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Local Wireless Networks

A brief discussion of network history and architecture will be helpful in demonstrating the impact wireless communications have had and will continue to have on computing. The first generation of wireless LANs were designed to operate with workstations, and are not suitable for battery operated portable computers. The next generation wireless LANs are developing around the lap-top, palm-top, and pen-pad computers. Wireless connection is the natural medium for the portable computing devices that are growing in popularity. “In this environment researchers are thinking of new concepts such as ad hoc networking (Fig. 1 Appendix A), nomadic access (Fig. 2 Appendix A), and mobile computing that leads to the fusion of the computer and communications in a ubiquitous computing environment” (Chase 89). Typical applications of this process include a wireless campus or a wireless battlefield in which a user (student/soldier) can move withing a local area with continuous access t!

o the computing and information facilities. “There?s not much left that mobile computers don?t do as well or better than desktop systems. And when the remaining challenges are solved mobile technology will significantly change the face of computing” (Reinhardt 100). The fusion of computers and wireless communications, in this case LANs, will indeed have a considerable impact on the future, and will drastically change the way in which we do things.

The Future of Wireless Communications

Third Generation System

Personal Communication Systems (PCS) are considered to be the next major step in the evolution of communication systems. According to the defintion given by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in its Notice of Inquiry, PCS is the system by which every user can exchange information with anyone, at anytime, in any place through any type of device, using a single personal telecommunication device. The underlying vision for the emerging mobile and personal communications services is to enable communication with a person at any time, at any place, and in any form (Li 1210). The main features of PCS are: 1) Multimedia services with high quality, 2) Multiple environments, 3) Multiple user types, 4) Global roaming capability, 5) Single personal telecommunication number (PTN), 6) Very high capacity, 7) Universal handset, and 8) Service security. The enabling concepts for providing universal personal communications include terminal mobility (provided by wireless access),!

personal mobility (based on personal numbers), and service portability. Personal mobility is based on the use of a unique personal identity (personal number). Service portability refers to the network capability to provide subscribed services at the location designated by the user.

Terminal Mobility

Terminal mobility is associated with wireless access and requires that the user carry a terminal and be within the radio coverage area. “The scope and applications of terminal mobility are rapidly expanding through advances in wireless access technologies and miniaturization of mobile terminals” (Pandya 44). Digital Cordless Telecommunication Systems are intended to provide terminal mobility in residential, business, and public access applications where the users can originate and receive calls on their portable terminals as they change locations and move about at pedestrian speeds within the coverage area. This type of system would lend itself to an academic environment where students could access information from the library, professors could give lectures, and assignments could be turned in without an actual physical building, classroom, or office. The range of applications often associated with Personal Communication Systems is illustrated in Figure 3 of Appendix A.!

A Current Trend

Power paging is the current trend in wireless services and is paving the way for PCS. In actuality power paging is a bit of a misnomer, in that the terminal is more of a computing device than standard pagers. “Motorola has made a bid for leadership in the two-way wireless market with the announcement of Memos, an ambitious, client/server-based messaging platform” (Matzkin 31). Memos provides both a complete operating environment and an open development environment. This device will offer wireless Web access and a lot of messaging options, including e-mail, fax, and voice messaging. All of this while fitting into the palm of your hand.

CONCLUSION

The fusion of computers and communications into a unified entity may appear to be a subtle distinction from the computers and networks popular today.

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