Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

EDGE is an acronym for Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) and also known as Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS) or Enhanced GPRS.

It is a cellular mobile phone technology, which acts as a bridge between 2G and 3G networks. EDGE is considered an evolution of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). This technology works with GSM networks (Global System for Mobile communications). Although EDGE works with any GSM that has GPRS implemented, the operator must implement the necessary updates, currently all mobile phones support this technology.

EDGE, or EGPRS, can be used in any data transfer based on packet switching (Packet Switched), as is the connection to the Internet. The benefits of EDGE over GPRS can be seen in applications that require high data transfer rates or high bandwidth, such as video or other multimedia services.

In addition to using GMSK (Gaussian Minimum-Shift Keying), EDGE uses 8PSK (8 Phase Shift Keying) for the top five levels of nine total modulation schemes and coding. In the first four levels, GPRS itself is used. Using 8PSK produces a 3-bit word for each change in carrier phase. This triples the available bandwidth provided by GSM. The level of the scheme used to transmit depends on the C/I (carrier/interferer) ratio, which will be higher the larger the C/I value. Like GPRS, EDGE uses a rate adaptation algorithm, which adapts the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) used for the quality of the radio channel and thus the bit rate (bit rate) and the robustness of data transmission. EDGE adds a new technology not found in GPRS, Incremental Redundancy, which, instead of retransmitting the corrupted information packets, sends more redundant information that is combined at the receiver, increasing the probability of correct decoding.

EDGE can reach a transmission speed of 384 Kbps in packet mode, which meets the requirements of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU or ITU) for a 3G network, it has also been accepted by the ITU as part of IMT-2000, from the 3G family of standards. It also improves the data circuit mode called HSCSD, increasing the bandwidth for the service. EDGE was released on the GSM networks in the United States in 2003.

Although UMTS technology has a higher transfer capacity and is chronologically more recent, its high implementation costs and little support mean that a good number of cellular mobile phone operators have implemented EDGE technology, dominating the global market for GSM/GPRS communications.

For the implementation of EDGE by an operator, the main network, or core network, does not need to be modified, however, the base stations, BTS, must be. EDGE compatible transceivers must be installed, along with new terminals (phones) and software that can decode/encode the new modulation schemes.

The definition of EDGE, whether it is 2G or 3G, depends on your implementation. While Class 3 and below are clearly not 3G, Class 4 and above have higher bandwidth than other technologies considered 3G (such as 1xRTT). At Class 10, with a bandwidth greater than 230 Kbps, EDGE manages to transcend the common definitions of 2G and 3G.

Technology

It is implemented as a bolt-on enhancement to 2.5G GSM/GPRS, making it easier for existing GSM operators to upgrade to it. EDGE is a superset of GPRS and can work on any network with GPRS deployed on it, as long as the carrier implements the necessary upgrade.

EDGE does not require any hardware or software changes that were made to basic GSM networks. For EDGE to be supported, the transceiver units must be installed and the base station subsystem must be updated to support EDGE. If the operator already has it in place, which is often the case today, the network can be upgraded to EDGE by activating an optional software feature. The latest update is this technology is compatible with all major chip manufacturers for GSM and WCDMA/HSPA networks.