The term WiMAX refers to Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It was formed in 2001 with an intention of improving interoperability and conformance of Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN).WiMax technology is supposed to transmit data through wireless mode in a similar way as WiFi, but on a larger scale.
The secret behind WiMAX technology is link-to-multilink microwave networks. This technology enables manufacturers to produce different products and on a larger scale. In case, service providers do not have mobile network they can start a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access technology network at a relatively stumpy price.
This type of technology offers high speed network connections and this can in turn serve as a backhaul for WiFi LAN hot spots. As compared to normal cables, T1 and DSL systems, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access technology services are much cheaper and are easy to incorporate in wide network infrastructures.
Also, if you are looking for interoperability among different systems, WiMAX technology could be your answer. In spite of its wide usage possibilities, this technology suffers from few drawbacks or challenges.
WiMAX is based on HiperMAN and IEEE 802.16 standard. As a result, ETSI and IEEE have become accustomed to take many other essential characteristics. IEEE 802.16 standard has been partitioned its Medium Access Control layer into sub-layers. These sub-layers hold together different transport equipments and technologies.
Traders can thus use this WiMAX technology in transmission purposes, irrespective of the technology it is supported with. This technology can easily offer communication range up to 50 kilometers.
This enables the data to be transferred at high speeds. Only 500 users can avail services from a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access base station, at a time. Every single station is capable enough to provide communication to areas within a radius of 10 miles. As compared to this, WiFi can provide services to areas within few hundred feet.
Through WiMAX network, data can be communicated over several broad signal frequency ranges. It has the capacity to work in different frequency ranges and this helps in preventing the interferences with other network applications.
Communication data rate and range depends on WiMAX system’s frequency bands. This aspect enables the providers to offerWorldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access services at different frequency levels.
OFDM or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing enables the WiMAX technology to attain higher data transmission rates. OFDM ensures that different channels use unique frequency ranges to transmit different piece of information at a given time.
In theory, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access network can offer data rates up to 75 Mbits/sec for a single channel on both uplink and downlink. Service providers can offer bandwidth up to 350 Mb per second and can use several channels for a single broadcast.
WiMAX technology uses PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) authentication for security purposes. PKI transmits digital certificates by finding parties over trusted authorities.
Setting up wireless technology can be expensive if the services are offered at higher frequencies. This is so; because higher frequencies require antennas that are capable to reach larger geographical area.
In the initial stages of this technologies development, the WiMAX forum wholeheartedly supported and encouraged its usage. The forum comprised a number of industry leaders including Intel, Samsung, AT&T and Cisco.
