A WiMax Handbook - What Is This New Technology?

This Mini Wimax Handbook is a short and concise guide to what you need to know about WiMax technology and how it will develop over the coming months and years.

There has been a lot of hype about WiMax recently; in particular it is regarded as one of the most powerful technologies in the future of communications, and in particular data and VoIP. This WiMax handbook is a first look at some of these issues, with a useful article below focusing on some of these key points.

The potential of the technology in its full capacity is huge, and threatens to undermine the entire local network model, as well as that of mobile communications. But how is this all going to happen, and what will be the impact on the market? Will business WiMax be the next big thing, or will it also bring advantages to the consumer. The following article is a useful guide, and this mini WiMax handbook will go a long way to answering most of your questions.

By Eric Meyer

WiMax (802.16) is a newer standard of wireless networking designed to provide the last mile of high speed internet access to the end user. It was designed to provide (MAN) Metropolitan Area Access, to homes and businesses.

WiMax base stations will have the ability to provide approximately 60 businesses with T1 access and hundreds of homes with DSL/Cable speed access…in theory. Engineers are stating that WiMax has the capability of reaching 30 Miles, though so far real world testing has shown realistic assessments to be a 4-8 mile working radius.

WiMax (MAN) deployments are similar to a WiFi network. First the Internet Service Provider would install high levels of bandwidth. The ISP would then use line of sight antennas (Bridges) to connect to towers that would distribute the non line of sight signal to (MAN) residential/business clients.

WiMax line of sight antennas operate at a higher frequency up to 60mhz. Distribution antennas do not have to be in the line of sight with their clients. Non – line of sight towers operate on a range similar to WiFi . WiMax can operate right next to cell phone towers with no interference.

WiMax networks are similar to Wifi in deployment. The Wimax Base station/Tower will beam a signal to a WiMax Receiver. Similar to a WiFi access point sending a signal to a laptop. As far as one can tell laptops will be shipping with Wimax receivers in late 2006.

QOS (Quality of Service) is potentially a major issue with WiMax because of the number of people accessing a tower at once. Some would think that a tower could be easily overloaded with a lot of people accessing it at the same time. However, built into the WiMax standard is an algorithm that when the tower/base station is nearing capacity then it automatically will transfer the user to another WiMax tower or cell. Unlike a Wifi client who has to fight to stay associated with a given access point, WiMax will only have to perform this hand shake at the MAC level the first time they access the network.

WiMax is designed for building a network infrastructure when the environment or distance is not favorable to a wired network. Also, WiMax is a cheaper and quicker alternative than having to lay wire. Third world countries will greatly benefit from deploying WiMax networks. WiMax can handle virtually all the same protocols Wifi can, including VOIP. African countries are already planning to start deploying WiMax networks instead of mobile networks. Disaster zones can also utilize WiMax giving them the ability to distribute crisis information quickly and cheaply.

Militaries worldwide are already using wireless technology to connect remote sites. Logistics will be simplified with the ease of tracking with RF technologies. WiMax can also handle Webcams and streaming video which would give commanders eyes on target capability. Just imagine if planes were able to drop preconfigured self deploying WiMax antennas in strategic areas giving troops real time battlefield intelligence. Armed with wireless cameras, drones and a GPS one soldier would truly be an Army of One.

As WiMax is deployed in more geographical areas, theory and real life capabilities of WiMax will come to light. The differences between WiMax and Wifi are simple. Think of a WiMax network as an ISP without wires, with the signal providing your internet access to your business or home. Wifi will be used within your LAN for the near future.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Meyer

Summary

So, as this Mini WiMax Handbook has shown, the potential uses of this new technology are far-reaching. The impact on VoIP is also something to consider and to keep an eye on. Think about it this way - if an alternative Service Provider has the capability to service several hundreds, or even thousands, of consumers and businesses right into the home or office, using a single WiMax antenna; and if then those individuals and businesses can use a VoIP phone within that wide area, where is the value in a mobile phone? This is particularly relevant once WiMax antennae start appearing more and more geographically dispersed.

Over the coming months we'll be keeping an eye on the market, and ensuring this WiMax handbook is updated with all the developments in the market.

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