1. 1 E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET CE53105-6 Applied Communication Systems Lecture 1 Introduction and Course Overview Introduction to module and Assessment Network Convergence Summary Version 1.5 Jan 2012 j.c.westlake@staffs.ac.uk, k.k.chai@staffs.ac.uk e.r.edwards@staffs.ac.uk, c.mbarushimana@staffs.ac.uk, n.a.shulver@staffs.ac.uk

2. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Overview  This first session is an introduction to the module - setting the scene and some module ground rules  Technology looked at –Smart Phones / VOIP / Wireless / RFID / 3G / XML are all very topical  The module will be applied / hands-on –It is a development and network-related module –We put kit into business context and also do some mobile development –There are devices you can access Android Tablets and Phones; NFC, RFID readers. NFC tags.  The areas covered are commercially topical and should provide all of you with useful skills and knowledge in the workplace  What kind of job will you be looking for? –This module should help you in your application for technical roles e.g. infrastructure roles

3. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 3 How the module will work  1 lecture per week  1 scheduled tutorial hour per week –The assignment can be incrementally developed/researched –The assignment is available from next week  The assessment for this module is split with –70% allocated to the assignment and –30% to the end of module exam (1 hour closed book)  Assignment: This will be discussed today and live next week Producing a report and a prototype application. Either 50:20 or 20:50 split between report and prototype – you decide.

4. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 4 Learning Outcomes of module  Learning Outcomes 1.Understand convergence of communication technology 2.Review the concepts of mobile communications technology including wireless networks and wireless hosts 3.Review the IT infrastructure for computer telephony integration (CTI) and Voice over IP 4.Practical implementation of wireless applications using appropriate software  Kit that you will have some usage of –Smartphones - Concentrating on Android –Wireless mobile devices (tablets) –And we will look at NFC/RFID and VoIP technology  See the links in this weeks tutorial sheet for more information about the technology

5. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 5 Convergence  Introduction –Setting the scene  What is convergence ? –Why is convergence happening ? –Types of convergence –Physical Convergence Possible designs of converged devices Interactive TV

6. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 6 Unified Communications  Unified communications - a world where multiple communication methods are –integrated, –controlled and –managed effectively  Unified communications products achieve this through – convergence and – integration of communications channels, networks and business applications  Bringing together computing applications with communications networks can increase –staff effectiveness, –improve customer service and –reduce overhead costs  Unified Collaborative Communications (UCC) is seen as a strategy to achieve the above

7. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 7 Impact of mobile computing  Pervasive technology...  Impacts in many ways –The way we do things as individuals and as businesses –Technology driven or Business need driven? Not always clear  Evolution or Revolution? –Examples PDAs – a dead market? Or not? Smartphones, tablets and in between –Internet enabled devices Often used for web based applications (much more than http: possible) Integration of devices –Convergence of devices –Standards and research

8. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 8 The need for communication  Anytime/anywhere  Offsite and onsite employees  Increasing productivity  Automating workflow  Examples: –BT telephone engineers can access customer profile via 3G laptops –Restocking vans overnight for jobs on the following day –Jobs allocated to engineers over web rather than return to base –Parcel tracking for improved customer service

9. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 9 Return on investment  Very interesting for us, but...  Implementing communications technology needs to be justified as an investment  Costs versus benefits  Sometimes there are disadvantages to convergence  Intangible savings and tangible savings –Often referred to as the “value added” –Less administration, fewer areas to check –More time for “doing” –Lower complexity for developers –More opportunities for new types of solution

10. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 10 Convergence progress  The world of IT is changing,  IT and communication technologies are now combined  Professionals in this field need to understand both aspects!  Converged technologies have high potential, but beware of inflated expectations e.g. VoIP  A technology Life cycle? –Technology Trigger –Inflated expectations –Trough of disillusionment –Period of enlightenment –Plateau of productivity

11. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 11 Types of Convergence  Protocol convergence –Problems and solutions for IT management –Perhaps moving from a Multi-protocol to single protocol network? For a list of protocols - http://www.protocols.com/protocols.htm http://www.protocols.com/protocols.htm How many communication-related protocols are there? –As an example, Unified Messaging (UMS) handling has voice, fax and text for a mailbox for access by email or phone

12. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 12 Types of convergence (cont)  Payload Convergence –different types of data carried in the same communication format Text, Images, Video, Sound, Numeric … digital data is flexible  Device Convergence –Example: network switches supporting Ethernet packets, Internet Protocol (IP) routing and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)  Applications Convergence –integrated functions, previously unavailable  Physical Convergence –Hardware, miniaturisation, integrated circuitry

13. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 13 Examples of Personal communications devices and applications available  Functionality on a smartphone - –Clock, Stopwatch, Time alarm, Diary, Notepad –E-mailer, Contacts manager –Calculator, Currency converter, Language translator –Digital camera, Video player, Video-games player, TV player –Music player, Radio receiver –Internet browser, Remote controller (other devices) –Personal attack alarm; Personal medical alert –Heart-rate and Blood Pressure monitor –GPS, Augmented reality overlay viewer  And many, many more –Apps! (popular platforms have hundreds of thousands available, many free)

15. E.R.Edwards 18/01/12 Staffordshire University FCET Slide 15 Summary  Convergence has become a major driver for corporations and smaller firms looking to: –Save money –Maximise comms technology –Harness the demands of data exchange –Exploit niche opportunities –Create new markets  Networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated in order to cope with the changes in traffic