1G, 2G & 3G ("G" stands for "Generation") are the generations of wireless telecom connectivity.

1G
(Time Division Multiple Access and Frequency Division Multiple Access ) was the initial wireless
telecom network system. It's out-dated now. The analog “brick phones” and “bag phones”are under
1G technology. Cell phones era began with 1G. The next era, 2G has taken its place of 1G. Cell
phones received their first major upgrade when they went from 1G to 2G. This leap effectively took
cell phones from analog to digital. 2G and 2.5G were versions of the GSM and CDMA connections.
And GSM is still the most popular technology,but with no internet. Fortunately, GPRS, an additional
service, is provided over GSM for the purpose of internet [Link] has been developed and thus,
EGPRS was [Link]'smore secure and faster than GPRS.

Then 3G came, the new Wireless CDMA technology. It is the first wireless telecom technology that
provides broadband-speed internet connection on mobile phones. Further development led to the
creation of 3.5G, which provides blazing fast internet connection on phones, up to the speed of 7.2
MBPS. A smart phone can be connected to a PC to share its internet connection and 3G and 3.5G are
ideal for this.

2G Wireless System
2G (or 2-G) is short for second-generation wireless telephone technology. Second generation 2G
cellular telecom networks were commercially launched on the GSM standard in Finland by
Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Oyj) in 1991. 2G network allows for much greater penetration intensity.
2G technologies enabled the various mobile phone networks to provide the services such as text
messages,picture messages and MMS (multi media messages). 2G technology is more efficient.
2G technology holds sufficient security for both the sender and the receiver. All text
messages are digitally encrypted. This digital encryption allows for the transfer of data in such a way
that only the intended receiver can receive and read it.
Second generation technologies are either time division multiple access (TDMA) or code division
multiple access (CDMA). TDMA allows for the division of signal into time slots. CDMA allocates
each user a special code to communicate over a multiplex physical channel. Different TDMA
technologies are GSM, PDC, iDEN, IS-136. CDMA technology is IS-95. GSM has its origin from
the Group special Mobile, in Europe. GSM (Global system for mobile communication) is the most
admired standard of all the mobile technologies. Although this technology originates from the
Europe, but now it is used in more than 212 countries in the world. GSM technology was the first one
to help establish international roaming. This enabled the mobile subscribers to use their mobile phone
connections in many different countries of the world’s is based on digital signals ,unlike 1G
technologies which were used to transfer analogue signals. GSM has enabled the users to make use
of the short message services (SMS) to any mobile network at any time. SMS is a cheap and easy
way to send a message to anyone, other than the voice call or conference. This technology is
beneficial to both the network operators and the ultimate users at the same time.
Keys: Fielded in the late 1980s and finished in the late 1990s Planned for voice transmission with
digital signal and the speeds up to 64kbps
 2G was the digital handsets that we are used today
 2G network allows for much greater penetration intensity
2.5G Wireless System
2.5G is a stepping stone between 2G and 3G cellular wireless technologies. The
term "second and a half generation" is used to describe 2G-systems that have
implemented a packet switched domain in addition to the circuit switched domain.
It does not necessarily provide faster services because bundling of timeslots is used
for circuit switched data services (HSCSD) as well. The first major step in the
evolution of GSM networks to 3G occurred with the introduction of General
Packet Radio Service (GPRS). CDMA2000 networks similarly evolved through
the introduction of 1xRTT. GPRS could provide data rates from 56 Kbit/s up to
115 Kbit/s. It can be used for services such as Wireless Application Protocol
(WAP) access, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and for Internet
communication services such as email and World Wide Web access. 1xRTT
supports bi-directional (up and downlink) peak data rates up to 153.6 kbps,
delivering an average user data throughput of 80-100 kbps in commercial
networks. It can also be used for WAP, SMS & MMS services, as well as Internet
access.
2.75G (Edge)
GPRS networks evolved to EDGE networks with the introduction of 8PSK
encoding. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution, Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), or
IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC) is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone
technology that allows improved data transmission rates, as an extension on top of
standard GSM. EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in 2003—
initially by Cingular (now AT&T) in the United States.
EDGE is standardized by 3GPP as part of the GSM family, and it is an upgrade
that provides a potential three-fold increase in capacity of GSM/GPRS networks.
The specification achieves higher data-rates (up to 236.8 Kbit/s) by switching to
more sophisticated methods of coding (8PSK), within existing GSM timeslots.
Keys:
In between 2G and 3G there is another generation called 2.5G 2.5G represents
handsets with data capabilities over GPRS But this had not brought out any new
revolution
3G Wireless System
International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT--2000), better known as 3G
or 3rd Generation, is a generation of standards for mobile phones and mobile
telecommunications services fulfilling specifications by the International
Telecommunication Union. The use of 3G technology is also able to transmit
packet switch data efficiently at better and increased bandwidth. 3G mobile
technologies proffers more advanced services to mobile [Link] speeds
from 125kbps to 2Mbps.
In 2005, 3G is ready to live up to its performance in computer networking
(WCDMA, WLAN and Bluetooth) and mobile devices area (cell phone and GPS)
Data are sent through technology called packet switching Voice calls are
interpreted using circuit switching Access to Global Roaming Clarity in voice calls
Fast Communication, Internet, Mobile T.V, Video Conferencing, Video Calls,
Multi Media Messaging Service (MMS), 3D gaming, Multi-Gaming etc are also
available with 3G phones.

UMTS ARCHITECTURE

2G(GSM)Global System for Mobile Communications

• Concurrent development in USA and Europe in the 1980’s and in the European
system was called GSM and deployed in the early 1990’s.
GSM SERVICES
1. Voice, 3.1 kHz
 2. Short Message Service (SMS)
• 1985 GSM standard that allows messages of at most 160 chars. (incl.
spaces) to besent between handsets and other stations
• At one point 2.4 billion people use it; multi-billion $ industry
• Long term trend favors integrated and richer services (Kesden)
3. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
• GSM upgrade that provides IP-based packet data transmission up to 114
kbps
• Users can “simultaneously” make calls and send data
• GPRS provides “always on” Internet access and the Multimedia Messaging
Service (MMS) whereby users can send rich text, audio, video messages to
each other
• Performance degrades as number of users increase
• GPRS is an example of 2.5G telephony – 2G service similar to 3G.
GSM CHANNELS
 Physical Channel: Each timeslot on a carrier is referred to as a physical
channel
 Logical Channel:Variety of information is transmitted between the MS and
BTS.
• MS = Mobile Station, BTS=Base Transciever Station
 Different types of logical channels:
• Traffic channel
• Control Channel
GSM FREQUENCIES
• Originally designed on 900MHz range
• Now also available on 800MHz, 1800MHz and 1900 MHz ranges.
• Separate Uplink and Downlink frequencies
• One example channel on the 1800 MHz frequency band, where RF carriers
are space every 200 MHz.
BASE STATION SUBSYSTEM
• Transcoding Rate and Adaptation Unit (TRAU)
• Performs coding between the 64kbps PCM coding used in the backbone
network and the 13kbps coding used for the Mobile Station (MS)
• Base Station Controller (BSC)
• Controls the channel (time slot) allocation implemented by the BTSes
• Manages the handovers within BSS area
• Knows which mobile stations are within the cell and informs the
MSC/VLR about this
• Base Transceiver System (BTS)
• Controls several transmitters
 • Each transmitter has 8 time slots, some used for signaling, on a specific
frequency.
NETWORK AND SWITCHING SUBSYSTEM
1. The backbone of a GSM network is a telephone network with additional cellular network
capabilities
• Mobile Switching Center (MSC)
2. An typical telephony exchange (ISDN exchange) which supports mobile communications
• Visitor Location Register (VLR)
• A database, part of the MSC
• Contains the location of the active Mobile Stations
3. Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC)
• Links the system to PSTN and other operators
4. Home Location Register (HLR)
• Contain subscriber information, including authentication information in
Authentication Center (AuC)
5. Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
• International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) codes for e.g.,blacklisting
stolen phones.

HOME LOCATION REGISTER

• One database per operator
• Contains all the permanent subscriber information
• MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber ISDN number) is the telephone number of
the subscriber
• International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is a 15 digit code used to
identify the subscriber
•It incorporates a country code and operator code
• IMSI code is used to link the MSISDN number to the subscriber’s SIM
(Subscriber Identity Module)
• Charging information
• Services available to the customer
• Also the subscriber’s present Location Area Code, which refers to the MSC,
which can connect to the MS.
OTHER SYSTEMS
• Operations Support System
• The management network for the whole GSM network
• Usually vendor dependent
 • Very loosely specified in the GSM standards
• Value added services
• Voice mail
• Call forwarding
• Group calls
• Short Message Service Center
• Stores and forwards the SMS messages
• Like an E-mail server
• Required to operate the SMS services
LOCATION UPDATES
• The cells overlap and usually a mobile station can ‘see’ several transceivers
(BTSes)
• The MS monitors the identifier for the BSC controlling the cells
• BSC = Base Station Controller
• When the mobile station reaches a new BSC’s area, it requests an location
update
• The update is forwarded to the MSC, entered into the VLR, the old BSC is
notified and an acknowledgement is passed back.
HANDOFF (HANDOVER)
• When a call is in process, the changes in location need special processing
• Within a BSS, the BSC, which knows the current radio link configuration
(including feedbacks from the MS), prepares an available channel in the new
BTS
• The MS is told to switch over to the new BTS
• This is called a hard handoff
• In a soft handoff, the MS is connected to two BTSes simultaneously
ROAMING
• When a MS enters another operators network, it can be allowed to use the
services of this operator
• Operator to operator agreements and contracts
• Higher billing
• The MS is identified by the information in the SIM card and the identification
request is forwarded to the home operator
• The home HLR is updated to reflect the MS’s current location.
3G OVERVIEW
3G is created by ITU-T and is called IMT-2000

EVOLUTION FROM 2G
SERVICE ROADMAP
UMTS FREQUENCY SPECTRUM
• UMTS Band
• 1900-2025 MHz and 2110-2200 MHz for 3G transmission
• In the US, 1710–1755 MHz and 2110–2155 MHz will be used instead, as the 1900 MHz band
was already used.
UMTS ARCHITECTURE

UMTS NETWORK ARCHITECTURE UMTS

network architecture consists of three domains
• Core Network (CN): Provide switching, routing and transit for user traffic
• UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN): Provides the air interface access method for user
equipment.
• User Equipment (UE): Terminals work as air interface counterpart for base stations. The various
identities are: IMSI, TMSI, P-TMSI, TLLI, MSISDN, IMEI, IMEISV.
3.5G (HSPA)
High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) is an amalgamation of two mobile telephony protocols, High Speed
Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), that extends and
improves the performance of existing WCDMA protocols.
3.5G introduces many new features that will enhance the UMTS technology in future. 1xEV-DV already
supports most of the features that will be provided in 3.5G. These include:
- Adaptive Modulation and Coding
- Fast Scheduling
- Backward compatibility with 3G
- Enhanced Air Interfac