Evolution to First-Generation (1G) Mobile Cellular Communications

When we are talking about “wireless communications,” our mind would directly turn to images of modern electrical and electronic devices used in contemporary society. Nevertheless, as John Kingman has noted, “Wireless communication is as old as Biblical times.” A wide sense of “wireless communications” had been practically used for thousands of years ago, as ancient people sought to convey critical information, such as the invasion of enemies, through the use of smoke, torches, flashing mirrors, signal flares, semaphore flags, and other means. Long-range transmission was also accomplished by forwarding messages continuously along a network of relaying stations. For instance, the ancient Chinese constructed a communication system consisting of beacon towers, forts, walls, and ditches along their northern borders, as an important integral part of the Great Wall defensive systems to thwart potential invasions of nomadic groups.