Technologies

GSM GPRS UMTS

The team at Cellular Asset Management has been at the forefront of cellular technology for the past twenty years, from the inception of TACS in the UK, through GSM and GPRS to UMTS. Throughout this period, the Cellular Asset Management team has been involved with, or responsible for, many rollouts, globally, including disciplines in Radio Design, Civil and Structural Design and Installation, through to Integration and On-Air.

WiFi

WiFi is the technology of choice for general purpose wireless access to the Internet and related services, in areas such as Hot Spots and public buildings. The popularity of WiFi is in no small part due to the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum in which it operates. Engineering a solution in this spectrum has challenges of its own due to overcrowding and the need to implement stringent security measures to protect data over the airwaves. Engineers at Cellular Asset Management have proposed and designed WiFi networks for Shopping Centre environments, Sports Stadia and commercial 'in building' applications.

Mesh Networks

WiFi Mesh is an extension of the WiFi protocol that allows data to travel across multiple interconnected wireless nodes in a hop-by-hop fashion. The network can cover very large areas without the need for repeaters. Multiple interconnections between nodes affords a high level of redundancy, in that, if one node fails the data can travel through another connected node. A chain of Mesh nodes can actually ‘hop’ around corners, providing coverage in cluttered environments such as urban areas.

Wireless Mesh networks may form a major part of a Metropolitan Area Network, providing applications such as:
  • Mobile Broadband Access: In open leisure areas; To homes and SME’s
  • IP-CCTV Video Surveillance; Perimeter Security; Public Safety
  • Wireless communication systems for Environmental Monitoring and Control
  • Building Controls: and Utility management; automated meter reading
Engineers at Cellular Asset Management have conducted research into the efficiency of WiFi Mesh and its impact on unlicensed spectrum usage. We have advised many clients on the use of WiFi Mesh networks in City wide deployments – City WiFi – and to backhaul data from IP-CCTV cameras covering large geographical areas.

WiMAX

WiMAX is an access technology that was initially proposed as a fixed wireless replacement for DSL lines to homes and SME's. More recently WiMAX has matured to become a mobile access technology (Mobile WiMAX). Although this technology has come of age, Mobile WiMAX is not yet available in 'commercial' quantities.

During the development of WiMAX there was a lot of media and vendor generated hype regarding both the performance of this technology and its general availability. Engineers at Cellular Asset Management have conducted an in depth survey into 'What WiMAX is – and what WiMAX is not'. We are continuing to monitor the progress of WiMAX and can offer advice to clients who wish to migrate down the WiMAX path.