Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 1-1

Chapter 1
Introduction to Wireless Communication

Lecture Notes

Overview
Chapter 1 provides an introduction to wireless communications. Students will learn how
the major wireless technologies are used today. Next, students will study various
applications of wireless communications technology. Chapter 1 also explains the
advantages and disadvantages of wireless communications technology. Finally, Chapter
1 lists several different wireless technologies.

Objectives
• Explain how the major wireless technologies are used today
• Describe various applications of wireless communications technology
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wireless communications technology
• List several different wireless technologies

Read more about Wireless communications technologies at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless.

For more details about Smartphones, visit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone.

Learn more about Personal Area Networks (PANs) at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_area_network.

Read more about Wireless local area networks (WLAN) at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_LAN.

Read more about Wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN) at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_MAN.
Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 1-2

For more information about wireless communications in the health care industry,
read the following articles:
www.ihealthbeat.org/index.cfm?Action=dspItem&itemID=97522 and
www.ihealthbeat.org/index.cfm?Action=dspItem&itemID=100577.

Class Discussion Topics

1. What is digital convergence?

2. What are RFID tags? What are some of their applications and benefits?

Additional Projects
1. Use the Internet to visit the IEEE official Web site and get more information about the
IEEE wireless network standards: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.

2. Research some of the security solutions available for wireless communications using
the Internet.

Additional Resources
1. Wireless Communications FAQ:
www.pocketpcfaq.com/wireless.htm

2. Personal Area Networks: Near-field intrabody communication:

www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj/353/sectione/zimmerman.html

3. Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMAN):

www.embeddedworks.net/newsite/WMAN/

4. Wireless Local Area Network:

www.ericsson.com/technology/tech_articles/WLAN.shtml

5. Uganda Wireless Health-Care Aid:

www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,58296,00.html
Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 1-3

Key Terms
 2.5G — A digital cellular technology that sends data at a maximum of 384 Kbps.
 3G (third generation) — A digital cellular technology that sends data at up to 2 Mbps
and is expected to synchronize all of the different specifications used around the world
into one universal standard.
 Bluetooth — A wireless standard that enables devices to transmit data at up to 1 Mbps
over a maximum distance of 33 feet.
 BREW (Binary Run-Time Environment for Wireless) — A programming language
used to display text, graphics, and animations on cellular telephone screens.
 cable modems — A technology used to transmit data over a television cable
connection.
 digital convergence — The power of digital devices, such as desktop computers and
wireless handhelds, to combine voice, video, and text-processing capabilities, as well as
to be connected to business and home networks and to the Internet.
 digital subscriber lines (DSL) — A technology used to transmit data over a telephone
line.
 Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) — The standard language for displaying Web
pages.
 IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards — A group of standards developed by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers that allows WLAN computers to transmit data at
speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to a maximum of 54 Mbps. 802.11a transmits at 1 or 2
Mbps; 802.11b at up to 11 Mbps; 802.11g at 54 Mbps. These transmit in the 2.4 GHz
unlicensed frequency band. 802.11a also transmits at up to 54 Mbps, but in the less
crowded frequency band of 5 GHz.
 IEEE 802.16 Fixed Broadband Wireless — A set of standards, some established and
some still under development, for fixed and mobile broadband wireless
communications, which allows computers to communicate at up to 75 Mbps and at
distances of up to 35 miles (56 km) in a point-to-point configuration. This group of
standards also allows the use of both licensed and unlicensed frequencies.
 Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDN) — A technology that transmits data
over telephone lines at a maximum of 256 Kbps.
 J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) — A variation of the Java programming language
designed for use in portable devices such as PDAs and cellular phones.
 link manager — Special software in Bluetooth devices that helps identify other
Bluetooth devices, creates the links between them, and sends and receives data.
 microbrowser — A tiny browser program that runs on a WAP orWAP2 cell phone.
 motes — Remote sensors used for collecting data from manufacturing equipment or for
scientific research that can communicate using wireless technology.
 personal digital assistant (PDA) — A handheld computer device used for taking
notes, making appointments, creating to-do lists, and communicating with other
devices.
 piconet — A small network composed of two or more Bluetooth devices that are
exchanging data with each other.
 radio frequency identification device (RFID) — A small tag placed on product
packaging and boxes that can be remotely activated and read by remote sensors. The
data about the product is then transferred directly to an information-processing system
for inventory control, location, and counting.
Wireless# Guide to Wireless Communications 1-4

 radio modules — Small radio transceivers built onto microprocessor chips that are
embedded into Bluetooth devices and enable them to communicate.
 repeater — A device commonly used in satellite communications that simply “repeats”
the signal to another location.
 satellite radio — A pay-for-service high-quality radio broadcast system that transmits
digital programming directly from satellites to a network of ground-based repeaters, and
that holds the signal regardless of the listener’s location.
 Smartphone — A device that combines a cellular phone with the capabilities of a
personal digital assistant (PDA). These devices provide the user with the ability to enter
appointments in a calendar, write notes, send and receive e-mail, and browse Web sites,
among other functions.
 T1 — A technology to transmit data over special telephone lines at 1.544 Mbps.
 Ultra Wide Band (UWB) — A wireless communications technology that allows
devices to transmit data at hundreds of megabits per second at short distances (up to a
few feet) and at up to 150 feet (50 meters) at lower speeds.
 Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) — A technology that allows voice telephone
calls to be carried over the same network used to carry computer data.
 wireless access point (access point or AP) — A device that receives and transmits
signals back to wireless network interface cards.
 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP or WAP2) — A standard for transmitting,
formatting, and displaying Internet data on cellular phones. WAP can display only text.
WAP2 supports HTML and can display color and pictures.
 wireless communications — The transmission of user data without the use of wires
between devices.
 wireless local area network (WLAN) — A local area network that is not connected by
wires, but instead uses wireless technology. Its range extends to approximately 100
meters and has a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps, by current standards. Today’s
WLANs are based on IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards.
 wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) — A wireless network that covers a
large geographical area, such as a city or suburb. The technology is usually based on the
IEEE 802.16 set of standards, and can span an entire city, covering distances of up to 35
miles (56 km) between transmitters and receivers or repeaters.
 wireless network interface card (wireless NIC) — A device that connects to a PC to
transmit and receive network data over radio waves. It includes an antenna for wireless
communication between networked devices.
 wireless personal area network (WPAN) — A very small network that typically
extends to 33 feet (10 meters) or less. Due to its limited range, WPAN technology is
used mainly as a replacement for cables. See also piconet and UWB.
 wireless wide area network (WWAN) — AWAN that uses cellular phone
technologies and encompasses any geographical region, including the entire globe.