IS610 | 4G Wireless Cellular Technology | Need for Standardization | | Rohan Mammen | 11/22/2010 |

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ABSTRACT
Currently, the fourth generation cellular technology is in the early stages of determining of standardization. Although this new wireless technology seems to offer high data and roaming capabilities across different systems, all key aspects still need detailed understanding, further research and overall development. Currently this technology is in its infancy with respect to creating standards, and henceforth various organizations such the ITU and IEEE have formed several initiatives to create a suitable 4G mobile standards system. The development of 3GPP LTE from UMTS is as such an important step towards the evolution standard, and similarly so is WiMAX developed by IEEE. All of these technologies have unique characteristics while meeting 4G criteria and thus enabling it to become dominant force in the near future. This will indicate all the new trends and technologies needed to execute the next generation cellular mobile technology while showcasing possible scenarios that would benefit the new fourth generation technology.

INTRODUCTION

In a rapidly moving economy, there exists a fundamental need for communication and for this purpose, instantaneous access to information irrespective of time and location. This has led to increased customer demands for wireless network services which in turn have led to the need for a development from the fundamentals of communications. In order to develop new mobile technologies, every major service provider has kept tabs or partook in the growth and development of the Fourth generation (4G) mobile technology. Currently, the Second and third generation networks are at the forefront of mobile technology. At present, the current total number of mobile subscribers in American subcontinent, Europe and the Asia is forecasted to grow into the hundreds of million people with a forecasted market penetration of over 50% for the year of 2010 alone. This enormous growth has prompted consumer demands that will require the services of more capable networks.( Lu, 2003)

In retrospect, the purpose of 4G mobile technology is to give people a more convenient and reliable source of wireless internet which would fit in with new and emerging lifestyles. The “anytime, anywhere, anything,” slogan by 4G wireless technology proponents is an indicator of the potential benefits this technology might offer despite any and all external factors. Universally this technology would pave the means to a worldwide interaction irrespective of physical influences such as time. Therefore, other rising fields and technologies such as e-commerce, instant messaging, and peer-to-peer connectivity will also reach its maximum potential. 4G mobile technology in its long road has shown the willingness to embrace new trends and ideas.
Most commercial mobile providers have been part of the research and development of 4G mobile technologies as they are perceived to be capable of providing high speed data transfer or bandwidth alongside packet based data communication. Currently, the fourth generation technology is in the beginning stages of development when it comes to creating standards, and henceforth various organizations such the ITU and IEEE have formed several initiatives to create a suitable 4G mobile standards system. Increasing demands by the booming Internet phenomenon has pushed the industry to find new means for higher data availability without compromising quality or mobility. As a result 4G is currently viewed as a solution to the shortfalls of previous technologies and all aspects technically or otherwise is in the process of being subsequently standardized. The purpose of this research is to understand the needs and requirements of fourth generation service vision while keeping room for the expansion of service application potential. As a result this paper will summarize the latest trends for the new generation of cellular network communications and investigate all potential 4G compatible technologies. (Tachikawa, 2003)

TRENDS IN 4G TECHNOLOGIES CHARACTERISTICS OF 4G
CONVERGING SERVICES

The potential benefits of convergence has meant the creation of an atmosphere capable of eventually providing a seamless and highly reliable services using wireless technologies without all the while suffering from the physical limitation through global connectivity. Convergence amongst providers also means establishing new joint ventures in various projects to enable convergent products. At present, the fourth generation systems model looks to be established by a horizontal communications model with various access technology system alongside cellular-mobile, cordless-telephones, WLAN, short-ranged wireless connectivity, and wired systems which needs to be integrated into a singular platform capable of complementing one another in an efficient manner meeting all different service requirements. These trends which have risen through the service perspective have led to the integration of service delivery mechanisms. This has resulted in the new mobile network architectures to become more flexible and versatile, ensuring ease of deployment.

BROADBAND SERVICES Broadband is currently the foundation for multimedia communications which requires transfer of large quantities of data utilizing the packet system by advocating the combing media of different qualities. The rise of broadband service providers like DSL and optical-fiber systems has resulted in a need for such services in the business environment.
The fourth generation service applications will provide these services the following advantages; 1) Low Costs - Broadband services are available to users with lower charges to keep costs at or below existing service.
2) Coverage – This is especially important for future mobile communications and enables easier transition from the existing system.
3) Services Capability - Mobile communication has become heavily dependent on the types of users. It is expected that in the near future that higher performance and functionalities will be introduced. (Dursch & Hwang, 2005)

INTERACTIVE BROADBAND CONVERGENCE NETWORK (ALL-IP)

Since technologies are becoming more interdependent, networks based on All-IP network have become more converged. This Next-Generation Network-Internet Protocol based convergence of wired framework system has become the most efficiently deployed example of convergent technologies. Currently, next generation of technology networking is a major force in the internet network. This concept of the convergence joins into the basic premise of a combined and flexible systems-architecture that fully supports different services and applications. The original thinking behind of pushing these new applications into such networks is due to its adaptability for home-networking, telemetric, and sensor-network services. Convergent networks will provide more useful applications and services, especially to the users and its providers. One such real life scenario is the home-network as its application potential combines to provide increased broadband connectivity to its customers and providers as well. It also appears that telemetric applications will have lay more importance on the 4G mobile technology applications.

FLEXIBILITY WITH PERSONALIZED SERVICE

One of the most important issues in the security aspects of 4G networks was its need to have flexibility. The original goal was to have 4G systems with comprehensive support and services, providing a stabilized system display and very high reliability in services rendered. As a result, instantaneous data availability is required and low cost will be pre-established. To ensure customer satisfaction, all providers will enable every customer with the ability to have personal designs and custom services. Another important aspect is mobility management which focuses on the user roaming. One such application is the Software Defined Radio (SDR). Implementation of SDR to 4G has many benefits to all involved;
1) Improve the effectiveness of the infrastructural resources.
2) Superior efficiency
3) Decreased operational expenditure leading to reduced need for hardware site upgrades. 4) Decreased capital expenditure due to rise in usage of accessible network elements.
The main advantage of SDR to the industry is the decreased existence of completely different new systems.(Vadgama, 2006)

AFTER THE THIRD GENERATION
3GPP LTE

With the emergence of 4G technology, the need for implementation of a single unifying standard has risen. 3GPP LTE also known as the Third Generation Partnership Program – Long Term Evolution is such an initiative aimed at developing the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) standard which will be used to integrate the needs of the wireless technology. These needs being increasing efficiency, expense control, quality of services, and better integration with other systems. This initiative has just begun and posses some specific goals aimed at upgrading and integrating UMTS towards a fourth generation mobile communications technology 3GPP LTE is seen as the next step in development from current standards. At present the 3GPP LTE is uniquely based on packet-switching Internet Protocol, which in reality does not exist today.

WIMAX

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or WiMAX was made by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers to construct the new IEEE 802.16 standard. This new technology is currently looked upon as an alternative to current high speed network technologies and viewed as a standardized system capable of delivering broadband access. At present, WiMAX is known for its low cost, inexpensive voice transport, and reliable delivery system. 802.16e systems have already been approved and are now embedded in devices as WiMAX supportable, ensuring users have internet access in global WiMAX prospectus areas.(Feder, 2009)

IEEE 802.20

The IEEE 802.20 system is the first IEEE standard that was exclusively created to meet the requirements of mobility-required clients. The architectural condition for support is aimed at clients in vehicles experiencing high speed motion. This will allow the use of this technology in cars, trucks, high-speed commuter trains and in some cases airplanes as well. At present 802.16e's has limited mobile capabilities, while the new 802.20 posses the ability for unrestricted movement. Like 802.16e, 802.20 will ensure a low-level latency service which is the polar opposite of the third generation technology. Both the former and latter standard systems allow synchronization during connections unlike other networks which have poorer efficiency when linked. High-efficiency uplinks are necessary for high-end customers who perform large amounts of data access for their respective industries through mobile services. Therefore, 802.20 is primarily designed to address the need for multiple functionalities for mobile personal and business uses.

IMPLEMENTATION FEASIBILITY
TECHNICAL ASPECTS

The 4G network technology was originally designed to have characteristics that would fulfill convergence, high broadband capabilities, end user flexibility, personalized services and finally ensure an all-IP telecom network with all potential 4G candidate services aiming to meet these standards. 3GPP LTE is currently known for its lower latency, increasing data access with higher mobility, good system capabilities, and reduced overall cost. Also both WiMAX and IEEE 802.20 ensures all requirements for the mobile network, including very high quality of service and very low latency for real-time based systems. This is possible due to its original design which was created exclusively as an All-IP service.
As it stands today, customers receive services with higher mobility as WCDMA is adaptable with their existing infrastructure. However, current WCDMA have limited availability and is also very expensive for it to be cost effective despite the better capabilities of its system technology.
3GPP LTE is still in its infancy and in case of WiMAX deployment, voice revenues gained by current mobile operators through cellular networks due to their current cost-effective infrastructure would be unattainable since WiMAX was not originally designed to do so.
Present day cellular providers are integrating WiMAX over to their current networks and which is intended to eventually evolve into the 4G system. However due to economic burdens, service providers may focus only on a single service and as a result face tremendous competition.
However, regulation is very important issue affecting feasibility of technologies such as VoIP and SDR. Currently, there is a significant amount of commercial, regulatory, and technological hurdles to overcome before 4G technology is eventually implemented. (Low & Johnston, 2006)

TIME MANAGEMENT

When implementing a new technology, there must be willingness to spend both time and the money to ensure it success. Other aspects which need to be looked into are the various legal implications, systems operation necessities, and time management issues.
During the initial launch of High-Speed Uplink Packet Access based services in the year 2005, all responsible parties in Europe and Japan indicated their objective to launch all HSDPA services by the year 2006. Similarly, LTE was not deployed till 2007all its respective products were made available only much later. The IEEE802.20 standard due to allegations of impropriety, but was finally approved in June 2008.
Through SDR technology, all operations including services are combined into one access technology called the “3 Mode Terminals.” This idea is in the process of being included in systems such as GSM, UMTS, and WLAN. This will eventually free up the broadband market and allow users to have reconfiguration privileges which will be restricted to mode switching only. The current objective is to replace the former with radio environment aware terminals that is adaptable with any access technology. Experts currently expect 4G to become full available on the market after 2012 irrespective of any other factor.(Ahmed, 2007)

MARKET TRENDS

In the current market, deployments of technologies such as 3GPP and WiMAX globally have been slow. Both posses a large amount of evolvutionary capabilities, but questions regarding how these new systems will meet consumer demands have finally been raised. Currently, 3G has not moved significantly in adopting WiMAX and has been more focused in upgrading their own networks. In South Asia, the launch of WiMax was proven to be unsuccessful and is now considered to be a pilot project for this technology.
Currently, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is commercially available in in over fifty countries with more in the works. After Cingular Wireless (now AT&T) brought out the first global UMTS/HSDPA network in late 2005, many new distributors have since announced their own plans to deploy HSDPA as well. Furthermore, it is expected that UMTS will integrate HSDPA which is upgradable to 3GPP LTE within a short period of time. All hardware manufacturers have since implemented the HSDPA system with related support since late 2006.

DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION

Taking into considering the various characteristics of 4G, while keeping in mind the various expected scenarios used by experts to predict future markets and finally expected market trends, it is possible to probe the potential advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses, and finally the various opportunities and threats that the Fourth generation cellular technology will be facing. (Hwang & Yoon, 2010)

The following are the various advantages that 4G is expected to enjoy when implemented: * The current 4G vision takes into account the current infrastructural base and all past investments made by developer and investors alike. * This technology will ensure a strong position of technological power and dominance by telecommunications vendors in the marketplace for the foreseeable future which ensures stronger market place backing and potential investor. * Guaranteed efficiency and faster data transmission with increasing bandwidth will allow more growth and further commercialization. * 4G technology will also provide all the advantages of personalized multimedia communication tools.

And as expected the following are the various disadvantages and weakness in the 4G technology spectrum: * Current customer based user community needed for creating advanced mobile data applications is currently too small and unprofitable. * Emergence of 4G has resulted in rising lack of affinity between telecommunication vendors and their respective hardware manufacturers. * The technology even now experiences limited speed and bandwidth issues. * High initial costs of deployment of technology infrastructure when compared to prior mobile generation.

All being said, the following are the various opportunities and scope for growth that will enforce the Fourth Generation Technology: * Due to the pre-existing evolutionary approach used to develop this current technology, the future may yet yield further growth opportunities for the 4G cellular technology. * Predetermined earlier emphasis on different networks reinforcing on previous investments. * Convergence through various alliances will prove beneficial in the long run and will provide new opportunities with those who are traditionally outside this industry. * Expert and professional commercialization would enable the development of more sophisticated solutions. * Global economic recovery encourages consumer confidence which would in turn allow new opportunities for the telecommunication industry. * Consumers will always continue to adapt to changing technologies at a faster rate in response to needs and demands be it hardware or software. * With scope for higher data access, the various opportunities for expansion in this technology is still growing.

But there are still some issues that threaten to derail 4G development: * Faster rate of growths and developments in other fields of technology * As it stands now 3G is still the most dominant force in the market and will slow any encroachment from other technologies.

It would seem a forgone conclusion that 4G will completely do away with 3G in the long run. In the near future, 3G and 4G will enter into a interdependent yet competitive relationship for a short while when the transition from the former to the latter occurs. This form of competition is unavoidable yet necessary for both the economy and customers in question. In this paper, potential suitors for the standardization of 4G were presented. All involve are now actively planning towards 3GPP, WiMAX and IEEE 802.20 due to its high mobility and high data rate protocols. Even now however, mainstream service providers worry about issues such as need for regulation, uncertainties in the present market, and the eventual economic burdens due to implementing this technology. Never the less, there are still large incentives and potential for opportunities of growth, development and economic profit in 4G. To succeed, each technology must eventually decide and accept its standards during development to meet the needs of the consumer before deployment and thus insuring the quality of the new technology. (Kapustka, 2010)

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