Martin Hope

A Review of UWB MAC Protocols

In this paper, we review several ultra-wideband (UWB) medium access control (MAC) protocols that have been proposed to date. This review then considers the possibility of developing an optimal MAC layer for high data rate UWB transmission systems that transmit very little power especially in application to mobile devices. MAC in UWB wireless networks is necessary to coordinate channel access among competing devices. Unique UWB characteristics offer great challenges and opportunities in effective UWB MAC design. We first present the background of UWB and the concept of MAC protocols for UWB. Secondly, we summarize four UWB MAC protocols that have been proposed by other researchers and finally, a conclusion with a view to the planned future work. The main contribution of this paper is that it presents a summarised version of several MAC protocols applicable to UWB systems. This will hopefully initiate further research and developments in UWB MAC protocol design.

Improving co-operative working in the utility industry through mobile context aware geographic information systems

This paper presents the development of a mobile context aware geographic information system (G.I.S.) based upon IEEE 802.11 compliant standards and equipment, distributed database systems, and modular software components. Delivered across a high bandwidth wireless intranet, and developed from standard “off the shelf” products, the system presents a unique integration of existing technologies that when applied, could be beneficial to a number of industries that rely on remote access to distributed geo-spatial data. Results from extensive field trials of the system in Manchester (UK) are then presented, in terms of the potential impact of the system on both the co-operative and the isolated working practices of field engineers in the Utility Industry.

Active router approach to defeating denial-of-service attacks in networks

Denial-of-service attacks represent a major threat to modern organisations who are increasingly dependent on the integrity of their computer networks. A new approach to combating such threats introduces active routers into the network architecture. These active routers offer the combined benefits of intrusion detection, firewall functionality and data encryption and work collaboratively to provide a distributed defence mechanism. The paper provides a detailed description of the design and operation of the algorithms used by the active routers and demonstrates how this approach is able to defeat a SYN and SMURF attack. Other approaches to network design, such as the introduction of a firewall and intrusion detection systems, can be used to protect networks, however, weaknesses remain. It is proposed that the adoption of an active router approach to protecting networks overcomes many of these weaknesses and therefore offers enhanced protection.

Determining the propagation range of IEEE 802.11 radio LANs for outdoor applications

This paper details the initial development of a unique microcellular wireless network based on IEEE 802.11 compliant equipment. Cellular design considered a free space propagation model supplemented with results from field tested equipment. This model was then used to determine the signal strength that may be achieved in a variety of different environments by applying a classical propagation loss model. This work is funded by the EPSRC in the UK in association with NORWEB Communications, and is aimed at investigating the use of high bandwidth mobile communications, in support of field engineers in the utility industry.

Efficient message transmission method for in-vehicle emergency service

In the event of a traffic accident it is very important to deliver emergency messages to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) as soon as the accident occurs in order to help the ambulance and other rescue teams arrive at the scene to offer emergency treatment. The PSAP needs to know at least the location of the accident. The main communication network used to transfer data to the PSAP from the in-vehicle emergency system is the internet or by using normal calls. Therefore, if the user is unconscious or has no access to the internet, the emergency message cannot be completed and the mobile operator cannot exchange data with the PSAP. In this paper, a solution is proposed to use the control channel instead of the data channel to receive emergency messages from the vehicle. The main advantages of this solution are that the connection between the user and the PSAP is always available and the message will transmit even if the user is unconscious.

Efficient Communications for Location-Based Services Using Spare Extensions of Control Channels in Mobile Networks

Location-based services (LBS) are services that are provided to the user according to their location. The components of an LBS needed to secure an end-to-end service successfully are: a mobile terminal; a positioning system; a communications network; and a service and data provider. In normal systems, the communication network used to transfer data and user requests to the data and service provider is the internet. Therefore, if the user has no internet access, the LBS cannot be completed and the mobile operator cannot exchange data with the user. In this paper, a recommended solution is proposed whereby control channels will used instead of data channels to send the user request to and from the service and data provider. The main advantages of this solution are that the connection between the user and the data and service provider is always available especially in case of emergency.

Reducing bluetooth discovery time in collaborative working environment

Abstract The main aim of the research presented in this paper was to investigate ‘how to reduce the bluetooth discovery time in collaborative middleware based collaborative working environment (CWE), to enhance the communications of mobile users. The high level collaborative middleware is a research and technology development (RTD) challenge and one of most desirable medium to long term research outputs for CWEs. This research activity outlines a collaborative middleware module that has been developed on Smartphone technology and enables to reduce the discovery time of a multi-user collaborative working environment via a Bluetooth wireless communications network. To achieve this aim, it started with discussing the key design parameters, and then the design of collaborative middleware module with collaborative functionality; finally it is a comparison test to evaluate the impact of middleware. The result of the evaluation concludes the Bluetooth enabled collaborative middleware can reduce the discovery time in CWE.

A review of routing protocols for UWB MANETs

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) have witnessed an increasing amount of interest during the last decade. Hosts (or nodes) within the network are mobile, and each node is equipped with a short range transmitter and receiver, antenna, and local power supply. Nodes then operate as a router to relay messages from the sender to the receiver, and they can be organised into different topologies; for example: they can be flat or hierarchical, they can move in any direction and speed, and they can communicate with each other through wireless routing protocols. More recently, systems based on Ultra-WideBand (UWB) technology have become a promising candidate in application to MANETs. This is mainly due to their powerful capabilities, such as their high data rates and low power consumption, and although many routing protocols have been designed for ad-hoc networks, few have considered their application to UWB based MANETs. This paper presents a review of different types of wireless routing protocols for MANETs with a concluding emphasis on their application to UWB based systems.

Integrating dual antennas into the wimedia UWB framework for WPANs

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology is a well-established antennae technology that can not only increase system capacity, but can also extend the link coverage area for wireless communication systems. In this paper, MIMO technology has been applied to Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) that operate in the license free Ultra Wide Band (UWB) spectrum. A dual antenna configuration applying Dual Circular DC32-QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) is proposed for indoor wireless systems that can improve the transmitting rate and coverage area for range demanding applications. Simulation results in terms of a performance analysis of bit error rates and throughput are then presented, and shown that significant improvements in the proposed model over traditional systems can be obtained.

Improving communications with bluetooth enabled collaborative middleware in MANET

Abstract The main aim of the research presented in this paper was to investigate how can collaborative middleware based collaborative working environment (CWE), combined with bluetooth technology, enhance the communications of mobile users. The high level collaborative middleware is a research and technology development (RTD) challenge and a desirable research outputs for CWEs. This paper outlines a collaborative middleware that has been developed on smartphone technology and enables the creation of a multi-user CWE via a bluetooth network. To achieve this aim, it started with discussing the key design parameters, and then the design of collaborative middleware with collaborative functionality; ended by completed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis with focus group to determine the collaborative middlewares potential impact to improve communications between users. The result of the evaluation concludes the bluetooth enabled collaborative middleware can improve the communications of mobile ad-hoc networks. This research also provides two key areas of contribution. Firstly it provides an evolutionary step for the creation of new collaborative applications. Secondly, it has optimised the use of bluetooth beyond the functionality for which it was originally designed.