Objective 1: Distinguish among types of networks
Types of networks (local area network,
metropolitan area network, wide area network, mobile network).
(a) Concept of mobile network as radiobased common carrier.
(b) Overview of mobile networks: from 2G to current. (Knowledge of the inner workings of mobile
systems is NOT required)
Level of privacy (intranet, extranet, Internet).
Types of Networks
The four main types of computer networks are:
Local Area Networks (LAN)
A network that uses cables or radio signals to link two or more computers in a
geographically limited area (generally one building or a group of buildings).
Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
Regional computer or communication network spanning the area covered by an
average to large-sized city.
Wide Area Networks (WAN)
A data communication network extending a LAN (local area network) outside its
building, over telecommunication lines or wirelessly, to link to other LANs over
great distances. The Internet is an example of a WAN.
Mobile Network
Mobile networking refers to technology that can support voice and/or data
network connectivity using wireless, via a radio transmission solution. The
most familiar application of mobile networking is the mobile phone.
Overview of Mobile networks
First Generation (1G) 1981 – NMT launch
Its basic features are:
Speed-2.4 kbps
Allows voice calls in 1 country
Use analog signal.
Poor voice quality
Poor battery life
Large phone size
Limited capacity
Poor handoff reliability
Poor security
Offered very low level of spectrum efficiency
Second Generation (2G) 1991 – GSM launch
Data speed was upto 64kbps
Use digital signals
Enables services such as text messages, picture messages and
MMS(Multimedia message)
Provides better quality and capacity
Unable to handle complex data such as videos.
Required strong digital signals to help mobile phones work. If there is
no network coverage in any specific area, digital signals would weak.
Second to Third Generation Bridge (2.5G) 2000 – GPRS launch
The GSM technology was continuously improved to provide better services
which led to development of advanced Technology between 2g and 3g
Provides 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 mins. MP3 song.
Third Generation (3G) 2003
The main features of 3G are:
Speed 2 Mbps
Typically called smart phones
Increased bandwidth and data transfer rates to accommodate web-
based applications and audio
and video files.
Provides faster communication
Send/receive large email messages
High speed web/more security/video conferencing/3D gaming
Large capacities and broadband capabilities
TV streaming/mobile TV/Phone calls
To download a 3 minute MP3 song only 11 sec-1.5 mins time
required.
Expensive fees for 3G licenses services
It was challenge to build the infrastructure for 3G
High bandwidth requirement
Expensive 3G phones
Large cell phones
Fourth Generation (4G) 2007
The main features of 4G are :
Capable of provide 10Mbps-1Gbps speed
High quality streaming video
Combination of Wi-Fi and Wi-Max
High security
Provide any kind of service at any time as per user requirements
anywhere
Expanded multimedia services
Low cost per-bit
Battery uses is more
Hard to implement
Need complicated hardware
Expensive equipment required to implement next generation network
LTE( Long Term Evolution)
Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a wireless broadband technology developed
by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), an industry trade
group. The LTE technology enabled fast mobile internet connection.
Actually, LTE is a path followed to achieve 4G speeds and more. LTE is a
full Internet Protocol technology used for the mobile broadband services for
data transfer and voice calls. Soon it will be used for the Multimedia
Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS).
Wireless operators are rapidly expanding their LTE networks to take
advantage of additional efficiency, lower latency and the ability to handle
ever-increasing data traffic. New Feature in LTE: LTE enables the maximum data
rates of 150 Mbps for download and 75 Mbps for upload. It has the flexible
bandwidth of 6 different bandwidths. LTE doesn’t have different bearers for voice
calls and internet access, it needs to handle the voice calls on completely different
way than 2G and 3G networks. The Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is the new features in
the LTE describes how the phone calls are handled in the LTE networks. 4G LTE is
the future of new wireless technology for accessing high bandwidth data for
various applications and voice call.
Internet – A network of networks that connects computers worldwide via a huge
system of telecommunications links.
Intranet – A micro-version of the Internet within a company or organization .
Extranet – An extranet is a facility where an organization allows its customers or
suppliers to access part of its intranet.
