WiMAX Introduction

WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless broadband technology, which supports point to multi-point (PMP) broadband wireless access.

WiMax is basically a new shorthand term for IEEE Standard 802.16, which was designed to support the European standards. 802.16's predecessors (like 802.11a) were not very acc ommodative of the European standards, per se.

The IEEE wireless standard has a range of up to 30 miles, and can deliver broadband at around 75 megabits per second. This is theoretically, 20 times faster than a commercially available wireless broadband.

The 802.16, WiMax standard was published in March 2002 and provided updated information on the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) technology. The extension given in the March publication, extended the line-of-sight fixed wireless MAN standard, focused solely on a spectrum from 10 GHz to 60+ GHz.

This extension provides for non-line of sight access in low frequency bands like 2 - 11 GHz. These bands are sometimes unlicensed. This also boosts the maximum distance from 31 to 50 miles and supports PMP (point to multipoint) and mesh technologies.

The IEEE approved the 802.16 standards in June 2004, and three working groups were formed to evaluate and rate the standards.

WiMax can be used for wireless networking like the popular WiFi. WiMax, a second-generation protocol, allows higher data rates over longer distances, efficient use of bandwidth, and avoids interference almost to a minimum. WiMax can be termed partially a successor to the Wi-Fi protocol, which is measured in feet, and works, over shorter distances.



WiMAX is a short name for

WiMAX is a short name for Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access. WiMAX is described in IEEE 802.16 Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) standard. It is expected that WiMAX compliant systems will provide fixed wireless alternative to conventional DSL and Cable Internet. panerai watches Typically, a WiMAX system consists of two parts: A WiMAX Base Station: Base station consists of indoor electronics and a WiMAX tower. Typically, a base station can cover up to 10 km radius (Theoretically, a base station can cover up to 50 kilo meter radius or 30 miles, however practical considerations limit it to about 10 km or 6 miles). Any wireless node within the coverage area would be able to access the Internet. A WiMAX receiver - The receiver and antenna could be a stand-alone box or a PCMCIA card that sits in your laptop or computer. suunto watches Access to WiMAX base station is similar to accessing a Wireless Access Point in a WiFi network, but the coverage is more. Several base stations can be connected with one another by use of high-speed backhaul microwave links. This would allow for roaming by a WiMAX subscriber from one base station to another base station area, franck muller similar to roaming enabled by Cellular phone companies. Important Wireless MAN IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) Specifications Range - 30-mile (50-km) radius from base station Speed - Up to 70 megabits per second Non-Line-of-sight (NLoS) between user and base station Frequency bands - 2 to 11 GHz and 10 to 66 GHz (licensed and unlicensed bands) Defines both the MAC and PHY layers and allows multiple PHY-layer specifications.