Mobile Phone Networks - Known to all

What are 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks ?   

 

Many things are taken into consideration while defining wireless generation, the techniques they use, service they provide, capacity, power, accessibility etc. Mobile generation is the result of improvement in all these factor. So what made the difference and how they were evolved ?   

The "G" in wireless networks refers to the "generation" of the underlying wireless network technology. Technically generations are defined as follows:

Today, mobile operators have started offering 4G services in the  country. A higher number before the ‘G’ means more power to send out and  receive more information and therefore the ability to achieve a higher efficiency through the wireless network.

Firstly, when wireless generation started, it was analog communication. That generation is 1G.

1G Networks (NMT, C-Nets, AMPS, TACS)

This was considered to be the first analog cellular systems, which started early 1980s. As  the name would suggest, 1G was the first generation of mobile networks.  There were radio telephone systems even before that. 1G networks were conceived and designed purely for voice calls with almost no consideration of data services (with the possible exception of built-in modems in some headsets).

Here basically, radio signals were transmitted in ‘Analogue’ form and  expectedly, one was not able to do much other than sending text  messaging and making calls. But the biggest disadvantage, however came  in the form of limited network availability, as in the network was available only within the country.

They used various analog modulation for data transfer. Now when the communication migrated from analog to digital, the foundation of latest communication were led. Hence came 2G.

2G Networks (GSM, CDMAOne, D-AMPS ), ( Voice + SMS / MMS )

It was the first digital cellular systems launched early 1990s, offering improved sound quality, better security and higher total capacity.

It marked the start of digital voice communication era. Main motive of this generation was to provide secure and reliable communication channel. It implemented the concept of CDMA and GSM.

GSM supports circuit-switched data (CSD), allowing users to place dial-up data calls digitally, so that the network's switching station receives actual ones and zeroes rather than the screech of an analog modem. Provided small data service like sms and mms. Note that 2G internet services came after the 3G establishment.

2G networks on the  other hand, were based on narrow band digital networks. Signals were transmitted in the digital format and this dramatically improved the  quality of calls and also reduced the complexity of data transmission.  The other advantage of the 2G network came in the form of Semi Global  Roaming System, which enabled the connectivity all over the world.

Between 2G and 3G there was a short phase in between where mobile phones became sleeker and more ‘pocketable’ if  we can call it that.  This is popularly referred to as 2.5G where the  quantity of radio waves to be transmitted was much lower. This in turn  had an effect on the shape and structure of mobile phones. But most of  all, 2.5G helped in the ushering of GPRS (General Pocket Radio Service).

 

3G Networks ( UMTS FDD and TDD, CDMA2000 1x EVDO, CDMA2000 3x, TD-SCDMA, Arib WCDMA, EDGE, IMT-2000 DECT ), (Voice + Data)

Then came the time of some decent speed internet connection and awesome voice channel. They exploited area of Wideband-CDMA(W-CDMA), provided better bandwidth and better connectivity even during motion(like in vehicle, train).

The  3rd generation of mobile networks has become popular largely thanks to  the ability of users to access the Internet over devices like mobiles  and tablets. These are newer cellular networks that have data rates of 384kbit/s and more.

The UN's International Telecommunications Union IMT-2000 standard requires stationary speeds of 2Mbps and mobile speeds of 384kbps for a "true" 3G.

The speed of data transmission on a 3G network ranges  between 384KBPS to 2MBPS. This means a 3G network actually allows for  more data transmission and therefore the network enables voice and video  calling, file transmission, internet surfing, online TV, view high  definition videos, play games and much more.  3G is the best option for  users who need to always stay connected to Internet.

There was some technical shift towards HSPA for better data communication and to maintain 4G compatibility.

4G: (Only DATA and Voice over data)

Era of broadband wireless. 4G technology refers to the fourth generation of mobile phone communication standards.

This in the making and have been successfully deployed in only some part of the world. Best aspect of 4G is the use of data services for everything. 4th Generation mobile networks are believed to provide many value added features. Internet is the back bone and even voice call is done over internet. There is no separate voice channel. This allows usage of wider bandwidth in the communication channel for data.

In addition to all the 3G facilities, data transmission is  believed to go through the roof with speeds ranging between 100MBPs to  1GBPS. Happy talking, surfing, conferencing, chatting, networking, partying, or whatever you want to do on your mobile phone.

LTE and WiMAX are marketed as parts of this generation, even though they fall short of the actual standard.

The ITI has taken ownership of 4G, bundling into a specification known as IMT-Advanced. The document calls for 4G technologies to deliver downlink speeds of 1Gbps when stationary and 100Mbps when mobile, roughly 500-fold and 250-fold increase over IMT-2000 respectively. Unfortunately, those specs are so aggressive that no commercialized standard currently meets them.

 

Historically, WiMAX and Long-Term Evolution (LTE), the standard generally accepted to succeed both CDMA2000 and GSM, have been marketed and labeled as "4G technologies," but that's only partially true: they both make use of a newer, extremely efficient multiplexing scheme (OFDMA, as opposed to the older CDMA or TDMA), however, WiMAX tops at around 40Mbps and LTE at around 100Mbps theoretical speed. Practical, real-world commercial networks using WiMAX and LTE range between 4Mbps and 30Mbps. Even though the speeed of WiMAX and LTE is well short of IMT-Advanced's standard, they're very different than 3G networks and carriers around the world refer to them as "4G". Updates to these standards -- WiMAX 2 and LTE-Advanced, respectively -- will increase througput further, but neither has been finalized yet.

5G = not yet defined

Much faster. Likely to be real ~2020

To know more about this you can go to this link

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-differences-between-1G-2G-3G-4G-and-5G

Cleanest Village in India - Asia too

Mawlynnong is a village located 90 km from Shillong, along the India-Bangladesh border in the East Khasi Hills district of the Meghalaya state, India. Mawlynnong is famous for its matrilineal society as well as having been dubbed Asia's cleanest village.

It comes under the Pynursla community development block and Vidhan Sabha (legislative assembly) constituency.

As of June 2015 it had 500 residents.As of 2011, there are about 82 households. As of 2014, there are about 95 households in Mawlynnong.The literacy rate is 100%. Agriculture is the chief occupation of the local population, with betel nut being the main crop. The people residing in the community are Khasi people.

As is the tradition of the Khasi people, in Mawlynnong property and wealth are passed from the mother to the youngest of her daughters, who also keeps the mother's surname.

Mawlynnong is known for its cleanliness. The waste is collected in the dustbins made of bamboo, directed to a pit and then used as manure. The travel magazine Discover India declared the village as the cleanest in Asia in 2003, and the cleanest in India in 2005. The phrase has since caught on. Moasunep Kichu's documentary on the village, for instance, is called Asia's Cleanest Village.

It has a toilet in every house. There are bamboo waste baskets on each road to ensure that there is no littering. Children as young as four learn at school to keep their surroundings clean.

Cleanliness as a way of life came to Mawlynnong, a village of 503, long before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his Swachh Bharat or clean India campaign. The village cherishes the title of "Asia's cleanest village" given to it by India Discovery Magazine in 2003.

By 2007, the village had eradicated the practice of open defecation, with toilets built for each of its 91 households under the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan.

"This village is clean from my childhood. We heard it was so even during our grandmother's days. Keeping it clean is the responsibility of each and every one," says Remdor Khongphosrem, a resident.

Littering even by the very young is frowned upon and if any among the 200-odd tourists who visit the village every day are found to throw things on the streets, they are issued stern warnings. The number of tourists that visit Mawlynnong has gone up after the India Discovery report.

Another resident Sumar says proudly, "All over the world people know us as the cleanest village so people come here."

One of them, Karlin from Germany, has been camping in the village for the last 11 weeks. She is here on a photography assignment after discovering Mawlynnong on the internet.

"I have met lots of friends in Mawlynnong. I have seen so many Indian villages, but compared to others, it is very clean and the gardens are unique. Everyone takes care of nature, that is the main thing about Mawlynnong. It is a paradise for me," Karlin says.

The villagers are confident that Mawlynnong will continue to live up to its pristine reputation. In the village's three schools, the next generation is already learning how to keep it in the record books for the right reasons.

All the credit for this cleanliness goes too the fellow villagers and their community. They are not dependent on anyone for aid. They feel responsible and do their duties with full dedication and determination. And you can see the results. All walkways are decorated with flower vines. Beautiful orchid are everywhere on trees adding colors. You literally have to re-think if its a village or a botanical garden you are in.

Mawlynnong, located about 90 km from Shillong and 92 kms from Cherrapunjee, can be reached by road The nearest airport is the Shillong Airport in Meghalaya. The best way to reach Mawlynnong is by road.

For more details you can go to this link http://www.mawlynnong.com/

Delhi Government to Implement Odd and Even Traffic from Jan-2016

Delhi State Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is trying to save Delhi and its condemned citizens from a calamity. That Delhi's air will soon turn into poison and choke us is a fait-accompli. Somebody will have to clean it, if not us, then the generation that follows. Drastic measures can be deferred — at huge costs — but they are inevitable.

At the cost of incurring the wrath of political rivals, and amid mounting criticism, the Kejriwal government is at least trying to act before it is too late. If it manages to find a solution, the Delhi model could become a paradigm for other cities to follow. The Delhi government deserves cheers and cooperation, not jeers.

The Delhi government is getting ready to test the ambitious Odd-Even formula for cars beginning Friday in its bid to curb growing air pollution in the national capital.

While there has been criticism of the plan, the preparations to implement the formula have also been steady with all stakeholders looking into minutest details to ensure the measure is implemented effectively.

The big question, however, is - are Delhiites ready?

Here's your one-stop guide to the Odd-Even scheme that will help you prepare better for being on the roads in Delhi for the next fortnight:

- The odd-even scheme would be implemented on a trial basis from January 1 to 15.

- Restrictions under the odd-even plan would apply only to cars.

- Restrictions would apply to private vehicles - public transport vehicles would not fall under  the  purview of the odd-even scheme.

- Two-wheelers will remain out of the purview of the formula, at least for now. However, there are indications the plan could be extended to cover two-wheelers as well later.

- Curbs on vehicles would be in place from 8 am to 8 pm from Mondays to Saturdays. No restrictions would apply on Sunday.

- As per the plan, cars with their registration numbers ending in odd numbers (mentioned on number plates) will be allowed on the roads of Delhi only on odd dates like 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

- Similarly, cars with their registration numbers ending in even numbers will be allowed on the roads of Delhi only on even dates like 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10.

- Cars coming in from the regions surrounding the National Capital Territory like Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad etc would also have to follow the guidelines.

- Those who violate the rules laid down under the scheme would be fined Rs 2,000.

- Schools in the capital would remain closed during the trial period.

- The Delhi government has come out with a list of 25 categories which will be exempt from the scheme. Among these are VIPs, women drivers, CNG-certified vehicles, two wheelers and those carrying the differently-abled. To read the complete list, click here.

- Interestingly, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has announced that neither he and his family nor other Delhi ministers would be exempt from the plan. The CM added that they will carpool to work during the trial period.

- Kejriwal has sought cooperation from the public in Delhi for making the plan a success, while stating that the scheme may be discontinued if there are a huge number of violators.

- A woman driving a car, even while being accompanied by female co-passengers and children up to the age of 12, would be exempted. Initially, there was a plan to exempt only single women drivers.

- Cases of medical emergencies would also be exempted - in the words of Delhi CM - on the "basis of trust".

- Owners of CNG-fitted cars will need to paste prescribed stickers on the windscreen which are being issued by Indraprastha Gas Limited.

- Emergency and enforcement vehicles such as ambulances, fire brigade, police vehicles, hearse vehicles, transport department vehicles are out of the plan's ambit as well.

- Senior citizens, doctors, lawyers, who had petitioned the government seeking exemption, will have to abide by the regulations.

- Embassy vehicles bearing CD numbers, cars with defence ministry number plates, vehicles which are having a pilot or escort have also been exempted.

- The US Embassy here has backed the odd and even number car formula and decided to comply with the restrictions despite being exempted.

- There are over 19 lakh private four-wheelers registered in Delhi and nearly half of these are expected to go off the roads with the implementation of the odd-even formula.

- Around 5,000 civil defence volunteers would be on Delhi roads to assist police in implementing the odd-even scheme.

- Delhi Metro services would run at their peak frequency during the trial period.

- The Delhi government will run 3,000 additional buses to accommodate additional commuters. The government had originally planned to bring in an extra 6,000 buses.

- As per the blueprint, cars bearing odd number plates would not be even allowed to park in public parking lots during even number dates and vice-versa.

- Cars, if found parked on designated bus lanes being marked across the city, would also attract penalty.

Simultaneously,the Delhi government announced on Friday that vehicles with odd and even number plates will ply on alternate days in the city from January 1, in an effort to curb rising pollution in the national capital.

In the past, 15 odd cities (mostly capitals) with serious air pollution issues, have tried the odd–even traffic rationing based on number plates.

While some cities saw genuine reduction in pollution levels, the policy has failed in many other cities, as citizens found a way to circumvent the rule by purchasing two cars with number plates ending with odd and even numbers - there by achieving the opposite.

Here is a low down of what happened in some of the cities when the restrictions were imposed.

What is so amusing about the idea of banning cars on alternate days on the basis of their registration numbers?

It is not a Talibani idea — as some have argued — but a concept inspired by reasonably successful implementation in many developed countries.

In Sao Paulo, for instance, vehicle rotation system based on registration numbers has been prevalent for over a decade, leading to emulation by many Latin American governments.

In 2008, after its successful trial before the Olympics, a system of road-rationing system based on licence plates was made mandatory in Beijing. The effects of the rotation system are well documented. According to studies in Beijing, the emission levels came down to 40 percent after the system was introduced. There were, of course, the other tangible benefits: lesser vehicles on roads, decreased demand for fuel and a minor drop in road accidents.

And, people loved it. One survey in Beijing revealed that 95 percent of the people supported the restrictions because they believed they were meant to make their lives better.

So, if Latin American countries can implement the idea, if Beijing can be happy with the system, why can't Delhi accept it?

The main problem is with the mindset. It doesn't occur to many of us that both road and air are common public resources; they are not our private assets.

We can live in gated communities, drink packaged water, may even consume home-grown vegetables, fruits and grains but nobody in this world can have his own brand of air or walk on his private road. Everybody, regardless of caste, creed, religious identity, economic status has to breathe the same air and travel on the same road.

Since all of us have equal rights to this resource, we have equal responsibilities. This is precisely why the argument that people will get around this restriction by buying a new car with a different registration number smacks of selfishness and irresponsibility.

We may use the resources common to us, but we don't have the right to exploit and destroy those.

Those who harbour such intentions should be treated as enemies of the environment and also of those who own this common resource: We the people.

Instead of resorting to hand-wringing because some self-centred citizens wish to flout the proposed restrictions, the government should ensure that owning additional vehicles doesn't become rewarding, but is made an environmental offence.

Perhaps, it can take a leaf out of Beijing's book and implement regulations that discourage needless buying of vehicles in cities so that the masses do not suffer due to the myopia of the self-centred, irresponsible classes.

The biggest challenge for the government, of course, would be to ensure that restrictions are implemented without creating problems for people. If the use of private vehicles is to be discouraged, it should be simultaneously accompanied by a plan for ensuring last-mile connectivity via public transport, initiatives for carpooling, use of non-polluting modes of commuting and safe tracks for walking and cycling.

When restrictions are placed on such a large scale, their implementation becomes a massive challenge. In India, it could also lead to large-scale corruption and harassment by those who will have the powers to implement the new measures. Kejriwal will have to ensure that less traffic on roads doesn't automatically lead to more money for corrupt traffic cops.

But, the challenges should not deter the government from prescribing these life-saving measures.

And those opposing them should know that they are like boiling frogs: Instead of laughing, they should do something to save themselves from a gruesome end.

Those laughing at the Delhi government's decision to restrict the number of vehicles on roads should know this: The joke is really on them.

The sooner they realise that they are living in a gas chamber and need to make drastic changes to their mindsets and lifestyles, the better it would be for them and their future generations. Cynical attitude will only feed the cancerous tumour of pollution, leading all of us to our calamitous tryst with destiny.

Cultural Dress to be wored in Tamilnadu Temples from Jan-2016

High Court order prescribed what devotees have to wear.

This new year’s day a sartorial idea laid siege to the temples of Tamil Nadu that have routinely been stormed on the count of several social and reformist ideologies.

The Madras High court bench in Chennai had on December 1 directed the state government and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to implement dress code for devotees, for entry into temples kicking in on January 1, a routine visit gained much more significance as men, women and children were told what they had to wear. 

The Madurai bench of Madras High Court has ordered that police should ensure a dress code for people entering temples —dhoti and shirt or pyjama “with upper cloth” for men and saree or half-saree or churidar “with upper cloth” for women. Children can wear “any fully covered dress”.

The court also directed the state government to take a decision on this issue and directed the authorities to implement the court-mandated dress code from January 2016. It also directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to communicate to all temples to strictly adhere to the dress code.

Devotees entering temples in Tamil Nadu will have to follow a new dress code from January 1 as several important shrines have put up notice boards highlighting this.

According to a notice board outside the Palani temple, male devotees have been advised to wear dhoti, shirt, pyjama or pant and shirt while women and girls should wear saris or churidhar or 'pavadai' with half-sari.

Devotees wearing lungi, bermudas, jeans and tight-leggings would not be allowed, it said.

Other major shrines which have put up notice boards about the dress code included the Rameswaram and Meenakshi temples, officials said.

‘Improper clothes’

The order, issued by Justice S Vaidyanathan on November 26, came during the hearing of a writ petition seeking the court’s permission to hold a “Gramiya Adal Padal Vizha” (musical dance programme) at a temple in Akkiyampatti village in Trichy district. The court said the objective of the order is to restrict devotees from wearing improper clothing.

The code emerged as a result of Judge S. Vaidyanathan’s “concern over improper clothes” worn by many people during temple visits.

Moreover he had said "we should dress for public worship in a way that is generally considered appropriate."

"The department should consider implementing the dress code as follows: for men dhoti or pyjamas with upper cloth or formal pants and shirts and for women saree or half saree with blouse, churidhars with upper cloth, for children any fully covered dress," the judge had said, adding, it should be followed in temples from January 1, 2016.

He directed that it be implemented in all temples coming under the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department until the State government takes a policy decision on the issue in order “to enhance the spiritual ambience.”

This Friday, regarded as auspicious by Hindus, rendered more significant by the birth of a new year, huge crowds thronged the temples.

On the day of implementation though, few temples actually turned away devotees.

At the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, and at the Kapaleeswarar and Parthasarathy temples in Chennai, devotees were told to adhere to the norms on their next visit. In Tiruchi’s Rockfort Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, temple authorities gave dhotis and shawls (they had been offered to the temple) to those who had come in jeans or shorts, a strict no-no as per the new code. In southern Tamil Nadu however, temple authorities said there was good compliance with the dress code, with only a few people coming in jeans.

“According to Christianity, a general lesson from the New Testament is that we should dress for public worship in a way that is generally considered appropriate. Standards of dress are different from church to church and change over time, but we should avoid any style of dress that is offensive or sends a message opposing the church community’s values,” the judgment said.

The judge observed that Islam also insists on a dress code: “Sleeves should reach to each wrist and the hair should be covered by a headscarf. Pants or skirts that are too revealing, clingy, or tight should not be worn and the dress permissible to men for worship is that they should wear long pants and plain shirts without messages or slogans when visiting mosques.”

It also referred to the recently imposed dress code banning short skirts and shorts in Somnath temple and a similar rule in Tirupati temple.

Among the devotees though there were mixed reactions – ranging between bemusement and irritation, stopping just short of outrage, and a good many of them saying if they had known earlier, they would have conformed to the code.