LTE, LTE-Advanced and WiMAX: Towards IMT-Advanced Networks

3

WiMAX Networks

The recent increase in demand for wireless Internet traffic is the result of expanding popularity of applications such as interactive gaming, social networks and TVoIP. This increase is the main drive behind continuous advances in wireless broadband technologies. IEEE 802.16 is the first true technology for fixed, nomadic and mobile wireless broadband access. Since 2001, the IEEE 802.16 working group has been developing new amendments. An effort that was concluded by producing the amalgamated IEEE 802.16-2009 standard in early 2009, and the IEEE's response to the IMT-Advanced requirements and which concluded in March 2011 with the IEEE 802.16m amendment.

The chapter is organized as follows. Section 3.1 introduces the IEEE 802.16-2009 standard, which is matched by both WiMAX 1.0 and 1.5. It provides an overview of the air interfaces described by the standard, in addition to the protocol reference model. Note that the IEEE 802.16j amendment is considered part of the amalgamated IEEE 802.16-2009, and is also introduced in this section. The IMT-Advanced WiMAX, denoted WiMAX 2.0. and based on the IEEE 802.16m amendment, is introduced in Section 3.2, together with the newly defined air interface and the System Reference Model. Section 3.3 provides a detailed overview of Part I of the book, briefing the reader on the frame structure, network entry, quality of service handling, mobility management and security.