Q1. What is multiplexing . Why we need it in mobile communication ?

Multiplexing (or muxing) is a way of sending multiple signals or streams of

information over a communications link at the same time in the form of a single,
complex signal; the receiver recovers the separate signals, a process
called demultiplexing (or demuxing).

Networks use multiplexing for two reasons:

To make it possible for any network device to talk to any other network device
without having to dedicate a connection for each pair. This requires shared
media;

To make a scarce or expensive resource stretch further -- e.g., to send many

signals down each cable or fiber strand running between major metropolitan
areas, or across one satellite uplink.

Q2. Define Code division multiplexing ?

Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) uses identifying codes to distinguish one signal from
another on a shared medium. Each signal is assigned a sequence of bits called the
spreading code that is combined with the original signal to produce a new stream of
encoded data; a receiver that knows the code can retrieve the original signal by
subtracting out the spreading code (a process called dispreading). CDM is widely used in
digital television and radio broadcasting and in 3G mobile cellular networks. Where
CDM allows multiple signals from multiple sources, it is called Code-Division Multiple
Access (CDMA).

Q3. Which type of modulation is used in analog and digital transmission?

In analog radio transmission, signals are commonly multiplexed using frequency-

division multiplexing (FDM), in which the bandwidth on a communications link is
divided into subchannels of different frequency widths, each carrying a signal at
the same time in parallel. Analog cable TV works the same way, sending multiple
channels of material down the same strands of coaxial cable.

Similarly, in some optical networks, data for different communications channels

are sent on lightwaves of different wavelengths, a variety of multiplexing
called wave-length division multiplexing (WDM).

These techniques are all basically use the same concept. FDM describes fields
that traditionally discuss frequencies (like radio and television
broadcasting). WDM is used in fields that traditionally talk about wavelengths,
like telecommunications and computer networks that use laser systems (which
generate the signals sent over fiber optic cables). Variations include coarse
WDM (CWDM) and dense WDM (DWDM), which put relatively fewer or more
channels of information, respectively, on the medium at the same time. Other
variations use light polarization to multiplex.

In digital transmission, signals are commonly multiplexed using time-division

multiplexing (TDM), in which the multiple signals are carried over the same
channel in alternating time slots. For example, TDM is used on SONET links that
used to be a mainstay of enterprise WAN and Internet connectivity.

Q4.

1. Frequency Division Multiplexing

In the 20th century, many telephone companies used frequency-division multiplexing for
long distance connections to multiplex thousands of voice signals through a coaxial
cable system. For shorter distances, cheaper balanced cables were used for various
systems like bell systems K-and N-carrier, but they didn’t allow large bandwidths. The
FDM is an analog multiplexing that combines analog signals. Frequency division
multiplexing is applied when the bandwidth of the link is greater than the combined
bandwidth of the signals to be transmitted.
 Frequency Division Multiplexing

In this type of multiplexing, signals are generated by sending different device-modulated

carrier frequencies, and these modulated signals are then combined into a single signal
that can be transported by the link. To accommodate the modulated signal, the carrier
frequencies are separated with enough bandwidth, and these bandwidth ranges are the
channels through which different signals travel. These channels can be separated by
unused bandwidth. Some of the examples for the time division multiplexing include
radio and television signal transmission.

2. Wavelength Division Multiplexing

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is a technology in fiber optic communications;

and, for the high capacity communication systems, wavelength division multiplexing is
the most promising concept. This system uses multiplexer at transmitter to join signals
and demultiplexer to split the signals apart, at the receiver end. The purpose of WDM is
to combine multiple light sources into a single light source at the multiplexer; and, at the
demultiplexer the single light is converted into multiple light sources.

WDM is designed to use the high data rate capability of the fiber optic cable. The data
rate of this cable is higher than the metallic transmission cable’s data rate.
Conceptually, the wavelength division multiplexing is same as the frequency division
multiplexing, except for the transmission through the fiber optic channels wherein the
multiplexing and demultiplexing involves optical signals.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing

3. Time-Division Multiplexing

Time division multiplexing is a technique used to transmit a signal over a single

communication channel by dividing the time frame into slots – one slot for each
message signal. Time-division multiplexing is primarily applied to digital signals as well
as analog signals, wherein several low speed channels are multiplexed into high-speed
channels for transmission. Based on the time, each low-speed channel is allocated to a
specific position, where it works in synchronized mode. At both the ends, i.e., the
multiplexer and demultiplexer are timely synchronized and simultaneously switched to
the next channel.

Time-Division Multiplexing

Types of TDM

Time division multiplexing is classifieds into four types:

 Synchronous time-division multiplexing

 Asynchronous time-division multiplexing
 Interleaving time-division multiplexing
 Statistical time-division multiplexing

Synchronous Time Division Multiplexing

Synchronous time division multiplexing can be used for both analog and digital signals.
In synchronous TDM, the connection of input is connected to a frame. If there are ‘n’
connections, then a frame is divided into ‘n’ time slots – and, for each unit, one slot is
allocated – one for each input line. In this synchronous TDM sampling, the rate is same
for all the signals, and this sampling requires a common clock signal at both the sender
and receiver end. In synchronous TDM, the multiplexer allocates the same slot to each
device at all times.

Synchronous Time Division Multiplexing

Asynchronous Time-Division Multiplexing

In asynchronous time-division multiplexing, the sampling rate is different for different

signals, and it doesn’t require a common clock. If the devices have nothing to transmit,
then their time slot is allocated to another device. Designing of a commutator or de-
commutator is difficult and the bandwidth is less for time-division multiplexing. This type
of time-division multiplexing is used in asynchronous transfer mode networks.

Asynchronous Time-Division Multiplexing

Interleaving

Time-division multiplexing can be visualized as two fast rotating switches on the

multiplexing and demultiplexing side. At the same speed these switches rotate and
synchronize, but in opposite directions. When the switch opens at the multiplexer side in
front of a connection, it has the opportunity to send a unit into the path. In the same
way, when the switch opens on the demultiplexer side in front of a connection that has
the opportunity to receive a unit from the path. This process is called interleaving.

Interleaving

Q5. Why hexagonal shape of cells in preferred over any other shape ?

While designing a network, 2 things are kept in mind:

1) a tower in a cell should provide equal signal in that cell

2) no blackspots. Blackspots are those areas where you wont get any signals

Now, answering this question, lets see pros n cons if we use square, circle or hexagon

Square: wont create black spots. But distance from its centre to a corner is higher than
distance to any side. This will create issues in providing equal level of signals at every
point
Circle: since distance from centre to any point in the circle would be same so there wont
be any issue in providing equal level of signals at every point. But, when we arrange
circles together, many areas would be created which wont be covered by any circle.
These areas are called the blackspots, where signals from no nearby circle could be
received.
In this image i have marked those black spots with black color.

Hexagon: hexagon or the beehive structure overcome all the above said issues. Its
distance from centre to any point it the same and they can be arranged in such a way
that no blackspots are created
As you can see in this image there are no blackspot areas in this image.

Q6. Why do cellphones use towers instead of

satellites. What are the benefits?

There are several reasons I can think of

1) The distance from cell phone users to cell towers is usually just a few miles (compared
to hundreds or even thousands of miles from Earth to satellites). This allows cell phones
to transmit and receive radio signal at a much lower power, which consumes much less
battery and is potentially less harmful to people.

2) The long distance will also add to the delay in communication and quality of service.
Since the radio signal should travel to and from the satellite, adding at least a couple of
seconds of delay.

3) Since the signal from / to satellites has to travel a long distance to / from Earth, it is
much susceptible to various environmental and man-made obstacles such as inclement
weather, trees, mountains and, of course, buildings (no, you can't use a satellite phone
inside your home without a satellite antenna outside). When it arrives to Earth, it is
quite weak and requires direct view of the satellite and a special antenna. For example,
satellite phones can't be used inside buildings and must have a bulky external antenna.

4) There are too many cell phone users for satellites to handle all the traffic efficiently
and at reasonable cost. Just for comparison -- there are about 6 billion cell phone
subscribers in the world compared to only about 200-500 thousand of active satellite
phone users (that's 10000-30000 times fewer!). Any satellite network will be
immediately congested and overloaded with calls, as it happens frequently with the
cellular networks in emergencies or large sporting events, when everybody tries to make
a phone call.

5) A terrestrial cell tower is a much more reasonable solution in terms of construction

cost and time, hardware upgrades and regular maintenance. For example, it will take
Iridium (one of the satellite phone operators) about 8 years and $3.5 billion to design,
build and launch its new satellite constellation. And as soon as the satellites are up in
orbit, it will not be possible to upgrade their hardware. At the same time, cell phone
companies constantly upgrade equipment on their terrestrial network of towers.

Q7.