Due to the proliferation of smart phones and near-ubiquitous access to 3G/4G networks, wireless traffic across the globe is heavier than ever and expanding rapidly. In 2007, data traffic on the whole exceeded voice traffic volume on the network, a trend that continues as data traffic ramps up while voice traffic load remains practically flat.¹

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Projections show that data traffic will increase 150% annually for the next several years, which implies network bandwidth demand doubling every 18 months.² No doubt, then, that wireless operators require new silicon solutions to cope with this growth, yet still meet the bandwidth demands of new delivery networks without impacting quality of service (QoS).

New Challenges

Deployment of high-speed packet access (HSPA) networks triggered the data-traffic explosion. Now, forthcoming Long-Term Evolution (LTE) deployments promise up to 150-Mbit/s delivery to handsets, while LTE Advanced (LTE-A) sets its sights on 1-Gbit/s delivery. Naturally, these implementations will further accelerate bandwidth consumption, pushing the bounds of network capacity.

Figure 1. In this baseband module design, which shows layer 1, 2, and 3 processing blocks, base and RF modules designed to be in one box serve as eNodeB stations.
Select figure to enlarge.

In addition to capacity needs, evolving standards will also mandate support for modified mobility architectures. Examples include the introduction of Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6), Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6), “bearer-less” QoS, and newer policy control frameworks. 

As wireless standards and handsets evolve to deliver and support increased bandwidths, the network side must keep up with the ever-increasing demand. There have already been documented complaints by iPhone users about poor user experience, brought on by the network’s inability to keep up with their bandwidth demands.³ To ensure smooth end-user experience, several challenges need to be addressed:

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