The Specifications of UMTS
UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system) is a third generation cellular communications technology. It has been designed and developed under the recommendations of telecommunications regulatory authority named as ITU (international telecommunications union), and also made part of the specifications of 3GPP (third generation partnership protocol) -- an agreement between major global cellular organizations.
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Technology
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UMTS is a global communications standard. As its name suggests, it is among the very first third generation (3G) technologies that promoted the concept of universal roaming of cell phones in a converged and ubiquitous networking environment. In this regard, the term 'converged networking' suggests the simultaneous availability of voice, video, and text based communication facilities in single device, while 'ubiquitous networking' is the concept of global cellular network present everywhere on Earth.
Data Rates
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UMTS offers very promising data rates, as compared to its competitor technologies like CDMA2000 (code division multiple access 2000) and EDGE (enhanced data rates for global evolution). Theoretically, it supports maximum data rate of 42 Mbps (mega bytes per second), while in practical scenarios, the data rates vary from 384 Kbps (kilo bytes per second) to 7.2 Mbps. This variation is highly associated with the physical structures and terrains in surrounding.
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Network Architecture
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UMTS network architecture contains following elements: Node B, RNC (radio network controller), and a functioning VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) network. In this architecture, Node B serves as transceiver (transmitter and receiver) for mobile phones. Further, this Node B is connected to RNC, which commands it regarding when to forward and accept data. Finally, this assembly is connected to a VoIP network, which associates it with both computer and telephone networks operating in the region.
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References
- Photo Credit communications mast image by thomas owen from Fotolia.com
