What is WiMAX ?

WiMAX is short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a

metropolitan wireless standard created by the companies Intel and Alvarion in 2002 and
ratified by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) under the name
IEEE-802.16. More precisely, WiMAX is the commercial designation that the WiMAX
Forum gives to devices which conform to the IEEE 802.16 standard, in order to ensure a
high level of interoperability among them.
Goals of WiMAX
The goal of WiMAX is to provide high-speed Internet access in a coverage range several
kilometres in radius. In theory, WiMAX provides for speeds around 70 Mbps with a
range of 50 kilometres. The WiMAX standard has the advantage of allowing wireless
connections between a base transceiver station (BTS) and thousands of subscribers
without requiring that they be in a direct line of sight (LOS) with that station. This
technology is called NLOS for non-line-of-sight. In reality, WiMAX can only bypass
small obstructions like trees or a house and cannot cross hills or large buildings. When
obstructions are present, actual throughput might be under 20 Mbps.
Operating principle of WiMAX
At the heart of WiMAX technology is the base transceiver station, a central antenna
which communicates with subscribers' antennas. The term point-multipoint link is used
for WiMAX's method of communication.
Fixed WiMAX and WiMAX portable
The revisions of the IEEE 802.16 standard fall into two categories:
• Fixed WiMAX, also called IEEE 802.16-2004, provides for a fixed-line connection
with an antenna mounted on a rooftop, like a TV antenna. Fixed WiMAX operates in
the 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz frequency bands, which require a licence, as well as the
licence-free 5.8 GHz band.
• Mobile WiMAX, also called IEEE 802.16e, allows mobile client machines to be
connected to the Internet. Mobile WiMAX opens the doors to mobile phone use over
IP, and even high-speed mobile services.
Standard Frequency Speed Range
Fixed WiMAX (802.16-2004) 2-11 GHz (3.5 GHz in Europe) 75 Mbps 10 km
Mobile WiMAX (802.16e) 2-6 GHz 30 Mbps 3.5 km
Applications of WiMAX
One of WiMAX's potential uses is to cover the so-called "last mile" (or "last kilometre)
area, meaning providing high-speed Internet access to areas which normal wired
technolgies do not cover (such as DSL, cable, or dedicated T1 lines).
Another possibility involves using WiMAX as a backhaul between two local wireless
networks, such as those using the WiFi standard. WiMAX will ultimately enable two
different hotspots to be linked to create a mesh network.
WiMAX and Quality of Service
The WiMAX standard natively supports Quality of Service (often called QoS for short),
the ability to ensure that a service works when used. In practice, WiMAX lets bandwidth
be reserved for a given purpose. Some applications cannot work properly when
bottlenecks occur. This is the case for Voice Over IP (VOIP), as spoken communication is
ineffective when gaps a second long are introduced.
WiMAX Standards
Standard Frequency Status Range
Defines wireless metropolitan area
October
IEEE std 802.16 networks (WMANs) on frequency Obsolete
2002
bands higher than 10 GHz.
Defines wireless metropolitan area
October 9,
IEEE std 802.16a networks on frequency bands from 2 Obsolete
2003
to 11 GHz inclusive.
Defines wireless metropolitan area Merged with
IEEE 802.16b networks on frequency bands from 802.16a
10 to 60 GHz inclusive. (Obsolete)
Defines options (profiles) for
IEEE std 802.16c wireless metropolitan area networks July 2003
in unlicensed frequency bands.
IEEE 802.16d
Revision incorporating the 802.16, October
(IEEE std 802.16- Active
802.16a, and 802.16c standards. 1st, 2004
2004)
Allows wireless metropolitan area
IEEE std 802.16e networks to be used by mobile not ratified
clients.
Allows wireless mesh networks to be
IEEE std 802.16f not ratified
used.
Most people associate the term "Wi-Fi®" with the ability to browse the internet
wirelessly. Though this definition isn't incorrect, there is much more to Wi-Fi wireless
technology than just browsing the internet. Ten years ago, no one would have thought
that it would be possible to listen to music from your basement computer on your
entertainment system upstairs, or download songs to your Wi-Fi-enabled MP3 player, but
Wi-Fi technology has made it possible to do not only these, but a host of other
applications as well.
What is Wi-Fi?
Short for "wireless fidelity", Wi-Fi is one of the most popular wireless communications
standards on the market. In its fledgling stages, Wi-Fi technology was almost solely used
to wirelessly connect laptop computers to the internet via local area networks (LANs),
but thanks to the immense flexibility the technology provides, that's no longer the case.
Wi-Fi technology is now found in a host of non-computer electronic devices as well, such
as home theater receivers, portable gaming devices, DVD players, digital cameras, and
even GPS devices.
Wi-Fi is technically a trademarked brand name for the wireless standard owned by the
Wi-Fi Alliance, much like Bluetooth® is trademarked by the Bluetooth Special Interest
Group. However, the term has become so widely used (like Xerox® and Kleenex®), that
it has become a generic term, and the copyright is no longer protected.
Wireless Standards
The official name for the specification is IEEE 802.11, and it is comprised of more than
20 different standards, each of which is denoted by a letter appended to the end of the
name. The most familiar standards are 802.11b and 802.11g (Wireless B and G) which
are used in the majority of commercial Wi-Fi devices. Both of these standards operate in
the 2.4 GHz band, and the only major difference between the two is the transfer rate (see
chart below).
Some consumer electronics, however, use a different standard—Wireless A. These
devices operate within the 5 GHz range and have transfer rates equivalent to 802.11g.
However, since they operate on different frequencies, devices using the 802.11a standard
cannot communicate with B and G-enabled devices. For this reason, it is important to
check the compatibility of components with your wireless network prior to purchasing
them.
Comparison of standards
The table below provides a brief overview of the three most popular current 802.11
standards, as well as information about the next version of Wi-Fi — 802.11n.
Standard Frequency Data Transfer Rate Typical (Max) Range (indoor)
802.11a 5 GHz 25 (50) Mb/sec about 10 m (30 ft)
802.11b 2.4GHz 6.5 (11) Mb/sec 30 m (90 ft)
802.11g 2.4 GHz 25 (54) Mb/sec 30+ m (90+ ft)
802.11n * 2.4 GHz 200 (540) Mb/sec 50m (150ft)
* The 802.11n standard is not expected to be completed until late 2009.
Advantages of Wi-Fi
Unparalleled mobility and flexibility
If you've ever installed a multi-room stereo and had to run wires through a wall, you
know the amount of time and effort it requires, not to mention the permanence of your
installation. If you want to move the receiver to another room, the wiring has to be
completely redone, and the holes patched.
Thanks to Wi-Fi, users are no longer confined by the cords that link their devices,
enabling new levels of connectivity without sacrificing function or design options. Many
new products, called music streamers, are being introduced that utilize Wi-Fi technology
to wirelessly broadcast your music to speakers located throughout your house. Some
systems are different than others, but typically you can listen to the same, or different
music in each room, play music from the server or any computer attached to the network,
and even listen to internet radio.
Quick, easy setup
Setting up a wireless network may sound like a daunting task, but it's actually a pretty
straightforward process. Wi-Fi networks don't require professional installation, and, best
of all, there are no holes to drill or wires to run through walls. Many new routers are
"plug-and-play," meaning you just connect them to a power outlet, plug in an Ethernet
cord, and voilà, your network has been created. Unfortunately, wireless security doesn't
automatically configure itself, so it's important to remember to enable it via a personal
computer once a connection to the wireless network has been established. (We'll touch on
this topic more in-depth in the limitations section.)
Fast data transfer rates
With transfer speeds up to 54 megabits (Mb) per second (6.75 megabytes), 802.11g is
currently the fastest commercially available Wi-Fi protocol on the market. It is important
to note that this is the maximum theoretical transfer rate, not that which one should
expect on a daily basis. Nonetheless, typical 802.11g networks are more than capable of
handling the demands of streaming standard-definition TV signals, as well as CD-quality
audio.
Limitations of Wi-Fi
So far we've covered some of the advantages offered by Wi-Fi wireless technology, but
there are some limitations that must be addressed as well. Security and interference are
the main issues with current Wi-Fi standards, as well as its inability to reliably stream
high definition audio and video.
Security concerns
Though typically very easy to set up, securing your Wi-Fi network requires more effort.
Wi-Fi access points do not come with encryption straight out of the box; you have to do it
from your computer once the network is up and running. An unsecured wireless network
is susceptible to attacks from hackers, potentially giving them access to all of the
information stored by the devices on your network. In addition, "friendly," yet
unauthorized computers will also be able to connect to your network, occupying the
bandwidth and hindering overall network performance.
Interference from other devices
Wi-Fi transmissions take place primarily within the 2.4 GHz spectrum, making them
susceptible to interference from Bluetooth® wireless enabled devices, cordless
telephones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, and other household devices. The farther
your Wi-Fi devices are located from these known interferers—and the closer they are to
one another—the more robust your signal will be, so keep that in mind during setup.
If you live in an apartment complex or in close proximity to your neighbors, their
wireless network can also be a source of interference. However, many newer routers
automatically select the channel with the least amount of interference, ensuring that you
get the best possible connection.
Lack of support for high-quality media streaming
Even the fastest current Wi-Fi standards are pushed beyond their limit when trying to
handle some of today's high-end media. High-definition audio and video files are
bandwidth and timely-delivery-intensive, and typical wireless networks have neither the
transfer speeds nor the consistency to transfer them flawlessly. This problem is further
compounded if there are multiple devices connected to the same access point because the
bandwidth must be divided between all of the equipment.
Securing your Wi-Fi network
The best choice for wireless network encryption is currently Wi-Fi Protected Access
(WPA2). Most newer access points support WPA2 encryption, and it can be configured
once your network has been set up. For more security tips, check out our article on
creating a home network.
Bluetooth® wireless technology, on the other hand, has security built in, and it
automatically requires devices to enter a passkey in order to connect to the network. See
our introduction to Bluetooth for more information on how Bluetooth works.

WiMax to WiFi Network