Datalink Access Options for T&E

Suppose a new datalink needs to be developed for a test range. Datalink contractors come to discuss the design with the decision maker--in this example, a range engineer-- and it becomes obvious that one of the key design decisions to be made is which network access scheme will be used. The range engineer is not exactly clear what network that should be, so he does some research. He begins the study by looking at the networks employed by the two major cellular providers, Cingular and Verizon. He talks with Cingular, and the company brags about its TDMA-based network. Verizon, on the other hand, tells him that its system is better because it exploits CDMA. The abbreviations may be puzzling, but the range engineer finds out that both of these concepts refer to the way the cell signal accesses the network, commonly called media access control MAC. He also finds out that there are other MAC techniques in common use, such as FDMA radio stations and CSMA-CD, which is used by WiFi. Why are there different MAC techniques what are they exactly and when is one chosen over another The range engineer conducts some research to answer these questions.