DEVICE ALTERNATIVES COMBINATIONS AND PERMUTATIONS A bewildering array of subscriber unit options are available for wireless data ranging from fully integrated terminal/modem/radio units to multibox combinations of PCs, external modems, cellular transceivers, and portable faxes. A (too) simple representation of some of the terrestrial variations is illustrated in .igure 16-1. This convoluted collection of hardware alternatives is extraordinarily volatile. | The Wireless Data Haadbaak Fourth Edition. James F. DeRose Copyright 1999 John Wiley Sons Inc. ISBNs 0-471-31651-2 Hardback 0-471-22458-8 Electronic V PUTTING IT TOGETHER The Wireless Data Haadbaak Fourth Edition. James F. DeRose Copyright 1999 John Wiley Sons Inc. ISBNs 0-471-31651-2 Hardback 0-471-22458-8 Electronic 16 DEVICE ALTERNATIVES INTRODUCTION COMBINATIONS AND PERMUTATIONS A bewildering array of subscriber unit options are available for wireless data ranging from fully integrated terminal modem radio units to multibox combinations of PCs external modems cellular transceivers and portable faxes. A too simple representation of some of the terrestrial variations is illustrated in Figure 16-1. This convoluted collection of hardware alternatives is extraordinarily volatile. It is not uncommon for a monthly trade magazine to publish reviews of a product only to have some details revealed as outdated by the vendor s new ad in the same issue. An up-to-the-minute review of the wide range of product possibilities makes little sense for a book with an even slower publishing schedule. There is also the question of personal choice in devices. For some users carrying an extra bag isn t as comfortable as putting a palmtop in their pocket. 1 Users with a similar profile require at least a notebook because they cannot tolerate the small keyboard hard-to-read display or Windows incompatibility2 of some palmtops. Still others will carry the latest desktop replacement notebook PC even if it weighs 9 pounds. The key trends for pivotal segments that permit the devices to communicate wirelessly is clear 1. Universal adoption of the PC Card Type II format radio modems with multiprotocol capability. These are most often seen in notebook laptop PCs. 2. Integration of radio modems within devices especially for custom designed rugged terminals. However full integration also extends to pagers as well as voice handsets. 259 260 DEVICE ALTERNATIVES devices modems radios Figure .
