- The radio access of the 3G must be generic.
- The services for the end users must be independent: Radio access and the network infrastructure must not limit the services to be generated. That is, the technology platform is one issue and the services using the platform totally another issue.
In order to appreciate the work in creating standards like UMTS, it is helpful to understand the history and background of wireless communications in general, as well as GSM and CDMA. A timeline of significant GSM and CDMA events is contained in the following table.
|
Year |
Event |
|
1990 |
In December, the first human voice transmission via radio was accomplished by Reginald Fessenden. |
|
1906 |
First radio broadcast (also Reginald Fessenden). |
|
1948 |
John Pierce writes a memo describing CDMA multiplexing. |
|
1949 |
Claude Shannon and John Pierce describe major CDMA effects. |
|
1956 |
“Antimultipath” RAKE receiver patented. |
|
1970 |
CDMA used in several military communication and navigation systems. |
|
1980 |
Studies for narrowband CDMA for mobile cellular systems. |
|
1981 |
Nokia introduces Nordic Mobile Telephone System (NMT). |
|
1983 |
Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS) introduced. |
|
1985 |
ITU starts studies for Future Public Land Mobile Telecommunication Systems (FPLMTS). A decision made on GSM time schedule and action plan. |
|
1986 |
Eight experimental GSM systems are tested in Paris. |
|
1987 |
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); the services of the GSM system will be offered in all of western Europe. A decision on system parameters and preparation of draft recommendations. |
|
1989 |
Final GSM recommendations and specifications. |
|
1990 |
Studies for wideband ~5 MHz CDMA for mobile cellular systems. |