The Internet of Things connects things through the network. The currently developed and mature wireless access networks have the characteristics of large capacity and flexibility, can provide faster data transmission rates, and support a wide variety of applications. Currently, GSM modules can be combined with IoT technology to build a cellular IoT system deployed in GSM networks. Among the supporting technologies of the Internet of Things, cellular networks based on communication networks are a more promising solution.
Cellular networks power many of the things we know and love, allowing us to connect wherever we need them: on the bus, connecting with friends, shopping, watching videos, and more. In addition to the personal benefits we are all familiar with, cellular networks play a vital and growing role in many IoT applications.
In some past articles, I’ve explored other connectivity technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and LPWAN. The reason we have so many connectivity options is because IoT applications can be very different, which means the requirements will vary.
While connectivity technology continues to improve, ultimately, there’s always a trade-off between power consumption, range, and bandwidth. In the past, cellular connectivity has focused on range and bandwidth at the expense of power consumption, meaning it can send large amounts of data over long distances but drain the battery quickly. This is great for devices that are connected to a power source or can be charged frequently, such as your phone, but for IoT applications that require remote sensors and devices to last for months or years on battery, this is not possible.
But that’s not all when it comes to cellular networks. You may have heard names like 2G, 3G, and 4G, but new cellular technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M are specifically targeted at IoT applications. 5G may also prove beneficial and transformative for IoT.
How do cellular networks work?
When we make calls, send text messages, or access the Internet from our mobile devices, we are sending signals wirelessly to nearby cell phone towers. These cell towers both receive our signals and send them back to us. Cell towers are part of a cell tower that has wired connections to other cell towers and the internet, helping to deliver information over greater distances than a single cell tower can cover.
Like all wireless communications technologies, cellular networks use electromagnetic waves to send information. Just like your radio has different frequency bands that it can tune to (for example, tuning to 101.1 means you are listening to the 101.1 Mhz frequency), wireless communication technology also has specific frequency bands that it operates in.
If all wireless communications tried to use the same frequency, there would be too much noise and interference for clear communication. Therefore, the FCC regulates which frequency bands can be used by whom, and cellular carriers each have specific frequency bands within which they are allowed to operate.
But even with their own designated frequency bands, operators still need to consider interference. If two of a carrier’s base stations are close to each other and operate on the same frequency, their signals can interfere with each other and cause problems for anyone trying to use the network in the area.
The solution to this problem is also the answer to the next question.
Why is it called a “cellular” network?
It’s called a cellular network because the network operator divides the area into “cells.” Each cell has a cell tower that operates at a different frequency than adjacent cell towers. For example, if you use a hexagonal arrangement, this means you only need 7 different frequencies to ensure that the same frequency is not used in adjacent cells.
The area of each of these units depends on the density of use. In cities, the distance between each cell may be as little as half a mile, while in rural areas the distance may be as high as 5 miles.
As users move between cells, their frequencies automatically change to switch to the new cell tower (called a handoff).
There’s a lot going on behind the scenes to manage a large number of users simultaneously using the same network while on the move (i.e. “on the go”), but I’ll keep it high-level.
What does generation mean?
Even if all of the above is new to you, you’ve almost certainly heard terms like 3G or 4G before. These refer to the third and fourth generations respectively.
Each generation is a set of standards and technologies defined by a standards body called the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). The organization manages the international radio frequency spectrum and standards, which helps ensure efficient use of spectrum. Without such institutions and rules to control who can use what spectrum, different companies and organizations can interfere with each other and reduce overall service levels.
However, it should be noted that even under the same standards, there will still be different technologies. For example, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is a 3G technology mainly used in Europe, Japan and China, while the CDMA2000 system is used in North America and South Korea.
So what are the differences between 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G?
Beginning with the introduction of 1G systems in the early 1980s, a new generation has been launched approximately every 10 years since then. Each generation brings new frequency bands, higher data rates and new transmission technologies (not backwards compatible).
Because every generation is different, this is why your phone might not have 4G coverage but still have 3G (and why you might not have any data on the Internet but still be able to make calls and send text messages) .
Several operators have announced that they will shut down their 2G networks to free up radio spectrum for other uses. Any machine using a 2G radio will need to have its radio replaced with a new generation radio to continue to work.
Is cellular connectivity a good choice for IoT?
All of this depends on your specific use case. As mentioned in the introduction, cellular telephony has historically been unsuitable for many IoT applications because it consumes large amounts of power and has a high cost per unit. Cellular connectivity is limited for applications that have direct power, need to send large amounts of data, do not involve a large number of devices, and are located in densely populated areas.
other
Communication system components The communication system mainly consists of network management system (NMS), base station system (BSS), and network switching system (NSS). The network management system mainly controls the network, the base station system mainly completes wireless transceiver and resource management, and the network exchange mainly completes data exchange. 2. Composition of GSM network It can be said that GSM was once a leading communication technology, capturing the hearts of many users around the world. It was once the communication technology with the largest number of users in the world. But for the 21st century, where technology is advancing rapidly, it can only be said to be the past. At present, our fourth-generation mobile communications have many advantages, including extremely fast data communication rates, and future 5G communications will also have the advantages of large capacity, high speed, low latency, etc. It can be said to be the most anticipated and popular one of the technologies.
Keywords in this article: 4g dtu
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