Integration of WIMAX to Broadband Networks - Dissertation Example

Integration of WIMAX to Broadband Networks Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or WIMAX, as it is popularly known is a revolutionary concept that is providing last mile connectivity in place of DSL and cable connections. The IEEE 802-16d(2004) standards define the fixed WIMAX, while the updated version, IEEE 802-16e(2005) supports mobility by providing seamless wireless transmission. Hence it is called Mobile WIMAX. This paper looks into ways, to integrate WIMAX to broadband networks. ENHANCEMENT OF WIMAX TECHNOLOGY WIMAX provides ample opportunity to converge data and voice, and provide wireless access to the users in form of wireless local area network (WLAN). The concept of fixed to mobile convergence (FMC), where user can access any content on any device, on any network from any where, is the need of the hour. WIMAX can easily serve this purpose as it offers high bandwidth radio service to transfer data that follows high Quality of Service (QoS) in license and license-exempt band. The degradation of transmitted radio signal due to interference from the external source of radio frequency energy diminishes the strength and quality of signal. This makes it difficult for the RF receiver to clearly distinguish the radio signal from background energy. The direct spectrum overlapping due to unidentified internal or external source is the root cause of this problem. The Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) helps to sub channelize and support adaptive modulation allowing the data rates and link quality to be balanced dynamically. This is essential to remove interference as per design layout of IEEE 802-16d (2004) standards. Ensuring proper site survey and round –the-clock access of the structure and the base station helps greatly to reduce the signal interference. Providing closer connectivity points such as towers and access points, and enhancing use of multiple connectivity choices, to make available to user, the best radio frequency, improves Quality of Service (QoS) immensely. The IEEE 802-16e (2005) standards advocate use of SOFDMA technology that is suitable for using advanced and intelligent antennas to support coverage, facilitate self installation, reduce power consumption, enable frequency re-use, promote power consumption, promote band width efficiency and provide full mobility support. The WIMAX certification allows complete interoperability with other certified products as long as they fit in same profile. The hand off system in the WIMAX technology helps to provide continuity in connectivity when user moves from one base station to the other. The precise moment at which the system decides to do the hand off is very crucial to avoid dropped session. Taking too much time increases the signaling load. Further sufficient radio sources are needed to be set aside to avoid dropped mid sessions during hand off. The use of Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) technique helps in direct modulation of radio signal into optical signal, which is transported over fiber, from base station to the Radio Antenna unit (RAU). At RAU the original radio signal is recovered, amplified and transmitted. This helps in lowering the attenuation losses, providing larger bandwidth, immunizing from electromagnetic interference and eaves dropping, easy installation and maintenance, reducing power consumption and providing all weather connectivity to critical areas. These all advantages make WIMAX technology very reliable and secure to provide seamless connectivity with other networks. EHNACEMENT TO IP NETWORK CONTROL PANEL The Internet Protocol is an important part of the telecommunication industry. Meshing WIMAX technology with it can considerably reduce problem for both the equipment manufacturers and service providers. The WIMAX network is portioned into three independent architecture networks; the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), Radio Access Network (RAN) and network providing IP connectivity, with rest of internet. This allows the operator to freely mix and match equipments of different manufacturers, making the network architecture flexible. Further this allows the system to easily address the issues like QoS, end-to-end transport, session management, security and mobility, enabling WIMAX to converge easily with other networks. The License-exempt bands are prone to signal interference caused by data traffic saturation. Employing advanced antenna systems greatly improves resiliency and signal-to-noise ratio. The use of multiple antennas also reduces signal fading. The QoS can be greatly improved by employing proper tilt angles of antenna, correct installation of subscriber station, achieving array diversity gain. Even with non line-of-sight (NLOS) between the base station and the subscriber, the signal can be received after it reflects of the building or other obstacles. This is important criteria for successful transmission, especially in metropolitan areas. SUPPORTING STUDIES AND DEPLOYMENT RECOMMENDATIONS A strong quality of service is achieved by using Media Access Control Layer (MAC) architecture, where all uplink and downlink connections are controlled by the serving base station. Prior to any data transmission, unidirectional logical link is established between the base station and the mobile station. This connection between two MAC layers is identified by Connection Identifier (CID), which serves as a temporary address for data transmission over a particular link. The QoS parameters like traffic priority, maximum burst rate and traffic, minimum tolerable rate, scheduling type, maximum delay, tolerated jitter, service data unit type and size, band width request mechanism, transmission PDU formation rules are crucial in harmonizing the competing and no cooperative networks into license-exempt bands in both LOS and NLOS environment. ASSESMENT OF SCENARIO WIMAX can be effectively used in remote and hazardous places like volcanoes and forest fires. The wireless connectivity between the actual site and the central station is very cost effective and safe option as compared to wired networks. The round-the-clock surveillance of areas in forest, prone to fire, through tower mounted cameras, controlled wirelessly by the command center help the firefighters to effectively chalk out strategy in fighting forest fire without losing precious time or spending huge amount on expensive spotter planes. Scientist can get live feed about seismic activity, online without need of sending the operator to volcanic site to retrieve the crucial data. WIMAX helps in providing reliable connectivity between the hospital and the paramedics transporting or attending patients during medical emergency like heart attack, accident or childbirth. This helps the doctor to diagnose the patient onsite, without the need to leave the hospital premises and save time, which is very precious for patient’s life. The voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) connections, are established to transmit real time information with adequate level of quality of service. VALIDATION OF APPLICATIONS OF PROJECT CONVERGENCE VOIP is a time sensitive technology. Calls must be set up and authenticated, and the voice packets must arrive at the destination, uninterrupted. WIMAX with large radio band width and interoperability, QoS, reliability and security allows an easy connectivity with the internet. This enables wireless transmission of audio and video to the remote or nomadic station from the health centers or hospitals. WIMAX offers NLOS capabilities and physical layer as per IEE 802-16e (2005) standards incorporating SOFDMA technology that enables simultaneous receipt and transmission of data, which is an important requirement of Tele-monitoring and Telemedicine. Further the reliability and interoperability between the fixed and mobile subscriber station, enables different telemedicine networks to interface with each other successfully. The QoS incorporated in WIMAX allows it to address and fulfill critical issues like delivering high quality health data in form of voice, video, video conferencing, ECG signal, real time videos, medical scans information from the ambulance or remote spot to hospital or health center to facilitate correct diagnosis and proper treatment, without losing precious time. CONCLUSION WIMAX is boon to the telecommunication industry as it offers perfect solution to overcome the problem of distance. The last mile seamless connectivity in offers to the remote, inaccessible, nomadic and hazardous places with other networks is very cost effective option. Further it enables the user to stay connected with their offices, even on move. The user now can easily access the data of their choice through any device on any network from any place due to WIMAX technology. Works Citied 1. “Web”- 17 July, 2009. Adapted from essay: Telemedicine Delivered by WIMAX by Nirupam Mishra, Ratna Dileep Kumar, and Yugandhar .G. ORDYN Technologies Pvt Ltd., from Website www.wirelessdesignasia.com 2. “Web”- 17 July, 2009. Adapted from essay: Developing WIMAX Infrastructure, by Michael Livingstone and Reiner Franke of Atmel Corp, from website www.eetindia.com 3. “Web”- 21 July, 2009. Adapted from the essay: WIMAX-The Internet Protocol Journal, Volume 11, No. 2-c from the website www.cisco.com 4. “Web”- 21 July, 2009. Adapted from the article: Comparative Analysis of Alternative Last Mile Broadband Access Technologies (WI-FI and WIMAX) by Frank A. Ibikunic, PhD (MIEEE, MNSE), from the website www.akamaiuniversity.us/PJST.htm 5. “Web”- 21 July, 2009. Adapted from the article: Deploying License-Exempt WIMAX Solutions, Intel White Paper, from the website www.intel.com 6. “Web”- 21 July, 2009. Adapted from website www.wimaxforum.org 7. “Web”- 31 July,2009. Adapted from essay: VOIP Over WI-FI for Business: Sending Voice Over the Wireless LAN, from the website www.articlebase.com 8. “Web”- 31 July, 2009. Adapted from essay: What is Wireless Convergence….. And Can You Really Benefit? from www.articlebase.co/communication-artciles/just-waht-is-wire.. 9. “Web”- 31 July, 2009. Adapted from Website www.Kismetwireless.net 10. “Web”- 31 July, 2009. Adapted from WIMAX: Broadband Wireless Access for Everyone, From website www.intel.com 11. “Web”- 31 July, 2009. Adapted from the White Paper: Planning a Wireless Network, from Website www.hp.com 12. “Web”- 31 July, 2009. From the website www.ipv6.willab.fi/kostas 13. “Web”- 18 July, 2009. From Website www.en.wikipedia/wiki/wimax 14. Hall, Prentice- Fundamentals of WIMAX. Feb2007. e-book- BBL 15. Koffman, I and Roman, V. Broadband Wireless Access Solutions based on OFDM access in IEEE-16, IEEE Communications magazine, page, 96-103 April (2002). 16. IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks – Part16: Air interface for fixed Broadband wireless access system- Amendment 2: Physical and Medium access control layers 17. WIMAX Mobile FI. Advanced Research and Technology 18. Ergen, M. Mobile Broadband WIMAX and LTE 19. Pentikousis, K. Wireless Data Networks, Internet Protocol Journal, Volume B No.1, March 2005, pp. 6-14. 20. IEEE LAN/MAN Standard Committee: IEEE standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Network Part 16: Air interface for Fixed and Mobile Broadband wireless access system. IEEE- 802.16e 2005 Read More