CSC 4315: WIRELESS NETWORKS AND PROTOCOLS
LECTURE NOTE PART II
7.0.0 Ad-hoc networks protocols: Bluetooth and ZigBee
As illustrated in Figure 6.2, the IEEE 802.11 WiFi standard is aimed at communication among
devices separated by up to 100 meters (except when 802.11 is used in a point-to-point
configuration with a directional antenna). Two other IEEE 802 protocols—Bluetooth and Zigbee
(defined in the IEEE 802.15.1 and IEEE 802.15.4 standards) are standards for communicating over
shorter and longer distances, respectively.
7.1.0 Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a wireless LAN technology designed to connect devices of different functions such
as telephones, notebooks, computers (desktop and laptop), cameras, printers, coffee makers, and
so on. A Bluetooth LAN is an ad hoc network, which means that the network is formed
spontaneously; the devices, sometimes called gadgets, find each other and make a network called
a piconet. A Bluetooth LAN can even be connected to the Internet if one of the gadgets has this
capability. A Bluetooth LAN, by nature, cannot be large. If there are many gadgets that try to
connect, there is chaos.
Bluetooth technology has several applications. Peripheral devices such as a wireless mouse or
keyboard can communicate with the computer through this technology.
Monitoring devices can communicate with sensor devices in a small health care center.
Home security devices can use this technology to connect different sensors to the main security
controller. Conference attendees can synchronize their laptop computers at a conference.
Bluetooth was originally started as a project by the Ericsson Company. It is named for Harald
Blaatand, the king of Denmark (940-981) who united Denmark and Norway.
Blaatand translates to Bluetooth in English.
Today, Bluetooth technology is the implementation of a protocol defined by the IEEE 802.15
standard. The standard defines a wireless personal-area network (PAN) operable in an area the size
of a room or a hall.
7.1.1 Bluetooth Architecture
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Bluetooth defines two types of networks: piconet and scatternet.
7.1.2 Piconets
A Bluetooth network is called a piconet, or a small net. A piconet can have up to eight stations,
one of which is called the primary the rest are called secondaries. All the secondary stations
synchronize their clocks and hopping sequence with the primary.
Note that a piconet can have only one primary station. The communication between the primary
and the secondary can be one-to-one or one-to-many. Figure 14.19 shows a piconet
Figure 14: shows a piconet
Although a piconet can have a maximum of seven secondaries, an additional eight secondaries can
be in the parked state. A secondary in a parked state is synchronized with the primary, but cannot
take part in communication until it is moved from the parked state. Because only eight stations can
be active in a piconet, activating a station from the parked state means that an active station must
go to the parked state
7.1.3 Scatternet
Piconets can be combined to form what is called a scatternet. A secondary station in one piconet
can be the primary in another piconet. This station can receive messages from the primary in the
first piconet (as a secondary) and, acting as a primary, deliver them to secondaries in the second
piconet. A station can be a member of two piconets. Figure 15 illustrates a scatternet.
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Figure 15: illustrates a scatternet.
7.1.4 Bluetooth Devices
A Bluetooth device has a built-in short-range radio transmitter. The current data rate is 1 Mbps
with a 2.4-GHz bandwidth. This means that there is a possibility of interference between the IEEE
802.11b wireless LANs and Bluetooth LANs.
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An IEEE 802.15.1 network operates over a short range, at low power, and at low cost. It is
essentially a low power, short-range, low-rate “cable replacement” technology for interconnecting
notebooks, peripheral devices, cellular phones, and smartphones, whereas 802.11 is a higher-
power, medium-range, higher-rate “access” technology. For this reason, 802.15.1 networks are
sometimes referred to as wireless personal area networks (WPANs). The link and physical layers
of 802.15.1 are based on the earlier Bluetooth specification for personal area networks . 802.15.1
networks operate in the 2.4 GHz unlicensed radio band in a TDM manner, with time slots of 625
microseconds. During each time slot, a sender transmits on one of 79 channels, with the channel
changing in a known but pseudo random manner from slot to slot. This form of channel hopping,
known as frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), spreads transmissions in time over the
frequency spectrum. 802.15.1 can provide data rates up to 4 Mbps.
7.1.5 Zigbee
A second personal area network standardized by the IEEE is the 802.14.5 standard (IEEE 802.15
2012) known as Zigbee. While Bluetooth networks provide a “cable replacement” data rate of over
a Megabit per second, Zigbee is targeted at lower- powered, lower-data-rate, lower-duty-cycle
applications than Bluetooth. While we may tend to think that “bigger and faster is better,” not all
network applications need high bandwidth and the consequent higher costs (both economic and
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power costs). For example, home temperature and light sensors, security devices, and wall-
mounted switches are all very simple, low-power, low-duty-cycle, low-cost devices. Zigbee is thus
well-suited for these devices. Zigbee defines channel rates of 20, 40, 100, and 250 Kbps, depending
on the channel frequency. Nodes in a Zigbee network come in two flavors. So-called “reduced-
function devices” operate as slave devices under the control of a single “full-function device,”
much as Bluetooth slave devices. A full-function device can operate as a master device as in
Bluetooth by controlling multiple slave devices, and multiple full-function devices can
additionally be configured into a mesh network in which full-function devices route frames
amongst themselves. The technology operates in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio
bands, typically using the 2.4 GHz frequency but also supporting other frequencies depending on
regional regulations. Here's an expansion.
7.1.6 Zigbee characteristics
i. Low Power Consumption: Zigbee devices are designed for low power consumption,
making them suitable for battery-operated devices with long operational lifetimes. This
feature is crucial in applications such as wireless sensors, smart home devices, and
industrial sensors, where frequent battery replacement may not be practical.
ii. Low Data Rates: Zigbee is optimized for low to moderate data rates. While it may not
provide high-speed data transmission, it excels in scenarios where small amounts of data
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need to be transmitted periodically. This makes Zigbee well-suited for applications like
home automation, where control commands and sensor data are exchanged.
iii. Mesh Networking: Zigbee supports mesh networking, allowing devices to relay messages
through multiple nodes. This feature enhances the reliability and coverage of the network.
If a device is out of direct range of the coordinator (the main controller), it can still
communicate by routing its messages through other nodes in the network. This is
particularly beneficial in large-scale deployments and industrial settings.
iv. Interoperability and Standardization: Zigbee Alliance, a global association of companies
working on the Zigbee standard, ensures interoperability among Zigbee-certified devices.
This standardization promotes the development of a diverse ecosystem of devices from
different manufacturers that can seamlessly work together in the same network.
7.1.7 Zigbee applications
i. Home Automation: Zigbee is widely used in smart home applications for controlling
lights, thermostats, door locks, and other smart devices. Its low power consumption and
ability to handle a large number of devices make it suitable for creating a comprehensive
and energy-efficient home automation network.
ii. Industrial Control: Zigbee is applied in industrial settings for monitoring and control
purposes. It's used in wireless sensor networks to collect data from various sensors,
monitor equipment health, and optimize industrial processes.
iii. Healthcare: Zigbee is employed in healthcare applications for patient monitoring,
tracking medical equipment, and facilitating communication between healthcare devices.
iv. Smart Agriculture: In agriculture, Zigbee can be used for monitoring soil conditions, crop
health, and weather conditions. Wireless sensor nodes can communicate and form a mesh
network to provide real-time data to farmers.
v. Asset Tracking: Zigbee is used for asset tracking in logistics and warehouses, where low-
power, reliable communication is essential for monitoring the location and status of
goods.
Comparison between Bluetooth and Zigbee networks:
Feature Bluetooth Zigbee
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Frequency 2.4 GHz (industrial, scientific, 2.4 GHz (ISM band), also 915 MHz and
Band and medical band) 868 MHz in some regions
Data Rate 1-3 Mbps (Bluetooth Classic), 20-250 kbps
up to 24 Mbps (Bluetooth Low
Energy)
Range Typically up to 100 meters Typically up to 10-100 meters,
(Class 2), can be extended with extendable with mesh networking
Class 1 devices
Topology Supports point-to-point and Supports point-to-point, point-to-
point-to-multipoint connections multipoint, and mesh networking
Power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is Zigbee is optimized for low power
Consumption designed for low power consumption, suitable for battery-
consumption operated devices
Application Widely used in personal area Commonly used in home automation,
Focus networks (PAN), audio devices, industrial control, sensor networks, and
and wearables IoT
Interference Susceptible to interference from Coexistence mechanisms in place to
Wi-Fi and other Bluetooth handle interference, and interference is
devices generally less of an issue
Topology Limited flexibility compared to Well-suited for forming mesh networks,
Flexibility Zigbee in terms of forming providing greater flexibility in network
complex networks topology
Security Supports various security Incorporates security features such as
measures, including encryption encryption and authentication, but
and authentication implementations may vary
Standards Bluetooth Special Interest Zigbee Alliance
Organization Group (Bluetooth SIG)
Use Cases Audio streaming, wireless Home automation, industrial
peripherals, mobile device automation, healthcare, smart energy,
connectivity and other IoT applications
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8.0.0 Setting up an adhoc network in Windows 10
Below is the step by step guide to set up an adhoc network in Windows 10 on a PC.
1. Open Command Prompt as an administration. In order to open it as an administrator, right
click on it and click "Run as Administrator".
2. Enter the following command in it.
"netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=adhocnetwork key= mehdi1234"
In the above command, "mehdi1234" will act as the password for your adhoc network. You can
keep another one!
3. Press enter!
4. The hosted network mode has been set to allow. Now, enter the following command after the
above.
"netsh wlan start hosted network"
5. Press enter.
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6. The hosted network has started! Close command prompt.
9.0.0 Understanding GSM Technologies
GSM, which stands for Global System for Mobile Communications, is a standard developed to
describe protocols for second-generation (2G) digital cellular networks used by mobile devices
such as mobile phones and tablets. Here's an overview:
1. Development: GSM was developed by the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI) to replace the analog cellular networks prevalent in the late 20th century
with a digital system. It aimed to provide better voice quality, increased capacity, and
enhanced security for mobile communication.
2. Frequency Bands: GSM operates in various frequency bands, including the 900 MHz and
1800 MHz bands. Different regions around the world allocated different frequency bands
for GSM deployment.
3. Access Method: GSM employs TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) for dividing the
available radio frequency spectrum into time slots. Each user is assigned a unique time
slot for transmitting and receiving data, allowing multiple users to share the same
frequency channel without interference.
4. Architecture: GSM networks consist of several key components, including Base
Transceiver Stations (BTS), Base Station Controllers (BSC), Mobile Switching Centers
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(MSC), and Home Location Registers (HLR). These components work together to
facilitate mobile communication, call setup, handovers, and roaming.
5. Services: GSM supports various services, including voice calls, SMS (Short Message
Service), and data services such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE
(Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution). It also introduced features like caller ID, call
forwarding, and conference calling.
6. Security: GSM incorporates encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure the
confidentiality and integrity of communication. It uses algorithms like A5 for voice
encryption and A3/A8 for authentication.
7. Global Adoption: GSM quickly gained widespread adoption globally and became the
dominant standard for mobile communication in many parts of the world. It facilitated
international roaming by allowing subscribers to use their phones in different countries
with compatible GSM networks.
8. Evolution: While GSM laid the foundation for mobile communication, it was later
succeeded by newer standards like 3G (UMTS) and 4G (LTE), which offered higher data
speeds, enhanced multimedia capabilities, and improved spectral efficiency. However,
GSM networks continue to operate in many regions, especially in rural areas and
developing countries, where newer technologies have not been fully deployed.
9.1.0 Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
IS-95, also known as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Like GSM, it's a 2G technology
that's used for mobile networks. But unlike GSM, it uses a different access method called CDMA.
Instead of dividing up the spectrum into time slots, CDMA uses spread-spectrum technology to
encode the data by spreading the data over a wide range of frequencies. This is different from
traditional radio, where all of the data is sent on one frequency. In spread-spectrum technology,
the data is spread out over a much wider range of frequencies. This makes it harder for anyone to
listen in on the data, because they would need to know the exact frequency being used. It also
makes the data less susceptible to interference from other signals. CDMA allows for higher data
rates and more efficient use of the spectrum. IS-95 was the first CDMA standard, and it was
followed by IS-2000, which is also known as CDMA2000. CDMA2000 is a third-generation (3G)
technology that builds on the IS-95 standard. It was developed by 3GPP2 (Third Generation
Partnership Project 2), which is an industry group that includes companies like Qualcomm and
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Ericsson. The protocol uses a different air interface, this air interface allows for even faster speeds,
up to 3.1 Mbps. This shows CDMA2000 offers higher data rates than IS-95 which had a maximum
data rate of only 14.4 kbps. As a results of this it supports a variety of data services like voice,
video, and Internet access. It also supports features like multimedia messaging, mobile broadband,
and mobile TV.
9.2.0 Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)
WAP is another important part of the GSM and CDMA2000 standards. It's a protocol that allows
mobile devices to access information services like the Internet and email. WAP uses a subset of
the HTML language and provides a user interface designed for small screens. WAP also defines a
security model and other features to make it easy to develop applications for mobile devices.
One of the most important things about WAP is that it helps to bridge the gap between the
traditional web and mobile devices. Before WAP, the only way to access the Internet on a mobile
device was to use a web browser that was designed for a desktop computer. But WAP allowed for
a new type of user experience that was optimized for mobile devices. This was a big step forward
for the mobile industry. One of the important applications of WAP is MMS (Multimedia
Messaging Service), which allows you to send and receive messages that include photos, videos,
and audio clips. Another example is the Wireless Village, which is a collection of information
services that are optimized for WAP devices. The Wireless Village includes things like Yellow
Pages, white pages, weather forecasts, maps, and movie show times.
9.3.0 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
GPRS is another important part of the mobile landscape. GPRS is a data service that is built on top
of the GSM network. It uses packet switching technology to send data over the network, and it
provides speeds of up to 115 kbps. This makes it much faster than the circuit-switched data services
that were used in the early days of mobile technology. And it's much more efficient, too. GPRS is
what made many mobile applications, like email, possible. It's also the foundation of 3G
technologies like EDGE and HSDPA. GSM network uses circuit switching that means that when
you make a phone call, a circuit is created between your phone and the person you're calling. But
when you use GPRS, data is sent in small packets over the network. This is more efficient, because
the network only has to send the data that's actually needed.
9.4.0 Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
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UMTS is another 3G technology that builds on GSM and GPRS. UMTS is even faster than GPRS,
with speeds up to 2 Mbps. And it also has a much higher capacity than GSM or GPRS, so it can
handle more users. UMTS is used for things like mobile video and video conferencing, which
require a lot of bandwidth. And it's the foundation of 4G technologies like LTE (Long-Term
Evolution). UMTS uses a cell-based network. But it uses a different type of network architecture
called WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). WCDMA uses spread spectrum
technology to divide the spectrum into multiple channels. Each channel is assigned to a different
user, and the data is sent using a code that is unique to that user. This allows for more users to be
connected at the same time, and it also prevents interference between users.
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