TABLE OF CONTENTS This chapter provides extensive coverage of existing mobile wireless technologies. Much of the emphasis is on the highly anticipated 3G cellular networks and widely deployed wireless local area networks (LANs), as the next-generation smart phones are likely to offer at least these two types of connectivity. Other wireless technologies that either have already been commercialized or are undergoing active research and standardization are introduced as well. Because standardization plays a crucial role in developing a new technology and a market, throughout the discussion standards organizations and industry forums or consortiums of some technologies are introduced. In addition, the last section of this chapter presents a list of standards in the wireless arena.
The fundamental principle of wireless communication is electromagnetic wave transmission between a transmitter and a receiver. Signals are characterized by their frequencies in use. Multiple signals or noises of the same frequency will cause interference at the receiver. To avoid interference, various wireless technologies use distinct frequency bands with well-controlled signal power which are portions of the so-called frequency spectrum. As a scarce public resource, the frequency spectrum is strictly regulated by governments of countries around the world. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the responsibility of regulating civil broadcast and electronic communications, including the use of the frequency spectrum, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NITA) administers the frequency use of the federal government. In Europe, the frequency spectrum is managed on a national basis, and European...
