Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access

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a sector antenna and wireless modem

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WiMAXFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Mobile WiMAX)

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless communications standard designed to provide 30 to 40

megabit-per-second data rates,[1] with the 2011 update providing up to 1 Gbit/s[1] for fixed stations. The name "WiMAX" was created bythe WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard. The forum describesWiMAX as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and

DSL".[2]

Contents

1 Terminology

2 Uses

2.1 Internet access

2.2 Middle-mile backhaul to fibre networks

2.3 Triple-play

3 Connecting

3.1 Gateways

3.2 External modems

3.3 Mobile phones

4 Technical information

4.1 The IEEE 802.16 Standard

4.2 Physical layer

4.3 Media access control layer

4.4 Specifications

4.5 Integration with an IP-based network

4.6 Spectrum allocation

4.7 Spectral efficiency

4.8 Inherent limitations

4.9 Silicon implementations

4.10 Comparison

5 Conformance testing

6 Associations

6.1 WiMAX Forum

6.2 WiMAX Spectrum Owners Alliance

6.3 Telecommunications Industry Association

7 Competing technologies

7.1 Harmonization

7.2 Comparison with other mobile Internet standards

8 Development

9 Interference

10 Deployments

11 See also

12 Notes

13 References

14 External links

Terminology

WiMAX refers to interoperable implementations of the IEEE 802.16 family of wireless-networks standards ratified by the WiMAX Forum. (Similarly, Wi-Fi refers to interoperableimplementations of the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance.) WiMAX Forum certification allows vendors to sell fixed or mobile products as WiMAX certified,thus ensuring a level of interoperability with other certified products, as long as they fit the same profile.

The original IEEE 802.16 standard (now called "Fixed WiMAX") was published in 2001. WiMAX adopted some of its technology from WiBro, a service marketed in Korea.[3]

Mobile WiMAX (originally based on 802.16e-2005) is the revision that was deployed in many countries, and basis of future revisions such as 802.16m-2011.

WiMAX is sometimes referred to as "Wi-Fi on steroids"[4] and can be used for a number of applications including broadband connections, cellular backhaul, hotspots, etc. It is similar to Wi-Fi,

but it can enable usage at much greater distances.[5]

Uses

The bandwidth and range of WiMAX make it suitable for the following potential applications:

Providing portable mobile broadband connectivity across cities and countries through a variety of devices.

Providing a wireless alternative to cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) for "last mile" broadband access.

Providing data, telecommunications (VoIP) and IPTV services (triple play).

Providing a source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan.

Smart grids and metering

Internet access

WiMAX can provide at-home or mobile Internet access across whole cities or countries. In many cases this has resulted in competition in markets which typically only had access through anexisting incumbent DSL (or similar) operator.

Additionally, given the relatively low costs associated with the deployment of a WiMAX network (in comparison with 3G, HSDPA, xDSL, HFC or FTTx), it is now economically viable toprovide last-mile broadband Internet access in remote locations.

Middle-mile backhaul to fibre networks

Mobile WiMAX was a replacement candidate for cellular phone technologies such as GSM and CDMA, or can be used as an overlay to increase capacity. Fixed WiMAX is also considered

as a wireless backhaul technology for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks in both developed and developing nations.[6][7]

In North America, backhaul for urban operations is typically provided via one or more copper wire line connections, whereas remote cellular operations are sometimes backhauled via satellite.In other regions, urban and rural backhaul is usually provided by microwave links. (The exception to this is where the network is operated by an incumbent with ready access to the coppernetwork.) WiMAX has more substantial backhaul bandwidth requirements than legacy cellular applications. Consequently the use of wireless microwave backhaul is on the rise in North

America and existing microwave backhaul links in all regions are being upgraded.[8] Capacities of between 34 Mbit/s and 1 Gbit/s [9] are routinely being deployed with latencies in the order of1 ms.

In many cases, operators are aggregating sites using wireless technology and then presenting traffic on to fiber networks where convenient. WiMAX in this application competes withmicrowave, E-line and simple extension of the fiber network itself.

Triple-play

WiMAX directly supports the technologies that make triple-play service offerings possible (such as Quality of Service and Multicasting). These are inherent to the WiMAX standard rather thanbeing added on as Carrier Ethernet is to Ethernet.

On May 7, 2008 in the United States, Sprint Nextel, Google, Intel, Comcast, Bright House, and Time Warner announced a pooling of an average of 120 MHz of spectrum and merged withClearwire to market the service. The new company hopes to benefit from combined services offerings and network resources as a springboard past its competitors. The cable companies willprovide media services to other partners while gaining access to the wireless network as a Mobile virtual network operator to provide triple-play services.

Some analysts questioned how the deal will work out: Although fixed-mobile convergence has been a recognized factor in the industry, prior attempts to form partnerships among wireless andcable companies have generally failed to lead to significant benefits to the participants. Other analysts point out that as wireless progresses to higher bandwidth, it inevitably competes moredirectly with cable and DSL, inspiring competitors into collaboration. Also, as wireless broadband networks grow denser and usage habits shift, the need for increased backhaul and mediaservice will accelerate, therefore the opportunity to leverage cable assets is expected to increase.

Connecting

Devices that provide connectivity to a WiMAX network are known as subscriber stations (SS).

Portable units include handsets (similar to cellular smartphones); PC peripherals (PC Cards or USB dongles); and embedded devices in laptops, which are now available for Wi-Fi services. Inaddition, there is much emphasis by operators on consumer electronics devices such as Gaming consoles, MP3 players and similar devices. WiMAX is more similar to Wi-Fi than to other 3Gcellular technologies.

A WiMAX USB modem for

mobile internet

The WiMAX Forum website provides a list of certified devices. However, this is not a complete list of devices available as certified modules are embeddedinto laptops, MIDs (Mobile Internet devices), and other private labeled devices.

Gateways

WiMAX gateway devices are available as both indoor and outdoor versions from several manufacturers including Vecima Networks, Alvarion, Airspan,

ZyXEL, Huawei, and Motorola. The list of deployed WiMAX networks and WiMAX Forum membership list [10] provide more links to specific vendors,products and installations. The list of vendors and networks is not comprehensive and is not intended as an endorsement of these companies aboveothers.

Many of the WiMAX gateways that are offered by manufactures such as these are stand-alone self-install indoor units. Such devices typically sit near the customer's window with the best signal,and provide:

An integrated Wi-Fi access point to provide the WiMAX Internet connectivity to multiple devices throughout the home or business.

Ethernet ports to connect directly to a computer, router, printer or DVR on a local wired network.

One or two analog telephone jacks to connect a land-line phone and take advantage of VoIP.

Indoor gateways are convenient, but radio losses mean that the subscriber may need to be significantly closer to the WiMAX base station than with professionally installed external units.

Outdoor units are roughly the size of a laptop PC, and their installation is comparable to the installation of a residential satellite dish. A higher-gain directional outdoor unit will generally result ingreatly increased range and throughput but with the obvious loss of practical mobility of the unit.

External modems

USB can provide connectivity to a WiMAX network through what is called a dongle.[11] Generally these devices are connected to a notebook or net book computer. Dongles typically haveomnidirectional antennas which are of lower gain compared to other devices, as such these devices are best used in areas of good coverage.

Mobile phones

HTC announced the first WiMAX enabled mobile phone, the Max 4G, on November 12, 2008.[12] The device was only available to certain markets in Russia on the Yota network.

HTC and Sprint Nextel released the second WiMAX enabled mobile phone, the EVO 4G, March 23, 2010 at the CTIA conference in Las Vegas. The device, made available on June 4,

2010,[13] is capable of both EV-DO(3G) and WiMAX(pre-4G) as well as simultaneous data & voice sessions. Sprint Nextel announced at CES 2012 that it will no longer be offering devicesusing the WiMAX technology due to financial circumstances, instead, along with its network partner Clearwire, Sprint Nextel will roll out a 4G network deciding to shift and utilize LTE 4Gtechnology instead.

Technical information

The IEEE 802.16 Standard

WiMAX is based upon IEEE Std 802.16e-2005,[14] approved in December 2005. It is a supplement to the IEEE Std 802.16-2004,[15] and so the actual standard is 802.16-2004 as amendedby 802.16e-2005. Thus, these specifications need to be considered together.

IEEE 802.16e-2005 improves upon IEEE 802.16-2004 by:

Adding support for mobility (soft and hard handover between base stations). This is seen as one of the most important aspects of 802.16e-2005, and is the very basis of Mobile

WiMAX.

Scaling of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to the channel bandwidth in order to keep the carrier spacing constant across different channel bandwidths (typically 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz,

10 MHz or 20 MHz). Constant carrier spacing results in a higher spectrum efficiency in wide channels, and a cost reduction in narrow channels. Also known as scalable OFDMA

(SOFDMA). Other bands not multiples of 1.25 MHz are defined in the standard, but because the allowed FFT subcarrier numbers are only 128, 512, 1024 and 2048, other frequency

bands will not have exactly the same carrier spacing, which might not be optimal for implementations. Carrier spacing is 10.94 kHz.

Advanced antenna diversity schemes, and hybrid automatic repeat-request (HARQ)

Adaptive antenna systems (AAS) and MIMO technology

Denser sub-channelization, thereby improving indoor penetration

Intro and low-density parity check (LDPC)

Introducing downlink sub-channelization, allowing administrators to trade coverage for capacity or vice versa

Adding an extra quality of service (QoS) class for VoIP applications.

SOFDMA (used in 802.16e-2005) and OFDM256 (802.16d) are not compatible thus equipment will have to be replaced if an operator is to move to the later standard (e.g., Fixed WiMAXto Mobile WiMAX).

Physical layer

The original version of the standard on which WiMAX is based (IEEE 802.16) specified a physical layer operating in the 10 to 66 GHz range. 802.16a, updated in 2004 to 802.16-2004,

added specifications for the 2 to 11 GHz range. 802.16-2004 was updated by 802.16e-2005 in 2005 and uses scalable orthogonal frequency-division multiple access[16] (SOFDMA), asopposed to the fixed orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) version with 256 sub-carriers (of which 200 are used) in 802.16d. More advanced versions, including 802.16e, alsobring multiple antenna support through MIMO. (See WiMAX MIMO) This brings potential benefits in terms of coverage, self installation, power consumption, frequency re-use and bandwidth

efficiency. WiMax is the most energy-efficient pre-4G technique among LTE and HSPA+.[17]

Media access control layer

The WiMAX MAC uses a scheduling algorithm for which the subscriber station needs to compete only once for initial entry into the network. After network entry is allowed, the subscriberstation is allocated an access slot by the base station. The time slot can enlarge and contract, but remains assigned to the subscriber station, which means that other subscribers cannot use it. Inaddition to being stable under overload and over-subscription, the scheduling algorithm can also be more bandwidth efficient. The scheduling algorithm also allows the base station to controlQuality of Service (QoS) parameters by balancing the time-slot assignments among the application needs of the subscriber station.

Specifications

As a standard intended to satisfy needs of next-generation data networks (4G), WiMAX is distinguished by its dynamic burst algorithm modulation adaptive to the physical environment the RFsignal travels through. Modulation is chosen to be more spectrally efficient (more bits per OFDM/SOFDMA symbol). That is, when the bursts have a high signal strength and a high carrier tonoise plus interference ratio (CINR), they can be more easily decoded using digital signal processing (DSP). In contrast, operating in less favorable environments for RF communication, thesystem automatically steps down to a more robust mode (burst profile) which means fewer bits per OFDM/SOFDMA symbol; with the advantage that power per bit is higher and thereforesimpler accurate signal processing can be performed.

The WiMAX Forum architecture

Burst profiles are used inverse (algorithmically dynamic) to low signal attenuation; meaning throughput between clients and the base station is determined largely by distance. Maximum distanceis achieved by the use of the most robust burst setting; that is, the profile with the largest MAC frame allocation trade-off requiring more symbols (a larger portion of the MAC frame) to beallocated in transmitting a given amount of data than if the client were closer to the base station.

The client's MAC frame and their individual burst profiles are defined as well as the specific time allocation. However, even if this is done automatically then the practical deployment shouldavoid high interference and multipath environments. The reason for which is obviously that too much interference causes the network to function poorly and can also misrepresent the capabilityof the network.

The system is complex to deploy as it is necessary to track not only the signal strength and CINR (as in systems like GSM) but also how the available frequencies will be dynamically assigned(resulting in dynamic changes to the available bandwidth.) This could lead to cluttered frequencies with slow response times or lost frames.

As a result the system has to be initially designed in consensus with the base station product team to accurately project frequency use, interference, and general product functionality.

The Asia-Pacific region has surpassed the North American region in terms of 4G broadband wireless subscribers. There were around 1.7 million pre-WIMAX and WIMAX customers in Asia

- 29% of the overall market - compared to 1.4 million in the USA and Canada.[18]

Integration with an IP-based network

The WiMAX Forum has proposed an architecture that defines how a WiMAX network can be connected with an IP based corenetwork, which is typically chosen by operators that serve as Internet Service Providers (ISP); Nevertheless the WiMAX BSprovide seamless integration capabilities with other types of architectures as with packet switched Mobile Networks.

The WiMAX forum proposal defines a number of components, plus some of the interconnections (or reference points) betweenthese, labeled R1 to R5 and R8:

SS/MS: the Subscriber Station/Mobile Station

ASN: the Access Service Network[19]

BS: Base station, part of the ASN

ASN-GW: the ASN Gateway, part of the ASN

CSN: the Connectivity Service Network

HA: Home Agent, part of the CSN

AAA: Authentication, Authorization and Accounting Server, part of the CSN

NAP: a Network Access Provider

NSP: a Network Service Provider

It is important to note that the functional architecture can be designed into various hardware configurations rather than fixed configurations. For example, the architecture is flexible enough toallow remote/mobile stations of varying scale and functionality and Base Stations of varying size - e.g. femto, pico, and mini BS as well as macros.

Spectrum allocation

There is no uniform global licensed spectrum for WiMAX, however the WiMAX Forum has published three licensed spectrum profiles: 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz, in an effort to drivestandardisation and decrease cost.

In the USA, the biggest segment available is around 2.5 GHz,[20] and is already assigned, primarily to Sprint Nextel and Clearwire. Elsewhere in the world, the most-likely bands used will bethe Forum approved ones, with 2.3 GHz probably being most important in Asia. Some countries in Asia like India and Indonesia will use a mix of 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz and other frequencies.Pakistan's Wateen Telecom uses 3.5 GHz.

Analog TV bands (700 MHz) may become available for WiMAX usage, but await the complete roll out of digital TV, and there will be other uses suggested for that spectrum. In the USA the

FCC auction for this spectrum began in January 2008 and, as a result, the biggest share of the spectrum went to Verizon Wireless and the next biggest to AT&T.[21] Both of these companieshave stated their intention of supporting LTE, a technology which competes directly with WiMAX. EU commissioner Viviane Reding has suggested re-allocation of 500–800 MHz spectrum for

wireless communication, including WiMAX.[22]

WiMAX profiles define channel size, TDD/FDD and other necessary attributes in order to have inter-operating products. The current fixed profiles are defined for both TDD and FDD profiles.At this point, all of the mobile profiles are TDD only. The fixed profiles have channel sizes of 3.5 MHz, 5 MHz, 7 MHz and 10 MHz. The mobile profiles are 5 MHz, 8.75 MHz and 10 MHz.(Note: the 802.16 standard allows a far wider variety of channels, but only the above subsets are supported as WiMAX profiles.)

Since October 2007, the Radio communication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-R) has decided to include WiMAX technology in the IMT-2000 set of standards.[23]

This enables spectrum owners (specifically in the 2.5-2.69 GHz band at this stage) to use WiMAX equipment in any country that recognizes the IMT-2000.

Spectral efficiency

One of the significant advantages of advanced wireless systems such as WiMAX is spectral efficiency. For example, 802.16-2004 (fixed) has a spectral efficiency of 3.7 (bit/s)/Hertz, and other3.5–4G wireless systems offer spectral efficiencies that are similar to within a few tenths of a percent. The notable advantage of WiMAX comes from combining SOFDMA with smart antennatechnologies. This multiplies the effective spectral efficiency through multiple reuse and smart network deployment topologies. The direct use of frequency domain organization simplifies designsusing MIMO-AAS compared to CDMA/WCDMA methods, resulting in more effective systems.

Inherent limitations

WiMAX cannot deliver 70 Mbit/s over 50 km (31 mi). Like all wireless technologies, WiMAX can operate at higher bitrates or over longer distances but not both. Operating at the maximumrange of 50 km (31 mi) increases bit error rate and thus results in a much lower bitrate. Conversely, reducing the range (to under 1 km) allows a device to operate at higher bitrates.

A city-wide deployment of WiMAX in Perth, Australia demonstrated that customers at the cell-edge with an indoor Customer-premises equipment (CPE) typically obtain speeds of around 1–4 Mbit/s, with users closer to the cell site obtaining speeds of up to 30 Mbit/s.

Like all wireless systems, available bandwidth is shared between users in a given radio sector, so performance could deteriorate in the case of many active users in a single sector. However,with adequate capacity planning and the use of WiMAX's Quality of Service, a minimum guaranteed throughput for each subscriber can be put in place. In practice, most users will have a rangeof 4-8 Mbit/s services and additional radio cards will be added to the base station to increase the number of users that may be served as required.

Silicon implementations

A number of specialized companies produced baseband ICs and integrated RFICs for WiMAX Subscriber Stations in the 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5 GHz bands (refer to 'Spectrum allocation' above).These companies include, but are not limited to, Beceem, Sequans, and PicoChip.

Comparison

Comparisons and confusion between WiMAX and Wi-Fi are frequent, because both are related to wireless connectivity and Internet access.[24]

Picture of a WiMAX MIMO board

WiMAX is a long range system, covering many kilometres, that uses licensed or unlicensed spectrum to deliver connection to a network, in most cases the Internet.

Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum to provide access to a local network.

Wi-Fi is more popular in end user devices.

Wi-Fi runs on the Media Access Control's CSMA/CA protocol, which is connectionless and contention based, whereas WiMAX runs a connection-oriented MAC.

WiMAX and Wi-Fi have quite different quality of service (QoS) mechanisms:

WiMAX uses a QoS mechanism based on connections between the base station and the user device. Each connection is based on

specific scheduling algorithms.

Wi-Fi uses contention access — all subscriber stations that wish to pass data through a wireless access point (AP) are competing for the

AP's attention on a random interrupt basis. This can cause subscriber stations distant from the AP to be repeatedly interrupted by closer

stations, greatly reducing their throughput.

Both IEEE 802.11, which includes Wi-Fi, and IEEE 802.16, which includes WiMAX, define Peer-to-Peer (P2P) and wireless ad hoc

networks, where an end user communicates to users or servers on another Local Area Network (LAN) using its access point or base station.

However, 802.11 supports also direct ad hoc or peer to peer networking between end user devices without an access point while 802.16 end

user devices must be in range of the base station.

Although Wi-Fi and WiMAX are designed for different situations, they are complementary. WiMAX network operators typically provide a WiMAXSubscriber Unit that connects to the metropolitan WiMAX network and provides Wi-Fi connectivity within the home or business for local devices, e.g., computers, Wi-Fi handsets andsmartphones. This enables the user to place the WiMAX Subscriber Unit in the best reception area, such as a window, and still be able to use the WiMAX network from any place within theirresidence.

The local area network inside one's house or business would operate as with any other wired or wireless network. If one were to connect the WiMAX Subscriber Unit directly to a WiMAX-enabled computer, that would limit access to a single device. As an alternative for a LAN, one could purchase a WiMAX modem with a built-in wireless Wi-Fi router, allowing one to connectmultiple devices to create a LAN.

Using WiMAX could be an advantage, since it is typically faster than most cable modems with download speeds between 3 and 6 Mbit/s, and generally costs less than cable.

Conformance testing

TTCN-3 test specification language is used for the purposes of specifying conformance tests for WiMAX implementations. The WiMAX test suite is being developed by a Specialist Task

Force at ETSI (STF 252).[25]

Associations

WiMAX Forum

The WiMAX Forum is a non profit organization formed to promote the adoption of WiMAX compatible products and services.[26]

A major role for the organization is to certify the interoperability of WiMAX products.[27] Those that pass conformance and interoperability testing achieve the "WiMAX Forum Certified"designation, and can display this mark on their products and marketing materials. Some vendors claim that their equipment is "WiMAX-ready", "WiMAX-compliant", or "pre-WiMAX", if theyare not officially WiMAX Forum Certified.

WiSOA logo

Speed vs. mobility of wireless systems: Wi-Fi, High

Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Universal Mobile

Telecommunications System (UMTS), GSM

Another role of the WiMAX Forum is to promote the spread of knowledge about WiMAX. In order to do so, it has a certified training program that is currently offered in English and French. Italso offers a series of member events and endorses some industry events.

WiMAX Spectrum Owners Alliance

WiSOA was the first global organization composed exclusively of owners of WiMAX spectrum with plans to deploy WiMAX technology in those bands. WiSOAfocused on the regulation, commercialisation, and deployment of WiMAX spectrum in the 2.3–2.5 GHz and the 3.4–3.5 GHz ranges. WiSOA merged with the

Wireless Broadband Alliance in April 2008. [28]

Telecommunications Industry Association

In 2011, the Telecommunications Industry Association released three technical standards (TIA-1164, TIA-1143, and TIA-1140) that cover the air interface and core networking aspects of

Wi-Max High-Rate Packet Data (HRPD) systems using a Mobile Station/Access Terminal (MS/AT) with a single transmitter.[29]

Competing technologies

Within the marketplace, WiMAX's main competition came from existing, widely deployed wireless systems such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), CDMA2000,existing Wi-Fi and mesh networking.

In the future, competition will be from the evolution of the major cellular standards to 4G, high-bandwidth, low-latency, all-IPnetworks with voice services built on top. The worldwide move to 4G for GSM/UMTS and AMPS/TIA (including CDMA2000) isthe 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) effort.

The LTE Standard was finalized in December 2008, with the first commercial deployment of LTE carried out by TeliaSonera inOslo and Stockholm in December, 2009. Since then, LTE has seen increasing adoption by mobile carriers around the world.

In some areas of the world, the wide availability of UMTS and a general desire for standardization has meant spectrum has not beenallocated for WiMAX: in July 2005, the EU-wide frequency allocation for WiMAX was blocked.

Harmonization

Early WirelessMAN standards, The European standard HiperMAN and Korean standard WiBro were harmonized as part ofWiMAX and are no longer seen as competition but as complementary. All networks now being deployed in South Korea, the homeof the WiBro standard, are now WiMAX.

Comparison with other mobile Internet standards

The following table only shows peak rates which are potentially very misleading. In addition, the comparisons listed are not normalized by physical channel size (i.e., spectrum used to achievethe listed peak rates); this obfuscates spectral efficiency and net through-put capabilities of the different wireless technologies listed below.

Comparison of mobile Internet access methods

Common

NameFamily

Primary

UseRadio Tech

Downstream

(Mbit/s)

Upstream

(Mbit/s)Notes

21 5.8

HSPA+ 3GPP 3G DataCDMA/FDDMIMO

42

84672

11.5

22168

HSPA+ is widely deployed. Revision 11 of the 3GPP states that HSPA+ isexpected to have a throughput capacity of 672 Mbit/s.

LTE 3GPP General 4GOFDMA/MIMO/SC-

FDMA

100 Cat3

150 Cat4

300 Cat5

(in 20 MHz

FDD) [30]

50 Cat3/475 Cat5

(in 20 MHz

FDD)[30]

LTE-Advanced update expected to offer peak rates up to 1 Gbit/s fixed speedsand 100 Mb/s to mobile users.

WiMax rel 1 802.16 WirelessMAN MIMO-SOFDMA37 (10 MHz

TDD)

17 (10 MHz

TDD)With 2x2 MIMO.[31]

WiMax rel 1.5 802.16-2009 WirelessMAN MIMO-SOFDMA

83 (20 MHz

TDD)

141 (2x20 MHz

FDD)

46 (20 MHz

TDD)

138

(2x20 MHz

FDD)

With 2x2 MIMO.Enhanced with 20 MHz channels in 802.16-2009[31]

WiMAX rel 2 802.16m WirelessMAN MIMO-SOFDMA

2x2 MIMO

110 (20 MHz

TDD)

183 (2x20 MHz

FDD)

4x4 MIMO

219 (20 MHz

TDD)365 (2x20 MHz

FDD)

2x2 MIMO70 (20 MHz

TDD)

188

(2x20 MHz

FDD)

4x4 MIMO

140

(20 MHz

TDD)376

(2x20 MHz

FDD)

Also, low mobility users can aggregate multiple channels to get a download

throughput of up to 1 Gbit/s[31]

Flash-OFDM Flash-OFDM

Mobile Internet

mobility up to

200 mph(350 km/h)

Flash-OFDM

5.3

10.615.9

1.8

3.65.4

Mobile range 30 km (18 miles)

extended range 55 km (34 miles)

HIPERMAN HIPERMAN Mobile Internet OFDM 56.9

Wi-Fi802.11

(11n)Mobile Internet OFDM/MIMO

288.8 (using 4x4 configuration

in 20 MHz bandwidth) or 600

(using 4x4 configuration in40 MHz bandwidth)

Antenna, RF front end enhancements and minor protocol timer tweaks havehelped deploy long range P2P networks compromising on radial coverage,throughput and/or spectra efficiency (310 km(http://www.alvarion.com/index.php/en/news-a-events/global-press-

releases/948-worlds-longest-wi-fi-connection-made-by-the-swedish-space-corporation) & 382 km(http://www.eslared.org.ve/articulos/Long%20Distance%20WiFi%20Trial.pdf))

iBurst 802.20 Mobile InternetHC-

SDMA/TDD/MIMO95 36

Cell Radius: 3–12 km

Speed: 250 km/h

Spectral Efficiency: 13 bits/s/Hz/cellSpectrum Reuse Factor: "1"

EDGE Evolution GSM Mobile Internet TDMA/FDD 1.6 0.5 3GPP Release 7

UMTS W-CDMA

HSPA

(HSDPA+HSUPA)

UMTS/3GSM General 3G

CDMA/FDD

CDMA/FDD/MIMO

0.384

14.4

0.384

5.76

HSDPA is widely deployed. Typical downlink rates today 2 Mbit/s,

~200 kbit/s uplink; HSPA+ downlink up to 56 Mbit/s.

UMTS-TDD UMTS/3GSM Mobile Internet CDMA/TDD 16

Reported speeds according to IPWireless

(http://www.ipwireless.com/technology/) using 16QAM modulation similar to

HSDPA+HSUPA

EV-DO Rel. 0

EV-DO Rev.A

EV-DO Rev.BCDMA2000 Mobile Internet CDMA/FDD

2.45

3.1

4.9xN

0.15

1.8

1.8xN

Rev B note: N is the number of 1.25 MHz carriers used. EV-DO is not

designed for voice, and requires a fallback to 1xRTT when a voice call isplaced or received.

Notes: All speeds are theoretical maximums and will vary by a number of factors, including the use of external antennas, distance from the tower and the ground speed (e.g. communications on atrain may be poorer than when standing still). Usually the bandwidth is shared between several terminals. The performance of each technology is determined by a number of constraints, includingthe spectral efficiency of the technology, the cell sizes used, and the amount of spectrum available. For more information, see Comparison of wireless data standards.

For more comparison tables, see bit rate progress trends, comparison of mobile phone standards, spectral efficiency comparison table and OFDM system comparison table.

Development

The IEEE 802.16m-2011 standard[32] was the core technology for WiMAX 2. The IEEE 802.16m standard was submitted to the ITU for IMT-Advanced standardization.[33] IEEE 802.16mis one of the major candidates for IMT-Advanced technologies by ITU. Among many enhancements, IEEE 802.16m systems can provide four times faster data speed than the WiMAXRelease 1.

WiMAX Release 2 provided backward compatibility with Release 1. WiMAX operators could migrate from release 1 to release 2 by upgrading channel cards or software. The WiMAX 2

Collaboration Initiative was formed to help this transition.[34]

It was anticipated that using 4X2 MIMO in the urban microcell scenario with only a single 20 MHz TDD channel available system wide, the 802.16m system can support both 120 Mbit/s

downlink and 60 Mbit/s uplink per site simultaneously. It was expected that the WiMAX Release 2 would be available commercially in the 2011–2012 timeframe.[35]

Interference

A field test conducted in 2007 by SUIRG (Satellite Users Interference Reduction Group) with support from the U.S. Navy, the Global VSAT Forum, and several member organizations yielded

results showing interference at 12 km when using the same channels for both the WiMAX systems and satellites in C-band.[36]

Deployments

As of October 2010, the WiMAX Forum claimed over 592 WiMAX (fixed and mobile) networks deployed in over 148 countries, covering over 621 million subscribers.[37] By February

2011, the WiMAX Forum cited coverage of over 823 million people, and estimate over 1 billion subscribers by the end of the year.[38]

South Korea launched a WiMAX network in the 2nd quarter of 2006. By the end of 2008 there were 350,000 WiMAX subscribers in Korea.[39]

Worldwide, by early 2010 WiMAX seemed to be ramping quickly relative to other available technologies, though access in North America lagged.[40] Yota, the largest WiMAX network

operator in the world in 4Q 2009,[41] announced in May 2010 that it will move new network deployments to LTE and, subsequently, change its existing networks as well.[42]

A study published September 2010 by Blycroft Publishing estimated 800 management contracts from 364 WiMAX operations worldwide offering active services (launched or still trading as

opposed to just licensed and still to launch).[43]

See also

Notes

List of deployed WiMAX networks

Mobile broadband

WiBro (mobile WiMax in Korea)

Super Wi-Fi

Municipal broadband

Mobile VoIP

Evolved HSPA

High-Speed Packet Access

Packet Burst Broadband

Switched mesh

Wireless bridge

Wireless local loop

Cognitive radio

1. ̂a b Carl Weinschenk (April 16, 2010). "Speeding Up WiMax" (http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/community/features/interviews/blog/speeding-up-wimax/?cs=40726). IT Business Edge.

Retrieved August 31, 2011. "Today the initial WiMax system is designed to provide 30 to 40 megabit-per-second data rates."

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Communications Conference. Washington, DC: ieee802.org. Retrieved August 26, 2011.

4. ^ Walton, Marsha (2006-03-31). "Is 'Wi-Fi on steroids' really the next big thing?" (http://articles.cnn.com/2005-10-17/tech/wireless.wimax_1_wi-fi-georgia-s-new-media-institute-scott-shamp?

4. ^ Walton, Marsha (2006-03-31). "Is 'Wi-Fi on steroids' really the next big thing?" (http://articles.cnn.com/2005-10-17/tech/wireless.wimax_1_wi-fi-georgia-s-new-media-institute-scott-shamp?

_s=PM:TECH). CNN.

5. ^ Municipal Broadband: Challenges and Perspectives (http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/fedcom59&div=8&g_sent=1&collection=journals)

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03.

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11. ^ "dongle" (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dongle). Wiktionary. Wiktionary - the free dictionary. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.

12. ^ "Scartel And Htc Launch World’S First Integrated Gsm/Wimax Handset" (http://web.archive.org/web/20081122174257/http://www.htc.com/www/press.aspx?id=76204&lang=1033). News

release (HTC Corporation). November 12, 2008. Archived from the original (http://www.htc.com/www/press.aspx?id=76204&lang=1033) on November 22, 2008. Retrieved August 26, 2011.

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Retrieved 2010-10-13.

14. ^ "IEEE 802.16e Task Group (Mobile WirelessMAN)" (http://www.ieee802.org/16/tge/). ieee802.org. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

15. ^ "IEEE 802.16 Task Group d" (http://www.ieee802.org/16/tgd/). ieee802.org. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

16. ^ Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies. OFDM has developed into a popular scheme for wideband digital

communication, whether wireless or over copper wires, used in applications such as digital television and audio broadcasting.

17. ^ "IEEE Xplore - Comparison of power consumption of mobile WiMAX, HSPA and LTE access networks" (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=5557715). Ieeexplore.ieee.org.

doi:10.1109/CTTE.2010.5557715 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1109%2FCTTE.2010.5557715). Retrieved October 30, 2012.

18. ^ "Asia takes the lead in the 4G market" (http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=33959). Telegeography.com. August 5, 2010. Retrieved October 30, 2012.

19. ^ "The Access Service Network in WiMAX: The Role of ASN-GW" (http://www.mustafaergen.com/asn-gw.pdf). mustafaergen.com. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

20. ^ "U.S. Frequency Allocation Chart" (http://www.ntia.doc.gov/osmhome/allochrt.pdf). Department of Commerce. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

21. ^ "Auctions Schedule" (http://wireless.fcc.gov/auctions/default.htm?job=auctions_sched). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2008-01-08.

22. ^ "European Commission proposes TV spectrum for WiMax" (http://www.zdnetasia.com/news/communications/0,39044192,62021021,00.htm). zdnetasia.com. Retrieved 2008-01-08.

23. ^ "ITU Radiocommunication Assembly approves new developments for its 3G standards" (http://www.itu.int/newsroom/press_releases/2007/30.html). itu.int. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

24. ^ WiMAX vs. WiFi (http://www.circleid.com/posts/92208_wimax_vs_wifi/). Circleid.com (2008-02-20). Retrieved on 2013-09-18.

25. ^ "HiperMAN / WiMAX Testing" (http://www.etsi.org/WebSite/technologies/HiperMAN-WiMAXTesting.aspx). ETSI. Retrieved 2008-03-28.

26. ^ "WiMAX Forum Overview" (http://www.wimaxforum.org/about). Retrieved 2008-08-01.

27. ^ "WiMAX Forum — Frequently Asked Questions" (http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/faq). wimaxforum.org. Retrieved 2008-03-12.

28. ^ "WBA and WiSOA join efforts on WiMAX global roaming" (http://www.wimaxday.net/site/2008/04/24/wba-and-wisoa-join-efforts-on-wimax-global-roaming). Retrieved 2008-12-10.

29. ^ Technical standards (http://global.ihs.com/doc_detail.cfm?

currency_code=USD&customer_id=2125442B2E0A&oshid=2125442B2B0A&shopping_cart_id=292558332D4B50304F5A3D3F2C0A&country_code=US&lang_code=ENGL&item_s_key=005760

92&item_key_date=900731&input_doc_number=TIA-1164&input_doc_title=)

30. ̂a b "LTE" (http://www.3gpp.org/article/lte). 3GPP web site. 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2011.

31. ̂a b c "WiMAX and the IEEE 802.16m Air Interface Standard" (http://www.wimaxforum.org/sites/wimaxforum.org/files/document_library/wimax_802.16m.pdf). WiMax Forum. 4 April 2010.

Retrieved 2012-02-07.

32. ^ " 'WiMAX 2' coming in 2011?" (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/012810-wimax-2.html?hpg1=bn). Networkworld.com. Retrieved 2010-10-13.

33. ^ "802.16m submitted to ITU for IMT-Advanced standardization" (http://www.ieee.org/web/aboutus/news/index.html?WT.mc_id=hpn_newsroomu). Retrieved 2009-10-18.

34. ^ "WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative (WCI) Frequently Asked Questions"

Wikimedia Commons hasmedia related to WiMAX.

Wikibooks has a book onthe topic of: Nets, Websand the InformationInfrastructure

References

K. Fazel and S. Kaiser, Multi-Carrier and Spread Spectrum Systems: From OFDM and MC-CDMA to LTE and WiMAX, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2008, ISBN 978-0-470-99821-2

M. Ergen, Mobile Broadband - Including WiMAX and LTE, Springer, NY, 2009 ISBN 978-0-387-68189-4

External links

Official page of the WiMAX Forum (http://www.wimaxforum.org/home)

How WiMAX Works (http://www.howstuffworks.com/wimax.htm) at HowStuffWorks

Internet Protocol Journal Overview of Mobile WiMAX (http://www.ciscosystems.com/web/about/ac123/ac147/archived_issues/ipj_11-

2/112_wimax.html)

Patent alliance formed for WiMAX 4G technology (http://www.eetimes.eu/208403034)

WiMAX vs. LTE (http://www.networkworld.com/news/2010/060710-tech-argument-lte-wimax.html)

Mobile WiMAX Throughput Measurements (http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/appnote/1SP10.pdf)

Prashant Sharma (2009). "Facts About WiMAX And Why Is It "The Future of Wireless Broadband"" (http://www.techpluto.com/wimax-in-detail/). TechPluto blog. Retrieved August

26, 2011.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WiMAX&oldid=617708627#Mobile_WiMAX"

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(http://www.wimaxforum.org/sites/wimaxforum.org/files/page/2009/12/wimax_2_collaboration_initiative_qa_april_12_2010.pdf). WiMAX Forum. April 12, 2010.

35. ^ "Global WiMAX network deployments surpass 500" (http://www.wimaxforum.org/node/1724). News release (WiMAX Forum). October 6, 2009. Retrieved August 25, 2011.

36. ^ "SUIRG full interference test report" (http://web.archive.org/web/20090304115440/http://www.suirg.org/pdf/SUIRG_WiMaxFieldTestReport.pdf). suirg.org. Archived from the original

(http://www.suirg.org/pdf/SUIRG_WiMaxFieldTestReport.pdf) on 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2012-08-22.

37. ^ "WiMAX Forum" (http://www.wimaxforum.org/). WiMAX Forum. Retrieved 2010-10-13.

38. ^ Wimax Forum Industry Research Report http://www.wimaxforum.org/sites/wimaxforum.org/files/page/2011/03/Monthly_Industry_Report_March2011.pdf

39. ^ The rise and rise of HSPA | telecoms.com - telecoms industry news, analysis and opinion http://www.telecoms.com/12573/the-rise-and-rise-of-hspa/

40. ^ Larry Dignan (February 15, 2010). "WiMax deployments ramp globally, but U.S. lags" (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/wimax-deployments-ramp-globally-but-us-lags/30781). Between the lines

blog (ZDNet). Retrieved September 11, 2011.

41. ^ Maravedis, 4Q 2009, http://www.unova.ru/article/2631, http://www.kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1310343

42. ^ Russia Today, May 21, 2010 - Scartel dropping WiMAX, aiming for LTE - RT - [rt.com/Business/2010-05-21/scartel-dropping-wimax-lte.html]

43. ^ "WiMAX Directory" (http://www.telecomsnetworks.com/home/wimax-directory). Blycroft Ltd. 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2011-02-28.