The Future Applications of Wireless Technology - Coursework Example

Wireless technology has brought about revolution in how people work and communicate. This technology has not only eliminated the cable connecting thedesktop computers, it has also facilitated the use of handheld PDAs. WAP, GPRS and 3G in mobile phones and WiFi and WiMax in broadband, are some of the wireless technologies that are extensively used. This paper will examine the future applications of these technologies. Wireless communication network is used in Mobile Geoinformation Technologies (Mobile GIT) to transfer data between mobile clients and mobile clients and control centers (Stankovic, Neteler & Flor, 2004). Since wires are not required for data transfer, it offers significant mobility during professional or recreational activities through PDAs, smart phones, laptops and other mobile appliances. There are several possibilities for wireless data communication. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) technologies based on 2.5G or the EDGE technology based on 3G are the latest, which have the advantage of global range although they are very expensive and require licensing. These GSM services guarantee full coverage of a territory but they have limitations in terms of communications bandwidth, battery life and the costs. Other wireless technologies today offer broadband service on a small geographical scale. These include the BLUETOOTH and the WiFi technology. Apart from WiFi, Wi-Max is an emerging technology that offers bandwidth up to 2MB/sec for distances up to 50 km from a base station. These do not require licensing and are relatively cheaper in infrastructure costs so they can be built by anybody and the service provided (Stankovic, Neteler & Flor, 2004). Bluetooth technology is used for short range communications between computers, PDAs and digital cell phones (Erdley, 2006). Long range protocol for wireless called 802.11a-g allows laptops and PDAs to access internet. WiFi technology is used by many companies and organizations like schools, railways, water management, gas and logistics (Stankovic, Neteler & Flor, 2004). They build their own WiFi networks to reduce costs. Wireless infrastructure can be expanded to cover large area or decentralized areas with use of additional access points. WiFi technology offers much faster communication speed than the 2G or even 3G GSM networks. With this new way of accessing internet, users can check mail, download files or music and access databases. Wireless internet offers extensive applications for all organizations that rely on LAN (local area network) for internal and external communications. In higher education it is used for accessing web-based course management systems and exchanging files as well as researching databases outside the classroom and office (Wei, 2006). A study conducted revealed that 21.4% were early users or innovators while 55.2% were likely users. With time, wireless internet will be adopted more and more. The research demonstrated the perceived advantages of and compatibility of wireless internet. There is a higher frequency of communication with technicians about the wireless system and this shows a higher likelihood of using the WiFi powered Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). WLAN uses electromagnetic waves to transmit data without physical connection between access points. This does not require special site licenses but there are chances of interference of waves as other technology like Bluetooth, microwaves, cordless telephones and wireless security cameras all operate in this band (Husig, Hipp & Dowling, 2005). Being an unlicensed band anyone can use it which increases competition and reduces the barriers for new entrants in this field. It just requires PDAs or laptop with WLAN network card. The areas where these services are found are called ‘hotspots’. WLAN technologies could bypass the mobile communications network operator’s data services to some extent. Very soon it is also extend that voice could be transferred using WLAN through voice over IP. WLAN has the greatest advantage in that it enables users to access internet when outside of office. The services enabled by WLAN are cheaper and more convenient than the existing internet access solutions. The WLAN based service in the mainstream market is expected to capture the up-market segments of the business customers with high performance requirements and not particularly down-market segments with modest performance requirements. Wi-Max is capable of transmitting network signals covering in excess of 30 miles of linear service area, which is much greater than WiFi’s coverage. Its speed of transfer is much higher than WIFi and it can carry any transport protocol like Ethernet, Internet Protocol, and ATHMA (O’Hara, 2004). Despite these advantages, Wi-Max is not a threat to WiFi because it uses fixed network infrastructure and requires relatively high-gain antennas (about the size of a small laptop). Hence Wi-Max is a non-mobile high-speed wireless network that connects one fixed node to several other fixed nodes, just as a radio tower would communicate with several antennae installed on top of buildings. Wi-Max can be integrated with existing WLAN services. Wi-Max can also deliver ethernet access to WiFi hot-spots and last mile broadband access for home cable or DSL service. Wi-Max could deliver wireless service to regions lacking wired infrastructure. According to Schonfeld and Borzo (2006) since Wi-Max infrastructure is cheaper to build and maintain than traditional structures, it could put the existing broadband service providers in jeopardy as they are making huge investments in upgradation. Wi-Max is expected to offer Web-based TV, movies on phones, VOIP calls. The company providing Wi-Max is expected to partner with mobile-phone, IPTV, or satellite-TV companies to further expand its range of services. Since Wi-Max operates on a licensed spectrum and hence more reliable than WiFi. It is expected to become a mainstream service soon. GIS has a wide variety of mobile applications ranging from mobile phone with Java support to PDAs, handhelds and smart phones (Stankovic, Neteler & Flor, 2004). Different hardware and software are used for each of them and the memory and computing power also differ. The mobile phones and the PDAs are unable to cope with complex GIS related tasks. Laptops are too large and heavy and manipulation is not easy. Pocket PCs have significant computing power and operating memory which can be further expanded. The Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS) is a passive satellite radio-based system which enables limited number of users to make all-weather 3D positioning, velocity measuring and timing anywhere in the world or near-Earth surface (Stankovic, Neteler & Flor, 2004). US Department of Defence uses this but as the satellite signals are weak, its use is limited to outdoor open area use. The Russian GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is based on similar technology but due to lack of finance it is not in full operational state. Europe is preparing a new system Galileo which is expected to provide a highly accurate, guaranteed global positioning service under civilian control. Wireless communication networks are used not only as data transmitters but also as a part of location systems. Since every cell contains a transmitter, if the positions of the transmitters are known, then apart from communication it is also possible to determine the position from the time it takes to pass the distance from transmitters to receiver (Stankovic, Neteler & Flor, 2004). Spatial analysis and modeling are performed after data are collected and discrepancies occur from the time data are collected and the analysis made. Through advanced GIS functions it is possible to run the analysis in real-time. Rescue services of all kinds also have GIS compatibility in the emergency or crisis control centers. In emergency situations data can be collected from satellites and analysis run for determining flood risk or fire spread. PDAs are well suited for health care as they are small, fast and mobile computers and they are able to run many software applications (Erdley, 2006). With wireless connectivity they are able to synchronize data and information between the PDA and a computer or service via the internet. They also perform as digital reference devices which enable nurses to search drug databases and use stored patient care protocols. Wireless computing is a desired method of connecting computers in the health sector as it enables sharing files, printing and internet access. Wireless connectivity is especially beneficial in the field of health care. Real time data entry can be done, and patient data including fetal heart tracings can be transmitted within the institution and across geographical distances. Maintaining electronic health records also empowers patients and also enables transporting the data which enables reading the data through storage key. Thus it is evident that wireless communication is the future of communication. It has wide users and applications raging from home users, organizations, high schools, higher educations, public administration and more importantly the health care sector. While the health care sector benefits most out of PDAs, which finds users both amongst the nurses and the patients, the WiFi and Wi-Max technologies are inundating the home users and companies because of its ease in installation and low costs. PDAs allow real time data transfer and analysis which minimizes risk of errors. The government benefits from the satellite radio-based system to find details of location and the area covered in emergency situations and to ascertain the loss due to fire or flood. Wireless communication finds new application with time and technology keeps upgrading. References: Erdley, W. S., (2006), Personal Digital Assistants, Wireless Computing, Smart Cards, and Biometrics: A Hardware Update for Clinical Practice, JOGNN Clinical Issues, January/February 2006 Husig, S., Hipp, C., & Dowling, M., (2005), Analysing disruptive potential: the case of wireless local area network and mobile communications network companies, R&D Management 35, 1 OHara, B., (2004), Will Wi-Max make Wi-Fi obsolete? 11 July 2007 Schonfeld, E., & Borzo, J., (2006), Goodbye Wi-Fi: wireless signals get maximized, 11 July 2007 Stankovic, J., Neteler, M., & Flor, R., (2004), Mobile Wireless GRASS GIS for Handheld Computers Running GNU/Linux, Transactions in GIS, 2004, 8(2): 225–233 Wei, R., (2006), Wi-Fi Powered WLAN: When Built, Who Will Use It? Exploring Predictors of Wireless Internet Adoption in the Workplace, Internal Communication Association, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 12 (2006) 155–175 Read More