WiMAX

A wireless technology for “Y”oung generation

Presented by:-
CONTACT DETAILS
Dinil ps
Contents

1. Abstract ……………………………… 3

2. How WiMAX works ……………………………… 4

3. Network scale ……………………………… 6

4. IEEE 802.16 specifications ……………………………… 7

5. What can WiMAX do ……………………………… 7

6. The WiMAX scenario ……………………………… 8

7. WiFi Vs WiMAX ……………………………… 9

8. Conclusion ……………………………… 10

9. Glossary ……………………………… 11

10.References ………………………………. 12

2
Abstract

It’s no secret that wireless internet high data rates over large areas to a large
access is growing at furious rates in number of users in the near future. This
India and rest of the world. Not only are exciting addition to current broadband

residences and businesses steadily options such as DSL, cable, and WiFi

shifting towards wireless networks for promises to rapidly provide broadband

ease of access and cost savings, but free access to locations in the world's rural

wireless hotspots are popping up all over and developing areas where broadband

as commercial venues like cafes, hotels is currently unavailable, as well as

and even restaurants realize that wireless competing for urban market share.

Internet access is becoming a WiMax's competitiveness in the

fundamental customer requirement. In marketplace largely depends on the

fact, it is almost requisite that service- actual data rates and ranges that are

oriented businesses have wireless achieved, but this has been difficult to

available for their customers if they are judge due to the large number of

going to compete. possible options and competing

marketing claims. This paper first

The IEEE 802.16 family of standards provides an overview of WiMax (IEEE

and its associated industry consortium, 802.16) and how it actually works

WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for

Microwave Access) promise to deliver

3
How WiMAX Works?
In practical terms, WiMAX would
operate similar to WiFi but at higher
speeds, over greater distances and for a
greater number of users. WiMAX could
potentially erase the suburban and rural
blackout areas that currently have no
broadband Internet access because
phone and cable companies have not yet
run the necessary wires to those remote
locations.
A WiMAX system consists of two parts:
• A WiMAX tower, similar in
concept to a cell-phone tower - A
single WiMAX tower can
provide coverage to a very large
area -- as big as 3,000 square
miles (~8,000 square km).
• A WiMAX receiver - The
receiver and antenna could be a
small box or PCMCIA card, or
4
they could be built into a laptop
the way WiFi access is today.
A WiMAX tower station can connect
directly to the Internet using a high-
bandwidth, wired connection (for
example, a T3 line). It can also connect
to another WiMAX tower using a line-
of-sight, microwave link. This
connection to a second tower (often
referred to as a backhaul), along with
the ability of a single tower to cover up
to 3,000 square miles, is what allows
WiMAX to provide coverage to remote
rural areas
What this points out is that WiMAX
actually can provide two forms of
wireless service:
• There is the non-line-of-sight,
WiFi sort of service, where a
small antenna on your computer
connects to the tower. In this
 mode, WiMAX uses a lower There is line-of-sight service, where a
frequency range -- 2 GHz to 11 fixed dish antenna points straight at the
GHz (similar to WiFi). Lower- WiMAX tower from a rooftop or pole.
wavelength transmissions are not The line-of-sight connection is stronger
as easily disrupted by physical and more stable, so it's able to send a lot
obstructions -- they are better of data with fewer errors. Line-of-sight
able to diffract, or bend, around transmissions use higher frequencies,
obstacles. with ranges reaching a possible 66 GHz.
At higher frequencies, there is less
interference and lots more bandwidth.

In above figure the transmission of data through both line of sight (back haul, tower to tower) and non line of sight (tower to
consumers) is shown

WiFi-style access will be limited to a 4- which is similar in range to a cell-phone

to-6 mile radius (perhaps 25 square zone). Through the stronger line-of-sight
miles or 65 square km of coverage, antennas, the WiMAX transmitting

5
station would send data to WiMAX-
enabled computers or routers set up
within the transmitter's 30-mile radius
Network scale
The smallest-scale network is a personal
area network (PAN). A PAN allows
devices to communicate with each other
over short distances. Bluetooth is the
best example of a PAN.
The next step up is a local area network
(LAN). A LAN allows devices to share
information, but is limited to a fairly
6
(2,800 square miles or 9,300 square km
of coverage). This is what allows
WiMAX to achieve its maximum range.
small central area, such as a company's
headquarters, a coffee shop or your
house. Many LANs use WiFi to connect
the network wirelessly.
WiMAX is the wireless solution for the
next step up in scale, the metropolitan
area network (MAN). A MAN allows
areas the size of cities to be connected
 The above figure shows how the different wireless networks are placed, based on their coverage area and Bandwidth

IEEE 802.16 Specifications:

• Range - 30-mile (50-km) radius
from base station
• Speed - 70 megabits per second
• Line-of-sight not needed between
user and base station
• Frequency bands - 2 to 11 GHz
and 10 to 66 GHz (licensed and
unlicensed bands).
• Defines both the MAC and PHY
layers and allows multiple PHY-layers
specifications.

7
What Can WiMAX Do?
WiMax operates on the same general
principles as WiFi -- it sends data from
one computer to another via radio
signals. A computer (either a desktop or
a laptop) equipped with WiMax would
receive data from the
transmitting station, probably
encrypted data keys to
unauthorized users from stealing access.
The fastest WiFi connection can transmit
up to 54 megabits per second under
optimal conditions. WiMax should be
able to handle up to 70 megabits per
second. Even once that 70 megabits is
split up between several
businesses or a few hundred home users,
it will provide at least the equivalent of
cable-modem transfer rates to each user.
The biggest difference isn't speed; it's
distance. WiMax outdistances WiFi by
WiMAX doesn't just pose a threat to
providers of DSL and cable-modem
service. The WiMAX protocol is
designed to accommodate several
different methods of data transmission,
one of which is Voice Over Internet
Protocol (VoIP). VoIP allows people to
make local, long-distance and even
miles. WiFi's range is about 100 feet (30
m). WiMax will blanket a radius of 30
miles (50 km) with wireless access. The
increased range is due to the frequencies
used and the power of the transmitter. Of
WiMax course, at that distance, terrain, weather
using and large buildings will act to reduce the
prevent maximum range in some circumstances,
but the potential is there to cover huge
tracts of land.
If you have a home network, things
wouldn't change much. The WiMAX
base station would send data to a
WiMAX-enabled router, which would
dozen
then send the data to the different
computers on your network. You could
even combine WiFi with WiMAX by
having the router send the data to the
computers via WiFi.
international calls through a broadband
Internet connection, bypassing phone
companies entirely. If WiMAX-
compatible computers become very
common, the use of VoIP could increase
dramatically. Almost anyone with a
laptop could make VoIP calls.
8
WiMAX Could Boost Government Security
In an emergency, communication is
crucial for government officials as they
determine the cause of the problem, find
out who may be injured and coordinate
rescue efforts or cleanup operations. A
gas-line explosion or terrorist attack
could sever the cables that connect
leaders and officials with their vital
information networks.
WiMAX could be used to set up a back-
up (or even primary) communications
The WiMAX Scenario
Here's what would happen if you got
WiMAX. An Internet service provider
sets up a WiMAX base station 10 miles
from your home. You would buy a
WiMAX-enabled computer (some of
them should be on store shelves in 2007)
or upgrade your old computer to add
WiMAX capability. You would receive
a special encryption code that would
give you access to the base station. The
WiFi vs. WiMAX
9
system that would be difficult to destroy
with a single, pinpoint attack. A cluster
of WiMAX transmitters would be set up
in range of a key command center but as
far from each other as possible. Each
transmitter would be in a bunker
hardened against bombs and other
attacks. No single attack could destroy
all of the transmitters, so the officials in
the command center would remain
in communication at all times .
base station would beam data from the
Internet to your computer (at speeds
potentially higher than today's cable
modems), for which you would pay the
provider a monthly fee. The cost for this
service could be much lower than
current high-speed Internet-subscription
fees because the provider never had to
run cables.
WiFi was created in Norway in 1991,
and was originally designed for
commercial cash register systems.
Today, it provides wireless broadband
access to any user with wireless
connectivity technology, or wireless
adapter cards, within a small range.
Typically, a WiFi signal has a maximum
range of 150 feet indoors and 300 feet
outdoors.
WiMAX serves several functions in
wireless connectivity, but it was largely
created to provide “last-mile” broadband
connection to homes and businesses.
Instead of using fixed lines like cable or
telephone line to bring Internet access
into a building, WiMAX uses
transmitters, like cell-phone towers, to
carry its signal. WiMax technology does
not require line-of-sight to the user, so
several subscribers can connect to a
tower, even if it is blocked by trees or
other buildings. This makes WiMax
particularly useful and cost-effective for
rural homes and other locations set in a
geography that would make laying a
traditional hardwire difficult and
expensive.
10
WiMAX has a much greater range than
WiFi, although interpretations of this
range vary. While engineers have stated
that WiMAX could have a range of up to
30 miles, field tests have resulted in a
range radius of between four and eight
miles. Still, this represents a range far
greater than the few hundred foot radius
of WiFi.
WiMAX also has some benefits over
WiFi in terms of connection quality.
When multiple users are connected to a
WiFi access point, they are effectively in
constant battle for connection, and users
can experience varying levels of
broadband width. WiMAX technology,
however, secures each user with a
constant allotment of broadband access.
Built into the WiMAX technology is an
algorithm that establishes a limit to the
number of users per WiMAX access
point. When a WiMAX tower is nearing
its maximum broadband capacity, it
automatically redirects additional users
to another WiMAX access point.
Conclusion
WiMAX and the IEEE 802.16 standard
will revolutionize the broadband
wireless access industry and open many
opportunities to deploy systems in
applications that was previously cost
prohibitive. WiMAX provides a viable
competitive alternative to many
applications currently serviced with
copper, coax, and fibre connections.
WiMAX is intended complement other
wireless standards such as WLAN and
cellular based data networks. Together
these provide many options to meet
customer needs and grow the overall
opportunity for wireless systems.
.WiFi, on the other hand, has already
saturated a significant percentage of the
wireless market, and it has proved both
easy to use and cheap. While businesses
with large physical space might want to
move to WiMAX to avoid buying the
many repeater access points required
with WiFi, it will be several years before
WiMAX becomes cheap enough to enter
the residential and small commercial
market.

Glossary
• IEEE 802.11 is a group of network wireless
wireless specifications developed communication. It details a
by the IEEE for local area wireless interface between

11
 devices to manage packet traffic • PHY: Physical Layer Device
to avoid collisions. Some Physical Layer Device (PHY) is
common specifications include the term used for a transceiver in
the following: 802.11a, 802.11b, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit
802.11g, etc. Ethernet systems.
• IEEE 802.15, a standardization • MAC Layer: MAC Layer, short
of Bluetooth wireless for Media Access Control Layer,
specification defined by IEEE, is is one of two sub layers that
for wireless personal area make up the Data Link Layer of
networks (WPANs). IEEE the OSI model. The MAC layer
802.15 has characters such as is responsible for moving data
short-range, low power, low cost, packets to and from one Network
small networks and Interface Card (NIC) to another
communication of devices within across a shared channel
a Personal Operating Space. .
• IEEE 802.16 defines wireless • ETSI (European

service that provides a Telecommunications Standard

communications path between a Institute European

subscriber site and a core Telecommunications Standard

network such as the public Institute): ETSI is an

telephone network and the independent, non-profit

Internet. The Wireless MAN organization, whose mission is to

technology is also branded as produce telecommunications

WiMAX, This wireless standards for today and for the

broadband access standard future. Based in France, ETSI is

provides the missing link for the officially responsible for

"last mile" connection in standardization of Information

metropolitan area networks and Communication

where DSL, Cable and other Technologies (ICT) within

broadband access methods are Europe. These technologies

not available or too expensive. include telecommunications,

12
 broadcasting and related areas least two networks, commonly
such as intelligent transportation two LANs or WANs or a LAN
and medical electronics. and its ISP network. A router is
• Network Router: A router is a often included as part of a
device or a piece of software in a network switch. A router is
computer that forwards and located at any gateway where
routes data packets along one network meets another,
networks. A router connects at including each point-of-presence
on the Internet.

References:

• www.wimaxforum.org • Wireless Networks: Multiuser

• www.wimax.com Detection in Cross-Layer Design

• www.ieee.org by Christina Comaniciu, H.

• WiMAX: Taking Wireless to the Vincent Poor, Narayan B.

MAX by Deepak pareek Mandayam

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX

13