WIMAX Course And Certification

What is WiMAX?

WiMAX which is the acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a part of the group of wireless network broadband communication standards that are completely based on a set of network standards, which are used to offer various Physical Layers options abbreviated as PHY, and Media Access Control abbreviated as MAC.

The name "WiMAX" was brought up by the WiMAX Forum, which was developed in June 2001 to promote the interoperability and conformity of the standard, which includes the definition of certain predefined system profiles for commercial vendors. The WiMAX forum defines WiMAX as "a standard-based software technology that allows for the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as a present alternative to DSL and cable. WirelessMAN-Advanced and IEEE 802.16m was a candidate for the 4G network, in competition with the LTE Advanced network standard. 

WiMAX was originally designed to provide 30 to 40 megabit-per-second data transfer rates, with the 2011 update producing up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations.

Components of WiMAX

1. WiMAX Tower: The WiMAX tower is like a cellphone network tower, a single one can cover a very large area of up to a 30-mile radius. A WiMax tower, however, can also connect to a second tower — this is what allows the network to provide long-range wireless service.

2. WiMAX Receiver: The WiMAX receiver can be a small box or the card built inside laptops (like how WiFi is accessed).

Features of WiMAX

There are lots of features of WiMAX, and some of them are:

1. OFDM-based Physical Layer: The WiMAX physical layer (PHY) is based on several orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, which is a scheme that presents users with good resistance to multipath, and allows WiMAX to work in NLOS conditions.

2. Very High Peak Data Rates: WiMAX is very capable of supporting very high peak data rates and transmissions. In fact, the top PHY data rate can be as high as 74 megabits per second when operating on a 20MHz wide spectrum.

3. Scalable Bandwidth and Data Rate Support: WiMAX has a highly scalable physical-layer architecture that allows for the data rate to scale and balance itself easily with available bandwidth channels.

4. Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC): WiMAX has support for a number of network modulation and forward error correction (FEC) coding network schemes and it also allows the network scheme to be modified as per the user needs and per-frame basis, that is based on channel conditions.

5. Link-layer Retransmissions: WiMAX has support for automatic retransmission requests (ARQ) at the link layer for connections that depends on enhanced reliability. Connections that are ARQ-enabled require each transmitted packet to be recognized by the receiver; unacknowledged packets are taken to be lost and are retransmitted back.

6. Support for TDD and FDD: IEEE 802.16-2004 and IEEE 802.16e-2005 offer supports for both time division duplexing and duplexing of the frequency-division, as well as a half-duplex FDD, which allows for the low-cost implementation of the system.

7. WiMAX Uses OFDM: Mobile WiMAX makes use of Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDM) as a multiple-access technique, also, several users can be designated separate subsets of the OFDM tones.

How WIMAX Works

WiMAX equipment is very much like the WiFi connection. Internet access starts from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) network that is linked to the WiMAX tower, which then sends signals and provides an area with wireless Internet. A WiMAX receiver, such as a laptop or a wireless device, then connects online. This is basically the general idea behind WiMAX equipment. WiMAX has a range of 30-mile radius from the tower; a speed of up to 70 megabits per second; and has frequency bands of 2 to 11 GHz (licensed) and 10 to 11 GHz (unlicensed). Its major advantage lies in its ability to cover great distances. Of course, certain factors such as weather, terrain, large buildings, etc. may affect WiMAX equipment and reduce its range and speed.

With WiMAX, one can now take advantage of a true Internet connection. It isn’t restricted to hotspots like the WiFi and can be used anywhere and anytime within range. WiMAX technology enables a lower barrier to entry, it will allow true market-based competition in all of the major telecommunication services:  mobile and static voice, video, and data.

Benefits of WiMAX

There are many benefits of WiMAX, and some of them are;

1. WiMAX systems have excellent coverage features.

2. WiMAX has an impeccable hi-speed performance when compared to other products.

3. WiMAX allows you to make use of it with no strings attached.

4. WiMAX helps in multi-tasking.

5. WiMAX is pocket-friendly.

6. WiMAX helps you to stay in touch with end-users.

7. WiMAX has a reliable network and great infrastructure

Applications of WiMAX

WiMAX technology can be applied in the following ways, they are:

1. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Alternative or Fill-in: One of the main uses of WiMAX will be as a fill-in or an alternative to cable and DSL. Fixed WiMAX offers a good solution for broadband access in greenfield sites.

2. Mobile Backhaul: Operators can, therefore, use   WiMAX equipment to backhaul base-station traffic to their network.

3. Temporary Broadband: WiMAX could be used for temporary situations such as sporting events, construction sites, and trade shows

4. Public Safety: WiMAX could also provide video surveillance cameras with broadband connectivity to control centers and support vehicles enabling officers to view situations and make decisions in real-time.

The mobile application of WiMAX can be divided into two categories:

1. 4G Network

2. Urban Mobile Broadband Access

Why Study WiMAX?

1. Systems developed with WiMAX has excellent coverage capabilities.

2. WiMAX has a reliable network and great infrastructure

3. WiMAX helps in multi-tasking.

4. Job opportunities and career advancement

5. Self-employment opportunities and consultancy

WiMAX Course Outline

WiMAX - Wireless Introduction

WiMAX - What is WiMAX ?

WiMAX - WiMAX & Wi-Fi Comparison

WiMAX - Salient Features

WiMAX - Building Blocks

WiMAX - Reference Network Model

WiMAX - Technology

WiMAX - Physical Layer

WiMAX - OFDM Basics

WiMAX - MAC Layer

WiMAX - Mobility Support

WiMAX - Security Functions

WiMAX - IEEE Standards

WiMAX - WiMAXForum™

WiMAX - Summary

WiMAX - Video Lectures 

WiMax - Exams and Certification