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wimax standards

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WiMAX, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless communication standard that provides broadband wireless access (BWA) to enable high-speed data transfer over long distances. The technical details of WiMAX are defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the 802.16 family of standards.

WiMAX Standards:

  1. 802.16-2004 (Fixed WiMAX):
    • Physical Layer (PHY):
      • Uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) for modulation in the 2-11 GHz frequency range.
      • Multiple subcarriers are used for parallel data transmission, improving robustness against multipath interference.
    • Medium Access Control (MAC):
      • Supports Time Division Duplex (TDD) and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) for communication.
      • Defines a point-to-multipoint (PMP) architecture, suitable for fixed broadband wireless access.
  2. 802.16e-2005 (Mobile WiMAX):
    • An extension to the fixed WiMAX standard, adding mobility features.
    • PHY:
      • Introduces Scalable Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (SOFDMA), providing better support for mobile environments.
    • MAC:
      • Supports both TDD and FDD modes for flexible deployment.
      • Implements Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms for improved performance in multimedia applications.
      • Allows seamless handovers between base stations while maintaining a continuous connection for mobile users.
  3. 802.16m (WiMAX 2.0):
    • Enhancements over 802.16e to provide higher data rates, improved coverage, and advanced features.
    • PHY:
      • Utilizes advanced modulation schemes, including 64-QAM and 256-QAM, for higher data rates.
      • Introduces Advanced Antenna Systems (AAS) for improved coverage and spectral efficiency.
    • MAC:
      • Incorporates mechanisms for improved network efficiency, including coordinated scheduling and interference management.

Technical Features:

  1. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM):
    • Breaks the data into multiple subcarriers transmitted in parallel, reducing the impact of multipath interference.
  2. Scalable Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (SOFDMA):
    • Allows the allocation of subcarriers based on the varying needs of different users, improving efficiency in the mobile environment.
  3. Quality of Service (QoS):
    • Provides mechanisms to prioritize and manage different types of traffic, ensuring reliable and efficient delivery for applications with diverse requirements.
  4. Mobility Support:
    • Enables seamless handovers and continuous connectivity for mobile users moving across different base stations.
  5. Advanced Antenna Systems (AAS):
    • Improves coverage and spectral efficiency through the use of multiple antennas for transmission and reception.
  6. Coordinated Scheduling:
    • Enhances network efficiency by coordinating the scheduling of transmissions among different base stations.