Wireless Communication Notes
Wireless Communication Notes
Lecturer
Kashif
Communication Laeeq Wasti
Chapter#1
Introduction
Broadband
• Higher data rates obtainable with broadband wireless technology.
• Broadband wireless service shares the same advantages of all wireless services:
convenience and reduced cost.
• Operators can deploy the service faster than a fixed service and without the cost of a
cable plant. The service is also mobile and can be deployed almost anywhere.
• There are limitations, political and technical difficulties that may ultimately prevent
wireless technologies from reaching their full potential.
• Device limitations also restrict the free flow of data. The small display on a mobile
telephone can only displaying more than a few lines of text.
• Most mobile wireless devices cannot access the vast majority of WWW sites on the
Internet. The browsers use a special language, wireless markup language (WML), instead
of HTML.
Chapter#2
Transmission Fundamentals
Electromagnetic Signals
• An electromagnetic signal is a function of time or frequency.
• The signal consists of components of different frequencies.
• The peak amplitude (A) is the maximum value or strength of the signal over time,
typically, measured in volts.
• The frequency (f) is the rate [in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz)] at which the signal
repeats.
• The period (T) of a signal is the amount of time it takes for one repetition.
T = 1/f
• Phase (φ ) is a measure of the relative position in time within a single period of a signal.
• The wavelength (λ) of a signal is the distance occupied by a single cycle or the distance
between two points of corresponding phase of two consecutive cycles.
• Figure 2.3 shows the effect of varying each of the three parameters
Analog Signals
• An analog signal is a continuously varying electromagnetic wave that
may be propagated over a variety of media, depending on frequency.
o Examples of media:
Digital Signals
• A digital signal is a sequence of voltage pulses that may be
transmitted over a copper wire medium.
o Advantages
- It is generally cheaper than analog signaling
- Less susceptible to noise interference.
o Disadvantage
- Digital signals suffer more from attenuation.
• Digital signals can propagate analog and digital data.
Analog Transmission
• Transmit analog signals without regard to their content.
• The analog signal will suffer attenuation that limits the length of the transmission link.
• Cascaded amplifiers boost signal’s energy to achieve long distance, but the signal
becomes more and more distorted.
Digital Transmission
• Concerned with the content of the signal.
• Digital Signal
Channel Capacity
• A variety of impairments (such as noise, limit data rate) can distort or
corrupt a signal.
- Directional
- Omnidirectional
o 1 GHz to 40 GHz
o 30 MHz to 1 GHz
Multiplexing
• Capacity of the transmission medium exceeds the capacity required for
the transmission of a single signal
Multiplexing Techniques
Chapter#3
Communication Networks
Characteristics of WANs
• WANs cover a large geographical area.
• Circuits provided by a common carrier.
• A WAN consists of a number of interconnected switching nodes.
• WANs have provided only relatively modest capacity to subscribers.
o data rates of 64,000 bps
o Business subscribers using T-1 service operates at 1.544 Mbps,
being common
• Higher-speed WANs use optical fiber and transmission technique
known as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
o Provide user connections in the 10s and 100s of Mbps.
Characteristics of LANs
• A LAN is a communications network that interconnects a variety of
devices and provides a means for information exchange among those
devices.
• Traditional LANs provide data rates of 1 to 20 Mbps.
• High-speed LANS provide data rates of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps
LAN WAN
The scope of the LAN is small, WANs cover a large geographical
typically interconnects devices within area.
a single building or a cluster of
buildings.
LAN is owned by the same For WANs, most of network assets
organization that owns the attached are not owned by same organization.
devices.
The internal data rates of LANs are WANs have lesser internal data rate
typically much greater. compare to LANs.
Switching Techniques
• Switching nodes
o Intermediate switching device that moves data.
o The switching nodes are not concerned with the content of the
data.
• Stations
o The end devices that wish to communicate.
o Each station is connected to a switching node.
o The stations may be computers, terminals, telephones, or other
communicating devices.
• The collection of nodes is referred to as a communication network.
• Packet Switching
o Data are transmitted in blocks, called packets.
o Each node determines next leg of transmission for each packet.
ATM terminology
• Virtual Channel Connections (VCCs)
o Logical connection in ATM.
o Basic unit of switching in ATM network.
o A VCC is analogous to a virtual circuit in a packet-switching
network.
o Exchanges variable-rate, full-duplex flow of fixed-size cells.
• Virtual Path Connection (VPC)
o A bundle of VCCs that have the same endpoints.
o Advantages of Virtual Path
Simplified network architecture
Increased network performance and reliability
Reduced processing and short connection setup time
Enhanced network services.
Chapter#4
Protocols and the TCP/IP Suite
Features of a Protocol
• Syntax: Concerns the format of the data blocks
• Semantics: Includes control information for coordination and error
handling
• Timing: Includes speed matching and sequencing
• Physical Layer
• Covers the physical interface between a data transmission device
and a transmission medium or network.
• It specifies:
o the characteristics of the transmission medium
o the nature of the signals
o the data rate and
o other related matters
• Network access layer
• Concerned with the exchange of data between an end system and
the network to which it is attached.
• Internet layer
• Uses internet protocol (IP)
• Provide the routing function across multiple networks.
• Implemented in the end systems & routers.
• Host-to-host, or transport layer
• Commonly uses transmission control protocol (TCP)
• Provides reliability during data exchange
o Completeness
o Order
• Application layer
• Contains the logic needed to support the various user
applications.
• Uses separate modules that are peculiar to each different type of
application
TCP/IP Applications
• Simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP)
o Provides a basic electronic mail facility
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
o Allows files to be sent from one system to another
• TELNET
o Provides a remote logon capability.
Internetworking
Internetworking is the practice of connecting a computer network with
other networks.
Terms of Internetworking
• Communication Network
o A facility that provides a data transfer service among devices
attached to the network
• Internet
o A collection of communication networks interconnected by
bridges/routers
• Intranet
o An internet used by a single organization for internal purposes
Provides key Internet applications (e.g. World Wide Web)
Can exist as an isolated, self-contained internet
• End System (ES)
o A device used to support end-user applications or services
• Intermediate System (IS)
o A device used to connect two networks.
• Bridge
o An IS used to connect two LANs that use similar LAN protocols
• Router
o An IS used to connect two networks that may or may not be
similar.
Functions of a Router
Internetworking among dissimilar sub networks is achieved by using
routers. Essential functions of a router are:
• Addressing schemes
o Different schemes for assigning addresses
• Maximum packet sizes
o Different maximum packet sizes requires segmentation
• Interfaces
o Differing hardware and software interfaces
• Reliability
o Network may provide unreliable service
Chapter#5
Antennas and Propagation
Antennas
• An antenna is an electrical conductor or system of conductors used either for radiating
electromagnetic energy or for collecting electromagnetic energy.
o Transmission - radiates electromagnetic energy into space
o Reception - collects electromagnetic energy from space
• In two-way communication, the same antenna can be used for both transmission and
reception.
Radiation Patterns
A common way to characterize the performance of an antenna is the radiation pattern,
• Radiation pattern
o Graphical representation of radiation properties of an antenna
o Depicted as two-dimensional cross section
• Beam width (or half-power beam width)
o Measure of directivity of antenna
• Reception pattern
o Receiving antenna’s equivalent to radiation pattern
Types of Antenna
• Isotropic antenna (idealized)
o A point in space that radiates power in all directions equally.
• Dipole antenna
o the half-wave dipole, or Hertz, antenna (π/2)
- A half-wave dipole has a uniform or omnidirectional radiation pattern
in one dimension
o the quarter-wave vertical, or Marconi antenna (π/4)
- Commonly used for automobile radios and portable radios.
• Parabolic Reflective Antenna
o Used in terrestrial microwave and satellite applications.
Antenna Gain
• Antenna gain is a measure of the directionality of an antenna.
• The power output, in a particular direction, compared to that produced in any
direction by a perfect omnidirectional antenna (isotropic antenna).
• Effective area of an antenna
o Related to the physical size and shape of the antenna.
• The relationship between antenna gain and effective area is
4πAe 4πf 2 Ae
G= =
λ2 c2
Where,
G = Antenna gain
Ae = Effective area
f = Carrier frequency
c = Speed of light (≈ 3 * 108 m/s)
λ = carrier wavelength
Problem
For a parabolic reflective antenna with a diameter of 2m , operating at 12GHz, what is
the effective area & antenna gain?
Given
Antenna type = Parabolic
Diameter = d = 2m
Operating frequency = 12GHz
To Find
Effective Area = Ae =?
Antenna Gain = G =?
Solution:
Area of Parabolic
A= πr2 ----------------Eq-(1)
For r
r = d/2 = 2/2 = 1m
Now, Eq-(1) becomes
A=π ---------------------Eq-(2)
Therefore,
Ae = 0.56π (Reference: Table 5.2)
As we know that
λ = c/f
= 3 * 108 / 12 * 109 (where c = 3 * 108 m/s)
λ = 0.025m
As we know that
G = 7A / λ2
= 7π / (0.025)2 (where A=π and λ=0.025)
G = 35,200
In dB
GdB = 10 log (35200) = 45.46 dB
Propagation Modes
A signal radiated from an antenna travels along one of three routes:
1. Ground-wave propagation
2. Sky-wave propagation
3. Line-of-sight propagation (LOS)
Line-of-Sight Propagation
• The transmitting and receiving antennas must be within an effective line of sight of
each other.
o For satellite communication, a signal above 30 MHz is not reflected by the
ionosphere
o For ground-based communication, the transmitting and receiving antennas
must be within an effective line of sight of each other due to refraction.
• Refraction - Bending of microwaves by the atmosphere
o the velocity of an electromagnetic wave is a function of the density of the
medium
o When electromagnetic wave changes medium, its speed changes.
o Wave bends at the boundary between the mediums.
ProblemImp
The maximum distance between two antennas for LOS transmission if one antenna is
100m high and the other is at ground level.
Given:
Height of antenna one = h1 = 100m
To Find
Maximum distance b/w two antennas = d =?
Solution:
As we know that
d = 3.57 Kh (For h1)
d=3.57 ( 4 / 3)( 100 ) (where K=4/3)
d= 41km
Now,
(
d= 3.57 Κh1 + Κh2 )
41= 3.57 ( ( 4 / 3)(100 ) + ( Kh 2 ) (
=> 41 = 3.57 1.33 + ( Kh 2 )
( )
Κh2 = (41/3.57) -
2
1.33
h2= (7.84) / 1.33 (Simplify & Taking square both sides)
h2 = 46.2 m
Attenuation
• The strength of a signal falls off with distance over any transmission medium.
• For guided media reduction in strength, or attenuation, is generally exponential and
thus is typically expressed as a constant number of decibels per unit distance.
• Attenuation introduces three factors for unguided media:
o A received signal must have sufficient strength so that the electronic
circuitry in the receiver can detect and interpret the signal.
o The signal must maintain a level sufficiently higher than noise to be
received without error.
o Attenuation is greater at higher frequencies, causing distortion.
4πfd
= 20 log = 20 log ( f ) + 20 log ( d ) −147 .56 dB
c
Where,
Gt = gain of the transmitting antenna
Gr = gain of the receiving antenna
At = effective area of the transmitting antenna
Ar = effective area of the receiving antenna
Free space loss accounting for gain of other antennas can be recast as:
LdB = 20 log ( λ ) + 20 log ( d ) − 10 log ( At Ar )
Noise
• Unwanted signals that are inserted somewhere between transmission and reception.
• Noise may be divided into four categories:
o Thermal or White noise
- Thermal noise is due to thermal agitation of electrons.
- Thermal noise is uniformly distributed across the frequency spectrum
and hence is often referred to as white noise.
o Intermodulation noise
- When signals at different frequencies share the same transmission
medium.
o Crosstalk
- An unwanted coupling between signal paths.
o Impulse noise
- Is non-continuous, consisting of irregular pulses or noise spikes of
short duration and of relatively high amplitude.
Atmospheric Absorption
• An additional loss between the transmitting and receiving antennas.
• Water vapor and oxygen contribute most to attenuation.
• At frequency 22 GHz attenuation is on peak.
• At frequencies below 15 GHz, the attenuation is less.
Multipath
• The signal can be reflected by obstacles so that multiple copies of the signal with
varying delays can be received.
For wireless facilities where there is a relatively free choice of where antennas are to
be located, they can be placed so that if there are no nearby interfering obstacles, there is a
direct line-of-sight path from transmitter to receiver.
For fixed microwave, in addition to the direct line of sight, the signal may follow a
curved path through the atmosphere due to refraction and the signal may also reflect from the
ground.
Weaknesses
• Paths could be blocked by buildings
• Spectral congestion
• Interception possible
• Possible regulatory delays
• Sites could be difficult to maintain
• Towers need periodic maintenance
• Atmospheric fading
Refraction
• Bending of radio waves as they propagate through the atmosphere
• The refraction is caused by changes in the speed of the signal with altitude.
Multipath Propagation
• Reflection
o Occurs when an electromagnetic signal encounters a surface that is large
relative to the wavelength of the signal.
• Diffraction
o Occurs at the edge of an impenetrable body that is large compared to the
wavelength of the radio wave.
• Scattering
o Occurs when incoming signal hits an object whose size in the order of the
wavelength of the signal or less.
o Rayleigh fading
- Occurs when there are multiple indirect paths between transmitter and
receiver and no distinct dominant path, such as an LOS path.
o Rician fading
- Best characterizes a situation where there is a direct LOS path in
addition to a number of indirect multipath signals.
Chapter#9
Satellite Communications
• Earth Station
o The antenna systems on or near the earth.
• Uplink
o A transmission from an earth station to the satellite.
• Downlink
o Transmissions from the satellite to the earth station.
• Transponder
o The component in the satellite that takes an uplink signal and converts it to a
downlink signal.
3) Altitude of Satellites
a. Geostationary orbit (GEO)
b. Medium earth orbit (MEO)
c. Low earth orbit (LEO)
Geometry Terms
Advantages
• There is no problem with frequency changes due to the relative motion of the satellite
and antennas on earth (Doppler Effect).
• Tracking of the satellite by its earth stations is simplified.
• High coverage area
Disadvantages
• The signal can get quite weak after traveling over 35,000 km.
• The Polar Regions are poorly served by geostationary satellites.
• Signal sending delay is substantial.
Categories
1) Little LEOs
• Frequencies below 1 GHz
• 5MHz of bandwidth
• Data rates up to 10 kbps
• Aimed at paging, tracking, and low-rate messaging
2) Big LEOs
• Frequencies above 1 GHz
• Support data rates up to a few megabits per sec
• Offer same services as little LEOs in addition to voice and positioning services
Satellite Footprint
At microwave frequencies, which are used in satellite communications, highly
directional antennas are used. Thus, the signal from a satellite is not isotropically broadcast
but is aimed at a specific point on the earth, depending on which area of coverage is desired.
The center point of that area will receive the highest radiated power, and the power drops off
as you move away from the center point in any direction. This effect is typically displayed in
a pattern known as a satellite footprint.
Chapter#10
Frequency Reusability
• To use the same frequency band in multiple cells at some distance from one another.
• This allows the same frequency band to be used for multiple simultaneous
conversations in different cells.
• In characterizing frequency reuse, the following parameters are commonly used:
D = minimum distance between centers of cells that use the same frequency band (called co-
channels )
R = radius of a cell
d = distance between centers of adjacent cells (d = )
N = number of cells in a repetitious pattern (each cell in the pattern uses a unique set of
frequency bands), termed the reuse factor
Increasing Capacity
In time, as more customers use the system, traffic may build up so that there are not
enough frequency bands assigned to a cell to handle its calls.
Following approaches have been used to cope with this situation:
• Frequency borrowing
o Frequencies are taken from adjacent cells by congested cells.
• Cell splitting
o Cells in areas of high usage can be split into smaller cells.
• Cell sectoring
o A cell is divided into a number of wedge-shaped sectors, each with its own set
of channels, typically 3 or 6 sectors per cell.
• Microcells
o As cells become smaller, antennas move from the tops of tall buildings or
hills, and finally to lamp posts, where they form microcells.
o Microcells are useful in city streets in congested areas, along highways, and
inside large public buildings.
Cellular Systems
2. Traffic channels
Carry a voice or data connection between users.
• Other functions
o Call blocking
o Can termination
o Call drop
o Calls to/from fixed and remote mobile subscriber
GSM
(Global System for Mobile communications)
What is GSM?
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is the technology that
underpins most of the world's mobile phone networks.
OR
A network which generally covers a fairly broad geographic area and which offers
customized travel, financial, reference and commercial information to smart-phone
subscribers.
The GSM network can be divided into three broad parts. The Mobile Station is
carried by the subscriber; the Base Station Subsystem controls the radio link with the
Mobile Station. The Network Subsystem, the main part of which is the Mobile services
Switching Center, performs the switching of calls between the mobile and other fixed or
mobile network users, as well as management of mobile services, such as authentication.
GSM Interfaces
1. Um (Radio Air) Interface – Interface between MS (Mobile Station) & BSS (Base
Station System). Um is used for providing circuit & packet data services over the
radio interface to the MS.
2. Abis Interface - The interface between BTS (Base Transceiver Station) & BSC
(Base Station Controller). This is responsible for carrying traffic and maintenance
data.
3. A Interface – This is the interface between a BSC & a MSC.
GSM Channels
GSM supports two types of channels:
1. Traffic Channels
These channels carry digitally encoded user speech or data. A GSM traffic channel
(TCH) carries speech and data traffic. Of each 26-frame multiframe, 24 frames are
used for traffic channels, one is used for the slow associated control channel
(SACCH) and one is measuring signal strength.
Signaling and synchronizing commands between Base Station and Mobile Station
are transmitted through these channels. There are three types of GSM control
channels:
The SIM is a portable device in the form of a smart card or plug-in module that
stores the subscriber's identification number, the networks the subscriber is authorized to
use, encryption keys, and other information specific to the subscriber.
Base Station Subsystem is composed of two parts that communicate across the
standardized Abis interface allowing operation between components made by different
suppliers.
A base station subsystem (BSS) consists of a BSC (Base Station Controller) and one or
more BTS (Base Transceiver Stations).
1. Base Transceiver Station (BTS) - The base transceiver station (BTS) handles the
radio interface to the mobile station. The base transceiver station is the radio
equipment (transceivers and antennas).
2. Base Station Controller (BSC) - The BSC provides the control functions and
physical links between the MSC (Mobile Switching Center) and BTS. It handles
radio channel setup, frequency hopping, and handovers. A number of BSCs are
served by a MSC.
The main part of network subsystem is MSC (Mobile Switching Center) which
performs the switching of calls between the mobile & other fixed or mobile network
users, as well as the management of mobile services such as authentication.
It has three main jobs:
1) Connects calls from sender to receiver
2) Collects details of the calls made and received
3) Supervises operation of the rest of the network components
The central component of the Network Subsystem is the MSC. The MSC performs the
switching of calls between the mobile and other fixed or mobile network users, as well as
the management of mobile services such as such as registration, authentication, location
updating, handovers, and call routing to a roaming subscriber. It also performs such
functions as toll ticketing, network interfacing, common channel signaling, and others.
Every MSC is identified by a unique ID. It is supported by four databases that it controls:
VLR AUC
NS
MSC
HLR EIR
The HLR is a database used for storage and management of subscriptions. The HLR is
considered the most important database, as it stores permanent data about subscribers,
including a subscriber's service profile, location information, and activity status. When an
individual buys a subscription in the form of SIM then all the information about this
subscription is registered in the HLR of that operator.
The VLR is a database that contains temporary information about subscribers that is
needed by the MSC in order to service visiting subscribers. The VLR is always integrated
with the MSC. When a mobile station roams into a new MSC area, the VLR connected to
that MSC will request data about the mobile station from the HLR. Later, if the mobile
station makes a call, the VLR will have the information needed for call setup without
having to interrogate the HLR each time.
The Authentication Center is a protected database that stores a copy of the secret key
stored in each subscriber's SIM card, which is used for authentication and ciphering of
the radio channel. The AUC protects network operators from different types of fraud
found in today's cellular world.
The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is a database that contains a list of all valid
mobile equipment on the network, where its International Mobile Equipment Identity
(IMEI) identifies each MS. An IMEI is marked as invalid if it has been reported stolen or
is not type approved.
Advantages of GSM
• Cleaner quieter calls
• Security against fraud and eavesdropping
• International roaming capability in over 100 countries
• Improved battery life
• Efficient network design for less expensive system expansion
• Advanced features such as short messaging and caller ID
• A wide variety of handsets and accessories