BKHSWAAL.RVW   20000217

"High-Speed Wireless ATM and LANs", Benny Bing, 2000, 1-58053-092-3,
U$75.00
%A   Benny Bing bennybing@onebox.com
%C   685 Canton St., Norwood, MA   02062
%D   2000
%G   1-58053-092-3
%I   Artech House/Horizon
%O   U$75.00 617-769-9750 fax: +1-617-769-6334 artech@artech-house.com
%P   249 p.
%T   "High-Speed Wireless ATM and LANs"

The preface promises a concise discussion of wireless data
technologies.  The book delivers.

Chapter one limits the scope of the book a bit further, by restricting
the material to local (small extent and non-cellular) arrangements,
but gives a good introduction to wireless LANs, and a very good
overview of propagation problems.  Classification of wireless LANs is
covered in chapter two, and although most of the time is spent with
spread spectrum technologies, even infrared gets a mention. 
Implementation lists components, deployment considerations, and
performance tuning in chapter three.  It also discusses, oddly late in
the book, applications and benefits of wireless LANs.  Chapter four
deals with WLAN standards, including 802.11, HIPERLAN, HomeRF SWAP
(Shared Wireless Access Protocol), Bluetooth, and others.  Performance
evaluation, in chapter five, provides detailed test specifications for
some products.

Chapter six opens the discussion of wireless ATM (Asynchronous
Transfer Mode) technologies, looking at a variety of implementations,
and briefly introducing satellite systems.  Wireless ATM
standardization is covered in chapter seven.

In a brief space, Bing has provided a clear and readable introduction
to the topic.  The illustrations are unusually useful and informative,
in comparison to so many authors who seem to throw in figures only to
fill up room on the page.  When Bing uses a graphic, it is clear and
generally self-explanatory, but is also clearly lablelled and
captioned.  The text is succinct and simple enough for the needs of
the busy manager, but still provides the technical specialist with
valuable information in regard to selection and deployment.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 2000   BKHSWAAL.RVW   20000217