4G Technology

Literature survey
[1] IEEE paper on “Path to 4G Wireless Networks” by Ahmet AKAN, C¸ a˜gatay
EDEMEN

Mobile communication plays a significant role in telecommunications industry. Next new

generation mobile technology, fourth generation (4G), promises the full mobility with high
speed data rates. Although there is no formal definition, two possible technologies are
expected to cover the requirements for 4G; LTE Advanced and 802.16m or WiMAX 2. In
this paper the operative perspective for coming 4G is shared.

[2] IEEE paper on “4G MOBILE NETWORKS – TECHNOLOGY BEYOND 2.5G

AND 3G” by Jun-seok Hwang, Roy R. Consulta & Hyun-young Yoon

This paper will present about the current trends and its underlying technologies to
implement the 4G mobile technology. This paper also shows some of the possible scenarios
that will benefit the 4th generation technology

[3] IEEE paper on “Challenges and Future Prospect of 4G Wireless” Dr. Chia-Chin
Chong, NTT DOCOMO USA Labs, USA

This paper will present challenges ahead of full scale commercialization of IMT-Advanced
technology including tug-of-war among competitive standards (e.g., LTE vs Mobile
WiMAX, femtocells vs FMC) and future prospect of 4G (e.g., killer applications and
services).

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Chapter 1
Introduction
For several years the mobile communication systems have been improving very fast and the
wireless communication technologies improve day by day. Therefore, there is need to satisfy the
demands of the capacity improvements in wireless communications. In addition, wireless
communications can be defined as one of the most active areas of technology development of
our time. Based on these constantly increasing demands and technology developments, several
major cellular wireless communication techniques have been proposed.

1.1 Before 1G
Before 1G 0G refers to pre-cellular mobile telephony technology. . The systems were called
"cellular" because large coverage areas were split into smaller areas or "cells", each cell is served
by a low power transmitter and receiver. At the end of the 1940’s, the first radio telephone
service was introduced, and was designed to users in cars to the public land-line based telephone
network. In the sixties, a system launched by Bell Systems, called IMTS, or, “Improved Mobile
Telephone Service", brought quite a few improvements such as direct dialing and more
bandwidth.

1.2 1G or First Generation

1G was an analog system and was developed in the seventies.1G had two major
improvements this was the invention of the microprocessor, and the digital transform of the
control link between the phone and the cell site. ’AMPS’ was the first launched by USA and is
1G system. It was based on FDMA used to make voice calls in one country

1.3 2G or Second Generation

2G phones using global system for mobile communications (GSM) were first used in the
early 1990s in Europe. GSM provides voice and limited data services, and uses digital
modulation for improved audio quality. Digital AMPS, CDMA were some of the 2G systems.

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1.4 2.5 Generation

An interim stage that is taken between 2G and 3G that is 2.5G.It is basically an enhancement
of two major technologies to provide increased capacity and to increase higher bit rates. A very
important aspect of 2.5G is that the data channel are optimised for packet data which include
access to internet through mobile devices

1.5 3G or Third Generation

The 3G technology adds multimedia facilities to 2G phones by allowing video, audio, and
graphics applications. The idea behind 3G is to have a single network standard instead of the
different types adopted in the US, Europe, and Asia. Telecommunications System (UMTS) or
IMT-2000 will sustain higher data rates and open the door to many Internet style applications.

1.6 Drawbacks by Generation

1G: Poor voice quality, Poor battery life, Large phone size, No security, Frequent call drops,
Limited capacity and poor handoff reliability

2G: The GSM is a circuit switched, connection oriented technology, where the end systems
are dedicated for the entire call session. This causes inefficiency in usage of bandwidth and
resources. The GSM-enabled systems do not support high data rates. They are unable to handle
complex data such as video.

3G: 1.High bandwidth requirement.

2. High spectrum licensing fees.
3. Huge capital.

1.7 4G or Fourth Generation

4G or Fourth Generation Some possible standards for the 4G system are 802.20, WiMAX
(802.16), HSDPA, TDD UMTS, UMTS and future versions of UMTS and proprietary networks
from ArrayComm Inc., Navini Networks, Flarion Technologies, and 4G efforts in India, China
and Japan.

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Chapter 2
4G technology
4G refers to the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. In Telecommunication, 4G
is the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. It is a successor to the 3G and 2G families
of standards. In 2008, the ITU-R organization specified the IMT-Advanced (International Mobile
Telecommunications Advanced) requirements for 4G standards, setting peak speed requirements
for 4G service at 100 mbps for high mobility communication (such as from trains and cars) and
1 Gbps for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and stationary users).

4G is a packet switched wireless system with wide area coverage and high throughput. 4G
wireless system is a packet switched with coverage of a wide area and great throughput. It is
supposed to have an infrastructure that can manage the preceding 3G System as well as other
wireless system 4G system is designed in such a way that it can provide high spectral efficiency;
it is also cost effective and much efficient than 3g systems.

4G wireless uses OFDM and millimeter wireless that enables data rate of 20 mbps and
frequency band of 2-8 GHz. Orthogonal FDM's(OFDM) spread spectrum technique spreads the
data over a lot of carriers that are spaced apart at precise frequencies. This spacing provides the
"orthogonality" in this method which prevents the receivers/demodulators from seeing
frequencies other than their own specific one.

It makes use of millimetre wireless, Ultra Wide radio Band (UWB) and Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Mobile speed is 200 Km/hr and data rate is 20 Mbps.

The reasons behind high performance of 4g systems are as follows.

• It makes use of long term channel prediction schedule amidst users in frequency as
well as time.

• Smart antennas are united with power control and adaptive modulation.

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• Frequency band: 2 – 8 GHz; this range enables mobile to be accessed from any part
of the world .i.e. worldwide roaming.

2.1 Comparison between 3g and 4G

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Chapter 3
LTE and Wimax in 4G
Although there is no formal definition, two possible technologies are expected to cover the
requirements for 4G; LTE Advanced and 802.16m or WiMAX 2.

3.1 LTE (Long Term Evolution)

The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) cellular technology upgrade

has been dubbed LTE - Long Term Evolution. The idea is that 3G LTE will enable much higher
speeds to be achieved along with much lower packet latency (a growing requirement for many
services these days), and that 3GPP LTE will enable cellular communications services to move
forward to meet the needs for cellular technology to 2017 and well beyond.

3.1.1 3G LTE Technology

The work on 3G LTE started with a feasibility study started in December 2004, which was
finalised for inclusion on 3GPP release 7. LTE core specifications were then included in release
8.

The workshop set down a number of high level requirements for 3G LTE:

• Reduced cost per bit

• Increased service provisioning - more services at lower cost with better user
experience
• Flexibility of use of existing and new frequency bands
• Simplified architecture, Open interfaces
• Allow for reasonable terminal power consumption

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In terms of actual figures, targets for LTE included download rates of 100Mbps, and upload
rates of 50Mbps for every 20MHz of spectrum. In addition to this LTE was required to support
at least 200 active users in every 5MHz cell. (i.e. 200 active phone calls ). Targets have also been
set for the latency in IP packet delivery. With the growing use of services including VoIP,
gaming and many other applications where latency is of concern, figures need to be set for this.
As a result a figure of sub-10ms latency for small IP packets has been set.

Although there are major step changes between LTE and its 3P predecessors, it is
nevertheless looked upon as an evolution of the UMTS / 3GPP 3G standards. Although it uses a
different form of radio interface, using OFDMA / SC-FDMA instead of CDMA, there are many
similarities with the earlier forms of 3G architecture and there is scope for much re-use.

LTE has introduced a number of new technologies when compared to the previous cellular
systems. They enable LTE to be able to operate more efficiently with respect to the use of
spectrum, and also to provide the much higher data rates that are being required.

3.1.2 OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex)

OFDM technology has been incorporated into LTE because it enables high data bandwidths
to be transmitted efficiently while still providing a high degree of resilience to reflections and
interference. The access schemes differ between the uplink and downlink: OFDMA (Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in the downlink; while SC-FDMA (Single Carrier -
Frequency Division Multiple Access) is used in the uplink. SC-FDMA is used in view of the fact
that its peak to average power ratio is small and the more constant power enables high RF power
amplifier efficiency in the mobile handsets - an important factor for battery power equipment.

3.1.3 MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)

One of the main problems that previous telecommunication system has encountered is that
of multiple signals arising from the many reflections that are encountered. By using MIMO,
these additional signal paths can be used to advantage and are able to be used to increase the
throughput.

When using MIMO, it is necessary to use multiple antennas to enable the different paths to
be distinguished. Accordingly schemes using 2 x 2, 4 x 2, or 4 x 4 antenna matrices can be used.
While it is relatively easy to add further antennas to a base station, the same is not true of mobile

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handsets, where the dimensions of the user equipment limit the number of antennas which should
be place at least a half wavelength apart.

3.1.4 SAE (System Architecture Evolution)

With the very high data rate and low latency requirements for 3G LTE, it is necessary to
evolve the system architecture to enable the improved performance to be achieved. One change
is that a number of the functions previously handled by the core network have been transferred
out to the periphery. Essentially this provides a much "flatter" form of network architecture. In
this way latency times can be reduced and data can be routed more directly to its destination.

3.2 Wimax

Wimax is one of the hottest broadband wireless technologies around today. Wimax systems
are expected to deliver broadband access services to residential and enterprise customers in an
economical way.

Loosely, Wimax is a standardized wireless version of Ethernet intended primarily as an

alternative to wire technologies (suchas Cable Modems, DSL and T1/E1 links) to provide
broadband access to customer premises.

More strictly, Wimax is an industry trade organization formed by leading communications

component and equipment companies to promote and certify compatibility and interoperability
of broadband wireless access equipment that conforms to the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI
HIPERMAN standards.

Wimax would operate similar to WiFi but at higher speeds, over greater distances and for a
greater number of users. Wimax has the ability to provide service even in areas that are difficult
for wired infrastructure to reach and the ability to overcome the physical limitations of
traditional wired infrastructure.

Wimax was formed in April 2001, in anticipation of the publication of the original 10-66
GHz IEEE 802.16 specifications. Wimax is to 802.16 as the Wi-Fi Alliance is to 802.11.

3.2.1 Wimax-Definition

• Acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.

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• Based on Wireless MAN technology.

• A wireless technology optimized for the delivery of IP centric services over a wide
area.
• A scalable wireless platform for constructing alternative and complementary
broadband networks.
• A certification that denotes interoperability of equipment built to the IEEE 802.16 or
compatible standard. The IEEE 802.16 Working Group develops standards that address two
types of usage models:
• A fixed usage model (IEEE 802.16-2004).
• A portable usage model (IEEE 802.16e).

3.2.2 Wimax benefits

• Benefits to Component Makers:

o Creates a volume opportunity for silicon suppliers.
• Benefits to Equipment Makers:
o Innovate more rapidly because there exists a standards-based, stable platform upon
which to rapidly add new capabilities.
o No longer need to develop every piece of the end-to-end solution.

• Benefits to Operators:
o A common platform which drives down the cost of equipment and accelerates
price/performance improvements unachievable with proprietary approaches.
o Generate revenue by filling broadband access gaps.
o Quickly provision T1 / E1 level and "on demand" high margin broadband services.
o Reduce the dollar risk associated with deployment as equipment will be less expensive
due to economies of scale.
o No longer be locked into a single vendor since base stations will interoperate with
multiple vendors' CPEs.
• Benefits to Consumers:
o More broadband access choices, especially in areas where there are gaps: worldwide
urban centres where building access is difficult; in suburban areas where the subscriber is too far
from the central office; and in rural and low population density areas where infrastructure is
poor.

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o More choices for broadband access will create competition which will result in lower
monthly subscription prices.

3.2.3 Wimax technology

Wimax is a technology based on the IEEE 802.16 specifications to enable the delivery of
last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL. The design of Wimax
network is based on the following major principles:

• Spectrum: able to be deployed in both licensed and unlicensed spectra.

• Topology: supports different Radio Access Network (RAN) topologies.
• Interworking: independent RAN architecture to enable seamless integration and
interworking with WiFi, 3GPP and 3GPP2 networks and existing IP operator core network.
• IP connectivity: supports a mix of IPv4 and IPv6 network interconnects in clients and
application servers.
• Mobility management: possibility to extend the fixed access to mobility and
broadband multimedia services delivery.

Wimax has defined two MAC system profiles the basic ATM and the basic IP. They have
also defined two primary PHY system profiles, the 25 MHz-wide channel for use in (US
deployments) the 10.66 GHz range, and the 28 MHz wide channel for use in (European
deployments) the 10.66 GHz range.

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Chapter 4
Applications and services

It is generally accepted that 4G networks will provide more than just wireless voice
telecommunications. In fact, the main thrust of 4G technologies is to provide high-speed, high-
bandwidth, packetized data communications. It is generally expected that in 4G even voice
traffic will be delivered to the handset in packets (as opposed to delivery via dedicated circuit
switching).
Packetized data communications refers to the digital signalling technique in which
information (voice or data) is converted into binary code and partitioned into short segments.
These segments are then reassembled in the correct order and converted back into usable
information at the destination. Packet switching is more desirable to carriers and providers than
circuit switching for a host of reasons. One reason is capacity. It is inefficient to serve only a
single subscriber per channel because the full bandwidth of the channels is not being used at all
times during a voice call. When a typical user makes a call, there are lulls where neither party is
talking. In circuit switching, that lull is still being transmitted over the channel. The first
generation of wireless (cellular) technology used this technique. Current wireless systems share
channels in a packet environment to deliver voice communications. In packet switching, only
actual voice content is packetized and sent to the system. Advances in technology and in
multiple access techniques have made this possible. Unfortunately, today’s wireless access
techniques do not support high-speed or high-bandwidth transmissions.
With all the hype heralding third-generation (3G) services, users have come to expect that
the next generation of wireless technology will be not only a voice communications medium but
will have Internet-like functionality. Service providers and application developers are on the path
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to realizing these user expectations, but there is still a long road ahead. In reality, the dream of
Internet-style functionality via wireless communication may not be fully realized in the 3G
deployment. The multiple access techniques planned for 3G will not support the bandwidth and
data transmission speeds required for the advanced applications users expect. 3G technologies
will certainly have greater functionality than today’s wireless systems; however, not until 4G
deployment will these so called “killer” applications be supported.

4.1 User and Industry Expectations and Justifications

According to a recent presentation by Lucent Technologies at the Supercomm 2001

conference in June, Lucent is considering segmenting users into the following categories:
Gender, Age, Internet Usage, Income Brackets, and Mobile Professional.
The Gender segment refers to new female users, versus traditional male users. These
users are typically medium-income individuals. The types of applications being developed for
this segment are social and entertainment applications such as instant messaging and chatting.
The Age segment is composed of the youth market—generally individuals 18 years
old or younger. Typically these users do not pay for their own service—their parents or
guardians do. The types of applications being developed for this segment are social and
entertainment applications such as music services.
The Internet Usage segment is composed of individuals that typically spend longer
than average (i.e., more than about 32 minutes per session1) browsing the Internet. Typical users
in this segment are technology focused. The types of applications being developed for this
segment are information applications such as personalized news services and streaming news
feeds (i.e., delivered with audio, video, text, or any combination of the three).

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The Income Bracket user segment is composed of middle-aged, value-conscious

individuals.
The types of applications being developed for this segment are information services such as
up-to-the-minute, personalized stock tickers. These users are also generally safety oriented;
therefore, regular, reliable voice and data communications are paramount.
The Mobile Professional segment refers to users who rely on wireless devices to
conduct day-to-day business. This segment includes professionals who travel on a regular basis.
These users are generally very important to service providers because they often spend more to
obtain the services they require.
The types of applications being developed for this segment are messaging applications
such as mobile faxing, e-mailing, and instant messaging. To augment solid applications,
providers are also developing subscriber equipment to allow for roaming on disparate,
worldwide wireless networks using a single communications device (worldwide
interoperability). Like the Income Brackets segment, the Mobile Professional bracket demands
regular, reliable voice and data communications.

4.2 Push, Pull, and Location-Based Services

Push and pull services are services that rely on the network’s ability to locate
subscribers. In 4G, it is envisioned that networks will be able to pinpoint the exact location of
subscribers, both indoors and out. This ability will make it possible for value-added functionality
to be offered by service providers. Both push and pull services are further enhanced by user
profiles. User profiles, established and updated by subscribers, assure that information to each
user is truly customized. User profiles contain the subscriber’s preferences (e.g., likes/dislikes,
schedules, and formats) and permissions (i.e., who is allowed to know who and where they are).
The user’s profile would reside in a database maintained by the service provider.

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Chapter 5
Benefits of 4G
• High speed, high capacity, and low cost per bit.
• Support interactive multimedia, voice, streaming video, Internet, and other broadband
services.
• Global access, service portability, and scalable mobile services.
• Better scheduling and call admission control techniques.
• Smooth handoff across heterogeneous networks.
• High quality of service for next generation multimedia support (real time audio, high
speed data, HDTV video content, mobile TV, etc.)
• Interoperability with existing wireless standards.
• In addition to improvements in the multiplexing systems, improved modulation
techniques are being used. Whereas earlier standards largely used Phase-shift keying, more
efficient systems such as QAM are being proposed for use with the 3GPP Long Term Evolution
standards.

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Chapter 6
Estimation of Global Wireless Subscriber Growth
• Development trends in the mobile communication market
o Mobile data services account for an increasing percentage of worldwide mobile
revenue, and have been a key point of competitive differentiation between mainstream operators.
Since ARPU from mobile voice services has experienced slow or even negative growth in recent
years, mobile operators have begun to shift their focus of development to mobile data services.
According to Verizon’s annual report, its revenue from wireless data services increased by 49%
in 2009, accounting for 25.7% of its total revenue in the wireless business.
o Moreover, with the expansion of the intelligent terminal market, huge potential exists
for wireless data services, and demand for wireless bandwidth is predicted to double annually.
Therefore, mobile data services—especially wireless broadband data services—will be a strong
driving force for business growth.
• CDMA to LTE Evolution
o From the perspective of network deployment and subscriber development, CDMA to
LTE network evolution is a gradual process. CDMA Development Group’s (CDG) estimation of
global wireless subscriber growth shows that 2G, 3G and 4G technologies cannot simply
substitute each other, but must coexist and complement each other for an extended period as
shown in Fig.1
o CDMA2000 1X/EV-DO Rev.A is first upgraded to EV-DO Rev.B to meet the needs
of current users. After conditions have matured, LTE networks are then deployed in urban
hotspots, and then gradually LTE coverage is expanded. The CDMA and LTE networks
complement each other; the CDMA network offers seamless coverage for voice and low-rate and
medium-rate data services, while the LTE network provides hotspot area coverage for high-
speed data services. They can coexist for a long time.

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Fig.1 Estimation of 3G/4G Subscriber Growth

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Chapter 7
4G in India
India is a country where voice is given more importance than data communication over a
cellular network. Although, this situation is changing now, but mobile broadband is limited
to selected pockets in the country. On the other hand, service providers are more interested in
owning bandwidth to release them under high costs which is not always affordable to people.
At a recent 4G auction, (which seems useless currently in itself has India is still not living in
a 3G world) Infotel, a mobile broadband provider bought the largest share of 4G spectrum and
won the bid for all 22 regions this bid was being placed. One factor that makes Infotel so much
better than its competitor is that it has nationwide wireless broadband operations, possibly the
largest; making it the de-facto ruler in this sector. Others in this race, Aircel, Tikona Digital and
Bharti, each got eight, four and four licenses respectively.
India's telecommunications regulator said Friday it will send its proposals to the government
by June on fourth-generation, or 4G, mobile technology that will allow users to watch high-
definition video and download content on mobile devices at a much faster pace. "We have
floated a pre-consultation paper on 4G," J.S. Sarma, chairman of the Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India, told reporters on the sidelines of a conference. "At TRAI, we are readying
ourselves for it," he said. The regulator is likely to come up with a consultation paper on 4G in a
month's time, Mr. Sarma said, adding that he expects operators to start offering 4G services next
year. The 4G technology, while in its infancy, holds the promise of Internet speeds at least five
times faster than typical third-generation networks now common in Europe and the U.S.

The regulator's comments come at a time when India's telecom operators are yet to start full-
fledged 3G mobile services across the country after receiving spectrum in a hotly contested
auction last year. The auction saw telecom and Internet services providers together paying nearly
$23 billion to the Indian government for bandwidth to offer 3G telephony and broadband
wireless Internet services. Separately, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said
the ministry may look at extending the timeline for digitising television distribution networks
across the country by a year. The TRAI, which also regulates the broadcasting sector, had in a
report submitted to the government last year suggested a Dec. 31, 2013, deadline for digitisation
of networks. But the regulator is now suggesting that the deadline be postponed to June 2014.

India has about 106 million cable and satellite television homes, of which about 26 million
are connected through direct-to-home satellite television distribution companies. The remainder
are connected mostly through analog cable systems, which often give room to disputes between
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broadcasters and cable TV companies on the number of users. The government's digitisation
move will boost its tax collections, ramp up subscription revenue for broadcasters and also
provide customers a greater choice of channels.

Chapter 8
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Beyond 4G
Through 5G technology now you can use worldwide cellular phones and this technology
also strike the china mobile market and a user being proficient to get access to Germany phone
as a local phone. With the coming out of cell phone alike to PDA now your whole office in your
finger tips or in your phone. 5G technology has extraordinary data capabilities and has ability to
tie together unrestricted call volumes and infinite data broadcast within latest mobile operating
system. 5G technology has a bright future because it can handle best technologies and offer
priceless handset to their customers. May be in coming days 5G technology takes over the world
market. 5G Technologies have an extraordinary capability to support Software and Consultancy.
The Router and switch technology used in 5G network providing high connectivity. The 5G
technology distributes internet access to nodes within the building and can be deployed with
union of wired or wireless network connections. The current trend of 5G technology has a
glowing future.

Conclusion
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It is expected that the number of wireless broadband subscribers will have passed the
number of fixed broadband subscribers at the end of year 2010. So in a world going wireless, the
technologies used by the operators to supply wireless broadband for the customers with higher
throughputs get importance day by day. As an operator, we see that capacity and coverage are
essential parts of a successful 4G network. LTE-Advanced and Wimax 802.16m may be the
possible candidates for a successful 4G deployment for Turkcell. But it must be mentioned that
with HSPA+ currently deployed in the network as of a 3G technology, the present demand by the
customers is well met. Migration to 4G networks ensures convergence of networks, technologies,
applications and services.4G can serve as a flexible platform. Wireless carriers have an
opportunity to shorten Investment return, improve operating efficiency and increase revenues.
4G is a promising Generation of wireless communication that will change people’s lives. So
whichever the technology is, it must be affordable in cost and worth deploying in throughput,
coverage and capacity.

References
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• IEEE paper on “Path to 4G Wireless Networks” by Ahmet AKAN, C¸ a˜gatay

EDEMEN.

• IEEE paper on “4G MOBILE NETWORKS – TECHNOLOGY BEYOND 2.5G AND

3G” by Jun-seok Hwang, Roy R. Consulta & Hyun-young Yoon

• IEEE paper on “Challenges and Future Prospect of 4G Wireless” Dr. Chia-Chin

Chong, NTT DOCOMO USA Labs, USA

• Advanced Wireless Communications: 4G Technologies by Savo G Glisic

http://www.althos.com/tutorial/UMTS-LTE-tutorial-topics.html

• http://www.4gtrends.com/articles/30267/internet-eyeballs-shift-to-smartphones-and-
4g/

• http://www.4gtrends.com/articles/30267/internet-eyeballs-shift-to-smartphones-and-
4g/

• http://www.freewimaxinfo.com/wibro.html

• http://www.latest-technews.com/4g-wireless-systems/

• http://www.safecomprogram.gov/NR/rdonlyres/3CBCEA82-9C05-4CF5-B8E7-
DBBA0DC6199E/0/4GApplications_Services.pdf

• http://wwwen.zte.com.cn/endata/magazine/ztetechnologies/2010/no6/articles/201006/t
20100611_186339.html

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