EDGE
is the next step in the evolution of GSM and IS- 136. The objective of the new
technology is to increase data transmission rates and spectrum efficiency and
to facilitate new applications and increased capacity for mobile use. With the
introduction of EDGE in GSM phase 2+, existing services such as GPRS and high-speed
circuit switched data (HSCSD) are enhanced by offering a new physical layer. The
services themselves are not modified. EDGE is introduced within existing specifications
and descriptions rather than by creating new ones. This paper focuses on the packet-switched
enhancement for GPRS, called EGPRS. GPRS allows data rates of 115 kbps and, theoretically,
of up to 160 kbps on the physical layer. EGPRS is capable of offering data rates
of 384 kbps and, theoretically, of up to 473.6 kbps. A
new modulation technique and error-tolerant transmission methods, combined with
improved link adaptation mechanisms, make these EGPRS rates possible. This is
the key to increased spectrum efficiency and enhanced applications, such as wireless
Internet access, e-mail and file transfers.GPRS/EGPRS
will be one of the pacesetters in the overall wireless technology evolution in
conjunction with WCDMA. Higher transmission rates for specific radio resources
enhance capacity by enabling more traffic for both circuit- and packet-switched
services.
As the Third-generation Partnership Project (3GPP) continues standardization
toward the GSM/EDGE radio access network (GERAN), GERAN will be able to offer
the same services as WCDMA by connecting to the same core network. This is done
in parallel with means to increase the spectral efficiency. The goal is to boost
system capacity, both for real- time and best-effort services, and to compete
effectively with other third-generation radio access networks such as WCDMA and
cdma2000.
