Network Analogy

So my mentor came up with a useful analogy to explain a cellular network in a very simple way. He first compared a cellular network to the roads so that way anyone can understand. The first thing that you need to know about a road is that it can be narrow or wide. Some roads have two lanes and are easily clogged with traffic. While other roads, have 4 or 8 lanes and can handle a lot more traffic. On the mobile communication highway, the lanes are called spectrum and some networks have more lanes or spectrum than others.

Roads also have different surfaces, some are covered in dirt, some in concrete and others by smooth asphalt. The surface of the road determines how fast you can go. 2G is like a one lane dirt road, you can't go very fast, it is very bumpy and it can't handle much traffic. 3G is like driving on a two way concrete city street, its alot smoother but you cannot go very fast due to stoplights, and speed limits. 4G is like driving on an eight lane highway, it's fast, smooth, and there is plenty of room for everybody. And finally their is 4G LTE which is like the carpool lane in a highway where their is almost never traffic.

Finally the cars on the highways are like phones, some are basic sadans, while others are hot sports cars with the latest bells and whistles. Regardless, all cell phones are limited by too much traffic. It doesn't matter how fast your car (phone) is, if there is too much traffic in that road you'll slow down.

Lastly, the data on your phone is like gasoline, because if you don't have enough gas, you'll run out and your vehicle will stop, it's no different than a phone.

This is how my mentor explained Network Technology to me and I thought it was such a good explanation I decided to draw it out on my poster on Friday.

Oscar Holzmeister (Radio Frequency Engineer)

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

Who do you plan to interview? Why?

Oscar Holzmeister

He is an engineer who specializes in Radio Frequency for T-Mobile. Since Radio Communication is my senior project, interviewing an engineer in this particular field will not only help me in my senior project but it will also allow me to get an idea of what it is like to work in this career choice.

You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask?

Set Questions

1. What are your responsibilities when working as an engineer for T-Mobile?
2. How would you describe a typical week/day in this position?
3. Why did you choose Radio Frequency?
4. What are some of the skills and abilities necessary for someone to succeed in this job and why?
5. Are their any sources you would recommend I should check out for my research in this topic?

Additional Questions

1. What are the pros and cons of working in this particular field?
2. What type of education do you need?
3. How do you find and fix a problem in an RBS?
4. How would you describe your working conditions?
5. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now (Career Wise?)

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1. Radio Communication Field Engineer
2. First off, I would like to clarify that I will definitely not become a perfect example of what an ESLR student should be because I will probably fail instantly. I will not intentionally try to fail but instead try to force myself to try to be like a perfect ESLR student and act like one. To accomplish this goal, I have to look at my pros and cons and try to work on the cons that are holding me back. Some of the big issues that I will have when becoming an effective ESLR student is seeking for assistance in accessing appropriate resources in any subject, communicating with my group in a clear and detailed way, and effectively using class time. For example, in my sophomore year, I had to do a flag component, and I would have a hard time communicating with my group in the type of fabrics they had to buy, how much they had to buy, what color should the fabric be, and where to buy the fabric. To resolve these type of issues, I try be more organized, have a basic knowledge of what everyone is assigned to do and communicate with my group in a much more detailed manner.  When it comes down to accessing appropriate resources in any subject, I tend to find sources that are not very helpful because I don't read the sources thoroughly. If I want to become an effective learner I need to get into the habit of reading the whole source and not just scanning through the article and using it. The last thing that's holding me back from being an effective ESLR student is that I do not use class time effectively to complete any work that needs to be done. Instead I do something that will inevitably waste my time, and to resolve this con, I force myself to put anything that might be a distraction into my backpack and complete the assignments that need to be finished asap. These three categories hold me back from being an ESLR student and I try to force myself to getting into the habit of stopping these bad habits. This year I will try to communicate with my mentors in a much more effective way, I will use class time effectively and try not to get distracted, and I will obtain detailed and helpful resources for my senior project.

Effective Learner: This year I will not only come to class prepared but I will also help those who didn't come to class prepared by handing them what they need. Doing so, my fellow classmates will see that I am serious about school and I am very responsible. Another subject that I had problems with last year was procrastination, and to be honest it would get to the point where it was 7:30 AM and I would just barely begin my homework.

Effective Communicator: This section to me is very hard, like I said before I will try to listen more to the people who speak to me, but I will also be more clearer in the way talk and my pronunciation. If necessary I will take tons of notes when any authority is teaching me something or even telling something to do. For example, when my mentor is fixing a problem in his workplace I will take notes and try to learn from his mistakes and failures. 

Effective User of Technology: When using the technology I will try my hardest to find articles that will not only benefit my senior topic but also give me lots of information and examples on what the topic is about and how you can approach it. I will also use different search engines as well like ask.com, yahoo search, and Google. 

Effective I-Poly Citizen: This year I will try to become an effective citizen at I-poly by coming in on time everyday, help out any teachers that are in need of help, and get more involved in any clubs or study sessions if their are any available.