Opportunities in Wireless Communications April 29, 2003 Electrical Engineering is about electricity, which is in every aspect of life: power for machines and lights, telephone, radio, television, calculators, and computers. Electrical engineering is the largest engineering profession (Summer Inst., 2001). Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering about practical applications of electricity. Electronics engineering is about electronic devices such as integrated circuits, transistors, and vacuum tubes. (Encyclop¾dia Britannica, 2003) Electrical and electronics engineers are involved in: * Microchips * Measuring instruments * Broadcasting * Consumer electronics * Communication devices * Radar and microwaves * Computers * Power generators and transmission systems * Electronic controls Electrical and electronics engineering requires the most mathematical knowledge. It does not involve knowledge of materials as much as other engineering professions. Typical courses for an undergraduate are the basics for all engineering students, plus studies in either electrical engineering or computer science. Course topics include: * Electromagnetic fields * Circuit design * Logic circuits * Computer architecture * Energy conversion * Computer hardware * Software engineering * Operating systems * Communications Electrical engineering graduates typically earn the highest pay of all college graduates. It is typically easy to find and keep a job. In high technology, even sales people need to have a bachelors degree. Most positions in design, product development, and supervision require a master's degree. A doctorate in science or engineering is required to be a leader or a professor. Brief History of Electrical Engineering The Greeks knew about magnetism 2000 years ago. The lodestone has been used as a compass for over 1000 years. Only in the 18th and 19th centuries was electrical energy understood (Zauker, 2001). Benjamin Franklin (lightning, 1753), Volta (battery, 1800), and Samuel F. B. Morse (telegraph, 1840) were like the first electrical engineers. The dynamo was invented in 1872. Alexander Graham Bell made the telephone in 1875. Thomas Edison invented a carbon filament lamp in 1880. In 1895, Guglielmo Marconi sent electromagnetic waves through the air to a receiver. Lee deForest in 1906 created a vacuum tube. In 1948, John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley introduced the transistor (Purdue Univ., 2002). New research in electrical and electronics engineering can lead to new products that revolutionize the future. Research involves physics and applied mathematics, as well as development of new materials and machines. Much research today is in wireless communications. Wireless Communications Wireless telephones use low-energy radio waves (Palazzo, 2000), which have a lower frequency than light or TV waves. Cellular phones use the same frequency. Digital technologies such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Global Standard for Mobile Communications (GSM), and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) allow cells to handle multiple calls on the same frequency. The FCC of the federal government sells airspace frequencies to mobile services providers. Analog cellular services operate on the 800 MHz band, while PCS operates at the 1900 MHz frequency. Cell phones divide geographic areas into "cells". The cells can be an entire country or just a building. PCS cells are smaller than analog cells. As a user moves from cell to cell, the call is "handed off" from one antenna to the next. Antennas on phones and substations are connected to the local phone network. Wireless companies must invest billions to build infrastructure. Every cell has an antenna and a transceiver (which converts the signal into a format compatible with the telephone network). Mobile switching centers connect all the cells in a region. Marketing is a big factor. Consumers can choose analog-to-digital, voice-to-Web, and handset to PDA. There are many subscription plans. Day use is expensive and weekend cheaper. Some companies have nationwide plans and others charge roaming fees. Wireless web access is used more by e-commerce. Mobile communications capabilities are expected to spread to other devices such as PDAs, laptops, and even vending machines. Areas of Research Wireless communications is and will be a major area of research and innovation over the next decade, at least. Possible areas are (Paris, 1998): * Broadband * Cellular Phones and Base Stations * Chips, transistors, and memory * Coding, compression, and error correction (barcodes) * Communication Networks * Encryption * Filtering and Browsing * Telephone systems (analog and digital) * Telegraph Some businesses involved in wireless research and development are (Industry Resource Guide, 2000a): * Internet Telephony * Virginia Tech Mobile & Portable Radio Research Group * Wireless Information Network Library at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey In The Business of Wireless Communications Personal communications involves (Industry Resource Guide, 2000b): * Cellular and paging * Hybrid cellular devices * International * Satellite phones Wireless communication protocols are important tools. Some Wireless Application Protocols are (Industry Resource Guide, 2000c): * Mobile Think * WapDrive * WapIT Ltd * WAPuSeek * WinWAP * Yourwap For example, QUALCOMM serves the wireless industry through technology licensing, CDMA chipsets and system software, satellite-based systems, and new innovations in wireless data products and applications. Some major wireless infrastructure providers are (Industry Resource Guide, 2000d): * AirNet Communications * COM DEV Wireless Group * Comarco * DGI Technologies, Inc * Multicomm Sciences Int'l * Radio Frequency Systems Bluetooth (Industry Resource Guide, 2000e) is an open standard for short-range transmission of digital voice and data between mobile devices (laptops, PDAs, phones) and desktop devices. Bluetooth uses omnidirectional radio waves that can transmit through walls and other non-metal barriers (unlike Infrared which requires that devices be aimed at each other - line of sight.). Bluetooth is led by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba, 3Com, Lucent, Microsoft, and Motorola. Some wireless service providers (Industry Resource Guide, 2000f) are: * AT&T Wireless Group * Metrocall * Nextel Communications Inc. (uses a single transmission technology: integrated Digital Enhanced Network, or iDEN) * Powertel, Inc. * SBC Communications, Inc. * Sprint PCS Group (100% digital PCS wireless network Companies Involved in Wireless The major cellular phone providers are (Industry Resource Guide, 2000g): * Airtouch * AT&T * Cellular America Distributing * Centennial Communications (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, North Louisiana, South Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arizona, California) * Digitel Cellular * Motorola * Nextel * Nokia USA * PacificBell Mobile Services * San Diego Wireless Communications Inc. (Southern California * Verizon Wireless (formed by Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Communications, PrimeCo and GTE Wireless) * Voicestream Some wireless business solution service providers are (Industry Resource Guide, 2000h): * Celeratis (network messaging over LAN/WAN, Internet and wireless devices) * Gaiacomm (voice/data and video stream) * AT&T Wireless Services (calling plans and equipment) * Mills Communications Inc. (two-way radios, pagers, public address systems) * SpectraLink (telephone systems) Fixed wireless is point-to-point transmission through the air between stationary devices (Industry Resource Guide, 2000i). Some businesses are: * Floware Wireless Systems * Teligent, Inc. Fixed Wireless * MCI Worldcom Fixed Wireless Solutions (uses Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Service, or MMDS) * NextLink * WaveRider Communications The US wireless industry posted revenue of $40 billion in 1999, according to the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, and employed 156,000 workers. (Palazzo, 2000) My Chosen Technology Wireless communication should grow dramatically over the next ten years. I think remote sensing and information exchange between machines will grow, too. This field will be a good one for employment in the future. Are you a person who is very busy in your daily life? What would happen if your refrigerator had a sensor to tell you when your groceries, such as milk and eggs, were low? The sensor could send an order directly to the grocery store and they could have it shipped to you? Wouldn't that be nice? Also, as you and I know, land is not as cheap as it used to be and in the future it will increase even more. If such a sensor was created, Albertsons or Safeway might not need to have such big grocery shopping centers, since everyone could order groceries through their wireless connection. People will be busier and busier, so this system would benefit not only consumers but also producers. Albertsons and Safeway would only need a warehouse or storage area to contain their things. when you ordered, their shipping would routinely deliver to your location. Or how about your car? Every two years you need a smog check reported to the DMV. What if your car, using digital wireless, could automatically send signals to the DMV or auto shop and maybe even drive itself to the auto shop and get the smog check done for you. The DMV would be able to schedule your appointments through wireless. And after your vehicle passed the smog check, it would automatically stamp your yearly registration on the bumper or a special magnetic or digital place on your car. How about when you feel sick and you don't feel like driving yourself to the hospital or to a clinic, or perhaps cannot drive. With an instrument like the wireless Palm Pilot, you could log in your symptoms of how you felt and it would go directly to the pharmacist or doctor, who could send a prescription and ship the medication out. For example, that would take the worry off you if you were away from your elderly parents. These types of wireless communication between businesses and sensors in consumer products would be a big market, I predict. The technology that I've talked about, I am expecting to happen in about ten years. Since we use the web for certain things now, in the next ten years, the populationwill grow and we will run out of time and space. Shopping and doing other things through wireless technology would save not only time but be much more convenient. This scenario could be interfered with in several ways. Since it costs a lot to build the sensors and infrastructure, it might cost too much. Also, people might not be capable of handling these wireless devices, since using these wireless devices requires computer and other types of education. People might also worry about their privacy, or be afraid of new things. This scenario also depends on many innovations in sensor technology and much higher information transmission capability in wireless networks. My Strategy In order to be ready to be employed in wireless communications, and especially in remote sensing and information exchange, I will need to have an education in certain fields and hope to be employed by certain types of companies. Mathematics is one of the most important subjects that electrical engineering students need to be on top of. Besides mathematics, students should be able to communicate well. Many undergraduate engineering students are required to take basic courses for their training in mathematics and electricity and electronics. Course topics important for wireless may include electromagnetic fields, circuit design, logic circuits, networking, and electronic controls. Students that invest their time in these electrical engineering courses and graduate from a good school would later find it's a good investment in the future. It pays well. Although the economy is down right now, in the near future I believe it will rise. It would be easy to find a job then. It's a challenging career but with great accomplishment in school you would be prepared for an interesting and worthwhile career in wireless. I think it would be best to go to graduate school. I would try to get a job in a larger and established company. AT&T seems to be a great place for my investment in the future. They have been stable and are rich enough to afford research for more wireless products. They've been around for a long time, and many of their customers have gained their trust. Word would spread around through their customers and the products would launch at a high level. When the new product was introduced, it would be easier to accept than if a new company introduced their product. Also, AT&T has a high reputation of quality on their products. It would be wise of me to carry out my projects and ideas through them. A second company that I might choose is SBC Communications Inc. In the Bay Area right now they are introducing digital cable. They have been around for awhile, and have many wireless products already. Working with them on a new product would be extremely ideal. They are familiar with carrying out wireless merchandise. They also have many customers already and can support a person who just graduated. After I worked for this type of company for a while, I would start my own company based on my experience an training in these wireless companies. I would have been able to think up new and good ideas while working for them and would have met people who would help me finance my ideas. REFERENCES Encyclop¾dia Britannica. "Electrical and Electronics Engineering." Encyclop¾dia Britannica. 2003. 25 Apr, 2003 http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=108133. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Wireless Research And Development" Wireless Communications Online. 2000a. "http://www.wireless-communication.org/research-development. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Personal Communications" Wireless Communications Online. 2000b. http://www.wireless-communication.org/personal-communications. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Wireless Application Protocol WAP" Wireless Communications Online. 2000c. http://www.wireless-communication.org/wap-application-protocol. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Wireless Infrastructure" Wireless Communications Online. 2000d. http://www.wireless-communication.org/infrastructure. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Bluetooth" Wireless Communications Online. 2000e. http://www.wireless-communication.org/bluetooth. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Wireless Service Providers" Wireless Communications Online. 2000f. http://www.wireless-communication.org/service-providers. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Cellular Phones" Wireless Communications Online. 2000g. http://www.wireless-communication.org/cellular-phones. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Wireless Business Solutions" Wireless Communications Online. 2000h. http://www.wireless-communication.org/business-solutions. Accessed April 27, 2003. Industry Resource Guide. "Fixed Wireless" Wireless Communications Online. 2000i. http://www.wireless-communication.org/fixed. Accessed April 27, 2003. Palazzo, Anthony. "The Wireless Communications Industry " Wireless Communications Online. 2000. http://www.wireless-communication.org. Accessed April 27, 2003. Paris, Prof. "Introduction to Electrical Engineering" Dept of Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason University. December 14, 1998. http://thalia.spec.gmu.edu/~pparis/classes/notes_101/notes_101.html. Accessed April 27, 2003. Purdue University. "The Engineering Specific Career Advisory Problem-Solving Environment". January 15, 2002. https://engineering.purdue.edu/FrE/ESCAPE/fields/electrical/history.htm. Accessed April 27, 2003. Summer Inst. for Engineering and Technology Education, Univ. of Arkansas. "Introduction to Electrical Engineering" February 16, 2001. http://www4.ncsu.edu:8030/~jmconrad/eleg_0in.pdf. Accessed April 27, 2003. Zauker, Fritz. "Historical aspects of electrical engineering" ETH Zurich, Switzerland. September 14, 2001. http://www.ee.ethz.ch/ee/history/index.en.html. Accessed April 27, 2003. BIBLIOGRAPHY ***Wireless Communications Books*** Basta, Nicholas. Opportunities in Engineering Careers. VGM Career Horizons, New York, 2000. Antebi, E. The Electronic Epoch. Private Press, New York, 1982 Fink, D.G., and Christiansen, D. (eds.). Electronics Engineers' Handbook, 3rd ed. Private Press, New York, 1989. Linnartz, Jean-Paul M.G. Wireless Communication, Edition 2001. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 2001. Taylor, Robert. Wireless Communication. United States Information Agency, Washington DC, 1998. ***Wireless Communications Journals*** Wireless Business and Technology Global Wireless Mobile Radio Technology Wireless Integration Wireless Week WirelessNOW ***Wireless Communications URLs*** Wireless Networks Online Wireless Review Online The Journal of Global Navigation and Wireless Communication: http://www.navglobe.com Bluetooth short range wireless connectivity standard: www.bluetooth.com Wireless Communications Association: www.wca.org A nonprofit corporation dedicated to the mutual benefit of Northern California companies and organizations involved in wireless communication technologies. Wireless Communications Association International: www.wcai.com/ Non-profit trade association representing the fixed wireless broadband industry. Wireless Infrastructure Association: www.pcia.com/ USA-based wireless telecommunications industry group, representing the carriers and cell-site owners.