Future broadband radio access systems for integrated services with flexible resource management

The current challenge in radio networks is to provide integrated broadband services to everybody. The realization of this goal is dependent on both th e development of products for the mass market and the improvement of the sy stems that support these products. New cellular mobile, fixed terrestrial, and satellite systems are being developed to provide broadband integrated s ervices. The users of these new systems will not need, or even want, to kno w which particular systems are used to access the requested services. The u sers may negotiate terms of delivery, such as data rate and quality of serv ice, but the actual system of delivery should be transparent. In order to b oth achieve transparent service delivery and ensure efficient use of the ra dio frequency spectrum, a flexible and scaleable resource management system is needed. This article highlights the development trends that will form t he basis of future network systems and presents some suggestions for the ma nagement and control of these systems.