The Evolution in Telecommmunication : From Wire to Wireless

THE EVOLUTION IN TELECOMMUNICATION
The conveyance of messages by electrical energy, beyond the limits of hearing distances, evolved from mathematical theories and empirical formulae, derived from experiments on basic electricity and magnetism in the 19th century.

The significant inventions of the period 1830 to the end of the century ranged from the Electric-bulb to the phonogram, answer phones tape recorder and even the basic analogue computer in its rudimentary form. In the telecommunication sector, telegraphy, telephony, wireless communication, copper conductors and manual exchange are parts of a communication network had all been invented.

In essence, the period before the 1970s with predominantly analogue technology based equipment can be regarded as the analogue era; while 1970 to date is referred to as the digital information age.

The 20th century, development of appropriate improved technologies for achieving optimum quality of service and adequate quantity of facilities and services to meet the realities and needs of the age. Beginning of the information era, which was promoted by convergence of technology resulting from digitalization, is during the last three decades of the 20th century.

Telecommunication industry is principally divided to three or four sectors for manufacturing, marketing, operations and logistics of maintenance purposes such as Switching, Network Access, Terminals or Customer Premises Equipment and Transmission.

EVOLUTION FROM WIRE TO WIRELESS

Telecommunications channels make use of a variety of telecommunications media. These include twisted-pair wire, coaxial cables, and fiber-optic cables, all of which physically link the devices in a network (Wired Technologies). Also included are terrestrial microwave, communications satellites, cellular phone systems, and packet and LAN radio, all of which use microwave and other radio waves (Wireless Technologies). In addition, there are infrared systems, which use infrared light to transmit and receive data.

WIRED TECHNOLOGIES

• Twisted-Pair Wire
• Ordinary telephone wire, consisting of copper wire twisted into pairs, is the most widely used medium for telecommunications. These lines are used in established communications networks throughout the world for both voice and data transmission. 
• Twisted-pair wiring is wrapped or shielded in a variety of forms and used extensively in home and office telephone system and many local area networks and wide area networks.
• Transmission speeds can range from 2 million bits per second (unshielded) to 100 million bits per second (shielded).

A normal traditional twisted-pair cable..oh wait..there's more..

..there's also this unshielded twisted pair cable with different twist rates which is known as UTP..and..

..in contrast to the unshielded twisted pair cable, we can clearly see that this cable above is shielded and it  is called the S/UTP, also known as FTP

• Coaxial Cable
• Coaxial cable consists of a sturdy copper or aluminum wire wrapped with spacers to insulate and protect it. The cable’s cover and insulation minimize inference and distortion of the signals the cable carries.
• These high-quality lines can be placed underground and laid on the floors of lakes and oceans. They allows high-speed data transmission (from 200 million to over 500 million bits per second- 200-500 Mbps) and are used instead of twisted-pair wire lines in high-service metropolitan areas, for cable TV systems, and for short-distance connections of computers and peripheral devices. 
• Coaxial cables are also used in many office buildings and other worksites for local area networks.

 We never knew that some coaxial cables can be so colorful and trendy-looking ;)

The different layers inside a coaxial cable

• Fiber Optics
• A fiber optic cable consists of one or more filaments of glass fiber wrapped in protective layers. They can conduct pulses of visible light elements (photons) generated by lasers at transmission rates as high as trillions of bits per second (terabits per second, or Tbps). It transmits light which can travel over extended distances without signal loss. 
• Fiber-optic cables are not affected by electromagnetic radiation. The transmission speed of fiber optics is hundreds of times faster than for coaxial cables and thousands of times faster than for twisted-pair wire.
• New optical technologies such as dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) can split a strand of glass fiber into 40 channels, which enables each strand to carry 5 million cells. In the future, DWDM technology is expected to spilt each fiber into 1000 channels, enabling each strand to carry up to 122 million calls.

A fiber optic cable..and it's glowing too! Such an amazing technology

Here's how the inside of a fiber optic cable looks like

WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES

Wireless operations permits services, such as long range communications, that are impossible or impractical to implement with the use of wires. The term is commonly used in the telecommunications industry to refer to telecommunications systems such as radio transmitters and receivers, remote controls, computer networks, network terminals and others, which use some form of energy like radio frequency (RF), infrared light, laser light, visible light, acoustic energy, and so on to transfer information without the use of wires. Information is transferred in this manner over both short and long distances.

Let’s briefly review some of these major wireless communications technologies:

• Terrestrial Microwave
• Terrestrial microwaves use Earth-based transmitter and receiver. The equipment looks similar to satellite dishes. Terrestrial microwaves use low-gigahertz range, which limits all communications to line-of-sight. Path between relay stations spaced approx. 30 miles apart. 
• Microwave antennas are usually placed on top of buildings, towers, hills, and mountain peaks, and they are a familiar sight in many sections of the country. They are still a popular medium for both long-distance and metropolitan area networks.

Hmm..does this object looks familiar to you? It sure does for us. Yes, this is a terrestrial microwave tower which you may have come across along some roads or highways

The diagram above is mainly about how a terrestrial microwave technology works

 The Terrestrial-spectra which shows the different wavelengths that is transmittable through different planets

• Communications Satellites
• The satellites use microwave radio as their telecommunications medium which are not deflected by the Earth's atmosphere. The satellites are stationed in space, typically 22,000 miles above the equator.
• Satellites are powered by solar panels and can transmit microwave signals at a rate of several hundred million bits per second. They serve as relay stations for communications signals from Earth-orbiting system.
• These Earth-orbiting systems are capable of receiving and relaying voice, data, and TV signals for miles away.

      You're now looking at the U.S. military WGSS communications satellite - such a beautiful and majestic technological architecture

This is an artist's interpretation of a GPS satellite, an image courtesy of NASA

• Presently, communication satellites are almost all geosynchronous satellites. Geosynchronous satellites do not have high elevation angles. In Tokyo, for example, the elevation never exceeds 48 degrees. Buildings and mountains thus sometimes block satellite signals. Quasi-zenith satellites would overcome these problems.

This would certainly solve the "no signal" problems from occurring in cities with loads of skyscrapers like New York, Tokyo, London and in some parts of KL too..

• Cellular and PCS Systems
• Use several radio communications technologies. The systems are divided to different geographic area. Each area has low-power transmitter or radio relay antenna device to relay calls from one area to the next area.
• Cellular phone systems have long used analog communications technologies operating at frequencies in the 800-900 MHz cellular band. Newer cellular systems use digital technologies, which provide greater capacity and security, and additional services such as voice mail, paging, messaging, and caller ID.
• These capabilities are also available with PCS (Personal Communications Services) phone systems. PCS operates at 1900 MHz frequencies using digital technologies that are related to digital cellular. However, PCS phone systems cost substantially less to operate and use than cellular systems and have lower power consumption requirements.

A diagram on how cellular or PCS systems works

• Wireless LANs
• Wireless local area network use a high-frequency radio technology similar to digital cellular and a low-frequency radio technology. Wireless LANs use spread spectrum technology to enable communication between multiple devices in a limited area.
• The use of wireless LANs is growing rapidly as new high-speed technologies are implemented. A prime example of open-standards wireless radio-wave technology is IEEE 802.11b, or more popularly as Wi-Fi (for wireless fidelity). Wi-Fi is faster (11 Mbps) and less expensive than Standard Ethernet and other common wire-based LAN technologies.
• Wi-Fi wireless LANs enables laptop PCs, PDAs, and other devices with Wi-Fi modems to connect easily to the Internet and other networks in a rapidly increasing number of business, public, and home environments.

Peer-to-Peer or ad-hoc wireless LAN

Look closely..this notebook is actually connected to a wireless access point using a PC card wireless card

The wireless LAN, abbreviated as WLAN

• Bluetooth
• A short-range wireless technology called Bluetooth is rapidly being built into computers and other devices. Bluetooth serves as a wire- and cable-free wireless connection to peripheral devices such as computer printers and scanners.
• Bluetooth operate at approximately 1Mbps with range from 10 to 100 meters. Bluetooth is an open wireless protocol for data exchange over short distances.

The well-known and widely-used Bluetooth

A bluetooth adapter which provides a wide-array of connectivity to hardwares in terms of communicating, sharing and data synchronizing

THE WIRELESS WEB

Wireless access to the Internet, intranets, and extranets is growing as more Web-enabled information appliances proliferate. Equipments like cellular phones, pagers, PDAs, and other portable communications devices have become very thin clients in wireless network. Agreement on a standard wireless application protocol (WAP) has encouraged the development of many wireless Web applications and services. The telecommunications industry continues to work on third-generation (3G) wireless technologies whose goal is to raise wireless transmission speeds to enable streaming video and multimedia applications on mobile devices. The wireless web service offers anytime or anywhere connection.

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) getaway

The Wireless Solutions

Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_network#Wired_technologies
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twisted_pair
http://www.gore.com/en_xx/products/cables/insulated/controlled_impedance_shielded_twisted_pair.html
http://www.home-theater-accessories-resource.com/connectingcomponents/optical-cable.html
http://www.atp.nist.gov/atp/brochure.htm
http://www.seemorewildlife.com/technology/
http://www.vigyanprasar.gov.in/wos/satcom.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite
http://cptd.chandra.ac.th/selfstud/datacom2/Contents/Chapters/Unguide_Media.htm
http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/bss/factsheets/702/xmsatradio/xmradio.html
http://www.globemw.net/services/wap/index.html

The Evolution of Data Management Technology : From Traditional File to Data Warehouse

First, let us introduce you to the earliest form of data management, that is, the traditional file processing. This type of processing is a system in which data are organized, stored and processed in independent files of data records. The information is saved in several different files, each organized in a different way. Each of these files has been organised to be used by different application programs, none of which we believe, produces the information we look for in the form that we desire. It is understandable that no application programs are available to help users in getting the information we desire from these files.

Some of the drawbacks of traditional file processing include:

• Data Redundancy - Where independent data files had included a massive number of duplicated data
• Lack of Data Integration - Where it is tough to provide end users with information for their ad hoc requests, which as a result, require them to access data stored in several different files
• Data Dependence - Where all of the processes to access files depend on each other
• Lack of Data Integrity or Standardization - Where different end users and applications have to define data elements differently

 A type of traditional file processing method known as the Grid-oriented Storage (GOS)

Next, we look into how traditional file processing has evolve into database management approach. According to O'Brien in Introduction to Information Systems (14th ed), database is the language and graphical tools to define entities, relationships, integrity constraints and authorization rights.

Database Developement:

• Database development involves defining and organizing the content, relationships and structure of the data needed to build a database.
• It consolidates data into databases that can be accessed by differently programs.
• It also involves using a database management system (DBMS) which serves as a software interface between users and databases to develop prototypes of queries, forms, reports and web pages for a proposed business application.

There are 4 types of databases mainly:

• Operational Databases
• These databases store detailed data needed to support the operations of an entire organization.
• They are also called subject-area databases (SADB), transaction databases, and production databases. For instance, customer databases, personal database, inventory database and accounting databases
• It stores detailed data needed to support the business processes and operations of a company

• Distributed Databases
• These are databases of local work-groups and departments at regional offices, branch offices, manufacturing plants and other work sites.  
• It can include segments of both common operational and common user databases, as well as data generated and used only at a user’s own site.
• It is the copies or parts of databases to network servers at a variety of locations

• External Databases
• These databases provide access to external, privately-owned data online - available for a fee to end-users and organizations from commercial services. 
• Access to a wealth of information from external database is available for a fee from commercial online services and with or without charge from many sources in the Internet.

• Hypermedia Databases
• These are a set of interconnected multimedia pages at a web-site. 
• They consist of a home page and other hyperlinked pages of multimedia or mixed media such as text, graphic, photographic images, video clips, audio etc.

A screenshot of a database management approach

Then, this technology evolved into something called the data warehouse. Data warehouse stores data that has been extracted from various database of an organisation. Besides storing data from previous and current years, it also acts as the central source of the data that has been cleaned, transformed, and cataloged to be able to function in data mining, analytical processing, market research and of course, for decision support too. Data warehouses are characterized by being slow to insert into but fast to retrieve from.

Some of the advantages of data warehouses:

• Speed and Reliability:   The physical nature of a data warehouse allows for the creation of summary and aggregate structures.  When combined with indexing strategies and database tuning this results in fast and predictable analysis.  
• Efficiency:  The data warehouse automates the repetitive data consolidation tasks associated with manual consolidation.  This leaves the analysts with time to do their real job, which is to analyze.
• Reliability:  The data warehouse is a "single version of the truth".  Typically with manual consolidation, multiple versions of these Excel spreadsheets proliferate, often with conflicting data leading to a considerable risk of business decisions being made based on incorrect information.

 A simple diagram on data warehouse reporting for businesses

 Here's another rather complex, but in-depth diagram of the data warehouse applied by the Arizona State University in the US

Source(s):
O’Brien, J. A. Marakas, G. M. (2008). Introduction to Information Systems (14th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database
http://www.asu.edu/data_admin/data_warehouse-overview.html
http://www.montage.co.nz/aboutbi-essentials.html

General Purpose Application Software vs. Function-Specific Application Software

General Purpose application software packages  generally contain tools to provide specific capabilities, but not to support a specific purpose. These softwares perform common information processing jobs for users. They are sometimes referred to as productivity packages as they greatly increases the productivity of users A word processor for instance, is the most common general purpose application software. It uses a computer program or a dedicated hardware and software package to write, edit, format, and print a document. Text is most commonly entered using a keyboard similar to a typewriter's, although handwritten input (common in pen-based computer) and audio input devices have been introduced.

Among the standouts of general purpose application software programs include web browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer), e-mails (Hotmail,Gmail), word processors (MS Word, Lotus WordPro),  spreadsheets (MS Excel, Lotus 1-2-3),  database softwares (MS Access, Lotus Approach), desktop publishing (MS Publisher, Adobe Pagemaker), presentation graphics (MS Powerpoint, Lotus Freelance) and Personal Information Manager (MS Outlook, Lotus Organizer).

Here's a few combination of general purpose software and function-specific software programs

In contrast, a function-specific application software is much more limited in terms of what it does. Normally, these softwares works just to support specific applications of end users.

Some function-specific application programs include specific programs for the Supply Chain Management (SCM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), transaction processing, science, engineering and also business accounting.

It can be concluded that people could use general purpose software for its wide array of functions but  they could only enjoy to a certain limit in its capabilities within each of the purposes. On the other hand, one could use function-specific software only for a few functions but with greater, cutting-edge and more in-depth capabilities for each of its purposes.

Source(s):
O’Brien, J. A. Marakas, G. M. (2008). Introduction to Information Systems (14th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0852715.html

The Evolution of Computer Systems : From Mainframe Computer Systems to Microcomputer Systems

A microcomputer (sometimes shortened to micro) is most often taken to mean a computer with a microprocessor as its CPU. Another general characteristic of these computers is that they occupy physically small amounts of space. Many microcomputers are also personal computers (in the generic sense) and vice versa. A microcomputer is the smallest, least expensive of all computers. Originally, it had rather limited capabilities compared to larger computers, but today microcomputers are more powerful than early mainframes. Perhaps the best definition of a micro is "any computer that you can pick up an carry". Don't be misled by the micro prefix - you can pick up and carry some very powerful computers! A micro computer is also called a personal computer or PC. The label PC was associated with microcomputers because they were originally designed for use by one person at a time.

The IBM PC in the early days, this PC exists somewhere around Aug 11, 1981. Looks like this PC is 7-8 years older than all five of us :)

A minicomputer is a largely obsolete term for a class of multi-user computers which make up the middle range of the computing spectrum, in between the largest multi-user systems (traditionally, mainframe computers) and the smallest single-user systems (microcomputers or personal computers). More modern terms for such machines include midrange systems (common in IBM parlance), workstations (common in Sun Microsystems and general UNIX/Linux parlance), and servers. Until the late 1960s all computers were mainframe computers and they were expensive -too expensive for all but the largest companies. About that time smaller, but slightly "watered down" computers were introduced that were affordable to smaller companies. The industry dubbed these small computers minicomputers or simply minis. The name stuck, even though some of today's minis are many times as powerful as the largest mainframes of the early 1970s.

 OKITAC-4300C system, a classic mini computer system from Japan

Mainframes are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry/consumer statistics, ERP, and financial transaction processing. The term originated during the early years of computing and referred to the large mechanical assembly that held the central processor and input/output complex. Later the term was used to distinguish high-end commercial machines from less powerful units which were often contained in smaller packages. Today, this term almost exclusively refers to IBM System z9 mainframes, the lineal descendants of the System/360. A mainframe computer is generally found in a special computer room where environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and dust are closely monitored. Because of the computer's cost and the value of information stored there, these rooms usually have a security system allowing only authorized personnel to enter.

The sleek-looking IBM System z10 Mainframe

A supercomputer is a computer that leads the world in terms of processing capacity, particularly speed of calculation, at the time of its introduction. The term "Super Computing" was first used by New York World newspaper in 1920 to refer to large custom-built tabulators IBM made for Columbia University. Supercomputers are used for highly calculation-intensive tasks such as problems involving quantum physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modeling (computing the structures and properties of chemical compounds, biological macromolecules, polymers, and crystals), physical simulations (such as simulation of airplanes in wind tunnels, simulation of the detonation of nuclear weapons, and research into nuclear fusion). A particular class of problems, known as Grand Challenge problems , are problems whose full solution requires semi-infinite computing resources.

 IBM Roadrunner Supercomputer, which is currently the world's fastest supercomputer

Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcomputer 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minicomputer 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainframe_computer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supercomputer

A Little Something About Us

Hello there! My name's Heng Kawai and some people call me Sarah. I'm rather a simple girl with big dreams. Thanks to our powerful mind that we are able to imagine and to think big to go far and wide. I believe that with passion and determination, we can always make our dreams a reality. I guess, nothing is impossible after all :) Well, I have always had an interest in the current affairs and happenings not only in our country but also, around the globe. When being asked to name any flag of any country, there are high chances that I would be able to give you the right answer as I was exposed to them since I was a little girl. My other interest would be reading, not much of thick-layered novels but more to motivational, leisure, business and general interest books and magazines. My internet activities would mostly revolve around checking my e-mails (www.hotmail.com), reading news online from The Star (http://thestar.com.my), checking out interesting videos from Youtube (www.youtube.com) and Facebooking (www.facebook.com). Sometimes, I would search for beautiful interior and exterior pictures of buildings (homes, hotels, lounges/bars) and car photos as these are some of my favourite things. My preferred search engine would be Google (www.google.com). Strong, influential and powerful individuals are great leaders of today, shaping the world of tomorrow. They are positive role models to all. My idol has a famous surname, was a former model, and is an heiress to her dad's empire. Nope, she's not Paris Hilton but, she is none other than Ivanka Trump, daughter of Donald Trump. She truly inspires me. I love Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres as well. They are both great talk show hosts who have changed many people's lives for the better. This would be my first proper blog entry for as long as I can remember, thus, I'm glad that this course has provided me a chance to get a feel of writing blogs. Cheers!

Hi! Hi! This is the first time I’m writing a blog with the feeling of excitement and nervousness. My name is Ch’ng Phui Jean and my nickname is “Jean”. I am taking bachelor of Business Administration in Utar. I study this course because I want to continue my father’s business in the future. My father is a very successful businessman, so, in the future I also hope that I will become a successful business-lady. I think that university is the good place to prepare me for my future. I come from a big family, consisting 9 members to be exact. Despite being such a big family, we love each other very much. My family always support me at times when I do not have confident in doing something or failure in something, they will try to help me, support me. In my life, my family is the engine that supports me in doing everything that I hope to do. Thank God for allowing me to have this “happy family”. I like to shop and listen to music, because by doing this I feel happy and relaxed especially during stress in my studies. The five website that I often visit is www.utar.edu.my. I visited this website because besides being a hard-working student,it also is our responsibility to download lecture materials. I think that we must be serious in times when we study and active in times when we play. The second is www.facebook.com. This is the good place to entertain me, because when I feel stressful and boring, I will go facebook to play games to release my tension and see other’s profile. The third is www.msn.com to check my mails sent by friends. I also can learn more because the forwarding contents contain information that we can’t get from our textbook. Next, www.google.com. I always visit this website to search information needed for our assignments and most importantly, I will search the one thing that I like the most – strawberries! I love this amazing fruit very much. During my free time, I will search all things strawberry. Last but not the least, the website I visit the most is www.baidu.com. Here, I can download music and songs that I like. Normally, I will find some soft relaxing music, because as a degree student, I feel the stress and worry in many things, such as my results, my assignments, my human skills with each other and so on. Usually, I will listen to soothing music at night before going to sleep hoping to catch sweet dreams. Lastly, I want to quote something, which is “Be the one you are”. Plus, I hope that all my dreams will come true.      

Hung Wen Rong is my name and I’m writing an introduction about..Myself..Every once in a while I wonder how would things differ if I would have a different personality, diverse qualities and unknown talents. Would my life be as wonderful as it is right now? I guess not, and that it is the moment I stop thinking for "what if" because I am who I am and that is the reason for me being a unique girl. I realize that I am content as I am and therefore, wouldn't change a thing about myself.I am a complex person with areas of my personality that fluctuate depending on the situation. There is a subtle interplay between the different facets of my personality. Although I am steady and reliable, but sometimes, I am quite surprise to myself by doing something which are crazy and unexpected. I’m full of energy and confidence but for sometimes I can become very unpredictable, with moods changing as quickly as an ocean. My astrological sign is Taurus. My hobbies are listening to music because smooth, soft and peaceful music can help me to relax and reduce my stress. I also like to sing and dance during my pass time. The websites which I visit most are www.hotmail.com, use for checking mails,www.facebook.com, use to keep in touch with all my friends and know more other friends, http://thestar.com.my, reading news online and keep myself up-to-date with all of the current issues, http://wble.utar.edu.my, downloading all the reading materials and notes from lecturers and tutors, www.google.com, acts as my search engine.

初めまして。どぞよろしく。(Hajimemashite Douzouyouroshiku!).This  Japanese sentence means nice to meet you. Hi, my name is Ooi Xui Chi. I am 20 years old and I come from a famous rain town, Taiping. I am the youngest in the family and thus, all my family very love and care about me. I feel so grateful and thankful that I can be daughter of my parents; have such nice brothers and sisters. I love them very much. During my free time, I like to listen to music, watch movies and Hong Kong TVB dramas, exercise, shopping and sometimes I will on-line. The exercise I like the most is yoga. Yoga is such a good exercise that can help me to reduce stress, keep fit and fill my free time. I do attend yoga classes with my dearest mummy and normally after our classes we will go shopping together. It’s a great fun time for me! On the other hand, I like to log on to Facebook to interact with my friends and play the games available in Facebook. XD. My favourite fast food is Mcdonalds, especially the chicken nuggets and french fries. Furthermore, I REALY love home-made dishes prepares by my mum. For me, it’s the most delicious food in this world!! The dessert that I like most is chocolate ice-cream. It’s yummy! That’s all about me. Thank for reading our blog, Viva la IS! May all of you have a wonderful day! =]

Hi hi, I'm Soh Chien Yin, or you can just call me jscy  . This isn't the first time I'm writing a blog, but, it is the first time I've ever created a blog for an assignment. However, this is different from the blog that I currently own, and it brings me heaps of fun.  I'm 19 now and going to be 20, which I feel myself getting older and older . I'm quite an emo girl where I can easily get all touchy and my tears will keep falling (especially in movies and novels). I'm studying in UTAR which is renowned for their diligent students, tackling loads of assignments, presentations and tests. Sometimes, that pressurized me and made me hardly to survive, but I will brace it. Among the top websites I often visit are www.yahoo.com, www.utar.edu.my, www.facebook.com, and www.google.com. Sometimes, I admit I could be a bit "blur blur" on some situations, so please forgive me but, please don't make me angry as it will surely upset me. I totally love animated pictures that are glittery and adorable which may seem a little childish, but, I still like them very very much~. That's all from me, BYE!