CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION  

Since the earlier stages of using technology, the inventors and scientist were always trying to create method and develop techniques in order to achieve the most flexible and easiest way of life for humanity. People always want to be in control. They need real time information whenever they need. With the advance of technology, mobile phone was introduced with the ability of notifying someone via SMS.

SMS appeared on the wireless scene in 1991 in Europe, where digital wireless technology first took hold. The European standard for digital Wireless, now known as the global standard for mobiles (GSM), included short messaging services from the outset.

In North America, SMS was initially made available on digital wireless networks, built by early pioneers such as BellSouth Mobility and Nextel. In 1998, as the build out of PCS networks based on GSM, code division multiple access (CDMA), and time division multiple access (TDMA) methods is completed, SMS is expected to enjoy full-fledged deployment.

The point-to-point SMS provides a mechanism for transmitting “short” messages to and from wireless handsets. The service makes use of a short message service center (SMSC) which acts as a store and forward system for short messages. The wireless network provides for the transport of short messages between the SMSCs and wireless handsets. In contrast to existing text message transmission services, such as alphanumeric paging, the service elements are designed to provide guaranteed delivery of text messages to the destination.

A distinguishing characteristic of the service is that an active mobile handset is able to receive or submit a short message at any time, independent of whether or not a voice or data call is in progress. SMS also guarantees delivery of the short message by the network. Temporary failures are identified, and the short message is stored in the network until the destination becomes available. SMS is characterized by out-of-band packet delivery and low-bandwidth message transfer. Initial applications of SMS focused on eliminating alphanumeric pagers by permitting two way general purpose messaging and notification services, primarily for voice mail. As technology and networks matured, a variety of services were introduced, including electronic mail and fax integration, paging integration, interactive banking, and information services such as stock quotes.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

SMS is the short messaging service for GSM. It is also present on most other digital cellular networks and tends to operate in a similar fashion on each network. SMS enables 2-way short messages to be sent between GSM subscribers. Using gateways, it is also possible to interchange messages with other systems such as Internet email, the web etc. So, SMS is essentially a messaging transport service to enable reliable 2-way messaging.

Wireless Access Point (WAP) on the other hand is a “protocol set” aboard which various services can be delivered. Like any protocol, it states how devices can be made compatible (“speak the same language”) in order to exchange information. Since SMS is a means for information to be transported, two devices could use SMS to exchange WAP-compliant data. SMS and WAP are different entities and are often complimentary. A well designed application would exploit the essential characteristics of SMS and WAP to suit the end-user requirements. As well as being a transport service, SMS also has a protocol. However, as mentioned earlier, the SMS protocol is really only concerned with reliable 2-way messaging and so it is restricted to basic functionality. In protocol terms, this means a very basic command set such as “Send Message” and “Receive Message”. Clearly for anything more sophisticated, this protocol is very limited. However, there’s nothing to stop another protocol being added on top with more commands that just get sent using the Send and Receive of SMS.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

Basically, there is need to introduce the Short Message Service (SMS) because most of universities have websites; these webs Sites have links which its content of information of a student such as examination results which is not sufficient to show or provide all the data required. The Student Record Retrieval System (SRRS) has been introduced to overcome the above mentioned problem with the use of Short Message Service (SMS).

Some mobile devices are also capable of accessing the Internet. Such access does not require a desktop computer, or a fixed landline connection. However, for the purposes of this introduction, we have focused on text messaging rather than mobile internet, as SMS is available on almost all mobile phones now a days.

1.3 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

SMS first appeared in Europe in 1991 as part of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Phase one standard, SMS was made available in North America recently, and was first adopted on digital networks built by early wireless carriers such as BellSouth Mobility, Nextel, and AT&T. SMS is supported on digital wireless networks based on GSM, code division multiple access (CDMA), and time division multiple access (TDMA). In today’s competitive world, differentiation is a significant factor in the success of the service provider. The benefits of SMS to the service provider are as follows:

•        Increased call completion on wireless and wire line networks by leveraging the notification capabilities of SMS.

•        An alternative to alphanumeric paging services.

•        Enabling wireless data access for corporate users.

•        Provision of value-added services such as e-mail, voice mail, and fax mail integration, reminder service, stock and currency quotes, and airline schedules,

•        Provision of key administrative services such as advice of charge, over-the-air downloading, and service provisioning.

•        Guaranteed delivery of notifications and alerts to single or multiple users.

•        Increased user productivity through instant delivery of notifications and alerts.

•        Low cost and reliable communication mechanism for information delivery.

•        Integration with Internet-based applications.

•        Another service and source of revenue for service providers.

•        Very possible replacement of existing two-way paging.

All of these benefits are attainable quickly with modest incremental cost, and typical investment payback periods are less than six months. The benefits of SMS to subscribers center on convenience, flexibility, and seamless Integration of messaging services and data access. From this perspective, the benefit is to be able to use the handset as an extension of the computer. SMS also eliminates the need for separate devices for messaging since services can be integrated into a single wireless.

1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This Project is mainly focus on Auto Notification Service. For making the entire system to be more accessible, our project targets on mobile phone, which is equipped with SMS (Short Message Service) feature. As SMS has gained tremendous popularity in nowadays, SMS is significantly recognized as a useful and essential communication tool. We believe SMS is sufficient enough to communicate with the system and benefiting from this mobile information service. It will be directly boost the productivity of the service as well.

1.5 AIM/OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

a.       The enhancement to the system aimed is to allow the lecturer to pass more information to the student, using auto notification of short message service.

b.       To notify students of an events via SMS.

c.       To implement the usefulness of Auto Notification Service.

d.       To develop a prototype Auto Notification Service for Student Record Retrieval System Using SMS.

1.6 LIMITATIONS OF SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE (SMS)

a.       The message length is limited to 160 characters; this is ideal only for simple text messages.

b.       SMS does not support audio or graphics.

c.       The store and forward mechanism of SMS, though very useful, does not make it suitable for WAP applications.

d.       Slow data rate and latency. The signaling channel used by SMS is used for other purposes, which tends to slow the message transmission data rate.

e.       The SMS protocol data unit, as defined in the GSM 03.40 standard, is not flexible. Header fields, including Data Coding Scheme and Origination Address, are fixed. This can sometimes constrain application development. 3G specifications will include a Tag Length Variable structure to address the SMS message structure’s inflexibility.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS:

       SME — Short message entity, which can be a device like a mobile phone, or an application like e-mail that is capable of receiving and sending alphanumeric messages.

       GSM – Global System for Mobile

       SMSC — Short message service center, responsible for storing and forwarding messages to and from the mobile station.

       STP — Single transfer point, which allows for interconnections over signaling system 7 (SS7) links and multiple network elements. For more information on SS7 links, see the Resources section.

       SMS—Short message service is a communication protocol used to send and receive text messages.

       HLR — A database in the network that holds information like subscriber and service profile, as well as subscriber. Routing information for the subscriber is also stored in the HLR, which is requested by the SMSC.

       TDMA—Time Division Multiple Access.

       MSC — Mobile switching service center. The job of the mobile switching service center is to switch connections between mobile stations, or between mobile stations and the fixed network.

       WAP—Wireless Access Point.

       BS — Base station, which relays information to and from the mobile station to the database.

       MS — Mobile station, a wireless terminal that is capable of receiving and sending alphanumeric messages.

       CDMA—Code Division multiple Access.