Time traces

While wireless LANs are often viewed as being a totally separate entity from the WAN, it’s critical that WAN managers have a good knowledge of the entire network. One of the ways that you can get a great feel for the major trends in WLAN implementation is from the study, “WLAN Deployment Trends: Networks, Devices, Security”, which reports on the penetration of Wi-Fi-enabled devices, customers’ primary concern regarding WLANs, and the deployment status of 802.11n.

The report, now in its fifth year, is authored by Joanie Wexler, who also pens Network World’s Wireless newsletter. The first module from the report titled “Wi-Fi Attitudes Shift,” provides an overview of the WLAN as a whole. For instance, so far as deployment is concerned, Joanie points out that “Nearly half of survey respondents (47%) said that 51% to 100% of their employee populations are equipped with a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a laptop, smartphone or personal digital assistant (PDA). This figure is a measurable jump from last year, when just 34% said that half or more of their companies’ employees possessed Wi-Fi devices.”

The second module of the study is titled “WLAN Deployment Trends: Networks, Devices, Security.” This module points out, among many other more detailed findings, that security remains the primary concern regarding WLANs. Again, quoting Joanie, “47% of respondents cited ‘general security concerns’ as one of the two biggest challenges to scaling Wi-Fi deployments throughout most or all of their organizations. In a fairly distant second place were reliability and stability concerns related to Wi-Fi’s operation in unlicensed spectrum (31%).”

The deployment status of 802.11n is the focus of the just-released third module. In this segment of the report, a rapid acceptance of 11n is found to be underway, even though there are many nagging concerns. “Wi-Fi infrastructure and client upgrade costs” and “Waiting for final standards and standards-based products” were seen as the primary obstacles that were cited more than twice as often as other factors.

Both this report and the IP Telephony Management report are being released in progressive modules. As additional modules become available, we’ll be sure to let you know about

Fans at the new Yankee Stadium will have an “immersive” video experience in which 1,100 high-definition screens will keep them glued to the game even when they are not at their seats.

Such was the promise this week from Cisco and the New York Yankees as they discussed the $15 million to $16 million technology infrastructure and potential for the fan experience at the stadium, slated to open in April 2009.

From a Yankees widget on their mobile phone or PDA, fans will be able to view the game from different angle around the stadium, launch instant replays, access statistics specific to the game situation, and interact with other fans in a community of shared interest, Yankees and Cisco officials said.

“This is where high-tech is going,” Cisco CEO John Chambers said during the press conference. “We’re changing the fan experience. Video is the key word here.”

Added Hal Steinbrenner, co-chairman of the Yankees, “We’re working on fan amenities which will be second to none. The fan experience is of utmost importance to us. They will be amazed at a lot of the things available to them.”

There will be no TVs in the new Yankee Stadium, just 1,100 high-definition IPTV monitors that will provide various views, angles and information on the game — before, during and after — with content pushed to the monitors as appropriate. Along with the live game broadcast, monitors will be capable of simultaneously providing up-to-date sports scores, Yankees trivia, news and weather from a single viewing screen.

At the conclusions of games, these monitors will let the Yankees the direct patrons to the nearest exits and provide traffic information. In the event of an emergency, all stadium monitors can be mobilized to display evacuation instructions.

On non-game days, these same monitors can be used to display customized content and information for special events such as conferences, weddings and other group activities.

The infrastructure will be “completely wireless, top to bottom;” players will have touch screen computers at their lockers; and Cisco’s high-definition TelePresence virtual conferencing system will be installed at a library in the Bronx to allow students to interact with Yankee players.

“Yankee Stadium will be in a constant state-of-the-artness,” said Yankee Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost in a statement that would make Yogi Berra proud.

Cisco officials say the stadium will be the most technologically advanced stadium in the country, if not the world. They said Cisco technology is used in 60% of the sporting venues in North America, including the new Cisco Field being built in Fremont, Calif. 

Fans in luxury suites can view the game from different angles by manipulating the touch screen of Cisco IP phones (compare unified communications products) in those suites. They will also be able to order concessions and Yankees merchandise for delivery to the suite.

Over time, fans will be able order food from their seats through their mobile phones, and high-definition screens on the exterior of the stadium will show what’s going on inside, Cisco officials said.

Cisco and the Yankees began discussions two and a half years ago on the technological infrastructure and application for the  stadium, which is replacing the venerable, 85-year-old “House the Ruth Built.”

“We had to have the best capabilities” in fan amenities at the new ballpark,” Trost said. “We had to step up and allow the fan experience to be improved.”

“This is the front edge of what sports and entertainment will be like” in the future, Cisco’s Chambers said. Like Star Trek…that’s where we’re going to go. This will change all of sports.”

Cisco said it is in active discussions with other sports franchises about upgrading their stadium fan experience with similar capabilities.

Huawei Technologies and Sony Ericsson have launched wireless modems for HSPA (High-Speed Packet Access) networks that try to be more than just modems.

Huawei’s E180 and the MD400 and MD400g from Sony Ericsson come in the shape of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) stick and feature built-in card readers. One of Sony Ericcson’s offerings also comes with GPS (Global Positioning System) technology.

“The vendors have started to try to differentiate their products, so they don’t have to compete on just price,” said Mark Newman, chief research officer at market-research company Informa Telecoms and Media.

The GPS function on the MD400g integrates with Google Maps and the device has a M2 Memory Stick Micro and microSD slot, so the modem works as a card reader or a memory stick. The MD400 is a bit simpler; it lacks GPS support, but has the card slot.

Both products feature a swivel diversity antenna to improve performance and protect the USB connector when the modem is not in use.

“The antenna is needed to take advantage of higher speeds,” said Joakim Liljedahl, senior category manager at Sony Ericsson.

Huawei’s E180, which is 10 mm thick, features a MicroSD card slot as well. It also comes with a rotatable USB connector, which can be turned by 270 degrees. This way, the USB connector can be stored safely without needing an additional cover, according to Huawei.

The E180 supports uplink bandwidth rates of up to 5.76M bps (bits per second) and a downlink of up to 7.2M bps. Sony Ericsson’s modems support the same downlink speed, but only go up to 2M bps on the uplink.

MD400 and MD400g will start shipping globally during the fourth quarter. The E180 will become available during the second half of June in most parts of the world. Pricing has not been announced.

Information and communications technology and e-Learning platforms are vital channels for improving the quality of education. This white paper discusses how Intel is developing communications technology strategies to help bridge the digital divide.

PDF:Wireless Technologies and e-Learning: Bridging the Digital Divide