MOBILE AND WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO MOBILE
AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS
1.1 Overview of a Communication System
Based on the channel type, modern communication systems are divided into two categories: wireline communication
systems and WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
1.1.a. Wireless Communication
With the help of Wireless Communication, the transmitter and receiver can be placed anywhere between few meters
(like a T.V. Remote Control) to few thousand kilometres (Satellite Communication).
Examples: Mobile Phones, GPS, Receivers, Remote Controls, Bluetooth, Audio and Wi-Fi etc.
Medium: Guided, Unguided.
If there is no physical medium, then how does wireless communication transmit signals?
1.1.b. EM Waves
Electromagnetic waves include Gamma Rays (γ – Rays), X – Rays, Ultraviolet Rays, Visible Light, Infrared Rays,
Microwave Rays and Radio waves.
Mathematically, an Electromagnetic wave can be described using Maxwell’s equations.
1.2 A Brief History of Wireless Communication
Pre – historic period: smoke signals, flags and flashing mirrors (ancient wireless communication)
Modern Wireless Communication: use of radio waves for communication has been around us for more than 100 years.
In the year 1897, Guglielmo Marconi successfully demonstrated the Wireless Telegraphy by sending EM Waves for a
short distance of 100 meters.
By early 1900’s, Trans – Atlantic radio transmission had been established, where Marconi successfully transmitted
messages in the form of Morse code.
Technological advancement: Digital and RF circuit fabrication improvements, New VLSI technologies, Other
miniaturization technologies
Throughout the development of wireless communication, there are many wireless systems and methods that flourished
and many got disappeared.
The best example for this is Telephone Communication and Television Transmission.
Where to use wired communication, where to use wireless
1.3 Wired vs Wireless Communication
When wired communication can do most of the tasks that a wireless communication can, why do we need Wireless
Communication?
The primary and important benefit of wireless communication is mobility.
Advantages of Wireless Communication Technology over Wired Communication: Cost, Mobility, Ease of Installation,
and Reliability etc.
Adv : Cost
Mobility
Ease of Installation
Reliability
Disaster Recovery
Dis: Interference
Security
Healthy concerns
1.4 Types of Wireless Communication Systems
Due to the need for variety of communication services, different types of Wireless Communication Systems are
developed.
Some of the important Wireless Communication Systems available today are:
Television and Radio Broadcasting
Satellite Communication
Radar
Mobile Telephone System (Cellular Communication)
Global Positioning System (GPS)
Infrared Communication
WLAN (Wi-Fi)
Bluetooth
Paging
Cordless Phones
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)