COMPUTER SCIENCE NOTES (ICS_PART-I)

Written By: Ajab Noor

Lecturer in Computer Science GPGC Bannu

COMPUTER SCIENCE NOTES (ICS_PART_I)

UNIT#6

WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

2020
EDITION

2020
EDITION
2020
EDITION

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 COMPUTER SCIENCE NOTES (ICS_PART-I)

Define Wireless Network? What are the components of a Wireless

Network?
Wireless Network: A network set-up by using radio signal frequency to
communicate among computers and other network devices is called Wireless
Network. Sometimes it is also referred to as WLAN (Wireless LAN).
Components of Wireless Network: The two main components of a wireless
network are;
• Wireless Router or Access Point
• Wireless Clients
Access Points: It act as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless radio signals
including Wi-Fi and are used to support public internet hot spots.
Wireless Clients: A computer or a device equipped with a wireless NIC is known
as Wireless Client. These can communicate directly with each other or through a
wireless access point.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of Wireless Networks?

Advantages: A Wireless network has the following advantages;
• It is cheaper than wired network since they require no cables.
• It is easy to install.
• It provides mobility; it means users are not limited to a specific location.
• It provides more security than wired network because it can be used by
implementing strong passwords.
• It is easily expanded; adding new devices to a wireless network is very
easy.
• It is very useful in such areas where it may be difficult or expensive to
extend the wired network.
• Access points can be used to extend the wireless signal range.
• Wireless networks can provide quick and easy access to the internet for
students and teachers in colleges and universities.
Disadvantages: A Wireless network has the following disadvantages;
• A common disadvantage of wireless network is security; a hacker can hack
the wireless network easier than a wired network.
• The data transmission speed is slower than a wired network.
• Users may face installation problems if multiple wireless networks are
used in same building.
• Wireless networks are affected by external factors like rain, fog, dust
storms etc.
• Because of interference caused by electrical devices, it’s not stable as
compare to wired network.
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Discuss some important wireless communication terminologies?

The following are some important wireless communication technologies;
• Radio Signals
• Radio Transceiver
• Wireless Access point
• Line-of-Sight Communication
Radio Signals: Radio signals are electromagnetic waves which are used as a
transmission medium in wireless communication. The frequency range of radio
signal is 3 KHz-1 GHz.
Radio Transceiver (Transmitter and Receiver): It is a full-duplex wireless
communication device which is used to send as well as receive data through
radio signals.
Wireless Access Point: It act as a central transmitter and receiver of wireless
radio signals including Wi-Fi and are used to support public internet hot spots. It
has a built-in network adapter, antenna and radio transmitter. The access point
connects users to other users within the wireless local area network (WLAN).
Line-of-Sight Communication: It is a type of communication in which there is a
direct and clear path b/w a transmitting and receiving device. Microwaves are
used and repeaters can be used to extend their range. A common example of
line-of-sight communication is infrared (TV remote) for short distance and high
frequency microwaves (Mobile communication) for long distance
communication.
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Discuss Short Distance Wireless Communication Technologies?

The following are some common short distance wireless communication
technologies;
• Wi-Fi
• WiMax
• Bluetooth
• Infrared
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi stands for ‘Wireless fidelity’. It is a popular wireless networking
technology which used radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and
network connections. It used 802.11 standard, developed by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) in 1997. A person or business can
use a Wi-Fi router to create ‘hotspot’.
Hotspot: Any location or area in which devices can be connected wirelessly to a
network or gain internet access. Hotspots may be found in airports, hotels and
coffee shops.
WiMax: WiMax stands for ‘Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access’. It
provides internet and multimedia services at very high speed. WiMax works just

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like Wi-Fi in speed and its range is just like cellular network. It uses IEEE 802.16
standard for communication. Its range is up to 30 miles for fixed station and 3-
10 miles for mobile station. It provides portable, fully mobile internet and point
to multipoint links. Its data rate is about 72mega bits per second.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is used to connect different electronic devices wirelessly.
Whenever Bluetooth enable devices comes within range of each other, they
automatically connect to each other. With the help of Bluetooth, we can connect
non network devices such as laptop, mobile and camera etc. Its speed is
upto1Mbps. Wireless signals transmit up to 30 feet (10 meters). The network of
Bluetooth is called Piconet or PAN (Personal Area Network) and contains a
maximum of 8 peers.
Infrared: Infrared is short range unidirectional waves. Its length is longer than
visible light. It cannot penetrate through walls that is why in two adjacent rooms
using two different infrared devices has no effect on each other. Infrared
equipment’s are not too much expensive. Its speed is relatively slow. Used in car
locking system, mouse and keyboard of computers, burglar alarm and in remote
control of TVs.
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Discuss Long Distance Wireless Communication Technologies?

The following are some common long distance wireless communication
technologies;
• Cellular Communication
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
Cellular Communication: In cellular transmission the large area is divided into
smaller areas called cell. In each cell, a transmitter is used which has a low power
and has its own antenna. Each cell is allocated a band of frequencies and is
served by a base station (BTS), consisting of transmitter, receiver and control
unit. Adjacent cells are assigned different frequencies to avoid cross talk. Apart
cells used same frequencies. In early FM radio transmission, there was no
concept of frequency reuse so have no problem of interference but have limited
users. Cellular concept, based on frequency reuse solved the problem of user
capacity which occurs in radio system.
Characteristics of Cellular Networks: Following are some characteristics of
cellular networks.
• It consists of thousands of radio cells which can cover area from 500m to
35 km.
• It consists of several access networks and a single core network.
• It can cover the whole world.
• Initially designed for voice call and SMS, but nowadays used for data
transmission.
• Support of terminal and personal mobility
• Examples: GSM and CDMA.

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Global Positioning System (GPS): The GPS is a satellite-based system that is used
to locate positions anywhere on the earth. It is consisting of 24 satellites,
constructed and operated by the US Department of Defense (DoD). These
satellites are made into six groups, each of four satellites. The group of four
satellites is called Constellation. The orbital speed of each satellite is equal to
twelve hours. It is used for land, sea and air navigation to provide real time and
locations for vehicles and ships. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere
in the world, 24 hours a day.
GPS Segments: GPS has three segments or components.
Space Segment: It consists of 24 satellites that transmit one-way signals that
give the current GPS satellite position and time.
Control Segment: It consists of ground stations that make sure that the
satellites are working properly.
User Segment: It consists of GPS receiver that receives the signal from GPS
satellites and calculate the position and time.

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Discuss the categories of Satellite System?

The satellite system is divided into three types;
• Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO): A Geostationary Earth Orbit is circular orbit,
located directly above the earth’s equator at an altitude of about 35,786
kilometers. Satellites in this orbit seems to be stationary, when seen from the
earth surface, as it moves in the direction of earth rotation with the same speed
as the rotation of the earth. Such satellites are called geostationary. But one
geostationary satellite cannot cover the whole earth. It takes a minimum of
three satellites at equal distance from each other in geostationary earth orbit
(GEO) to provide full global transmission. Weather monitoring satellites are
geostationary satellites as they need to have a constant view of the same area.
Medium Earth Orbit (MEO): It is a satellite system used in telecommunications,
which orbit the earth b/w 1000 and 22,300 miles above the earth’s surface. MEO
are mainly used in GPS systems and are not stationary with rotation of the earth.
The orbital period of MEO satellites range from about 2 to 12 hours. MEO are
higher than low earth orbit (LEO) satellites but lower than geostationary
satellites (GEO). Telstar 1, an experimental satellite launched in 1962, orbited in
MEO.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO): It is a satellite system used in telecommunications, which
orbit b/w 500 and 2000 miles above the earth’s surface. It is mainly used for data
communication such as e-mail and video conferencing. LEO satellites are divided
into ‘Big LEOs’ and ‘Little LEOs’. Little LEOs provides cellular communication and
location services. Big LEOs carry voice and data broadband services. Most of the
satellites like the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle and the Hubble
Space Telescope operates in Low Earth Orbit.

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What is a Cellular Network?

A cellular network or mobile network is a wireless network distributed over land
areas called "cells", each cell is served by at least one fixed location transceiver,
known as a Cell Site or Base Station or Base Transceiver Station (BTS).

Each cell uses a different set of frequencies from neighbouring cells, to avoid
interference and provide guaranteed service quality within each cell.

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What is a Cell in Cellular Network?

The coverage area of cellular networks is divided into cells, each cell having its
own antenna for transmitting the signals. Each cell has its own frequency. The
shape of cells can be either square or hexagon.

When travelling out of the range of this cell system, the cell system can enable
you to be transferred to a neighbouring cell without you are being aware of it.
This is called Roaming services.

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What is Cell Splitting in Cellular Network?

Cell splitting is the process of dividing a larger cell into smaller cells to increase
capacity in congested areas.

Thus, antennas are placed in smaller cells which transmit low power compared
to larger cells.

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What is Handoff in Cellular Network?

The process of transferring an active call from one cell in a cellular network to
another or from one channel in a cell to another is called Handoff.

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What is Mobile Communication?

Mobile Communication is the use of technology that allows us to communicate
with others in different locations without the use of any physical connection
(wires or cables). Mobile communication makes our life easier, and it saves time
and effort. The mobile communication market requires mobility. The goal of
mobility is anytime and anywhere communications.

A mobile phone (also called mobile cellular network, cell phone or hand phone)
is an example of mobile communication (wireless communication). It is an
electric device used for full duplex two-way radio telecommunication over a
cellular network of base stations known as cell site.

Features of Mobile Communication: The following are the features of mobile

communication:

✓ The mobile communication provides the mobility.

 User Mobility: User communicate wirelessly anytime, anywhere,
with anyone.
 Device Mobility: Devices can be connected anytime, anywhere to
network.
✓ Offer very high capacity in a limited spectrum.
✓ Reuse of radio channel/frequency in different cells to increase both
coverage and capacity.
✓ Communication is always between mobile and base station (not directly
between mobiles).
✓ Each cellular base station is allocated a group of radio channels within a
small geographic area called a cell.
✓ Neighboring cells are assigned different channel groups.
✓ The cost of messaging and talking wirelessly is very lower.
✓ In mobile devices the services of MMS, GPRS and WAP can be used for
effective communication.

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Limitations of Mobile Communication: The following are the limitations of

mobile communication.

1) Insufficient Bandwidth: Mobile Internet access is generally slower than direct

cable connections. Higher speed wireless LANs are inexpensive but have very
limited range.

2) Security Issues: The privacy issues become more sensitive with mobile system.
For example, it is much easier for an individual to listen someone mobile calls
than on wired calls.

3) Power Consumption: When a power device or portable generator is not

available, mobile computers depends entirely on battery power.

4) Transmission Interferences: Weather, terrain, and the range from the nearest
signal point can all interfere with signal reception. Reception of signals in
tunnels, some buildings, and rural areas is often weak.

5) Health Hazards: People who use mobile phones while driving are often
distracted from driving and are thus assumed more likely to be involved in traffic
accidents. Cell phones may interfere with sensitive medical devices.

6) Human Interface with Device: Mobile screens and keyboards tend to be small,
which may make them hard to use. Alternate input methods such as speech or
handwriting recognition require training.

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What is Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)?

GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. It is a digital cellular
technology used for transmitting mobile voice and data services.

The concept of GSM emerged from a cell-based mobile radio system at Bell
Laboratories in the early 1970s.

GSM is the name of a standardization group established in 1982 to create a

common European mobile telephone standard.

GSM is the most widely accepted standard in telecommunications and it is

implemented globally.
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Why GSM?
Listed below are the features of GSM that account for its popularity and wide
acceptance.
✓ Improved spectrum efficiency
✓ International roaming
✓ Low-cost mobile sets and base stations (BSs)
✓ High-quality speech

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✓ Compatibility with Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and other

telephone company services
✓ Support for new services
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What is the Architecture of GSM? (OR) What are the requirements of

Mobile Communication System?
A GSM network comprises of many functional units. The GSM network can be
broadly divided into:
• The Mobile Station (MS)
• The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
• The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
• The Operation Support Subsystem (OSS)

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1. Mobile Station (MS): Mobile Station is made up of two entities;

 Mobile Equipment
 Subscriber Identity module (SIM)
a. Mobile equipment (ME):
✓ It is a portable, hand held device.
✓ It is uniquely identified by an IMEI number.
✓ It is used for voice and data transmission.
b. Subscriber Identity module (SIM):
✓ It is a smart card that contains the International Mobile Subscriber Identity
(IMSI) number.
✓ It allows users to send and receive calls and receive other subscriber
services.
2. Base Station Subsystem (BSS): It is also known as radio subsystem, provides
and manages radio transmission paths between the mobile station and the
Mobile Switching Centre (MSC). BSS also manages interface between the mobile
station and all other subsystems of GSM. It consists of two parts.
• Base Transceiver Station (BTS)
• Base Station Controller (BSC)
a. Base Transceiver Station (BTS):
✓ It consists of radio transmitter receivers, and their associated antennas
that transmit and receive to directly communicate with the mobiles.
✓ The BTS is the defining element for each cell.
✓ It communicates with mobile stations via radio air interface and also
communicates with BSC via Abis interface.
b. Base Station Controller (BSC):
✓ It controls a group of BTSs.
✓ It manages the radio resources and controls items such as handover within
the group of BTSs and allocates channels.
✓ It communicates with MSC via an interface and also with BTS

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3. Network Switching Subsystem (NSS): It manages the switching functions of

the system and allows MSCs to communicate with other networks such as PSTN
and ISDN. It consists of;
• Mobile Switching Centre
• Home Location Register
• Visitor Location Register
• Authentication Centre
• Equipment Identity Register
a. Mobile Switching Centre:
✓ It is a heart of the network. It manages communication between GSM and
other networks.
✓ It manages call set up function, routing and basic switching.
✓ It performs mobility management including registration, location
updating and inter BSS and inter MSC call handoff.
✓ It provides billing information.
b. Home Location Registers (HLR):
✓ It is a database that stores the permanent (such as user profile) as well as
temporary (such as current location) information about all the users
registered with the network.
c. Visitor Location Registers (VLR):
✓ It is a temporary database which updates whenever new MS enters its
area by HLR database.
✓ It controls mobiles roaming in its area.
d. Authentication Centre:
✓ It stores the authentication information of the user such as the keys for
encryption.
e. Equipment Identity Register (EIR):
✓ It contains list of all valid mobiles on network.
✓ It is a database that is used to track handset using the IMEI number.
✓ IMEI is marked as invalid in case of stolen.
4. Operational Support Subsystem (OSS): The OSS is an element within the
overall GSM mobile communications network architecture that is connected to
components of the NSS and the BSC. It is used to control and monitor the overall
GSM network and it is also used to control the traffic load of the BSS and allows
system engineers to monitor, diagnose and troubleshoot all aspects of GSM
system. It has three main functions:
✓ To maintain all telecommunication hardware and network operations with
a particular market.
✓ To manage all charging and billing procedures
✓ To manage all mobile equipment in the system.

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GSM Network Areas: In a GSM network, the following areas are defined:
1. Cell: Cell is the basic service area; one BTS covers one cell. Each cell is given
a Cell Global Identity (CGI), a number that uniquely identifies the cell.
2. Location Area: A group of cells form a Location Area (LA). This is the area
that is paged when a subscriber gets an incoming call. Each LA is assigned
a Location Area Identity (LAI). Each LA is served by one or more BSCs.
3. MSC/VLR Service Area: The area covered by one MSC is called the
MSC/VLR service area.
4. PLMN: The area covered by one network operator is called the Public Land
Mobile Network (PLMN). A PLMN can contain one or more MSCs.
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Explain architecture for communication over Mobile devices?

The Mobile device communication architecture consists of all wireless data
communication capabilities. These include:
a. Web Protocol Stack
b. Wireless Markup Language (WML)
c. Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
Web Protocol Stack: It is a set of protocols that is used to define, locate,
implement and make web services to interact with each other. A web service
protocol stack consists of the following four protocols;
• Transport Protocol
• Messaging Protocol
• Description Protocol
• Discovery Protocol
a. Transport Protocol: It is used for transporting messages b/w network
applications. For example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple
Mail Transfer Protocol), FTP (File Transfer Protocol) etc.
b. Messaging Protocol: It is used for encoding messages in a common XML
(Extensible Markup Language) format so that messages can be understood at
either end. For example, XML and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).
c. Description Protocol: It is used for describing the public interface to a specific
web service. For example, WSDL (Web Services Description Language.
d. Discovery Protocol: It is used for centralizing services into a common registry.
It can publish location and details and makes it easier to find what services are
available on the network. For example, UDDI (Universal Description Discovery
and Integration).
Wireless Markup Language (WML): It is a first markup language that allows the
text portions of Web pages to be presented on Mobile phones and PDAs
through wireless access. WML is a part of Wireless application protocol (WAP).
It provides navigational support, data input, hyperlinks, text and image
presentation.

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Wireless Application Protocol: It is a communication protocol which provides

Internet access to mobile users and other wireless devices such as pagers and
PDAs. In 1998 WAP forum is formed by Nokia, Ericsson and Motorola. WAP
provides the following services;
✓ Email by mobile phone
✓ Sports results
✓ News headlines
✓ Music downloads

X
AJAB NOOR
Lecturer in Computer Science, GPGC Bannu

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