Trends in cellular and cordless communications

The evolution of wireless information networks is traced from the present first generation systems to next century's third generation. The third generation is envisioned as a unified wireless access replacing the diverse and incompatible second-generation networks with a single means of wireless access to advanced information services. Four issues are examined: the goal a network is designed to achieve, network architecture, radio transmission technology, and the control channels that make it possible for wireless terminals and the remainder of the network to coordinate their operations. In the framework of these issues, present networks are described; the properties of four second-generation networks, GSM, IS-54, CT2, and DECT, are cited; and early work in progress at the Rutgers WINLAB is described. The latter is a packet-reservation multiple-access scheme that can be viewed as a combination of TDMA and slotted ALOHA