Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1. Introduction to Wireless communication and Mobile Computing

Wireless communication involves the transmission of information over a distance without the
help of wires, cables or any other forms of electrical conductors.

Wireless communication is a broad term that incorporates all procedures and forms of
connecting and communicating between two or more devices using a wireless signal through
wireless communication technologies and devices.

Features of Wireless Communication

The evolution of wireless technology has brought many advancements with its effective features.
 The transmitted distance can be anywhere between a few meters (for example, a
television's remote control) and thousands of kilometers (for example, radio
communication).
 Wireless communication can be used for cellular telephony, wireless access to the
internet, wireless home networking, and so on.
 Other examples of applications of radio wireless technology include GPS units, garage
door openers, wireless computer mice, keyboards and headsets, headphones, radio
receivers, satellite television, broadcast television and cordless telephones.

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Wireless - Advantages

Wireless communication has several advantages; the most important ones are discussed below −

Cost effectiveness

Wired communication entails the use of connection wires. In wireless networks, communication
does not require elaborate physical infrastructure or maintenance practices. Hence the cost is
reduced.

Flexibility

Wireless communication enables people to communicate regardless of their location. It is not

necessary to be in an office or some telephone booth in order to pass and receive messages.

Convenience

Wireless communication devices like mobile phones are quite simple and therefore allow anyone
to use them, wherever they may be. There is no need to physically connect anything in order to
receive or pass messages.

Speed

Improvements can also be seen in speed. The network connectivity or the accessibility were
much improved in accuracy and speed.

Accessibility

The wireless technology helps easy accessibility as the remote areas where ground lines can’t be
properly laid, are being easily connected to the network.

Constant connectivity

Constant connectivity also ensures that people can respond to emergencies relatively quickly.

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1.2. Types of Services

Here’s a detailed write-up on the common types of wireless communications you may be aware
of to a certain extent.

1. Infrared Communication
Did you know that infrared (IR) communication is present in your home too? It is involved in
short-range communication like data sharing on mobile, TV remotes, tablets, personal computers
(keyboards) etc. This wireless network example, in particular, can only be used for short-range,
i.e. 300GHz – 400THz. The IR communication functions only when the sender and the receiver
have an exchange of a light beam. Any disruption in it will cause the photoreceiver not to receive
the signal. This also means that any object between the receiver and the transmitter will cause a
non-operation.

2. Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi also works as two-way communication and is used by several electronic devices like
smartphones, laptops and smart TV. In this process, the signal transmission works based on a
router. So, the network allows uninterrupted usage when in close proximity to a router. A range
of devices can be connected to one network at high speed. The only concern is that the Wi-Fi
network must be password protected for security reasons.
Today, Wi-Fi connection is easily available in cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, college
universities, and more public places. With a smooth connection, undoubtedly, one can work at an
exponential rate of quality and quantity.

3. Radio Frequency
Also popularly known as broadcast radio, here’s the oldest type of wireless communication. It
can generate signals easily ranging from 3kHz to 300GHz. Unlike infrared communication, RF
transmission can happen through objects and travel long distances. Gladly, radio transmission
can penetrate through buildings, walls or anything else. And that’s how the popular radio stations
function.

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From sharing some entertainment to passing some serious news information, this wireless radio
communication is beneficial and how. The proficient data transmitter can also help during
disasters. This network is commonly used to pass on any emergency information. The
communication depends highly on some of the parameters like sender power, receiver quality,
antenna height and wavelength. Radio frequencies are often known as the communication mode
for most government organisations. The only drawback is the dependency on frequency. In case
of bad weather, radio waves will be effective.

4. Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless communication is not unknown to anyone. Surprisingly, in very little time,
everyone around is hooked on it. The functioning of the Bluetooth communication allows two
devices to connect for the data transfer (files, messages, music, images). Mobile phones can
easily be connected to Bluetooth headphones and have a wireless experience. Remember the old
times of using wired earphones? We have already bid adieu to them, isn’t it?
This wireless communication technology has a major drawback of distance. It can function
smoothly at a distance of a max of 30 feet.

5. Satellite communication
Here’s a type of wireless mode that holds significant importance globally. It is extensively used
to connect people anywhere in the world. This technology requires two dominant integrants: the
space and ground segments. Once the satellite receives a signal, it amplifies it and sends it back
to the receiver’s antenna, which is on Earth’s surface. The ground segment comprises a mobile
transmitter, receiver and the space segment (the satellite itself).
However, this crucial communication mode requires major testing before application.

6. Cellular communication
When we speak of what is wireless communication, this technology stands tall. It’s one of the
most commonly used in our day-to-day life. Cellular communication allows transmission
through any mobile phone. The preset mode permits a dual way wherein the transmitter and
receiver can obtain signals simultaneously.

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Cellular communication scores very high on convenience, and that’s why the use of video and
voice calls is growing by the day.

7. Microwave
Microwave wireless communication technology has a frequency range between 1GHz-300GHz.
This communication is routinely used in mobile phones and TV distribution. It is one of the most
rapid technologies and can carry about 2500 voice channels at one time. This type of wireless
communication can be used in the terrestrial or satellite method. However, it is unidirectional
and hence used in point-to-point communication. One weighty downside is that it can massively
be affected by bad weather.

1.3. Wireless Vs Mobile

The terms “mobile” and “wireless” are often used interchangeably but in reality, they are two
very different concepts applied to modern computing and technology.
Mobile is a word that is commonly used to describe portable devices. A mobile device is one that
is made to be taken anywhere. Therefore, it needs an internal battery for power, and must be
connected to a modern mobile network that can help it to send and receive data without attaching
to a hardware infrastructure.

Wireless, on the other hand, does not mean mobile. Traditional computers or other non-mobile
devices can access wireless networks. One very common example is the use of a localized
browser product in a local area network (LAN), where the router takes what used to be a cabled
interaction and makes it wireless. Other kinds of wireless networks called wide area networks

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(WAN) can even use components of 3G or 4G wireless systems made specifically for mobile
devices, but that doesn’t mean that the devices on these networks are mobile. They may still be
plugged in or require proximity to a router or network node.

Mobile and wireless systems really accomplish two very different things. While a wireless
system provides a fixed or portable endpoint with access to a distributed network, a mobile
system offers all of the resources of that distributed network to something that can go anywhere,
barring any issues with local reception or technical area coverage.
For another example of the difference between mobile and wireless, think of businesses that
offer Wi-Fi hotspots. A Wi-Fi hotspot is typically a resource for someone who has a relatively
fixed device, such as a laptop computer that doesn’t have its own internal Internet access built in.
By contrast, mobile devices already have inherent access to the Internet or other wireless systems
through those cell tower networks that ISPs and telecom companies built specifically for them.
So mobile devices don’t need Wi-Fi routers – they already have their connections.

1.4. Applications of Wireless Communication

Following is a list of applications in wireless communication:

 Transmission of music, news, road conditions, weather reports, and other broadcast
information are received via digital audio broadcasting (DAB) with 1.5Mbit/s.
 For personal communication, a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)
phone might be available offering voice and data connectivity with 384kbit/s.
 For remote areas, satellite communication can be used, while the current position of the
car is determined via the GPS (Global Positioning System).
 A local ad-hoc network for the fast exchange of information (information such as
distance between two vehicles, traffic information, road conditions) in emergency
situations or to help each other keep a safe distance. Local ad-hoc network with vehicles
close by to prevent guidance system, accidents, redundancy.
 Vehicle data from buses, trucks, trains and high speed train can be transmitted in advance
for maintenance.

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  In ad-hoc network, car can comprise personal digital assistants (PDA), laptops, or mobile
phones connected with each other using the Bluetooth technology.

Emergency

Following services can be provided during emergencies:

o Video communication: Responders often need to share vital information. The
transmission of real time situations of video could be necessary. A typical scenario
includes the transmission of live video footage from a disaster area to the nearest fire
department, to the police station or to the near NGOs etc.
o Push To Talk (PTT): PTT is a technology which allows half duplex communication
between two users where switching from voice reception mode to the transmit mode
takes place with the use of a dedicated momentary button. It is similar to walkie-talkie.
o Audio/Voice Communication: This communication service provides full duplex audio
channels unlike PTT. Public safety communication requires novel full duplex speech
transmission services for emergency response.

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 o Real Time Text Messaging (RTT): Text messaging (RTT) is an effective and quick
solution for sending alerts in case of emergencies. Types of text messaging can be email,
SMS and instant message.

Business

Travelling Salesman
o Directly access to customer files stored in a central location.

o Consistent databases for all agents

o Mobile office

o To enable the company to keep track of all the activities of their travelling employees.

In Office
o Wi-Fi wireless technology saves businesses or companies a considerable amount of
money on installations costs.
o There is no need to physically setup wires throughout an office building, warehouse or
store.
o Bluetooth is also a wireless technology especially used for short range that acts as a
complement to Wi-Fi. It is used to transfer data between computers or cellphones.

Transportation Industries
o In transportation industries, GPS technology is used to find efficient routes and tracking
vehicles.

Replacement of Wired Network

o Wireless network can also be used to replace wired network. Due to economic reasons it
is often impossible to wire remote sensors for weather forecasts, earthquake detection, or
to provide environmental information, wireless connections via satellite, can help in this
situation.
o Tradeshows need a highly dynamic infrastructure, since cabling takes a long time and
frequently proves to be too inflexible.

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 o Many computers fairs use WLANs as a replacement for cabling.

o Other cases for wireless networks are computers, sensors, or information displays in
historical buildings, where excess cabling may destroy valuable walls or floors.

Location dependent service

It is important for an application to know something about the location because the user might
need location information for further activities. Several services that might depend on the actual
location can be described below:
o Follow-on Services:

o Location aware services: To know about what services (e.g. fax, printer, server, phone,
printer etc.) exist in the local environment.
o Privacy: We can set the privacy like who should get knowledge about the location.

o Information Services: We can know about the special offers in the supermarket. Nearest
hotel, rooms, cabs etc.

Infotainment: (Entertainment and Education)

o Wireless networks can provide information at any appropriate location.

o Outdoor internet access.

o You may choose a seat for movie, pay via electronic cash, and send this information to a
service provider.
o Ad-hoc network is used for multiuser games and entertainment.

Mobile and Wireless devices

Even though many mobile and wireless devices are available, there will be many more devices in
the future. There is no precise classification of such devices, by sizes, shape, weight, or
computing power. The following list of given examples of mobile and wireless devices graded
by increasing performance (CPU, memory, display, input devices, etc.)

Sensor: Wireless device is represented by a sensor transmitting state information. 1 example

could be a switch, sensing the office door. If the door is closed, the switch transmits this

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information to the mobile phone inside the office which will not accept incoming calls without
user interaction; the semantics of a closed door is applied to phone calls.

Embedded Controller: Many applications already contain a simple or sometimes more complex
controller. Keyboards, mouse, headsets, washing machines, coffee machines, hair dryers and TV
sets are just some examples.

Pager: As a very simple receiver, a pager can only display short text messages, has a tiny
display, and cannot send any messages.

Personal Digital Assistant: PDAs typically accompany a user and offer simple versions of
office software (calendar, notepad, mail). The typically input device is a pen, with built-in
character recognition translating handwriting into characters. Web browsers and many other
packages are available for these devices.

Pocket computer: The next steps towards full computers are pocket computers offering tiny
keyboards, color displays, and simple versions of programs found on desktop computers (text
processing, spreadsheets etc.)
Notebook/laptop: Laptops offer more or less the same performance as standard desktop computers;
they use the same software - the only technical difference being size, weight, and the ability to run on a
battery. If operated mainly via a sensitive display (touch sensitive or electromagnetic), the device are
also known as notepads or tablet PCs.

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