RFWiBro vs. Mobile WiMAX: A Detailed Comparison of Wireless Technologies
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This document explores the differences between WiBro and Mobile WiMAX technologies. WiBro is a technology developed by a South Korean telecom company and shares similarities with the Mobile WiMAX standard.
WiMAX Overview
Before diving into the comparison, let’s briefly define WiMAX. WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless broadband communication technology based on the IEEE 802.16 standard. It’s designed to deliver high-speed internet access over long distances.
WiMAX Standards
The 802.16 family of standards define WiMAX. Different versions exist, including:
- 802.16d: Fixed WiMAX (for stationary users)
- 802.16e: Mobile WiMAX (for mobile users)
- 802.16m: Advanced WiMAX (an evolution of Mobile WiMAX)
WiMAX Terminology
Understanding these terms is crucial for grasping WiMAX concepts:
- Base Station (BS): The central point of communication, similar to a cell tower.
- Subscriber Station (SS): The user’s device, like a WiMAX modem or phone.
- ASN-GW: Access Service Network Gateway.
- RAS: Radio Access Station.
- ACR: Access Control Router.
WiMAX Frame Structure
WiMAX uses a time-division duplexing (TDD) or frequency-division duplexing (FDD) frame structure to manage uplink and downlink communication.
WiMAX Network Architecture
The WiMAX network architecture consists of various components, including base stations, access service networks (ASN), and core network elements.
WiMAX Physical Layer
WiMAX employs Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to efficiently transmit data over wireless channels.
WiMAX MAC Layer Protocol
The Media Access Control (MAC) layer manages access to the wireless medium, handling tasks like scheduling and resource allocation.
WiMAX Protocol Stack
The WiMAX protocol stack follows a layered architecture, similar to the OSI model, defining how data is transmitted and received.
Advanced WiMAX 802.16m
802.16m is an evolution of Mobile WiMAX, offering increased data rates and improved performance.
Fixed WiMAX vs. Mobile WiMAX
- Fixed WiMAX (802.16d): Designed for stationary users, providing broadband access to homes and businesses.
- Mobile WiMAX (802.16e): Designed for mobile users, enabling internet access on the go.
WiBro vs. Mobile WiMAX: Key Differences
The following highlights the key differences between WiBro and Mobile WiMAX. Both technologies leverage OFDMA in their physical layer:
| Feature | WiBro | Mobile WiMAX |
|---|---|---|
| FFT Sizes | 1024, 2048 | 512, 1024 |
| Channel Bandwidths | 7, 8.75, 10, 14 MHz | 5, 8.75, 10 MHz |
| OFDM Symbols | 42 (for 5ms frame) | 48 (for 5ms frame) |
| MIMO Support | Phase-I: No | Yes |
| HARQ | Incremental Redundancy | Chase Combining |
| Duplexing | TDD, FDD, H-FDD | TDD |
| Handover | Fast Base Station Switching (FBSS) | Hard Handoff (HHO) |
| Network Element | RAS (Radio Access Station) connected to ACR (Access Control Router) | Base Station connected to ASN-GW (Access Services Network-Gateway) |
In summary:
- FFT Size & Channel Bandwidth: WiBro offers a wider range of FFT sizes and channel bandwidths compared to Mobile WiMAX.
- MIMO: Mobile WiMAX has inherent MIMO support, while early WiBro implementations lacked it.
- HARQ: They use different HARQ schemes, affecting error correction strategies.
- Duplexing: WiBro is more flexible in terms of duplexing options (TDD, FDD, H-FDD), while Mobile WiMAX primarily uses TDD.
- Handover: They employ different handover mechanisms, impacting how seamless connections are maintained during movement.
- Network Architecture: The network elements and their connections differ between the two technologies.
