This is the third in a three part series about cellular technologies in the rugged tech industry. Check out part one and two here:
Cellular Technologies in the Rugged Tech Industry Part 1 of 3
Cellular Technologies in the Rugged Tech Industry Part 2 of 3
MIMO and Carrier Aggregation
One of the ways engineers have been able to make WiFi and cellular signals better is through signal aggregation otherwise known as “Multiple in, multiple out”. This essentially means instead of having one signal to have a device read there are several. This is beneficial because if one signal gets cut off from environmental impacts, reduced due to physical structures, corrupted, etc. then the device can read multiple other signals to patchwork in the missing pieces of the signal. The more signals the device has access to and can successfully operate, the faster the speeds and the greater the range. For devices like an FZ-40 Panasonic TOUGHBOOK the manufacturer made it better than ever by allowing a quad pass in the vehicle dock. That means up to 4 signals can be utilized compared to the 2 that was typically allowed in the past. This would allow for a TOUGHBOOK 40 to have 3 WWAN (Cellular) connections and a GPS. This would give far superior carrier aggregation for the cellular signal and one for GPS, which is very common for first responder dispatch or enterprise tracking.
FirstNet
FirstNet is one of the newest and advanced cellular carriers that exists currently. The FirstNet authority was founded after 9/11 and their sole purpose was to find a way to allow for effective communication for first responders during times of crises. The FirstNet authority put out a bid on which carrier wanted to build out the network and AT&T won the bid. While AT&T does currently hold the contract to provide the FirstNet services the FirstNet network does not belong to AT&T. When the AT&T contract ends there will be a new bid process to see which company wants to continue stewarding the FirstNet program. FirstNet is an all together separate network that even has specific cellular bands that are not able to be used by consumer equipment. It requires first responders to buy specialized equipment but if and when a time of crises occurs those same first responders have a unique and exclusive network to communicate which will allow them to save lives. FirstNet is currently the only network allowed by the FCC to use HPUE devices to allow for longer, stronger signals. FirstNet also has regulations on the costs of the subscriptions as well as limitations in situations of how the carrier would regulate service. For example when Verizon stopped giving service to California Fire Departments while they were battling fires because they did not pay enough for coverage that could not happen with FirstNet.
AT&T
AT&T is one of the 3 biggest cellular providers in the US. They steward the FirstNet program discussed earlier but they have their own commercial group that is separate. AT&T uses a GSM network that uses lower frequency signals that allow it to have a wider range. For this reason AT&T typically is a stronger signal out in rural areas.
Verizon
Verizon is the largest cellular company in the US. They have historically had the best coverage and speeds. They have utilized a network called CDMA. This technology is fundamentally different than the network competitors use, GSM. CDMA can allow faster speeds but due to it’s higher frequency range the towers are typically not able to send signal as far, requiring more towers to be setup across the network. Typically Verizon has been most successful in more densely populated areas. More rural areas use other carriers that have better signal technologies for larger areas. Verizon has it’s own special carrier service within it’s brand called Frontline. The goal of Frontline is to ensure first responders have priority in service over anyone else. They also have crisis response teams that can come out with specialized equipment to “pop up” a tower when better communication is needed. They break these types of events out into “Blue Sky” or “Dark Sky” events. Blue sky being things like music festivals where the existing grid is not built to support the sudden increase of people. Dark sky events are natural disasters, active shooters, etc. The times when the network may come down and a pop up is the only way to get communication back up and running.
T-Mobile and Sprint
T-Mobile and Sprint merged on April 1st 2020. When that occurred they became one of the top 3 carriers in the US. The T-Mobile network uses GSM like ATT and the Sprint network uses CDMA like Verizon. They have an interesting blend of signals and networks. T-Mobile offers some of the lowest pricing in the industry but their network is less reliable. Traditionally the rugged platforms like the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK and Getac have not been certified or compatible with the T-Mobile network. Recently new cellular modems included have started having compatible bands that do work with the network.
Cellular Signal and Rugged Technology
In summary, the essential service of being able to connect to cellular internet in the field is at most times mission critical. Mobile jobs and environments including but not limited public safety, service industries, oil and gas, surveying, drone operation etc. depend on stable connectivity both for their cellular devices as well as their computers such as Getac rugged laptops and tablets, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK and the like. Cellular providers are constantly improving how their signals reach the customers and manufacturers such as Getac or Panasonic have worked to make sure their computers are adapting to these constant changes. Updated antennas and signal boosters, improved internal modems and better software have all contributed to an operator of a mobile work station having more reliable and stable connectivity. If you have further questions about how to improve the cellular connectivity or stability of a mobile computing platform or are interested in staying current with the hardware advances of cellular signal technology, let a Rugged or Die sales rep help you further!
