The fourth generation (4G) is the next era of wireless technology based on the integration of new technologies that enable high data rates and offer seamless mobility and interoperability.
It also provides an evolutionary design of existing technologies and platforms.
The next logical step forward toward enabling transfer of high volumes promises to overcome the shortcoming of 3G. Although the transition path from 3G to 4G is still unsure, it cannot be presumed that the underlying technology requirements change. Toward the new race for 4G, only two technologies, WiMAX and long term evolution (LTE), have really stepped up toward catering to the dynamic needs and requirements. On one hand, where the LTE platform boasts a high throughput of 150 Mbps on downlinks and 30 Mbps for uplinks, WiMAX promises increased coverage and mobility.
Leading industry participants have begun to claim one or both of these technologies to come under the 4G umbrella. While companies such as Sweden-based Ericsson have rejuvenated their interests in the UMTS evolutionary path in their new LTE base-stations, companies such as France-based Alcatel-Lucent have been pioneering in WiMAX and reality centres. Although the speeds indicated in field trials of both these technologies are impressive, it is currently very hard to imagine them in realtime applications.
However, most companies in this domain have clear roadmaps for mass commercialisation of their technologies within the next two to three years. Once rolled out, we could expect to see 50 Mbps in downlinks and 20 Mbps in uplinks in several service areas. It is interesting to note that 4G can be visualised only through collaboration. This is because there are many coupling technologies that need to embed together into one platform to interoperate and deliver the promised features.
A huge amount of research is being undertaken by the academic community to provide the best architecture. On top of this, corporate research groups are focused on technologies for air interface, modulation techniques and antenna technologies.
Even though these two technologies are clearly distinct from each other, the underlying necessities for the wireless architecture do not change entirely. An analytical study by Frost & Sullivan of the various levels of underlying systems, components and technologies that are required to build the next generation of wireless infrastructure and technology has found that high-end research and development and partnerships are now under way for specific key technology areas.
Before understanding the roadmap and timeframes for commercialisation of LTE and WiMAX, it becomes necessary to estimate the priorities for R&D for the underlying solutions.
These technology areas include:
* Radio frequency IC.
* Multicore processors.
* MIMO.
* OFDM.
* Power supply design.
* Product reliability.
* Energy efficiency design.
* Packet scheduling.
* Radio resource management.
* QoS.
The wireless industry is expected to engage in enhanced R&D and strategic partnerships towards developing these ten key technologies that can be embedded into their 4G technology. While energy efficiency and power supply designs are mostly accomplished internally, the area of multicore processors and packet scheduling encompasses several partnerships from the corporate and academic communities.
Along the same lines, OFDM and MIMO are receiving heavier interest than ever before. Advanced research is also expected in the areas of product reliability tests and QoS internally within the company or through a consortium of partners, which discuss key issues pertaining to such fields. As expected, both the areas of radio resource management and RFIC can be perceived as critical toward developing the required underlying base for 4G.
The natural trend of such companies’ investment in these areas marks the consensus in the industry on the importance of 4G technologies. Concurrently, the industry also perceives an exponential increase in the demand for such high-performance wireless systems in the near future. In coping with this hyper-activity, most companies have been monotonously investing and partnering with all classes of R&D initiators in these areas. The arrival of the next generation depends not just on the technical advancements in LTE or WiMAX but also on the strength of research in the above outlined technology areas.
With multiple vendors and partners addressing key issues in these areas, Frost & Sullivan believes 4G may arrive sooner than previously envisioned.
For more information contact Patrick Cairns, Frost & Sullivan, +27 (0)21 680 3274.
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