Software defined radio (SDR) is a hot topic in the telecommunications field, with regard to wireless technology. It is one of the most important topics of research in the area of mobile and personal communications. SDR is viewed as the enabler of global roaming and a platform for the introduction of new technologies and services into existing live networks. It therefore gives networks a greater flexibility into mobile communications. It bridges the inter-disciplinary gap in the field as SDR covers two areas of development, namely software development and digital signal processing and the internet. It extends well beyond the simple re-configuration of air interface parameters to cover the whole system from the network to service creation and application development. Reconfigurability entails the pervasive use of software reconfiguration, empowering upgrades or patching of any element of the network and of the services and applications running on it. It cuts across the types of bearer radio systems (Paging to cellular, wireless local area network to microwave, terrestrial to satellite, personal communications to broadcasting) enable the integration of many of today's disparate systems in the same hardware platform. Also it cuts across generation (second to third to fourth). This volume complements the already published volumes 1 and 2 of the Wiley Series in Software Radio. The book discusses the requirements for reconfigurability and then introduces network architectures and functions for reconfigurable terminals. Finally it deals with reconfiguration in the network. The book also provides a comprehensive view on reconfigurability in three very active research projects as CAST, MOBIVAS and TRUST/SCOUT.
Key features include:

• Presents new research in wireless communications
• Summarises the results of an extensive research program on software defined radios in Europe
• Provides a comprehensive view on reconfigurability in three very active research projects as CAST (Configurable radio with Advanced Sodftware Technology), MOBIVAS (Downloadable MOBIle Value Added Services through Software Radio and Switching Integrated Platforms), TRUST (Transparently Re-configurable Ubiquitous Terminal) and SCOUT (Smart User-Centric Communciation Environment).

Table of Contents

Preface.

Abbreviations.

Introduction.

Part I Reconfigurability in Heterogeneous Netowrks.

  Reconfigurable Systems in a Heterogeneous Environment.

Part II Requirements for Reconfigurable Terminals.

  User Requirements for SDR Terminals.

  The Need for Network Reconfigurability Management.

  Adaptive Protocols.

Part III Networks supporting Reconfigurable Terminals.

  Network Architectures and Functions.

  Self Learning and Adaptive Systems: The CODA Approach.

  Open APIs for Flexible Service Provision and Reconfiguration Management.

  Framework for charging and billing for Reconfigurable Services.

Part IV Profile and Radio Resource Management.

  Communication Profiles.

  Radio Resource Management in Heterogeneous Networks.

  An Efficient Scheme of JRRM and Spectrum Sharing Methods.

  Mode Identification and Monitoring of available Air Interfaces.

Part V Software and Hardware Reconfiguration.

  Reconfiguration of the Network Elements.

  Management, Control and Data Interfaces.

  Reconfiguration Principles for Adaptive Baseband.

  References.

Index.