Assosa University

College of Computing and Informatics

Department of Computer Science

Course Title: Wireless Comm. & Mobile Computing. Assessment Assignment II Date: Nov, 2023

Student Name: ________________________________ ID: RU /13 Department: Computer Science

Individual Assignment on Cellular Networks (10%) – Hand Written

Design Multiplexin
Generati Speed/
ed in g Features/Services Drawbacks
on Bandwidth
(Year) Techniques
Poor Voice Quality, Poor Battery Life, Large Phone
1G 1990 2.4kbps FDMA Voice calls Size, No Security, Limited Capacity, Poor Handoff
Reliability

2G

2.5G

3G

4G

5G
 Assosa University
College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

Here's a comparison of the key features of 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks in terms of designated years, speed (bandwidth), multiplexing techniques,
features/services, and drawbacks:

### 2G Network:

- Designated Year: 1991

- Speed (Bandwidth): Up to 50 Kbps

- Multiplexing Techniques: Frequency-division multiple access (FDMA)

- Features/Services: Voice calls, SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), limited data connectivity

- Drawbacks: Limited data transfer speed, low bandwidth, not suitable for high-speed data applications like video streaming.

### 3G Network:

- Designated Year: Early 2000s

- Speed (Bandwidth): Up to 2 Mbps (peak), average speeds much lower

- Multiplexing Techniques: Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and CDMA2000

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College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

- Features/Services: Enhanced data transfer, mobile broadband, video calling, mobile TV, improved web access

- Drawbacks: Limited coverage, varying data speeds, and higher battery consumption on devices.

### 4G Network:

- Designated Year: 2009

- Speed (Bandwidth): Up to 100 Mbps (mobile), up to 1 Gbps (fixed devices)

- Multiplexing Techniques: Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) for downlink, and SC-FDMA (Single Carrier FDMA) for uplink

- Features/Services: Enhanced multimedia, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing, IP telephony, high-speed internet access

- Drawbacks: Coverage gaps in some regions, and higher battery consumption for mobile devices due to higher data speeds.

### 5G Network:

- Designated Year: Late 2010s (Initial Adoption)

- Speed (Bandwidth): Up to 10 Gbps

- Multiplexing Techniques: Enhanced versions of OFDMA and MIMO (Massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output)
 Assosa University
College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

- Features/Services: Ultrafast connectivity, low latency, reliability, massive IoT (Internet of Things), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), 8K
video streaming, and autonomous vehicle connectivity

- Drawbacks: Initial infrastructure cost, limited coverage during initial implementation, and security concerns due to a large number of connected
devices.

Give Short and Precise Answers

1. Explain the concept of handoff or handover mechanism in cellular communication. Differentiate between hard handoff and soft handoff.
2. Describe the difference between 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
3. Explain the role of base stations in a cellular network and how they contribute to signal coverage.
4. How does the concept of roaming work in cellular communication, and what are the key considerations for ensuring seamless roaming
experiences for users?
5. Explain the concept of frequency reuse in cellular communication.

Ans

1. In cellular communication, handoff or handover refers to the process of transferring an ongoing call or data connectivity from one base
station to another. This is necessary when a mobile device moves from one cell to another while the conversation is in progress. The
Mobile Switching Center (MSC) transfers the call to a new channel belonging to the new base station. There are two types of handoffs:
hard handoff and soft handoff.
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College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

Hard Handoff is a mechanism where there is an actual break in the connectivity while switching from one base station to another. The
connection quality is not that good. Hard Handoff adopted the ‘break before make’ policy. It is generally implemented in Time Division
Multiplexing and Frequency Division Multiplexing when a user connects to the base station with a fluctuating radio frequency. Hard Handoff is
cheaper in cost as compared to soft Handoff because only one channel needs to be active at a time. It is more efficient than soft handoff, that’s
why hard handoffs are widely implemented.

Soft Handoff is a mechanism in which the device gets connected with two or more base stations at the same time. At least one of the links is
kept when radio signals are added or removed to the Base Station. Soft Handoff adopted the ‘make before break’ policy. If a channel is in power
loss then another channel will always be on standby mode so this makes it best in terms of quality as compared to Hard handoff. Soft handoffs
are used in devices supporting CDMA/WDMA networks High Transmission speed as more than one repeater can transmit signals. It has a very
low delay in signals. It can’t be implemented on devices supporting GSM or LTE networks 1.

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2. 3G, 4G, and 5G are different generations of cellular network technology. The “G” stands for “generation”. Each generation is an
improvement over the previous one in terms of speed, latency, and bandwidth1.

1G networks were the first generation of networks that provided voice-only, analog service. The top speed of data transmission on a 1G network
was around 2.4kbps1.

2G networks began in 1991, allowing cell phones to move into the digital world. 2G allowed for call and text encryption as well as SMS, picture
messaging, and MMS. The maximum speed for 2G was about 50kbps1.

The advent of a 3G network with more data, video calling, and mobile internet began in 1998. 3G networks reach 2mbps on stationary or non-
moving devices and 384kbps on devices in moving vehicles1.

4G, or the current standard of cellular networks, was released in the late 2000s and is 500 times faster than 3G. It has been able to support high-
definition mobile TV, video conferencing, and much more. When a device is moving, as when you are walking with your phone or are in a car,
the top speed can be 10s of mbps, and when the device is stationary, it can be 100s of mbps1.
 Assosa University
College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

5G is the fifth and newest generation of cellular network technology. It should expand the capacity for mobile networks, allowing more devices
to use the network than ever before. One of the biggest differences between 4G and 5G will be peak capacity and latency. For example, peak
capacity of 5G UWB sector is in gbps compared to 4G in mbps. Also, the latency, or the time that passes from the moment information is sent
from a device until it is used by a receiver, will be greatly reduced on 5G networks, allowing for faster upload and download speeds. Another
big difference between 4G and 5G is bandwidth size. 5G should be able to support many more devices of the future, in addition to the network
demands of connected vehicles and other devices in the Internet of Things.

3.

Base stations are an essential component of a cellular network. They are fixed-location transceivers that provide wireless communication
between mobile devices and the network. Base stations are typically mounted on a tower or other raised structure and are composed of several
antennas and electronics12.

The primary function of a base station is to create a cell, which is a geographic area covered by a single base station in a cellular network. The
division of a city into small cells allows extensive frequency reuse across a city, so that millions of people can use cell phones simultaneously.
Because cell phones and base stations use low-power transmitters, the same frequencies can be reused in nonadjacent cells 1.
 Assosa University
College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

Base stations are responsible for transmitting and receiving signals to and from mobile devices. They also manage the handoff process, which is
the transfer of a call or data session from one cell to another as a mobile device moves through the network. This ensures that the mobile device
maintains a strong signal and uninterrupted service as it moves from one cell to another1.

In summary, base stations are critical components of a cellular network that provide wireless communication between mobile devices and
the network. They create cells, transmit and receive signals, and manage the handoff process to ensure uninterrupted service

4. Roaming is the ability of a cellular customer to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other services
when traveling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network.

When a user travels outside the coverage area of their home network, their phone will search for a new network to connect to. If the phone finds
a network that has a roaming agreement with the home network, it will connect to that network. The user can then use their phone as if they
were in their home network’s coverage area.

To ensure seamless roaming experiences for users, there are several key considerations that must be taken into account. First, the home network
and the visited network must have a roaming agreement in place. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the roaming service,
including the rates that will be charged for voice, data, and other services.

Second, the visited network must support the same technology as the home network. For example, if the home network uses 4G LTE
technology, the visited network must also support 4G LTE technology. If the visited network does not support the same technology, the user
may experience slower data speeds or may not be able to access certain services.

Third, the user’s phone must be compatible with the visited network. This means that the phone must support the same frequency bands as the
visited network. If the phone does not support the same frequency bands, the user may not be able to connect to the visited network.

Finally, the user must be aware of the roaming charges that will apply when they use their phone outside of their home network’s coverage area.
Roaming charges can be significantly higher than the charges for using the phone in the home network’s coverage area. To avoid unexpected
charges, users should check with their home network provider to understand the roaming rates and any other fees that may apply.
 Assosa University
College of Computing and Informatics
Department of Computer Science

In summary, roaming is the ability of a cellular customer to automatically make and receive voice calls, send and receive data, or access other
services when traveling outside the geographical coverage area of the home network, by means of using a visited network. To ensure seamless
roaming experiences for users, there are several key considerations that must be taken into account, including having a roaming agreement in
place, supporting the same technology, having a compatible phone, and being aware of roaming charges .

5. Frequency reuse is a technique used in cellular communication to improve the spectral efficiency and signal quality of a network. The
process of selecting and allocating the frequency sub-bands for all of the cellular base stations within a system is called frequency reuse or
frequency planning1.

In frequency reuse, the total bandwidth is divided into different sub-bands that are used by cells. Each cellular base station is allocated a group
of radio channels or frequency sub-bands to be used within a small geographic area known as a cell. The shape of the cell is hexagonal1. The
process of selecting and allocating the frequency sub-bands for all of the cellular base stations within a system is called frequency reuse or
frequency planning1.

The number of times a frequency can be reused depends on the tolerance capacity of the radio channel from the nearby transmitter that is using
the same frequencies. In frequency reuse, total bandwidth is divided into different sub-bands that are used by cells. Frequency reuse scheme
allows WiMax system operators to reuse the same frequencies at different cell sites. Cells with the same letter use the same set of channel
groups or frequency sub-bands1.

Frequency reuse improves spectral efficiency and signal quality by reusing the same frequency in different geographic areas, enabling more
efficient spectrum usage. With the ability to reuse the same frequency in different cells, the interference between cells can be minimized, leading
to better quality of service. Frequency reuse can reduce the cost of building a cellular network since fewer frequency bands are required. It also
enables the network to be easily scaled by adding more cells as needed, allowing more cells to be served with the same amount of spectrum,
resulting in increased network capacity1.