Mobile WiMAX

Sometime last December, mobile WiMAX was made formally possible with the IEEE

ratifying the 802.16e standard. There are two specifications, one called the

802.16-2004 or 802.16d and the other being 802.16-2005 or the 802.16e. The first

spec involves WiMAX devices that are fixed, while the 2005 spec extends WiMAX

capability to mobile devices. 802.16-2004 devices can be upgraded to the 2005

standard via a simple software upgrade. Well, since December 2005, there has

been hectic activity in the Mobile WiMAX space and here's a snapshot of the

technologies and products that have come out.

Applies To: CTOs, CIOs USP: Technologies behind WiMAX on mobiles  Primary Link: www.wimax.com Google Keywords: wimax mobile

New baseband chip



Intel launched a new baseband chip named the WiMAX Connection 2250 as we were
going to press. This chip complies with both the 802.16d and 802.16e

specifications. This chip can be coupled with the Intel Discreet Tri-band WiMAX

radio to get an all-frequency mobile wireless solution that can be used

globally. The processor is backward (pin) compatible with the earlier released

Intel PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband chip, which uses the 802.16d technology.

This means deployments that have already happened using the 5116 can now be

easily upgraded to the new standard. Products based on this chip are expected

over the next year. These products are expected to be WiMAX modems and gateways

for IP voice, video and data communications.



Mobile WiMAX and 3G European countries are planning to set aside the 3.4 to 3.5
GHz spectrum for WiMAX operations, with the 2.3 to 2.5 GHz band for 3G networks.

But, industry analysts are complaining that this is too narrow a band to ensure

a drop-free connection.

Also, when you consider that this standard is designed to be used with

devices that are on the move, like in cars, trains and so on, there would be a

lot of frequency hopping and jamming occurring as users move from one area to

another or even roam onto other networks.

The narrow bandwidth of just 0.1 GHz is therefore too small to accommodate

such traffic. 3G network operators in the EU use the 2.3 to 2.5 GHz. This

spectrum is not used in the USA or Asia and therefore the 3.4-3.5 GHz band

battle is not spilling over this region.

Products in 2007



Lots of WiMAX based products are expected to be released over the coming year.

There will be multi-node radios that have a half a mile range and can do live

video streaming. Such radios can do 162 Mbps over four wireless links. Then

there is a base station line up that can work with both the 2004 and 2005 spec-this

means this device operates using both FDM and TDM algorithms and a

software-defined radio.

Many vendors are also planning module upgrades and updates that simply enable

their existing 802.16d products to support the 802.16e spec as well. What you

would need to notice while selecting among this crop of products is whether they

support the 2.4-2.5 GHz spectrum or the 3.5 GHz band.

There are also multi-node base stations due, which can do wireless mesh

networks as well as WiMAX. This is handled by new versions of system software.

WiMAX chip makers have started unveiling their line ups of chipsets for PCI

cards, SD/IO cards, USB dongles and CardBus adapters for both the US/Asia and

the Europe spectrums.

One product that we find interesting is a 'remote tiltable antenna' from

an Irish company. Remote technicians can tilt this antenna (mounted on

high-rising towers) to optimize wireless delivery and maintain signal strength.

If you're considering mobile WiMAX, this is the time to start testing!

Anadi Misra