Third generation WCDMA radio evolution

Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) produced the first full version of the WCDMA standard at the end of 1999. This release, called Release'99, contains all the necessary elements to meet the requirements for IMT‐2000 technologies, including 2 Mbps data rate with variable bit‐rate capability, support of multi‐service, QoS differentiation and efficient packet data. The Release 5 specifications were created in March 2002 and they contain downlink packet data operation enhancement, under the title high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA). HSDPA utilizes Hybrid ARQ and higher order modulation for improving data‐spectral efficiency and for pushing bit rates beyond 10 Mbps. The further 3GPP releases will study the enhancements of packet‐data performance in uplink. Other important features in future 3GPP releases include advanced antenna technologies and WCDMA standard for new spectrum allocations. The paper describes the main solutions of 3GPP WCDMA standard in more detail. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.