Wireless Communication and Mobile Computing

Chapter 5
Cellular Networks

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 Chapter 5

Cellular Networks
 Principles of Cellular Networks
 1G Cellular and Paging Networks
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 2G Cellular Networks
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 2.5G Cellular Networks

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 3G Cellular Networks
 4G Cellular Networks
 5G Cellular Networks

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5.1. Principles of Cellular Networks

Cellular networks use radio waves across land, dividing areas into "cells."

 Each cell has a base station for communication.

 These cells combine to provide broad coverage.

 Mobile devices can communicate while moving between cells.

❑ Cellular networks offer greater capacity, low battery usage, wider coverage,
and less interference than other systems.

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 Cellular networks allow wireless communication.

❑ Over four decades, they've evolved from 1G analog to high-speed 4G & 5G

systems.
 Despite these advances, core attributes remain.
 Devices & base stations commonly use similar methods for:
 Cell identification,
 Network registration,
 Authentication, &
 Mobility management through handovers.
 These principles will likely be part of future 6G systems, though implementations
will vary.
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Cellular Network Architecture: The Basics
 A typical cellular network is built upon three key sections/ Components:
A. Radio Access Network (RAN): The Wireless Frontier (Boundary)
 Composed of Base Stations (BS).
 Handles communication with wireless devices using RF signals.
 Is the interface point b\n base station & the wireless device.
 Responsible for allocating radio resources for devices to transmit data.
B. Core Network (CN): The Central Hub
 Manages functions: User authentication, Service authorization, Security
activation, IP address allocation, Establishing links for data transfer.
 Ensures smooth flow of user traffic, including voice and video.
C. Services Network (SN): The User Experience
 Contains operator-specific servers and the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).
 Delivers various services to subscribers: SMS, Voice/Video calls, & 5
Others.
Cellular Network Fundamentals: Transmitters & Cells
 Cellular networks rely on a smart approach to coverage, using many smaller
transmitters rather than one powerful one.
Transmitters: Low Power, Localized Coverage
 Key Principle: Instead of large, high-power transmitters, cellular networks use
numerous smaller, low-power transmitters (100W or less).
 Benefits:
 Provides more focused, localized coverage.
 Reduces interference.
 Allows for efficient frequency reuse
 Base Stations (Cellular Towers):
 These transmitters, along with receivers and control units, are housed in base
stations, often called cellular towers.
• Act as communication hubs within their coverage areas. 6
 Cells: The Building Blocks of Coverage
 Cellular Coverage: The entire service area is divided into cells, each served
by a single antenna (transmitter) within a base station.
 Frequency Allocation: Each cell's transmitter and receiver is assigned a
specific frequency band by the network carrier.
 Hexagonal Cell Shape: Cells are typically arranged in a hexagonal pattern.

 Efficiency: Hexagons require fewer cells compared to triangles or squares to

cover a given area.
 Coverage Benefits: This optimizes coverage with fewer base stations, which is
cost-effective.
 Frequency Reuse: The hexagonal layout makes frequency reuse possible,
increasing the network's capacity without requiring additional spectrum.
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 Frequency Reuse
It is the second core design principle of cellular networks.

It is the process of using the same radio frequencies on base stations and
other radio transmitter sites within a geographic area.

 These sites are separated by a sufficient distance to cause minimal

interference with each other.

 By using geographically small, low-power cells, frequencies can be reused by

non-adjacent cells.

 The reason for frequency reuse is the limited number of carriers allocated
frequencies set by the regulator bodies.
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 Cell Splitting
Cell splitting is the process of subdividing a congested cell into smaller cells
such that each smaller cell has its base station.

 These smaller cells feature antennas with reduced height and transmitter power.

 The two smaller cells increase the capacity of a cellular network since the
number of times channels are reused increases.

❑ In a popular cellular network configuration, one base station controls three

geographic regions called sectors, where each sector covers a 120° region.

 Three sectors together provide 3 × 120° = 360° coverage around the BS.

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Cellular Handover: Seamless Connectivity
 As mobile devices move, they need to seamlessly switch between cell coverage
areas. This process is called handover.
 Handover is the process of transferring an active radio connection between a
mobile device and the radio access network from one cell to another.
 It ensures continuous and uninterrupted communication as a device moves.

Why is Handover Necessary?

 Optimal Connection: Handover guarantees the mobile device always has a
dedicated radio connection with the strongest and most reliable signal.
 Load Balancing: It distributes the traffic load across base stations & frequency
bands within cells, preventing overload in one area.
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How Does Handover Work?
 Signal Monitoring: The system continuously monitors the signal strength of
the current cell and nearby cells.
 Handover Trigger: When the current cell signal becomes weaker than a
neighboring cell, handover is initiated.
 Seamless Transition: The radio connection switches to the new cell with
minimal disruption.
❑ Handover is managed by a central entity known as the Mobile Telephone
Switching Office (MTSO), Mobile Switching Office (MSO), or Mobile Switching
Center (MSC).
 MSC decides when & to which cell a handover should occur.
 When the call is handed off to the second cell, the user should not be aware 11of
 Evolution/Generation of Cellular
Network from 1G to 5G
1G Cellular Network & Paging
 1G refers to the first generation of wireless telephone technology, mobile
telecommunications which was first introduced in the 1980s & completed in the
early 1990s.

 Its Speed was up to 2.4kbps.

 It allows the voice calls in 1 country.

 1G network uses Analog Signal.

 Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) was first launched in the USA.
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Drawbacks of 1G

 Poor Voice Quality

 Poor Battery Life

 Large Phone Size

 No Security

 Limited Capacity

 Poor Handoff Reliability

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Security issues with 1G
 Analog cellular phones are insecure.
 Anyone with an all-band radio receiver can listen in to the conversation.
 There are also thefts of airtime.
 A thief uses an all-band radio receiver that is connected to a computer.
 This computer can record the 32-bit serial numbers and phone numbers of
subscribers when calling (recall that this information is sent as a packet).
 The thieves can collect a large database by driving around and can then go
into business by reprogramming stolen phones and reselling them.

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 Paging Networks
 Paging networks are one of the oldest wireless technologies.
 They support one-way and two-way alphanumeric messages b\n callers
and pagers (beepers).
 The callers typically call a beeper company and leave a phone number and
possibly a short message.
 Paging networks are being integrated with PDAs like Palm Pilots.
 Example: the BellSouth Clamshell Pager with keyboard.

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 Characteristics of Paging Networks
 Common applications are personal numeric messaging for call-back,
alphanumeric messaging, and two-way messaging.
 Capacity & speed include 1200 bps for older & 6400 bps for newer systems.
 The paging networks are slower but have different design criteria for
delivering the message within specific periods.
 Frequency bands used include 800 MHz for older and 901-941 MHz.
 Components of a paging network are a personal paging device, a paging
computer or server at the paging operator’s site, and a paging transmitter.
 Security is low and has not been considered a high priority.

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The advantages of paging networks are:
❑ Very inexpensive
❑ Easy to operate for sender (from any telephone) and receiver
❑ Many options for users (numeric, alphanumeric, two-way, message storage)
❑ Wide coverage at local, regional, national, and international levels
❑ Good building penetration

The limitations of paging networks are:

 Slow data transfer rate (1200 bps)
 No acknowledgment (two-way paging costs extra)
 Some of the available paging networks are overloaded, causing delays.
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 2G Cellular Network
 2G technology refers to the 2nd generation which is based on GSM.
 It was launched in Finland in the year 1991.
 2G network use digital signals.
 Its data speed was up to 64kbps.

❑2G requires strong digital signals to help mobile phones work.

 If there is no network coverage in a specific area, digital signals would be weak.
❑ These systems are unable to handle complex data such as Videos.
Features Includes:
 It enables services such as text messages, picture messages, and MMS
(multi-media messages).
 It provides better quality and capacity. 18
❑ 2G has been superseded by newer technologies like 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, & 4G.
 However, 2G networks are still used in many parts of the world.
 The primary d\ces b\n first and 2G cellular networks are:
 Digital traffic channels: 1Gs are almost purely analog; 2G systems are digital.
 Encryption: all 2G systems provide encryption to prevent eavesdropping.
 Error detection & correction: 2G digital traffic allows for detection & correction,
giving clear voice reception.
 Channel access: 2G systems allow channels to be dynamically shared by several
users.

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 Advantages of 2G
 The lower power emissions helped address health concerns.
 Going all-digital allowed for the introduction of digital data services, such as
SMS and email.
 Greatly reduced fraud: With analog systems, it was possible to have two or
more "cloned" handsets that had the same phone number.
 Enhanced privacy: A key digital advantage not often mentioned is that digital
cellular calls are much harder to eavesdrop on by the use of radio scanners.
While the security algorithms used have proved not to be as secure as initially
advertised, 2G phones are immensely more private than 1G phones, which
have no protection against eavesdropping.
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 Disadvantages of 2G
 A weaker digital signal may not be sufficient to reach a cell tower.
 This tends to be a particular problem on 2G systems deployed on higher.
 Analog has a smooth decay curve, digital a jagged steppe one.
 This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.
 Under good conditions, digital will sound better.
 Under slightly worse conditions, analog will experience static, while digital has
occasional dropouts.
 While digital calls tend to be free of static and background noise, the lossy
compression used by the codecs takes a toll; the range of sound that they
convey is reduced.
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 2.5G Technology
2.5G is a technology b/n the 2G & 3G of mobile telephony.
 2.5G is sometimes described as 2G Cellular Technology
combined with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).
Features Includes:
 Phone Calls
 Send/Receive E-mail Messages
 Web Browsing
 Speed: 64 -144 kbps
 Camera Phones
 Take a time of 6-9 mins, to download a 3 min, Mp3 song
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 3G Cellular Network: Internet System
❑ 3G technology refers to the third generation, it was introduced in year 2000s.
Data Transmission speed increased from 144kbps - 2Mbps.
Typically called Smart Phones and features increased its bandwidth and data
transfer rates to accommodate web-based applications, and audio & video files.

3G use a connectionless (packet-switched) communications.

Data are split into packets to which an address uniquely
identifying the destination is appended.
 The communication is broken into packets, allowing the same
data path to be shared among many users in the network.
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 Features Of 3G
 Providing Faster Communication
 Send/Receive Large Email Messages
 High-Speed Web / More Security
 Video Conferencing / 3D Gaming
 TV Streaming/ Mobile TV/ Phone Calls
 Large Capacities and Broadband Capabilities
 11 sec – 1.5 min. time to download a 3 min MP3 song.

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 Advantages of 3G:

 Availability of fixed and variable rates

 Rich multimedia services are available
 Bandwidth, security, and reliability are more
 Provides interoperability among service providers
 Support to devices with backward compatibility with existing networks
 Always online devices- 3G uses IP connectivity which is packet-based

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 Disadvantages of 3G:
 Large Cell Phones
 Expensive 3G Phones
 Needs different handsets.
 High Bandwidth Requirement
 Power consumption is high.
 Expensive fees for 3G Licenses Services
 It was a challenge to build the infrastructure for 3G
 Requires closer base stations and are expensive.
 Roaming and data/voice work together have not yet been implemented.
 The cost of cellular infrastructure, and upgrading base stations is very high.
 Spectrum-license costs, network deployment costs, & handset subsidies
subscribers are tremendous.
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 4G Cellular Network: Integration System
High-speed data access
High quality streaming video
High QOS and High Security
Combination of wi-Fi and wi-max
Capable of providing 100Mbps – 1Gbps speed.
Provide any kind of service at any time as per user requirements, anywhere.
One of the basic term used to describe 4G is MAGIC:
Mobile Multimedia
Anytime Anywhere
Global Mobility Support
Integrated Wireless Solution
Customized Personal Services
also known as Mobile Broadband Everywhere.
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4G Features:
 More Security
 High Speed
 High Capacity
 Low-cost Per-bit etc.

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4G Advantages
 Efficient Use of Spectrum: Uses radio waves well.
 Fast & High Capacity: Quick speeds, can handle more data.
 Good Security: Network is well protected.
 Easy Access: Works anytime, anywhere.
 Multimedia Support: Good for videos, audio.
 Low Data Cost: Cheap data per bit.
 Seamless Network: Connects different types of networks easily.
 Affordable Communication: Not expensive for users.
 Easy Access to Services: Simple to use apps and services.
 Improved Sync: Better synchronization.
 Machine Communication: Connects devices easily.
 Global Access & Portability: Works everywhere & you can use your services
elsewhere. 29
 4G Disadvantages
 High Battery Use: Drains power quickly.
 Hard to Build: Difficult to set up.
 Complex Hardware: Needs complicated devices.
 Expensive Equipment: Costly network gear.
 Security Issues: Network has safety problems.
 Limited Coverage: 4G not everywhere yet.
 Undefined Standards: Network rules unclear.
 High Data Cost: Expensive for users.
 New Phones Needed: Requires special phones.
 High Power Use: Drains battery fast.
 Limited Roaming: Roaming and data/voice not working together.
 Expensive base stations: Needs many close and costly stations.
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 3G Vs 4G

Technology 3G 4G
Data Transfer Rate 3.1 MB/sec 100 MB/sec

Internet Services Broadband Ultra Broadband

Mobile - TV Resolution Low High

Bandwidth 5-20 MHz 100MHz

Frequency 1.6-2 GHz 2-8 GHz

Download and upload 5.8 Mbps 14 Mbps

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5G Technology: Real Wireless World System

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 5G technology refer to fifth Generation which was
started from late 2010s.
Complete wireless communication with almost no
limitations.
It is highly supportable to WWWW (Wireless World
Wide Web).

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 5G Advantages:

Low Latency: Less delay.

HD Quality TV: Watch TV clearly.
Faster Data: Transmits data quickly.
High Capacity: Can handle more data.
Large Data Broadcasts: Transfers lots of data.
Faster Downloads: Very high speeds (10 Gbps).
Improved Performance: Better than older networks.
Supports Multimedia: Good for interactive content, videos, streaming, etc.
Better Phone Experience: Larger memory, faster calling, clearer
audio/video. 35
 5G Disadvantages:
• Fast Obsolescence: 5G needs special new devices.
• Costly Infrastructure: Building 5G is very expensive, causing delays.
• Data Security Risks: Managing 5G data safely is a big challenge.
• Exclusion: 5G is not easily affordable, and availability is slow.

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Journey Summary from 1G to 5G

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