COMMUNICATION STANDARDS and PROTOCOLS

UNIT - 4

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS

 Zigbee
 Bluetooth
 Wi-fi
 GPRS,GSM
 NFC, IR
 Satellite Communication
 Advantages, Disadvantages and its Applications

 
Zigbee
ZigBee is a low power, low cost, wireless network communication protocol based on the
IEEE 802.15.4- 2006 standard. ZigBee is targeted for low power, low data rate and secure
applications for Wireless Personal Area Networking (WPAN).

ZigBee operates worldwide at the unlicensed bands of Radio spectrum, mainly at 2.400 to
2.484 GHz, 902 to 928 MHz and 868.0 to 868.6 MHz. ZigBee supports an operating distance
of up to 100 meters and a data rate of 20 to 250Kbps.

Features-

 Network type – WPAN(Wireless Personal Area Network).

 Standards- IEEE 802.15.4.
 Communication direction -Bidirectional.
 Frequency -2.4 GHz.
 Power usage-Low power usage.
 Range-10-100m.
 Data Rate-250 Kbps.
 Topology – Star, Tree, Mesh.

Advantages-

 Low power requirement.

 low cost.
 Flexible network structure.
 Easy to implement and install.

Disadvantages-

 Low data transmission rate.

 Risky for the use of personal information.
 Low bandwidth.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a low cost, low power, short range wireless technology for data and voice
communication.

Bluetooth supports point-to-point (device to device) and point-to- multipoint (device to

multiple device broadcasting) wireless communication. A Bluetooth device can function as
either master or slave. When a network is formed with one Bluetooth device as master and
more than one device as slaves, it is called a Piconet.

A Piconet supports a maximum of seven slave devices. Bluetooth is the favourite choice for
short range data communication in handheld embedded devices. Bluetooth technology is very
popular among cell phone users as they are the easiest communication channel for
transferring ringtones, music files, pictures, media files, etc between neighbouring Bluetooth
enabled phones. It supports a data rate of upto 1 Mbps and a range of approximately 30 feet
for data communication.

Features-

 Network type – WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network).

 Technology – Radio transmission.
 Standards – IEEE.
 Communication direction – Bidirectional.
 Frequency – 2.4 GHz.
 Transmitting power – 10 mW.
 Range – near about 10m.
 Data range – 1,2,3, Mbps.
 Topologies-Mesh and Star.
 Connecting devices – 7 to 8 at a time.

Advantages- 

 Low power consumption.

 Low bandwidth requirement.
 Not much expensive.
 Simple to use.
Disadvantages-

 Limited range.
 Not suitable for large data transfer.
 Ideal for short-range communication only.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity is the popular wireless communication technique for networked
communication of devices. Wi-Fi is intended for network communication and it supports
Internet Protocol (IP) based communication. It is essential to have device identities in a
multipoint communication to address specific devices for data communication

Wi-Fi based communications require an intermediate agent called Wi-Fi router/Wireless

access point to manage the communications. Wi-Fi supports data rates ranging from 1
Mbps to 150 Mbps and offers a range of 100 to 300 feet.

Features-

 Network type – LAN(Local Area Network )

 Technology- Traditional radio transmission.
 Standards- IEEE 802.11.
 Communication direction-Bidirectional.
 Frequency-2.4 GHz or 5GHz.
 Power usage – Medium.
 Range – Up to 50 m.
 Data rate- 0.1 to 54 Mbps.
 Topology – Star, Tree, P2P.
 Connecting devices – 4 to 8 devices at a time.

Advantages-

 Cost-effective
 Convenient
 Explanadibility 
 Easy to use and hassle-free

Disadvantages-

 More power consumption

 Inconsistent and instable 
 Low-level security 
 Low range 
GPRS

General Packet Radio System is also known as GPRS is a third-generation step toward
internet access. GPRS is also known as GSM-IP that is a Global-System Mobile
Communications Internet Protocol as it keeps the users of this system online, allows to make
voice calls, and access internet on-the-go. Even Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
users get benefit from this system, as it provides packet radio access.

Features

Always online feature - Removes the dial-up process, making applications only one
click away.
Upgrade to existing systems - Operators do not need to replace their equipment;
rather, GPRS is added on top of the existing infrastructure.
An integral part of future 3G systems - GPRS is the packet data core network for
3G systems EDGE and WCDMA.
Characteristics

Mobility - The ability to maintain constant voice and data communications while on
the move.
Immediacy - Allows subscribers to obtain connectivity when needed, regardless of
location and without a lengthy login session.
Localization - Allows subscribers to obtain information relevant to their current
location.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

NFC technology was jointly developed by Philips and Sony in late 2002 for contactless
communications [127]. It is a short-range half duplex communication protocol, which
provides easy and secure communication between various devices (Table 1). In accordance
with [94], NFC is distinct from far field RF communication that is used in personal area and
longer-range wireless networks. NFC relies on inductive coupling between transmitting and
receiving devices. The communication occurs between two compatible devices within few
centimetres with 13.56 MHz operating frequency.
The acting two parts of NFC communication is categorized as initiator and target devices.
The Initiator is the device that initiates and guides the data exchange process between the
parties. The target is the device that responds to the requests made by the initiator. According
to , NFC protocol distinguishes between two modes of operation, which are active mode and
passive mode. In the active communication mode both devices uses their own energy to
generate their own RF field to transmit the data. In the passive communication mode only
initiator generates the RF field while the target device makes use of the energy that is created
by the active device.

There exist three NFC devices, which can involve in NFC communication: NFC mobile,
NFC tag, and NFC reader. Table 3 shows the possible interaction styles among those NFC
devices. NFC technology operates in three different operating modes: reader/writer, peer-to-
peer, and card emulation modes where communication occurs between an NFC mobile on
one side, and an NFC tag, an NFC mobile, and an NFC reader on the other side respectively.
Each operating mode uses distinct communication interfaces (i.e. ISO/IEC 14443, FeliCa,
NFCIP-1, NFCIP-2 interfaces) on RF layer as well as has different technical, operational and
design requirements.
Global System For Mobile (GSM):

CEPT, a European group, began to develop the Global System for Mobile TDMA system
in June 1982.GSM has two objectives: pan-European roaming, which offers compatibility
throughout the European continent, and interaction with the integrated service digital
network (ISDN),which offers the capability to extend the single-subscriber-line system to
a multiservice system with various services currently offered only through diverse
telecommunications networks. System capacity was not an issue in the initial development
of GSM, but due to the unexpected, id growth of cellular service, 35 revisions have been
made to GSM since the first issued specification. The first commercial GSM system,
calledD2, was implemented in Germany in 1992.

GSM consists of many subsystems, such as the mobile station (MS), the base station sub
system (BSS), the network and switching subsystem (NSS), and the operation subsystem
(OSS) in fig. The Mobile Station: The MS may be a stand-alone piece of equipment for
certain services or support the connection of external terminals, such as the interface for a
personal computer or fax. The MS includes mobile equipment (ME) and a subscriber identity
module (SIM). ME does not need to be personally assigned to one subscriber. The SIM is a
subscriber module which stores all the subscriber- related information. When a subscriber’s
SIM is inserted into the ME of an MS, that MS belongs to the subscriber, and the call is
delivered to that MS. The ME is not associated with a called number—it is linked to the SIM.
In this case, any ME can be used by a subscriber when the SIM is inserted in the ME. Base
Station Subsystem: The BSS connects to the MS through a radio interface and also connects
to the NSS. The BSS consists of a base transceiver station (BTS) located at the antenna site
and a base station controller (BSC) that may control several BTSs. The BTS consists of radio
transmission and reception equipment similar to the ME in an MS. A transcoder /rate
adaption unit (TRAU) carries out encoding and speech decoding and rate adaptation for
transmitting data. As a subpart of the BTS, the TRAU may be sited away from the BTS,
usually at the MSC. In this case, the low transmission rate of speech code channels allows
more compressed transmission between the BTS and the TRAU, which is sited at the MSC.
GSM uses the open system interconnection (OSI). There are three common interfaces based
on OSI: a common radio interface, called air interface, between the MS and BTS, an interface
A between the MSC and BSC, and an A-bi interface between the BTS and BSC. With these
common interfaces, the system operator can purchase the product of manufacturing company
A to interface with the product of manufacturing company B. The difference between
interface and protocol is that an interface represents the point of contact between two adjacent
entities (equipment or systems) and a protocol provides information flows through the
interface. For example, the GSM radio interface is the transit point for information flow
pertaining to several protocols.

Infrared Communication

Infrared is an electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which consists of electromagnetic waves

with wavelengths longer than those of light that is visible to the human eye. The range of
wavelengths of IR radiation extends from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum at 700
nanometres (nm) to the starting edge of the microwave section of the electromagnetic
spectrum at 1 millimetre (mm). This range of wavelengths corresponds to a frequency range
of approximately 430 terahertz (THz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz) .

The idea of using IR for transmitting information wirelessly between a group of computers
was introduced in the late 1970s by Gfeller et al . The proposed system was able to exchange
information between terminals, which were located in the same room at low speed over
distances up to 50m using near-IR radiation. The terminals were interconnected through an
electro-optical satellite located on the ceiling. Since then, there has been an exponential
growth of research conducted in the field, which has led to a number of commercial products
becoming a reality. The continuous increase of demand for such applications indicate that the
technology will continue to develop and expand.

IR communication systems can be separated into two main classes (See Figure 4): short to
mid-range consumer infrared solutions and devices, most of which comply with the
specifications of the Infrared Data Association (IrDA), and medium- to long-range solutions
that are developed using the principles of free-space optical communication (FSO). Both of
these will be discussed later on in the paper.

Satellite Communication
Definition Of Satellite:
A satellite is a small body revolving around huge body.
Satellites are of two types.
1. Natural satellites
Ex. Moon, Earth.
2. Artificial satellites
Ex. Sputnik 1, ECHO-1, TELSTAR.
Artificial satellites are of two types.
1. Active satellites
2. Passive satellites
Active Satellites:
A satellite that amplifies the received signal and changes its frequency before transmitting is
called active satellite.
Passive Satellites:
A satellite that does not amplify and does not change the frequency before re-transmitting is
called passive satellite.
Origin Of Satellite Communication:
The scientist Arthur Clarke introduced the idea of satellite communication in a fiction
magazine in 1945. At that time he is working in British Royal Airforce.
According to his idea a satellite that is placed at a particular distance from the surface of the
earth can receive the signals from one earth station of one country and transmits the signal to
another earth station of another country.
In 1957 the Russian government launched the first satellite Sputnik1. It does not have
bidirectional capability.

TYPES OF ORBITS:
1. Low Earth Orbit – 500-1500Km – 8-15 min.
2. Medium Earth Orbit – 8000-18000Km – 2-8 hrs.
3. Geo Stationary Earth Orbit – 36000Km – 24hrs.
4. Polar Orbit.
5. Inclined orbit
LEO :
Leo satellites are much closer to the earth than geo satellites. The distance from the surface of
the earth to the low earth orbit ranges from 500 to 1500 kms. A LEO satellite can complete
its orbit by 15 to 20 mins. Mobile communication is its major application
MEO :
The distance from the surface of the earth to medium earth orbit is 8000 to 18000 kms. The
MEO satellite can complete this orbit by 2 to 8 hrs. MEO has more coverage area compared
to LEO. Local communication like internet, GPS and weather forecasting are its major
applications.
GEO:
The distance from surface of earth to geo is approximately 36000 kms. A GEO satellite can
complete its orbit by 24 hrs. that means speed of the geo satellite is equal to rotation speed of
the earth. Local communications like TV and Radio broadcasting are its major applications.
Polar orbit:
These orbits have an inclination of 90 deg w.r.t equator. These orbits take 12 hrs to complete
one rotation. The polar orbit satellite revolves around the earth covering north and south
poles.
Inclined orbit: These orbits have an inclination greater than 45 deg w.r.t equator.

Satellite services:
1. Fixed satellite service (FSS): These services offer mobile communication
2. Broadcast satellite service (BSS): These services provide direct broad cast to home.
3. Mobile satellite services (MSS): These provide communication for land, marine and
aeronautical services.
4. Navigational satellite services (NSS): These provide GPS for radio navigation marine
and aeronautical.
Frequencies used for satellite communication:
L-Band – 1 to 2 GHZ
S-Band – 2 to 4 GHZ
C-Band – 4 to 8 GHZ
X-Band – 8 to 12 GHZ
Ku-Band – 12 to 18 GHZ
K-Band – 18 to 27 GHZ
Ka-Band – 27 to 40 GHZ
Applications of satellite communication:
Weather forecasting: Certain satellites are designed to monitor climatic conditions on the
earth.
1. This is done by taking images of the earth.
2. These satellites are used for predicting climatic disasters Hurricane, Tsunami.
Radio and Tv broadcasting: These are responsible for broadcasting Radio, Tv and also live
programs.
Military services: These satellites can trace the enemy weapons and civilians.
Navigation satellites: Ships and aircrafts relay on GPS services in addition to traditional
navigation system.

Block diagram of Satellite Communication:

Fig.: Satellite Communication Block Diagram

Advantages of satellites over terrestrial communication:

1. Coverage area of satellites are greatly exceeds that of a terrestrial system
2. Transmission cost of signal is independent of distance from the center of coverage
area.
3. Higher bandwidth are available.
4. High transmission capability and point to multipoint communication is possible.
5. Most of the satellites are used to provide voice and data communications to aircrafts,
ships.
Disadvantages:
1. Launching of satellites into orbit is very cost.
2. It is impossible to rectify certain problems after satellite is launched into the orbit.