Keynote 2

Over the last two decades, wireless communications has witnessed an explosive growth and without any doubt has revolutionized many aspects of our daily lives. In this short time period, wireless networks have advanced through three generations (1G, 2G, and 3G), and many licensed or license-free wireless technologies such as WiMAX and WiFi have also emerged to complement the capabilities of cellular networks. Recently, there has been growing demand for ubiquitous connectivity to a plethora of data services from portable computer-enhanced devices such as personal digital assistants, laptops, home and office appliances, cellular phones, and information terminals. This along with the expected explosive growth of high-speed access to the Internet in public spaces, homes, and enterprises is fueling the demand for broadband communications with low-cost and low-power computing devices. Advances in microelectronic and communications technologies have also made possible the development of a revolutionary paradigm, Cognitive Ubiquitous Communications, where cognitive agents and communications devices within an environment-aware, reconfigurable, agile, and open infrastructure are envisioned to be available in the next 15 years. A key requirement for these future wireless systems is their ability to provide broadband IP-connectivity with end-to-end Quality of Service (QoS), a high network capacity, and throughput at a low cost. Other key requirements include improved latency, scalable bandwidth, and inter-system mobility and management.