Mobile WiMAX

Abdul R. Usmani
Wateen Telecom. Islamabad, Pakistan.
Email: AbdulRehman.Usmani@Wateen.com

Abstract— This document provides an overview of a mobile

WiMAX solution. An introduction of WiMAX Radio Access
Network (RAN) solution is provided, followed by a technology
and capability comparison with contemporary 3G technologies
and their evolution. We give a detailed overview of deployment
scenarios and capabilities of different 802.16 flavors. The doc-
ument concludes with available mobility options and role of
different core elements towards achieving mobility.

I. I NTRODUCTION

WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for

Microwave Access (WiMAX). The technology aims at
providing Non-LOS (line of sight) mobile broadband last
mile access solution. Essentially it offers a mobile wireless
alternate to the traditional wired technologies such as DSL, Fig. 1. Hierarchy of 802.16 standard
ATM and T1/E1 variants.[1]
The widespread adoption of wireless LAN technologies Feature WiMAX HSPA EvDO
proved a cornerstone towards the development of similar Technology IEEE 802.16 − e WCDMA CDMA-2000/IS-95
Spectral efficiency upto 5 b/s/Hz 0.7 b/s/Hz 0.7 b/s/Hz
broadband technologies offering larger range and better QoS MIMO support Full Limited Limited
(Quality of Service). One of such alternates is IEEE 802.16 QoS E2E QoS Limited Limited
standard which offers last mile broadband wireless access em- Scalability High Limited Limited
ploying OFDM to provide greater resilience against multipath TABLE I
effects and hence greater throughput and cell range. Addi- B ENEFITS OF W I MAX OVER OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
tional benefits of OFDM include realtime burst profiling and
optimal throughput in near/Non LOS scenarios. For detailed
understanding of OFDM in WiMAX Please refer to [3].
To support time-sensitive, low-latency voice and video ap- A system wide WiMAX 802.16-e network block diagram is
plications, the 802.16 specification supports robust security given in Fig.2
features and guaranteed QoS. Voice service can be either
traditional Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) voice or Voice II. A COMPARISON WITH CONTEMPORARY TECHNOLOGIES
over IP (VoIP). With QoS support, 802.16 enables wireless
Service Providers (WSP’s) to provide differentiated levels of Although many people consider WiMAX a potential com-
service to customers according to their contracted service- petitor to 802.11 (or WiFi in a broader sense) but in essence
level agreements (SLA’s). The MAC layer has also been it will remain a supporting technology for many years to
greatly enhanced to incorporate concepts, such as Grant- come.The domain of the 802.16 standard is the last-mile while
Request mechanism and Dynamic Burst Profiling, leading to that of 802.11 is the last 100 feet. However, this does not rule
better utilization of the shared channel and available radio out the possibility of WiMAX systems eventually replacing
resources. their WiFi counterparts. WiFi hotspots will need to remain
Fig.1 gives a graphical overview of 802.16 hierarchy. The in place unless there are WiMAX based networks to replace
standard 802.16 provides carrier grade performance in terms them. On immediate basis, WiFi hot spots could use WiMAX
of robustness and QoS. The fact that WiMAX is a brand as a backhaul technology and both could complement the
new technology allows it to deliver unprecedented services growth of each other. On the other hand WiMAX shall also
over a scalable, long range communications path without offer fierce competition to 3G, since both offer a seamless,
any limitations of backward compatibility. Earlier versions high-speed, mobile delivery of data, voice and video to a wide
aimed at only standard based point-to-point MW (microwave) variety of end-user devices. A shallow technology comparison
backhauling as the name implies but gradually emerged into is given in Tab.I, while service quality comparisons are given
a complete wireless mobile broadband last mile technology. in Fig.3.

Fig. 2. Logical diagram of a mobile WiMAX network
(a) Throughput comparison
(b) Comprehensive service quality comparison
Fig. 3. Comparison of WiMAX with other 3G technologies
III. D EPLOYMENT SCENARIOS OF W I MAX
WiMAX can potentially be deployed in a number of scenar-
ios depending upon the requirements, financial considerations
and need of supported services. The following subsections
discuss the most probable scenarios in detail.
A. Wireless Backhauling
Until now, wired backhaul had been the prevalent form
of backhaul due to an abundance of wired technologies.
Heavy investments had already been made into laying down
cables and other infrastructure. With the advent of WiMAX,
operators have a cost-effective and high-performance alternate
to traditional backhauling technologies. The robust bandwidth
offered by WiMAX makes it a superior backhauling alternate
for enterprizes, hotspots, and point-to-point networks. The
scenario is depicted in Fig.4(a).
B. LOS based wireless broadband access
Last-mile broadband technologies, such as WiMAX, shall
accelerate the deployment of 802.11 hotspots and Small Office
Home Office (SOHO) wireless LANs. By allowing TSP’s to
reduce the installation time associated with traditional wired
technologies, such as T1/E1 and DSL. WiMAX shall allow
these TSP’s to offer quicker and cheaper services to their end
customers. WiMAX also enables TSP’s to offer configurable
on demand high-speed connectivity to its subscribers, and
allows them to instantaneously vary the service levels, depend-
ing on prevailing requirements. For the same reasons, 802.16-
d can be used to serve remote and under-served areas with
low population densities where traffic can be cost-effectively
backhauled to the core network using LOS based 802.16-
d technology. It is quite clear that such on demand last-
mile broadband services shall provide new revenue-generating
opportunities for TSP’s. The scenario is depicted in Fig.4(b).
C. Mobile Wireless Services
With the proliferation of 802.11 hotspots, users will nat-
urally want to be wirelessly connected, even when they are
outside the range of the nearest hotspots. The 802.16-e flavor
of WiMAX introduces mobile capabilities, quite similar to
those offered by traditional wireless technologies, such as
GSM, GPRS/EDGE and 3G. With 802.16-e, users can be
handed off from one Base Station (BS) to another while
they move across cell boundaries. This requires the presence
of mobility-enabling nodes, such as Access Service Network
(ASN) Gateways in the Operators network. 802.16-e variant
supports upto 125Km/hr speeds of the subscriber stations with
fixed base station. The scenario is depicted in Fig.4(c).
IV. M OBILITY IN W I MAX
WiMAX 802.16-e variant is introduced to address the
growing market needs of Mobile Wireless Broadband Services
(MWBS). Capabilities of the 802.16-e variant to provide
seamless mobility to end users in their homes, offices and
during transit are generating the demand for innovative mobile
services. Users can now take advantage of all IP-based data
optimized applications while traveling at vehicular speeds.
This is made possible by IP-specific optimizations of 802.16
and its built-in support for high speed handoffs, while other 3G
technologies are now migrating to support IP based data con-
nectivity (e.g. 1xEV-DO) which were originally developed for
voice applications. Another limitation of legacy 3G technology
is their bounding of being backward compatible to traditional
TDM based voice support. With the advent of mobile WiMAX
mobile shall now be able to download full-length DVD-quality
movies quickly or host multiparty video conferencing sessions
from their WiMAX enabled handheld devices. It is obvious
that 802.16-e is providing a strong mobility platform to help
accelerate fixed/mobile braodband convergence.
 Addressing the strong demand for mobility, the WiMAX
forum recently introduced a set of specifications defining
a novel mobility support node, referred as ASN Gateway.
WiMAX network in principle is a non hierarchal network
which does not require specific locations for specific functions.
The ASN gateway providing mobility typically resides in the
core network and connects to WiMAX base stations using
standard IP stack. The Node interfaces with other network
elements, such as Authentication, Authorization, and Account-
ing (AAA) servers, Home Agents (HA), and Dynamic Host
(a) Scenario1: 802.16-a, LOS based MW backhauling
Configuration Protocol (DHCP) servers, to provide seamless
mobility to end users. Operators planning to provide next
generation WiMAX enabled mobile services to their customers
will need to incorporate ASN Gateways into their existing
networks.

V. C ORE E LEMENTS OF W I MAX

Core of a mobile WiMAX network differs significantly from
a legacy voice network such as GSM/UMTS etc. On the other
hand a close comparison with a fixed WiMAX network e.g.
802.16-d version reveals only a single extra element, i.e. the
ASN. In the following we briefly discuss role of each of
the core elements involved in a Mobile WiMAX solution as
depicted in Fig.5. (b) Scenario2: 802.16-d, Near LOS based fixed broadband wireless
access
A. AAA/Billing server
The AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Account-
ing)/Billing server provides crucial component providing au-
thentication and billing services. A subcomponent (not shown
in diagram) provides the capability list of different subscribers,
usually termed as Home Subscriber Server (HSS). The role of
AAA server, as the name implies is authentication of new
users entering the system, providing them selective access to
the services they have purchased (data provided from HSS)
and to provide billing information.

B. DHCP
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) auto-
mates the assignment of IP addresses, subnet masks, default
gateways and other IP parameters. The assignment occurs
when the DHCP-configured machine boots up or regains
connectivity to the network. The DHCP client sends out a
query requesting a response from a DHCP server on the
locally attached network. The query is typically initiated
immediately after booting up and before the client initiates any
IP based communication with other hosts. The DHCP server
then replies to the client with its assigned IP address, subnet
mask, DNS server and default gateway information. [2]. In
a mobile network this server provides valuable IP addressing
information for mobility management services such as ASN.
C. EMS
An Element Management System (EMS)provides a cen-
tralized interface for the system administrator to remotely
provision, configure and manage a device such as Mobile
Subscriber Station (MSS). Although similar services constitute
(c) Scenario3: 802.16-e, Non LOS based mobile broadband wireless
access
Fig. 4. Deployment scenarios of WiMAX with 802.16 variants
vital part in a fixed system, but coupled with mobility the
role becomes ever more important and complex. Users might
be moving across several cell boundaries and may require
parameter upgrade which is provided by EMS.
D. MGW/MGCF
Media Gateway (MGW)/Media Gateway Control Function
constitute (MGCF) softswitch in an IP Multimedia Subsystem
(IMS). A Media Gateway acts as a translation unit between
disparate telecommunication networks such as PSTN, Next
Generation Networks (NGN), 2G, 2.5G and 3G radio access
networks or PBX. Media Gateways enable multimedia com-
munications across NGN’s over multiple transport protocols
 EMS :Element Management System
EvDO :Evolution Data Optimized
Gbps :Giga bits per second
GPRS :General Packet Radio System
GSM :Global System for Mobile Communication
HA :Home Agents
HSPA :High Speed Packet Access
HSS :Home Subscriber Server
IMS :IP Multimedia Subsystem
IP :Internet Protocol
LA :Location update
LAN :Local Area Network
LOS :Line of Sight
MA :Mobile Agent
MAC :Media Access Control
Fig. 5. Core Architecture of Mobile WiMAX MGCF :Media Gateway Control Function
MGW :Media Gateway
MIMO :Multiple Input Multiple Output
such as ATM and IP. [2] MSS :Mobile Subscriber Station
MGCF provides crucial signalling and control functions MW :Microwave
necessary for the MGW to operate. MWBS :Mobile Wireless Broadband Services
NGN :Next Generation Networks
E. ASN OFDM :Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing
An Access Service Network (ASN) is a technological mar- PBX :Private Business Exchange/Private Branch Exchange
vel in the world innovation. Supporting data rates in order PSTN :Public Switched Telephone Network
of 100’s of Gbps with stringent QoS requirements and a QoS :Quality of Service
multiplicity of services which require high end hardware, SOHO :Small Office Home Office
flexible and efficient programming skills. TDM :Time Division Multiplexing
The main purpose of an ASN are mobility related functions TSP :Telecommunication Service Provider
such as Connection Admission Control (CAC), IP mobility, UMTS :Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems
paging, location update (LA), IP address management and VoIP :Voice over IP
allocation and last but not the least, authentication and security. WCDMA :Wideband CDMA
In addition it needs to support standard IMS interfaces such as WiFi :Wireless Fidelity (We also include 802.11)
R3,R4 and R6 and therefore several protocols. It also provides WiMAX :Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access
Home Agent (HA) and Mobile Agent (MA) functions for WWW :World Wide Web
mobile IP.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
F. IGW The authors would like to thank Mr. Zain ul Abideen
Internet gateway provides an interface towards the World (zain.abideen@wateen.com) and Samad Rafiq Talha
Wide Web (www). Not only it handles the higher tier network (samad.rafiq@wateen.com) for their valuable contribution.
routing services but also hides the inner network from the R EFERENCES
internet.
[1] WiMAX Forum, http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/
[2] Wikipedia, Web-based, free content encyclopedia project.
G. Aggregation router [3] Abdul. R. Usmani, WhyMAX, Wateen Telecom, Aug2006.
A routing/aggregation device which enable IP based com-
munication between different elements of the core network.
VI. L IST O F A BBREVIATIONS
AAA :Authorization Authentication and Accounting
ASN :Access Service Network
ATM :Asynchronous Transfer Mode
CAC :Connection Admission Control
CDMA :Coded Division Multiple Access
DHCP :Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DSL :Digital Subscriber Line
DVD :Digital Video Disc