The Importance and Future of Wireless Technology - Literature review Example

? The Importance of Wireless Technology Wireless technology has grown by leaps and bounds since its beginnings. Wireless devices have become more andmore prevalent and are sure to become an even bigger part of everyday life. Wireless technology has become integral in all the aspects of life such as communication, education, entertainment and business management. In comparison to the constrains of the wired technology, wireless technology enhances the level of convenience productivity as well as cost-effectiveness. This article highlights the importance of wireless technology by looking at its history, the current technological developments, various advantages and disadvantages as well as the future of wireless technology. As wireless technology is going to bring about a major change in every aspect of life – from entertainment to carrying out global business transactions, it is necessary to understand the importance of wireless technology. Advent of Wireless Technology The development of wireless technology may seem to be a recent phenomenon, but the fact is that the first step towards any form of wireless communication was through the discovery of electromagnetic waves in the early 1800s by Hans Christian Oersted through a compass needle ( Dubendorf, 2003). Later works of Michael Faraday and Maxwell also contributed to electromagnetic. In late 1800s, Graham Bell developed a photophone, where communication was done through light beams which mere modulated (Dubendorf, 2003). The first radio waves were created by Heinrich Hertz in 1887 with the help of an oscillator and found out that these waves could be transmitted and revived with the help of appropriate devices. Such a device was developed by Jagadish Chandra Bose during the 1890s and he made an important contribution to the understanding of millimeter length of waves (Dubendorf, 2003). Further to it, Nikola Tesla sent the first information through air but first major radio transmission happened in 1895 by Marconi who was successful in sending radio telegraph message across the English channel as well as through the Atlantic ocean in 1901 (Brodsky, 2008). As this technology gained popularity, the public were introduced to 'radio' 1907. By the 1920s, wireless radio technology gained immense popularity after the Detroit police started using it to send one-way messages to carry out its operations (Brodsky, 2008). In the 1940s, the technology advanced as two-way radio systems came into existence. During World War II, wireless signals were used by the US Military for coordination in terms of sending plans and providing instructions (Brodsky, 2008). Post 1960s, the focus of the research was centered around making the telephone wireless, and the telecom giant AT&T worked on features such as elimination of push to talk and implementation of automatic dialing (Brodsky, 2008). The 1970s and 1980s were eras centered on mobile technology as it marked key events such as development of digital voice technologies such as GSM, CDMA, implementation of AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Services) in 1983 as the first cellular service and so on. By 1986, the public had adopted the wireless technology with open arms as the cellular subscription reached 2 million (Brodsky, 2008). The 2000s can be considered to be the era of mobile telephones, wireless data communication through wi-fi,bluetooth, cellular data and mobile satellite communication and computer interface devices. Wireless Devices Today Wireless technology is an avenue that is witnessing rapid advancements with new inventions emerging one after the other. Wireless technology operates through various mediums such as radio technology, communication through microwaves through reception antennas, through infrared, with the help of ultrasonic communication as well as through electromagnetic waves (O'Brien & Marakas, 2008). On hearing the term wireless, most people associate it with cellular technology. However, the wireless devices today expand beyond just cellular communication. This section highlights some of the devices that work based on wireless communication. Probably the most commonly found wireless technology is that of satellite television and satellite radio systems, which is broadcasted through satellites that are in earth's orbit. In fact, any communication with the satellites happens through wireless technology and hence, technology such as the Global positioning systems are heavily dependent on wireless technology (Bursky, 2012). One of the major facilitators of glottalization has been the Internet and cloud computing, which is integrally related to wireless technology. Needless to say, devices such as cell phones, tablets and notebooks with WI-fi technology, usb and bluetooth systems have become necessities in today's life. Cellular technology has also advanced rapidly with 3G and 4G wireless networks (Bursky, 2012). This technology has played an important role in making sure that communication can happen between people or devices located at any points of the world at any given time. Apart from this, wireless technology is also used in traffic control systems across the globe, for air traffic control systems and ultrasonic devices (Mullich, n.d). Additionally, professional mobile radios as well as wireless sensor networks are also dependent on wireless technologies. One of the latest developments with regard to wireless technology is called Wireless Energy transfer, by means of which electrical energy can be transmitted in a wireless manner between the source of power to the device that needs the electricity (Bursky, 2012). 3. Disadvantages/Problems of Wireless Among the numerous advantages that wireless technology offers, there are also certain disadvantages. One of the foremost challenges is the limitation in spectrum which puts pressure on effective utilization of the limit available (Faintuch and Machness, 2008). As more and more devices are integrated with wireless technology, the limited spectrum can prove to be a disadvantage for that particular technology to realize its full potential. Lastly, the medical community is also concerned about the side effects that radio power may have on the human body. As human beings are surrounded by a large number of devices, each emitting its own radio power, scientists speculate a negative effect and are currently undertaking research on this issue (Faintuch and Machness, 2008)). Another disadvantage with wireless technology is its vulnerability. Hackers are always waiting for opportunities to attack particular networks and any lapse with regard to proper verification or integration of the communication devices can result in major data theft (Radack, n.d). While everyone understands the importance of proper encryption, it is also necessary to take steps such as increased security against external devices, interfering signals and so on. In normal day to day life, the use of unsecured wi-fi networks can create security challenges. Wireless technology also brings forth the challenge of efficiency since the devices function at a much lower speed when compared to the conventional wired devices (Faintuch and Machness, 2008). It is a given fact that devices that are connected through wires work more efficiently because they can receive and transmit data at a higher rate. The initial set-up related to wireless technology is expensive and hence, requires a higher investment. Additionally, another disadvantage with wireless technology is that there continues to be some level of reliability issues even today (Faintuch and Machness, 2008). For example, cell phone networks experience disconnections because of disturbances caused by interference. However, constant efforts are on to overcome these challenges because of the increased importance of wireless technology in the modern world. 4. The Future of Wireless It is expected that improvements in the wireless technology can bring about massive changes in every aspect of life during the next few years. The development of systems such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) and MAN(Metropolitan Area Network) would transform the way in which communication takes place (Snow, n.d). Major development is expected to take place in the development of laser communication systems (where by data would be transmitted with the help of laser beams) to increase efficiency and to overcome the limitations offered by the electromagnetic and radio waves (Snow, n.d). As per the report published by Frost and Sullivan in 2011 on "Analysis of wireless devices in European Industrial Automation Market", the wireless technology is expected to earn revenues worth $540 million by 2016 (Osborne, 2012). The avenues that would greatly benefit from the use of this technology would include medicine, business, travel and tourism, education, mobile communication, space research programs, entertainment and so on (Bursky, 2012). For example, Wireless technology would prove to be a big advantage in Medicine because it can be very useful in monitoring a patient remotely, use of biometric data for dispensing medicine and carrying out other practices related to telemedicine (Koon, 2012). Also, intensive research is on to help the disabled people operate computing systems through wireless technology. Similar use is also seen in libraries (Balas, 2006) Mobile communication is also expected to grow leaps and bounds through the use of higher technology than 4G. However, there would continue to be certain challenges such as spectrum sharing because of the increased demand of wireless technology among consumers. For instance, the bandwidth required for the functioning of a smart phone and tablet is 24 times when compared to a normal phone (Bursky, 2012). Also, with increase in the number of such devices, human being would also have to undertake some precautions so that there are no negative effects on the health. Conclusion This article illustrates how wireless technology has undergone a rapid development and has been adopted in every aspect of life. Over the next decade, developments in the wireless technology is expected to bring about major transformations and hence, considered to be the technology to watch out in the future. Citations Balas, Janet. "The ‘Magic’ of Wireless Access in the Library". Computers In Libraries, 26.3 (2006): 32?35. Print Brodsky, Ira. The History of Wireless: How creative minds produced Technology for the Masses. St. Louis: Telescope Books. 2008. Print. Bursky, Dave. Advances in Wireless Technology Aboud at CES. digikey.com. Feb 2012. Web. 2 Feb 2013. Dubendorf, Vern. Wireless Data Technologies Reference Handbook. New York: Wiley, 2003. Print. Faintuch, Amir and Ram Machness. Trends and challenges for wireless mobile connectivity. eetimes.com. August 2008. Web. 2 Feb 2013. Koon, John. How Wireless Technologies Impact the Future Development of Healthcare .advantech.in. June 2012. Web. 2 Feb 2013 Mullich. Joe. Wireless advances around the world. online.wsj.com. n.d. Web. 2 Feb 2012. O'Brien, James. & George Marakas, G.M.Management Information Systems. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2008. Print. Osborne, Charlie. Is future plant success down to wireless technology?. smartplanet.com. Oct 2012. Web. 7 Feb 2013. Radack, Shirley. Security for wireless networks and devices. itl.nist.gov. n.d. Web. 7 Feb 2013. Snow, Ken. The future of wireless technology. streetdirectory.com. n.d. Web. 7 Feb 2013. Read More