FUNDAMENTALS OF MOBILE COMPUTING

What is Mobile Computing?

 It is a technology that allows transmission of data, voice and video
via a computer or any other wireless enabled device without having
to be connected to a fixed physical link using mobile device.
 Mobile computing is just computing with devices that are mobile.
E.g. phones, tablets, laptops or anything else that's mobile.
 It facilitates the users to move from one physical location to
another during communication.
 It is a technology that provides an environment that enables users
to transmit data from one device to another device without the
use of any physical link or cables.
 MOBILE COMPUTING TYPES
The concept of Mobile Computing can be divided into three
parts:
•Mobile Communication (Infrastructure)
•Mobile Hardware &
•Mobile Software are all combined in mobile
computing.
Mobile Communication (Infrastructure) :
 Specifies a framework that is responsible for the working of
mobile computing technology.
 The technical components that allow devices to
communicate with each others are called infrastructure.
 In this case, mobile communication refers to an
infrastructure that ensures seamless and reliable
communication among wireless devices.
 Cont…
 This framework ensures the consistency and
reliability of communication between wireless
devices.
 The mobile communication framework consists of
communication devices such as protocols, services,
bandwidth, and portals necessary to facilitate and
support the stated services.
 These devices are responsible for delivering a
smooth communication process.
 Mobile Communication
Mobile communication can be divided in the
following four types:
 Fixed and Wired
 Fixed and Wireless
 Mobile and Wired
 Mobile and Wireless
 Mobile Communications:
Fixed and Wired: the devices are fixed at a position, and they are connected
through a physical link to communicate with other devices.
Example: Old Desktop Computer.
Fixed and Wireless: the devices are fixed at a position, and they are
connected through a wireless link to make communication with other
devices.
Example: Communication Towers, WiFi router
Mobile and Wired: some devices are mobile, and some are wired. They
altogether make communication with other devices.
Example: Laptops
Mobile and Wireless: the devices can communicate with each other
irrespective of their position. They can also connect to any network without
the use of any wired device.
Example: WiFi Dongle (pocket-size device that connects to your
smartphone, tablet or laptop and allows you to access the internet while
you’re traveling.
Mobile hardware:
 The mobile hardware consists of the user-interactive
hardware and the actual mobile device that can be used
to receive or access the service of mobility.
Examples: smartphones, laptops, tablets, portable PCs and
wearable devices, together with the corresponding
peripherals, fall under this category.
 These devices are inbuilt with a receptor medium that
can send and receive signals.
 These devices are capable of operating in full-duplex. It
means they can send and receive signals at the same
time.
Mobile software:
 It is a program that runs on mobile hardware.
 Mobile software includes user-facing programs like
mobile browsers and e-commerce programs as well
as mobile operating systems (OSes), which are
programs that operate on mobile devices
Examples: Windows Mobile OS, symbian OS, IOS…
 MOBILE COMPUTING CHARACTERISTICS
We can define a computing environment as mobile if it supports one or
more of the following characteristics:
Aspects of mobility:
 User mobility: users communicate “anytime,
anywhere, with anyone”
Example: read/write email on web browser
 Device portability: devices can be connected anytime,
anywhere to the network
 Host mobility: The user should can be either a client
or server.
 Network mobility: User should be able to move from
one network to another network and use same
service
 Advantages of Mobile Computing
• Increase in Productivity- Mobile devices can be used
out in the field of various companies, therefore reducing
the time and cost for clients and themselves.
• Portability- not restricted to one location in order to
jobs done or even access email.
• Entertainment- Mobile devices can be used for
entertainment purposes, for personal and even for
presentations to people and clients.
• Seamless and reliable communication
Connectivity – it keeps you connected to the Internet,
allowing you to access information, stay in touch with
others, and collaborate with colleagues and classmates.
 Efficiency – Mobile computing helps you be more efficient,
allowing you to complete tasks quickly and easily while on the
go.
Disadvantages of Mobile Computing
 Quality of connectivity
 Security concerns: Mobile devices can be vulnerable to
cyberattacks and data theft, putting personal information and
sensitive data at risk.
 Power Consumption: Mobile devices have limited battery life,
requiring frequent recharging and causing inconvenience and
disruption.
 Decreasing human interaction: Mobile computing can lead to a
dependence on technology, making it difficult to disconnect and
enjoy life without constant digital distraction.
 Physical Damage – Mobile devices are small and fragile, making
them susceptible to physical damage from drops, spills, and
other accidents.
 Fluctuation in the stability of the network.
 The issue of interoperability.
 Mobile devices and Mobile OS
WHAT IS A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE (MCD)?
 Any device employing mobile parts, such as mobile hardware and
software, is referred to as a mobile computing device.
 Portable devices that can function like a standard computer
device in terms of operation, execution, and provision of services
and applications are known as mobile computing devices.
Mobile devices:
 Personal digital assistant (PDA)
A handheld computer principally used for personal information management
 smartphone
Internet-enabled cell phone that can support mobile applications
 Mobile Operating System
 It is software that allows smartphones, tablet PCs
(personal computers) and other devices to run
applications and programs.
 It also manage cellular and wireless network
connectivity, as well as phone access.
Types of mobile operating systems:
◦ Android (Google)
◦ iOS (Apple)
◦ Bada (Samsung)
◦ Blackberry OS (Research in Motion)
◦ Windows OS (Microsoft)
◦ Symbian OS (Nokia)
Mobile Computing Issues and Challenges
Low bandwidth:
 Mobile internet access is slower than the fixed desktop connection while
using GSM and other advanced technologies such as 3G, 4G, and 5G.
 Local wireless connection offers Mbit/s of speed and wide wireless
connection offers only Kbit/s of speed.
Lower security:
 When working with mobile, people are completely dependent on the public
network which can be easily tracked and hacked by hackers.
 There is a big problem with the security of data while transferring from one
mobile device to another device.
Transmission interferences:
 Radio transmission cannot be protected therefore there is higher transmission
interference due to electric engines, lightening, high buildings, mountains,
weather conditions, etc., all this results in a higher loss of data rate and bit
errors. High delays:
 In wireless transmission delays of various seconds occur that create
so many problems in transmission and communication.
 Mobile Computing Technologies
Cellular data service uses technologies like GSM,
CDMA or GPRS
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)
• is one of the most widely used digital wireless
telephony system.
• It was developed in Europe in 1980s and is now
international standard in Europe, Australia, Asia
and Africa.
• Any GSM handset with a SIM (Subscriber
Identity Module) card can be used in any country
that uses this standard.
•Every SIM card has a unique identification
number.
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications)

• It has memory to store applications and data like phone

numbers, processor to carry out its functions and software to
send and receive messages
• GSM technology uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
to support up to eight calls simultaneously. It also uses
encryption to make the data more secure.
• The frequencies used by the international standard is 900 MHz
to 1800 MHz However,
 GSM phones used in the US, use 1900 MHz frequency
and hence are not compatible with the international
system
 It used 2G technology
 Offers maximum download speed of 384 Kbps
 Used Circuit switching concepts
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
• It was first used by the British military during
World War II.
• After the war its use spread to civilian areas due
to high service quality.
• As each user gets the entire spectrum all the
time, voice quality is very high.
• Also, it is automatically encrypted and hence
provides high security against signal interception
and eavesdropping.
 Operate in frequency spectrum of 850MHz and
1.9GHz
 Offers maximum download speed of 2Mbps
 It utilized for voice and information
transmission.
 It prefers for Call quality and security
 GPRS (General Packet Radio Services):
•It is a packet based wireless communication
technology that charges users based on the volume of
data they send rather than the time duration for which
they are using the service.
• As traffic increases, service quality may go down due
to congestion, hence it is logical to charge the users as
per data volume transmitted.
• used by second (2G) and third generation (3G) of
mobile telephony.
• It pledges a speed of 56 kbps to 114 kbps, however
the actual speed may vary depending on network load.
 Used Packet switching routing
 It utilized only information transmission.
 It prefers for faster data transfer speed and an
always on connection.
 MOBILE COMPUTING APPLICATIONS
 Internet has been labeled as the path breaking
technology.
 It has brought a dramatic change in business
landscape and touched the life of common man.
 Mobile computing and wireless communication
networks are playing an increasingly important role
in our professional and personal lives. Nowadays we
use many mobile devices like mobiles, PDAs etc. for
personal and business communications.
 Applications of mobile computing are almost
limitless and exist in socio-economic, industrial and
commercial domains.
1. In business
 M – Business (mobile –business) is conducting
business by exploiting the mobile devices and
wireless networking.
 Mobile business applications include mobile
access to existing e-business
 It helps to achieve strategic business benefits.
Usually, people are seen buying cinema tickets
and other tickets using mobile devices.
 2. Government
 Governments are planning for m-voting, m-
interaction and m-administration.
 m-administration is concerned with improving
the operations and communications with
government units.
 The government employees can be notified about
various policies using mobile devices, resulting
into better and faster access to information.
 The government-to- citizen interaction is a
technique by which interaction with government
officials is made easier using mobile devices.
3. In Education field
 Now a days many examination results are
displayed on the mobile devices.
 Many companies have launched mobile
classrooms where students can access education
material using mobile devices.
 Many search engines have added features that
help to search books, research papers and other
material using mobile devices.
4. In Medical field
 For patients whose health is on the line, the
benefits are even greater.
 They have increased access to specialized
doctors. They don't have to stick around the
hospital any longer.
 Example: Mhealth
 Cont…
 With Wireless Technologies, their healthcare can
be less intrusive, for example in the case of
wearable sensors.
 Patients don't have to show up to the hospital for
a blood pressure check.
◦ It can be done while they are working through wearing
wireless sensors that transmit this information in real-
time to their doctors.
 5. Emergency Services:
 Ability to receive information on the move is vital
where the emergency services are involved.
 Information regarding the address, type and other
details of an incident can be dispatched quickly, via a
Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) system using
mobile computers,
 They can use the computer to get direct, real-time
access to on-line legal database services, where they
can gather information on the case and related
precedents.
 Therefore, mobile computers allow immediate access
to a wealth of information, making people better
informed and prepared
 6.Transportation
 Using mobile computers in conjunction with GPS/GIS
and an accompanying vehicle information system (VIS),
the operations of an entire transportation fleet can be
managed from a central location.
 The central office knows the location, status, and
condition of all vehicles, and operators have two-way
communication with the operations center.
 Using this information, vehicles can be optimally
dispatched to maximize efficiency as measured by time;
fuel consumption and delivery priority.
7. Farming/ Crop management
 Information about weather, crop diseases is
provided to farmers on mobile devices.
 They are also informed about potential places
of selling their crops