Difference Between GSM and CDMA

Difference between CDMA and GSM Cellular mobile services, such as GSM and CDMA, have been around for a long time and are constantly evolving around the world. As a result of these services, a slew of new telecommunications technologies, including CDMA and GSM, emerged.

The two most important mobile communication technology standards are CDMA and GSM. Mobile phone data is converted to radio waves using GSM and CDMA standards. However, the way in which calls and data are transmitted via a network is different depending on the technology.

In comparison to CDMA, GSM relies on SIM cards to connect a mobile phone to its network, whereas CDMA relies on ESNs to achieve the same (Electronic Serial Number).

What is GSM, and how does it work?

As a digital mobile communication standard, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) can transmit and receive data as well as voice signals through a network.

The second-generation standard for mobile networks or telephony, it uses a wedge spectrum.

GSM uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) to divide users and cells and transmit signals (Frequency Division Multiple Access).

In the wake of the GSM standard, several wireless services including GPRS , UMTS (Universal Mobile Radio System), and EDGE have arisen.

900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz are the three radio frequencies used.

An additional band frequency is employed to provide additional support for expanding users, while the original GSM system uses the 900MHz band frequency. Only in the United States does the 1900MHz band have a place (United States).

Text messaging service Short Message System (SMS) was pioneered by GSM users, who could communicate with each other by text message over a specific network.

• One of the benefits of GSM is that we can get a low-cost phone and base stations.
• It improves the efficiency of the spectrum.
• Data and voice transmissions over GSM networks are of high quality.
• As far as I know, GSM and ISDN are interchangeable (Integrated Services Digital Network).

What is CDMA, and how does it work?

Code Division Multiple Access, sometimes known as CDMA, is a radio communication technology similar to GSM.

It was in the second and third generations of mobile phone networks that CDMA first surfaced as a wireless communication technology.

The available bandwidth is maximized by the usage of spread spectrum technology. Spread spectrum technology means that any user can send data at any time throughout the whole frequency range.

CDMA is one of the most secure methods of communication because of its ability to distribute its signal over a wide area.

Ultra-high-frequency (UHF) cellular networks use it in the 800MHz to 1900MHz frequency range.

CDMA has many advantages:

• It effectively utilizes a predetermined range of frequencies.
• No limit on the number of people who can access the service.
• It enables for a wide range of resource allocation options.
• It is compatible with other cellular technologies, allowing for nationwide roaming.
• GSM is based on wedge spectrum technology, which is also known as a carrier. CDMA, on the other hand, is based on a different type of carrier. Using TDMA technology, the carrier divides its capacity into time slots, each of which is assigned to a separate customer. As a result, no one else may use that slot until an incoming call has been completed. Multi-user access is made possible by the use of FDMA, which distributes the user frequencies.
• To make the most out of the bandwidth, CDMA utilises spread spectrum technology, which allows it to do so efficiently. Any user can transfer data over the entire frequency range at any time.. via this.. device.
• In order to identify a subscriber on telephone equipment, a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) stores personal identification information about the user. GSM phones require a SIM card for data or call transfer. Transferring the cards’ contents from one mobile phone to another is as simple as copying them.
• A SIM card is not required for CDMA-based smartphones; instead, the ESN is used (Electronic Serial Number). Switching from one device to another is difficult because it doesn’t use a SIM card, necessitating a proper procedure.
• Flexibility: The GSM standard is more flexible than CDMA. Because GSM allows the SIM card to be placed into any device and used, this is the case. Only if the ESN is registered in the database may CDMA phones be used.
• If a CDMA phone fails, we must buy a new one, however if a SIM fails, we may simply switch to an other SIM card.
• 850 MHz to 1900 MHz is the frequency band in which GSM and CDMA both function, and this is also the range in which GSM and CDMA operate.
• There is a 28-fold increase in radiation exposure while using GSM phones versus CDMA phones.
• A CDMA phone, on the other hand, does not continuously generate wave pulses, like a GSM phone does.
• GSM technology is more commonly used around the world than CDMA technology. The majority of mobile networks worldwide use GSM instead of CDMA. The United States, Canada, and Japan are the primary markets for CDMA-based cell phones.
• Unlike GSM technology, CDMA uses encryption and spread spectrum for data transfer, making it more secure than GSM.
• CDMA signal detection is far more difficult than GSM signal detection. Consequently, it is safer.
• Data Transfer Rate: CDMA offers a better data transfer rate than GSM technology. A download speed of 2 Mbps is possible using CDMA’s EVDO data transfer technology.
• This data transmission mechanism is substantially slower than CDMA’s maximum download speed of 384 Kbps, which is used by GSM.

Summary:

This essay explored in depth the concepts of CDMA and GSM. Our research focused on the advantages of each as well as the numerous ways they differ. A comparison chart of GSM and CDMA was also examined.