Telecommunications and Networking - Term Paper Example

 Telecommunications and Networking Introduction Telecommunications and networking plays and important role in the working of any organization. Any organization or industry needs to communicate with either their own branches or with other organizations. Networking therefore is an essential part of the architecture of an organization. Though there are different architectures of networking, wireless networking is now the most common and well used networking method. Wireless communications refers to the transfer of information from one location or any system to another location or system over a distance without using any electrical connectors. Wireless operations permits services, such as long range communications, that are impossible or impractical to implement with the use of wires (Imel & Hart, 2003). Wireless communications is used in the telecommunications industry to refer to telecommunications systems which include radio transmitters and receivers, remote controls, computer networks, etc. These telecommunication systems use some form of energy like radio frequency (RF), infrared light, laser light, acoustic energy, etc. in order to transfer information without the use of wires. In the recent times, wireless communications has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, from global cellular telephone systems to local and even personal-area networks (Schwartz, 2005). The demand for the use of wireless communications has been increasing exponentially ever since it was introduces in the late eighties. Wireless communication has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, from global cellular telephone systems to local and even personal-area networks. Wireless communications has played an important role in the introduction of cellular phones into the global market. Cellular phones can be used and operated only because of wireless communications. Wireless communications encompasses not only the cellular phones, but also other technologies such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless networking, global positioning systems (GPS) units, cordless telephones, etc. Data Applications Data applications are an integral part of the wireless communications. Any application or system has to and will have certain data applications which have to be handled. There are many techniques to provide the current status of voice and data applications in wireless devices. To let the data applications to get executed, annunciators are provided for these applications and are displayed as appropriate to indicate their current status (Leppanen et al., 2002). Certain data applications may further be associated with additional menu screens and many other applications to allow the user to view additional information. In one method, the current status of a particular application supported by the wireless device is initially determined. This application may be voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, answering machine, or some other application. An annunciator indicative of the current status of the application is then provided, if required (Leppanen et al., 2002). A menu screen with a listing of all items like missed calls, recorded voice memos, recorded messages or data calls may be displayed when requested, and additional information for a selected item may also be provided if requested. The annunciator is cleared if all items are cleared. Such applications help and assist in developing better understanding and better relations between organizations. Data applications also help in improving the profits the market share of an organization. GSM Global System for Mobile communications known as GSM in short originated from Groupe Spécial Mobile and now is the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world (Cirronet, 2002). It is estimated that eighty two percent of the global mobile market uses this GSM standard. More than two billion people use GSM across the world in over Two hundred and twelve countries. Its ubiquity makes international roaming very common between mobile phone operators. This ubiquity enables the various customers and subscribers to use their cell phones in almost all parts of the world. GSM differs from its predecessors in that both signaling and speech channels are digital call quality, and so is considered a second generation (2G) mobile phone system (Cirronet, 2002). The ubiquity of the GSM standard has been advantageous to both consumers who benefit from the ability to roam and switch carriers without switching phones and also to network operators who can choose equipment from any of the many vendors implementing GSM. GSM also pioneered a low-cost alternative to voice calls, the Short Message Service (SMS), also called text messaging, which is now supported on other mobile standards as well. Newer versions of the standard were backward-compatible with the original GSM phones. For example, Release '97 of the standard added packet data capabilities, by means of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). Release '99 introduced higher speed data transmission using Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). GSM is a cellular network, which means that mobile phones connect to it by searching for cells in the immediate vicinity (Cirronet, 2002). GSM networks operate in four different frequency ranges. Most GSM networks operate in the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz bands. This is a form of RFI, and could be mitigated or eliminated by use of additional shielding and/or bypass capacitors in these audio devices. However, the increased cost of doing so is difficult for a designer to justify. One of the key features of GSM is the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), commonly known as a SIM card. The SIM is a detachable smart card containing the user's subscription information and phonebook. The SIM card is the most commonly used GSM technology in cellular phones. The SIM card allows the users to communicate with each other without any difficulty. This allows the user to retain his or her information after switching handsets. Alternatively, the user can also change operators while retaining the handset simply by changing the SIM. The GPRS, the EDGE and the SIM card technologies are used efficiently towards improving the organization’s share holding and profits. WAP WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) is an open international standard for applications that use wireless communication. WAP enables access to the Internet through a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant. This is its principal application. A WAP browser provides all of the basic services of a computer based web browser but simplified to operate within the restrictions of a mobile phone (Tse & Vishwanath, 2005). The WAP protocol is the leading standard for information services on wireless terminals like digital mobile phones. The WAP standard is based on Internet standards (HTML, XML and TCP/IP). It consists of a WML language specification, a WMLScript specification, and a Wireless Telephony Application Interface (WTAI) specification (w3schools, 1999). WAP is a specification for a set of communication protocols to standardize the way that wireless devices, such as cellular telephones and radio transceivers, can be used for Internet access, including e-mail, the World Wide Web, newsgroups, and instant messaging (Tse & Vishwanath, 2005). While Internet access has been possible in the past, different manufacturers have used different technologies. In the future, devices and service systems that use WAP will be able to interoperate. The WAP layers are: Wireless Application Environment (WAE). Wireless Session Layer (WSL). Wireless Transport Layer Security (WTLS). Wireless Transport Layer (WTP). 3G 3G refers to the third generation of developments in wireless technology, especially mobile communications. The third generation, as its name suggests, follows the first generation (1G) and second generation (2G) in wireless communications. While 3G is generally considered applicable mainly to mobile wireless, it is also relevant to fixed wireless and portable wireless (3gnewsroom, 2003). A 3G system should be operational from any location on, or over, the earth's surface, including use in homes, businesses, government offices, medical establishments, the military, personal and commercial land vehicles, private and commercial watercraft and marine craft, private and commercial aircraft, portable, and space stations and spacecraft. 4G 4G refers to the fourth generation of mobile equipment and services (hence the term “4G”) that will utilize converged IP networks with new access types and advanced antenna technologies to transmit at speeds ranging from 100 Mega bits per second (mbps) to 1 Giga bits per second (Gbps) (teleware, 2007). Understanding 4G can be challenging. It is not defined by one standard, but rather represents a collection of technologies and protocols enabling the highest throughput and lowest cost wireless network. Conclusion As wireless communication systems evolve, service quality and capacity are of primary importance. The quality of the wireless communication systems depends on the advancements in the wireless technologies being used. The success of wireless communications determines the capacity of the service provided by the wireless communication providers. The different technologies used are being implemented at the minutest level in the communications sector. The usage of such technologies helps in reducing the cost of operation. GSM has greatly reduced the operations costs since the technology does not waste any bandwidth. The demand will continue to grow in the new millennium. There are many applications which use wireless technology and there are many which might start using wireless technologies in the future. Also the use of SIM cards has lead to a tremendous increase in the organizations savings. It has been observed that there has been a tremendous increase in the sales of the cellular phones since the introduction of Wireless Communications. The future of wireless technology is bright. Most probably there can only be an increase in the demand for wireless technology. References Imel, Kathy J. & Hart, James W., (2003), “Understanding Wireless Communications in Public Safety”, National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center. Schwartz, Mischa., (2005), “Mobile Wireless Communications”, Columbia University. Leppanen, Pentti., Latvo-aho, Matti. & Mammela, Aame., (2002), “Advanced Wireless Communications Systems and Signal Processing”, Infotech Oulu. Cirronet., (2002), “Wireless Communications for Industrial Applications”, Cirronet Inc. Tse, David. & Vishwanath, Pramod., (2005), “The Wireless Channel”, Cambridge University Press. Tse, David. & Vishwanath, Pramod., (2005), “Cellular Systems: Multiple Access and Interference Management”, Cambridge University Press. W3schools., (1999), “Introduction to WAP”, Online Article, found at: http://www.w3schools.com/wap/wap_intro.asp 3gnewsroom., (2003), “Introduction to 3G”, Online Article, found at: http://www.3gnewsroom.com/html/intro_3g/index.shtml teleware., (2007), “4G-Introduction”, Online Article, found at: http://www.teleware.fi/Default.aspx?tabid=185&tap=27720&Laika=05.05.3007&Aaika=02.01.2008&bck= Read More