Thomas Kunz
Systems and Computer Engineering
2
Challenges in Mobile Computing
–wireless communication is substantially
different from wired communication:
nfrequent spurious disconnections (handoff, shadowed
areas)
nlower bandwidth (GSM, CDPD: less than 20 kbps)
nhigh bandwidth variability (roaming outdoors vs.
plugged into docking station)
nheterogeneous
networks (outdoors: cellular, indoors: infrared LAN)
nsecurity risks (everyone can listen in on wireless
channel)
–mobility:
naddress migration (e.g., location management)
nlocation dependent information (where is closest
printer?)
nmigrating locality (optimal connection changes over time)