A Brief Overview of Wireless Systems and Standards

A Brief Overview of Wireless Systems and Standards

Sundar G. Sankaran (Atheros Communications, USA)
Copyright: © 2009 |Pages: 7
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60566-094-3.ch001

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief overview of wireless systems and standards. The evolution of wireless systems from voice-centric circuit-switched systems to data-centric packet-switched systems is discussed. The first- and second-generation wireless systems were designed primarily for voice service. The data rate supported by these systems is very limited. The 2.5G systems were developed to retrofit second-generation systems to support higher data rate applications. The third-generation systems are designed to meet the demands of the Internet era. A wide range of IP-based services is provided using these systems. IEEE 802.16 standard-based systems, commonly referred to as WiMAX, are being proposed as an alternative to third-generation systems for carrying data traffic. Popular wireless LAN and wireless PAN standards are also discussed.
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Evolution From Second Generation To 2.5G

New 2.5G technologies were developed in an effort to retrofit the second-generation systems to be able to support the higher data rates that are required by modern Internet applications. These technologies enable cellular service providers to support features such as Web browsing, e-mail, mobile commerce (m-commerce), and location-based mobile services using existing second-generation infrastructure, with minimal hardware and software upgrades to base stations and handsets.

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