Tannoy manual General Packet Radio Services, Using Gprs in the Z600

White Paper Z600

General Packet Radio Services

The introduction of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) is one of the key steps in the evolution of today’s GSM networks for enhancing the capabili- ties of data communication. Data traffic is increas- ing enormously (over both wired and wireless networks), with the growth in demand for Internet access and services paralleling that for mobile communications. Users want access to the Internet while they are away from their offices and homes, and surveys have found that the vast majority of business professionals want the ability to send and receive e-mail, browse the WAP and transmit text and graphics on a portable device. That is why the main applications driving Mobile Internet develop- ment are e-mail clients and WAP browsers.

The demand for high-speed Internet access will be the key driver for coming generations of wireless services, and GPRS can deliver the necessary speed. GPRS allows innovative services to be cre- ated, enabling new and previously inaccessible market segments to be addressed and increasing customer loyalty.

GPRS applications can be developed as both hori- zontal and vertical. Vertical applications are spe- cific, including those for operations such as reaching police and emergency, taxi, delivery or automated services (vending machines, supervi- sion, vehicle tracking). Horizontal applications are more generic and include those for Internet access, e-mail, messaging, e-commerce and entertain- ment.

GPRS is able to take advantage of the global cov- erage of existing GSM networks. Applications developed for GPRS can be deployed on a large scale and can reap the associated benefits. GPRS also provides a secure medium for connections to private networks, banking and financial services.

With GPRS, the Z600 sends data in “packets” at a very high speed. The Z600 remains connected to the network at all times, using transmission capac- ity only when data is sent or received.

Using GPRS in the Z600

Instead of occupying an entire voice channel for the duration of a data session, the Z600 sends/ receives data in small packets, as needed, much like IP on the Internet. Because of this, the Z600 maintains a constant online connection, its data transmission abilities summoned by the application in use on an as-needed basis.

The GPRS specification includes four coding schemes – CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4 – that allow data speeds of 9,050 bps, 13,400 bps, 15,600 bps and 21,400 bps respectively. The Z600 works with all four coding schemes, but data speed will natu- rally vary according to network configuration. At the moment, CS-3 and CS-4 are not supported in any live network, i.e present speed is limited to 53,600 bps.

The GSM system limits the ability to use all eight time slots, so the Z600 uses up to four time slots for receiving data, and one slot for transmitting.

This means the speed for receiving data is up to 85,600 bps and up to 21,400 bps for sending data.

Using GPRS with the Z600 has several advantages, for example:

•Constant connection

•Keep an open connection to an e-mail system or the company network, staying online to receive and send messages at all times. All con- nection settings can be managed by using the data connections feature.

•High speed

•Gain access automatically to increased band- width when downloading large files, images etc.

•Cost efficient

•Use transmission capacity only when needed, thus reducing costs.

•WAP over GPRS

•Access the Internet via WAP at high speed and with a constant connection.

•E-mail over GPRS

•Remain connected to an e-mail system while reading and preparing messages, (which are sent at a high speed).

•Data communication

31 September 2003