An up-to-date technical reference for the design of 4th generation (4G) cellular systems, this book describes the protocols and functional elements of 802.16m and long-term-evolution (LTE)-advanced radio access networks, as well as core networks, including security aspects. The author uses a systematic, top-down approach to describe the technologies in detail. The explanations of other mobile and wireless technologies and older worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) versions are squeezed to a minimum to highlight the future mobile solutions with the highest potential under the umbrella of 4G cellular systems. Besides the comprehensive description of relevant technical issues, the author discusses a performance evaluation of international mobile telecommunications (IMT)-advanced systems. Ahmadi shows how the approaches compare, and concludes that the systems are technically equivalent. He stays strictly on the technical side and does not get into any marketing discussions.

The book divides its nearly 800 pages into 12 chapters, whose titles clearly identify their topics: “Introduction to Mobile Broadband Wireless Access,” “WiMAX Network Architecture,” “IEEE 802.16m Reference Model and Protocol Structure,” “IEEE 802.16m System Operation and State Diagrams,” “The IEEE 802.16m Convergence Sub-Layer,” “The IEEE 802.16m Medium Access Control Common Part Sub-layer (Parts 1 and 2),” “The IEEE 802.16m Security Sub-Layer,” “The IEEE 802.16m Physical Layer (Parts 1 and 2),” “Multi-Carrier Operation,” and “Performance of IEEE 802.16m and 3GPP LTE-Advanced.” Although only the final chapter uses “3GPP LTE-Advanced” in its title, this topic is indeed discussed in all chapters.

The text uses very comprehensible language (clear and readable, though purely technical) and the topics flow logically. In addition, the right protocol and architecture diagrams and algorithms--indispensable parts of any technical reference--are provided. Each chapter ends with a long list of authoritative references with Web links (if they exist). Throughout the chapters, the footnotes not only add further links, but also explain briefly the issues that go beyond the topic of the book or provide readers with background information. There is an exhaustive list of abbreviations (17 pages) at the beginning of the book; the index is accurate.

The author does not claim his book is the definitive 802.16m standard companion, but by all means this is the book for all wireless engineers, academics, and other professionals who have to be thoroughly acquainted not only with this standard, but also with the LTE specification. At the same time, this book may well serve advanced students of wireless and mobile technologies. The depth, clarity, and advanced insight of the book are driven by the fact that the author has been involved in the IEEE 802.16m-2011 and ITU-R IMT-advanced standardization processes. Finally, the book covers only technical issues, leaving business and marketing aspects, commercial mobile operators, and real end users aside.