Evolution of EDGE to higher data rates using QAM

EDGE has enabled GSM networks to offer third generation services as part of the UMTS core network. This has been possible through two steps: the introduction of 8PSK modulation and the specification of interfaces from the GERAN (GSM/EDGE radio access network) to the UMTS core network. This paper studies further improvements to spectral efficiency and capacity for EDGE through the use of more sophisticated adaptive modulation schemes, and the use of newer coding schemes (see Nanda, S. et al., IEEE Commun. Mag., p.54-64, 2000; Ikeda, T. et al., IEEE Trans. Vehic. Tech., vol.49, p.404-12, 2000). It is possible to use theoretical predictions of outage analysis to predict the gain in performance due to the use of higher order modulations.