While still in the early stages of research and development, cognitive radio is a highly promising communications paradigm with the ability to effectively address the spectrum insufficiency problem. Written by those pioneering the field, Cognitive Radio Networks: Architectures, Protocols, and Standards offers a complete view of cognitive radio including introductory concepts, fundamental techniques, regulations, standards, system implementations, and recent developments.

From the physical layer to protocol layer, world-class editors provide comprehensive technical and regulatory guidance across cognitive radio, dynamic spectrum access, and cognitive wireless networks. The book examines routing, Medium Access Control (MAC), cooperation schemes, resource management, mobility, and game theory approach. Organized into three sections for ease of reference:

1. Introduces and addresses the issues in the physical layer, including sensing, capacity, and power control
2. Examines issues in the protocol layers and supplies practical solutions
3. Explores applications, including cognitive radio systems

Complete with illustrative figures that allow for complete cross-referencing, this authoritative reference provides readers with the understanding of the fundamental concepts, principles, and framework of cognitive wireless systems needed to initiate the development of future-generation wireless systems and networks.

"RF and Microwave Transmitter Design" is unique in its coverage of both historical transmitter design and cutting edge technologies. This text explores the results of well-known and new theoretical analyses, while informing readers of modern radio transmitters' pracitcal designs and their components. Jam-packed with information, this book broadcasts and streamlines the author's considerable experience in RF and microwave design and development.

This book deals with the field of identification and sensors, more precisely the possibility of collecting information remotely with RF waves (RFID). The book introduces the technology of chipless RFID starting from classical RFID and barcode, and explores the field of identification and sensors without wire, without batteries, without chip, and with tags that can even be printed on paper. A technique for automatic design of UHF RFID tags is presented, aiming at making the tags as insensitive as possible to the environment (with the ability to increase the reading range reliability), or, conversely, making them sensitive in order to produce sensors, meanwhile keeping their unique ID. The RFID advantages are discussed, along with its numerous features, and comparisons with the barcode technology are presented. After that, the new chipless RFID technology is introduced on the basis of the previous conclusions. Original technological approaches are introduced and discussed in order to demonstrate the practical and economic potential of the chipless technology.

This book focuses on components such as filters, transformers, amplifiers, mixers, and oscillators. Even the phase lock loop chapter (the last in the book) is oriented toward practical circuit design, in contrast to the more systems orientation of most communication texts.

RF/MICROWAVE ENGINEERING AND APPLICATIONS IN ENERGY SYSTEMS An essential text with a unique focus on RF and microwave engineering theory and its applications In RF/Microwave Engineering and Applications in Energy Systems, accomplished researcher Abdullah Eroglu delivers a detailed treatment of key theoretical aspects of radio-frequency and microwave engineering concepts along with parallel presentations of their practical applications. The text includes coverage of recent advances in the subject, including energy harvesting methods, RFID antenna designs, HVAC system controls, and smart grids. The distinguished author provides step-by-step solutions to common engineering problems by way of numerous examples and offers end-of-chapter problems and solutions on each topic. These practical applications of theoretical subjects aid the reader with retention and recall and demonstrate a solid connection between theory and practice. The author also applies common simulation tools in several chapters, illustrating the use and implementation of time domain circuit simulators in conjunction with electromagnetic simulators, as well as Matlab for design, simulation, and implementation at the component and system levels. Readers will also benefit from: A thorough introduction to the foundations of electromagnetics, including line, surface, and volume integrals, vector operation and theorems, and Maxwell's equations Comprehensive explorations of passive and active components in RF and microwave engineering, including resistors, capacitors, inductors, and semiconductor materials and active devices Practical discussions of transmission lines, including transmission line analysis, Smith charts, microstrip lines, and striplines In-depth examinations of network parameters, including impedance parameters, ABCD parameters, h-Hybrid parameters, and network connections Perfect for senior-level undergraduates and graduate students studying RF or Microwave engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering and Applications in Energy Systems is also an indispensable resource for professionals whose work touches on radio-frequency and microwave technologies.

The increase of consumer electronics and communications applications using Radio Frequency (RF) and microwave circuits has implications for oscillator design. Applications working at higher frequencies and using novel technologies have led to a demand for more robust circuits with higher performance and functionality, but decreased costs, size and power consumption. As a result, there is also a need for more efficient oscillators.

This book presents up-to-date information on all aspects of oscillator design, enabling a selection of the best oscillator topologies with optimized noise reduction and electrical performance. RF and Microwave Transistor Oscillator Design covers:

analyses of non-linear circuit design methods including spectral-domain analysis, time-domain analysis and the quasilinear method;information on noise in oscillators including chapters on varactor and oscillator frequency tuning, CMOS voltage-controlled oscillators and wideband voltage-controlled oscillators;information on the stability of oscillations, with discussions on the stability of multi-resonant circuits and the phase plane method;optimized design and circuit techniques, beginning with the empirical and analytic design approaches, moving on to the high-efficiency design technique;general operation and design principles of oscillators, including a section on the historical aspects of oscillator configurations. analyses of non-linear circuit design methods including spectral-domain analysis, time-domain analysis and the quasilinear method; information on noise in oscillators including chapters on varactor and oscillator frequency tuning, CMOS voltage-controlled oscillators and widebandvoltage-controlled oscillators; information on the stability of oscillations, with discussions on the stability of multi-resonant circuits and the phase plane method; optimized design and circuit techniques, beginning with the empirical and analytic design approaches, moving on to the high-efficiency design technique; general operation and design principles of oscillators, including a section on the historical aspects of oscillator configurations.

A valuable reference for practising RF and Microwave designers and engineers, RF and Microwave Transistor Oscillator Design is also useful for lecturers, advanced students and research and design (R&D) personnel.

Infrastructure for Homeland Security Environments
Wireless Sensor Networks helps readers discover the emerging field of low-cost standards-based sensors that promise a high order of spatial and temporal resolution and accuracy in an ever-increasing universe of applications. It shares the latest advances in science and engineering paving the way towards a large plethora of new applications in such areas as infrastructure protection and security, healthcare, energy, food safety, RFID, ZigBee, and processing.
Unlike other books on wireless sensor networks that focus on limited topics in the field, this book is a broad introduction that covers all the major technology, standards, and application topics. It contains everything readers need to know to enter this burgeoning field, including current applications and promising research and development; communication and networking protocols; middleware architecture for wireless sensor networks; and security and management.
The straightforward and engaging writing style of this book makes even complex concepts and processes easy to follow and understand. In addition, it offers several features that help readers grasp the material and then apply their knowledge in designing their own wireless sensor network systems:
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Examples illustrate how concepts are applied to the development and application of
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wireless sensor networks
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Detailed case studies set forth all the steps of design and implementation needed to solve real-world problems
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Chapter conclusions that serve as an excellent review by stressing the chapter's key concepts
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References in each chapter guide readers to in-depth discussions of individual topics

This book is ideal for networking designers and engineers who want to fully exploit this new technology and for government employees who are concerned about homeland security. With its examples, it is appropriate for use as a coursebook for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students.

This book provides an introduction to RFID technology. It describes and addresses the following: How RFID works, how it is and can be used in current and future applications. The History of RFID technology, the current state of practice and where RFID is expected to be taken in the future. The role of middleware software to route data between the RFID network and the information technology systems within an organization. Commercial and government use of RFID technology with an emphasis on a wide range of applications including retail and consumer packaging, transportation and distribution of products, industrial and manufacturing operations, security and access control. Industry standards and the regulatory compliance environment and finally, the privacy issues faced by the public and industry regarding the deployment of RFID technology.

An international panel of experts provide major research issues and a self-contained, rapid introduction to the theory and application of UWB

This book delivers end-to-end coverage of recent advances in both the theory and practical design of ultra wideband (UWB) communication networks. Contributions offer a worldwide perspective on new and emerging applications, including WPAN, sensor and ad hoc networks, wireless telemetry, and telemedicine. The book explores issues related to the physical layer, medium access layer, and networking layer.
Following an introductory chapter, the book explores three core areas:
* Analysis of physical layer and technology issues
* System design elements, including channel modeling, coexistence, and interference mitigation and control
* Review of MAC and network layer issues, up to the application
Case studies present examples such as network and transceiver design, assisting the reader in understanding the application of theory to real-world tasks.
Ultra Wideband Wireless Communication enables technical professionals, graduate students, engineers, scientists, and academic and professional researchers in mobile and wireless communications to become conversant with the latest theory and applications by offering a survey of all important topics in the field. It also serves as an advanced mathematical treatise; however, the book is organized to allow non-technical readers to bypass the mathematical treatments and still gain an excellent understanding of both theory and practice.

The art of RF circuit design made simple...

Radio Frequency circuits are the fundamental building blocks in a vast array of consumer electronics and wireless communication devices. Jeremy Everard's unique combination of theory and practice provides insight into the principles of operation, together with invaluable guidance to developing robust and long-lasting circuit designs.

Features include:

• Simplified approach to RF circuit theory and device modelling using algebraic approximations to illustrate the important underlying principles.
• A comprehensive design guide to low noise oscillators backed by a full theoretical treatment, based on the author's latest research, and including extensive design examples.
• Key concepts of broad and narrow band small signal amplifiers, mixers, and high-efficiency broadband power amplifier design.
• How to develop large signal circuit models with simulation and tuning in real time.
• Charts of performance parameters for RF chip components.

A practical guide to the principles of radio communications for both civilian and military applications In this book, the author covers both the civilian and military uses of technology, focusing particularly on the applications of radio propagation and prediction. Divided into two parts, the author introduces the basic theory of radio prediction before providing a step-by-step explanation of how this theory can be translated into real-life applications. In addition, the book presents up-to-date systems and methods to illustrate how these applications work in practice. This includes systems working in the HF bands and SHF. Furthermore, the author examines the performance of these systems, and also the effects of noise, interference and deliberate jamming, as well as the performance of jamming, detection and intercept systems. Particular attention is paid to the problems caused by Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices (RCIEDs). Key Features: * A practical handbook on the topic of radio communications and propagation * Written by an expert in both the civilian and military applications of the technology * Focuses on methods such as radio and radar jamming, and radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs) * Contains problems and solutions to clarify key topics

A classroom-tested book addressing key issues of electrical noise
This book examines noise phenomena in linear and nonlinear high-frequency circuits from both qualitative and quantitative perspectives. The authors explore important noise mechanisms using equivalent sources and analytical and numerical methods. Readers learn how to manage electrical noise to improve the sensitivity and resolution of communication, navigation, measurement, and other electronic systems.
Noise in High-Frequency Circuits and Oscillators has its origins in a university course taught by the authors. As a result, it is thoroughly classroom-tested and carefully structured to facilitate learning. Readers are given a solid foundation in the basics that allows them to proceed to more advanced and sophisticated themes such as computer-aided noise simulation of high-frequency circuits.
Following a discussion of mathematical and system-oriented fundamentals, the book covers:
* Noise of linear one- and two-ports
* Measurement of noise parameters
* Noise of diodes and transistors
* Parametric circuits
* Noise in nonlinear circuits
* Noise in oscillators
* Quantization noise
Each chapter contains a set of numerical and analytical problems that enable readers to apply their newfound knowledge to real-world problems. Solutions are provided in the appendices.
With their many years of classroom experience, the authors have designed a book that is ideal for graduate students in engineering and physics. It also addresses key issues and points to solutions for engineers working in the burgeoning satellite and wireless communications industries.

The 'go-to' text for non-specialists requiring a serious introduction to radio. Designed for those without a specialist theoretical background in electronic and electromagnetic engineering, it uses a holistic, physics-based approach to describe the theory underpinning radio science and engineering. It covers a wide range of topics, from fundamentals such as radio wave theory, the electronics of radio, antennas, and radio wave propagation, to software radio, spread spectrum, and MIMO. With a wealth of practical exercises and examples accompanying the book online, this is the ideal text for graduate students, professionals and researchers who work on radio systems and need to understand both the science and practice of radio.

With the growth of high-speed telecommunications and wireless technology, it is becoming increasingly important for engineers to understand radio frequency (RF) applications and their sensitivity to electrostatic discharge (ESD) phenomena. This enables the development of ESD design methods for RF technology, leading to increased protection against electrical overstress (EOS) and ESD.

ESD: RF Technology and Circuits: Presents methods for co-synthesizisng ESD networks for RF applications to achieve improved performance and ESD protection of semiconductor chips; discusses RF ESD design methods of capacitance load transformation, matching network co-synthesis, capacitance shunts, inductive shunts, impedance isolation, load cancellation methods, distributed loads, emitter degeneration, buffering and ballasting; examines ESD protection and design of active and passive elements in RF complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS), RF laterally-diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS), RF BiCMOS Silicon Germanium (SiGe), RF BiCMOS Silicon Germanium Carbon (SiGeC), and Gallim Arsenide technology; gives information on RF ESD testing methodologies, RF degradation effects, and failure mechanisms for devices, circuits and systems; highlights RF ESD mixed-signal design integration of digital, analog and RF circuitry; sets out examples of RF ESD design computer aided design methodologies; covers state-of-the-art RF ESD input circuits, as well as voltage-triggered to RC-triggered ESD power clamps networks in RF technologies, as well as off-chip protection concepts.

Following the authors series of books on ESD, this book will be a thorough overview of ESD in RF technology for RF semiconductorchip and ESD engineers. Device and circuit engineers working in the RF domain, and quality, reliability and failure analysis engineers will also find it a valuable reference in the rapidly growing are of RF ESD design. In addition, it will appeal to graduate students in RF microwave technology and RF circuit design.

Do you roam the road making a living, or are you enjoying the nomadic life of a retiree with a motor home? Either way, life goes on no matter where you're hanging your hat tonight. Bills still need to be paid, grandchildren grow up way too fast, and you've gotten pretty dependent on your e-mail. How do you stay connected to the rest of the world while you're on the road? For a growing number of over-the-road drivers, business travelers, and RV enthusiasts, the answer is a wireless Internet connection. With a laptop and wireless access, you can* Pay bills, check accounts, and handle banking online* Send and receive e-mail* Surf the Web* Access your home PC* Make inexpensive phone calls with VoIP* Watch TV, download movies, and listen to satellite radio "So," you say, "I see people in movies popping open their laptops and getting online wherever they happen to be. It looks awfully easy-why do I need a book?" Well, lots of things are easy once you know how. Over-the-Road Wireless For Dummies tells you how in plain English, so you can take advantage of all those cool opportunities safely and easily. You'll discover how to* Choose the best Wi-Fi access service for your needs and locate hotspots* Assess cellular data services and satellite access to make informed choices about service* Adapt your laptop or PDA for wireless, set up an external antenna, and install an external amplifier* Use your cell phone as a modem* Identify security threats, protect your data with strong passwords and encryption, and set up a personal firewall* Install and use Skype and make phone calls with your laptop* Make your truck or RV your office with online freight-finding services, a GPS receiver, a travel printer, and software to keep logs and expense records* Access streaming TV and radio on the road With Over-the-Road Wireless For Dummies to help, you can send online birthday cards, watch video of the grandchildren, do your banking, pay bills, keep records, connect to your home PC, and even file your taxes, no matter how far away you roam!

The current and definitive reference broadcast engineers need! Compiled by leading international experts, this authoritative reference work covers every aspect of broadcast technology from camera to transmitter - encompassing subjects from analogue techniques to the latest digital compression and interactive technologies in a single source. Written with a minimum of maths, the book provides detailed coverage and quick access to key technologies, standards and practices. This global work will become your number one resource whether you are from an audio, video, communications or computing background. Composed for the industry professional, practicing engineer, technician or sales person looking for a guide that covers the broad landscape of television technology in one handy source, the Broadcast Engineer's Reference Book offers comprehensive and accurate technical information. Get this wealth of information at your fingertips! * Utilize extensive illustrations-more than 1200 tables, charts and photographs. * Find easy access to essential technical and standards data. * Discover information on every aspect of television technology. * Learn the concepts and terms every broadcaster needs to know. Learn from the experts on the following technologies: Quantities and Units; Error Correction; Network Technologies; Telco Technologies; Displays; Colourimetry; Audio Systems; Television Standards; Colour encoding; Time code; VBI data carriage; Broadcast Interconnect formats; File storage formats; HDTV; MPEG 2; DVB; Data Broadcast; ATSC Interactive TV; encryption systems; Optical systems; Studio Cameras and camcorders; VTRs and Tape Storage; Standards Convertors; TV Studios and Studio Equipment; Studio Lighting and Control; post production systems; Telecines; HDTV production systems; Media Asset Management systems; Electronic News Production Systems; OB vehicles and Mobile Control Rooms;ENG and EFP; Power and Battery Systems; R.F. propagation; Service Area Planning; Masts Towers and Antennas; Test and measurement; Systems management; and many more! Related Focal Press titles: Watkinson: Convergence In Broadcast and Communications Media (2001, GBP59.99 (GBP)/ $75.95 (USD), ISBN: 0240515099) Watkinson: MPEG Handbook (2001, GBP35 (GBP)/$54.99 (USD) ISBN: 0240516567)

The explosive demand for mobile communications is driving the development of wireless technology at an unprecedented pace. Unfortunately, this exceptional growth is also giving rise to a myriad of security issues at all levels-from subscriber to network operator to service provider.

Providing technicians and designers with a critical and comprehensive resource, Security of Mobile Communications brings together the policies, practices, and guidelines needed to identify and address the security issues related to today's wireless sensor networks, satellite services, mobile e-services, and inter-system roaming and interconnecting systems. It details the major mobile standards for securing mobile communications and examines the architectures able to provide data confidentiality, authentication, integrity, and privacy in various wireless environments.

This book will serve as an invaluable resource for those looking to identify and ameliorate security issues. Professor Noureddine Boudriga, an internationally recognized authority, goes beyond analysis, standards, and guidelines to define the roles and responsibilities that network operators, service providers, and even customers need to fulfill to assure our mobile communications are as secure as they are prolific.

Software defined radio (SDR) is one of the most important topics of research, and indeed development, in the area of mobile and personal communication. SDR is viewed as an enabler of global roaming and as a unique platform for the rapid introduction of new services into existing live networks. It therefore promises mobile communication networks a major increase in flexibility and capability. SDR brings together two key technologies of the last decade - digital radio and downloadable software. It encompasses not only reconfiguration of the air interface parameters of handset and basestation products but also the whole mobile network, to facilitate the dynamic introduction of new functionality and mass-customised applications to the user's terminal,post-purchase.

In particular it explores

• the unique demands of SDR upon the RF subsystem and their implications for front end design methodologies

• the recent concepts of the 'digital front end' and 'parametrization'

• the role and key influence of data conversion technologies and devices within software radio, essential to robust product design

• the evolution of signal processing technologies, describing new architectural approaches

• management of terminal reconfiguration and its network implications

• the concepts of the waveform description language

• potential breakthrough technologies, such as superconducting RSFQ technology and the possible future role of MEMS in RF circuitry

• competing approaches, eg all-software radios implemented on commodity computing vs advanced processing architectures that dynamically optimise their configuration to match the algorithm requirements at a point in time

Contributed by internationally respected industry practitioners and researchers this book provides a holistic treatement of SDR addressing the full breadth of relevant technologies - radio frequqncy design, data conversion, reconfigurable signal processing hardware, and software issues at all levelsof the protocol stack and network. As such it provides a solid grounding for a new generation of wireless engineers for whom radio design in the future will assume dynamic flexibility as a given.

Building on the success of the first edition, "Mobile Messaging Technologies and Services" offers extensive new and revised material based upon the latest research and industry developments. While early implementations targeted person-to-person messaging, MMS has now evolved to facilitate such requirements as the mass delivery of time-sensitive messages for content-to-person messaging. This "Second Edition" exploits the technical maturity of MMS as it is poised to generate a wealth of new business opportunities across the mobile communications sector. The author provides the fundamental technical background required for SMS, EMS and MMS, and supports this with industry cutting-edge developments.

● Contains a revised section on the fundamentals of MMS, including an updated section on GPRS to explain current commercial implementations such as GRX applications.

● Presents the latest developments in MMS standardization, including the design of synchronized multimedia integration language (SMIL) presentations, Digital Rights Management (DRM), transcoding techniques, postcard service and support of advanced multimedia formats.

● Describes the processes for standardizing telecommunications services and technologies (3GPP, OMA, GSM Association, IETF and W3C).

● Provides updated sections on SMS, EMS and heavily revised coverage of the developments in MMS, including MMS interworking and the forthcoming MMS version 1.3.

This resource will be invaluable for application developers, manufacturers, operators and content providers involved in the design and deployment of messaging services. It will also be of interest to practitioners involved in the process of standardizing telecommunications services and technologies. Postgraduate students and researchers will benefit from having access to state-of-the-art findings backed by numerous illustrative real-world examples.

Includes a companion website featuring information on relevant standards, available phones and developers' resources.

The latest text in the Wiley Series in Microwave and Optical Engineering

The first comprehensive resource on planar antenna designs

Planar antennas are the newest generation of antennas, boasting such attractive features as low profile, light weight, low cost, and ease of integration into arrays. These features make them ideal components of modern communications systems, particularly in cellular and WLAN applications. Consequently, many novel designs of planar antennas for related applications have come into being within the last two to three years. Until now these designs were only accessible to current and prospective antenna designers through journal articles, conference papers, and patent descriptions.

Planar Antennas for Wireless Communications organizes today’s most important planar antenna designs into one easy-to-use reference. In this, the latest addition to the Wiley Series in Microwave and Optical Engineering, the author presents more than seventy advanced planar antenna designs, along with detailed design considerations and experimental results, including:

• PIFAs for internal mobile phone antennas
• Very-low-profile monopoles for internal mobile phone antennas
• Base-station antennas for cellular systems
• Planar antennas for WLAN applications
• DR antennas for wireless communications
• Integration of antennas for different operating bands

Each chapter features a multitude of illustrations for the geometries and experimental results of the featured designs, as well as a complete list of related references for further study, making the book an invaluable design resource for antenna scientists and engineers alike.

While still in the early stages of research and development, cognitive radio is a highly promising communications paradigm with the ability to effectively address the spectrum insufficiency problem. Written by those pioneering the field, Cognitive Radio Networks: Architectures, Protocols, and Standards offers a complete view of cognitive radio-including introductory concepts, fundamental techniques, regulations, standards, system implementations, and recent developments. From the physical layer to protocol layer, world-class editors provide comprehensive technical and regulatory guidance across cognitive radio, dynamic spectrum access, and cognitive wireless networks. The book examines routing, Medium Access Control (MAC), cooperation schemes, resource management, mobility, and game theory approach. Organized into three sections for ease of reference: Introduces and addresses the issues in the physical layer, including sensing, capacity, and power control Examines issues in the protocol layers and supplies practical solutions Explores applications, including cognitive radio systems Complete with illustrative figures that allow for complete cross-referencing, this authoritative reference provides readers with the understanding of the fundamental concepts, principles, and framework of cognitive wireless systems needed to initiate the development of future-generation wireless systems and networks.

Fueled by ongoing and increasing consumer demand, the explosive growth in spectrum-based communications continues to tax the finite resources of the available spectrum. One possible solution, Cognitive Radio Network (CRN), allows unlicensed users opportunistic access to licensed bands without interfering with existing users. Although some initial study has been conducted in this field, researchers need a systematic reference book that presents clear definitions, functions, and current challenges of the CRNs. Cognitive Radio Networks presents state-of-the-art approaches and novel technologies for cognitive wireless radio networks and sheds light on future developments in these areas. Comprising the contributions of many prominent world-wide cognitive radio researchers, this book covers all CRN essentials including spectrum sensing, spectrum handoff, spectrum sharing, and CRN routing schemes. Divided into five parts, the book addresses the physical layer, medium access control, the routing layer, cross-layer considerations and advanced topics in cognitive radio networks. The chapters also review research, management, support, and cognitive techniques such as position and network awareness, infrastructure and physical and link layer concerns. The editors of this volume are noted experts in the field of wireless networks and security. Dr. Yang Xiao's research has been supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Army Research, Fleet & Industrial Supply Center San Diego (FISCSD), and the University of Alabama's Research Grants Committee. Dr. Fei Hu has worked with NSF, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, Sprint, and other organizations. By bringing together the combined input of international experts, these editors have advanced the field of this nascent technology and helped to forge new paths of discovery for progressive communications possibilities.

Focusing on an important and complicated topic in wireless network design, Wireless Quality of Service: Techniques, Standards, and Applications systematically addresses the quality-of-service (QoS) issues found in many types of popular wireless networks. In each chapter, the book presents numerous QoS challenges encountered in real-world applications and delineates ways to overcome these obstacles. Some of the challenges explored are performance impairments in WLAN hotspots, video streaming applications, and broadband wireless access. The techniques and mechanisms covered to tackle these problems include medium access and call admission control techniques, a parameter tuning algorithm, the QoS-enabling features of IEEE 802.11e, a Markov chain model, a probe-based distributed admission control mechanism, topology-transparent scheduling protocols, and a novel multicast congestion control mechanism. Addressing advanced topics and future directions, the expert contributors acknowledge the need for more research to solve several open issues. In the meantime, they offer innovative solutions to solve current QoS problems.

This is the story of Bernie Mills, Chris Christiansen, Paul Wild and Ron Bracewell, members of a team of radio astronomers that would lead Australia, and the world, into this new field of research. Each of the four is remembered for his remarkable work: Mills for the development the cross type instrument that now bears his name; Christiansen for the application of rotational synthesis techniques; Wild for the masterful joining of observations and theory to elicit the nature of the solar atmosphere; Bracewell for his contribution to imaging theory. As well, these Four Pillars are remembered for creating a remarkable environment for scientific discovery and for influencing the careers of future generations. Their pursuit of basic science helped pave the way for technological developments in areas ranging from Wi-Fi to sonar to medical imaging to air navigation, and for underpinning the foundations of modern cosmology and astrophysics.