Cellular Networks
Chapter Contents
Introduction
Principles of Cellular Networks
1G Cellular Networks
2G Cellular Networks
2.5G Cellular Networks
3G Cellular Networks
4G Cellular Networks
5G Cellular Networks
Overview 6G Cellular Networks
Summary
Introduction
A cellular network or mobile network is a communication network
where the last link is wireless.
The evolution of cellular networks began with 1G in the 1980s,
which introduced mobile voice communication.
The journey from 1G to the current 5G has been marked by
significant technological advancements.
Each generation has brought higher data rates, lower latency, and
expanded services that extend beyond voice calls to include text
messaging, internet browsing, video streaming, and a vast
ecosystem of mobile applications.
Principles of Cellular Networks
A cellular network is a radio network distributed over land through
cells where each cell includes a fixed location transceiver known as a
base station.
Cellular networks give subscribers advanced features over alternative
solutions, including increased capacity, small battery power usage, a
larger geographical coverage area and reduced interference from other
signals.
Popular cellular technologies include the Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).
1) Transmitters
The first common principle of cellular networks is the use of
much lower power (100 W or less), smaller transmitters with
narrower coverage areas instead of a single, powerful transmitter
with a wider coverage area.
These transmitters are housed on base stations, better known as
cellular towers.
Base stations also house receivers and additional control units.
2) Cells
Coverage areas are divided into cells, each served by its own
antenna (transmitter).
A frequency band is allocated to the transmitter/receiver depending
on the network carrier.
Cells are arranged so that antennas in a coverage area are in a
hexagonal pattern.
This is because it requires fewer cells to represent a hexagon
compared to a triangle or square – meaning network carriers can
cover a wider area with fewer base stations.
Another advantage, frequency reuse is possible using this shape.
3) Frequency Reuse
Frequency reuse 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.
4) Cell Splitting
Cell splitting is the process of subdividing a
congested cell into smaller cells such that
each smaller cell has its own base station.
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 (or cells), where each
sector covers 120 region.
Three sectors together provide 3 × 120° =
360° coverage around the base station.
Cont’d..
5) Cellular Handover
As a mobile device moves around in a given area, it crosses cell
boundaries.
Handover is a process where the dedicated radio connection
between the device and the radio access network is switched from
one cell to another.
Cellular handover ensures that the device has a dedicated radio
connection with the best possible communications link.
In addition, handover may be used to balance the load among
serving base stations and among carrier frequencies available in a
cell or sector.
What are 0G,1G,2G,3G,4G,5G cellular mobile
networks?
Cellular Network
Before 0G
Alexander Gerahbell was invented unpatented wired telephone
Cellular Network
Before 0G
Alexander Gerahbell was invented unpatented wired telephone
Cellular Network
Before 0G
Alexander Gerahbell was invented unpatented wired telephone
There is a transformation from wired to wireless
telecom.
It was a big revolution
Cont’d..
Cont’d.. Pioneers
Cont’d..
Cont’d..
First Generation (1G) Cellular and Paging Networks
1G mobile communication system was introduced in Japan in 1979 by
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT).
Initially, it started in Tokyo and within next five years expanded to
cover the whole of Japan.
In 1981, Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) was launched in European
countries.
In 1983, Ameritech launched 1G mobiles in the USA using Motorola
mobile phones.
Use of mobile communication system was then followed by several
countries.
Characteristics First Generation (1G) Cellular Networks
Uses FDM
Speeds up to 2.4 kbps
Poor voice quality
Large phones with limited battery life
No data security
Not all networks were based on the same
protocols, they were highly dependent on
their manufacturers.
So that the connectivity between two
different networks is not an easier thing.
Cont..
Services – Voice only
Technology – analog
Speed – 1kbps to 2.4 kbps
Multiplexing – FDMA
Switching – circuit switching
Core Network – PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
Frequency – 800- 900 MHz
Drawbacks of 1G
Poor Voice Quality
Poor Batter Life
Large Phone Size
No Security
Limited Capacity
Poor Handoff Reliability
Paging Networks
Paging networks are one of the oldest wireless technologies.
They support one-way and two-way alphanumeric messages
between 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 (personal
digital assistants) like Palm Pilots. An example of paging
networks is the BellSouth Clamshell Pager with keyboard.
Over 10 years technology also goes advance
The 2nd G of mobile technology was a big achievement opening
a door for current advancement
2G includes various standard starting
Second Generation (2G) Cellular Networks
2G was introduced in Finland.
To have advancement over the 1G, the GSM (Global
System for Mobile Communication) was introduced.
In the current technology, every system has the basis
of GSM.
This generation is responsible for the up gradation
from voice calls to MMS (Multimedia Messaging
System) and SMS (Short Message Systems).
Features of Second Generation (2G) Cellular Networks
The Digital frequency modulation or digital communication
technique is used to transmit the data in the form of 0’s and 1’s of
1.8GHz.
The data speed of 2G is nearly up to 64 Kbps.
The Voice quality also improved from 1G, it supports both voice
and data.
Characteristics Second Generation (2G) Cellular Networks
Data speeds up to 64 kbps.
Text and multimedia messaging possible.
Better quality than 1G.
Digital Voice.
SMS
international roaming.
Differences 1G and 2G Cellular Networks
The primary differences between first and second-generation cellular
networks are:
Digital traffic channels: first-generation systems are almost purely
analog; second-generation systems are digital.
Encryption: all second-generation systems provide encryption to prevent
eavesdropping.
Error detection and correction: second-generation digital traffic allows
for detection and correction, giving clear voice reception.
Channel access: second-generation systems allow channels to be
dynamically shared by a number of users.
Latency is the time it takes for data to pass from one point on a network to another.
The 2.5G Cellular Networks
2.5G cellular networks, also known as second-and-a-half generation
networks, are an intermediate step between 2G and 3G networks.
This networks were introduced in the early 2000s and offered faster data
transfer speeds compared to 2G networks but were not as fast as 3G
networks.
2.5G technologies, such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and
Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), allowed for faster data
transmission rates, enabling basic internet browsing, email access, and
multimedia messaging on mobile devices.
However, they were still primarily designed for voice communication and
text messaging.
Cont’d..
Take a time of 6-9 mins. to download a
3 mins. Mp3 song.
Third Generation (3G) Cellular Networks
3G was introduced in Japan.
It comes with data transfer technology
such as UMTS (Universal Mobile
Terrestrials System) for use in
smartphones.
Characteristics of 3G Cellular Networks
Data speeds of 384 kbps to 2 Mbps.
High speed web browsing.
Running web based applications like video
conferencing, multimedia e-mails, etc.
Fast and easy transfer of audio and video calling
3D gaming
Drawbacks of 3G Technology
Expensive mobile phones.
High infrastructure costs like licensing
fees and mobile towers.
Trained personnel required for
infrastructure set up.
Fourth Generation (4G) Cellular Networks
4G technology refer to or short name of fourth Generation which
was started from late 2000s.
Capable of providing 100Mbps – 1Gbps speed.
The next generations of wireless technology that promises
higher data rates and expanded multimedia services.
High QOS and High Security.
Provide any kind of service at any time as per user
requirements, anywhere.
Features of 4G Cellular Networks
More Security
High Speed
High Capacity
Low Cost Per-bit etc.
Low Latency
Drawbacks of 4G Technology
Battery uses is more
Hard to implement
Need complicated hardware
Expensive equipment required
to implement next generation
network.
Cont’d…
Need
IOT
Smart city
Massive sensors Need more advanced wireless
Driverless car technology
Remote surgery and operations
5G’s Key Features and Differences from
4G
How exactly does freshly rolled-out 5G improve on 4G
networks?
• Extreme peak bandwidth (1 Gbps+)
• Ultra-low latency (under 10 milliseconds)
• Increased number of simultaneously connected devices
• Enhanced mobile edge computing capabilities
• Built-in support for Internet of Things devices
• Dynamic spectrum sharing between networks
Overview of Fifth Generation (5G) Cellular Networks
5G technology refer to short name of
fifth Generation which was started from
late 2010s.
It is highly supportable to WWWW
(Wireless World Wide Web).
The goal is to improve wireless service
speed, reduce latency, and boost
flexibility.
Cont..
The potential top speed of 5G technology is
20 Gbps.
They use new technologies such as
millimetre wave and beamforming to
provide even faster data speeds and lower
latency.
They are also capable of supporting new
use cases such as the internet of things
(IoT) and self-driving cars.
Features of 5G Cellular Networks
Larger data volume per unit area (i.e. high system spectral
efficiency).
High capacity to allow more devices connectivity concurrently and
instantaneously.
Lower battery consumption.
Better connectivity irrespective of the geographic region, in which
you are.
Larger number of supporting devices.
Lower cost of infrastructural development.
Higher reliability of the communications.
Evolution of 1G to 5G technology
6th G
• The peak data rate for 5G is 20 Gbps, while for 6G
networks it can be 1–10 Tbps with the aid of THz
and optical frequency bands.
• The area traffic capacity can be more than 1 Gbps/m2
• network energy efficiency must increase by more
than 100 times compared to 5G the latency is
expected to be less than 1 ms.
• The peak data rate is expected to be more than 100
Gbps.
• The user experienced data rate is 1–10 Gbps.
• The connection density is 107 devices/km2 .
Summary
Summary
Summary
In sum, cellular networks have become the backbone of modern
communication and connectivity.
From their inception as purely voice communication systems, they have
transformed into comprehensive data services that underpin modern digital
life.
0G-6G
