In response to the intensifying demand for 4G WiMAX networks and services, the WiMAX Forum has launched a global initiative to accelerate advanced WiMAX features that enhance the average performance of its current Release 1 technology by over 50% while remaining compliant with the IEEE Standard 802.16e. Based on this accelerated schedule, certified products using these enhancements are expected in late 2010.
This initiative will not delay the development of WiMAX Release 2 (WiMAX 2). In support of the expected completion of the IEEE Standard 802.16m in the second half of 2010, the WiMAX Forum is fast-tracking profiling and certification activities to prepare for WiMAX 2 product certification in late 2011.
WiMAX operators are providing an unprecedented amount of data, with some networks delivering over 10 gigabytes per month to the average user. Even without dramatic growth in average customer demand, successful expansion of the customer base can threaten network overload. The WiMAX Forum has recognized operator needs for more advanced technologies to future-proof their networks in the face of these inexorable trends.
Enhancements under development include support for additional MIMO antennae on the base stations (4 transmit antennae instead of 2), higher order (64 QAM) modulation on the uplink, downlink beamforming, and improved Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) to increase performance in Release 1 deployments while ensuring multi-vendor interoperability. These new features have the potential to double peak data rates and increase average and cell edge end user performance by 50%.
The WiMAX Forum is pioneering new levels of open network interoperability and performance in 2010 by driving Release 1 technology forward to meet the needs of operators concerned about future constraints brought about by their own success. With the completion of IEEE Standard 802.16m later this year, the WiMAX Forum is also set to expedite WiMAX 2 technology into the hands of operators and consumers. Because the market is already seeing 802.16m products in development, the WiMAX Forum is preparing for certification of Release 2 products in late 2011.
WiMAX 2 is based on IEEE Standard 802.16m, which is documented to meet the International Telecommunications Union’s “IMT-Advanced” requirements, delivering dramatic improvements in coverage and capacity that will form the foundation of the next decade of 4G technology. The standard provides for huge peak (zero path loss) transmission rates. For e.g., up to 300 Mbps in a 20 MHz downlink channel. It also provides for even lower latency. By enabling the aggregation of multiple RF carriers, wider effective channel bandwidths of up to 100 MHz are possible. Wider channels and higher order MIMO antenna configurations enable the scaling of capacity to many times that of the most advanced wireless systems today.
With hundreds of commercial networks in operation today, WiMAX has achieved the fastest market ramp of any wireless wide area network technology in history. With strong demand for WiMAX services and average monthly data consumption in the 7-10 GB/month range for some WiMAX operators, the WiMAX Forum is launching an initiative to accelerate additional advanced Release 1 features for certification in the second half of 2010. The WiMAX Forum is also fast tracking profiling and certification plans for the next generation of WiMAX, WiMAX Release 2 based upon IEEE 802.16m, to prepare for product certification in late 2011.
The WiMAX Forum currently tracks 559 WiMAX deployments in 147 countries estimated to cover over 620 million people across the globe. More than 130 devices and 60 base stations have been certified by the WiMAX Forum for the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands.
