Cellular Network Technologies

M4-R5.1 · Chapter 1: Introduction to Internet of Things – Applications/Devices, Protocols andCommunication Model · 3 min read

Cellular Network Technology

1G Technology

  • This is the first generation of wireless mobile communication networks, commercially introduced in the 1980s.

  • It used analog signals and supported voice calls only.

  • There was no support for internet or SMS technology.

  • It offered speeds up to 2.4 Kbps using FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access).

2G Technology

  • This second generation of mobile communication arrived in 1991.

  • GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication.

  • It uses digital signals and supports both voice calls and SMS services.

  • It encodes voice and other information digitally before transmitting them, with speeds up to 64 Kbps.

  • It uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) to multiplex up to 64 calls per channel in the 900 and 1,800 MHz bands.

2.5G Technology

  • This represents 2G+GPRS→2.5G (General Packet Radio Service).

  • It enables web browsing, emails, and multimedia accessing.

  • Unlike 2G, which is based on circuit switching, 2.5G is based on packet switching.

  • In this generation, call costs were reduced.

3G Technology

  • This third-generation mobile network was introduced in the year 2000.

  • It supports much higher data transmission rates, with speeds from 144 Kbps to 2 Mbps.

  • It uses packet switching technology and runs web-based applications.

  • It uses HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) as the download standard.

4G Technology

  • This fourth-generation network arrived in 2010.

  • It aims to provide high data transmission speed without interruption at any location.

  • It is categorized into LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).

  • It supports VoLTE (Voice Over LTE).

  • It is 10 times faster than 3G networks, with speeds up to 100 Mbps.

  • It is based on CDMA multiplexing and packet switching technology.

5G Technology

  • This fifth-generation network was introduced in 2016 and began worldwide deployment in 2019.

  • The network speed is more than 1 Gbps.

  • It delivers higher multi-Gbps peak data speeds, ultra-low latency, more reliability, massive network capacity, and ultra-low power consumption.

  • 5G networks are categorized into two types:

    • SA (Stand Alone) Technology: A new mobile network architecture that is not dependent on the existing 4G infrastructure.

    • NSA (Non-Stand Alone) Technology: A network technology that depends on existing 4G technology.