4G Wireless Systems Next-Generation Wireless Working Group

4G Wireless Systems Next-Generation Wireless Working Group
Introduction
Consumers demand more from their technology. Whether it be a television, cellular phone, or refrigerator, the latest technology purchase must have new features. With the advent of the Internet, the most-wanted feature is better, faster access to information. Cellular subscribers pay extra on top of their basic bills for such features as instant messaging, stock quotes, and even Internet access right on their phones. But that is far from the limit of features; manufacturers entice customers to buy new phones with photo and even video capability. It is no longer a quantum leap to envision a time when access to all necessary information the power of a personal computer sits in the palm of ones hand. To support such a powerful system, we need pervasive, high-speed wireless connectivity.
A number of technologies currently exist to provide users with high-speed digital wireless connectivity; Bluetooth and 802.11 are examples. These two standards provide very highspeed network connections over short distances, typically in the tens of meters. Meanwhile, cellular providers seek to increase speed on their long-range wireless networks. The goal is the same: long-range, high-speed wireless, which for the purposes of this report will be called 4G, for fourth-generation wireless system. Such a system does not yet exist, nor will it exist in todays market without standardization. Fourth-generation wireless needs to be standardized throughout the United States due to its enticing advantages to both users and providers.
Advantages of 4G
In a fourth-generation wireless system, cellular providers have the opportunity to offer data access to a wide variety of devices. The cellular network would become a data network on which cellular phones could operate as well as any other data device. Sending data over the cell phone network is a lucrative business. In the information age, access to data is the killer app that drives the market. The most telling example is growth of the Internet over the last 10 years. Wireless networks provide a unique twist to this product: mobility. This concept is already beginning a revolution in wireless networking, with instant access to the Internet from anywhere.
Problems with the Current System

One may then wonder why ubiquitous, high-speed wireless is not already available. After all, wireless providers are already moving in the direction of expanding the bandwidth of their cellular networks. Almost all of the major cell phone networks already provide data services beyond that offered in standard cell phones, as illustrated in Table 1. Unfortunately, the current cellular network does not have the available bandwidth necessary to handle data services well. Not only is data transfer slow at the speed of analog modems but the bandwidth that is available is not allocated efficiently for data. Data transfer tends to come in bursts rather than in the constant stream of voice data. Cellular providers are continuing to upgrade their networks in order to meet this higher demand by 4G Wireless System
Cellular Provider System Upgrades
Barriers to Progress
This begs the question: Why are cellular providers not moving to 4G instead of 3G?
marketplace like the cellular industry can be modeled as a game, as seen in Table 2. The Cellular Industry as a Game Players The cellular providers Strategies Upgrade to 4G, or make small incremental changes Outcome This can be simplified to the cost of conversion. The cost of conversion (because of economies of scale), depends on the number of companies that actually convert to 4G networking equipment and wireless access equipment will get cheaper as more of them are produced and bought by the cellular providers.
There are three basic paths the game can take: Nobody makes the conversion to 4G All end up upgrading to 2.5G and 3G services. The upgrades are incremental, and dont require a complete reworking of the system, so they are fairly cheap the equipment required is already developed and in mass production in other places in the world. Everyone makes the conversion to 4G The equipment and technology needed for 4G will be cheap, because of all of the cellular manufacturers investing in it
Wireless Security Issues
Security Analysis
The first step in analyzing cellular wireless security is to identify the security objectives. These are the goals that the security policy and corresponding technology should achieve.
To ensure that the level of protection afforded to users and providers of services is considered to be better than that provided in contemporary fixed and mobile networks... To ensure that the security features are compatible with world-wide availability... To ensure that the security features are adequately standardized to ensure world-wide interoperability and roaming between different providers. Howard, Walker, and Wright, of the British company Vodafone, created objectives for 3G wireless that are applicable to 4G as well: To ensure that information generated by or relating to a user is adequately protected against misuse or misappropriation.
Current Technology
TDMA
CDMA
Sending Data using Code Division Multiple Access
Receiving Data using Code Division Multiple Access
UWB Spectrum Usage
4G Software
4G will likely become a unification of different wireless networks, including wireless LAN technologies (e.g. IEEE 802.11), public cellular networks (2.5G, 3G), and even personal area networks. Under this umbrella, 4G needs to support a wide range of mobile devices that can roam across different types of networks (Cefriel ). These devices would have to support different networks, meaning that one device would have to have the capability of working on different networks. One solution to this multi-network functional device is a software
defined radio.
Packet Layer
The packet layer is a layer of abstraction that separates the data being transmitted from the way that it is being transmitted. The Internet relies on packets to move files, pictures, video, and other information over the same hardware
Disadvantages
Unfortunately, to use packet, all cellular hardware will need to be upgraded or replaced. Consumers will be required to purchase new phones, and providers will need to install new equipment in towers. Essentially, the communication system will need to be rebuilt from the ground up, running off of data packets instead of voice information
Anti-Virus
As wireless devices become more powerful, they will begin to exhibit the same security weaknesses as any other computer. For example, wireless devices may fall victim to trojans or become corrupt with viruses. Therefore, any new wireless handheld device should incorporate antivirus software. This software should scan all e-mail and files entering through any port (e.g. Internet, beaming, or synchronizing), prompting the user to remove suspicious software in the process. The antivirus software should also allow secure, remote updates of the scanning software in order to keep up with the latest viruses (NIST, U.S. Dept. of Commerce
Conclusion
Consumers demand that software and hardware be user-friendly and perform well. Indeed, it seems part of our culture that customers expect the highest quality and the greatest features from what they buy. The cellular telephone industry, which now includes a myriad of wireless devices, is no exception The transmission hardware to take it wireless is ready to go. And we have the security practices to make sure it all works safely. The government need only push in the right direction; the FCC need only standardize 4G in order to make the transition economically viable for all involved. This is a need that demands a solution. Todays wired society is going wireless, and it has a problem. 4G is the answer.

4G Wireless Systems Next-Generation Wireless Working Group

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4G Wireless Systems Next-Generation Wireless Working Group

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4G Wireless Systems Next-Generation Wireless Working Group

Problems with the Current System

Cellular Provider System Upgrades

Wireless Security Issues

Sending Data using Code Division Multiple Access

Receiving Data using Code Division Multiple Access

UWB Spectrum Usage

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