Wireless & Mobile Communications Questions & Answers – 3G W-CDMA (UMTS)

This set of Wireless & Mobile Communications Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses
on “3G W-CDMA (UMTS)”.

1. What is the full form of UMTS?

a) Universal Mobile Telephone System
b) Ubiquitous Mobile Telephone System
c) Ubiquitous Mobile Telemetry System
d) Universal Machine Telemedicine System
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) is a visionary air interface standard that was
introduced in 1996. European carriers, manufacturers, and government regulators collectively
developed the early version of UMTS as an open air interface standard for third generation wireless
telecommunication.

3. UMTS uses which multiple access technique?

a) CDMA
b) TDMA
c) FDMA
d) SDMA
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Although UMTS is designed to operate on evolved GSM core networks, it uses code division
multiple access (CDMA) for its air interface. The majority of the 3G systems in operation employ CDMA,
while the rest use TDMA. CDMA allows various users to share a channel at the same time, while TDMA
allows users to share the same channel by chopping it into different time slots.

3. UMTS does not has backward compatibility with ____

a) GSM
b) IS-136
c) IS-95
d) GPRS
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: UMTS assures backward compatibility with the second generation GSM, IS-136 and PDC
TDMA technologies. It is also compatible with all 2.5G TDMA techniques like GPRS and EDGE. But it does
not provide compatibility to CDMA technologies of 2G and 2.5 G. IS-95 is a CDMA standard of 2G.

4. UMTS is also known as _____

a) IS-95
b) GPRS
c) CdmaOne
d) W-CDMA
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: UMTS uses Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) to carry the radio transmissions. Therefore, it is
also referred as W-CDMA. W-CDMA offers greater spectral efficiency and bandwidth to mobile network
operators.

5. What is the chip rate of W-CDMA?

a) 1.2288 Mcps
b) 3.84 Mcps
c) 270.833 Ksps
d) 100 Mcps
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: W-CDMA uses a chip rate of 3.84 Mcps. Chip rate is the product of symbol rate and
spreading factor. If the symbol rate is 960 Kbps and spreading factor is 4 for W-CDMA, then the chip rate
is 3.84 Mcps. The chip rate for Cdma2000 and GSM are 1.2288 Mcps and 27.0833 Ksps respectively.

6. W-CDMA works in FDD mode only. (True/ False)

a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: W-CDMA works in both FDD and TDD mode. W-CDMA developed for wide area cellular
coverage uses FDD. And TDD is used by W-CDMA for indoor cordless type applications.

7. How much packet data rate per user is supported by W-CDMA if the user is stationary?
a) 2.048 Kbps
b) 100 Mbps
c) 2.048 Mbps
d) 1 Gbps
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: If the user is stationary, W-CDMA supports packet data rates upto 2.048Mbps per user.
Thus, it allows high quality data, multimedia, streaming audio video and broadcast type services to
consumers. Future version of WCDMA will support stationary user data rates in excess of 8Mbps.

8. What is the minimum spectrum allocation required by W-CDMA?

a) 5 MHz
b) 20MHz
c) 1.25 MHz
d) 200 KHz
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: W-CDMA/UMTS requires a minimum spectrum allocation of 5 MHz. Using this bandwidth,
it has the capacity to carry over 100 simultaneous voice calls. It is able to carry data at speeds up to 2
Mbps in its original format. 20 MHz is the bandwidth defined for LTE. CdmaOne uses a bandwidth of
1.25 MHz. GSM’s bandwidth is 200 KHz.

9. W-CDMA requires a complete change of RF equipment at each base station. (True/False)

a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: W-CDMA is designed to provide backward compatibility and interoperability for all GSM, IS-
136/PDC, GPRS and EDGE equipment. But due to a wider air interface bandwidth of W-CDMA, it requires
a complete change of RF-equipment at each base station.

10. How much increase in spectral efficiency is provided by W-CDMA in comparison to GSM?
a) Two times
b) Three times
c) No increase
d) Six times
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: W-CDMA can provide at least six times increase in spectral efficiency over GSM at system
level. Such a wider bandwidth is chosen to higher data rates as low as 8 kbps to as high as 2 Mbps on a
single 5 MHz W-CDMA radio channel.
Wireless & Mobile Communications Questions & Answers – Second Generation (2G) Cellular Networks

This set of Wireless & Mobile Communications Interview Questions and Answers focuses on “Second
Generation (2G) Cellular Networks”.

1. Which of the following multiple access techniques are used by second generation cellular systems?
a) FDMA/FDD and TDMA/FDD
b) TDMA/FDD and CDMA/FDD
c) FDMA/FDD and CDMA/FDD
d) FDMA/FDD only
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: First generation cellular system used FDMA/FDD techniques. Second generation standards
uses TDMA/FDD and CDMA/FDD multiple access techniques. 2G networks are digital.

2. Which one is not a TDMA standard of second generation networks?

a) GSM
b) IS-136
c) AMPS
d) PDC
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: GSM (Global System Mobile), IS-136 (Interim Standard 136) and PDC (Pacific Digital
Cellular) are the three most popular TDMA standards of second generation. AMPS is a first generation
standard.

3. Which of the following is a CDMA standard of second generation network?

a) IS-95
b) IS-136
c) ETACS
d) EDGE
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Interim Standard 95 (IS-95) is the most popular CDMA standard of second generation
networks. IS-136 is a TDMA standard of 2G. EDGE is a standard of 2.5G and ETACS is a 1G standard.

4. Popular 2G CDMA standard IS-95 is also known as ______

a) CdmaOne
b) CdmaTwo
c) IS-136
d) IS-95B
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: The popular 2G CDMA standard, Interim Standard (IS-95) is also known as CdmaOne. The
2.5G CDMA standard, IS-95B is called CdmaTwo. And IS-136 is a TDMA standard for 2G.

5. How many users or voice channels are supported for each 200 KHz channel in GSM?
a) Eight
b) Three
c) Sixty four
d) Twelve
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: GSM is a circuit switched system that divides each 200 KHz channel into eight 25 KHz time
slots, i.e. each radio channel is divided into eight voice channels.

6. How many voice channels are supported for each 30 KHz radio channel in IS-136?
a) Eight
b) Thirty
c) Three
d) Sixteen
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Interim Standard 136 (IS-136) was popularly known as North American Digital Cellular
(NADC) system. It divides each 30 KHz radio channel into three time slots, each of 10 KHz.

7. How many users are supported in IS-95 for each 1.25 MHz?
a) Eight
b) Sixty four
c) Sixteen
d) Twenty five
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: IS-95 supports upto 64 users which are orthogonally coded and simultaneously transmitted
on each 1.25 MHz. The services of IS-95 standard are short messaging service, slotted paging, over-the-
air activation, enhanced mobile station identities etc.

8. Which modulation technique is used by GSM?

a) GMSK
b) BPSK
c) QPSK
d) GFSK
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: GSM uses a form of modulation known as GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying). It is a
form of modulation with no phase discontinuities and provides data transmission with efficient
spectrum usage.

9: IS-95 uses which modulation technique?

a) GMSK
b) BPSK
c) QAM
d) AFSK
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: IS- 95 uses BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) with quadrature spreading. It is regarded as
one of the most robust digital modulation technique and is used for long distance wireless
communication.

10. IS-136 uses which modulation technique?

a) π/4 DQPSK
b) BPSK
c) GMSK
d) AFSK
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: IS-136 uses π/4 DQPSK modulation technique. This technique allows a bit rate of 48.6
Kbit/s with 30 KHz channel spacing which gives a bandwidth efficiency of 1.62 bit/s/Hz.

11. Which is one of the disadvantages of 2G standards?

a) Short Messaging Service (SMS)
b) Digital modulation
c) Limited capacity
d) Limited Internet Browsing
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: 2G technologies use circuit switched data modems that limits data users to a single circuit
switched voice channel. The advantages of 2G network are that they are digital in nature and supports
SMS service.

12. GSM (Global System for Mobile) was earlier also known as _______
a) Group System Mobile
b) Global Special Meaning
c) Group Special Mobile
d) Global Special Mobile
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: GSM was earlier known as Group Special Mobile. As it became more global, the meaning of
acronym was changed to Global System for Mobile.
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13. 2G CDMA standard, IS-95, was proposed by which company?

a) Nippon Telephone and Telegraph (NTT)
b) Qualcomm
c) Bellcore and Motorola
d) AT&T Bell Laboratories
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: IS-95 was proposed by Qualcomm in early 1990s. Later it was adopted as a standard by
Telecommunications Industry Association in TIA/EIA/IS-95 release published in 1995.

14. Which one of the following 2G standard is used in Japan?

a) IS-136
b) GSM
c) PDC
d) AMPS
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: PDC (Personal Digital Cellular) was standardized by Japanese Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunication in 1991. It is similar to IS- 136, but with 25 KHz voice channels to be compatible with
the Japanese analog channels.

15. The 2G GSM technology uses a carrier separation of _______

a) 1.25 MHz
b) 200 KHz
c) 30 KHz
d) 300 KHz
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The Global System for Mobile (GSM) uses a carrier separation of 200 KHz, each channel
supporting upto eight users.
Wireless & Mobile Communications Questions & Answers – Long Term Evolution (LTE)

This set of Wireless & Mobile Communications Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses
on “Long Term Evolution (LTE)”.

1. Which UE category supports 64 QAM on the uplink?

a) Only category 5
b) Only category 4
c) Only category 3
d) Category 3,4 and 5
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Category information is used to allow the eNB to communicate effectively with all the UEs
connected to it. The UE-category defines a combined uplink and downlink capability. Only UE category 5
supports 64 QAM on the uplink.

2. What type of handovers is supported by LTE?

a) Hard handover only
b) Soft handover only
c) Hard and soft handover
d) Hard, soft and softest handover
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: LTE supports only hard handover. It does not receives data from two frequencies at the
same time because switching between different carrier frequencies is very fast so soft handover is not
required.

3. What is the minimum amount of RF spectrum needed for an FDD LTE radio channel?
a) 1.4 MHz
b) 2.8 MHz
c) 5 MHz
d) 20 MHz
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In telecommunication, Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is a standard for high-speed wireless
communication for mobile devices and data terminals, based on the GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA
technologies. The minimum amount of RF spectrum needed for an FDD LTE radio channel is 2.8 MHz.

4. Which organization is responsible for developing LTE standards?

a) UMTS
b) 3GPP
c) 3GPP2
d) ISO
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is collaboration between groups of
telecommunications standards associations, known as the Organizational Partners. LTE (Long Term
Evolution) introduced in 3GPP R8, is the access part of the Evolved Packet System (EPS).

5. Which channel indicates the number of symbols used by the PDCCH?

a) PHICH
b) PDCCH
c) PBCH
d) PCFICH
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: PCFIH channel indicates the number of symbols used by the PDCCH. The actual number of
OFDM symbols occupied in any given subframe is indicated in the PCFICH (Physical Control Format
Indicator Channel), which is located in the first OFDM symbol of each subframe.

6. How often can resources be allocated to the UE?

a) Every symbol
b) Every slot
c) Every subframe
d) Every frame
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Resources can be located to the UE every subframe. CCE Index is the CCE number at which
the control channel data (PDCCH) is allocated. Normally this index changes for each subframe, i.e. even
the same PDCCH data (e.g, a PDCCH for the same UE) allocated in each subframe changes subframe by
subframe.

7. What is the largest channel bandwidth a UE is required to support in LTE?

a) 10 MHz
b) 20 MHz
c) 1.4 MHz
d) 5 MHz
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The LTE format was first proposed by NTT DoCoMo of Japan and has been adopted as the
international standard. LTE-Advanced accommodates the geographically available spectrum for channels
above 20 MHz.

8. In LTE, what is the benefit of PAPR reduction in the uplink?

a) Improved uplink coverage
b) Lower UE power consumption
c) Reduced equalizer complexity
d) Improved uplink coverage, lower UE power consumption and reduced equalizer
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: PAPR is the relation between the maximum power of a sample in a given OFDM transmit
symbol divided by the average power of that OFDM symbol. PAPR reduction in the uplink leads to
improved uplink coverage, lower UE power consumption and reduced equalizer complexity.

9. Which RLC mode adds the least amount of delay to user traffic?
a) Unacknowledged mode (UM)
b) Acknowledged mode (AM)
c) Low latency mode (LM)
d) Transparent mode (TM)
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The transparent mode entity in RLC does not add any overhead to the upper layer SDUs.
The entity just transmits the SDUs coming from upper layer to MAC.

10. How much bandwidth is required to transmit the primary and secondary synchronization signals?
a) 1.08 MHz
b) 1.4 MHz
c) 930 kHz
d) 20 MHz
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Cell synchronization is the very first step when UE wants to camp on any cell. 1.08 MHZ is
required to transmit the primary and secondary synchronization signals.
Wireless & Mobile Communications Questions & Answers – Femtocell Network

This set of Wireless & Mobile Communications Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses
on “Paging System”.

1. Which of the following technology is mainly designed for indoor coverage?

a) Femtocell network
b) 3GPP
c) LTE
d) AMPS
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Femtocell Network is a small-size Macro cell network designed for better indoor coverage.
It began attracting attention from both industry and academy in late 2007.

2. Coverage of Femtocell Network is much larger than a regular Macro cell Network. State whether True
or False.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The “femto” means 10-15. Coverage of Femtocell Network is much smaller than a regular
Macro cell Network that is why this name is given. Femtocell Network, installed by end users at home or
in an office environment.

3. Which of the following is not a component of Femtocell network?

a) F-BS
b) Internet link
c) FGW
d) BSC
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Similar to UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) architecture, the Femtocell
Network consists of three components: Femtocell Base Stations (F-BS), Internet Link, and Femtocell
Gateway (FGW).

4. Which of the following is not true for Femtocell base stations?

a) Short range
b) Low power
c) High cost
d) Wireless handsets
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Femtocell Base Stations (F-BSs) are short-range, low-cost, low-power indoor devices to
provide service for wireless handsets. F-BS, which looks like WLAN Access Point (AP), is a small device
with at least two wireless and internet interfaces.

5. Any existing wireless telecommunication standard cannot be used at F-BS wireless interface. State
whether True or False.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Wireless interface provides wireless radio access to Femtocell MSs. Any existing wireless
telecommunication standard, such as UMTS/ CDMA200/ WIMAX/ LTE/ EV-DO, can be used at the F-BS
wireless interfaces.

6. ________ acts as a gateway between the Internet and communication network.

a) F-BS
b) Internet link
c) FGW
d) BSC
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: Femtocell Gateway (FGW) is a service provider’s device that acts as a gateway between the
Internet and the communication network. One side of FGW connects a large number of F-BSs via
broadband Internet, and the other side of FGW is connected to the telephony core network.

7. Femtocell network has improved seamless coverage and enhanced capacity. State whether True or
False.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Femtocell Network is a so-called “double-win” strategy that brings benefits to both cellular
users and cellular providers. It provides improved seamless coverage and enhanced capacity for cellular
users.

8. In _________ all cellular users belong to open subscribers group (OSG) and can access F-BS
unconditionally.
a) Closed access mode
b) Open access mode
c) Hybrid Access mode
d) Zero access mode
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In open access mode, all cellular users belong to open subscribers group (OSG) and can
access F-BS unconditionally. Several cellular service providers have plans to deploy F-BS for better
service quality to cover public hole areas.

9. In _______ a closed subscribers group (CSG) is set by F-BS owner to allow only small portion of cellular
users to be served in the Femtocell Network.
a) Closed access mode
b) Open access mode
c) Hybrid Access mode
d) Zero access mode
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In closed access mode, a closed subscribers group (CSG) is set by F-BS owner to allow only
small portion of cellular users to be served in the Femtocell Network. For example, people can install F-
BS in their house and only household members can access F-BS to attain better service.

10. Femtocell Network has the capability to help Macro cell Network achieve seamless coverage. State
whether True or False.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Femtocell Network has the capability to help Macro cell Network achieve seamless
coverage. It can attain higher network capacity by transmitting over an Internet link.
Wireless & Mobile Communications Questions & Answers – Packet Radio

This set of Wireless & Mobile Communications Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses
on “Packet Radio”.

1. In ______ technique, many subscribers attempt to access a single channel in an uncoordinated

manner.
a) Packet radio
b) Multiple access
c) Modulation
d) Spread spectrum
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In packet radio (PR) access techniques, many subscribers attempt to access a single channel
in an uncoordinated (or minimally coordinated) manner. Transmission is done by using bursts of data.

2. Packet radio uses ____ and _____ signals for perfect feedback.
a) Forward, reverse
b) ACK, NACK
c) Active, passive
d) Linear, non linear
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Packet radio uses ACK and NACK signals for perfect feedback. The ACK signal indicates an
acknowledgment of a received burst and NACK indicates that the previous burst was not received
correctly by base station.

3. Packet radio has high spectral efficiency.

a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Packet radio multiple access is very easy to implement, but has low spectral efficiency and
may induce delays. The subscriber uses a contention technique to transmit on a common channel.

4. ______ is defined as average number of messages successfully transmitted per unit time in packet
radio multiple access technique.
a) Average delay
b) Figure of merit
c) Throughput
d) Efficiency
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The performance of contention technique can be evaluated by the throughput (T), which is
defined as the average number of messages successfully transmitted per unit time, and the average
delay experienced by a typical message burst.

5. What is the time period during which the packets are susceptible to collisions with transmissions from
other users?
a) Delay time
b) Latency period
c) Average delay time
d) Vulnerable period
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Vulnerable period is the time period during which the packets are susceptible to collisions
with transmissions from other users. It is used in order to determine the throughput.

6. For a PR multiple access technique, packet transmissions occur with _____ distribution.
a) Poisson
b) Gaussian
c) Pearson
d) Rayleigh
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: For a PR multiple access technique, packet transmissions occur with Poisson distribution.
To study packet radio protocols, it is assumed that all packets sent by all users have a constant packet
length and fixed channel rate.

7. If λ is mean arrival rate and τ is the packet duration, then traffic occupancy of a packet radio network
is equal to ____
a) λτ
b) λ/τ
c) λ-τ
d) λτ2
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: If λ is mean arrival rate and τ is the packet duration, then traffic occupancy or throughput
of a packet radio network is equal to λτ. The unit of R is in Erlangs.

8. Pure ALOHA is _____

a) Modulation technique
b) Multiple access technique
c) Random access technique
d) Spread spectrum technique
View Answer
Answer: c
Explanation: The pure ALOHA protocol is a random access protocol used for data transfer. A user
accesses a channel as soon as a message is ready to be transmitted.

9. For pure ALOHA protocol, the vulnerable period is ______ the packet duration.
a) Double
b) Equal
c) Ten times
d) Not equal
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: For the pure ALOHA protocol, the vulnerable period is double the packet duration. After a
transmission, the user waits for an acknowledgement on either the same channel or a separate
feedback channel.

10. The vulnerable period of slotted ALOHA is ____ packet duration.

a) Two
b) Ten
c) One
d) Three
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The vulnerable period of slotted ALOHA is one packet duration. Since, partial collisions are
prevented through synchronization.

11. In slotted ALOHA, time is divided into different length of time slots. State whether True or False.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In slotted ALOHA, time is divided into equal time slots of length greater than the packet
duration. The subscribers each have synchronized clocks and transmit a message only at the beginning
of a new time slot.

12. CSMA stands for _______

a) Carrier sense multiple access
b) Code sense multiple access
c) Carrier sense modulation access
d) Carry sense multiple access
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: CSMA stands for carrier sense multiple access. CSMA protocol is based on the fact that
each terminal on the network is able to monitor the status of the channel before transmitting
information.
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13. _______ is the time required for a terminal to sense whether or not the channel is idle.
a) Propagation delay
b) Average delay
c) Detection delay
d) Time delay
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In CSMA protocols, detection delay and propagation delay are two important parameters.
Detection delay is a function of the receiver hardware and is the time required for a terminal to sense
whether or not the channel is idle.

14. Which of the following is based on time division multiplexing?

a) Slotted ALOHA
b) Pure ALOHA
c) CSMA
d) Reservation ALOHA
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Reservation ALOHA is a packet access scheme based on time division multiplexing. In this
protocol, certain packet slots are assigned with priority, and it is possible for users to reserve slots for
the transmission of packets.

15. Discrete packet time technique, PRMA stands for _________

a) Packet reservation multiple access
b) Photo reflector multiple access
c) Proton reflector modulating access
d) Packet reflection multiple access
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: PRMA stands for Packet Reservation Multiple Access. PRMA uses a discrete packet time
technique similar to reservation ALOHA and combines the cyclical frame structure of TDMA in a manner
that allows each TDMA time slot to carry either voice or data, where voice is the priority.

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