Design of wireless portable systems

Abstract

The InfoPad project explores the infrastructure and devices required for portable wireless access to the national information infrastructure. The InfoPad model emphasizes high-bandwidth wireless connectivity and moves the computing power of the portable device into the backbone network, where we can provide not only full internet access, but increased computing power as well. By concentrating on I/O for the pad we reduce its cost, weight and power requirements, and increase the effective bandwidth through the greater error tolerance of I/O traffic such as video. We describe the InfoPad model, its infrastructure, and the results of the first prototype. This prototype proved the feasibility of the basic model and developed key technologies such as low-power design methodology and protocols for wireless connections. We also discuss the next generation InfoPad and our future plans.