How Does the Cellular Network Work?

Cellular networks provide a vital element to many of the things we know and love, enabling us to connect anywhere we need to be, such as taking the bus, connecting with friends, shopping, watching videos, and more. In addition to the personal interests, we are all familiar with, cellular networks play a vital and growing role in many IoT applications.
In some past articles, I've explored other connectivity technologies, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and LPWAN. The reason we have so many connectivity options is that IoT applications can vary widely, which means requirements will vary. Тип изоляции DC-DC
While connectivity technology continues to improve, in the end, there will always be a trade-off between power consumption, range, and bandwidth. In the past, cellular connectivity has focused on range and bandwidth at the expense of power consumption, meaning it can send large amounts of data over long distances but drain the battery quickly. This is great for devices that are connected to a power source or that can be charged frequently (such as your phone), but is a great option for IoT applications that require remote sensors and devices to last months or years of battery not being possible.
But that's not all when it comes to cellular networks. You may have heard names like 2G, 3G, and 4G, but new cellular technologies like NB-IoT and LTE-M are aimed specifically at IoT applications. 5G may also prove beneficial and transformative for the Internet of Things.
How do cellular networks work?
When we make a call, send a text message or access the Internet from our mobile device, we are sending a signal wirelessly to a nearby cell tower. These cell towers both receive our signal and send it back to us. A cell tower is the part of a base station that has wired connections to other base stations and the Internet, helping to deliver information over greater distances than the coverage of a single cell tower.
Like all wireless communication technologies, cellular networks use electromagnetic waves to send information. Just as your radio has different frequency bands that you can tune to (for example, tuning to 101.1 means you are listening to the 101.1 Mhz frequency), wireless communication technology also has specific frequency bands in which it operates.
If all wireless communication tried to use the same frequency, there would be too much noise and interference for clear communication. Therefore, the FCC dictates which frequency bands can be used by whom, and cellular carriers each have a specific frequency band within which they are permitted to operate.
However, even with their own designated frequency bands, operators still need to consider interference. If a carrier's two base stations are close to each other and operate on the same frequency, their signals can interfere with each other and cause problems for anyone trying to use the network in the area.
The solution to this question is also the answer to the next question.
Why is it called a "cellular" network?
Cellular networks are called because network operators divide areas into "cells". Each cell has a cell tower that operates on a different frequency than the adjacent cell towers. For example, using a hexagonal arrangement means you only need 7 different frequencies to ensure that the same frequencies are not used in adjacent cells.
The area of ​​each of these units depends on the density of use. In cities, each cell might be as little as half a mile apart, while in rural areas it could be as much as 5 miles.
When a user moves between cells, their frequency is automatically changed to switch to a new cell tower (called a handover).
There's a lot going on behind the scenes to manage large numbers of users simultaneously using the same network while on the move (i.e. "mobile"), but I'll keep it high.
What does generation mean?
Even if all of the above is completely new to you, you've almost certainly heard terms like 3G or 4G before. These refer to the third and fourth generations, respectively.
Each generation is a set of standards and technologies defined by a standards body called the ITU Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). The organization manages the international radio frequency spectrum and standards, which help ensure the efficient use of the spectrum. Without such institutions and rules governing who can use what spectrum, different companies and organizations could interfere with each other and reduce overall service levels.
However, it should be noted that even under the same standard, there will still be different technologies. For example, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is a 3G technology mainly used in Europe, Japan and China, while the CDMA2000 system is used in North America and Korea. Ethernet-адаптер rs485
So what is the difference between 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G?
Beginning with the 1G system introduced in the early 1980s, a new generation has been introduced roughly every 10 years thereafter. Each generation brings new frequency bands, higher data rates and new transmission technologies (not backward compatible).
Because every generation is different, here's why your phone might not have 4G coverage, but still have 3G (and why you might not have any data on the internet and still be able to make calls and send texts) .
Several carriers have announced they will shut down their 2G networks to free up radio spectrum for other uses. Any machine that uses a 2G radio will need to replace its radio with a new generation radio in order to continue working.
Is cellular connectivity a good choice for IoT?
All of this depends on your specific use case. As mentioned in the introduction, cellular phones have historically been unsuitable for many IoT applications because they consume a lot of power and have a high cost per unit. Cellular connectivity is limited for applications that have direct power, need to send large amounts of data, do not involve a large number of devices, and are located in densely populated areas.