Thursday, May 13, 2010
4G Mobile Technology Today
4G Mobile Technology Today
Many of us that enjoy taking advantage of the late Communication Technology to become available on the public marketplace find it difficult to get such an inspiring and tantalizing technology as 4G mobile off our minds. We simply have to know what the pulse of fourth generation mobile is at the moment: what the latest developments are, which new cities have been added to the map of next-generation network coverage, and so on and so forth. Indeed it is necessary to take the pulse of fourth generation mobile technology fairly often because there is constant innovation in this field, as it is a Technology that is still in its infancy and has a long and surely glorious future ahead of it.
Currently, in 2010, the pulse of 4G mobile is quite a bit more impressive and dynamic than most observers would have expected it to be. Considering that this is basically the first year in which large scale commercial deployments are being undertaken with fourth generation Mobile, the fact that several dozen local markets are already included on the 4G map is quite impressive, especially considering the speed with which new markets have been incorporated. All indications point to the fact that by the end of this year there will be many dozen more local deployments of fourth generation networks, and by the end of the following year it is expected that the number of fourth generation enabled cities and communities will be counted by the hundreds, not by the dozens any longer. An interesting development in this sense has been the relatively small though much larger than expected role of rural/remote markets with regards to new fourth generation mobile deployments. Most people would automatically assume (with fairly sound reasoning) that only big urban and suburban areas would be brought on board, at least for the next year or more, and that rural/remote communities would only come during the later stages of fourth generation development. Nonetheless, rural residents have proven to demonstrate a very high demand for such high performance wireless networks and providers seem to be heeding their call, with a handful of such remote locations forming part of the incipient 4G coverage map.
Something that fourth generation users should be keeping a keen eye out for will be the steady advance in the capabilities of their mobile devices and the speeds which their network provides. Though pretty much all fourth generation mobile users are astounded by the fact that they can get download speeds above 10 Mbps on their wireless network, this is still a far cry from the 100 Mbps which have been proven to be possible in lab tests. Over the coming months and years, it will be necessary to continue taking the pulse of 4G services to see how much closer to that ideal point connections have actually gotten, though surely a year from now 100 Mbps will not be the peak boasted of by lab researchers, who will have likely passed the 200 or 300 Mbps mark by then.
Many of us that enjoy taking advantage of the late Communication Technology to become available on the public marketplace find it difficult to get such an inspiring and tantalizing technology as 4G mobile off our minds. We simply have to know what the pulse of fourth generation mobile is at the moment: what the latest developments are, which new cities have been added to the map of next-generation network coverage, and so on and so forth. Indeed it is necessary to take the pulse of fourth generation mobile technology fairly often because there is constant innovation in this field, as it is a Technology that is still in its infancy and has a long and surely glorious future ahead of it.
Currently, in 2010, the pulse of 4G mobile is quite a bit more impressive and dynamic than most observers would have expected it to be. Considering that this is basically the first year in which large scale commercial deployments are being undertaken with fourth generation Mobile, the fact that several dozen local markets are already included on the 4G map is quite impressive, especially considering the speed with which new markets have been incorporated. All indications point to the fact that by the end of this year there will be many dozen more local deployments of fourth generation networks, and by the end of the following year it is expected that the number of fourth generation enabled cities and communities will be counted by the hundreds, not by the dozens any longer. An interesting development in this sense has been the relatively small though much larger than expected role of rural/remote markets with regards to new fourth generation mobile deployments. Most people would automatically assume (with fairly sound reasoning) that only big urban and suburban areas would be brought on board, at least for the next year or more, and that rural/remote communities would only come during the later stages of fourth generation development. Nonetheless, rural residents have proven to demonstrate a very high demand for such high performance wireless networks and providers seem to be heeding their call, with a handful of such remote locations forming part of the incipient 4G coverage map.
Something that fourth generation users should be keeping a keen eye out for will be the steady advance in the capabilities of their mobile devices and the speeds which their network provides. Though pretty much all fourth generation mobile users are astounded by the fact that they can get download speeds above 10 Mbps on their wireless network, this is still a far cry from the 100 Mbps which have been proven to be possible in lab tests. Over the coming months and years, it will be necessary to continue taking the pulse of 4G services to see how much closer to that ideal point connections have actually gotten, though surely a year from now 100 Mbps will not be the peak boasted of by lab researchers, who will have likely passed the 200 or 300 Mbps mark by then.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Basics of Mobile Technology
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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The Basics of Mobile Technology
Mobile operators use radio spectrum to provide their services. Spectrum is generally considered a scarce resource, and has been allocated as such. It has traditionally been shared by a number of industries, including broadcasting, mobile communications and the military. At the World Radio Conference (WRC) in 1993, spectrum allocations for 2G mobile were agreed based on expected demand growth at the time. At WRC 2000, the resolutions of the WRC expanded significantly the spectrum capacity to be used for 3G, by allowing the use of current 2G spectrum blocks for 3G technology and allocating 3G spectrum to an upper limit of 3GHz.
Before the advent of cellular technology, capacity was enhanced through a division of frequencies, and the resulting addition of available channels. However, this reduced the total bandwidth available to each user, affecting the quality of service. Cellular technology allowed for the division of geographical areas, rather than frequencies, leading to a more efficient use of the radio spectrum. This geographical re-use of radio channels is knows as “frequency reuse”.
In a cellular network, cells are generally organized in groups of seven to form a cluster. There is a “cell site” or “ base station” at the centre of each cell, which houses the transmitter/receiver antennae and switching equipment. The size of a cell depends on the density of subscribers in an area: for instance, in a densely populated area, the capacity of the network can be improved by reducing the size of a cell or by adding more overlapping cells. This increases the number of channels available without increasing the actual number of frequencies being used. All base stations of each cell are connected to a central point, called the Mobile Switching Office (MSO), either by fixed lines or microwave. The MSO is generally connected to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network):
Cellular technology allows the “ hand-off” of subscribers from one cell to another as they travel around. This is the key feature which allows the mobility of users. A computer constantly tracks mobile subscribers of units within a cell, and when a user reaches the border of a call, the computer automatically hands-off the call and the call is assigned a new channel in a different cell.
International roaming arrangements govern the subscriber’s ability to make and receive calls the home network’s coverage area
Mobile Computing Networks
Temporary or Switched Connection via Wireline WAN:-
Permanent connection between a mobile user and information source is not only expensive but is not always practical because mobile users are constantly on the move. Therefore, the most popular (though not most ubiquitous or pervasive or persistent - using the new lingo) method of providing connectivity to mobile workers continues to be one of a temporary wireline connection for a specific use and a required period of time. This can be achieved by using a dial-up connection on a traditional public telephone or cellular network. You call it switched because you switch a circuit from one user to another user for the duration of the call. You may have a switched wireline connection directly between a remote location where the user is at a given moment and the information server or indirectly through the Internet. In either case, you still need to locate a telephone jack of one kind or another. Go to PSTN, ISDN, ADSL, or VPNs (Internet based Virtual Private Networks) for further information on these temporary connections for mobile workers.
Permanent connection between a mobile user and information source is not only expensive but is not always practical because mobile users are constantly on the move. Therefore, the most popular (though not most ubiquitous or pervasive or persistent - using the new lingo) method of providing connectivity to mobile workers continues to be one of a temporary wireline connection for a specific use and a required period of time. This can be achieved by using a dial-up connection on a traditional public telephone or cellular network. You call it switched because you switch a circuit from one user to another user for the duration of the call. You may have a switched wireline connection directly between a remote location where the user is at a given moment and the information server or indirectly through the Internet. In either case, you still need to locate a telephone jack of one kind or another. Go to PSTN, ISDN, ADSL, or VPNs (Internet based Virtual Private Networks) for further information on these temporary connections for mobile workers.
Wireless PANs (Personal Area Networks):-
These are wireless networks that can be installed in a small office or home within 5-15 metre distances. Two technologies being used for this purpose are IrDA which is based on line of sight requirement within two devices, usually a few feet apart. For more details on IrDA, please go to IrDA site. The second technology is Blue Tooth. Blue tooth technology supports multipoint connection without line of sight requirement. Go to Blue Tooth topic under "Hot Topic" menu item on our site's home page.
These are wireless networks that can be installed in a small office or home within 5-15 metre distances. Two technologies being used for this purpose are IrDA which is based on line of sight requirement within two devices, usually a few feet apart. For more details on IrDA, please go to IrDA site. The second technology is Blue Tooth. Blue tooth technology supports multipoint connection without line of sight requirement. Go to Blue Tooth topic under "Hot Topic" menu item on our site's home page.
Wireless LAN:-
Where the movement is within a contained geographical area, you can provide mobility by implementing a wireless LAN and equipping your mobile device with a corresponding wireless adapter - a PC card variety that goes into a notebook, hand-held PDA, a Windows CE-compatible device or Palm Pilot organizer. Go to Wireless LANs page for more info.
Where the movement is within a contained geographical area, you can provide mobility by implementing a wireless LAN and equipping your mobile device with a corresponding wireless adapter - a PC card variety that goes into a notebook, hand-held PDA, a Windows CE-compatible device or Palm Pilot organizer. Go to Wireless LANs page for more info.
Wireless MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):-
Metricom's Ricochet, a specialized wireless network is available at 128 kbps, 24 hours 7 days always on, in the following major metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis St. Paul, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego and 15 airports nationwide. These areas join the Washington DC and Seattle 28.8 kbps service areas. The service is offered through WWC, Worldcom, Earthlink, GoAmerica and Juno for $79.95/month and under. " (circa Spring 2001). Go to Metricom network description on this site for more.
Metricom's Ricochet, a specialized wireless network is available at 128 kbps, 24 hours 7 days always on, in the following major metropolitan areas: Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis St. Paul, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego and 15 airports nationwide. These areas join the Washington DC and Seattle 28.8 kbps service areas. The service is offered through WWC, Worldcom, Earthlink, GoAmerica and Juno for $79.95/month and under. " (circa Spring 2001). Go to Metricom network description on this site for more.
Wireless WAN - Private or Public:-
Once we move out of the limited geography of a wireless LAN in a campus or factory setting, we have to utilize wide area wireless network. These networks may be private or public. Large organizations, such as Fedex or public safety agencies, have implemented private CDPD or SMR networks to give wireless connectivity to courier drivers and police officers. However, the current trend is to move towards shared public networks, such as Motient or BellSouth (ex RAM Mobile Data - called Mobitex in Europe and Canada). Go to wireless WANs for more info.
Once we move out of the limited geography of a wireless LAN in a campus or factory setting, we have to utilize wide area wireless network. These networks may be private or public. Large organizations, such as Fedex or public safety agencies, have implemented private CDPD or SMR networks to give wireless connectivity to courier drivers and police officers. However, the current trend is to move towards shared public networks, such as Motient or BellSouth (ex RAM Mobile Data - called Mobitex in Europe and Canada). Go to wireless WANs for more info.
Satellite Networks :-
Even wireless wide area networks may not provide coverage in extremely remote areas, because networks can not justify the economics of installing a base station everywhere. True universal coverage for these types of mobile users is possible only through wireless networks based on satellites. There are several GEOS, LEOS, and MEOS satellite-based networks that transmit from different heights from the surface of the earth. Refer to these terms in the glossary.
Even wireless wide area networks may not provide coverage in extremely remote areas, because networks can not justify the economics of installing a base station everywhere. True universal coverage for these types of mobile users is possible only through wireless networks based on satellites. There are several GEOS, LEOS, and MEOS satellite-based networks that transmit from different heights from the surface of the earth. Refer to these terms in the glossary.
The Last Mile Problem for Wireless Networks :-
One thing worth noting is that it is only the last mile (or so!) where we need wireless or radio-frequency-based connection. Once we reach a terrestrial network, we can utilize the bandwidth of traditional wireline permanent connections. By the same token, once we reach the Internet Service Provider through a wireless hub or concentrator, we can be home free for riding high-speed connection to the universal information highway.
One thing worth noting is that it is only the last mile (or so!) where we need wireless or radio-frequency-based connection. Once we reach a terrestrial network, we can utilize the bandwidth of traditional wireline permanent connections. By the same token, once we reach the Internet Service Provider through a wireless hub or concentrator, we can be home free for riding high-speed connection to the universal information highway.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
3G Mobile Technology
Sunday, May 2, 2010
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3G Mobile Technology
What is 3G?
3G is short for third-generation technology. It is used in the context of mobile phone standards. A 3G service provides the ability to transfer simultaneously both voice data (a telephone call) and non-voice data (such as downloading information and exchanging email).What can it do for me and my business?
3G allows you to connect to the Internet without being near a wireless hotspot. It gives you self-contained internet and email access on your laptop, without the need for any specialised technical knowledge. Large email attachments can be downloaded quickly and easily, making mobile working a practical reality. You can even connect while on a train or in a car.You can stay connected whenever you want because you'll only pay for the amount of data you send and receive. Quite simply, it means that you can work from out of the office in the same way as if you were connected to your office network. There's no searching for a telephone socket and there are no snail-paced downloads.
If your business already provides staff with secure remote access to email and files on your computer network, it's likely that you can offer the same services using 3G without needing any additional hardware or software.
How much does it cost?
Monthly tariffs for the use of 3G start at £5 (on top of your normal monthly mobile phone charge) and then a variable, pay-as-you-go style top up fee is charged according to the amount of data downloaded.Alternatively you can go for a bundled package where you pay £45 per month for up to 1GB of data transfered.
How does it work / how do I connect remotely?
In order to use 3G data services, the mobile device must be within an area of coverage, as with making and receiving calls. The device works by transmitting and receiving radio waves to the network operator base stations.You can use your mobile phone to connect to the 3G network when there is coverage and if none is available you will be switched seamlessly to the GPRS network which covers 99.5% of UK.
Setting up your laptop is really easy. You’ll need a 3G data card for your laptop. You install some software that comes on a CD when you buy the card and then you simply slot the card into your laptop. You should be up and running in around 5 minutes.
The software is preconfigured for the network and you log in and out with a single click using the dashboard interface on your desktop.
What data speeds can I expect from 3G?
3G will give you a data speed of up to 384kbps - that's seven times faster than dial up - and GPRS up to 54kbps.Indian Operators in partnership with 3GPP
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) became a Partner in 3GPP during the 3GPP Partners meeting on the 22nd April.
T.R. Dua, Deputy Director General, addressed the meeting and accepted Market Representation Partner status in 3GPP on behalf of the COAI. He said:
"We have closely followed the work done by 3GPP in evolving the GSM technology towards LTE…the work is of key importance to Indian Operators, all of which place high importance on the need for India’s market requirements to be taken in to account during the standardization process”.
Top 10 3G Mobile Phones
T.R. Dua, Deputy Director General, addressed the meeting and accepted Market Representation Partner status in 3GPP on behalf of the COAI. He said:
"We have closely followed the work done by 3GPP in evolving the GSM technology towards LTE…the work is of key importance to Indian Operators, all of which place high importance on the need for India’s market requirements to be taken in to account during the standardization process”.
- Apple iPhone 3G
- Nokia E71
- Samsung i900 Omnia
- Nokia N96
- Blackberry Bold 9000
- Palm Treo 750
- Nokia N85
- Motorola Q9h
- Nokia N73
- Nokia N70
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Advantages and Disadvantages of Linux over Windows
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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So, you’re a new, or fairly moderate Linux user, who wants to know what the true advantages of Linux over Windows are? There are several advantages of Linux, and of course, some disadvantages to using the Linux operating system. This article covers 5 advantages of using Linux over Windows, and lists a few disadvantages as well.
Advantages of Linux:
* Cost – The most obvious advantage of using Linux is the fact that it is free to obtain, while Microsoft products are available for a hefty and sometimes recurring fee. Microsoft licenses typically are only allowed to be installed on a single computer, whereas a Linux distribution can be installed on any number of computers, without paying a single dime.
* Security – In line with the costs, the security aspect of Linux is much stronger than that of Windows. Why should you have to spend extra money for virus protection software? The Linux operating system has been around since the early nineties and has managed to stay secure in the realm of widespread viruses, spyware and adware for all these years. Sure, the argument of the Linux desktop not being as widely used is a factor as to why there are no viruses. My rebuttle is that theLinux operating system is open source and if there were a widespread Linux virus released today, there would be hundreds of patches released tomorrow, either by ordinary people that use the operating system or by the distribution maintainers. We wouldn’t need to wait for a patch from a single company like we do with Windows.
* Choice (Freedom) – The power of choice is a great Linux advantage. With Linux, you have the power to control just about every aspect of the operating system. Two major features you have control of are your desktops look and feel by way of numerous Window Managers, and the kernel. In Windows, your either stuck using the boring default desktop theme, or risking corruption or failure by installing a third-party shell.
* Software - There are so many software choices when it comes to doing any specific task. You could search for a text editor on Freshmeat and yield hundreds, if not thousands of results. My article on 5 Linux text editors you should know about explains how there are so many options just for editing text on the command-line due to the open source nature of Linux. Regular users and programmers contribute applications all the time. Sometimes its a simple modification or feature enhancement of a already existing piece ofsoftware, sometimes its a brand new application. In addition, software on Linux tends to be packed with more features and greater usability than software on Windows. Best of all, the vast majority of Linux software is free and open source. Not only are you getting the software for no charge, but you have the option to modify the source code and add more features if you understand the programming language. What more could you ask for?
* Hardware - Linux is perfect for those old computers with barely any processing power or memory you have sitting in your garage or basement collecting dust. Install Linux and use it as a firewall, a file server, or a backup server. There are endless possibilities. Old 386 or 486 computers with barely any RAM run Linux without any issue. Good luck running Windows on these machines and actually finding a use for them.
Disadvantages of Linux:
* Understanding – Becoming familiar with the Linux operating system requires patience as well as a strong learning curve. You must have the desire to read and figure things out on your own, rather than having everything done for you. Check out the 20 must read howto’s and guides for Linux.
* Compatibility – Because of its free nature, Linux is sometimes behind the curve when it comes to brand new hardware compatibility. Though the kernel contributors and maintainers work hard at keeping the kernel up to date, Linux does not have as much of a corporate backing as alternative operating systems. Sometimes you can find third party applications, sometimes you can’t.
* Alternative Programs – Though Linux developers have done a great job at creating alternatives to popular Windows applications, there are still some applications that exist on Windows that have no equivalent Linux application. Read Alternatives to Windows Applications to find out some of the popular alternatives.
Now that you have an understanding of some of the advantages of Linux, its time get out there and experiment. Windows can be a great tool for the lazy and incompetent, but it takes a true scholar and one who wants to learn to run a robust operating system like Linux
Advantages of Linux:
* Cost – The most obvious advantage of using Linux is the fact that it is free to obtain, while Microsoft products are available for a hefty and sometimes recurring fee. Microsoft licenses typically are only allowed to be installed on a single computer, whereas a Linux distribution can be installed on any number of computers, without paying a single dime.
* Security – In line with the costs, the security aspect of Linux is much stronger than that of Windows. Why should you have to spend extra money for virus protection software? The Linux operating system has been around since the early nineties and has managed to stay secure in the realm of widespread viruses, spyware and adware for all these years. Sure, the argument of the Linux desktop not being as widely used is a factor as to why there are no viruses. My rebuttle is that theLinux operating system is open source and if there were a widespread Linux virus released today, there would be hundreds of patches released tomorrow, either by ordinary people that use the operating system or by the distribution maintainers. We wouldn’t need to wait for a patch from a single company like we do with Windows.
* Choice (Freedom) – The power of choice is a great Linux advantage. With Linux, you have the power to control just about every aspect of the operating system. Two major features you have control of are your desktops look and feel by way of numerous Window Managers, and the kernel. In Windows, your either stuck using the boring default desktop theme, or risking corruption or failure by installing a third-party shell.
* Software - There are so many software choices when it comes to doing any specific task. You could search for a text editor on Freshmeat and yield hundreds, if not thousands of results. My article on 5 Linux text editors you should know about explains how there are so many options just for editing text on the command-line due to the open source nature of Linux. Regular users and programmers contribute applications all the time. Sometimes its a simple modification or feature enhancement of a already existing piece ofsoftware, sometimes its a brand new application. In addition, software on Linux tends to be packed with more features and greater usability than software on Windows. Best of all, the vast majority of Linux software is free and open source. Not only are you getting the software for no charge, but you have the option to modify the source code and add more features if you understand the programming language. What more could you ask for?
* Hardware - Linux is perfect for those old computers with barely any processing power or memory you have sitting in your garage or basement collecting dust. Install Linux and use it as a firewall, a file server, or a backup server. There are endless possibilities. Old 386 or 486 computers with barely any RAM run Linux without any issue. Good luck running Windows on these machines and actually finding a use for them.
Disadvantages of Linux:
* Understanding – Becoming familiar with the Linux operating system requires patience as well as a strong learning curve. You must have the desire to read and figure things out on your own, rather than having everything done for you. Check out the 20 must read howto’s and guides for Linux.
* Compatibility – Because of its free nature, Linux is sometimes behind the curve when it comes to brand new hardware compatibility. Though the kernel contributors and maintainers work hard at keeping the kernel up to date, Linux does not have as much of a corporate backing as alternative operating systems. Sometimes you can find third party applications, sometimes you can’t.
* Alternative Programs – Though Linux developers have done a great job at creating alternatives to popular Windows applications, there are still some applications that exist on Windows that have no equivalent Linux application. Read Alternatives to Windows Applications to find out some of the popular alternatives.
Now that you have an understanding of some of the advantages of Linux, its time get out there and experiment. Windows can be a great tool for the lazy and incompetent, but it takes a true scholar and one who wants to learn to run a robust operating system like Linux
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