RFWiMAX vs. LTE: Comparing Broadband Wireless Technologies
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This article explains the differences between WiMAX and LTE, two technologies used for providing broadband wireless internet services.
WiMAX is a completely new standard developed specifically for high data rate internet services. It’s designed solely for data applications. Being a brand new technology without any legacy support, WiMAX deployments are often costly. Service providers need to install all new equipment.
LTE, on the other hand, evolved from cellular standards like HSPA, WCDMA, and GSM. While built upon these foundations, LTE is also primarily designed for data applications. It’s often referred to as an all-IP data network. Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is possible using legacy fallbacks and VoIP protocols. Because it leverages existing infrastructure, LTE deployments can be less costly and require less initial investment compared to WiMAX.
The following table summarizes the differences and similarities between Mobile WiMAX and LTE:
| Specifications | Mobile WiMAX | LTE |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | IEEE 802.16-2004 (Fixed WiMAX, OFDM), IEEE 802.16e-2005 (Mobile WiMAX, OFDMA) | 3GPP TS 36.101 for the UE (User Equipment), 3GPP TS 36.104 for the eNB (Evolved Node B) |
| Channel Bandwidth | 5, 7, 8.75, 10 MHz | 1.4/3/5/10/15/20 MHz |
| FFT size | 128, 512, 1024 and 2048 | 128/256/512/1024/1536/2048 |
| Cyclic Prefix | 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 and 1/32 | Normal, Extended |
| DL multiple access | OFDMA | OFDMA |
| UL multiple access | OFDMA | SC-FDMA |
| Duplexing | FDD & TDD | FDD & TDD |
| Subcarrier mapping | Based on Zone type, In downlink: PUSC, FUSC, AMC. In uplink: PUSC, AMC | Localized Subcarrier hopping |
| Subcarrier hopping | No | Yes |
| Data Modulation | BPSK/QPSK/16QAM/64QAM | QPSK/16QAM/64QAM |
| Subcarrier spacing | 10.9375KHz for 1024 FFT, 10 MHz bandwidth | 15KHz |
| Channel Coding | Convolutional coding and CTC | Convolutional coding and turbo coding |
| MIMO | 2-antenna, matrix A, 2-antenna, matrix B vertical encoding, Collaborative SM for two MS with single transmit antenna | 2 or 4 at transmit and 2 or 4 at receive side |
| HARQ | Chase Combining incremental redundancy | Chase Combining incremental redundancy |
