Chapter 13
WiMAX
The design of a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) wireless network requires vast knowledge of the technology, a detailed market and network representation, and powerful tools to design the network and provide optimized solutions. WiMAX is the first solution conceived to support IP data efficiently and be capable of providing wireless high speed data to wide areas, improving spectrum efficiency over previous technologies. Certain aspects of the WiMAX technology (e.g. security functions, roaming, IP network architecture) that do not affect network design are not the topic of this book and, hence, are only briefly discussed in this material.
13.1 Standardization
13.1.1 The WiMAX Standards
The need for a wireless solution that could address higher data rates became clear with the deployment of IEEE 802.11a/g networks (OFDM-based) that provided 54 Mbps IP-based communication mainly in indoor environments. This technology, although very successful, presents limitations in terms of multipath performance and is very inefficient when multiple users are present, due to its conflict-based access mechanism. WiMAX was developed with this experience in mind and also to accountfor issues observed with 3G and 3.5G technologies.
The WiMAX standard was developed by the IEEE in several phases. It is based on the work done by IEEE-802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee (LMSC), which was created in February 1980 to define standards for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks ...
