General Book Information

Author:

Amjad Umar, Ph.D.

Publisher:

NGE solutions

Includes glossary of terms and index

Publication Date:

July 2004

Number of Pages:

720 pages

Book Objectives and Salient Features

This book provides a recent and relevant coverage of the subject matter based on a systematic approach. It is written to present a broad as well as comprehensive analysis. Especially suitable for practitioners and managers, the book has also been classroom tested in CS/IS/IT courses on mobile computing and wireless communications. The salient features of this book are:

1. A practical approach based on a systematic framework that covers the basic building blocks of mobile computing and wireless systems and their interrelationships to each other. This facilitates a balanced coverage of applications, networks, platforms, architectures, security, and management issues instead of one narrow topic.
2. Comprehensive analysis of recent and relevant topics such as the following:


• Mobile computing applications and their role in supporting the M-Business, M-Government, and mobile Life initiatives. Two chapters[*] are devoted to discussion of applications such mobile messaging systems (e.g., SMS, MMS), mobile commerce, location-based services, mobile portals, mobile customer relationship management, mobile supply chain management systems, wireless sensor applications, and mobile agent applications.
• Mobile computing platforms and how they enable the mobile computing applications. Two chapters are devoted to extensive discussion of topics such as the wireless Internet, Mobile IP, wireless middleware, wireless gateways, mobile application servers, WAP, i-mode, J2ME, BREW, Mobile Internet Toolkit, and Mobile Web Services.
• Wireless networks that support and enable the mobile computing applications. The discussion starts with a chapter that covers wireless communication principles such as wireless transmissions, smart antennas, frequency allocations, error detection and correction, location-based technologies, spread spectrum, and CDMA/TDMA. Five additional chapters are devoted to detailed discussion of wireless LANs with emphasis on 802.11, Bluetooth, wireless sensor networks, UWB (Ultra Wideband), cellular networks ranging from 1G to 5G, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), wireless local loops, FSO (Free Space Optics), satellites communications, and deep space networks.
• The architectural, security, and management/support issues and their role in building, deploying and managing wireless systems in modern settings. Three chapters examine how can integrated architectures be built to provide seamless services to the end-users on top of hybrid wireless/wired systems; how can effective wireless security solutions be developed on top of weakly secure wireless components; and how can a wireless project be planned, organized, developed, deployed, and monitored for success.
• The relevant regulatory and standards bodies and their role in this dynamic field is also examined. Discussions also include the different types of wireless businesses such as network element providers, wireless telephone network operators, wireless software/hardware developers, wireless application service providers, and wireless engineering/consulting firms.


3. Case study orientation with numerous real-life examples and case studies throughout the book to clarify and illustrate key points. Each chapter starts with a short case study/example and concludes with 3 to 4 additional examples.
4. Complete instructor materials (PowerPoint slides, course outlines, project assignments) to support an academic or industrial course are provided.
5. An appendix containing a short tutorial on network concepts for novices in the field and another appendix for more detailed coverage of wireless physical communications for people with more technical interests.

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[*] Most chapters in this book are about 50 pages.