An architecture for a distributed 3G mobile terminal

The paper develops an abstract architectural view of a distributed mobile terminal for use in third generation mobile systems, including UMTS and the Mobile Internet. The actual physical form of a third generation terminal is still debatable; however, it is possible to derive an architectural prescription for the logical form such a terminal should take. The paper starts by reviewing the current status of mobile terminal development and an analysis of the perception of what comprises a third generation mobile terminal. From this analysis, hints as to what elements that comprise the architecture are extrapolated. Building upon these findings, the paper presents, for discussion, a conceptual architecture for a 3G mobile terminal, which imposes no restrictions upon implementation. The general operation of the functions that comprise the architecture are outlined.