Introduction To WiMAX

WiMAX,meaning Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

It is a telecommunications technology

Providing for the wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from
point-to-point links to portable internet access.

Basic Operation of WiMAX

WiMAX is telecommunications
technology providing wireless data
over long distances in a variety of
ways, from point-to-point links to full
mobile cellular type access.

WiMAX operates at higher speeds,

over greater distances, and for a greater
number of users than Wi-Fi.

WiMAX requires two main

components to form an operational
network:
1. Base Station (BS), which can serve as
a repeater or can be connected to the
Internet backbone
2. Subscriber/end user, enjoying
broadband wireless access through
the base station

A WiMAX tower station connects directly to the Internet using a high-bandwidth connection.
A tower can also connect to other WiMAX towers using line-of-sight microwave links

WiMAX requires two main components to form an operational network:

Base Station (BS), which can serve as a repeater or can be connected to the Internet backbone

Subscriber/end user, enjoying broadband wireless access through the base station

WiMAX provides two types of wireless services:

Non-line-of-sight (NLOS):Protocol stacks as per IEEE 802.16 MAC . In NLOS, WiMAX

uses a lower frequency range of 2 GHz to 11 GHz

Line-of-sight service (LOS):. LOS connections are stronger and more stable, and can send
large amount of data. In LOS, WiMAX uses a higher frequency range of up to 66 GHz

Technical information of WiMAX

Technical information includes:
1.

MAC layer/data link layer

2.

Physical layer

3.

WiMAX architecture

4.

Spectrum allocation issues

5.

Spectral efficiency

6.

WiMAX Radio Channel

7.

Wimax security protocol

1. MAC layer/data link layer :

the 802.16 MAC uses a scheduling algorithm for which the subscriber station needs to
compete only once. After that it is allocated an access slot by the base station.

The scheduling algorithm also allows the base station to control QoS parameters by balancing
the time-slot assignments among the application needs of the subscriber station

2. Physical layer:

WiMAX is based (IEEE 802.16) specified a physical layer operating in the 10 to 66 GHz range

3. WiMAX architecture:

The WiMAX Forum has defined an architecture that defines how a WiMAX network connects
with other networks, and a variety of other aspects of operating such a network, including
address allocation, authentication, etc.

plus a number of interconnections between these, labeled R1 to R5 and R8.

4. Spectrum allocation issues:

WiMAX could function on any frequency below 66 GHz in an urban environment
WiMAX Forum has published three licensed spectrum profiles: 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz
Analog TV bands (700 MHz) may become available for WiMAX use
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
5. Spectral efficiency :
2

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.

6. WiMAX Radio Channel Types:

This figure shows that WiMAX radio

channels can be single carrier or multiple
carriers. This diagram shows that the
bandwidth of WiMAX radio channels can
vary from 1.25 MHz to 28 MHz in steps of
1.75 MHz. WiMAX system is using
multicarrier OFDMA and show how some
of the subcarriers have been assigned to a
specific user.

7. Wimax security protocol:

WiMAX security supports two quality encryptions standards, that of the DES3 and AES
Well designed security architecture for a WiMAX and other wireless communication networks should
support the following essential requirements
1. Privacy
2. Data integrity
3. Authentication
4. Authorization
5. Access control
Comparison Between WiMAX and Wi-Fi:
The two standards are aimed at different applications.

WiMAX is a long range system, covering many kilometers, that uses licensed or unlicensed
spectrum to deliver a point-to-point connection to the Internet from an ISP to an end user.

Wi-Fi is a shorter range system, typically hundreds of meters, that uses unlicensed spectrum to
provide access to a network

WiMAX Standard Differences

This figure shows a comparison between the original Fixed WiMAX standard and the WiMAX standard
that can be used for fixed, mobile and portable
3

Characteristics

FixedWimax

Mobile Wimax

Access type

Fixed

Fixed,portable and mobile

Modulation

OFDM

OFDMA

Duplexing

TDD,FDD

TDD,FDD optional

Handoffs

No

Yes

Types of service

DSL,Cable Modems and Competitive

providers

Access Providers (CAPs)

Subscriber units

Mobile Operators,DSL,Cable
Modems,wireless and wired ISPs

High performance outdoor and indoor Low cost consumer electronics CPE and
CPE

Preferred frequency 2.5GHz,3.4-3.6GHz,5.8GHz

bands

embedded modules
2.3-2.4GHz,2.5-2.7GHz,3.3-3.4GHz,
3.4-3.8GHz

WiMAX broadband applications

WiMAX broadband applications such that

WiMAX VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

Broadband Data Connections

Digital Television

Urban WiMAX Hot Zones

Surveillance Services

Multi-Tenant Units (MTU) and Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) Connections

Rural Connections

Companies won WiMAX Licenses in Bangladesh

Three Companies got WiMAX Licenses in Bangladeshon 24th September, 2008.These Companies are
1. Bangla Lion Communications
2. Brac BDmail Network Ltd
3. Augere Wireless Broadband Limited Bangladesh
Summary

WiMAX is a technology in which the data being transferred vastly over long distance without the
need of cables

The technology is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard

It has some advantages over Wi-Fi

4

Wi-Fi is a shorter range system, typically hundreds of meters in Where WiMAX is a long range
system, covering many kilometers

The two types of WiMAX, fixed WiMAX and mobile WiMAX can be used to access faster internet
system.