Overview

The CDMA system includes a Base Stations (BS), various data processing functions, and a data distribution network. The CDMA network is also called a radio access network (RAN).

CDMA network parts may be dedicated equipment assemblies or software programs that run on computer servers. CDMA networks inter-connect wireless devices with nearby radio towers (base stations) that route calls through switching systems to other wireless telephone to other telephones or data networks. Creating and managing a wireless network involves equipment selection and installation, implementation methods, inter-connection to the public switched telephone network (PTSN) and other networks such as the Internet.

The CDMA system uses either a mobile switching center (MSC) for voice and medium-speed data or a packet data service node (PDSN) for packet data services. The MSC coordinates the overall allocation and routing of calls throughout the wireless system. The PDSN ensures packets from the mobile devices can reach their destination.

Figure 1.29 shows a simplified functional diagram of a CDMA network. This diagram shows that the CDMA system provides for packet data, circuit data, and voice services. Medium-speed circuit data services (up to 115 kbps) are provided by combining multiple coded channels on a single IS-95 CDMA radio channels. This diagram shows that the Base Station (BTS) contains a radio transceiver (radio and transmitter) that converts the radio signal into a data signal (data and digital voice) that can transfer through the network. The BTS is connected to a base station controller (BSC) that coordinates the radio channel...