Advancing communications through iDEN technology

Since its introduction in 1994, iDEN or Integrated Digital Enhanced Network brought to the market next-generation wireless solutions designed for a variety of market mobile business applications.

In more recent developments in the telecommunications environment, iDEN wireless handsets are utilized in a variety of work environments ranging from manufacturing floors to executive conference rooms as well as mobile sales forces.

The outgrowth of the wireless communications market has produced vast opportunities to enhance and improve communication between individuals.

Because of this growth, the need to optimize radio frequency (RF) spectral resources and provide ever-increasing services is essential, and this is the future of communications that iDEN technology can readily address.

The iDEN system capitalizes on the fact that communications can be:

• Half-duplex — where one user is transmitting (talking) and the other users are receiving (listening); and

• Full duplex — where there is an open bi-directional link that allows full two-way communication.

Although many times, communication does not require a full-duplex link (i.e. messaging, paging, some forms of data communication and structured voice communication), traditional telephone conversations and more intensive data links require the ability to interrupt, making full duplex link essential.

The iDEN system provides both full and half-duplex operations. This melding of communication methods allows much of the voice traffic to be run in half-duplex mode, while providing full-duplex functionality when required.

As part of the ongoing effort to support the outgrowth in wireless communication, the iDEN system is an integration of traditional push-to-talk (PTT), half-duplex radio technology and feature-rich full-duplex digital cellular communications.

This integration of mobile communication technologies provides state-of-the-art functions and benefits to mobile users while optimizing the available infrastructure resources.

How does the technology work?

• iDEN technology utilizes highly spectrum-efficient radio transceivers to digitize and process high volumes of voice and data through a single channel.

• It is based on trunking systems and uses TDMA (time division multiple access) technology for multiple access.

• In addition, iDEN technology uses packet data, allowing for fast transmission of information, maximizing channel capacity and maintaining constant Internet connection.

• For users, this translates to high voice quality, low latency, dependable communications, and literally instant access.

Benefits

The number of radios and Federal Communication Commission (FCC) licensing limited traditional PTT radio communications. Prior to the advent of iDEN, these restrictions limited the coverage area, contact outside the assigned, licensed mobile units, and provided little privacy.

However, iDEN changed all that. The system was able to move forward with the following breakthroughs:

• Removes end-user FCC licensing requirements;

• Opens communication to other subscriber corporations and all telephones;

• Increases coverage area;

• Allows private and group calling;

• Optimizes RF resources; and

• Improves quality with higher frequencies and digital technology.

Whereas traditional methods have finite availability of the RF spectrum, iDEN technology increases the efficiency of a single 25 kHz RF carrier by applying up to six times the traffic of an AMPS cellular carrier.

In addition to the increased channel efficiency, an iDEN system may be deployed to support communications outside the provider’s network (roaming). The telephone-style interconnect capability allows users to roam seamlessly throughout linked service areas. A user may place and receive calls as if the mobile station (MS) is on its home system.

This allows Next Mobile, the exclusive provider of iDEN technology, to offer an integrated service that includes messaging; private, two-way and group call cellular telephony; voice mail; and data networking (intranet, virtual private network, Internet).

Since the iDEN system uses digital technology, it provides clear voice quality, reduced interference, and enhanced voice quality.

As the wireless industry grows, subscribers are seeking more services and increased functionality from a single service provider, allowing Next Mobile to be at the forefront of utilizing the new generation iDEN technology to advance telecommunications to the next level.