Cellular Digital Packet Data
Cellular Digital Packet Data
1. INTRODUCTION:
Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) systems offer one of the most advanced
means of wireless data transmission technology. Generally used as a tool for business,
making our nation a wireless information society. While CDPD technology is more
In this age of information, no one needs 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
how they manage their communications and information systems. For over a decade,
agencies around the world have been experimenting with placing Mobile Data
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
mobile data communications, but systems still had flaw which limited their utility.
wireless means to transmit data. The result of their effort is CDPD systems. These
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systems allow users to transmit data with a higher degree of accuracy, few service
interruptions, and strong security. In addition CDPD technology represents 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
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2. WHAT IS CDPD?
other public packet-switched networks. Data transmitted on the CDPD systems travel
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 remains to the layered structure of the Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) model, it has the ability to be extended in the future. CDPD
can periodically broadcast 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 can assigned our very own address. With
this address, we can 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
methods to transmit data are used, depending upon the service provider's network
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
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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
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
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 its user. As data such as e-mail arrives, it is
established. There is circuit switched version, called CS CDPD that can be used
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.
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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
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
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 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-cost replacement for
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3.1 AVAILABILITY
CDPD is available in more than half of the geographic United States and in 30
regional services to other areas outside their region. Therefore, as long as CDPD
services are available, CDPD subscribers can use CDPD as they cross service areas or
3.2 COVERAGE
Carriers will typically deploy networks to provide services in areas with high
carriers may not provide full coverage in rural areas or beyond these major roadways.
This is a key consideration for users that expect and need contiguous service off the
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beaten path. Whether in the carrier’s region or when roaming, CDPD users will often
experience coverage gaps similar to cellular voice services. This often occurs in less
populated areas or away from major roads. Coverage gaps can be caused by
environment or buildings that interfere with the signal. They are also due to “dead
spots” within the region, where the carrier’s signal is too weak or non-existent. Users
3.3 RELIABILITY
Users of commercial systems share the airwaves and compete for capacity
with one another. Therefore, users may experience jamming if there is more demand
than network capacity. Overcrowding within CDPD networks will cause delays in
overcrowding depends, in part, on the type of CDPD network implemented. The two
network types are channel hopping networks and dedicated channel networks.CDPD
transmit information. This means that the capacity available for CDPD is directly
associated with the level of use by cellular voice calls. During peak periods or
causing call set-up and transmission delays. The other configuration uses dedicated
network that is available for CDPD use only. Therefore, CDPD capacity does not vary
as cellular voice calls increase or decrease. CDPD transmissions do not compete with
cellular voice calls. To the CDPD user, this is an important improvement because
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CDPD performance is not affected when the cellular voice system is congested. Users
must still compete with other CDPD users for call setup and channel capacity.
Cellular carriers will often use channel hopping when they first introduce CDPD
service, in smaller cities, or where CDPD usage is low. They will implement
dedicated channels in larger cities where the service has been offered for a number of
years and demand is high. These network implementation strategies have significant
implications for reliability. Users should exercise caution to ensure that service
CDPD can provide a maximum link data rate of 19.2 kilobits per second
(kbps). The actual user transmission speeds are less typically from 10 to 12 kbps
when the application overhead is Included . The exact transmission speed varies
among vendors and is affected by the level of traffic on the network. This can mean a
10 kilobyte file (which contains approximately 1500 words, or 3 text pages) will take
up to 15 seconds to transmit. Times to send files of different sizes are provided in the
fig 3.4
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Call set-up time is the time it takes to begin transmitting information after the
user pushes the transmit button. CDPD call set-up times range from less than 1 second
to 3 or 4 seconds. Differences in call set-up times may depend on the user terminal
processing speed and the users’ ability to access the network from the user’s point of
view, the overall time to transmit data is equal to the call set-up time plus the
transmission duration. Using the example from above, the overall time needed to
transmit a 10 kilobyte file is 18 seconds (3 seconds for set up and 15 seconds for
transmission).
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are more difficult to intercept than dedicated channel transmissions, since they often
protect information sent over the air. For users with more robust security
consider the security practices of the service provider, with the respect to physical,
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4. FEATURES
cellular system
• CDPD uses strong encryption between the modem and its service provider, so
you can feel reasonably confident that no one will be able to intercept your
• CDPD supports the full range of TCP/IP applications, including telnet, HTTP,
FTP.
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5. 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
another available channel. In the event that there are no other available channels, then
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
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
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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
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
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 open it. 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 utilize. 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
CDPD modem and a user terminal. Key factors to consider when purchasing CDPD
modems and user terminals for mobile users include functionality, device roughness,
ease of use, battery life, computational power, display quality, warranty, and cost.
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The CDPD modem includes the wireless antenna and the modem that provides
compatibility with the CDPD network. CDPD modems can either be internal to the
standard port. Because CDPD modems are based on personal computer standards,
they are not specific to a particular carrier or manufacturer. CDPD modems typically
range from $450 to $1000, depending on functionality and performance. Users can
buy standard CDPD modems from a number of manufacturers and use them on any
CDPD network.
Any device that supports IP-based data communication can use CDPD. Business
users employ different types of user terminals, which vary in terms of size and utility
pen-based computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and wireless handsets. User
terminal costs vary significantly based on the level of functionality, processing power,
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NETWORKS
The CDPD network consists of three interfaces and five network components. They
are as follows
6.1 INTERFACES
6.1.1 A INTERFACE:
the mobile end station (M-ES) and the cell site equipment. It consists of a new media
access and control (MAC) protocol unique to CDPD, IP protocols used for routing,
6.1.2 I INTERFACE:
interface between routing functions within the network, or between the routing
routers. It consists of 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.
6.1.3 E INTERFACE:
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6.2 COMPONENTS
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 compulsory 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
MDBS. The M-ES should provide a transparent interface to the users applications.
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 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
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The MD-IS keeps track of an M-ESs 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 provides mobile home and
serving functions.
Intermediate System routes the data through the IP and the CLNP network. The
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make available to mobile access 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
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
unique identifier attached to most network adapters (NIC or Network Interface Card).
network cards (or built-in network adapters) in two different computers will have
different MAC addresses.The MAC function used over the air interface is unique to
CDPD.
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7. CDPD ENTITIES
7.1 M-ES
• CDPD network tracks location of ES’ and routes them network datagram’s
ES’ address does not imply location; current sub network “point of
• ES’ are associated with the CDPD network’s routing domain, not the user’s
security firewall.
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• External F-ES: external to CDPD, must operate over the external network
interface
in the visited region » Mobile Serving Function: like foreign agent processing
Registration/authentication/authorization/accounting.
• Controls radio interface, responsible for radio channel allocation, radio media
access
• RF Channel Pair: Forward link from BS to multiple ESs Reverse link from
multiple ESs to BS
voice services
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8. CDPD PROTOCOLS
within the data link layer of the OSI model to provide logical link control
services between Mobile End Systems (M-ESs) and Mobile Data Intermediate
network layer entities across the CDPD Air link interface. It supports multiple
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communication is possible only between the user side and the network side of the
channel stream. Direct communication between two M-ESs on the same channel
(SNDCP)
• Encryption/decryption
serving MD-IS.
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• Cell selection - allows an M-ES to discover, select and maintain the most
Redirection and forwarding - messages which are destined for the M-ES are
systems, for example cellular networks, wireless networks and broadcasting systems.
RRM involves strategies and algorithms for controlling parameters such as transmit
scheme, etc.
RRM concerns multi-user and multi-cell network capacity issues, rather than point-to-
point channel capacity. The cost for deploying a wireless network is normally
dominated by base station sites (real estate costs, planning, maintenance, distribution
network, energy, etc) and sometimes also by frequency license fees. The objective of
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9. APPLICATIONS OF CDPD
A credit card number is entered at the point of sale and an enquiry is sent to
E.g. Yellow cab, located in San Francisco, California, is a customer who has started
outfitting cabs with small terminals, which allow the customers to automatically pay
by credit card. The terminals use the CDPD technology to validate credit card
information and receive payment verification. It takes less than five seconds, which is
a significant savings than the traditional approach they had previously employed of
The benefits of CDPD in ATM’s are, Fast Transaction Customers won’t have
to wait for their money. More people can use the ATM during busy times. Less time in
Data is transmitted in digital form (unlike most cellular phones, which send
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CDPD is priced by the amount of data sent through the system, not by the time
it takes to send it. Easy to Install Since CDPD is wireless, it works almost anywhere
No installation is required just turn it on. On power up, the CDPD modem
services are involved. Information regarding the address, type and other details of an
incident can be dispatched quickly via a CDPD system using mobile computers. It is
care) and many more. Messages could be sent to specific mobile computing devices in
to a vehicle to direct it toward destination for a pick up or next job. The technology
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10. CONCLUSION
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10. REFERENCE
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_resource_management
2. http://www.protocols.com/pbook/cdpd.htm
3. http://www.amycsizmardalal.com/research/CDPD/intro.html
4. http://www.webtechniques.com/archives/2001/11/jepson/
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleet_management
6. http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-29-2004-58574.asp
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