Wireless and Mobile

Computing
Dr. Fatma Abd-alhaleem
Information Technology Department
Faculty of Computers and Information

2/10/2025
References

[Link] to Wireless Communications, Jorge Olenewa

[Link] Communications: Principles and Practice, Theodore Rappaport

[Link] Communication Networks and Systems, William Stallings.

[Link] to Wireless Communications and Networks A Practical Perspective,

Krishnamurthy Raghunandan.

[Link] Computing Theory and Practice, Kumkum Garg.

[Link] Computing, RAJ KAMAL.

Grading Policies

25%
Final
Mid Term
50% Quizzes & Project

25%
 Contents
Wireless Channel:
1. Wireless Channel: Definition & Characteristics.
a. Path Loss
b. Shadowing (Slow Fading)
c. Multipath Propagation
d. Doppler Effect
e. Interference
3. Electromagnetic Spectrum for Telecommunications.
4. Propagation: Mechanisms & Models.
a. Free space path loss model
b. Two-ray model
c. Knife edge model
Antenna:
1. Gain & Loss
2. Antenna characteristics
a. Types
b. Shapes
c. Direction
3. How antenna work
4. Performance
a. Smart antenna
5. Implementation
Wireless network types :
• Cellular networks
• Satellite networks
• Ad-Hoc network
• IOT
Mobile Computing :
1. definition
2. Applications
3. characteristics
4. Limitations
5. MAC protocol for wireless
1. Hidden & Exposed problem
2. Types
6. Mobile IP protocol
a. Overview
b. Components of
c. How Mobile IP Works
a. Discovery
b. Registration
c. Tunneling
d. Security
7. Standard
a. GSM,
b. GPRS,
c. UMTS,
d. LTE…
8. Mobile transport layer
 Introduction

• In communication engineering, “wireless” refers to communication without the use of wires over any distance from a
millimeter to vast deep space, beyond our solar system.

• A wireless communication system consists of several fundamental components that

work together to transmit and receive data without physical connections. The
basic components include:

1. Transmitter
2. Channel (Wireless Medium)
3. Receiver
4. User Equipment (End Devices)
5. Base Station / Access Point
•Acts as an intermediary between the transmitter and receiver.
•Examples:
• Cell Towers in mobile networks.
• Wi-Fi Routers in local networks.
6. Control Systems & Protocols
•Manage communication processes, including:
• MAC (Medium Access Control) Layer: Regulates access to the channel.
• Network Protocols: Define how data is transmitted (e.g., TCP/IP, Mobile IP).
 Wireless Channel
• In a data transmission system, the transmission medium is the physical path between transmitter and
receiver. Transmission media can be classified as guided or unguided.

• In both cases, communication is in the form of electromagnetic waves. With guided media, the waves are
guided along a solid medium, such as copper twisted pair, copper coaxial cable, or optical fiber.
• The atmosphere and outer space are examples of unguided media, which provide a means of transmitting
electromagnetic signals but do not guide them; this form of transmission is usually referred to as wireless
transmission.
• Thus, a wireless channel is the medium through which electromagnetic waves propagate between a
transmitter and a receiver in a wireless communication system or without a physical path.

• The characteristics and quality of a data transmission are determined both by the characteristics of the medium
and the characteristics of the signal.
 Characteristics
Path Loss
Definition: The gradual reduction of signal power as it travels through the wireless
medium.
Causes:
•Free-space loss (spreading of waves)
•Absorption by buildings, trees, and the atmosphere
• diffraction, and scattering
Effects:
•Reduces signal strength
•Limits communication range
•Requires power control or amplifiers to maintain connection
Example:
•A Wi-Fi router in one room has a weaker signal in another room due to walls and
obstacles.

Fading
Definition: Rapid fluctuations in received signal strength over time or space due to
changes in the transmission environment.
Effects:
•Causes temporary signal drops and distortions.
•Affects voice calls and data transmission in mobile networks.
Example:
•A phone call in a moving car drops when entering a tunnel due to sudden fading.
Interference
Definition: Unwanted signals from other electronic devices or networks that degrade
communication quality.
Sources of Interference:
• Co-Channel Interference (CCI)
•Occurs when multiple devices operate on the same frequency channel.
•Example: Multiple Wi-Fi routers using the same channel in an apartment
building.
•Solution: Use channel planning to reduce overlap.
• Adjacent-Channel Interference (ACI)
•Happens when signals from nearby channels overlap due to improper filtering.
•Example: Two Wi-Fi networks operating on channels that are too close (e.g., 1
and 2).
•Solution: Use non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11 in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi).
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
•Caused by electronic devices emitting radio waves that interfere with wireless
signals.
•Example: Microwaves, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones interfering with Wi-Fi.
•Solution: Minimize the use of such devices near Wi-Fi routers.
Effects:
•Reduces signal quality and network performance.
Multipath Propagation
Definition: The phenomenon where a transmitted signal takes multiple paths to reach
the receiver due to reflections, scattering, and diffraction.
Causes:
•Reflection: Signal bounces off buildings, walls, and surfaces.
•Scattering: Signal deflects in different directions due to small objects.
•Diffraction: Signal bends around obstacles (e.g., buildings).
Effects:
•Constructive Interference: Improves signal strength.
•Destructive Interference: Causes fading and distortion.
Doppler Effect
Definition: The change in frequency of a signal due to the motion of the
transmitter, receiver, or obstacles.
Causes:
•User moving with respect to the base station (e.g., in a car or train).
•Moving obstacles (e.g., passing vehicles, airplanes).
Effects:
•Frequency shifts lead to distortion in signal reception.
•Reduces data transmission accuracy in high-speed environments.
Example:
•FM radio signal changes when driving fast due to frequency shift.
Mechanisms of electromagnetic propagation
1. Line of sight
2. Reflection (𝒅 ≫ 𝝀)
3. Diffraction (with sharp edges)
4. Scattering (𝒅 ≪ 𝝀)
Street
sign

Antenna

recieve
r
Electromagnetic Spectrum for Telecommunications.
 Atmospheric windows to EM radiation

 Earth's atmosphere acts as an opaque barrier to much of the electromagnetic spectrum.

 The atmosphere absorbs most of the wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet, most of the wavelengths between infrared and

microwaves, and most of the longest radio waves.

 Three general ranges of frequencies are of interest in wireless transmission. Frequencies in the range of about 300 MHz to

300 GHz are referred to as microwave frequencies.

 Frequencies in the range of 3 KHz to 300 GHz are referred to as the radio range.

 The infrared portion of the spectrum covers, roughly, from 300 GHz to 400 THz.

 As atmospheric conditions change the radio window can expand or shrink.

Feature Radio Waves Microwaves Infrared (IR)

Frequency Range 3 kHz – 300 GHz 300 MHz – 300 GHz 300 GHz – 400THz

Wavelength range 1 mm – 100 km 1 mm – 1 m 700 nm – 1 mm

Penetration Ability/ Penetrates walls, Limited Blocked by walls,

material buildings, and penetration fog, dust, and
non-metallic through walls, smoke
objects absorbed by rain
Propagation Mode Ground wave, Line-of-sight and Line-of-sight
skywave, and some reflection only
line-of-sight
Interference High (overlapping Moderate Low (affected by
signals, noise, (affected by direct light
and weather water vapor and sources)
effects) objects)
Common Uses AM/FM radio, TV Wi-Fi, satellite, Remote controls,
broadcasting, radar, 5G, short-range
mobile networks microwave ovens communication,
(cellular thermal imaging
Feature Radio Waves Microwaves Infrared (IR)

Mobility High (used for mobile Moderate (used in Low (used for
communication) some mobile fixed short-range
applications) communication)
Suitability for Best choice (widely Good but limited Not suitable
Mobile used for cellular (used in high- (short-range,
Communication networks and Wi-Fi). speed networks requires line-of-
like 5G mmWave sight)
and satellite
links).
Data Transmission Moderate (best for High (used in Fastest speeds
Speed long-distance high-speed (fiber optics),
communication but wireless but limited to
slower than microwaves communication short-range and
& IR for data. like Wi-Fi, 5G, line-of-sight.
and satellites.
Wave Directional Explanation
Property
Radio Waves Omnidirectio Radio waves usually spread out in all directions unless
nal (in most focused by antennas (e.g., parabolic or Yagi antennas).
cases). This makes them ideal for broadcasting (e.g., FM radio,
TV signals, and cellular networks).

Microwaves Highly Microwaves are used in point-to-point communication,

directional. requiring highly focused antennas (e.g., satellite
dishes, microwave links). Higher-frequency microwaves
(e.g., millimeter waves) are even more directional.

Infrared Strictly Infrared waves travel in a straight line and do not bend
(IR) directional. around obstacles. They require line-of-sight, which makes
them ideal for remote controls, optical fiber
communication, and infrared sensors.