Mobile and stationary next-generation networks that access the photonic core are destined to become as ubiquitous as traditional telephone networks. These networks must efficiently provide adequate network quality to multimedia applications with high bandwidth and strict quality-of-service requirements, as well as seamlessly integrate mobile and fixed architectures. Today's engineering students must be properly prepared to meet the challenges of next-generation network development and deployment.

Featuring contributions from top industrial experts and academic professors, this authoritative work provides a comprehensive introduction to next-generation networks. It explains wireless networks such as wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless personal area networks (WPAN), wireless access, 3G/4G cellular, and RF transmission, as well as optical networks like long-haul and metropolitan networks, optical fiber, photonic devices, and VLSI chips. Rather than focusing on heavy math or physical details, this resource explores how the technology is being used. It describes access and transport network layer technologies while also discussing the network and services aspects.

Chapter coverage includes:

• Fiber–wireless networks: technologies, architectures, and future challenges

• Packet backhaul network

• Point-to-point microwave backhaul

• Fourth-generation broadband: paving the road to Gbit/s with copper

• Dynamic bandwidth allocation in EPON and GPON

• Next-generation ethernet passive optical networks: 10G-EPON

• Power line communications and smart grids

• Signaling for multimedia conferencing in 4G: architecture, evaluation, and issues

• Self-coexistence and security in cognitive radio networks

• Mobile WiMAX

• UWB personal area networks—MIMO extensions

• Next-generation integrated metropolitan-access network: technology integration and wireless convergence

• Resilient burst ring: a novel technology for the next-generation metropolitan area networks

Filled with illustrations and practical examples from industry, this book will be invaluable to engineers and researchers in industry and academia, as well as senior undergraduate and graduate students, marketing and management staff, photonics physicists, and chip designers.