There have been recent advancements in wireless network technologies such as wireless virtualization to accommodate the exponential growth in demand, as well as to increase energy and infrastructure efficiencies. This SpringerBrief discusses the user-association and resource-allocation aspects in Virtualized Wireless Networks (VWNs) and highlights key technology innovations to meet their requirements. Various issues in practical implementation of VWNs are discussed along with potential techniques such as Massive MIMO, Cloud-Radio Access Network (C-RAN), and non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA). This SpringerBrief will target researchers and professionals working on current and next-generation wireless networks. The content is also valuable for advanced-level students interested in wireless communications and signal processing for communications.

This SpringerBrief presents recent advances in the cognitive MAC designs for opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) networks. It covers the basic MAC functionalities and MAC enhancements of IEEE 802.11. Later chapters discuss the existing MAC protocols for OSA and classify them based on characteristic features. The authors provide new research in adaptive carrier sensing-based MAC designs tailored for OSA, which optimize spectrum utilization and ensure a peaceful coexistence of licensed and unlicensed systems. Analytically devised via optimization and game-theoretic approaches, these adaptive MAC designs are shown to effectively reduce collisions between both primary and secondary network users. Researchers and professionals working in wireless communications and networks will find this content valuable. This brief is also a useful study guide for advanced-level students in computer science and electrical engineering.