Wireless Broadband Technology
Overview of Wireless technology
Presently it is quite evident to come across functioning of a sort of wireless technology in the form of mobile phone, a Palm pilot, a smart phone etc. With the inception of fast connectivity in the sphere of commerce it is customary and useful to operate from central locations communicating with the remote branches, conducting conferences in remote places, discussing with every body at every moment as per need, and stay connected to the headquarters through out. There is an incessant demand to cater to such needs. The wireless technology is becoming significant in making available instant reach ability to the network and connectivity to all within the vicinity. In the educational field the general classroom, conference halls, lecture halls, hallways are required by the staff, faculty and students to be connected securely to the network. (Overview of Wireless Technologies)
This signifies the boundless utility of the wireless technology. The Personal Information Management along with ensuring mobility assists in monitoring the job lists, associations and daily calendar. Even the government departments like transportation department utilize wireless instruments for collection of information on the field. This enabled them to have a constant touch with the data on inventory, timing, monitoring of logistics etc. At same time ensuring the mobility. Instant communication and messages are also widely admired. (Wireless Technology Overview: A White Paper. Intergraph Solutions Group) The wireless technology is considered very quicker to be implemented in comparison to cable or DSL. No latency time is available for the conventional companies for cabling and building necessary infrastructure. Presently the commercial satellites are capable of providing complete coverage of the U.S. (Molenar, 1999)
The wireless instruments are capable of providing stock quotes, weather warnings, and burning news and also enable sending of short message services (SMS) among the mobile users. Location-based services are also being provided by some instruments that assists in finding out the actual location of the staffs. The benefits of the wireless technology are expected to be improved along with addition features as a result of development of more third generation networks and improved bandwidth. (Wireless Technology Overview: A White Paper. Intergraph Solutions Group). More inclination towards setting up of mobile computer laboratories with utilization of the laptop computers being equipped by wireless Ethernet Cards is being perceived. (Overview of Wireless Technologies) The dependence on the wireless technology is so acute that it will soon be impossible to think of the traditional environment without wireless technology. The World Wide Web showed the path for wireless technology and has radically transformed the methods of present day business. The potentialities of wireless technology are considered limitless and impelled the innovators to infuse more and more advancement in the fields.
Presently the Web applications have been estimated to have enhanced 500% since 1999 and presently having more than 600 million Internet users globally. The trend shows that about 61.3 million wireless instruments are to be used by 2005 for accessing the Internet. It will be customary that at least three wireless devices like laptops, personal digital assistants, cell phones are to be used by an average staff of the company. Several crucial aspects induce the movement in the direction of wireless technology. The first is provision of common reach ability to the information and applications. The mobility of the people has increased enormously and simultaneously the reach ability to the information also has increased than that of the past. However, the objective is to receive information instantly from everywhere. Further mechanization of the business processes is another motivating factor. (Wireless Technology Overview: A White Paper. Intergraph Solutions Group)
The crucial information is to be centralized and the roundabout processes are to be excluded. The organizations however, first need to give attention on improvement on ineffective business issues. The increasing popularity of wireless technology stems from the expediency of user, readiness and instant availability of the information and enhanced skill in business management. They always strive for more easy and instant methods of reaching to the information. To illustrate a businessman stranded at the airport find it curious to be connected and in touch with his office and required information. It is customary to access the information at more ease and instantly with the help of wireless devices like Black Berry RIM etc. The wireless technology is encountered a sort of excitement. It is generally mistaken to expect that wireless technology guarantees access of information at any time. Irrespective of the fact that the North America and Europe are sincerely improving and constructing a complete wireless structure it is not possible to provide an ever-present network presently. (Wireless Technology Overview: A White Paper. Intergraph Solutions Group)
Moreover, no concern over the security of wireless data is another mistaken fact. Since the wireless network is radio based and uses air-waves its security is vulnerable to be broken at every moment. Some vehemently flaunt that the implementation of the wireless support is quite easier. This is considered correct to some extent however are based on the scale of the project. To illustrate implementation of the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) are considered very easy still deployment of this at the level of enterprise is considered much difficult. Practically, it is imperative that the implementation of the wireless technology in all the applications is neither feasible nor desirable. Taking into consideration the structural aspects the performance of some applications are considered weakened when transformed into the wireless technology. This is more particularly in case of legacy systems.
In reality, most of the applications presently structured do not take into account the wireless technology. Moreover, the persistent improvement in the wireless technological standards is considered another actuality. The development of technology continuously gives rise to change in the standards. It is significant to consider one or two standards at the moment of constructing the wireless technology of the organization however taking into consideration its flexibility with the possibility of its change in the future. Thus amidst much hue and cry in favor of wireless technology and its strengths it is hard to differentiate the publicity from actuality. The idea of integration of the wireless technology in the sphere of current architecture is found to be equally awesome. (Wireless Technology Overview: A White Paper. Intergraph Solutions Group)
Currently, the wireless technology has made some improvements in wiping out the complications inherent in the system so as to ensure its widespread adoptability. The complications involve discrete standards, low bandwidth and fixed and operating costs. The wireless systems are considered to back both institutional objectives and provision of cost effective solutions. The implementation of wireless technology is seen in interconnection of computers allowing remote management of data collection ensuring access control and security and also provides solutions to fit into the environments were wires are not desirable. (Overview of Wireless Technologies) Prior to planning for integrating the wireless technology in an organization it is first required to demarcate its expectations and to assess the return on investment and benefits one anticipates to receive.
For attainment of such objectives the companies involved in such areas utilizes their envision methodology in assisting the organizations comprehending their business and IT impetus for adoption of the wireless technology simultaneously identifying the key stakeholders and users estimate the project needs and fully become aware of the existing scenario. The most significant matter to be kept in mind is not to over structure the wireless solutions. Widespread application of the wireless technology in the concerned areas of operation is not advisable when the actual necessity is in respect of only a few. It is always worthwhile to begin in small scale and to supplement as and when the requirement increases. (Wireless Technology Overview: A White Paper. Intergraph Solutions Group)
Chapter-2
Types of Wireless Broadband Technology
2.1 Current Wireless Broadband technology
2.1.1. Bluetooth
Bluetooth' was originally launched by L.M. Ericsson to integrate a telephone with other Internet devices, (Mobile Computing: Bluetooth Technology) and is being developed by PalmSource, the Company that developed the first infrared port for the Palm handheld computer, which enabled users to 'beam' information from one source to another with ease and speed. Whereas the Palm handheld device has to be essentially pointed at the device that is receiving information, the Bluetooth enables devices to remain in their original direction; they do not have to point at one another. Furthermore, the distance between the devices can be large, and the speed at which the information can be transferred is much higher. The data itself can be encrypted and therefore secure. In essence, the Bluetooth is the latest and fastest and also low cost mobile Internet device that is easily affordable by the general public. (Bluetooth Wireless Technology)
What does the Bluetooth do and how does it work? The essential function of the Bluetooth technology is to allow such Internet enabled devices such as the notebook, laptop, desktop, and the cell phone to interact and communicate with one another without external aids such as a USB or any other user port. All the communication is done using a series of radio signals or radio specifications, the frequency of the signals being that of a low 2.4 GHz and the data speeds are up to a range of 721 Kbps. There is no one direction in which this technology can be used; it is omni directional. The distance that it can cover ranges from 10 cm to 100 m; the greater the transmitting power, the greater the distance covered. The output power can be less than 10 mill watts. Basically, the Bluetooth technology functions like this: it can be embedded in an electronic device or be used as an adaptor. (How Bluetooth Technology Works-CNN.com)
Any electronic device that is popularly used today can make use of these built in 'transceivers'. When one device comes within the specified within 10 m to 100m range of another, communication in the form of exchange of information such as capability and addresses takes place. Thereafter, security and error corrections are established with a 1-to 2 (sometimes capable of up to 721 bps) megabit links and then communication can happen as required. (Mobile Computing: Bluetooth Technology) The Bluetooth technology enables users to automatically exchange information and data between two Bluetooth enabled devices, like for example, when a mobile phone comes within the range of a PC, a number that has been stored in the phone will automatically be transferred to the PC. (How Bluetooth Technology Works-CNN.com)
Voice as well as data transfer can happen, the Bluetooth technology being one with an extremely flexible topography. Each device can boast of a 48-bit address and the irritating radio interruptions are eliminated by the use of a technique known as 'frequency hopping' whereby the radio frequencies are frequently changed- up to 1600 times per second. In addition, three complimentary but different error- correction schemes are used and verification and encryption are both built in. The power consumption of a Bluetooth device is much less than that of a mobile phone even, using a mere 0.3 mA in standby mode and 30 micro amps in 'hold' mode and 8-30 milliamps in transmitting mode. This amounts to less than one tenth of a watt in power consumption, and therefore, battery power and life is not wasted. (Bluetooth Technology: How Bluetooth Technology Works)
2.1.2. Mobile Phones
Presently, the world technology is revolving around digitalization. Almost all the applications in the human life are being attempted to be digitalized. It has much impact in the sphere of communication. The invention of cellular phones is considered to be an important milestone in the field of communication. (An Overview of Cellular Technology) The wireless telephones indicate to a hand set with inbuilt antennas and also known as cell, mobile or PCS phones. Their easy portability makes it more popular particularly among the mobile users. (Digital Wireless Phones to be Compatible with Hearing Aids) It is estimated that about 12 million persons in U.S. are using cell phones. (How Cell Phones Work)
Until recently, comparatively larger mobile phones are based on analogue devices and its use is confined to business experts for voice communication. Presently the wireless technology has been made digital. The 2nd generation phones presently are in operation that allows transmission of speech in digital format over a radio path. The Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology is being used in the present 2C phones. The mobile phones have global operation with introduction of the European system of Global System for Mobile Communication. This also made the Digital Cellular Service, chatting cost effective. Synchronization of the internet facility into the Mobile Phones is made possible through the WAP-Wireless Application Protocol. (An Overview of Cellular Technology)
The Coded Division Multiple Access technology (CDMA) facilitates data transfer in huge quantity including audio and video files. Its reformulated and advanced form -Wideband Coded Division Multiple Access-WCDMA is used as a global standard for the 3rd Generation phones. The Multimedia Messaging Service-MMS facility have been introduced in advanced phones like Nokia 3530 enabling transfer of pictures, videos etc. (An Overview of Cellular Technology) This has enhanced features enabling communication with any one from any where globally. (How Cell Phones Work) The wireless telephone is based on two-way radio technology that involves voice and converts the sound into radio waves. This makes possible the traveling of the radio waves through the air so as to reach to a base station. The base station on the other hand transmits the call through the telephone network so as to reach the concerned person. (An Overview of Cellular Technology)
Prior to receiving a call on the wireless telephone the message moves through the telephone network in search of the base station in close proximity to the cellular phone. The base station in turn communicates the message to the concerned mobile sets through radio waves for conversion into sound waves. (Digital Wireless Phones to be Compatible with Hearing Aids) About 800 frequencies are necessitated across the city by a normal analog cell phone system in the United States. The entire region is divided in to a number of cells each cell comprising of about 10 square miles. The divisions are considered to be hexagons based on large hexagonal grids. Each of the cells is equipped by a tower and necessitating radio equipment known as base station. Each particular division in an analog system utilizes about one-seventh of the duplex voice channels available thus avoiding the possibilities of any sort of collision by introducing a unique set of frequencies. (How Cell Phones Work)
About 832 radio frequencies are used by a mobile system to be operated in a city. Each of the mobile set requires two frequencies per call hence about 395 voice channels are available per carrier. In this way about 56 voice channels are available in respect of each cell. This implies at a particular moment each cell accommodates communication by 56 cell phones. The introduction of digital transmission system enhances the number of available channels. To illustrate a digital system based on TDMA technology is capable of carrying channels about three times that of the analog system thus accommodating about 168 channels. The cell phones incorporate a low power transmitter. And many have also two signal strength of 0.6 watts and 0.3 watts. The low power transmission is also involved in base stations. The mobile system necessitates a large number of base stations of different sizes. A large city consists of a number of towers. (How Cell Phones Work)
Since the number of cell phone users are huge thee cost per user becomes very low. The Cell phone service also require to maintenance of a central office known as Mobile Telephone Switching Office by each of its carriers. This central office manages all the phone connections to the normal land-based phone system and controls all of the base stations in the region. The cell phones are extending a number of services and new ones are constantly being added in a cost effective manner. The varied models of the cell phones facilitate different utilities like storing contact information, time and job scheduling, monitoring appointment and reminders, provision of calculator, sending or receiving e-mail, receiving of information, receiving information on news, entertainment, stock quotes from Internet, playing of games and synchronization of PDAs, MP3 players and GPS receivers etc. (How Cell Phones Work)
2. 1. 3. Satellite
The geosynchronous satellites stationed at a distance of 22000 miles above the earth at the equator is utilized by the satellite data services. The services of these satellites are used for performing many jobs from ranging from video distribution for TV transmission networks to authentication of credit cards at major retailers. With the increase in launching of satellites, utilization of their services for data transmission also enhanced and this has a direct impact on the prices to be lower. Such reduction in prices has tremendous impact on the consumer market constituting of several satellite services providing high speed Internet services for domestic users. The conventional cable line providers can not sufficiently cater to the bandwidth requirement since ATM, Frame Relay and DSL services are not available uninterruptedly. They are even not considered cheap beyond the city areas. The rural areas are therefore are neglected and provided with low cost broadband data services. This resulted in real market potentiality for the satellites to fulfill. The receiving antenna at the ground need not be moved with stationing of satellite at a fixed location in the sky. The incoming signals are received and rebroadcast to the receivers antennas by the transponders located in the satellites. (Satellite Data Service: An Introduction to Satellite-based Data Services)
2.1. 4. Wi-Fi
Beaming of Internet connection as far as 300 feet is possible by the radio signals known as Wi-Fi. It is possible to logging on to the Internet by any of the computers having Wi-Fi receptors by fixing it with a broadband modem irrespective of their locations across the hall, neighbor apartments, or from relaxing chairs. The beginning of WiFi is seen with starting up of radio spectrum experiments by the Federal Communications Commission in 1985. Many number of companies such as NCR, Symbol Technologies and Apple Computer began forming wireless networks. However, the impetus in this line was little bit slower in the late 1980s because of the incompatibility in the development of systems. Formulation of an acceptable standard in wireless communication was strived for and at last Vic Hayes, a scientist of NCR could succeed in finding out in 1997 and released as 802.11b. This has been named as Wireless Fidelity or WiFi in short. Apple stigmatized the market during 1999 by attaching WiFi to the iBook portables at a low price of $99. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
This revolutionized the city worldwide and the customers having confidence on advanced technology began to install the wireless networks. Such Linux based installations were initiated first by Rob Flickenger in San Francisco and Anthony Townsend in New York. An attempt was made by them to provide cost effective equipments resorting to empty Pringles to be used as antennas. Interested neighbors were persuaded to form growing community networks. Thus first the WiFi is said to have grown in the lanes of the common people. Even at its early stages of development some business concerns began applying these networks to suit to their own purposes, the remarkable being Care Group Inc. hospitals in Massachusetts for the purpose of connecting about 2000 medical professionals to the mainframe of the company. Many such enthusiastic capitalists tried to come together in an effort of connecting the combination of these networks to a secure nationwide network. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
The founder of Earthlink Inc. during the year 2001 established the Boingo Wireless Inc. To assent all the networks as Boingo providers and in turn claimed $50 a month from its subscribers. In this way the number of new subscribers increased rapidly and the number of such commercial hotspots increased to 16000 within two years. Presently the WiFi has risen to the shabby borders of the networked environment. This is assimilated with an uncontrolled radio spectrum along with varied types of devices like cordless phones and baby monitors. The objective is to construct the Wi Fi into a strong edifice of the networked world. Intel has come forward to pave the way. The next action is to set up the Wi-Fi as the global foundation and the Intel is supporting with a new chip. The WiFi is considered to fail in becoming stronger till the hotspots are reliable. As many as 100 engineers from Intel were entrusted with a global mission. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
2.2 Promising Wireless Broadband technology
2.2.1. 3G Mobile
The first and second Generation networks succeeded in providing voice telephony and the Third Generation of mobile telecommunication succeeded in providing related services over the networks. (3G mobile: An INTUG Europe position paper) The 3rd Generation telecommunication is considered to be a happy marriage between mobile phone and Internet. This is considered to be the end result of long development of the mobile phone from the first generation -analogue to the digital 2nd generation phone. (What does 3G mobile phone technology promise?) For the first time the service was proposed by ITU in 1992 under the acronym IMT-2000, where IMT referred to International Mobile Telecommunications and the number '2000' was used to indicate the year the service was expected to be made available along with the frequency spectrum of 2000 MHz or 2 GHz, and the service would use and the transmission rate of 2000 Kbps or 2 Mbps. (3G Mobile Service)
The Third Generation however has referred to a different technology in comparison to 2G or 2.5G services to use Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and IP network for transmission of voice and data packets with much greater efficiency. (3G Mobile Service) The Third Generation network was taken to mean a group of mobile technologies proposed to be launched in the year 2001 that will use a number of high-tech infrastructure networks, handsets, base stations, switches and other equipments so as to enable the mobile sets to cater to the needs of providing high speed Internet access, data, video and CD quality music services. The data transfer rates in 3G networks are as large as 2 megabits per second. (Third Generation Mobile Technology)
2.2.2. PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants)
The Personal Digital Assistants initially were considered useful to manage the telephone numbers, address books and program schedules have been improved a lot in the present days. Their capabilities and flexibility have increased to such an extent that presently these are being referred to as 'handheld computers'. (Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs- products.consumerguide.com) The PDA was first evolved in the year 1992 with the search of Apple for an associate to produce the Personal Digital Assistants. After huge experimentations and amidst great publicity a product known as Newton came to the market in August 1993. However, the high price of about seven hundred dollar and complicacies involved in handwriting recognition feature made it a failure and it could not succeed in intensification of the market until the U.S. Robotics launched Pilot 3000 and 5000 in the year 1996. The Palm Pilots are more popular in view of its simplicity and accessible design and presently after about three years the business professionals seems to be more dependent on PDA. (Personal Digital Assistant: Overview)
The PDA embodies Calendar, notepads and address books, however many also find it useful in downloading email and other materials from the computer and also in synchronization of the essential files from a computer to a handheld device. The features of PDAs are going on increasing. The modems available at different models can be supplemented as accessories. The cost of the product is also decreased to a great extent as low as $150. Similar to the conventional computer it has a display screen normally having a touch screen and LCD display, a micro-processor, memory device and being operated by one operating system. The PDAs are operated by one of many operating systems available the most popular being the Palm Operating System. A PDA operating system is also formulated by Microsoft know as Windows CE. As the Palm Pilot is more popular form of the PDA, a wide variety of PDAs are available presently in the market. (Personal Digital Assistant: Overview)
Presently the Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are considered as a device that enables exploitation of the capability of the desktop computers in a handheld package. Traditionally, the Personal Digital Assistants are concentrated on extending basic tools required for administrative convenience like diary and contact organization. But its integration with the mobile telephony enabled its extension to the conventional desktop PC functionalities like Internet access and provision of email etc. (PDA Applications) Primarily the PDAs are structured as organizers. Its significance is further enhanced with its integration to the desktop computers along with carrying of the schedules, contacts and program schedules in the pocket. The functionalities of presently available PDAs are more varied. Presently the palm top PDAs and Microsoft Pocket PCs are enriched with thousands of add-on programs. They presently give access to several features like databases, games and off-line browsing in short provides the preferred websites at the pocket. Some PDAs have also free slots as supplementations for add on hardware.
The wireless Internet accessibility can be infused to manage the e-mails from anywhere. This may conveniently be converted into a digital camera, an MP3 player or a tool for global positioning system. (Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs- products.consumerguide.com) The Personal Digital Assistants seem to come in two prime versions one operated with Palm Operating System and the other using Pocket PC operating system-Windows CE. Each is considered to have its own merits and demerits. A majority of the PDAs particularly being used by the Doctors are operated on Palm OS. As a result of this most of the medical software presently prevalent is based on the Palm Operating System. (The Personal Digital Assistant: A Doctor's Best Friend) The standards of Wireless technology like Bluetooth and WiFi of 802.11x series enabled the PDA based applications to be interconnected with other devices. This provides the PDA tools an instant method of communicating with other systems in the close circumference through the system of Bluetooth with utilization of the WiFi technology. The integration of the mobile telephone technology with that of the PDA technology seems to be fast growing. The direct connectivity to the internet and internet related appliances are possible through its integration with 2.5G GPRS technology or 3G UMTS technology. (PDA Applications)
2.2.3. Fixed Wireless Broadband
It has conventionally been taken by the consumers that the services are extended only by the conventional wired companies. The customers presently have wide alternatives. In view of its cost effectiveness and simple operational structure, presently increasing number of customers are more inclined towards wireless technology for searching data, telecommunication, video or television transmission at home or in business. Since early 1980s the fixed wireless services are available to the common people in the name of wireless cable. Many of the Multi-Channel Multipoint Distribution Service (MMDS) operators have been engaged in extending services for many years with a wireless downstream and telephone upstream path. Their efficiency and strength has increased to a great extent with the dawn of digital technology. The growth has empirically been found out in terms of one million subscribers presently only in U.S. from 200000 in 1992 and it has increased to 9 million in 90 nations. (Fixed Wireless Broadband)
The fixed wireless is considered to be the perfect technology for making available high speed Internet with integration of data voice and video for both home and business users. A spectrum of 2 GHz to 42 GHz frequency bands is used in the Fixed Wireless broadband. Local Multipoint Misdistribution Service, Multi-channel Multipoint Distribution Service, Cellular or PCS-Personal Communication System, Direct Broadcast Satellite, Digital Terrestrial etc. are included in Fixed Wireless technologies. The LMDS point to point wireless network involves link between cell phone towers and central exchanges, and also trunk connections in metropolitan building at a speed range of 150 Mbps and 620 Mbps over a range of 2 km. The transmission of packets at the rate of 150 Mbps omni-directionally at a radius of 1 to 3 km is possible through point to multipoint devices. (Fixed Wireless Broadband (IEEE 802.16)
The operation of the LMDS is seen at 24 GHz, 28 GHz and 39 GHz frequencies with data transfer rates of 100 Mbps and more commonly at 45 Mbps. The Fixed wireless radios are used in both public networks and private enterprises. The megabit speeds at T1/E1 rates were possible in initial point to point connections so as to extend the copper in PDH networks. The present radio links were necessitating adjustable speeds at the range of gigabits for extending support to OC-192 rates in the prevailing SONET/SDH networks. The frequencies between 2.1 GHz and 2.7 GHz at a range of 50 kms are used by the MMDS technology that supports a data transfer rate of 128 Kbps to 10 Mbps, which is considered to be a good substitute for DSL and Cable modems. (Fixed Wireless Broadband - IEEE 802.16)
2.2.4. Mesh Network
The Mesh topology involves a form of Local Area Network that involves two sorts of connection designs such as full mesh topology and partial mesh topology.
The full mesh topology involves connection of each of the nodes directly to each other. (Mesh network- searchnetworking.techtarget.com) With formation of a circuit linking the nodes with every other node in a network the full mesh topology is constructed. The Full Mesh topology is found to be expensive for implementation however, is yielding the greatest amount of idleness as safeguard against the failure of one of the nodes to restore the network by redirecting the traffic to any of the other nodes. The Full mesh topology normally is resorted to in case of backbone networks. (Mesh Networks to Boost Energy) In case of the partial mesh topology it is seen that some nodes are linked to all other nodes like the full mess topology, however, some other nodes are linked only to the nodes with which they are involved most for transfer of the data. (Mesh network- searchnetworking.techtarget.com)
The partial mesh topology is normally considered less costly for execution and has less idleness in comparison to the full mesh topology. In case of the partial mesh topology some of the nodes are arranged in line with the full mesh scheme but some others are connected only to a few nodes in the network. The partial mesh topology is employed in secondary networks linked to a full meshed backbone. In the foregoing illustration a full mesh network with five nodes have been exemplified. (Mesh Networks to Boost Energy) Each of the nodes is represented in terms of spheres and the connections are represented as straight lines. In case of such topology the connections may be in wired form or be effected to with wireless. (Mesh network- searchnetworking.techtarget.com)
2.2.5. Radio frequency identification (RFID) technique by which, devices named RFID tags, are put to use to remotely save and recover data, is called Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). An RFID tag looks like a glue label, which can be fixed to or included into a product. RFID tags can accept and react to radio-frequency questions from an RFID transceiver through antennae fixed to them. Contrary to the common belief that Leon Theremin first invented this device in 1945 as surveillance tool for Russian Government, the first authentic usage of RFID devices is dated earlier. In World War II, RFID devices have been put to use by United Kingdom to differentiate between English and German air planes on their arrival; this feature is superior to radar as radar can only sense the existence of a plane but not the type of plane. (RFID: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The groundbreaking 1948 paper by Harry Stockman titled "Communication by Means of Reflected Power" was, in fact, the first work investigating RFID. To resolve fundamental issues in reflected-power communication and to discover practical uses, Stockman anticipated that substantial research and development work needs to be done. To make RFID a reality, it took thirty years of developments in varied fields. RFID tags have two varieties namely active and passive. Passive RFID tags do not have a power supply of their own; however, they can react to a radio-frequency scan by means of the minuscule power induced in the antenna by this incoming radiation. Passive RFID tag reacts for a short time, typically just an ID number - GUID, due to their power and cost issues. As these devices do not have power supplies, they are very small and these products existing in market can be fixed under the skin. As of 2004, these devices are virtually imperceptible and measures 0.4mm x 0.4mm and thinner than a sheet of paper. (RFID: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The read ranges for passive tags fluctuate between 10mm and 5 meters. In contrast, active RFID tags should have a power source; hence they have longer ranges and bigger memories than passive tags; also they have the capacity to accumulate extra information sent by the transceiver. As of now, the tiniest active tag is about the size of a coin. Active tags, in general, have tens of metres of practical range and many years of battery life. Passive RFID tags are available in plenty because they are less costly to make. The tags cost $0.25 as of 2004. To make RFID tags commercially feasible and prevalent, it is projected that the cost of the tags should be less than $0.05. Based on the level of their radio frequency, there are four different types of tags normally in use: between 125 to 134 kilohertz (Low frequency tags), 13.56 megahertz which is High frequency tags; between 868 to 956 megahertz which is UHF tags and 2.45 gigahertz which is Microwave tags. (RFID: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
Anti-theft systems, automobile key-and-lock, beer keg tracking and animal identification are some of the areas in which Low-frequency RFID tags are normally used. Small chips are usually implanted within the pets, so that if it is lost it can be given back to the possessor. The original standard of 125 kHz and 134.5 kHz of the international standard are the two RFID frequencies that are used in the United States. High-frequency RFID tags find usage in apparel item tracking, airline baggage tracking, building access control, pallet tracking, library book or bookstore tracking. Instead of the earlier magnetic stripe cards, the high-frequency tags are mainly used in identification badges. To verify the identity of the holder, these badges must be within a particular distance of the reader. Commercially in the shipping yards, for truck and trailer tracking and for pallet and container tracking, UHF RFID tags are mainly used. For vehicles with long-range access control, Microwave RFID tags are used, and one such example is General Motors' Onstar system. (RFID: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
RFID tags are used in some tollbooths like California's Fast Track system for electronic toll collection. These tags are interpreted as vehicle pass and from a prepaid account the information is used to deduct the toll. In the toll plazas, the system assists in quickness of the traffic. RFID transceivers can be used to read sensors like the seismic sensors, which to a great extent simplify the remote data collection. The testing of RFID transponders implanted in tires has begun from January 2003, as per the announcement by Michelin. The manufacturer will give the carmakers the RFID enabled tires after a testing period that is estimated to last for 18 months. Tire tracking is the main objective in agreement with the United States Transportation, Recall, Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act which is the TREAD Act. (RFID: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
RFID chips found ingrained in cards are mainly used as electronic cash to pay fares in mass transit system and/or retails like the Netherlands and Octopus Card in Hong Kong. An agreement for $415,000 has been made by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRH) in August 2004, to check the tracking technology with Alanco Technologies. A signal will be sent to the prison computer from the wristwatch-sized transmitters given to the prisoners if they try to remove them. In U.S. prisons this scheme is not the first such method of tracking chips. This technology is already used in Michigan, California and Illinois facilities. (RFID: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
2.2.6. Ultra-Wide Band (UWB)
The notion however, is not attached to a fixed standard of wireless communication; this has been considered as a technique for modulation and data transmission that is predicted to revolutionize the wireless scenario in near future. (Following the IDF: Ultra Wide Band Wireless Data Transfer Technology) The recent technology on wireless communication that enables data transfer at a speed of 40 to 60 Megabits per second and gradually expected to support the speed of 1 gigabit per second is Ultra-Wide Band (UWB). The UWB is used for transmission of ultra-low power radio signals having very small electrical pulses as small as in Pico-second range over all frequencies at a time. These short eruptions of noise into data are translated by the UWB receivers by listening for an acquainted pulse sequence sent by the transmitter. (UWB: webopedia.com)
The conventional Ultra Wide Band (UWB) transmitter functions by transmitting billions of pulses over an extensive spectrum of frequencies extended to several GHz in bandwidth. The pulses were translated into data by the concerned receivers by paying attention to the familiar set of pulse sequences received. More particularly, UWB is taken to mean any of the radio technology that has a spectrum with a bandwidth greater than 20% of the center frequency or a bandwidth of 500 MHz. The contemporary UWB systems utilize the modulation techniques like Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in order to have these extended bandwidths. Additionally, the significant benefits to the traditional UWB systems are supplemented through the utilization of multiple bands in combination with OFDM modulation. The feature of broader spectrum and low power in UWB's enhanced the speed and decreased the interference with other wireless spectra. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized the UWB radio transmissions in United States to operate legitimately at a range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz at a limited transmit power of -41dBm per MHz. As a result of this the UWB enhanced the channel capacity dramatically at a short-range that confines the interference. (UWB technology, 2004)
The first official approval of UWB standard data transmission has occurred with the approval of FCC to Motorola's free scale Semicondutror-XS110 ultra wide band chipset. Then after, the many companies such as Intel and Motorola are striving hard for enhancing UWB devices at least since 2002. Till recently, there is no agreement on use of a particular standard. This is considered to be the first public UWB chip in the sphere of consumer and electronic products. The market researchers fixed the trend to forecast that about 315 million products implementing the UWB technology will come to market by 2009. With the fixation of fulfillment of conditions by the UWB technology many hindrances have been faced in development of the chips. The FCC condition of operating at a low power preserving the spectrum integrity of devices presently in operation could successfully be surmounted by the Free scale. Such conclusions become conducive to the companies like free scale to start developing products for consumers. (FCC Approves First Ultra Wide Band (UWB) Chipset for Consumers)
2.2.7. Voice over Wireless Local Area Network (VoWLAN)
In mobile devices, the convergence of VoIP and Wireless LAN (WLAN) is happening at any cost. Presence of precursor products and building blocks is visible. The technical competence is already in place and is refining. If we can predict the future from the past, we can expect consumers to shift to converged VoIP/WLAN products and services that will provide improved connectivity, ease, and mobility and cost savings. The promise as a substitute to usual telephony is huge as per some industry analysts. What are the vital factors that have fueled this convergence promote so swiftly? The remarkable role is played by the market acceptance of 802.11 WLAN technology. The bonus to the intensification is due to the surfacing of the 802.11g standard. The 802.11g standard, through its large bandwidths in the 2.4 GHz band, has quickened the extensive propagation of WLAN networks from business to commercial centers and residences. (e-Newsletter: Archives, 2004)
For data connectivity by means of mobile Internet protocol, Wireless LANs are normally used; but VoWLAN enables voice transmission over the Internet. However, the limitations of VoWLAN on QoS-quality of service involving irregular wireless throughput and roaming amid AP-access points exist. The major products presently available in the market are proprietary network hardware and software. VoWLAN systems work fundamentally in two distinct methods. Calls made from a wireless phone product from Symbol, SpectraLink, and Cisco are sent from the phone to a WLAN access point (AP) and then to a VoIP gateway. The calls are then decoded among the IP network and the private branch exchange (PBX). This set-up permits all usual PBX functions that are accessible on a worker's wired desk phone to be obtainable on the VoWLAN phones. Calls that are made to phones exterior the company will go through the PBX to the PSTN - Public Switched Telephone Network. One more way for VoWLAN to work is for software-based phone, also acknowledged as so ftphones, to direct calls over the Internet. In this situation, customers can utilize the so ftphoneon their PDA or laptop to place calls from a site or hotspot that provides a WLAN. The call is almost without charge as it can be directed anywhere over the Internet. (Technology in Focus: Voice over Wireless LAN)
On many facades, VoIP's acceptance is swiftly proceeding. VoIP applications are being implemented rapidly, particularly in vertical markets and in general in the enterprise market. For instance, VoIP products are included currently in most Home Depot retail warehouses. Through an IP-based handset, workers wander the huge places of the warehouse and uphold connectivity with their fellow workers. Employees in the more conventional office environment also garner the advantages of VoIP-based systems. Employees can carry an IP-based desktop handset with them in place of two phone numbers, namely, one for the desktop telephone and the next for a cellular phone, whenever they are asked to be present at a meeting in a conference room on the other side of the building. Due to their ease of use VoIP and WLAN are acquiring market share through approval among potential users. Additionally, future of convergence is bright with unlimited potential due to advancements in technical competences. (E-Newsletter: Archives, 2004)
Certain capabilities are assumed in a WLAN for using a VoIP application on the WLAN network. By now many of these necessities have been met. There is a continuous improvement of WLANs performance with respect to data throughput rates. More than 50 megabits per second (Mbps) is already a regular rate and performance numbers are increased to still higher levels by the equipment vendors. One more jump further than 100 Mbps in data rates will be attained with ultimate acceptance of 802.11n draft standard. Higher data rates accompany the quality of service (QoS) requirements in the 802.11e standard. For real time applications resembling VoIP, these QoS features are crucial. The type of call quality and service levels required for sustained market approval of converged VoIP/WLAN applications and to guarantee user satisfaction, QoS features offer a base. (E-Newsletter: Archives, 2004)
Besides the technical developments, associated products and services must also become obtainable for feasible VoIP/WLAN applications. The business case for consumer-oriented, mass market VoIP services has been established by Vonage, AT&T, Yahoo BB and other service providers. The value proposition for consumers has become much stronger as more service providers are pulled into the market. New varieties of handheld mobile devices like smart phones; wireless PDAs and converged dual mode VoIP/WLAN phones are launched from an end equipment point-of-view. Quite a few wireless PDA suppliers have announced their proposal to combine VoIP and WLAN connectivity into their products in the near future as Motorola proclaimed a converged cellphone handset with WLAN capabilities. It is certain that in next two to five years, there will be an extensive acceptance of converged VoIP/WLAN handsets due to their advantages provided to the customers. (E-Newsletter: Archives, 2004)
Chapter-3
Analysis of Success and failures in Wireless Broadband Products
Like other forms of broadband technology the wireless system also suffers from its own advantages and disadvantages. The wireless technology is considered to be more costly in comparison to the analog modem technology. The payment is made for both online time as well as the quantity of data transferred. This is considered to be a major flaw in view of our acquaintance with flat rates for limitless access and limitless data transfer.
3.1. Analysis of Recent Success and failures in Current Wireless Broadband Products
3.1.1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Bluetooth
3.1.1.1. Advantages of Bluetooth
Today, Bluetooth is used in almost all areas of life, and its success is phenomenal. For example, its use in an ordinary headset for a music player enables the user to transfer audio wirelessly from an MP3 player effortlessly, as a Bluetooth enabled car-driver can drive 'hands free'. Another astonishing use of the Bluetooth is the 'mobile media viewer', a device that is attached to the TV and enables the user to receive JPG images from a mobile phone or a portable TV. The received images can be viewed on the TV screen. The 'mobile computer' is another device that uses Bluetooth. It is a complete mobile data collection application. The medical field has benefited enormously with the advent of the Bluetooth technology. The technology has been used in quite a few medical devices, with excellent results. For example, the MobiMed system enables the ambulance personnel as well as hospital staff to access information about the patient through a tele-medical information system that provides information relating to the medical parameters of the patient at frequent intervals to a patient link provided by the Bluetooth. (Bluetooth enabled products)
Besides eliminating cables and wires and leaving all devices free, the Bluetooth technology also functions as a bridge to unite all data networks by providing an essentially small device that connects all Bluetooth enabled devices and makes them perform their functions away from fixed networks. By limiting and controlling radio signal interference and noise, and also by guaranteeing security and authentication at the bit level, the Bluetooth is an excellent device that keeps the user automatically in touch with all his networking devices with little or no work or effort from him. By also being sure that there will be no pollution to the environment and that there will be no harm wrought by emissions from the devices, the Bluetooth technology seems to have caught the collective imagination of the people of today, and will definitely be a boon to those people who will consider using it for their businesses or homes. (Bluetooth Technology: How Bluetooth Technology Works)
Who are the persons or individuals who will find this advanced technology of benefit to them? The tech-savvy consumer has been showing a lot of interest in the emerging Bluetooth technology for the past few years. However, there is more interest now than there ever was before. The benefits of the technology having been enunciated clearly enough, there has been avid interest in the minds of consumers, for whom the benefits of any particular product have to be explained or demonstrated explicitly before any decision can be made. The sales of Bluetooth enabled products, according to a survey by In-Stat Forecasts, will go up to an astounding 955 million units by the year 2005. (Consumers gain interest in Bluetooth for Wireless Communications)
The prospective customers of this technology could be from the fields of health, medicine, manufacturing, high-tech industries, the film industry, education, the business services industry, or banking and finance industries. These customers will probably start using this technology within the next few months itself. The fact that the Bluetooth technology can be added on to existing devices also means that more than half of the customers that have heard of this technology will naturally be willing to spend about $25 to add on the Bluetooth benefit to them. These could be 'wireless' Internet access, or location-based information availability. (Consumers gain interest in Bluetooth for Wireless Communications)
Major Companies like Ericsson, IBM, and Intel are all involved in the manufacture of user-friendly or consumer-friendly Bluetooth enabled devices that work on the principle of 'wireless technology' or related fields, which is essentially what Bluetooth is all about. These companies are looking towards a future where hundreds and thousands of devices with Bluetooth chips embedded within them will be able to communicate with each other over specific distances. (Hoffman, Bluetooth Technology) All the various personal devices that the consumer of today is used to possessing will improve from the implementation of the Bluetooth technology. The consumer can now interconnect all these devices any time he wants to, and anywhere. (Bluetooth takes a Bite)
The fact that direction and distances are not a problem of major concern for the Bluetooth to function well makes this easier. The customer can print without the encumbrance of wires, can access the Internet from anywhere at all, and also enjoy a clutter free work area without the presence of a multitude of wires and mouse everywhere. The as yet unutilized areas of the Bluetooth technology are plenty, as for example, in the user's car. A day is foreseen when the driver of a car can drive without the use of his hands, a virtually 'hands-free' car. He can also use his mobile phone to take a picture of himself and send it to his mother across the world immediately. The technology can also be used in any devices like a camera that can be connected to the PC, wherein the cable would be replaced by wireless technology. (Bluetooth takes a Bite)
Generally, communication protocols are targeted at the commercial market, and Bluetooth does likewise. Hotels, Corporations, and Airports can eliminate wires. The target at present is the industrial sector where implementation of the Bluetooth technology aims at a total wire free environment. This, however, may not be possible because for its limited range: 100 meters. The one good thing achieved here is that the junction box that would otherwise be located at the point at which the wires meet is eliminated; instead, copper or fiber is taken to Bluetooth transmitters throughout the floor of the plant, and then the final 30 meters are allowed to emerge out and are connected to the device. This proves to be cost effective because the small portion of Bluetooth wire that emerges to be connected to the device is minimal; usually, the costs of wires that connect the device to the junction box wherever it is located make up most of the costs of such devices. (Bluetooth: is anyone going to sink their teeth in?)
Bluetooth eliminates these costs. What it does is this: transmitters are installed throughout the floor, and whenever there is a need for a new technicality, like for example, a motor gauge for temperature measurements, all that needs to be done is the installation of a Bluetooth sensor at the point at which it is required. The domestic consumer can beam with infrared technology his business card at his associate using his mobile phone that is today made with an in- built Bluetooth system. (Bluetooth: is anyone going to sink their teeth in?) These are some of the uses and benefits of the latest Bluetooth technology that can be beneficial to the ordinary consumer as well as to huge commercial industries.
3.1.1.2. Disadvantages of Bluetooth
Nothing comes without a few risks, and Bluetooth has its fair share too. The technology is highly susceptible to wireless worms and vicious viruses. These could spread at an alarming rate due to the nature of the wireless technology. However, there is nothing that cannot be controlled and this too has been contained and controlled within reasonable limits. (WIDCOMM Bluetooth a security Risk) It is therefore safe to say, at this point, that the Bluetooth technology is a great boon to the modern day world, and is enjoying phenomenal success all over the world. This particular technology is here to stay.
3.1.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Phones
3.1.2.1. Advantages of Mobile Phones
In the communication arena the cellular telephones are considered to be a revolution that brought radical changes in our conception of oral communication. Conventionally, the Cellular telephones were considered inaccessible to many of the prospective customers due to its excessive costs. The led the Cell Phone carriers to invest more time and resources in search of the methods for enhancing its capability as well as reducing the costs significantly. The cellular technologies have widely benefited from this research and have begun to swipe the market as a large scale consumer product. (Technology behind Cellular) The industry that begun catering to the requirement of a selected few that could afford for this has now become accessible to the masses. The industry with turnovers of multi-billions are strangled with popular brand names like Motorola, Nokia and others. (The Wireless Industry - An Overview of the Cellular Phone Service in America)
The cellular phones service is considered to be a true consumer electronic device and estimated to have over 59 million subscribers. The Nokia Bowl and Qualcomm Stadium have made the cell phones so much cost effective that provides enough evidence of making the instrument as consumer electronic device. The substantial reduction in its costs has ceased the device to be a mark of status and become accessible by a millions of masses and are becoming highly cost responsive. Presently the cost of the instrument is not considered important but what maters is the cost of its operation. This led to optimization of the cellular phone infrastructure so as to bring down the operating costs and call charges to the lowest possible extent. Presently, the cellular service providers are competing to reduce the call costs so as to have greater market coverage particularly in the field of metropolitan areas. (Technology behind Cellular) In comparison to the traditional analog mobile system used in the field of telecommunication the cellular phones presently have enormous capabilities allowing greater mobility, have compact in size and found to be easier in handling. (An Overview of Cellular Technology)
As is seen the traditional sets were comparatively larger and heavier to ensure easy portability. The huge size and weight made it known by the acronym of 'brick phone'. The first cellular phone introduced during the year 1984 by Motorola in the as DynaTac 8000X was costing $3,995 and was having a weight of about 2 pounds. The weight of the Mobile set was reduced in the year 1991 with introduction of the Motorola MicroTac Lite that was costing $1,000. Presently with the advancements in technology the mobile sets are small and lighter found suitable to be kept in the pockets and even, costing much lower. The present forms of Star Tac or Nokia 252 phones widely differ from the past. The growth trend is quite impressive in view of the comparatively new industry and service. Still more are to come in the future than it is expected. Some models are already in the process of experimentation by the manufactures. (The Wireless Industry - An Overview of the Cellular Phone Service in America)
The underlying technology driving the mobile phone industry is still improving radically. The Cellular infrastructure seems to be transformed from 3rd Generation to 4th Generation technology with the introduction of General Packet Radio Service. The 4th Generation services are integrating the high speed mobile access with service based on Internet Protocol enhances the wireless communication capability ensuring provisions cost effectively along with richer contents. This is considered to be very fast at the rate of 100 Mbits in stationary mode and at the rate of 20 Mbits at the time of mobility. The Network capability of the 4th Generation instruments is found to be 10 times more efficient than the 3 Generation instruments. Synchronization of other services like TV, Digital Camera, MP3 players etc. are found in Cellular phones. The most significant utility of the mobile phones -communication, productivity, information access, entertainment etc. are kept in mind by the renowned companies like Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, Mitsubishi, Siemens, and Ericsson etc. At the time designing the new devices. As a consequence of such synchronizations of these multiple services into the single unit of the small handsets of mobile devices makes it a replica of the Personal Computers. (An Overview of Cellular Technology)
With the pace of time wide availability of the choices throws the customer to confusing. Presently, it is easier to choose between the types of the sets, plan of calling, and the type of network. It is also easier to choose between the add-ons in order to suit their needs. The cellular phone presently to most of the users have become a necessity and not considered as a luxury. Its utility in contingent situations to seek roadside assistance, citizen patrol, faxing, business and personal use in general emphasizes its greater significance. The mobile phones have become an integral part in everyday life. Innumerable advantages are attributed in use of cellular phones. About 60% of the mobile users presently attributed their use as a matter of security concern. About 50% of cellular phone users seem to use their phones in communicating about their car trouble, medical emergencies, criminal activities, negligent driving etc. (Cell Phones on the Road: NYS Department of Motor Vehicles)
The users of the Mobile phone are increasing day by day globally at unbelievable rates. This resulted in further progress in the telecom industry. The landmark of 1 million subscribers of cellular services in America was attained in the year 1987. Astonishingly, the subscribers increased to 11 millions in the year 1992. Presently, it is estimated that the users of cellular service constitute about 400 million people globally. The United States only considered having about 25% of the subscriber base for the services. The trend shows the projection of the subscribers to be about 1 billion in the year 2003 worldwide. (The Wireless Industry - An Overview of the Cellular Phone Service in America)
3.1.2.2. Disadvantages of Mobile Phones
However, most of the users are not aware of its correct operation. This results in malfunctioning of the device and often damages the device. Other substances like humid, air, dust, moisture etc. also reacts with the device and cause damages. (An Overview of Cellular Technology) The increasing number of towers set up for the purpose and maintenance of traffic to cater to the calling volume has eradicated the fear of the call being disconnected even in remote rural areas, which is considered to be a great advantage of the present day cellular phone service. Since the traffic in rural areas is low the cellular service providers do not find the operation in rural areas cost effective and the deficiencies in the availability of towers make it difficult to pick up a cellular call. (The Wireless Industry - An Overview of the Cellular Phone Service in America) Moreover, the cellular phones are considered to be more accident prone. An analysis has been made by National Public Services Research Institute for AAA in the year 1991 on 'The Effect of Cellular Phone Use upon Driver Attention'. With use of a driving simulator it was tried to watch the reactions and responses of Drivers at the time of tuning a car radio, while having simple voice cellular conversation, at the time of dialing the phone, and having complex conversation. (Cell Phones on the Road. NYS Department of Motor Vehicles)
The analysis revealed following inferences: - firstly, all types of handling of cellular phones caused an increase in response time or diversion of attention from the highway traffic environments. Secondly, more concentrated and multifaceted conversation results in overlooking the traffic conditions and the time to respond them. Similar effects have also been noticed in tuning the car radio. Dialing phones and casual conversation however seems to have lower effects, even though viewed as a process to slow response time. The effects of dialing and effecting simple and complex conversation is seen to have more distracting effect on the drivers of the age of more than fifty years in comparison to that of younger drivers. Their influence on non-response to the traffic situation is more by 33 to 38% among the aged drivers. It has also been found out that the distracting effects of the usage of cellular phone are not related to the prior experiences with them. A recent analysis made by the scholars of the University of Toronto on the Association Between Cellular Telephone Calls and Motor Vehicle Collisions were brought out in the New England Journal of Medicine in its February 1997 issue. A typical analysis is made on 699 drivers with cellular phones and involved in traffic accidents causing significant damages in property however having no personal injury. (Cell Phones on the Road. NYS Department of Motor Vehicles)
The study after analysis of the bills of cellular phone concluded that they are more prone to accidents while using the cellular phones. Besides, calls within 5 minutes of collision are considered to have greater impact on them rather than that affected 15 minutes earlier. The similar effects are also there on drivers with different characteristics in considerations to their age and expertise in driving. Besides the cellular devices with hands free option are not considered to enhance the safety advantages over the handheld units. The analysis also pointed out that the drivers with cellular use are not at fault but their capability to avoid collisions are reduced to a great extent on the impact of cellular conversation. The cellular telephone have advantages in the post accident period is substantiated by the fact that about thirty-nine percent of the drivers called emergency services following an incident. It has been indicated that the motor vehicles are becoming principal causes of death tolls in North America and are most important cause of death of children and young adults. The analysis also revealed that about 90% of the reasons of an accident are attributed to the errors committed by drivers. (Cell Phones on the Road: NYS Department of Motor Vehicles)
3.1.3 Advantages and Disadvantages of Satellite
3.1.3.1. Advantages of Satellite
The flexibility from location-based rigidity granted by the satellite-based systems is considered to be its greatest benefit. Irrespective of the location the broadband connectivity can be implemented at any point of location by the satellite-based system which is free from wired connectivity. The cost involved in satellite-based projects for additional locations is the cost of the hardware at a location and an installation charge. Therefore the new locations are to be established only with the additional per site costs which remains constant irrespective the number of locations and its scattering. This does not involve the high costs attached to the cable network system in terms of long gestation period for cabling, expensive installation charges, long duration contracts etc. (Satellite Data Service: An Introduction to Satellite-based Data Services)
The monthly subscription for satellite services ranges from about $80 to $500 basing on the company, the speed of the connection and the services offered. This charge is considered very low comparison to the service offered. The satellite systems are considered definite advantage without underground cabling, aerial cables, intermediate switches and no handoff points. The productivity and user's reliability is considered to be higher with fewer outages. Simply movement of the equipment in a location can cause movement of the site from 384K-512K to T-1 speeds thus ensuring a scalable method to upgrade bandwidth without requiring heavy investment. It only necessitates a fractional T-1 at the moment. The concerned software can also upgrade with provision of additional functionality with use of the same equipment. (Satellite Data Service: An Introduction to Satellite-based Data Services)
3.1.3.2. Disadvantages of Satellite
Several disadvantages are also attached to the satellite technology. Some of the weaknesses are to be agreed upon while some others necessitate modification in the method of use of the applications, operations of the devices etc. The weaknesses make the satellite systems unfit for a confined set of applications. Moreover, the delay as a result of the distance is inevitable in case of the satellite systems. The satellite systems depend upon the satellite stationed in geosynchronous orbit at about 22000 miles away from the earth's surface. This involved traveling of signals by 44000 miles resulting in significant delay or latency. The satellite systems are vulnerable to the threat of data insecurity as it involves beaming down to earth in long transmission. Interference to the transmission may be caused by any one within view of the satellite. The satellite services are further states to be lacking the provisions for full bandwidth controls or full quality of services. The quality of services can be finely controlled in wire line systems as each user has a separate entry point into the network, providing a check post for flow management. (Satellite Data Service: An Introduction to Satellite-based Data Services)
The satellite system involves beaming of data by all the users to the satellite that relays the data to the ground to be routed. In absence of control on the quantity of traffic there is every possibility that a single user is at the liberty to send the data in the traffic already been used by other users and eventually there is possibilities that several simultaneous high bandwidth users may use the entire traffic available and block other users. The satellite systems necessitate a clear line of the sight to the satellite. Even if sounds strange there exists such areas where clear line of the sight to the satellite is unavailable. The efficiency of the distribution of data over a satellite relies on the applications normally used over the network. The Internet browsing is one of the most effective services to be delivered by the satellites. However, the interactive applications such as video conferencing seem to have low efficiency due to performance constraints. (Satellite Data Service: An Introduction to Satellite-based Data Services)
3.1.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Wi-Fi
3.1.4. 1. Advantages of Wi-Fi
The WiFi technology is being revolutionized and poses an alluring wireless environment in the field of business. The implementation of the WiFi technology in transportation jobs in factors, trucks, stores and hospitals is seen in case of several companies starting from General Motors to United Parcel Services to Care Group etc. It has become irresistible to the corporations for implementation before waiting for the launching of refined industrial versions of Wi-Fi hitting the market. Its promising productive potentiality impels them to invest on custom built systems. The wireless network has been implemented by the United Parcel Service Inc. with an investment of $120 million for global distribution. It has been revealed by the company that the information creeps into the UPS network automatically with scan of packages by the loaders and packers resulting in the additional productivity to the tune of 35%. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
The IBM is striving to formulate systems powered by Wi-Fi in watch constantly on the functioning of remote machines ranging from kitchen room in restaurants to air conditioners in computer labs. Big giants are also coming into filed for venture. Intel seems to have spent at least $300 million in the market on its Centrino computer chips that come equipped for Wi-Fi. It has been agreed upon by the Cisco Systems to invest $500 million on Linksys dealing with telephone equipments based on Wi-Fi technology. Verizon Communications Inc. And T-Mobile USA Inc. are also including subsequently. The business giants seem to have joined the group in herds. The price of the Wi-Fi equipments is dropping with more and more companies coming in. A lot of home appliances are linked to the Wi-Fi technology revolutionizing the consumer products. The gadget meisters have already succeeded in transmitting the MP3 songs and videos from their computers to household TV sets and stereos through Wi-Fi. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
3.1.4. 2. Disadvantages of Wi-Fi
However the outside forms of Wi-Fi are sometimes considered not dependable and rough to install. This has reduced the reliability on the technology and left the crucial ideas unpracticed. Without taking the security concerns of Wi-Fi to the industrial standards the flourishing of the technology can not be viewed. The corporations have irresistible allurement for implementation of the Wi-Fi technology in terms of its power and flexibility. However many of them are just setting aside its implementation for a while till they are fully convinced of the safeguards against its vulnerability to hackers, spies and competitors. The Wi-Fi hot spots are more alluring at hotels, airports and commercial centers so as to cater to the needs of the numerous mobile Net surfers. Such activities affect the revenue potentialities of the telephone companies. Irrespective of the fact they seem to have going on investing on Wi-Fi implementations in three continents with an expectation of charging the subscribers for the wireless services. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
The objective is to lead the Wi-Fi technology to the industrial strength from a mere wireless device. After being succeeded the Wi-Fi technology will strengthen the Internet to fly to the remote places. The reliable Wi-Fi hotspots seem to have revolutionized the range of operation of the Internet bringing a radical change in its very nature. The analysts point out the Wi-Fi will overcome its hurdles. With the beginning of companies to transform the technology into a business many improvements can be seen. However, its real worth will come in revolutionizing the Internet. (Green; Rosenbush; Crockett; Holmes, 2003)
3.2. Analysis of Success and failures of Promising Wireless Broadband Products
3.2.1. Advantages and Disadvantages of 3G Mobile
3.2.1.1 Advantages of 3G Mobile
The Third Generation network like the Wi-Fi also guarantees Wireless Internet. It is creeping into the Europe and Asia and going to spread in North America in the coming couple of years. The 3rd Generation Telephone system extends a broader coverage in comparison to the hot spot constellations of Wi-Fi. The efficacy of the 3rd Generation network is assessed in terms of rapid change over to the new services by the consumers, business concerns, non-profit organizations, governments sectors, establishment of new companies and new jobs. The Third Generation mobile networks are being revolutionized quickly to be adaptable to the changing lives and business requirements. The efficacy of the 3Gs also depends upon the competitive markets for services running over the networks. (3G mobile: An INTUG Europe position paper)
The 3rd Generation mobile networks not only support the increased data transfer rates but also extends new services along with multimedia and m-commerce. 36 The 3rd Generation network supporting ultra-high bandwidth connectivity is expected to enhance the rate of data transfer 200 times faster than the presently available. The exhilarating experiences are inevitable in the industry on the eve of any great variation. The 3rd Generation technology strives to promise for the services like mobile video conferencing, TV anywhere, multi-player mobile gaming etc. (What does 3G mobile phone technology promise?)
The launching of successful commercial 3G network in Japan paved the way for increasing number of operators from Asia and Europe. The launch of first commercial 3G network in Japan successfully paved the way for increasing number of operators in Asia and Europe to adopt the same. The 3G services support GSM/GPRS/EDGE and WCDMA at the same time resulting in more area coverage. (3-Genaration: Infineon Technologies) In the United States the CDMA 2000 even known as CDMA Multi-Carrier is considered to be the 3G alternatives. The company Qualcomm developed the prevailing standard with supports from many of the U.S. And Korean Companies. The greatest advantage of CDMA 2000 is considered to be its easy up-gradation from CDMA2000 1X involving low costs.
The experiments signify that the CDMA 2000 is capable of delivering data transfer up to 2.4 Mbps in fixed environment and 384 Kbps in mobile conditions. The question arises as to what is the effect of 3G on consumers. (3G Mobile Service) Firstly, it caters to the better quality network service in respect of voice telephony. The enhancement in capacity indicates less dropped connections, less busy signals etc. Secondly its impact on the consumers is seen in divergent to the Industrial visions. The consumers need information any time, anywhere and any how. Therefore, the consumers are more concerned with the materials and services and not to the technology involved. The Industry should be aware of the fact for its proper functioning. (What does 3G mobile phone technology promise?)
3.2.1.2. Disadvantages of 3G Mobile
The operation of 3rd Generation network involves an inextricable connection among users, manufactures, operators and software/content suppliers etc. It is seen that their diverse objectives are widely influenced by the economic, technological, and service perspectives since the implementation result is offering a wide range of services. This led to think that the operation of 3rd Generation network is more complicated in comparison to that of the 2nd Generation mobile network. The market trend in telecom industry is indicating a positive growth even better in comparison to the general economy, with a growth rate of 10% in 2001. The share of mobile communication to this growth is estimated to be 40%. Irrespective of such impressive growth, the pressure from the financial markets on this sector is considered to be highest during the period. The future prospect of the industry led the operators to increase their investments significantly, mostly by acquisition of market shares resulting in enhancement of their debt level and degradation of their credit ratings. This action reduces the necessary potentiality for investment particular at a point of time when the physical functioning entails heavy financial resources. (Third generation mobile communications)
This critical situation leads the operations to emphasize on rebalancing their finances. This has a negative influence on normal operation of the 3rd Generation networks. Reports have been received with regard to technological deficiencies in terms of dropped calls, glitches in the terminal software and insufficient batter capacity. These technical difficulties are considered inevitable with introduction of a new technology. However, the administration affords to restore confidence by promulgation of a stable regulatory jargon. The implementation of networks in future will be benefited by them in synchronization of the conditions and accelerating procedures. It is expected that the synchronized licensing conditions and assignments are expected to avoid market twists and insecurity in the industry. (Third generation mobile communications)
3.2.2. Advantages and Disadvantages of PDA's:
3.2.2.1. Advantages of PDA's
The utilities of PDA are enormous. The PDA is used to manage the schedules and scheduling of jobs, store a plethora of medical data, assists in managing the patients, managing the medical data and grants entertainment when away from home. The professionals use PDAs for storing phone numbers and addresses, review of schedules and reports, sending messages and playing games etc. The PDAs are persistently being enhanced with various accessories at a cost about $100 to $500. The accessories like folding keyboard are an effort in turning the PDA into a mini word processor. Various Web resources like Palm Pilot provides software like acupuncture charts, Spanish medical terms etc. found to be useful to medical professionals. The possibilities of attaching a company Data Harvest Educational dealing with production of equipments like temperature gauges and heart rate monitors may be attached to a PDA. The instruments presently have in built wireless modems in order to facilitate instantaneous connectivity to the college networks. Moreover, the infrared ports present in most of them allow the users to beam data between the PDAs. (Scott, 2002)
The use of PDAs is considered useful not only in the sphere of business or private life but more significantly in the field of education. The PDAs are being used by the students in the classrooms for enhancing their organizational capability, gaining collaboration, ensuring maximization of portability of the technology. The PDAs are considered best fit for attaining such objectives. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?) Since the availability of the medical software for use in PDAs is easier, the instruments are widely used in medical schools. The Palm hand held computers are being used widely by the students of pharmacy school in Samford University for taking up classroom notes and review the medical references. The Palms are used by the students at Florida State University College of Medicine in order to facilitate comparison of interactions of prescription drugs in patients. Colleges have also begun to include these tools as a matter of their requirement in many other academic fields. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?) wireless Internet service has been installed in Drexel University that facilitated the students to instantaneously access the class timings, grades and campus news on their PDAs. The efficacy of PDAs to manage legal study materials have been analyzed by the students in an analysis sponsored by West Publishing. The PDAs are utilized by the students of the Marketing discipline of Bentley College effectively for conducting their market research assignments. In their respective fields the educational institutions like Dartmouth College, the business college of University of Iowa and Duke and Brigham Oneng University etc. makes the students essential to have the devices. (Scott, 2002) Several applications are available in support of complete range of activities and academic fields. Financially also the PDAs are considered viable to cater to the needs of the educational programs since they are considered quite cheaper in comparison to the desktop PCs. The University of South Dakota (USD) has become the first educational institution necessitating the application of such handheld computers by the students. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?)
The professors emphasized on synchronization of the Palms into many disciplines. The music professors have emphasized on use of the same for pitch-training. As a part of the education program in the university the high school students find the palms beneficial to attach the devices with for measurement of acidity in rivers and streams. In the field of journalism the professor in media advises the students to collect and store clippings on PDA to show and share them with other students in the class. Class lessons, class timings, practice exercises, and syllabuses found compatible with the PDAs of students are offered by Douglas A Peterson, an assistant professor of psychology at the university. The time schedules are programmed to alarm and remind about the ensuing examinations. The marks secured by the students using such devices are found to be higher than the other students. The acting president of the university, Donald C. Dahlin sees the prospects of extensive use of personal digital assistants in the classrooms. He opined that the efforts of professors synchronizing syllabuses and course contents on the PDAs of the students of South Dacota may be considered only as an experiment. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?)
Moreover in comparison to the laptop computers the PDAs are considered as easier to manage the notes and have fewer disturbances in the classroom. (Scott, 2002) The handicapped persons are also benefited in different ways through the PDAs. To illustrate the students suffering from learning handicaps and factual weaknesses are considered to be benefited from the PDAs in terms of organizational and management overviews. People with mobility hindrances consider PDAs beneficial in terms of its small size, low weight and easy transportability. These features facilitated the dealers of augmentative communication devices innovate PDA-based aug-com devices like Enkidu Palmtop Impact and the Saltillo Chat PC-II. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?)
3.2.2.2. Disadvantages of PDA's
Irrespective of their advantages the PDAs are presently not available to all the consumers. Usually, the users confront a short stylus for putting the data into and a small screen for getting the result. Therefore, the users not capable of handling the small stylus and view the small screen are barred from using it. More and more technologies assisting the PDAs are made available. However, all these technologies are developed either for Palm OS or Microsoft Pocket PC but not for both. Moreover, the restrictions in memory and processing power curtail the several features of the PDAs in comparison to the desktop counterparts that limit its accessibility. To illustrate the operating systems in PDAs have no inherent feature in favor of providing larger fonts and different color schemes. Moreover, no PDA form of multimedia players seems to back the closed captions. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?)
The compact personal information managers like Parrot Voice Mate and Pulse Data's Braille Note and Voice Note product line are available for the blind customers. They however never incorporate all the features and functionalities of PDA operating systems and will not be sufficient to accommodate the student keen on using a particular application of the PDA. The PaC Mate product series of Freedom Scientific is considered to be a complete PocketPC device that makes available the Braille access to the Pocket PC operating system. However, no standard device with enhanced features is found for Palm operating system. The blind users as well as the users not capable of using the stylus are benefited by the Speech recognition and text-to-speech devices. Presently, the speech recognition software for PDA like Voice Command, Via-Voice and Dragon PDsay etc. are made available by the companies like Microsoft, IBM and Scansoft. This software however, is based on the command line and is not compatible to convert the dictations. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?)
Even though the PDAs are considered much useful in the disciplines of medicines its extension to other undergraduate programs are also considered useful. The efficient sizes of the hand held devices are found to be more appropriate in the class room in comparison to the laptops that are found to have fewer disturbances in the classroom and suits the portability constraints of the students. Sometimes these miniature sizes are associated with the limited functionalities that create dejection among the students particular those who are compelled to purchase larger desktop computers even after spending on PDAs. (Scott, 2002) Their utility as a technology to supplement is quite limited, however expected to be improved and required not by the necessity of accessibility but to cater to the needs of mobile staff world wide. This is considered as an illustration of its common design. (Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?)
3.2.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Fixed Wireless Broadband
3.2.3.1. Advantages of Fixed Wireless Broadband
The fixed broadband wireless is expected to lead the communication industries with the rapid technological improvements of wireless services. (Fixed Wireless Broadband) Implementation of the BFWA networks in the last mile is emerging to serve two groups of the customers firstly, the large corporate enterprises and secondly the residential households and small business concerns. The large corporate enterprises involve in the use of frequency bands at above 11 GHz to set up a point to BFWA system to link their corporate offices. Conversely the residential and small business concerns use the networks implementing point-to-multipoint networks at a frequency bands below 11 GHz. (Wanichkorn et al., 2002)
The technology in the name of wireless cable, broadband wireless local loop or wireless DSL has great advantages over the DSL and cable. The news report of Cahners In-Stat Group states, it has to strive against great hurdles in order to succeed. Moreover, the telecom giants like Worldcom, Sprint, AT $ T. has enough confidence on the technology. In the recent past each has started implementing its own services. The In-Stat reports that the efforts of these companies have further explosion while catering to the growing consumer demands. According to the reports, an estimation of 14 million subscribers was forecasted for global subscribers to fixed wireless data and video services by the end of 2004. The report further emphasizes on the cost savings in terms of eliminations of the requirement for laying cables, allowing incremental increase in the coverage and elimination of licensing as in case of cable etc. (Will Fixed Wireless Fulfill Your Broadband Needs?)
3.2.3.2. Disadvantages of Fixed Wireless Broadband
Moreover, the fixed wireless broadband confronts many such obstacles. The absence of agreed upon standards implies a superficial pool of equipment producers, the signals are reduced by interferences from the Tall buildings, trees etc. The rainy whether with foggy or story conditions interfere the signals necessitating the vendors to establish the transmitters at close gaps. The small cellular phones along with its limited range can effectively be served by the service providers in densely populated areas. The failure of WorldCom-Sprint merger suffocates the required consolidation and eradicates a chance for economies of scale essential to try with alternative technologies. (Will Fixed Wireless Fulfill Your Broadband Needs?)
The fixed wireless is considered slow for implementation and improvement and therefore is placed only next to cable modem access and DSL in terms of the number of broadband subscribers. Standardization of the technology, improvement in the base of device producers, and the trend in consolidation among fixed wireless service providers poses serious obstacles in its implementation. (Fixed Wireless Broadband (IEEE 802.16)) Irrespective of such constraints significant growth of fixed wireless in the ensuing years is predicted more especially in international markets that have been captured by the sparse or inadequate wired telecom networks. (Will Fixed Wireless Fulfill Your Broadband Needs?)
3.2.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Mesh Network
3.2.4. 1. Advantages of Mesh Network
The Mesh network topology is considered more dependable but is suffering from redundancy. In case of failure of one node the other nodes can easily communicate with each other through one or more intermediate nodes. The functioning of the Mesh topology is considered more effective in case of the scattered nodes. (Mesh network- searchnetworking.techtarget.com) In case of adverse effects of environmental conditions resulting in poor reliability, it is found to be difficult or impossible to become familiar with a point to multi-point network to enhance the reliability. Contrarily, the mesh networks are considered reliable and capable of easy adaptability to the environmental or architectural constraints and its capacity can further be increased so as to manage large number of end points. The mesh topology is not only considered reliable but also highly flexible. The wide gap between a tank level sensor, for example, and data logger in an RF communication link can successfully be overcome by means of adding one or more repeater nodes to fill the circuitry gaps of the network. The technology is viewed beneficial in terms of provisions for self-configuring, scalable and self-healing networks in their efforts to provide industrial strength connectivity. Even failure of one or more nodes in the topology does not influence the functioning of the network. (Wireless Mesh Networks: Reliable Wireless Networks for Industrial Systems) mesh network is considered automated and self corrigible since no manual interference is essential for re-routing of messages. The goal of it is focused on collection of distributed data and their management. The wireless mesh networks are considered to be multi-hop systems that help the nodes themselves in transmission of the data packets in the networks in adverse conditions. The temporary networks can be withdrawn and established in desired places with a minimum of pre-arrangement. The mesh network is considered flexible and capable of being upgraded to thousands of nodes. Since the operation of the network do not cater to the central control point addition of multiple data acquisition points are considered easier in this topology. The quality of connectivity is radically enhanced with shortening of distances among the nodes in such mesh topology. The reduction of distance to half is seen in the enhancement of the strength of signals four times. (Wireless Mesh Networks: Reliable Wireless Networks for Industrial Systems)
This results in more dependable links having no increase in the transmitting power in case of the individual needs. The wireless technology presently benefits the industrial system catering to the needs of redundancy, distributed communications, scalability and dependability. The reduction in the costs of microprocessors and radios the wireless technology with the enhanced features of self-configuring and self-healing is considered to be more cost effective. Besides, the mesh topology is found beneficial in distributed control systems. The advantage of the wireless technology lies in its maintenance by the personnel through sensors without physical wires. The diagnostic monitoring of devices is considered another advantage in case of multi-hop, wireless and mesh networks. With simple addition of nodes the extension of accessibility, redundancy and improvement of dependability can be supplemented in mesh network topology. (Wireless Mesh Networks: Reliable Wireless Networks for Industrial Systems)
3.2.4.2. Disadvantages of Mesh Network
The considerations with regards cost, security, inter-functionality and flexibility poses serious threats to the effective implementation mesh topology. The mesh topology suffers from the criterion of cost as it involves spreading of large number of cables. From this consideration even the star topology and ring topology are considered much cost effective in comparison to the mesh network. At the circumstances where the nodes are near a common lie the bus network topology is considered more cost effective to be resorted to. (Mesh network- searchnetworking.techtarget.com) The prospective consumers need to be made aware of all these facts by the vendors. Even though the cost of equipment in case of Wireless LAN systems seems to be higher, the true cost of its implement seems to be considerably low in terms of huge saving on cabling and its advantage in terms of rapid deployment. (Molta, 2004)
The flexibility and security concerns can also be managed of course at the cost of increased system complexity. The interoperability of the systems needs agreeable standards in this sphere. However, adherence to the standards of the 802.11 will make the professionals to adopt to mesh implementation more conveniently. Presently most of the products use the mesh topology to support entry into the Internet and Intranet. However, it is predicted that extension to client devices are possible through meshes themselves in the future. It is evident in case of most of the universities that are involved in structuring the wireless grid networks in order to cater to the needs of client devices for connecting to the wireless networks. The applicability of wireless grids is not seen instantaneously but is presently having mesh networks as alternatives. (Molta, 2004)
3.2.5. Advantages and Disadvantages of RFID
3.2.5.1. Advantages of RFID:
In this modern period, RFID systems have acquired fame and disrepute. The growth of all-encompassing commerce, occasionally nicknamed as the quiet revolution, is the motivating power at the back of the swift advancement of RFID technology. Details regarding vital regions where consumers reside and operate is communicated by all-encompassing commerce using technologies such as tracking devices and smart labels implanted with transmitting sensors and intelligent readers to data processing systems. (Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems) Compared to the older bar-code technology like UPC or EAN, RFID tags possess numerous significant benefits and hence are frequently imagined as a substitute to them. RFID tag can have an exclusive code, as their codes are longer; but UPC codes are restricted to a single code for all cases of a specific product. (Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems)
In case of RFID tags, the exceptionality is that a product may be independently pursued as it shifts from place to place, ultimately finishing up in the consumer's hands. This way companies can prevent shoplifting and other types of product loss. To swap cashier with an automatic system, RFID has been planned for point-of-sale store checkout, with the choice of wiping away all RFID tags at checkout and paying by credit card or dropping in money into a payment machine. At some stores, this has been put into practice but to a restricted degree. To make use of RFID and the Electronic Product Code (EPC) in the detection of any item in the supply chain for companies in all industries, everywhere in the world, an international standard was planned and an organization named EPCglobal is working on it. Representatives from EAN International, Uniform Code Council, The Gillette Company, Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson and Auto-ID Labs constitute the board governors for EPCglobal. (Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems)
Based on the Federal Drug Administration verdict in July 2004, a concluding appraisal is under progress to decide whether hospitals can use RFID systems to recognize patients and/or authorize appropriate hospital staff to gain access to medical records. Several fantastic uses, like letting a refrigerator trace the expiration dates of the food it contains, are projected, but only a little have crossed past the model stage. These RFID systems facilitate business owners to have real-time entry into stock information, as well as a wider, brighter picture of consumers' purchasing behaviors. Retailers and corporations can peek into lives of consumers, in hitherto impossible ways, with RFID technology. The information that can be conveyed by the products embedded with RFID tags includes electronic product code-EPC identifier, details of the item like consumption status or product newness. (Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems)
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