UMTS Code Division Testbed

Objective

The overall objective of the CODIT project is to explore the potential of code division multiple access (CDMA) for a future high capacity universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). An advanced system concept based on CDMA will be established including advanced radio technologies (radio interface, radio transceivers, etc) and advanced sub-system architectures (micro- and pico-cells, macro-diversity, fast and soft handover, frequency management, radio network planning methods, etc).

A system demonstrator (testbed) comprising mobile station, radio base station and a radio network controller will be designed and built in order to validate the CODIT system concept.
The overall objective of the research was to explore the potential of code division multiple access (CDMA) for a future high capacity universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). The research utilises and advanced system concept based on CDMA which includes advanced radio technologies (radio interface, radio transceivers, etc) and advanced subsystem architectures (microcells and picocells, macrodiversity, fast and soft handover, frequency management, radio network planning methods, etc).

The system concept is designed to meet the major requirements of a third generation UMTS which are:
handling of picocells, microcells and macrocells with a simple deployment of specturm resources allowing multiple operators as well as private networks;
indoor and outdoor operation with a high grade of service;
support of low power pocket terminals for high quality speech services;
easy access to (known) data networks;
variable bit rate bearer for advanced data services;
the ability to support a large number of users (50% penetration rate).

The system testbed is designed to demonstrate:
radio transmission performance in an interference limited system handover real time speech transmission;
data transmission speech capabilities (lower layers only);
radio protocols as far as required for call setup and handover.
Technical Approach

The CODIT project is divided into three phases:

- An analysis phase: producing a broad outline of the system concept by mid 1992.
- A system design phase: the system is designed and verified via computer simulation, and a testbed build.
- A test and validation phase: the complete testbed is integrated and verified and tests results evaluated. As a result, the specification of the system will be revised at the end of the project.

Key Issues

The CODIT system concept will meet the major requirements of a third generation UMTS which are:

- Handling of pico-, micro- and macro-cells with a simple deployment of spectrum resources allowing multiple operators as well as private networks.
- Indoor and outdoor operation with a high grade of service.
- Support of low power pocket terminals for high quality speech services.
- Easy access to data networks.
- Variable bit rate bearer for advanced data services.
- Ability to support a large number of users (50% penetration rate).

Expected Impact

The CODIT project will help to increase the understanding of CDMA and explore its potential for future mobile and personal telecommunications systems. The results of the project will form a valuable input to standardisation work on future generations of mobile radio communication systems in Europe (ETSI) and the world scene.

Fields of science

• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › information engineering › telecommunications › telecommunications networks › data networks
• engineering and technology › electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering › information engineering › telecommunications › radio technology › mobile radio
• natural sciences › mathematics › applied mathematics › mathematical model

Programme(s)

• FP3-RACE 2 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of communication technologies, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

Data not available

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

Data not available

Coordinator

ERICSSON RADIO SYSTEMS AB

Address

Thorshamngatan 21-23
164 80 Stockholm
Sweden

Participants (11)

ASCOM TECH AG

Switzerland

Address

Gewerbepark
5506 Maegenwil

British Telecom plc (BT)

United Kingdom

Address

British Telecom Centre 81 Newgate Street
EC1A 7AJ London

Links

Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni SpA (CSELT)

Italy

Address

Via Guglielmo Reiss Romoli 274
10148 Torino

Compagnie IBM France SA

France

Address

La Gaude Laboratory
06610 La Gaude

Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt eV (DLR)

Germany

Address

Münchener Straße 20
82230 Weßling

Italtel Società Italiana Telecomunicazioni SpA

Italy

Address

Ci1a Busr-rs-r
20019 Castelletto Di Settimo Milanese (Mi)

Matra Communication

France

Address

Rue Jean-pierre Timbaud
78392 Bois D'arcy

NORTEL MATRA CELLULAR

France

Address

Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud
78392 Bois D'arcy

Philips Research Laboratories Ltd

United Kingdom

Address

Cross Oak Lane
RH1 5HA Redhill

TELEFONICA DE ESPAÑA

Spain

Address

Emilio Vargas, 4-6
28043 Madrid

TELIA RESEARCH AB

Sweden

Address

Rudsjoterrassen 2
13680 Haninge