A tutorial on multiple access technologies for beyond 3G mobile networks

In this article, some fundamental technical concepts of the main multiple access schemes for wireless mobile systems are reviewed, and a path for the development of appropriate multiple access technologies for next-generation mobile networks, or so-called beyond 3G (B3G), is established. We first review the multiple access technologies in second- and third-generation wireless cellular systems from historical and technical points of view. This review is followed by a novel formulization of the multiple access schemes through mathematical expressions that could simplify the process of development of new multiple access schemes for B3G wireless cellular systems. We then list the most important features of multiple access schemes in 3G mobile systems. Finally, we conclude the article by reviewing the most promising multiple access technologies for B3G mobile cellular systems.