Mobile Multimedia over Wireless Network

Abstract

In the last few years the rapidly growing Internet has pushed new multimedia applications in the field of entertainment, communication and electronic commerce. The next step in the information age is the mobile access to multimedia applications: everything everywhere any time! This tutorial chapter addresses a key point of this development: data transmission for mobile multimedia applications in wireless cellular networks. Addressed networks are existing standardized terrestrial wireless systems such as GSM, D-AMPS, IS-95 and PDC, including their evolutions HSCSD, GRPS, HDR, IS-136+ and IS-136HS. Furthermore, proprietary satellite networks like Orbcomm, Globalstar, ICO, Ellipso and Courier are considered. Finally, future high bandwidth terrestrial/satellite third-generation systems based on the UMTS standard, as well as future proprietary systems like Astra-Net, Skybridge, Teledesic and Spaceway, are discussed. For each of these networks, an overview on the data channels is given with respect to their capacity, temporal organization, error characteristic, delay and availability. Further, the architecture, the functions and the capacities of the mobile terminals are reviewed. Having studied this chapter, the reader is able to answer questions like: · Which network will be capable to transmit real-time video? · Does a rainfall interrupt my mobile satellite Internet connection? · When will high bandwidth, wireless networks be operational? · How to tune existing multimedia applications to be efficient in wireless networks? The chapter is closed by a glossary of terms, a reference list to in-detail literature and a list of Web sites of companies and organizations providing useful information.