Wireless network throughput measurements

In the current technological environment, real-time access to the Internet is becoming as important as access to a desktop computer was a decade ago. As cellular and PCS phones become more ubiquitous, the availability of mobile voice communications leads to a natural desire for mobile Internet access. This report details throughput studies performed on five different wireless data access technologies. These include one purely cellular technology, cellular digital packet data, which is carried on AMPS channels, and two PCS technologies, IS-95 and GSM. In addition a wireless mobile computing device (PDA) is examined, as well as a proprietary microcellular system. All five technologies were tested in stationary modes and the cellular/IPCS based systems were also tested in a mobile configuration at highway speeds. This study involved the use of the FTP service to investigate throughput at a user level as well as a study of packet by packet transfers. Measurements of a line modem are also given for comparison.