fwa fixed wireless access

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a type of wireless communication that provides connectivity between two fixed points, typically from a central point (like a base station) to a fixed location (such as a residence or business). FWA is commonly used to deliver broadband internet access in areas where traditional wired infrastructure (like fiber-optic or cable connections) is impractical or cost-prohibitive.

Here's a technical breakdown of FWA:

1. Frequency Bands:
   • FWA systems operate in various frequency bands depending on the technology used. Common frequency bands include microwave bands (such as 24 GHz, 28 GHz, and 60 GHz) and millimeter-wave bands (such as 28 GHz, 38 GHz, and 60 GHz).
   • Millimeter-wave bands are often favored for FWA because they offer high data rates due to the availability of wider bandwidths.
2. Propagation Characteristics:
   • FWA signals can experience various propagation effects, including free space path loss, atmospheric absorption, and reflections. Millimeter-wave signals are susceptible to higher atmospheric absorption compared to lower-frequency bands, which can limit the range of FWA systems.
3. Antenna Technology:
   • Directional antennas are commonly used in FWA systems to establish a focused and stable link between the base station and the subscriber unit.
   • Phased array antennas or beamforming techniques may be employed to improve signal strength and reliability by steering the transmission beam electronically.
4. Modulation and Coding Schemes:
   • FWA systems use advanced modulation and coding schemes to maximize data rates over the wireless link. Common modulation schemes include Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), and advanced error correction codes are used to enhance reliability.
5. Base Station Equipment:
   • The FWA base station includes the radio transceivers, antennas, and networking equipment. It's responsible for transmitting data to and receiving data from subscriber units.
6. Subscriber Equipment:
   • Subscriber units, often installed at the customer's premises, include an outdoor antenna, a transceiver, and a modem or customer premises equipment (CPE). The CPE typically has Ethernet ports or Wi-Fi for distributing the internet connection within the customer's premises.
7. Network Architecture:
   • FWA systems can be designed in a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint architecture. In a point-to-point setup, a dedicated link is established between the base station and each subscriber unit. In a point-to-multipoint setup, the base station communicates with multiple subscriber units simultaneously.
8. Latency and Throughput:
   • FWA systems aim to provide low latency and high throughput, making them suitable for applications like video streaming, online gaming, and other real-time services.
9. Spectrum Management:
   • Efficient spectrum management is crucial for FWA networks. Regulatory bodies allocate specific frequency bands for FWA use, and operators must adhere to spectrum usage regulations to avoid interference and optimize performance.