WiMAX - a sneak preview

Torbjörn Lundmark

Copyright © 2005 TietoEnator Corporation

Agenda
 WiMAX overview
– Market
– Technology
– Standard update
 WiMAX architecture
– Network architecture
– OFDM
– MAC/PHY
 Summary

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Today's Wireless Market
 End-user are used to high bandwidth from fixed sources
– Expects the same behaviour from wireless
 The initial launch of WCDMA has not been a success
– ~30 million subscriber where half in NTT DoCoMo NW
– 2/3 of the subscriber added as late as 2005
– Initial 3G promises far from fulfilled (wireless video, coverage, etc)
 A “need for speed” required from existing telco operators
– Afraid of being left behind
– Competing with wireless MAN provider
– Needs to be prepared for future growth of data traffic
– Protect their 3G investment
 A need for lower rural coverage cost

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3G Evolution (source: Nokia)

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What is WiMAX, 802.16d and e
 A specification of 915 pages accepted in 2004. A member
of the IEEE802 family of specifications.
 IEEE802.16-2004 include P2P, P2MP and mesh access
networks
 2-11GHz NLOS 10-66 GHz LOS
 During 2005 IEEE 802.16e includes mobility.
 During 2005 MIB standardized as well
 IEEE802.16 is supported by the industry group WiMAX
 IEEE802.11 is supported by the industry group WiFi

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WiMAX vs. 3G, pros and cons
 Cost
– Lower equipment cost for WiMAX due to certified products (compare with
WiFi)
– WiMAX require new infrastructure while HSPA rides on UMTS
 Coverage
– Roughly the same coverage (average ~5 km)
 Performance
– Roughly the same performance (average ~2 Mb/s per user)
 Market window
– HSDPA launches in 2006 while HSUPA will come in 2008?
– WiMAX standard set end of 2005 -> first products in 2007
 Acceptance
– HSPA has a higher acceptance with mobile operator

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WiMAX architecture End-to-End Reference
Model

R2

R1 R3

MSS ASN CSN

R4 NSP

ASP Netw ork OR

Another ASN Internet

NAP

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ASN Reference Model

ASN

R3

R1 R6
BS ASN GW

R4
R8

BS

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WiMAX BS architecture
 OFDM
– Modulation technique, spread spectrum
– Used in e.g DSL, WLAN, WiMAX
 MAC, control plane, user plane
– Manage resources on the air interface
– QoS MAC
– ARQ Control
– Mobility Management Plane
– Radio Resource Management P MAC
– Location H Data
 PHY Y Plane
– OFDM
Service
– MIMO Specific CS
– Modulation e.g. IP

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Summary
 Standard for WiMAX mobile solution not finalized yet
 No products certified by WiMAX forum yet
 Test network in Skellefteå shows promising results
 According to analysts WiMAX will take significant market shares

 Which standard will rule next–generation broadband wireless?

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