Computer Networks and Distributed Systems - Wireless network of devices: General packet radio services (GPRS).

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ASIA-PACIFIC INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

             

Computer Networks and Distributed Systems

                                    (Research Paper)

                 WIRELESS NETWORK OF DEVICES:

 

                GENERAL PACKET RADIO SERVICES (GPRS)

                                       

        BY:

                            SELENA TAN EE LIN

                              DH007153_HF0281B

        

1. Introduction 

 

   The topic which I have chosen for my research paper is the Wireless Network of Devices. Technology has advanced in the recent years and has made humans work and communication much simpler and more importantly is a necessity in today’s technology age. One of which the technology I am about to touch is networking. Networking has made our lives simpler, much more convenient and thus efficient what more, wireless networking. Wireless networking is one of several ways to connect the computers in your home. It creates a network by sending radio-frequency signals between your computers to share information. This can make networking extremely easy, especially if you have computers all over your house. It also makes it a whole lot simpler to move computers around. For example, a laptop with a wireless network card is completely portable throughout the house!

Devices which uses radio frequency transmissions to replace medium-distance wired connections (such as Ethernet cables), to create what is sometimes called a WAN (wireless area network), or employed simply to replace short-distance cabling between digital devices. The most common current wireless network protocols are in the 802.11x family, sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), and have a range of hundreds of feet. The shorter-range which is Bluetooth specification is intended for communications over tens of feet. These are all the wireless technology while the topic which I am going to touch is the General Packet Radio Service, also known as GPRS which is the networking and, the device for the technology is for example hand phone, Palmtop …etc.

The topic which I am going to specify on is the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). GPRS is a wireless communication platform. In this research paper, I would also generally explain the uses of GPRS, GPRS terminals, the benefits of it and limitations. The architecture of the GPRS and a diagram on the evolution of mobile will be shown plus a little on GSM, EDGE and 3GSM which is related to GPRS. General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enabled networks offer 'always-on', higher capacity, Internet-based content and packet-based data services. This enables services such as colour Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services.

The GPRS is from the GSM family of wireless communication platforms which includes today’s GSM, GPRS, EDGE and 3GSM.  

2. Introduction to GPRS - 
2.1
General Packet Radio Service       

  • GPRS is the abbreviation of General Packet Radio Service.
  • It’s an impressive growth of mobile communication industry.
  • It is a new non-voice value added service that allows information to be sent and received across a mobile telephone network.
  • Data rates increases as soon as the speed goes down.
  • It supplements today's Circuit Switched Data and Short Message Service.
  • GPRS utilizes packet switching technology where information is transmitted in short bursts of data over an IP-based network.
  • GPRS is an important step in evolution towards big mobile network.
  • Provides a quick session set up and fast data transmission speeds.
  • Can use multiple time slots for data transfer as opposed to a normal single time slot.
  • ~ is NOT related to GPS (the Global Positioning System)

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                          Table 1: Key Features of GPRS (1)

Example: A GPRS mobile phone.

                             

 Figure 1: Motorola Timeport T260 GPRS Mobile Phone

                                     

3. Key Network Features of GPRS

3.1 PACKET SWITCHING

GPRS involves ...

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