More Information

Introduction

This module provides a brief introduction to the basic concepts and technologies associated with mobile communications.

Research

Wholesale Mobile Report

Secrets of MVNO Success

Mobile in Minute papers

Wireless vs. Mobile Communications

Wireless telecommunications can be divided into two broad categories: mobile communications and fixed wireless communications. Each category has its own unique market in terms of customer needs and technology requirements. The mobile communications market requires mobility or non-tethered communications.

The goal of mobility is anytime, anywhere communications. Mobile communications technology must be able to allow roaming - the ability to provide service to a mobile phone users while outside their home system. On the other hand, fixed wireless is simply an alternative to wired communications. The fixed wireless user does not need mobility. Instead, the fixed wireless user needs cost effective telecommunications from fixed locations. Wireless is an alternative means of providing service. It is sometimes the only means. When the customer is in a remote location, satellite is the only alternative.

Cellular and PCS

The personal communications concept arose after cellular networks were deployed. Personal Communications Service (PCS) technologies were designed to meet the needs of anytime, anywhere personalized communications. PCS networks were deployed utilizing cellular RF designs similar to cellular. However, many PCS carriers initially deployed larger groupings of smaller cell sites to cover densely populated urban areas. PCS also uses a higher portion of the RF spectrum (1900 MHz in the US versus 800 MHz for cellular). Being deployed after the initial cellular networks, PCS networks also initially had more advanced technologies than PCS, including SS7 network infrastructure for services such as calling number identification. However, cellular would soon catch up due to competitive pressures. In aggregate, there are now no substantive differences between the initial "cellular" networks and "PCS". In fact, they both utilize the same underlying technologies. 

Mobile Communications Protocols

Radio Frequency Protocols

Interim Standard 136 (IS-136) is a specific Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) based radio frequency (RF) standard.

IS-95 is a specific Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) based radio frequency (RF) standard. With TDMA, multiplexing occurs within time slots within dedicated frequency band for each call or data session. On the other hand, CDMA is a "spread spectrum technology", utilizing all available frequency and time slots within an allocated service band.

It is important to be aware that TDMA and CDMA are digital RF protocols. There are various analog RF protocols that are still in commercial service, but they are being replaced with TDMA and CDMA as mobile operators upgrade their networks.

Mobile Networking Protocols

IS-136 and IS-95 based networks both utilize ANSI-41 as a protocol for mobile networking. ANSI-41 based networks are deployed primarily in the Americas and parts of Asia.

Global System for Mobility (GSM) is a global standard based on TDMA. GSM utilizes the GSM Mobile Application Part (MAP) as a mobile networking protocol.

Mobile Networking

Cellular/PCS networks can use different type of mobile networking protocols that allow for roaming – the use of a mobile phone while away from the home area – and advanced services.

Global System for Mobility (GSM) networks deployed in Europe and throughout the world utilizes a protocol called the GSM Mobile Application Part (MAP), standardized by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Other TDMA based networks and CDMA networks utilize a protocol called ANSI-41, a protocol standardized by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and the American Standards Institute (ANSI).

Mobile networking entails communication between Home Location Registers (HLR) and Visiting Location Registers (VLR) - databases used to store information about subscribers. Communication between these databases allows roaming.

ANSI-41 and GSM MAP

GSM MAP and ANSI-41 are key protocols that utilize SS7 to allow roaming and advanced as well as more advanced capabilities. Communication between the VLR in the serving system and the HLR of the home area is facilitated by these mobile networking protocols and signaling based on a signaling protocol called Signaling System number Seven (SS7).

In GSM networks, the MAP rides on top of SS7, allowing VLR to HLR (and HLR to VLR) communications.

In non-GSM networks (such as many of those found in the United States), ANSI-41 is deployed (which also uses SS7) for HLR/VLR communications.

Mobile IN for GSM & ANSI-41

While there are various proprietary-based mobile intelligent network (IN) technologies, the standards based technologies are often of most value to the mobile network operator and their customers. These standards based technologies are referred to as Customized Applications for Mobile Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) and Wireless Intelligent Network (WIN) and are used in GSM and ANSI-41 based networks respectively.

More Information

See: www.mobileIN.com and the book Wireless Intelligent Networking published by Artech House (www.artechhouse.com)