Ranging in WiMax

White Paper
Domain: Wireless
Mahua Das Gupta
Tata Consultancy Services
Innovation Labs, Kolkata
mahua.dasgupta@tcs.com
 Abstract

In WiMAX, the first step of the Mobile Station (MS) or Subscriber Station (SS), in Mobile and
Fixed WiMAX respectively, is to perform synchronization with the Base Station(BS) and
maintain this synchronization throughout. The parameters of synchronization are Time,
Frequency and Power. The paper discusses the various types of Ranging techniques employed
in WiMAX.
 Ranging in WiMax

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 4
TYPES OF RANGING ................................................................................................................................ 6
MAC SUPPORT FOR RANGING ............................................................................................................. 7
RANGING PROCESS ................................................................................................................................. 8
INITIAL RANGING ....................................................................................................................................... 8
Initial Ranging in Fixed WiMAX .......................................................................................................... 8
Initial Ranging Results in Fixed WiMAX .............................................................................................. 8
Initial Ranging in Mobile WiMAX ........................................................................................................ 9
Initial Ranging Results in Mobile WiMAX............................................................................................ 9
PERIODIC RANGING .................................................................................................................................. 10
Periodic Ranging in Fixed WiMAX..................................................................................................... 10
Periodic Ranging in Mobile WiMAX .................................................................................................. 10
HANDOVER RANGING IN MOBILE WIMAX .............................................................................................. 11
Advantages of Code based Ranging in Mobile WiMAX...................................................................... 11
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................................... 13
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................... 14
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 15

Confidential 3
 Ranging in WiMax

Introduction
Ranging is the process in which the MS acquires frequency, time and power adjustments, after
which all uplink transmissions are aligned with the BS. The process is based on MS
transmitting a signal and BS responding with required adjustments (close-loop) and is
achieved by use of Ranging Request RNG_REQ and Ranging Response RNG_RSP messages.
The BS and the MS or SS, continuously transmit data bursts and need to be in sync with each
other. The power and frequency with which the MS transmits should be same as expected by
the BS to identify the received OFDMA symbols correctly. Also, the time intervals of frame
transmissions need to be synchronized for both BS and MS. Hence, the need for ranging.
A pictorial representation of time, frequency and power adjustments are depicted in Figure 1
and Figure 2. In Figure 1, the red arrows depict the original frequency of transmission of the
SS, the pink arrows denote the frequency adjustments after retrieving the frequency offset
from UL MAP and the yellow arrows depict the final transmission after power gain.

Fig. 1 Frequency and Power Adjustments

Confidential 4
 Ranging in WiMax
In Figure 2, the values R1, R2 and R3 are the initial ranging slots for the client stations. After
ranging operation, the adjustments are done to values T1, T2 and T3.

Fig. 2 Timing Adjustments

Confidential 5
 Ranging in WiMax

Types of Ranging
Ranging can be of three major types:
1. Contention based Initial Ranging
2. Periodic Ranging and
3. Handover Ranging (only in Mobile WiMAX)

Fig. 3 Ranging Categories

Initial Ranging is done in the network entry phase, after collection of UCD and DCD
parameters. Periodic ranging is performed periodically (based on a timer in the SS/MS)
during operation whenever any power, frequency or timing sync is required. Initial
ranging allows the SS/MS joining the network to acquire correct transmission parameters
such as time offset, frequency offset and transmission power level, so that the SS can
communicate with the BS. Following initial ranging, periodic ranging allows the SS to
adjust transmission parameters so that the SS/MS can maintain uplink communications
with the BS. Handover ranging is performed only during handing over from one BS to
another, and this is a feature added to support mobility in 802.16e.

Confidential 6
 Ranging in WiMax

MAC Support for Ranging

Ranging is performed in a separate module in between the BS and the SS. The MAC CPS
layer is responsible for this operation. Periodically, the scheduler follows either polling
mechanism or Unified Grant request mechanism to give the SS/MS the opportunity a
frequency/time slot to send the Ranging Request message.

The MAC support for ranging is described in Figure 4. In Mobile WiMAX, a set of
CDMA Ranging codes available and the SS selects CDMA codes from that group to
perform ranging. This reduces the chances of collisions during ranging requests, since
orthogonal CDMA codes are used for requesting.

Fig. 4 Ranging Block Diagram

Confidential 7
 Ranging in WiMax

Ranging Process
Initial Ranging

Initial Ranging in Fixed WiMAX

The physical layer frame structure for the DL and UL for 802.16e. The process of Initial
Ranging in 802.16d can be described by the following steps.
1) SS shall synchronize to the downlink and learn the uplink channel characteristics
through the UCD MAC management message.
2) SS shall scan the UL-MAP message to find a broadcast ranging opportunity known as
the Initial Ranging Interval. BS shall allocate an Initial Ranging Interval.
3) SS send RNG-REQ.
If the SS does not receive a response, the SS shall resent the RNG-REQ at the next
appropriate Initial Ranging transmission opportunity at one step higher power level. If the
SS receives a response containing the frame number in which the RNG-REQ was
transmitted, it shall consider the transmission attempt unsuccessful but implement the
corrections specified in the RNG-RSP and issue another RNG-REQ message after the
appropriate backoff delay. The backoff delay is achieved by means of a timer on the SS
side. If the SS receives a response containing its MAC Address, it shall consider the
RNG_RSP reception successful.

Initial Ranging Results in Fixed WiMAX

Status: Success
Within the RNG-RSP message shall be the Basic and Primary Management CIDs
assigned to this SS. The message shall also contain information on RF power level
adjustment and offset frequency adjustment as well as any timing offset corrections. At
this point the BS shall start using invited Initial Ranging Intervals addressed to the SS’s
Basic CID to complete the ranging process, unless the status of the RNG-RSP message is
success, in which case the initial ranging procedure shall end.
Status: Continue
If the status of the RNG-RSP message is continue, the SS shall wait for an individual
Initial Ranging interval assigned to its Basic CID. Using this interval, the SS shall
transmit another RNG-REQ message using the Basic CID along with any power level
and timing offset corrections. The BS shall return another RNG-RSP message to the SS
with any additional fine tuning required. The ranging request/response steps shall be
repeated until the response contains a Ranging Successful notification or the BS aborts
ranging. In case there is a collision, the BS would not be able to send a response, in such
a case the ranging process shall continue. Fig. 5 describes collision handling.
Status: Abort
Once the SS has sent a number of RNG_REQ messages, but still has not received the
response message from the BS, it determines that it is out of sync with the BS and its
ranging parameters are now not usable. Hence it restarts its MAC state machine and
issues a fresh ranging request.

Confidential 8
 Ranging in WiMax

Fig. 5 Collision in Initial ranging in Fixed WiMAX

Initial Ranging in Mobile WiMAX

A SS that wants to perform initial ranging shall follow the following steps:
1) After acquiring the downlink synchronization and Uplink transmission parameters,
the SS shall choose a Ranging Slot (randomly) and then a Ranging Code (from Initial
ranging region which it receives in the UL MAP message) and send it to the BS as a
CDMA code.
2) Upon successfully receiving the CDMA code, the BS BROADCASTS a Ranging
response message that advertises the Ranging Code as well as the ranging Slot
(including the OFDMA symbol number, sub-channel) where the CDMA Ranging
code has been identified. The SS that had sent this code identifies the paging response
(since broadcast) message that corresponds to its Range request. The Ranging
response message contains all adjustments (time, power, frequency corrections) and a
status modification.

Initial Ranging Results in Mobile WiMAX

Status: SUCCESS
When the BS receives the CDMA code resulting in a Range response with success status
(all parameters already correct or corrected), it provides a BANDWIDTH allocation to
the SS
Status: CONTINUE
Upon receiving a Range response message with continue status, the SS shall continue
ranging process as done on the first entry with ranging codes randomly chosen from the
Periodic Ranging domain.

Confidential 9
 Ranging in WiMax
Periodic Ranging

Periodic Ranging in Fixed WiMAX

The periodic ranging happens every time a timer on the BS expires and the BS decides to
confirm transmission parameters with the SS.
1) When each time the timer expires, the BS grants BW to the SS for an uplink
transmission (may or may not be for ranging).
2) There is a timer on the SS, upon expiration of which it understands that it has not
received an opportunity to transmit to the BS for a long period of time, hence its
transmission parameters are not longer usable and it restarts it MAC.
3) For each unicast uplink burst grant, the BS determines whether or not a transmission
signal is present. If no signal is detected in a specified number of successive grants,
the BS shall terminate link management for the associated SS.
4) If a transmission signal is detected, the BS makes a determination as to the QoS. If
the signal is within acceptable limits, and the data carried in the burst contains
RNG_REQ message, a RNG_RSP message shall be issued with Status SUCCESS. If
the signal is not within acceptable limits, the RNG_RSP shall be issued with status
CONTINUE, and the appropriate correction data. If a sufficient number of correction
messages are issued but still the signal does not seem to be acceptable, the BS shall
send the RNG_RSP with s status ABORT, and terminates link management for that
SS.
5) The SS shall process each RNG_RSP message it receives, implementing the PHY
corrections that are specified (when status is CONTINUE) or initiating a restart of its
MAC (when the status is ABORT).
The SS shall respond to each uplink bandwidth grant addressed to it. When the status of
the last RNG_RSP message is CONTINUE the RNG_REQ message shall be included in
the transmitted burst. When the status of the last RNG_RSP message received is
SUCCESS, the SS shall use the grant to service its pending uplink data queues. If no data
is pending, the SS shall respond to the grant by transmitting a block of padded data.

Periodic Ranging in Mobile WiMAX

An SS that wishes to perform periodic ranging shall take the following steps:
1) The MS shall choose randomly a Ranging Slot (with the use of a binary truncated
exponent algorithm to avoid possible re-collisions) at the time to perform the ranging,
and then it chooses randomly a Periodic Ranging Code (from the Periodic Ranging
domain) and sends it to the BS (as a CDMA code).
2) If the MS does not receive a response, the MS may send a new CDMA code at the
next appropriate periodic Ranging transmission opportunity and adjust its power level
up to PTX_IR_MAX.
3) The BS cannot tell which SS sent the CDMA ranging request; therefore, upon
successfully receiving a CDMA Periodic Ranging Code, the BS broadcasts a Ranging
Response message that advertises the received Periodic Ranging Code as well as the
ranging slot (OFDMA symbol number, sub-channel, etc.) where the CDMA Periodic
Ranging code has been identified. This information is used by the MS that sent the
CDMA Periodic ranging code to identify the Ranging Response message that
corresponds to its ranging request. The Ranging Response message contains all the

Confidential 10
 Ranging in WiMax
needed adjustment (e.g., time, power, and possibly frequency corrections) and a status
notification.
4) Upon receiving a Ranging Response message with continue status, the MS shall
continue the ranging process with further periodic ranging codes randomly chosen
from the Periodic Ranging domain.
5) Using the OFDMA ranging mechanism, the periodic ranging timer is controlled by
the MS, not the BS.
The BS may send an unsolicited RNG-RSP as a response to a CDMA-based bandwidth-
request or any other data transmission from the SS.

Handover Ranging in Mobile WiMAX

A MS that wishes to perform handover ranging shall take a process similar to that defined
in the initial ranging section with some modifications. In CDMA handover ranging
process, the CDMA handover ranging code is used instead of the initial ranging code.
The code is selected from the handover-ranging domain. Alternatively, if the BS is pre-
notified for the upcoming handover MS, it may provide BW allocation information to the
MS using Fast_Ranging_IE to send an RNG-REQ message.
A MS at some circumstance such as trying network re-entry to another new BS in the
drop situation, location update in idle mode or fast call recovery (which needs more UL
resources for RNG-REQ because of additional bytes for handover data) may use the HO
ranging code. The BS receiving HO ranging code shall allocate more bandwidth to the
MS, enough to send RNG-REQ.

Advantages of Code based Ranging in Mobile WiMAX

In Mobile WiMAX, in the UL sub frame, a single Ranging channel is defined. Different
users sending Ranging requests are allowed to collide on this channel. To effect a ranging
transmission, each MS randomly selects one ranging code from a bank of specified
binary codes. These codes are then BPSK modulated onto the sub-carriers in the ranging
channel. Upon detection, the BS shall provide uplink allocation for the MS, but instead of
indicating a Basic CID, the Broadcast CID shall be sent in combination with the the
transmit region and ranging code that were used by the SS for Ranging request. This
allows an SS to determine whether it has been given an allocation by matching these
parameters with the parameters that it used for request. If the BS does not issue the uplink
allocation, the SS shall understand that there is a collision, and retransmit in the next
ranging opportunity.

In WiMAX, the BS controls assignments on the uplink channel through the UL_MAP
messages, and determines which MSs are subject to collision. Since the number of users
in Mobile WiMAX are much more due to Adaptive PHY and two dimensions of user
selection (frequency and time), the collision management has to be much effective, and is
achieved by use of CDMA codes

Confidential 11
 Ranging in WiMax

MS Serving BS Target BS1 Target BS2

DL_MAP

UL_MAP

Handoff Request

Possible Target BS
HO Pre Notification

Response (NACK)

HO Pre Notification

Response (NACK)

Handoff Response

Handoff Indication

Serving BS Release
DL_MAP

UL_MAP (with CDMA Code Region)

Ranging Request with CODE from new region

Ranging Response

Fig. 6: Handover Ranging Flow diagram

Confidential 12
 Ranging in WiMax

CONCLUSION
Periodic ranging is an important part of WiMAX operation. Once an UL connection has
been established between the BS and the MS/SS, the MS/SS should do periodic ranging
to track timing and power level fluctuations. These fluctuations ca occur because of
mobility (handoffs in Mobile WiMAX only), fast fading, shadow fading or any
combination thereof.
Following figure introduces keywords used in the paper.

DL: Downlink
UL: Uplink
MAC: Medium Access Control
UCD: Uplink Channel Descriptor
DCD: Downlink Channel Descriptor
MAP: Medium Access Protocol
FCH: Frame Control Header
OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency
Division Multiple Access
WiMAX: World Interoperability for
Microwave Access
CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access

Fig. 7: Terminologies Used

Confidential 13
 Ranging in WiMax

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

My thanks to Soma Bandyopadhyay who has helped for reviewing this document and
given us the opportunity to work in a project which helps me gain knowledge over
contents of WiMAX, part of which is shared in this paper.

Confidential 14
 Ranging in WiMax

References
[1] 3GPP TR 25.950 V4.0.1 (2005-07) Technical Report
[2] [ICC03] E. N. Onggosanusi, A. G. Dabak, Y. Hui, and G. Jeong, “Hybrid ARQ
Transmission and Combining for MIMO Systems,” IEEE ICC 2003.
[3] IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Networks Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed
and Mobile Broadband Wireless Systems, Amendment 2: Physical and Medium
Access Control Layers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation in Licensed Bands
and Corrigendum 1.

Confidential 15