Introduction to Wireless Communication Systems

Introduction to Wireless Communication Systems

• Wireless communication systems have evolved from ancient methods like smoke signals to modern cellular technology.
• Guglielmo Marconi invented wireless telegraphy in the 1890s, enabling communication over long distances, including across the Atlantic Ocean.
• Advances in wireless technologies led to radio, television, mobile phones, and satellite communication.
• Sophisticated military radio systems were developed during and after World War II.
• Focus has been on satellite communications, wireless networking, and cellular technology.
• Communications satellites were first launched in the 1960s.
• Cellular/mobile phones are the modern equivalent of Marconi's wireless telegraph, providing two-way communication.
• First-generation wireless phones used analog technology, while current phones use digital technology. Digital networks carry more traffic and provide better reception and security than analog systems.

Sections

• Introduction
  • Discusses ancient communication methods along with the invention of radio and wireless telegraphy by Marconi.
• Evolution of Mobile Radio Communications
  • Covers the development of reliable radio frequency hardware, the introduction of mobile telephone service in American cities (1946), and the development of cellular radiotelephony in the 1950s & 1960s. The first US cellular phone system (AMPS) was deployed in 1983.
• Mobile Radio Systems around the World
  • Introduces various mobile radio systems used globally. Examples include AMPS, USDC, CDPC, IS-95, GSC, POCSAG, FLEX.
• Wireless Communication systems
  • Outlines various types of wireless communication systems like hand-held walkie-talkies, paging systems, cordless phones, cellular telephones, wireless LANs, garage door openers, remote controllers, microwave communication, and satellite communication.
• Trends in Cellular Radio and Personal Communications
  • Highlights the development of personal communication services (PCS), incorporating PSTN with digital signal processing and RF technology.
  • Emphasizes the growing importance of indoor wireless networking using standards like IEEE 802.11.
  • Discusses the need for global frequency coordination and the use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

Terms

• Base Station: A fixed station in a mobile radio system communicating with mobile stations. Located centrally or at the edge of the coverage area. Contains radio channels, transmitters, and receivers mounted on a tower.
• Control Channel: Radio channels for call setup, call request, initiation, and control purposes.
• Forward Channel: Transmits information from the base station to the mobile.
• Reverse Channel: Transmits information from the mobile to the base station.
• Handoff: The process of transferring a mobile station from one channel or base station to another.
• Mobile Station: A station in a cellular radio service used while in motion at various locations - portable or installed in a vehicle.
• Mobile Switching Center (MSC) / Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO): A switching center that coordinates call routing in a cellular system, connecting cellular base stations, mobiles, and the PSTN.
• Page: A brief message broadcast over the entire service area.
• Roamer: A mobile station operating in a different service area than the area where the service was subscribed.
• Subscriber: A user who pays for using a mobile communication system.
• Transceiver: A device capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving radio signals.

Classification of Mobile Radio Transmission System

• Simplex: Communication in only one direction.
• Half-duplex: Same radio channel for both transmission and reception (e.g., push-to-talk).
• Full-duplex: Simultaneous radio transmission and reception (e.g., FDD, TDD).

Major Mobile Radio Standards

• Includes detailed tables for various geographic regions (North America, Europe, Japan) presenting standards like AMPS, NAMPS, USDC, CDPC, IS-95, GSM, PACS, MIRS, ETACS, NMT, C-45, ERMES, CT2, DECT, DCS-1800, JTACS, PDC, NTT, NTACS & numerous others, listing years of introduction, access methods, frequency bands, modulation methods, and channel bandwidths.

Explore the history and evolution of wireless communication systems, from ancient smoke signals to modern mobile phones. Understand the significant advancements in technology, including the role of Guglielmo Marconi and the impact of cellular and satellite communications. This quiz will test your knowledge of key developments and concepts in wireless communication.