4G Technology News » Jargon Buster

WiMAX

Sky — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:11:47 +0000

WiMAX, meaning Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-multipoint links to portable and fully mobile internet access. The technology provides up to 3 Mbit/s broadband speed without the need for cables. The technology is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard (also called Broadband Wireless Access). The name “WiMAX” was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard. The forum describes WiMAX as “a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL”.

More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX

4G

Sky — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:03:12 +0000

4G (also known as Beyond 3G), an abbreviation for Fourth-Generation, is a term used to describe the next level of evolution in the field of Wireless communications. A 4G system will offer a complete replacement for existing communication networks and is expected to provide a comprehensive and secure IP based solution where facilities such as voice, data and streamed multimedia will be provided to users on an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis and at much higher data rates compared to previous generations. 3G is used by mobile broadband providers all around the globe, but 4G will provide much faster access to the Internet.

More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G

UMTS

Sky — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:32:29 +0000

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is one of the third-generation (3G) mobile telecommunications technologies, which is also being developed into a 4G technology. It is specified by 3GPP and is part of the global ITU IMT-2000 standard. The most common form of UMTS uses W-CDMA (IMT Direct Spread) as the underlying air interface but the system also covers TD-CDMA and TD-SCDMA (both IMT CDMA TDD). Being a complete network system, UMTS also covers the radio access network (UMTS Terrestric Radio Access Network; UTRAN), the core network (Mobile Application Part; MAP) as well as authentication of users via USIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module).

Unlike EDGE (IMT Single-Carrier, based on GSM) and CDMA2000 (IMT Multi-Carrier), UMTS requires new cell towers and new frequency allocations. However, it is closely related to GSM/EDGE as it borrows and builds upon concepts from GSM. Further, most UMTS handsets also support GSM, allowing seamless dual-mode operation. Therefore, UMTS is sometimes marketed as 3GSM, emphasizing the close relationship with GSM and differentiating it from competing technologies.

For More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umts

3GPP

Sky — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:22:09 +0000

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration between groups of telecommunications associations, to make a globally applicable third generation (3G) mobile phone system specification within the scope of the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 project of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

3GPP specifications are based on evolved Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) specifications. 3GPP standardization encompasses Radio, Core Network and Service architecture.

The groups are the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses/Telecommunication Technology Committee (ARIB/TTC) (Japan), China Communications Standards Association, Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (North America) and Telecommunications Technology Association (South Korea). The project was established in December 1998.

3GPP should not be confused with 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), which specifies standards for another 3G technology based on IS-95 (CDMA), commonly known as CDMA2000.

For More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3gpp

LTE

Sky — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:06:17 +0000

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the next major step in mobile radio communications, and it will be introduced in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 8. The aim of this 3GPP project is to improve the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) mobile phone standard or migrate from other standards such as 1XEVDO. Researchers and development engineers worldwide – representing more than 60 operators, vendors and research institutes – are participating in the joint LTE radio access standardization effort. While 3GPP Release 8 has yet to be ratified as a standard, much of the standard will be oriented around upgrading UMTS towards a 4G mobile communications technology and an all-IP flat architecture system.

For More Information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Term_Evolution