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Atm wireless access communication system

Objective

AWACS's main objective is to develop a system concept and testbed demonstration of wireless public access to B-ISDN services. The system will operate in the 19 GHz band with user bit rates up to 34 Mbit/s and radio transmission ranges between 50 to 100 m. The project will support limited , slow speed mobility as in line with expected use of high data services, but with improved portability. The project builds upon the use of experimental prototype at 19 GHz ATM wireless platform provided by Japanese partner which marks the significant importance of the establishment of working relationships throughout the worldwide mobile communication community. The demonstrator of ATM Wireless Access (AWA) pre-prototype equipment associated with channel sounder helps to provide propagation data, BER and ATM performance at 19 GHz. Based on this information, enhancement techniques are to be investigated to support a fully integrated antenna solution, mobility, as well as spectrum and power efficient radio access technologies required to support ETSI-RES10 HIPERLAN specifications.These targets will further be supported by the following sub-objectives :
co-operation with other wireless ATM related projects in domains and chains in order to have close links concerning system development,
strong committement to contribute to standardisation bodies like ETSI-RES10, ITU and ARIB in Japan via External liaison activities within the project.
During the first phase of the project, the AWA pre-prototype equipement from Japanese partner was successfully introduced to the project. The equipment and channel sounder have been configured for 19 GHz propagation characteristics and propagation simulation techniques in order to measure the propagation data efficiently. The project has defined forecasted wireless ATM applications to be used for trials towards the final stage of the project and the demonstration system has been configured for this purpose in order to achieve real time experience for further AWACS development.
In system studies, initial link level simulations (BER performance of radio transmission chain) and system level simulations (users, capacity and coverage) have been conducted. Some preliminary statistical propagation models from ETSI-RES10 have been integrated for the simulations. Spatial propagation model proposed for wireless ATM. Further, reference models and performance parameter sets from ETSI-RES10 and ATM Forum have been analysed and first step towards a definition of MAC/LLC procedures for the project have been taken.
The real time trials will expected to indicate the capacity of the available system in a real user environment.
The trials results will contribute to the development of common specifications and standards such as ETSI-RES10, HIPERLAN specifications, ITU and ARIB in Japan.
Expected Impact
The objective of AWACS is to ensure that manufacturers, operators and users are able to make maximum benefit of the future technology, for example by the introduction of new services.
The project will then make a significant contribution to the emerging market of integrated fixed and mobile wireless broadband services. In addition, it will open new dimensions of mobile services in rural and less-developed areas.
The results are also expected to facilitate and promote the introduction of new specifications such as HIPERLAN types.

Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
A "virtual office" field trial based on a wireless ATM system operating at 19 GHz supporting broadband multimedia applications
Contribution to the programme
Demonstration of the use of directional antenna technology as a viable alternative to equalisation and multi-carrier techniques for the provision of ATM over a wireless bearer. Early contributions to ETSI standards HIPERLAN type 4 and HIPERLINK
Technical Approach
AWACS technical approach is centred around a testbed and associated trial campaign programme. Trials will be conducted using the existing ATM Wireless access platform made available to the project by one of its partners.
Associated program of work will then be directed on enhancing this current state-of-art system towards the final target features of the emerging ATM wireless specifications, in particular various HIPERLAN types as currently being defined by ETSI-RES10. Equalisation, multicarrier techniques and COFDM techniques will not be considered by the project, instead spatial filtering approach is to be pionered by the project and therefore enhancements to the existing demonstrator will be considered in the following areas :

the antenna system design and control ( intelligent antennas);
application of channel coding ;
optimisation of link layer protocols to match ATM bearer types;
feasibility of 40GHz RF technology for ATM wireless LAN applications;
mobility management techniques together with the impact on the radio bearer appropriate for high bit rate communications.

AWACS project will benefit from a wide range of available expertise and tools that have been brought into the project from members of the consortium.
These will include, an experimental ATM wireless access system, propagation modeling tools, system evaluation tools, software radio link simulation tools, antenna expertise, millimetric wave measurement systems.
Summary of Trial
The AWACS field trial will include a concept of 'virtual office' trials towards the end of project. This will include three potential cases depending on the technical capabilities of the demonstrator:
Wireless multimedia communication link between an engineer at the production site and an expert at this office;
Video communication in meetings between physically separated sites;
Visual, wireless network access to virtual office facilities at one of the partner's location.

The objectives of these trials can be summarised as follows:
Improvement of communication between physically separated offices by telepresence technologies;
Reduce the need of travelling between the geographically separated offices;
Improve the response time of expert advise in problem solving by visual communications;
Free staff from fixed office hours.
Key Issues
Key issues to be considered include :
the performance evaluation of a 19 GHz ATM compatible modem;
identification of functional capabilities and limitations of the demonstrator;
investigation of possible enhancements to the ATM compatible modem (antenna design);
preparation of strategic vision document resulting from AWACS which contains possible upgrading techniques of the existing prototype, what is available in terms of RF technology at 40 GHz and above, long term vision including market issues, market expectations in terms of technology and also implications on spectrum issues.

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Alcatel Telecom
EU contribution
No data
Address
5, rue Noél Pons
92734 Nanterre
France

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Total cost
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Participants (6)

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Last update: 7 May 1999

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/AC228

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