Introduction to Wireless Local Loop (Artech House Mobile Communications Library)

A guide to the underlying technologies, key selection criteria, and design and deployment processes behind wireless local loop systems. This reference aims to help the reader develop a sound understanding of WLL system design procedures and provides practical guidance on choosing the best WLL and access technologies.

Wireless local loop - the use of radio to provide a communications link to homes and businesses - has been a topic of much interest in the wireless community since around 1995. However, much has changed over the last five years. In the first edition of this book, I looked in detail at the use of wireless local loop as a means to provide connections to homes at low and medium data rates. Since then the emphasis has changed towards higher bandwidth systems able to provide 1 - 10Mbits/s to homes and up to 1Gbits/s to businesses. In this second edition, I have taken the opportunity to look in detail at this new class of wireless system, with extended chapters covering broadband technology and operation. I have also looked back over the last five years to ask why the original vision for fixed wireless changed and what the implications are for the future.

The aim of this book is to be the single point of reference for engineers, managers, marketers, sales teams and others working in the area of fixed wireless, within manufacturers, operators, regulators, consultants and others involved in the industry.

I have been highly active in the fixed wireless arena since 1997, working as Motorola's head of strategy for fixed wireless and chairing and presenting at many industry conferences. This book is a synthesis of all I have heard and learnt and has become widely used within the industry.