UMTS Tutorial
This tutorial on UMTS covers UMTS overview,UMTS Releases, UMTS frequency bands,UARFCN,UMTS multiple access,UMTS frame structure, UMTS network architecture, UMTS channel types(logical,transport,physical channels), mapping between channels,spreading,scrambling and modulation.
This tutorial covers following in addition to overview and UMTS releases outlined here:
UMTS Overview
UMTS stands for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It came into existence from GSM technology developed by 3GPP. UMTS network composed of three main parts UE (User Equipment), Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network. UMTS is released in several phases by 3GPP standard body as shown below. UMTS is also referred by 3G. The main features of 3G standardization by ITU includes support for circuit and packet switching, support for both voice and data applications, support for seamless mobility for both voice and data, improvement in spectral efficiency, legacy support for GSM/GPRS systems, increase in voice quality, low round trip packet delay and more.
UMTS Releases
Following table mentions UMTS releases with features.
| Release | Feature introduced |
| R99 | WCDMA air interface introduced in UMTS |
| R4 | IPMS (IP Multimedia Service) introduced on network side |
| R5 | HSDPA |
| R6 | HSUPA + Fractional DPCH |
| R7 | HSPA, MIMO, higher modulation scheme 64QAM, continuous packet connectivity and Flexible RLC |
| R8 | LTE, Dual cell HSDPA |
| R9 | DC HSUPA |
| R10 | LTE Advanced, Multi cell HSDPA |
| R11 | 8 carrier HSDPA |
References
3GPP TS 25.201, Physical layer general description
3GPP TS 25.101, UARFCN
Similar posts on UMTS technology
Main Page Architecture Stack channel types Bands UARFCN Frame Timers