Ch-2

Mobile
Computing

By Shewangizaw L. 1
 Fundamentals of Mobile Computing
➢ Mobile computing systems are computing systems that may be
easily moved physically and whose computing capabilities may be
used while they are being moved.
➢ Mobile Computing 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.
➢ Mobile computing describes technologies that :
➢ Enable people to access network services anyplace, anytime and any user.
➢ With portable and wireless computing and communication devices.
➢ It provides decentralized (distributed) computations on diversified
devices, systems, and networks, which are mobile, synchronized,
and interconnected via mobile communication standards and
protocols.

By Shewangizaw L. 2
 Fundamentals of Mobile Computing
➢ Mobile Computing is an umbrella term used to describe
technologies that enable people to access network services
anyplace, anytime, and anywhere. Examples are laptops,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), and mobile phones.
➢ There are many things that a mobile computing system can do
that a stationary computing system cannot do; these added
functionalities are the reason for separately characterizing
mobile computing systems.

➢ Among the distinguishing aspects of mobile computing systems

are their prevalent wireless network connectivity, their small size,
the mobile nature of their use, their power sources, and their
functionalities that are particularly suited to the mobile user.

By Shewangizaw L. 3
Fundamentals of Mobile Computing

???
Mobile Computing
Vs
Ubiquitous Computing
vs
Pervasive Computing
By Shewangizaw L. 4
 Fundamentals of Mobile Computing
Mobile Computing vs Ubiquitous Computing vs Pervasive Computing
➢ Mobile Computing is a generic term describing the application of
small, portable, and wireless computing and communication devices.
➢ Mobile computing is when you bring the computer with you.
Example smartphones, Laptop.
➢ Ubiquitous computing (ubicomp, or sometimes ubiqcomp) integrates
computation into the environment, rather than having computers
which are distinct objects.
➢ Ubiquitous computing is wherever you go, there is a computer you
can use. Example internet cafe, mainframe terminals.
➢ Pervasive computing: when computers are everywhere inside all
things, maybe also within you. Example IoT enabled Devices like
Smart Refrigerators, Blood Pressure and Sugar Level Sensors.

By Shewangizaw L. 5
 Components of Mobile Computing
➢ The major components of mobile computing are
❖Mobile Communication

❖Mobile Hardware

❖Mobile Software

By Shewangizaw L. 6
 Mobile Communication
➢ Mobile Communication specifies a framework that is responsible
for the working of mobile computing technology. In this case,
mobile communication refers to an infrastructure that ensures
seamless and reliable communication among wireless devices.
➢ The mobile communication framework consists of communication
devices such as protocols, data formats, services, bandwidth, and
portals necessary to facilitate and support the stated services. These
devices are responsible for delivering a smooth communication
process.
➢ Since the media is unguided / unbounded, the overlaying
infrastructure is basically radio wave-oriented. That is, the signals
are carried over the air to intended devices that are capable of
receiving and sending similar kinds of signals.

By Shewangizaw L. 7
 Mobile Hardware
➢ Mobile hardware includes mobile devices or device
components that receive or access the service of mobility. They
would range from portable laptops, smart phones, tablet Pc's,
Personal Digital Assistants. These devices are inbuilt with a
receptor medium that can send and receive signals.

By Shewangizaw L. 8
 Mobile software
➢ Mobile software is the actual program that runs on the mobile
hardware. It deals with the characteristics and requirements of
mobile applications. This is the engine of the mobile device,
which is also called the operating system of the appliance.

➢ Since portability is the main factor, this type of computing

ensures that users are not tied or pinned to a single physical
location, but are able to operate from anywhere. It
incorporates all aspects of wireless communications.

By Shewangizaw L. 9
 Evolution of Mobile Computing
➢ The advent of portable computers and laptops, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDA), PC tablets and smartphones, has in turn made
mobile computing very convenient.
➢ The portability of these devices ensure and enable the users to
access all services at anytime, anywhere.

Reading
Assignment

Evolution of Computing 10
By Shewangizaw L.
Mobile Computing Vs Wireless Networking
➢ The terms "mobile" and "wireless" are often used interchangeably but in
reality, they are two very different concepts.
➢ Mobile is a word that is commonly used to describe portable devices. A
mobile device is one that is made to be taken anywhere. It ca help to
send and receive data without attaching to a hardware infrastructure.
➢ Wireless, on the other hand, does not mean mobile. Traditional
computers or other non-mobile devices can access wireless networks.
Wireless refers to the method of transferring information between a
computing device and a data source without a physical connection.
➢ Wireless networking provides the basic communication infrastructure
necessary to make this possible.
➢ Mobile computing is based on wireless networking and helps to invoke
computing services on remote servers while on the move. So wireless
networking is an important and necessary ingredient of mobile
computing.

By Shewangizaw L. 11
Types of Mobile Computing
???
Portable Computing
Vs
Mobility Computing:

By Shewangizaw L. 12
 Types of Mobile Computing
➢ Mobile computing is divided into two categories like as portable
computing and mobility computing.
➢ Portable Computing:
❖ Portable computing has to need wired communication. All
users have freedom to move these devices themselves anywhere
and anytime but it requires to access them to make connection
them with a network line, so it is known as “Portable
Computing“.
➢ Mobility Computing:
❖ It is also called of “Mobile Computing“, so it is refers to
wireless communication system. Mobile computing produces
better environment that users can send any type of data from
one location to other location anywhere and anytime with
using of mobile computing devices without getting any
physical connections.
By Shewangizaw L. 13
 Paradigms in mobile computing
The main characteristics of mobile computing are
➢ Low power computing: Mobile computing brings about a focus
on energy efficiency and performance optimization that guarantees
reliability just like with other computer devices. Mobile
technologies and designs squeeze more powerful performance
into ever-smaller devices which consequently boost battery life, by
minimizing the peripheral components that consume power.

➢ Computing in an environment with limited resources:

Mobile computing designs have enabled advancement in system
integration, processing innovation and idle power management.
Mobile computing devices can work with low power
consumption, cool operation and light weight memory
consumption.
By Shewangizaw L. 14
 Paradigms in mobile computing
➢ Fault tolerance and persistence: Due to the distributed nature
of mobile computing design, a service breakdown in one of the
node is corrected by services of other functioning nodes.

➢ Pervasiveness/ubiquity: Any time any place computing, unlike

a desktop in an office.

➢ Varying User Interfaces: Using a combination of interface

types in mobile devices is not uncommon. Examples of some
alternative interfaces are voice user interfaces, smaller displays,
stylus and other pointing devices, touch-screen displays, and
miniature keyboards.

By Shewangizaw L. 15
 Mobile Computing Devices
➢ A mobile computing device is any device that is created using
mobile components, such as mobile hardware and software.
➢ Mobile computing devices are portable devices capable of
operating, executing and providing services and applications like a
typical computing device.
➢ Mobile computing devices also may be known as portable
computing devices or handheld computing devices.
➢ Mobile computing devices have similar hardware and software
components as those used in personal computers, such as CPU,
RAM and hard drive, Wi-Fi, and a base operating system.
However, they differ from PCS in that they are built specifically
for mobile architecture and to enable portability.

By Shewangizaw L. 16
 Mobile Computing Devices
➢ The characteristics that make them different-
❖ Size: The portability of mobile devices demand a smaller size. Reduction in
size without reducing capabilities have also always been a challenge when
developing mobile devices.
❖ Power Source: Mobile devices are usually powered by rechargeable batteries.
Improving the battery life of mobile devices is another significant area of
research.
❖ Operating System: Laptops run on more or less the same OS as PCs, but for
smartphones and other devices, the OS is significantly different. They are
powerful but scaled-down and made specifically for particular devices.
❖ Connectivity: Mobile computing devices have capabilities that allow access
to the internet. Also, mobile devices like smartphones have access to mobile
broadband networks that allow you to make and receive phone calls.
❖ Applications: Applications meant for mobile devices are specifically designed
for running on a particular OS. These applications are what extends the
capabilities of devices beyond just connecting to the internet or making calls.

By Shewangizaw L. 17
 Mobile Computing Devices
➢ Basic types of mobile devices range from :
❖ Laptop: Laptop computers are portable personal computers.
❖ Smartphone: A smartphone is a mobile phone with powerful
capabilities. They typically have a touchscreen interface, have internet
access, can run various applications, and include features like a camera
and GPS.
❖ Tablet computer: Tablets have touchscreens and virtual keyboards,
and are often thought of as an intermediary between a laptop and a
smartphone.
❖ Wearable: A more recent addition, wearable computers like
smartwatches offer limited features similar to a smartphone within a
watch.
❖ Sensors: devices that sense the physical environment e.g. sensors for
temperature, pressure, light, metal, smoke, and proximity to an object.

By Shewangizaw L. 18
Mobile Computing Devices

19
By Shewangizaw L.
 Mobile Computing Devices
➢ The mobile computing devices can be characterized as either:

➢ Fixed and Wired: In Fixed and Wired configuration, the devices

are fixed at a position, and they are connected through a physical
link to communicate with other devices.
❖ Example, Desktop Computer.
By Shewangizaw L. 20
 Mobile Computing Devices
➢ Fixed and Wireless: In Fixed and Wireless configuration, 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: In Mobile and Wired configuration, some
devices are wired, and some are mobile. They altogether make
communication with other devices.
❖ Example, Laptops.
➢ Mobile and Wireless: In Mobile and Wireless configuration, 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.

By Shewangizaw L. 21
 Mobile Software
➢ Mobile software-: For the hardware to work, they need the support
of mobile software ,just like computer devices. Therefore, mobile
software are programs that run on the hardware; which include
both the operating systems and the application software.
➢ Mobile operating systems help to start the hardware devices and
also to support the functionality of mobile apps. Major Mobile OS
software include:
➢ Android OS: The OS is open source which is mostly developed
and maintained by Google. This is one of the latest and the most
improved OS which runs on smart-phones, watches, cars and TVs.
➢ iOS: Apple's very own operating system, iOS runs the company's
iPod, iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch devices. It is only available on
Apple products and responds to commands from the user's
fingertips.
By Shewangizaw L. 22
 Mobile Software
➢ Palm OS: It was initially developed by Palm, Inc. It focused in
including the functionality of touch screen on mobile devices
➢ Win CE: Windows Embedded Compact is an Microsoft product
that has a hybrid kernel/OS framework. Used in windows phones.
It is mainly designed for real-time applications e.g. cable TV set
top-boxes.
➢ Symbian OS: Was initially developed in Europe by Nokia as an
operating system targeting mobile devices.
➢ BlackBerry OS: is a mobile operating system developed
by Research In Motion (RIM). This operating system was
designed specifically for BlackBerry handheld devices.
➢ Harmony OS: The harmony operating system is the latest mobile
operating system that was developed by Huawei for the use of its
devices. It is designed primarily for IoT devices.
By Shewangizaw L. 23
 Mobile Computing Technologies
➢ Mobile computing allows transferring of the data/information,
audio, video, or any other document without any connection to
the base or central network. There are some wireless/mobile
computing technologies given below:
➢ GSM (Global System of Mobile communication)
❖ GSM is a Current circuit-switched wireless data communication
technology. GSM is developed using TDMA (Time Division
Multiple Access) for better communication using mobile. It is the
most widely used mobile communication system and is mostly
required nowadays. It can achieve maximum data transmission
speed or data transmission rate up to 9.6Kbps (Kilobits per second).

By Shewangizaw L. 24
 Mobile Computing Technologies
➢ CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
❖ In CDMA, different users can share the same bandwidth. It is
made possible by assigning unique codes for each signal. Thus,
the users shouldn't adjust their space in the spectrum. CDMA
also gives more security to users than GSM.

➢ Global Positioning System (GPS):

❖ It is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides
location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or
near the Earth. The GPS program provides critical capabilities
to military, civil and commercial users around the world. In
addition, GPS is the backbone for modernizing the global air
traffic system, weather, and location services.

By Shewangizaw L. 25
 Mobile Computing Technologies
➢ WLL (Wireless loop Architecture):
❖ WLL allows users to connect to the local telephone station using
a wireless link and provides advanced features of customer
service. It provides high-quality data transmission, higher voice
quality and a high data transfer rate.

➢ Long Term Evolution (LTE):

❖ LTE is a standard for wireless communication of high-speed
data for mobile phones and data terminals. It is based on the
GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies,
increasing the capacity and speed using new modulation
techniques.

By Shewangizaw L. 26
 Mobile Computing Technologies
➢ WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access):
❖ WiMAX is a wireless communications standard designed to
provide 30 to 40 megabit-per-second data rates, with the latest
update providing up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations. It is a part of a
fourth generation or 4G wireless-communication technology.
WiMAX far surpasses the 30-metre wireless range of a
conventional Wi-Fi Local Area Network (LAN), offering a
metropolitan area network with a signal radius of about 50 km.
➢ Near Field Communication (NFC):
❖ NFC is a set of standards for smartphones and similar devices to
establish radio communication with each other by touching them
together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more
than a few centimeters. Present and anticipated applications include
contactless transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of
more complex communications such as Wi-Fi.
By Shewangizaw L. 27
Issues occurred in Mobile Computing
➢ Following is a list of issues and challenges in mobile computing.
1. Costly due to Wireless Medium
❖ The Mobile computing technology mainly focuses on wireless
infrastructure, so the cost of implementation is always high. It also
faces issues like efficiency, delays and security.

2. Issue due to Device Mobility

❖ To obtain the device mobility feature of mobile computing
technology, we have to install the highest standards' types of
equipment. So, whenever the mobile device changes its environment,
We have to configure the device mobility feature according to the
location, environment and surroundings of a mobile device
regularly.

By Shewangizaw L. 28
Issues occurred in Mobile Computing
3. Security Issues in Mobile Computing
➢ This is undoubtedly the biggest and one of the most issues we face in
mobile computing technology. It arises due to the shared medium
ability of mobile computing.
➢ The most significant security issues are:
❖ Physical Security or Data Security
❖ System Security or Network Security
4. Resource-poor
❖ Battery packs
❖ Hardware: Memory, CPU, peripherals
❖ Software – Middleware
❖ low bandwidth or bandwidth fluctuation
5. Heterogeneous network
❖ Different devices, interfaces and protocols

By Shewangizaw L. 29
 Advantages of Mobile Computing
➢ The following are main advantages of mobile computing:
1. Portability – The ability to easily switch a computer inside a learning
environment or between environments.
2. Social Interactivity – The opportunity for users to exchange data and
collaborate with one another.
3. Context Sensitivity – The ability to collect and respond to data that is
specific to a particular place, climate, or time.
4. Connectivity – The capacity to be remotely linked in any location for the
purpose of data communication.
5. Individual – The opportunity to use technology to provide scaffolding and
lesson customization for individual learners on challenging tasks.
6. Small Size – Because of their phone-like dimensions, mobile devices are
also known as handhelds, palmtops, and smartphones.
7. Quick service : We can sell a product or give service in quicker time by
using mobile computing.
By Shewangizaw L. 30
Disadvantages of Mobile Computing
1. Insufficient bandwidth- If the user needs access to a network such
as the in internet on the go, they must resort to slow wireless WANs
(Wide Are Network) system primarily intended for telephone use.
Higher speed wireless LANs (Local Area Network) are only available
in the specific sites.
2. Security standards- When working mobile one is dependent on
public networks requiring careful use of VPNs (Virtual Private
Network).
3. Power Consumption- due to the use of batteries in these devices,
these do not tend to last long, if in a situation where there is no
source of power for charging then that will certainly be a let down.
4. Human interface with device- These are still uncommon, screens
are often too small. Keyboards are impractical, especially one-handed,
and alternate methods such as speech or handwriting, recognition
require training.
By Shewangizaw L. 31
 Mobile Computing Applications
➢ The importance of Mobile Communication has been highlighted
in many fields. Some of which a few are described below:
➢ Replacement of Wired Networks:
❖ Remote sensors, e.g., weather, earth activities
❖ Flexibility for trade shows
❖ LANs in historic buildings
➢ Business:
❖ Managers can use mobile computers say, critical presentations to
major customers. They can access the latest market share information.
To enable the company to keep track of all activities of their travelling
employees, to keep databases consistent etc. With wireless access, the
laptop can be turned into a true mobile office, but efficient and
powerful synchronization mechanisms are needed to ensure data
consistency.
By Shewangizaw L. 32
 Mobile Computing Applications
➢ Vehicles:
❖ Transmission of news, road condition, weather, music (via DAB/DVB)
❖ Personal communication using GSM/UMTS
❖ Position via GPS
❖ Local ad-hoc network with vehicles close-by to prevent accidents,
guidance system, redundancy
❖ Vehicle data (e.g., from busses, high-speed trains) can be transmitted
in advance for maintenance.
➢ Emergencies:
❖ Early transmission of patient data to the hospital, current status, first
diagnosis
❖ Provide mobile infrastructure in dealing with Natural Disaster
(earthquake, hurricane, fire), terrorist attacks, war, ...

By Shewangizaw L. 33
 Mobile Computing Applications
➢ Credit Card Verification:
❖ At Point of Sale (POS) terminals in shops and supermarkets, when
customers use credit cards for transactions, the intercommunication
required between the bank central computer and the POS terminal, in
order to effect verification of the card usage, can take place quickly and
securely over cellular channels using a mobile computer unit.
➢ E-Governance:
❖ Governments are using many communication services to update their
rural areas. To provide health, education, safety , farming , weather
forecast and many other related information to governance, governments
are connecting rural areas with head quarter offices for monitoring.
➢ Infotainment:
❖ Mobile Multimedia (videos, TV, …)
❖ Intelligent travel guide with up-to-date location dependent information
❖ Ad-hoc networks for multi user games
By Shewangizaw L. 34
 Mobile Computing Applications
➢ Location dependent services:
➢ Location dependent services are those services that have been
developed as a result of mobile computing and wireless networks.
➢ These services include those which are used to identify the location
information and provide necessary information about that specific
location.
➢ Location based services are dependent on:
❖ Time Independency: Irrespective of the time, whenever the user
invokes the service the results should be available.
❖ Location dependent information: Irrespective of the location the
user should be able to obtain the information when needed.

By Shewangizaw L. 35
 Mobile Computing Applications
➢ Some types of location based services include:
❖ Location aware services: what services, e.g., printer, fax, phone,
server, etc. exist in the local environment
❖ Follow-on services: Automatic call-forwarding, transmission of
the actual workspace to the current location
❖ Information Services:
▪ “push”: e.g., current special offers in the supermarket
▪ “pull”: e.g., where can I find the closest Starbucks?
❖ Support Services: caches, intermediate results, state information,
etc. “follow” the mobile device through the fixed network. This
could be any service that the user utilizes as a result of its location.
❖ Privacy: who should gain knowledge about the location?

By Shewangizaw L. 36
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