Terminology » WiMAX » 802.16 Standard Comparison: a, d, and e Versions

802.16 Standard Comparison: a, d, and e Versions

wimax 802.16 wireless standard mobile wimax data rate

This page provides a comparison between the different versions of the 802.16 standard, specifically 802.16, 802.16a, 802.16d, and 802.16e. We’ll explore the key differences in their specifications and capabilities.

Specifications Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences in a table format:

Specifications802.16802.16a802.16d802.16e
Frequency of operation10 to 66 GHz2 to 11 GHzLess than 6 GHzLess than 6 GHz
Mode of operationLOS (Line of Sight)Non LOS (Non-Line of Sight)Non LOSNon LOS
Data rate32 to 134 Mbps (28 MHz BW channel)Less than 70 or 100 Mbps (20 MHz BW channel)Upto 70 Mbps with no mobility60-70 Mbps with mobility
Mobilityfixedfixedfixedless than and equal to 75 Miles/Hour
ModulationQPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM256point FFT with QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAMsame as 16asame as 16a with OFDMA modulation scheme with variable FFT sizes
Cell radius1 to 3 miles3 to 5 miles3 to 5 miles1 to 3 miles
Channel Bandwidth20/25/28 MHz selectable1.25 to 20 MHz3.5 MHz, 7 MHz1.25 to 28 MHz , OFDMA modulation scheme

Key Takeaways

  • 802.16: The original standard, designed for fixed wireless access with line-of-sight requirements and higher frequency bands.

  • 802.16a: An enhancement to support non-line-of-sight operation by using lower frequencies. It allowed for greater flexibility in deployment.

  • 802.16d: An evolution building upon 802.16a, primarily focusing on fixed wireless applications but with improvements in features and capabilities.

  • 802.16e: The key version that introduced mobility. This allowed users to maintain connectivity while moving, which was a major advancement and a defining characteristic of Mobile WiMAX. It uses OFDMA for improved performance and scalability.