MOBILE COMPUTING

UNIT 3

Infrared vs. Radio Transmission– Infrastructure Networks–Ad hoc Networks – IEEE 802.11 –
System Architecture–Protocol Architecture– Bluetooth–User scenarios–Bluetooth Architecture–
Introduction to Wireless ATM –Services– Location Reference Model

Infrared vs. Radio Transmission – Infrastructure

Infrared (IR) Transmission:

 Infrastructure: Typically line-of-sight. Requires a clear path between transmitter and

receiver. Often used for short-range, point-to-point communication (eg., TV remote
controls, some older wireless keyboards/mice). For networking, it might involve IR
transceivers mounted on ceilings or walls to provide coverage within a room, but it's
highly susceptible to obstructions. Not ideal for large-scale or multi-room networking.
 Characteristics: High bandwidth potential over short distances, secure (difficult to
eavesdrop without being in the line of sight), unaffected by radio interference.
 Limitations: Blocked by opaque objects, limited range, susceptible to strong light
sources (e.g., sunlight).

Radio Transmission:

 Infrastructure: Highly versatile. Radio waves can penetrate walls and travel around
obstacles, making them suitable for widespread coverage. Requires antennas and
transceivers. For networks, this involves access points (APs) or base stations strategically
placed to provide coverage areas (cells).
 Characteristics: Longer range, can penetrate obstacles, supports mobility, can be
broadcast to multiple receivers.
 Limitations: Susceptible to interference from other radio sources, security can be a
concern (easier to intercept signals), regulated spectrum.

Key Infrastructure Difference: Radio transmission generally requires more sophisticated

infrastructure for widespread coverage (APs, antennas, backhaul connections), but offers far
greater flexibility and range compared to the line-of-sight limitations of infrared.

Networks – Ad Hoc Networks – IEEE 802.11 – System Architecture

– Protocol Architecture

Networks: In this context, "networks" generally refers to computer networks that allow devices
to communicate and share resources. This can encompass wired (Ethernet) and wireless
networks.
Ad Hoc Networks:

 Definition: A decentralized wireless network where devices communicate directly with

each other without the need for a central access point (AP) or router. Each device can act
as a router, forwarding data for other devices.
 Infrastructure: Minimal to no fixed infrastructure. Devices form a temporary network
"on the fly."
 Characteristics: Quick to set up, flexible, useful for temporary communication between
a small number of devices (e.g., sharing files between two laptops in a meeting).
 Limitations: Limited scalability, no central management, can be less stable than
infrastructure networks.

IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi):

 Definition: A family of specifications for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). It

defines the physical layer and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer for wireless
communication.
 System Architecture (Infrastructure Mode):
o Access Point (AP): A central device that connects wireless devices to a wired
network (like the internet). It acts as a bridge between the wireless and wired
segments.
o Stations (STAs): Wireless devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) that connect to
the AP.
o Basic Service Set (BSS): A group of STAs communicating with a single AP.
o Extended Service Set (ESS): Multiple BSSs interconnected by a distribution
system (DS), allowing for larger coverage areas and roaming.
o Distribution System (DS): The backbone network (usually wired Ethernet) that
connects multiple APs and provides connectivity to the outside world.
 Protocol Architecture (Simplified):
o Physical Layer (PHY): Defines the modulation and coding schemes for
transmitting data over the air (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax specify different PHYs).
o MAC Layer (Medium Access Control): Manages access to the shared wireless
medium. Key functions include:
 CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance):
Unlike wired Ethernet's CSMA/CD, wireless uses CA because collision
detection is difficult. Devices listen for a clear channel before transmitting.
 Network Allocation Vector (NAV): A timer that indicates how long the
medium will be busy.
 Acknowledgments (ACKs): Used to confirm successful reception of
data, ensuring reliability in the unreliable wireless environment.
 Fragmentation: Breaking large frames into smaller ones for more
efficient transmission.
 Power Management: Mechanisms to allow devices to save power by
entering sleep modes.
Bluetooth – User Scenarios – Bluetooth Architecture

Bluetooth:

 Definition: A short-range wireless technology standard for exchanging data between

fixed and mobile devices over short distances using UHF radio waves (2.4 to 2.485 GHz)
in the ISM band.
 User Scenarios:
o Wireless Headsets/Earbuds: Connecting to smartphones, laptops for audio.
o Wireless Keyboards/Mice: Connecting peripherals to computers.
o File Transfer (OBEX): Sharing photos or documents between phones or
computers.
o Hands-Free Car Kits: Connecting phones for calls in vehicles.
o Fitness Trackers/Smartwatches: Syncing data with smartphones.
o IoT Devices: Connecting smart home devices, sensors, etc.
o Gaming Controllers: Connecting to consoles or PCs.
o Personal Area Networks (PANs): Creating small, informal networks between
nearby devices.

Bluetooth Architecture:

 Piconet: The fundamental building block of a Bluetooth network. It consists of:

o Master: A single device that controls communication within the piconet.
o Slaves: Up to seven active devices that communicate with the master.
o Scatternet: Formed by linking multiple independent piconets. A device can be a
master in one piconet and a slave in another, allowing for more extensive
networks.
 Protocol Stack (Simplified):
o Radio Layer: Physical layer, defines radio characteristics.
o Baseband Layer: Defines the physical link and low-level protocols (e.g., timing,
frequency hopping).
o Link Manager Protocol (LMP): Establishes, authenticates, and configures
logical links between devices.
o Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP): Provides
multiplexing and segmentation/reassembly for higher-layer protocols.
o Host Controller Interface (HCI): A standard interface for the host (e.g.,
computer, phone) to communicate with the Bluetooth controller.
o Higher Layer Protocols: Various profiles (e.g., A2DP for audio, HFP for hands-
free, SPP for serial port emulation) built on top of the core protocols to define
specific use cases.
Introduction to Wireless ATM – Services – Location Reference
Model

Introduction to Wireless ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode):

 Background: ATM was a high-speed, connection-oriented networking technology

developed in the 1980s and 90s, designed to handle voice, video, and data traffic with
Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees. Wireless ATM was an attempt to extend these QoS
capabilities to the wireless domain.
 Concept: The idea was to combine the strengths of ATM (fixed-size cells, QoS,
connection-oriented nature) with the flexibility of wireless access. It aimed to support
multimedia applications with strict timing requirements over wireless links.
 Challenges: Integrating ATM's connection-oriented, fixed-cell nature with the inherent
unreliability and variable bandwidth of wireless environments proved to be very
complex. The overhead of ATM cells on wireless links was also a concern.
 Outcome: Wireless ATM did not achieve widespread commercial success. Other
wireless technologies (like Wi-Fi with later QoS enhancements, and cellular technologies
like 3G/4G/5G) became dominant, often abstracting away the underlying transport
mechanisms.

Services (in the context of Wireless ATM and generally wireless networks): For Wireless
ATM, the goal was to provide services with guaranteed QoS, such as:

 Constant Bit Rate (CBR): For real-time applications like uncompressed video and
voice, requiring a fixed bandwidth.
 Variable Bit Rate (VBR): For compressed video and voice, allowing for some
variability in bit rate but with QoS guarantees.
 Available Bit Rate (ABR): For applications that can tolerate some delay and fluctuating
bandwidth (e.g., data transfer with flow control).
 Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR): Best-effort service for applications with no QoS
requirements (e.g., email, web Browse).

More broadly, services in wireless networks include:

 Data Communication: Web Browse, email, file transfer.

 Voice over IP (VoIP): Making phone calls over the internet.
 Video Streaming/Conferencing: Real-time video communication.
 Location-Based Services (LBS): Services that use a device's location.
 IoT Connectivity: Connecting various smart devices.

Location Reference Model (Relevant to Wireless Networks):

 Purpose: A framework or model used to describe and categorize different aspects of

location information within a wireless or mobile environment. It helps in standardizing
how location data is acquired, represented, processed, and utilized.
 Components/Aspects often included:
 o Location Sensing/Acquisition: How is location determined? (GPS, Wi-Fi
triangulation, cellular tower triangulation, Bluetooth beacons, UWB, etc.)
o Location Representation: How is location data expressed? (Latitude/longitude,
street address, indoor coordinates, symbolic names like "kitchen").
o Location Management: How is location data stored, updated, and made
available? (Location databases, presence servers).
o Location Privacy: Mechanisms to protect user privacy related to their location
data.
o Location Context: Combining location with other contextual information (e.g.,
time, activity, nearby objects).
o Location Services (LBS): Applications that leverage location information (e.g.,
navigation, finding nearby restaurants, asset tracking).
 Importance: Essential for developing effective location-aware applications and services,
especially in mobile and wireless environments where knowing the user's or device's
position is critical.