What is WiMax

What is WiMax? „ „ WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access)) is a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative lt ti to t cable bl and d DSL. DSL The technology is specified by the Institute off Electrical El t i l and d Electronics El t i Engineers E i I Inc., as the IEEE 802.16 standard. WiM Forum WiMax F „ „ „ It is a non-profit industry body dedicated to promoting the adoption of this technology and ensuring that diff different t vendors’ d ’ products d t will ill interoperate. i t t It is doing this through developing conformance and interoperability test plans and certification program. program WiMAX Forum Certified™ means a service provider can a buy equipment qu p from o more o than a o one company o pa y a and d be confident that everything works together. WiMax Technology „ „ „ WiMAX is expected to provide fixed , nomadic, portable and, eventually, mobile wireless broadband connectivity without the need for direct line-of-sight line of sight (LOS) with a base station. In a typical yp cell radius deployment p y of three to ten kilometers, WiMAX Forum Certified™ systems can be expected to deliver capacity of up to 40 Mbps per channel for fixed and portable access applications. channel, applications Mobile network deployments are expected to provide up to 15 Mbps of capacity within a typical cell radius d l deployment off up to three h kl kilometers. Why is it Interesting? „ „ „ „ „ Simultaneously support hundreds of businesses with T-1 speed connectivity and thousands of homes with DSL speed connectivity. connecti it Promise of potential low cost and flexibility in building broadband networks. Scalability, as extra channels and base stations can be added incrementally as bandwidth demand grows. Support for both voice and video as well as Internet data. data Semiconductor vendors envisage WiMax-enabled chips appearing in PCs in 2006 and in notebook computers and PDAs by 2007 Wi-Fi: The Predecessor of WiMax „ „ „ „ Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a set of technologies that are based on the IEEE 802.11a,b, and g standards. Wi-Fi is considered to be one of the first widely deployed fixed broadband wireless networks. The Wi-Fi architecture consists of a base station that wireless hosts connect to in order to access network resources. As long as the users remain within 300 feet of the fixed wireless access point, they can maintain broadband wireless connectivity. Wi-Fi Standards Standard 802 11 802.11a Throughput U tto 54 Mbps Up Mb 802 11b 802.11b Up to 11 Mbps Range Frequency U tto 300 ft Between Up B t 5 and 6 Ghz Up to 300 ft 2.4 2 4 Ghz 802.11g Up to 54 Mbps Up to 300 ft 2.4 Ghz Strengths of Wi-Fi „ „ „ „ Simplicity and ease of deployment given that it uses unlicensed radio spectrum which does not require regulatory approval approval. Cost of rolling out this wireless solution is low. Users are able to be mobile for up p to 300 feet from the access point. There are many Wi-Fi compatible products that are available at a low cost and can interoperate with other network technologies. Wi-Fi clients can work seamlessly in other countries with minimal configuration. Weaknesses of Wi-Fi „ „ „ „ Limited level of mobility. Susceptible to interference interference. Designed technically for short-range operations and basically an indoors technology. Security is a concern. Relation of Wi-Fi and WiMax „ „ „ „ WiMax eliminates the constraints of Wi-Fi. Unlike Wi-Fi,, WiMax is intended to work outdoors over long distances. WiMax is a more complex p technology gy and has to handle issues of importance such as QoS guarantees, carrier-class reliability, NLOS. WiMax is not intended to replace Wi-Fi. Instead, the two technologies complement each other. WiMax Standards 802.16 Date December Completed 2001 Spectrum 10-66 10 66 GHz 802.162004 January June 2003 2004 < 11 GHz < 11 GHz Operation LOS Non-LOS Non-LOS Non-LOS and Bit Rate 32-134 Mbps Up to 75 Mbps Up to 75 Mbps Up to 15 Mbps 3-5 miles 3-5 miles 1-3 miles Cell Radius 1-3 miles 802.16a 802.16e2005 December 2005 < 6 GHz Mobile WiMax is well suited to offer both fixed and mobile access How WiMax Works „ ƒ WiMax can provide 2 forms of wireless service: - Non-LOS, Wi-Fi sort of service, where a small antenna on a computer connects to the tower. Uses lower frequency range (2 to 11 GHz). - LOS, where a fixed antenna points straight at the WiMax tower from a rooftop or pole. pole The LOS connection is stronger and more stable, so it is able to send a lot of data with fewer errors. Uses higher frequencies, with ranges reaching a possible 66 GHz. GHz Through stronger LOS antennas, WiMax transmitting stations would send data to WiMax enabled computers or routers t sett up within ithi 30 (3,600 (3 600 square miles il off coverage)) mile radius. WiMax Rollout „ WiMax Forum anticipates rollout of its technology in 3 phases: - Phase 1: Fixed Location, Private Line Services, Hot Spot Backhaul. - Phase 2: Broadband Wireless Access/Wireless DSL - Phase 3: Mobile/Nomadic Users. WiMax Spectrum „ „ „ „ „ Broad Operating Range WiMax Forum is focusing on 3 spectrum bands for global deployment: Unlicensed 5 GHz: Includes bands between 5.25 and 5.85 GHz. In the upper 5 GHz band (5.725 – 5.850 GHz) many countries allow higher power output (4 Watts) that makes it attractive for WiMax applications. Licensed 3.5 GHz: Bands between 3.4 and 3.6 GHz have b been allocated ll t d for f BWA iin majority j it off countries. ti Licensed 2.5 GHz: The bands between 2.5 and 2.6 GHz have been allocated in the US, Mexico, Brazil and in some SEA countries. In US this spectrum is licensed for MDS and ITFS. Benefits of Licensed and License-Exempt Solutions Licensed Solution License-Exempt Solution Better QoS Fast Rollout Better NLOS reception at lower frequencies Higher barriers for entrance Lower Costs More worldwide options Technical T h i l Similarities Si il iti and d Differences Diff B t Between Licensed and License-Exempt Bands „ „ „ Both solutions are based on IEEE 802.16-2004 standard, which uses OFDM in the physical (PHY) layer. OFDM provides benefits such as increased SNR of subscriber stations and improved resiliency to multi-path interference. F creating For i bi bi-directional di i l channels h l for f uplink li k and downlink, licensed solutions use FDD while license exempt solutions use TDD. TDD Time Division Duplexing (TDD) Description Advantages A duplexing technique used in license-exempt solutions, which uses a single channel for uplink and downlink. downlink Enhanced flexibility, easier to pair with smart antenna technologies, asymmetrical. Disadvantages Cannot transmit and receive at the same time. Usage “Bursty”, asymmetrical data applications, environments with varying traffic patterns, where RF efficiency is more important than cost. Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) Description A duplexing technique used in licensed solutions that uses a pair of spectrum channels, one for the uplink and another for the downlink. downlink Advantages Proven technology for voice, designed for symmetrical traffic, does not require guard time. Disadvantages Cannot Usage be deployed where spectrum is unpaired, spectrum is usually licensed, higher cost associated d with h spectrum purchase. h Environments with predictable traffic patterns, where equipment costs are more important than RF efficiency. Challenges g to Overcome in WiMax Deployment „ „ RF Interference: Disrupts a transmission and decreases performance. Common forms are multi-path interference and attenuation. attenuation Overlapping interference generate random noise. Infrastructure Placement: The physical structure that houses or supports the base station must be RF friendly. friendly A metal farm silo, for example, may distort signals, or a tree swaying in the wind may change signal strength. Obstacles such as trees and buildings frequently block signal paths. High RF activity in the area can cause interference. Solving g the challenges g in WiMax Deployment „ Proper network design and infrastructure placement are critical for solving the challenges. - Subscriber Site Survey, Statistics Gathering, coordination of RF use with neighbouring providers. - Antennas A (T (Type, Til Angles, Tilt A l A Array G i Diversity Gain, Di i Gain) G i ) - Proper design and deployment of the provider’s NOC. - Well deployed base station or cells with 24/7 access, access RF friendly structure, and shielding from weather elements. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) „ „ „ „ „ „ All profiles currently defined by the WiMax Forum specify the 256-carrier OFDM air interface. Allows digital signal to be transmitted simultaneously on multiple RF carrier waves. Adaptable to NLOS schemes. Resistant to multi-path effects. Spectrally efficient technique to transmit wireless digital data. data Able to deliver higher bandwidth efficiency. There are some obstacles in using OFDM in transmission system in contrast to its advantages. advantages A major obstacle is that the OFDM signal exhibits a very high Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR). Scope of 802 standards PHY Layer Features of IEEE 802.16-2004 Feature Benefit 256 point FFT OFDM Built in support for addressing multi multiwaveform path in outdoor LOS and NLOS environments. Adaptive Modulation Ensures a robust RF link while and variable error maximizing the number of bits/second correction encoding for each subscriber unit. per RF burst TDD and FDD Addresses varying worldwide regulations supportt when h one or both b th may be b allowed ll d PHY Layer y Features of IEEE 802.16-2004(Continued) Feature Benefit Flexible Channel Sizes ((Can be an integer multiple of 1.25 MHz, 1.5 MHz, and 1 75 MHz with a maximum 1.75 of 20 MHz. Designed g to support pp smart antenna systems. Provides the flexibilityy to operate p in many different frequency bands with varying channel requirements around the world. world Smart antennas can suppress pp interference and increase system gain. They are becoming important to BWA deployment as their costs come down. MAC Layer Features of IEEE 802.16-2004 Feature Benefit TDM/TDMA Scheduled Efficient bandwidth usage Uplink/Downlink frames. Scalable S l bl from f 1 to t hundreds of subscribers Connection-oriented Allows costt effective All ff ti d l deployments t by b supporting enough subscribers to deliver a robust business case • Per Connection QoS • Faster packet routing and forwarding MAC Layer y Features of IEEE 802.16-2004 (Continued) Feature QoS ARQ Adaptive Modulation Benefit • Low latency for delay sensitive services • Optimal transport for video, Data prioritization • Improves end-to-end performance by hiding RF l layer i d induced d errors from f upper layer l protocols t l • Enables highest data rates allowed by channel conditions improving system capacity conditions, • Protects user privacy Security and Encryption Automatic • Minimizes self interference Power Control WiMax Evolution Path Leads to Mobile Access 802.16e 2005 Standard (Mobile 802.16e-2005 Wireless MAN) „ „ „ „ Ratified R tifi d in i December, D b 2005 It is an extension of the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard It covers MAC and PHY layers for Combined Fixed and Mobile Operation p in Licensed Bands. It will enable a mobile user to keep their connection ti while hil moving i att vehicular hi l speed d (75-93 miles/h). WiMax Mobility Issues Device availability is a major issue - Market introduction may be delayed - High Hi h initial i iti l costs t will ill limit li it adoption d ti growth th ƒ In some markets spectrum availability is limited „ - Bands < 3 GHz is better suited for mobile access - Licenses for fixed WiMAX may not allow service provider to offer mobile services ƒ Current demand for WiMax is mostly for fixed services. - Underserved Regions, Developing Markets WiMax Mobility Issues (Continued) „ ƒ Demand D d for f wireless i l data d t is i growing, i but b t still till it is i limited - Mobile operators may see need for a data data-only only technology when demand is higher - Demand may drive additional spectrum allocations f wireless for i l mobile bil data d t service i WiMax is not going to supplant other wireless technologies g - It will not replace Wi-Fi in the LAN - Cellular technologies may still be needed for voice and data in the WAN WiMax Mobility Issues (Continued) Competing technologies have a time-to-market advantage - Many mobile operators have invested heavily in 3G systems. ƒ Multiple technologies will co-exist as they meet different needs ƒ Mobility may become a powerful differentiating factor when competing with DSL or Cable „ Wireless Device Continuum Primary P Capabilit C ty • Highest speed processor • Larger display • Processor optimized for low power consumption & small form factor 802.11 & 802.16 Nomadic Portable 3G Tablet Handheld Smart Phone Cell Phone ITU Definitions „ Fixed wireless access (FWA) „ „ Mobile wireless access (MWA) „ „ Wireless access application in which the location of the enduser termination and the network access point to be connected to the end-user are fixed. Wireless Wi l access application li i in i which hi h the h location l i off the h endd user termination is mobile. Nomadic wireless access (NWA) „ Wireless access application in which the location of the enduser termination may be in different places but it must be stationary while in use. Fixed and Nomadic Mapping Based on ITU-R Definitions Fixed Nomadic Use Service limited to installed Location of end user area terminal may change but „ No roaming between stationary when in use service areas or operators Device Standalone outdoor subscriber station „ „ „ Indoor modems L t Laptops WiMax Applications „ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. According to WiMax Forum it supports 5 classes of applications: Multi-player Interactive Gaming. VOIP and Video Conference Streaming Media Web Browsing and Instant Messaging Media Content Downloads Application Classes Market Models WiMAX Benefits Small Wireless ISPs Lower Network CapEx Hot Spot Providers Lower backhaul OpEx Wireline / ILECs DSL fill-in. Cost effective coverage of low density areas Cellular Operators Cable Providers Large ISPs Nomadic/Mobile broadband competitive with wireline data services Broadband data service to businesses Alternative last mile broadband services to compete with ILEC New Entrants (e.g. (e g Utilities, Utilities Railroads, Retailers) Leverage existing assets to deliver broadband service Satellite Need alternative last mile for uplink WiMax Advantages in a Nutshell Robust, reliable carrier class “last-mile” technology with QoS „ For many types of high-bandwidth applications l - at the same time, across long distances ƒ Enabling new applications that improve daily life „ Conclusions „ „ ƒ – – – It is expected that WiMax becomes the dominant standard for Wireless MAN in the world market, at least, in fixed broadband networks. networks WiMax products will have to be delivered to the market needs and those for the end-users will have to be extremely t l easy to t install. i t ll Focus is too often on technologies Subscribers p pay y for services,, not technologies g Technologies enable services, but should not be a burden on users Broadband capabilities are important, important but bandwidth is not the only meter to assess service WiMax Success Factors It is crucial that WiMax becomes an important building block to enable fixed/mobile convergence and to ensure its success. success „ Ability to offer ease of use is crucial to the success of WiMAX service providers ƒ Success of WiMAX may depend on the ability to combine fixed and mobile access over the same infrastructure „