Importance of Technical Standards
Standards can define key aspects of technology. With the
advancement in standardization, consumers can purchase any type of XYZ battery,
and be sure, it will work, if not all, devices that specify the use of this
type of battery. While batteries follow global standards, power plugs can be
defined on a national basis. Travelers are aware of this inconvenience.
When it comes to wireless communications, standards ensure interoperability
between user devices as well as the radio network of several vendors. Standards
include frequency bands, power levels, modulation techniques, and encryption.
Now, let’s discuss broadband
standards in detail.
BWA Standards - Broadband Standards
IMT-2000
The International Telecommunication Union –
Radiocommunication Sector, commonly known as ITU-R, defines the requirements
for the 3rd generation of mobile communication systems. As an agency of the
United Nations, the ITU includes the effort of governments as well as the
telecommunication industries for global supported standardization. In the year
2000, the International Telecommunication Union approved the technical features
for the 3rd generation of mobile networks and named as IMT-2000. The primary
goal is to provide seamless delivery of services. The minimum requirements for
data speed were 2 Mbps for stationary or walking users, whereas 348 kbps for
fast-moving users in vehicles.
IMT Advanced
The ITU includes the term IMT Advanced or International
Mobile Telecommunications Advanced to identify mobile systems whose
capabilities can go beyond those of IMT 2000. When it comes to facing this new
challenge, 3GPPs Organization Partners have agreed to broader 3GPP’s range to
include the systems’ development beyond 3G. IMT-Advanced includes several
features, including
• Worldwide
functionality & roaming
• Compatibility
of services
• Interworking
with other radio access systems
The evolution of cellular networks known as Long Term
Evolution (LTE) comes under the responsibility of the ITU as well as the 3GPP
(3rd Generation Partnership Program).
WiMAX Standards
WiMAX is generally based on the IEEE suite of standards
802.16. This standard was released in the year 2001. Hence, it is named
802.16-2001 accordingly. The main aim was to define a wireless
broadband technology for fixed users that come with a range of up to
50 km as well as data rates that can compete with wireline Digital Subscriber
Line (DSL). To meet coverage of wide distances, this standard needed a line of
sight between the sender as well as a receiver, which was soon known as a
limitation of the technology.
In the year 2004, the standard was updated. However, it
still covered only fixed users. 802.16d-2004 is known as the current standard
for Fixed WiMAX. The range of frequency (2 – 11 GHz) was added to the
existing defined range (10 – 66 GHz).
802.16e-2005 was launched, and then 802.16m-2011 was defined
as an advanced air interface with data rates of up 1 gigabit. It meets the
formal needs of 4G networks as defined by the ITU.
LTE – Long Term Evolution
LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. It is defined by the
3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership). It is a cooperation between groups of
telecommunications companies. It is known for providing detailed technical
specifications to include all aspects of a cellular communication network
within the frameworks IMT-2000 as well as IMT Advanced of the ITU.
The standardization is known as Releases. Release 1 to 7
included 2G and 3G networks that consist of a Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS). Release 8 was published in the year 2008. The
main aim was to define an evolutionary upgrade of cellular networks that
provide higher data rates and enhanced quality of service. Unlike the WiMAX
standard, Long Term Evolution standardization includes the whole network
architecture that consists of the radio network, core network, and service
architecture.
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