Technical University of Mombasa

Session 3: Wireless Technologies

3.1 Introduction to Wireless Technologies
The highlights of wireless LANs in terms of data rates, distance covered, target
applications, frequency allocation, location management, and physical
communications.

a Data Rates and Distance Covered

WLAN data rates typically range from 11 to 54 Mbps. The data rates could be affected
by airwave congestion (number of users), range, and the type of WLAN system used,
as well as the latency and bottlenecks on the wired portions of the WLAN.
Most wireless LAN systems use RF because radio waves can penetrate many
indoor walls and surfaces. The range (or radius of coverage) for typical WLAN
systems is around 100 meters. Coverage can be extended and roaming can be
supported through microcells and bridges.

b Target Applications
The applications targeted for WLANs are mostly data applications for offices and
home networking situations. Thus, WLANs are used commonly for emails, Web
browsing, and corporate applications/data access. However, many new voice over
802.11 systems from companies such as Cisco are currently becoming available.

c Frequency Allocations
WLANs mostly use unregulated bands. For example, 802.11 uses the Industrial,
Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. The use of unregulated bands has two major
implications: a) the users do not have to pay a usage fee, and b) greater interference
from other devices that also use these bands is possible.

c Location Management
Due to the relatively short communication distances covered by WLANs, the senders
and receivers do not travel far from each other. WLAN users typically sit in a spot and
walk around in offices or homes. This is quite different from cellular phone users who
use the cellular phone while travelling in cars and trains. Thus extensive location
management is not needed in WLANs.

d Physical Communications
Many serious problems must be faced at the physical communication (layer 1 and 2)
by WLANs. First, multiple access mechanisms is important because contention and
interference from other devices can be high. One of the main reasons is that WLANs
typically operate in unregulated frequency bands which are very crowded. For
example, 802.11 LANs (especially the very popular 802.11b and 802.11g) operate in

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the same band (ISM at 2.4 GHz) as Bluetooth. The techniques used are mainly based
on spread spectrum (FHSS or DSSS).

3.2 Wireless LAN Technologies

Figure 6-3 shows the key wireless technologies: LAN adapters, access points, and
wireless communication technologies.

Figure 3.1: Wireless LAN Technologies

a) Wireless LAN Adapters

End users access WLANs through wireless LAN adapters, which are implemented as
PC cards in laptops, or use appropriate adapters in desktop computers, or fully integrated
devices within handheld computers. Wireless LAN adapters are in fact miniature
transceivers that provide an interface between the client network operating system (NOS)
and the airwaves via an omni-directional antenna. The nature of the wireless connection
is transparent to the NOS.

b) Access Points
An access point is a transmitter/receiver (transceiver) device that connects wireless
LANs to other wired or wireless networks by using an omnidirectional antenna. It performs
two functions: a) it acts as a repeater between two wireless LANs, and b) it acts as a
connector (bridge) between wired and wireless networks. For example, an access point can
connect your wireless LAN to an Ethernet network from a fixed location using

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standard Ethernet cable. It can also act as a repeater between two wireless LANs, thus
increasing the area covered – it effectively doubles the distance between wireless PCs.
The access point receives, buffers, and transmits data between the wireless LAN and the
wired/wireless networks by using omnidirectional antennas. A single access point can
support a small group of users and can function within a range of less than one
hundred to several hundred feet. For wider radio coverage, the access point (or the
antenna attached to the access point) is usually mounted high. An example of access
points is the Cisco Aironet 340 AP (visit the Cisco site, http://www.cisco.com/ for
detailed specification).

Terms
Cell, Microcells and Roaming
Wireless communication is limited by how far signals carry for a given power output.
Wireless LANs use cells, called microcells, similar to the cellular telephone system to
extend the range of wireless connectivity. At any point in time, a mobile PC equipped
with a wireless LAN adapter is associated with a single access point and its microcell,
or area of coverage.

Individual microcells overlap to allow continuous communication within a wired

network. They handle low-power signals and “hand off” users as they roam through
a given geographic area. Figure 6-4 illustrates microcells in a wireless LAN
environment.

Figure 3: Microcells and Roaming in a Wireless LAN Environment

3.3 Wireless Technologies Broader in Scope

a) Wireless Broadband
Wireless broadband is an increasing market segment. The FCC defines broadband
service as data transmission speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per second (Kbps), or 200,000 bits

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per second, in at least one direction. Users may use wireless PDAs to access the Internet,
receive and send email, download video and music, and more.
• Wireless providers have the potential to become viable competitors in the
broadband market and offer a vehicle for reaching areas not yet served by wire
line broadband.
• Wireless broadband can offer the unique advantage of mobility. Wireless
services often times are more cost effective and efficient way to provide services
to rural and sparsely populated areas.

b) Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is “a form of wireless broadband technology that involves multiple antennae
that send parallel streams of data.” Wi-Fi is a registered trademark term promoted by
the Wi-Fi Alliance, a group of wireless Internet hardware and software providers that
certify “802.11” products for network interoperability.
• Wi-Fi is currently deployed in buildings, such as homes, restaurants, hotels,
and airports, or open locations, such as city parks and university campuses, but
has the capacity to evolve into “go-anywhere, connect-anywhere” type of
networking.
• As a result of Wi-Fi’s MIMO (multiple-input, multiple output) technology, Wi-
Fi’s bandwidth has increased from 54 Mbps to 108 Mbps and is predicted to
ultimately reach 500 Mbps.
• However, computer users can only access the Internet with a Wi-Fi high-speed
wireless connection if they are within 300 feet of a transmitting antenna and
have the appropriate receiving hardware installed in their computers.
Wi-Fi networks can be set up by installing multiple antennas on street lights, traffic
signals, and buildings, so that multiple wireless hotspots overlap each other to form a
continuous “mesh” network of wireless signals.

Question: Explain the term “Hotspot”.

c) WiMAX (Wireless Interoperability Microwave Access)

WiMAX is the technology that is used to cover the “last mile”. It offers mobility over
a “hot zone,” a much larger area (up to a four-to-six-mile range) than is covered by a
Wi-Fi deployment, peak speeds of 20 Mbps, and is relatively cost-effective.

d) Wireless Local Area Networks (LANs)

A wireless local area network (LAN) is a type of local-area network that uses high-
frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes.
Each node, which may be a personal computer, workstation or printer, has its own
central processing unit (CPU) which it uses to execute programs, but it can also
remotely access data and other devices anywhere on the LAN.

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This allows multiple users to share expensive devices (such as laser printers), access
data from remote locations, and communicate with each other by exchanging email.

d) Ultra wideband
Ultra wideband (also known as UWB or as digital pulse wireless) is a wireless
technology used “for transmitting large amounts of digital data over a wide spectrum
of frequency bands with very low power for a short distance.”

In addition to being able to carry huge amounts of data over a short distance (up to
230 feet) at very low power, ultra wideband radio also has the ability to carry signals
through doors and other obstacles.

Although ultra wideband has traditionally had only two main types of applications
(applications involving radar and voice and data transmission using digital pulses,
allowing a low powered signal to carry information at high rates within a restricted
range), it may have a significant impact on electronic products in the future.

e) Bluetooth
“Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range communications system intended to
replace the cables connecting portable and/or fixed electronic devices.” The Bluetooth
core system is comprised of an RF transceiver, baseband, and protocol stack.
The Bluetooth system provides services that enable the connection of devices and the
exchange of a variety of data classes between these devices.

Bluetooth technology enables mobile phones, computers, and personal digital

assistants (PDAs) to be easily interconnected using a short-range wireless connection.
Using this technology, users of cellular phones, pagers, and personal digital assistants
can buy a three-in-one phone that can double as a portable phone at home or in the
office, get quickly synchronized with information in a desktop or notebook computer,
initiate the sending or receiving of a fax, initiate a print-out, and, in general, have all
mobile and fixed computer devices be totally coordinated.
Bluetooth, however, requires that a low-cost transceiver chip be included in each
device.

f) RFID
RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) is a wireless technology that “incorporates the
use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency (RF) portion of
the electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal, or person.” An
RFID system has three components: an antenna and transceiver (often combined into
one reader) and a transponder, sometimes referred to as the “tag.” The antenna
transmits a signal over radio waves and activates the transponder. Once activated, the

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tag transmits data back to the antenna. RFID is increasingly being used as an
alternative to the bar code that has the advantage of not requiring direct contact or
line-of-sight scanning. RFID tags are also used to track assets, manage inventory and
authorize payments, and they increasingly serve as electronic keys for everything
from autos to secure facilities.

3.4 Convergence of Wireless Device Functionality

This section examines the new devices that are being deployed by wireless carriers.
One website, www.phonescoop.com, includes a listing of devices newly offered by
service providers, as well as listings of devices newly authorized by the FCC. The
examples given in this section are not meant to be an exhaustive list of the products
available to consumers, but rather illustrative of the high degree of innovation in the
wireless device marketplace.

a) Cellular Phones
Dual-mode Wi-Fi phones were introduced in 2006 and are being marketed by several
providers. The phone functions like a regular cell phone, but connects to a Wi-Fi hot
spot when indoors. In mid-2006, T-Mobile introduced its “HotSpot@Home” dual-
mode, Wi-Fi device in limited markets. HotSpot@home is based on Unlicensed Mobile
Access (UMA) technology, which permits wireless operators to offer familiar GSM
services over unlicensed spectrum using WiFi technology. HotSpot@Home requires a
dual mode GSM/WiFi handset and a broadband connection

b) Smartphones
A smartphone is any electronic handheld device that integrates the functionality of a
mobile phone, personal digital assistant or other information appliance. This is often
achieved by adding telephone functions to an existing PDA or putting “smart”
capabilities, such as PDA functions, into a mobile phone. The following are some
examples of the variety of Smartphone devices and functions to which consumers
have access.
• BlackBerry Bold 9900 Touch, allows access Yahoo e-mail accounts directly on
handset and receive real-time delivery of e-mail messages sent to their Yahoo e-
mail accounts. This device contains Bluetooth technology, speakerphone
capabilities, wireless e-mail, text messaging, a web browser, instant messaging,
an organizer, and RIM’s SureType technology, HD Video camera, 3G Internet,
Capacitive touch screen, memory card support amd is WiFi enabled.
Samsung Galaxy S III, Huawei 8860 Honor, iPhone 5 also have similar capabilities
and much more.

Question:

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Visit gsmarena.com and write down the features of your dream phone for the Valentine Day
Gift.

c) Pocket PCs/PDAs
Devices such as Pocket PCs and PDAs are increasingly converging with mobile
technologies. For example, the Palm TX is equipped with an integrated Wi-Fi chip and
100MB of user-accessible flash memory. Flash memory can store data even if the
device loses battery power and utilizes a “312MHz XScale processor from Intel, an
expansion card slot that supports the SD I/O, SD, and multimedia card (MMC)
formats, and a 320-pixel by 480-pixel screen.”

The Palm TX also includes DataViz’s Documents To Go software for creating and
editing files and is compatible with MobiTV’s application that will allow users to
watch live television on handheld devices.
The Palm Z22 is equipped with a color screen and 20MB of user-accessible flash
memory. The Z22 is very inexpensive (said to be “cheaper than buying a paper
organizer and refilling it every year with the new calendar”) and appropriate for
persons who do not need a Wi-Fi connection.

d) Laptop Computers
Wireless technologies are increasingly becoming standard features in laptop
computers. Consider the following examples of manufacturers who are adding
features that can be used with wireless technologies. For example, in the U.S., Dell
customers can purchase Latitude D620 and D820 laptop computers equipped with
Verizon or Cingular’s 3G as well Wi-Fi technologies for wireless data capabilities. 4G
Mobile and the Dubai based i-mate have launched the world’s first Windows Mobile
5.0 mini laptop phones in India.

e) Bluetooth Devices
Bluetooth devices use wireless technologies to increase the ease of use and the
consumer’s experience with electronic devices. The Bluetooth Media Player Headset
is an adapter that sits between headphones and any audio/media player
(CD/DVD/MP3) and provides wireless Bluetooth headset functionality. The
Bluetooth Media Player Headset enables a user to answer a call while listening to
music by switching to Bluetooth mode.

f) Digital Cameras
Digital cameras are also incorporating wireless technologies to increase consumer
experiences. For example, Kodak’s EasyShare-One zoom digital cameras now allow
digital pictures to be sent by e-mail directly from the camera, without cables and
without access to a computer. The camera is equipped with a pop-up Wi-Fi card that

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makes it possible to share pictures wirelessly. However, in order to send pictures
wirelessly, the Easy-Share-One must access a Wi-Fi network or a public hotspot.

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