Page 83 - DCAP311_DCAP607_WIRELESS_NETWORKS

Unit 5: Wireless PAN Components

Typically, a wireless personal area network uses some technology that permits communication Notes
within about 10 meters - in other words, a very short range. One such technology is Bluetooth,
which was used as the basis for a new standard, IEEE 802.15.
A WPAN could serve to interconnect all the ordinary computing and communicating devices that
many people have on their desk or carry with them today - or it could serve a more specialized
purpose such as allowing the surgeon and other team members to communicate during an
operation.

5.1 User Devices

z z Mobile Phone: A mobile device (also known as a handheld device, handheld computer or
simply handheld) is a small, handheld computing device, typically having a display screen
with touch input and/or a miniature keyboard and weighing less than 2 pounds (0.91 kg).
Apple, HTC, LG, Research in Motion (RIM) and Motorola Mobility are just a few examples
of the many manufacturers that produce these types of devices.
z A handheld computing device has an operating system (OS), and can run various types of
application software, known as apps. Most handheld devices can also be equipped with
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS capabilities that can allow connections to the Internet and other
Bluetooth-capable devices, such as an automobile or a microphone headset. A camera or
media player feature for video or music files can also be typically found on these devices
along with a stable battery power source such as a lithium battery.

z z Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a
palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a
personal information manager. PDAs are largely considered obsolete with the widespread
adoption of smartphones.
Nearly all current PDAs have the ability to connect to the Internet. A PDA has an electronic
visual display, enabling it to include a web browser, all current models also have audio
capabilities enabling use as a portable media player, and also enabling most of them to be
used as mobile phones. Most PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi
or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Most PDAs employ touchscreen technology.

Did u know? The first PDA was released in 1984 by Psion, the Organizer II. Followed by
Psion’s Series 3, in 1991, which began to resemble the more familiar PDA style. It also had
a full keyboard.
The term PDA was first used on January 7, 1992 by Apple Computer CEO John Sculley at
the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, referring to the Apple Newton.
In 1994, IBM introduced the first PDA with full mobile phone functionality, the IBM Simon,
which can also be considered the first Smartphone. Then in 1996, Nokia introduced the
a PDA with full mobile phone functionality, the 9000 Communicator, which became the
world’s best-selling PDA. The Communicator spawned a new category of PDAs: the “PDA
phone”, now called “smartphone”. Another early entrant in this market was Palm, with a
line of PDA products which began in March 1996.

z z Headset or Headphones: Headphones are a pair of small loudspeakers that are designed
to be held in place close to a user’s ears. Headphones either have wires for connection to a
signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player, portable media player or mobile
phone, or have a wireless receiver, which is used to pick up signal without using a cable.
They are sometimes known as ear speakers or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear versions are
also known as earphones or earbuds. In the context of telecommunication, a headset is a
combination of headphone and microphone.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 77