Mobile Computing Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of a mobile network compared to a wired network?

Location flexibility

What was introduced in the 1990's for mobile voice and data communications?

GSM (Global System Mobile)

What is a characteristic of a wired network compared to a mobile network?

Connected operation

What is mobile computing characterized by?

Ability to compute no matter where the user is Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of mobile telephony?

Wireless technology Signup and view all the answers

What was developed in 1960 by AT&T?

Electronic Switching System (ESS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of mobile computing?

To enable people and their machines to access information and communicate with each other easily and securely, anytime, anywhere Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of mobile computing?

It enables continuous access to remote resources, even through small computing devices Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant difference between wired and mobile computing networks?

Mobile computing networks allow transmission of data, voice, and video via a computer or wireless enabled device without a fixed physical link Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Application layer in Mobile Computing Architecture?

To act as a server for client requests Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a handheld device that can be used for mobile computing?

Personal digital assistant (PDA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between a mobile computer and a smartphone?

Operating system Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the ability of devices to be connected and accessible everywhere, at all times?

Ubiquitous computing Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the integration of computational capability into everyday objects?

Pervasive computing Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of mobile computing architecture?

Designing wireless networks and mobile computing systems Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge of mobile computing in terms of internet access?

Range and bandwidth Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the network technology that allows data to be transmitted between devices?

Bluetooth Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a wearable device in mobile computing?

Smartwatch Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Comparison to Wired Networks

Wired networks have a fixed location, while mobile networks offer location flexibility and portability
Wired networks enable connected operation, whereas mobile networks can be disconnected
Wired networks have high bandwidth, low bandwidth variability, and low delay, but mobile networks have low bandwidth, high bandwidth variability, and high delay
Wired networks have a hidden terminal problem, require high power machines, and have high resource machines, whereas mobile networks have low power machines and low resource machines
Wired networks have more stable connectivity, whereas mobile networks have less stable connectivity

Concept of Wireless Network and Mobile Computing

Wireless network: a data transmission and communication method that doesn't use cables and wires
Enables mobile computing, which is the ability to compute anywhere, at any time
Mobile computing involves mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software
Mobile computing can be done through telephony, and it has evolved over the years

Mobile Computing Through Telephony

Mobile telephony took off with the introduction of cellular technology
Analogue technology was used in the 1980s, and digital cellular technology was introduced in the 1990s
GSM (Global System Mobile) is an open, non-proprietary standard for mobile voice and data communications

Evolution of Telephony

1876: First telephone system by Alexander Graham Bell
1892: Strowger switch installed as the first automatic telephone exchange
1960: Electronic Switching System (ESS) developed by AT&T
1962: Carrier system went digital
1960s and 1970s: Stored program telephone exchanges
1980s: Wireless telephony emerged
1990s: Mobile telephony flourished commercially across the world

Evolution of Mobile Network Technology

3G: 2Mbps, CDMA technology, and single unified standard
4G: 2Mbps to 1Gbps, CDMA-2000, and single unified standard
5G: 1Gbps and higher, unified IP and seamless combination of broadband, LAN, WAN, PAN, and WLAN

Mobile Computing Architecture

Presentation layer: presents data to the user and permits data manipulation and entry
Application layer: acts as a server for client requests, fetches or inserts data through the data source layer
Data source layer: provides data for the above two layers

Pervasive / Ubiquitous Computing

Also known as ubiquitous computing, it embeds computational capability into everyday objects
It can occur with any device, at any time, in any place, and in any data format across any network
Pervasive computing systems collect, process, and communicate data, adapting to the data's context and activity

Mobile Operation System

An operating system built exclusively for a mobile device
Examples: Android, iOS, Blackberry OS, and Windows OS

Types of Mobile Computing Devices

Mobile computer: laptop, PDA, tablet
Smartphone
Wearable device: smartwatch, smartbracelet, smartglasses
Handheld device: barcode scanner, game console

Challenges of Mobile Computing

Range and bandwidth: mobile internet access is generally slower than direct cable connections
Security standards: dependent on public networks
Power consumption: rely entirely on battery power
Transmission interferences: weather, terrain, and range from the nearest signal point can interfere with signal reception