Introduction to CDMA-2000

Introduction:
The first operational cellular communication system was deployed in the Norway in 1981 and was
followed by similar systems in the US and UK. These first generation systems provided voice
transmissions by using frequencies around 900 MHz and analogue modulation.
The second generation (2G) of the wireless mobile network was based on low-band digital data
signaling. While GSM and other TDMA-based systems have become the dominant 2G wirelesses
technologies, CDMA technology IS 95A is recognized as providing clearer voice quality with less
background noise, fewer dropped calls, enhanced security, greater reliability and greater network
capacity.
The Second Generation (2G) wireless networks mentioned above are also mostly based on
circuit-switched technology, are digital and expand the range of applications to more advanced voice
services. 2G wireless technologies can handle some data capabilities such as fax and short message
service at the data rate of up to 9.6 kbps, but it is not suitable for web browsing and multimedia
applications. In the world of 2G, voice remains king while data is already dominant in wire line
communications. And, fixed or wireless, all are affected by the rapid growth of the Internet.
Hence in mobile world also the aim was to achieve higher data speed. ITU also proposed the
conceptual 3G.

3G or IMT-2000:
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000) is the official International
Telecommunication Union name for 3G and is an initiative intended to provide wireless access to
global telecommunication infrastructure through both satellite and terrestrial systems, serving fixed
and mobile phone users via both public and private telephone networks. Today's 3G specifications call
for 144 Kb/s while the user is on the move in an automobile or train, 384 Kb/s for pedestrians, and ups
to 2 Mb/s for stationary users. That is a big step up from 2G bandwidth using 8 to 13 Kb/s per channel
to transport speech signals. But no single technology could be evolved as 3G.
 IMT-2000 Terrestrial Radio Interfaces
Recommendation ITU-R M.1457:
Detailed Specifications of the Radio Interfaces of IMT-2000

Paired spectrum Unpaired spectrum

IMT-DS IMT-MC IMT-TC IMT-SC IMT-FT

W-CDMA (UTRAN cdma 2000 UTRAN TDD UWC-136 DECT
FDD) TD-S CDMA (EDGE)
Dire ct Multi Time Single Fre que ncy
S pre a d Ca rrie r Code Ca rrie r Time

CDMA TDMA FDMA

So there are three standards based on CDMA for 3G.

Third Generation Standards

 CDMA2000/FDD-MC — CDMA2000 using Frequency Division Duplexing-Multicarrier
(FDD-MC) mode. Here multicarrier implies N x 1.25 MHz channels overlaid on N existing IS-
95 carriers or deployed on unoccupied spectrum. CDMA2000 includes:
1x — using a spreading rate of 1.2288 Mcps
3x — using a spreading rate of 3 x 1.2288 Mcps or 3.6864 Mcps
1xEV-DO (1x Evolution – Data Optimized)— using a spreading rate of 1.2288
Mcps optimized for data
 WCDMA/FDD-DS — Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) Frequency Division Duplexing-Direct
Sequence spreading (FDD-DS) mode. This has a single 5 MHz channel. WCDMA uses a
single carrier per channel and employs a spreading rate of 3.84 Mcps.
 UTRA TDD/ TD-SCDMA — Universal Mobile Telephone Services Terrestrial Radio Access
(UTRA) and TD-SCDMA. These are Time Division Duplexed (TDD) standards aimed
primarily at asymmetric services used in unpaired (i.e., no separate uplink and downlink)
bands. TD-SCDMA is based on a synchronous Time Division scheme for TDD and wireless
local loop applications. The frame and slot structure are the same as W-CDMA. However, in
TDD mode each slot can be individually allocated either the uplink or the downlink.
Migration Path:

Different 2G technologies propose various migration paths.

A look at the evolutionary path from 2G to 3G shows the likely migration path for service
providers of each major format. The W-CDMA system looks like it will receive the most subscribers
as operation is started in the IMT-2000 band. The SR3 (Spread Rate3) multi-carrier standard appears
to be dead. The delivery of higher data rates for the current IS-95 community will be met with 1x
Evolution (1xEV). The first version of this is Data Only (DO). Future versions of this will be capable
of data and voice (1x EV-DV). The IS-136 operators do not have a direct evolution path to 3G.
Instead, they will transition to GSM and GPRS.
In Europe, many GSM operators will migrate to W-CDMA for increased data capabilities. In
the Americas, existing IS-95 operators will migrate to cdma2000 for increased voice capacity and the
added bonus of data capabilities. Korea has the highest concentration of IS-95 users in the world. They
will continue in this technology with the rollout of cdma2000.

Advantages of CDMA2000:
CDMA2000 is backward compatible with IS-95. Thus a network that is converted to
CDMA2000 from IS-95 will support users with IS-95 handsets. A motivating factor for migration to
CDMA2000-enabled handsets is that it permits use of enhanced data service and increases the voice
capacity of the network. The voice capacity of a CDMA2000 network increases as the percentage of
subscribers with CDMA2000 handsets increases. IS-95 handsets do not contribute to this capacity
improvement.
It reuses and builds on the full complement of existing CDMA air interface and network
standards. Both IS-95 and CDMA2000 equipped mobiles can operate on the same frequency
assignment. Existing IS-95 networks can be converted to CDMA2000 without impact to existing IS-95
mobiles. Network can “evolve” as users migrate from IS-95 mobiles to CDMA2000 mobiles.
New Concepts in the CDMA2000 Physical Layer:
The following are the new additions in CDMA 2000 from IS95.
 Spreading Rate 1 (1x) and Spreading Rate 3 (3x)
 Logical Channels
 Radio Configurations
 Many new Physical Channels
 Transmit Diversity Pilot Channels
 Enhanced Access Channel procedures
 Reverse Link Pilot Channel

Spreading Rates
CDMA2000 supports two different spreading rates:
 Spreading Rate 1— also called “1x”
Both Forward and Reverse Channels use a single direct-sequence spread
carrier with a chip rate of 1.2288 Mcps.
 Spreading Rate 3— also called “3x” or MC (Multi-Carrier)
Forward Channels use three direct-sequence spread carriers each with a chip
rate of 1.2288 Mcps.Reverse Channels use a single direct-sequence spread
carrier with a chip rate of 3.6864Mcps.

As such SR3 appears to be extinct.

Physical and Logical Channels:

In IS 95A, in the forward link Pilot, Sync, Paging and Traffic Channels exist whereas in
reverse link Access and traffic channel are available. All overhead information is carried on the
Paging Channel. During conversation or in dedicated mode the signaling info is exchanged by
either fully or partially clearing the traffic. CDMA2000 technology defines new Physical and
Logical Channels for the transport of user data and signaling information.
 A Physical Channel is a communication path between the mobile and the Base Station,
described in terms of the digital coding and RF characteristics.
A Logical Channel is a communication path within the protocol layers of either the Base
Station or the mobile. Information is grouped onto a Logical Channel based on criteria such as these:
 Is it for a single user or for multiple users?
 Is it signaling or user data?
 Is the direction of the transfer Forward or Reverse?
The information on a Logical Channel is ultimately carried on one or more Physical Channels.
Mappings are defined between Physical and Logical Channels. These mappings may be permanent or
may be defined only for the duration of a call.
(e.g) The Forward Common Signaling Channel (f-csch) carries information that may
ultimately be mapped onto the Forward Sync Channel (F-SYNCH), the Forward Paging
Channel (F-PCH), and the Forward Broadcast Control Channel (F-BCCH).

CDMA2000 Physical Channel Naming

CDMA2000 Logical Channel Naming:

A Logical Channel name consists of three lowercase letters followed by “ch” (channel).
A hyphen is used after the first letter. Logical Channel names are differentiated by:
 Direction (Forward or Reverse)
 Whether the information is shared by all users (common) or specific to an individual
user (dedicated)
 Whether the information is control information (signaling) or user information
For Common Signaling Channels, the mappings shown assume that all Common
Signaling Physical Channels are supported (F-BCCH, F-CCCH, F-PCH, R-EACH, and
 R-ACH). If the Base Station is configured to support only the TIA/EIA-95 compatible
common channels, then the F-BCCH, F-CCCH, and R-EACH channel are not present
in the mapping.
For Dedicated Channels, the mapping is established for each call, as a function of what
services are in use (voice, circuit-switched data, packet data).

Radio Configurations:
A Radio Configuration (RC) defines the following characteristics of a Forward or
Reverse Traffic Channel, Viz Rate Set, Spreading Rate Channel Coding (Turbo or
convolutional), Channel Coding Rate, Modulation (QPSK or BPSK)and Transmit Diversity
Allowed.
IS-2000 defines Radio Configurations:
 RC1 and RC2 correspond to IS-95 A/B Rate Set 1 and Rate Set 2 respectively
 RC3 through RC9 on the Forward link
 RC3 through RC6 on the Reverse link

Forward Link radio configuration:

Reverse Link radio configuration:

Variable Length Walsh Codes:

Walsh Code used in IS95 is 64 chips long. CDMA20001x can use Walsh Codes up to
128 Chips long. Higher data rate channels use shorter length Walsh codes to maintain a
constant chip rate. Using one of the shorter Walsh codes precludes using all longer codes that
contain the bit pattern of the shorter code.
 Forward Link Code Channels:

The Forward Pilot, Sync, and Paging Channels are compatible with TIA/EIA-95A/B. In Radio Configurations 1
and 2, the Fundamental and Supplemental Channels are backward compatible. In these configurations, the
maximum number of Supplemental Channels is seven, which allows the transmission rate to reach up to 115.2
kbps.
As in TIA/EIA-95A/B, the Power Control Sub channel is associated with the Fundamental
Channel for Radio Configurations 1 and 2.
The Forward Link Channels are assigned as follows:
 W0 64 reserved for Forward Pilot Channel
 W32 64 reserved for Sync Channel
 W1 64 to W7 64 reserved for Paging Channels
 Wn 64 may be used for Radio Configurations 1 and 2 Fundamental and
Supplemental Channels, for 0 < n < 64, except for those channels used for Sync
and Paging Channels

New Common Channels:

CDMA2000 introduces several new Forward Link Common Channels:
 Pilot Channels – If transmit diversity is supported; one or more Pilots may
be used.The auxiliary Pilot Channels may be used for smart antenna
applications.
 Quick Paging Channel – This channel provides for improved slotted mode
operation and improved battery life for the mobile. Walsh codes W80, W48
and W112 are reserved for Quick Paging Channels, if the Base Station
supports Quick Paging Channels.
  Common Control Channel – This channel carries mobile-directed messages
for CDMA2000 compatible mobiles.
 Broadcast Channel – This channel carries broadcast messages for
CDMA2000 compatible mobiles, including overhead messages and
broadcast Short Message Service (SMS) messages.
 Common Power Control Channel – This channel is used with Enhanced
Access Channel Procedures (Reservation Mode), to send power control bits
to the mobile so that Access Channel messages may be sent under power
control.
 Common Assignment Channel – This channel is used with Enhanced
Access Channel Procedures (Reservation Mode) to assign the Reverse
Common Control Channel (R-CCCH) and Common Power Control Sub
channel.

New Dedicated Channels:

CDMA2000 introduces several new Forward Link Dedicated Channels:
 Forward Fundamental Channel – This channel is used for the transmission
of user and signaling information to a specific mobile during a call. Each
Forward Traffic Channel may contain one Forward Fundamental Channel.
 Forward Dedicated Control Channel – This channel is used for transmission
of user and signaling information to a specific mobile during a call. Each
Forward Traffic Channel may contain one Forward Dedicated Control
Channel.
 Forward Supplemental Channel (valid for Radio Configurations 3 thro 9)
This channel is used for the transmission of user information to a specific
mobile during a call. This is typically used for high-speed data applications.
Each Forward Traffic Channel may contain up to two Supplemental
Channels.
 Power Control Subchannel – This subchannel is typically associated with
the Fundamental Channel, but if the F-FCH is not used for a given call, then
it is associated with the Dedicated Control Channel (F-DCCH).
 All of the CDMA2000 dedicated channels can be established using the
TIA/EIA Paging (F-PCH) and Access (R-ACH) Channels.
 Reverse Link Channels:
The CDMA2000 Reverse Link Channels are:
 Access Channel (R-ACH)
 Reverse Pilot Channel (R-PICH)
 Enhanced Access Channel (R-EACH)
 Reverse Common Control Channel (R-CCCH)
 Reversed Dedicated Control Channel (R-DCCH)
 Reverse Fundamental Channel (R-FCH)
 Reverse Supplemental Channel (R-SCH)
 Reverse Supplemental Code Channel (R-SCCH)
The Access Channel and Reverse Supplemental Channel are retained for backward compatibility with
TIA/EIA-95A/B. For Radio Configurations 1 and 2, the channel structure for the Reverse Fundamental
Channel and Reverse Supplemental Channel is the same as the channel structure of Rate Set 1 and Rate
Set 2 used in TIA/EIA-95A/B.

Reverse Common and Dedicated Channels

Reverse Link Common Channels are used by multiple mobiles primarily for a brief exchange
of information between a mobile and a Base Station. The Reverse Link Common Channels are:
 Access Channel (R-ACH)
 Enhanced Access Channel (R-EACH)
 Reverse Common Control Channel (R-CCCH)
Reverse Link Dedicated Channels are assigned to a single mobile for the duration of a call. The
Reverse Link Dedicated Channels include:
 Reverse Dedicated Control Channel (R-DCCH)
 Reverse Fundamental Channel (R-FCH)
 Reverse Supplemental Channel (R-SCH)
 Reverse Supplemental Code Channel (R-SCCH)
The Reverse Pilot Channel is used with both Common and Dedicated Channels.
Data Multiplexing:

CDMA2000 can multiplex data from multiple sources (e.g., signaling, voice, and data) onto
one or more Physical Channels. Data can be multiplexed in one or two Supplemental Channels.

TIA/EIA-95 A/B Compatible Access Channel Procedures

If the mobile monitors the Paging Channel (F-PCH), then its access attempts are made on the
Access Channel (R-ACH). These procedures are identical to TIA/EIA-95 A/B access procedures.
 REFERENCES

1. R. L. Peterson, “Third Generation Personal Communications: Physical Layer Status,”

Presentation at Clemson University, Feb. 1, 2001
2. Manjit Singh and Manoneet Singh, “3G Wireless with Respect to IMT-2000 and Beyond,”
Telecom 99
3. Harri Holma and Antti Toskala, WCDMA for UMTS: Radio Access for Third Generation
Mobile Communications, New York: Wiley, 2000
4. “CDMA Evolution from IS-95, IS-2000, to 1XTREME,” Technology Transfer Training Class,
Motorola, Inc., July 2000
5. R. Ziemer and R. Peterson, Introduction to Digital Communications, Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall, Chapter 10, 2001
6. Lee JS and Miller LM, CDMA System Engineering Handbook, Arttech Publishing House,
1998.
7. Viterbi A, CDMA-Spread Spectrum Communication, Addison Wesley 1995.