CDMA 1X Technology–High Speed Data and Voice

The Public Safety Wireless Network
(PSWN) Program is conducting an ongoing
assessment of advancements in the wireless
communications industry. The scope of this
assessment is to identify emerging wireless services
and technologies for potential public safety use in the
near future and beyond. This article focuses on the
third generation CDMA-based 1x technologies. This
technology allows for high-speed data and enhanced
voice quality and capacity over CDMA networks.



With the unparalleled growth of the
Internet and Web-based products, mobile
users are continually looking for high-
performance wireless Internet technology to
enhance their communications capabilities.
Third generation (3G) wireless technologies
promise to take users into a new realm of
mobile computing, ranging from receiving
and sending e-mails, to watching streaming
videos, or even attending a video
teleconference. For the public safety
community, this would translate to the
ability to access National Crime Information
Center (NCIC) information such as still
images and fingerprints at a relatively higher
speed than with current private wireless
systems or with Cellular Digital Packet Data
(CDPD) technology.


Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) is one of the wireless air interface
standards that is currently in the process of
transitioning from second generation (2G)
wireless to 3G wireless technology service
offerings. CDMA2000 1X technology is the
standard that delivers the first of three 3G
modes. CDMA2000 1x, delivers raw data
rates of up to 153 kilobits per second
(Kbps). CDMA2000 1xEV, which includes
a data-only network as well as a data and
voice network, delivers raw data rates of 2
megabits per second (Mbps) and 5 Mbps,
respectively. This article will explore these
suites of 3G wireless technologies and their
applications that will benefit the public
safety community.



These three evolutionary
technologies look to provide business
professionals, consumers, and public safety
agencies with an array of new features and
products that could greatly enhance their
respective communication methods. The
rollout of the 1xRTT technology has already
begun, with 1xEV-DO and 1xEV-DV not
too far behind. Soon, these high-speed data
protocols will become commonplace, and
the way mobile devices are used will once
again change, likely for the better.