Wireless Access Technologies & Networks

Wireless LAN
A wireless LAN or WLAN is a wireless local area network that uses radio waves as its carrier. The last link with the users is wireless, to give a network connection to all users in a building or campus. The backbone network usually uses cables.

How do wireless LANs work?

Wireless LANs operate in almost the same way as wired LANs, using the same networking protocols and supporting mostly the same applications.

How are WLANs Different?

They use specialized physical and data link protocols They integrate into existing networks through access points which provide a bridging function They let you stay connected as you roam from one coverage area to another They have unique security considerations They have specific interoperability requirements They require different hardware They offer performance that differs from wired LANs.

Why Deploy Wireless?

Cost savings over wireline. Can not run wire to locations needed. To enable patrons to bring their own laptop, therefore reducing the cost of owning many PCs. To enable you to easily move PCs. To be on the leading edge.

Common Topologies
The physical size of the network is determined by the maximum reliable propagation range of the radio signals. Ad hoc networks are self-organizing networks without any centralized control Suited for temporary situations such as meetings and conferences.

802.11 modes
Infrastructure mode
All packets go through a base station Cards associate with a BSS (basic service set) Multiple BSSs can be linked into an Extended Service Set (ESS)
Handoff to new BSS in ESS is pretty quick
Wandering around CMU

Moving to new ESS is slower, may require re-addressing

Wandering from CMU to Pitt

Ad Hoc mode
Cards communicate directly. Perform some, but not all, of the AP functions

1-25-06

Lecture 4: 802.11 and more

Physical and Data Link Layers

Physical Layer: The wireless NIC takes frames of data from the link layer, scrambles the data in a predetermined way, then uses the modified data stream to modulate a radio carrier signal. Data Link Layer: Uses Carriers-Sense-Multiple-Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA).

Integration With Existing Networks

There is a need of an access point that bridges wireless LAN traffic into the wired LAN. The access point (AP) can also act as a repeater for wireless nodes, effectively doubling the maximum possible distance between nodes. Most access points bridge wireless LANs into Ethernet networks, but Token-Ring options are available as well.

Connecting To a Legacy Network

Access Points connect the wireless network to the legacy network.

Integration With Existing Networks

Roaming
Users maintain a continuous connection as they roam from one physical area to another Mobile nodes automatically register with the new access point. Methods: DHCP, Mobile IP IEEE 802.11 standard does not address roaming, you may need to purchase equipment from one vendor if your users need to roam from one access point to another.

Wireless Network Components

Access Points NICs Network Interface Cards
PCMCIA USB PCI Compact Flash

Other Wireless Devices

Bridges and Routers Print Servers

PCs, Laptops, PDAs

Hardware

CISCO Aironet 350 series Wireless Handheld Terminal

Semi Parabolic Antenna

BreezeCOM AP

Elements of a wireless network

wireless hosts laptop, PDA, IP phone run applications may be stationary (nonmobile) or mobile
network infrastructure

wireless does not always mean mobility

Elements of a wireless network

base station typically connected to wired network relay - responsible for sending packets between wired network and wireless host(s) in its area e.g., cell towers, 802.11 access points

network infrastructure

Elements of a wireless network

wireless link typically used to connect mobile(s) to base station also used as backbone link multiple access protocol coordinates link access various data rates, transmission distance

network infrastructure

Elements of a wireless network

infrastructure mode base station connects mobiles into wired network handoff: mobile changes base station providing connection into wired network

network infrastructure

Elements of a wireless network

ad hoc mode no base stations nodes can only transmit to other nodes within link coverage nodes organize themselves into a network: route among themselves

Characteristics of selected wireless link standards

200 Data rate (Mbps) 54 5-11 4 1
802.15 802.11n 802.11a,g 802.11b 802.16 (WiMAX) UMTS/WCDMA-HSPDA, CDMA2000-1xEVDO

data 3G cellular enhanced

.384
.056 Indoor
10-30m

UMTS/WCDMA, CDMA2000 IS-95, CDMA, GSM

3G
2G

Outdoor
50-200m

Mid-range outdoor
200m 4 Km

Long-range outdoor
5Km 20 Km

STANDARDS

Local area Networks (LANs)

IEEE 802.11a IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.22n IEEE802.11e IEEE802.11f IEEE802.11i

Personal Area Networks (PANs)

IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) IEEE 802.15.1.1A (Bluetooth) IEEEE 802.15.3.a (Ultra-Wide Band or Bluetooth Future)

Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)

3GPP Based (GSM, GPRS, EDGE,WCDMA,HSDPA,HSUPA,HSPA,SAE/LTE) 3GPP2 Based(cdmaone,cdma2000-1XRTT, 1xEV-DO, Rel-A, Rel-B, Rel-C) IEEE 802.16d(Fixed) IEEE 80.16e (Mobile)

What is Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a generic term that refers to the IEEE 802.11 communications standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Wi-Fi Network connect computers to each other, to the internet and to the wired network

802.11
802.11 is a family of wireless LAN (WLAN) specifications developed by a working group at the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Defines standard for WLANs using the following four technologies
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Infrared (IR) Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)

802.11a
Introduced in 2001 Employs Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in physical layer

802.11a
Pros
Ultra-high spectrum efficiency
5 GHz band is 300 MHz

Cons

Cost

Speed!

More data can travel over a smaller amount of bandwidth

Less Interference

54 MBit Support for high bandwidth applications. Ex: voice, video, & large image files. Fewer products using the frequency 2.4 GHz band shared by cordless phones, microwave ovens, Bluetooth, and WLANs

Coverage

Higher cost of equipment. Cost of 802.11a equipment is approximately twice that of 802.11b and current deployment is limited. More equipment needed
At equivalent power, 5 GHz range will be ~50% of 2.4 GHz 802.11b is already widely accepted Not compatible or interoperable with 802.11b or 802.11g License-free spectrum in 5 GHz band not available worldwide Higher data rates and increased signal require more power OFDM is less power-efficient then DSSS

Inoperability
Legal issues

More End-Users

802.11a APs can handle more users because of the increased throughput. Offers higher bandwidth than that of 802.11b.

Power consumption

802.11a Applications
Building-to-building connections Video, audio conferencing/streaming video, and audio Large file transfers, such as engineering CAD drawings Faster Web access and browsing High worker density or high throughput scenarios
Numerous PCs running graphics-intensive applications

802.11b
Appear in late 1999 This is a very commonly used frequency. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, medical and scientific equipment, as well as Bluetooth devices, all work within the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Comparable to 10BaseT in speeds, 802.11b is the most common wireless standard deployed today. In comparison T1 speeds are 1.54Mbps and DSL is normally in the 640Kbps range.

802.11b
Pros
Range
300 ft. in a building 1000 ft. outside

Cons
RF Interference Lower Throughput
1-11 MBit (Up to 22 MBit with special equipment.) Only 4 Step-downs

Well accepted standard Low Cost Availability of Equipment

APs, NICs, & Accessories

Interoperability
802.11b works with the new 802.11g equipment

802.11g
Introduced in 2003 Combine the feature of both standards (a,b) 802.11g is a high-speed extension to 802.11b

802.11g
Pros
Faster Provides higher speeds and higher capacity requirements for applications Interoperability Compatible with 802.11b Fledgling support Companies such as Cisco, Linksys, Apple, & D-link have g equipment. Leverages Worldwide spectrum availability in 2.4 GHz
Provides easy migration for current users of 802.11b WLANs Delivers backward support for existing 802.11b products Provides path to even higher speeds in the future

Cons
No definite standard yet. Coming Summer 2003 Pre-standard equipment is not guaranteed to work.

Frequency Hopping Vs. Direct Sequence

FH systems use a radio carrier that hops from frequency to frequency in a pattern known to both transmitter and receiver
Easy to implement Resistance to noise Limited throughput (2-3 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz)

DS systems use a carrier that remains fixed to a specific frequency band. The data signal is spread onto a much larger range of frequencies (at a much lower power level) using a specific encoding scheme.
Much higher throughput than FH (11 Mbps) Better range Less resistant to noise (made up for by redundancy it transmits at least 10 fully redundant copies of the original signal at the same time)

802.11 Physical Layer

There are three sublayers in physical layer: Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) Frequency Hoping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) Diffused Infrared (DFIR) - Wide angle

IEEE 802.11 Data Link Layer

The data link layer consists of two sublayers :
Logical Link Control (LLC) Media Access Control (MAC).
802.11 uses the same 802.2 LLC and 48-bit addressing as other 802 LANs, allowing for very simple bridging from wireless to IEEE wired networks, but the MAC is unique to WLANs.

Which standard is right for you? 802.11.a

54 Mbps @ 5MHz Not widely adopted

The A-B-Gs of Wireless

802.11.b
11 Mbps @2.4GHz Low Cost

802.11.g
New technology - Available late 2003 Compatible with 802.11b

802.11a Vs. 802.11b

802.11b Vs. 802.11g

802.11b Speed Frequency Upto 11Mbps 2.4 Ghz 802.11g Upto 54Mbps 2.4 Ghz

Range
Throughput

100-150 feet indoor

6Mbps

100-150 feet indoor

22Mbps Interoperates with 802.11b ; Incompatible with 802.11a DSSS OFDM/CCK

Compatibility Widest adoption Modulation DSSS

Transmission CCK

802.11 LAN architecture

wireless host communicates

Internet

AP BSS 1

hub, switch or router

AP

with base station base station = access point (AP) Basic Service Set (BSS) (aka cell) in infrastructure mode contains: wireless hosts access point (AP): base station ad hoc mode: hosts only

BSS 2

6: Wireless and Mobile Networks

6-37

Bluetooth 802.15
Bluetooth is the standard for wireless personal area
networks or WPAN. It allows high speed transmission of data over very short distances. Bluetooth is normally used for transferring data between laptops, or in Internet Kiosk type applications where roaming is not needed.

802.15: personal area network

less than 10 m diameter replacement for cables (mouse, keyboard, headphones) ad hoc: no infrastructure master/slaves:
slaves request permission to send (to master) master grants requests
S

S P M S

P radius of coverage P

802.15: evolved from Bluetooth specification

2.4-2.5 GHz radio band up to 721 kbps
6: Wireless and Mobile Networks

M Master device

S Slave device
P Parked device (inactive)

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Essential Questions
Why is the organization considering wireless? Allows to clearly define requirements of the WLAN -> development plan How many users require mobility? What are the applications that will run over the WLAN? Helps to determine bandwidth requirements, a criteria to choose between available technologies. Wireless is a shared medium, not switched!!!

Data rates
Data rates affect range
802.11b 1 to 11 Mbps 802.11a 6 to 54 Mbps 802.11n to 200 Mbps

The minimum data rate must be determined at design time Selecting only the highest data rate will require a greater number of APs to cover a specific area Compromise between data rates and overall system cost

Access Point Placement and Power

Typically mounted at ceiling height. Between 15 and 25 feet (4.5m to 8m) The greater the height, the greater the difficulty to get power to the unit. Solution: consider devices that can be powered using CAT5 Ethernet cable (CISCO Aironet 1200 Series). Access points have internal or external antennas

Antenna Selection and Placement

Permanently attached. Remote antennas connected using an antenna cable. Coax cable used for RF has a high signal loss, should not be mounted more than a 1 or 2 meters away from the device. Placement: consider building construction, ceiling height, obstacles, and aesthetics. Different materials (cement, steel) have different radio propagation characteristics.

Cellular network standards

0G (radio telephones) MTS MTA MTB MTC IMTS MTD AMTS OLT AMPS family 1G AMPS (TIA/EIA/IS-3, ANSI/TIA/EIA-553) NAMPS (TIA/EIA/IS-91) TACS ETACS

Other NMT Hicap Mobitex DataTAC GSM/3GPP family GSM CSD 3GPP2 family 2G cdmaOne (TIA/EIA/IS-95 and ANSI-J-STD 008)

AMPS family D-AMPS (IS-54 and IS-136) Other CDPD iDEN PDC PHS GSM/3GPP family HSCSD GPRS EDGE/EGPRS (UWC-136) 2G transitional (2.5G, 2.75G) 3GPP2 family CDMA2000 1X (TIA/EIA/IS-2000) 1X Advanced

Other WiDEN 3GPP family 3G (IMT-2000) UMTS (UTRAN) WCDMA-FDD WCDMATDD UTRA-TDD LCR (TD-SCDMA)

3GPP2 family CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Release 0 (TIA/IS-856) 3GPP family HSPA HSPA+ LTE (E-UTRA) CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A (TIA/EIA/IS3GPP2 family 856-A) EV-DO Revision B (TIA/EIA/IS-856-B) DO Advanced IEEE family Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) Flash-OFDM IEEE 802.20

3G transitional (3.5G, 3.75G, 3.9G)

4G (IMT-Advanced) 5G

3GPP family LTE Advanced (E-UTRA) IEEE family WiMAX-Advanced (IEEE 802.16m) Research concept, not under formal development

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LMDS
A broadband wireless point-to-multipoint communication system operating above 20 GHz that can be used to provide digital two-way voice, data, Internet, and video services It requires line of sight between the transmitter and receiving antenna that can be up 6 kilo metres apart depending on weather conditions.

IEEE 802.16 Standard

LMDS
LMDS offers a bandwidth of up to 1.5 Gbps downstream to users and 200 Mbps upstream from the user. L (local)denotes that propagation characteristics of signals in this frequency range limit the potential coverage area of a single cell site M (multipoint)indicates that signals are transmitted in a point-to-multipoint or broadcast method; the wireless return path, from subscriber to the base station, is a point-to-point transmission

LMDS
D (distribution)refers to the distribution of signals, which may consist of simultaneous voice, data, Internet, and video traffic

S (service)implies the subscriber nature of the relationship between the operator and the customer; the services offered through an LMDS network are entirely dependent on the operator's choice of business

Why LMDS?
Lower entry and deployment costs

Ease and speed of deployment

Fast realization of revenue Demand-based buildout

Cost-effective network maintenance, management, and operating costs

MMDS?
IEEE 802.16.3 Standard (Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service or Microwave Multipoint Distribution Service) Digital wireless transmission system that works in the 2.2-2.4GHz range. Requires line of sight between transmitter and receiver, which can be 30 or more miles apart.

MMDS?
Designed initially as a one-way service for bringing cable TV to subscribers in remote areas or in locations that are difficult to install cable. MMDS supports approximately 33 analog channels and more than 100 digital channels of TV. In late 1998, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) opened up the technology for two-way transmission, enabling MMDS to provide data and Internet services to subscribers.

WLL
Uses a wireless link to connect subscribers to their local exchange in place of conventional copper cable. WLL is referred to as "the last mile" in a telephone network. For quick expansion of telephone service, WLL is best solution.

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WLL-Advantages
Fast and cost effective network deployment Sooner realization of revenues Lower payback period Lower construction cost Lower network maintenance cost Lower management operating cost Greater flexibility to meet uncertain levels of penetration and rates of growth.

Disadvantages of WLL
Needs line-of-sight Basic requirement of antenna, installation problems. Power limitations imposed by regulatory body. Possible weather interference. Information signals in air have Security problem. In a competitive environment availability of frequency Spectrum is core issue.

FIXED AND WIRELESS NETWORKS

CDMA
CDMA is a family of 3G mobile technology which uses CDMA channel access to send voice, data and signaling data between mobile phones and cell sites The set of standards includes CDMA 20001x, CDMA 2000 EVDO rev.0 , CDMA 2000EV-DO rev.A and CDMA 2000EV-DO rev.B CDMA 2000 is backward compatible with its 2G iteration IS-95( cdma one ) CDMA 2000 is a registered trademark of Telecommunication Industry Association ( TIA-USA)

CDMA Standards
IS-95
Interim Standard Brand name of IS-95 is CDMA one 2G

CDMA2000 1xRTT or IS-2000

1x, meaning "1 times Radio Transmission Technology", A duplex pair of 1.25 MHz radio channels 1xRTT almost doubles the capacity of IS-95 2.5 G or 2.75 G

CD2000 3xRTT
3x, meaning 3 times Radio Transmission Technology" A duplex pair of 3.75 MHz radio channel

CDMA2000 EV-DO
EV-DO was designed as an evolution of the CDMA2000 standard that would support high data rates

CDMA2000 EV-DV (Evolution-Data/Voice)

supports downlink (forward link) data rates up to 3.1 Mbit/s and uplink (reverse link) data rates of up to 1.8 Mbit/s. EV-DV can also support concurrent operation of legacy 1x voice users, 1x data users, and high speed EV-DV data users within the same radio channel.

CDMA Evolution
2G
TDMA IS- 136
Voice 9.6 kbps CSD

2.5G
GPRS EDGE GPRS EDGE GPRS EDGE
384 kbps Packet

3G
High Capacity Voice 2 Mbps PD New RF

GSM
Voice 9.6 kbps CSD

GSM GPRS
114 kbps PD RF Backward Compatible

W- CDMA

cdmaOne IS-95-A
Voice 14.4 kbps CSD

CDMA2000 CDMA2000 1X 1X 0 Rel. IS-95-B

Korea Japan Voice 64 kbps Packet RF Backward Compatible

CDMA2000 CDMA2000 1xEVDO Rel. 0 1xEV-

CDMA2000 CDMA2000 1xEVDO Rel 1xEV- DORev.A

FL 3.09Mbps PD 2.4 Mbps PD High Capacity Voice RL 1.8 Mbps PD RF Backward Comp. Backward Comp. 153 kbps PD CDMA2000 CDMA2000 RF Backward CDMA2000 Comp. 1XRel.A Rel A 307.2 kbps Packet Backward Comp.

1xEVDV Rel D

FL 3.09 Mbps PD RL 1.8 Mbps PD Backward Comp.

1995

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003/2004 2005/2006+

WiMAX
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a communication technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access
Provides portable mobile broadband connectivity across cities and countries Provides a wireless alternative to cable and DSL broadband access. Provides data, telecommunications (VoIP) and IPTV services (triple play)

The WiMAX (2005) provides bit rates up to 40 Mbit/s, & up to 1 Gbit/s (2011) for fixed stations WiMax coverage (50 km) far more than the 30-metre wireless range of a WiFi LAN Part of a fourth generation, or 4G, of wireless-communication technology

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802.16: WiMAX
like 802.11 & cellular: base station model
transmissions to/from base station by hosts with omnidirectional antenna base station-to-base station backhaul with point-topoint antenna
point-to-point

point-to-multipoint

unlike 802.11:
range ~ 6 miles (city rather than coffee shop) ~14 Mbps

 Connectivity to a WiMAX network can be provided through dongle. Generally these devices are connected to a notebook or netbook computer. Dongles typically have omnidirectional antennae which are of lower-gain compared to other devices. These devices are best used in areas of good coverage.

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Comparison b/w Wimax and WiFi

WiMAX and Wi-Fi both are related to wireless connectivity and Internet access. WiMAX is a long range system (kilometers) to deliver connection to a network, Internet. While Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum to provide access to a local network. Wi-Fi is more popular in end user devices. Than Wimax Wi-Fi runs on the Media Access Control's CSMA/CA protocol, which is connectionless and contention based, whereas WiMAX runs a connection-oriented MAC. WiMAX and Wi-Fi have quite different quality of service (QoS) mechanisms:

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 Wimax and WiFi both define Peer to Peer and adhoc networks, However, WiFi supports also direct ad hoc or peer to peer networking between end user devices without an access point while Wimax end user devices must be in range of the base station.

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 WiMAX network operators typically provide a WiMAX Subscriber Unit which connects to the metropolitan WiMAX network and provides Wi-Fi within the home or business for local devices (e.g., Laptops, Wi-Fi Handsets, smartphones) for connectivity.

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Comparison b/w WiMax and WiFi

Application Presentation Vendors options Session Transportation Networking

Data Link
Physical Two Layers WiMAX Model

Data Link Physical Seven Layers OSI Networking Model

Comparison of Wireless Systems

1 Gbps

100 Mbps

Wi-MAX 10 Mbps

WLAN

CDMA2000 1xEVDO
1 Mbps Bluetooth 100 kbps GSM / GPRS UMTS

Inside Office

Inside Building

Low Mobility Outside

High Mobility Outside

4G -Introduction
4G is an initialism of the term Fourth-Generation Communications System. A 4G system will provide an end-to-end IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be served to users on an "Anytime, Anywhere" basis at higher data rates than previous generations.

4G - The Next Generation Wireless

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Cont
No formal definition is set as to what 4G is, but the objectives that are predicted for 4G can be summarized as follows:
4G will be a fully IP-based integrated system of systems and network of networks wired and wireless networks (e.g. computer, consumer electronics, communication technology) Providing 100 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s, respectively, in outdoor and indoor environments End-to-end quality of service High security Offering any kind of services anytime, anywhere Affordable cost and one billing

Cont
The following are some possible features of the 4G systems :

Support interactive multimedia, voice, video, wireless internet and other

broadband services. High speed, high capacity and low cost per bit. Global mobility, service portability, scalable mobile networks. Seamless switching, variety of services based on Quality of Service (QoS) requirements Better scheduling and call admission control techniques.

Ad hoc networks and multi-hop networks.

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Cont

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Pre-4G Wireless Standards

WiMAX - 7.2 million units by 2010 (May include fixed and mobile) Flash-OFDM - 13 million subscribers in 2010 (only Mobile) 3GPP Long Term Evolution of UMTS in 3GPP - valued at US$2 billion in 2010 (~30% of the world population) UMB in 3GPP2 IEEE 802.20

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Pre-4G Wireless Standards

WCDMA FDD WCDMA TDD TD-SCDMA CDMA 1x EV-DO / DV IPWireless TDD InterDigital TDD
licensed spectrum

4G

Flarion Navini NextNet ArrayComm Beamreach .

AirGo

802.20 3GPP Family Proprietary technologies IEEE 802 Family

802.16e 802.16-2004 (WiMax) 802.11b 802.11a / g / n / s unlicensed spectrum

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3G Vs 4G
Attribute Major Characteristic 3G Predominantly voice- data as add-on 4G Converged data and VoIP Hybrid integration of Wireless Lan (WiFi), Blue Tooth, Wide Area 2 8 GHz

Network Architecture Frequency Band Component Design Bandwidth Data Rate Access Forward Error Correction Switching Mobile top Speed IP Operational 72

Wide area Cell based 1.6 - 2.5 GHz Optimized antenna; multi-band adapters 5 20 MHz 385 Kbps - 2 Mbps WCDMA/CDMA2000 Convolution code 1/2, 1/3; turbo Circuit/Packet 200 kmph Multiple versions ~2003

Smart antennas; SW multi-band; wideband radios

100+ MHz 20 100 Mbps MC-CDMA or OFDM Concatenated Coding Packet 200 kmph All IP (IPv6.0) ~2010

Architecture

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Architecture

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Challenges
4G definition
A global consensus on the 4G definition is needed before the standardization starts. Despite efforts there still are too many diverging approached to 4G.

Seamless connectivity
Inter- and intra-network connectivity is fundamental to the provision of temporally and spatially seamless services. Vertical and horizontal handovers are critical for 4G. In the former case, the heterogeneity and variety of networks exacerbate the problem.

Latency
Many 4G services are delay sensitive. Guaranteeing short delays in networks with different access architecture and coverage is far from straightforward.
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Conclusion

4G - The Next Generation Wireless

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