Practically speaking ... 802.16

[DonChoudhry]

Hi

I am doing a research on IEEE 802.16 Also known as Wireless Broadband or WiMax. I have gained sufficiant technical knowledge about 802.16 through books(eg. Computer Networks by Andrew S. Tenenbaum), magazines and websites.

But there is just one problem. Unlike 802.11b (Wi-Fi) there aren't any websites/sources that discuss some practical aspects of 802.16. What I mean to say is that I want to know how the whole system is setup, what are all the equipments needed(and where does each one of them goes in the site), what type of location it should be installed at and so forth ... there is no such guide. If anbody here has a practical experance with such equipment or knows about the system please help me out or atleast give me links where I can find something like that.

[Planet]

Don,
I'm not completly certian what information your looking for but this is a ...link (http://www.ieee802.org/16/officials.html ) to the access standards council with links to contact them direct. Check it out if you want. Let us know if it helps.

Good luck.

Planet

[Shed]

Hi

You can check www.waveip.com. They got system based on the 802.16a MAC layer.

[DonChoudhry]

Thanks alot Shed. It helped a great deal

[clintonj]

check out http://www.wirelessman.org/

[willem huitema]

Maybe Wi-lan can help you out. Fujitsu is using there WOFDM technology http://www.wi-lan.com

WiMAX and IEEE 802.16/16a Facts

Recently, there has been a lot of press surrounding IEEE 802.16a chipsets and products. Here is a history of IEEE 802.16:
In 2001 IEEE released the IEEE 802.16 standard, which was to be the first of several broadband WirelessMAN standards. Since then the IEEE has continued to add to that base standard. It has done so through a set of amendments, each with a different focus.

In September 2003 during the 27th session of the IEEE 802.16 Working Group, a new project, 802.16-REVd, was approved which will result in some changes for IEEE & WiMAX followers and insiders alike. Prior to this, the complete IEEE 802.16 standard was comprised of three documents within the IEEE 802.16 group of standards; "IEEE Std 802.16-2001", "IEEE Std 802.16c-2002", and "IEEE Std 802.16a-2003". The standard commonly known as "16a" is in fact an amendment to the "IEEE 802.16-2001" and is not a stand alone standard.

The output of project 802.16-REVd, its’ official designation, will be a new revision of IEEE Std 802.16, incorporating the three pre-existing documents plus work currently underway in the 802.16 Task Group d (802.16d). When it is published, as IEEE Std 802.16-2004, the three currently existing components will become obsolete and will be withdrawn.

IEEE 802.16e is another amendment, which will address adding mobility to the 802.16 standard.

WiMAX comprises of industry leaders who are committed to the open interoperability of all products used for broadband wireless access. WiMAX supports the 802.16 standard and certifies products to be compliant with the 802.16 standard.

Wi-LAN’s patented W-OFDM technology with 256 FFT forms the basis for this IEEE 802.16-2004 standard. This coupled with Wi-LAN’s vision and recent announcements puts Wi-LAN in a strong competitive position.

WiMAX Update

WiMAX's 2-11 GHz Technical Working Group completed the System Profiles for IEEE 802.16d and ETSI HiperMAN in March of 2003 and is currently working on developing the Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS) Proforma conformance specification for IEEE 802.16d. The schedule shows the PICS Proforma first submission to the IEEE in January of 2004. This will be followed, in sequence, by the Test Suite Structure & Test Purposes (TSS&TP) and Abstract Test Suite (ATS) conformance specifications in October 2004 and November 2004 respectively.

In addition to producing the conformance specifications, a sub-group of the 2-11GHz TWG has been actively involved in a WiMAX Certification Test Lab selection process. Right from the start it was believed important to have not only the specifications but also the Test Labs available when equipment vendors began to have compliant products ready. The Selection process has been underway for over ½ a year and is scheduled for completion during the first quarter of 2004 with the selection of up to two labs. The labs will have presence in North America, Asia, and Europe to meet the needs of the diverse and international nature of its' membership.

First equipment meeting and certified to WiMAX specifications is planned to be ready late 2004 early 2005.

[Aldapo]

Very nice willem huitema .

I have only a few questions in general:

How will coexists in Europe 802.16 with 802.11h (5475-5720MHz)?seems to me that 802.16 have more "power"
in total,but the price and the availibility are pros for 802.11h or no?Could you compare those two standards?

1.If you compare price(nobady wants to talk abou price:-((,but probably 802.11h will be cheaper as I know- how much? )

2.Availibility - are pros for 802.11h end Q1 or Q2 2004 or no?

3."Power(Max. transmit Mb/s,QoS,...)" and legality- as I know in Europe is outdoor free only
2.4GHz and 5.8GHz plus 10.5GHz(here in Czech) and become free 5470-5725MHz 1W power with 802.11h yeeeeppp :-) .

[willem huitema]

First of all...to compare WiFi with WiMax is a little bit apples vs peers: different applications, pros and minors imho. Each have there needs. I don't know enough about the 5Ghz Bandwith/Interference (?) issue.....am just a normal consumer who know's something on WiMax you know ;o)

Advantages of Broadband Fixed Wireless Systems Over 802.11 LANs
Service Providers May Want To Consider the Fine-Print Details That Go Into Engineering a Robust, Outdoor Fixed Wireless Solution
http://www.shorecliffcommunications.com/magazine/volume.asp?Vol=41&story=385

Manufacturers put 5GHz Wi-Fi on hold
VNUNet.com
By Daniel Thomas
Monday, January 19, 2004

Wireless manufacturers are delaying the launch of new Wi-Fi products for the 5GHz spectrum until European governments endorse the radio spectrum.

The 802.11h Wi-Fi standard, tipped to be the European successor to 802.11a, will only be adopted if more countries come on board, according to analysts.

"Manufacturers will only start producing products if there's a demand for them," said Richard Dineen, research director at Ovum.

"It doesn't make a difference if a single country opens up a radio band, it needs to be adopted on a greater scale."

The 802.11h standard, ratified by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers last September, is designed to meet European regulations for 5GHz wireless local area networks by ensuring that products have transmission power control and dynamic frequency selection, which minimises interference to broadcasts and military radar.

Evelien Wiggers, senior research analyst at IDC, said: "[802.11h] could become the successor to 11a; they're basically the same but 11h meets European regulations regarding Dynamic Frequency Selection and Transmit Power Control."

But Paul Munnery, managing director at networking firm Wireless CNP, warned: "Certain countries are still dragging their heels and this is an obstacle to getting 5GHz and 802.11h adopted."

"Broadcasters and the military are two groups that have shown resistance. The UK has been very good lobbying broadcast to move to other frequencies, but other countries have failed to do this.

"Until 5GHz is endorsed by governments, many manufacturers won't bother making the products."

Wireless chip manufacturer Intel said it was working on incorporating 802.11h capabilities into forthcoming products using the 5GHz spectrum, but that it was "premature" to comment on specific products as government agencies were still finalising tests for the standard.

"As a result of the World Radio Conference resolution this summer, 802.11h is increasingly important for worldwide harmonisation of the 5GHz spectrum," said Intel spokesman Nick Knupffer.

Both 802.11a and h have throughputs of 54Mbps and run in the 5GHz band. They are considered 'cleaner' than 802.11b, which operates in the unlicensed 2.4GHz radio spectrum used by other consumer wireless products such as baby talkers and wireless doorbells.

http://wireless.ittoolbox.com/news/dispnews.asp?i=108087

[Dbeaudo]

Hello,

Did you found somebody to help about 802.16-2004?. We plan too to extend our reasarch by building a lab in Q1 2006 and i want to know if you have somes informations about lab test (not IEEE or Senza or WIMAX) effectuated by a carrier or a university.

We try to found an exemple of a labs to build ours, if you have any info please let me know

Thanks

[Specialist927]

You are going to need at least $500k to start with to start a RF test lab. Do you want to build a test lab or a design lab or both ??