UNIT - I

INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE COMPUTING

1.1 Concept of Mobile Communication
• Mobile communication allows transmitting and receiving data while
moving from place to place.

• A wireless form of communication in which voice and data information is

transmitted and received via microwaves is called mobile communication.

• Some examples of mobile devices include: cellular and digital cordless

telephones, pagers, telephone answering devices, air-to-ground
telecommunications, and satellite-based communications.
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless
Technology
• The birth of wireless communications started from 1901 when M. G.
Marconi successfully established a radio link between a land-based station
and a tugboat.
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 1G TECHNOLOGY
• 1G refers to the first generation of wireless telephone technology, mobile
telecommunications which was first introduced in 1980s.
• It's Speed was upto 2.4kbps.
• It allows the voice calls in 1 country.
• 1G network use Analog Signal.
• AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service) was first launched in USA in 1G
mobile systems.
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 1G TECHNOLOGY (Drawbacks)
• Poor Voice Quality
• Poor Battery Life
• Large Phone Size
• No Security
• Limited Capacity
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 2G TECHNOLOGY

• 2G technology refers to the 2nd generation which is based on GSM.

• It was launched in Finland in the year 1991.
• 2G network use digital signals.
• It’s data speed was upto 64kbps.

Features Includes:
• It enables services such as text messages, picture messages and MMS
(multi media message).

• It provides better voice quality and capacity .

1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 2G TECHNOLOGY (Drawbacks)

• 2G requires strong digital signals to help mobile phones work. If there

is no network coverage in any specific area , digital signals would
weak.

• These systems are unable to handle complex data such as Videos.

1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 3G TECHNOLOGY

• 3G technology refer to third generation which was introduced in

year 2000s.

• Data Transmission speed increased upto 2Mbps – 100 Mbps.

• Typically Devices called Smart Phones and features increased its

bandwidth and data transfer rates to accommodate web-based
applications, audio and video files.
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 3G TECHNOLOGY
• Features Includes:
• Providing Faster Communication
• Send/Receive Large Email Messages
• High Speed Web access
• Video Conferencing
• 3D Gaming
• TV Streaming/ Mobile TV
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 3G TECHNOLOGY (Drawbacks)

• High Bandwidth Requirement

• Expensive fees for 3G Licenses Services

• It was challenge to build the infrastructure for 3G

• Expensive 3G Phones.
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 4G TECHNOLOGY

• 4G technology refer to short name of fourth Generation which was

started from late 2010s.

• Capable of providing 100Mbps to 1Gbps speed.

• Features Includes:
• More Security
• High Speed
• Low Cost Per-bit
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 4G TECHNOLOGY (Drawbacks)

• Battery usage is more

• Complex and difficult to implement

• Expensive equipment required to implement

1.2 Different Generations of Wireless Technology

• 5G TECHNOLOGY

• 5G technology refer to short name of fifth Generation

which will be started from 2020s.

• Complete wireless communication with almost no limitations.

• Features Includes:
• Supposed to have speed greater than 1 Gbps
• Faster and reliable than previous generations
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless
Technology
Generation Starts Data Technology Standerd Multiplex Switching Service Main Hand off frequency
from capacity ing network
1G 1970-84 2kbps Analog AMPS FDMA Circuit Voice only PSTN Horizontal 800-900MHz
Wireless
2G 1990 10kbps Digital CDMA TDMA Circuit Voice/data PSTN Horizontal 850-
Wireless TDMA GSM CDMA Packet 1900MHz(GS)
825-849MHz
(CDMA)
2.5G 2000 200Kbps GPRS Supported TDMA Packet MMS GSM 850-1900MHz
TDMA/ CDMA Switch internet TDMA
GSM
2.75G 2003 473kbps EDGE GSM TDMA Packet WCDMA 850-1900MHz
CDMA CDMA Switch
3G 2001 384Kbps Broadband CDMA/ CDMA Packet& High speed Packet Horizontal 1.6-2.5GHz
/ IP WCDMA/ circuit voice/data/ network
technology UMTS/ video
FDD CDMA2000
TDD
1.2 Different Generations of Wireless
Technology
Generation Starts Data Technology Standerd Multiplex Switching Service Main Hand off frequency
from capacity ing network
3.5G 2003 2Mbps GSM/ HSDPA CDMA Packet High speed GSM Horizontal 1.6-2.5GHz
3GPP /HSUPA voice/data/ TDMA
video
3.75G 2003 30Mbps 1xEVDO CDMA Packet High speed Horizontal 1.6-2.5GHz
internet
/multimedia
4G 2010 200Mbps LTE IP- MC- Packet Voice, Internet Horizontal 2-8GHz
-to- Wi MAX broadband CDMA multimedia & Vertical
1Gbps LAN/WAN/ OFAM and
PAN internet
over IP
5G 2015 >1Gbps IP v6 IP- CDMA All Dyn.Infoacc Internet Horizontal
broadband packet ess, & vertical
LAN/WAN/ wearable
PAN & devices
wwww withAI
capabilities
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Cellular Concepts and Basics

• Early schemes for radio telephones schemes used a single central

transmitter to cover a wide area.

• These radio telephone systems suffered from the limited number of

channels that were available.

• Often the waiting lists for connection were many times greater than the
number of people that were actually connected.

• In view of these limitations this form of radio communications technology

did not take off in a big way. Equipment was large and these radio
communications systems were not convenient to use or carry around.
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• The need for a spectrum efficient system
• To illustrate the need for efficient spectrum usage for a radio communications
system, take the example where each user is allocated a channel.

• Each channel needs to have a bandwidth of around 25 kHz to enable sufficient

audio quality to be carried as well as enabling there to be a guard band
between adjacent signals to ensure there are no undue levels of interference.

• Using this concept it is only possible to accommodate 40 users in a frequency

band 1 MHz wide.

• Even of 100 MHz were allocated to the system this would only enable 4000
users to have access to the system.

• Today cellular systems have millions of subscribers and therefore a far more
efficient method of using the available spectrum is needed.
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Cell Systems
• Cellular systems accommodate a large number of users over a large
geographic area, within a limited frequency spectrum.

• High capacity is achieved by limiting the coverage of each base station

transmitter to a small geographic area called a cell so that the same radio
channels may be reused by another base station located some distance
away.

• The coverage area is divided into many cells. Replace a single, high power
transmitter (large cell) with many low power transmitters (small cells)
each providing coverage to only one cell area (a small portion of the
service area).
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Cell Systems
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Cell

• Cell is the basic geographic unit of the cellular communication system.

• In reality cell can be of any shape, but generally it is represented in the

form of hexagon.

• The base station is placed at the center of the cell.

• The size of the cell may vary depending upon the geographical region to
be covered.
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Cell
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Cell clusters

• Cell cluster is a group of cells in which cells are arranged such that no
frequency channels are reused.

• The size of cluster is defined by number of cells in the cluster.

• Following figure shows three clusters with size of 7.

1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Spectrum and Frequency Re-use

• The available spectrum is limited. The design process of selecting and

allocating channel groups for all cellular base stations within a system is called
frequency reuse or frequency planning.

• To be able to increase the capacity of the system, frequencies must be re-used

in the cellular layout (unless we are using spread spectrum techniques).
Frequencies cannot be re-used in adjacent cells because of co-channel
interference. The cells using the same frequencies must be dispersed across
the cellular layout.
1.3 Basics of Cell, Cluster and frequency
reuse concept
• Spectrum and Frequency Re-use
1.4 Noise and its effects on Mobile
• Noise is unwanted disturbances superimposed on a useful signal, which
tends to degrade its information content.

• Types and sources of noise

• There are many types of noise; however, the four most important to the
telecommunication/data communication technologist are:

– Thermal noise
– Inter-modulation noise
– Crosstalk and
– Impulse noise
1.4 Noise and its effects on Mobile
• Thermal noise : Thermal noise occurs in all transmission media and
communication equipment, including passive devices.

• It arises from random electron motion and is characterized by a uniform

distribution of energy over the frequency spectrum with a Gaussian
distribution of levels.

• Every equipment element and the transmission medium itself

contribute thermal noise to a communication system if the temperature of
that element or medium is above absolute zero. Whenever molecules
heat above absolute zero, thermal noise will be present.

• The more heat generated or applied, the greater the level of thermal
noise.
1.4 Noise and its effects on Mobile
• Inter-modulation (IM) noise: Inter-modulation noise is the result of the
presence of inter-modulation products.

• If two signals of frequencies F1 and F2 are passed through a nonlinear

device or medium, the result will contain IM products that are spurious
frequency energy components.

• These components may be inside or outside the frequency band of

interest for a particular device. IM products may be produced from
harmonics of the desired signals in question, either as products between
the harmonics or between a harmonic of one of the signals and the other
basic signal or between both signals themselves. The products result when
two (or more) signals beat together or "mix."
1.4 Noise and its effects on Mobile
• Crosstalk: Crosstalk refers to unwanted coupling between signal paths.

• There are essentially three causes of crosstalk: (1) electrical coupling

between transmission media, such as between wire pairs on a voice-
frequency (VF) cable, (2) poor control of frequency response (i.e.,
defective filters or poor filter design) and (3) nonlinear performance in
analog (FDM) multiplex systems.
1.4 Noise and its effects on Mobile
• Impulse noise: Impulse noise is a discontinuous series of irregular pulses
or noise "spikes" of short duration, broad spectral density and of relatively
high amplitude.

• In the language of the trade, these spikes are often called "hits.“

• Impulse noise degrades telephony only marginally, if at all. However, it

may seriously corrupt error performance of a data circuit.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA
• GSM and CDMA refer to cellular communication standards that are
adopted by carriers.

• GSM
• More than 6 billion people worldwide use the Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) technologies.

• GSM is the most widely used wireless technology in the world, available in
more than 219 countries and territories worldwide, with a market share of
more than 90 percent.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA
• With GSM, all subscriber and wireless provider information is stored on
interchangeable modules known as SIM (Subscriber Identification Module)
cards.

• By swapping out the SIM card, users can painlessly switch phones or
providers.

• For this and other reasons, GSM is enormously popular and well-
supported throughout the world, making it particular suited for
international roaming.

• However, the 850 MHz and 1900 MHz bands are used in North America,
while the 900-MHz and 1800-MHz bands are used everywhere else.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA
• There are several reasons why GSM is so popular among
operators and their customers:

– Clear voice quality

– International roaming
– security
– Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards
– Product selection
– Research and development
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA

• CDMA

• The term "CDMA" (Code Division Multiple Access) refers to both a spread
spectrum technique and a cellular standard popular in North America.

• Initially it was restricted to the armed forces, this technology was

commercially launched in 1995 by Qualcomm Telecommunications.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA
• CDMA
• What CDMA Means?

• Code: It refers to the string of binary sequence that the transmitter and
the receiver share. This code encodes the information into a low
frequency signal before it is transmitted over a channel. This same code is
used by the receiver to decode the information. The receiver gets the
code with the help of the nearest base station.

• Division: In CDMA a single channel is divided into numerous slots which

can be used by multiple users. This is possible because of the use of
unique code.

• Multiple Accesses: Due to code based communication, multiple users can

communicate and access the same channel simultaneously without any
undesirable interference and loses.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA
• CDMA

• The goal of CDMA is to break up a finite radio frequency so that multiple

users can access it at the same time.

• Through randomization of frequencies, CDMA divides the radio frequency

spectrum to share the space for multiple users using a code to accomplish
the multiplexing instead of time or frequency division.

• This ability to use codes to divide up the signal provides CDMA with a
great advantage over GSM and other wireless technologies because it can
support more users on the available bandwidth.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA

• CDMA
• CDMA networks have greater range and clarity than GSM.

• However, it is more difficult for users to switch phones and carriers, since
subscriber information is programmed directly into the phone rather than
on a SIM card.

• International roaming is also not possible, since CDMA has not been
implemented in many countries.
1.5 Understanding GSM & CDMA
• Differentiate CDMA and GSM

CDMA GSM
Code Division Multiple Access Global System for Mobile communication
Storage type : internal memory SIM memory
Global market share : 25% 75%
Dominant standard in the U.S. Dominant standard worldwide except the U.S.
There is one physical channel and a Every cell has a corresponding network tower,
special code for every device in the which serves the mobile phones in that cellular
coverage network. Using this code, the area.
signal of the device is multiplexed, and
the same physical channel is used to
send the signal
Less Accessible Most Accessible
Frequency band : Single(850 MHz) Multiple(850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
Handset specific SIM specific. User has option to select handset of
his choice.
Emits less radiation Emits 28 times more radiations than CDMA
1.6 Basics of GSM Architecture &
Services
• A GSM network comprises of many functional units. Following figure
shows the architecture of GSM:
1.6 Basics of GSM Architecture &
Services

• The GSM network can be broadly divided into:

– The Mobile Station (MS)

– The Base Station Subsystem (BSS)
– The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS)
1.6 Basics of GSM Architecture &
Services
• Mobile Station (MS) : The Mobile Station is a technical name which is
used to represent Mobile Phones with Subscriber Identity Module (SIM).

• The Base Station Subsystem (BSS) : Base Station Subsystem consist of:
⁻ Base Transceiver Station
⁻ Base Station Controller

⁻ Base Transceiver Station : Each BTS defines single cell and includes
radio antenna, radio transceiver and a link to base station controller
(BSC).

⁻ Base Station Controller: BSC is responsible for reserving radio

frequencies and manage hand off of mobile units from one cell to
another.
1.6 Basics of GSM Architecture &
Services
• The Network Switching Subsystem (NSS): The NSS consist of:
― Mobile Switching services Centre (MSC):
― Home Location Register (HLR)
― Visitor Location Register (VLR):
― Equipment Identity Register (EIR):
― Authentication Centre (AuC):
1.6 Basics of GSM Architecture &
Services
― Mobile Switching Services Centre (MSC): The MSC performs the
telephony switching functions of the system. It controls call to and from
other telephone and four database system.

― Home Location Register (HLR) : HLR is database which used to store

information about each subscriber.

― Visitor Location Register (VLR): VLR is database which is used to

determine the position of the subscriber in which subscriber has entered.

― Equipment Identity Register (EIR): EIR is database which keeps track of

the equipment that exist at the mobile station, i.e. It can be IMEI number
used for the tracking of the device.

― Authentication Centre (AuC): AuC is database which is used to hold

authentication and encryption keys for all the subscribers.
1.6 Basics of GSM Architecture &
Services
• GSM Services

• GSM has much more to offer than voice telephony.

• Additional services allow you greater flexibility in where and when you use
your phone.

• Basic services offered through GSM are:

― Short Message Service (SMS)
― Multimedia Message Service (MMS)
― Location Based Service (LBS)
― Value added Service (VAS)
1.7 Different modes used for Mobile
Communication
• The different modes of mobile communication include:

– Infrared (IR) wireless communication

– Broadcast Radio
– Microwave Radio
– Communications Satellites
1.8 Architecture of Mobile Computing
• Mobile Computing architecture uses the concept of 3 – tier architecture.

• The three tiers of Mobile Computing Architecture are:

1. Presentation Tier
2. Application Tier
3. Data Tier
1.8 Architecture of Mobile Computing

• Presentation Tier:

• The first tier of the mobile computing architecture is Presentation Tier.

• This tier includes various applications that run on client machine.

• This tier is responsible for presenting Graphical User Interface(GUI) using

which information can be collected from the user or information can be
presented to the user.
1.8 Architecture of Mobile Computing

• Application Tier:

• The second tier of the mobile computing architecture is application tier.

• This tier is responsible for performing business logic and process

management task.

• Business logic is responsible for obtaining information, validating

information, processing information and presenting information to user.
1.8 Architecture of Mobile Computing

• Data Tier :

• The third tier of the mobile computing architecture is Data tier.

• This tier is responsible for storing and accessing data needed by the
application.

• The data can be stored in database or files such as XML or text file.
1.9 Design Consideration for Mobile Computing

• The design consideration for developing mobile application is different

than developing desktop application.

• Following are some of the design considerations for mobile application

– Type of Application (Native or Mobile Web)

– Target Device
– User Experience
– Resource Constraint
– Multiple Platforms
– Security
– Network Communication
1.10 Characteristics of Mobile Communication
• Following are some of the characteristics of Mobile Computing:

– User Mobility

– Device Mobility

– Network Mobility

– Bearer Mobility

– Session Mobility
 1.11 Application of Mobile Communication
• In today’s world almost all the people required mobile computing services
in one or another way.

• Following are the application of Mobile Computing:

– Manage Personal Record

– Social Media and Group Message
– Transaction
– Mobile Shopping
– Tele Banking
– Entertainment
– Alert & Notification
– GPS Based Service
– News & Media
– Weather Forecast
1.12 Security Concerns related to
Mobile Computing
• Mobile computing allows the facility of computing and communicating
while moving from one place to another place.

• This can be achieved using wireless networks. So the security issues

introduced in mobile computing are classified into following two
categories:

1. Wireless Network Security issue

2. Mobile Device Security issue
1.12 Security Concerns related to
Mobile Computing

1. Wireless Network Security issue :

– Denial of Service
– Traffic Analysis
– Eavesdropping
– Session Interception and Message Modification
– Spoofing
– Captured and Retransmitted Message
– Information Leakage
1.12 Security Concerns related to
Mobile Computing

2. Mobile Device Security issue:

– Pull Attacks
– Push Attacks
– Forced De-authantication
– Multi protocol communication
– Mobility and Roaming
– Disconnections
1.13 Middleware & Gateway required for
Mobile Computing
• Middle Ware: Middleware is software that provides a link between
separate software applications.

• It is a layer that lies between the operating system and applications.

• Usage:

– Provide the interaction with another service or application.

– Filter the data to make them friendly usable.
– Make an application independent from network services.
– Make an application reliable and always available.
– Add complementary attributes like semantics.
1.13 Middleware & Gateway required for
Mobile Computing
• Types of Middleware:

– Communication
– Message Oriented
– Object Oriented
– Remote Procedure Call
– Database Middleware
– Transaction
– Embedded
– Content - Centric
1.13 Middleware & Gateway required for
Mobile Computing
• GateWay:

• Gateways are required when the networks between device and

middleware having different set of protocols.

• For example, An IVR Gateway is used to interface voice with Computer.

• WAP Gateway is used to access the internet on Mobile Phones.

1.14 Making Existing application Mobile Enable

• Because of the introduction of Smart phones and Tablets, it is required to

make existing applications mobile enabled so they can be accessed using
Smart Phones and Tablets.

• An existing application can be made mobile enabled using different ways:

– Create a New Application

– Enhance or Upgrade new Application
– Buy an application from Vendors
– Take an application on rent
– Use Middleware
1.15 Mobile IP
• Mobile IP allows user to keep same IP address while roaming from home
network to foreign network.

• Components of Mobile IP network:

1. Mobile Node: It is a device such as mobile phone, tablet or laptop having

network roaming capabilities.

2. Home Agent: It is a router on the home network. It works as an anchor

point for communication with mobile node.

3. Foreign Agent: It is a router on the foreign network. It works as a point of

attachment for the mobile node when it roams to a foreign network.
1.15 Mobile IP

• Working of Mobile IP
• The working of Mobile IP involves following three basic functionalities:

 Agent Discovery: In this phase a Mobile Node discovers its Foreign and
Home agents.

 Registration: In this Phase, Mobile Node registers its current location with
Foreign agent and Home agent.

 Tunneling: During this phase, a tunnel is setup by the Home agent to the
current location of the Mobile node on the foreign network to route
packets to mobile node while roaming.
1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite
• In satellite communication, signal transfer between sender and receiver
through satellite.

• It requires transmitter station and receiver station to be setup on earth.

• Transmitter station on the earth send signals in the space towards

satellite. This process is known as uplink.

• Upon receiving the signal from transmitter station, the satellite amplifies
the signals and send back to receiver station on the earth. This process is
known as downlink.
1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite
1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite
 Advantages of Satellite Communication
• Flexibility : It provides communication without the need of installing any
fixed assets.
• Mobility : It can reach up to all the areas in the globe.
• Global Coverage: It can provide global coverage.
• Fast Deployment: Deployment of the satellite communication system is

 Disadvantages of Satellite Communication

• Costly : It is very costly to build satellite, place them in space and maintain
them.
• Propagation Delay : As it covers large distance, there might be an issue of
propagation delay.
• Requirement of Special Terminal : It require special terminal to be set up
in order to communicate with satellite.
1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite

 Types of Satellite
• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Satellite
• Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Satellite
1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite
• 1.16.1 Low orbit Satellite
• The LEO satellite orbits in the range of 500 to 1500 km above the surface
of earth.

• The orbital period of LEO satellite is about 10 to 40 minutes.

• As its orbital position is lower from the surface of the earth, it requires
about 40 to 80 satellites to provide continuous coverage.

• LEO is used in telecommunication system to provide data communication

such as email, video conferencing.
1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite
• 1.16.2 Medium orbit Satellite
• The MEO satellite orbits in the range of 5000 to 12000 km above the
surface of the earth.

• It orbits higher than LEO and lower than GEO, so it is known as

Intermediate Circular Orbit (ICO).

• The orbital period of the MEO satellite is about 2 to 8 hours.

• As its orbital position is higher from the surface of the earth, it requires
about 8 to 20 such satellites to provide continuous coverage.

• MEO is used for the Navigation.

1.16 Mobile Communication via Satellite
• 1.16.3 Geo stationary Satellite
• The GEO satellite orbits at the height of 36000 km above the surface of
the earth.

• The orbital period of the GEO satellite is about 24 hours.

• As its orbital position is very high from the surface of the earth, it requires
about 3 such satellites to provide continuous coverage.

• GEO satellite is used to handle communication up to large distance.

1.17 Satellite Phone Systems
• Three main satellite phone systems in use are:

1. Iridium
2. Global Star
3. Thuraya
1.17 Satellite Phone systems
1. Iridium

• The Iridium satellite phone system uses total 66 active satellites in Low
Earth Orbit.

• It is placed approximately 486 miles above the surface of the earth. So it

provides orbiting time of 100 minutes.

• This system is used to provide voice and data communication to satellite

phones.
1.17 Satellite Phone systems
2. Globalstar
• The Globalstar satellite system uses total 48 satellites in Low Earth Orbit.

• It is placed approximately 878 miles above the surface of the earth. So it

provides an orbiting time of 2 hours.

• This system is used to provide voice and data communication to satellite

phones.
1.17 Satellite Phone systems
3. Thuraya
• Thuraya satellite phone system uses only one satellite in Geostationary
Earth Orbit instead of Low Earth Orbit satellite.

• It provides services through the network of service providers.

• Thuraya operates in dual mode operation. It does not operate only in

satellite mode but also operates in GSM network.

• It is the system that provides services only in Asia and Africa.

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