The need for users to access information 'on demand' regardless of where they are has spawned the development of various wireless based technologies such as cellular phones and two-way email devices, Wi-Fi enabled notebooks, as well as digital road maps on Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) enabled devices that enable users to retrieve data and communicate with others on the go.

Nonetheless, most of these technologies are stuck in digital communications 'islands' where devices based on one type of technology (e.g., 3G) cannot communicate with another device using a different type of wireless technology (e.g., WiFi) easily. The goal of MoWiSat Research is to interconnect these isolated 'digital islands' so as to enable seamless access to wireless communications regardless of the type of technology used.

Broadband Internet Connectivity remains a major hurdle for Rural and Remote Areas with no existing infrastructure. In addition, there is a need to quickly deploy new telecommunications infrastructure after natural disasters and wars, for rescue, recovery and reconstruction efforts, where the terrestrial telecommunications network infrastructure has been destroyed. Satellite-based technologies are one of the quickest ways to address these needs. Wireless technologies have also enabled new capabilities in terms of location-based services, easy access to information on the go, as well as telecommunications, telemedicine and distance education for rural areas. In addition, Wireless Sensor Networks makes advanced precision agriculture and environmental monitoring possible. Consequently, MoWiSat Research focuses on four wireless technology profiles (see Figure 3).

Under the proposed MSc Internet Engineering (Mixed-Mode) program, there is a Wireless and Mobile Communications course (NIE506) that seeks to provide in depth knowledge of wireless and mobile networking technologies, with hands-on access to equipment so that the students are equipped with theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience where their knowledge can be applied towards solving research problems.

A teaching and research lab is needed to support Wireless and Mobile research, since students would not be allowed to disturb the normal operation of existing wireless and mobile infrastructure within the university. Consequently, both in-lab mobile and wireless hardware and simulation software would be needed to provide sufficient coverage of the topics.

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