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Architecture of Imode

iMode is a wireless internet service developed by NTT DoCoMo for mobile phones using packet-switched networks. It allows users to easily access internet services on their mobile device. iMode saw huge success with over 26 million subscribers within 2.5 years in Japan, accounting for 80% of the world's wireless internet users at the time. The iMode architecture includes a packet network, iMode servers that interface with information providers, and mobile phones that connect to the network using protocols like TLP and ALP. It provides many internet-based services while maintaining an easy-to-use interface optimized for small mobile screens.

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51 views

Architecture of Imode

iMode is a wireless internet service developed by NTT DoCoMo for mobile phones using packet-switched networks. It allows users to easily access internet services on their mobile device. iMode saw huge success with over 26 million subscribers within 2.5 years in Japan, accounting for 80% of the world's wireless internet users at the time. The iMode architecture includes a packet network, iMode servers that interface with information providers, and mobile phones that connect to the network using protocols like TLP and ALP. It provides many internet-based services while maintaining an easy-to-use interface optimized for small mobile screens.

Uploaded by

mdhuq1
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Architecture of iMode

What is iMode?
Goal: Easily enjoy Internet services on mobile phone Overlay on top of DoPa packet network Subscriber:

New, advanced services on mobile device


A way to attract new users and increase revenue Users charged on per-packet basis (~0.22 cents/128byte) Payment collection for third-party information providers

Operator:

Statistics
iMode a huge success

Today, 80% of worlds wireless Internet users are in Japan (12.5% in Korea, 5% in Europe, 1% in USA)
2% of worlds population is in Japan

Zero to 26M subscribers in 2.5 years, 50K more per day 1,000 official sites; 30,000 voluntary sites Packet network launch 1997 iMode launch 1999 -> Lots of time to experiment and learn

Early deployment

Goals
Stick to telephone

Enjoy Internet without bulky, slow PDA or PC Users unaware of Internet Adapt browser to mobile device IP, TCP, HTTP, SSL, Java Allow third parties to provide information

Easy to use

Leverage Internet technologies

Media diversification

Architecture
Packet iMode Network Server (PDC-P)

Info. Provider Info. Provider Info. Provider


PC

Communication Network (PDC)

Internet

PSTN

Groupware Server

PC

Packet Network (PDC-P)


iMode Server M-SCP PGW
M-PGW M-PGW M-PGW I-MAX I-MAX I-MAX

IP

PPM
BS BS BS

PPM
BS

Interne t

IP

MS

MS

MS

MS

BS: Base Station PPM: Packet Processing Module PGW: Packet Gateway Module M-PGW: Mobile Message-Packet Gateway Module M-SCP: Mobile Service Control Point I-MAX: Interface-Mobile Access Exchanges

iMode Server
SW I-MAX1 I-MAX1 U-MAX M-MAX C-MAX W-MAX N-MAX SW RT

M-PGW

To PDC-P

M-PGW

To PDC-P

M-PGW SW
Customer Center

To PDC-P

I-MAX8 B-MAX D-MAX

SW

RT
Maintenance Terminal

SW

RT

SW

RT

ISP 1 ISP 2

Itemization Center

Sales Analytic Terminal Business Remote Terminal

Leased Line Leased Line Leased Line

RT RT RT

SW SW SW

F/W F/W F/W

Functions:

IP

Internet Access Proxy Mail Storage User Management Information charging

Protocols
TLP

Improved efficiency in PDC-P network over TCP (uses fewer packets to save charges) Higher data packet ratio No 3-way handshake, control signals can piggyback data Supports both pull (HTTP) and push style communication Direct HTTP communication between mobile phone and iMode server

ALP

UITP (User Information Transfer Protocol) sends subscriber information from PDC-P network to iMode server NWMP (Network Management Protocol) performs signaling

Start/end of packet communication E.g. email delivery, push content notification


HTML Mail

Telephony Function PDC

ALP (Application Layer Protocol) TLP (Transport Layer Protocol) PDC-P

iMode Server

ALP (Application Layer Protocol) TCP IP

Security
SSL (adopted March 2001)

End-to-end SSL(e-eSSL) with server-side authentication


Phones have pre-configured keys

Client-side authentication is future work


Non-repudiation is not yet possible

Can also do SSL just between IP and iMode server (s-sSSL) PDC-P network doesnt have to be trusted Can run applets from IP Java Application Manager (JAM) prevents access to handset

Java

Current and Future Services


Digital Music Distribution Car Navigation System Email Internet/web access E-Commerce Video-calls Streaming media Java Games Schedule Management File sharing BBS Multi-party Conferencing Workflow Management Mobile TV Interactive TV Video distribution Music Distribution Mobile Banking Concert Ticket Booking Club/Event Info Travel Service Downloadable Characters Credit Card Bill Inquiry Horse Racing Information Mobile Trading Location Information Karaoke Horoscope Fortune-telling CAD Dictionary search Complex vector graphics Restaurant guide Flash software Walking/driving/subway directions News Animated Mail Housing information Vending Machine Interface Weather forecast Telephone directory Airline information Hotel Reservation Discount Tour Info Stock Information Cooking Recipes

Application Scenario: Railroad Facility Management System


Japanese railroad companies use PDAs

Display diagrams of wires, tracks, signals, communications Collect data and workflow management Consider using iMode phone instead Too heavy, difficult to operate Low bandwidth (wired) No dynamic updates Expensive

Disadvantages of PDA:

Disadvantates of iMode phone


Small display size Spotty coverage (tunnels, near buildings) Low bandwidth (wireless)

M. Kikuchi, Y. Yagi, Use of iMode Cellular Phones for Facility Management System

Hardware Demands
Low Power Ics

Most power consumed by power amp New applications require more power
SSL, Multimedia, Java

Memory

10x larger memory required Non-volitile storage required for media downloading services
More colors, faster response speed => greater power drain Currently 30% of unit total weight (large)

LCD

Battery

H. Yazaki et. al., Overview of Advanced iMode Mobile Phones K. Enoki, iMode: The Mobile Internet Service of the 21st Century

Comparison with WAP/WML


WAP
Specification for presenting and interacting with information on wireless Sites based on new WML 39% of worlds wireless internet users Usually used over circuit switched connections Services business-oriented, work-oriented Anyone can produce content, content menus

iMode
Wireless internet service (could
be deployed over WAP)

Sites based on HTML (cHTML) 60% of worlds wireless


internet users Usually used over packet switched connections Services user-oriented, funoriented Anyone can produce content, DoCoMo operates content menus

Recent News
iMode Launch in USA via ATT wireless

Expected to launch soon Stripped down service

Currently being deployed in Europe by E-Plus

Already deployed in Germany

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