Chapter 6. Wireless Access Networks

This chapter covers the following topics:

• The Motivation for Wireless

• Reference Architecture for Wireless Networks

• Wireless Characteristics

• Spectrum Management

• Frequency Assignment

• Direct Broadcast Satellite

• Low Earth Orbit Satellite

• Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Service

• Local Multipoint Distribution Service

• Third-Generation Cellular Telephony

• Wireless Issues

• Summary

The previous chapters pointed to the tremendous strides recently made on wired networks. Copper and fiber networks are becoming more ubiquitous, easier to use, less costly, and, most of all, faster. Furthermore, the transmission capacity of wired networks is considered infinite because carriers can manufacture bandwidth as demand increases.