Wireless Network

Wireless Network: Computer networks that are not connected by cables are called wireless
networks. They generally use radio waves for communication between the network nodes. They
allow devices to be connected to the network while roaming around within the network
coverage.

Types of Wireless Networks

●​ Wireless LANs − Connects two or more network devices using wireless distribution
techniques.
●​ Wireless MANs − Connects two or more wireless LANs spreading over a metropolitan
area.
●​ Wireless WANs − Connects large areas comprising LANs, MANs and personal networks.
Examples of wireless networks
●​ Mobile phone networks
●​ Wireless sensor networks
●​ Satellite communication networks
●​ Terrestrial microwave networks

Elements of Wireless Networks:

Wireless Devices (End Devices)

●​ Devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, printers, or IoT sensors that connect to the
network.
●​ These devices use wireless interfaces (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) to send and receive data.

Wireless Links: A wireless link is a communication channel that uses electromagnetic waves
to transmit data between devices without the need for physical cables

●​ Mobile to Base Station Connection: Wireless links connect mobile devices

(smartphones) to base stations (cell towers) in cellular networks (4G, 5G).
●​ Backhaul Links: Wireless links also serve as backbone connections (e.g., microwave or
satellite) to link base stations to the core network.
Multiple Access Protocols: These protocols manage how multiple devices share the wireless
medium:

o​ TDMA (Time Division), FDMA (Frequency Division), CDMA (Code Division),

OFDMA (used in 4G/5G), and CSMA/CA (used in Wi-Fi) are common
protocols.

Communication mode of devices:

In wireless networks, the infrastructure mode and ad hoc mode are two fundamental modes of
communication that define how devices connect and communicate within the network
1. Infrastructure Mode
In infrastructure mode, devices communicate through a centralized access point or base
station, which serves as a mediator between devices and the network (such as the internet or a
local network). This mode is commonly used in most wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi networks
in homes, offices, and public places.

2. Ad Hoc Mode
In ad hoc mode, devices communicate directly with each other without relying on a centralized
access point or infrastructure. This mode is more decentralized and allows devices to create a
temporary network among themselves, often for specific tasks or in situations where a traditional
network infrastructure is unavailable.

Advantages of Wireless Networks:

●​ It increases the mobility of network devices connected to the system since the devices
need not be connected to each other.
●​ Accessing network devices from any location within the network coverage or Wi-Fi
hotspot becomes convenient since laying out cables is not needed.
●​ Installation and setup of wireless networks are easier.
●​ New devices can be easily connected to the existing setup since they needn’t be wired to
the present equipment. Also, the number of equipment that can be added or removed to
the system can vary considerably since they are not limited by the cable capacity. This
makes wireless networks very scalable.
●​ Wireless networks require very limited or no wires. Thus, it reduces the equipment and
setup costs.

Wireless LANs : Are those Local Area Networks that use high frequency radio waves instead of
cables for connecting the devices in LAN. Users connected by WLANs can move around within
the area of network coverage. Most WLANs are based upon the standard IEEE 802.11
IEEE 802.11 standard, popularly known as WiFi, lays down the architecture and specifications
of wireless LANs (WLANs). WiFi or WLAN uses high frequency radio waves for connecting the
nodes.

IEEE 802.11 Architecture

The components of an IEEE 802.11 architecture are as follows

1) Stations (STA) − Stations comprise all devices and equipments that are connected to the
wireless LAN. A station can be of two types:

●​ Wireless Access Point (WAP) − WAPs or simply access points (AP) are generally
wireless routers that form the base stations or access.
●​ Client. − Clients are workstations, computers, laptops, printers, smartphones, etc.

Each station has a wireless network interface controller.

2) Basic Service Set (BSS) −A basic service set is a group of stations communicating at
physical layer level. BSS can be of two categories depending upon mode of operation:

●​ Infrastructure BSS − Here, the devices communicate with other devices through access
points.
●​ Independent BSS − Here, the devices communicate in peer-to-peer basis in an ad hoc
manner.

3) Extended Service Set (ESS) − It is a set of all connected BSS.

4) Distribution System (DS) − It connects access points in ESS

Advantages of WLANs
●​ They provide clutter free homes, offices and other networked places.
●​ The LANs are scalable in nature, i.e. devices may be added or removed from the network
at a greater ease than wired LANs.
●​ The system is portable within the network coverage and access to the network is not
bounded by the length of the cables.
●​ Installation and setup is much easier than wired counterparts.
●​ The equipment and setup costs are reduced.
Disadvantages of WLANs
●​ Since radio waves are used for communications, the signals are noisier with more
interference from nearby systems.
●​ Greater care is needed for encrypting information. Also, they are more prone to errors.
So, they require greater bandwidth than the wired LANs.
●​ WLANs are slower than wired LANs.

UMTS, GSM and LTE?

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) was the most widely deployed technology
behind the second generation of wireless networks (2G).
LTE (Long-Term Evolution) is the dominant 4G network standard.
UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service refers to a group of radio
technologies associated with the third generation of cellular networks (3G).
2G ARCHITECTURE

Explained at a time in 3G architecture

3G ARCHITECTURE
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1. Core Network (CN)
The Core Network (CN) handles the switching, routing, and transit of user traffic and also
manages communication with external networks. Key elements in the CN include:

●​ Mobile Switching Center (MSC): The central switch for routing calls and messages
between different parts of the network.
●​ Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC): Links the UMTS network to the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and other operators.
●​ Home Location Register (HLR): A central database containing subscriber information
such as authentication data and service profiles, for example subscribed services (e.g.,
voice, data, SMS, etc.), roaming permissions etc.
●​ Authentication Center (AuC): Used for authenticating the subscriber.
●​ Equipment Identity Register (EIR): Maintains a list of valid mobile devices by
checking IMEI for equipment identity, and can block stolen or invalid devices.
●​ Visitor Location Register (VLR): A temporary database that stores the location of
mobile users within a particular MSC area.
2. UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN)
UTRAN provides the air interface and manages radio access for user equipment (UE). It
utilizes Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology for communication,
offering higher capacity and better spectral efficiency compared to older systems.

●​ Node-B (Base Station): The radio equipment that connects directly with the User
Equipment (UE). Node-B handles:
o​ Air Interface Transmission/Reception (Tx/Rx): Transmits and receives data
over the radio link.
o​ Modulation/Demodulation: Modulates and demodulates signals for
communication over the air.
●​ Radio Network Controller (RNC): Controls multiple Node-Bs and is responsible for:
o​ Radio Resource Control (RRC): Manages radio resources and connection setup.

​ Channel Allocation: Assigns communication channels to users.

​ Power Control Settings: Adjusts power levels to maintain signal quality.
​ Handover Control: Manages seamless handover of users between base
stations.
​ Ciphering: Encrypts the communication for security.
​ Segmentation and Reassembly: Handles data segmentation for
transmission and reassembly at the receiving end.

●​ Base Station Controller (BSC): Manages resources

​ Manages Radio resources for BTS

​ Assigns Frequency and time slots for all MS’s in its area
​ Handles call set up
​ Handover for each MS
​ It communicates with MSC and BTS

●​ Base Transceiver Station (BTS):

​ Encodes, encrypts, multiplexes, modulates and feeds the RF signals to the antenna.
​ Communicates with Mobile station

3. User Equipment (UE)

User Equipment (UE) refers to the mobile devices that communicate with the network.
Portable, vehicle mounted, hand held device ′ Uniquely identified by an IMEI (International
Mobile Equipment Identity) ′ Voice and data transmission ′ Monitoring power and signal quality
of surrounding cells for optimum handover The various identifiers used in the system include:

●​ IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity): Unique ID for subscriber identification.

●​ TMSI (Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity): A temporary identifier used to enhance
privacy.
●​ P-TMSI (Packet Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity): Used in packet-switched
domains.
●​ TLLI (Temporary Logical Link Identifier): Identifies logical links in the system.
●​ MSISDN (Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number): The phone
number.
●​ IMEISV (IMEI Software Version Number): Identifies the specific software version of the
device.

4. Key Technologies in UTRAN

●​ WCDMA (Wideband CDMA): A third-generation mobile technology providing wide

bandwidth for high data rates.
●​ TD-SCDMA (Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access): An
alternative access method developed in China, used in some UMTS systems.

Summary of UMTS Architecture Components:

Component Function

Manages routing, switching, and communication with

Core Network (CN)
external networks.

UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access

Provides air interface and radio access.
Network (UTRAN)

User Equipment (UE) Mobile devices that communicate with the network.

Base station responsible for radio transmission and

Node-B
modulation/demodulation.

Controls Node-Bs and manages resources such as power

Radio Network Controller (RNC)
control, handovers, etc.

Mobile Switching Center (MSC) Switches calls between network elements.

Gateway MSC (GMSC) Links UMTS network to PSTN and other operators.

Home Location Register (HLR) Stores subscriber information and authentication data.

Visitor Location Register (VLR) Stores temporary location information for users.

Manages device identities (IMEI) for validation and

Equipment Identity Register (EIR)
blacklisting.
4G ARCHITECTURE