Wireless mobile communications at the start of the 21st century

At the start of the 21st century, the wireless mobile markets are witnessin g unprecedented growth fueled by an information explosion and a technology revolution. In the radio frequency arena, the trend is to move from narrowb and to wideband with a family of standards tailored to a variety of applica tion needs. Many enabling technologies including wideband code-division mul tiple access, software-defined radio, intelligent antennas, and digital pro cessing devices are greatly improving the spectral efficiency of third-gene ration systems. In the mobile network area, the trend is to move from tradi tional circuit-switched systems to packet-switched programmable networks th at integrate both voice and packet services, and eventually evolve toward a n all-IF network. Furthermore, accompanied by wireless mobile location tech nology, wireless mobile Internet is expected to revolutionize the services that can be provided to consumers in the right place and at the right time. Wireless mobile communications may not only complement the well-establishe d wireline network; it may also become a serious competitor in years to com e. In this article we briefly review the history of the wireless mobile com munications, examine the current progress in standards and technologies, an d discuss possible trends for wireless mobile solutions.