Lesson 8 Supporting Mobile Devices
Ingress Protection (IP) scale
- A case or device will have two numbers, such as IP67. The first (6) is a rating for repelling solids, with a 5 or 6 representing devices that are dust protected and dust proof, respectively. The second value (7) is for liquids, with a 7 being protected from immersion in up to 1 m and 8 being protected from immersion beyond 1 m. - 5 dust and solids - 6 dust and solids - 7 liquid to a meter - 8 liquid pass a meter
Inverter
- A device that converts DC to AC. - Fluorescent lamp backlights require AC power. An inverter component converts DC power from the motherboard to AC. The inverter can fail separately to the backlight.
port replicator
- A simple device used to extend the range of ports (for example, USB, DVI, HDMI, Thunderbolt, network, and so on) available for a laptop computer when it is used on a desk. - attaches to a special connector on the back or underside of a laptop or is connected via USB. - It provides a full complement of ports for devices such as keyboards, monitors, mice, and network connections. - does not normally add any other functionality to the laptop.
thin film transistor (TFT)
- A technology for LCD displays in which transistors are positioned at each pixel. - Specific display technology used to implement modern flat-panel LCD displays.
docking station
- Advanced type of port replicator designed to provide additional ports (such as network or USB) and functionality (such as expansion slots and drives) to a portable computer when used at a desk. - A docking station is a sophisticated port replicator that may support add-in cards or drives via a media bay. - When docked, a portable computer can function like a desktop machine or use additional features, such as a full-size expansion card. - proprietary docking station connector - Docking stations with media bays and adapter card support are no longer common. Often, the term "docking station" is just used to mean port replicator.
M.2
- An M.2 SSD usually interfaces with the PCI Express bus, allowing much higher bus speeds than SATA. - ssd for laptop - M.2 adapters can be different lengths (42 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm, or 110 mm), so you should check that any given adapter will fit within the laptop chassis. - the specific M.2 form factor is written as xxyy, where xx is the card width and yy is the length. For example, 2280 means a card width of 22 mm and a length of 80 mm. - The most popular length for laptop SSDs is 80 mm (M.2 2280).
mSATA
- An SSD might be housed on a card with a Mini-SATA (mSATA) interface. - SSD for laptop - These cards resemble Mini PCIe cards but are not physically compatible with Mini PCIe slots. - mSATA uses the SATA bus, so the maximum transfer speed is 6 Gb/s.
app
- An app is an installable program that extends the functionality of the mobile device. - An app must be written and compiled for a particular mobile operating system. - For example, an app written for Apple iOS cannot directly be installed on Android. The developer must make a version for each OS.
Mobile application management (MAM) for apple and android
- Apple operates enterprise developer and distribution programs to allow private app distribution via Apple Business Manager (developer.apple.com/business/distribute). - Google's Play store has a private channel option called Managed Google Play. Both of these options allow a MAM suite to push apps from the private channel to the device.
walled garden model
- Apps must be submitted to and approved by Apple before they are released to users. - designed to prevent the spread of malware or code that could cause faults or crashes.
Digitizer
- As part of a touch screen assembly, the digitizer is a touch-sensitive layer placed on top of the display panel. The digitizer converts analog touch and gesture events to digital signals that can be interpreted as different types of input. - The digitizer is sandwiched between a layer of protective glass and the display panel.
Cold Cathode Fluorescent (CCFL)
- CCFLs use a ballast and cathodes to produce light. - Early types of laptop display used a cold cathode fluorescent (CCFL) bulb as a backlight. - legacy
universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART)
- Controller that can send and receive data in an asynchronous serial format. - Serial is one of the oldest and simplest computer interfaces. While not many mobile devices have hardware serial ports, the software serial port is often used for programming and connectivity with some types of peripheral devices - serial interface over use or bluetooth - On Android, UART interface data can be transferred over a USB hardware port or over Bluetooth. - Apple devices do not allow direct connections to UART over the Lightning connector, except through enrollment in the developer program.
Preferred Roaming List (PRL)
- Data that allows a CDMA-based handset to connect to nearby cell towers. - Devices with SIM cards do not require the PRL to be updated manually. - A PRL update can be triggered from the device's Settings menu or by dialing a special code, such as *228
data caps
- Feature of mobile computing that allows use of a network connection to be limited to avoid incurring additional carrier charges.
liquid crystal display (LCD)
- Flat-panel display technology where the image is made up of liquid crystal cells with color filters controlled using electrical charges. The display must be illuminated by a backlight.
Swollen Battery Symptoms
- If you notice any swelling from the battery compartment, discontinue use of the mobile device immediately. - Signs that the battery has swollen can include a device that wobbles when placed flat on a desk or a deformed touchpad or keyboard. - A swollen battery indicates some sort of problem with the battery's charging circuit, which is supposed to prevent overcharging. - If a device is exposed to liquid, this could also have damaged the battery. - Li-ion batteries are designed to swell to avoid bursting or exploding, but great care must be taken when handling a swollen battery to avoid further damage. - A swollen battery is a fire hazard and could leak hazardous chemicals - A swollen battery should not be discarded via standard recycling points unless the facility confirms it can accept batteries in a potentially hazardous state. - Manufacturing defects in batteries and AC adapters often occur in batches. Make sure you remain signed up to the vendor's alerting service so that you are informed about any product recalls or safety advisories.
Cursor Drift/Touch Calibration Issues
- Install up-to-date drivers and configure input options to suit the user. - Many laptops now come with a Fn key to disable the touchpad. - unresponsive or inaccurate touch input can be an indication of resources being inadequate (too many open apps) or badly written apps that hog memory or other resources. A soft reset will usually fix the problem in the short term. - try to identify whether the problem is linked to running a particular app or try freeing space by removing data or apps.
laptop hard drive from factors
- Laptop HDDs are usually 2.5" form factor, though sometimes the 1.8" form factor is used. - Compared to 3.5" desktop versions, magnetic 2.5" HDDs tend to be slower (usually 5400 rpm models) and lower capacity. - Within the 2.5" form factor, there are also reduced height units designed for ultraportable laptops. A standard 2.5" drive has a z-height of 9.5 mm; an ultraportable laptop might require a 7 mm (thin) or 5 mm (ultrathin) drive. - Magnetic drives use ordinary SATA data and power connectors; Drive bays measuring 1.8" might require the use of the micro SATA (μSATA or uSATA) connector. - An SSD flash storage device can also use the SATA interface and connector form factors but is more likely to use an adapter card interface: M.2 or mSATA
rechargeable Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery packs
- Li-ion batteries are typically available in 6-, 9-, or 12-cell versions, with more cells providing for a longer charge. - The connector and battery-pack form factor are typically specific to the laptop vendor and to a range/model. - Li-ion battery life is affected by being fully drained of charge and by being held continually at 100% charge. - Balanced power charging stops trickle charging at 80%. - Li-ion batteries are also sensitive to heat. - If storing a Li-ion battery, reduce the charge to 40% and store at below 20ºC
Malware Issues
- Malware or rogue apps are likely to try to collect data in the background. They can become unresponsive and might not shut down when closed. Such apps might cause excessive power drain and high resource utilization, potentially leading to overheating problems - Another tell-tale sign of a hacked device is reaching the data transmission overlimit unexpectedly - Malware may try to use the camera or microphone to record activity
what are two main functions of an EMM (Enterprise mobility management) product suite
- Mobile device management (MDM) - Mobile application management (MAM)
head unit
- Most new automobiles come with in-vehicle entertainment and navigation systems. The main part of this system is referred to as the head unit. - If supported, a smartphone can be used to "drive" the head unit so the navigation features from your smartphone will appear on the display (simplified for safe use while driving), or you could play songs stored on your tablet via the vehicle's entertainment system. - The technologies underpinning this are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Long Term Evolution (LTE)
- Packet data communications specification providing an upgrade path for both GSM and CDMA cellular networks. LTE Advanced is designed to provide 4G standard network access. - All 4G and 5G cellular data connections require a SIM card. - Devices with SIM cards do not require the PRL to be updated manually.
You need to distinguish between refresh rate and response time when evaluating displays.
- Refresh rate is the speed at which the whole image is redrawn, measured in Hz. - The refresh rate should be a multiple of the video source frame rate. - Response time is the time taken for a pixel to change color, measured in milliseconds (ms).
what are some of the laptop ram module form factors?
- SODIMM - Mini-DIMM - Micro-DIMM
light-emitting diodes (LED)
- Small, low-power lamps used both as diagnostic indicators, the backlight for a TFT display, and (as an organic LED array) in high-quality flat panels. - Most smartphone and tablet screens use edge lighting where the LEDs are arranged at the top or bottom of the screen, and a diffuser makes the light evenly bright across the whole of the screen.
Indoor Positioning System (IPS)
- Technology that can derive a device's location when indoors by triangulating its proximity to radio sources such as Bluetooth beacons or Wi-Fi access points. - triangulate to cellular and wifi radio sources - works out a device's location by triangulating its proximity to other radio sources, such as cellular radio towers, Wi-Fi access points, and Bluetooth/RFID beacons.
Autodiscover
- The ability of a mobile device to determine connection settings based on the user entering their email credentials. - the mail service has published special DNS records that identify how the account for a particular domain should be configured.
visibility
- The challenge of identifying and managing all the devices attached to a network
capacitive digitizers
- These displays support multitouch, meaning that gestures such as "sweeping" or "pinching" the screen can be interpreted as events and responded to by software in a particular way
AC Adapters
- To operate from building power, the laptop needs a power supply to convert the AC supply from the power company to the DC voltages used by the laptop's components. - The power supply is provided as an external AC adapter. - AC adapters are normally universal (or auto-switching) and can operate from any 110-240 VAC 50/60 Hz supply, though do check the label to confirm. - AC adapters are also rated for their power output (ranging from around 65-120 W). - The AC adapter connects to the laptop via a DC jack or a USB port.
what are the three main types of thin film transistor (TFT) technology ?
- Twisted nematic (TN) - In-plane switching (IPS) - Vertical alignment (VA)
Twisted nematic (TN)
- Type of low-cost TFT display with relatively poor viewing angles and contrast ratio, but good response times. - crystals twist or untwist in response to the voltage level. - This is the earliest type of TFT technology and might still be found in budget displays. - Fast response time helps to reduce ghosting and motion trail artifacts when the input source uses a high frame rate.
hotspot
- Using the cellular data plan of a mobile device to provide Internet access to a laptop or PC. The PC can be tethered to the mobile by USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi (a mobile hotspot). - A smartphone or tablet can be configured as a personal hotspot to share its cellular data connection with other computer devices.
You can obtain mini PCIe or M.2 adapters for laptops that will provide some combination of what other functionalities?
- You can obtain mini PCIe or M.2 adapters for laptops that will provide some combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or cellular data connectivity.
Enterprise mobility management (EMM)
- a class of management software designed to apply security policies to the use of mobile devices and apps in the enterprise to secure data. - a business that secures and manages mobile devices to secure and manage their data
near-field communication (NFC)
- allows for very short-range data transmission (up to about 20 cm/8 in) to activate a receiver chip in the contactless reader. - The data rates achievable are very low, but these transactions do not require exchanging large amounts of information. - NFC allows a mobile device to make payments via contactless point-of-sale (PoS) machines - can also be used to configure other types of connection, such as pairing Bluetooth devices. For example, if a smartphone and headset both support NFC, tapping the headset will automatically negotiate a Bluetooth connection.
Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)
- allows subscribers to use a removable subscriber identity module (SIM) card to use an unlocked handset with their chosen network provider. - GSM is adopted internationally and by AT&T and T-Mobile in the United States. - requires SIM card
Xcode
- an Apple tool that allows developers to write and test new apps - Third-party developers can create apps for iOS using Xcode, which is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE), and the programming language Swift. - Xcode can only be installed and run on a computer using macOS.
accelerometers and gyroscopes
- can detect when the device changes position and adjust the screen orientation appropriately. As well as switching screen orientation, this can be used as a control mechanism
tethering
- connecting another device to a smartphone or tablet via USB or Bluetooth so that it can share its cellular data connection.
Cellular data networking
- connecting to the Internet via the device's cellular radio and the handset's network provider.
bring your own device (BYOD)
- employees are allowed to use a personally owned device to access corporate accounts, apps, and data.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
- is a means of determining the device's latitude and longitude based on information received from orbital satellites via a GPS sensor. - triangulate via orbital satellites - Note that not all mobile devices are fitted with GPS sensors.
near-field communication (NFC) scanner
- on a laptop is primarily used to pair peripheral devices or to establish a connection to a smartphone. - might be implemented as a feature of the keyboard, touchpad, or fingerprint reader. As well as the data connection to the motherboard - the NFC sensor must be connected to its antenna.
Replacement
- only data is backed up from the old drive. The new drive is then fitted to the laptop and an OS plus apps installed. User data can then be restored from backup.
what layers make up a smartphone screen?
- protective layer for scratches - digitizer for converting analog touch to digital - display panel
Mobile device management (MDM)
- sets device policies for authentication, feature use (camera and microphone), and connectivity. MDM can also allow device resets and remote wipes. - Process and supporting technologies for tracking, controlling, and securing the organization's mobile infrastructure. - company can control device features, disable apps on your phone or wipe it clean
Mobile application management (MAM)
- sets policies for apps that can process corporate data and prevents data transfer to personal apps. - establish protected contained to run corporate apps - This type of solution configures an enterprise-managed container or workspace. - Enterprise management function that enables control over apps and storage for mobile devices and other endpoints. - When a device is enrolled with the MAM software, it can be configured into an enterprise workspace mode in which only a certain number of authorized corporate applications can run. - For example, the app(s) used for corporate email, calendar, and contacts would store settings and data separately from the app used for personal email. Messages and attachments sent from the account might be subject to data loss prevention (DLP) controls to prevent unauthorized forwarding of confidential or privacy-sensitive data.
contrast ratio
- the difference in shade between a pixel set to black and one set to white.
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
- the handset is directly managed by the provider and there is no removable SIM card. - CDMA adoption is largely restricted to the telecom providers Sprint and Verizon. - Information that the cellular radio needs to connect to the network is provided as a preferred roaming list (PRL) update. - A PRL update can be triggered from the device's Settings menu or by dialing a special code, such as *228 .
In-plane switching (IPS)
- uses crystals that rotate rather than twist. - The main benefit is to deliver better color reproduction at a wider range of viewing angles. - Most IPS panels support 178/178 degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles - Type of TFT display with the best overall quality, including wide viewing angles, good contrast ratio, and good response times (on premium units). - the best TFT option for both gaming and graphics/design work, however, as it will be capable of similar response times to TN while retaining better color reproduction and viewing angles.
Vertical alignment (VA)
- uses crystals that tilt rather than twist or rotate. - This technology supports a wide color gamut and the best contrast-ratio performance. - Contrast ratio is the difference in shade between a pixel set to black and one set to white. - viewing angles are generally not quite as good as IPS, and response times are worse than TN, making a VA panel more prone to motion blur and ghosting.
Organic LED (OLED)
- uses movement of electrons between cathode and anode to produce an on-screen image. - It generates its own light so no back lighting required. - Type of flat panel display where each pixel is implemented as an LED, removing the need for a separate backlight. - can be made from plastic with no requirement for a layer of glass. This means that the display can be curved to different shapes. Manufacturers are even experimenting with flexible, roll-up displays. - maximum brightness may be lower than with LCDs, making the display less clear when used in bright sunlight. - more susceptible to burn-in, where displaying the same static image for many hours causes the LEDs to retain the image persistently.di
Migration
- using backup software to create an image or clone of the old drive and store it on USB media. When the new drive has been installed, the system image can be restored to it. - A system image is technology neutral, so an image of an HDD can be applied to an SSD. - the new drive must have storage space greater than or equal to the old one, unless using a cloning tool that can shrink the source image.
You can obtain mini PCIe or M.2 adapters for laptops that will provide some combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or cellular data connectivity. However, when installing this what else do you need to consider replacing or re connecting?
- you need to re-connect the antenna wires used by the old adapter or install a new antenna kit.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
A Bluetooth wireless radio creates a short-range personal area network (PAN) to share data with a PC, connect to a printer, use a wireless headset, and so on.
should you keep a battery at 100%?
A Li-ion battery should not be allowed to fully discharge regularly or be kept persistently at 100% charge, as this reduces battery life.
touchscreen
A display screen combined with a digitizer that is responsive to touch input.
Why must a vendor account usually be configured on a smartphone?
A vendor account, such as an Apple, Google, or Samsung account, is required to use the app store.
use the correct AC adapter
AC adapters can get mixed up. If an underpowered adapter is used—for example, a 65 W adapter is plugged into a 90 W system—the laptop will display a warning at boot time.
Android Apps
Android's app model is more relaxed, with apps available from both Google Play Store and third-party sites, such as Amazon's app store. The Java-based IDE, Android Studio, is available on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
Wi-Fi Antenna Connector/Placement
Another important point to note about the display screen is that the antenna wires for the Wi-Fi and cellular radios are run around it. The antenna wires are connected to the adapter via internal wiring.
As an alternative to using a third USB drive to store the image, a disk enclosure allows you to connect an internal drive temporarily as an external drive. You can then migrate the image directly to the SSD before removing the old drive and installing the new one.
As an alternative to using a third USB drive to store the image, a disk enclosure allows you to connect an internal drive temporarily as an external drive. You can then migrate the image directly to the SSD before removing the old drive and installing the new one.
biometric authentication
Authentication mechanism that allows a user to perform a biometric scan to operate an entry or access system. Physical characteristics stored as a digital data template can be used to authenticate a user. Typical features used include facial pattern, iris, retina, fingerprint pattern, and signature recognition.
A laptop user reports that they are only getting about two hours of use out of the battery compared to about three hours when the laptop was first supplied to them. What do you suggest?
Batteries lose maximum charge over time. It may be possible to recondition the battery or to use power-saving features, but the only real way to restore maximum battery life is to buy a new battery.
You are writing a knowledge base article for remote sales staff who need to use their smartphones to facilitate Internet connectivity for their laptops from out-of-office locations. What distinguishes the hotspot and tethering means of accomplishing this?
Configuring a hotspot allows the laptop to connect to the smartphone over Wi-Fi. Tethering means connecting the laptop via USB or Bluetooth.
Which types of data might require mapping between fields when syncing between applications?
Contacts and calendar items.
pairing
Feature of Bluetooth that establishes connectivity between two devices, often by entering a PIN.
location service
Feature of mobile computing that identifies or estimates the device's geographical position using GPS and/or network data.
app store
Feature of mobile computing that provides a managed interface for installing third-party software apps.
What type of peripheral port would you expect to find on a current generation smartphone?
For Apple devices, the Lightning port. For Android, it will be USB-C.
H/H+
High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) provides improved "3.75G" data rates on GSM networks. Nominally, HSPA+ can work at up to 42 Mb/s, but real-world performance is likely to be lower.
How do you configure an autodiscover-enabled email provider on a smartphone?
Just select the provider then enter the email address. If the account is detected, you will be prompted for the password.
backlight
LED or fluorescent lamp that illuminates the image on a flat-panel (TFT) screen. If the backlight component fails, only a dim image will be shown.
4G/4G+
LTE-Advanced has a maximum downlink of 300 Mb/s in theory, but no provider networks can deliver that sort of speed at the time of writing, with around 20-90 Mb/s typical of real-world performance.
What type of standard adapter card might be used to connect internal FRU devices to the motherboard of a laptop?
Mini-PCIe, mSATA, or M.2.
A company has discovered that an employee has been emailing product design documents to her smartphone and then saving the files to the smartphone's flash drive. Which technology can be deployed to prevent such policy breaches?
Mobile application management (MAM) allows an enterprise to create a protected container as a workspace for corporate apps and data and prevent copying to other storage areas.
You are identifying suitable smartphone models to issue to field sales staff. The models must be able to use digital payments. What type of sensor must the devices have?
Near-field communications (NFC) allow the user to touch the phone to a point-of-sale terminal to authorize payment in conjunction with a wallet app.
Permissions
On both iOS and Android, apps are supposed to run in a sandbox and have only the privileges granted by the user. An app will normally prompt when it needs to obtain permissions. If these are not granted, or if they need to be revoked later, you can do this via the app's Settings page.
You are assisting a user with pairing a smartphone to a Bluetooth headset. What step must the user take to start the process?
On the smartphone, open the Bluetooth page under Settings. This will make the phone discoverable and enable the user to find nearby devices. If the headset is not found automatically, check if there is a button on the headset to make it discoverable.
You received a user complaint about a laptop being extremely hot to the touch. What actions should you take in response to this issue?
Overheating can be a sign that dust and dirt is restricting the necessary airflow within the device, so start by cleaning the ventilation duct with compressed air, and then make sure that the device is getting proper air circulation around the outside of the case, such as by supplying a chiller pad.
field-replaceable units (FRU)
PC components that are easily user-replaceable (or upgradeable)
5G
Real-world speeds are nowhere near the hoped-for 1 Gb/s rate, ranging from about 50 Mb/s to 300 Mb/s at the time of writing.
two-factor authentication (2FA)
Strong authentication mechanism that requires a user to submit two different types of credential, such as a fingerprint scan plus PIN. Often, the second credential is transmitted via a second trusted device or account. This is also referred to as 2-step verification.
Digitizer Issues
Symptoms such as the touchscreen not responding to input indicate a problem with the digitizer.
where are the antenna wires on a laptop usually located?
The antenna wires are usually routed around the screen in the laptop's lid.
A user complains that their Bluetooth keyboard, which has worked for the last year, has stopped functioning. What would you suggest is the problem?
The batteries in the keyboard have run down—replace them.
Several laptops need to be replaced in the next fiscal cycle, but that doesn't begin for several months. You want to improve functionality as much as possible by upgrading or replacing components in some of the laptops that are having problems. Which items are most easily replaced in a laptop?
The fixed drive, system memory (RAM), and plug-in wireless card will be the easiest upgradable components to install. If items need repairing, the battery, touchpad, and the keyboard should be straightforward to replace, if you can obtain compatible parts.
If the laptop can display an image on an external monitor but not on the built-in one, which component do you know is working, and can you definitively say which is faulty?
The graphics adapter is working. The problem must exist either in the cabling to the built-in screen or with a screen component, such as an inverter, backlight, or the display panel itself. Further tests will be required to identify which.
magnetometer
This enables more accurate compass directions.
A technician is performing a keyboard replacement and asks for your help. The data cable for the old keyboard will not pull out. How should it be removed?
This type of flat data connector is secured by a latch. Pop the latch up before trying to remove the cable.
3G
Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS) on a GSM handset or Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) on CDMA networks, working at up to around 3 Mb/s.
using the wrong battery cable can result in what? extreme heat to a battery can result in what?
Using an incorrect battery charging cable or exposing a battery to extreme heat carries risks of fire or even explosion.
What is the process for installing memory in a laptop?
Verify that the DDR version of the upgrade module is supported by the motherboard. Take antistatic precautions. Locate the memory slot, which is usually accessed via a panel on the back cover. Move the connector up to 45º and insert the memory card, taking care to align it correctly. Push the card flat again.
A company is ordering custom-built laptops to supply to its field sales staff for use predominantly as presentation devices. The company can specify the type of panel used and has ruled out IPS and OLED on cost grounds. Which of the remaining mainstream display technologies is best suited to the requirement?
Vertical alignment (VA) displays support good viewing angles and high-contrast ratios, which makes them well-suited to displaying slides to an audience. The twisted nematic (TN) type is cheap but does not support wide-angle viewing.
Mini-DIMM and Micro-DIMM
laptop memory module form factors that are smaller than SODIMM and are used on some ultraportable models.
SODIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) slots pop out at what angle? - 40º - 45º - 50º - 55º
slot pops-up at a 45º angle to allow the chips to be inserted or removed.
G/E or 1X
the icons G or E (for GSM) or 1X (for CDMA) represent minimal 2G service levels, with connection speeds of 50-400 Kb/s only.
