CDMA 1x

What CDMA 1x means

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, pioneered by QUALCOMM, provides excellent voice capacity and data capability for mobile and fixed wireless networks. Because of its advantages, CDMA 1x serves as the foundation for 3G services worldwide.

CDMA 1x works by converting speech into digital information, which is then transmitted as a radio signal over a wireless network. Using a unique code to distinguish each different call, CDMA 1x enables many more people to share the airwaves at the same time — without static, cross-talk or interference.

Commercially introduced in 1995, CDMA 1x quickly became one of the world's fastest-growing wireless technologies. In 1999, the International Telecommunications Union selected CDMA 1x as the basis for 3G wireless systems. Many leading wireless operators have commercially launched or are now upgrading to 3G CDMA 1x networks in order to provide more capacity for voice traffic, along with high-speed data capabilities.

Key Attributes of CDMA 1x are the direct sequence spread spectrum, universal frequency reuse, seamless soft handoff, multipath propagation for diversity, variable-rate transmission and unique forward and reverse links.

CDMA 1x technology evolved over the years. Starting with IS-95 and now CDMA 1x2000 family, CDMA 1x continued to provide state-of-the art performance and encouraged more and more operators to choose these platforms when willing to launch new mobile telephony services.

CDMA 1x is an International Telecommunications Union (ITU) approved 3G wireless communications standard that provides voice and data capabilities within a standard 1.25 MHz CDMA 1x channel for outstanding spectral efficiency and flexibility. CDMA 1x builds on earlier CDMA technology (known as CDMA 1xOne) to provide a natural evolution to 3G services. It nearly doubles voice capacity over second-generation (2G) CDMA 1xOne networks and supports high-speed data services, offering a peak data rate of 153 kbps.

CDMA 1x was first commercialized in October 2000 in South Korea. Since then, more than 70 operators on six continents have launched CDMA 1x services. Networks and devices supporting these services are backward compatible with those based on 2G CDMA 1xOne, preserving operator spectrum and equipment investments, while providing best-in-class voice capacity and effective data capability.

How does CDMA 1x work

CDMA 1x works by converting speech into digital information, which is then transmitted as a radio signal over a wireless network. Using a unique code to distinguish each different call, CDMA 1x enables many more people to share the airwaves at the same time - without static, cross-talk or interference.

What are the benefits offered by CMDA

CDMA 1x technology did not win its reputation as the fastest growing telecommunication technology by chance. Its characteristics had something to do with it and that means:

• Outstanding Voice and Call Quality - CDMA 1x filters out background noise, cross talk, and interference so you can enjoy crystal-clear voice quality, greater privacy, and enhanced call quality. QUALCOMM's CDMA 1x variable rate vocoder translates voice into digital transmissions, zeroes and ones, at the highest translation rates possible (8kbps or 13kbps). This allows for crystal clear voice and also maximizes your system capacity.
  
• Packet Data - CDMA 1x networks are built with standard IP packet data protocols. Other networks require costly upgrades to add new data equipment in the network and will require new data phones. Standard CDMA 1x phones already have TCP/IP and PPP protocols built into them.
  
• Improved Security and Privacy - CDMA 1x's digitally encoded, spread spectrum transmissions resist eaves dropping. Designed with about 4.4 trillion codes, CDMA 1x virtually eliminates cloning and other types of fraud.
  
• Fewer Dropped Calls - CDMA 1x's patented "soft handoff," method of passing calls between cells sharply reduces the risk of disruption or dropped calls during a handoff. The process of soft handoff leads to fewer dropped calls as 2 or 3 cells are monitoring your call at any given time.
  
• Reduced Background Noise and Interference - CDMA 1x combines multiple signals and improves signal strength. This leads to the near elimination of interference and fading. Both electrical background noise (computer noise) and acoustic background noise (background conversations) are filtered out by using narrow bandwidth, which corresponds to the frequency of the human voice. This keeps background noise out of your conversations.
  
• Longer Talk Time, Longer Battery Life - Imagine how flowers choose from the Earth only those minerals that help them grow and blossom. The same way, CDMA 1x uses power control to monitor the amount of power your system and handset need at any time. CDMA 1x handsets typically transmit at the lowest power levels in the industry, allowing for longer battery life which results in longer talk time and standby time. CDMA 1x handsets can also incorporate smaller batteries. Easier to carry. Easier to use.
  
• Greater Capacity - CDMA 1x allows the largest number of subscribers to share the same radio frequencies, helping service provider's increase their profitability. CDMA 1x uses spread spectrum technology, which can provide up to 10-20 times the capacity of analog equipment and more than three times the capacity of other digital platforms. With dual-mode phones, CDMA 1x is compatible with other technologies for seamless widespread roaming coverage.
  

Latest achievements

According to The CDMA Development Group (CDG), CDMA2000(r) continued its global expansion in 2004, adding 31 CDMA2000 networks and 60 million subscribers. The CDMA2000 industry achieved major milestones, surpassing 100 million subscribers in July, and at the end of the year there were 107 CDMA2000 operators in 53 countries serving more than 145 million users.

There were accelerated deployments of, and growing interest in, CDMA2000 at 450 MHz (CDMA450). With the commercial successes of Zapp in Romania and Skylink in Russia, many NMT-450 operators in Russia, Asia and Eastern Europe have upgraded or are in the process of migrating their 1G networks to 3G CDMA2000.

If you want to find more details about CDMA 1x, please visit the following websites: Qualcommand CDMA 1x Development Group.