Mobile and Wireless Computing: Overview & Challenges

1. IT 351 Mobile &Wireless Computing Semester 1, 2011-2012 Dr. Hala Mokhtar HMOKHTAR@KSU.EDU.SA Room 51- 7th floor

2. Module Overview Objectives: • To provide an introductory overview of the module and discuss the involved concepts.

3. Course overview • This course will examine the area of mobile and wireless networking, looking at the unique network protocol challenges and opportunities presented by wireless communication and host or router mobility. Although this course will touch on some of the important physical layer properties of radio and infrared communications, it will focus on network protocols above the physical layer, with an emphasis on the media access control, network and transport protocol layers. • Aims: • To develop an understanding of the theory and practice of building wireless and mobile networks. • To provide an in-depth study of the requirements of wireless / mobile communications, including the development of standards for wireless networks. • To examine current developments associated with wireless communications and mobile networks.

4. Learning Outcomes After completing the module you should be able to: Understand the main issues and challenges associated with wireless radio communications --Physical layer. Understand the structure of mobile computing architectures and differentiate between the different standards and practices (GSM, Wi-Fi,..) of wireless networks ---MAC & Physical Layers. Describe and analyze the different internetworking challenges and solutions in wireless mobile networks--- Network and Transport Layers.

5. Assessment Details • Minimum pass mark 60%. • 30% Two Mid Exams • Mid_1: Saturday 29 October 2011 • Mid_2: Monday 12 December 2011 • 10% Lecture Quiz • 20% Homework & Assignments • 40% Final exam Date: Sunday 15 January 2012

6. Recommended reading • Text books: • Schiller, J. (2003) 'Mobile Communications', 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley (Pearson), 9780321123817[Primary] • Stallings, W. (2005) 'Wireless Communications and Networks', 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall (Pearson), 9780131918351 • Course Notes • Copies of lecture slides along with other relevant material will be available via wordpress blog: http://it351.wordpress.com/ • Electronic resources • A large number of resources exist on the Internet. These include book chapters, academic papers, FAQs, online workshops, programs and other relevant material from academic institutes around the world.

7. Outline Syllabus • Introduction & History • Physical Layer: Wireless Radio Communications • MAC Layer & Architectures Overview • Telecommunication Systems (GSM,UMTS) • Satellite Systems • Broadcast Systems • Wireless LAN • AdHoc – Bluetooth, and Wireless Applications • Mobile Network Layer: IP and Addressing Issues • Mobile Transport Layer: TCP and Transport Issues • Application Layer

8. Module Overview - Terminology • Mobile (On the Move, Anywhere, Anytime) • Mobile computers do not have to be wirelessly connected, e.g. a Laptop being plugged in to the university Ethernet network. • Mobile computers must be able to change their point of attachment. • Wireless (Connecting without Wires) • Wireless computers don’t have to be mobile, e.g. a wall mounted sensor (CCTV Camera). Wireless computers are not connected to the network physically.

9. Module Overview - Terminology • Two aspects of mobility: • user mobility: users communicate (wireless) “anytime, anywhere, with anyone” • device portability: devices can be connected anytime, anywhere to the network • Wireless vs. mobile Examples  stationary computer  notebook in a hotel   wireless LANs in historic buildings   Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) • The demand for mobile communication creates the need for integration of wireless networks into existing fixed networks: • local area networks: standardization of IEEE 802.11 • Internet: Mobile IP extension of the internet protocol IP • wide area networks: e.g., internetworking of GSM and ISDN, VoIP over WLAN and POTS

10. Module Overview - Terminology • Wireless Applications • Networked applications based on nodes that use wireless communications to share information with other wireless nodes or with a wireless network infrastructure. • Wireless Architecture • The components of a network system that together make up an infrastructure to support wireless nodes, including the software and hardware of nodes, access points, routers, etc.

11. Module Overview –Wireless & Mobility Challenges • Low & variable bandwidth • Severe power restrictions • Storage and interface constraints • Security and data risks • Address migration • Location dependant information • Heterogeneity • . • . • And many others…

12. Module Overview - Issues • Communications • OSI Layers 1 and 2 (Physical & Data Link) • The ‘enabler’ of wireless to provide networking • Features include: • Managing the ‘air’ interface • Low level access controls • Power and energy control • Spectrum management • Medium access protocols

13. Module Overview - Architectures • Architectures • Fixed-Wireless • Main component is Fixed network • Wireless ‘at the edge’ • E.g. Wireless LAN • Cellular • Special case of Fixed-Wireless • Large scale WAN, network is partitioned into cells • E.g. GSM • Ad-Hoc • No infrastructure or central control unit • Bluetooth networks, sensor networks

14. Module Overview - Issues • Internetworking • OSI Layers 3 and 4 (Network & Transport) • The ‘glue’ binding wireless links to apps. • Features include: • Global Addressing scheme • End-to-End routing scheme • Congestion and Flow control • Security • Quality of Service (QoS) • Ad Hoc network control

15. Module Overview - Applications • Applications of Wireless • Same as fixed networks • Web browsing, file sharing, etc. • Outdoors and on-the-move computing • Laptop on the train, WAP on mobile phone etc. • Location-based services • City guides, context shopping, GPS etc. • Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing • Networked Appliances, Sensor Networks, Smart Spaces