The best of 2008 at Mobile Handset DesignLine

Several tutorials as well as articles on Femtocells are at the top of the Mobile Handset DesignLine chart for 2008. These were the most widely read articles on the site during 2008 as evidenced by the number of page views. Thank you to all who contributed articles and naturally, to all who found them informative.

1–An Introduction to Wireless Systems–A Tutorial–Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII, Part IX, Part X, Part XI
Here is a multi-part series excerpted from ‘Introduction to Wireless Systems.’ Chapter 4 concentrates on Radio Frequency Coverage: Systems Engineering and Design. Introduction to Wireless Systems brings together the theoretical and practical knowledge readers need to participate effectively in the planning, design, or implementation of virtually any wireless system.

2–The Nuts and Bolts of WiMAX–Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII
For all engineers involved in WiMAX technology, here is reliable information from the Fundamentals of WiMAX. Chapter 2, is an overview of WiMAX, and this, the first of multiple segments, is an introduction to the basics.

3–Get enlightened about camera phone flash units–compare Xenon to high-current LEDs
Today’s camera phones struggle to provide enough flash power in low light conditions. Here are results showing how supercaps can improve the power of your flash.

4–Integrate Femtocells with existing wireless infrastructure
Unlike UMA, femtocells operate in strictly regulated licensed spectrum sparking the challenge of radio frequency (RF) interference with the existing macro-cellular network. How can interference be minimized? Read on.

5–Jitter, Noise, and Signal Integrity at High-Speed: A Tutorial–Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV
Published November 19, 2007, this Chapter 1 excerpt from Jitter, Noise, and Signal Integrity at High Speed, is a basic and high-level introduction to

terminology, definitions, and concepts concerning jitter, noise, signal integrity, bit error rate, and working mechanisms for communication link systems.

6–Power management in mobile devices–A view of energy conservation
The gaps grow larger between what mobile devices can do and the amount of energy engineers can deliver. Chapter 2 from Power Management in Mobile Devices: Hierarchical View of Energy Conservation is an in-depth look at the power consumption, energy types, process and transistor technology, and packaging issues inherent in mobile device design.

7–Solving the coexistence of WiMAX, Bluetooth, and WiFi in converged handsets
Here are the basics of WiMAX/Bluetooth coexistence and a proposed solution to ensure the simultaneous and flawless interface operation to maintain their inherent high performance with standard, commercial Bluetooth and WiFi gear.

8–Access Service Networks in WiMAX: The role of ASN-GW–Part I, Part II Part III
4G networks will emerge from an open IP-OFDMA based architecture model to enable horizontal system integration. Considering the trend of lighter and lighter base stations with picos and femtos, it’s easy to see the indispensable responsibilities of ASN-GW as a central controller to provide proposed 4G features.

9–Why Femtocells?
3G femtocell solutions are finding new homes for the wireless base station in the consumer’s home or office. Femtocells could revolutionize cellular service with cell phone traffic riding on the consumer’s broadband line. The race against competing dual mode WiFi phone technology is on.

10–Top ten challenges to Femtocell deployment–Part I, Part II
With the femtocell market opportunity estimated to be as high as $22.5 billion by 2013, how quickly can femtocell equipment manufacturers and network operators overcome challenges to making femtocell the in-home wireless technology of choice? Here’s Part II which addresses the remaining five challenges: quality of service and traffic prioritization; timing and network synchronization; provisioning; regulatory hurdles; and marketing.