7
Introduction
Wireless Routers
Introduction to the Wireless Routers
Wireless Connectivity
To determine which wireless technology is best suited for your application, the following
guideline will give you some indication of the differences in these technologies.
GPRS
GPRS is a basic low speed GSM data service offered by most GSM operators. It has a
basic upload speed of 11kb/s and a download speed of around 44kb/s. Although GPRS is
very reliable and almost universally available where GSM exists, it has a major drawback of
relatively long latency times with an average latency of around 700 – 900mS. GPRS is ideal
for telemetry applications (meter reading, remote monitoring of devices etc.) or low speed
transaction based systems such as ATM’s but it is unsuitable for video links.
EDGE
EDGE is an enhancement to GPRS which is effectively four times the speed in both the
upload and download directions (i.e. 176Kb/s down and 44kb/s up). It is however not as widely
available as GPRS, but is capable of providing low to medium grade streaming video due to
the higher bandwidth and lower latency.
UMTS HSDPA
HSDPA is an advanced technology which provides very high speed wireless mobile data.
Current speeds are 7.2Mb/s in the download direction depending on the network’s capabilities.
Because of the above, HSDPA is ideal for almost all applications which need reliable, high
speed networking. Applications include remote signage high quality CCTV and provision of
internet access to areas with no access to wired services.
HSUPA
HSUPA is the latest release of high speed wireless network which offers significantly improved
uplink speeds as denoted by the ‘U’ in the name. Uplink intensive applications such as CCTV
will benefit considerably from this technology.
Wireless Routers
Mobile Router
The Mobile Router is capable of connecting to GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks. Typical applica-
tions are where reliability is important, but high speed is not a priority such as ATM machines,
credit cards authorizations and telemetry.
Broadband Router
The Broadband Router is capable of connecting to UMTS HSDPA / HSUPA networks. Typical
applications include remote office connectivity and CCTV video streaming.