This book is an in-depth, systematic and structured technical reference on 3GPP's LTE-Advanced (or LTE-Release 10 and beyond), covering theory, technologies and implementation, written by an author who has been involved in the inception and development of these technologies for nearly 20 years. The book not only describes the operation of individual components but also shows how they fit into the system and operate from a systems perspective. Uniquely, this book gives in-depth information on upper protocol layers, implementation and deployment issues, and services, making it very suitable for engineers who are implementing the technology into future products and services A description of the whole system from a top-down perspective- to give an understanding of how the whole system works - together with detailed algorithmic descriptions of the individual components' operation. Strong emphasis on implementation and deployment scenarios, making this a very practical book Covers all the essential system functionalities, features, and their inter-operation based on a clear protocol structure. Covers fully the latest Release 11 Clear and concise descriptions of the underlying principles to better understand the operation of the system's components. Gives understanding and insight into the advanced technologies underlying LTE-Advanced: multi-antenna signal processing, over-the-air transmission methods, extremely high data rates over broadband wireless channels, real-time and non-real-time wireless multimedia technologies in high-mobility wireless applications. Comparison of IEEE 802.16e/m, 3GPP HSPA+ with 3GPP LTE/LTE Advanced, showing similarities and differences Includes topics that are being considered for mobile systems beyond IMT-Advanced: cooperative communications, cloud communications, cloud services, green RAN, cognitive Radios, and software defined radio.