Chapter 8: Wireless, Mobile Computing & Mobile Commerce (Lecture 7) Master Exam Notes

Wireless

Communication without physical wires.

Mobile

Something that changes location over time.

Wireless Technologies

Includes devices like smartphones and transmission media such as microwave, satellite, and radio.

Advantages of Wireless Devices

Small and portable; enough computing power for productive tasks; can communicate wirelessly.

Major disadvantage of Wireless for Businesses

Increased security risks due to capturing and transmitting sensitive information.

Wireless Transmission Media

Transmit signals without wires, includes microwave, satellite, and radio.

Microwave Transmission

Uses electromagnetic waves for high-volume, long-distance, line-of-sight communication; susceptible to environmental interference.

Satellite Transmission

Uses communication satellites requiring line-of-sight; includes GEO, MEO, and LEO satellite types.

Radio Transmission

Uses radio wave frequencies; common in Wi-Fi and cellular networks.

Wi-Fi

Most common medium-range wireless network allowing devices to connect without physical cables.

Bluetooth

Creates personal area networks (PANs) for short-range communication.

Near-Field Communication (NFC)

Shortest range of all wireless networks, used for contactless payments.

M-Commerce

E-commerce transactions conducted in a wireless environment, mainly via the Internet.

Drivers of m-commerce

Widespread use of mobile devices, falling device prices, increased bandwidth.

Internet of Things (IoT)

A system where objects have unique identities and can send/receive data over a network.

RFID Technology

Uses tags with embedded microchips and antennas to send data via radio signals.

RFID vs Barcodes

RFID requires no line of sight, scans faster, and can track objects automatically compared to barcodes.