Wireless Networks: Today and the Future

In recent years, the wireless LAN has evolved as an increasingly popular solution for providing wireless access to the Internet. The first part of the tutorial will discuss the basics of wireless LAN technology focusing on the physical layer, medium access control layer, and protocol stack of the wireless LAN. The integration of the wireless LAN with 3G cellular networks will be discussed next as a further development of the wireless LAN. Currently, several 3G standards have been developed and their air interfaces are based on either CDMA or TDMA technology. CDMA technology is one of the most widely adopted 3G air interfaces. WCDMA is one of the 3G standards and is standardized within 3GPP. WCDMA has two modes, FDD and TDD. The WCDMA systems and products based on Rel´99 have just started to appear to the market.