System performance of the EDGE concept for enhanced data rates in GSM and TDMA/136

This paper evaluates the system performance of the EDGE concept. The capacity of Enhanced GPRS is evaluated using both the incremental redundancy mode and the link adaptation mode of the recently standardized EGPRS link quality control scheme. The presented results show that the incremental redundancy mode considerably increases capacity and user data rates over the link adaptation mode. Spectral efficiencies exceeding 0.60 bps/Hz/site and user data rates exceeding 384 kbps are achievable. Compared to standard GPRS, these figures are approximately tripled. To vouch for high simulation accuracy, a novel interface between link and system simulations is used, where multipath fading is included on system level.