Frequency reuse and handover enable mobile coverage from 2G to 5G.
Cells with frequency reuse cover areas; base stations serve users; handover maintains calls on movement. Evolution: 1G analog, 2G GSM, 3G CDMA, 4G LTE (OFDMA, all-IP), 5G NR (mmWave, massive MIMO, URLLC, network slicing). Components: RAN, core, backhaul; small cells densify.
5G offers peak rates of Gbit/s and latencies of a few milliseconds.
Cellular networks reuse frequencies across cells, which allows millions of users to share a limited spectrum.
Frequency reuse and handover enable mobile coverage from 2G to 5G.
Cellular networks reuse frequencies across cells, which allows millions of users to share a limited spectrum.
Using the same frequency in cells far enough apart that co-channel interference is acceptable, which multiplies the usable spectrum.
Transferring an active call or session from one cell to another as the user moves, so the connection continues without a break.
Typical applications include planning the cell layout of a city to cover all streets, handing over a call as a car moves between cells and choosing a frequency reuse pattern to limit interference.
Study "MIMO" first (topic 93 of 101 in Signals, Control & Comms). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Cell size and capacity. Spectrum bands. SINR.
5G offers peak rates of Gbit/s and latencies of a few milliseconds.
The next topic is "Satellite communication", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Advanced in Signals, Control & Comms (topic 94 of 101). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Signals, Control & Comms.
Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.