Wireless and Mobile Network Architectures

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and Timely
Review: This is a broad and comprehensive overview of wireless networking architectures. It's timely and very relevant. The book enables the reader to gain a good technical foundation across various wireless networks including PCS, 2.5G, and 3G cellular networks as well as Voice over IP and wireless local loop systems.However, the discussion on Bluetooth is too brief and the book does not cover wireless local area networks (e.g., the 802.11b standard).

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and Timely
Review: This is a broad and comprehensive overview of wireless networking architectures. It's timely and very relevant. The book enables the reader to gain a good technical foundation across various wireless networks including PCS, 2.5G, and 3G cellular networks as well as Voice over IP and wireless local loop systems.However, the discussion on Bluetooth is too brief and the book does not cover wireless local area networks (e.g., the 802.11b standard).

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Mobile Communications
Review: Wireless and Mobile Network Architectures is an excellent introduction to fundamental concepts of mobile communications. The book's co-authors, who are leading experts in the field, provide a well-written, thorough description of today's wireless mobile systems. Emphasis is on mobile network protocols and standards rather than radio technology. In particular, the book provides in-depth explanations of IS-41 and GSM protocols. Topics covered include international roaming, short message services, OA&M, mobile number portability, mobile prepaid services, mobile VoIP and WAP. 2.5G technology such as GPRS and 3G systems/trials, Bluetooth, and aspects of signal handoff. The explanations and descriptions of architectures and protocols are made clear through the use of many diagrams. Each chapter includes questions that can be used to reinforce the material, or for course assignments. There is also an extensive bibliography for those wishing to further explore mobile networking issues. This book is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in understanding wireless and mobile networks. It would also make an excellent advanced undergraduate or graduate course textbook.