1.

OVERVIEW OF MOBILE WIMAX

Wimax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. This new technology considered as the next generation broadband wireless technology which promises high speed data streaming , reliable communication, secure , and last mile broadband services through with a cellular back haul and Wi-fi hotspots[2]. Mobile Wimax is based on IEEE 802.16 Air interface standard which is begun to evaluated by December 2001. The IEEE 802.16 group released a standard which was using a single carrier modulation techniques and it called Wireless MAN-SC, and MAC layer with a time division multiplexing (TDM) structure in order to support both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing. This standard was working in 10-66 GHz . Due to the fact that to addressing non-line of sight communication is hard in such a high frequencies, IEEE authorized the 802.16a which was completed by 2003 in order to enable NLOS communication in 2-11 GHz. Further revisions to 802.16a were made and finished in 2004.the standard named IEEE 802.16-2004 Air interface standard which is playing a key role in fixed broadband wireless metropolitan area networks. This air interface standard was specified in order to implement fixed broadband networks .In December, 2005 the IEEE authorized the 802.16e amendment in order to provide necessary features and attributes for supporting mobility by specifying scalable OFDM for the physical layer and further adjustments in the MAC layer[1].

Mobile Wimax offer a broadband wireless solution, with high throughput and reliable data transfers via merging the mobile and fixed broadband networks through a wide area broadband radio access technology and flexible network architecture. After the amendment of mobile Wimax , the standard-based procducts are designed to work with both stationary and mobile deployments[A].

2.1

Why Choose Mobile Wimax?

The main objective of the wireless communication industry is that to provide economically broadband access over a widespread geographical area. Wimax is one of the most important element that can make this objective[nokia]. Thanks to the Wimax, service providers will be able to offer a broadband wireless access for hundreds of users from each base station. The success of the implementing and using Wimax depends on the type of the band that used. Due to the interference controlling is not possible in unlicensed spectrum.[nokia]Despite of the fact that, first releases of Wimax did support just the fixed applications, the full potential of the Wimax can be obtained only when the nomadic and mobile broadband applications used. Wimax technology in its IEEE 802.16e-2005 incorporation most likely deployed by fixed operators to take advantage of the wireless mobility in addition to fixed broadband access. Service providers could use the WIMAX technology to meet the demand of the end users who is seeking for high-speed broadband in anywhere at any time [1].

The first step of adding the mobility to fixed broadband access starts with adding nomadic capabilities which provide services to portable devices in order to allow the users to access data networks not only at home or work, also at different locations. Nomadic capability doesnt offer a seamless connection o r handover at vehicular speed but, still it enables to connect to data networks from any point of the service area [1].

For the companies which provide service bundles such as data , video ,voice that do not have a mobility component in their portfolio the Wimax technology could be an attractive option. Enabling the mobility in their portfolios will not be just a new revenue opportunity it will beneficial also for decrease the churn by increasing the value of their products[1].

The present Telecommunication operators are not willing to adopt the Wimax as a new system and they are prefer to stick and continue along the path their legacy systems evolution for provide higher data rates. But when the situation comes to limit and with their old systems to meet the higher data requirements become impossible, in order to meet the requirement for higher data rates in specific areas or zones , these operators may use the Wimax facilities as an overlay solution. For example, Korea Telecom Co. used the Wibro as a complement of their CDMA-2000 system in order to offer higher performance to services which are provided by the company such as multimedia messaging, video and entertainment services[1]. Wibro is a broadband solution which is adoptable with mobile Wimax. It is implemented by Koreas Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI) for 2.3 GHz band and it provides data rates in a various range between 512 Kbps to 3 Mbps[1].

Beside the higher speed connection to data networks , Wimax can be used for real time applications such as transmit and receive voice over-IP . Thanks to the feature of the design with low latency enables that services. Since the VOIP can be implemented via Wimax it make easier to expand that technology to different variation of real time applications such as voice chatting , push to talk and multimedia chatting[1].

Telecommunication operators can use Wimax to provide different types of personal broadband services, such as mobile entertainment. The adaptive channel bandwidth and multiple levels of quality based services support Wimax to be used by service providers for low latency required applications. For

example, Wimax could be inserted into a portable gaming device or portable equipments such as tablets , for use on a fixed and mobile environment for interactive entertainment[1].

2.2

Technical Challenges for Mobile Wimax

So far , we have explained the evolution steps from the fixed Wimax to mobile Wimax and with the consideration of benefits of Mobile Wimax why telecom operators have to choose the Wimax as a key enabler technology for providing better services to their client. Since the Mobile Wimax promises last mile access with high speed and reliable communication, it has to solve some problems which are caused from the medium of the transmission, to achieve these offers. Some of those technical issues are mentioned below.

2.2.1 Attenuation
When the signal transmitted over the air, the strength of the signal becomes weaker with the distance over any transmission medium, this degrading generally exponential and typically expressed as a constant number of decibels per unit distance. This phenomenon called attenuation in wireless communication[William stalling]. Insert the pathloss equation to here.

2.2.2 Multipath Fading

One of the most challenging technical problem in wireless communication environment is fading. The term of fading indicates the variation of received signal power due to the changes in the transmission medium or paths[wiliam]. The existence of several scattering and reflecting obstacles between the transmitter and receiver creates several signal paths with different amplitude and phase. In addition to that , these phase differences leads to constructive or destructive interference This leads to the phenomenon of multipath fading. Mobile Wimax has to be designed with the aim of solving this issue and different diversity techniques developed in order to solve fading issues. Multipath fading can be subdivided as fast-slow fading, flat fading, frequency selective fading, Rayleigh fading , and Rician Fading. Fast Fading: This type of fading occurs when the coherence time less than the symbol time and Doppler effect is high in the channel[Wimax thesis]. Slow Fading: This type of fading occurs in contrast the fast fading when the coherence time bigger than the symbol time and when Doppler effect is low in the channel.[Wimax thesis] Flat Fading: In this type of fading, all of the received signal frequency components fluctuates at the same time in the same range.[Wimax thesis] Frequency Selective Fading: This kind of fading, effect the frequency components of signal in an unequally way[1]. Rayleigh Fading: When the communication between the transmitter and receiver couldnt be done in LOS , and there are various multiple indirect paths caused to Rayleigh Fading. Thankfully, Rayleigh fading can be dealt with analytically, obtaining observations into performance characteristic which can be used for difficult environments such as downtown urban settings[Williams].

2. OVERVIEW OF MOBILE WIMAX

Wimax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. This new technology considered as the next generation broadband wireless technology which promises high speed data streaming , reliable communication, secure , and last mile broadband services[2]. Wimax technology is conceptual similar to Wi-Fi, it is an IP based wireless broadband technology, but it can be differentiated in terms of the coverage area. For instance there is coverage are up to 30 miles for fixed stations and 3-10 miles range for mobile stations which provided by the Wimax technology[internet2]. Wimax Mobile Wimax is based

on IEEE 802.16 Air interface standard which is begun to evaluate by December 2001. The IEEE 802.16 group released a standard which was using a single carrier modulation techniques and it called Wireless MAN-SC, and MAC layer with a time division multiplexing (TDM) structure in order to support both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing. This standard was working in 10-66 GHz. Due to the fact that to addressing non-line of sight communication is hard in such a high frequencies, IEEE authorized the 802.16a which was completed by 2003 in order to enable NLOS communication in 211 GHz. Further revisions to 802.16a were made and finished in 2004.the standard named IEEE 802.162004 Air interface standard which is playing a key role in fixed broadband wireless metropolitan area networks. This air interface standard was specified in order to implement fixed broadband networks .In December, 2005 the IEEE authorized the 802.16e amendment in order to provide necessary features and attributes for supporting mobility by specifying adjustments in the MAC layer[1]. scalable OFDM for the physical layer and further

Despite of the fact that , the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard specifications are used in order to provide the air interface fundamentals for Wimax , but the standard does not define the end-to-end network features of the Wimax. This responsibility left to The Wimax Forums Network Working Group(NWG), to create the end-to-end network requirements, framework , and protocols for Wimax with the guidance of IEEE 802.16e-2005[internet1].

Mobile Wimax offer a broadband wireless solution, with high throughput and reliable data transfers via merging the mobile and fixed broadband networks through a wide area broadband radio access technology and flexible network architecture. After the amendment of mobile Wimax , the standard-based products are designed to work with both stationary and mobile deployments[A].

2.3

Architecture of Wimax

The basic conceptual architecture defines a number of functional elements and interfaces between these elements. Figure 2.1 shows an architecture of Wimax which is developed by Spring Telecom USA , with number of core elements.

Figure 1.1 Architecture of Wimax[spring]

The elements of the architecture which provides the services with their contributions are defined below as: Mobile Switching Center(MSC) : That element is the mobile central office which is typically made ready for service by the operators one or more per city in order to provide roaming and interoperability. This MSC contains a lot of elements such as Authentication Authorization Accounting servers (AAA), Access Service Node Gateways , Media Gateways and Media Gateway Controllers(MGW/MGW) , Home Subscriber Servers (HSS) etc...[spring]. Base Station(BS) : This element contains antennas and necessary transmission equipments. It is an important equipment for the design, in can play a key role in order to increase the capacity of the cells by enabling sectoring . The base station is responsible for providing the radio connection between the network and Mobile Stations. In addition to that management the micromobility by doing the handoff triggering , and tunnel establishment also resource management can be counted as a responsibility of the base stations[spring and internet1].

Backhaul Network : It need the most investment in a Telecom operators for improve their backhaul facilities in order to meet the requirements capacity of the cell sites. It connects the BS and MSC via wired or wireless communication link[spring]

Mobile Stations (MS) : The last part of the figure consist from the Mobile Stations. They are the user equipments which can be handsets, laptops , PDAs, even electronic devices which can be connect to network.

2.4

Why Choose Mobile Wimax?

The main objective of the wireless communication industry is that to provide economically broadband access over a widespread geographical area. Wimax is one of the most important element that can achieve this objective [nokia]. Thanks to the Wimax, service providers will be able to offer a broadband wireless access for hundreds of users from each base station. The success of the implementing and using Wimax depends on the type of the band that used. Due to the interference controlling is not possible in unlicensed spectrum.[nokia]Despite of the fact that, first releases of Wimax did support just the fixed applications, the full potential of the Wimax can be obtained only when the nomadic and mobile broadband applications used. Wimax technology in its IEEE 802.16e-2005 incorporation most likely deployed by fixed operators to take advantage of the wireless mobility in addition to fixed broadband access. Service providers could use the WIMAX technology to meet the demand of the end users who is seeking for high-speed broadband in anywhere at any time [1].

The first step of adding the mobility to fixed broadband access starts with adding nomadic capabilities which provide services to portable devices in order to allow the users to access data networks not only at home or work, also at different locations. Nomadic capability doesnt offer a seamless connection or handover at vehicular speed but, still it enables to connect to data networks from any point of the service area [1].

For the companies which provide service bundles such as data , video ,voice that do not have a mobility component in their portfolio the Wimax technology could be an attractive option. Enabling the mobility in their portfolios will not be just a new revenue opportunity it will beneficial also for decrease the churn by increasing the value of their products[1].

The present Telecommunication operators are not willing to adopt the Wimax as a new system and they are prefer to stick and continue along the path their legacy systems evolution for provide higher data rates. But when the situation comes to limit and with their old systems to meet the higher data requirements become impossible, in order to meet the requirement for higher data rates in specific areas

or zones , these operators may use the Wimax facilities as an overlay solution. For example, Korea Telecom Co. used the Wibro as a complement of their CDMA-2000 system in order to offer higher performance to services which are provided by the company such as multimedia messaging, video and entertainment services[1]. Wibro is a broadband solution which is adoptable with mobile Wimax. It is implemented by Koreas Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI) for 2.3 GHz band and it provides data rates in a various range between 512 Kbps to 3 Mbps[1].

Beside the higher speed connection to data networks , Wimax can be used for real time applications such as transmit and receive voice over-IP . Thanks to the feature of the design with low latency enables that services. Since the VOIP can be implemented via Wimax it make easier to expand that technology to different variation of real time applications such as voice chatting , push to talk and multimedia chatting[1].

Telecommunication operators can use Wimax to provide different types of personal broadband services, such as mobile entertainment. The adaptive channel bandwidth and multiple levels of quality based services support Wimax to be used by service providers for low latency required applications. For

example, Wimax could be inserted into a portable gaming device or portable equipments such as tablets , for use on a fixed and mobile environment for interactive entertainment[1].

2.5

Technical Challenges for Mobile Wimax

So far , we have explained the evolution steps from the fixed Wimax to mobile Wimax and with the consideration of benefits of Mobile Wimax why telecom operators have to choose the Wimax as a key enabler technology for providing better services to their client. Since the Mobile Wimax promises last mile access with high speed and reliable communication, it has to solve some problems which are caused from the medium of the transmission, to achieve these offers. Some of those technical issues are mentioned below.

2.5.1 Attenuation
When the signal transmitted over the air, the strength of the signal becomes weaker with the distance over any transmission medium, this degrading generally exponential and typically expressed as a constant number of decibels per unit distance. This phenomenon called attenuation in wireless communication[William stalling]. Insert the pathloss equation to here.

2.5.2 Multipath Fading

One of the most challenging technical problem in wireless communication environment is fading. The term of fading indicates the variation of received signal power due to the changes in the transmission medium or paths[wiliam]. The existence of several scattering and reflecting obstacles between the transmitter and receiver creates several signal paths with different amplitude and phase. In addition to that , these phase differences leads to constructive or destructive interference This leads to the phenomenon of multipath fading. Mobile Wimax has to be designed with the aim of solving this issue and different diversity techniques developed in order to solve fading issues. Multipath fading can be subdivided as fast-slow fading, flat fading, frequency selective fading, Rayleigh fading , and Rician Fading. Fast Fading: This type of fading occurs when the coherence time less than the symbol time and Doppler effect is high in the channel[Wimax thesis]. Slow Fading: This type of fading occurs in contrast the fast fading when the coherence time bigger than the symbol time and when Doppler effect is low in the channel.[Wimax thesis] Flat Fading: In this type of fading, all of the received signal frequency components fluctuates at the same time in the same range.[Wimax thesis] Frequency Selective Fading: This kind of fading, effect the frequency components of signal in an unequally way[1]. Rayleigh Fading: When the communication between the transmitter and receiver couldnt be done in LOS , and there are various multiple indirect paths caused to Rayleigh Fading. Thankfully, Rayleigh fading can be dealt with analytically, obtaining observations into performance characteristic which can be used for difficult environments such as downtown urban settings[Williams]. Rician Fading:

2.5.3 Doppler Affect

Doppler shift affect happens when the receiver move away or towards the transmitter due to the relative velocity. It has an effect on the carrier frequency, and if it could not prevented in communication systems, providing reliable communication will not be possible due the high bit error rate[Wimax thesis].

2.5.4 Noise
Term of the noise is the most basic weakening factor present in communication channel. Due to the picking up the noise related with the range of bandwidth, affect of the noise can be seen in broadband systems more than the narrowband systems. When noise increase ,additionally with the large pathloss, it mitigates the coverage range of broadband systems[fundamentals].

2.5.5 Interference
Since the resource of available bandwidth limited , this limited bandwidth has to be shared between the users. This sharing can cause an interference between different users, due to the possibility of receiving another user signals.[fundamentals]

While designing a broadband communication systems , these challenges has to be well understood and taken into account to come up with a solution to cope with this challenges.

2.6

Salient Features of Mobile Wimax

As we mentioned in section 2.1 Wimax technology offer a broadband wireless access solution to telecom operators and internet service providers (ISP).Providing high-speed broadband access , a lot of options in terms of flexible deployment choices , additionally seamless mobility and co-operation with IP technology and applications, also availability of various range spectrum make the Wimax preferable technology rather than the old technologies such as 3G technologies[kumar&ahtabi]. There are some key features which make the Wimax preferable technology which deserve highlighting as follow:

2.6.1 OFDM- Based Physical Layer

Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a transmission scheme which enables encoding data simultaneously on multiple high speed radio frequencies. Thanks to OFDM , its properties provide increased amount of the throughput, and make the transmission reliable via show a good performance in fading and multipath environment. Also it provides using the bandwidth in a most efficient way[Krishna RAo].

2.6.2 Scalable Bandwidth

Mobile Wimax has a scalable bandwidth which various according to channel conditions and data rate requirements. Thus, data rate can be adapted to available channel bandwidth easily. This scalability supported in OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) mode of the physical layer. Additionally, scalable bandwidth can be used in order to support the roaming between different networks which are using different bandwidth allaocations[Fundamentals].

2.6.3 Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC)

Adaptive modulation and coding are introduced in mobile Wimax technology in order to improve the performance in Non Line-of-Sight environments , for instance typical of urban environment where there is a lot high buildings and obstacles. Thanks to these techniques , according the channel conditions modulation and coding rate can be switch for getting better results in terms of bit error rate and throughput[efficient modulation ieee].

2.6.4 Advance Antenna Techniques

The most promising and interesting area of the recent modernization is enabling usage of multiple antennas , which allows to create channels independently in space. Hence,overall system capacity and spectral efficiency will be improved by deploying these antennas at the transmitter or receiver side[Fundamentals].

2.6.5 Mobility
The mobile Wimax technology has functions to provide seamless handovers, in order support mobility in the existence of intolerable delay applications such as VOIP. In addition to that , the system create power control mechanisms , to extend the battery life of the mobile user equipment. Frequent channel estimation , subchannelization also modified for supporting the mobility[fundamentals]