RFWiMAX 16e vs 16m: Key Differences Explained
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This article highlights the key differences between Mobile WiMAX (802.16e) and WiMAX Advanced (802.16m). We’ll explore the features and capabilities of each standard.
You’ll find helpful links to comparisons of other technologies at the end.
WiMAX standards are defined within the IEEE 802.16 series, specifying both the Physical (PHY) and Media Access Control (MAC) layers.
Several versions of WiMAX exist, with the most common being Fixed WiMAX (16d), Mobile WiMAX (16e), and WiMAX Advanced (16m).
WiMAX - 802.16e (Mobile WiMAX)
IEEE 802.16e is known as the Mobile WiMAX standard. It was designed to provide broadband internet access to mobile devices traveling at pedestrian and vehicular speeds.
It employs OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) in the downlink and SC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access) in the uplink.
The frame structure utilizes TDD (Time Division Duplexing), where both downlink and uplink share the same frequencies but operate at different time intervals. Mobile WiMAX uses the concept of “zones” within the frame structure, supporting zones like PUSC (Partially Used Subcarrier), FUSC (Fully Used Subcarrier), and AMC (Adaptive Modulation and Coding) 2X3, depending on subcarrier assignments.
WiMAX Advanced - 802.16m
WiMAX Advanced (802.16m) is an amendment to the existing 802.16-2009 standard. It was created to meet the requirements of the IMT-Advanced (International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced) systems.
The primary applications include voice, gaming, and mobile internet. The IMT-Advanced system requirements are:
- High Data Rates: Max data rate of about 1 Gbps under low mobility.
- Wide Bandwidth: Support for 100 MHz bandwidth and 10 ms round trip time.
To achieve these IMT-Advanced requirements, 802.16m was introduced with features designed to boost data rates:
- Advanced MIMO: Enhanced MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) support with an increased number of antennas.
- Multi-Carrier Operation: Carrier aggregation functionality.
- Superframe Structure: Introducing a new frame structure for improved efficiency.
The following table highlights the major differences between WiMAX (16e) and WiMAX Advanced (16m) technologies.
| Specifications | Mobile WiMAX (16e) | WiMAX Advanced (16m) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Rate (Aggregate) | About 60-70 Mbps | 100 Mbps (Mobile subscribers), 1 Gbps (Fixed subscribers) |
| RF Frequency | 2.3 GHz, 2.5 to 2.7 GHz, 3.5 GHz | <6 GHz |
| Topology | FDD/TDD, H-FDD (in Mobile Subscriber) | FDD/TDD (BS), H-FDD (in Mobile Subscriber) |
| MIMO (Antennas) | Up to 4 streams, no limit on antenna # | Up to 4/8 streams, no limit on antenna # |
| Antenna Configurations | DL: 1X1(SISO), 1X2,2X1,2X2, 2X4,4X2,4X4,8X8,4X8 UL:1X1(SISO), 1X2,1X4,2X4,4X4 | DL: 2X2,2X4, 4X2,4X4, 8X8,4X8 UL:1X2,1X4, 2X4, 4X4 |
| Distance Coverage | About 10 km | 3 km to 100 km |
| Carrier Aggregation (multi-carrier) support | Not supported | Supported |
| Bandwidth | 5-20 MHz per RF Carrier | 5-20 MHz per RF carrier, CA will help achieve BWs up to 100MHz |
| Frame Length | 2-20 ms without any superframe | Fixed 5ms, With superframes frame duration of 20ms is used including 4 frames |
