Samsung Electronics recently hosted the 4G Forum in Cheju, Korea. The focus of the event, attended by 175 industry representatives from 20 countries and regions, was on demonstrations of several 4G (4th-generation) technologies.The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) defines 4G as a wireless telecommunication technology which allows seamless data transfer at 1Gbps during “nomadic” use and 100Mbps during mobile use. The spectrum for 4G is expected to be decided at the World Radio Communication (WRC) conference in October 2007, while the 4G mobile communications format is expected to become commercially available in around 2010.

“Discussions on standardization are expected to be accelerated once specifications, such as frequency, are settled in 2007,” said Lee Ki-tae, president and general manager of Information Communication at Samsung Electronics.

4G Demonstration
During the 4G Forum, Samsung demonstrated a 4G handover implementation which allows subscribers to use high-speed mobile telecommunication services at data rates of 100Mbps in a car moving at 60km/h. Also demonstrated was a 4G trial service that allows multi-users to access and download 32 high-definition (HD) broadcasts at 1Gbps, while simultaneously running high-speed Internet, making video calls and participating in a live forum.

The trial 4G service was operated for 15 minutes on a bus journey during which speeds of 60km/h were reached along the Joong-moon tourist complex in Cheju. HD image downloads and high-speed Internet were shown on one side of the bus, while the quality of the signals received and handover spot indications were shown (in real-time) on another side.

The trial service showed that 4G is capable of providing a higher data rate (100Mbps) than that provided by WiBro (wireless broadband, 20Mbps).

MIMO Demonstration
Samsung also demonstrated another fast mobile communications test, with a data transfer rate of 3.5Gbps, utilizing 8×8 MIMO (multi-input multi-output) technology.

In WiFi mode, a signal is transferred across a path and can be weakened when it encounters physical obstacles. But Samsung#(TM)s 8×8 MIMO technology sends and receives all signals simultaneously using eight transceiver antennas respectively, achieving a data transfer rate of 3.5Gbps.

Next-Generation Brought Closer
The 4G trial service takes Samsung a step further in the move towards a next-generation mobile telecommunication service. The development work was completed within one year. Samsung believes that once the specifications for 4G technology are finalized, sectors such as IT, nanotechnology and biotechnology /o which require large amount of data flow /o are expected to benefit, given the high data rate that 4G is capable of providing.

Source- http://neasia.nikkeibp.com