Third-generation (3G) cell-phone technologies have been a long time in coming. But they are with us now and are beginning to make a difference in cellular service, particularly in non-voice applications such as e-mail, Internet access, and video. The 3G technologies include the WCDMA system with its high-speed packet access (HSPA) upgrades, Qualcomm’s cdma2000 technology with its EV-DO systems and Rev A and Rev B upgrades, as well as forthcoming 4G technology known as Long Term Evolution (LTE). With 3G now upon us, it is more important than ever to understand these new systems, how they are designed and how they are applied. This book does a good job of covering this subject.

The primary emphasis is on the ITU's International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 standard that is developed and maintained by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). This is a WCDMA system with HSPA upgrades. The evolving LTE technology that will eventually replace the WCDMA system is covered. The book focuses on how to increase the data speed of cellular systems and all the related issues. This is dealt with at the mathematical level but the explanations are very clear. The book includes a great introduction to OFDM and multiple antenna technologies if you are still not up to speed on these essential wireless methods.

A huge portion of the book is devoted to the emerging HSPA technologies slowly being implemented in the US and worldwide. They make the WCDMA systems of today faster and more desirable. The remainder of the book is devoted to the LTE system. A good introduction if you are starting from scratch and a good reference if you are working in this field. I really liked the chapter on other wireless communications systems. A great summary and overview of cdma2000, Rev A and B, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), WiMAX, and the 802.20 system. A big downer is that there’s no coverage of the Chinese TD-SCDMA system, which is becoming a big part of 3G. Nonetheless, it is still recommended.

Building on the success of the first edition, Mobile Messaging Technologies and Services offers extensive new and revised material based upon the latest research and industry developments. While early implementations targeted person-to-person messaging, MMS has now evolved to facilitate such requirements as the mass delivery of time-sensitive messages for content-to-person messaging. This Second Editionexploits the technical maturity of MMS as it is poised to generate a wealth of new business opportunities across the mobile communications sector. The author provides the fundamental technical background required for SMS, EMS and MMS, and supports this with industry cutting-edge developments.

• Contains a revised section on the fundamentals of MMS, including an updated section on GPRS to explain current commercial implementations such as GRX applications.
• Presents the latest developments in MMS standardization, including the design of synchronized multimedia integration language (SMIL) presentations, Digital Rights Management (DRM), transcoding techniques, postcard service and support of advanced multimedia formats.
• Describes the processes for standardizing telecommunications services and technologies (3GPP, OMA, GSM Association, IETF and W3C).
• Provides updated sections on SMS, EMS and heavily revised coverage of the developments in MMS, including MMS interworking and the forthcoming MMS version 1.3.

This resource will be invaluable for application developers, manufacturers, operators and content providers involved in the design and deployment of messaging services. It will also be of interest to practitioners involved in the process of standardizing telecommunications services and technologies. Postgraduate students and researchers will benefit from having access to state-of-the-art findings backed by numerous illustrative real-world examples.

Includes a companion website featuring information on relevant standards, available phones and developers’ resources.

“…this is an excellent volume, a must-have for systems architects…also to be commended for its cohesive and comprehensive assembly of many complex standards.” (Computing Reviews.com, October 4, 2005)

“This both is very detailed, yet readable. It would be an excellent read for both students and telecommunications professionals…” (Computing Reviews.com, June 8, 2005)

“…well-structured…it provides detailed, and carefully selected and prepared, material.” (Computing Reviews.com, October 21, 2004)

“…very detailed yet readable…an excellent read for both students and professionals…” (The IEE Communications Engineer, June/July 2004)

The merging of voice and data on a single network opens powerful new possibilities in communications. Only a fundamental understanding of both technologies will ensure you are equipped to maximise their full potential. 

Convergence Technologies for 3G Networks describes the evolution from cellular to a converged network that integrates traditional telecommunications and the technology of the Internet. In particular, the authors address the application of both IP and ATM technologies to a cellular environment, including IP telephony protocols, the use of ATM/AAL2 and the new AAL2 signalling protocol for voice/multimedia and data transport as well as the future of the UMTS network in UMTS Release 5/6 All-IP architecture.

Convergence Technologies for 3G Networks:

• Explains the operation and integration of GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, CDMA2000, IP, and ATM.
• Provides practical examples of 3G connection scenarios.
• Describes signalling flows and protocol stacks.
• Covers IP and ATM as used in a 3G context.
• Addresses issues of QoS and real-time application support.
• Includes IP/SS7 internetworking and IP softswitching.
• Outlines the architecture of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for UMTS.

Convergence Technologies for 3G Networks is suited for professionals from the telecommunications, data communications and computer networking industries

GSM, GPRS and EDGE Performance – Second Edition provides a complete overview of the entire GSM system. GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the digital transmission technique widely adopted in Europe and supported in North America. It features comprehensive descriptions of GSM’s main evolutionary milestones – GPRS, (General Packet Radio Services) is a packet-based wireless communication service that promises data rates from 56 up to 114 Kbps and continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users. AMR and EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment), and such developments have now positioned GERAN (GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network) as a full 3G radio standard. The radio network performance and capabilities of GSM, GPRS, AMR and EDGE solutions are studied in-depth by using revealing simulations and field trials.

Cellular operators must now roll out new 3G technologies capable of delivering wireless Internet based multimedia services in a competitive and cost-effective way and this volume, divided into three parts, helps to explain how:

1. Provides an introduction to the complete evolution of GSM towards a radio access network that efficiently supports UMTS services (GERAN).

2. Features a comprehensive study of system performance with simulations and field trials. Covers all the major features such as basic GSM, GPRS, EDGE and AMR and the full capability of the GERAN radio interface for 3G service support is envisaged.

3. Discusses different 3G radio technologies and the position of GERAN within such technologies. 

Featuring fully revised and updated chapters throughout, the second edition contains 90 pages of new material and features the following new sections, enabling this reference to remain as a leading text in the area:

• Expanded material on GPRS
• Includes IMS architecture (Rel’5) and GERAN (Rel’6) features
• Presents field trial results for AMR and narrowband 
• Provides EGPRS deployment guidelines
• Features a new chapter on Service Performance

An invaluable reference for Engineering Professionals, Research and Development Engineers, Business Development Managers, Technical Managers and Technical Specialists working for cellular operators.

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"Excellent coverage: captures the gamut from propagation science to network planning." -- Nikil Jayant, John Pippin Chair in Wireless Systems, Georgia Tech

"For those already installing 3G systems, I recommend it be rushed into print." -- Reed Fisher, formerly of Bell Labs and father of the cell phone

"Engineers will find this is a much-needed integrated approach to understanding 3G technologies." -- Ken Smolik, Technology Specialist, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

This book gives network managers and 3G workers a select background in spread spectrum technology, empowering them to make real-world design, purchasing, and deployment decisions. Assuming only that W-CDMA is the preferred interface, the authors make a point of grounding 3G technologies in the fundamentals of propagation characteristics, physical layer functionalities, and spectrum requirements, so readers can confidently tackle soft handover, power control, sectorization, and message flows.

Written by authors with deep experience in data communications design and development, this jargon-free look at W-CDMA:
* Spells out what providers must know to enable wireless data speeds 40 times the current level
* Shows how to integrate U.S., European, and Pacific Rim flavors of 3G for worldwide roaming access
* Explains how spread spectrum functions best in data transmission
* Covers vital links between GSM and W-CDMA systems
* Reviews and unpacks IMT-2000 interface proposals