- 1 assignment #3 wiFi and WiMAX washma sigol 2007-BCA-051

Sumbal Riaz 2005-BCA-043

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Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance that manufacturers may use to brand
certified products that belong to a class of wireless local area network (WLAN)
devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Because of the close relationship
with its underlying standard, the term Wi-Fi is often used as a synonym for IEEE
802.11 technology. As of 2010, IEEE 802.11 devices are installed in many
personal computers, video game consoles, smartphones, printers, and other
peripherals, and virtually all laptop or palm-sized computers.

In the United States and Canada there are 11 channels available for use in the
802.11b 2.4GHz WiFi Frequency range. This standard is defined by the IEEE.
IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards carrying out wireless local area network
(WLAN) computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands.
They are created and maintained by the IEEE LAN/MAN Standards Committee
(IEEE 802).

Channel Lower Frequency Center Frequency Upper Frequency

1 2.401 2.412 2.423

2 2.404 2.417 2.428
3 2.411 2.422 2.433
4 2.416 2.427 2.438
5 2.421 2.432 2.443
6 2.426 2.437 2.448
7 2.431 2.442 2.453
8 2.436 2.447 2.458
9 2.441 2.452 2.463
10 2.451 2.457 2.468
11 2.451 2.462 2.473

WiMAX
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless
digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for
wireless "metropolitan area networks". 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. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network
standard is limited in most cases to only 100 - 300 feet (30 - 100m).

The current WiMAX revision provides up to 40 Mbit/s with the IEEE 802.16m
update expected offer up to 1 Gbit/s fixed speeds. (WiMAX is based on the IEEE
802.16 standard, also called Broadband Wireless Access). The forum describes
WiMAX as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile
wireless broadband access as an alternative toLicensed WiMAX operates in the 10 to
66GHz range; unlicensed WiMAX operates in the 2 to 11Ghz range.

WiMAX Bandwidth and Range

WiMAX has a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 75Mbps. This bandwidth can be

achieved using 64QAM 3/4 modulation. 64QAM can only be utilized under
optimal transmission conditions. WiMAX supports the use of a wide range of
modulation algorithms to enable the most bandwidth .

The first frequency with interoperable certified product to ship was in the
International 3.5 GHz bands. Today products are available at 2.5 GHz, 5.8 GHz,
2.3 GHz and 3.65 GHz. Allthough no formal product profile has been set, likely
the Forum will attempt to address the 700 MHz range. There are no plans for
Mobile WiMAX at 5.8 GHz.

Difference between WiFi and WiMAX

WiFi/802.11 WLAN 802.16/WiMAX

Data rate (PHY 54Mb/s /20MHz channel 26.2 Mb/s/7 MHz channel
Layer, optimistic)
QoS management Best Effort, unless for the seldome Five classes of QoS
(until now) implemented 802.11
variant
Multiple access CSMA/CA (MAC Layer common to TDMA: TDD and FDD.
802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b and Sophisticated bandwidth
802.11g); TDD
reservation mechanisms
Range Order of magnitude: 100m 20 km (outdoor CPE), 10 km (indoor
CPE)
Frequency bands Unlicensed Unlicensed and licensed
Typical use WLAN Fixed wireless access, etc.

Advantages Speed, low cost Speed range

Disadvantages cost cost