Multimedia Communications : Applications, Networks, Protocols and Standards

Multimedia Communications by Fred Halsall addresses the main subject areas associated with multimedia communications (applications, networks, protocols, and standards) at a level that enables the reader to develop an in-depth understanding of the technical issues associated with this rapidly evolving subject. The book identifies the different types of multimedia applications, quantifies their communication requirements and describes the operation and protocols of the different kinds of networks that are used to support them. These networks include LANs, the Internet and World Wide Web, and home-entertainment networks such as cable and satellite.  Multimedia Communicationsis an updated approach to the author's Data Communications, Computer Networks and Open Systems: Fourth Edition set in the context of the increasingly important area of multimedia. It is appropriate for both Computer Science and Electronic Engineering departments.

The fast-growing field of multimedia communications involves the use of varied media types (text, images, speech, audio and video) in a wide range of subject areas. These include:
· how to represent the different media types in a digital form;
· the range of compression algorithms that are used with each of these media types;
· the communication requirements associated with the different types of multimedia applications (video telephony/conferencing, electronic mail, interactive TV, electronic commerce, Web TV etc);
· the operation of the different types of communication networks that are used (campus networks and LANs, the Internet and the World Wide Web, switched telephone networks, and home-entertainment networks such as cable and satellite);
· the new communication protocols and standards that have been developed for use with each of these networks to meet the more demanding requirements of multimedia applications.

Multimedia Communications by Fred Halsall addresses all of these subject areas to a depth that enables the reader to build up a thorough understanding of the technical issues associated with this rapidly evolving subject. In addition, the book contains all of the foundation material that is necessary to enable it to be used as a textbook in both computer science and electronic engineering departments. The book is also an essential reference for computing and networking professionals.

Key Features:
· embraces all of the main subject areas associated with multimedia communications in a single textbook;
· extensive use of detailed diagrams and worked examples as an aid to understanding each major topic;
· end of chapter exercises associated with all topics covered.

Fred Halsall is a Professor of Communications Engineering at the University of Wales, Swansea. Professor Halsall has been involved in research and education in the field of computer networking for the past 30 years. He has published over 50 refereed journal and conference papers. His four textbooks include the successful Data Communications, Computer Networks and Open Systems. He is a Fellow of the IEE and a Member of the IEEE.