Chapter 1

Intro. to Wireless Communication and

Mobile Computing
 Introduction

•Wireless Communication and Mobile

Computing have become essential
parts of our daily lives,
• transforming the way we
communicate,
• access information, and
•interact with the world around us.
•These technologies have revolutionized
various industries and have had a
Introduction

Importance
•The importance of wireless communication
and mobile computing lies in their ability to
provide unprecedented levels of
connectivity, mobility, and
convenience.
•They enable us to stay connected with
others, access information from anywhere,
and perform
. a wide range of tasks.
 Wireless
Communication
• Transfer of information (i.e., voice, data, and multimedia) over a distance without
the use of electrical wires
• Distances involved may be:
• Short, e.g., bluetooth or large, e.g., satellite
• Information is transmitted using electromagnetic waves
• Which frequencies are suitable?
• Is a broadcast medium
• Multiple access methods are required
• Transmissions are prone to interference
• Wireless channel is unpredictable, e.g., multipath, mobility
• System design is more challenging in wireless than in wired
 Wired vs. Wireless

 Attenuation is low  Attenuation is high

 Interference is nil: each wire is a  Interference is high (co- and adjacent
separate medium/channel channel, from engines, lightning, fading
 Clumsy, costly, no mobility due to movement)
 No knots, no digging to lay cables,
tether free
 Merits of Wireless Communication
• Freedom from wires
• No cost of installing wires or rewiring
• No bunches of wires running here and there
• Instantaneous communications without the need for physical connection
setup (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi)
 These same reasons drive the market ….
 Various emerging standards….IEEE 802.15.3

• Global coverage
• Communications can reach where wiring is infeasible or costly – Rural
areas,
• old buildings, battle fields, outer space, vehicular communications,
RFIDs
 Wireless Ad-hoc Networks
 Merits of Wireless Communication …
 Stay connected
• Roaming – allows flexibility to stay connected anywhere and anytime
• Rapidly growing market attests to public need for mobility and
uninterrupted access
 Flexibility
• Services reach you wherever you go (mobility)
 You don’t have to go to the lab to check your mail
• Connect to multiple devices simultaneously (no need for physical
connectivity)
 Increasing dependence on telecommunication services for business and
personal reasons
 Consumers and businesses are willing to pay for it

• Stay connected – anywhere, anytime!

 Challenges
 Bandwidth
• Scarce spectrum and dictates low data rates
• Efficient use of finite radio spectrum
 E.g., cellular frequency reuse, medium access control protocols, MIMO
systems
• instead of single TX/RX antenna systems, …..
 Reliability
• Low data rate because of interference
• Need interference minimizing or mitigating techniques
 Power
• Mobility brings about battery operation
• Need efficient hardware, e.g., low power transmitters, receivers, and
signal processing tools
 Sleep mode in sensor networks
 Challenges …
 Security
• Shared/broadcast medium => low security
• Privacy and authentication needed
 Providing integrated services: Consumer side challenges
• Voice, data, multimedia over a single network
• Service differentiation, priorities, resource scheduling

Voice Data Video

Delay < 100 ms - < 100 ms
Packet < 1% 0 < 1%
loss
BER
10-3 10-6 10-6
Data Rate 8-32 Kbps 1-100 1-20 Mbps
Mbps
 Traffic
One-size-fits-all Continuou
protocols Bursty
and design do not workContinuou
well!
s s
 Challenges …

 Network support for user mobility

• User location identification
• Handover….

 Quality of service (QoS)

• Unreliable links
• Traffic patterns and network conditions
constantly change
 Connectivity and coverage
• Internetworking
 Regulatory issues, cost efficiency, …..
 Challenges …
 Fading
 Multipath leads to signal superposition at receiving
antennas
 High probability of data corruption: need for diversity
schemes
 Wireless Systems: Range
1
Comparison
10m 1km 100k 1000K
m 100m 10km m m

IR Bluetoot WLA Mobile FM MW SW Satellit

h N & WLL Radio Radi e
Radio o Links

WLL: Wireless Local

loop
 Introduction

Key Technologies:
Wireless Communication:
This encompasses a range of technologies such as
Bluetooth, Wi- Fi, and cellular networks.
• Bluetooth enables short-range wireless
connections between devices, commonly used
for wireless audio devices and file transfers.
•Wi-Fi provides wireless internet connectivity,
allowing devices to connect to local networks or
.
access the internet.
 Introduction\Key Technologies:

Mobile Computing:
• involves the use of portable devices like
smartphones, tablets, and wearables.
• are equipped with powerful processors,
storage capabilities, and various
sensors.
•run mobile operating systems like
.
Android and iOS, which support a vast
Wireless Communication
Overview
Definition of wireless communication:
•refers to the transfer of
information or data between
devices without the use of
physical wired connections.
• It allows devices to

communicate and exchange

 Wireless Communication
Overview
Examples of wireless communication technologies:

• Bluetooth: a short-range wireless technology

commonly used for connecting devices like
smartphones, headphones, and speakers.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), provides wireless
internet connectivity.
• It allows devices to connect to local networks or
access the internet wirelessly, enabling high-speed
data transfer and internet access.
Mobile Computing Overview

Definition of mobile computing:

•Mobile computing refers to the ability
to access and process information
using portable computing devices.
•It involves the convergence of
computing and communication
technologies to enable mobility and
flexibility in accessing data,
Mobile Computing Overview

Significance of mobile computing:

•Ubiquitous Access: Mobile computing allows
users to access information and services
anytime, anywhere, providing a seamless and
always-connected experience.
•Enhanced Productivity: With mobile devices,
users can perform tasks such as checking emails,
editing documents, and collaborating on
projects while on the move, increasing
Mobile Computing Overview

Examples of mobile computing devices:

• Smartphones: are handheld devices that
combine the functionality of a mobile phone with
advanced computing capabilities. They offer
features such as voice calls, messaging,
internet browsing, apps, and multimedia
capabilities.
•Tablets: are larger mobile devices with
touchscreens, providing a more wide display for
Mobile Computing Overview

•Mobile computing has transformed the way

we interact with technology by enabling
computing tasks.
•It has revolutionized sectors such as
communication, productivity, healthcare,
Mobile Platforms
Operating Systems:
• Mobile operating systems, such as Android
and iOS, are the foundation of mobile
computing platforms.
• Android: Developed by Google,
•Android is an open-source operating system
used by a wide range of smartphone and tablet
manufacturers.
• It offers customization options and a vast
ecosystem of apps.
Mobile Platforms
App Ecosystem:
•Mobile computing platforms have a
rich ecosystem of mobile applications
(apps).
•App Stores: Android has Google Play
Store, and iOS has the App Store,
where users can discover, download,
and install apps for various purposes
like productivity, entertainment,
Mobile Platforms/Cloud Computing:

•Cloud computing plays a significant

role in mobile computing.
•Storage and Synchronization: Cloud
services, such as Google Drive and
iCloud, provide storage space for files,
photos, and other data,
•allowing users to access and
synchronize their content across
•Mobile computing platforms
encompass
•the operating systems that power
mobile devices,
•the diverse range of mobile
applications available, and the
integration of cloud computing for
storage and processing capabilities.
Security Considerations in Wireless Communication and Mobile
Computing

Device Security:
• Device Locking: Enabling passcodes, PINs,
fingerprints, or facial recognition adds an extra
layer of security to prevent unauthorized
access to mobile devices.
• Device Encryption: Encrypting data
stored on devices helps protect sensitive
information from unauthorized access in
Security Considerations in Wireless Communication and Mobile
Computing
Network Security:
• Wi-Fi Security: Using secure Wi-Fi networks
with encryption protocols (e.g., WPA2/WPA3)
helps protect data transmitted over wireless
networks from eavesdropping and
unauthorized access.
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): VPNs

provide encrypted connections for secure

access to networks and protect data
transmitted over public Wi-Fi networks.
Security Considerations in Wireless Communication and
Mobile Computing

Application Security:
•App Permissions: Reviewing and granting
appropriate permissions to mobile apps helps
control access to sensitive data and device
capabilities.
• App Updates: Keeping apps up to date
with the latest security patches and
fixes helps protect against known
Security Considerations in Wireless Communication
and Mobile Computing
Challenges in Wireless Communication and Mobile
Computing
• Connectivity and Coverage:
 Connectivity Issues: Wireless communication can be
affected by factors like signal strength, interference, and
network congestion, leading to dropped calls or slow internet
speeds.
 Coverage Limitations: In remote areas or underground
locations, limited network coverage may pose challenges
for accessing wireless communication and mobile
computing services.
• Battery Life:
 Security Considerations in Wireless Communication and
Mobile Computing
Challenges in Wireless Communication and Mobile
Computing
•Security and Privacy:
 Security Threats: Wireless communication and
mobile computing are susceptible to security
threats such as data breaches, malware, phishing
attacks, and unauthorized access.
 Privacy Concerns: The collection and use of personal
data by mobile apps and services raise privacy
concerns, requiring robust data protection and privacy
measures.
•Compatibility and Fragmentation:
Challenges in Wireless Communication and
Mobile Computing
•User Experience and Interface Design:
•User Interface Challenges: Designing
user-friendly interfaces for smaller
screens, touch interactions, and varying
device capabilities can be challenging.
•User Experience Optimization: Ensuring
a continuous and intuitive user experience
across different devices and platforms
 Types of wireless communication systems

The major types of wireless

communication systems are:
• Paging Systems
• Cordless Telephone Systems
• Satellite communication systems
• Wireless LAN systems
• Cellular Telephone Systems
The cost, complexity, performance,
 1- Paging
Systems
• are communication systems that send brief
messages to a subscriber.
• Depending on the type of service, the
message may be either text or voice
messages.
• In modern paging systems, news headlines,
stock quotations, and faxes may be sent.
• The issued message is called a page.
 • Paging systems vary in their complexity and
coverage area.
• This necessitates large transmitter powers and low
data rates for maximum coverage from each base
station.
• Simple paging systems may cover a
limited range of 2 to 5 km,
• or confined to within individual
buildings,
 Cordless Telephone
Systems
• Provide wireless extension to the
telephone network within a limited area
• Two-way (duplex) communications
• Consists of a portable handset,
connected to dedicated base station, which
is connected to the telephone network
• 1st generation: household environment
• 2nd generation: allow mobility in
workplace and public use with limited
 Satellite communication Systems

The main feature of the satellite

communication systems
▪ Very wide range and coverage
▪ Very useful in sparsely populated
areas: rural areas, sea, mountains, etc.
▪ Target: Vehicles and/or other
stationary/mobile uses
▪ Expensive base station (satellites)
 Wireless LAN (WLAN)

Characterized by these features:

▪ Low mobility (not for vehicular use)
▪ High speed data transmission
▪ Confined regions – buildings and
campuses
▪ Coverage: 100m – 300m per base
station
▪ Uses the following bands (902-928
 Cellular Telephone Systems
also known as Personal Communication
Systems (PCS), is a wireless network
designed to provide two-way voice
communication at vehicle speeds with
regional or national coverage.
The basic cellular system consists of:
Mobile station (MS):is the mobile
handset which is used by a user
 Types of Services
• Wireless communication services provide
• cell phone service, SMS, WAP services to mobile phones.
• They support analog and digital telephone networks as
well as satellite phones.
• Analog telephones translate audio signals into electronic
pulses.
• Digital telephones translate voice communications into a
binary format.
• Wireless communication services that support corded
phones and older, analog cellular phones often use
advanced mobile phone service (AMPS)
Wireless & Mobility
 Wireless:
o Limited bandwidth
o Broadcast medium: requires multiple access schemes
o Variable link quality (noise, interference)
o High latency, higher jitter
o Heterogeneous air interfaces
o Security: easier snooping
 Mobility:
o User location may change with time
o Speed of mobile impacts wireless bandwidth
o Need mechanism for handoff
o Security: easier spoofing
 Portability
o Limited battery, storage, computing, and UI
Classification of Wireless Systems
 Personal communication systems
o Focus on voice communication
o Limited bit-rate data transmission
o Large-scale mobility and coverage
o Operate over licensed frequency bands
 Wireless LANs
o Designed for high bit-rate transmission
o IP oriented
o Low-scale coverage
o Use unlicensed ISM frequency bands
 Multihop ad hoc networks
o Have little or no infrastructure
o Low-scale coverage
o Need new routing protocols
o Emerging applications
 Applications
 Following services can be provided during emergencies:
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Real Time Text Messaging (RTT): Text messaging (RTT) is an effective
and quick solution for sending alerts in case of emergencies. Types of text
 Travelling Salesman
• Directly access to customer files stored in a central
location.
• Consistent databases for all agents
• Mobile office
• To enable the company to keep track of all the activities of
their travelling employees.
 In Office
• Wi-Fi wireless technology saves businesses or companies
a considerable amount of money on installations costs.
• There is no need to physically setup wires throughout an
office building, warehouse or store.
• 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
• In transportation industries, GPS technology is used to find
efficient routes and tracking vehicles.
 Replacement of Wired Network
• 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.
• Tradeshows need a highly dynamic infrastructure, since
cabling takes a long time and frequently proves to be too
inflexible.
• Many computers fairs use WLANs as a replacement for
cabling.
• Other cases for wireless networks are computers, sensors,
or information displays in historical buildings, where
• 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.
• In ad-hoc network, car can comprise personal digital assistants (PDA),
Wireless Applications
 Main areas
o Education
o Home entertainment
o Health Care
o Government and Military
o Office environments
o Event management
o Travel
o Construction and warehouse management
o Environmental research
o Industrial control

Wireless Communications 47
Education
 Ideal application for colleges and schools
 It frees students from having to go to a
specific computer lab or the library
o To get on the school’s computer network
 Wireless technology translates into a cost
savings for colleges as well

Wireless Communications 48
Home Entertainment

 Wireless communication
o Enables movie and audio enthusiasts to
download, distribute, and control all forms of
digital entertainment from anywhere in the
house

Wireless Communications 49
Health Care

 Administering medication in a hospital

setting
o A major problem area for the health care
industry
 Wireless point-of-care computer systems
o Allow medical staff to access and update
patient records immediately
 Even telephones are now being connected
to hospital IEEE 802.11 WLANs
o Employing VoIP technology

Wireless Communications 50
Government

 Wireless communication
o Lets city employees and contractors at remote
sites access data stored in a central database
o Delivers broadband connectivity to schools,
libraries, and government buildings
o Provides free Internet access to residents and
attracts visitors and businesspeople

Wireless Communications 51
 Military
 Universal Handset
o A 1.5-pound device
o Allows military personnel in the field to
communicate through a variety of methods
• Using wireless technologies
o Military is currently working on preventing
enemies from eavesdropping on or jamming the
signal

Wireless Communications 52
Office Environments

 Employees in all lines of work no longer

have to be away from the data they need
o To help them make decisions
 Wireless technologies allow businesses to
create an office
o Where the traditional infrastructure doesn’t
already exist

Wireless Communications 53
Event Management

 Wireless networks
o Help identify a stolen or counterfeit ticket
o Can also give a real-time look at traffic flow
o In-progress game statistics are available to any
fan in the stadium with a wireless device

Wireless Communications 54
Travel

 Wireless global positioning systems (GPS)

o Tie into emergency roadside assistance services
 Satellite radio
o Transmits over 150 music and talk stations
 Airport terminals are likewise turning to
wireless technologies
 Airplanes themselves are being equipped
with wireless data access

Wireless Communications 55
Construction

 Wireless communications
o Send information from the job site to the main
office
o Alert when maintenance operations need to be
performed on equipment

Wireless Communications 56
Warehouse Management

 Implementing wireless technology is key for

many warehouse operations
 Warehouse management system (WMS)
software
o Used to manage all of the activities from
receiving through shipping
 In the near future
o Most of the bar code functions, including
inventory counting, will be replaced by RFID
tags

Wireless Communications 57
Environmental Research

 Scientists are now using small, battery- or

solar-cell-powered WLAN sensors
o In places that were previously difficult to access
and monitor

Wireless Communications 58
Industrial Control

 Motes
o Remote sensors
o Can connect to a WLAN
• Then collect data and transmit it to a central location

Wireless Communications 59
Wireless Advantages and
Disadvantages
 As with any new technology, wireless
communications offers both advantages
and disadvantages

Wireless Communications 60
Advantages of Wireless Networking
 Mobility
o Freedom to move about without being tethered
by wires
o Permits many industries to shift toward an
increasingly mobile workforce
o Gives team-based workers the ability to access
the network resources
 Easier and less expensive installation
o Installing network cabling in older buildings can
be a difficult, slow, and costly task
o Makes it easier for any office to be modified with
new cubicles or furniture

Wireless Communications 61
 Advantages of Wireless
Networking (continued)
 Increased reliability
o Network cable failures may be the most common
source of network problems
 Disaster recovery
o In the event of a disaster, managers can quickly
relocate the office

Wireless Communications 62
 Disadvantages of Wireless
Networking
 Radio signal interference
o The potential for two types of signal interference
exists
 Security
o It is possible for an intruder to be lurking
outdoors with a notebook computer and wireless
NIC
• With the intent of intercepting the signals from a
nearby wireless network
o Some wireless technologies can provide added
levels of security

Wireless Communications 63
 Disadvantages of Wireless
Networking (continued)
 Health risks
o High levels of RF can produce biological damage
through heating effects
• Wireless devices emit low levels of RF while being used

Wireless Communications 64
 Evolution of Wireless Networks..
Mobile Telephony System
• The first public telephone system known as
Mobile Telephone System(MTS)
• It was also known as Car-based mobile
Telephony
• Mobile Transceivers of MTS were very big
and could be carried only by vehicles.
• MTS was Analog system
• Meaning that it processed voice
information as continuous waveform

65
• The system was half-duplex
• Communication parties at a time could
either speak or listen
• To Switch between the two modes,
users had to push a specific button on
the terminal
• MTS utilized a Base Station(BS) with a
single high-power transmitter

66
 • Base Stations utilized the same frequencies
• Due to Power limitations, mobile units
transmitted not directly to the BS but to
receiving sites
• How a call happen in MTS?
• The caller first called a special number to
connect to an MTS operator
• The caller informed the operator of the mobile
subscriber’s number
• Then then the operator searched for an idle
channel in order to relay the call to the mobile
terminal
• Major limitations:
• Manual Switching of calls
• Limited /channels are available (3 channels) 67
Improved Mobile Telephone System(IMTS)
• Utilized automatic call switching
• Enhanced its mode of transmission to full –
duplex
• The intermediation of the operator in a call
is eliminated
• Number of channel increased to 23
IMTS has also problems:
• Providing a small capacity, because of
spectrum usage
• Interference to adjacent systems due to
large power of BS transmitter

68
Analog Cellular Telephony Era
• The first cellular concept issued at AT&T Bell
Laboratories
• The cellular concepts replaces high-coverage
BSs with a number of low-coverage stations
• Area of coverage of each such BS is
called a Cell
• The system was divided into a set of
adjacent, non-overlapping cells
• The available spectrum is
partitioned into channels
• Each BS is connected via wires to a
device in Mobile Switching Center
(MSC)
• The first generation of cellular
systems(1G systems) – concept
designed
69
• Analog cellular systems were the
Digital Cellular Telephony
• Analog cellular Eras had Limited performance (which
is alleviated in Digital Cellular era)
• The major issues: Data is represented digitally
• Voices signals through an Analog to Digital(ATD)
converter converted to bit stream to modulate an RF
carrier
The major advantage of Digital Era:
• Privacy and security
• In digital systems, it is possible to apply error
detection and error correction techniques to the
voice bit stream
• RF carrier is shared by more than one user, either
by using different time slots or different codes per
user
The Second Generation Cellular(2G) network 70
conceived here
Cordless Phones
• The invention of Phones has
• Primary aim to replace the cord of conventional
telephones with a wireless link
• To enable user move while speaking i.e. to support
Mobility
• Early Cordless telephones were analog which
had poor call Quality, Changed in 1G of digital
cordless telephones
• 1G digital cordless telephone was successful,
However there was Handset Usage Restriction
• Tele point system avoid the restriction which is 2G
digital cordless phone
• The other problem is roaming between tele point
BSs was not supported 71
Wireless Data System
• The first wireless data system is developed in
1970’s at university of Hawaii,
• ALOHANET Research project
“the idea of the project was to offer bi-
directional
communication between computers spread
over four
islands and a central computer on the island
• Wide Area Data System, Wireless Local Area
of Oahu
Networks(WLANS), Wireless
without the use of phone ATM(WATM), etc
lines.”

72
Satellite Communication/Network
• Most Useful wireless communication
technology
• Utilize the application of Satellite to enable
communication regardless of geographical
location
What Benefits such communication brought:
• No need to bother about the cell phone
broadcast tower
• Avoids the need of physical connection
• Ensure that users are completely free from
telecommunication infrastructure

73
 Communication Models
• A network protocol is a formal set of rules, conventions
and data structure that governs how computers and
other network devices exchange information over a
network
• In earlier days, many of the networks that were built
used different hardware and software implementations
– they were incompatible and it became difficult for
networks using different specifications to communicate
with each other
• To address the problem of networks being incompatible and
unable to communicate with each other, we need some way
of model
• The two most widely known communication models are:
– OSI
– TCP/IP
74
 Evolution of Wireless Networks..
• Marconi invented the wireless telegraph in 1896.
– By encoding alphanumeric characters in analog signals,
he sent telegraphic signals across the Atlantic Ocean.
– This led to a great many developments in wireless
communication networks that support radio, television,
mobile telephone, and satellite systems that have
changed our lives.
• Unidirectional information transmission
– was done for entertainment broadcasting. By the late 1930s,
• The need for bidirectional mobile communications
emerged
– Military ,police departments ,fire station….
• Many sophisticated military radio systems were
developed during and after WW2
75
Summary

 Wireless communications have become

commonplace
 Wireless networks and devices are found in
all circles of life today
 Wireless wide area networks will enable
companies of all sizes to interconnect their
offices
o Without the high cost charged by telephone
carriers for their landline connections
 WLAN applications are found in a wide
variety of industries and organizations 76
Summary (continued)

 Remote sensors
o Capable of communicating using wireless
technologies
o Used in large manufacturing facilities
• To monitor equipment and for scientific research
 Wireless communication advantages
o Mobility
o Easier and less expensive installation
o Increased network reliability
o Support for disaster recovery

77
Summary (continued)
 Wireless communication disadvantages
o Radio signal interference
o Security issues
o Health risks

78