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There are three common technologies used by 2G cell-phone networks for
transmitting information (we'll discuss 3G technologies in the 3G section):

RÊ Frequency division multiple access (FDMA)

RÊ ime division multiple access (TDMA)
RÊ ¦ode division multiple access (CDMA)

Although these technologies sound very intimidating, you can get a good sense of
how they work just by breaking down the title of each one.

RÊ FDMA puts each call on a separate —requency.

RÊ TDMA assigns each call a certain portion of time on a designated frequency.
RÊ CDMA gives a unique code to each call and spreads it over the available
frequencies.

FDMA
FDMA separates the spectrum into distinct voice channels by splitting it into
uni—orm chunks o— bandwidth. To better understand FDMA, think of radio
stations: Each station sends its signal at a different frequency within the available
band. FDMA is used mainly for analog transmission. While it is certainly capable
of carrying digital information, FDMA is not considered to be an efficient method
for digital transmission.

DMA
Narrow band means "channels" in the traditional sense. Each conversation gets
the radio for one-third of the time. This is possible because voice data that has
been converted to digital information is compressed so that it takes up
significantly less transmission space. Therefore, TDMA has three times the
capacity of an analog system using the same number of channels. TDMA systems
operate in either the 800-MHz (IS-54) or 1900-MHz (IS-136) frequency bands.

¦DMA
¦DMA takes an entirely different approach from TDMA. CDMA, after digitizing
data, spreads it out over the entire available bandwidth. Multiple calls are
overlaid on each other on the channel, with each assigned a unique sequence
code. CDMA is a form of spread spectrum, which simply means that data is sent in
small pieces over a number of the discrete frequencies available for use at any
time in the specified range.

The last part of each name is multiple access. This simply means that more than
one user can utilize each cell.
¦apacity

[sing digital signals between the handsets and the towers increases system
capacity in two key ways:

RÊ Digital voice data can be compressed and multiplexed much more

effectively than analog voice encodings through the use of various codecs,
allowing more calls to be packed into the same amount of radio bandwidth.
RÊ The digital systems were designed to emit less radio power from the
handsets. This meant that cells could be smaller, so more cells could be
placed in the same amount of space. This was also made possible by cell
towers and related equipment getting less expensive.

Advantages

RÊ The lower power emissions helped address health concerns.

RÊ Going all-digital allowed for the introduction of digital data services, such as
SMS and email.
RÊ Greatly reduced fraud. With analog systems it was possible to have two or
more "cloned" handsets that had the same phone number.
RÊ Enhanced privacy. A key digital advantage not often mentioned is that
digital cellular calls are much harder to eavesdrop on by use of radio
scanners. While the security algorithms used have proved not to be as
secure as initially advertised, 2G phones are immensely more private than
1G phone, which have no protection against eavesdropping.

Disadvantages

RÊ In less populous areas, the weaker digital signal may not be sufficient to
reach a cell tower. This tends to be a particular problem on 2G systems
deployed on higher frequencies, but is mostly not a problem on 2G systems
deployed on lower frequencies. National regulations differ greatly among
countries which dictate where 2G can be deployed.
RÊ Analog has a smooth decay curve, digital a jagged steppy one. This can be
both an advantage and a disadvantage. [nder good conditions, digital will
sound better. [nder slightly worse conditions, analog will experience static,
while digital has occasional dropouts. As conditions worsen, though, digital
will start to completely fail, by dropping calls or being unintelligible, while
analog slowly gets worse, generally holding a call longer and allowing at
least a few words to get through.
RÊ While digital calls tend to be free of static and background noise, the lossy
compression used by the codecs takes a toll; the range of sound that they
convey is reduced. You'll hear less of the tonality of someone's voice talking
on a digital cellphone, but you will hear it more clearly.
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