Take a comprehensive look at the land-based infrastructure and networking of the global system for mobile communications with this practical guide. You'll see the complete picture — starting with an introduction to the rapidly growing industry of cellular radio, progressing to the development of the digital cellular radio system, and proceeding to a study of the fundamental issues, including the GSM architecture, protocols, and time and frequency domain representation of GSM. You'll find new, detailed information in the technical explanation of the hardware and software configurations and functions of the mobile switching center (MSC), base transceiver station (BTS), operations and maintenance center (OMC), and mobile station (MS) sub-systems. GSM System Engineering is the first book in the field to discuss and explore all aspects of the important engineering issues of: • Mobility management • Subscriber management • Security management • Network maintenance In addition to this complete overview of the system, you'll learn how to use the information yourself. You'll quickly master the basics of a typical advanced (second generation) cellular system and you'll find a detailed, practical example of an international time-division multiple access (TDMA) system, which will equip you with all the tools you need to perform system engineering on cellular TDMA systems. Through this study of GSM engineering, you'll start to understand why PCS is required, and what the future of the mobile telecommunications industry will hold. Indispensible for professional engineers working in TDMA systems, GSM System Engineering will alsobe a valuable reference for all engineers in mobile communications, for instructors of courses in TDMA systems and GSM, and for undergraduate and graduate students in cellular radio. Includes 200 illustrations and 400 equations.