MODULE 4

Mobile Communication
Introduction to Mobile Communication
Mobile Communication is the use of technology that allows us to
communicate with others in different locations without the use of any physical
connection (wires or cables). Mobile communication makes our life easier, and
it saves time and effort.

A mobile phone (also called mobile cellular network, cell phone or hand
phone) is an example of mobile communication (wireless communication). It is
an electric device used for full duplex two way radio telecommunication over a
cellular network of base stations known as cell site.

Advantages of mobile communication

There are following advantages of mobile communication:
• Flexibility: Wireless communication enables the people to communicate
with each other regardless of location. There is no need to be in an
office or some telephone booth in order to pass and receive messages.
• Cost effectiveness: In wireless communication, there is no need of any
physical infrastructure (Wires or cables) or maintenance practice. Hence,
the cost is reduced.
• Speed: Improvements can also be seen in speed. The network
connectivity or the accessibility was much improved in accuracy and
speed.
• Accessibility: With the help of wireless technology easy accessibility to
the remote areas is possible. For example, in rural areas, online
education is now possible. Educators or students no longer need to
travel to far-flung areas to teach their lessons.
• Constant connectivity: Constant connectivity ensures that people can
respond to emergencies relatively quickly. For example, a wireless
device like mobile can ensure you a constant connectivity though you
move from place to place or while you travel, whereas a wired landline
can't.

Concept of Cell
Frequency Reuse
Frequency reusing is the concept of using the same radio frequencies
within a given area, that are separated by considerable distance, with
minimal interference, to establish communication.
Frequency reuse offers the following benefits −

• Allows communications within cell on a given frequency

• Limits escaping power to adjacent cells
• Allows re-use of frequencies in nearby cells
• Uses same frequency for multiple conversations
• 10 to 50 frequencies per cell
Cell with the same letter uses the same set of channels group or
frequencies sub-band.
There are three basic devices they are:
· A mobile station(MS)
· A base transceiver Station(BTS or BS)
· A Mobile Telecommunications Switching Office (MTSO)

Mobile station (MS) is a device used for communication over the network.
Base station(BS) include an antenna, a controller, and a number of
receivers.Base station is at center of each cell. Base station is connected to
MTSO. One MTSO serve as multiple Base station. The link between MTSO to BS
is by wire or wireless.
MTSO connects calls between mobile units and from mobile to fixed
telecommunications network .It assigns voice channel and performs handoffs
and monitors calls (billing).
Two channels are available between mobile unit and BS, they are:
1.Control channel: They are used to exchange information and perform setup
and maintaining calls. It establishes a relationship between Mobile unit and
nearest BS.
2.Traffic channel: It carries voice or data connection between users.
Public switched telephone network (PSTN) Consist of Section of the network
that is land base.

Operation of cellular network

1. Mobile unit initialization scans and choose strongest set up
control channel and automatically pick up a BS antenna of cell. Handshake is
used to spot user and register location. Scan is recurring to allow for
movement of change of cell.
2. Mobile originated call check if the set up channel is free and
Send number on pre-selected channel.
3. In Paging MTSO attempts to connect to mobile unit. Depending on called
mobile number the paging message will be sent to BSs. By using the setup
channel Paging signal is transmitted.
4. In call accepted, the Mobile unit recognizes the number on the set up
channel and responds to BS which in turn send response to MTSO. Then the
MTSO sets up a circuit between calling and called BSs and select a available
traffic channel within cells and notifies BSs. The BSs notify mobile unit of
channel.
5. In Ongoing call the Voice/data is exchanged through respective BSs and
MTSO.
6. If the signal strength decreases as the mobile moves out of range from
BTS it is called handoff. And the traffic channel changes to the one assigned to
new BS.
Other Functions:
1. Call blocking: On mobile-initiated call stage, if all the traffic channels are
busy, the mobile tries again and again. After numeral retries, a busy tone will
be returned.
2. Call termination: The User will hang up, MTSO is informed and the traffic
channels at two BSs are released.
3. Call drop: If the BS cannot maintain a required signal strength then call
drop will occur and the traffic channel is dropped and MTSO informed.
4. Calls to/from fixed and remote mobile subscriber: Here the
MTSO connects to PSTN and can connect to mobile user and fixed subscriber
via PSTN. MTSO can also connect to remote MTSO via PSTN or via dedicated
line.
Handoff in Cellular Telecommunications
In cellular telecommunications, the terms handover or handoff refers to the
process of transferring ongoing call or data connectivity from one Base Station
to other Base Station. When a mobile moves into the different cell while the
conversation is in progress then the MSC (Mobile Switching Center) transfer
the call to a new channel belonging to the new Base Station.

When a mobile user A moves from one cell to another cell then BSC 1 signal
strength loses for the mobile User A and the signal strength of BSC 2 increases
and thus ongoing calls or data connectivity for mobile user goes on without
interrupting.
Global System For Mobile Communications(GSM)

The GSM architecture consists of four major interconnected subsystems that

interact with themselves and with users through certain network interface.
The subsystems are Mobile Station (MS) ,Base Station Subsystem (BSS),
Network Switching Subsystem (NSS) and Operational Support Subsystem
(OSS).
1. Mobile Station (MS): Mobile Station is made up of two entities.
A. Mobile equipment (ME):

• It is a portable, vehicle mounted, hand held device.

• It is uniquely identified by an IMEI number.
• It is used for voice and data transmission. It also monitors power and
signal quality of surrounding cells for optimum handover.

B. Subscriber Identity module (SIM):

• It is a smart card that contains the International Mobile Subscriber

Identity (IMSI) number.
 • It allows users to send and receive calls and receive other subscriber
services. - It is protected by password or PIN.
• It contains encoded network identification details. It has key
information to activate the phone.
• It can be moved from one mobile to another.

2. Base Station Subsystem (BSS): It is also known as radio subsystem,

provides and manages radio transmission paths between the mobile station
and the Mobile Switching Centre (MSC). BSS also manages interface between
the mobile station and all other subsystems of GSM. It consists of two parts.
A. Base Transceiver Station (BTS):

• It encodes, encrypts, multiplexes, modulates and feeds the RF signal to

the antenna.
• It consists of transceiver units.
• It communicates with mobile stations via radio air interface and also
communicates with BSC via Abis interface.

B. Base Station Controller (BSC):

• It manages radio resources for BTS. It assigns frequency and time slots
for all mobile stations in its area.
• It handles call set up, transcoding and adaptation functionality
handover for each MS radio power control.
• It communicates with MSC via A interface and also with BTS.

3. Network Switching Subsystem (NSS): it manages the switching functions

of the system and allows MSCs to communicate with other networks such as
PSTN and ISDN. It consist of
A. Mobile switching Centre:

• It is a heart of the network. It manages communication between GSM

and other networks.
• It manages call set up function, routing and basic switching.
• It performs mobility management including registration, location
updating and inter BSS and inter MSC call handoff.
• It provides billing information.
• MSC does gateway function while its customers roam to other network
by using HLR/VLR.
B. Home Location Registers (HLR): - It is a permanent database about
mobile subscriber in a large service area. - Its database contains IMSI,
IMSISDN, prepaid/post-paid, roaming restrictions, supplementary services.
C. Visitor Location Registers (VLR): - It is a temporary database which
updates whenever new MS enters its area by HLR database. - It controls
mobiles roaming in its area. It reduces number of queries to HLR. - Its
database contains IMSI, TMSI, IMSISDN, MSRN, location, area authentication
key.
D. Authentication Centre: - It provides protection against intruders in air
interface. - It maintains authentication keys and algorithms and provides
security triplets (RAND, SRES, Ki).
E. Equipment Identity Registry (EIR):

• It is a database that is used to track handset using the IMEI number.

• It is made up of three sub classes- the white list, the black list and the
gray list.

4. Operational Support Subsystem (OSS): It supports the operation and

maintenance of GSM and allows system engineers to monitor, diagnose and
troubleshoot all aspects of GSM system. It supports one or more Operation
Maintenance Centres (OMC) which are used to monitor the performance of
each MS, Bs, BSC and MSC within a GSM system. It has three main functions:

• To maintain all telecommunication hardware and network operations

with a particular market.
• To manage all charging and billing procedures
• To manage all mobile equipment in the system.

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)

CDMA is a short form used for Code Division Multiple Access. CDMA is
a technique that allows multiple users to simultaneously transmit data
signals over a common channel by assigning unique spreading code to
each individual user. This leads to the increasing of bandwidth used by
transmitting stations from a few Hz to a few MHz.
CDMA uses the principle of spread spectrum. Due to this, the various
signals are modulated after which a single signal is transmitted and is
correlated at the receiving end using the spreading function to get the
actual data.

The principle of operation of CDMA is such that two or even more

signals of the same bandwidth, get individually spread by a user-specific
orthogonal code. Over the communication channel, the signals are
mixed and sent combinedly. Here the energy for transmission will remain
the same however, bandwidth requirement will be more. At the receiving
end, de-spreading of signals is done using the replica of the orthogonal
code.
The figure below shows the block diagram representation of CDMA for
transmission and reception of the signal:

Initially, for transmission, the pseudorandom code generator generates

a unique spreading code. This random code sequence is multiplied by
the input data stream that the user actually wants to transmit. For each
individual user, willing to transmit over that channel, a specific PN code
will be generated for spreading the bit sequence.
Further, the modulator (PSK type) performs the modulation of obtained
bit sequence with a carrier signal thereby providing a BPSK modulated
signal as output. This signal is then broadcasted using an antenna.

At the time of signal reception, first, the obtained signal is amplified to

raise its level. Then demodulation of the signal is performed using radio-
frequency carrier. Here the obtained sequence appears nothing more
than noise. However, the replica of code produced by the pseudo code
generator is multiplied with the data stream obtained after demodulation.

To get the original data stream (i.e., for de-spreading) the PN code
generated at the receiver end must be same as that produced as the
transmitting end for each individual user. After multiplication with the de-
spreading code, original data is retrieved by the receiving station.

Advantages

1. It offers a considerable increase in user capacity than TDMA

and FDMA.
2. Low cost than GSM.
3. Highly secured way of information transmission.
4. Quite beneficial for voice and data communication.
5. The chances of interference are low.
6. It offers the use of complete channel spectrum.

Disadvantages

1. The system operation is complicated.

2. The original data can only be recovered when orthogonal
codes are used in a synchronous manner.
3. The loss of orthogonality between codes leads to self-
jamming.

Applications of CDMA

The high capacity and security offered by CDMA make it worthy for use
in the field of wireless technology such as mobile telephony, radar, and
navigation systems. The combined use of CDMA with GSM technology
has provided high-speed internet services like 4G.
Comparison between GSM and CDMA

RFID
RFID is a short form of Radio Frequency Identification. It is working
under inductive coupling principle, based on a radio frequency or radio
waves. RIFDs uses electromagnetic field to identify objective or tracking
the objects automatically even 100 meters distance.
The objectives may be books, products in shopping mall, cars etc., not
only a car objects it can be a used for tracking of Pet animals also. The
RFID tag is used to attach to the object which we want to track. This
RFID reader are designed to send the data automatically in real time.
Also we can change the value in the real time.
Whenever the object is in the range of the reader, the RFID tag are used
to transmit feedback signal to the reader. The RFID Contains a
transmitter and receivers. So it is very similar to the technology used in
bar code. In the case of the bar code the scanner should be in a line of
site. RFID is a not a line of technology as far as the object is in range of
the reader object is able to identify the reader and able to send the
feedback signal to reader. (The object can be in random position).
By using RFID technology we can track multiple objects at the same
time.

RFID system contains two components

• RFID reader
• RFID tags

RFID reader

RFID reader is coming in many sizes and shapes. RFID reader may be
handheld reader or as it may be size of door is in shopping malls.
RFID reader mainly consists of three components.

• RF signal generator
• Micro controller
• Receiver/signal detector
RF signal generator generates a radio wave transmitted using antenna
and the same is used to receive the feedback signal coming from the
tag. The RFID reader also have receiver or signal detector and
process the information send by the RFID tag. This RFID have micro
controller many times the RFID is directly connected to the computer.

RFID tag
RFID tags are three type, they are

• Active tag
• Passive tag
• Semi passive tag

Active tag
In case of active tag is used to have its own power supply but transmit
signal back to the reader also they depend on the own power supply.
Passive tag
The passive tag is not having its own power supply. So this passive tag
depends of the radio waves which are coming from the RFID reader
from the source of energy.
Semi passive tag
In semi passive type used to have an own power supply but for
transmitting feedback signal back to the RFID reader they used to
depend on the signal which is coming from the RFID reader.

Basic components inside RFID tag

• Transponder
• Rectifier circuit
• Controller
 • Memory

Transponder receives the radio waves which are coming from the
reader which are sent the feedback signal to the reader. The passive
tags do not have the own power supply so they dependent on the radio
waves so they gets the energy from the radio waves.Rectifier circuits
the energy coming from the radio waves code across the capacitor. This
energy used as the supply for the controller as well as the memory.
Applications

• Used in institutions like library, hospitals etc,

• Transportation and logistics
• Access control
• Sports
• Animals tracking

WiFi Technology

Wi-Fi stands for “wireless fidelity”.Wi-Fi is a local area wireless

technology that allows an electronic device to exchange data or connect to
the internet using 2.4 GHz UHF and 5 GHz radio waves. Wi-Fi is
a wireless networking protocol based on the 802.11 IEEE network
standard,
• A Wi-Fi hotspot is created by installing an access point and connected to
an internet connection through bandwidth
 • An access point acts as a base station.
• When Wi-Fi enabled device encounters a hotspot the device is then
Connected to that network wirelessly.
• A single access point can support up to 30 users and can function within
a range of 100 – 150 feet indoors and up to 300 feet outdoors.
• Many access points can be connected to each other via Ethernet cables
to create a single large network.
• Wifi system can offer a great speed upto 100 mbps under certain
conditions.

Limitations of WiFi
The limitations of WiFi include the following.

• Range is limited
• Interference from other devices like microwave ovens, telephones,
etc
• Power consumption is high
• Risks of data security

WiFi Technology Advantages & Disadvantages

The advantages of WiFi technology include the following.

• A wireless laptop can be moved from one place to another place

• Wi-Fi network communication devices without wire can reduce the
cost of wires.
• Wi-Fi setup and configuration is easy than the cabling process
• It is completely safe and it will not interfere with any network
• We can also connect internet via hot spots
• We can connect internet wirelessly
The disadvantages of WiFi technology include the following.

• Wi-Fi generates radiations which can harm the human health

• We must disconnect the Wi-Fi connection whenever we are not
using the server
• There are some limits to transfer the data, we can’t able to transfer
the data for long-distance
• Wi-Fi implementation is very expensive when compared to the
wired connection
Applications of WiFi Technology
The applications of WiFi include the following.

• Mobile applications
• Business applications
• Home applications
• Computerized application
• Automotive segment
• Browsing internet
• Video conference
WiMAX Technology
WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.
WiMAX technology is a wireless broadband
communications technology based around the IEEE 802.16 standard
providing high speed data over a wide area. It is based on Wireless MAN
technology.It is a wireless technology optimized for the delivery of IP centric
services over a wide area.WiMAX is one of the hottest broadband wireless
technologies around today. WiMAX systems are expected to deliver
broadband access services to residential and enterprise customers in an
economical way.

A WiMAX system consists of two major parts −

• A WiMAX base station.

• A WiMAX receiver.
WiMAX Base Station
A WiMAX base station consists of indoor electronics and a WiMAX tower similar in
concept to a cell-phone tower. A WiMAX base station can provide coverage to a very
large area up to a radius of 6 miles. Any wireless device within the coverage area
would be able to access the Internet.
The WiMAX base stations would use the MAC layer defined in the standard, a
common interface that makes the networks interoperable and would allocate uplink
and downlink bandwidth to subscribers according to their needs, on an essentially
real-time basis.
Each base station provides wireless coverage over an area called a cell.
Theoretically, the maximum radius of a cell is 50 km or 30 miles however, practical
considerations limit it to about 10 km or 6 miles.
WiMAX Receiver
A WiMAX receiver may have a separate antenna or could be a stand-alone box or a
PCMCIA card sitting in your laptop or computer or any other device. This is also
referred as customer premise equipment (CPE).
WiMAX base station is similar to accessing a wireless access point in a WiFi network,
but the coverage is greater.

Two Type of Services

WiMAX can provide two forms of wireless service −
• Non-line-of-sight − service is a WiFi sort of service. Here a small antenna on
your computer connects to the WiMAX tower. In this mode, WiMAX uses a
lower frequency range -- 2 GHz to 11 GHz (similar to WiFi).
• Line-of-sight − service, where a fixed dish antenna points straight at the
WiMAX tower from a rooftop or pole. The line-of-sight connection is stronger
and more stable, so it's able to send a lot of data with fewer errors. Line-of-
sight transmissions use higher frequencies, with ranges reaching a possible
66 GHz.

WIMAX Features
• OFDM-based Physical Layer
• Very High Peak Data Rates.
• Scalable Bandwidth and Data Rate Support.
• Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) .
• Link-layer Retransmissions.
• Support for TDD and FDD.
• Flexible and Dynamic per User Resource Allocation
• WiMAX Uses OFDM.
• Support for Advanced Antenna Techniques
• Quality-of-service Support
• Robust Security
• Support for Mobility
• IP-based Architecture

Advantages
Ad

• Single station can serve hundreds of users.

• Much faster deployment of new users comparing to wired networks.
• Speed of 10 Mbps at 10 kilometers with line-of-site.
• It is standardized, and same frequency equipment should work together.
 Disadvantages
Disadvantages

• Line of site is needed for longer connections

• Weather conditions like rain could interrupt the signal.
• Other wireless equipment could cause interference.
• Multiplied frequencies are used.
• WiMAX is very power intensive technology and requires strong electrical
support.
• Big installation and operational cost.

Applications of WiMax technology

• Wireless voice over IP(VoIP)

• Virtual private LAN services(VPLS)
• Video on demand(VoD)
• Vehicular data and voice
• Online gaming
• Security and surveillance systems
• Multimedia communications
• Sensor networks
• Telematics and telemetry
• Remote monitoring patients
• Mobile transmissions of maps
• Wireless transmissions of images
Comparison between wifi and wimax

Bluetooth Technology
Bluetooth wireless technology is a short range communications technology intended
to replace the cables connecting portable unit and maintaining high levels of security.
Bluetooth technology is based on Ad-hoc technology also known as Ad-hoc Pico
nets, which is a local area network with a very limited coverage.
IEEE has approved a Bluetooth based standard named IEEE 802.15.1 for Wireless
Personal Area Networks (WPANs). IEEE standard covers MAC and Physical layer
applications.
Bluetooth specification details the entire protocol stack. Bluetooth employs Radio
Frequency (RF) for communication. It makes use of frequency modulation to
generate radio waves in the ISM band.
The usage of Bluetooth has widely increased for its special features.
• Bluetooth offers a uniform structure for a wide range of devices to connect and
communicate with each other.
• Bluetooth technology has achieved global acceptance such that any Bluetooth
enabled device, almost everywhere in the world, can be connected with
Bluetooth enabled devices.
• Low power consumption of Bluetooth technology and an offered range of up to
ten meters has paved the way for several usage models.
• Bluetooth offers interactive conference by establishing an adhoc network of
laptops.
• Bluetooth usage model includes cordless computer, intercom, cordless phone
and mobile phones.
Spectrum
Bluetooth technology operates in the unlicensed industrial, scientif ic and medical
(ISM) band at 2.4 to 2.485 GHZ, using a spread spectrum hopping, full-duplex signal
at a nominal rate of 1600 hops/sec. the 2.4 GHZ ISM band is available and unlicensed
in most countries.
Range
Bluetooth operating range depends on the device Class 3 radios have a range of up
to 1 meter or 3 feet Class 2 radios are most commonly found in mobile devices have
a range of 10 meters or 30 feet Class 1 radios are used primarily in industrial use
cases have a range of 100 meters or 300 feet.
Data rate
Bluetooth supports 1Mbps data rate for version 1.2 and 3Mbps data rate for Version
2.0 combined with Error Data Rate.

Advantages
• It avoids interference from other wireless devices.
• It has lower power consumption.
• It is easily upgradeable.
• It has range better than Infrared communication.
• The Bluetooth is used for voice and data transfer.
• Bluetooth devices are available at very cheap cost.
• No line of sight hence can connect through any obstacles.
• Free to use if the device is installed with Bluetooth.
• The technology is adopted in many products such as head set, in car
system, printer, web cam, GPS system, keyboard and mouse.
Disadvantages
▪ It can lose connection in certain conditions.
▪ It has low bandwidth as compared to Wi-Fi.
▪ It allows only short range communication between devices.
▪ Security is a very key aspect as it can be hacked.
Applications
• The Bluetooth is used in wireless head sets.
• Bluetooth is used to transfer files, images and MP3 or MP4 between cell
phones.
• It is used in laptops and notebooks.
• It is used in PDAs (personal digital assistant).
• It is also used in printers.
• It is almost used in wireless communication (WAN).
• It is used in wireless mouse and keyboards.
• It is used in data logging equipment data logging equipment that transmit data
to a computer via Bluetooth technology.
• It is used for sending small advertisements from Bluetooth enabled
advertising hoardings to other, discoverable, Bluetooth devices.
 • It is used in short range transmission of health sensor data from medical
devices to mobile phone,set top box or dedicated telehealth

3G Technology
Some of the characteristics of this generation are −
• Data speeds of 144 kbps to 2 Mbps
• High speed web browsing
• Running web based applications like video conferencing, multimedia e-mails,
etc.
• Fast and easy transfer of audio and video files
• 3D gaming
Advantages of 3G technology

• It employs 2G frequency bands with bandwidths up to 230MHz are used

to achieve global roaming and multi-services.
• Wideband radio channel to support high-speed services- Radio carrier
channel uses bandwidth up to 20M which improvises chip
rate and anti-multipath fading.
• To improve the performance of the downlink transmission channel
fast closed loop power control technology is applied.
• To adaptively adjust the power, lower the system self -interference and
enhance receiver sensitivity and increase the system capacity, Adaptive
antenna arrays are implemented to the 3G base station.
• Switching technology is required for communication of terminal and
mobile networks when terminals aren’t steady and switching its position
from the coverage of one base station to one of another base station.

Disadvantages of 3G technology
• Expensive mobile phones
• High infrastructure costs like licensing fees and mobile towers
• Trained personnel required for infrastructure set up

4G Technology
Fourth generation (4G) of mobile communication was introduced in 2011.
Its major characteristics are −

• Speeds of 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps

• Mobile web access
• High definition mobile TV
• Cloud computing
 • IP telephony
Advantages of 4G
• Reduced delays for both connection establishment and transmission
latency.
• Increased user Data Throughput.
• Increased cell edge bit rate.
• Minimized cost per bit employing enhanced spectral efficiency.
• Simplified network architecture.
• Seamless Mobility including between different Radio access
technology.
• Reasonable power consumption for the mobile device.
• Minimises equipment cost as it abolishes need of costly frequency
equaliser at receiver.
• It provides integrated security services.

Disadvantages of 4G

• Location coordination and resource coordination to add new devices is

not adequate.
• Limited voice calls and services can be handled a time.
• Being a concentrated data service, it requires broad bandwidth.
• It doesn’t provide good services in rural areas due to the requirement of
the wireless network and 4G network isn’t expanded well in those areas.
COMPARISON BETWEEN 3G AND 4G MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES