In the balance [COMMS Cellular]

The proliferation of mobile standards and frequencies is complicating handset design. Can a programmable approach help, and what are the implications for RF and antenna design? Cellular operators are gearing up for a new round of network upgrades. This year sees continued deployment of an enhancement to third-generation cellular (3G), called HSPA+, which can provide peak data-transfer rates of 21Mbit/s. Other operators are beginning to roll out 4G networks, using the WiMax or Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standards.