Mobile computing - Research Paper Example

? Mobile Computing Table of Contents Background 3 2.What is Mobile Computing? 3 3.Essentials for Mobile Computing 4 3 High Portability and Computation 4 3.2.Low Power Consumption 4 3.3.Internet Connectivity 5 3.4.Durability 5 4.Accessories in Mobile Computing 5 5.Connectivity in Mobile Computing 7 6.Application of Mobile Computing 9 7.References 9 1. Background In the present day world, the requirement of being interconnected even while being mobile has become a daily necessity. Majority of the underlying objectives of the prevailing businesses can only be achieved through use of wireless networks (O'Halloran, 2009; Umar, 2004). Businesses require a fast, in-time communication system for succeeding. Communicational delays could result in clients’ dissatisfaction, lost opportunities due to in-time decision making requirements, huge financial losses and sales reductions. The healthcare organization require internetworked machinery, internetworked data storage and reporting, interdepartmental alerts and messages, online access to patients past history at point of care i.e. in operation theaters, etc., access to medicine library in order to be aware of possible side-affects contradicting with patients medical history before giving out prescriptions, keep updated research repositories (Jessop, 2011). Mobile computing offers a solution to all areas of human computer interaction that requires instantaneous access or retrieval of data through use of Internet (global networked environment) or Intranet (local networked environment) at possibly everywhere worldwide or within an organization. 2. What is Mobile Computing? Mobile computing refers to the computing environment that is created as a result of the joint collaboration of cellular technology, portable and smart devices, wireless Local Area Networks (LANs) and satellite services providing universal access to information round the clock. Unlike the traditional mode of access to Internet or Intranet through a fixed point of access, mobile computing enables mobility to users i.e. the users need not be connected to fixed network positions in order to acquire or communicate information. Rather the task can be carried out even while the user is entitled to unrestricted mobility (Imielinski & Korth, 1996). In some cases the data would be stored on public or proprietary servers to be retrieved through mobile computers e.g. through Internet, while in other cases the mobile devices may provide data themselves e.g. through smartphones and cards (Bernard & Miller, 2011). 3. Essentials for Mobile Computing In order for achieving a mobile computing environment, there are some basic configuration requirements (Zimmerman, 2009). 3.1. High Portability and Computation One of the essential requirements for mobile computing is the need that the devices used in the environment are light weight and small enough to ensure portability (Forman & Zahorjan, 1994). Instead of big heavy mobile devices, small, lightweight units, offering to be used as high computational devices are better alternatives. 3.2. Low Power Consumption Besides the requirements of fast, lightweight computing devices (laptops, mobile phones, tablets, etc.) there is an additional requirement of the devices to be low on power consumption in order to survive in the mobile computing environment (Forman & Zahorjan, 1994). This has become a rather standardized requirement in the mobile computing world. 3.3. Internet Connectivity Another basic requirement for mobile computing is having a connection to the Internet. Whenever the device is required to have an Internet access, the mobile computing device must have at least a built-in wireless network adapter, also called as WiFi card for accessing the Internet. 3.4. Durability Another requirement of devices to survive the mobile computing environment is the fact that the devices must be operable in highly varying scenarios as mobile computing is supposed to be done anywhere and everywhere. An example is Panasonics ToughBook which was designed to survive the most hostile computing environments such as a war field. 4. Accessories in Mobile Computing Mobile computing accessories comprise of electronic devices where each device offers a different range of services. Listed below are a few most widely used devices: a. Laptops: are high computational, portable units that can be used to access the Internet or an organizations LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network) server. Since the laptops are generally designed as desktop replacement systems, the offer all features of a PC and the designs could offer structural variations (size, power, computation) as per the embedded specifications. Apples MacBook Air, with its small lightweight design is a suitable alternative to the less portable, heavy laptops. b. Notebook PCs: are similar to laptops in design offering limited specifications, and smaller structural designs, that can access to Internet, LAN or WAN. Netbooks, such as Asus Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), the EEEPC are good mobile computing devices. Due to the development of low power consuming LED displays, high processors and higher capacity yet compact lithium ion/polymer battery packs, netbooks can remain powered on for over 8 hours. An instance is the next generation Acer Aspire One 533, MSI U160, ASUS Eee PC 1015 and HP Mini 210 Series. c. Tablet PCs: By limiting the specifications of the netbooks even more, the tablet PC is larger than personal digital assistants and mobile phones and has touchscreen for input. With the release of Apples iPad tablet, mobile computing based on tablets have been come under spotlight again. Following Apple, Samsung has released the Galaxy Tab, and HP has been focusing on developing and releasing the Slate, while Asus has took on the project of making the EeePads that aim at out featuring and out powering the iPad. d. Personal digital assistant (PDAs): Hand held devices such as mobile phones can also be used to access the Internet and download and share electronic data. It can also connect to other online devices e.g. printer, etc. e. Smart Phones: Are advanced versions of mobile phones that have functionalities of PDAs as well. They have features or audio/video calls, document/presentation creation, editing, printing and sharing, access to Internet and Intranet. f. Other hand held devices: Include devises that can connect to Internet such as mobile phones, GPS locators, etc. Apart from standard mobile computing accessories available in the market, customized devices are also manufactured to suit specific user requirements. Current development efforts include designing and developing new mobile computing devices that may be compatible with a range of networking technologies. There is an ever increasing requirement of incorporating new features and technologies for ensuring faster and error free transfer of data. g. Networking software: Installed in devices that helps altering a devices network settings in order to suit the different networking technologies i.e. WiFi, WiMax. The software is also used to prevent any unauthorized access through the aid of log in passwords. Any proprietary data that might be stored in the devices can be encrypted through the software to avoid any data theft. h. Wireless access point devices: Are used in transmitting data within and beyond the configured networks. A wireless access point device is used to provide a wire free network coverage in some predefined area. The data transmission speed of these devices depends on the wireless standard used. An access point device built on 802.11b and 802.11g IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards transmits data at 2.4 GHz whereas devices that comply with 802.11a standards transmit at 5 GHz. 5. Connectivity in Mobile Computing Mobile computing refers to using small, portable computational devices in wireless enabled networks that provide wireless connections to some central main server. The above listed devices (i.e. laptops, notebook PCs, tablet PCs, palmtops, personal digital assistant (PDAs) and other hand held devices) have an inbuilt radio-signaling device for receiving and transmitting electronic data (Imielinski & Korth, 1996). This way they can be used in any location that is wirelessly networked using LAN, Wi-Fi, WiMax, GPRS technology (Umar, 2004). Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) technology is mostly used for providing network coverage to offices, public places, and other small workplaces through use of wireless access point devices. WiMax (Wireless Interoperability for Microwave Access) technology is an advanced network technology than WiFi that can transmit higher data rates (70 Mbps) over greater distances (over forty-eight km). It provides better security than WiFi through use of enhanced data encryption schemes. It can provide service in both Line Of Sight (LOS) and Non-Line Of Sight (NLOS) locations. WiMax supports several communication protocols, and can also serve as the backbone network for an ISP (Internet service provider) and telecom service provider. Mobile computing devices can use any of these networks to access the Internet or connect to a LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network) server. They use networking software for adjusting device settings to suit specific network requirements. Mobile computing has enabled users to remain connected while on the move. Some high end users can also opt for satellite based networking which provides wireless connectivity anywhere in the world. But, this technology is currently costly and not as affordable as Wi-Fi and WiMax (Umar, 2004). Figure 1 shows a typical mobile computing environment. Figure 1 Mobile Computing Environment 6. Application of Mobile Computing Mobile computing finds its application in different industries such as corporate training, education, transportation and logistics, retail, manufacturing, office and public space environment, warehousing and distribution, healthcare and hospitality (Zimmerman, 2009). It is used in transferring large data files or other electronic data, accessing the Internet, supporting audio/video conferencing, sending and receiving e-mails and reconfiguring high bandwidth sites. It also aids in management of just-in-time inventory infrastructure, customer service, real-time information management and access to vital network resources. Thus, mobile computing not enable organizations to boost their productivity, cut costs, and increase profitability, it has also made its place in the daily lives for individuals who tend to move a lot and wish to work and stay interconnected meanwhile (Umar, 2004). 7. References Bernard, T.S. & Miller, C.C. (2011) Swiping Is the Easy Part, The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/technology/24wallet.html Forman, G.H. & Zahorjan, J. (1994) The Challenges of Mobile Computing, Computer, IEEE, Volume 27, Issue 4, Page(s) 38 – 47. Imielinski, T. & Korth, H.F. (1996). Mobile computing. Kluwer Academic Publishers Jessop, S.K. (2011) Do-It-Yourself Health Care With Smartphones, The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/01/technology/01iht-srhealth01.html?pagewanted=all O'Halloran, J. (2009) Business intelligence leaders move to mobile computing. Retrieved from http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/01/20/234095/Business-intelligence-leaders-move-to-mobile-computing.htm Umar, A. (2004) Mobile Computing and Wireless Communications, NGE solutions, Inc.  Zimmerman, J.B. (2009) Mobile Computing: Characteristics, Business Benefits, and the Mobile Framework. 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