Introduction
Across the world wireless broadband and WiMax technology has surfaced as a feasible viable option of the industry of telecommunication by the end of 2008’s first quarter. The role and value of WiMAX had been immense even as its adherents
Advancement in the manufacturing of WiMax are progressively done and the latest chipset pronouncements incorporates innovative low-power chips intended to give support to handheld units in the direction of several enhanced fixed/portable WiMAX solutions with ground-breaking facilities.
In the US setting, the discussion set off with one query: what will Sprint do with the WiMAX technology given that it was presently adjusting to its Nextel acquisition and thus it was in an inferior position to expand WiMAX technology. Nevertheless, the firm had recently declared that it would embark on the construction of WiMAX network on a national scale and later some time they stated that they considered collaborating with Clearwire for this same purpose. However, Sprint had terminated its arrangement with Clearwire at the same time replaced it CEO and other key company executives. Consequently acquiring additional funds for their dedication to continue developing this technology had been difficult. Accordingly it would not be surprising to hear reports that Sprint is reconsidering its partnership with Clearwire, considering accepting funds from Intel and other companies. And in any case the deal pushed through WiMAX technology in US would be a colossal event for the broadband wireless industry in US.
WiMAX
History of WiMAX
The term WiMAX means worldwide interoperability for microwave access. It is designed to secure that the broadband wireless radios fabricated for client utilization interoperate from dealer to dealer. The ability to adopt advance radio facilities in a uniform manner and cost reduction for the entire radios produced by all companies involved in the WiMAX Forum™ (a standards federation which was constructed to guarantee interoperability by means of undergoing tests) is the principal benefit of WiMAX.
To a great extent the establishment of the WiMAX Forum™ as well as the idea of the WiMAX program can be credited to the pioneers of the Forum who had ever since dedicated themselves to the administration of the standards which was mutually imposed. When Intel had participated in this endeavor, they perceived that hardware costs have to drop and a continual operating background would be required to be strengthened so as for the broadband wireless industry (both fixed and mobile broadband wireless) to achieve footing and far-reaching favorable reception. What was crucial is the creation of silicon chips that would establish the WiMAX technology’s merit and potential, and in this way Intel had actively played their part.
In terms of ingenuity WiMAX is a neophyte specifically when it comes to the introduction of various WiMAX technologies that buttress chipsets produced by the members of the Forum. Nonetheless, a large amount of the technology was absorbed into the IEEE 802.16 technology arrangement which is currently present in the industry. To a large extent the broadband radio manufacturers had proffered several factors and components that they presumed should be incorporated into the WiMAX. In spite of this, vendors hardly ever recommends reliable iterations of radio modulation and other processes which would have guarantee that the solution would only be utilized by a single vendor which is valid for fixed wireless feature and much more for unlicensed band fixed wireless. Then again, mobile broadband wireless technologies experienced a difficulty from the disintegration of numerous proprietary methodologies. In view of this, it could be inferred that most of the technological facility of WiMAX is comparatively developed. As a matter of fact, the vendors of the radio technology who were also members of the forum have installed devices in more than 125 countries internationally. The coalesce of these highly developed technologies into set of standards for Fixed and Mobile broadband wireless was amalgamated with up-to-the-minute production of optimized chipsets and was tested and then certified that it was interoperable and connects with radio manufacturers which is at the end of the day would transport a dynamic and impressive technology. Moreover, this facility would be able to counterpart or surpass the operation and cost features of other broadband technologies, and this would be accomplished exclusive of utilization of the conventional wireline tethers. Imminent was the plans for expansion of WiMAX product capacity on top of the initial groundwork of the subsequently adaptation of WiMAX, which was anticipated to be gradually incorporated to new technologies. An instance of this was the mesh system technology which was surpassed by WiMAX given that the latter has a base standard of 802.16. However, mesh systems are progressively acquiring value in the society particularly as recently the next major version of the 802.16 standard was being defined to present enhanced throughput, spectral efficiency in addition to capacity for the system to increase in its interoperability.
WiMAX blankets large areas with broadband Internet
Benefits, Safety and Security f WiMAX technology
Historically, the broadband wireless systems embarked on expansion of indoor local area network (LAN) technology well-known as Wi-Fi or the 802.11b protocol. This model has developed into an all-encompassing and extensively accessible standard applied in short range hotspots around the world. On the other hand, the media access controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) specifications for this protocol are suboptimum for open-air urban wireless networks or metropolitan area networks (MAN). Also, up-to-the-minute information as well as innovative standards such as 802.11g and 802.11a has enhanced these components. Nevertheless, these technologies yet again were reconstructed for top operation in pint-sized site and at short span. Note that to some extent the latest progress in the authorization standard of the IEEE 802.11n protocol put forward the potential of momentous upgrading to Wi-Fi which was anticipated to conceal the boundaries of potentials connecting WLAN and the additionally dynamic WMAN (wireless metropolitan area network) systems. At the same time, 802.11n is not inevitably optimized for wide range given that its bandwidth facilities will be a major rise ahead from Wi-Fi. Its range upgrading in the hotspot would be also noteworthy. Although regardless of anticipation for a definitive benchmark the specification continues to be stalled in the opposing requirements of diverse factions and their method to its realization. Numerous firms which comprise Belkin, D-Link, Linksys among others have yet embarked on “Pre-N” or pre-certified 802.11n products. Seeming they proffer a number of enhancements over even 802.16a/g systems; in spite of this, testing employed by ZDNet has revealed that the benefits remained fairly small. In addition, interoperability among a range of products is mostly difficult. And to counteract that, the vendors had developed proprietary MAC and PHY layers derived from the root LAN standard of 802.11. Several systems of these kinds were currently utilized and acquire considerable expansion in the modulation design, polling technology and data transport that facilitate effectual as well as moderated the affordability of the citywide or rural wireless networks. Still, the proprietary iterations of these technologies were all different one way or another and no two firms’ products which will operate with each other. Suffice it to say, the broadband wireless carriers ought to make use of base stations in addition to customer premise equipment from the same vendor in any given location even though it may not be the paramount resolution in several geographic and radio frequency (RF) environments. Consequently, many radio vendors are still required to fabricate their own silicon chips to transport technical enhancements. The astronomical price for apparatuses has made this method considerably slow in the acceptance of broadband fixed wireless compared to low-priced mass market technologies for instance DSL and Cable modem service.
In the field of mobile phones, the existing standards for broadband wireless distribution are less disintegrated. Additionally significant, nevertheless, are the price, speeds transported and time to promote broadband mobile solutions which have been suboptimum. Moreover, the guarantee of 3G services has been gradually surfacing. And even as that is shifting with extensive operations coming from Verizon by means of its EVDO system in addition to from Sprint and Cingular, mobile WiMAX systems established on latest technology such as OFDMA® presents the assurance of a low-priced, additionally efficient and faster operations of broadband mobile wireless systems. As of late the deployments of 3G seemed to increase since high-profile GSM-friendly broadband technology (called UMTS or its updated version HSDPA) have achieved a number of traction, by and large in the European countries. On the other hand, in the US context, Sprint is in the route of introducing a CDMA network with the up-to-the-minute and high-speed Revision-A edition. And last November 2006 the company had eight (8) cities that were set up with strategies to re-fixture its whole CDMA network with Revision-A. Also, Sprint has declared intention to roll out a wide-ranging WiMAX countrywide network.
Fortunately given that to a great extent the technology of IEEE 802.16 standard (WiMAX standard) was being developed and consumed even though in little degrees. Historically there had been strong evidence that buttress the issue of safety in the usage of WiMAX and its products. The extent of capacity to transport broadband wireless signal differs from frequency to frequency even though for the most part the plain and simple topping out at around 40 watts at the transmission site. Although there was certified fundamental safety measures employed at communication towers, the configurations for the operation of the public should be clearly recognized and made harmless, particularly the WiMAX device itself. Nonetheless, from the onset of vendors acquiring certification to the shipping of WiMAX products, there had been no recorded incidences of any hazards.
And even if this part emerged to be premature, vendors are investing to make a distinction regarding their commodities and viewpoints in every of their commodities. For instance, WiMAX standard by itself integrate a good deal of enhancements and additionally adaptable security reinforcements compared to the Wi-Fi standard. However, it can be occasionally perplexing when industry experts as well as critics deliberate standards for instance WiMAX and subsequently in the same breath illustrate the methods wherein vendors will be “distinctive” or that WiMAX security could be inadequate. On the surface, these interpretations done by some vendors portray fervent endorsements of the add-on abilities of their products which might cause a buyer to be uncertain regarding the quality and reliability of the device. Most likely, the security of the product would be the balanced means to elucidate the divergence of the most dynamic feature of WiMAX and the means in which the vendors are able to in spite of everything distinguish their products (with additional and conceivably additionally prevailing or expedient characteristics) ahead of the attributes that the foundation of the standard recommends. WiMAX facilitates supplementary features that can be set up by a variety of vendors to accomplish security outcome equivalent to or higher than any contending wireline broadband alternative even those being utilized for exceedingly secure governmental purposes. On the customary residential scale the service does not necessitate the type of security a bank, hospital or government frequently necessitates and WiMAX can still operate.
WiMAX to compete with Wi-Fi
Evidently, WiMAX and Wi-Fi are corresponding gears that will continue so for the predictable time. The existing technology of Wi-Fi which was extensively accessible in hotspots like hotels, restaurants, airports and even greater Wi-Fi zones in certain cities are expected to carry on to develop for several years, and the latest flood of public Wi-Fi mesh networks has simply provided intensity to the said technology into the wireless equation. Thereby, Wi-Fi will more than subsist, particularly the fact that the extensive accessibility of incorporated 802.11b/g/a laptop radios which had provided a constant increasing support to Wi-Fi patrons. The forum itself look forward to three waves of WiMAX device throughout the subsequent two years with reasonably priced laptop based (mobile) WiMAX radios coming in the third wave in the year 2006-2007. Yet, even these devices will in all likelihood be dual “Wi-Fi/WiMAX” or multi mode Wi-Fi/WiMAX/Cellular and it will remain for a number of years afterwards. And as the WiMAX features develops and carry on to increase reception from the public and propel cost cutback, up-to-the-minute chipsets that integrate the capability to perform across several stages which will develop into supplementary customary in most cases with the MAN segment of this network technology gradually being transformed into an additionally dynamic WiMAX systems, as the business cases for hotspot locations value. As a whole, this suggests that WiMAX consumers in a few years time would be capable not to merely gain access to Wi-Fi hotspots; on the contrary it could also have mobile citywide WiMAX access as well.
WiMAX/Wi-Fi Synergies
On the other hand, other LAN technology featured like Bluetooth, Ultrawideband and the emerging 802.11n specification that presents usefulness in smaller span hotspot networks would produce as well as require chipsets in addition to laptop radios that may possibly and in due course be capable to impeccably cross these smaller scale data networks in addition to cellular networks and WiMAX citywide networks. The WiMAX features is a chief element of the exceedingly intense prediction of the broadband wireless prospects that flexibility like this guarantee. And despite the fact that leaders in the industry frequently mention the capability for true software defined radio systems, in which a users’ handset, laptop or other devices fundamentally search for the preeminent link for the site as well as range accessible. The commerce is gradually progressing in this course, nevertheless, they anticipate the complete expansion of this kind of seamless technology to be years away. Even the actual growth of upgrading done in this route will possibly provide clients advantages that are fundamentally unfeasible with wireline technologies.
WiMAX Mobile or 802.16e
Is WiMAX a mobile technology?
Currently WiMAX was perceived to become a mobile technology sooner or later, even in its contemporary so-called “Fixed WiMAX” edition, the equipment by now tendered several mobile capacity at any rate with regards to licensed band products. Still, the features for Mobile WiMAX or IEEE 802.16e were only completed in the later months of 2005. And with the features completed by IEEE, the equipment is at present shifting in the direction of interoperability testing for the period of the first quarter of year 2007. This sanction occurred conceivably a tad sooner than was projected, confidently showing the way for advanced product accessibility.
The certification acquired by the vendors of the existing WiMAX technology was usually illustrated as Fixed or occasionally portable or roaming (Nomadic Coverage Area) by several vendors.
WiMAX Network including Backhaul, Fixed Customer Premise Equipment, and
Mobile/Nomadic Coverage Area produced in EDX® SignalPro
And most of the time, Fixed WiMAX or 802.16-2004 technology is in all probability best matched for licensed band fixed broadband wireless consumption.
Downlink C/(I+N) Based on Best Channel Predicted by EDX® SignalPro
Nowadays, forerunner WiMAX devices were by now provided portable and even transportable ability at fairly small degree. Also, there are International and US usage where mobile applications are daily utilized with precursor mechanisms. A good number of mobile applications on the antecedent area however, have been concentrated to public safety requirements for example police and fire with a few extraordinary exemptions. And it is customary to perceive multinationals to proffer portability and for clients to utilize it even in limited application. It seemed that the 802.16e mobile WiMAX features which is the version that most businesses are increasingly directing their paths. And even as it is early to declare that the 802.16d version is expected to fade away, the majority of the vendors, even those prolifically shipping Fixed WiMAX radios, have advanced measures primed for consumers to control.
Moreover, the 802.16e Mobile WiMAX features is capable of proficiently provides for fixed broadband applications in addition to mobile. The adjudicators are a little off as to how well that can be done on a homogenous mobile/fixed requirement network as the categories of consumers supplied are a bit diverse. In most cases, consumers who applied Fixed WiMAX service are more frequently companies with much advanced bandwidth and IP-based service needs. Evidently, hybrid networks possibly will generate a lot more awareness in the brief process for numerous service providers. It no longer merely act as an up-and-coming paradigm for WiMAX, the Mobile WiMAX or 802.16e model was approved by the IEEE in late year 2005. The fundamental performance specifically on the fixed fundamentals of the first product description for the equipment is previously comprehensive. Furthermore, the remaining operation of identifying the elective fundamentals will be included into the first version of the standard. Also, the Forum determined to instigate interoperability testing for a while roughly in the middle of year 2006.
Sprint had announced that they would be deploying Mobile WiMAX network product advancement on the 802.16e standard which had been prominent. On the other hand, Samsung previously has Mobile WiMAX apparatuses in the field and other companies do as well. Thus the interoperability testing must take place most likely earlier than mid-year 2007. But then Sprint planned to have clear-cut deployments in the year end of 2007.
Technical Informations
Range of WiMAX
It is customary to perceive opinions and statement from the media that describes WiMAX multipoint coverage that extends up to 30 miles. And in a stringent technical significance in several spectrum ranges this is accurate, with even larger span being feasible in point to point links. In actual practice and specifically especially in the license-free bands this is uncontrollably exaggerating in particular where there were non line of sight (NLOS) reception. Furthermore, the regular cell ranges for most WiMAX networks are expected to possess 4-5 mile range (in NLOS capable frequencies) even through tree and building walls obstructions. The service scales up to 10 miles (16 Kilometers) are exceedingly probable to be in line of sight (LOS) applications (once more depending upon frequency). The ranges that were further than 10 miles are definitely achievable except for scalability intentions it could not be advantageous for profoundly overloaded networks. Most of the time, additional cells are designated to uphold high-level quality of service (QOS) capacity. As for the carrier class method, in particular to portability, the cells were larger.
Actual throughput (data transfer rate) of WiMAX
WiMAX technology buttresses an extremely dynamic data throughput. The said technology at conjectural greatest degrees could hold up around 75 Mbps per channel or in a 20 MHz channel using 64QAM ¾ code rate. As for the real world operation it will be noticeably lesser, perchance maximizing around 45 Mbps/channel in a number of fixed broadband applications. Consider that service across this channel would be communal by numerous clients. Also, the real-time conduction capacities on a per consumer footing could fluctuate and extensively depends on the carrier’s selected consumer location, which is in fact an inbuilt power for the reason that it can be circumscribed by QOS in a premeditated manner to present diverse bandwidth potentials to consumers with distinctive requirements and also dissimilar finances. The Mobile WiMAX capacity on per consumer setting will be minor in realistic conditions, save for enhancements than contending with the 3G technologies. WiMAX is frequently quoted to encompass a spectral effectiveness of 5 bps/Hz which is exceedingly high-quality compared to other broadband wireless technologies, specially the 3G. In addition, practically speaking Sprint has confirmed that it plans to transport Mobile WiMAX service at 2 Mbps to 4 Mbps to its consumers. Furthermore, scheme of modulation may it be in the quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM, 64 QAM et cetera) and their attendant code rate variations transport fluctuating bandwidth capacities by channel size. And similar to most wireless products, the fiend as analysts and experts profess lies in the details. However, the good news is that every report proclaimed in this account is relative to other broadband wireless and wireline contestants of WiMAX. The OFDMA® technology in point of fact maintains manifold modulation schemes depending upon the consumers reach from the cell with consumers at nearer scales who pick up signal across additionally sub-channels at, for instance, 64 QAM while a consumer at larger scale would pick up signal across fewer sub-channels and with advanced expansion or power per channel by means of a lower bandwidth QPSK system for instance. There are various factors that affect the transmission rate past the simple ratio capacity, that is a chief component that was being distance from the base position, thus the physics of radio cannot be circumvented. And the longer range the more it would result to lower bandwidth transported. In addition, the spectrum channels sizes, 1.e. 20 MHz or others that control delineates as suitable for dissimilar frequency bands will prescribe bandwidth potentials at any rate to some degree. Besides, the RF as well as physical setting plays a compelling position in throughput outcomes, and fundamentally, the actual set up directs speculative functioning. As a consequence, the physics of frequency variations plays an influential function in bandwidth potential given the following set up: (1) the higher the frequency, the greater the bandwidth distribution capability and the shorter range aptitude, and (2) the lower frequencies benefit from a large amount of larger range aptitude, although exchange that off with a lot lower bandwidth capability. Conveniently, even as disclaimers focused on actual setting, it carries to make the WiMAX throughput excellent.
WiMAX Initial Frequency
The initial frequency of WiMAX with interoperable qualified mechanisms would distribute International 3.5 GHz bands. Then the second range would be for the public to perceive that the support done by some vendors are likely to range 2.5 GHz with 5.8 GHz interoperable apparatus which came in the later years of 2006 and 2007 – the predecessor uncertified device is extensively transporting in these scales. The 2.3 GHz bands have accessible precursor instruments obtainable. Nevertheless, WiMAX is projected to deal with this span comparatively rapidly in the US. The Mobile WiMAX devices are extensively transporting precursor manners by now, and there were no campaigns for Mobile WiMAX at 5.8 GHz.
RF Frequencies
The latest versions of both WiMAX features in 802.16 envelops spectrum that varies from at least the 2 GHz span all the way through the 66 GHz scales. Furthermore, the International standard of 3.5 GHz spectrum will be the pioneer to benefit from WiMAX products. Also, the US license free spectrum at 5.8 GHz must obtain several products, however possibly it will be the last backed up. In addition, the licensed spectrum at 2.5 GHz utilized both the domestic setting in the US and moderately across the globe will be the second frequency selected for interoperability testing. Previously, there is a considerable quantity of precursor product being distributed at all aforementioned frequencies.
Other major standards that include/support WiMAX
Around the globe there are industry standards on WiMAX applications that were implemented. The three International standards are (1) the IEEE 802.16, (2) the European HiperMAN and (3) the Korean WiBro/Mobile WiMAX. These standards have various features that are very similar, and still they have differences. Thus a task considered major of the WiMAX Forum ™ is to ascertain that maintenance for every standard will be integrated into the global WiMAX standard.
Companies Involved
With reference to the latest WiMAX Forum membership there were 426 companies with various additional businesses that evaluate the said technology and perceived it as potential match for their commerce and technical paradigm. Some well-known companies are as follows: (1) Accenture (2) Acer (3) Air Network Solutions (4) ASUSTek Computer INC. (5) AT&T (6) BAE Systems (7) Bechtel Communications Inc. (8) Bell Canada (9) BII Group (10) Borusan Telekom (11) British Telecom (12) Broadcom (13) China Telecom (14) Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. (15) D-Link (16) DBD Deutsche Breitband Dienste GmbH (17) Dell (18) Deutsche Telekom AG (19) Ducat (20) Ericsson (21) France Telecom (22) Fujikura Ltd. (23) Fujitsu (24) FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD. (25) Google (26) Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc. (27) Hitachi, Ltd. (28) Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Limited (29) Huawei Technologies (30) Huber+Suhner (31) Hulu Sweden AB (32) Industrial Technology Research Institute (33) Intel Corporation (34) Inukshuk Wireless Inc. (35) Irish Broadband (36) ISKRATEL (37) Sprint Nextel (38) Sri Lanka Telecom (39) Sony Ericsson (40) Tech Mahindra (41) Symbian (42)TDC FixNet Nordic (43) TDK R&D Corporation Tecom Co., LTD (44) Tele Atlas North America (46) Telecom Italia (47) Telediffusion de France (48) Telsima Telus (49) The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and (50) Toshiba America Research Inc. (TARI).
Manufacturing Companies
The records for WiMAX manufacturers were becoming extremely long and it is expected to grow larger as the days past. (See above companies for lists.)
Forecasted Availability of WiMAX Mobile
The Mobile WiMAX or IEEE 802.16e technical specifications were finally completed thus the best estimation in the industry are that Mobile WiMAX products will commence on attaining mass market operation in the US is in late year 2007 with Sprint. Also, in the US setting, Clearwire and other smaller vendors have already deployed their precursor Mobile WiMax radios. Around the globe the figures that utilizes precursor Mobile WiMax are especially higher.
Mobile WiMAX OFDMA® technology
The very first certified interoperable WiMAX radios were completed with an air interface certification testing in the early year of 2006. Yet there are still some companies that launched the precursor Fixed WiMAX radios, first and foremost in the International standard spectrum of 3.5 GHz even before that. And there are some of those companies that claimed interoperability upon the certification tests are completed. As a result, there were consumers who make use of the said spectrum and have already started to see WiMAX broadband. On the other hand, for most of the US firms who obtained WiMAX CERTIFIED™ interoperable gears, their operating spectrum were usable in the US setting, and it was expected that they would be available until last year 2007.
Adaptive Modulation Downlink Data Rate Study based on OFDM Modulation Types defined in EDX® SignalPro
Thereby, it is also important to observe and make a note that since many features of the WiMAX functionality has been accessible for several occasions, still various consumers which had been already receiving broadband wireless service in the US and overseas, may in actual fact be by now benefit from WiMAX attributes or near WiMAX quality service. However, the main drawback given that it is still a proprietary solutions they were locked into a single supplier.
Conclusion
In reference to the information above, WiMAX has already experienced considerable challenges, not the least of which has been time to market with certified products. Nevertheless, constructing innovative wireless standards and features from scratch requires the manufacturer, vendor as well as the consumer to be ready for immense level of international rollouts which is no small undertaking. Suffice it to say, the early over hyping of the technology did not help in that it pressed anticipations quite far from the realistic curve of what would be liable to arise. In spite of everything, it appears that an all IP-based broadband wireless platform is the technology of the imminent years. And even as, wireline services demonstrate a small number of indications of deceleration or replacement with WiMAX or WiMAX-type technologies, it would be realistic to anticipate that many technological innovations and technological advancements will come from advanced IP-based broadband wireless services. Thereby, the circumstances of WiMAX is unassailable.
References:
WiMAX Website
Figures
“Mobile WiMAX – Part I: A Technical Overview and Performance Evaluation,”
WiMAX Forum, March, 2006.
