What is Wireless 3G Modem and 4G Modem?

Definitions of 3G modem and 4G modem.

3G Modem:

A 3g modem is a terminal device for dialup. Also known as a Cellular Modem, Mobile Modem, Mobile IP Modem, Wireless Modem) A wireless adapter that connects a laptop computer or other device to a cellular telephone system for data transfer. Cellular modems, often contain their own antennas and plug into a PC Card slot, a serial port or into the USB port of the computer or other device. Cellular modems can operate on a variety of wireless data services such as GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSPDA, HSPUA, 1x and EV-DO.

4G Modem:

A 4g modem is from tourth generation mobile communications technology. A somewhat vague term used to describe wireless mobile radio technologies that offer faster data rates than current 3G (third generation) technologies. 4G networks are also more data-centric and based on standard Internet technologies such as IP. Voice service is typically provided using a special form of VoIP. WiMAX and LTE are examples of 4G technologies. 4G LTE is most popular with 4G TDD LTE and FDD LTE.

Cellular 3G Technology Vs 4G Technology

4G technology is with us already in some cities. What can 4G bring us?

The following table shows comparisons between some key parameters of 3GVs possible 4Gsystems.

 

Item	3G	4G
Frequency Band	1.8 – 2.5 GHz	2 – 8 GHz
Bandwidth	5-20 MHz	5-20 MHz
Data rate	Up to 2Mbps ( 384 kbps WAN)	Up to 20 Mbps or more
Access	Wideband CDMA	Multi-carrier-CDMA or OFDM(TDMA)
FEC	Turbo-codes	Concatenated codes
Switching	Circuit/Packet	Packet
Mobile top speeds	200 kmph	200 kmph

 In the next topics, we mainly discuss the 4g terminal and 3g terminal comparasion, especially the 4g lte router and 4g lte modem.

Cellular 3g router with wireless modules MC8790

Nowadays 3g router mostly has two types. Firstly is built-in 3g module. The other one is with usb host and work with an external modem.

Sierra MC8790 series is one of 3g modem module popular for 3g routers.

Short Info:

Sierra Wireless AirPrime MC8790 and MC8790V embedded wireless modules provide wide area wireless data access at speeds up to 7.2 Mbps downlink and up to 5.76 Mbps uplink. These modules offer UMTS/HSPA and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE network access for roaming on high-speed networks worldwide. In addition, antenna diversity improves fringe performance on global HSPA networks using the 850, 1900 and 2100 MHz bands.

Key Features:

• Peak downlink speeds up to 7.2 Mbps and peak uplink speeds up to 5.76 Mbps
• Uses MSM6290™ chipset from QUALCOMM
• World class product performance, quality and reliability
• Solid documentation, tool development and consultation services
• Solid support for device integration and verification
• Comprehensive SDK and enabling software
• Flexible driver strategy with NDIS support and non-NDIS abilities

Key Benefits:

• High-speed, broadband connectivity
• Best-in-class technical and integration support
• Easy integration
• Premium functionality and performance
• Compact size and light weight
• Antenna diversity for improved fringe performance
• Triband for global connectivity

Specifications

Air Interface	HSUPA HSDPA EDGE GPRS GSM
Frequency Bands	WCDMA 850/1900/2100 MHz EDGE/GPRS/GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
Approvals	FCC, IC, CE, GCF, PTCRB, A-Tick, AT&T, Telstra, NTT DoCoMo, Softbank, Bell
Standby and Idle Power	4-5mA
GSM GPRS Max Power	2.6A
HSxPA Max Power	720mA
CPU IO Voltage Performance	2.6V
Codec	HR, FR, EFR, AMR
Echo Cancellation and Noise Reduction	Yes
DTMF	Yes
UART	1x 8-wire
USB	USB 2.0 high speec
ADC	1
Flash LED Output	1
PWM Buzzer	No
Keyboard Interface	No
SIM Interface	1.8V or 3V
Antenna Diversity	Yes
Location Solution	gpsOne
Embedded SIM	No
Control Options	AT commands
Device Management	No
Drivers	Windows 7 Windows 7 Mobile Broadband Windows Vista Windows Vista x64 Windows XP Windows XP-x64 Linux Windows CE Windows Mobile
Device Dimensions	51x30x4.5mm

GPRS Router and GPRS Modem

What is GPRS?

GPRS is a cellular network stands for General Packet Radio Service, and it is a protocol for passing data over a mobile phone network. Here is more info knowing about GPRS,

1. GPRS replaced dial-up cellular modem and cellular router Internet access, offering faster browsing of Internet content and email. It's an "always on" service".
2. GPRS on a cellular modem and cellular router doesn't use a phone number to connect; it uses something called an APN (Access Point Name).
3. GPRS has now been largely superseded by faster data network services known as 3G

Mostly the GPRS Router and GPRS Modem are the used to meet users’ internet connection at the beginning. And now the 3G modem and router are more and more popular for high data interconnections.

GPRS and 3G APN settings info.

Normally it requires the four parameters.

1.      Service code (dialing number)

2.      Username

3.      Password

4.      APN code

For example GPRS APN info in China,

Network Provider	Service code	Username	Password	APN code
China Mobile	*99***1#			cmnet
China Union	#777	card	card

And 3G APN info

Network Provider	Service code	Username	Password	APN code
China Mobile	*99#			3gnet
China Union	*99#			uninet

In a word, different network provider can use the same service code, username and password, but owns different APN code.

Originated by zouyanbing from blog of Wireless Router/Modem – HDMI Blog

3G Cellular Technology and Modem/Router

1. Brief

3G technology is more and more popular nowadays.
3G technology contains the following three standards.
WCDMA
CDMA2000
TD-SCDMA

WCDMA contains the 3G HSDPA and 3G HSUPA.
CDMA2000 contains EVDO Rev O and EVDO Rev A.
TD-SCDMA mainly use TD-SCDMA;

2. Router and Modem Device

2.1 Cellular 3G router with module inside

HSDPA Router – 7.2Mbps maximum
HSUPA Router – 14.2Mbps maximum
EVDO Router – 3.1Mbps maximum

Main Port: RJ45, WiFi optional

2.2 Cellular 3G modem

HSDPA Router – 7.2Mbps maximum
HSUPA Router – 14.2Mbps maximum
EVDO Router – 3.1Mbps maximum

Main Port: USB port

2.3 Cellular 3G gateway router

Main Port

: USB port
Need an external usb 3g modem to work. Popularly use with USB HSDPA Modem, USB HSUPA Modem and USB EVDO Modem.

3. Others
The 3G Router and 3G Modem contains industrial class and non-industrial class.
Non-industrial class: for normal internet data connection, personal computer uses.

Industrial class: for wireless M2M solutions, machine uses

Originated by Zou Yanbing from E-Lins Technology.
Please mark from http://szelins.blogspot.com when copy.