieving global acceptance because it offered a rich selection of capabilities and features that provided real incremental revenues for operators. As more and more countries adopted the technology, GSM experienced tremendous economies of scale for everything from chipsets to handsets, infrastructure and applications.

While the industry continued to experience stellar growth, American manufacturer dominance was challenged by Nordic companies, especially for the GSM technology. They brought to the U.S. innovative, competitively priced products, backed by talented communications professionals with years of experience in designing, manufacturing, engineering and installing cellular equipment and systems throughout the world.

But times were changing. By the late 1990’s the internet was pervasive and the wireless industry looked to mobile data as the growth opportunity. Once again the industry undertook the task of defining new wireless systems – this third generation, 3G, was to be based on packet data. Three new wireless standards emerged; CDMA2000 (evolution of IS-95), EDGE (evolution of GSM for existing spectrum) and W-CDMA (evolution of GSM for new spectrum using a 5 MHz W-CDMA carrier).

The evolution of GSM to 3G is about gradually adding more functionality, possibilities and value to the existing GSM network and business. The evolution begins with an upgrade of the GSM network to 2.5G by introduction GPRS technology. GPRS provides GSM with a packet data air interface and an IP based core network. EDGE is a further evolutionary step of GSM packet data. EDGE can handle about three times more data subscribers than GPRS, or triple the data rate for one end-user. EDGE can be achieved through a very fast and cost effective implementation. The only requirement is to add EDGE-capable transceivers and software.

With the continuation of EDGE standardization towards GERAN (GSM/EDGE Radio access network) EDGE will achieve a full alignment with W-CDMA. The goal for EDGE is to boost system capacity, both for real-time and best-effort services, and to become perfectly competitive with other 3G technologies.

What emerges with these evolutionary steps from GSM to GPRS, EDGE and W-CDMA is a seamless 3G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Multi-Radio network – one that maximizes the investments in GSM and GPRS.

It stands to reason that both EDGE and W-CDMA will be mainstream 3G UMTS products from Nordic companies. This book, written by engineers from one of those Nordic companies, is an authoritative treatise on GSM evolution to 3G. The book provides in depth performance analysis of current and future GSM speech and GPRS/EDGE packet data functionality. Furthermore, the concept of a 3G UMTS Multi-Radio network (GSM/EDGE/W-CDMA) is presented in depth as the best solution for wireless operators to evolve their networks towards 3G.

Times change, but some things don’t. Nordic companies have been at the forefront of wireless communications for more than a half of a century. They have earned their preeminent position in the industry. I encourage you to listen what this book has to say.

From the Back Cover

GSM, GPRS and EDGE Performance provides a complete overview of the entire GSM system. It features comprehensive descriptions of GSM′s main evolutionary milestones – GPRS, AMR and EDGE and such developments have now positioned GERAN (GS/EDGE Radio Access Network) as a full 3G radio standard. For the first time in one volume, the radio network performance and capabilities of GSM, GPRS, AMR and EDGE solutions are studied in–depth by using revealing simulations and field trials.

Cellular operators must now roll out new 3G technologies capable of delivering wireless Internet based multimedia services in a competitive and cost–effective way and this volume, divided into three parts, helps to explain how:

1. Provides an introduction to the complete evolution of GSM towards a radio access network that efficiently supports UMTS services (GERAN). Both the functionality and architecture are explained and the integration of GERAN within the UMTS Qos concept for 3G networks is presented.

2. Features a comprehensive study of system performance with simulations and field trials. Covers all the major features such as basic GSM, GPRS, EDGE and AMR and the full capability of the GERAN radio interface for 3G service support is envisaged. Also introduces an innovative approach for Radio Access Network automated planning and parameter optimisation tasks, together wth an in–depth analysis of automated trouble shooting.

3. Discusses different 3G radio technologies and the position of GERAN within such technologies. Also includes the potential evolution paths and descriptions of the 3G Multi–Radio Radio Access Network concept, based on the seamless integrationof GSM and WCDMA radio technologies.

Written by leading experts in the field, and endorsed with forewords from Mike Bamburak, Vice President, technology, Architecture & Standards, AT&T and Chris Pearson, Executive Vice President, 3G Americas, this performance–oriented and practical approach to the GSM system and its evolution will have far–reaching appeal to Engineering Professionals and Research & Development Engineers. It will also be an instant hit with technicla staff and Management working for cellular operators.

Edition details

• Publisher: Wiley–Blackwell
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0470844574
• ISBN 13: 9780470844571
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 585
• Editor: Halonen Timo, Romero Javier, Melero Juan