Preface

Abstract

Wireless networks, devices and technologies play huge – and still increasing role in communications nowadays, reflecting the need for mobility and ubiquitous access. This made mobile communications the fastest growing and most profitable sector of telecommunications. Cellular networks are supplemented with fixed and satellite systems.
Rapid growth also exposes limitations of existing wireless devices and networks, driving their technical development. Additionally, other technologies required for provision of services and construction of infrastructure must be developed, too. There is a need to tackle issues like speech quality or performance limitations imposed by existing antennae and electronic devices in broadband mobile networks.
Proliferation of wireless devices brings with it the vexing problem of user safety, due to unavoidable exposure to modulated microwave radiation. Despite long and extensive research in this field, results are often inconclusive, while technical characteristics of wireless networks (frequencies used, modulation schemes, power levels, etc.) constantly evolve. More work still needs to be done, and existing regulations updated. (...)