wilamowski-b-m-irwin-j-d-industrial-communication-systems-2011

52-6 Industrial Communication Systems
52.3.3 WiMAX Equipment
WiMAX Forum Certified• equipment is designed and configurable for a range of broadband wireless
access deployment scenarios [15]. These scenarios include longer-range LOS deployments in low-density
outdoor environments and shorter-range non-LOS deployments in cluttered urban environments.
Services can be fixed, portable or mobile, or some combination thereof. Over this range of conditions,
the common goal is the capability to reliably deliver broadband connectivity to business and home
users. Most radio spectrum that is applicable to WiMAX networks is limited in application and usage.
The ITU-R and National Administrations use various well-known band designations to determine
which applications are permitted in different frequency bands. Allocations to WiMAX service providers
can be typically characterized as either fixed or land mobile. Most National Administrators typically
restrict fixed spectrum allocations to fixed and, sometimes, nomadic applications. Conversely, some
administrations allow land mobile spectrum allocations to be used for a broader set of applications,
which may cover all WiMAX usage scenarios (fixed, nomadic, portable, simple mobility, and full mobility).
Land mobile spectrum allocations are also generally linked to IMT-2000 systems. The WiMAX
Forum is lobbying for the relaxation of application (usage scenario) limitations. A few administrations
are already technology and application neutral. These administrations allow any WiMAX usage scenario
to be deployed in certain bands. Over time, it is expected that bands that are initially limited to
specific usage scenarios will be relaxed and WiMAX service providers will then offer multiple usage
scenarios if the business cases look attractive [15].
52.4 the WiMAX Forum and Working Groups
The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, nonprofit organization formed to certify and promote the compatibility
and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon the harmonized IEEE 802.16/ETSI
HiperMAN standard [15]. A WiMAX Forum goal is to accelerate the introduction of these systems into the
marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified products are fully interoperable and support broadband fixed, portable,
and mobile services. Along these lines, the WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and
regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements.
The WiMAX Forum organizes its technical activities through a number of working groups coordinated
by a Technical Steering Committee. The primary function of the technical activities is to develop
the technical specifications underlying WiMAX Forum Certified products (Figure 52.3).
52.5 Integration with Other Networks
While WiMAX may seem like competing technology, it is really offering means for integration of various
choices for Internet access or backhauling. Some of those options, namely the integration with DSL
and 3GPP, will be briefly addressed here.
52.5.1 WiMAX-DSL Integration
Cable or DSL represent inexpensive broadband technologies, unlikely to disappear even in developing
countries. While DSL or cable may be available within city limits, low-cost WiMAX offers a technology of
choice for the rural and remote areas that lack broadband options. WiMAX, as robust mobile, portable, or
fixed broadband access opens the door to a whole new world of location-variable broadband Internet access.
In the scenario of WiMAX-DSL integration, an incumbent digital subscriber line (DSL) operator
would deploy a WiMAX access network (AN) and would integrate it with the existing DSL backend
infrastructure, enabling maximal reuse of the existing switching, service provisioning, and billing infrastructures.
The subscriber would perform first network entry and authentication in the WiMAX network,
and then enable traffic to the DSL network. In a typical deployment scenario, a DSL deployment
© 2011 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC