QualNet
Sensor Networks
Library
QualNet’s new Sensor Networks Library is a much
awaited feature set that supports the IEEE 802.15.4
standard, otherwise known as Zigbee. Zigbee
networks are Wireless Personal Area Networks
(WPANs) that are defi ned by a low data rate,
long battery life, and secure networking. Zigbee
networks support automation and remote control
Today wireless is becoming the leader in communication choices among
users. It is not anymore a backup solution for nomadic travellers but really a
newmoodnaturallyusedeverywhereevenwhenthewiredcommunicationsare
possible. Many technologies evolve then continuously, changing the telecom-
munication world. We talk about wireless local area networks (WLANs), wire-
less personal area networks (WPANs), wireless metropolitan area networks
(WMANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), mobile ad hoc networks
(MANETs), wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and mesh networks. Since we
can find today a multitude of wireless technologies we decided to group a
numberofcomplementarytechnologiesintoonedocumenttomakeiteasierfor
areadertounderstandsomeofthetechnicaldetailsofeachmedia.
During the past three decades, the world has seen signifi cant changes in the telecom-
munications industry. There has been rapid growth in wireless communications, as
seen by large expansion in mobile systems. Wireless communications have moved
from fi rst-generation (1G) systems primarily focused on voice communications to
third-generation (3G) systems dealing with Internet connectivity and multi-media
applications. The fourth-generation (4G) systems will be designed to connect wire-
less personal area networks (WPANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs) and
wireless wide-area networks (WWANs).
This book paves the path toward fourth generation (4G) mobile communica-
tion by introducing mobility in heterogeneous IP networks with both third
generation (3G) and wireless local area networks (WLANs), which is seen as
one of the central issues in the becoming 4G of telecommunications networks
and systems. This book presents a thorough overview of 3G networks and
standards and discusses interworking and handover mechanisms between
WLANs and the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS).
