NCJ Number
180671
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2000 Pages: 24-30
Date Published
2000
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article reviews some wireless technology that can be used by law enforcement agencies.
Abstract
Within the workplace, wireless technology can facilitate a local area network (LAN) without having to gut an existing building to string cable. LANs allow users to share network resources. Wireless technology is associated mainly with radio waves, and a radio-type link is the most versatile wireless medium, but infrared and laser mediums can be used both to connect devices and to communicate information. The article describes the use, advantages, and disadvantages of microwave systems and radio frequency networks. It also describes the use of spread spectrum, a method of communication that is difficult to detect by conventional monitoring and direction finding methods. Cellular telephones may be the simplest method of creating a mobile data capability. Devices equipped with Bluetooth technology will be able to communicate spontaneously and instantly, without any prompting from the user. A headset used by a police officer could transmit and receive through the officer's car-mounted two-way radio while in the car, switch to the portable radio on the officer's belt when out of the car and through a cell phone when a call was in progress.