4G: Functionalities Development and an Analysis of Mobile Wireless Grid

With the emerging innovations in wireless communication networks, it is anticipated that fourth generation mobile systems will be launched within a decade or before. 4G mobile systems focus on seamlessly integrating the existing wireless technologies including WCDMA, HSUPA/HSDPA, 1xEVDO, Wireless LAN, and Bluetooth. 4G systems aspire to support comprehensive and personalized services, providing stable system performance and quality service. However, with ever-changing specifications and standards, developing a prototype that provides the 4G systems' capabilities requires a flexible process. Besides, migrating current systems to 4G presents enormous challenges. This paper intends to deal with the fundamentals and issues of networks, technologies, spectrum, standards, terminals, services of 4G and about the visions that the network operators and service providers see for the evolution of 4G mobile systems. The paper endeavors to make an evaluation on development, transition, and roadmap for fourth generation mobile communication system with a perspective of wireless convergence domain. Finally, a brief discussion on future research issues in 4G is presented.