Tetherless Computing Blog

Java on PocketPC, the Unofficial FAQ

At last! Something actually readable about the ins and outs of J2ME on Pocket PC 2003 PDAs. here

posted by S. Keshav @ Friday, April 29, 2005 0 comments   

EVDO StompBox Project

This is a really cool project that combines an EVDO connection with WiFi. The funny thing is that the all the difficulty is in hacking Linux to do what Mac OS X or even Windows XP does, for the most part, out of the box. The cool part is that with a little hacking, and leveraging the gods of Google, you can actually get real-time tracking of a car in a satellite map. This is like science fiction come to life! Lessons: 1. web-based services can give you huge leverage 2. EVDO works 3. if asset tracking with evdo can be done off-the-shelf for about $1000, do we need sensor networks?

posted by S. Keshav @ Thursday, April 21, 2005 0 comments   

Vint Cerf on Internet Challenges

Vint Cerf has some interesting points on the science in computer science and whats missing in networking research. He has a point about networking being weak on theory. In many ways protocol design is an art, that tries to balance conflicting requirements in terms of implementation complexity, flexibility, and minmizing overhead, while trying to achieve good performance. I can't see how one can come up with strong theoretical principles for that. On the other hand, the theoretical foundations for networking in queueing theory, control theory, and game theory are sound, but balancing the assumptions needed by the theory with the facts on the ground is difficult, and sometimes impossible!

posted by S. Keshav @ Thursday, April 21, 2005 0 comments   

E6951 Self-Organising Wireless Networks

Here is a nice collection of recent papers in wireless networks. Andrew's overview of wireless networking (linked as 'seminar overview') is well worth reading!

posted by S. Keshav @ Tuesday, April 19, 2005 0 comments   

Rosedale WiMax chip from Intel

Looks like Intel is backing its rhetoric with real chip set. WiMax allows wireless ISPs to compete with DSL, 3G (HSDPA and UMTS), and cable operators. The real question is who is going to adopt it, and why. This will determine if the network is managed or laissez-faire, and whether customers can count on it for services like 911. For instance, if WiMax is offered by mom-and-pop operators who cannot guarantee good service, like today's ISPs, it will die stillborn. Similarly, if it is coopted by monopoly local loop operators, it could well be priced so that it does not compete with DSL. On the other hand, cell phone operators could use WiMax to backhaul their base stations, or even WiFi hotspots, allowing them to cheaply enhance their coverage areas, or even compete head on with the local loop. No matter what happens, it will be interesting to see this technology turn the market for local service upside down!

posted by S. Keshav @ Tuesday, April 19, 2005 0 comments