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

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Frame Structure, Addressing and Identification

The IEEE 802.16-2009 standard describes the frame structure for the several duplexing modes employed. A BS in IEEE 802.16 assumes control of a frame's contents for PMP operation. In the MR setting, however, it is possible for RSs to assume some control for the areas they cover. This is especially the case when distributed scheduling is used. Moreover, the IEEE 802.16m amendment extends these possibilities for Advanced networks.

This chapter describes the frame structures for the different physical layer technologies in WiMAX, together with the relevant duplexing techniques. It also discusses how addressing and flow identification are performed based on the descriptions given in the standard. The chapter is organized as follows. Section 1 describes the frame structure in the IEEE 802.16-2009 TDD and FDD modes. The frame structure in the IEEE 802.16j is described in Section 2 including both, transparent and non-transparent relaying, while the in IEEE 802.16m frame structure is described in Section 3. Finally, the addressing and connections identification processes are described in Section 4.