Algorithms for Communications Systems and their Applications, 2nd Edition

Chapter 18Examples of communication systems

In this chapter, we provide relevant examples of communication systems, where many of the considered techniques and algorithms presented in previous chapters are used. First, the fifth generation of cellular wireless systems, as defined by release 15 of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is introduced. Then, an overview of the GSM standard is provided. Although this belongs to the second generation of cellular standards, it is still used for its ability to efficiently cover large area and provide basic data services suitable for the Internet of things (IoT). We conclude the overview of wireless systems with the wireless local area network (WLAN) and the digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (or digital European cordless telecommunications, DECT) standards. As example of transmission over unshielded twisted pairs, we provide an overview of digital subscriber lines (DSL) and Ethernet technologies. Lastly, an example of hybrid fibre and coax communication system is discussed.

18.1 The 5G cellular system

We now provide an overview of the physical layer of the cellular communication standard defined by 3GPP. In particular, we refer to the release 15, which aims at defining the 5th generation (5G) of cellular systems.

18.1.1 Cells in a wireless system

A fundamental concept when we speak of wireless systems is that of a cell. The coverage area of a certain system is not served by a single transmitter but by numerous ...