WiMAX™

IEEE 802.16-2004, IEEE 802.16e-2005 and IEEE 802.16m

WiMAXTechnology Overview

WiMAX™ (Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access) is based on modern communications technologies, such as OFDMA and MIMO. This establishes WiMAX™ as a cellular broadband standard, providing high performance in data rate, mobility and cell size. VoIP and roaming capabilities are additional focus areas for WiMAX™. This IEEE non-3GPP standardization approach is mainly driven by the traditional computer industry, which has created the Wi-Fi standard before. With its high IP capabilities, WiMAX™ is targeting the mobile Internet.

Originally only specified for the TDD mode, WiMAX™ Release 1.5 also includes FDD functionality to enable network operators to implement WiMAX™ in the ITU FDD frequency bands.

WiMAX™ Release 2.0 is the next evolutionary step, specified in IEEE 802.16m and also referred to as Advanced WiMAX™. A further increase in data rate, compared to IEEE 802.16e, will be achieved with higher channel bandwidth and up to 4x4 MIMO technology, making this standard also a candidate for the IMT Advanced technology.

Deployment Scenario

More than 400 rollouts, including over 50 IEEE 802.16e rollouts, have already been carried out in 133 countries. Today’s deployments focus on the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands. Most WiMAX™ deployments use licensed frequency bands. It remains to be seen whether network operators applying fixed WiMAX™ today will upgrade to Mobile WiMAX™ in the near future. With the decision from the ITU to open up the 3G spectrum for WiMAX™, it is expected that deployments in the 3G spectrum at 1.9 GHz and 2 GHz will rise.

Rohde & Schwarz Test Solutions

Rohde & Schwarz supports WiMAX™ with the broadest T&M product portfolio providing unique solutions for MIMO and production testing including signaling and throughput tests. Moreover, as one of the two companies selected to develop and produce a radio conformance tester for Mobile WiMAX™, Rohde & Schwarz is once again demonstrating its commitment to be the leading supplier for certification test equipment for wireless communications. Rohde & Schwarz offers a complete product portfolio for the WiMAX™ community, including signal generators, signal analyzers, base station emulators, radio conformance test systems, preconformance test systems, regulatory test systems, as well as drive test solutions.

Unique solutions for MIMO and beamforming testing, including coding, phase coherency measurements and signal generation for complex MIMO channels with fading simulation, make Rohde & Schwarz T&M instruments the ideal choice for any kind of Mobile WiMAX™ test purposes.

Key Parameters

WiMAX IEEE 802.16e-2005 and IEEE 802.16-2004 WiMAX IEEE 802.16m
Frequency Range Show / Hide
Bands for 16-2004:
3400 MHz - 3600 MHz
5725 MHz - 5850 MHz
Profiles for 16e:
M2300T-01/02)
2300 MHz - 2400 MHz
M2300T-04/05)
2305 MHz - 2360 MHz
M2500T-01)
2496 MHz - 2690 MHz
M3300T-01/02)
3300 MHz - 3400 MHz
M3500T-01/04)
3400 MHz - 3800 MHz
M3500T-02/03/05)
3400 MHz - 3600 MHz
Targeted for 16e:
UTRA/TDD bands
Targeted for 16e (Rel. 1.5):
UTRA/FDD bands
Show / Hide
Profiles for 16m:
M2300T-01/02)
2300 MHz - 2400 MHz
M2300T-04/05)
2305 MHz - 2360 MHz
M2500T-01)
2496 MHz - 2690 MHz
M3300T-01/02)
3300 MHz - 3400 MHz
M3500T-01/04)
3400 MHz - 3800 MHz
M3500T-02/03/05)
3400 MHz - 3600 MHz
Targeted for 16m:
UTRA/TDD bands
UTRA/FDD bands
Modulation BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, SC BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, SC
Multiple Access SOFDMA (128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048), OFDM (256), SC SOFDMA (128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048)
Duplex (Uplink/Downlink) TDD, FDD/HFDD TDD, FDD/HFDD
Channel Bandwidth 3.5 MHz, 7 MHz, 10 MHz (16-2004)
5 MHz, 7 MHz, 8.75 MHz, 10 MHz (16e)
 5 MHz to 20 MHz
optionally 40 MHz
Peak Data Rate 128 Mbit/s (DL, 20 MHz, 2x2 MIMO, 16e)
56 Mbit/s (UL, 20 MHz, 2x2 MIMO, 16e) 		300 Mbit/s (DL, 20 MHz, 4x4 MIMO)
135 Mbit/s (UL, 20 MHz, 2x4 MIMO)

Standardization

WiMAX™ has evolved from fixed WiMAX™, standardized in IEEE 802.16-2004, to Mobile WiMAX™, standardized in IEEE 802.16e-2005. Both standards have been released. The next evolution is IEEE 802.16m, which was officially submitted to the ITU as an IMT Advanced standard for 4G.

The conformance test specifications are developed by the WiMAX™ Forum, of which Rohde & Schwarz has been an active member since 2004. The conformance specification for fixed WiMAX™ has been released. The conformance test specification for Mobile WiMAX™ is split into two waves. Wave 1 is SISO only and was released at the beginning of 2007. Wave 2 has MIMO integrated and was released in August 2007.