Chapter 3:

Mobile Network
Architecture
SKR4307
Semester I 2022/2023
 1. Cellular Network as
Mobile Network as …
• Communication network where the link to
and from end nodes is wireless.
• Network is distributed over land areas called
"cells” – each served by at least one fixed-
location transceiver (cell sites/base
transceiver stations).
• BS – provide the cell with the network coverage which
can be used for transmission of voice, data, and other
types of content.
• A cell – uses a different set of frequencies from
neighbouring cells, to avoid interference and provide
guaranteed QoS within each cell.
1.1 Early stage – Limited On-line Access
• Objectives
• User: Easily enjoy Internet services on cell phone
• Operators: A way to attract new users and increase revenue (per-packet
billing)
• Combining access, content and service within operators’ domain
• Attractive in early stages and for several reasons
• Easier to implement and control & develop market models
• Often have a limited life-span
• Content and service maintenance – very expensive
• Content and service are operator-dependent (user may leave)
• Content and real-world disconnection 4
1.2 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)

• Empowers mobile users with wireless devices to easily access and

interact with information and services.
• “Standard” – created by wireless and Internet companies to enable
Internet access from a cellular phone.
• Integrates telephony services with browser technology,
• Interactive Internet access for mobile handsets
• Two approaches to bring Internet services to WAP Devices
• http://wwwconference.org/www9/w9cdrom/228/228.html
 • Internet content and advanced data services on
wireless clients
 Started with ZERO CONTENT !
• Designed for micro browsers – Mozilla
• Works across ALL wireless network
technologies
• Standardized by the WAP Forum (founded in
1997 by Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and others)
• WAP specification:
i. WML (extended subset of HTML)
ii. WML Script (incompatible with JavaScript)
iii. WBXML (binary encoding of XML)
iv. WBMP (derived from PNG but incompatible)
v. Communication protocols (WCMP, WDP, WTP)
• New specifications for almost any Web
7
… cont.
• Three elements
 Clients
 Gateways or proxy
 Origin servers
• WAP Proxy
 Protocol Conversion: translate WAP protocols to standard-protocols
 Content encoding/decoding: offload processing activities for the mobile
devices
 Manage user profile (capabilities and preferences )
 Caching
 Domain Name Server (DNS) service
8
1.3 WAP versus WiFi

• WAP – STANDARD to allow

cellular/mobile/wireless devices to access
the Internet

• WiFi – INTERNET connection that runs

on radio frequencies like wireless
2. Mobile vs Wireless
• Mobile and Wireless – often used interchangeably.
• Two different concepts applied to modern computing
technology.
• Mobile – describe portable devices
• Made to be taken anywhere
• Internal battery for power
• Connected to a modern mobile network – send and receive data
without attaching to a hardware infrastructure
• Wireless – traditional / non-mobile devices can access
wireless network
2.1 Data – the definition
• Electronic information which is transported over wireless or wired
medium connected with Internet using any computing devices (e.g.,
cell phones, laptops, desktops, PDAs, tablets etc.)
• Types of activities or files are considered as data:
i. Sharing of photos or images or videos
ii. E-mail messages
iii. Browsing of internet or surfing social media websites such as Facebook,
twitter etc.
iv. Watching of streaming video listening to streaming music
v. App downloads from stores of apple, Microsoft or google.
3. Mobile Data and WiFi
3.1 Mobile/Cellular data
network
• The data transported over
cellular network – known
as cellular data.

• Such technology: 2G (GSM),

3G (WCDMA), 3.5G (HSPA+),
4G (LTE, Mobile WiMAX),
4.5G (LTE Advanced), 5G NR
(New Radio)
… cont.

• Three main elements in cellular data network architecture:

i. Base Station (i.e., network side),
ii. Mobile subscriber (i.e., user side) and
iii. Internet backbone.
• Silent features of cellular data network:
i. Available nation wide due to roaming functionality.
ii. Users will be charged as per different subscription rates and usage in
various countries.
iii. Coverage range is higher due to cellular tower height and transmit power as
per planned RF link budget.
3.2 WiFi data network

• The data transported over WiFi

network – WiFi Data.
• Standard – various IEEE WLAN
wireless standards such as
802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac
(wifi5), 11ax (wifi6) etc.
• Not available everywhere.
• WiFi hotspots – available in
business offices, malls, airports,
railway stations etc.
… cont.

• Two elements in WiFi data network architecture:

i. AP (Access point) or router and
ii. STAs (Stations).
• Operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands – adhoc and
infrastructure.
• Silent features of WiFi data network:
• WiFi data users are not charged, and it is available free of cost at most of the
public places.
• It supports different data rates as per WiFi standard used by APs (i.e., routers)
and STAs (stations) which is much larger than cellular data rates.
• Coverage range is lesser compared to cellular network.
4. What is 5G?
• Architected to run on
radio frequencies
ranging from sub 1 GHz
to extremely high
frequencies – called
“millimeter wave” (or
mmWave).
• Lower frequency –
farther the signal can
travel.
• Higher frequency –
more data it can carry.
4.1 5G networks – Frequency bands
i. 5G high-band (mmWave) – the highest frequencies of 5G.
• Range from 24 GHz to approximately 100 GHz.
• Because high frequencies cannot easily move through obstacles, high-band 5G is short range by nature.
• Moreover, mmWave coverage is limited and requires more cellular infrastructure.

ii. 5G mid-band:
• Operates in the 2-6 GHz range and provides a capacity layer for urban and suburban areas.
• This frequency band has peak rates in the hundreds of Mbps.

iii. 5G low-band:
• Operates below 2 GHz and provides a broad coverage.
• Uses spectrum that is available and in use today for 4G LTE, essentially providing an LTE 5g architecture for
5G devices that are ready now.
• Performance similar to 4G LTE, and supports use for 5G devices on the market today.
4.2 5G impact on mobile app development
4.3 FAQ – 5G and Mobile App Development
i. How 5G is better than 4G?
• Benefits like better and faster speed, minimal latency, enhanced battery life,
faster file transfer, increased bandwidth, engaging user experience.

ii. Which industries are getting the maximum benefit from the 5G technology?
• Some industries like IoT, AR/VR, logistics and production, healthcare, movies.

iii. What are the challenges you may face while implementing 5G in mobile
apps?
• Some challenges are security and privacy issues, multiple app versions, the setup
of a 5G-based business model.