High-Speed Wireless ATM and LANs

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.

"...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.

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.

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 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.