The Wireless Data Handbook

395 Pages·1999·5.353 MB·English

by  James F. DeRose

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THE WIRELESS DATA
HANDBOOK
THE WIRELESS DATA
HANDBOOK
FOURTH EDITION
James F. DeRose
JFD Associates
A WILEY-INTERSCIENCE PUBLICATION
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
New York / Chichester / Weinheim / Brisbane I Singapore / Toronto
This book is printed on acid-free paper. @
Copyright 0 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.
Published simultaneously in Canada,
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval systemo r transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as
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For ordering and customer service, call l-800~CALL-WILEY.
ISBN O-471-22458-8
Libraty of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data:
DeRose, JamesF
The wireless data handbook I James F. DeRose. - 4th ed.
p+ corn.
“A Wiley-Interscience publication.”
ISBN O-47 l-3 165 l-2 (alk. paper)
1. Wireless communication systems. 1. Title.
TK5103.2D47 1999
62 1.3645’6-dc2 1 99-30369
Printed in the United States of America,
10987654321
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CONTENTS
PREFACE
I GETTING STARTED
1 A Short History of Data Radio 3
1.1 In the Beginning / 3
1.2 Private Networks Lead the Way / 4
1.3 Rise of Public Packet Switched Networks I 5
1.4 Circuit Switched Skims the Early Cream / 6
1.5 Packet Switched Gates Creak Open / 7
1.6 New Wireless Data Alternatives / 8
1.7 Summary / 8
References I 9
2 Data Network Types 11
2.1 A Rough Sort of Two-Way Systems / 11
2.2 Private Systems / 11
2.2.1 Overview / 11
2.2.2 Estimating Private Users / 15
2.3 Public Systems / 16
2.3.1 Satellite Systems / 16
2.3.1.1 One-Way Paging / 17
2.3.2 Terrestrial Systems / 17
2.3.2.1 Packet Confusion / 18
2.4 Summary I 18
References / 19
V
vi CONTENTS
3 Key Public Network Characteristics 20
3.1 Coverage / 20
3.2 Penetration I 21
3.3 MessageLength / 21
3.4 MessageR ates I 22
3.5 Device Speed I 23
3.6 Connectivity I 23
3.7 Summary 1 24
4 Public Terrestrial Packet Switched Networks 25
4.1 Messaging/DispatchO rientation / 25
4.2 Alphanuneric Paging Orientation I 26
4.3 RepresentativeN ationwide Networks I 27
4.3.1 Advanced Radio Data Information System / 27
4.3.2 BellSouth Wireless Data / 30
4.3.3 SkyTe12 I 31
4.4 Representative Regional Networks / 32
4.4.1 Cellular Digital Packet Data / 32
4.4.1.1 Ameritech / 34
4.4.1.2 AT&T Wireless / 34
4.4.1.3 Bell Atlantic Mobile / 35
4.4.1.4 GTE MobileCorn / 36
4.4.1.5 CDPD Summary / 36
4.4.2 Cellular Control Channel I 38
4.4.2.1 Cellemetry / 38
4.4.2.2 Aeris Communications / 40
4.5 RepresentativeM etropolitan Networks / 42
4.5.1 Introduction I 42
4.5.2 Metricom Ricochet I 42
4.5.3 Teletrac I 44
4.6 Notable Closings / 46
4.6.1 AirTouch CDPD / 46
4.6.2 Cellular Data Incorporated / 46
4.6.3 Cincinnati Microwave I 47
4.6.4 CoveragePLUS / 47
4.6.5 Electrocom Automation / 47
CONTENTS vii
4.6.6 Geotek I 48
4.6.7 Global Vehicle Tracking System / 49
4.6.8 Kustom Electronics / 49
4.6.9 Magnavox (Nav-Corn) Automatic Vehicle Location / 50
4.6.10 Mobile Data International / 50
4.6.11 Motorola Tracknet/Diversified Computer
Systems( DCP) / 50
4.6.12 Navtech / 50
4.6.13 Pacific Communication Sciences / 5 1
4.6.14 Pinpoint Communications I 5 1
4.6.15 RAMTrack I 52
4.6.16 RadioMail I 52
4.6.17 Skywire I 52
References I 52
5 Public Terrestrial Circuit Switched Networks 57
5.1 RepresentativeN ationwide Networks / 57
5.1.1 HighwayMaster: A Stubborn Fighter / 57
5.1.2 Nextel: Good Field, No Hit / 60
5.1.3 PeopleNet: A New Kid on the Block / 61
5.2 RepresentativeR egional Networks / 62
5.2.1 Data over Analog Cellular Voice Channels / 62
5.2.1.1 Modern Pools / 63
5.2.2 Broadband PCS: GSM I 65
5.2.2.1 Introduction / 65
5.2.2.2 RepresentativeG SM Carriers / 65
5.2.2.3 The GSMAlliance / 67
5.3 Notable Closings I 68
5.3.1 AirTouch Cellular and CTA / 68
5.3.2 Rockwell/GTE Mobile I 68
References I 68
6 Public Satellite Networks 70
6.1 Introduction / 70
6.2 Geostationary Satellite Systems / 7 1
6.2.1 GEOS Overview / 71
6.2.2 OmniTRACS / 71
. . .
VIII CONTENTS
6.2.3 AMSC Skycell I 72
6.2.4 GEOS Summary / 74
6.3 Low Earth-Orbiting Satellites / 74
6.3.1 LEOS Overview / 74
6.3.2 Orbcomm I 74
6.3.3 GlobalStar / 75
6.3.4 LEOS Summary / 76
6.4 Notable Closings / 77
6.4.1 Geostar / 77
6.4.2 MARCOR Humminbird / 77
6.4.3 Meteorburst Approaches I 77
6.4.3.1 Introduction / 77
6.4.3.2 Broadcomm / 78
6.4.3.3 Pegasus Messaging / 78
6.4.3.4 Transtrack / 78
References I 78
7 Hybrid Networks 80
7.1 Terrestrial Packet/Satellite / 80
7.1.1 AMSUARDIS Multimode System / 80
7.1.2 BSWD/Norcom / 81
7.2 Terrestrial Packet/Circuit Switched Cellular / 82
7.2.1 CS-CDPD / 82
7.2.2 BSWD Strategic Network / 82
References I 83
II BUSINESS 101: PRICE AND QUANTITY FIXATIONS
8 Fitting Applications to Public Offerings 87
8.1 Network Price Positioning / 87
8.2 Representative Public Packet Switched Networks / 87
8.2.1 ARDIS Examples / 88
8.2.1.1 Short-Message Service / 88
8.2.1.2 Basic Message Unit Pricing / 89
8.2. I.3 DataPak Pricing / 90
8.2.1.4 Two- Way Messaging Services / 90
CONTENTS ix
8.2.1.5 “All-You-Can-Eat” Pricing / 91
8.2.2 BSWD Examples / 92
8.2.2.1 WirelessL otus Notes / 92
8.2.2.2 WyndMail Pricing / 92
8.2.2.3 Two-Way Paging / 93
8.2.3 CDPD Examples / 93
8.2.3.1 Low-Volume Usage / 93
8.2.3.2 High-Volume Usage / 95
8.2.3.3 “All You Can Eat” Plans / 95
8.3 Comparative Pricing: Nationwide Carriers I 97
8.3.1 Mobile Office I 97
8.3.2 Electronic Mail / 97
8.3.3 Nationwide Two-Way Paging I 99
8.4 Establishing a RepresentativeP acket Switched Price Curve / 101
8.4.1 ARDIS / 101
8.4.1.1 Internal TrafJic: RadioMail / 101
8.4.1.2 External From/To/Date Trafsic: RadioMail / 102
8.4.1.3 ARDIS Test Results / 103
8.4.2 BAM CDPD I 104
8.4.2.1 Test Conditions / 104
8.4.2.2 BAM Test Results / 104
8.4.3 Creating a Representative Packet Curve I 105
8.5 Establishing a RepresentativeC ircuit Switched Cellular Curve / 106
8.5.1 Data Using Voice Tariffs / 106
8.5.1.1 Selecting a Representative Cellular Tariff / 106
8.5.1.2 Establishing the Connect Time / 106
8.5.1.3 Estimating the CustomerD ata/Message Rate / 107
8.5.1.4 Application Variables / 108
8.6 Summary / 110
References / 111
9 Subscriber Growth: History and Barriers 112
9.1 Approach I 112
9.2 Public Packet Switched Networks / 113
9.2.1 Cross-Network Applications: E-mail / 113
9.2.1.1 RadioMail / 113
9.2.1.2 WyndMail / 114
X CONTENTS
9.2.1.3 Zup-it / 114
9.2.2 ARDIS I 114
9.2.3 BSWD / 117
9.2.4 CDPD / 118
9.2.5 Geotek I 120
9.2.6 Metricom Ricochet / 121
9.2.7 SkyTe12 / 122
9.2.8 Teletrac / 124
9.2.9 Analog SMRS I 124
9.2.10 Public Packet Switched Summary / 125
9.3 Public Circuit Switched Subscribers / 127
9.3.1 Data over Cellular / 127
9.3.1.1 Practical Counting Problems / 128
9.3.1.2 Search for the Right Ballpark / 129
9.3.1.3 Sanity Checks / 129
9.3.1.4 Realistic Expectations / 134
9.3.2 BroadbandPCS: GSM I 134
9.3.2.1 Voice Subscriber Growth / 134
9.3.2.2 Data Estimates / 135
9.3.3 ESMR: Nextel Digital Subscribers I 135
9.4 Public Satellite Networks I 136
9.4.1 AMSC / 136
9.4.2 OmniTRACS / 137
9.5 summary I 139
References / 140
10 Market Opportunity 144
10.1 Second Era of Low Hanging Fruit / 144
10.2 Some Unpleasant History / 148
10.2.1 Job-Based Market Opportunity Approach / 148
10.2.2 1996 Projections: 1987 Work / 149
10.2.3 Analyzing the Data / 153
10.3 A New(er) Look at Jobs / 153
10.4 summary / 159
References / 160
CONTENTS Xi
11 Airtime Price Projections 161
11.1 Great Expectations / 161
11.2 Subscriber Capacity Potential / 161
11.3 List Price History: CDPD / 162
11.4 Voice/Data Channel Resource Competition: CDPD / 163
11.4.1 Choosing a Representative Carrier / 163
11.4.2 Establishing a Representative Voice Profile / 164
11.4.3 Estimating Voice Capacity per Cell / 164
11.4.4 Estimating Voice Revenue per Sector / 165
11.45 Calculating the Required Data Revenue / 166
11.5 Estimating Future Data Price Levels / 167
References / 168
III BUSINESS 102: OTHER THINGS ARE
IMPORTANT TOO
12 Coverage Versus Capacity 171
12.1 Introduction / 171
12.2 Key Coverage Philosophies / 172
12.2.1 ARDIS / 172
12.2.2 BSWD / 173
12.2.3 ARDIS Versus BSWD: Representative 90% Coverage
Contours / 174
12.2.4 Improving Building Penetration with More Base
Stations / 175
12.2.5 CDPD / 176
12.2.6 Other Coverage Considerations / 177
12.2.6.1 Transmit Power Levels / 177
12.2.6.2 External Antennas / I79
12.2.6.3 Repeaters / 179
12.3 Estimating Coverage Without Field Tests I 179
12.3.1 License Examinations / 179
12.3.2 CoverageMaps / 182
12.3.2.1 Obfuscation, Not Illumination / 182
12.3.2.2 Useful But with Careless Errors / 183
12.3.2.3 Misleading / 185