Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet

Data

1. INTRODUCTION

Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) systems offer what is currently one
of the most advanced means of wireless data transmission technology. Generally
used as a tool for business, CDPD holds promises for improving law
enforcement communications and operations. As technologies improve, CDPD
may represent a major step toward making our nation a wireless information
society. While CDPD technology is more complex than most of us care to
understand, its potential benefits are obvious even to technological novices.

In this so-called age of information, no one need to be reminded of speed

but also accuracy in the storage, retrieval and transmission of data. The CDPD
network is a little one year old and already is proving to be a hot digital
enhancement to the existing phone network. CDPD transmits digital packet data
at 19.2 Kbps, using idle times between cellular voice calls on the cellular
telephone network.
CDPD technology represent a way for law enforcement agencies to
improve how they manage their communications and information systems. For
over a decade, agencies around the world have been experimenting with placing
Mobile Data Terminals(MDT) in their vehicles to enhance officer safety and
efficiency.

Early MDT’s transmits their information using radio modems. In this case
data could be lost in transmission during bad weather or when mobile units are
not properly located in relation to transmission towers. More recently MDT’s
have transmitted data using analog cellular telephone modems. This shift
represented an improvement in mobile data communications, but systems still
had flaws which limited their utility.

Dept. of CSE 1 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

Since the mid-1990’s, computer manufacturers and the

telecommunication industry have been experimenting with the use of digital
cellular telecommunications as a wireless means to transmit data. The result of
their effort is CDPD systems. These systems allow users to transmit data with a
higher degree of accuracy, few service interruptions, and strong security. In
addition CDPD technology represent a way for law enforcement agencies to
improve how they manage their communications and information systems. This
results in the capacity for mobile users to enjoy almost instantaneous access to
information.

2. WHAT IS CDPD?

CDPD is a specification for supporting wireless access to the Internet

and other public packet-switched networks. Data transmitted on the CDPD
systems travel several times faster than data send using analog networks

Cellular telephones and modem providers that offer CDPD support

make it possible for mobile users to get access to the Internet at up to 19,2 Kbps.
Because CDPD is an open specification that adheres to the layered structure of
the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, it has the ability to be extended
in the future. CDPD supports both the Internet’s Connectionless Network
Protocol (CLNP).

CDPD also supports IP multicast (one-to-many) service. With multicast,

a company can periodically broadcast company updates to sales and service
people on the road or a news subscription service can transmit its issues as they
are published. It will also support the next level of IP, IPV6. With CDPD we are

Dept. of CSE 2 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
assigned our very own address. With this address, we are virtually always
connected to our host without having to keep a constant connection.

There are currently two methods for sending data over cellular
networks: cellular digital packet data (CDPD) and cellular switched-circuit data
(CSCD). Each has distinct advantages depending on the type of application,
amount of data to send or receive, and geographic coverage needs.

CDPD is currently available to roughly 50 percent of the population

base. Two methods to transmit data are used, depending upon the service
provider's network architecture. Some providers have radio channels dedicated to
data transmission installed at existing voice cellular sites. Others use voice
cellular channels and interleave data messages within the unused portion of voice
radio signals. To use a CDPD data service, users require a laptop computer, a
connector cable and a CDPD radio modem. Radio modems come in a PC-card
format or connect to the user device with a serial cable.

Regardless of the method used, messages are broken up into discrete

packets of data and transmitted continuously over the network. Messages are
then "reassembled" into the original message at the receiving device. This
technology supports roaming and is especially attractive for multicast (e.g., one-
to-many) service, allowing updates to be periodically broadcast to all users.
Users log on once per day to register on the network. Messages and
transmissions automatically locate them.

Major CDPD providers generally have roaming agreements to allow

users to access the service when outside their home coverage area. For the
mobile users, CDPD’s support for packet switching means that a persistent link
isn’t needed. The same broadcast channel can be shared among a number of
users at the same time. The user’s recognizes the packets intended for it’s user.
As data such as e-mail arrives, it is forwarded immediately to the user without a

Dept. of CSE 3 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
circuit connection having to be established. There is circuit switched version,
called CS CDPD that can be used where traffic is expected to be heavy enough
to warrant a dedicated connection.

As a tool for transmitting data CDPD utilizes digital networks. Placing

data, conversions, photographs, and multimedia into digital form and
transmitting the information through a network with a large bandwidth permits
more information to be sent more quickly with greater clarity. Thus, data send
using CDPD is received in a quick, secure, and accurate fashion. Data send using
CDPD systems is less likely to be lost between senders and receivers due to the
position of mobile units, weather conditions, or other anomalies.

CDPD is an overlay to the existing cellular network, which enables

users to transmit packets of data over the cellular network using a portable
computing device and a CDPD modem. CDPD offers a high-speed, high-
capacity, low-cost system with the greatest possible coverage. Additionally data
is encrypted for security. CDPD air link transmissions have a 19,200 bps raw
data rate.

The Raven is a rugged, full duplex Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD)
modem that provides wireless transport capabilities for fixed and mobile
applications. The Raven is an efficient and secures wireless packet data
technology that is ideal for un-tethered applications. The CDPD Raven is ideally
suited for all fixed and mobile Industrial and Commercial Applications,
including Telemetry, SCADA, Public Safety, Dispatch, Field Service, Financial
Transaction Processing, and Security. The Raven’s embedded TCP/IP stack
enables virtually any type of remote device to access the CDPD network.

The Raven is currently installed with many different types of Remote

Terminal Units (RTUs), which perform remote metering, and monitoring
functions in the oil, gas, and water industries. The CDPD Raven can be a low-

Dept. of CSE 4 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
cost replacement for existing landline, private radio and circuit-switched cellular
installations.

Features

• 19.2 kbps raw data transfer rate

• Full duplex transceiver
• 600 mW transmit power
• Integrated TCP/IP protocol stack
• Proven technology
• Compact size
• Rugged aluminum case
• LEDs show status of CDPD operation
• Mounting brackets

Application Interfaces

Standard interfaces include:

• AT command serial character streams (uses embedded TCP/IP stack)

• Host TCP/IP stack communicates with Raven using SLIP
• Windows 95/98/NT Dial-Up Networking communicates with Raven using
PPP

In addition, several protocol conversions (Modbus, Opto22, BSAP) have

been implemented to allow hosts to communicate with RTUs over CDPD
without modifying the host or remote software.

Dept. of CSE 5 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

3. WORKING OF CDPD

To effectively integrate voice and data traffic on the cellular system

without degrading the level of service provided to the voice customer, the CDPD
network implements a technique called channel hopping. The way this works is
that when a CDPD mobile data unit desires to initiate data transmission, it will
check for availability of a cellular channel. Once an available channel is located,
the data link is established. As long as the assigned cellular channel is not needed
for voice communications, the mobile data unit can continue to transmit data
packet bursts on it. However, if a cellular voice customer initiates voice
communication, it will take priority over the data transmission. At such time, the
mobile data unit will be advised by the Mobile Data Base Station (which is the
CDPD serving entity in the cell and constantly checks for potential voice
communication on the channel) to "hop" to another available channel. In the
event that there are no other available channels, then data transmission will be
temporarily discontinued. It is important to note that these channel hops are
completely transparent to the mobile data user. As far as the user can see, there is
only one data stream being used to complete the entire transmission.

CDPD and current cellular voice network are essentially two separate
networks that happen to share cellular airspace. During transmission across
cellular telephone channels, there are moments when the channel is idle. In fact,
industry research indicates that over 30 percent of the air time, even during
heavy traffic times is unused. CDPD technology is able to detect and use these
otherwise wasted moments, by packaging data in small packets and sending it in
short “bursts” or chunks during the idle time. As a result, the cellular channel
operates more efficiently while remaining transparent to the cellular voice
network. Thus voice and data transmissions are unaffected. CDPD is based on
the same communications protocol as the Internet; so mobile users have access to
the broadest range of information.

Dept. of CSE 6 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

CDPD accomplishes this amazing feat by transmitting the data in small

chunks or packets. Then the chunks can be sent separately on whatever channel
is available at the time of transmission. Here is an analogy to help visualize this:

Instead of channels or lines we now have pipes. The pipes can be open
in the traditional way. Now no one can use the pipe while you have it open. You
send your data down the pipe. Now you wait for a response. Nothing is going
through the pipe but still no one else can use it. Majority of your data
transmission using this method is idle time that some else could exploit. CDPD is
the new way. You have little bundles of data. You find a pipe that is available
and you open it. You send your data and shut the pipe again. If that pipe is
available when you send more data, you use it. If not, you find a new pipe. You
get a response through which ever pipe is unused when the host sends you the
data. With CDPD you are assigned an IP address. This is better than a phone
number. This allows you to change channels or “pipes” and still send and receive
data as if you were directly connected to your host.

4. INTERFACES AND COMPONENTS OF CDPD

NETWORK

The CDPD network consists of three interfaces and five network

components. They are as follows:

INTERFACES

A Interface: A Interface is the abbreviated form of Air Interface. It is the

interface between the mobile end station (M-ES) and the cell site equipment
(MDBS). It consists of a new media access and control (MAC) protocol unique

Dept. of CSE 7 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
to CDPD, IP protocols used for routing, existing RF equipment and mobility
management features such as RF “sniffing” and the channel “hopping”. The Air
Interface constitutes the space between our antenna and the cell site tower.

I Interface: I Interface is the abbreviated form of Intermediate system Interface.

It is the interface between routing functions within the network, or between the
routing functions on a network-to-network interface. It is the interface between
the “off the shelf” routers. It consists of off the shelf router equipment, such as
Wellfleet, employing the IP or ISO 8473 profiles. Use of other profiles X.25 and
Frame relay is considered to be optional.

E Interface: E Interface is the abbreviated form of External Interface. It is the

interface connecting a non-CDPD network with a CDPD network. It is typically
a leased line connecting a User’s fixed end system (F-ES) to a CDPD network
provider.

COMPONENTS

Mobile End System (M-ES): The M-ES can be any mobile computing device
which has a CDPD modem built –in or attached. It supports the MAC
functionality required over the A interface and IP protocols that are mandatory
for addressing and mobility management. The M-ES transmits data over the air
link to the Mobile Data Base Station (MDBS) located in the cell site. The M-ES
is also concerned with radio resource management such as discovering and
keeping synchronization with RF data streams from an MDBS. The M-ES should
provide a transparent interface to the user’s applications. The CDPD modem is a
very good example for the M-ES.

Mobile Data Base Station (MDBS): MDBS is located at the cell site. It acts as a
relay station between M-ES and MD-IS systems. The MDBS relays packets of

Dept. of CSE 8 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
data to the MD-IS (Mobile Data Intermediate System) located at the MTSO
(Mobile Telephone Switching Office). The MDBS is primarily responsible for
radio frequency management; such as making sure that M-ES does not transmit
on a frequency that is currently being used by the cellular voice, channel
hopping, and aiding the M-ES to transfer from one cell to another by assisting in
the location of a new channel. It provides a hop-to-hop control over the air
interface. It controls the hop and RF segment between the M-ES and the CDPD
network. Each cellular geographic service area (CGSA) is controlled by MBDS.

Mobile Data Intermediate System (MD-IS): The MD-IS keeps track of an M-

ES’s location and routes data packets to and from the CDPD Network and the M-
ES appropriately. In addition, the MD-IS is responsible for validating an M-ES
on the network, and exchanging the encryption keys with the M-ES that allows
for secure transmission of data over the air link. It is responsible for IP routing.
MD-ISs are the only routers that are aware of mobility of the M-ESs. These
devices support a CDPD specific mobility network location protocol (MNLP)
which allows the exchange of mobility information. An MD-IS may serve single
or multiple CGSAs (cells). MD-IS will also determine where an M-ES is and
routes between the F-ES and M-ES. An MD-IS can provide “mobile home” and
“mobile serving” functions.

Intermediate System (IS): The IS is a router and an off-the-shelf device. The IS

routes the data through the IP and the CLNP network. The Intermediate System
is a standard IP router with the primary responsibility of relaying data packets. It
consists of the off-the-shelf commercially available router equipment, such as
manufactured by Wellfleet. Most ISs are unaware of mobility. The IS
components are the backbone of the CDPD mesh.

Fixed-End System (F-ES): The F-ES is whatever network

environment/resource the User is attempting to make available to mobile access

Dept. of CSE 9 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
via CDPD. The F-ES is the final destination of the message sent from an M-ES.
The Fixed-End System receives the data and processes it appropriately. The F-
ES can be one of many stationary-computing devices, such as a host computer, a
UNIX workstation, an online information service, or another Mobile-End
System. CDPD subscribers administrate external F-ES. The CDPD operator such
as Ameritech or US West administrates internal F-ES. The F-ES could be the
directory services database. It is important to realize that the F-ES is not required
to be aware of mobility issues in anyway whatsoever. As such, an F-ES should
be able to connect to a CDPD network with absolutely no modifications. This is
probably be a router connected to a token ring or other LAN.

Mobile Access Control (MAC): The MAC function used over the air interface
is unique to CDPD. It creates a bit stream by taking the bits within the MDLP
frames and “blocking” them into a format that incorporates a sophisticated
forward Error Correction scheme known as Reed/Solomon. The MAC defines a
“back-off” procedure in the event of suspected collisions with data streams from
other M-ES.

5. WHAT MAKE CDPD RELIABLE?

5.1 SOURCES OF ERRORS

Machines do make errors, and their non-man-made mistakes can turn

otherwise flawless programming into worthless, even dangerous, trash. Just as
architects design buildings that will remain standing even through an earthquake,
their computer counterparts have come up with sophisticated techniques capable
of counteracting the digital manifestations of Murphy's Law.

Dept. of CSE 10 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

Digital information, by definition, consists of strings of "bits" -- 0's and

1's -- and a physical device, no matter how capably manufactured, may
occasionally confuse the two. The most probable reason for this is the low
powered transmission of data over long distances.

Mobile communications use radio signals which are subject to

eavesdropping. The mobile network is also vulnerable to other unwanted security
breaches.

5.2 WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE A NETWORK

RELIABLE?

Fig.1 Data over GSM network

There are some actions that are necessary in order to obtain reliability over a
network.
• User Authentication
The procedure which checks if the identity of the subscriber transferred
over the radio path corresponds with the details held in the network.

Dept. of CSE 11 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
• User Anonymity
Instead of the actual directory telephone number, the International Mobile
Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number is used within the network to uniquely
identify a mobile subscriber.
• Fraud Prevention
Protection against impersonation of authorized users and fraudulent use of
the network is required.
• Protection of user data
All the signals within the network are encrypted and the identification key
is never transmitted through the air. This ensures maximum network and
data security.

The information needed for the above actions are stored in databases. The
Home Location Register (HLR) stores information relating the subscriber to its
network. This includes information for each subscriber on subscription levels,
supplementary services and the current or most recently used network and
location area. The Authentication Center (AUC) provides the information to
authenticate subscribers using the network, in order to guard against possible
fraud, stolen sub scriber cards, or unpaid bills. The Visitor Location Register
(VLR) stores information about subscription levels, supplementary services and
location for a subscriber who is currently in, or has very recently been, in that
area. It may also record whether a subscriber is currently active, thus avoiding
delay and unnecessary use of the network in trying to call a switched off
terminal.

5.3 OVERHEAD ENSURES RELIABILITY

Although the raw data rate for CDPD is 19.2 kbps the actual throughput
rate is more in the vicinity of 9.6 kbps. The reason is that CDPD adds a large
amount of overhead to each block of transmitted data for reliability. The CDPD
encodes each block using a systematic Reed-Solomon forward-error-correcting

Dept. of CSE 12 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
code. In addition, the information and parity bits in each block are exclusive-
ORed with a pseudorandom sequence after Reed-Solomon encoding to assist the
MDBS (Mobile Data Base Station) and M-ES (Mobile End System) modems in
maintaining bit synchronization. A color code is added to each block to detect co
channel interference from a remote MDBS or cell site. Encryption and
decryption are also part of the specification, which ensures that a customer's data
is private and which protects the service from fraud.

Fig.2 Typical mobile data schematic including mobile data terminal.

You can't always get what you want -- but if you try, sometimes, you
just might find you get what you need. Reed and Solomon managed to get a
coding system that was based on groups of bits (bytes) rather than individual 0s
and 1s.That feature makes Reed-Solomon code particularly good at dealing with
"bursts" of errors.

Mathematically, Reed-Solomon codes are based on the arithmetic of

finite fields. Indeed, the 1960 paper begins by defining a code as "a mapping
from a vector space of dimension m over a finite field K into a vector space of

Dept. of CSE 13 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
higher dimension over the same field." Starting from a "message" $(a_0,
a_1, . . .a_{m-1})$, where each $a_k$ is an element of the field K, a Reed-
Solomon code produces $(P (0),P(g), P(g^2), . . ., P(g^{N-1}))$, where N is the
number of elements in K, g is a generator of the (cyclic) group of nonzero
elements in K, and P(x) is the polynomial $a_0 + a_1x + . . . + a_{m-1} x^{m-
1}$. If N is greater than m, then the values of P over determine the polynomial,
and the properties of finite fields guarantee that the coefficients of P--i.e., the
original message--can be recovered from any m of the values.

Conceptually, the Reed-Solomon code specifies a polynomial by

"plotting" a large number of points. And just as the eye can recognize and correct
for a couple of "bad" points in what is otherwise clearly a smooth parabola, the
Reed-Solomon code can spot incorrect values of P and still recover the original
message. A modicum of combinatorial reasoning (and a bit of linear algebra)
establishes that this approach can cope with up to s errors, as long as m, the
message length, is strictly less than N - 2s.

In today's byte-sized world, for example, it might make sense to let K be

the field of degree 8 over $Z_2$, so that each element of K corresponds to a
single byte (in computerese, there are four bits to a nibble and two nibbles to a
byte). In that case, $N = 2^8 = 256$, and hence messages up to 251 bytes long
can be recovered even if two errors occur in transmitting the values $P(0), P(g), .
. ., P(g^{255})$. That's a lot better than the 1255 bytes required by the say-
everything-five- times approach.

5.4 CDPD vs. OTHER TECHNOLOGIES

It is crucial to develop a secure personal mobile communication

environment as secure information flow and privacy are amongst users' top

Dept. of CSE 14 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
priorities today. CDPD , at 19.2 kbps is not only the fastest available technology,
but also the most secure due to its built in RC4 encryption algorithm.

Cellular
Circuit Specialized Proprietary
Digital
Switched Mobile Radio Wireless Data
Packet Data
Cellular (Extended) Networks
(CDPD)
Speed best best good good
Security best better good better
Ubiquity best best good better
Cost of Service best better better good
Cost of
best best better good
Deployment
Mobility best good better good
Interoperability best good good better

6. CIRCUIT SWITCHED CDPD (CSCDPD)

6.1 INTRODUCTION

The astute reader may object to the title of this section. It seems
inappropriate to fashion a title that contains circuit switch concepts with a packet
data network! Furthermore, what is this topic doing in a section of network
access? This strange marriage of the two technologies is discussed in this
section.

In 1995, a few members of the CDPD Forum saw an opportunity to add

to the CDPD System Specification through the definition of a new
complementary service. The thought was that if CDPD services could be
available through the existing cellular voice telephone connections, the
requirement for nationwide coverage would be instantly realized.

Dept. of CSE 15 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

With the goal of developing a complementary standard to allow mobile

devices to access the CDPD network through cellular voice telephone circuit
switched connections, the group examined the CDPD system architecture. It
became quickly obvious that the layered communications architecture has
provided a great flexibility to accomplish this.

The development team examined the CDPD system architecture on a

layer by layer basis. The resultant architecture shown in Figure 6.1 is based on
the following considerations.

fig 6.1:cscdpd components

The physical layer was first examined. There really wasn't much to
decide here. Since the intent is to make use of the cellular telephone voice
channel, the GMSK modulation scheme cannot be used without changes.
Furthermore, since there are already cellular modem devices available, with mass
manufactured chip sets, it makes much more sense to rely on that technology. All
through the design of CDPD, the philosophy has been to define new technology
only when necessary. The development team wisely chose to use the
developments of the cellular telephone modem industry.

Dept. of CSE 16 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
The data link layer in CDPD is divided into two sub-layers, the Medium
Access Control sub-layer and the Logical Link Control sub-layer. In the Circuit
Switch CDPD system, the use of individual circuits for each mobile means that
there is no sharing of the RF channel in use. As such, there is no need for a
Medium Access Control function.

The Logical Link Control function is responsible for establishment and

management of a point-to-point connection between the CS CDPD mobile
device and the CS CDPD network. The basic requirements of this layer include:

¥ Reliable delivery of data frames

¥ Sequenced delivery of data frames
¥ Link establishment and disconnection

Much of these requirements are already satisfied by the typical modern

day modem equipment. Current modem technologies typically include end to
end protocols and procedures to provide error detection and correction, call
establishment and disconnection. However, the development team identified
additional control parameters that are necessary for efficient operation within the
CDPD network. These additional functions are used to ensure transparent
operation to the mobile user and efficient use of the RF channel. The
requirements were extensive enough to require the establishment of the Circuit
Switch CDPD Control Protocol (CSCCP) to be used on top of widely available
reliable modem protocols.

Above the data link layer, there is the Network Layer. The lower sub-
layer of the Network Layer is the Sub network Dependent Convergence
Function. The SNDCF is specifically defined to address mismatch in service
requirements of the Network Layer and service characteristics of the Data Link
Layer. In the early stages of CS CDPD system design, there were considerations

Dept. of CSE 17 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
to alter the CDPD SNDCP. However, as the system design progressed, it became
obvious that the SNDCP need not be modified. Some minor adjustments in terms
of maximum frame size may have provided some efficiency gains, but general
concensus was reached that such gains were small and may make
implementation of dual mode devices more complex. SNDCP is not changed.

Since the SNDCP is not changed, protocols at the Network Layer and
above are also unchanged. This ensures transparency of application operation
between CDPD and CSCDPD .

6.2 Circuit Switch CDPD Control Protocol

The purpose of the Circuit Switch CDPD Control Protocol is to provide

the services necessary to maintain efficient CDPD mobility management
function on circuit switched data modem technology. The goals for this protocol
are:
¥ Use of circuit switched connection
¥ Efficient use of circuit switched technology
¥ Continual connection to network
¥ Efficient circuit switched backbone connections
¥ Robust connection
To address these design goals, the specification team developed the following CS
CDPD messages:
¥ Connection Request
¥ Connection Response
¥ Reconnection Request
¥ Reconnection Response
¥ SNDCP Data Packet
¥ SNDCP Unit data Packet
¥ Link Reset

Dept. of CSE 18 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
¥ Link Reset Acknowledge
The use of these message to achieve the design goals may best be
illustrated through examples of connection events. The events presented include
the following:
¥ Initial connection (by the mobile)
¥ CS CDPD M-ES initiated reconnection
¥ CS CDPD MD-IS initiated reconnection
¥ Redirection
¥ Redirection with override
¥ Link Reset

6.3 Working
Initial Connection

The CS CDPD connection begins with the connection request by the

mobile device. Within the CS CDPD specifications, the mobile device is called
the CS CDPD Mobile End System or CM-ES. Just as in CDPD, the CM-ES must
initiate the connection.

The CM-ES starts by selecting a dial code from the list programmed
into the device by the service provider. Using an appropriate dial code, the CM-
ES establishes a circuit switched data connection. The peer end point of this
circuit is the CS CDPD MD-IS or CMD-IS. The CM-ES then sends a Connection
Request message carrying the following parameters:
¥ CM-ES Equipment Identifier
¥ V.42bis data compression parameters
¥ Duration time
¥ Cellular System Identifier (AMPS System ID)
¥ Dial code

Dept. of CSE 19 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
The CMD-IS responds with a Connection Response message containing
the following parameters:
¥ CMD-IS Identifier
¥ Service Provider Network Identifier (SPNI)
¥ Wide Area Service Identifier (WASI)
¥ V.42bis compression parameter response
¥ Result code

This exchange of messages (see Figure 6.2) allows the CM-ES and the
CMD-IS to identify themselves to each other and establish compression
negotiation parameters. In addition, the CM-ES informs the CMD-IS of the dial
code to use in order to contact the CM-ES.

fig 6.2:CM-ES Initial connection

Once a successful connection has been established, the CMD-IS initiates
the exchange of encryption keys. From this point forward the communications
process proceeds as in standard CDPD.

This interchange of messages achieves the first goal of establishing a

circuit switched connection.

CM-ES Initiated Reconnection

Dept. of CSE 20 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

After the connection has been established, data transfer between the
CM-ES and the network proceeds. For most connections, there are periods of
inactivity. On a circuit switched connection, these periods are wasteful since the
link cannot be shared by other devices. To account for this data traffic
characteristic, the CM-ES disconnects after a predetermined idle period and
suspends the data link connection.

When the CM-ES has data to send after having disconnected, it must
initiate reconnection procedures. This is accomplished by the CM-ES selecting
an appropriate dial conde and establishing a circuit connection. However, unlike
the initial connection, the CM-ES sends a Reconnection Request message (see
Figure6.3) which contains only the CM-ES Equipment Identifier (EID). This
EID allows the CMD-IS to quickly ascertain this to be a reconnection by a
previously connected device. There is therefore no need to repeat the exchange
of data compression parameters and AMPS system ID. The CMD-IS responds
with a Reconnection Response carrying the CMD-IS ID. This allows the CM-ES
to quickly confirm that it has reconnected to the same CMD-IS.

fig 6.3 CM-ES Initiated Reconnection

Dept. of CSE 21 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
Once the reconnection message exchange has been successful, the two
peer entities resume the suspended data link connection.

The only other deviation from the CDPD system is the use of an End
System Query message to force the exchange of registration data and
authentication credentials. This is an added precaution to avoid fraudulent
access.

This procedure achieves the second goal of efficient use of the circuit
switch technology. There is no need to keep the circuit switched connection
active when there is no data to transfer.

CMD-IS Initiated Reconnection

After the data link is disconnected due to an extended idle period, it is

possible that the network needs to deliver data to the CM-ES. In the usual circuit
switch connection scenario, this is not possible. The mobile user must
periodically "check-in" for data. However, the CS CDPD designers wanted to
offer connection service similar to CDPD. In which case, the network must be
able to initiate reconnection to the CM-ES.

One of the optional parameters provided by the CM-ES during initial

connection is a dial code. This dial code is to be used when the network wishes
to initiate reconnection. Therefore, when the CMD-IS has data to send to the
CM-ES, it establishes a circuit switch connection using the earlier supplied dial
code. Once connected, the CMD-IS sends a Reconnection Request message (see
Figure6.4) containing the CMD-IS ID. If the CM-ES finds the CMD-IS ID
acceptable, it responds with a Reconnection Response containing the CM-ES ID.
Once again, the two peer entities resume the suspended data link connection. The

Dept. of CSE 22 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
End System Query is sent by the CMD-IS to cause registration and
authentication.

fig 6.4 CMD-IS Initiated Reconnection

The procedure achieves the third goal of allowing the CM-ES to be

logically continually connected to the network without the need to maintain the
circuit switch link.

Redirection

Due to the mobile nature inherent in CDPD devices, it is possible that a

CM-ES relocates to an area where the dial code normally used is not the optimal
path through the infrastructure. This can result if the service provider has a local
point of presence through a local modem bank (see Figure6.5), or that the service
provider has an alternate CMD-IS at the local system (see Figure6.6).

Dept. of CSE 23 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

fig 6.5 Redirect To Local Modem Bank

fig 6.6 Redirect To Local CMD-IS

In these cases, it may be more efficient for the mobile to use the a
different set of dial codes to access the network. This is provided for in the
CSCCP through the Redirect result code.

The procedure occurs on the initial connection request. The CM-ES

proceeds with an initial connection request but the CMD-IS responds with a
Connection Response message containing the optional parameter to indicate a
Redirect directive. Along with that directive, a list of alternate dial codes is
provided.

The CM-ES, barring other problems, disconnects from the CMD-IS and attempts
to re-initiate connection requests with one of the new dial codes. If for some

Dept. of CSE 24 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
reason the new dial codes are not operational, the CM-ES may retry the
connection with the original dial code and issue a Redirect Override indicator. If
the CMD-IS cannot accept any connection requests, it may issue a Forced
Redirection command.
This procedure allows the service provider to instruct the mobile device to access
the network at the most efficient point of presence.

Dept. of CSE 25 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

Robust Connections

Even though the CS CDPD system has been built on using reliable data
transfer mechanisms available from current modem technologies, errors may rise
from various internal connection points. To address these errors, the CS CDPD
specification included an error recovery mechanism.

The mechanism is achieved in two steps. First, the data transfered is

contained in the CSCCP SNDCP Data Packets. These messages contain both a
simple checksum and a sequence number. The receiver of each message verifies
the checksum. If a checksum failure is detected, the link is reset by the receiver
issuing a Link Reset message (see Figure6.7). This Link Reset message contains
the sequence number of the failed packet. The peer entity then responds with a
Link Reset Acknowledge packet containing its next expected sequence number.
Once the Link Reset message and the Link Reset Acknowledge messages are
exchanged, the two entities reset their sequence numbers to 0 and restart the
exchange of SNDCP Data packets from the point of the failure.

fig 6.7 CSCCP Link Reset Procedure

This procedure corrects the small residual error probability of the link.

Dept. of CSE 26 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
7.WHY IS CDPD TECHNOLOGY BETTER THAN
CIRCUIT SWITCHED?

CDPD is not better than Circuit Switch for transmitting data, but rather
it is different. They both have their place in the cellular wireless solution, and it
may take the combination of both services to provide the customer with the
optimal solution.

As stated above, the two technologies are different. CDPD is

connection-less. It sends each packet intermittently, when there is "space"
available. Circuit Switching on the other hand, sends the data over a continuous
connection. For this reason, CDPD would be the optimal solution for a customer
who is sending information which is both "short" and "bursty", the circuit switch
solution would be optimal when sending a large data transmission. Another
important difference is that CDPD uses less power than circuit switching. Since
the information is sent in short bursts, the device only has to be at high levels of
power for short intervals. Additionally, CDPD has a "sleep" mode which allows
the device to conserve power when not in use, without logging off of the
network. Therefore, a mobile computing device will have longer battery life
using the CDPD technology rather than circuit switched connections. Lastly,
CDPD uses an encryption technique to prevent an outside source from receiving
the transmitted data.

The following two tables demonstrate the effectiveness of CDPD

technology as compared to Circuit Switched:
CDPD Circuit Switched
Efficient for short Efficient for very large
to large burst transmissions
transmissions

Dept. of CSE 27 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
No call set-up or Call set-up and take down
take down delays required
Broadcast Point to point
capabilities connections
One log-on at power Log -on (call) for every
up transmission
Power ramping for Power ramping for entire
short bursts connection
Airlink Security Airlink unsecured

Application CDPD Circuit

Switched
E-Mail Good Fair
Remote Terminal to Host Poor Good
Comm.
FAX Poor Good
Remote Equipment Good Fair
Monitoring
Remote Control of Good Fair
Machinery
Small File Transfers Good Poor
(1-1000 bytes)
Large File Transfers Poor Good
(5000+ bytes)

Dept. of CSE 28 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

8. Advantages & Disadvantages of CDPD

ADVANTAGES

Speed
Theoretical maximum speeds of up to 19.2kbps are achievable with
CDPD, which is faster than any other national wireless service offering available
today. By allowing information to be transmitted more quickly, immediately and
efficiently across the mobile network, CDPD is a less costly mobile data service
compared to Circuit Switched Data. Circuit Switch is generally charged on a
time basis (like a voice call) where as CDPD is a fixed fee per month per vehicle.

Immediacy
CDPD facilitates instant connections whereby information can be sent
or received immediately as the need arises, subject to cellular coverage. No dial-
up modem connection is necessary. This is why CDPD users are sometimes
referred to as being "always connected". Immediacy is one of the advantages of
CDPD when compared to conventional radio or circuit switched data. High
immediacy is a very important feature for time critical applications such as
remote credit card authorization where it would be unacceptable to keep the
customer waiting for even thirty extra seconds.

Open Specification
Since CDPD is based on one of the most widely accepted networking
protocols, it provides unparalleled ease of use with existing IP-based applications
in a wireless environment. Additional software is also available which optimizes
the performance of the IP applications for CDPD networks. This ensures
economical wireless data transmissions via a CDPD network.

Dept. of CSE 29 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

Reliability and Security

CDPD packets use forward error correction methods that reduce the
effects of noise and interference on the airlink. CDPD also incorporates
authentication and encryption to all packet transmissions over the airlink. With
the use of standard network protocols, users can add application-based end-to-
end transmissions.

Availability
Since CDPD utilizes existing cellular networks, carriers can deploy
CDPD services in a short period of time to meet customers' unique coverage
requirements. The base technology platform allows for easy integration with
existing applications, and a significant capability to provide wireless Internet
accessibility. This also means there are many companies offering many
hardware, software and network options.

Cost Effectiveness
When transmitting appropriately sized data messages, CDPD can be
substantially less expensive than making the same connection during a data-over-
cellular session.
Device Flexibility
o From full size vehicle mounted PC to CE and PalmPilot
o Significantly reduce hardware cost
o Accommodate multitude users

DISADVANTAGES

 Limited availability for wide area

 Must be quasi-stationary to use
 Recurring monthly costs

Dept. of CSE 30 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
 There may be no coverage available.
 Ongoing cost, and packet-based billing may limit the amount of data that
can be economically transferred.
 Not yet fully deployed.
 Coverage not available in less-populated areas.
 Priority access not available for government users.
 Potentially significant ongoing costs.
 Newer technology.
 Does not support sustained data transfers well.

9. THE FUTURE

CDPD technology, coupled with specialized software and advances in

MDT systems, is moving police organizations toward the day when it will be
routine to operate as a "paperless" organization. Several agencies throughout the
United States have already adapted existing technologies to allow them to make
such a transformation.

Using MDT systems, officers can file virtually any report from their
patrol vehicle. Accident reports, parking tickets, court citations, and traffic
citations can be prepared using the MDT, printed in the officer’s vehicle, and
transmitted via CDPD to headquarters. Every report is legible, cannot be lost,
and instantly appears in the agency’s computer system. This reduces the time
officers spend in police facilities and increases time spent in the community.

As telecommunications technologies improve, the two-way radio may

become obsolete except as a tool for priority traffic. Information once
transmitted via radio can be transmitted via computer on a secure digital cellular
frequency. Police communications personnel can dispatch officers, provide

Dept. of CSE 31 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
updated information on calls, and monitor the status of patrol units without
touching a conventional radio. Officers in the field can receive calls for service,
perform background checks, and complete reports without tying up a radio
channel.

Supervisors can monitor the status of all the units in their patrol area at
the touch of a button. Personnel needing to use their two-way radio for a priority
transmission may do so without having to wait for another unit to report on the
status of a barking dog complaint.

A paperless department could significantly increase the operating

efficiency of a department covering a large jurisdiction with few officers. Field
personnel would no longer have to travel out of their patrol zone to drop off
paperwork at the end of their shift. It would no longer take hours or days for a
report to make its way from a field officer to the records division. Officers
working in the most remote recesses of an agency’s jurisdiction can quickly and
easily submit reports. Time once spend relaying paperwork can be spent on other
priorities.

MDT options are quickly expanding beyond the confines of patrol cars.
A British police force recently equipped a horse-mounted officer with a wireless,
handheld MDT unit operating with CDPD technology. As technologies improve
(and costs decline) it may be possible to equip all officers with such handheld
units (just as most officers now are issued handheld two-way radios). Officers on
patrol may take their computer unit out of their vehicle on calls for service.
Investigators at the scene of a crime might be able to operate more effectively
by accessing departmental records in order to check for similar offenses. Even
officers working on a footbeat might be able to access databases and complete
reports without leaving their assigned post.

Dept. of CSE 32 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

As other technologies and the Internet continue to develop, CDPD may

be used to support a wide variety of other police applications. Real-time digital
cameras could link an investigator in the field with experts around the world. A
detective in a small town could link with a state arson investigator to receive
instant assistance in processing a crime scene.

Investigators in different countries could instantly share information as

they track an international organized crime group or terrorist organization. Given
the remarkable advances which have taken place in the past 15-20 years, it is
hard to imagine the changes policing will undergo in the next two decades.

Dept. of CSE 33 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data
10. CONCLUSION

The wireless networks we have now are not perfect. They are slow
and vulnerable compared to wired networks, and exist as a community of devices
- laptops, PDAs, and mobile phones -- that we can only hope will one day be
integrated into a single, lightweight, easily portable unit. Still, it is already easy
to see the advantages of wireless. The mobility that comes with even a simple
wireless network seems to lend itself to desirable enhancements to education
such as collaborative learning, extending the classroom into nontraditional
spaces, increasing the ease with which handicapped students can use campus
resources, and providing the entire campus population with unprecedented access
to information. These assets combined with the relatively affordable cost of
outfitting even old, quirky buildings with the technology make wireless networks
and colleges a natural match.

 Novel idea of using voice channels to carry data.

 Future: Data transport overwhelms voice
 Crossover will occur next year
 Eclipse will occur within another year

Mobile data services are here today and provide solid business that are
quantifiable. Users of traditional data networks should be aware of the
capabilities wireless data communications offer, and must consider how these
applications can be used effectively as business tools.

Dept. of CSE 34 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

11. REFERENCES

1. Google.com
2. cdpd.org
3. rrm.org
4. gpr.org

Dept. of CSE 35 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
2. WHAT IS CDPD?
3. WORKING OF CDPD
4. INTERFACES AND COMPONENTS OF CDPD NETWORK
5. WHAT MAKE CDPD RELIABLE?
5.1 SOURECES OF ERRORS
5.2 WHAT MAKE A NETWORK RELIABLE?
5.3 OVERHEAD ENSURES RELIABILITY
5.4 CDPD VS OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
6. CSCDPD
6.1 INTRODUCTION
6.2 CSCDPD PROTOCOLS
6.3 WORKING
7 WHY IS CDPD BETTER THAN CIRCUIT SWITCHED?
8 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CDPD
9 THE FUTURE
10 CONLUSION
11 REFERENCES

Dept. of CSE 36 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

ABSTRACT

Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) is a specification for supporting

wireless access to the internet and other public data networks. CDPD transmits
digital packet data at 19.2 Kbps, using idle times between cellular voice calls on
the cellular telephone network. CDPD technology represent a way for law
enforcement agencies to improve how they manage their communications and
information system.

CDPD technology represent a way for law enforcement agencies to

improve how they manage their communications and information systems data
transmitted on the CDPD systems travel several times faster than data send using
analog networks.

CDPD is an overlay to the existing cellular network, which enables

users to transmit packets of data over the cellular network using a portable
computing device and a CDPD modem. CDPD offers a high-speed, high-
capacity, low-cost system with the greatest possible coverage. Additionally data
is encrypted for security. CDPD air link transmissions have a 19,200 bps raw
data rate. As a tool for transmitting data CDPD utilizes digital networks.

The Raven is a rugged, full duplex Cellular Digital Packet Data

(CDPD) modem that provides wireless transport capabilities for fixed and mobile
applications. The Raven is an efficient and secure wireless packet data
technology that is ideal for un-tethered applications.

Dept. of CSE 37 MESCE, Kuttippuram

Seminar Report’03 Cellular Digital Packet
Data

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I express my sincere thanks to Prof. M.N Agnisarman Namboothiri

(Head of the Department, Computer Science and Engineering, MESCE), Mr.
Zainul Abid (Staff incharge) for their kind co-operation for presenting the
seminar.

I also extend my sincere thanks to all other members of the faculty of

Computer Science and Engineering Department and my friends for their co-
operation and encouragement.

Nima Nazarulla K

Dept. of CSE 38 MESCE, Kuttippuram