WAP: Wireless WAP: Wireless Application ProtocolApplication Protocol

Mike Mc ArdleMike Mc Ardle

ACSGACSG

April, 2005April, 2005

What is WAP?What is WAP?

Stands for Wireless Application ProtocolStands for Wireless Application ProtocolApplication Communication ProtocolApplication Communication ProtocolIs used to access services and informationIs used to access services and informationIs inherited from Internet StandardsIs inherited from Internet StandardsIs for handheld devicesIs for handheld devicesIs a protocol designed for micro browsersIs a protocol designed for micro browsersEnables the creating of web applications Enables the creating of web applications for mobile devicesfor mobile devices

Definition of WAPDefinition of WAP

As defined by the International Engineering As defined by the International Engineering Consortium….Consortium….

WAP is an application environment and set WAP is an application environment and set of communication protocols for wireless of communication protocols for wireless devices designed to enable manufacturer-, devices designed to enable manufacturer-, vendor-, and technology-independent vendor-, and technology-independent access to the Internet and advanced access to the Internet and advanced telephony services.telephony services.

History of WAPHistory of WAP

Idea began in 1995Idea began in 1995

WAP Forum founded in 1997 by Ericsson, WAP Forum founded in 1997 by Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia, and Unwired Planet.Motorola, Nokia, and Unwired Planet.

Forum designed to Forum designed to collaboratecollaborate and and shareshare ideas for a leading standard for ideas for a leading standard for information services on wireless devices.information services on wireless devices.

WAP 1.0 unleashed in late 1997WAP 1.0 unleashed in late 1997

History of WAP (cont.)History of WAP (cont.)

In June 2002, the WAP Forum is In June 2002, the WAP Forum is consolidated into the Open Mobile Alliance consolidated into the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).(OMA).

OMA was formed by nearly 200 OMA was formed by nearly 200 companies including…mobile operators, companies including…mobile operators, device and network suppliers, information device and network suppliers, information technology companies, content and technology companies, content and service providers.service providers.

OMAOMA

OMA works to bring independent wireless OMA works to bring independent wireless companies together into one organization.companies together into one organization.

Deliver high quality open tech specs Deliver high quality open tech specs across the market to reduce industry across the market to reduce industry implementation efforts.implementation efforts.

Ensure that OMA service specs. Provide Ensure that OMA service specs. Provide interoperability across all networks, interoperability across all networks, devices, service providers, etc.devices, service providers, etc.

Need for WAPNeed for WAP

Give end users the ability to view content Give end users the ability to view content from the Internet and from online services from the Internet and from online services on handheld devices using the existing on handheld devices using the existing cellular communication networks.cellular communication networks.

ConsiderationsConsiderations

Must transmit data over wireless network Must transmit data over wireless network Low bandwidth rateLow bandwidth rate

Must view on handheld deviceMust view on handheld device Small screenSmall screen Small amount of memorySmall amount of memory

SpeedsSpeeds

Current wireless network speeds allow Current wireless network speeds allow anywhere from 9.6 – 19.2 Kbpsanywhere from 9.6 – 19.2 Kbps

GPRS wireless networks provide a GPRS wireless networks provide a “constant connection” with speeds from 20 “constant connection” with speeds from 20 to 30 Kbps.to 30 Kbps.

Second Generation GPRS is pushing Second Generation GPRS is pushing 53.6Kbps.53.6Kbps.

DevicesDevices

PDAsPDAs

Cell PhonesCell Phones

PagersPagers

Two-way RadiosTwo-way Radios

Make WAP available on many Make WAP available on many wireless networkswireless networks

GSMGSM

CDMACDMA

CDPDCDPD

iDENiDEN

TDMATDMA

PCSPCS

Many, many, many more.Many, many, many more.

Micro BrowserMicro Browser

WAP enabled devices have a Micro WAP enabled devices have a Micro Browser application. Similar to Internet Browser application. Similar to Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.Explorer or Netscape Navigator.

Micro Browsers allow the user to view web Micro Browsers allow the user to view web content on handheld devices.content on handheld devices.

Micro Browsers can interpret JavaScript Micro Browsers can interpret JavaScript and WML in an easy to read format for and WML in an easy to read format for users.users.

Special LanguagesSpecial Languages

Content Providers write code specially Content Providers write code specially designed for Micro Browsersdesigned for Micro Browsers

WMLWML

WMLScriptWMLScript

WML: Wireless Markup LanguageWML: Wireless Markup Language

Based on the XML eXtensible Markup Based on the XML eXtensible Markup Language.Language.

Creates web sites called DecksCreates web sites called Decks

Creates web pages called CardsCreates web pages called Cards

Cards can contain Images, Text, Cards can contain Images, Text, Textboxes, Submit Buttons, etc.Textboxes, Submit Buttons, etc.

WML ScriptWML Script

Reduced form of Javascript available for Reduced form of Javascript available for viewing on WAP enabled devices.viewing on WAP enabled devices.

WAP ArchitectureWAP Architecture

WDP – WAP WDP – WAP Datagram Protocol – Datagram Protocol – transport layer that transport layer that send and receives send and receives messages via any messages via any wireless network.wireless network.

WAP ArchitectureWAP Architecture

WTLS – Wireless WTLS – Wireless Transport Layer Transport Layer Security – provides Security – provides data encryption data encryption services.services.

WAP ArchitectureWAP Architecture

WTP – WAP WTP – WAP Transaction Protocol Transaction Protocol – provides transaction – provides transaction support, adding support, adding reliability to the reliability to the datagram.datagram.

WAP ArchitectureWAP Architecture

WSP – WAP Session WSP – WAP Session Protocol – Session Protocol – Session layer to allow layer to allow exchange of data exchange of data between applications.between applications.

WAP ArchitectureWAP Architecture

HTTP Interface – HTTP Interface – retrieves WAP retrieves WAP content from the content from the Internet for the Internet for the handheld device.handheld device.

Corporate NeedsCorporate Needs

WAP allows employees to connect to the WAP allows employees to connect to the office while on the go….office while on the go…. Send and Receive corporate EmailSend and Receive corporate Email View corporate IntranetView corporate Intranet View corporate DatabasesView corporate Databases Global corporate DirectoriesGlobal corporate Directories Access to personal files on PCAccess to personal files on PC

Corporate Network with Wireless Corporate Network with Wireless Access DevicesAccess Devices

Examples of WAPExamples of WAP

Checking train informationChecking train informationPurchase travel ticketsPurchase travel ticketsFlight check inFlight check inView traffic travel timesView traffic travel timesCheck weather conditionsCheck weather conditionsLook up stock quotesLook up stock quotesLook up phone numbers and addressesLook up phone numbers and addressesLook up sports scoresLook up sports scores

Future of WAPFuture of WAP

As time goes on, WAP will continue to As time goes on, WAP will continue to develop.develop. Faster connection speedsFaster connection speeds More bandwidth availabilityMore bandwidth availability More device featuresMore device features Greater Internet content available for mobile Greater Internet content available for mobile

usersusers More mobile servicesMore mobile services

Future of WAP (cont.)Future of WAP (cont.)

WAP follows the trends of the InternetWAP follows the trends of the Internet

As more services become available online As more services become available online they will become available for mobile they will become available for mobile users.users. Online BankingOnline Banking E-CommerceE-Commerce BloggingBlogging

PastPast

PresentPresent

FutureFuture

The EndThe End

Any questions?Any questions?