"...examines the technological pros & cons associated with wireless local area networks (WLANs) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks...explains global standards and offers performance evaluations for the two technologies.
From the Publisher Understand the technological issues associated with wireless local area networks (WLANs) as a means of providing cable-free data access, easy upgrading and flexible reconfiguration compared to the extensive multimedia and intensive application support provided by terrestrial and satellite asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks using this new resource. You see the benefits and the issues related to developing wireless ATM and get a comprehensive overview of both WLAN and WATM technologies, as well as their global standards, performance evaluations of the two network options, and the pros and cons of each, written by an acknowledged expert in the fields of wireless communications and high-speed networking.
Designed to provide a survey of requirements for third-generation wireless networks, Wireless Local and ATM Networks discusses how WLANs offer great flexibility, and simple methods for reconfiguring or expanding networks without much expense or redesign, making upgrades inexpensive and easy. It also depicts how ATM is capable of supporting precise and demanding applications, including today's most intense multimedia functions, and it explores the technical issues related to extending ATM from wireline to wireless environments. Current ATM standards have been developed dependent upon high data rates and reliable transmission links, which today's wireless channels' narrow bandwidth and high error rates cannot provide.
Containing a review of new IEEE 802.11 and HIPERLAN standards for WLANs, and an examination of progress being made on standards development for wireless ATM, this timely book is an essential addition to the library of data and telecommunicationsnetwork engineers, cellular planners and designers, researchers, and post-graduate students of wireless networking technology. It also includes real-world performance reviews of existing WLANs.
From the Critics
From Booknews
Based on his research, a specialist in data communications and computer networking offers a concise treatment of current LAN (local area network) technology and where the field of broadband wireless ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) is heading. He discusses the technical challenges inherent in extending ATMs from wireline to wireless: their classification, implementation, standards, performance evaluation, networks, and standardization. Includes a definition-less glossary of the field's many acronyms and a couple of references. The author is a guest editor for the ; was formerly at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore; and can be reached via his e-mail address. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Benny Bing (bennybing@ieee.org), the author, February 17, 2000,
Book Outline
This book has been highly commended by Vic Hayes, Chairman of the IEEE 802.11 Working Group on Wireless LANs. The book provides a concise discussion on current wireless LAN technology and offers a glimpse of where the
field of broadband wireless ATM is heading. The approach taken in the book is to emphasize core concepts and underlying principles rather than factual descriptions. In addition, many carefully prepared illustrations are used throughout the book to enhance the textual explanations. By distilling details down to the basic issues needed for intuitive understanding, both serious and novice readers are able to gain valuable insights into the exciting field of high-speed wireless communications and mobile computing. However, the purpose of the book goes beyond making the reader merely proficient in these issues. The many problems
discussed serve to stimulate reflection and further research. To encourage readers
to fully explore the topics covered, useful Internet resources and references have
been included. Most of the references are chosen because they are either
informative or particularly well written. Hence, the book can serve as an ideal
course reader on advanced wireless networks.
The chapters of this book are organized as follows. Chapter 1 highlights the major
technical problems associated with the indoor wireless environment and recommends some solutions to cope with these problems. Various types of wireless LANs are described in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 deals with issues related to wireless LAN implementation while in Chapter 4, the structure of the IEEE
802.11, HIPERLAN and other emerging industry-standards such as Bluetooth and HomeRF are explained. Chapter 5 focuses on the performance evaluation of several commercial wireless LANs, including those complying to the IEEE 802.11 standard. Chapter 6 surveys the technical and service issues related to the deployment of ATM in third-generation wireless networks. The requirements for multimedia communications using ATM are also examined. Several wireless ATM prototypes and products are then described. The chapter concludes with an
interesting account of how ATM cells can be transported over satellite networks.
Chapter 7 provides a brief overview on the current wireless ATM standardization activities in the US, Europe and Japan. Finally, a list of references is included in a bibliography.
Updates and useful web resources are posted in the book's web site. Send an email to bennybing@ieee.org to request for the URL.
Table of Contents Contents: Introduction to Wireless Local Area Networks. Wireless LAN Standards. Performance Evaluation of Wireless LANs. Introduction to Wireless ATM Networks. The Wireless Mobile Environment. Multimedia Communications Using Wireless ATM. Wireless ATM Prototypes. ATM Over Satellite. Wireless ATM Standardization Activities.
Accreditation Benny Bing is with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland. He has worked for Singapore Telecom, Hewlett Packard, and AT&T Global Information Solutions, and received his M. Eng. from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He served as a member of the international advisory committee of the IEEE International Conference on ATM and has been guest editor of IEEE Communications Magazine.
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