Archive for December, 2008

Technology Acceptance Model Explained

The introduction of technology and developments in communication has reduced the need for traveling across the world. The way people conduct meetings and communicate with other branch offices has changed a lot compared to the past times. When a new technology is introduced, people must start using it to make the technology a successful one. However, the facilities provided by the technology determine the usage of the technology. If a technology is not effectively used by the people, the time and effort spent in using the technology becomes a waste. It is for this reason that technology acceptance model (TAM) has gained significance. The technology acceptance model was developed by Fred Davis and Richard Bagozzi. This model explains user behavior in using the technology, from the perspective of the end user.

When a new technology comes into use, the users must be able to accept the technology. This is possible if the user believes that the technology is useful. With the introduction of a new technology, certain changes have to be made for the users to make use of the new technology. If the user feels that the technology will not be useful, he will not be ready to make the changes. The willingness of the user to believe that the new technology can enhance his performance is defined as perceived usefulness (PU) by the technology acceptance model. This factor is essential for a technology and hence, the information system of technology acceptance model is widely preferred.

After making changes to the existing technology, the user must be able to use the new technology without much effort. When a new technology does not reduce the work load and efforts of the user, it will never be a success. The perceived ease of use (PEOU) is defined by TAM as the degree to which the user believes that the new technology will reduce his efforts. This factor is also essential to make the technology useful.

The relationship between the user and technology is very important for the developers of the technology. A positive attitude from the users about the new technology is essential to make the technology usable. In other words, if TAM model shows higher values of PU and PEOU, then it means that the technology is revolutionary and it will be highly accepted by the users. PU has direct influence on the attitude of user towards the new technology while PEOU has indirect influence on the technology through PU. The usefulness of neither of the factors can be ignored.

Using TAM, one can determine how the users perceive the technology. This model concentrates only on the design characteristics of the system. A variety of technologies is influenced by social factors. These social factors are not considered by TAM, as they cannot be determined easily. The technology is empirically analyzed from the user perspective to determine its efficiency and usefulness. Further, technical details of the technology are not completely analyzed by TAM because the end users are not concerned about how something works and they want something that really works.

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MIMS – Map Instant Messaging System

Instant messaging system was a revolutionary idea that became a part of life for every internet user. Rather than waiting for an email from someone, using instant messaging, you can easily get quick replies. Many more features are included in instant messaging as of now to make communication easier among your online friends. The map instant messaging system MIMS is a brand new technology that facilitates real time communication between two or more people. All types of media including text, audio, video, mim, and other files can be exchanged in real time with your pals.

To make use of MIMS, there must be some connectivity with the people you wish to communicate. MIMS can be used in any electronic map or private network or internet. MIMS differs from instant messaging using real time communication facilities. You can view the real time location of your friends using MIMS GPassenger technology. The synchronicity in terms of communication is greater in the case of MIMS. Using GPassenger, you can send messages to those people who are offline as well.

Several services are offered by MIMS for real time communication. Immediate acknowledgement and reply are provided when you use MIMS. Group chatting facility allows you to assemble all your buddies in a group and chat with all of them. Conference audio and video facilities are provided with MIMS. Using this service, you can feel like all of you are in the same place. You can log the conversation using logging facility so that you can take a look at your conversation later. File transfer is fast and safe in the case of MIMS. The real time map application makes MIMS a preferred service for those who wish to stay in contact with their buddies. Mobility application of MIMS ensures that you can use the service on the go as long as you have connectivity.

Network mapping of MIMS provides several connectivity services. When you are in a location real time, you can chat and communicate with others who are also in the same location. This is possible with private as well as public chat rooms in which the participants in the same real time spot communicate with each other. According to recent studies, a number of IM accounts are actually used for business purposes. Using IMs, the employees of an organization communicate with each other. Real time communication is made possible with MIMS which facilitates business communications.

When it comes to using MIMS for businesses, security feature is essential. In the case of instant messaging services, this security service cannot be expected. MIMS uses enterprise map messaging to ensure secure messaging between employees of an organization. The latest technology is capable of superimposing spatial variables onto existing geographical maps for real time connectivity. More details of the place can be seen by the user using MIMS, but this is limited by the displaying power of the monitor in use. Real time censors can also be deployed in MIMS devices so that more information about the user can be obtained. MIMS opens up new gates for effective communication using the facilities available through internet.

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Difference of Gigabit Ethernet Gige and Firewire IEEE1394

When it comes to choosing an industrial vision application for your organization, it is important to know about the revolutionary connectivity options available in the market. Using the right product, you can use the vision devices along with the available bandwidth to achieve maximum benefits. Gigabit Ethernet shortly called, as Gige and Firewire IEEE 1394 are the two rivalry technologies that are widely used. Gige is the latest one compared to Firewire IEEE 1394. Both of these technologies are widely used in several vision specific applications in the industries like traffic management, surveillance, machine vision, food processing, and automotives. It is important to know the benefits of these two technologies so that you can choose the right one suitable for your enterprise.

Gigabit Ethernet communication protocol is the basis for the Gige camera interface. This is widely used in industries that require high-speed data transfer. The data transfer rate of applications using Gige is as high as 1000Mbps. The cables used to facilitate such high speeds extend for up to 100 meters. Further, these cables are inexpensive as well. This interface can be used in critical applications that require higher amount of data to be transferred quickly. Machine vision applications that require greater cable lengths and fast data transfer rate find Gige interface to be useful.

Firewire IEEE 1394 has two versions namely 1394.a and 1394.b. These versions differ in the bandwidth specifications. The earlier 1394.a version provides a small bandwidth of 480 Mbps while the newer 1394.b offers 800 Mbps bandwidth, which is closer to Gige. Firewire IEEE 1394 is an old technology that was formulated in the 80’s to meet the increasing bandwidth demand for transfer of videos in vision applications. The technology is based on bus architecture interconnectivity. The Firewire IEEE 1394 technology reduces the size of total setup with the use of small cable wires that are about 5 meters in length. The software interface that comes with the camera can be used with any type of driver. Most of the computers have a built in Firewire port to connect the interface, but you can also buy a separate PCE interface to connect the camera interface to the computer. The technology is mature by two decades and hence, it provides reliable service. In addition to that, the cost for frame grabbers for Firewire IEEE 1394 is less.

If you are looking for a reliable service with reasonable bandwidth, you can choose to use Firewire IEEE 1394 in your industrial vision application. On the other hand, if you want higher bandwidth and greater cable lengths, you have to go for Gige technology. Though Gige technology is new, it provides an overall package that is needed for modern day camera applications. As this technology is new, more and more advancements are expected in this field. When you choose Gige, you can take steps to stay ahead in the road of future developments. In the future vision applications, Gige is expected to lead the race with 1000 Mbps transfer rate which is crucial for video applications.

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Beginners Guide to MPLS

MPLS which expands to Multiprotocol label switching is a revolutionary networking technology primarily used in packet switching networks. MPLS is an IETF open standard developed by Cisco systems. MPLS was designed to enable high speed switches by enabling efficient traffic management. Using MPLS technology, the service providers can easily handle data streams initiated by the users. Those who use premium service to transfer large amounts of data can benefit from MPLS because of the reduced latency and packet loss. MPLS is used for secure data transfer for those users who send a large amount of data. Generally, MPLS is deployed in private networks and the packets are transferred using virtual private network over the existing private network.

MPLS is widely useful for enterprises that search for a solution for effective utilization of available bandwidth. Using MPLS, all types of data can be transferred using the same network by prioritizing the data based on the usefulness of the data. For example, it is possible to instruct the network to transfer voice data faster than any other data. Convergence of all enterprise wide applications over a single network is the major advantage of using MPLS.

Generally, when an enterprise wants to use new applications, it has to buy more bandwidth from the service provider. Buying bandwidth is a costlier procedure and efficient utilization can only prove to be worth the effort. With the use of MPLS, it is not necessary to buy additional bandwidth because the existing bandwidth can be utilized to incorporate new applications by prioritizing. Frame relay is widely used to transfer packets. But after some time, this technology was proved to be complicated with the increased flow of data. MPLS is easy to deploy than frame relay and it is efficient as well.

MPLS technology primarily decides routing based on the data in the labels added to the packets by the MPLS device. Normally, in a network, the packets are switched based on the ip address information. The MPLS device analyses the data and ip address of packets and sets label for each packet that it encounters. Then the routing device is adjusted to route packets using the labels instead of the actual packet headers. The labels are the keys that determine packet switching and any priority can be applied to the packets using the labels. Class of service and quality of service for the data is used to prioritize the data packets. When the MPLS packets leave the private network, the edge device at the final step removes the labels that are not needed for further switching.

The greatest benefit with MPLS is the simplified network administration in the private network. The network devices don’t have to work differently with different types of data. Irrespective of the type of data packets, the packets can be easily switched using the information in the label. The enterprise need not have to spend money inorder to support separate networks within the organization. As label information cannot be read by devices other than MPLS device, the packets are switched in a secure manner. Further, the entire network architecture can be designed to handle disaster in an efficient way with the use of MPLS.

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An Overview on SIP Trunking

Session initiation protocol (SIP) trunking has become an essential part of network connectivity in any enterprise. The traditional PSTN networks utilized large volumes of wires. When an enterprise requests PSTN connectivity, the service provider has to provide a number of wires to enable connectivity between the telecommunication systems. Using SIP trunking, PBX system can be changed to VOIP system without making major changes with the telecommunication devices.

The traditional PBX system provider installs several wires to traditional telephone system using a PBX system. The PBX is the central control system inside the office which has several wires to all the telephones inside the building. These wires connecting PBX system and telephones are called extensions. The PBX system is connected to the service provider through wires and this is called trunking. Now, if you want to incorporate VOIP services without affecting the way the telecommunication devices are connected, you can replace the wires inside the office using SIP trunking. This makes use of ITSP that offers the essential trunking solutions. This ITSP takes care of routing the calls which were done by the wires initially. Just with the inclusion of SIP trunking, the existing system can use IP gateway to transfer voice and data.

SIP trunking services replace the physical cables and provide telephone service exploiting the data network. The data network in this case can be anything like internet, dedicated line or a shared connection. To make use of SIP trunking, an enterprise needs a few essential components. IP based PBX that communicates with all endpoints is required. This provides interface for SIP trunking. An edge device that handles SIP traffic is essential. This is the ITSP device that can act as a firewall as well. A LAN that ensures connectivity across the enterprise wide telecommunication devices is also needed. With these three components, SIP trunking is possible.

There are several advantages related to using SIP trunking. The edge device can now replace the cables that connect to each of the telecommunication device. This saves a lot of space and there is no need to buy premise based hardware and software. The IP telephony service provider network provides connectivity across the enterprise. The company can save a lot of money, as it need not pay for the cables and wires. With the use of VOIP services, the need for handsets and monthly charges are eliminated. Multiple line convergence is achieved using SIP trunking.

The available bandwidth is put into better use with the use of SIP trunking. As the companies start using VOIP, a large amount of money is saved in terms of call charges and call costs. The up time is greater than the traditional telephony services. User productivity is also increased. Further, SIP can provide a gateway to several other services as well. SIP service providers offer value added services at no or minimal cost. Traditional network can be used only for voice communication, but with SIP trunking, the data network is used to transfer voice and video along with data.

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What is WiMax?

WiMax which expands to worldwide interoperability for Microwave access is a budding telecommunication technology that uses different transmission modes to enable connectivity. This technology is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard. The existing transmission modes ranging from point-to-point links to wireless media are used for transfer of data for WiMax. The main idea behind this technology is to provide interoperability between the transmission modes without adding additional burden to the consumers.

WiMax can be used to connect Wi-Fi hotspots to internet. All the devices within the hotspot can then access internet without paying extra cost. Wireless devices can seamlessly connect to cable internet using wireless hotpot with the WiMax technology. Those places that have terrain unsuitable for establishing cable connection can use WiMax to establish connectivity with the rest of the world. This technology is useful for businesses that use different providers for providing wired and wireless communication services. Portable connectivity is ensured with the use of WiMax technology.

Last mile broadband access poses a limitation to the establishment of Wi-Fi hotspots. With the use of WiMax, this last mile connectivity problem can be eliminated. The technology in its emerging stage helped to regenerate communication links in Aceh, Indonesia during Tsunami in December 2004. The ferocious waves destroyed everything except an amateur radio. Thus, Aceh was completely cut down from the rest of the world. Under this tight situation, WiMax was used to bring broadband access to reconnect Aceh. It was during this time that the efficiency of WiMax was realized and widely accepted.

Client units for WiMax can be indoor or outdoor units. Using indoor units, it is possible to get internet access with a communication device. These indoor units can be deployed in home and offices. These are similar to modems that are normally used to connect to internet. Outdoor units are bigger and they are of the size of laptops. Installation requires some process similar to fixing a satellite dish. Once established, a variety of telecommunication devices can interact with each other easily.

The Wi-Fi service is presently limited by the range in which the service is provided. Connectivity cannot be obtained when the device is more than 100m from the hot spot. WiMax makes connectivity possible even when the devices are located 30 miles in the case of fixed stations. If WiMax service is provided by mobile stations, devices located in the range of 10 miles can access internet. The principle of allocation of services in WiMax is stable. Scalability is ensured as the subscriber station holds the connection once it is granted. The problems related to scheduling and workloads in Wi-Fi are efficiently handled in WiMax.

Latest advancement in WiMax is to use a single node as a base station and subscriber station at the same time. Every one including consumers, service providers, and operators can benefit from WiMax technology. In April 2001, WiMax forum was established and people are working on making improvements to WiMax technology. These people are responsible for broadband certifying wireless access products. Also, this forum helps the systems from different vendors to work efficiently.

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What is the Future of Fiber Optic Communication?

The need for the transmission of large amount of data in a short duration led to the evolution of fiber optic technology. Here, instead of using copper wires to transmit electrical data, optical fibers are used to transmit data in the form of light. Optic fibers have the ability to transfer large amounts of data and since the speed of light is much greater than that of electrical signals, a large amount of data can be easily transmitted quickly. Several hundred gigabits and terabits of data can be transmitted using optical fibers.

A number of limitations are posed by the present communication network. The RF/Microwave communication needs a large amount of spectrum and this cannot be deployed on a large scale when the available spectrum is limited. Though the same frequency can be repeated after long distances, the scalability is much reduced as more and more consumers start using the communication medium. The current copper cable transmission is hindered by the low transfer rate. Higher transmission rate cannot be achieved beyond certain limitations. Further, the setup cost to install cables and signal strengtheners increase the cost of data transmitted. Thus when you wish to use copper cable network to transfer a large amount of data, you have to wait for a long time to receive data and the cost is also high.

The above issues are clearly solved by the fiber optic communication which makes it a possible future communication medium. Using DWDM, more amounts of data at different frequencies can be transmitted over optical fiber at the same time. It is estimated that the available spectrum per fiber can increase by ten folds in another 10 years. Scalability issue can be addressed by increasing the number of fiber optic cables. Presently, this process is expensive but new technologies are now evolved. Researches are being done to send different data in the same wavelength at the same time using a different multiplexing technique. This eliminates the need to install new optical fibers for a small spectrum increase since the carrying capacity of fiber is increased.

The present fiber optic technology is limited by the use of electrical signals to route the data. The optical signals are converted into electrical signals for processing. Later these signals are again converted into optical signals and transmitted through fiber optic cables. People are working on producing all optical networks, where the need for electric signals is completely eliminated. However, it is not easy to gather header and other routing information from the light waves that are transmitted through optical fibers.

A lot of studies have to be done to eliminate the obstacles posed by optical fiber communication. The need for high speed data transfer and efficient utilization of bandwidth are expected to increase in the near future because of the increased amount of all types of traffic including data, voice, and video. There is no doubt that fiber optic communication is going to rule the future world, as new technology and cost reduction tactics are already on their way.

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Is VOIP Replacing PSTN

VOIP technology was in existence for the past few decades, but only recently, the technology has gained so much importance. The need to make long distance calls increased in all offices and VOIP made it possible at low prices. The added advantage of integration of VOIP to existing telephone networks has increased the usage of VOIP in homes and offices. Today there are no offices that lack VOIP services. Now, with the introduction of VOIP, many users are using it, but the traditional PSTN is also in existence. VOIP coexists with PSTN as of now, but in the future, experts say that VOIP will overrule PSTN because of the ubiquitous ability of VOIP service.

PSTN networks have their own advantages and disadvantages. The well established technology makes PSTN systems more reliable. A dedicated line is established between the caller and the called party in the case of public switched telephone networks. This dedicated line ensures more reliability and chances of call dropping is almost nil with PSTN networks. Further, the set up process is hassle fee and usage procedures are simple for consumers. However, efficient use of bandwidth is limited with PSTN network. Most of the bandwidth dedicated to PSTN remains idle most of the time. The monthly fees and high call charges restrain the users to use PSTN telephones. PSTN networks can handle only voice data and they are transmitted using fixed cables.

VOIP on the other hand solves most PSTN problems, but the ubiquitous technology has its own limitations. There are no monthly fees in the case of VOIP and you have to pay for the number of calls you make. Prepaid cards allow you to use the same device in different countries without any change. The data sent through the network is compressed, allowing optimal utilization of bandwidth. VOIP primarily uses internet to transfer voice. Further, voice is also sent as data packets. This simplicity has reduced the cost of every call. Many value added services can be given to the users at lower cost. VOIP allows you to make use of soft phone and virtual keypad without even using telephone system if you have a broadband internet connection. The only problem with VOIP is related to call quality. When you choose a good service provider, you can overcome this problem. With a good service provider, you can achieve call quality equal to that of PSTN networks.

In the offices and homes, the usage of internet has increased. Further, data traffic is much higher than voice traffic. The existing system can handle both data and voice traffic in an efficient way, but this cannot be called the optimal system. Studies show that data traffic will continue to increase in the near future. Moreover, the availability of internet facilities using wireless networks has motivated the researchers to improvise the present VOIP technology. With more and more improvements, VOIP technology can completely replace PSTN service, but it will take at least a few decades. For now, you can save money without compromising the services, using hybrid VOIP and PSTN systems.

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Holographic Imagery – Future of Communications

Business communication has reached far beyond personal meetings. The offices are established all over the world and it is expensive to assemble all participants in a single room for the meeting. This led to the introduction of video conferencing where the participants of meeting can communicate with each other using internet and video conferencing system. Though video conferencing enables virtual meeting, the level of interaction between the participants is generally low. One has to wait for another to complete their speech. Further, the devices used in video conferencing are expensive and most companies have the practice of hiring these devices when they have to arrange for a virtual meeting.

Holographic imagery can change the way these meetings are done. Global businesses are looking for ways to improve the way the meetings are conducted. High speed communication is now possible with the use of satellites and broadband internet connection. Using holographic imagery, you can assemble the images of participants in a virtual room and conduct the virtual meeting. Future advancements can help the participants of meetings to interact with each other’s holographic images. This cutting edge technology requires high set up cost as of now, but technology that is more superior is on its way.

The basic components required for holographic imagery are already present. Cameras and internet telephony are the main components of this new system. Without bringing the people physically close, they can be made to feel closer to each other with the use of interactive holographic images. However, it is difficult to setup the virtual room using holographic technology.

In a holographic environment, the computer has to recognize the movements of people and other objects. The images of several movements have to be captured without delay. This has to be transferred to long distance using high speed internet connectivity. At the receiving end, the computer responsible for reception should project the images on a stereo-immersive surface. This can give a real time experience even though the participants are present virtually.

At present, tele-immersion using holographic images is different from virtual reality. You can see people virtually and talk to them using internet telephony services. In virtual reality, you can literally interact in the virtual environment which is used in 3D games. The work is on process to merge tele-immersion and virtual reality to make interaction possible using holographic imagery.

A number of advancements have to be made in computers, display devices, and communication internet to make holographic imagery communication a reality. Future for holographic imagery is very bright because there is no limitation to the number of applications that can use the technology once it has been designed. People don’t have to use joysticks or other input devices to play games. Personal communication is made a reality even if you are thousand miles away from your dear ones. Simulated environment can simulate everything you need and you don’t have to travel to take advantage of interactive communication. Doctors can use the holographic images during operations for a more detailed study.

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Cellular Hotspots Explained

Making it possible to establish communication among all areas of the world is a major task that involves a lot of issues. The introduction of cellular devices and satellite technology has made it possible to connect some areas. Though the world can be connected using internet, it is limited by the connectivity. To make connection and communication possible, the cellular hot spots are needed. These hot spots enable communication in a certain region. Wi-Fi connectivity works on the basic principle of establishing cellular hotspots. Communicating devices in that region can communicate with each other and across internet to transfer data.

To establish cellular hot spots, several components are needed. The communicating devices need a connection that makes communication possible. Inevitable cable connection is required in those cases. For those regions where cable connection is not possible, satellite can be used to establish a communication medium. Transfer of data using satellites is lower, but something is always better than nothing. The hot spots need technological devices to identify communication devices and enable communication between them. With all the set up, cellular hot posts can establish connectivity in a region.
Collaboration is what all giants are looking for. They are interested in making all the regions reachable. When this is made possible, telecommunication will take a new perspective. Though establishing hot spots incur cost, the overall cost for consumers is much less. With the hot spots, anyone can connect to the internet without paying additional charges. Every company involved in the research is looking for ways to establish cellular hot spots in several areas.

The major criterion that has to be considered with cellular hotspots is the scalability issue. Irrespective of the number of devices that connect to the hot spots, it is essential to provide a uniform service. Further, the radius of service provided by the hot spots is another major issue. Consumers don’t like to be disconnected when they travel from one hot spot to another. The work load increases on the stations when mobility is high. It is not possible to restrict the mobility of the users for providing cellular hot spots.

Present technology to provide cellular hot spots is expensive. It uses computer technology to connect to the nearby communication network. Problems such as log phase and line breakdown are experienced when users are located at a farther distance from the hot spots. Efficient communication is achieved only when the user gets close to the hot spot.

Digital technology is on its way to promote cellular hot spots. A digital super box that can handle all two way functions must be designed. This gear should be capable of interoperating with GRPS and GSM devices. Further, all possible traffic such as text, voice, and video has to be handled by the same gear. With improvements in satellite communication, the transmission rate can be increased. Then the cellular hot spots can use satellites to establish communication. This eliminates the need for cable communication in the hot spot region. With this technology, a ubiquitous city can be deployed without wires using a strong cellular hot spot.

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