WCDMA

WCDMA

 

Analog cellular systems are commonly referred to as first generation systems.

The digital systems currently in use, such as GSM, PDC, cdmaOne(IS-95) and US-TDMA(IS-136), are second generation systems. These systems have enabled voice communications to go wireless in many of the leading markets, and customers are increasingly finding value also in other services, such as text messaging and access to data networks, which are starting to grow rapidly.

 

Third generation systems are designed for multimedia communication: with them person-to-person communication can be enhanced with high quality images and video, and access to information and services on public and private networks will be enhanced by the higher data rates and new flexible communication capabilities of third generation systems. This, together with the continuing evolution of the second generation systems, will create new business opportunities not only for manufacturers and operators, but for the providers of content and applications using these networks.

 

In the standardization forums, WCDMA technology has emerged as the most widely adopted third generation air interface. Its specification has been created in 3GPP(the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project), which is the joint standardization project of the standardization bodies from Europe, Japan, Korea, the USA and China. Within 3GPP, WCDMA is called UTRA(Universal Terrestrial Radio Access) FDD(Frequency Division Duplex) and TDD(Time Division Duplex), the name WCDMA being used to cover both FDD and TDD operation.