Consisting of selected technical contributions to the European Project COST252, this volume provides many innovative results which can be the basis for new global telecommunications systems providing multimedia services at high rates. It also presents new perspectives on communications problems in various areas.

Satellite Communications and Navigation Systems publishes the proceedings of the 2006 Tyrrhenian International Workshop on Digital Communications. The book focuses on the integration of communication and navigation systems in satellites.

During the last decade there was a shift from wireless and mobile communications technology, networks and applications towards integration of radio with other disciplines. Integration of navigation, sensing and services allow for entering new areas in which many requirements from individuals and organizations are satisfied.Potential applications are manifold. Developments for realizing these new application areas will cause a boost on new systems demonstrating the potentials of this integration approach.In this first book the fundamentals of this new approach on integrated communication, navigation, sensing and services (Conasense) will be elucidated. Furthermore, several applications illustrate some of the aims of Conasense. Two major areas have been selected1. Quality of life2. Intelligent Conasense architecturesTopics in the book on 'quality of life' include:• Visionary plans on health, security, neurophysics, indoor and outdoor safeguarding: in all these areas new Conasense technology and systems are essential.Topics in the book on intelligent Conasense architectures concern:• a framework describing novelties in Conasense technology needed to realize the aimed improve in 'quality of life'.• Breakthroughs on full integration of space-based and terrestrial communication and navigation systems with advanced high resolution sensing of the local environment supplemented with geographical information at regionals, national and international scales.

Globalization of Mobile and Wireless Communications is a collection of cutting-edge research in mobile and wireless communications with impact on developments as far forward as 2020 and beyond. The book draws upon the insights and performed research work of leading experts in the field. Topics of discussion are related but not limited to spectrum-efficient radio interface technologies, enabling technologies for reconfigurability, wireless sensor networks, cognitive networks, coherent wireless transmission, algorithmic design, middleware for novel services and applications. The material has been edited to provide a vision for the future of mobile and wireless, towards a dynamic communication system that breaks down the barriers between communications means; and evolves and integrates business models and culture to match the technological evolution. In addition, strategies on how to overcome the technological challenges for achieving that vision are also outlined.

Broadband Satellite Communication Systems and the Challenges of Mobility is an essential reference for both academic and professional researchers in the field of telecommunications, computer networking and wireless networks. Recently the request of multimedia services has been rapidly increasing and satellite networks appear to be attractive for a fast service deployment and for extending the typical service area of terrestrial systems. In comparison with traditional wide area networks, a characteristic of satellite communication systems is their ability in broadcasting and multicasting multimedia information flows anywhere over the satellite coverage. The papers presented in this volume highlight key areas such as Satellite Network Architectures, Services and Applications; Mobile Satellite Systems and Services; and Hybrid Satellite and Terrestrial Networks. Mobility will inevitably be one of the main characteristics of future networks, terminals and applications and, thus, extending and integrating fixed network protocols and services to mobile systems represents one of the main issues of present networking. The secondary focus of this volume is on challenges of mobility, that is, on technologies, protocols and services for the support of seamless and nomadic user access to new classes of applications in person-to-person, device-to-device and device-to-person environments. The book comprises recent results of research and development in the following areas; Seamless mobility; Mobile ad hoc and sensor networks; Analysis, simulation and measurements of mobile and wireless systems; Integration and inter-working of wired and wireless networks; QoS in mobile and wireless networks; Future trends and issues concerning mobility. This state -of-the-art volume contains a collection of papers from two of the workshops of the 18th IFIP World Computer Congress, held August 22-27, 2004, in Toulouse, France: the Workshop on Broadband Satellite Communication Systems, and the Workshop on the Challenges of Mobility.

Raj Pandya, international expert in Universal Personal Telecommunications (UPT), guides you through the past, present, and future of mobile and personal communication systems. Telecommunications professionals and students will find a comprehensive discussion of mobile telephone, data, and multimedia services, and how the evolution toward next-generation systems will shape tomorrow s mobile communications industry. A broad systems overview combined with carefully selected technical details give you a clear understanding of the basic technology, architecture, and applications associated with mobile communications. You ll learn valuable information on numbering, identities, and performance benchmarks to help you plan and design mobile systems and networks. A timely discussion of underlying regional and international standards will keep you informed of the influences at work in the industry today. You'll also gain essential insights into the future direction of mobile and personal communications from an in-depth analysis of: International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000) Global Mobile Satellite Systems Universal Personal Telecommunications Mobile Data Communications The outlook for GSM, IS-136, and IS-95. MOBILE AND PERSONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES AND SYSTEMS is indispensable reading for anyone who wants to understand what lies ahead for this rapidly evolving technology.