Introduction to Mobile
Computing
CNT 5517-5564
Dr. Sumi Helal
Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611
[email protected] Fantastic Breakthrough Technology
• Wireless communication networks
– multiple networks “covering” the globe
– wold-wide deregulation and spectrum auctions
– standard communication systems and air link
interfaces
• Portable information appliances
– laptops, notebooks, sub-notebooks, and MNCs
– hand-held computers
– PDAs and Smartphones
• Internet:
– TCP/IP & de-facto application protocols
– ubiquitous web content
New Forms of Computing
• Wireless Computing
• Nomadic Computing
• Distributed • Mobile Computing
Computing • Ubiquitous Computing
(Client/Server)
• Pervasive Computing
• Invisible Computing
Mobile Computing
• Using:
– small size portable computers, hand-helds, MNC, and
other small wearable devices,
• To run stand-alone applications (or access
remote applications) via:
– wireless networks: IR, BlueTooth, W-LANs, Cellular,
W-Packet Data networks, SAT. etc.
• By:
– nomadic and mobile users (animals, agents, trains,
cars, cell phones, ….)
Nomadic, Mobile & Ubiquitous
Fixed Wireless Wireless
No Fixed
Wireless Network Network
Network Network
Network (A) (B)
Nomadic Computing Mobile Computing
Ubiquitous Computing
Another View of Ubiquitous
Computing
• Mark Weiser’s views
• http://www.ubiq.com/hypertext/weiser/UbiHome.html
Impressive Wireless Infrastructure!
Global
Satellite
Suburban
Urban
In-Building
Micro-Cell Pico-Cell
Macro-Cell
dik ©
In-Room
(BlueTooth)
Wireless Communication
Technology
(IMT-2000)
Wireless Network Convergence
2G/3G Mobility-Bandwidth Trade-off
Global GSM 1-7 GHz
Mobility
National D-AMPS/IS-95 0.1-2 GHz
UMTS
Regional 0.1-2.3 GHz
Metropolitan 2-4 GHz
Campus
DECT 2-7 GHz
Office
WLAN >2 GHz
Room
DECT 20-50 GHz
10K 100K 1M 10M 100M 1G
Bandwidth
Wireless Network Overlay
Global
Satellite
Suburban
Urban
In-Building
Micro-Cell Pico-Cell
Macro-Cell
dik ©
GSM Base Stations in Europe
Ericsson RBS 2000
Nokia PrimeSite
September 1997
UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecomm. Standard
• Global seamless operation in multi-cell
environment (SAT, macro, micro, pico) ITU
• Global roaming: multi-mode, multi-band,
low-cost terminal, portable services & QoS IMT IMT-2000
• High data rates at different mobile speeds:
FPLMTS
144kbps at vehicular speed (80km/h), 384
kbps at pedestrian speed, and 2Mbps
indoor (office/home)
ETSI
• Multimedia interface to the internet
• Based on core GSM, conforms to IMT-
SMG UMTS
2000. Deployment as early as 2002.
Apple’s Newton
1987
The Palm
1990
Motorola Marco
Specs
• 1995 • Newton OS 1.3
• 4MB ROM
• 687KB Flash RAM
• 320x240 Monochrome LCD resistive
touchscreen
• RS422 serial port
• Localtalk support
• 1 PCMCIA Slot (5V or 12V)
• 1 Sharp ASK infrared port
• 4 AA batteries, rechargeable NiCd batteries may
be used
• First released January 1995
• It weighs 1.8 pounds and is 7.5 inches high, 5.8
inches wide and 1.4 inches deep
1995 • Street price: USD 900-1400
Motorola Envoy
1996
The Pocket PC
1998
The Nokia 9000 Communicator
1996
The Hand-Held Computer: Sharp
Zaurus
1998
The Vadem Clio: Hand-Held?, Tablet?
Other?
1999
The Tablet PC
Fujitsu Stylistic 2300/3400
2002
Laptops, Notebook, Sub Notebooks &
Netbooks
Laptops: 1991
Notebooks: 1996
Netbooks: 2006
The First Wrist PC: Ruputer
Japan’s PHS Phone, Year 2001
Wearable Computers
More Wearable -- Via PC
Http://ww.via-pc.com
Wireless Helmet?
The Power Ring
NTT Key Fingers
The Projection Keyboard
http://www.canesta.com
Today
Andriod
The iphone
MyVu
The iPad
Plastic Logic QUE 22Moo Portable projectors
Mobile Technology Wars
The Smart Phone
The Pad
Smart Phones
Smart
Phones
2009
Re-Inventing the Tablet:
The New War of the PADs
2010-2011
2010
Microsoft: Soon
Beneficiaries of Ubiquitous
Computing
Internet • Commuters
• Travelers
• Stock traders
• Medical
• Law enforcement
Intranet • Package delivery
• Education
• Insurance
• Emergency
• Trucking
• Intelligence
• Military
Adhoc network
Servers Clients
Limitations of the Mobile Environment
Limitations of the Wireless Network
heterogeneity of fragmented networks
frequent disconnections
limited communication bandwidth
Limitations Imposed by Mobility
Limitations of the Mobile Computer
Frequent Disconnections
Handoff blank out (>1ms for most cellulars)
Drained battery disconnection
Battery recharge down time
Voluntary disconnection (turned off to
preserve battery power, also off overnight)
Theft and damage (hostile environment)
Roam-off disconnections
Limited Communication Bandwidth
Orders of magnitude slower than fixed network
Higher transmission bit error rates (BER)
Uncontrolled cell population
Difficult to ensure Quality of Service (QoS)
Availability issues (admission control)
Asymmetric duplex bandwidth
Limited communication bandwidth exacerbates
the limitation of battery lifetime.
Limitations of the Mobile Computer
Short battery lifetime (max ~ 5 hours)
Subject to theft and destruction => unreliable
Highly unavailable (normally powered-off to
conserve battery)
Limited capability (display, memory, input
devices, and disk space)
Lack of de-facto general architecture: hand-
helds, communicators, laptops, and other devices
Caesar and Brutus
Limitations Imposed by Mobility
Lack of mobility-awareness by applications
inherently transparent programming model (object-,
components-oriented, but not aspect-oriented)
lack of environment test and set API support
Lack of mobility-awareness by the system
network: existing transport protocols are inefficient to use
across heterogeneous mix of fixed/wireless networks
session and presentation: inappropriate for the wireless
environment and for mobility
operating systems: lack of env. related conditions and signals
client/server: unless changed, inappropriate and inefficient
Reading Assignment
Pervasive Computing: Vision and Challenges,
M. Satyanarayanan, Carnegie Mellon
University, IEEE Personal Communications,
August 2001
