Introduction to Mobile

Computing
CSE 3217
Md. Motaleb Hossen Manik
Lecturer
Department of CSE
KUET
What is Mobile Computing?
• Techniques that allow mobile users to use portable computing devices
to run stand-alone applications and/or to access remote ones via
wireless networks
• A simple definition could be:
• Mobile Computing is using a computer (of one kind) while on the move

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Other Names
• Many other names/overlapping computing paradigms:
Pervasive Computing
Ubiquitous Computing
Wireless Computing
Embedded Computing
Nomadic Computing
Wireless Sensor Networks
(Mobile) Ad-Hoc Networks
Mesh Networks
Vehicular Networks
…

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MC with WC
• Applications
• Location-awareness
• Mobility Support
Mobile Computing • Security
• Resource Management
• Network Protocols
• Broadcast
Wireless Communication
• Technologies
• Standards
• Wireless Medium

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Mobile Devices
• Smartphones
• Tablets
• Laptops
• Wearable devices
• GPS devices
• Personal assistants (e.g., Siri, Alexa,…)

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How did everything begin??

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1980s to early 2000:
Consistent innovation in wireless communication

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Cont.

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Generations of Mobile Technology
• First generation (1G)
• Introduced in 1980s
• Analog technology
• Large devices
• Second generation (2G)
• Introduced in 1990s
• Digital technology
• Introduced GSM network
• Improved call quality, messaging, and battery life

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Cont.
• Third generation (3G)
• Introduced in the early 2000s
• Faster data transfer speeds
• Introduced mobile internet, video calling, and multimedia messaging
• Fourth generation (4G)
• Introduced in the late 2000s
• Increased data speeds
• Enhanced mobile broadband, streaming, and high-quality video
• Enhanced app stores and mobile applications

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Cont.
• Other generations
• 5G
• AI integration
•…

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Modern Mobile Devices
• A modern mobile device contains almost all of the equipment that
was separate devices in earlier ages

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Smartphone as a Sensory Device

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Cont.

Application Support
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Cont.

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Anatomy of a Mobile Device
• Refers to its physical components and features
• Screen/Display
• Speaker
• Buttons
• Microphone
• Camera(s)
• Sensors

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Cont.
• Battery
• Charging port
• SIM card slot
• Memory and storage
• Processor
•…

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At Present and in Future
Microsoft, Intel, Cisco …
Mesh Networks and
Wireless Backbones

Personal Area
Networks
Motorola, Intel,
Samsung …

RFID and Citywatchers, Walmart

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The Solutions
• Optimized energy-efficient application design
• Provide offline facilities
• Use cloud-based services
• Develop cross-platform applications
• Use encryption techniques
• Use interface design guidelines

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A Big Question

Is Mobile Computing a wireless

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Wireless Communication
• Refers to transmission (data, info, signal) without a physical
connection
• Relies on electromagnetic waves or radio frequencies
• Used in
• Cell phone
• IoT devices

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Cont.
• Can be classified into
• Radio Frequency (RF) communication
• Cellular communication
• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Near Field Communication (NFC)
• Satellite communication
• Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)

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Challenges of Wireless Communication
• Limited bandwidth
• Security concerns
• Propagation delay
• Signal interference
• Energy consumption
• Line-of-sight problem

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The solutions
• Use QoS to prioritize traffic
• Deploy strong encryption techniques
• Use time synchronization and buffering
• Use advanced signal processing technology
• Optimize power management algorithms
• Use relay station or intermediate devices

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Wired vs. Wireless Communication
Aspects Wired Wireless
Connection Physical Waves
Transmission Faster Slower
Propagation delay Low High
Security More secure Less secure
Expense Less expensive More expensive
Installation and maintenance cost High Low

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Issues of Mobility
• Dynamic change of physical location
• Users may use devices from different places
• Dynamic change of logical addresses
• Users may use devices via different networks
• Frequent changes in system configuration
• Wi-Fi in indoor, cellular network in outdoor

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Applications of Mobile Computing
• Communications
• Voice calls
• Video calls
• Text messaging
• Education
• Distance-learning
• Knowledge sharing
• Entertainment
• Music and Video streaming
• Mobile gaming

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Cont.
• Internet accessing
• Browsing, searching
• Information retrieval
• Travelling
• Travel planning
• Location-based services
• E-commerce and banking
• Online shopping
• Mobile banking

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Cont.
• Health and fitness
• Health monitoring
• Fitness services
• Smart home control
• Home automation
• Voice assistant

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Acknowledgment

Dr. M.M.A. Hashem

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Thank You

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