Computing and IT in the Workplace

CT006-1

Mobile Computing

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this section, YOU should be able to:

Describe the development of mobile computing

Explain the various types of mobile computing and their differences

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What is Mobile Computing?

What is mobile computing?

User access to networks with the help of portable communication

devices such as laptops and PDAs. This would allow users to:

Access,
Transfer, Share,

data or information at any time and place.

This form of communication also enable users to be mobile & wireless

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What is Mobile Computing?

Definition of the terms mobile and wireless: mobile can refer to User mobility and Device portability: User mobility. This means users who have access to the same or similar telecommunication services at different places. Device portability. It refers to the communication device that moves (with or without a user). wireless refers to communication devices: This involves accessing a network or other communication partners without the use of wires. A communication device can thus exhibit one of the following characteristics: Fixed and wired, Mobile and wired, Fixed and wireless, and Mobile and wireless.

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What is Mobile Computing?

Fixed and wired: Refers to a typical desktop computer in an office. Contributing factors are; Heavy in weight, High power consumption, and Uses cabled networks. Mobile and wired: Refers to laptops. Contributing factors are; light in weight, uses the telephone network and a modem. Fixed and wireless: Refers to network installations. Contributing factors are: To avoid damage by installing wires, fast network setup, and option for not wanting to lease lines from competitor. Mobile and wireless: Refers to total portability. Contributing factors are: No cable restrictions, controlled roaming between wireless networks. In relation to this module, this approach and its accompanying technologies shall be the main focus!

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Where can mobile computing be applied?

Where can mobile computing be applied? This refers to scenarios where the use of mobile and wireless devices is suitable and beneficial. With continuous advancements and growth of such devices today, the spectrum it affects is wide. Common application areas for wireless networks and mobile communication includes:

Vehicles
Emergencies Businesses Replacement of wired networks Infotainment and more

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Where can mobile computing be applied?

Vehicles Already in place in some vehicle commercially available. Includes devices, instruments, and application enabling passengers to be informed or even to control their surroundings. Examples may include; music, news, road conditions, weather reports, and other broadcast information received via digital audio broadcasting (DAB) with 1.5 Mbps. Emergencies Emergency services such as ambulances will have a high-quality wireless connection to the hospital. This would allow vital information about injured persons to be sent to the hospital from the scene of the emergency. Within the Hospital itself, mobile and wireless technology would also be beneficial. Physicians and staff can have access to vital information even on the move or during emergencies.
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Where can mobile computing be applied?

Businesses Particularly with respect to Sales staff who need instant access to the companys database(s). With wireless access, the portable devices used can be turned into a true mobile office. However, efficient and powerful synchronization mechanisms are needed to ensure data consistency. Replacement of wired networks This is used as an alternative owing to economical, environmental and regulatory constraints, or flexibility issues.

Examples of application; Remote sensors, Tradeshows, and Historical buildings.

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Where can mobile computing be applied?

Infotainment and more Wireless networks can provide up-to-date information at any appropriate location. This involves access to the Internet. Applications can include online payments, purchases, and even entertainment. Enabling technologies: UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) GPS (Global Positioning System) WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) / Piconets

GSM (Global System for Mobile communication)

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The devices used for mobile computing

The devices used for mobile computing The devices introduced change and evolve constantly particularly in relation to the size, shape, weight, and computing power. Thus, there may be a grey area when it comes to classifying the devices. The following is a list of examples of mobile and wireless devices based on their increasing performance (CPU, memory, display, input devices, etc.):

Sensor
A very simple wireless device which is represented by a sensor transmitting state information. (Example: An alarm system that could warn the owner of the house if theres been a break-in via SMS)

Embedded controllers
Many of todays appliances can contain a simple or sometimes more complex controllers. (Example: Remote gates, or activating the Microwave oven using the mobile phone)
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The devices used for mobile computing

Pager A very simple to use receiver which mostly can display only short text messages. There are two versions: One-way and Two-ways pagers. However, this device has been superseded by Mobile phones. Mobile phones A device which has increased in its capabilities to the extent of incorporating those of a PDA and is gaining in popularity. This gave rise to the term PDA phones. Personal digital assistant (PDA) Typically used as an organizer and offers simple to relatively complicated office software. Such devices also allow for upgrades through flash cards or expansion cards with various functionality. The popularity of PDAs may be superseded by PDA phones

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The devices used for mobile computing

Pocket computer The next steps toward full computers capability are pocket computers offering tiny keyboards, colour displays, and simple versions of programs. Communication for such devices can be in the form of Bluetooth, InfraRed, or Wi-Fi. Notebook/laptop

Such devices offer more or less the performance of standard desktop computers and most of time, the same software as well. Communication for such devices can either be wired or wireless. As for the latter, again it can be via Bluetooth, InfraRed, or Wi-Fi.

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Issues affecting mobile computing

Issues affecting mobile communication Interference Wireless communication unlike wired, the transmission medium used cannot be protected against interference using shielding like a cable. Sources of interference include; Radio Frequency (RFI) and Electromagnetic (EMI) interference.

Regulations and spectrum

Frequencies have to be coordinated, and unfortunately, only a very limited number are available owing to technical and political reasons. Thus, new research on how to use available frequencies more efficiently is being carried out. Low bandwidth Although the bandwidth and speed is gradually increasing, it still losses out to the wired bandwidth. While local wireless networks may support up to 54 Mbps, wide area networks only offer some 10 Kbps.
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Issues affecting mobile computing

This is nowhere near to the 1 Gbps of the wired equivalent. To remedy this, researchers have to look for more efficient communication protocols with low overhead. High delays, large delay variation A serious problem for communication protocols used in todays Internet is the big variation in link characteristics. In wireless systems, delays of several seconds can occur, and links can be very asymmetrical. Lower security, simpler to attack There is a large threat of eavesdropping owing to the nature of radio interface. Security techniques and mechanisms must not only be in place but should be efficient and simple to use.

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Issues affecting mobile computing

Shared medium Since radio access is achieved through a shared medium therefore the service providers would have to compete for the medium. One major issue arising is how to provide quality of service efficiently with different combinations of access, coding, and multiplexing schemes. Ad-hoc networking Wireless and mobile computing allows for spontaneous networking with prior set-up of an infrastructure. However, this has raised concerns over routing capabilities, service discovery, network scalability, reliability, and stability.

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Principles behind mobile computing systems

Following the standard basic reference model to structure communication systems. This involves a 5-tier protocol stack implemented in the communication systems. The full protocol stack consists of different layers; Application layer, Transport layer, Network layer, Data link layer, and Physical layer. The following diagram illustrates where the protocol stack is applied to for the mobile and wireless communication system:

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Principles behind mobile computing systems

VAX
Radio tower
Pen computer

Application Transport Network Data Link Physical

Network Data Link Physical

Public switch

Application
Transport Network Data Link Physical

Network Data Link Physical

Radio

Medium

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Principles behind mobile computing systems

Application layer The applications are situated on top of all transmission-oriented layers. Issues addressed includes: - service location, - support for multimedia applications, - adaptive applications that can handle the large variations in transmission characteristics, and - wireless access to the WWW using portable device.

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Principles behind mobile computing systems

Transport layer This layer is used in the reference model to establish an end-to-end connection. Issues addressed includes: - quality of service, - flow and congestion control, and - transport protocols known from the Internet, TCP, and UDP, are to be used over a wireless link. Network layer This layer is responsible for routing packets through a network or establishing a connection between two entities over many other immediate systems. Issues addressed includes:- addressing, - routing, - device location, and - handover between different networks.
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Principles behind mobile computing systems

Data link layer The main tasks of this layer includes: - accessing the medium, - multiplexing of different data streams, - correction of transmission errors, and - synchronization(i.e., detection of a data frame).

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Principles behind mobile computing systems

Physical layer This is the lowest layer in a communication system and is responsible for the conversion of a stream of bits into signals that can be transmitted on the sender side. For wireless communication, the issues to be addressed are: - frequency selection, - generation of the carrier frequency, - signal detection, and - modulation of data onto a carrier frequency (depending on the transmission scheme).

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Wireless Network
A short history of wireless computing First Generation (1G) Wireless technologies includes AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone system) used in the US, TACS (Total Access Communication System) in Europe, and NMT (Nordic Mobile Telephone) in Japan. All these were analog systems. This means they can only be used for voice and have highly variable call quality and are very insecure. Typical data rates were 9.6kbps or lower. Second Generation (2G) Technologies includes TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) used in the Unites States, PDC (Personal Digital cellular) in Japan, and GSM (Global Systems for Mobile communications) in Europe. All these are digital in nature and provide improved system performance and security. Typical data rates vary from 9.6kbps to 14.4kbps.
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Wireless Network
A short history of wireless computing Third Generation (3G) Technologies includes UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) used in Europe and CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access). Data rates range from 144kbps to 2000kbps. Fourth Generation (4G) Technologies which are still in the research labs now. It focuses on Wireless Asynchronous Transfer Mode (WATM) which has the potential to provide data rates of 10Mbps to 150Mbps, low bit error rate, and high quality of service. Bit error rate(BER): BER is the number of error bits in a signal expressed as a fraction of the number of transmitted bits. Quality of service(QoS): Qos is a measurement of guarantees that can be made in meeting certain performance requirements.

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Wireless Network
Introduction to Wireless LAN

The global goal of WLANs is to replace office cabling, to enable connectionless access to the internet and to introduce a higher flexibility for ad-hoc communication.
Some advantages of WLANs are:

Flexibility
Within radio coverage, nodes can communicate without further restriction. Radio waves can penetrate walls, senders and receivers can be placed anywhere. Planning Only wireless ad-hoc networks allow for communication without previous planning, any wired network needs wiring plans.

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Advantages Wireless Network

Design Wireless networks allow for the design of small, independent devices which can for example be put into a pocket. Cables not only restrict users but also designers of small PDAs, notepads etc. Robustness Wireless networks can survive disasters or users pulling a plug. Networks requiring a wired infrastructure will usually break down completely. Cost After providing wireless access to the infrastructure via an access point for the first user, adding additional users to a wireless network will not increase the cost.

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Disadvantages of Wireless Network

However, WLANs also have several disadvantages: Quality of service

WLANs typically offer lower quality than their wired counterparts. The main reasons for this are the lower bandwidth due to limitations in radio transmission, higher error rates due to interference, and higher delay/delay variation due to extensive error correction and detection mechanisms. Proprietary solutions
Due to slow standardization procedures, many companies have come up with proprietary solutions offering standardized functionality plus many enhanced features. Restrictions All wireless products have to comply with national regulations. Several government and non-government institutions worldwide regulate the operation and restrict frequencies to minimize interference.
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Disadvantages of Wireless Network

Safety and security Using radio waves for data transmission might interfere with hightech equipment in, e.g., hospitals. Special precautions have to be taken to prevent safety hazards.

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Commercial Success of Wireless Network

Many different, and sometime competing, design goals have to be taken into account for WLANs to ensure their commercial success: Global operation WLAN products should sell in all countries so, national and international frequency regulations have to be considered. Low power Devices communicating via a WLAN are typically also wireless devices running on battery power. The LAN design should take this into account and implement special power-saving modes and power management savings. License-free operation LAN operators do not want to apply for a special license to be able to use the product. The equipment must operate in a license-free band, such as the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
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Commercial Success of Wireless Network

Robust transmission technology Compared to their wired counterparts, WLANs operate under difficult conditions. If they use radio transmission, many other electrical devices can interfere with them (vacuum cleaners, hairdryers, etc.) Simplified spontaneous cooperation To be useful in practice, WLANs should not require complicated setup routines but should operate spontaneously after power-up. These LANs would not be useful for supporting, ad-hoc meetings. Easy to use In contrast to huge and complex wireless WANs, wireless LANs are made for simple use. They should work on plug-and-play. Protection of investment A lot of money has already been invested into wired LANs. The WLANs should protect this investment by being interoperable with the existing networks.
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Commercial Success of Wireless Network

Safety and security Wireless LANs should be safe to operate, especially regarding low radiation if used e.g., in hospitals. Users cannot keep safety distances to antennas. Transparency for application Existing applications should continue to run over WLANs, the only difference being higher delay and lower bandwidth.

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Technologies in Wireless Network

Criterion IEEE 802.11b IEEE 802.11a HiperLAN2 Bluetooth Frequency Max. trans. Rate 2.4 GHz 11 Mbit/s 5 GHz 54 Mbit/s 5 GHz 54 Mbit/s 2.4 GHz < 1 Mbit/s

User throughput

6 Mbit/s

34 Mbit/s

34 Mbit/s

< 1 Mbit/s

Medium access

CSMA/CA

CSMA/CA

AP centralized

Master centralized

Frequency management Authentication Encryption QoS support

None

802.11h

DFS

FHSS

None/802.1x WEP 802.11I Optional (PCF)

None/802.1x Wep, 802.11I Optional (PCF)

X.509 Des, 3des ATM, 802.1p

Yes Yes Flow specification, isochronous

Connectivity

Connectionless

Connectionless

Connectionoriented

Connectionless + connection-oriented

Available channels

12 (US)

19 (EU)

Soft increasing interference

Typical transmit power

100 mW

0.05, 0.25/ 1W, TPC with 802.11h

0.2/ 1W, TPC

1/ 2.5/ 100 mW

Error control
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ARO, FEC (PHY)

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Cellular Network
Digital cellular networks are the segment of the market for mobile and wireless devices which are growing most rapidly. They are the wireless extensions of traditional PSTN or ISDN networks. It has provided faultless roaming with the same mobile phone nation or even worldwide. Today, data traffic is continuously growing, which sees the advancements in wireless data transmission using cellular systems. One such system is Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM), which happen to be the most popular digital system according to the worldwide market (GSM Association, 2002). GSM chosen as the main focus despite being a fully digital 2G system because of its market success and also due to the system architecture that served many other systems as an early example.

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Cellular Network
GSM has many open interfaces and network entities defined in its specification. This enabled network providers to choose between many different products from different vendors.

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Cellular Network
A short history of cellular networks
The first generation comprises analog systems, which typically rely on FDMA. The first 2G systems hit the market in the early nineties.

In the US D-AMPS was a digital successor of AMPS.

In Europe, GSM was developed as a replacement for several versions of NMT, and PDC was introduce in Japan. All the above mentioned 2G systems introduced a TDMA mechanism in addition to FDMA, which is still used for channel separation. With cdmaOne, the first CDMA technology was available in the US as a competitor to TDMA. Between the second and third generation there is no real revolutionary step.

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CDMA/FDMA/TDMA
Which telecommunication service is better for you?

International Cocktail Party

FDMA Large room divided up into small rooms. Each pair of people takes turns speaking. TDMA Large room divided up into small rooms. Three pairs of people per room, however, each pair gets 20 seconds to speak. CDMA No small rooms. Everyone is speaking in different languages. If voice volume is minimized, the number of people is maximized.

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Definitions
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

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Cellular Network
GPRS introduced a packet-oriented service and higher data rates to GSM (but can also be used for TDMA systems in general). EDGE proposes a new modulation scheme, and cdmaOne was enhanced to cdma2000 1x offering higher data rates. All three systems mentioned above are often called 2.5G systems.

Following was the inclusion of CDMA technology to the systems to become 3G systems.
While the number of different systems might be confusing, there are some natural development paths. Most network providers offering GSM service today will deploy UMTS, while cdmaOne users will choose cdma2000 for simpler migration.

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Global System for Mobile Communication - GSM

Used by over 800 million people in more than 190 countries, it is regarded as the most successful digital mobile telecommunication system around the world. The primary goal of GSM was to provide a mobile phone system that allows users to roam throughout Europe and provides voice services compatible to ISDN and other PSTN systems. GSM is a typical second generation system, replacing the first generation analog systems. However, it does not offer high worldwide data rates that the third generation systems such as UMTS, are promising.

GSM was initially deployed in Europe using 890-915 MHz for uplinks and 935-965 MHz for downlinks, which is now called GSM 900.

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Global System for Mobile Communication - GSM

Later versions include: GSM 1800 MHz (1710-1785 MHz uplink, 1805-1880 MHz downlink) which is also called DCS (digital cellular system) 1800 GSM 1900 MHz used in the US adopts 1850-1910 MHz uplink and 1930-1990 MHz downlink, also called PCS (personal communication service) 1900. Generally GSM was designed for voice services and it still constitutes the main use of this system.

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Review Questions
Discuss the various types of wireless networks and cellular networks.

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Question and Answer Session

Q&A
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What we will cover next

Topic and Structure of next session

Real Time System 1

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