3G SYSTRA

Introduction to 3G/UMTS
Networks
Training Document

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Copyright Nokia Oyj 2004. All rights reserved.

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Contents
1

Module objectives.................................................................................

2
2.1
2.2

Background and history.......................................................................

Specification process for UMTS..............................................................
UMTS network structure........................................................................

3
3.1
3.1.1
3.2
3.3
3.3.1
3.4
3.4.1
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.7.1
3.7.2
3.8

Network evolution...............................................................................
Starting with the basic GSM..................................................................
GSM network elements.........................................................................
Adding value to GSM networks.............................................................
Adding value with GSM phase2+ and IN services.................................
IN services............................................................................................
Increasing data transfer in existing GSM networks................................
Benefits of faster data and services......................................................
Evolving GSM to packet core................................................................
Increasing speed with EDGE.................................................................
Evolving towards to the universal mobile network (Service platform)
..................................................................................................
UMTS development...............................................................................
Service potential in the mobile information society................................
3G end-to-end IP solutions....................................................................

4
4.1
4.1.1
4.1.2
4.1.2.1
4.1.2.2
4.1.2.3
4.1.2.4
4.2
4.3
4.3.1
4.3.2
4.4
4.4.1

Basics of the air interface and the path to WCDMA.........................

Wireless principles................................................................................
Duplex transmission..............................................................................
Radio communication............................................................................
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA).........................................
Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA)...............................................
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)..................................................
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).................................................
CDMA background................................................................................
Principles of CDMA...............................................................................
CDMA information, theory and codes....................................................
Spread spectrum and the principle of direct sequence CDMA..............
Motives for using WCDMA in UMTS......................................................
Features of WCDMA in UMTS...............................................................

User Services......................................................................................

Review questions................................................................................

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

Module objectives
The aim of this module is to give the participant the introductory knowledge needed
for explaining how the UMTS network has evolved. Topics to be covered in this
module include understanding the historic factors driving the system development
and the evolution of the mobile networks. Furthermore, the student should gain a
basic understanding of the different types of the air interface and list the key benefits
of UMTS for the operator and the end user.
After completing this module, the participant should be able to:

List at least three significant events in the evolution of CDMA networks

List the four main network subsystems of UMTS Release 99

Explain how existing GSM networks have evolved to support additional

services and new technologies

Name the four basic air interface access technologies

List at least three key benefits of WCDMA and identify at least three
advantages of 3G networks for both the operator and the end user

without using any references.

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Background and history

There are three different generations as far as mobile communication is concerned.
The first generation, 1G, is the name for the analogue or semi-analogue (analogue
radio path, but digital switching) mobile networks established after the mid-1980s,
such as NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone) and AMPS (American Mobile Phone
System). These networks offered basic services for the users, and the emphasis was
on speech and services related matters. 1G networks were mainly national efforts
and very often they were specified after the networks were established. Due to this,
the 1G networks were incompatible with each other. Mobile communication was
considered some kind of curiosity, and it added value service on top of the fixed
networks in those times.
As the need for mobile communication increased, also the need for a more global
mobile communication system increased. The international specification bodies
started to specify what the second generation, 2G, mobile communication system
should look like. The emphasis on 2G is/was on compatibility and international
transparency; the system should be a global one and the users of the system should
be able to access it basically anywhere the service exists. Due to some political
reasons, the concept of globalisation did not succeed completely and there were
some 2G systems available on the market. Out of these, the commercial success
story is/was GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) and its adaptations:
GSM has clearly exceeded all the expectations set, both technically and
commercially.
The third generation, 3G, is expected to complete the globalisation process of the
mobile communication. Again there are national interests involved. Also some
difficulties can be foreseen. Several 3G solutions were standardised, such as UMTS
(Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), cdma2000, and UWC-136
(Universal Wireless Communication).
The 3G system UMTS is mostly be based on GSM technical solutions due to two
reasons. Firstly, the GSM as technology dominates the market, and secondly,
investments made to GSM should be utilised as much as possible. Based on this, the
specification bodies created a vision about how mobile telecommunication will
develop within the next decade. Through this vision, some requirements for UMTS
were short-listed as follows:

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The system to be developed must be fully specified (like GSM). The

specifications generated should be valid world-wide.

The system must bring clear added value when comparing to the GSM in all
aspects. However, in the beginning phase(s) the system must be backward
compatible at least with GSM and ISDN.

Multimedia and all of its components must be supported throughout the

system.

The radio access of the 3G must be generic.

The services for the end users must be independent: Radio access and the
network infrastructure must not limit the services to be generated. That is, the

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technology platform is one issue and the services using the platform totally
another issue.
In order to appreciate the work in creating standards like UMTS, it is helpful to
understand the history and background of wireless communications in general, as
well as GSM and CDMA. A timeline of significant GSM and CDMA events is
contained in the following table.
Table 1.

Significant events

Year

Event

1900

In December, the first human voice transmission via radio was

accomplished by Reginald Fessenden.

1906

First radio broadcast (also Reginald Fessenden).

1948

John Pierce writes a memo describing CDMA multiplexing.

1949

Claude Shannon and John Pierce describe major CDMA effects.

1956

Antimultipath RAKE receiver patented.

1970s

CDMA used in several military communication and navigation

systems.

1980s

Studies for narrowband CDMA for mobile cellular systems.

1981

Nokia introduces Nordic Mobile Telephone System (NMT).

1982

CEPT established Groupe Spciale Mobile by the joint proposal of

the Nordic countries and the Netherlands.

1983

Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) introduced.

1985

ITU starts studies for Future Public Land Mobile

Telecommunication Systems (FPLMTS).
A decision made on GSM time schedule and action plan.

1986

Eight experimental GSM systems are tested in Paris.

1987

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); the services of the GSM

system will be offered in all of western Europe.
A decision on system parameters and preparation of draft
recommendations.

1989

Final GSM recommendations and specifications.

1990s

Studies for wideband ~5 MHz CDMA for mobile cellular systems.

1991

First official GSM call in the world was made on January 7th using
Nokia equipment.

1992

GSM system ready in capitals and international airports. DCS

1800 start-up implementation.
In February, the World Administrative Radio Conference allocates
initial global radio spectrum for 3rd generation mobile systems in
the 1885 2025 and 2110 2200 MHz frequency ranges.

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Year

Event

1993

Major European urban areas have GSM coverage.

2nd generation mobile system using narrowband CDMA
standardised in USA; it is called IS-95 (Intermediate Standard).

1994

ARIB in Japan forms a special group for FPLMTS radio interface

development.

1995

GSM covers main transportation links between major urban areas.

1996

UMTS Forum formed to raise market awareness.

In December, ETSI SMG2 forms study group for UTRA.

1997

ITU changes FPLMTS name to International Mobile

Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000) during WARC-97.
ITU requests proposals of Candidate Radio Transmission
Technologies (RTTs) for IMT-2000 Radio Interface.

1998

In June, ITU receives 10 proposals for terrestrial RTTs and five for
satellite RTTs. These include CDMA2000 from the USA, ARIB
W-CDMA from Japan, and UTRA from Europe.
3GPP formed to co-ordinate the development of a joint 3 rd
generation system based on evolved GSM core and UTRA air
interface.

1999

ETSI start UMTS project to co-ordinate European 3rd generation

network development.
In January, four operators are given 3rd generation mobile network
operating licenses in Finland.

2003

Commercial use of WCDMA systems.

Specification process for UMTS

As the 3G system is expected to be global, world-wide and generic, the specification
bodies related are also global ones (see the following list). In addition to the
specification bodies, the specification process includes co-operation of operators and
manufacturers.

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3GPP - Third Generation Partnership Project

ARIB - Association of Radio Industries and
Businesses
CWTS - China Wireless Telecommunication
Standard group
ETSI - European Telecommunications
Standards Institute
T1 - Standards Committee T1 Telecommunications
TTA - Telecommunications Technology Association
TTC - Telecommunication Technology Committee
GSM - Global System for Mobile communications
UMTS - Universal Mobile Telecommunications
System
IETF - Internet Engineering Task Force
ITU-R - International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication
ITU-T - International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardisation

Figure 1.

3G specification bodies

There are four international standardisation bodies acting as generators for

3G specification work:
ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union)

This organisation provides in practise all the telecommunication branch

specifications that are official in nature. Hence, these form all the guidelines required
by the manufacturers and country-specific authorities. ITU-T has finished its
development process for IMT2000, International Mobile Telephone 2000. IMT2000 represents a framework on how the network evolution from a second to a third
generation mobile communication system shall take place. Even more important,
different radio interface scenarios were outlined for 3G systems (see figure below).

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IMT-2000
radio
interface
options

TDMA

CDMA
Direct Spread

Multi Carrier

(on paired
frequency
spectrum)

(on paired
frequency
spectrum)

Time Code
(on unpaired
frequency
spectrum)

3G systems

Figure 2.

UMTS

(on paired
frequency
spectrum)

UWC-136
(EDGE)

cdma2000
FDD mode

Single Carrier

FDMA
Time Code
(on unpaired
frequency
spectrum)

(DECT)

TDD mode

IMT-2000 framework and resulting 3G standards

ETSI (European Telecommunication Standard Institute)

This organisational body has had a very strong role when GSM Specifications were
developed and enhanced. ETSI is divided into workgroups named SMG (number),
and every workgroup has a specific area to develop. Because of the GSM
background, ETSI is in a relatively dominant role in this specification work.
ARIB (Alliance of Radio Industries and Business)

ARIB conducts studies and R&D, establishes standards, provides consultation

services for radio spectrum coordination, cooperates with other overseas
organizations and provides frequency change support services for the smooth
introduction of digital terrestrial television broadcasting. These activities are
conducted in cooperation with and/or with participation by telecommunication
operators, broadcasters, radio equipment manufacturers and related
ANSI (American National Standard Institute)

ANSI is the American specification body that has issued a license for a subgroup to
define telecommunication-related issues in that part of the world. Because of some
political points of view, ANSIs role is relatively small as far as UMTS concerned.
The ANSI subgroup is mainly concentrating on a competing 3G air interface
technology selection called cdma2000.
In order to maintain globalisation and complete control of the UMTS specifications,
a separate specification body called 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) was
established to take care of the specification work in co-operation with the previously
listed institutes. The outcome of the 3GPP work is a complete set of specifications
defining the 3G network functionality, procedures, and service aspects.

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OHG

UMTS
3G.IP

Figure 3.

3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardisation body for

UMTS

Because there are some political desires involved, the issue is not as simple as
described; global system means global business and this is why there has been a lot
of pressure to select or emphasise certain solutions more than others. This political
debate actually delayed the specification work remarkably, and finally an
organisation was established to take care of the harmonisation issues. This
organisation, OHG (Operator Harmonisation Group) aims to find a common
understanding concerning the global issues. The results of this organisation are used
as inputs in 3GPP work as well as in 3G future implementations. The OHG made its
maybe the most remarkable decision in April-May 1999, when it decided the
common-for-all-variants code word (chip) rate in the 3G WCDMA air interface.
This issue has a direct effect on the system capacity and implementation and it was
maybe the biggest delaying factor concerning the UMTS specifications.
The aim of the OHG work is to affect the specifications so that all radio access
variants are compatible with all the variants meant for switching; this will ensure
true globalisation for 3G systems.
The first UMTS release was frozen in December 1999. This release is called UMTS
Release 99. In UMTS Release 99, the specification body 3GPP concentrated on two
main aspects:

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Inauguration of a new radio interface solution. A new 3G radio interface

solution must use the radio interface resources more efficient than it is the
case with 2G radio interface solution. In addition to that, it must be very
flexible in terms of data rates to allow a wide range of applications to be
served.
The UMTS radio interface solutions are based on the multiple access

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principle CDMA. CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. In

UMTS Release 99, CDMA is applied on 5 MHz carrier frequency bands.
This is the reason, why in some areas of the world, UMTS is called
Wideband CDMA (WCDMA).
Two radio interface solutions were specified with UMTS Release 99:
The FDD-mode combines CDMA with frequency division duplex, i.e.
uplink and downlink transmission are realised on separate 5 MHz frequency
carriers
The TDD-mode combines CDMA with time division duplex, i.e. uplink and
downlink are made available of the same 5 MHz frequency carrier, separated
by time.

Network evolution: GSM is nowadays the dominating mobile

communications technology. In order to protect the investment of a large
number of mobile operators, network evolution guarantees the re-use of the
existing core network and service infrastructure in UMTS. This was
archived in UMTS Release 99 by adopting an enhanced GSM core network
solution for the UMTS core network.

The next version of the 3GPP Specifications is Release 4, which was frozen March
2001, and Release 5, which was frozen in March/June 2002. In Release 4 and 5, the
upgrades in the radio access and radio access network were minor. The main focus
lay on the core network and the service infrastructure. UMTS Release 4 included a
specification of the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), a new radio interface
solution for China called low chip rate TDD mode (or TD-SCDMA). While in
UMTS Release 4 the first steps toward a 3G All IP could be found, this was fully
specified in UMTS Release 5, including the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).

UMTS network structure

The obvious lack of GSM systems is the bandwidth offered to the end user. In the
beginning the bandwidth offered to the end user was reasonable, but as the technology
developed, the end user requirements increased. New services (such as the Internet)
became more common, so the bandwidth became inadequate. This was the main reason
for starting the specification for the next generation cellular networks. As mentioned
earlier in this document, one of the requirement points was that the air interface of the
3G should be generic. Roughly, this means that the radio part of the network should be
even more functionally separated than in the GSM. To clarify and specify this, the call
establishment related parts of the 3G network are expressed as follows:

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ATM
WCDMA

Uu

Iu

RAN
RAN

UE
UE

Service
Service
Platform
Platform

CN
CN
O&M

UE = User Equipment
RAN = Radio Acces Network
CN = Core Network
NMS = Network Management System

Figure 4.

NMS
NMS

3G network principle diagram

The multiple access method used between the User Equipment (UE) and the RAN
(Radio Access Network) is called Wideband Code Division Multiple Access
(WCDMA). The 3GPP is aiming to specify open interfaces also within the RAN in
order to guarantee multivendor scenarios. Despite this, it is reasonable to believe that
operators will not select a large number of suppliers for the RAN, nor for the Core
Network (CN) implementation.
In GSM, we use TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) as the transmission method
between the different network elements. For UMTS, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer
Mode) has been chosen as the transmission method in the radio access network. The
basic difference between TDM and ATM is that in TDM, we use timeslots for
conveying information between network elements. In ATM, on the other hand, the
data is transmitted in cells (packets) of fixed size across the network. (An ATM cell
has 48 octets of payload, 5 octets of headers.)
Also the interfaces within the CN and between the CN and the other networks can be
considered as open, but there may be several national limitations / enhancements /
extensions present. The 3G network can also be presented as a collection of
management layers, which cover certain parts of the network.

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Communication Management (CM)

Session Management (SM)
Mobility Management (MM)
Radio Resource Management (RRM)

UE

Figure 5.

RAN

CN

3G network management layers

The radio resource management (RRM) is completely covered between the RAN and
the user equipment (UE) and it involves managing how the channels are allocated.
The core network (CN) domains control the mobility management (MM), session
management (SM) and call control layers. The functions depend on whether the core
network domain is the CS (circuit switched) or PS (packet switched). The higherlayer functions performed between the UE and CN are often called communication
management (CM). The CM entity covers the topics like call control (CC),
supplementary services (SS) and short message service (SMS). In the module UMTS
Traffic Management, these management layers are further explained.
The added value that the WCDMA brings into the 3G network is the wideband radio
access, thus enabling a situation, in which the operator is able to offer completely
new services to the end users. The planned access rates to be offered with WCDMA
are roughly presented in Figure 6. In 3G networks, the user access rate will vary as a
function of the speed. It should be noted that the bit rates presented here are mainly
points of interest when data services are in question. The very basic circuit-switched
services, such as a plain voice calls, do not require these bit rates, but when the user
chooses to use e.g. fast Internet or video phone services, the bit rates face the limits
as expressed in Figure 6.
The 3GPP Specifications have been designed to divide the service platform from
the physical platform. This means that the services are independent from the
physical network. In GSM, we use traffic channels to carry data from the terminal to
the core network. In UMTS, the physical network routes a bearer between the
terminal and the core network. The bearer is variable in terms of speed and quality,
and it is allocated depending on the services the subscriber wishes to use. The
subscriber may also be using different bearers for different services simultaneously.

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3G Radio Access

Pedestrian & Office (<10 km/h):

bit rate <=2 Mb/s

Figure 6.

Outdoor (<150 km/h):

bit rate 384 kb/s, target 512 kb/s

Outdoor (<250 km/h):

bit rate 144 kb/s, preferably more

3G access rates

As indicated already, the 3G network will have the means and readiness for data
transfer in all forms. The traffic to be delivered through 3G can be divided into two
categories: Circuit Switched and Packet Switched. The circuit switched traffic
normally has a high real-time requirement (that is, no delay or the delay occurring
must be constant). Normal speech and video phoning are examples of this kind of
traffic. The packet switched traffic normally does not have such exact real-time
requirements, and a good example of this kind of traffic is an Internet connection.
Based on this traffic division, the services generating traffic are either Real-Time
(RT) or Non-Real-Time (NRT) services. The following values are defined for the
3G and services to be used.
Table 2.

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3G RT and NRT service access rates as a function of user speed

Environment

RT Service Peak Rate

(Delay fixed 20 300 ms)

NRT Service Peak Rate

(Delay varies 20 300 ms)

Rural outdoor
(Speed < 250 km/h)

144 384 kb/s

144 384 kb/s

Urban/Suburban
(Speed < 150 km/h)

384 512 kb/s

384 512 kb/s

Indoor/Low range outdoor

(Speed < 10 km/h)

- 2 Mb/s
(Special conditions)

- 2 Mb/s
(Special conditions)

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TypeYourNameHere

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

Network evolution
How can GSM as a system be converted or upgraded further on to face the increased
requirements set by the cellular operators and their subscribers? When studying this
matter, it is relatively easy to realise that there are several steps as to how things will
be implemented. On the other hand, there are several "clans" being either for or
against certain technical development step(s).
The majority of networks will support UMTS by evolving from GSM backbones.
Several public authorities have announced that it is not necessary to implement every
single step described here, but, by experience, a complicated technical concept must
be done in phases in order to guarantee final quality and better working equipment.

Starting with the basic GSM

HLR & AC & EIR

BTS

BSC

TCSM

MSC&VLR

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

Figure 7.

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BSC

TCSM

Basic GSM network principle diagram

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1.1

GSM network elements

The GSM radio access network called BSS (Base Station Subsystem) consists of the
following elements:

BSC (Base Station Controller) is responsible for radio path and radio resource
management.

BTS (Base Transceiver Station) is the network radio terminal forming the air
interface that the MSs (Mobile Stations) use for network access and
communication purposes.

TCSM (Transcoding and Sub-Multiplexer Unit) is the channel coding

converter making it possible to use more effective channel coding within the
BSS (transcoding), and thus enables saving in transmission costs (through
sub-multiplexing).

NSS (Network Switching (Sub) system), the switching part of the GSM network,
contains the following elements:

MSC (Mobile Switching Centre) performs the traffic path connections and is
responsible for the majority of the connection management related entities.

VLR (Visitor Location Register) contains subscription and security

information of the active subscribers located in the radio network part. The
nature of the data the VLR contains is not stable: when the subscribers change
their location(s), the VLR data changes respectively.

HLR (Home Location Register) is the static data storage of the subscription
information. The HLR also contains the subscriber location information, but
the accuracy of this information is on the VLR level.

AC (Authentication Centre) maintains security information of the

subscriptions.

EIR (Equipment Identity Register) maintains security information related to

the mobile equipment, not to the subscription.

Figure 7 presents a very basic GSM network made strictly according to

specifications. That is, all possible open and proprietary interfaces are included. The
network described above is always the first step when a new/old operator is starting
its GSM cellular business. The subscribers in this kind of network have all the basic
services available:

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Speech, circuit switched data up to 9.6 kb/s, Facsimile

Call forwarding, call barring, in-call services (Wait, Hold, Multi-Party)

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Adding value to GSM networks

The GSM Technical Specifications define certain interfaces, which make it possible
to add some value to the system. Through these interfaces, the operators connect the
Value Added Service (VAS) platform(s) into use.
A typical VAS platform consists of two elements: Short Message Service Centre
(SMSC) and Voice Mail System (VMS). In other respects the GSM network is the
same as in the previous phase.

HLR & AC & EIR

BTS

BSC

TCSM

MSC&VLR

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

Figure 8.

BSC

TCSM

Value Added
Service Platform(s):
SMSC, VMS

GSM & Value Added Services

The Short Message Service (SMS) has proven its potential in commercial use.
Originally, the SMS was not seriously considered as a service at all and thus it was
very cheap to use. However (and partly surprisingly), the subscribers adopted this
service and nowadays a remarkable share of the traffic in the GSM networks is SMS
based.
Another issue is the capacity offered. In this phase the capacity of the network is
(normally) drastically increased, and a clear difference between the analogue and
digital technology in this respect becomes evident.

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Adding value with GSM phase2+ and IN services

The control of the services provided by the basic GSM is relatively good. However,
these services are not very flexible. In other words, the basic GSM offers mass
service for mass subscribers. To change the situation, the IN (Intelligent Network)
is integrated to the cellular network. The IN platform provides the operator the tools
for creating completely new services, as well as full access to modify existing ones,
even on a subscriber basis.

HLR & AC & EIR

BTS

BSC

TCSM

MSC&VLR

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

BSC

TCSM

Value Added
Service Platform(s):
SMSC, VMS

IN

Figure 9.

3.1

GSM Intelligent Network included

IN services
Fraud management is a very essential issue for the operators. For this purpose, the
basic GSM has two registers: AuC and EIR. However, these registers cannot
guarantee that the subscribers pay their bills.
IN is maybe the most common and flexible way to create a service called Prepaid,
where the prepaid customers have their own account (paid in advance) with a call
credit balance. During each call the account balance is regularly checked. When the
balance is 0 it is not possible to establish any calls. Naturally, the subscribers are
able to buy more airtime, thus increasing their account balances.
The Intelligent Network has the following advantages:

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Possibility to differentiate and compete with services.

Customer segmentation from the operators point of view.

Better utilisation of the service platform: VAS (Value Added Service)

components used in IN services.

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Increasing data transfer in existing GSM networks

The data transfer rate of the basic GSM is low. Thus, new concepts to tackle this
issue are introduced. The first one is HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data),
with its more effective channel coding. The enhancements allow the end user to have
data calls with bit rates like 40 60 kb/s. These enhancements require only very
limited changes in the existing network elements.

HW/SW
Changes

HLR & AC & EIR

IP Networks

BTS

BSC

TCSM

MSC&VLR

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

BSC

TCSM

Value Added
Service Platform(s):
SMSC, VMS

IN

Figure 10.

Enhancing GSM High Speed Data

Benefits of faster data and services

HSCSD increases data transfer capability. Hereby, physical radio channels are
allocated to the HSCSD subscriber on demand only one physical channel is
guaranteed to the subscriber. The operator can therefore optimise the radio interface
usage given the demand of normal GSM subscribers and HSCSD subscribers. A set
of coding schemes allows a dynamic adjustment of the amount of redundancy added
to the user information. This is done to maximise the throughput via the radio
interface.
Mobile phones usually have small screens. Therefore http-pages cannot be presented
in a satisfying way. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) was introduced to
overcome this problem. This is a uniform way to browse the Internet from the
mobile station without any accessory equipment. Roughly, the WAP changes the
nature of the mobile equipment from pure mobile towards data terminal; the mobile
able to use WAP is actually an ASCII based Internet browser.

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Evolving GSM to packet core

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is the way to transfer packet data over the
GSM air interface. This requires HW/SW changes in the existing network elements,
and some new elements as well. The term IP backbone refers to the part of the
network handling packet switching and connections to the Internet and other data
networks. The basic packet switched data core consists of two major elements:
SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) and GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node).
In addition to these, the IP backbone contains other routers, firewall servers, and
DNS (Domain Name Server).

HW/SW
Changes

HLR & AC & EIR

IP Networks

BTS

BSC

MSC&VLR

TCSM

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

BSC

Value Added
Service Platform(s):
SMSC, VMS

TCSM

SGSN

IN

GGSN
IP Networks

Figure 11.

GSM and packet switched data core

The traffic through the packet core is not equal when comparing to the MSC side:
the packet core traffic uses free air interface slots and thus the capacity of the packet
connection varies all the time. This is the basic reason why the 2G packet traffic does
not have exact QoS (Quality of Service) classification in use; it is said that 2G packet
connection QoS is best effort.
From the operator point of view, the packet connections increase traffic anyway and
the time slots not used by circuit switched services are in effective use.
Fast, wireless access to the Internet is enabled; theoretically, bit rates of 150 kb/s in
optimal circumstances are possible. A subscriber can expect nowadays data rates of
about 30 to 40 kb/s. Packet data transfer does not waste the capacity (as the HSCSD
does on one physical channel). WAP and SMS will be utilised very effectively in the
context of different services either provided by the operator or a 3 rd party.

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Increasing speed with EDGE

Within the existing knowledge and technology, it is possible to further enhance the
transferred bit rates up to the level of 384 kb/s for circuit switched services, and to a
level of up to 473 kb/s for packet switched services. This is achieved by introducing
a new modulation scheme (8PSK), combined with sophisticated coding methods
over the air interface. These methods are backward compatible with the existing
GSM methods, and they form a concept called EDGE (Enhanced Data rates in GSM
Environment). Please note that issues like availability of timeslots, and transmission
quality, affect the bit rates that can be obtained.

HW/SW
Changes

HLR & AC & EIR

IP Networks

BTS

BSC

MSC&VLR

TCSM

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

BSC

Value Added
Service Platform(s):
SMSC, VMS

TCSM

SGSN
TRX Change & Transmission
Upgrade

IN

GGSN
IP Networks

Figure 12.

GSM - EDGE

This step will probably be the end point for several operators due to the licensing
policy (country-specific regulations). On the other hand, some operators may skip
this phase and move on to the next step in this development path. EDGE utilises
everything built in the GSM, including the multiple access method used in the air
interface (TDMA, Time Division Multiple Access).
Because the channel coding methods experience remarkable changes in this step, the
spectral efficiency does not change: same kinds of time slots are still in use, carrying
traffic like they have been carrying in a normal GSM. Also from the network
planning point of view, the use of radio frequencies will not change. The changes in
the system are related to transmission and multiple time slot allocation required in
PSTN connections.

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Evolving towards to the universal mobile network

(Service platform)
3G has a completely new way to approach the term service: all the services offered
should be independent from the technology platform. This really opens the windows
for free, 3rd party service development. There will be several services, and the
majority of those will be based on the Internet in one form or another. In addition,
imaging (picture transfer) and video phoning will be interesting services.

HW/SW Changes
HLR & AC & EIR
IP Networks

BTS

BSC

MSC&VLR

TCSM

PSTN
ISDN

BTS

BSC

Value Added
Service Platform(s):
SMSC, VMS

TCSM

IN
SGSN
GGSN
IP Networks

BTS

Figure 13.

RNC

MGW

UMTS New radio access introduced: UMTS network architecture

If there is a possibility (as well as requirements and license), the operator may move
to a completely new level in service offering. This phase introduces new wideband
radio access technology, which, in the beginning, roughly equals the bit rates the
EDGE concept is able to provide. The new radio access require new network
elements in the radio network: RNC (Radio Network Controller) and BS (Base
Station) The BS is referred to as Node B in the 3GPP specifications.
The new radio access introduced in this phase is, however, utilising the frequency
spectrum more efficiently; the data flow and its bit rate is not dependent on time
slots any more. When the radio access method was planned, the packet type of traffic
was especially considered.

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

UMTS development
UMTS will be developed in releases like GSM. When the technology is more
mature, the services will be more sophisticated and involved in every area of life.
The structure of the network will change considerably. There will be several radio
access technologies in use in parallel. The wideband communication has changed the
structure of the network equipment and transmission.
The trend is that packet switched traffic volume soon will dominate over circuit
switched. It is expected that circuit switched traffic is used only in special cases,
such as for real time services that have high Quality of Service (QoS) requirements.

Service potential in the mobile information society

The UMTS cellular network is tightly integrated to the society, and some other items
(like digital signature) are widely used. This offers the possibility to combine many
items together. For instance, banking and business can be done almost completely
wirelessly. The 3G terminal is far more than a phone, it may act as a social security
card, passport, purse, etc.
The business model will change, too. In an ordinary 2G network the operator
provides most of the services. In UMTS network the operator can be considered as a
carrier provider. Some service providers use carrier provider resources to deliver
the service and the content of the service is provided to the service providers by
content providers. This structure will create a lot of challenges to be sorted out when
integrating UMTS to the other networks and technologies.

3G end-to-end IP solutions
With UMTS Release 99, a radio interface solution was introduced to allow the
transport of a wide range of multimedia services. The transmission network solution

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of the UMTS radio access network is based on ATM (and an alternative specification
of IP transport partly exists), which guarantees flexible bearer establishment in the
radio access network. But the UMTS CN solution is still rooted in GSM, and this
may impose limitations for multimedia applications. In UMTS Rel. 4 and 5, callprocessing server solutions combined with media gateways were specified for circuit
and packet switched services to allow flexible bearer establishment also in the core
network. The specifications explicitly mention IP and ATM as potential transmission
solutions for the core network.
This means a core network evolution.

IS D N
P S T N

Figure 14.

3G IP Majority of the traffic over IP

The majority of the traffic is expected to be packet switched data transfer over IP
(its more mature variant(s)). That is, the IP is expected to fully support mobility
management (if expressed in telecommunication terms). Additionally, in this kind of
environment the IP must fully support QoS (Quality of Service) thinking. These two
conditions are essential if cellular IP terminals are going to be used.

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Basics of the air interface and the path to

WCDMA
Air interface is a very complicated part of the UMTS network, especially in
comparison to actual 2G networks (such as GSM).
The following sections give a basic understanding of the air interface, which in turn
helps to gain a better understanding of the issues and properties of the WCDMA
interface.

Wireless principles

Duplex transmission
There are three ways to accomplish communications:

Simplex

Half-duplex

Duplex

Simplex has been used since the early 1900s. It is communication in a one-way
direction, such as AM and FM broadcast stations. Simplex uses one frequency
broadcast to one or multiple receivers.
Half duplex is communication in a two-way direction. However, only one person
may talk at a time, since half duplex uses only one frequency. Half duplex is often
referred to as push-to-talk (PTT).
Duplex is communication in a two-way direction on two frequencies. One frequency
is used to talk and the other one to listen. This is the modern way of cellular
communication.
There are two common ways to realise duplex transmission:

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Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)

In this case, frequency resources are allocated to the mobile communication
system. Some of the frequency bands are allocated to uplink communication
only, while other frequency bands are used for downlink communication. In
other words duplex transmission is enabled by using different frequency
bands, meaning that uplink and downlink are separated by frequency.

Time Division Duplex (TDD)

In this case, one carrier frequency band is used for uplink and downlink
communication. The transmission is organised in time frames. Within in

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each time frame, some time resources are used for uplink transmission,
while the remaining ones are used for downlink transmission.
Frequency Division Duplex

Time Division Duplex

Uplink
Downlink
Uplink
Downlink
Uplink
Downlink

frequency

Figure 15.

1.2

frequency

FDD and TDD

Radio communication
There are two basic formats used in the radio communication: analogue and digital.
The commercially available analogue format has been used since 1900, while the
commercially available digital format was introduced in 1990. The difference
between the analogue and the digital format is that when using analogue, a persons
voice signal is transmitted over the air, while the digital format uses a string of 1s
and 0s to represent the voice signal (Figure 16). If someone would lock on to the
frequency used for an analogue conversation, he/she could actually hear the users
voices. For that same situation in the digital format the observer would need to
decode the 1s and 0s before hearing the conversation.
There are four basic air interface technologies used for communication:

Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)

Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA)

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Both FDMA and SDMA were introduced in the analogue format. TDMA and CDMA
technologies are based on the digital format.

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Analogue

So you seebla, bla, bla, yada, yada

110000110101100011101110001

Digital

Figure 16.

The difference between analogue and digital

Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA)

In December 1900, Reginald Fessenden accomplished the first human voice

transmission via radio. This first link was over a mile long. Six years later he
transmitted the first radio broadcast. Soon afterwards, Frequency Division Multiple
Access (FDMA) technology was used. Different broadcasts in the same geographical
region could be heard by using different radio frequencies. That is the idea behind
the FDMA; the frequency range is broken down into unique bandwidths and
distributed to the users. FDMA is used in cellular communications. One frequency to
speak on and one to listen on; thus we have duplex communications. That way
multiple users can operate in a particular frequency spectrum.

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

carrier band

Figure 17.

frequency

With FDMA, users transmit simultaneously using separate

frequencies

Early cellular systems (1940s - 1960s) used higher power and lower frequencies
compared to todays cellular systems.

.2.2

Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA)

In 1946, Bell Telephone System planners started submitting proposals for a largescale system that would satisfy the growing customer demand for more wireless
access. The idea behind the proposals was to break a huge geographical region into
smaller areas called cells. Each cell would use a frequency different than those of
its nearest neighbours to prevent any interference.
That is the idea behind the Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA), the same
frequency can be used multiple times in the same geographical region.
The advantage to this technology is increased network capacity. The easiest way for
FDMA broadcasters to increase their coverage area is to increase their transmitting
power. However, increased power causes interference problems and increases the
distance before a frequency can be reused. SDMA can increase coverage by adding
more cells. Modern cellular uses higher frequencies and lower power. This causes
less interference and reduces the frequency reuse distance. This technology emerged
with the offering of Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) in the early 1980s.
Although this was a big capacity improvement, it soon ran into its limits. The
network planners made a few modifications to this design to increase capacity. One
solution was to reduce the cell size even further and to add more cells to fill in the
newly created uncovered areas. A second alternative was to add another frequency to

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the existing cell, so that two calls could be placed from the same cell. Both of these
solutions, however, did not overcome the basic limit of one call per frequency.

Figure 18.

Space Division Multiple Access

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

The next step in providing greater network capacity was not only to divide
frequencies into different cells, but also to divide this frequency into different slices
of time. Originally, the frequency could only carry one conversation, but with the
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology, multiple users could carry on
conversations using the same frequency in the same cell or space.
That is the idea behind TDMA; dividing the frequency into multiple time slices so
that multiple users can access the same frequency at the same time.
The commercially available products associated with this new technology are Digital
Advanced Mobile Phone Service (D-AMPS) and Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM). D-AMPS was introduced in the late 1980s, and GSM
became available in 1990. These two products are not compatible. D-AMPS is a
digital overlay to the existing analogue system AMPS for the purpose of increasing
capacity. GSM is standalone product with a digital format at its core.

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f3
f1

f6
f2

f4
f2

f7
f5

f3
f1

Figure 19.

Time Division Multiple Access

Mobile Phone 3
Mobile Phone 2
Mobile Phone 1
Mobile Phone 4
Mobile Phone 3
Mobile Phone 2

TDMA frame

Mobile Phone 1
Mobile Phone 4
Mobile Phone 3
Mobile Phone 2
Mobile Phone 1
carrier band

Figure 20.

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TDMA frame
frequency

TDMA divides the frequency into multiple time slices

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Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) also uses digital format. In CDMA
systems, several transmissions via the radio interface take place simultaneously on
the same frequency bandwidth. The user data is combined at the transmitters side
with a code, then transmitted. On air, all transmission get mixed. At the receivers
side, the same code is used as in the transmitters side. The code helps the receiver to
filter the user information of the transmitter from the incoming mixture of all
transmissions on the same frequency band and same time. This is often represented
by layers, as can be seen in the figure below.
In contrast to classical FDMA and TDMA systems, the same carrier frequency band
can be used in neighbouring cells. Frequency reuse factor in CDMA is one.

Figure 21.

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Code Division Multiple Access

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Power (P)

Time
Codes

Frequency

Figure 22.

CDMA is digital and identifies each conversation by a code rather

than frequency or time slice

CDMA background
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a type of spread-spectrum; a family of
digital communication methods that the military has used for some time dating back
to World War II. It is particularly useful to the military for two reasons:

It provides protection from enemy jamming, because the spread signal is

difficult to interfere with.

It can conceal that any communication is taking place.

Even though CDMA was hypothetically possible in the late 1940s, it was not
available to the civilian market for another four decades. A primary reason for this
was that low cost, high-density digital integrated circuits had to be developed to keep
the cost and the weight of the units down.

Principles of CDMA
CDMA can be compared to a room with people speaking different languages.

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Let us imagine that a corporate CEO is hosting a large multinational gathering. Our
host, having mastered many languages, is primarily the one making the conversation.
Our host demands that his guests speak in their native tongues.
Our host, a true mediator, is able to interpret the conversations between guests if they
wish to talk with each other; he can fluently follow several conversations at the same
time. He can understand different speakers, all talking at the same time, because they
speak in different languages.
He occasionally has to tell some guests, who tend to get carried away, to speak a
little softer; and he has to ask the soft speakers to talk more loudly so that he can
hear them better.
The party starts to mature and many more guests arrive. The overall volume begins
to rise, because there are more people speaking at the same time. The host asks the
guests nearest to him to speak more softly, while he asks the ones further away to
please speak up.
CDMA functions are much like our party. The CEO hosting the party is our Base
Station (BS) and the guests are the Mobile Stations (MS). The different languages
correspond to codes in a CDMA system. The BS can tell the mobiles apart, even
though they are transmitting at the same time, by the codes that they use. Each MS
uses a separate code.

Figure 23.

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The CDMA multinational gathering

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3.1

CDMA information, theory and codes

O r ig in a tin g B it

R e c e iv e d B it

W CDM A

F re q u e n cy
B and

Pow er

S p re a d in g
F a c to r

Figure 24.

General transmission principle

In direct sequence CDMA, the transmission takes place continuously. If one user
data bit has to be transmitted from the transmitter (e.g. the mobile phone) to the
receiver (e.g. the base station), a certain amount of energy is required. The amount of
energy depends on the distance of the transmitter from the receiver, the obstacles in
the transmission path, etc. The energy can be represented like a box having
specific volume. The energy/volume is constant - but the dimensions of the box can
be change. As can be seen above, the boxs volume is made of the frequency band,
transmitter power, and time for the transmission. In UMTS, the frequency band is
constant. The other two dimensions, power and duration for the transmission, are
subject to change. A high data rates means many bits in one second, so the duration
for each information bit is short. Consequently, the output power for each bit must be
high to keep the boxs volume at a specific, constant level. If the data rate goes
down, less information bits are transmitted in one second, and therefore the duration
of one information bit is longer. If the energy for the transmission of the information
bit has not changed, the volume of the box is the same. Consequently, less output
power is required at the transmitters side.

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Power (P)

Time
Codes

Frequency
Figure 25.

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

In direct sequence CDMA technology based systems (like WCDMA), every user is
assigned a code/codes varying per transaction, i.e. the different users use separate
codes. These codes are called spreading codes. It should be noted that one user may
also use several spreading codes in certain situations. The user data is directly
multiplied with his code. This processes is called spreading. Then the user data is
transmitted via the common frequency band.

If the originating bit rate is low, the power required for transmission is small.
This kind of case can be seen as a narrow layer in Figure 25.

If the originating bit rate is high, is higher. This kind of case can be seen as a
thick layer in Figure 25.

Spread spectrum and the principle of direct sequence CDMA

There are several spread spectrum system designs:
In direct sequence spread spectrum we spread or code the message we want to
send by directly multiplying it with a large bandwidth user-specific code called the
spreading sequence.
Frequency hopping spread spectrum utilises the large system bandwidth by
periodically changing the carrier frequency of the narrowband message according to
a user-specific sequence.
Time hopping spread spectrum uses a user-specific sequence to key the transmitter
on and off at equal duration time segments. Unlike GSM, there is no user-specific
timeslot.

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The direct sequence (DS) spread spectrum method is used in both the 2nd generation
CDMA systems (that is, IS-95) and in the new 3rd generation Wideband CDMA
(WCDMA) (UMTS and cdma2000).
Let us visualise the spreading process. We have the information bits with some
power per bits. The spreading signal is like a monster truck driving over the bits. The
bits get squashed and spread over the ground. The power that previously defined
the height of the bits is also flattened. The power is spread over the spectrum, that is,
the power per unit bandwidth is small. This is our goal. For someone not knowing
how the information was actually squashed, it is very difficult to detect the presence
of a spread spectrum user. All one would hear is an increased amount of noise.

User A

f
Data
P

User B

Figure 26.

Spreading and sharing the same space

In a spread spectrum system all the users are in the same frequency band. The
frequency band is not divided in time to the users as in GSM. All users may send at
the same time at will. The users information is spread over the whole frequency
band with a user-specific pseudo-noise (PN) signal, the spreading code. The
transmitted signal occupies a much wider bandwidth than would be necessary to
send the information. The bits in the spreading code are called chips.
In a multiple access environment, we will have at the receiver our spread spectrum
signal summed with the other user signals. Our receiver will decode the original
message fine as long as the noise caused by the other signals present is not too high.
This is why we can say that each user is sharing a pool of power in the system.

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Motives for using WCDMA in UMTS

The UMTS specifications include 3rd generation mobile services platforms. Being
able to deliver wideband multimedia services is going to require a higher
performance standard than the current wireless standards. UMTS will smooth the
progress of new wireless wideband multimedia applications, while fully supporting
both packet and circuit switched communications (e.g. Internet and traditional
landline telephone). From the outset, UMTS has been designed for high-speed data
services and Internet based packet data offering up to 2 Mbps in stationary or office
environments and up to 384 Kbps in wide area or mobile environments.
In UMTS Release 99, there are two WCDMA modes:

FDD mode
FDD stands for frequency division duplex. Two separate 5 MHz frequency
bands are used one for uplink transmission and another one for downlink
transmission.

TDD mode
TDD stands for time division duplex. Hereby, one frequency band is used
both for uplink and downlink transmission.

In the FDD mode a continuous transmission in one transmission direction can take
place. The TDD mode is more similar to GSM. Bursts are transmitted. The reason
for that is routed in the fact, that uplink and downlink transmission must be managed
on the same frequency bands at different times. The FDD mode is seen as a very
good solution to get coverage. The TDD mode is especially efficient, when there is
asymmetric traffic. Because of this and its bursty nature, it use is seen mainly in the
pico and micro cell environment.
Both in the FDD and TDD mode, direct sequence CDMA is applied. The radio
interface solution is called Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), because 5 MHz carriers
are used.

Features of WCDMA in UMTS

WCDMA for UMTS has several advantages, for example:
Efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum

Different technologies, which improve the spectrum usage, are easy to apply to
CDMA. E.g. in GSM, one physical channel is dedicated to one user for speech
transmission. If discontinuous transmission is applied, several timeslots of the
physical channels are not used. These timeslots cannot be used otherwise. In UMTS,
the transmission of several mobile phones takes place on the same frequency band at
the same time. Therefore, each transmission imposes interference to the
transmissions of other mobile phones on the same carrier frequency band. UMTS
supports discontinuous transmission via the radio interface. Consequently, if mobile
phones are silent, when there is nothing to transmit, the interference level is reduced

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and therefore the radio interface capacity increased. Another option allowed in
UMTS is the multiplexing of packet switched traffic with circuit switched traffic. If
there is no speech to transmit for a subscriber, the silent times are used for packet
switched traffic.
Limited frequency management

CDMA uses the same frequency in adjacent cells. There is no need for the
FDMA/TDMA type of frequency assignment that can sometimes be difficult. This is
the main reason for increased radio interface efficiency of WCDMA
Low mobile station transmit power

With advanced receiver technologies, CDMA can improve the reception

performance. The required transmit power of a CDMA mobile phone can be reduced
as compared to TDMA systems. In the FDD mode, where bursty transmission is
avoided, the peak power can be kept low. Continuous transmission also avoids the
electromagnetic emission problems caused by pulsed transmission to, for example,
hearing aids and hospital equipment.
Uplink and downlink resource utilisation independent

Different bit rates for uplink and downlink can be allocated to each user. CDMA thus
supports asymmetric communications such as TCP/IP access.
Wide variety of data rates

The wide bandwidth of WCDMA enables the provision of higher transmission rates.
Additionally, it provides low and high rate services in the same band.
Improvement of multipath resolution

The wide bandwidth of WCDMA makes it possible to resolve more multipath

components than in 2nd generation CDMA, by using a so-called RAKE receiver. This
assists in lowering the transmit power required and lowers interference power at the
same time. The result is further improved spectrum efficiency.
Statistical multiplexing advantage

The wideband carrier of the WCDMA system allows more channels/users in one
carrier. The statistical multiplexing effect also increases the frequency usage
efficiency. This efficiency drops in narrowband systems with fast data
communications, because the number of the users on one carrier is limited.
Increased standby time from higher rate control channels

The wideband carrier can enhance the transmission of the control channels. The MS
only listens to the control channels part of the time, thereby increasing the standby
time.

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User Services
Subscribers are paying for value added services offered to them. Therefore mobile
operators are currently concentrating in broadening the services, offered to the
subscribers.

Access to a complete range of integrated, customer-friendly services

customised to their needs by operators and service providers. These services
will be available irrespective of the serving network and terminal, assuming
that similar capabilities are available. Where the capabilities are not available,
the user will be presented with a subset of the service.

Enhanced user service management covering the ability to customise and

configure the appearance and behaviour of user services and applications. This
management may include user interface customisation where the terminal
supports that capability.

Simplified service provisioning and service upgrades through the capability to

download new service applications with minimal customer interaction.

Wireless personal Internet

information anywhere at
anytime.

Multimedia messaging

E-mail

Telecommuting

Improved quality of service

Support for video/audio clips

If the subscriber benefits from the UMTS introduction, so does the operator:

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New service capabilities (means new business opportunity for operators)

Revenue opportunity with increased data/voice traffic

New frequency spectrum (new capacity)

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

Review questions
Please take some time to answer the following questions.
1.

a.

It is a specification body organised by the manufactures to promote new

technologies.

b.

It is an EU organisation that specifies all the features that a 3G network

must support.

c.

It is an organisational body by the operators to promote the

harmonisation of different 3G technologies.

d.

It is the name of the interface between the RAN and the CN.

e.

It is a specification body that takes care of the specification work in cooperation with many institutes.

2.

Name the four subsystems in the UMTS network Release 99.

3.

Which of the following elements is not part of the core network?

4.

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Which of the following definitions for the abbreviation 3GPP is true?

a.

HLR

b.

GGSN

c.

RNC

d.

EIR

Which of the following sentences about EDGE is true?

a.

EDGE is needed to support IN prepaid services.

b.

EDGE is using a more efficient coding and modulation technique than

in GSM to increase data throughput.

c.

EDGE and GSM networks are incompatible.

d.

EDGE will allow telephone calls to take place faster as people can talk
faster than in GSM.

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

5.

The SGSN is not needed to support 3G IP connections.

False

6.

List the four basic air interface technologies.

7.

Which of the following is true (circle the correct answer)?

a.

1st generation networks are digital and 2nd generation networks are
analogue.

b.

WCDMA is a 2nd generation technology.

c.

TDMA and CDMA were introduced in 2nd generation networks.

d.

Data, fax, and SMS services will first be introduced with WCDMA.

8.

Describe the main difference between analogue and digital.

9.

Which of the following are benefits of WCDMA (circle the correct answer)?

10.

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True

a.

Improvement of Erlang capacity.

b.

No frequency change allows imperceptible soft handovers.

c.

New available frequency spectrum.

d.

All of the above.

CDMA is an access technology, which was developed for high capacity

commercial mobile networks.

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Introduction to 3G/UMTS Networks

11.

42 (42)

True

False

Which of the following are benefits or services for the end user?
a.

Integrated services that may be customised per subscriber

b.

Ability to download and activate new services at will

c.

Multimedia messaging

d.

Possibility for telecommuting

e.

Improved quality of service

f.

Videophony

g.

Location-based services

h.

Support for video/audio clips

i.

All of the above.

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