Something like that analogous to the internet in the wired world would definitely have advantages. You mention battery life as a limiting factor, but depending on the density of devices that are participating, it might take less power to get a signal to the next hop.
Worst case if yours is the only device in the area, you're back to the standard we have today. I wonder how you'd handle going from one topology to another.
Ericsson is approaching the problem under the assumption that all wireless data traffic will be routed via trunked networks that have base stations. This is one area where Ericsson makes money; by selling wireless infrastructure equipment. The future will surely bring alternative wireless data routing possibilities that are cheaper and more efficient.
The expected growth in number of wireless devices suggests that there will be sufficient devices per square meter to establish reliable ad hoc wireless networking in the near future. If each wireless device is seen as a mini gateway, then each device can become an active node in a huge mesh network that provides global coverage and can participate in routing data it receives from many other wireless devices.
Three obvious issues with such ad hoc networking are:
1 - Security: Would we feel comfortable routing our data through other unknown wireless devices in the vicinity? Maybe if the data is segmented first and each segment is routed via a different wireless mini gateway (like in an IP network), security may not be a big concern.
2 - Latency: The number of hops from source to destination in the ad hoc networking scenario will limit the type of applications such technology can be used for. For example, routing an email or a file via this ad hoc network could work whereas real-time voice communication can fail very miserably.
3 - Participation: Some users may not wish their mobile device to participate in this global ad hoc mesh network due to reasons such as privacy, battery life, and device performance concerns. As the level of user participation drops, the ad hoc network will inevitably become less effective and capable.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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