© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—12-1 111 © 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—12-1111© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—12-2

Module 12

Emerging Technologies


Overview

This module will cover new and emerging wireless technologies, both fixed and mobile. For example, ultra wideband technologies will enable users to enjoy a wide range of applications, which utilize high data-transfer rates. Next, the module will discuss Voice over IP (VoIP) and WAP and the advances it offers to consumers. Finally, the module will discuss the various wireless industry organizations and certifications and provide several case studies of wireless implementations.


Learning Objectives

•Identify basic facts about Ultra-wideband wireless

•Understand basic VoIP technology and terminology

•Understand basic mobile wireless systems

•Identify the primary wireless organizations

•Identify the primary wireless certifications


Key terms

• UWB

• VoIP

• MGCP

• H323

• SIP

• QoS

• WAP

• OMA


Ultra-wideband Wireless


UWB Definition

The first UWB systems should be able to deliver bandwidth in the 40 to 60 Mbps range, with expectations of very high data transmission speeds, from 100 to 500 Mbps, across distances of 5 to 10 m (16.4 to 32.8 ft). Eventually, UWB could even hit data speeds in the 1-Gbps range, and reach distances of up to 2 km (1.2 miles).


UWB Frequency Allocation

UWB radio spectrum is from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. This applies to UWB communications applications with full incidental radiation power. Outside the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz band, signals must be attenuated by 12 decibels (dB), with 34 dB of attenuation required in areas near the GPS-frequency bands.


UWB Power Levels

Unlike traditional communications systems, UWB wireless occupies a broad span of frequencies at very low power levels, often below the noise floor of the existing signaling environment.

This low-power output also means that UWB range is sharply restricted to distances of 100 m (328 ft) or less, and sometimes as little as 10 m (32.8 ft).


VoIP and Voice over WLANs


VoIP Overview

Voice traffic and services is expected to become one of the next major application areas to take full advantage of IP. This expectation is based on the impact of VoIP technologies, which are sometimes referred to as IP telephony


Call Signaling and Control

There are four different standardized signaling and call-control protocols used for VoIP:

•H.323

•Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP)

•Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)

•H.248/Megaco

Cisco IP Telephony utilizes Skinny for call control, but is moving towards SIP.


H.323

H.323 is an International Telecommunications Union-Telecommunications (ITU-T) standard that defines a packet-based multimedia communications system. H.323 defines a distributed architecture for transporting multimedia applications over LANs. Because of its early availability and its evolution to address the needs of VoIP, H.323 is currently the most widely used VoIP signaling and call-control protocol. International and domestic carriers rely on H.323 to handle billions of minutes of use each year


SIP

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a protocol developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) as a simpler alternative to H.323. Like H.323, SIP defines a distributed architecture. Unlike H.323, SIP only defines how sessions are to be set up and torn down. It utilizes other IETF protocols to define other aspects of VoIP and multimedia sessions.


MGCP and H.248

Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), also known as IETF RFC 2705, defines a centralized architecture for creating multimedia network applications, including VoIP. H.248 is the result of a joint collaboration between the ITU-T and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). H.248 is also referred to as IETF RFC 2885 and as the Multimedia Gateway Control Protocol (Megaco). H.248 also defines a centralized architecture for creating multimedia applications. In many ways, H.248 builds on and extends MGCP.


802.11e

802.11e is an emerging wireless standard that will bring QoS capabilities to 802.11 WLANs to enable reliable voice conversations. The IEEE 802.11e standard is a MAC level enhancement that works with 802.11b and 802.11a physical layers, as well as the upcoming 802.11g physical layer.


Mobile Wireless


Mobile Technology Evolution


Mobile Wireless Cellular Topology


WAP Middleware


Cisco CTE 1400 Series Content Transformation Engine


WAP and IP Comparison


Open Mobile Alliance (OMA)

There is a 3G-reference architecture, promoted by Cisco and partners, which is based on open interfaces. The architecture was previously supported through the Mobile Wireless Internet Forum (MWIF), which ceased operation at the end of 2002. The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) is now continuing the technical work of the forum


Wireless Hot spots

Another important trend for the future of wireless products is hot spots. A hot spot is a location where a WLAN is publicly accessible. Airport lounges, airlines, hotel lobbies, book stores, restaurants, and coffee shops are several examples of hot spots. This trend will facilitate the integration of WLANs and the mobile WAN.

http://www.m-travel.com

http://www.m-travel.com/


Hot spot trend

On the Road solution can extend network access and help mobile professionals become more productive on the road, while improving customer service and maximizing the value of company network resources. For more convenient, real-time connectivity, airports, airplanes, hotels, convention centers, and coffee shops across the country have increasingly deployed wireless LAN hotspots. In fact, there are more than 3,500 wireless LAN hotspots in the United States today, and according to the Gartner Group, this figure will grow to more than 21,000 worldwide by the end of 2004. Gartner also estimates that there are currently 3.9 million global users of hotspots, and that this figure will increase to 63.8 million users by 2007.

This means wireless designers, installers, and administrators will be in demand.


Wireless Communities

There are groups around the world which are developing wireless communities. The concept uses WLAN technology to create a free, locally owned wireless backbone which bypasses service providers.

http://www.toaster.net/wireless/community.html

Portland Personal Telco Project




“HackSpots”

There is a big need for wireless security. There are many open networks, home and business, which create “hot spots” for attackers. A “hack spot” is an unintentional open wireless network which is publicly accessible.


Wireless Organizations and Certification


Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Alliance

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit international association formed in 1999. Wi-Fi was formed to certify interoperability of WLAN products based on the IEEE 802.11 specification. The Wi-Fi Alliance currently has 202 member companies from around the world. Over 580 products have received Wi-Fi certification since certification began in March of 2000. The goal of the Wi-Fi Alliance is to enhance the user experience through product interoperability. To ensure interoperability among brands, the Wi-Fi Alliance works with technical-standards groups like the IEEE and with companies that are developing future generations of wireless networking gear.


WLAN Association (WLANA)

The WLANA is a non-profit educational trade association. WLANA members include the leaders and technology innovators in the local-area wireless technology industry. Through the vast knowledge and experience of members, WLANA provides information about WLAN applications, issues, trends, and upcoming industry events


Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The FCC is an independent U.S. government agency under the U.S. Congress. The U.S. FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable


European Telecommunications Standardization Organization (ETSI)

ETSI is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to produce the telecommunications standards that will be used throughout Europe and beyond. Based in France, it has 912 members from 54 different countries, which extend beyond Europe. ETSI represents administrations, network operators, manufacturers, service providers, research bodies, and users.


Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)

The UL is an independent, not-for-profit product safety testing and certification organization with customers in 99 different countries. There are 175 UL inspection centers, which are located in 65 countries. Since being founded in 1894, UL has held the undisputed reputation as a leader in product-safety testing and certification within the United States. UL is one of the most recognized and reputable conformity assessment providers in the entire world. The services provided by UL include helping companies achieve global acceptance for electrical devices, programmable systems, and their quality assurance.


Cisco Qualified Specialist

Cisco Systems offers a wide range of career certifications, including two in the area of WLANs. The two WLAN certifications are the Cisco Wireless LAN Support Specialist (CWLSS) and the Cisco Wireless LAN Design Specialist (CWLDS).


Certified Wireless Network Professional™ (CWNP™)

The Certified Wireless Network Professional™ (CWNP™) program is the IT industry standard for vendor-neutral WLAN training and certification. The CWNP program consists of four levels of training and certification


University Degree Programs

http://www.eng.auburn.edu/center/wireless/main/index.htm

http://www.poly.edu/news/mastersinwireless.cfm

http://nemes.colorado.edu/microwave/

http://www.signal.uu.se


Summary

• Identify basic facts about Ultra-wideband wireless

• Understand basic VoIP technology and terminology

• Understand basic mobile wireless systems

• Identify the primary wireless organizations

• Identify the primary wireless certifications

383838© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Documents

© 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. FWL 1.0—12-1 111 © 2003, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved