WiMAX
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), is a telecommunications technology that provides for the wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-point links to portable internet access. The technology provides up to 75 Mb/s symmetric broadband speed without the need for cables. The technology is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard (also called Broadband Wireless Access).
It should be essential to manage elements in WiFi and WiMax networks as well as a wide variety of devices such as gateways (both dual band and tri-band),and access points.
Comparison with WiFi
Comparisons and confusion between WiMAX and Wi-Fi are frequent, possibly because both begin with the same two letters, are based upon IEEE standards beginning with "802.", and are related to wireless connectivity and Internet access. However, the two standards are aimed at different applications.1.WiMAX uses licensed spectrum
to deliver a point-to-point connection
to the Internet from an ISP
to an end user. Different
802.16 standards provide
different types of access, from
portable (similar to a cordless phone)
to fixed(an alternative to wired access,
where the end user's wireless
termination point is fixed in location)
2.Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum to
provide access to a network
3.WiMAX and Wi-Fi have quite different
Quality of service(QoS) mechanisms.
WiMax uses a mechanism based on
connections between the base station
and the user device. Each connection
is based on specific scheduling
algorithms.WiFi has introduced QoS
mechanism similar to fixed Ethernet,
Where packets can receive different
priorities beased on their tags.For
example VOIP traffic may be given
priority over web browsing.
Uses
1.Connecting WiFi Spots to the internet
2.Providing a wireless alternative to
cable and DSL for "last mile"
broadband access.
3. providing data and telecommunication
services.
4. providing a source of internet
connectivity as part of a business
continuity plan.That is,If a business
has a fixed and a wireless internet
connection ,especially from unrelated
providers,they are unlikely to be
affected by the same service outage
5. providing portable connectivity
WiMAX subscriber units are available in both indoor and outdoor versions from several manufacturers. Self-install indoor units are convenient, but radio losses mean that the subscriber must be significantly closer to the WiMAX base station than with professionally-installed external units. As such, indoor-installed units require a much higher infrastructure investment as well as operational cost (site lease, back haul, maintenance) due to the high number of base stations required to cover a given area. Indoor units are comparable in size to a cable modem or DSL modem. Outdoor units are roughly the size of a laptop PC, and their installation is comparable to a residential satellite dish.
With the potential of mobile WiMAX, there is an increasing focus on portable units. This includes handsets (similar to cellular smart phones) and PC peripherals (PC Cards or USB dongles). In addition, there is much emphasis from operators on consumer electronics devices (game terminals, MP3 players and the like); it is notable this is more similar to Wi-Fi than 3G cellular technologies.
Current certified devices can be found at the WiMAX Forum web site. This is not a complete list of devices available as certified modules are embedded into laptops, MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices), and private labeled devices.
Glossary
Access Point:
A device that distributes Wi-Fi signals to and from a
wireless local area network.
Base station:
The central radio transmitter/receiver from which
a service provider broadcasts WiMAX signals. Typically mounted on
towers or tall buildings.
Broadband:
A general term for subscription access from an Internet
Service Provider at speeds of 1 Mbps (million bits per second) or higher.
Customer Premises Equipment (CPE):
Equipment installed at a customer’s location for fixed WiMAX deployments.
Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N:
Advanced Intel Wi-Fi technology based on the IEEE 802.11n specification that provides up to 2x greater range and up to 5x better performance than previous 802.11 standards.
Local Area Network (LAN):
A data network that covers a relatively small geographic area, such as a building or cluster of buildings, typically measured in feet/meters. Wi-Fi is a LAN technology.
Wide Area Network (WAN):
A data network that covers a relatively large geographic area, such as a whole town, typically measured in miles/kilometers. WiMAX is a WAN technology.
Wi-Fi:
The set of local-area mobile wireless technologies based on the 802.11 standard, with range up to a few hundred feet/meters from an access point.
WiMAX:
The wide-area mobile wireless technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, with range up to a few miles/kilometers from a base station.
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