The Next Generation Mobile Wireless Cellular Networks – 4G and Beyond

The demand of mobile user is ever increasing in this world of digital systems. Consumers demand more from their technology. Whether it is a television, cellular phone, Washing machine or refrigerator, the latest technology purchase must have new features. With the advent of the Internet, the most-wanted feature is better, faster access to information. The time not far away when access to all necessary information and the power of a personal computer, sits in the palm of one’s hand. To support such a powerful system, we need pervasive, high-speed wireless connectivity. The drawbacks of the current mobile communication technology have led the researchers to come up with more advanced and efficient technologies. 4G mobile technology is the outcome in this direction. 4G is the next generation of wireless networks that will totally replace existing 3G networks. It is supposed to provide its customers with better speed and all IP based multimedia services. In the present scenario existing technologies are capable of performing functions like broadband data access, supporting voice traffic using voice over IP (VoIP), in mobile environment etc., but there is a great requirement of integrating all such technologies into a single combined system. 4G promises a solution to this problem by seamlessly integrating the terminals, networks and applications. This paper presents an overall study of the 4G systems, architecture, standard, benefits, challenges in implementation, design for the LTE and WiMAX technologies, Security issues and future scope of 4G technologies.