Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

EDGE or Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution is a technological evolution from GSM and IS-136. The purpose of this new technology development is to increase the data transmission speed, spectrum efficiency, and allow the use of new applications and increase capacity.

The application of EDGE on the GSM phase 2 + such as GPRS and HSCSD is done by adding a new physical layer at the side of the Radio Access Network (RAN). So no berubahan on the core network such as MSC, SGSN, or GGSN.

Brief history of development of EDGE technology

EDGE evolved from several previous generations. These technological developments anticipated by the AMPS cellular communications technology the first generation in 1978, up to now (in 2006), his development of the technology has reached the 4th generation, although still under research and testing. GSM itself as one of the technology a second-generation mobile communications, is a technology that is currently the most widely used in various countries. In the process, GSM is able to deliver voice communications and low speed data (9.6 - 14.4 kbps), then developed into a capable GPRS voice and also distribute the data with better speed, 115 kbps.

In the next phase, the need for a mobile communication system capable of distributing data with higher speeds, and to respond to this need and introduced EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) is able to deliver data at speeds up to 3 times the speed of GPRS, which is 384 kbps.

In further development, third-generation technology was introduced, one of which UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service), which can deliver data at speeds up to 2 Mbps. With speeds up to 2 Mbps, UMTS networks can serve multimedia applications (video streaming, Internet access or video conferencing) via mobile devices quite well. The development of mobile telecommunications in the world is believed will continue to grow, until eventually introduced new technologies that are better than today. Lately, scientists tried to develop a cellular telecommunications technology with a very wide range, high mobility rates, integrated services, and berbasikan IP (Mobile IP). This technology was introduced with the name "Beyond 3G" or 4G.

EDGE Speed Process

EDGE is a way to increase data speeds on GSM radio link. Using modulation techniques and coding schemes are different from the previous GPRS system, and by setting the radio link protocol, EDGE offers a capacity that is significantly greater than that owned by the GPRS system. So in general there are three aspects of new techniques to EDGE if we compare it with GPRS, which is

* Modulation Technique
* Coding Techniques
* Radio Access Network (RAN)