CDMA basics tutorial

- an overview or tutorial describing the way in which CDMA code division multiple access is used for cellular phone systems CDMA or Code Division Multiple Access is now in widespread use for mobile or cell phone (cellular telecommunications) systems around the world. It was first used for the IS95 mobile phone system also known by the trade name cdmaOne, and in its later 3G developments as CDMA2000. CDMA is also being used in the other major 3G cell phone system, Wideband-CDMA system originally called UMTS. CDMA technology is based on a form of transmission known as Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS). This form of transmission originally used for military and police communications because the transmissions were difficult to detect in many instances, and even if they were received they were very difficult to decipher without the correct codes. However the possibilities of using this technology to provide a multiple access scheme for mobile telecommunications and have now been exploited in a major way. Previous cellular telecommunications technologies used either frequency division multiple access (FDMA) where different users were allocated different frequencies, or time division multiple access (TDMA) where they were allotted different time slots on a channel. CDMA is different. Using the CDMA system, different users are allocated different codes to provide access to the system. It can be likened to many different people standing in a room talking to others in many different languages. Although the ambient noise level is very high, it is nevertheless still possible to pick out someone speaking in the same language as yourself. DSSS basics The key element of code division multiple access CDMA is its use of DSSS. In essence the required data signal is multiplied with what is known as a spreading or chip code data stream. This has a higher data rate than the data itself and it enables the overall signal to be spread over a much wider bandwidth. Signals with high data rates occupy wider signal bandwidths than those with low data rates. To decode the signal and receive the original data, the CDMA signal is multiplied with the spreading code to regenerate the original data. When this is done, then only the data with that was generated with the same spreading code is regenerated, all the other data that is generated from different spreading code streams is ignored This is a powerful principle and using code division multiple access technique, it is possible to transmit several sets of data independently on the same carrier and then reconstitute them at the receiver without mutual interference. In this way a base station can communicate with several mobiles on a single channel. Similarly several mobiles can communicate with a single base station, provided that in each case an independent spreading code is used.

The CDMA spreading codes can either be a random number (or pseudo random), or more usually orthogonal codes are used. Two codes are said to be orthogonal if when they are multiplied together and then the result is added over a period of time they sum to zero. For example a codes 1 -1 -1 1 and 1 -1 1 -1 when multiplied together give 1 1 -1 -1 which gives the sum zero. Although pseudo random number codes can be used there is possibility of data errors being introduced into the system. Advantages There are several advantages to using code division multiple access CDMA. The main reason for its acceptance is that it enables more users to use a given amount of spectrum. Its use also enables adjacent base stations to operate on the same channel, allowing more efficient use of the spectrum and it provides for an easier handover. In view of these advantages CDMA has been adopted for all the 3G technologies and will be around for many years to come.

cdmaOne / CDMA2000
- a guide to the evolution of the CDMA system from cdmaOne through CDMA2000 1X to CDMA2000 1xEV-DO and CDMA2000 1xEV-DV One of the major cell / mobile phone or cellular telecommunications technologies today is the cdmaOne / CDMA2000 system. One of its strengths is that it has focussed on being an evolutionary technology moving from standards such as IS-95 (IS-95A and IS-95B) for cdmaOne through to standards including IS-2000 and IS-856 for CDMA2000 1X, 1xEv, 1xEV-DO and 1xEV-DV. Currently the standard uses one standard channel under a system known as 1X RTT, although for the future three channels (3X RTT) may be used). In view of the fact that the CDMA2000 system has been designed to be an evolutionary standard, it is relatively easy to introduce upgrades to the system. This has made it particularly popular with operators because the cost of upgrading to the new standards is much less, and they can have users with a variety of types of phone on the same network. Thus users may operate cdmaOne phones on the same network as CDMA2000 1X or CDMA2000 1xEV-DV phones. The story of how the system was developed is particularly interesting, and it reveals much about the nature of the system as well as telling its significant successes. In the beginning ..... The idea for using the form of modulation known as direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) for a multiple access system for mobile telecommunications came from a California based company called Qualcomm in the 1980s. Previously DSSS had been mainly used for military or covert communications systems as the transmissions were hard to detect, jam and eavesdrop.

The system involved multiplying the required data with another data stream with a much higher data rate. Known as a spreading code, this widened the bandwidth required for the transmission, spreading it over a wide frequency band. Only when the original spreading code was used in the reconstruction of the data, would the original information be reconstituted. It was reasoned that by having different spreading codes, a multiple access system could be created for use in a mobile phone system. In order to prove that the new system was viable a consortium was set up and Qualcomm was joined by US network operators Nynex and Ameritech to develop the first experimental code division multiple access (CDMA) system. Later the team was expanded as Motorola and AT&T (now Lucent) joined to bring their resources to speed development. As a result the new standard was published as IS-95A in 1995 under the auspices of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). As part of the development of CDMA an organisation called the CDMA Development Group (CDG) was formed from the founding network and manufacturers. Its purpose is to promote CDMA and evolve the technology and standards, although today most of the standards work is carried out by 3GPP2. It then took a further three years before Hutchison Telecom became the first organisation to launch a system. It is now widely deployed in North America, and the Asia Pacific region, but there are also networks in South America, Africa, and the Middle East as well as some in Eastern Europe. System Basics The CDMA system was totally unlike any system used before. In the UK the original TACS system had used a channel spacing of 25 kHz and AMPS in the US had used 30 kHz. The new GSM system used 200 kHz channels whilst the US -TDMA standard kept compatibility with AMPS and was based around 30 kHz channels. CDMA, IS-95A, used a 1.25 MHz bandwidth and this was much wider than anything that had been used before. CDMA operates well with a wide bandwidth, but it was limited to 1.25MHz to remain compatible with the spectrum allocations that were available. There were other differences as well. CDMA mobiles did not have SIM cards, although recently this has changed. Instead the subscriber data has simply been stored in memory of the mobile with a method of over-the-air programming of this data being available. cdmaOne The first offerings of CDMA under the guise of IS-95 catered for voice as well as data up to a speed of 14.4 kbps. However with the market moving towards data applications, the IS-95 specification was upgraded to IS-95B to cater for the needs of operators. This new specification allowed packet switched data transmission up to a speed of 64 kbps. IS-95B was first deployed in September 1999 in Korea and has since been adopted by operators in Japan and Peru. Often IS-95 A and B versions are marketed under the brand name cdmaOne. This is a registered trademark of the CDMA Development Group.

CDMA2000 1X cdmaOne had been very successful and was introduced into many countries, but with operators seeing revenue from voice services levelling off, the pressure to migrate to 3G technologies where data speeds were higher and revenue growth could be maintained. As a result of this the IS-2000 standard was developed to enable the higher 3G data rates to be provided. Within IS-2000 a number of further developments were included. It was envisaged that with many more areas moving towards 3G standards and the old AMPS systems being made obsolete it would be possible to have systems operating on a wider bandwidth. As a result of this the new standards allowed for systems that would use the single channel bandwidth (1X or 1X RTT) and also ones that would use three times the bandwidth (3X). Currently all work is focussed on the 1X systems, with the idea for the 3X (or 3X RTT) systems to be used some time in the future. CDMA2000 1X can double the voice capacity of cdmaOne networks and delivers peak packet data speeds of 307 kbps in mobile environments although today's commercial CDMA2000 1X networks (phase 1) support a peak data rate of 153.6 kbps. CDMA2000 1X has been designated a 3G standard and it is now widely deployed. Evolution CDMA2000 1X is the basic 3G standard, in fact some people only consider it a 2.75G system, and it is being developed beyond this. In what is termed CDMA2000 1xEv, there are further developments to bring it in line with the UMTS or Wideband CDMA system that is being deployed in Western Europe and many other areas. The first of these known as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO (EVolution Data Only) is something of a sideline from the main evolutionary development of the standard. It is defined under IS856 rather than IS-2000, and is as the name indicates is only carries data, but at speeds up to 2.4Mbps in the forward direction and the same as 1X in the reverse direction. The forward channel forms a dedicated variable-rate, packet data channel with signalling and control time multiplexed into it. The channel is itself time-divided and allocated to each user on a demand and opportunity driven basis. A data only format was adopted so that the system could be optimised for data applications, and if voice is required then a dual mode phone using separate 1X channel for the voice call is required. In fact the "phones" used for data only applications are referred to as Access Terminals or ATs. The first commercial CDMA2000 1xEV-DO network was deployed by SK Telecom (Korea) in January 2002. Now operators in Brazil Ecuador, Indonesia, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Taiwan and the USA to mention but a few have all launched networks and more are to follow. Data and voice The next logical evolution of the system is to incorporate both data and voice into the standard. This is exactly what CDMA2000 1xEV-DV achieves. This is catered for under

Release C of the IS-2000 standard. And is effectively 1X with additional high speed data channels. In this way it is able to provide complete backward compatibility with both CDMA2000 1X and cdmaOne. In addition to this the migration requires comparatively few upgrades to a 1X system and as such it is a very attractive option for network operators. Further developments are available under Release D of the IS-2000 standard. This provides for 3.1 Mbps data in both directions as well as many other upgrades. Summary The first CDMA networks in the form of IS-95 / cdmaOne were the first deployments of CDMA technology, the technology that is being used for all 3G cell phone systems. This formed the basis for a unique evolutionary system as CDMA2000. CDMA2000 is a well established 3G technology, and it is particularly successful in the USA, and Asia Pacific regions as well as having a significant presence in many other parts of the world. It was able to offer 3G services well before W-CDMA became established, and it is now continuing to build on this success.

What is the Difference Between GSM and CDMA?

In cellular service there are two main competing network technologies: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Cellular carriers including Sprint PCS, Cingular Wireless, Verizon and T-Mobile use one or the other. Understanding the difference between GSM and CDMA will allow you to choose a carrier that uses the preferable network technology for your needs. The GSM Association is an international organization founded in 1987, dedicated to providing, developing, and overseeing the worldwide wireless standard of GSM. CDMA, a proprietary standard designed by Qualcomm in the United States, has been the dominant network standard for North America and parts of Asia. However, GSM networks continue to make inroads in the United States, as CDMA networks make progress in other parts of the world. There are camps on both sides that firmly believe either GSM or CDMA architecture is superior to the other. That said, to the non-invested consumer who simply wants bottom line information to make a choice, the following considerations may be helpful. Coverage: The most important factor is getting service in the areas you will be using your phone. Upon viewing competitors coverage maps you may discover that only GSM or CDMA carriers offer cellular service in your area. If so, there is no decision to be made, but most people will find that they do have a choice. Data Transfer Speed: With the advent of cellular phones doing double and triple duty as streaming video devices, podcast receivers and email devices, speed is important to those who use the phone for more than making calls. CDMA has been traditionally faster than GSM, though both technologies continue to rapidly leapfrog along this path. Both boast "3G" standards, or 3rd generation technologies.

EVDO, also known as CDMA2000, is CDMAs answer to the need for speed with a downstream rate of about 2 megabits per second, though some reports suggest real world speeds are closer to 300-700 kilobits per second (kbps). This is comparable to basic DSL. As of fall 2005, EVDO is in the process of being deployed. It is not available everywhere and requires a phone that is CDMA2000 ready. GSMs answer is EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), which boasts data rates of up to 384 kbps with real world speeds reported closer to 70-140 kbps. With added technologies still in the works that include UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone Standard) and HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), speeds reportedly increase to about 275380 kbps. This technology is also known as W-CDMA, but is incompatible with CDMA networks. An EDGE-ready phone is required. In the case of EVDO, theoretical high traffic can degrade speed and performance, while the EDGE network is more susceptible to interference. Both require being within close range of a cell to get the best speeds, while performance decreases with distance. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards: In the United States only GSM phones use SIM cards. The removable SIM card allows phones to be instantly activated, interchanged, swapped out and upgraded, all without carrier intervention. The SIM itself is tied to the network, rather than the actual phone. Phones that are card-enabled can be used with any GSM carrier. The CDMA equivalent, a R-UIM card, is only available in parts of Asia but remains on the horizon for the U.S. market. CDMA carriers in the U.S. require proprietary handsets that are linked to one carrier only and are not card-enabled. To upgrade a CDMA phone, the carrier must deactivate the old phone then activate the new one. The old phone becomes useless. Roaming: For the most part, both networks have fairly concentrated coverage in major cities and along major highways. GSM carriers, however, have roaming contracts with other GSM carriers, allowing wider coverage of more rural areas, generally speaking, often without roaming charges to the customer. CDMA networks may not cover rural areas as well as GSM carriers, and though they may contract with GSM cells for roaming in more rural areas, the charge to the customer will generally be significantly higher. International Roaming: If you need to make calls to other countries, a GSM carrier can offer international roaming, as GSM networks dominate the world market. If you travel to other countries you can even use your GSM cell phone abroad, providing it is a quad-band phone (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). By purchasing a SIM card with minutes and a local number in the country you are visiting, you can make calls against the card to save yourself international roaming charges from your carrier back home. CDMA phones that are not card-enabled do not have this capability. According CDG.org, CDMA networks support over 270 million subscribers worldwide, while GSM.org tallies up their score at over 1 billion. As CDMA phones become R-UIM

enabled and roaming contracts between networks improve, integration of the standards might eventually make differences all but transparent to the consumer. The chief GSM carriers in the United States are Cingular Wireless, recently merged with AT&T Wireless, and T-Mobile USA. Major CDMA carriers are Sprint PCS, Verizon and Virgin Mobile. There are also several smaller cellular companies on both networks.