6

Communication Networks

Technological advances during the past hundred years have led to the pervasive deployment of networking technologies that allow for the delivery of a wide array of services. Video services, and in particular 3D video, can be transmitted through all the main types of networks currently in existence. In this chapter we highlight some of the most important network technologies by providing an introduction to the main concepts that will be used and expanded in the following chapters. We will first discuss IP technology as it supports networking services for all types of networks, both wired and wireless. After this, the rest of the chapter will cover different wireless communication technology, leading to and concluding with an introduction to 4G wireless standards.