What is EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution)?


Wireless data operations are expected to increase at an average of 100-200 percent per year, and the mobile communications industry agrees that it will be the cornerstone of the future business. People enjoy the benefits of non-voice services, as evidenced by the massive success of short messaging in many countries.

EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution)

EDGE allows for a faster transmission rate than standard GSM. It makes use of a backward-compatible GSM digital mobile technology extension. EDGE employs part of the ITU's 3G standard and has a pre-3G radio technology. With the proper modifications, it can work on any GPRS network.

As part of the GSM family, 3GPP has standardized EDGE. Compact-EDGE, a variation, was created for usage in a section of the Digital AMPS network frequency.

EDGE provides higher bit-rates per radio channel due to the introduction of sophisticated data coding and transmission technologies, resulting in a threefold improvement in capacity and performance over a standard GSM/GPRS connection.

The Technology Used in EDGE

The General Packet Radio Services, or GPRS, is a packet-switched technology that achieves up to 115 kbps and is the first step on the route to third-generation wireless mobile services (3G).

If GPRS is currently in use, the Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) technology is the most effective second step in a low-impact conversion. All that is required are software upgrades and EDGE plug-in transceiver modules. By allowing operators to reuse their existing network equipment and radio systems, the method safeguards their investments.

By implementing adjustments in modulation for UMTS implementation, EDGE enables an evolutionary migration path from GPRS to UMTS. The goal of EDGE is to increase data rates on the current 200 kHz GSM radio channel by modifying the type of modulation employed while maintaining compatibility with existing circuit (and packet) switches.

EDGE is primarily a radio interface enhancement, but it can also be considered as a system idea that enables the GSM and TDMA/136networks to provide a set of new services in a broader sense.

Features of EDGE

  • In 2003, 3GPP standardized it as a member of the GSM family, and it was used in GSM networks.

  • EGPRS (Enhanced GPRS) and IMT-Single Carrier are two other names for EDGE (IMT-SC).

  • It can be used in any packet-switched application. It's also backward compatible, meaning it'll work with prior versions.

  • It allows data to be transmitted at speeds of 384Kbps through GSM TDMA systems. Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying is a modulation technique used by GSM (GMSK). The 8PSK modulation method is used by EDGE to attain a higher data rate.

  • Additional network elements are introduced to enable IP-based data transfer while switching from GSM to GSM EDGE. The two most critical extra nodes are: GPRS Service Node Gateway (GGSN) and GPRS Service Node Servicing (SGSN).

Updated on: 07-Sep-2021

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