WiMAX DSA REQ vs DSA RSP: Dynamic Service Addition Explained

This article explains the difference between DSA REQ and DSA RSP messages in WiMAX, specifically concerning Dynamic Service Addition (DSA) used for primary management, as defined by the IEEE 802.16 OFDM MAC fixed WiMAX specifications.

The WiMAX compliant Base Station (BS) uses the DSA REQ (Dynamic Service Addition Request) message to the Subscriber Station (SS) to establish connections for pre-provisioned service flows associated with that SS.

In response, the SS sends a DSA RSP (Dynamic Service Addition Response) message back to the BS. The creation of these service flows can be initiated by either the Base Station or the Subscriber Station. While BS-initiated creation is a mandatory requirement, SS-initiated creation is an optional feature. Let’s delve into BS-initiated Dynamic Service Flow Creation.

The DSA REQ message originating from the BS contains a Service Flow ID (SFID) for either an uplink or a downlink connection, along with an associated Connection ID (CID) and a set of Quality of Service (QoS) parameters.

The SS then responds with a DSA RSP message, indicating either acceptance or rejection of the proposed service flow. As previously stated, the DSA REQ, DSA RSP, and DSA ACK (Dynamic Service Addition Acknowledge) messages work together in this process.

Interestingly, the DSA REQ and DSA RSP messages share similarities with the REG REQ (Registration Request) and REG RSP (Registration Response) messages, respectively.