Cellular Communications Explained: From Basics to 3G [Paperback]

Ian Poole (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750664355 | ISBN-13: 978-0750664356 | Publication Date: March 31, 2006 | Edition: 1

Among the many books published on 3G and cellular telecommunications, this introduction stands out due to its broad coverage of the subject and straightforward explanations of the principles and applications using a minimum of maths. Writing as an engineer for engineers, Ian Poole provides a systems-level view of the fundamentals that will enhance the understanding of engineers involved working in this fast-paced field. Equally, the book helps students, technicians and equipment manufacturers to gain a working knowledge of the applications and technologies involved in cellular communications equipment and networks.

The book focuses on the latest 2G, 2.5G and 3G technologies, including GSM (with GPRS and EDGE), NA-TDMA, cdmaOne (IS-95), CDMA2000 and UMTS (W-CDMA), with material on developing areas such as HSDPA. The fundamentals of radio propagation, modulation and cellular basics are also covered in a way that will give readers a real grasp of how cellular communications systems and equipment work.

* Explains the principles and applications of cellular communications systems using a minimum of mathematics, providing a firm grounding for engineers, technicians and students.
* Covers current technologies (2G, 2.5G) alongside 3G and other cutting-edge technologies, making this essential reading, not crystal ball gazing!
* Provides coverage of fundamentals and whole systems, as well as equipment provides a wide knowledge base for engineers and technicians working in different parts of the industry: handset designers, network planners, maintenance technicians, technical sales, etc.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Quickly and easily grasp the technologies and principles behind cellular communications equipment and networks, from analog and 2G to 3G and more

About the Author

Ian Poole is an established electronics engineering consultant with considerable experience in the communications and cellular markets. He is the author of a number books on radio and electronics and he has contributed to many magazines in the UK and worldwide. He is also winner of the inaugural Bill Orr Award for technical writing from the ARRL.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Newnes; 1 edition (March 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750664355
• ISBN-13: 978-0750664356
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #422,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good attempt to a telecom overview, but lost in details still, November 14, 2009

By 

Bas Vodde (Singapore) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Cellular Communications Explained: From Basics to 3G (Paperback)

I was looking very much forward to this book. The subject is broad and a good overview book is really hard to write. I was especially interested in this book because it doesn't only cover GSM, but also looks at the CDMA technology and explains some of the differences. The 3G part is not just WCDMA (or UMTS) but also the CDMA2k. A book covering all these subjects could be thousands of pages, and Ian Poole did it in less than 200. Impressive.

It started good! The first four chapters cover the real basics of cellular communication. The authors finds a balance between the detail and the overview. I was impressed by the start... except for the writing style. The style was very 'engineering' and felt the book could use some additional editing. That would make it easier to read.

In chapter five (analogue systems), the speed increases a bit, but still relative easy to follow. Chapter six covers the GSM standard. Here, I felt the author was going way too fast and covers too much details. Any beginning reader would be lost by the short explanation of the radio channels and their acronyms. Additional pictures of how calls would be set-up would really improve the book, but they are not there. I've got a background in GSM and could still follow, if I wouldn't, I would be lost. And...

Chapter seven/eight covers NA TDMA and cdmaOne. The author continues with the amount of detail he used in the earlier chapter. Giving the names of all radio channels, frame formats, but doing it such a speed that its really hard to follow. The same was true for the CDMA2k and UMTS (WCDMA) chapter: too much detail, too little overview, too fast, too much 'engineering' writing.

I found chapter eleven (position location) interesting again, it went in a slower speed. The final chapter (12) covers conformance and IOT, but I couldn't understand why this chapter was included in this book. It seems to not fit there at all! It could better have been removed.

All in all, I find the idea of this book good, the start was good, but then the author was kind-of lost. I wasn't sure anymore whether the book was for beginners (chap 1-4) or for people who have more of a telecom background (chap 5-10).

Conclusion. I wouldn't recommend this book as an overview book to people new to the subject. Instead, better pick up one technology and read that (e.g. the excellent GSM Networks from Gunnar Heine). This book is a good overview of the different standards though, if you are looking for that, then this is an option. Good... but not great.