Resource Allocation in Next Generation Wireless Networks

Next generation wireless and mobile communication systems are rapidly evolving to satisfy the demands of various network users. Due to the great success and enormous impact of IP networks, high-speed transmission is now possible for both indoor and outdoor wireless systems, internet access and web browsing have become the ruling paradigm for next generation system. It is envisioned that new generation wireless networks and hand-held terminals will support a wide variety of multimedia services such as multimedia web browsing, video and news on demand, mobile office system, stock market information, and so on, to mobile users anywhere, anytime in an uninterrupted and seamless way with low-powered handsets. The characteristics of wireless links, as well as the desire to maintain connectivity while on the move, offer significant challenges to provisioning quality of service and the related performance is of central interest. Since the resources (such as time, frequency and code) in the wireless segments of such networks are very limited, over-dimensioning the network resource is equivalent to poor capital investment, while congestion at busy hours could mean lost calls and lost revenues. It is therefore critical for wireless network designers to utilise these resources efficiently and effectively. In response to the above demand for next generation wireless and mobile communication systems, this book aims at providing a timely and concise reference of the current activities and findings in the relevant technical fields. The primary goal is to address the key technical issues pertaining to the integrated new systems and present novel technical contributions. The book contains 14 invited chapters from prominent researchers working in this area around the world.