Personal area networks
Theodore B. Zahariadis · Communications Engineer · 2003
Despite of the worldwide recession, especially in the telecommunications market, the vision of a fourth-generation (4G) all-IP mobile/wireless network is emerging rapidly In the 4G era, apart from the installed infrastructure cellular networks, powerful personal digital assistance (PDA) devices and ad-hoc personal area networks (PANS) are expected to impel towards the "simple, anywhere and anytime" ubiquitous services' deployment. Advances in fabrication density and microprocessors' design have shrunk devices' size and weight, and enabled professionals to carry a number of electronic gadgets, including cellphones, earphones, PDAs, laptops, MP3 players, and electronic watches. These devices have impressive processing capabilities and multiple storage memories. A PAN is a human-centred network that connects such personal communications devices in a spontaneous architecture, within a short-range, "personal" or "body" space.