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Introduction To Mobile Computing

Mobile computing allows people to access information from any location through wireless connections to networks. It enables four types of devices: fixed and wired, mobile and wired, fixed and wireless, and mobile and wireless. Mobile computing has applications in transportation, emergencies, business, transactions, replacing wired networks, and entertainment. It provides benefits such as access to timely information, communication in disasters, leveraging competitive advantages, and infotainment.

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Harish Sarki
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171 views3 pages

Introduction To Mobile Computing

Mobile computing allows people to access information from any location through wireless connections to networks. It enables four types of devices: fixed and wired, mobile and wired, fixed and wireless, and mobile and wireless. Mobile computing has applications in transportation, emergencies, business, transactions, replacing wired networks, and entertainment. It provides benefits such as access to timely information, communication in disasters, leveraging competitive advantages, and infotainment.

Uploaded by

Harish Sarki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Mobile Computing

The rapidly expanding technology of cellular communication, wireless


LANs, and satellite services will make information accessible anywhere and at
any time. Regardless of size, most mobile computers will be equipped with a
wireless connection to the fixed part of the network, and, perhaps, to other
mobile computers. The resulting computing environment, which is often
referred to as mobile or nomadic computing, no longer requires users to
maintain a fixed and universally known position in the network and enables
almost unrestricted mobility. Mobility and portability will create an entire new
class of applications and, possibly, new massive markets combining personal
computing and consumer electronics.

Mobile Computing is an umbrella term used to describe technologies


that enable people to access network services anyplace, anytime, and
anywhere.

A communication device can exhibit any one of the following characteristics:


 Fixed and wired: This configuration describes the typical desktop computer
in an office. Neither weight nor power consumption of the devices allow for
mobile usage. The devices use fixed networks for performance reasons. 


 Mobile and wired: Many of today’s laptops fall into this category; users
carry the laptop from one hotel to the next, reconnecting to the company’s
network via the telephone network and a modem. 


 Fixed and wireless: This mode is used for installing networks, e.g., in
historical buildings to avoid damage by installing wires, or at trade shows to
ensure fast network setup. 


 Mobile and wireless: This is the most interesting case. No cable restricts the
user, who can roam between different wireless networks. Most technologies
discussed in this book deal with this type of device and the networks
supporting them. Today’s most successful example for this category is GSM
with more than 800 million users. 
APPLICATIONS OF MOBILE COMPUTING
In many fields of work, the ability to keep on the move is vital in order to utilize
time efficiently. The importance of Mobile Computers has been highlighted in
many fields of which a few are described below:

a. Vehicles: Music, news, road conditions, weather reports, and other


broadcast information are received via digital audio broadcasting (DAB) with
1.5 Mbit/s. For personal communication, a universal mobile
telecommunications system (UMTS) phone might be available offering voice
and data connectivity with 384 kbit/s. The current position of the car is
determined via the global positioning system (GPS). Cars driving in the same
area build a local ad-hoc network for the fast exchange of information in
emergency situations or to help each other keep a safe distance. In case of
an accident, not only will the airbag be triggered, but the police and
ambulance service will be informed via an emergency call to a service
provider. Buses, trucks, and trains are already transmitting maintenance and
logistic information to their home base, which helps to improve organization
(fleet management), and saves time and money.

b. Emergencies: An ambulance with a high-quality wireless connection to


a hospital can carry vital information about injured persons to the hospital
from the scene of the accident. All the necessary steps for this particular
type of accident can be prepared and specialists can be consulted for an
early diagnosis. Wireless networks are the only means of communication in
the case of natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. In the worst
cases, only decentralized, wireless ad-hoc networks survive.

c. Business: Managers can use mobile computers say, critical presentations


to major customers. They can access the latest market share information. At
a small recess, they can revise the presentation to take advantage of this
information. They can communicate with the office about possible new
offers and call meetings for discussing responds to the new proposals.
Therefore, mobile computers can leverage competitive advantages. A
travelling salesman today needs instant access to the company’s database:
to ensure that files on his or her laptop reflect the current situation, 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.

d. 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.
This can speed up the transaction process and relieve congestion at the POS
terminals.

e. Replacement of Wired Networks: wireless networks can also be


used to replace wired networks, e.g., remote sensors, for tradeshows, or in
historic buildings. Due to economic reasons, it is often impossible to wire
remote sensors for weather forecasts, earthquake detection, or to provide
environmental information. Wireless connections, e.g., via satellite, can help
in this situation. Other examples for wireless networks are computers,
sensors, or information displays in historical buildings, where excess cabling
may destroy valuable walls or floors.

f. Infotainment: wireless networks can provide up-to-date information at


any appropriate location. The travel guide might tell you something about
the history of a building (knowing via GPS, contact to a local base station, or
triangulation where you are) downloading information about a concert in
the building at the same evening via a local wireless network. Another
growing field of wireless network applications lies in entertainment and
games to enable, e.g., ad-hoc gaming networks as soon as people meet to
play together.

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