WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access) is a wireless broadband
technology, which supports point to multi-point (PMP) broadband
wireless access over long distances with high throughput.
WiMax is basically a new shorthand term for IEEE
Standard 802.16, which was designed to support the European standards.
802.16's predecessors (like 802.11a) were not very acc ommodative of
the European standards, per se.
The IEEE wireless standard has a range of up to 30
miles, and can deliver broadband at around 75 megabits per second. This
is theoretically, 20 times faster than a commercially available
wireless broadband. The 802.16, WiMax standard was published in March
2002 and provided updated information on the Metropolitan Area Network
(MAN) technology. The extension given in the March publication,
extended the line-of-sight fixed wireless MAN standard, focused solely
on a spectrum from 10 GHz to 60+ GHz.
This extension provides for non-line of sight
access in low frequency bands like 2 - 11 GHz. These bands are
sometimes unlicensed. This also boosts the maximum distance from 31 to
50 miles and supports PMP (point to multipoint) and mesh technologies.
The IEEE approved the 802.16 standards in June
2004, and three working groups were formed to evaluate and rate the
standards.
WiMax can be used for wireless networking like the
popular WiFi. WiMax, a second-generation protocol, allows higher data
rates over longer distances, efficient use of bandwidth, and avoids
interference almost to a minimum. WiMax can be termed partially a
successor to the Wi-Fi protocol, which is measured in feet, and works,
over shorter distances.
WiMAX can be used for a number of applications,
including last mile broadband connections, hotspots and cellular
backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for business.
WiMAX Resources:
WiMAX
Forum
IEEE
Wireless
WiMAX Overview
WiMax
Tutorials and Articles Collection
WiMAX Tutorial
WiMAX
News and Discussions
How WiMAX works
WiMAX
News
WiMAX Technical papers
Intel - WiMAX in Action
Open standards for WiMax (pdf)
Recent comments