Chapter 9
Wireless Communications Network (WCN)
9.1 Introduction
A wireless communications network has to integrate with other networks, mainly the Internet and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). This network can be divided into two parts: wireless access network and core network.
Figure 9.1 shows a block diagram with the main components of a WCN. The wireless part comprises what is called the wireless access network, while the remaining part comprises what is called the core network.
Figure 9.1 Wireless communication network.
9.2 Wireless Access Network
Wireless constitutes only the access to a much larger communication network. Wireless access is performed by fixed, nomadic or mobile subscriber stations (SS) and Radio Base Stations (RBS). These two elements concentrate all the wireless access up to layer 2 and are specified by IEEE for WLAN (802.11), WiMAX (802.16) and by 3GPP for LTE.
Contrary to common belief, the wireless access does not implement traffic control, as information is always sent at the maximum possible throughput for each connection. This way, the limited RF resources are used to its maximum capacity. Traffic control, characterized by limiting users' usage to their subscription plan, is done in the core network.
9.2.1 Subscriber Wireless Stations (SWS)
The nomenclature used to identify Subscriber Wireless Stations (SWSs) varies by application and technology. ...
