Chapter 14: Recent Advances in Wireless Networks

Introduction Ultra-Wide-Band Radio Communication (UWB) and WiMedia Wireless Fidelity System (WiFi) and WiMax Optical Wireless Networks

Advances in 802.11 The Meghadoot Architecture

Ultra-Wide-Band Radio Communication

UWB is a technology developed to transfer large amounts of data wirelessly over short distances over a very wide spectrum of frequencies in a short period of time.
The amount of spectrum occupied by a UWB signal, i.e. the bandwidth of the UWB signal is at least 25% of the center frequency. For example, a UWB signal centered at 2 GHz would have a minimum bandwidth of 500 MHz and the minimum bandwidth of a UWB signal centered at 4 GHz would be 1 GHz. The most common technique for generating a UWB signal is to transmit pulses with durations less than 1 nanosecond. UWB technology has the capacity to handle the very high bandwidths required to transport multiple audio and video streams. UWB will be ideally suited for transmitting data between consumer electronics (CE), PC peripherals, and mobile devices within short range at very high speeds while consuming little power. This technology operates at a level that most systems interpret as noise and, as a result, does not cause interference to other radios such as cell phones, cordless phones or broadcast television sets.
2

Ultra-Wide-Band Radio Communication

UWB Advantages
Extremely Difficult to Intercept - LPI/LPD. Wideband pulsed radar spreads the signal and allows more users access to a limited amount of scarce frequency spectrum. Multipath Immunity - A low path loss and low energy density minimizes interference to other services. UWB is very tolerant of interference, enabling operation within buildings, urban areas, and forests. Precision Network-wide timing - Real-time, continuous position location down to a centimeter of resolution results in precision geolocation systems. Low Cost - Requires minimal components resulting in small size and weight Low Power - Typical consumption is in microwatts
4

UWB Applications
Communications - High Speed WLANs, Mobile Ad-Hoc wireless networks, Groundwave Communications, Handheld and Network Radios, Intra-home and Intra-office communication. Stealthy communications provide significant potential for military, law enforcement, and commercial applications. Sensor Networks - Ground penetrating Radar that detects and identifies targets hidden in foliage, buildings or beneath the ground. Intrusion Detection Radars, Obstacle Avoidance Radars, and Short-range motion sensing. Tracking/Positioning - Precision Geolocation Systems and highresolution imaging. Indoor and outdoor tracking down to less than a centimeter. Good for emergency services, inventory tracking, and asset safety and security.
5

WiMedia
WiMedia refers to high data-rate, wireless multimedia networking applications operating in a wireless personal area network (WPAN). The WiMedia brand is defined and supported by the WiMedia Alliance. The initial WiMedia radio technology will be based on ultrawideband (UWB) as defined by the MultiBand OFDM Alliance (MBOA) SIG's PHY and MAC specifications. The primary goals of the WiMedia Alliance are
to enable coexistence of multi-protocol applications (UWB, 1394 and TCP/IP among others) and to enable true multi-vendor interoperability by establishing procedures for ensuring devices from different manufacturers coexist within the common UWB radio platform.
6

UWB Standards
802.15.3a is a group working on UWB standards but could not decide between the two approaches multiband OFDM (MOFDM) from the TI/Intel-led MBOA group, or direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) from Motorola. Multiband OFDM Alliance SIG (MBOA-SIG) and WiMedia Alliance have merged to create UWB industry specifications and certification programs for consumer electronics, mobile and PC applications. Advantages of the MultiBand OFDM proposal:
based on proven OFDM technology: used in IEEE 802.11a and 802.11g Achieves data rates of 53 to 480 Mbps Support for 4 to 16 simultaneous piconets Spectrum easily sculpted for international regulatory domain compliance easily extensible for future range/rate improvements
7

Refer to MBOA at http://www.multibandofdm.org/.

Objectives of MBOA
To develop, publish, and promote the best overall solution for global UWB standardization
As a formal SIG, publish detailed system specification in May 2004

To support the development of a robust UWB ecosystem

Support industry efforts to develop upper layer protocols and interfaces Provide a forum for vendors of antennas, RF modules, and test and measurement equipment Work in harmony with IEEE, WiMedia, CEA, 1394-TA, Wireless-USB WG

To ensure the standardization of UWB solutions with the best coexistence characteristics possible and to continue work with worldwide regulatory agencies to provide education and seek specific approval of MBOA-based technology To enable a single worldwide standard for high bit rate UWB applications with optimum time-to-market and maximum benefit to the broadest number of end consumers
8

Wireless Fidelity Systems (WiFi)

Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) is the standard for the high-speed wireless LAN. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, with an 11/54 Mbps (802.11b/g) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data rate Any Wi-Fi product uses the same radio frequency (for example, 2.4GHz for 802.11b/g, 5GHz for 802.11a). The Wi-Fi Alliance (http://www.wi-fi.org/)
A global, non-profit industry association of more than 200 member companies devoted to promoting the growth of wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). With the aim of enhancing the user experience for mobile wireless devices, the Wi-Fi Alliance's testing and certification programs ensure the 9 interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification.

WiMax
WiMAX is an acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, non-profit corporation formed to promote and certify compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products. The WiMax forum supports the industry-wide acceptance of the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI HiperMAN wireless MAN standards.

10

Optical Wireless Networks

Optical wireless communication enables communication using infrared ray. Operates outdoor up to 5 Km and indoor a few meters. Advantages:
Abundance of unregulated bandwidth: 200 THz in the 700 1500 nm range No multipath fading: Intensity modulation and direct detection Higher capacity per unit volume Cost effective at rates near 100 Mbps Small cell size At 800 890 nm and 1550 nm absorption effects are minimal. Multipath dispersion Limited range Difficult to operate outdoor High power requirement SNR can vary significantly with the distance costly
11

Disadvantages:

Advances in IEEE 802.11

Multimode 802.11 enables dynamically to use 802.11a/b/g. The 802.11e defined an extension of the 802.11 standard for quality of service (QoS). The 802.11f developed specifications for implementing access points and distribution systems. The 802.11h developed the MAC layer standard that comply with European regulations for 5 GHz wireless LAN. The 802.11i group is working on mechanisms for enhancing security in the 802.11 standard. The 802.11j task group is working on mechanisms for enhancing security in the 802.11 MAC physical layer protocols to additionally operate in the newly available Japanese 4.9 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 802.11n defines standardized modifications to the 802.1112 MAC and physical layers to allows at least 100 Mbps.

Meghadoot
The meghadoot architecture is a packet-based wireless network architecture for low-cost rural community networks. The major goals of the Meghadoot project are
Develop a fully distributed packet-based hybrid wireless network that can carry voice and data traffic Provide a low-cost communication system in the rural regions Provide a low-cost communication network for urban environment

Meghadoot uses a routing protocol called infrastructure-based ad hoc routing protocol (IBAR). The end user equipment in Meghadoot is an IEEE 802.11 enabled device. Meghadoot is aimed at deploying an 802.11 phone in rural areas, using Voice over Wireless IP (VoWIP) that promises to free them from their telephone handsets. VoWIP is an emerging technology that enables IP voice to be 13 sent over an 802.11 wireless LAN.

Final Thoughts
Wireless networks are widespread in our daily life. Fourth generation (4G) WWAN communications systems that are characterized by high-speed data rates at 20+ Mbps, suitable for high-resolution movies and television. It describes two different but overlapping ideas.
High-speed wireless access with a very high data transmission speed, of the same order of magnitude as a local area network connection (20 Mbps and up). It can integrate wireless LAN technologies like Wi-Fi, as well as other potential successors of the current 3G mobile telephone standards. Pervasive networks. A user is simultaneously connected to several wireless access technologies and can seamlessly move between them. These access technologies can be Wi-Fi, UMTS, EDGE or any other future access technology. Included in this concept is also smart-radio technology to efficiently manage spectrum use and transmission power as well as the use of mesh routing protocols to create a pervasive network .

A cell phone could be an integral part of all wireless standards. 14