OFDMA Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) is a version of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) modulation that

happens to be optimized for multiple users, specifically for cell phones and other mobiles devices. It is the most likely modulation scheme for cellular LTE (long-term evolution). In this incarnation, OFDMA goes by the name high speed OFDM Packet Access (HSOPA). Variants of OFDMA were chosen as the modulation scheme by the WiMAX Forum and were later standardized by the IEEE for IEEE 802.162004 (fixed) and 802.12e (mobile) WiMAX. Its advantages over 3G modulation schemes such as CDMA (code division multiple access) wideband CDMA, and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) include higher spectral efficiency and better resistance to fading. It also requires lower transmission power for low-data-rate users, has shorter delays that are constant instead of time varying, and a simpler methodology for collision avoidance. OFDMA assigns subsets of subcarriers to individual users. Based on feedback about the channel conditions, the system can implement adaptive user-to-subcarrier assignment. As long as these subcarrier assignments are executed quickly, fast fading and narrow-band co-channel interference performance is improved compared to OFDM. This, in turn, improves system spectral efficiency. Two perspectives OFDMA obviously has both differences and similarities with other modulation schemes. For example, it could be seen as an alternative to combining OFDM with time division multiple access (TDMA) or timedomain statistical multiplexing. Instead of using a "pulsed" high-power carrier, low data-rate users can transmit continuously with low transmission power and this results in constant and shorter delay times. On the other hand, OFDMA can also be viewed as a combination of frequency domain and time domain multiple access. From this perspective, spectrum is partitioned in the time-frequency space, and slots are assigned along the OFDM symbol index as well as OFDM sub-carrier index. OFDMA evolution The best way to understand the relationship between OFDMA and other technologies is through a short history. The IEEE 802.11 WLAN family of standards was conceived for indoor networks. Once analog cellular technology showed its market potentialand its technical inadequaciesengineers started designing proprietary MAC an PHY systems that extended Wi-Fi functionality to outdoor networks. Indeed, most of the action in broadband access happens at ISO Layer 1 (the PHY layer) and Layer 2 (the media access control or MAC layer). When work started on a broadband wireless MAN (metropolitan area network) standardization, it opened the door to investigating other modulation schemes and the value of OFDM and OFDMA

became apparent. The WiMAX Forum was instrumental in evaluating the options and making recommendations to standards bodies. This eventually evolved into the IEEE 802.16 standards. IEEE 802.16-2004 delivers fixed broadband wireless and IEEE 802.16e delivers mobile broadband wireless. Both support multiple PHY modes but none of the available options include the 3G modulations schemes of WCDMA or UMTS. Along with OFDM and OFDMA, scalable OFDMA is also included in the standard. A scalable 802.16 physical layer (sOFDMA) delivers optimum performance in channel bandwidths ranging from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz with fixed subcarrier spacing for both fixed and portable/mobile usage models. The architecture is based on a scalable sub-channelization structure with variable fast Fourier Transform (FFT) sizes according to the channel bandwidth. In addition to variable FFT sizes, the specification supports other features such as multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna diversity. The 802.16 options are noted in Table 1. For most practical purposes, sOFDMA and OFDMA can be used interchangeably as they are so similar. Both support sub channelization as a key technology. Sub-channelization involves splitting channels into many sub-channelstheoretically into the thousands of sub-channels. Sub-channelization is a characteristic of all four variations: OFDM, OFDMA. sOFDMA and Flash OFDMA, a variant created by the Flarion Inc. Last year, Flarion was acquired by Qualcomm, a clear sign that variants of CDMA will not be the 4G modulation scheme. OFDM tutorial includes: OFDM basics tutorial OFDM synchronization OFDMA / OFDM CDMA comparison

With OFDM and OFDMA being used in many wireless systems these days, a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of OFDMA / OFDM and CDMA is often necessary to choose the correct system. Both CDMA and OFDM / OFDMA have their own advantages and disadvantages and therefore an OFDMA / OFDMA CDMA comparison can be beneficial. When undertaking an OFDM CDMA comparison, or more correctly an OFDMA CDMA comparison, it is necessary to take a look at all the advantages and disadvantages. Often the OFDM CDMA choice will not be easy, but many systems these days are tending to opt for the OFDM / OFDMA solution over the CDMA solution.

OFDM OFDMA advantages and disadvantages The tables below outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of OFDM and OFDMA. These need to be considered when looking at an OFDM CDMA comparison.

First the advantages and disadvantages of OFDM will be detailed in the table below: OFDM Advantages OFDM Disadvantages

OFDMA can easily adapt to severe channel conditions without the need for complex channel equalisation algorithms being employed It is robust when combatting narrow-band co-channel interference. As only some of the channels will be affected, not all data is lost and error coding can combat this. Intersymbol interference, ISI is less of a problem with OFDM because low data rates are carried by each carrier. Provides high levels of spectral efficiency. Relatively insensitive to timing errors Allows single frequency networks to be used - particularly important for broadcasters where this facility gives a significant improvement in spectral usage. Disadvantages OFDM is sensitive to Doppler shift - frequency errors offset the receiver and if not corrected the orthogonality between the carriers is degraded. Sensitive to frequency timing issues. Possesses a high peak to average power ratio - this requires the use of linear power amplifiers which are less efficient than non-linear ones and this results in higher battery consumption. The cyclic prefix used causes a lowering of the overall spectral efficiency.

It is also necessary to look at the advantages of OFDMA when undertaking an OFDM CDMA comparison. OFDMA Advantages OFDMA Disadvantages

With spectrum becoming more fragmented, especially for systems such as LTE and LTE advanced, fact that OFDMA provides flexibility of deployment across a variety of frequency bands with little need for modification is of paramount importance. When used in a cellular system, it is possible to minimise interference from neighbouring cells by using different carrier permutations between the two cells. Again when used with a cellular system, interference within the cell are averaged by using allocation with cyclic permutations. A single frequency network can be used to provide excellent coverage and good frequency re-use. Offers frequency diversity by spreading the carriers all over the used spectrum DISADVANTAGES It has a relatively high sensitivity to frequency offsets as this degrades the orthogonality between the carriers It is sensitive to phase noise on the oscillators as this degrade the orthogonaility between the carriers Requires complex electronics to run the software - DSP including FFT algorithms needed for the forward error correction. This is always active regardless of data rate, although when no data is being transmitted the system can hibernate. However power consumption can be an issue. If only a few carriers are assigned to each user the resistance to selective fading will be degraded or lost. When used in a cellular system, co-channel interference from neighbouring cells is more complicated to combat than with CDMA as allocation of carriers needs to be coordinated between the two. The fast channel feedback information and adaptive sub-carrier assignment is more complex than CDMA fast power control

OFDM CDMA comparison

Both OFDM and CDMA have significant benefits. OFDM Advantages CDMA Advantages

OFDM can combat multipath interference with greater robustness and less complexity. Equalisation can be undertaken on a carrier by carrier basis.

OFDMA can achieve higher spectral efficiency with MIMO than CDMA using a RAKE receiver. Cell breathing does not occur as additional users connect to the base station. Can be used to provide a single frequency network. It is relatively easy to aggregate spectrum. It can be scaled according to the requirements relatively easily CDMA Not as complicated to implement as OFDM based systems As CDMA has a wide bandwidth, it is difficult to equalise the overall spectrum - significant levels of processing would be needed for this as it consists of a continuous signal and not discrete carriers. Not as easy to aggregate spectrum as for OFDM While both CDMA (DSSS) and OFMD with its variants of OFDMA and SC-FDMA have advantages, many of the systems being implemented now are erring towards the use of OFDMA. With the increase in processing power, it is possible to generate and demodulate OFDM signals with relative ease. As increasing bandwidths are needed, OFDM is being used as it is relatively easy to scale and lends itself to the high data rates being required for many applications. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) are two different variants of the same broadband wireless air interface that are often mistaken for one another. OFDMA is a form of OFDM, which is the underlying technology. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is an OFDMA-based technology standardized in 3GPP Release 8 and Release 9. The interfaces of both OFDM and OFDMA work by separating a single signal into subcarriers, or, in other words, by dividing one extremely fast signal into numerous slow signals that optimize mobile access, as the subchannels can then transmit data without being subject to the same intensity of multipath distortion faced by single carrier transmission. The numerous subcarriers are then collected at the receiver and recombined to form one high speed transmission. The difference between OFDM and OFDMA is that OFDMA has the ability to dynamically assign a subset of those subcarriers to individual users, making this the multi-user version of OFDM, using either Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) (separate time frames) or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) (separate channels) for multiple users. OFDMA simultaneously supports multiple users by assigning them specific subchannels for intervals of time. Point-to-point systems are OFDM, and do not support OFDMA. Point-to-multipoint fixed and mobile systems use OFDMA.

OFDM technologies typically occupy nomadic, fixed and one-way transmission standards, ranging from TV transmission to Wi-Fi as well as fixed WiMAX and newer multicast wireless systems like Qualcomms

Forward Link Only (FLO). OFDMA, however, adds true mobility to the mix, forming the backbone of many of the emerging technologies including LTE and mobile WiMAX. Introduction to FDM, OFDM, OFDMA, SOFDMA Scalable OFDMA (SOFDMA) SOFDMA (S-OFDMA) adds scalability to OFDMA. It scales the FFT size to the channel bandwidth while keeping the sub-carrier frequency spacing constant across different channel bandwidths. Smaller FFT size is given to lower bandwidth channels, while larger FFT size to wider channels. By making the subcarrier frequency spacing constant, SOFDMA reduces system complexity of smaller channels and improves performance of wider channels. As a reminder, IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) is used in a WiMAX transmitter to create an OFDM waveform from modulated data streams, while FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) is used in a WiMAX receiver to demodulate the data streams. The FFT size equals the number of sub-carriers, e.g. in a OFDM/OFDMA system with 256 sub-carriers, the FFT size is 256.

Picture. Transmitter and Receiver RF chains in WiMAX Basic building blocks of a Tx RF chain and a Rx RF chain. SOFDMA is the OFDMA mode used in Mobile WiMAX. It supports channel bandwidths ranging from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz. With bandwidth scalability, Mobile WiMAX technology can comply with various frequency regulations worldwide and flexibly address diverse operator or ISP requirements, that's whether for providing only basic Internet service or a broadband service bundle. Both OFDM and OFDMA symbols are structured in similar way. Each symbol consists of: - data sub-carriers (OFDM) or sub-channels (OFDMA) that carry data (information), - pilot sub-carriers as reference frequencies and for various estimation purposes,

- DC sub-carrier as the center frequency, and - guard sub-carriers or guard bands for keeping the space between OFDM/OFDMA signals.

Picture. OFDMA symbol structure in WiMAX sub-carriers of the same color represent a sub-channel. OFDM and OFDMA: The Difference I was curious as to why IEEE 802.16d (fixed service) uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). IEEE 802.16e (mobile) uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). So, whats the difference between the two, and why is there a difference? Lets first look at FDM: In FDM system, signals from multiple transmitters are transmitted simultaneously (at the same time slot) over multiple frequencies. Each frequency range (sub-carrier) is modulated separately by different data stream and a spacing (guard band) is placed between sub-carriers to avoid signal overlap. OFDM is sometimes referred to as discrete multi-tone modulation because, instead of a single carrier being modulated, a large number of evenly spaced subcarriers are modulated using some m-ary of QAM. This is a spread-spectrum technique that increases the efficiency of data communications by increasing data throughput because there are more carriers to modulate. In addition, problems with multi-path signal cancellation and spectral interference are greatly reduced by selectively modulating the clear carriers or ignoring carriers with high bit-rate errors. Like FDM, OFDM also uses multiple sub-carriers but the sub-carriers are closely spaced to each other without causing interference, removing guard bands between adjacent sub-carriers. This is possible because the frequencies (sub-carriers) are orthogonal, meaning the peak of one sub-carrier coincides with the null of an adjacent sub-carrier.

In an OFDM system, a very high rate data stream is divided into multiple parallel low rate data streams. Each smaller data stream is then mapped to individual data sub-carrier and modulated using some sorts of PSK (Phase Shift Keying) or QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation). i.e. BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64QAM. OFDM needs less bandwidth than FDM to carry the same amount of information which translates to higher spectral efficiency. Besides a high spectral efficiency, an OFDM system such as WiMAX is more resilient in NLOS environment. It can efficiently overcome interference and frequency-selective fading caused by multipath because equalizing is done on a subset of sub-carriers instead of a single broader carrier. The effect of ISI (Inter Symbol Interference) is suppressed by virtue of a longer symbol period of the parallel OFDM sub-carriers than a single carrier system and the use of a cyclic prefix (CP). The OFDM spread-spectrum scheme is used for many broadly used applications, including digital TV broadcasting in Australia, Japan and Europe; digital audio broadcasting in Europe; Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modems and wireless networking worldwide (IEEE 802.11a/g). Like OFDM, OFDMA employs multiple closely spaced sub-carriers, but the sub-carriers are divided into groups of sub-carriers. Each group is named a sub-channel. The sub-carriers that form a sub-channel need not be adjacent. In the downlink, a sub-channel may be intended for different receivers. In the uplink, a transmitter may be assigned one or more sub-channels. Subchannelization defines sub-channels that can be allocated to subscriber stations (SSs) depending on their channel conditions and data requirements. Using subchannelization, within the same time slot a Mobile WiMAX Base Station (BS) can allocate more transmit power to user devices (SSs) with lower SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio), and less power to user devices with higher SNR. Subchannelization also enables the BS to allocate higher power to sub-channels assigned to indoor SSs resulting in better in-building coverage. Subchannelization in the uplink can save a user device transmit power because it can concentrate power only on certain sub-channel(s) allocated to it. This power-saving feature is particularly useful for battery-powered user devices, the likely case in Mobile WiMAX. The WiMAX forum established that, initially, OFDM-256 will be used for fixed-service 802.16d (2004). It is referred to as the OFDM 256 FFT Mode, which means there are 256 subcarriers available for use in a single channel. Multiple access on one channel is accomplished using TDMA. Alternatively, FDMA may be used. On the other hand, OFDMA 128/512/1024/2048 FFT Modes have been proposed for IEEE 802.16e (mobile service). OFDMA 1024 FFT matches that of Koreas WiBRO. OFDM 256 also is supported for compatibility with IEEE 802.16d (fixed, 2004).

http://mobiledevdesign.com/tutorials/ofdm-or-ofdma/ IEEE 802.16d (fixed service) uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). IEEE 802.16e (mobile) uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). So, whats the difference between the two, and why is there a difference? OFDM is sometimes referred to as discrete multi-tone modulation because, instead of a single carrier being modulated, a large number of evenly spaced subcarriers are modulated using some m-ary of QAM. This is a spread-spectrum technique that increases the efficiency of data communications by increasing data throughput because there are more carriers to modulate. In addition, problems with multi-path signal cancellation and spectral interference are greatly reduced by selectively modulating the clear carriers or ignoring carriers with high bit-rate errors. The OFDM spread-spectrum scheme is used for many broadly used applications, including digital TV broadcasting in Australia, Japan and Europe; digital audio broadcasting in Europe; Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) modems and wireless networking worldwide (IEEE 802.11a/g). OFDM allows only one user on the channel at any given time. To accommodate multiple users, a strictly OFDM system must employ Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) (separate time frames) or Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) (separate channels). Neither of these techniques is time or frequency efficient: TDMA is a time hog and FDMA is a bandwidth hog. OFDMA is a multi-user OFDM that allows multiple access on the same channel (a channel being a group of evenly spaced subcarriers, as discussed above). WiMAX uses OFDMA, extended OFDM, to accommodate many users in the same channel at the same time. OFDMA distributes subcarriers among users so all users can transmit and receive at the same time within a single channel on what are called subchannels. Whats more, subcarrier-group subchannels can be matched to each user to provide the best performance, meaning the least problems with fading and interference based on the location and propagation characteristics of each user. The WiMAX forum established that, initially, OFDM-256 will be used for fixed-service 802.16d (2004). It is referred to as the OFDM 256 FFT Mode, which means there are 256 subcarriers available for use in a single channel. Multiple access on one channel is accomplished using TDMA. Alternatively, FDMA may be used. On the other hand, OFDMA 128/512/1024/2048 FFT Modes have been proposed for IEEE 802.16e (mobile service). OFDMA 1024 FFT matches that of Koreas WiBRO. OFDM 256 also is supported for compatibility with IEEE 802.16d (fixed, 2004). The final IEEE 802.16e standard is expected to be completed and published in December of this year. The bottom line is that, most likely, the finalized selection for the OFDMA mode will be 1024 FFT, to be compatible with WiBRO. However, it will not be compatible with the OFDM 256 FFT Mode initially specified for WiMAX fixed service. Perhaps service providers will simply abandon 802.16d in favor of 802.16e for both fixed and mobile services.

References http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Computer_Science/2005/OFDMA.asp www.semitechsemi.com/technologies/ofdma.php www.eetimes.com/.../4012664/All-about-OFDMA www.conniq.com/WiMAX/fdm-ofdm-ofdma-sofdma-03.htm 3g4g.blogspot.com/2007/06/ofdm-and-ofdma-difference.html

History of OFDMA and How it Works Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a technique for transmitting large amounts of digital data over a radio wave. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a technique for transmitting large amounts of digital data over a radio wave The technology works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals that are then transmitted simultaneously at different frequencies to the receiver. OFDM reduces the amount of crosstalk in signal transmissions.

When we talk about broadband wireless access, most of the action takes place at the Media Access Control (MAC) layer (layer 2) and the Physical (PHY) layer (layer 1 or the Air Interface). Sponsored Provide your business with the IT resources it needs:: The IBM SmartCloud Simulator is an interactive tour that will show you several ways that you can use and manage this exciting product.

There are numerous types of broadband wireless air interfaces including single carrier, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). Others are Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) a cellular 3G technology, and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) also cellular 3G.

With the advent of WiMAX, the terms OFDM and OFMDA, scalable OFDMA (sOFDMA), and Flarion's alternative version of OFDMA, Flash OFDM, have all become buzzwords, and subject to the standards

process. Other terms such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Time Division duplex (TDD), and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) modes play a part in the various flavors of this modulation scheme.

The marketplace today seems to have decided that OFDM (or OFDMA) offers real advantages for broadband wireless transport. The WiMAX Forum has clearly focused on these technologies. The topics are, of course, very complex and in this article we will only be able to provide an overview. If one any particular aspect of this discussion is relevant to you, we recommend that you conduct further research.

Before we delve into the arcane minutia of what are essentially subtle differences in OFDMA, let's go over the history of the topics involved.

The Background of Wi-Fi and OFDMA

We are all used to the term Wi-Fi, which generally refers to the 802.11a/b/g/n family of standards. However, 802.11 standards were written for indoor wireless networks. Many vendors built proprietary MAC and PHY systems that extended these capabilities to outdoor networks. Some of these systems used a single carrier. Several leveraged OFDM capabilities. Others chose WCDMA or UMTS approaches. But the idea was to create effective outdoor networks. This was and is a very fragmented marketplace.

Enter the 802.16 movement, which sought to define a proper metropolitan area network (MAN) standard for broadband wireless or WiMAX. This standard has evolved into two standards: One delivers fixed broadband wireless (802.16-2004) and another delivers mobile broadband wireless (802.16e). Interestingly, both support multiple PHY modes, none of which include WCDMA or UMTS.802.16-2004 (fixed) 802.16e (mobile) Single Carrier Single Carrier

OFDM 256 FFT OFDM 256 FFT OFDMA 2048 FFT OFDM 2048 FFT

sOFDMA 1024 FFT sOFDMA 512 FFT sOFDMA 128 FFT

The WiMAX Forum chose the OFDM 256 FFT mode for the first fixed WiMAX product profile. The first product profiles for mobile WiMAX have yet to be chosen as the standard is not yet ratified. However, it appears some version of OFDMA will get the nod, which brings us to why it makes sense to understand a bit about OFDMA.

There is a third flavor of OFDMA competitive to WiMAX called Flash OFDM that Flarion uses which is also very similar, but more on that later.

There could ultimately be WiMAX product profiles that have the same PHY mode for both fixed and mobile. For example, some vendors believe there will ultimately also be an OFDM 256 FFT mode for 802.16e. The rule is that three vendors must agree on the product profile for the Forum to define a product profile for interoperability testing. Many mobility proponents seem to prefer an OFDMA version. In any event, product profiles with different modes will not be interoperable. Also, profiles of modes at a given FFT size (512 for example) will not interoperate with the different fixed FFT size mode of 2048.

So what does OFDMA accomplish? In simplified terms, the OFDMA mode attempts to optimize mobile access by many simultaneous users through breaking a signal into sub-channels. Some camps believe OFDM can accomplish this as well as and cheaper than alternatives. Others believe OFDM is best suited for simple mobility or portability. Sub channelization was added to OFDM on the uplink and downlink technology but ultimately rejected by the IEEE 802.16 working group. Whatever the relative merits for mobility, the two modes are essentially very similar.

Much in common, among the differences The OFDM modulation scheme offers many advantages for broadband wireless transport. It supports high data rates. The design not only obviates multipath interference (where reflected signals return slightly out of phase, creating interference at the receiver) it can actually utilize multipath to increase signal quality by processing the reflected packets to increase gain. This technique also improves non-line of sight delivery. It supports both TDD and FDD, the latter of which provides symmetrical data delivery.

The good news is that for most practical purposes, the terms sOFDMA and OFDMA can be used interchangeably as they are so similar. Both support sub channelization as a key technology. Flash OFDM is a bit different.

Sub channelization allows all four variations (OFDM, Flash OFDM, sOFDMA and OFDMA) to split channels up into sub channels, even into several thousand sub channels. Essentially, a user on an OFDMA network is assigned a number of sub channels across the band. A user close to the base station would normally be assigned a larger number of channels with a high modulation scheme such as 64 QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) to deliver the most data throughput to that user. As the user moves farther away, the number of sub channels is re-assigned dynamically to fewer and fewer sub channels. However, the power allotted to each channel is raised. The modulation scheme could gradually shift from 16 QAM to Quaternary Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) (four channels) and even binary phase shift keying (BPSK) (two channels) at longer ranges. The data throughput drops as the channel capacity and modulation change, but the link maintains its strength.

Cell sizes must not expand or contract. Each user must have a strong link to their base station until handoff. The tradeoff is lower throughput at the edge.

In fixed wireless links, which typically use high gain directional antennas, this technique is less necessary. For mobile applications, especially with high speed handoffs, it is necessary. Customer devices typically feature omni-directional antennas which radiate in all directions but have lower gain than directional antennas. In this environment, sub channelization is necessary.

Another technique called scalability was developed, resulting in sOFDMA. Two Flavors of WiMAX

Enter scalability. Because channels differ in size in different countries, the 802.16 standard supports all of the various channel sizes, ranging from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz.

For a variety of complex technical reasons, Intel makes the argument that keeping the sub channel spacing fixed by changing the FFT size based on channel size or bandwidth provides better signal quality. One of the simpler arguments is that the Doppler shift of a moving body (amongst other aspects) affects signal quality if the sub channel spacing is not maintained at a fixed size.

The OFDMA 2048 FFT version was conceived as a fixed FFT and is supported in both 802.16-2004 and 802.16e. One company in the forefront of this type of OFDMA technology is Runcom.

The scalable or sOFDMA versions encompass the 128 FFT, 512 FFT, and 1024 FFT as promoted by Intel and others. This last flavor of OFDMA can actually shift its FFT size based on channel and bandwidth, thus becoming scalable. So, for example, a user traveling through a cell might receive signal through 128 FFT or 512 FFT depending on factors such as channel size.

The Korean WiBro standard is basically a subset of the sOFDMA at 1024 FFT. For a variety of reasons, it appears most likely that the first product profile chosen by the Forum may be a sOFDMA one, though that is not certain as of press time for this article. Conclusions about OFDMA

The physics of broadband wireless forces the designers of OFDMA to make choices, and those choices have tradeoffs. For every advantage engineered, there is always a price. The various flavors of OFDMA are about the demands of mobility and speed of handoffs, the size of the cell, spectrum range, channel sizes, and more.

Ultimately, each flavor has been optimized to meet the needs of a specific marketplace. Luckily, the technologies are flexible enough to allow growth into other segments.

In the long run, the marketplace will decide which products are made, and which products are sold. Did You Know... There are three types of OFDMA subcarriers: Data subcarriers for data transmission, Pilot subcarriers for various estimation and synchronization purposes, and Null subcarriers for no transmission at all, used for guard bands and DC carriers.