Personal Area Networking with Bluetooth

The availability and adoption of a wide range of mobile computing devices (e.g., laptops, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), wearable computers) of varying sizes and processing capabilities, along with the emergence of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) such as IEEE 802.11 and Personal Area Networks (PANs) such as Bluetooth and HomeRF, are catalysts enabling the ubiquitous access of information anywhere, anytime. These networks are frequently being used as extensions to the Internet and end-users are exploiting them to access wireless Internet services from different types of handheld devices. In this paper, we focus on the Bluetooth PAN technology and we explore the different approaches available to Bluetooth devices that provide these devices seamless IP connectivity to the Internet. In addition, we also investigate and report experimental results on voice delivery to IPv6-enabled Bluetooth handheld devices such as pocket PCs connected to the Internet.

More and more devices, such as Bluetooth and IEEE 802.15.4 devices forming Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) and IEEE 802.11 devices constituting Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), share the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band in the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Cities. However, the coexistence of these devices could pose a real challenge—co-channel interference that would severely compromise network performances. Although the coexistence issues has been partially discussed elsewhere in some articles, there is no single review that fully summarises and compares recent research outcomes and challenges of IEEE 802.15.4 networks, Bluetooth and WLANs together. In this work, we revisit and provide a comprehensive review on the coexistence and interference mitigation for those three types of networks. We summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the current methodologies, analysis and simulation models in terms of numerous important metrics such as the packet reception ratio, latency, scalability and energy efficiency. We discover that although Bluetooth and IEEE 802.15.4 networks are both WPANs, they show quite different performances in the presence of WLANs. IEEE 802.15.4 networks are adversely impacted by WLANs, whereas WLANs are interfered by Bluetooth. When IEEE 802.15.4 networks and Bluetooth co-locate, they are unlikely to harm each other. Finally, we also discuss the future research trends and challenges especially Deep-Learning and Reinforcement-Learning-based approaches to detecting and mitigating the co-channel interference caused by WPANs and WLANs.

Problem statement: In universal networking environments; two or more heterogeneous communication systems coexisting in a single place. Especially, Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) based on IEEE 802.11b specifications and Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) based on IEEE 802.15.4 specifications need to coexist in the same Industrial, Science and Medial (ISM) band. If the WPAN communication coverage is expanded using a cluster-tree network topology, then the 802.15.4 network is more susceptible to interference from neighboring WLANs. Approach: In this study, we propose an adaptive transmission power aware cluster scheduling algorithm using multiple channels in a WPAN in the presence of WLAN interference. Results: The algorithm includes node identification, channel allocation, clustering and time scheduling. To evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, the performance metrics such as Bit error, Packet Error Rate (PER), Throughput, Average End-End Delay and Average Jitter is measured through Qualnet simulation. PER is calculated from bit error rate. The simulation results are compared with the conventional TDMA scheme. Conclusion/Recommendations: The measurement result shows that the proposed algorithm is effective in an IEEE 802.15.4 cluster-tree network in the presence of multiple IEEE 802.11 interferers.

An adaptive bluetooth packet selection and scheduling scheme in interference environments

The explosive growth of the Internet over the last decade has led to an increasing demand for high-speed, ubiquitous Internet access. Broadband wireless technologies are increasingly gaining popularity by the successful global deployment of the wireless personal area networks (Bluetooth-IEEE 802.15.1), wireless local area networks (WiFi- IEEE 802.lln), and wireless metropolitan area networks (WiMAX- IEEE 802.16). New ICT and e-Learning strategies and advances in wireless standards and technologies- particularly in the areas of Bluetooth, WiFi (wireless fidelity), WiMAX (worldwide interoperability for microwave access) and mobile computing can help to bridge the digital divide in education and research. Using open broadband Wireless technologies and implementing mobile computing architectures, one can overcome the challenges of ground, infrastructure, and finance to increase access; deploy broadband quickly and cost-effectively to areas currently not served; and extend the benefits of digital revolution to previously unreachable populations. These technologies aim to provide low-cost, high-performance Wireless access to residential and business applications. As technology evolves to address portable and mobile applications, the required features and performance of the system will increase. Evolution toward the phase called "full mobility" provides incremental support for low latency, low packet loss and real-time handoff of subscriber terminals operating at high speeds. This paper presents the analogy of promising wireless technologies on different frequencies: Bluetooth, WiFi, and WiMAX. This paper is organised into four parts: part I describes the functionality and usage of Bluetooth in the wireless personal area networks, part II presents the WiFi- IEEE 802.1 In strategies for users considering higher-bandwidth alternatives to existing wireless personal area networks, part III discusses how the WiMAX is used as a current standard for Wireless data transmission technology, which is optimized to deliver high, bursty data rates to mobile subscribers, and to support real-time multimedia and Voice over IP (VoIP) applications, and part-TV explores how these emerging Wireless technologies differ from one another.

Wireless links are often subject to burst errors leading to consecutive packet losses, which could be buffered and transmitted later, giving priority to packets on stronger links. This improves overall bandwidth utilization. A channel state dependent scheduling protocol based on the above idea is developed and implemented in a wireless LAN. A commercial wireless LAN, Lucent Technology's Wavelan, is used with Pentium based laptops and PCs. The protocol is implemented as a part of the device driver in the Linux operating system. The protocol includes a channel sensing mechanism to help determine when a wireless link comes out of the error state. Experimental performance evaluation with UDP streams and FTP sessions demonstrates the significant performance benefits of channel state dependent scheduling. The performance evaluation includes a novel channel modulation technique based on previously collected traces for reproducibility of experiments.

A novel mobile system has been developed for use by radiologists in managing Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) image data. The system consists of a mobile DICOM server (MDS) and personal digital assistants (PDAs), including a Linux PDA with a video graphics array (VGA) display (307,200 pixels, 3.7 inches). The MDS weighs 410 g, has a 60-GB hard disk drive and a built-in wireless local area network (LAN) access point, and supports a DICOM server (Central Test Node). The Linux-based MDS can be accessed with personal computers (PCs) and PDAs by means of a wireless or wired LAN, and client-server communications can be established at any time. DICOM images can be displayed by using any PDA or PC by means of a Web browser. Simultaneous access to the MDS is possible for multiple authenticated users. With most PDAs, image compression is necessary for complete display of DICOM images; however, the VGA screen can display a 512 x 512-pixel DICOM image almost in its entirety. This wireless system allows efficient management of heavy loads of lossless DICOM image data and will be useful for collaborative work by radiologists in education, conferences, and research.

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication standards in the unlicensed band—such as IEEE 802-based wireless personal area networks (WPANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), and 3GPP-led cellular networks (CNs)—have faced challenges in achieving commercial acceptance for over a decade. To enable widespread adoption of mmWave communication systems, a concept called the mmWave virtual community network (VCN) has recently been proposed. In this architecture, a decentralized WPAN-style device-to-device (D2D) community coexists with centralized WLANs and CNs in the unlicensed mmWave band via multi-hop links. However, the current mmWave VCN concept lacks a clear definition of strategic and technical enablers to support large-scale commercial deployment. To address this gap, this paper proposes a strategic ecosystem that promotes mmWave VCN deployment for the mutual benefit of both decentralized and centralized entities. Specifically, the decentralized community—enabled by mmWave D2D communication—supports the coverage expansion of mmWave WLANs and CNs. In return, the CN operator incentivizes distributed communities through a reward mechanism, ensuring mutual growth and cooperation. Furthermore, we propose “New Radio Sidelink for mmWave Unlicensed (NR SL-mmW-U),” as a technical enabler of mmWave D2D communication, thereby materializing a sidelink-native mmWave VCN with concrete specifications. We evaluate the proposed sidelink-native mmWave VCN via a link-level simulation and initial incentive theory-based analytical model, thereby providing preliminary assessments of its feasibility in meeting the key requirements for realizing the envisioned ecosystem.

This paper presents the results of a study toward generating a wireless environment to provide real-time mobile accessibility to patient information system. A trial system is set up where database, Internet, and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs) are integrated in such a way that the medical professionals like physicians, nurses, and lab assistants can create, access, and update medical records using wireless PDAs from any location in the hospital, which is covered by wireless LAN. The same services, which can be carried out via fixed terminals with Internet connectivity, can be carried out using wireless PDAs. The implementation has used and integrated many technologies like Active Server Pages (ASP), Visual Basic®, Structured Query Language (SQL) Server, ActiveSync®, IEEE802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology and wireless security concepts. The paper details the architectural aspects of technology integration and the methodology used for setting up the end-to-end system. The proposed architecture, its performance data, and the common implementation barriers are reported.

This paper presents the design and analysis of general packet radio service (GPRS)-wireless local area network (WLAN) mobility gateway (GWMG) for the integration of GPRS and WLANs. The interworking between GPRS and WLANs is achieved by the GWMG that resides on the border of GPRS and WLAN systems. The design goal is to minimize the modifications in GPRS and WLANs as both systems are already widely available. By deploying the GWMG, users can seamlessly roam among the two systems. Unlike other related work, the proposed GWMG could be used when either the GPRS or WLAN is a user's home network. Both mathematical analysis and simulation are developed to analyze the performance. The proposed GWMG has also been implemented in a testbed comprising a commercial GPRS system. The results show that the GWMG could achieve a design goal that will effectively integrate GPRS and WLANs.

This study was an attempt to control and monitor Computerized Numerical Controller (CNC) machines anywhere and anytime for the development of a ubiquitous machine (u-machine). With a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) phone, the machine status and machining data of CNC machines can be monitored in wired and wireless environments, including the environments of IMT2000 and Wireless LAN. Moreover, CNC machines can be controlled anywhere and anytime. The concept of the anywhere-anytime controlling and monitoring of a manufacturing system was implemented in this study for the purpose of u-manufacturing and u-machines. In this concept, the communication between the CNC controller and the PDA phone was successfully performed anywhere and anytime for the real-time monitoring and control of CNC machines. In addition, the interface between the CNC controller and the developed application module was implemented by Object linking and embedding for Process Control (OPC) and shared CNC memory. For communication, the design of a server contents module within the target CNC was based on a TCP/IP. Furthermore, the client contents module within the PDA phone was designed with the aid of embedded c++ programming for mobile communication. For the interface, the monitoring data, such as the machine status, the machine running state, the name of the Numerical Control (NC) program, the alarm and the position of the stage axes, were acquired in real time from real machines with the aid of the OPC method and by sharing the CNC memory. The control data, such as the start, hold, emergency stop, reserved start and reserved stop, were also applied to the CNC domain of the real machine. CNC machines can therefore be controlled and monitored in real time, anywhere and anytime. Moreover, prompt notification from CNC machines to mobile phones, including cellular phones and PDA phones, can be automatically realized in emergencies.

IntroductionThe popularity of mobile communication systems has increased remarkably during the last decade and the market demand still continues to increase.As a fundamental part of these systems, antenna is one of the most important design issues in modern mobile communication units.Although there are several similar definitions, an antenna can be mainly described as a device, which transforms the electromagnetic waves in an antenna to radiating waves in an unbounded medium such as air in transmitting mode and vice versa in receiving mode.Because antennas are dependent on frequency, they are designed to operate for certain frequency bands.The rapid growth of mobile communication systems has forced to the use of novel antennas for base and mobile station applications (mobile phone, notebook computer, personal digital assistants (PDA), etc.).Earlier, mobile systems were designed to operate for one of the frequency bands of 2G (second generation) systems, which are Digital Cellular System (DCS), Personal Communications Service (PCS) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks.Currently, many mobile communication systems use several frequency bands such as GSM 900/1800/1900 bands (890-960 MHz and 1710-1990 MHz); Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS) and UMTS 3G expansion bands (1900-2200 MHz and 2500-2700 MHz); and Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)/Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) bands (2400-2500 MHz and 5100-5800 MHz) where the list of frequently used frequency bands is given in Table 1 ( Best, 2008).Conventionally, because a single antenna can not operate at all of these frequency bands of mobile communication, multiple different antennas covering these bands separately should be used.However, usage of many antennas is usually limited by the volume and cost constraints of the applications.Therefore, multiband and wideband antennas are essential to provide multifunctional operations for mobile communication.A multiband antenna in a mobile communication system can be defined as the antenna operating at distinct frequency bands, but not at the intermediate frequencies between bands.For example, a triple band antenna for GSM 900/1800/1900 bands can cover the frequency bands 890-960 MHz and 1710-1990 MHz (Ali et al., 2003); however, it does not operate properly at the frequencies such as 1200 MHz or 2500 MHz.On the other hand, a wideband antenna operates at every frequency points within a given frequency band.For example, a wideband antenna covering UMTS, extended UMTS and WLAN 2400 bands functions at every frequency points www.intechopen.com

Recently, smart phones such as the Galaxy S and IPhone, and tablet PCs such as the Galaxy Tab have been introduced and become widespread in the market, thus the environment for wireless Internet services has been improving. As the market has improved, consumer preferences for mobile devices and the relationship between these devices and wireless Internet services regarding consumer preferences have become a very important issue. However, although there have been a considerable number of studies on the demand for mobile devices, it is not easy to find previous studies on the relationship between consumer preferences for specific attributes of wireless Internet services and the demand for mobile devices. The main purpose of this study is to analyze which mobile device is more likely to be preferred or become the main channel for wireless Internet services and how the demand for each mobile device is influenced by consumer preferences for specific attributes of wireless broadband Internet services used on it, and to induce managerial implications based on the main findings. To derive the results on consumer preferences, conjoint analysis is used. The survey was conducted using 1,000 Korean consumers. In the survey, respondents are allowed to choose more than one hypothetical alternative representing a mobile device combined with a certain type of wireless broadband Internet service if they desired. To estimate the consumer preferences quantitatively, a multivariate probit model is used. According to the estimation results, owing to their portability, smart phones are more likely to become a major channel for wireless Internet services despite their drawbacks in terms of display size and performance. Portability is the most important factor affecting the choice of a mobile device when using wireless Internet services. Therefore, manufacturers of mobile devices for wireless Internet services should improve the overall functionality and performances of mobile devices without negatively affecting portability. However, at the same time, consumer preferences for specific attributes of wireless Internet services are found to affect the demand of each mobile device much differently. Therefore, the prediction that smart phones will be the prevalent mobile device for use of wireless Internet services can be somewhat changed, depending on which and how wireless Internet services are provided to each mobile device and how they affect the demand for each mobile device. As mentioned above, there are significant differences between mobile devices with regard to the effects of mobility, data transfer speed, type of contents or Internet interface for wireless Internet services. It is found that the mobility of wireless Internet service is highly valued for smaller devices, but not much for notebook PCs. In contrast, data transfer speed and similarities in the type of contents or Internet interface to those provided by fixed broadband Internet services become more important for larger mobile devices. Thus, it is necessary for wireless Internet service providers to differentiate and optimize their contents and Internet interfaces properly for various mobile devices. Additionally, it is reasonable that manufacturers of smart phones focus on mobility and portability (or convenience) rather than adding sophisticated functions or pursuing higher-level specifications. Further, for smart phones, for which mobility and convenience are important, wireless Internet service providers should develop and provide easy and convenient programs, rather than advanced programs that require high device performance. Lastly, with respect to individual demographics, young and highly educated people are more likely to be consumers of newly introduced mobile devices for using wireless Internet services. Therefore, these young and highly educated consumers should be considered a major target for manufacturers of mobile devices for wireless Internet services.

This paper shows measurements of the shielding effectiveness of two commonly used building materials, wood and marble. Of specific interest is the shielding effectiveness of these materials in the 900MHz and 2.4GHz regions, the operating frequencies of ZigBee, wireless personal area networks and wireless local area networks. A relatively new method for shielding effectiveness using the reverberation chamber is adopted in this paper and some shortcomings are presented. This paper aims to assist service providers in making power budget estimates.

Three small multi-band planar inverted-F antennas (PIFAs) are presented. They have been developed to be used in future small multi-standard handsets. Mobile communication (GSM1800, UMTS), wireless local area network (WLAN) (IEEE 802.11b, HiperLAN2) and wireless personal area network (WPAN) (Bluetooth) standards have been envisaged. Prototypes have been designed, fabricated and tested. Good agreement has been obtained between numerical simulations and experimental results