#4 MOBILE DEVICES NETWORKS: THE NETWORKING SERIES
Are you online? Of course you are! And that’s how you are reading this blog right now. Would you like to know how this is possible? This series is all about what it takes to be online and access internet!
Hey peeps, well, we have seen a bit about what is a network and how can we create a network, including internet. But have you thought of how this networks connect online and how the network components communicate among themselves? In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types networks used by “cell phones and mobile devices”.
Mobile Communication
A common way that people connect online is through their mobile phones. Did you aware that most mobile phones can connect to many different types of network at the same time? Yeah, you read that right, mobile phones, particularly smart phones can connect and interact with the various network technologies. Let’s learn some new terminology in the process.
Mobile phones use radio waves to transmit signals to antennas mounted on towers located in that particular geographical areas. The mobile phones are also called as “cell phones” because the geographic areas in which the individual tower can provide signal is called a cell. When a message or call is made, the signal relayed from one signal to another until it reaches the destination cell, then from that final tower it is transmitted to the device.
The most common type of cellular network is called “GSM”(Global System for Mobile Communications)
Cell phone Networks
Many enhancements were made so far to improve the way the data that is sent across the networks. You would have heard about the abbreviations like 3G, 4G, 4G-LTE, 5G etc. These are the terms used to describe the enhanced cell phone networks that are optimized for fast data transmission. In those abbreviations, the letter “G” denotes “Generation”. Currently 4G dominates the network used by mobile phones.
4G delivers speeds that are “10 times” faster than 3G
5G holds promise that it would deliver speeds that are “100 times” faster than 4G
Other wireless networks
In addition to 4G/5G and GSM networks, smartphones make connections to many other different networks.
- GPS: Global Positioning System. This system uses satellite to transmit signals across the globe. The mobile phones receive these signals and calculate the phone’s location to an accuracy of within 10 meters.
- Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi transmitters and receivers are located within the phone to connect the local wireless networks and the internet. In order to connect to this network, the mobile phone must be located within the range of the signal from the wireless access point. Hotspot is an area where Wi-Fi signals are available.
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a low-power, short range wireless technology that is intended to replace the wired connection with accessories such as speakers, microphone, headphones etc. As it can transmit voice and data, it can be used to create small local networks.
- NFC: Near Field Communications. NFC is a wireless communication technology that enables data to be exchanged within a very close proximity, usually less than a few centimeters. NFCs are mostly used to connect a smartphone and a payment system. NFC uses electromagnetic fields to transmit data.
I’ll catch you up in the next blog of this series “THE NETWORKING SERIES”. If you enjoyed this blog, then show some support.
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