Cellular Concepts - Edge

Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) introduces a new modulation technique, as well as protocol enhancements for transmitting packets over the radio.

The use of the new modulation and the protocol enhancements, result in dramatically increased throughput and capacity gains enabling 3G services in the existing GSM/GPRS networks. No changes are needed to the existing core network infrastructure to support EDGE. This emphasizes the fact that EDGE is only an “add-on” for BSS.

For EDGE, nine Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) are introduced (MCS1 to MCS9) and optimized for different radio environment. Four EDGE coding schemes are using GMSK and five are using 8 PSK Modulation.

Upgradation to EDGE

• Mobile Station (MS) − MS should be EDGE enabled.

• BTS − HW supplied is Edge enabled.

• BSC − Definitions for EDGE timeslots needs to be done in BSC.

• GPRS Support Nodes (GSNs) − Definitions for Edge need to be defined in GSNs.

• Databases (HLR, VLR, etc.) − No definition is required.

Benefits of EDGE

• Short-term benefits − Capacity and performance,

• Easy implementation on a GSM/GPRS network,

• Cost effective,

• Increases the capacity and triples the data rate of GPRS,

• Enables new multimedia services,

• Long-term benefit − Harmonization with WCDMA.

What EDGE Would Mean to Subscribers

• Streaming applications

• Very high speed downloads

• Corporate intranet connections

• Quicker MMS

• Video phone

• Vertical corporate applications - Video conference, Remote presentations.