Wireless connections

Connect to Bluetooth and other wireless or network devices

Applies to Windows 7.

You can connect a wireless phone, keyboard, mouse, or other device to your computer. This includes Bluetooth and wireless network (Wi‑Fi) devices. You can also add a network device to your computer, such as a network-enabled printer, storage device, or Windows Media Center Extender.

You don't have to add devices already connected to your computer with a USB cable or other wired connection. Windows will automatically detect and display them.

(Microsoft 2015)

Wireless WAN Systems

Most wireless WANs are cellular based, but some make use of space. Take a closer look at both of these.

Cellular-Based Wireless WANs

As shown in Figure 7-6, a cellular system consists of cell towers, concentrators, voice switches, and data gateways. The cell tower receives signals from user devices and transmits information back to the user. The voice switch connects the user device to another wireless, or wired, user through the telephone distribution system. This part of the system supports customary phones calls between users.

Figure 7-6. Cellular Systems Include Data Gateways to Augment Traditional Voice Services with Wireless Network Connections

The component that makes the system a wireless WAN is the data gateway. In this case, the gateway is able to interface with data protocols in a way that makes it possible for users to surf the Internet, send and receive e-mails, and utilize corporate applications.

Text messaging is a popular application of cellular-based wireless WANs. Users converse by typing in short text messages and sending them to other users, similar to instant-messenger applications available for PCs. With smaller wireless WAN devices, however, it's important that users can save canned messages such as, "I'm traveling today and I'll call you later," which can be sent at the press of single button. Some wireless WAN devices also capture digital pictures and video that is sent across the network.

(etutorials.org 2015)

Mobile Broadband Data Card for Laptop

An Aircard gives you the capability of connecting your mobile device to the internet, anywhere at any time. You will need an Aircard with a SIM chip and air time. If you plan this before you come to Thailand, you can get an Aircard for a bargain price.

An Aircard connects to your laptop or PDA using an available USB port, PCMCIA card slot or ExpressCard slot.

(Pattaya.com n.d.)

CDMA vs. GSM: What's the Difference?

Two basic technologies in mobile phones, CDMA and GSM represent a gap you can't cross. They're the reason you can't use AT&T phones on Verizon's network and vice versa. But what does CDMA vs. GSM really mean for you?

CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM (Global System for Mobiles) are shorthand for the two major radio systems used in cell phones. Both acronyms tend to group together a bunch of technologies run by the same entities. In this story, I'll try to explain who uses which technology and what the real differences are.

Which Carries are CDMA? Which are GSM?

In the U.S., Sprint, Verizon and U.S. Cellular use CDMA. AT&T and T-Mobile use GSM.

That means we're mostly a CDMA country. It also means we're not part of the norm, because most of the world is GSM. The global spread of GSM came about because in 1987, Europe mandated the technology by law, and because GSM comes from an industry consortium. What we call CDMA, by and large, is owned by chipmaker Qualcomm. This made it less expensive for third parties to build GSM equipment.

(etutorials.org 2015)

802.16e

The mobile WiMAX standard, IEEE 802.16e, is a worldwide broadband wireless standard that covers fixed, portable and mobile deployments which is based on an IP service model. IEEE802.16e is designed as a high-throughput packet data network radio technology capable of supporting both burst (e.g. web browsing) and isochronous applications (VoIP). WiMAX Forum NWG defines the reference model as the basis of the WiMAX framework architecture to ensure interoperability among various equipment and vendors and operators. The simplified illustration of IP-based WiMAX network architecture can be logically divided into three parts:

Base Station

Access Service Network, comprising of one or more BS and ASN gateways which forms the radio access network

Connectivity Service Network, which provides IP connectivity to the IP core network functionality

(conniq.com n.d.)