Wirelessness - An Emerging Craze: An Overview Of Wireless Applications, Technology And Issues

Abstract

Introduction: The first ''wireless craze" began in the 1920's with the inciredible demand for radio broadcast services by the public. Of colme the demand for radio communications has grown over the years, with progress including the satellite communications of tlhe 1970's. The recent "wireless craze," though, may be even more significant for the human race. Since the 1920's the wireless technology has literally gone through a metamorphosis. Our world has greatly shrunk due to vast expansion in means of transportation and communication. The: needs of people are very different today and the emerging wireless craze will influence, include almost every sphere and aspect of life. The surge in growth of applications for microwave and RF technology in the commercial markets has been a pleasant surprise for every one in the field. In the past, developments in microwave technology have traditionally been driven by defense applications. Now, however, the global political movement toward peace and demilitarization has for the past few years caused a significant downtrend in the defense applications for microwave and RF equipment -creating a great deal of pressure on technologists and investors to look for new applications of this mature technology. In less than a five years a number of exciting applications have appeared and a great number more are on the way. Global wireless communicaitions are now in sight, the cellular radio market is well establishied, high-speed wireless LANs are a reality, and the first of the PCS and CT-2 have been deployed. People's fieedom of movement will no longer be determined by the length of a telephone cord. The need for complex wiring plans to service computer networks will soon disappear. Of course, there are still questions regarding standards, spectrum allocations and modulation schemes, but the kture is cllear and it is wireless. In this paper we will review some of the applications of the wireless technology. Communications being the single largest application, the focus of the discussion will be on communications related applications, with a relatively brief recognition being given to non-communications applications. We will review the status and future needs of the technology driving the wireless applications, as well as the regulatory, standardization and health issues affecting the applications.