Eero Nikula

FRAMES multiple access for UMTS and IMT-2000

This article presents the FRAMES multiple access (FMA) concept designed for third-generation mobile radio systems. The concept consists of two modes, TDMA-based FMA1 and CDMA-based FMA2, which have contributed to the standardization processes of third-generation systems. FMA1 uses the TDMA slot structure where spreading can be applied inside the slot or, alternatively, plain TDMA-type transmission can be used. FMA2 is a single-carrier wideband CDMA solution using a 4.096 Mchips/s basic chip rate. The FMA concept facilitates common upper-layer protocol structure as well as GSM backwards compatibility for evolution from second-generation systems to third-generation mobile radio systems. The defined concept fulfils the UMTS/IMT-2000 requirements in providing the services needed for the next millennium.

EDGE circuit switched data-an enhancement of GSM data services

One step in the evolution of the real-time GSM services is the enhanced circuit switched data (ECSD) which is being developed in ETSI as a GSM Phase 2+ work item (EDGE Phase 1) parallel to the Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EGPRS). The ECSD radio interface deploys 8-PSK modulation in addition to GMSK and thus enables higher data throughput per time slot. This paper gives an overview of the ECSD concept and examples of applications that it supports. The focus is in the link level and the radio network level performance of different ECSD data rates in various test environments. It is shown that by utilising the proper link adaptation mechanism, even demanding transparent high data rate services, like video, can be supported with a good coverage.

Enhanced circuit switched data for real time services over GSM

The deployment of the HSCSD (high speed circuit switched data) is starting in GSM networks. This brings multislot capability to GSM and significantly enhances the available data rates together with the introduction of the 14.4 kbps per time slot data rate. The next step in the evolution of the real-time GSM services is the enhanced circuit switched data (ECSD) which is being developed in ETSI as GSM Phase 2+ work item (EDGE Phase I) parallel to enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS). The ECSD radio interface deploys 8-PSK modulation in addition to GMSK and thus enables higher data throughput per time slot. The ECSD type radio interface can also be seen as a candidate in the development of real-time services for the evolving mobile networks. This paper focuses on the ECSD concept and presents its essential features as they are defined at the moment, before finalisation of the standard.

Radio resource control for GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN)-inter radio access technology and inter-mode procedures

The 3GPP Release 5 will specify a GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) which can connect to 3G mobile core network (CN) through the Iu interface. The new architecture implies significant modifications to the GERAN radio protocols. This paper focuses on radio resource control (RRC) procedures, especially on the new defined inter radio access technology procedures between GERAN Iu mode and UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or inter-mode procedures between GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode in Release 5.

Wideband TDMA based radio interface for high bit rate packet access

The wideband TDMA radio interface is described and its performance is shown for different services in typical mobile radio environments. The cornerstones of the wideband TDMA concept are the interference averaging radio resource management and efficient link adaptation for real time services and type II hybrid ARQ for non real time services. It is shown that wideband TDMA is especially suitable for high bit rate packet services.