Introduction
The development of wireless telecommunication technologies is usually grouped into various generations depending on the stage of maturity of the fundamental technology. There was the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G, 2.5G and 2.75G) and the third generation (3G, 3.5G and 3.75G). Each of these generations has its own technologies that evolve with technology. For example, 3G technologies based on UMTS have HSPDA which can achieve data rates of up to 7.2Mbps. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the brand name accorded to the 4th generation (4G) development efforts by 3GGP. LTE is seeing its adoption worldwide as the primary telecommunications service, with cellular radio methods such as 2G and 3G being phased out (Khan & Ahmad, 2009). Carriers are trying to build new LTE networks while mobile device manufacturers are ensuring that their new devices are compatible with this new technology.
According to Khan & Ahmad (2009), LTE stands out as an extremely complex wireless system. It is a broadband wireless technology that utilizes wide channels to accommodate many users and accomplish high data rates. Bandwidths of up to 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 MHz are permitted. The three main issues to address when researching about LTE include: 4G wireless standards; technical challenges as well as the technologies adopted and; future services over LTE networks. On 4G wireless standards, some of the issues that come up include higher spectral efficiency, power consumption, efficiency, reduced cost per bit and flexible and scalable utilization of frequency bands. This also includes technical specifications such as the modulation methods and antenna technologies to be used. According to Reyes & David (2010), these are OFDM and MIMO respectively. The other issue is the technical challenges and technologies that are adopted. For example, issues of the architectural framework for LTE need to be explored. At the same time, it needs to be established if LTE networks will be compatible with existing cellular network technologies. Finally, there is a need to examine future services over LTE networks due to the high speeds and wide mobility that the 4G wireless network infrastructures provide.
References
Khan, A.H. & Ahmad, J. (2009) 4G: Next Generation Wireless Network. Future Computer and Communication, 2009. ICFCC 2009, pp. 334-338.
Reyes, E.C. & David, G.E. (2010) The Evolution to 4G Cellular Systems: LTE-Advanced. Physical Communication, 2010; 3(4); 217-244.
