Wireless Communication Networks: History, Design & Applications

Introduction

In recent years, a large emphasis has been placed upon wireless communications networks (mobile networks) and how they can improve the business environment. The purpose of this discussion is to explore the concept of wireless communication networks and all the mechanisms involved in making them effective. Our investigation explores the history and development vision of mobile networks, the main characteristics and design issues of wireless communication networks, and their advantages, disadvantages, current applications, and future developments.

Historical Background and Development Vision

The world of telecommunications has changed significantly over the past twenty years and continues to develop at a rapid rate. Wireless communications networks have played a large role in contributing to the development of the telecommunications sector. The book Wireless: Strategically Liberalizing the Telecommunications Market explains the duty of the telecommunications sector and the mediums used within it. The book asserts that "the companies and government ministries that provide telecommunications services today offer customers the opportunity to communicate through certain kinds of technology. The technologies are diverse: telephones, televisions, satellites, computers, electronic mail networks, personal digital assistants, just to name a few, and more are being introduced every day." (Regli)

The book describes telecommunications as the ability to connect people through a medium. A traditional telecommunications company serves as a transmitter that carries signals from one place to another. There are two dominant means of transmitting communications: "through wires, which allow for the transmission and reception of information at the fixed points along the wire, and through wireless, which uses the electromagnetic spectrum to carry information from one place to another." (Regli)

Wireless communication was developed alongside the expansion of wired communication. Guglielmo Marconi was one of the first to experiment with alternatives to wired communication systems. According to the book, Marconi used Einstein's theory of relativity to create a system of wireless telegraphy, and this early development of wireless communications served as the stepping stone for today's wireless networks. (Regli)

In the past, wireless networks were unreliable and expensive. The old systems were often criticized for being too slow and for failing to provide the benefits associated with traditional wired systems. However, technological advances have since allowed these networks to become far more efficient.

Wireless networks have grown tremendously in recent years. Mobile networks are now used in business, higher education, and homes. An article in T.H.E. Journal describes the development vision of wireless networks in business and academic settings:

"Many technology companies are exploring wireless communication with the hope of emulating Europe, which is said to be a leader in wireless innovation and adoption. Lucent Technologies has launched a $10 million global research program to study the business impact of wireless applications on the Internet. Lucent, which provides network infrastructure to many of the world's carriers, hopes this study will urge carriers to invest more resources in third-generation networks. [A university] of Management will receive $5 million; London Business School and the INSEAD Business School, based in Fontainebleau, France, will each receive $2.5 million. The focus of that work will be in vertical markets, such as health care. Though wireless LANs are being studied in the mobile work force, universities have been running campus-wide pilot projects for a number of years. For example, Johns Hopkins University of Public Health in Baltimore, MD is working on its second full-scale wireless LAN upgrade." (Charp)

Main Characteristics, Design Issues, and Description

The article further explains that wireless laptops are becoming more prevalent on college campuses and allow a more convenient route to wireless networks. The author notes that wireless-enabled laptops combined with Internet networks allow students instant access to the Internet regardless of where they are on campus. At Wake Forest University, for instance, students have wireless access at 140 different areas, including dormitories, the library, and lounges. (Charp)

A wireless network is technically referred to as a wireless local area network (WLAN) and utilizes radio transmissions instead of cables to allow admission to a network. According to The Journal of Accountancy, WLAN equipment costs considerably more than regular LAN equipment. (Chamberlain and Stambaugh) One of the main characteristics of mobile networks is the ability to access the network without being tethered to a cable.

An article entitled "Wireless for the Mobile Workforce" explains the speed of new-generation wireless services: "Enterprise users are now able to conduct business that was once only available through wireline access. Users connecting to the Internet or e-mail via a third-generation network device can experience a desktop-like experience, with peak speeds of 144 kbps, and average user speeds between 50 kbps to 70 kbps. For example, upon seeing an important e-mail about available property, a real-estate agent can act right away by accessing his client list and making calls instead of waiting to return to the office or hotel to respond." (Bowman)

The article further describes the speed and security options associated with WLAN systems. The author explains that data speeds are essential to enabling users to have a desktop-comparable experience. (Bowman) One way this can be accomplished is through packet-switched data, a more efficient method of transferring data than the commonly used circuit-switched approach. (Bowman)

Traditional circuit-switched data is a network system that dedicates an entire channel or circuit to deliver a data transmission. (Bowman) This means that when a data session occurs, a circuit remains open throughout the entire session. (Bowman) In contrast, packet-switched data allows a message to be transmitted in packets, and no single circuit remains open for the duration of the session. Each packet is prepared in a specific way for transmission, including the data itself, control information, detection bits, and error correction. (Bowman) Such speeds are likely to increase as more applications become available in later phases of 3G. (Bowman)

The article also addresses the security of WLAN systems. The author argues that security is a necessity for any wireless network containing advanced data services. (Bowman) One common security measure involves digital coding technology, which allows CDMA transmission technology to deter accidental or intentional eavesdropping. (Bowman) CDMA technology was first used by the U.S. military and works by splitting sounds into small bits that travel across a spread spectrum of frequencies. (Bowman) This means that all conversations or data exchanged over the network carry a digital code known only to the CDMA base station and the connected phone. Other devices cannot receive the call, and many codes can be used to prevent eavesdropping. (Bowman)

Conclusion

The purpose of this discussion was to explore the concept of wireless communication networks and all the mechanisms involved in making them effective. Our investigation began by exploring the history and development vision of mobile networks. We found that there are two ways of providing communications: through wires, which allow the transmission and reception of information at fixed points, and through wireless connections, which use electromagnetism to carry information from place to place.