mobile networking

International & Access Foundation Programmes

• The programmes cover computer science modules.
• The specific module presented is Semester I, Part 7.
• The module focuses on Networks: Modern Digital Networks and Mobile Networks.

Modern Mobile Networks

• Key aspects include data transmission, security (encryption), authentication, reliable and trusted communication, operating systems, network intelligence (routing), messaging.

GSM 5G: The Backbone of IoT

• Enhanced mobile broadband is a feature of this technology.
• Non-SIM devices, smart phones, homes, businesses, venues, and broadcasting are examples of common usage.
• Uses for the technology include 4K/8K UHD, broadcasting, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), smart buildings, logistics, smart meters, and capillary networks among others.
• Critical machine-type communication is in this technology.
• Traffic safety and control, and remote manufacturing are also use cases.
• Industrial applications and control can also benefit from this technology.

Mobile Networks

• A mobile network (cellular network) is a radio network across land areas, subdivided into "cells".
• Mobile networks use fixed location transceivers called cell sites or base stations.
• These stations communicate over wider geographic areas, enabling mobile devices to communicate with each other and fixed phones.
• Portable devices such as mobile phones, pagers use the network to connect.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)

• GSM is a global system for mobile communications initially intended as Groupe Spécial Mobile.
• It's a standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
• It defines technologies for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks.
• GSM evolved as a replacement for the first-generation (1G) analogue cellular networks.
• The GSM standard describes a digital, circuit-switched network optimized for two-way voice telephone conversations.

Drivers for GSM

• Uncoordinated mix of technologies and protocols
• No interoperability of subscriber equipment
• Increased complexity for equipment manufacturers

GSM Features

• Spectrum efficiency is improved through new technologies. Specifically, modulation and demodulation, coding, and interleaving. They result in greater efficiency in the use of radio frequencies.
• The same quality of voice calls is maintained across varying signal strengths.
• Authentication and encryption are features of the security component.
• Open interfaces enable more interoperability.
• Roaming is possible via SIM and IMSI.

GSM Trials and Completion

• Trials of digital, radio transmission schemes were performed in different countries to evaluate speech encoders.
• Completed detailed GSM specifications and infrastructure building.
• First GSM call occurred in Finland.
• Commercial services and GPRS launched.
• 95% of global nations had GSM service.
• The technology went beyond two billion subscribers.

Evolution of Mobile Phones

• Mobile phones evolved from voice-only, large and expensive handsets, to compact, cheap, intelligent devices with better voice quality, SMS, and data capabilities.
• Each era has a distinctive appearance (Brick Era, Candy Bar Era, Feature Phone Era, and Smart Phone Era).

5G

• 5G has features like ultra-low energy (over 10 years of battery life), ultra-low complexity allowing tens of bits per second, ultra-high density of up to 1 million nodes per kilometer, and extreme capacity handling 10 terabits per kilometer and extensive data rates exceeding 100 megabits per second.
• It offers deep coverage for all areas, even challenging locations.
• Strong security features such as trusted health-focused and financial technology is included.
• High reliability, ultra-low latency (near real-time for remote control).
• Extreme user mobility is possible, handling 500 km/h, and deep awareness for discovery, optimisation, and user experience.

The Mobile Handset

• IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity Number) is a unique identifier for each mobile device.
• IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity Number) is a unique subscriber identification.
• This also has a MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number), which is the subscriber's mobile number.

The Base Stations

• Coverage areas are divided into sectors (typically 120 degrees).
• Multi-BTS (Base Transceiver Stations) provide coverage for an area.
• Uplink and Downlink radio frequencies are used to enable communication.
• Base stations (BTSs) use transceivers to communicate with handsets.
• They include antennas and power amplifiers.

Cells

• Limited frequencies and overlapping regions are used in Cellular network design
• Frequency reuse is a technique used to utilize the limited frequency range.
• The technique is described with hexagonal patterns to illustrate how overlapping regions allow several BTSs to cover the area while avoiding interference.
• Cell planning includes using macro, micro, and pico cells to better cover populated and sparsely populated and rural areas.

GSM Topology

• Networks have several components (SDP, SCP, SMSC, MSC, VLR, AuC, HLR, FNR, GMS, and BSC).
• These components provide support for data transmission, security, and other features.
• Base Station Controllers (BSC) control multiple Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) which handles the wireless communication.
• BTS's have multiple transceivers which enable wireless communication, power amplifiers, and antennas.

SMS

• Short Message Service Centre (SMSC) enables short text messaging (simple 160 characters).
• SMS is based on ETSI standards (03.40) is designed for paging systems.
• This allowed pagers to be replaced with mobile phones.

Data Nodes

• Several components help with sending data (SDP, SCP, SMSC, MSC, VLR, AuC, HLR, FNR, GMS, BSC, and GGSN, SGSN).
• Gateway GPRS Support Node and Serving GPRS Support Node (GGSN and SGSN) handle data transfer to/from mobile and landlines.

Evolution (Generation Layers)

• Mobile phone generations have different capabilities
• This shows the different components supporting 2G to 4G, from the standpoint of providing data services and communication features to the user.

5G Connecting the Community

• The 5G framework includes areas focused on community development via smart homes, education, healthcare, energy, and virtual reality to smart cars.

5G Integration with 4G

• 5G technology is integrated with the existing 4G macro system
• 5G technology is integrated to add better mobile coverage in dense areas, and rural and highway areas are also improved.

Myths & Facts about Mobile Phones

• Mobile Phones do not cause petrol static
• Mobile phones cannot unlock a car remotely.
• Mobile phones do not affect airplane navigation.
• Networks do not know the location even if the phone is off
• Mobile phones do not affect hospital equipment.

Triangulation Using Mobile Phones

• Triangulation is the method used to locate a mobile phone based on the signals from radio-based base stations
• The location of a phone is based on the overlapping signal region from three nearby base stations.

Mobile Growth

• Global mobile phone usage has increased dramatically (in terms of traffic and users).
• Smartphone growth is prominent and in expanding markets.

Statistics

• Worldwide mobile phone data usage statistics (2015-2026, monthly smartphone traffic in exabytes, mobile growth, and smartphone ownership percentages) are presented.

The Mobile Industry Challenges

• Planning for mobile devices has variety.
• Applications increase and require monetization. Mobile tariff confusion exist, leading to poor user reception.
• Market saturation exists and VoIP revenues decline.
• 4G data demands increased network growth.