Introduction to Edge Essay Example

technology has a theoretical rate of 473.6 kbps and can transfer up to 384 kbps on the physical layer due to its ability to transmit at three times the bit rate ratio of GPRS in the same amount of time. These faster transmission rates are made possible by utilizing advanced modulation techniques and error-tolerant transmission methodologies through an improved link adaptation mechanism.

The utilization of dual antennas enhances both the quality of signal and the efficiency of bit rate spectrum.

By building on the widespread adoption of GSM, which is considered the most successful digital cellular technology globally, implementing 3G can be accomplished through methodical advancement. The progression from GSM to GPRS to EDGE and finally to WCDMA is paving the way for a fresh mobile landscape.

Utilizing GPRS is a fast and cost-effective method to facilitate the initial implementation of Mobile Internet services. With GPRS, individuals can promptly establish connections, send and receive messages immediately, access email while mobile, and maintain uninterrupted access to multiple applications and data sources. The GSA has published a distinctive report titled "Current State and Outlook of GPRS in Europe," which was conducted by Satama Interactive on behalf of the GSA. This report presents an overview of both the present state as well as future possibilities for GPRS technology in Europe.

Click here to download the complete report on EDGE, a 3G radio access standard recognized by ITU that surpasses GPRS in terms of data rates. EDGE achieves this by utilizing a new modulation scheme, resulting in improved spectral efficiency, transmission performance and coverage as well as higher data rates within the same frequency spectrum allocation

used by GSM providers.

In summary, the deployment of EDGE technology may require the incorporation of new transceivers and, in certain scenarios, base stations. However, this can be seamlessly integrated into GSM operators' ongoing network expansion endeavors to reduce its deployment cost. Additionally, forthcoming enhancements for EDGE are designed to enhance voice capacity, coverage as well as speech quality features. Overall, EDGE triples GPRS capacity and enhances packet data performance. It is a simple and cost-effective way to improve existing GSM networks without the need for new cell or frequency planning. Furthermore, EDGE serves as a crucial initial stage towards establishing a unified GSM/WCDMA network.

By itself or combined with WCDMA, EDGE offers an effortless way to access speedy 3G data services through GSM/GPRS.

At speeds ranging from 64-384 kbit/s for typical user data rates, WCDMA has the ability to provide users with the necessary speed and desired content.

The signaling protocol structure in the WCDMA radio interface is similar to both GSM and TDMA. As a result, the core switching layer of existing networks using these protocols can be partially reused, making it quicker to introduce new services. Despite incorporating multiple technologies such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE and WCDMA components, users will not notice any complexity in the network's operation and enjoy a seamless experience.

The industry is moving towards WCDMA from GSM, using the success of GSM as a foundation. WCDMA has developed progressively from GSM to GPRS and EDGE, both of which are crucial pathways towards attaining 3G. This clear evolutional route supports market adoption by gradually building it through exceptional services and advancing applications. The transition from GSM to WCDMA

provides the best equilibrium between technology and business opportunities while EDGE enables wireless internet access.

Enhanced GPRS, or EDGE, is a type of digital mobile phone technology that improves the speed and dependability of data transmission.

EDGE Circuit Switched is a potential future advancement in EDGE wireless technology. Release 7 of the 3GPP standard includes EDGE Evolution, which offers double the performance to complement High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA). EDGE/EGPRS is a bolt-on enhancement to existing 2G and 2.5G GSM and GPRS networks, allowing for easier upgrades for current GSM carriers. This technology is a superset of GPRS and is compatible with any network that has GPRS deployed as long as the carrier implements the necessary upgrades.

To support EDGE, modifications to base stations are required, including the installation of compatible transceiver units and upgrading the base station subsystem (BSS). However, no alterations to hardware or software in GSM core networks are necessary.

EDGE enhances the data rate of GSM by generating a 3-bit term for every alteration in carrier phase. This results in thrice the gross data rate. Similar to GPRS, EDGE employs a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) adjustment algorithm that adapts according to the radio channel's quality, which determines the data transmission's bit rate and reliability.

EDGE technology boosts the chances of precise decoding by allowing data speeds up to 236.8 kbit/s for 4 timeslots (with a maximum theoretical rate of 473.6 kbit/s for 8 timeslots) when operating in packet mode, meeting the International Telecommunications Union's requirements for a 3G network. The ITU has incorporated EDGE into its IMT-2000 family of 3G standards.

Although Class 3 and lower EDGE devices

are not considered 3G, Class 4 and higher devices have greater bandwidth capabilities than other technologies previously categorized as 3G, including 1xRTT. Due to this variability, EDGE is typically classified as a 2.75G network technology. EDGE Evolution enhances EDGE in several ways.

The utilization of dual antennas is an effective method to enhance the quality of signal. However, there may be limitations in the support for these enhancements by EDGE Evolution terminals or networks as they may be introduced gradually. The White Paper titled "Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution - EDGE" which was published on 08 Mar 2000 provides detailed information about this and other topics related to Mobile & Wireless Networking. Nokia strongly advocates a service platform that can cater to high-speed data applications such as EDGE. Professionals in mobile communications predict that wireless data services are crucial for future business success and anticipate a growth rate of 100-200% per year in the wireless data industry.

The widespread popularity of short messaging in various nations is evidence of people's willingness to embrace the advantages of non-voice services.

The deployment of Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology is set to enhance the network capacity and data rates of both circuit switching (HSCSD) and packet switching (GPRS), in order to meet the demands of wireless multimedia applications and mass market adoption. Despite the fact that many wireless data applications currently operate with 9.6kbit/s, higher transmission speeds are required for bandwidth-intensive fixed line data applications, including web browsing and corporate database access, when utilized over mobile networks. ADVERTISEMENT

The introduction of HSCSD and GPRS will enhance performance, particularly for applications that require timely

results. GPRS offers a cost-effective mode of wireless access for data-burst reliant apps by employing packet switching to the existing circuit-switched mode in GSM. This packet-based air interface is valuable for packet-switched data networks such as the internet. Furthermore, EDGE - a novel radio interface technology that employs enhanced modulation - can triple HSCSD and GPRS data rates.

By implementing EDGE modulation, the packet switched service can achieve a data throughput higher than 400 kbit/s per carrier.

EDGE is a popular option for GSM 900, GSM 1800, and GSM 1900 carriers who don't have a license for UMTS but still want to provide competitive personal multimedia services within their existing band allocation. Additionally, EDGE and UMTS can coexist and be used together. For example, EDGE can offer high-speed services for wide-area coverage while UMTS is deployed in urban hotspots. In the US, EDGE is part of the IS-136 high-speed concept, which is among the third generation RTT proposals from TR45.

With EDGE being standardized in the US, it enables a global mobile radio system with third-generation systems' many characteristic services. Nokia remains committed to assisting GSM operators with wireless data solutions that build value in the market today and in the future.

In this White Paper, Nokia explains the benefits and function of EDGE in relation to the advancement of wireless data towards personal multimedia. EDGE is a development of the GSM standard that strives to provide mobile services with radio interface data rates of up to 400kbit/s or even more.

The utilization of 8PSK allows for elevated data rates with slightly reduced coverage, while GMSK functions as a resilient mode for wider area

coverage. When additional speed and capacity are necessary, EDGE can be implemented. Experts predict a significant upturn in cellular data penetration during the early 2000s in established GSM markets. New markets will emerge due to novel wireless data applications and inventive terminal types. Aggressive GSM operators may gain up to 30 percent of their airtime and revenue from wireless data by the year 2000.

Introduced to GSM in 1998 and 1999, HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) allow cellular operators to offer subscribers data rates higher than 9.6kbit/s for new data applications. Operators who invested in these technologies anticipate being able to offer increased data rates without building many new sites. Additionally, ECSD (Enhanced Circuit Switched Data) and EGPRS (Enhanced General Packet Radio System) solutions provide data services similar to those found in 3rd generation systems while requiring fewer radio resources than standard GSM.

The capacity of EDGE TRXs is increased to reduce the requirement for new TRXs or frequencies, while improving the response time of end-users, resulting in optimal service levels despite increased data usage.

The completion of Phase 1 EDGE standard in third quarter of 1999 will bring both EGPRS and ECSD services. EGPRS, which mirrors GPRS's footprint, is set to dominate circuit switched data in future GSM data networks. The EGPRS solutions are expected to offer high spectral efficiency and flexibility. Meanwhile, ECSD will enhance the data rates for HSCSD, providing crucial high data rate real-time services for video retrieval and video telephony applications.

The EDGE technology will provide considerably faster data rates compared to the current 200kHz GSM carrier. The data rates according to ETSI

specification would increase ECSD rates to 38.4kbit/s/timeslot and EGPRS rates to 60kbit/s/timeslot, resulting in over 400kbit/s data throughput per carrier. By assigning two timeslots of 32 kbit/s each, it is possible to support a real-time service of 64kbit/s with a low bit error ratio (BER) for ECSD. The higher modulation will adjust to radio conditions, allowing the highest data rates under good propagation, while also providing wider area coverage at lower data speeds per timeslot.

The addition of EDGE technology will enhance the capabilities of operators who do not possess a UMTS license to stay competitive in wireless data markets.

EDGE doesn't need new network elements and can work with older mobile terminals that use GMSK modulation. The technology allows GSM to support personal multimedia and will increase the speed of existing circuit and packet-switched services, as well as enabling high-speed data applications. Additionally, Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EGPRS), which is the primary data networking protocol used for most applications, runs on TCP/IP (the Internet Protocol).

From the perspective of end users, accessing an Internet connection is best accomplished through (E)GPRS. This technology serves as an excellent bearer for any packet switched application, thereby functioning as a wireless access point for an Internet sub-network. This sub-network incorporates Internet addressing and a range of Internet services that can be accessed by users.

The sharing of documents and information requires surveillance, as well as the broadcasting of voice over the internet. Additionally, Enhanced Circuit Switched Data (ECSD) is used for various applications, including those that require a transparent service for fax and video with constant bit rates. Other non-transparent services function well for applications such

as email and web browsing. ECSD applications include secure bandwidth for mobile high speed LAN access, uploading and downloading of email, file transfers, and vertical applications like the transfer of batch-type field sales information or documents. Finally, real-time applications that need constant bit rates with minimal transmission delay for time-critical wireless imaging are also typical of ECSD.

The market for mobile videophony, video-on-demand, and live video streaming is expanding. As non-voice services make up a greater share of GSM traffic and revenue, it's crucial to gradually introduce these more advanced services. Wireless data is an evolutionary process that necessitates educating the market to achieve full adoption.

The arrival of EDGE before UMTS offers potential long-term advantage over competitors by enhancing the business case for UMTS. EDGE can provide a competitive boost to operators by offering all subscribers wireless data access, faster response times and a complete suite of high-speed services. Moreover, EDGE enables data capacity to be deployed in line with the demand, minimizing the needed investment. The added benefits of migration to wireless multimedia services are advantageous for the operator.

By providing appealing new applications to their customers, the operator can boost their data earnings.

Maximizing network investment by enhancing GSM technology and allocating flexible data capacity in areas with high demand.

Conclusions

If operators desire to offer early personal multimedia services and improve data capacity within their GSM network before the UMTS deployment, EDGE is the ideal solution. EDGE is particularly advantageous for operators who do not deploy UMTS. It is important to note that EDGE does not replace existing investments or services but enhances them through a gradual investment process, making

them highly competitive.