2. Describe the various types and general characteristics of wireless transmission media/technologies - microwave, satellite, infrared and radio waves.
Microwave are used to transmit large amounts of data between long distances, key element is towers that send the signals must be in a straight alignment. It is relative cheap though environmental conditions and factors can have an influence in their quality.
Satellite uses satellites that surround the earth to transmit data between long distances and at different locations. There are three common satellites used LEO (low earth orbit), MEO (medium earth orbit) and GEO (geostationary). Geostationary has the largest area that covers distance between points. Advantages include commonly are the high amount of area and speed that data can travel through. Disadvantage includes the expense of the satellites being placed in space and quality with high amounts of cloud coverage.
Infrared Technologies are used for very short range connections, common uses are for PlayStation consoles, TV etc. The system has advantages of low cost and very ease of use and disadvantages include must have straight line of connection to work.
Radio Technology uses wave frequencies to transmit data between two or more devices. The technology usually encompasses a transmitter and receiver which allows for a high bandwidth and a very low cost to use. This technology is very strong as the signal can past through physical objects such as walls. Main areas of concern is the security inefficiencies that the system faces which is why it it critical for security measures such as encrypting and data blocking to be in placed.
3. What is bluetooth/how is it used?
Is the design to use short radio communication to allow transmission of data between two devices, usually between a distance of 10 - 30 metres. It is primarily used for low power consumption an enables devices such as laptops, phones and game controllers to connect using a connection point. The system is relative secure and is best used via a network password for best results. The capabilities of the technology allow for data and vocal information to be sent over the network. This technology is common to most phones and laptop devices and reaches speeds of 2.1 Mbps.
Picture of a Bluetooth
4. What are WLAN's, Wi-Fi, WWAN's, 3G?
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) is a network that exists in a small geographic location which uses the ability of wireless technology to connect. WLAN are similar to LAN's with the ability over to connect wireless via the network.
WIFI (Wireless Fidelity) has similar properties to Ethernet though differs as it is a wireless protocol. WIFI has a high frequency network and transmits data relative fast. Simply it is access to Internet using the WIFI protocol.
WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) is a network that exists in a number of geographic areas that uses the ability of wireless technology. It is similar to the concept of WLAN.
3G offers high speed and data Internet connections through mobile technology which allow for large amounts of media though video, photos, voice to travel. This service is been used in the iPhone.
5. What are the drivers of mobile computing and mobile commerce
The drivers of mobile commerce and computing is to the extent of the relative expense and openly availability to consumers of the products. The cause of this has been reflected through the increase of technology/development of the open production of large scale mobile devices e.g. iPhone, Blueberry etc. This has caused a technology constant cycle where as the increase of technology leads to cheaper and more ready available devices. This has been evident as more and more people are consider to have a norm in owing a mobile phone. The Internet and other technological forces have facilitated this push as the demand of phones becomes higher with the relative more push pf newer and more sound innovations.
6. Explain the nature of RFID
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) refers to the ability of a device to tack and progress an Incorporated product via radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. RFID contain a battery and can transmit signals autonomously, passive RFID tags, which have no battery and require an external source to provoke signal transmission and battery assisted passive (BAP) which require an external source to wake up but have significant higher forward link.
These services are being used more in society and are commonly found in the courier service. Customers can make purchases and check and validate where and how far the product is in relation to them. Companies such as TNT offer this service to customers and is a prime example of a wireless device used in the real world. Customers can also do this via customer to customer transactions though privacy laws and moral laws are inflicted.
A recent and Australian use is the use of E-tags which have become a norm in many people's lives. The E-tag uses the same technology as a RFID and encompasses a small battery that uses ti provide a signal once travelled though appropriate reader and identification areas (toll-points). E-tag use this system draw their balance as how often the customer drives though usage points. This system is a modern example and one that is used by many Australians.
Picture of an e-tag
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