What is the edge?

EDGE I. Introduction to EDGE Technology

EDGE is the abbreviation of English enhanced data rate for GSM evolution, that is, enhanced data rate GSM evolution technology. EDGE is the transition technology from GSM to 3G, which mainly adopts a new modulation method in GSM system, namely the most advanced multi-slot operation and 8PSK modulation technology. Because 8PSK can expand the signal space of GMSK modulation technology used in existing GSM networks from 2 to 8, each symbol contains four times as much information as the original.

EDGE is called the transitional technical scheme from GPRS to 3G mobile communication because it can make full use of existing GSM resources. Because it not only uses the existing GSM frequency, but also uses most of the existing GSM equipment, it only needs to make some minor changes to the network software and hardware, so that operators can provide wireless multimedia services for mobile users, such as internet browsing, video teleconference, high-speed mail transmission, etc., that is, to provide users with personal multimedia communication services in advance before the third generation mobile network is commercialized. EDGE is a transitional technology between the second and third generation mobile networks, which is superior to the second and a half generation GPRS technology, so some people call it "2.75 generation" technology. EDGE can also coexist with future WCDMA standards, which is its flexible advantage. EDGE technology mainly affects the wireless access part of the existing GSM network, that is, the base transceiver station (BTS) and the base station controller (BSC) in GSM, and has little influence on the applications and interfaces based on circuit switching and packet switching. Therefore, network operators can make full use of the existing wireless network equipment, deploy EDGE with a small amount of investment, and continue to use the existing network interface through the mobile switching center (MSC) and the serving GPRS support node (SGSN). In fact, EDGE improves the performance and efficiency of these existing GSM applications, and provides the possibility for future broadband services. -EDGE technology effectively improves the coding efficiency of GPRS channel and its high-speed mobile data standard, and its highest rate can reach 384kbit/s, which saves network investment to some extent and can fully meet the bandwidth requirements of future wireless multimedia applications. In the long run, it will gradually replace GPRS as the closest technology to the third generation mobile communication system. Second, the edge of the technical positioning

Second, the positioning of edge technology

GSM and TDMA/ 136 are now the second generation cellular mobile communication standards in the world. At present, over 100 countries use GSM, and about 95 million users in nearly 1 00 countries use TDMA/ 136 system family (including ELA-553 and IS-54) services. Edge (enhanced data rate for GSM evolution) technology, as a transitional data communication technology between the existing second-generation mobile communication system and the third-generation mobile communication system, can greatly improve the data service rate of the existing GSM network. However, in order to give full play to the speed advantage of EDGE, operators must modify the existing GSM system structure and all equipment.

EDGE technology is different from GSM in the following advantages: (1). 8 PSK air interface mode (2), enhanced AMR coding mode (3), MCS 1 ~ 9 nine-channel coding mode (4), link adaptation (5), incremental redundant transmission (6) and automatic adjustment of RLC window size.

Third, the background.

Voice communication is the main service of the second generation mobile system. In recent years, mobile communication devices have greatly enhanced their support for data communication. Some standard mobile communication devices can provide data services at a rate of 9.6kbps at present. However, such a low data communication rate obviously cannot meet the needs of multimedia data communication of mobile devices. Therefore, manufacturers are developing new and faster mobile data communication technologies, the most typical of which are GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), HSCSD (High Speed Circuit Switched Data) and EDGE.

These three technologies can solve the problem of higher data rate to varying degrees. HSCSD introduces the concept of multi-slot, and both HSCSD and GPRS technologies are non-connection oriented technologies. Users only need to keep the connection with the network when sending and receiving data, thus greatly improving the utilization rate of wireless resources. In addition, many new core network component products will enable future mobile communication products to directly access the Internet/Intranet.

HSCSD and GPRS realize high bit rate through multi-slot operation. However, because these technologies are based on gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation technology, the rate increase that can be obtained per time slot is limited. For this reason, many more efficient modulation schemes have been introduced. For example, in TDMA/ 136+, the combination of multi-slot operation and new modulation scheme 8PSK (based on carrier bandwidth of 30kHz) will increase the data rate by about 4 times.

The advantage of the third generation wireless communication IMT-2000 is that it can use broadband services, which greatly improves the standardized services currently provided on GSM and TDMA/ 136. The third generation mobile communication system will provide 384kbps wide area data communication service and about 2Mbps local area data communication service. The new 2GHz band for code division multiple access (W-CDMA) has been supported by ETSI, Radio Industry and Broadcasting Association (ARIB). W-CDMA will include all the functions required by IMT-2000 equipment. However, the development towards higher data rates is not limited to the new 2GHz band. EDGE technology can also make networks using 800, 900, 1800 and 1900MHz bands provide some functions of the third generation mobile communication network.

On this basis, Ericsson first proposed the concept of EDGE to ETSI in 1997. In the same year, ETSI approved the feasibility study of EDGE, paving the way for the future development of EDGE. Although EDGE still uses GSM carrier bandwidth and time slot structure, it can also be used in other cellular communication systems. EDGE can be regarded as an effective universal wireless interface technology, which provides high bit rate, thus promoting the evolution of cellular mobile system to the third generation function. On this basis, the Unified Wireless Communication Forum (UWCC) evaluated the EDGE technology used in TDMA/ 136 and approved it in 1998+0.

The introduction of EDGE technology into the existing GSM network will inevitably have an impact on the existing network structure and mobile communication equipment. In order to make EDGE easy to be accepted and popularized by network operators, EDGE must minimize the impact on its existing network structure, and EDGE system should allow operators to reuse existing base station equipment. In addition, using EDGE, operators should not need to modify their own wireless network planning, and the introduction of EDGE can not affect the quality of mobile communication.

EDGE mainly affects the transceiver base station (BTS) in the wireless access part of the network, the base station controller (BSC) in GSM and the base station (BS) in TDMA, but it has no adverse effect on the applications and interfaces based on circuit-switched and packet-switched access. Existing network interfaces can be retained through the mobile switching center (MSC) and the serving GPRS support node (SGSN). In fact, EDGE has improved the performance and efficiency of some existing GSM applications, which makes future broadband services possible.

Fourthly, the technical characteristics of EDGE.

EDGE is an important technology, which can further improve the transmission rate of mobile data services and the transition from GSM to 3G. In terms of access services and network construction, it has the following characteristics:

1. Performance of access service

(1) bandwidth has been significantly improved, with the peak rate of single point access reaching 2Mbit/s, the channel rate of single slot reaching 48kbit/s, and the peak transmission rate of mobile data service reaching 384kbit/s, which provides a foundation for the realization of mobile multimedia services.

(2) A more accurate network layer provides location services.

2. The characteristics of network construction

(1)EDGE is a modulation coding technology, which changes the speed of air interface.

(2) The air interface characteristics of Edge, such as air channel allocation mode and TDMA frame structure, are the same as those of GSM.

(3)EDGE does not change the structure of GSM or GPRS network, nor introduces new network elements, but only upgrades BTS.

(4) The core network adopts a three-layer model: business application layer, communication control layer and communication connection layer, and the interfaces between the layers should be standardized. Hierarchical structure can make call control and communication connection relatively independent, give full play to the advantages of packet-switched networks, and make traffic and bandwidth allocation closer, especially for VoIP services.

(5) Introduction of Media Gateway (MGW). MGW has STP function, which can realize the establishment of signaling network in IP network (VPN support is needed). In addition, MGW is not only the interface between GSM circuit-switched service and PSTN, but also the interface between RAN and 3G core network.

(6) The edge speed is high. The existing GSM network mainly adopts gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation technology, and EDGE adopts octal phase shift keying (8PSK) modulation, which can reach 384kbit/s stably in mobile environment and even 2Mbit/s in static environment, basically meeting the requirements of various wireless applications. (7)EDGE supports two data transmission modes: packet switching and circuit switching. The packet data service it supports can reach the rate of11.2kbit/s-69.2kbit/s per time slot. EDGE can support 28.8kbit/s circuit-switched services, and it supports symmetric and asymmetric data transmission, which is very important for mobile devices to surf the Internet. For example, in the EDGE system, users can use a higher rate in the downlink than in the uplink.

3. Overview of wireless interface

The main function of EDGE wireless interface is to make the current cellular communication system obtain higher data communication rate. The existing GSM network mainly adopts GMSK modulation technology. In order to improve the overall rate of wireless interface, EDGE introduces an octal phase shift keying (8PSK) modulation scheme which can provide high data rate. Because 8PSK expands the signal space of GMSK from 2 to 8, each symbol can contain four times the original information. The symbol rate of 8PSK is maintained at 27 1kbps, and the total rate of 69.2kbps can be obtained in each time slot, and the GSM spectrum shielding can still be completed.

The basic guiding ideology of EDGE specification is to use the existing GSM data service types as much as possible to greatly improve its data communication rate. It defines a variety of channel coding schemes to ensure the robustness of various channel environments, and uses link adaptive technology to realize the dynamic conversion of coding and modulation schemes. By reusing the GPRS structure, the packet data service can reach the wireless communication rate as high as 1 1.2-69.2kbps per time slot. EDGE supports circuit-switched services by using a high-speed wireless interface rate of 28.8kbps per time slot.

In the EDGE scheme, the rate of multi-slot communication supporting all services is 8 times that of single-slot communication, and the peak wireless communication rate of packet data services can be as high as 554kbps.

Influence of (1) on wireless interface equipment

EDGE's modification of the original wireless interface of GSM network will directly affect the design of base stations and mobile terminals. People must adopt new terminals and base stations to send and receive EDGE modulated information.

(2) Influence on linear modulation

The new modulation scheme puts forward new requirements for the linearity of power amplifier. Unlike GMSK, 8PSK has no fixed software package. In fact, the biggest challenge facing EDGE is to make a cost-effective transmitter and complete the spectrum shielding of GSM at the same time.

In order to make full use of the existing GSM network, the EDGE transceiver must be installed in the base station cabin designed for standard transceivers, and the EDGE transceiver must be acceptable in terms of emission spectrum and heat diffusion. Generally, a high-performance EDGE transceiver may need to reduce its average transmit power when transmitting 8PSK. Compared with GMSK, the average power reduction (SPD) is between 2-5dB.

How to design low-power transceiver, that is, micro base station, indoor or micro base station and mobile terminal, will bring further challenges. For example, the transmitter structure optimized for nonlinear modulation can no longer be used in EDGE system.

Where the mobile terminal is connected, two modulation methods can be used. The first is to use GMSK transmission for uplink and 8PSK for downlink. In this way, the uplink rate will be limited in the range of GPRS, and the high rate of EDGE will be provided to the downlink. Because most services require higher downlink rate than uplink rate, this scheme can meet the service requirements of mobile terminals in the most economical way. The second way is to transmit in uplink and downlink through 8PSK mode.

The existing GSM standard defines a variety of mobile terminals, such as single-slot devices with low complexity to 8-slot devices with high ratio characteristics.

(3) the impact on the total rate

The higher the total interface rate, the more complex the technology. The ideal equalizer structure can't handle the high rate of the edge interface, but can only consider the sub-ideal equalizer design. According to the simulation test results, the optimal equalizer design of 8PSK will be only slightly more complicated than the standard GSM equalizer.

The enhanced bit rate (compared with standard GPRS) also reduces the robustness of time distribution and mobile terminal rate. But in most cases, edge services will be used by relatively static users, which means that it is impossible for mobile terminals to move at high speed and allocate too much time. In addition, GMSK modulation is still needed when the moving speed and time distribution exceed the capacity of the edge.

The influence of 4.4. Network structure edge

The improvement of wireless data communication speed puts forward new requirements for the existing GSM network structure. However, the impact of the EDGE system on the existing GSM core network is very limited, and because the GPRS node, SGSN and gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) are more or less independent of the user data communication rate, EDGE will not need to deploy new hardware.

An obvious communication bottleneck is the A-bis interface, which currently only supports the rate of 16kbps per channel.

For EDGE, the rate of each channel will exceed 64kbps, which requires the allocation of multiple A-bis time slots for each communication channel. The limitation of A-bis interface 16kbps can be broken through the introduction of two GPRS coding schemes (CS3 and CS4), and each communication channel can provide a rate of 22.8kbps.

For packet data service based on GPRS, other nodes and interfaces have been able to handle higher bit rate per time slot. For circuit-switched services, the A-bis interface can handle the rate of 64kbps per user, so the modification in MSC will only affect the software part and will not involve the original hardware equipment.

(1) wireless network planning

An important condition that determines the success of EDGE is that network operators should be allowed to gradually introduce EDGE. Transceivers with EDGE function should be deployed in the places where EDGE coverage is most needed as soon as possible to supplement the existing standard GSM transceivers, so that circuit switching, GPRS and EDGE user services will coexist in the same frequency band. In order to minimize the investment and cost of operators, the implementation related to EDGE does not need to make a lot of modifications to the existing wireless network planning, including cell planning, frequency planning, power level and other cell parameter settings.

(2) Coverage planning

An important feature of non-transparent wireless link protocols, such as those including automatic repeat request APR, is that poor wireless link quality will lead to lower bit rate. Different from voice communication, low carrier-to-noise ratio will not lead to the loss of data session, but will only temporarily slow down the communication speed of users. There is carrier interference between different users in GSM cell, and an edge cell will contain users with different communication rates at the same time. The communication rate near the cell center is high, and the communication rate near the cell boundary is limited by standard GPRS.

According to the test results provided to the International Organization for Standardization, 30% users of the EDGE system with 95% voice communication service will get a communication rate per slot exceeding 45Kbps, while the average rate of all users is 34Kbps. Assuming APD is 2dB, the average communication rate will be reduced to 30Kbps.

On the issue of coverage, if network operators can accept that there is only a standard GPRS data communication rate at the far-near border, then the existing GSM sites have provided enough coverage for EDGE. For transparent data services that usually require continuous bit rate, link adaptive technology must be used to allocate the number of time slots to meet the requirements of bit rate and bit error rate (ber).

(3) frequency planning

In most mature GSM networks, the average frequency reuse is between 9- 12, and the future mobile communication system will develop to lower frequency reuse. In fact, with the introduction of frequency hopping technology, it is feasible to reduce the frequency reuse times to three times for multiple multiplexing (MRP) and discontinuous transmission (DTX), which means that the frequency will be reused once every three base stations.

EDGE supports this trend of frequency reuse. In fact, because of the link adaptive technology, EDGE can introduce any frequency planning, including the existing GSM frequency planning, which lays a good foundation for higher-speed data communication in the future.

5. Channel management

After the introduction of EDGE, a cell will include two types of transceivers: standard GSM transceiver and EDGE transceiver. Each physical channel (time slot) in a cell usually has at least four channel types:

(1), GSM voice and GSM circuit switched data (CSD);

(2) GPRS packet data;

(3) Circuit-switched data, enhanced circuit-switched data (ECSD) and GSM voice;

(4) Edge Packet Data (EGPRS), which allows to provide services for GPRS and edge users.

Although the standard GSM transceiver only supports the above-mentioned channel types 1 and 2, the EDGE transceiver supports all the above-mentioned four types. The physical channels in the EDGE system will be dynamically defined according to the terminal capabilities and cell requirements. For example, if several voice users are active, the number of 1 channels will increase, while GPRS and EDGE channels will decrease. Obviously, the automatic management of the above four channels must be realized in the EDGE system, otherwise the efficiency of the EDGE system will be greatly weakened.

6. Link adaptation

The so-called link adaptation means that modulation and coding schemes can be automatically selected to meet the requirements of wireless link quality. The adaptive dynamic link selection algorithm supported by EDGE standard includes the measurement and reporting of downlink quality and the selection of new modulation and coding methods for uplink. Link adaptation means complete automation of modulation and coding. The possibility of improving ARP performance through hybrid II/IIIARP is also being studied, which can reduce the necessity of using link adaptation technology when selecting modulation methods.

7. Power control

The current GSM system uses dynamic power control to increase the balance in the system and prolong the life of the mobile terminal battery. A similar strategy will be used for GPRS. Although their actual signaling processes are different, EDGE's support for power control is considered by experts to be similar to GSM/GPRS. Therefore, network operators only need to modify the parameter settings of existing GSM/GPRS networks when deploying EDGE.

It should be added that the power control parameter setting of EDGE will be different from that of GSM/GPRS, because users of EDGE can benefit from a much higher carrier-to-interference ratio than users of standard GSM.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) EDGE's hosting service.

EDGE's bearer services include packet services (non-real-time services) and circuit-switched services (real-time services). The carriers of these services include the following two types:

1. packet switching service operator

GPRS network can provide IP connection from mobile station to fixed IP network. For each IP connection operator, the QoS parameter space is defined, such as priority, reliability, delay, maximum and average bit rate, etc. Different carriers are defined by different combinations of these parameters to meet the needs of different applications.

For EDGE, a new QoS parameter space needs to be defined. For example, for a mobile station with a moving speed of 250km/h, the maximum bit rate is 144kbit/s, and for a mobile station with a moving speed of 100km/h, the maximum bit rate is 384 kbit/s. In addition, the average bit rate and delay level of EDGE are also different from GPRS.

Because different applications and users have different needs, EDGE must be able to support more QoS.

2. Circuit-switched service operators

Existing GSM systems can support transparent and non-transparent services. It defines eight kinds of transparent service carriers, providing bit rates ranging from 9.6 kbit/s to 64 kbit/s.

Non-transparent service operators use wireless link protocols to ensure error-free data transmission. In this case, there are eight kinds of carriers, which provide bit rates ranging from 4.8 kbit/s to 57.6 kbit/s, and the actual user data bit rate varies with the channel quality.

Tcs- 1 is realized by occupying 2 time slots. For the same service, TCH/F 14.4 of standard GSM system needs to occupy 4 time slots.

It can be seen that the circuit switching mode of EDGE can realize high-speed data service with less time slot occupation, which can reduce the complexity of mobile terminal implementation. At the same time, the capacity of the system can be increased because the number of time slots occupied by each user is less than that of the standard GSM system.

Development of intransitive verbs

EDGE is a data-enhanced mobile communication technology based on GSM/GPRS network, which is usually called 2.75 generation technology. EDGE, once neglected in 2003, has become a bright spot in the mobile communication market, including CingularWireless and AT & amp； TelefonicaMoviles in Chile, CSL in China Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and AIS EDGE in Thailand have opened edge-based services. At the same time, some European mobile operators have begun to show interest in EDGE, among which both TIM and TeliaSonera have made it clear that they will adopt EDGE technology.

From a technical point of view, EDGE provides a new wireless modulation method, which provides three times the air transmission rate of ordinary GSM. On the other hand, EDGE inherits the GSM standard, and the carrier frequency can be dynamically switched between GSM and EDGE based on the time slot (based on the type of mobile phone), supporting the traditional GSM mobile phone, thus protecting the investment of the existing network. Edge network can be flexibly and gradually expanded, which provides favorable support for operators to maximize value.

EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) is a faster version of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) wireless service, which is designed to transmit data at a speed of 384 bits per second, and can transmit multimedia and other broadband applications to mobile phones and personal computers. EDGE standard is based on existing GSM and cell arrangement standards, which use the same time division multiple access (TDMA) frame structure.

TTPCom, the world's leading independent provider of digital wireless technology, announced that it has authorized ASMobile Communication to develop a new generation of high-end multimedia mobile phones using its EDGE protocol software. This agreement is based on the continuous cooperation between the two companies, and also indicates that ASMobile has incorporated TTPCom technology into its product development blueprint in 2005, including entry-level GSM/GPRS mobile phones and multifunctional fashion mobile phones.

ASMobile is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASUS Computer Co., Ltd., which was established in Taiwan Province Province one year ago, and is committed to expanding OEM/ODM services in the highly competitive European and South American markets. The company's first entry-level mobile phone series with TTPCom GPRS technology has been put into production first, and it is planned to be officially shipped on June 5438+ 10, 2005, and then a mobile phone with multimedia functions such as game download will be launched. The first mobile phone with EDGE function is expected to be launched in autumn 2005.

The data transmission rate of ASMobile EDGE mobile phone is three times that of the existing GPRS network, and it can be used by more and more edge networks 1 around the world to use data-intensive 3G services such as video download and high-speed Internet access. This new mobile phone will use the chip provided by ADI, the EDGE software of TTPCom and the hardware of American ADI, which has become a recognized technology platform and can effectively speed up the time to market.

Allan Cheng, vice president of ASMobile, said: "Since the establishment of ASMobile, we have a clear understanding of the development potential of the market and what kind of mobile phones should be designed to meet the ever-changing market demand. TTPCom is our long-term technical partner, and their support will run through the development blueprint of our whole product. Our future EDGE products will adopt the industry-leading and recognized technology of TTPCom. I believe this is not only in line with our goal of actively launching new mobile phones, but also caters to users' expectations for novel mobile phone functions. "

Richard Walker, managing director of TTPCom's software business department, said: "Newcomers to the mobile phone market can use our platform to launch a comprehensive mobile phone series; This proves that our technology is reliable, stable and easy to integrate. With the increasing popularity of edge technology, companies entering this market will have a good chance to gain market share. With TTPCom technology, with the increasing popularity of EDGE, ASMobile will strive for a more competitive position in the market. "

TTPCom's EDGE software has undergone extensive interoperability testing by leading infrastructure suppliers, test equipment manufacturers and wireless operators. The test results show that the EDGE platform of TTPCom can support the industry-leading data transmission rate as high as 2 16 Kbs per second, enabling network operators and mobile phone manufacturers to start providing 3G services such as video streaming by using the existing 2G network.

Editor's Note Edge's Global Growth

According to the statistics of Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), 1 18 network operators in 53 countries have deployed EDGE to provide new generation services. Today, 17 network providers in North America, South America, Europe and Asia have used edge services. The network operators that announced the deployment of EDGE in China Mainland and Hongkong include CSL (EDGE service has been provided), PEOPLES, SUNDAY and China Unicom. Get a list of all edge operators in the world.

About mobile communication

ASMobile, a subsidiary of Asus Computer Co., Ltd., is a professional OEM/ODM communication equipment company, which is committed to designing and producing GSM/GRPS and EDGE mobile terminals. ASMobile's experienced and excellent R&D team cooperates with the most creative hardware and mechanical structure and shape design engineers in the mobile phone industry to launch practical solutions to meet the ever-changing market demand. In addition, ASMobile's R&D personnel also set up an independent antenna group and protocol department to solve the main communication problems. In addition to hardware, ASMobile also has a software and application team, providing a stable software environment and a simple user interface to meet the individual needs of users. With advanced and cutting-edge equipment and technology, ASMobile's engineers are constantly involved in development and production, enabling ASMobile to provide excellent products that meet strict industry testing standards.

TTPCom and ASUS

ASUS has been authorized to use the entire technical suite of TTPCom, including dual-mode 3GSM protocol software, development tools and TTPCom application architecture AJAR platform. AJAR platform provides pre-integrated packages, including SMS, multimedia, games, browsers and JAVA technologies.

TTPCom and ASUS demonstrated ASUS's first 3G mobile phone at the 3G World Congress held in Hong Kong earlier. This mobile phone adopts TTPCom's dual-mode 3GSM technology and application suite, and has powerful multimedia functions, including video streaming, 3D games and music downloading.

About TTPCom

Headquartered in Cambridge, England, TTPCom is the main operating branch of TTP Communications Limited (London Stock Exchange: TTC). The company develops technical intellectual property rights applied to the design and manufacture of wireless communication terminal products. TTPCom licenses technology to the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers and terminal manufacturers, including ADI, Intel, LG, Renesas, Sharp, Siemens and Toshiba.

TTPCom has established a leading market position in the world with its GPRS, EDGE and 3G protocol software. TTPCom can help customers quickly customize mobile phone products through its AJAR application architecture. In 2004, more than 30 million mobile phones were listed using TTPCom technology.

Seven. Prospect of edge technology

According to the latest research of Visant Strategies, global mobile operators will use EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate Transmission Service) technology as a permanent data service repair or transition solution in the next few years, which can enhance data and voice services. Although many operators canceled EDGE not long ago, this technology is now regarded by operators as a feasible choice to provide high-speed data services and upgrade the existing GSM or TDMS capacity.

By 2009, there will be hundreds of base stations supporting EDGE around the world. Therefore, EDGE technology has delayed the sales of next-generation devices in most parts of the world. In addition, the research also found that in 2009, the market of mobile phone EDGE accessories will reach 2 billion US dollars, and the total sales of mobile phones such as GSM/GPRS/EDGE will be 365.438 billion US dollars.

Andy fortes, senior analyst of Visant, said: "It is expected that the functions of EDGE technology will be absorbed into mobile phones soon, just as GPRS functions are popularized in mobile phones this year. In the next five years, most UMTS/GSM dual-mode mobile phones will have the EDGE function, which makes the EDGE function one of the important criteria for customers to choose mobile phones. "

It is pointed out that all marginal users will exceed 65438+300 million in 2009. Many edge users will also adopt other technologies, such as UMTS or OFDM.

Larry Swasey, another author of the research report, said: "In terms of population density, average capital gain, wireless penetration rate and overall wireless network return, operators will consider EDGE. This technology can meet the expectations of operators for reliable investment and return.

Speed difference between EDGE, GPRS and TD-HSDPA

The access speed of GPRS is171.2kbps.

At peak, the edge transmission rate can reach 384kbps.

HSDPA is an upgraded version of EDGE, which is theoretically 2000Kbps-33M/BPS.