This book provides a big picture of the key wireless industries, what systems and technologies they use, how they operate, their market trends, and what services they provide. If you are involved or you are getting involved in the wireless industry, your life is changing. The growth and decline of wireless industries can be well over 40% per year and it rapidly changes. Some wireless systems that were "hot technologies" just 10 years ago with billions of dollars in investment with national or global presence are simply gone. This information covered in this book ranges from the basics to what's new in wireless. You will learn that each wireless industry has its own unique advantages and limitations, which offer important economic and technical choices for managers, salespeople, technicians, and others involved with wireless telephones and systems. This book provides the background for a good understanding of the major wireless technologies, issues, and options available. The book starts with a basic introduction to wireless communication. It covers the different types of industries, who controls and regulates them, and provides a basic definition of each of the major wireless technologies. A broad overview of the telecom voice, data, and multimedia applications is provided. You will discover the fundamentals of wireless technologies and their terminology are described along with how the radio frequency spectrum is divided, the basics of radio frequency transmission and modulation, antennas and radio networks. The different types of analog and digital mobile telephone systems and their evolution are covered. Included is the basic operation, attributes and services for analog cellular(1st generation), digital cellular (2nd generation), packet based cellular (2 = generation), and wideband cellular (3rd generation) communication systems. Private land mobile radio (PLMR) dispatch and two-way radio systems are explained along with how they are changing from proprietary analog systems to advanced digital multimedia communication systems. The basics of mobile data are provided along with the available types of packet and circuit switched data systems and how they operate. Descriptions of paging systems are provided and you will discover how paging systems are evolving from one-way numeric messaging to two-way interactive information services. Important characteristics of satellite systems are covered. An overview of fixed wireless systems including point to point microwave, wireless cable, and broadband wireless is included. The fundamentals of radio and television broadcast systems are covered along with how they are converting from analog to digital systems and why in just a few years service to existing radios and telephones will stop. The fundamentals of residential cordless, public cordless and WPBX telephone systems covered. Wireless local area networks (WLANs) basics are provided including the different versions of 802.11. Short-range Bluetooth wireless is explained along with how it is used by accessories such as headsets, keyboards, cameras, and printers. The fundamentals of billing and customer care systems are provided along with these systems collect and process service and usage charges.
