WiMAX

Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access

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Table of Contents
 Introduction to WiMAX
 WiMAX Features
 Types of WiMAX
 Technical Specifications
 Comparision
 Types of access Support
 WiMAX Applications
 Parts of WiMAX System
 WiMAX Working
 Security
 Duplexing Scheme in WiMAX
 Benefit of WiMAX
 Drawbacks of WiMAX

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Introduction of WiMAX
 WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE
802.16, that is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks“, whose
goal is to provide last mile broadband wireless access to the general
population.
 WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50
km) for fixed stations, and 3 - 10 miles (5 - 15 km) for mobile stations. 
 With the capability to connect to homes and businesses within a 30 mile
radius, WiMAX has the potential to give millions of people access to the
Internet cheaply and easily.
 WiMAX FORUM
The WiMAX Forum is a non-profit organization that offers a means of testing
manufacturer's equipment for compatibility, as well as an industry group
dedicated to fostering the development and commercialization of the
technology. The Forum was created in 2000 and is composed of industry
leaders. 

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WiMAX Features
 Long Range, High Data Rate

 Less susceptible to interference

 Very viable mobile alternative to DSL and cable

 Subscribers receive wireless broadband data

 Plug and Play installation

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Types of WiMAX
 Fixed WiMAX and Mobile WiMAX

 Fixed WiMAX is developed based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard.

 Mobile WiMAX is based on the IEEE 802.16e standard and targeted

primarily for portable and mobile applications.

 Mobile WiMAX incorporates additional features crucial to mobile

applications: handoff, flexible power management (sleep mode and
idle mode).

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Handoff
Hard Handoff Soft Handoff

 Hard Handoff uses a break-before-make approach

 Soft Handoff uses a make-before-break approach
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Technical Specifications
Frequency Range:
· 2-11 GHz (Non Line-Of-Sight)
· 10-66 GHz (Line-Of-Sight)
 
Signal Range:
· 5 miles (Non Line-Of-Sight)
· 30 miles (Line-Of-Sight)
 
Bandwidth:
· 70 Mbps

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Comparision

Parameters 802.16 (WIMAX) 802.11 (WLAN) 802.15 (Bluetooth)

Frequency Band 2-11GHz 2.4GHz Varies

Range ~30 miles ~100 meters ~10 meters

Data Transfer Rate 70 Mbps 11-55 Mbps 20 Kbps-55Mbps

No. of Users Thousands Dozens Dozens

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Types of access Support

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WiMAX Applications

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Parts of WiMAX System
 A WiMAX system consists of two parts:
- A WiMAX tower, similar in concept to a cell-phone tower
A single WiMAX tower can provide coverage to a very large area as
big as 3,000 square miles (~8,000 square km).

- A WiMAX receiver
The receiver and antenna could be a small box or PCMCIA card, or they
could be built into a laptop the way WiFi access is today.

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WiMAX Working

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 Working

 Scope
WiMAX is a connection-oriented
technology and affects only the
Physical Layer and the MAC
portion in the Data Link Layer of
the OSI Model. Therefore the
802.16 specification mainly
describes the scheduling of
communication between towers
and WIMAX devices.

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Working
 Convergence Sublayer (CS)
Systems complying with the IEEE 802.16 standard are to support Asynchronous
Transfer Mode (ATM) or packet mode of operation. The convergence sublayer is
specified to deal with these two modes of operation, through the Service Access
Point (CS SAP).
 MAC Common Part Sublayer (MAC CPS)
This is the core of the MAC layer, which contains all functions needed to perform data
exchange and control at the MAC level.
 Privacy Sublayer
This sublayer implements all the privacy features required due to the air interface
used for communications, like key exchange and encryption/decryption processes. It
is interfaced with the physical (PHY) layer through the PHY Service Access Point
(PHY SAP).
 Physical Layer (PHY)
The specification of the physical layer is done in the standard with a
“…high degree of flexibility, in order to allow service providers the ability to
optimise system deployments with respect to cell planning, cost, radio
capabilities, services and capacity.”

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Security
 WiMAX traffic is encrypted using 3DES (Triple Data
Encryption Standard) or AES (Advanced Encryption
Standard) for securing its transmission over the air.
 The encryption keys are distributed from the BS to the
SSs using PKM (Private Key Management) protocol to
ensure that only authorized SSs can receive the keys.
Every WiMAX user device is authenticated using a digital
certificate or SIM (Subscriber Identity Module).
 This way, WiMAX keeps user traffic from eavesdropping
and protects operator or service provider from becoming
a victim of bandwidth theft by unauthorized users.

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Duplexing Scheme in WiMAX
WiMAX supports two types of connection
types —

 Frequency Division Duplexing(FDD)

 Time Division Duplexing(TDD).

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 Duplexing Scheme in WiMAX

Example of FDD— the base tower constantly Example of TDD— the base tower sends data at
communicate to all towers at one frequency and each certain time intervals and allots time to wait to
station tower is responds back at another frequency. hear from station towers. 17
Benefits of WiMAX
 Long Range
The most significant benefit of WiMAX compared to existing wireless
technologies is the range. WiMAX has a communication range of up to 30
miles. This can cover over 2800 square miles— enough to blanket an entire
city.
 Low Cost
 Wireless
By using a WiMAX system, companies/ residents no longer have to rip up
buildings or streets or lay down expensive cables.
 High Bandwidth
WiMAX can provide shared data rates of up to 70 Mb/s. 
 Service
WiMAX can provide users with two forms of wireless service:
 Non Line-of-Sight:
 Line-of-Sight:

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Drawbacks of WiMAX
 Hesitancy
Companies are very hesitant of setting up WiMAX base stations today since
it is has not reached widespread use yet.  One solution to this problem is
Intel making their Centrino laptop processors WiMAX enabled within the
next few years.  All laptops are expected to have WiMAX by 2008.

 Exclusion of Start-Up Companies

Even though cost provides a low barrier to entry, none of the startup
companies are projected to be major players in the development of WiMAX. 
Intel and Cisco seem to have an obvious advantage today, and by the time
it reaches widespread use, large operators will find WiMAX to be a very
attractive new way of raising revenues.

 Research and Development

In order for WiMAX to succeed, new products must be researched and
developed to incorporate WiMAX. Without the help of major companies
investing in this R&D, WiMAX could be gravely underutilized.

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References
 IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN Standard: Myths and Facts.
ieee802.org.
 WiMAX Forum — Frequently Asked Questions. wimaxforum.org
 Htt://www.intel.com/netcomms//technologies/wimax/
 http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wimax.htm
 http://www.wimaxworld.com
 http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/2236611

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