Literature, courses or any other material on cellular networks for a beginner?

Question

Books

I want to learn about cellular networks: how they work, what protocols are used, how they are configured, etc. Where do I start? What are some good courses or literature?

Answer 1

The question is how deep a beginner wants to understand the topic.
If the introductory articles found by longclaps seem too superficial... There's
just too much stuff in there.
I have been working in a mobile operator for more than ten years, but I still know the operation of radio and voice services, for example, rather superficially.
Well, if right off the bat and in large strokes, then the modern mobile network is:
- three different generations of radio: GERAN (GSM), UTRAN (3G), EUTRAN (LTE) and mechanisms for interaction between generations
- the classic 2G / 3G voice subsystem, CSFB crutch /RIM for pushing the subscriber to the GSM / 3G network from LTE to make a call, and generally unlike anything VoLTE / IMS
- your own troubles in the 2G/3G/LTE mobile Internet, including exotics like MBMS mobile multicast
- integrated Wi-Fi
- online billing
- DPI
From the signaling protocols, you will have to understand:
- SS7 (for 2G/3G)
- Diameter (billing / DPI /LTE)
- RADIUS
- every little thing spoiling life like BSSAP, S1AP, GTP-C / GTP-U)
In general, one book about everything at once, most likely, is not in nature due to too much coverage. And, in general, mobile communication networks are a university specialty for four years of study) I
propose to start with review articles, understand what is closer to you, and only then begin to delve into the direction of interest.
I was also highly praised for the deep approach to the theory of the courses given to engineers of telecom operators from Huawei.