PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS: AN INTRODUCTION By Dr. Ernest Simo 3.0 TRADITIONAL CELLULAR VERSUS EMERGING PCN Traditional cellular networks and services were designed for mobile use in car or any fast-moving transportation vehicle. In Europe, the pre-1985 cellular scene was chaotic. There was a host of analog systems with different protocols, interfaces and features. Post-1985: the European community started migrating from analog to digital systems. A Pan-European cellular system, known as Group Special Mobile (GSM) was specified. Such a system, with common standards throughout Europe, has considerable impact on inter-operability, mass production of equipment and cost reduction resulting from economies of scale. By contrast, PCNs are conceived to include and support pedestrian traffic and slow moving mobiles (less than 10 miles per hour): Small-size stations, strategically placed in business, public and residential locations, will allow users to make and receive phone calls, engage in data and video transactions from pocket-size handsets. However, as cellular networks transition to digital, expand their service portfolio and enhance their capabilities, the dividing line between digital cellular services and personal communications services will gradually become less and less perceptible. CODE: AN INTRODUCTION By Dr. Ernest Simo © 1999 DR. ERNEST SIMO - SPACE2000