Overview Of Wireless Communications

and Systems

▪ Wireless communications is the transmission of voice and data without

cable or wires. In place of a physical connection, data travels through
electromagnetic signals broadcast from sending facilities to intermediate
and end-user devices.
▪ The first wireless transmitters went on the air in the early 20th century using
radiotelegraphy, which is radio communication using Morse code or other
coded signals. Later, as modulation made it possible to transmit voice and
music wirelessly, the medium became known as radio. Wireless transmitters
use electromagnetic waves to carry voice, data, video or signals over a
communication path.
 Brief history of wireless communication
system
1.Radio and Television Communication
► In 1874,Marconi performed simple experiments to send signals using electromagnetic waves at
short distances of only about 100 meters.He proved that EM wave transmission was possible
between two distant points even through obstacles in between.This paved the way of wireless
telegraphy, also know as Radio Communication.
► Marconi set up a transmitting station in England,and a receiving station with larger types of
antennas suspended from light kites on the other side of the Atlantic ocean.For three hours
everyday a signal was transmitted and received at a distance of about 3500kms.This was due the
presence of ionosphere.The ionosphere reflects EM waves which allow a radio signal to travel far
distances and is fundamental to all long distance wireless radio communications.
► In 1927,Farnsworth gave the first public demonstration of the television system,and developed
several of the basic concepts of an electronic television systems.
 2.Radar Communication

► Radar is an active remote-sensing system that operates on the principle of echoes.A radar
display shows a map like picture of the area being scanned.
► In 1924,British scientist Edward Appleton used radio echoes to determine the height of the
ionosphere.By 1939, England had established a chain of radar stations along its southern and
eastern coasts to detect aggressors in the air or on the sea.
 3.Satellite Communication

► A satellite is an object that orbits around another object.Man-made satellites provide

communication capabilities around the world,transmitting television signals,telephone
calls,faxes,computer communications and weather information.
► Satellites can be sent into space through a variety of vehicles.
► In 1945,Arthur C Clarke,envisioned a network of communication satellites.Three satellies
could be placed into space at about 36000kms above sea level so as to orbit the planet
every 24 hours.
► In 1957,Soviet Union launched the Sputnik I satellite followed by sputnik 2 and its
passenger,Laika,a dog.
► In 1961,Yuri Gagarin became the first human in orbit.
► In 1964,an international organisation known as Intelsat was formed,which launched a series
of satellites with the goal of providing total earth coverage by satellite transmission.
 4.Wireless and Mobile Communication

Wireless communication is classified as simplex,half-duplex and full-duplex:

► In simplex wireless systems,separate transmitters and receivers operate at the same frequency and
communication is possible only in one direction from transmitter to receiver at any time.
► Paging and messaging systems are simplex wireless communication systems.
► Half-duplex system allow two-way communication but a subscriber can only transmit or receive
voice information at any given time.
► Same frequency is used for both transmission and reception.Eg:Walkie-talkie wireless communication
sets used by police and paramilitary forces.
► Full-duplex systems allow simultaneous radio transmission and reception between calling and called
subscribers of the system.They use separate frequency channels(FDD) or different time slots on a
single radio channel(TDD)for communication to and from the subscriber.
► At the base station separate transmit and receive antennas are used to accommodate the
separate forward and reverse frequency channels.
 Advantages of wireless communication

Following are the disadvantages of wireless communication:

1. Flexibility: As wireless frequency penetrates the walls, wireless networks are easy to install anywhere
based on choice. This flexibility is one of the great benefits of wireless network where wired cable can
not be installed.
2.Easy Installation: Wireless networks are easy to install and easy to maintain compare to messy wired
counterparts. This will help when network grows and will have hundreds to thousands of customers.
3.Network Planning: Wireless network planning is very easy compare to wired network due to wireless
software configuration of frequency, power and other parameters.
4.Location: Wireless communication helps in connecting remote inaccessible areas behind the walls or
buildings or hilly terrains.
5.Mobility: The great benefit of wireless communication is mobility of usage unlike wired
communication.
6.Price: The wireless communication end devices are available at very low cost due to competition in
handset manufacturing segment.
 Disadvantages of wireless communication

► Following are the disadvantages of Wireless Communication:

1.Wireless signals can be easily hacked and hence it will hamper privacy. To avoid this, security
algorithms (AES, WEP, WAP2) and modulation techniques (FHSS, DSSS) are employed in wireless
networks.
2.The earlier wireless networks were slower. Now-a-days wireless LANs with advanced standards such
as IEEE 802.11ac and 802.11ad are available which provides same performance as traditional
ethernet based LANs.
3.Wireless networks require careful radio frequency planning at the beginning of the installation.
4.Wireless communication is subject to interference. There are various receiver techniques and
modulation techniques which make wireless system robust against any kind of interference.
 Review of Digital communications cellular systems from 1g to 3g
"G" Stands For "Generation". The Main Aim Of Wireless Communications Is That It
Provides High Quality, Reliable Communication Just Like Wired Communication. As
We Know That While We Have To Connect To The Internet, The Speed Of Your
Internet Depends Upon The Signal Strength That Has Been In Like
1G,2G,3G,4G,5G Etc. Each And Every Generation Is Defined As A Set Of
Telephone Network Standards. Basically, Evolution Journey Was Started In The
Year 1979 From 1G Technology And It Is Still Continuing To 5G. 1G Technology
Was Not Used To Identify Wireless Technology Until 2G, Was Released. That Was
A Major Jump In The Technology When The Wireless Network Went From
Analogue To Digital.
 1G Technology

► 1G technology is very fast commercial telecommunication wireless technology and introduced in the year of 1980s. For the first
time, Nippon Telegraph and telephone introduced it in Tokyo, Japan. In 1983, 1G was introduced in some European countries
and in the year of 1983, 1G penetrated into the US market.

► Year :1G introduced in the year of 1980s

► Technology:1G employed analogue radio signal for communication. Technology must be used AMPS, NMT, TACS
► Special Characteristics:1G is the first wireless communications
► Speed:The speed of 1G up to 2.4 Kbps
► Analog signals were used
► Support only voice calls
► Poor voice quality
► Limited battery life
► Available frequency band is sub-divided into sub-bands.
► FDMA
► Carrier frequency:1G uses carrier frequency only 30 kHz
► Function:1G could be used only for voice calls
► Flexibility:Telephone required wired connections for communications. After this development 1G was
easy for people to take their phone outdoor.
► Switching type: 1G used circuit switching
► Security:1G is not more secure

Advantages :
► 1G is a simple network element
 Disadvantages:
► Limited capacity
► Not secure
► Poor battery life
► Large Phone size
► Applications:
► 1G is used for Voice calls
 2G technology:

2G technology refers to the second generation. It was launched in Finland in the year 1991 which are based
on the GSM system. It uses digital signals for voice transmission. The advanced in technology from 1G to 2G
introduced many fundamental services that we still use today such as like SMS, MMS, internal roaming, call
hold, billing, conference calls, long distance calls etc.
► Year :2G introduced in the year of 1991s
► Special Characteristics :Digital version of 1G technology
► Technology:2G has used the digital signal for communication with a radio tower. The technology used
IS-95 and GSM
► Speed:The maximum transfer rate of 50-64 Kbps with the help of GPRS system
► Battery power :2G required low battery power due to the low consumption of the battery by digital signals
► Voice and other data are digitally encoded and then transmitted.
► Better quality than 1G
► Noise immunity
► Better bandwidth utilization
► Quality :The sound quality is improved and there is no background noise for the user
► Uses CDMA and TDMA
► Advantages:
Multimedia features like SMS and MMS
Internet access and SIM introduced
► Disadvantages :
Reduced the tone of a sound
Weak signal
Unable to handle complex data such as video
► Applications :
Voice calls
Short message browsing
► Privacy :
2G improved the privacy of users as the message and MMS were digitally encrypted and the only user can
open them
► What is new?
2G technology allowed users to send and receive a text message and also a multimedia message
 3G technology
3G technology refers to the third generation, is based on GSM and it was launched in 2000. The aim of this
technology was to offer high-speed data range of about 144 kbps to 2 Mbps. 3G technology used in many
more applications like sharing of digital photos, movies, mobile, computer modem, high-quality voice, and video
calls etc.
► Speed:144 Kbps-2 Mbps
► Special Characteristics:
3 D gaming
Web based applications
Fast and easy transmission of audio/video files.
Speed increments
► Switching type:Packet switching expect for air interface
► Advantages:
Customers will get high-speed network for the data communication
Customers can use all the facilities at the same time
Video call and big MMS
Cheap call rate in worldwide.
Security and reliability are more
Good for data-intensive application
Always online devices
Anywhere access to the internet
► Disadvantages:

Building 3G infrastructure was the challenge

High Bandwidth Requirement
Expensive 3G Phones.
Large Cell Phones
► Applications :

High-quality voice, as well as a video, called

View live TV broadcasting in mobile
Sharing of digital photos and movies
Virtual banking, online selling as well as teleconferencing at work
The 3G network can offer real-time multiplayer gaming
 4G technology
4G technology refers to the fourth generation, of wireless technology that promises expanded multimedia
services and higher data rates. 4G technology have a superfast data speed of approx 10 times of the 3G.
▪ Year :4G introduced in the year of 2009
▪ Technology:LTE and WiMAX
▪ Speed:4G support speed up to 100 Mbps
▪ Special Characteristics:
Very high speed
All IP
▪ Advantages:
► High speed
► High capacity
► High-quality streaming video
► Low-cost per-bit etc.
▪ Disadvantages:

Battery usage is more

► Hard to implement
► Need complicated hardware