CDMA vs GSM – Difference Between GSM and CDMA

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Cellular mobile services have been utilised for a long time and are continually evolving on a daily basis all over the world. With these services came the evolution of numerous communication services, two of which being CDMA and GSM. 

CDMA and GSM are the two most essential mobile communication technology standards. GSM and CDMA both transform data from mobile phones into radio waves. However, these technologies differ in the manner in which calls and data are sent through a network. 

One of the primary distinctions between CDMA and GSM is that GSM utilises SIM cards to link a mobile phone to its network, whereas CDMA does not need SIM cards and relies on ESNs (Electronic Serial Number).

What is GSM?

what is gsm

GSM, or Global System for Mobile Communication, is a digital mobile communication standard used to send and receive data and speech signals across a network.

It runs on a wedge spectrum and is also known as the second-generation standard for mobile networks or telephony.

GSM separates users and cells and transmits signals using TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access).

Other wireless services such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), UMTS (Universal Mobile Radio System), and EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) have emerged as a result of the GSM standard.

It uses three distinct radio frequencies: 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz.

The 900MHz band frequency is utilised by the Original GSM system, while the 1800MHz band frequency is used to offer additional support for expanding consumers. The 1900MHz band is only utilized in the United States (United States).

GSM users were the first to take advantage of the service Short Message System (SMS), which allows users to interact with one another via text messages over a particular network.

Advantages of GSM:

1. We may have a low-cost mobile set and base stations with GSM technology.

2. It makes the spectrum more efficient.

3. GSM data and voice transmissions are of good quality.

4. GSM and ISDN are both compatible (Integrated Services Digital Network).

What is CDMA?

what is cdma

CDMA is an abbreviation for Code Division Multiple Access, a radio communications technology comparable to GSM.

As a wireless communication technology, CDMA first appeared in the 2G and 3G generations.

It uses spread spectrum technology to make the best use of the available bandwidth. Because it uses spread spectrum technology, any user may send data over the full frequency spectrum at any moment.

Because of its spread spectrum characteristic, CDMA is one of the most secure ways of communication.

It’s utilized in UHF (ultra high-frequency) cellular networks with frequency bands spanning from 800MHz to 1900MHz.

Advantages of CDMA:

1. It makes efficient use of a fixed frequency spectrum.

2. No restrictions on the number of users.

3. It allows for the flexible distribution of resources.

4. It is interoperable with other cellular technologies, allowing for nationwide roaming.

Difference between GSM and CDMA:

1. Technology used:

GSM is built on wedge spectrum technology, which is also known as a carrier. This carrier is divided into time slots based on TDMA technology, and each time slot is given to a different user. As a result, until one incoming call is completed, no other user may use that slot. It divides the user frequencies using FDMA to allow multi user access.

CDMA, on the other hand, employs spread spectrum technology, allowing it to make the best use of the available bandwidth. It allows any user to send data over the full frequency range at any moment.

2. SIM Card:

SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) is a smart card that carries user identifying information that may be used to identify a subscriber on telephone equipment. A SIM card is necessary for data or call transmission in a GSM-based phone. These cards, which include stored information, may be simply transferred from one mobile phone to another.

CDMA-based devices, on the other hand, do not require a SIM card; instead, ESN is used (Electronic Serial Number). Because it does not utilise a SIM card, switching from one device to another is complicated and necessitates a correct method.

3. Adaptability:

When compared to CDMA, the GSM standard is more adaptable. It is because, with GSM, the SIM card may be inserted and used in any device. CDMA phones, on the other hand, can only be utilised if the ESN is registered in its database.

If a CDMA phone stops functioning, we must purchase a new phone, while if a SIM ceases to function, we may use another SIM rather than changing the phone.

4. Spectrum Frequencies:

GSM runs on a frequency spectrum spanning from 850 MHz to 1900 MHz, whilst CDMA likewise operates on a frequency band ranging from 850 MHz to 1900 MHz.

5. Radiation Exposure:

When comparing GSM phones to CDMA phones, there is a 28-fold increase in radiation exposure.

A GSM phone continually sends wave pulses, but a CDMA phone does not create such pulses continuously.

6. Global Reach:

In comparison to CDMA technology, GSM is more widely utilised across the world. In comparison to CDMA, GSM is used by about 80% of mobile networks in 210 countries. CDMA-based mobile phones are mostly utilized in the United States, Canada, and Japan.

7. Security:

CDMA technology is more secure than GSM technology because it includes encryption and leverages the spread spectrum for data transfer.

Signal detection in CDMA is significantly more challenging than in GSM. As a result, it is more secure.

8. Data Transfer Rate:

When compared to GSM technology, CDMA has a higher data transfer rate. CDMA employs EVDO data transmission technology, which has a maximum download speed of 2 Mbps.

GSM, on the other hand, employs EDGE data transmission technology, which has a maximum download speed of 384 Kbps, which is significantly slower than CDMA.

Comparison between GSM and CDMA:

GSMCDMA
It is an abbreviation for Global System for Mobile Communication.It is an abbreviation for Code Division Multiple Access.
For data and voice transmission, it employs the TDMA and FDMA mechanisms.It transmits data and calls via CDMA technology.
When compared to CDMA, the transmission rate is sluggish.When compared to GSM, the transmission rate is faster.
GSM makes use of the EDGE data transfer technology.It makes use of the EVDO data transfer technology.
It is SIM-specific, thus communication requires a SIM card.CDMA is handset-specific and does not require the use of a SIM card for communication.
It is less susceptible to radiation emission during transmission.It is highly susceptible to radiation emission during transmission.
GSM provides less secure communication than CDMA.It provides more secure connection than GSM.
Signal detection is simple with GSM.In CDMA, signal detection is challenging.
Because there is no built-in encryption, it necessitates extra encryption.CDMA has built-in encryption.
It allows for global roaming.It allows for limited roaming.

Summary:

In this article, we looked at the concepts of CDMA and GSM in detail. We looked at the advantages of each, and also the various fields in which they differ from each other. Lastly, we also looked at a comparison chart involving GSM and CDMA.

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