WiMAX, Wireless Broadband Internet at last?
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a RF based communication technology for last mile wireless broadband PTP or PTMP connectivity. A WiMAX cell is estimated to service as high as 4800 business or 7200 residential suscribers.
Common Applications
Since the mix of voice, video and data traffic is allowed, VoWiMAX can successfully replace the local telephone service provider. More than an alternative to cable and DSL, WiMAX coverage can spread over many miles and be used to offer Internet access to rural or under-serviced areas. Compared to 802.11, WiMAX has better coverage in wooded or congested areas. Fixed WiMAX is used to replace T1 and other leased lines. Mobile WiMAX can be used for salespeople or city employees such as emergency response teams while driving.
WiMAX Excellent QoS Features
Service providers can guarantee certain bandwidth amounts by limiting the bandwidth consumptiom of other users. Since contention mechanisms are timed, bandwidth cannot be consumed by contention requests. When a contention request comes into the network, the system compares the request with a SLA for the consumer making the request, and they are handled accordingly. Link-by-link modulation allows closer users higher data-rate to be maintained when distant users join.
Bridging or complementing Wi-Fi devices.
In the educational or business sector, WiMAX can be utilised to create a single cell of coverage for the Wi-Fi Network effectively replacing dozen(s) of APs. In a multi campus scenario, WiMAX can be used to bridge Wi-Fi devices. While WiMAX suscriber stations are uniquely designed for 802.16 networks, they allow internal routing of 802.11 devices.
Amazing Potential for Developping Nations
WiMAX may become the only wireless technology where Wi-Fi and cellular have not penetrated.
WiMAX is interoperable with European HiperMAN and Korean Wi-Bro standards. Equipments from these interoperate
Security and Surveillance
With motion detection capable IP cameras, large scale centralized security and surveillance systems management become much easier to implement with WiMAX allowing real-time monitoring and control of localized activities. This could be used in public school systems, water management plants, military installations, etc.
Range, Data Rates
- In Fixed LOS implementations(802.16-2004, 3.5 and 5.8 Ghz frequency bands), expected throughput of Up to 40 Mbps per channel in a typical cell radius of 3 to 10 km. Advertized Data Rates of 70-75 Mbpsfor fixed and portable(access from different locations not necessarily while moving) access situations
- Mobile NLOS(802.16e operating in 2.3 and 2.5 GHz) expected throughput of Up to 15 Mbps in a cell radius of 3 km. Advertized Data Rates of 30 Mbps.
- Up to 50 km(31 miles) in LOS implementations
- Channels are either 3.5, 7 or 10 MHz width wide in licensed or unlicensed bands.
