WiMAX - Wireless Data Telecommunications Technology

WiMAX, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access.

WiMAX is the first standard that is based on OFDM/OFDMA and MIMO technologies. This IEEE non-3G standardization approach gives many new manufacturers and operators the opportunity to enter the cellular market. With its extensive IP capabilities, WiMAX is technically very competitive with today's cellular systems. The decision from the ITU to open the 3G TDD spectrum for WiMAX has also solved the spectrum problems.

WiMAX with the broadest of product portfolios providing unique solutions for MIMO and production testing. Moreover, as one of the two companies selected to develop a radio conformance tester for mobile WiMAX, is once again demonstrating its commitment to be the leading supplier for certification test equipment for wireless communications.

Deployment Scenario / Applications

WiMAX enables mobile Internet. By implementing WiMAX, today's broadband technologies such as WLAN have taken the step to mobility. The high IP support provided by WiMAX is also ideally suited for the Internet. But also QoS is implemented so that VoiP is enabled. With this capability, WiMAX has enhanced its capabilities to a cellular system such as 3GPP or 3GPP2.

Deployment is mainly foreseen in licensed bands around the world. Thus, operators are involved. The most important deployments are in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz, and 3.5 GHz bands (profiles 1A, 3A, and 5) as well as in the ITU TDD spectrum (1.9 GHz and 2 GHz).

WiMAX is a cost-effective, fully integrated MAC and PHY mixed-signal baseband processor for Broadband Wireless Access applications. This SoC is designed to support frequencies ranging from 2 to11GHz in both licensed and unlicensed bands. WiMAX SoC is fully compliant with the IEEE 802.16-2004 WiMAX standard and can be configured to be used in both base station and subscriber station applications. WiMAX Reference Design for enabling equipment manufacturers to develop WiMAX Forum certified products. WiMAX is currently being implemented in WiMAX Forum certified products.

The WiMAX Forum is the organization dedicated to certifying the interoperability of WiMAX products.[16] Those that pass conformance and interoperability testing achieve the "WiMAX Forum Certified" designation and can display this mark on their products and marketing materials. Some vendors claim that their equipment is "WiMAX-ready", "WiMAX-compliant", or "pre-WiMAX", if they are not officially WiMAX Forum Certified.

WiMax

Many companies are closely examining WiMAX for "last mile" connectivity at high data rates. The resulting competition may bring lower pricing for both home and business customers or bring broadband access to places where it has been economically unavailable. Prior to WiMAX, many operators have been using proprietary fixed wireless technologies for broadband services.