High Speed Internet Access Using Cellular Infrastructure

Abstract

The way that the Internet is accessed has changed dramatically in recent years. In addition to wire line connections such as dial-up, xDSL, cable modems, and optical fiber, wireless implementations are gaining market share based on technologies such as WiFi, WiMAX, MBWA, and satellite and cell phone networks. This thesis provides an overview of Internet access through cellular networks, and especially through the GSM, GPRS, and UMTS networks. Chapter 2 examines the cellular evolution, following the path from first generation (1G) to third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) systems. Chapter 3 analyzes the most widespread cellular networks (i.e., GSM, GPRS, UMTS) focusing on their air interface architecture, design, and modulation schemes. It also presents research on cellular data networks, such as VPN, IPv6, and VoIP. Chapter 4 reviews the most popular high-speed mobile internet services, including AT&T Wireless, Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, and T-Mobile. The Cingular Wireless network is tested in terms of speed and reliability by providing Internet access to a laptop through a mobile phone. The analysis shows that, depending on cellular network availability, throughput varied from 5 to 25 Kbps and Round Trip Time (RTT) averaged about 1 second. Also, TCP Timestamps and the Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) were implemented at the end hosts, thus increasing performance. Chapter 5 discusses performance issues for modern cellular networks, such as RTT and some TCP options. Chapter 6 compares the cellular data Internet connection to wired connections such as dial-up and xDSL/Cable and with wireless broadband technologies such as satellite, WiFi, WiMAX, and MBWA. The author concludes that as of July 2004, the 2.5G cellular data networks are a reasonable solution for anyone who needs Internet access anywhere that a cell signal is available, and who can afford its high cost. (13 tables, 75 figures, 100 refs.)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA427298

Entities

People

  • Ioannis Chatziioannidis

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cellular Networks
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Data Links
  • Mobile Communications
  • Mobile Devices
  • Mobile Phones
  • Multiple Access
  • Network Architecture
  • Network Protocols
  • Network Science
  • Network Topology
  • Operating Systems
  • Telephone Systems
  • Text Messaging
  • Wireless Communications
  • Wireless Networks

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Computer Networking

Technology Areas

  • Space