Networking innovation has drastically improved easy access to data and information (multimedia, voice, and video) barrier of distance. Wireless systems support interactive multimedia services, teleconferencing, and wireless Internet. They have wider bandwidths, higher bit rates, global mobility, and service portability. They cost less, and mobile networks are scalable. They also ensure voice, video, multimedia, and broadband data services are integrated into the same network. Wireless networks include local area networks (LANs) and personal area networks (PANs). They also include wireless LANs based on IEEE 802.11a/b/g, and the three 802.15 PANs, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB), and low data-rate PAN.

Wireline background

The first generation of wireline systems was analog cellular (1G); the second was digital personal communication service (PCS) or 2G. PCS is the telecommunication service that bundles voice communications, numeric and text messaging, voicemail, and other features into one device. 2.5G was an enhancement of 2G, which led to the development of general packet radio service (GPRS). 2.5G gave birth to 3G for improved performance and Internet-based services, while 4G is a challenge to the development of wireless system developers. 4G is expected to provide high speed; high capacity, low cost per bit, and IP based services.

Wireless network applications

Wireless systems have become more complex over time. They involve higher frequencies and are implemented in more challenging and demanding environments. This has lead to great demands placed on the tools and technologies that they are being deployed and developed. Development of wireless system now involves modeling and simulation of the environments in which they will be deployed. It also involves database development strategies that will handle the large amounts of data collected and generated. Thus there is the need for database that will include all the information on wireless network development, and all the stakeholders in the industry will be allowed access to the database. The IEEE VT-S Propagation Committee is a body promoting collaboration between propagation researchers, software developers, and wireless system designers. They aim to resolve issues arising from information sharing and management regarding wireless network development and implementation. We expect wireless systems to establish a leadership position in the definition of the 4G standard and have strong influence on future technology choices. But there are challenges.

Challenges

As the wireless network industry evolves, stakeholders roll out new services to differentiate their networks and create brand loyalty. The latest network involves wireless data via the Internet from enterprise systems with content from hosted services and applications enabled by advanced broadband capabilities. To achieve this level of service, carriers' electrical systems must deliver availability equal to the public switched-telephone network's uptime measurement of 99.999%. Network Broadband deployment and distribution is now of paramount importance because of fast emerging convergence of multimedia voice, video, and data into one network. There's also provision of technology, the service economy, and the competitive environment provided for stakeholders in the industry. The number of networked homes in the U.S. is projected to increase from 11 million to 32 million and in Western Europe from 4 million to 15 million by 2008. Therefore, demand and challenges are great to meet the need of the networked homes.

Cellular service providers are already deploying 3G cellular services. As a result of development in technology and information sharing among stake holders, voice, and video, multimedia, and broadband data services are becoming integrated into the same network. The drive to have 3G as a true broadband service has lessened. It is obvious 3G systems, while maintaining the possible 2-Mbps data rate in the standard, will realistically achieve 384-kbps rates. To achieve the goals of true broadband cellular service, focus on a 4G network, which will provide high speed, high capacity, low cost per bit, and IP based services. The goal is to have data rates up to 20 Mbps, even when used in such scenarios as a vehicle traveling 200 kilometers per hour. However, we need new design techniques to make this happen, achieving 4G performance at a desired target of one-tenth the cost of 3G.