WiMAX

What is WiMAX ??

Think about how you access the Internet

today.

3 options !!

 Broadband access
Wi-Fi access
Dial-up access

WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access,

is a wireless Internet service designed to cover wide
geographical areas serving large number of users at low cost.

WiMAX is the synonym given to the IEEE 802.16 standard

defining wide area wireless data networking .
It cover up to 3000 square miles.

Typical Network Ranges

Wide Area Network

Metropolitan Area Network

WAN
IEEE 802.16e
IMT-2000(3G)
(Nationwide)
MAN
IEEE 802.16-2004
ETSI HiperMAN/WiMAX
(50 Km)
LAN
IEEE 802.11 (a,b,g)
(150 m)

Local Area Network

PAN
IEEE 802.15
Bluetooth
(10m)

Personal Area Network

A WiMAX system consists of two parts :

A Transmitter
A single WiMAX tower can provide coverage to a very large area as big as 3,000
sq. miles

A Receiver
The receiver and antenna could be a small box or they could built into a laptop as
the way Wi-Fi access is today.

WiMAX

WiMAX

WiMAX

Forms of Wireless Service

NLOS (Non Line of Sight)
Wi-Fi sort of service

LOS ( Line of Sight)

 NLOS (Non Line of Sight)

There is thenon-line-of-sight, WiFi sort of service,

where a small antenna on your computer connects to
the tower. In this mode, WiMAX uses alower
frequency range 2 GHz to 11 GHz (similar to
WiFi). Lower-wavelength transmissions are not as
easily disrupted by physical obstructions they are
better able to diffract, or bend, around obstacles.

 LOS ( Line of Sight)

There isline-of-sightservice, where a fixed dish
antenna points straight at the WiMAX tower from a
rooftop or pole. The line-of-sight connection is
stronger and more stable, so its able to send a lot of
data with fewer errors. Line-of-sight transmissions
usehigher frequencies, with ranges reaching a
possible 66 GHz. At higher frequencies, there is less
interference and lots more bandwidth.

Point to
Multipoint
application

WiMAX point-to-multipoint

Wire line or Wireless

backhaul

WiMAX Base Station

Homes with outdoor/indoor

WiMAX receiver

ISP PoP

Relationship with other Wireless Technologies

3G

Wi-Fi

WiMAX

Max. Speed

2 Mbps

54 Mbps

100 Mbps

Coverage

Several Miles

300 feet

50 miles

Advantages

Range,
Mobility

Speed, Price

Speed, Range

Disadvantages

Slow,
Expensive

Short Range

Interference
issues

Security Issue
Every WiMAX traffic is encrypted using DES (Data Encryption Standard) or
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for securing its transmission over the air.
The encryption keys are distributed from the BS to the SSs using PKM ( Privacy
Key Management) protocol to ensure that only authorized SSs can receive the keys.
Every WiMAX user device is authenticated using a digital certificate or SIM
( Subscriber Identity Module).
This way, WiMAX keeps user traffic from eavesdropping and protects operator or
service provider from becoming a victim of bandwidth theft by unauthorized users.

USES
1) Connecting Wi-Fi hotspots with each other and to other
parts of the internet.
3) Providing a high-speed mobile data and telecommunications
services (4G).

4) Providing a diverse source of Internet connectivity as a

part of business continuity plan.
5) Providing Nomadic connectivity.

What are the Advantages ?

A Single WiMAX main Station can serve hundreds of users.
Endpoints install within days instead of the weeks required for wired
connections.
Data rates as high as 280 Mbps and distances of 30 miles are possible.
Users can operate mobile within 3-5 miles of a base station at
data rates up to 75 Mbps.
Less expensive than DSL or coaxial cable.
Robust security

What are the disadvantages ?

Line-of-Sight is required for long distance (5-30 mile) connections.

Heavy rains can disrupt the service.
Poor bandwidth when serving lots of clients.
High cost-both for installation and operation.
Big Power consumption.

Advantages over Wi-Fi

The WiMAX specification provides symmetrical bandwidth over many kilometers
and range with stronger encryption and typically less interference. Wi-Fi is short
range has WEP or WPA encryption and suffers from interference as in
metropolitan areas there are many users.
The fastest Wi-Fi connection can transmit up to 54 Megabits per second under
optimal conditions. WiMAX can handle up to 70 Megabits per second.
The biggest difference isnt speed; its distance. WiMAX outdistances Wi-Fi by
miles.

Analysis
WiMAX is not competing other, it is wireless cable replacement technology, which
competes with wired operators.

Future developments and IEEE 802.20

MBWA is a technology developed by IEEE 802.20. It is the future technology
standard for true wireless broadband or 4G and so far iBurst is the only
pre-selected solution with over a dozen commercial deployments worldwide.