EDGE
EDGE is a further evolution of GSM, enabling higher data rates to be achieved but using
substantially the same network equipment. Effectively, it is an upgrade to GPRS. Although
upgrades are required at the base station, as there are differences to the radio interface, the
core network capability remains virtually unchanged, allowing migration to the new standard.
EDGE stands for either Enhanced Data for Global Evolution or for Enhanced Data for GSM
Evolution – both are widely used and accepted.
One of the main differences between EDGE and GPRS is that EDGE uses a different form of
modulation. GPRS uses the GMSK used on GSM, whereas EDGE, to achieve higher data rates, uses
a higher- order modulation format in the form of 8PSK (see Chapter 3). ...