Overview

CDMA2000 is a unique radio and network access system that is part of the IMT-2000 specification suite of access platforms that comprise what is known collectively as third generation (3G). The International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000) specification from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defines one of its platform standards that comprises the 3G suite of access platforms and is called IMT-2000-MC, or multi-carrier, called CDMA2000. CDMA2000 is unique in that, while supporting 3G services and bandwidth requirements, it enables a logical migration from the existing 2G platforms to 3G without forklifting the legacy system.

The IMT-2000 specification or vision for all the platforms supported has a common set of goals that all the standards are meant to achieve. The general specifications for the IMT-2000 are as follows:

• Support high-speed data services

• Global standard

• Worldwide common frequency band

• Flexibility for evolution

• Improved spectrum efficiency

• 2 Mbps for fixed environment

• 384 Kbps for pedestrian use

• 144 Kbps for vehicular uses

In reviewing this list, the underlying principal is that IMT-2000 is a high-speed packet data network designed for mobility using IP as the enabling protocol.

Some of the 3G applications that are envisioned to be enabled by CDMA2000 are as follows:

• Wireless Internet

• Wireless e-mail

• Wireless telecommuting

• Telemetry

• Wireless commerce

• Location-based services

• Longer standby battery life

CDMA2000 is standardized under the specification of IS-2000, which is backward-compatible with IS-95A and B, as well as with J-STD-008 specifications that collectively are called cdmaOne. The IS-95 and J-STD-008 specifications make up...