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IEEE 802.16e-and its Contributions to Public Safety Communications
PracTel Inc, June 2006, Pages: 79
This report addresses technological and marketing issues of the new technology –WiMAX 802.16e. The authors presented a comprehensive picture of this technology development and outlined conditions for its proliferation. Among applications of IEEE802.16e, the authors stressed an importance of its use in Public Safety Communications. SAFECOM, the national Public Safety Communications program, determined that this technology is the most probable candidate for a Jurisdiction Area Network in its definition of communications infrastructure.
WiMAX is a set of profiles based on IEEE 802.16 developed by the WiMAX Forum and
its members. While 802.16 supports a wide range of frequencies (up to 66 GHz), channel
sizes (1.25 MHz to 20 MHz) and modes (LOS and NLOS; PTP and PMT), the
WiMAX profiles narrow the scope of 802.16 to focus on specific configurations.
Optimized for dynamic mobile radio channels, the WiMAX version discussed in this report is based on the 802.16e amendment and provides support for handoffs and roaming. It uses Scalable Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SOFDMA), a multi-carrier modulation technique that uses sub-channelization. Service providers that deploy 802.16e can also use the network to provide fixed service.
Most operators will deploy only one WiMAX version in their networks. There are several migration options available to those operators that choose to move from a 802.16-2004 network to a 802.16e network. These include overlay networks, dual-mode user devices, software-upgradeable base stations and dual-mode base stations.
The initial 802.16e certified user devices include both PCMCIA cards for laptops and indoor self-installable units, and these support any type of access, from fixed to mobile. Towards the end of this year, mini PCMCIA cards should become available for laptops with built-in WiMAX functionality. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and smartphones will be introduced to the market at a later stage.
802.16e functionality will increase with time in parallel with the widening selection of different form factors for user devices. The WiMAX Forum expects that initial productwill support only simple mobility, which uses hard handoffs and does not support real-time applications. As demand for more advanced forms of mobility is fueled by the
introduction of PDAs and smartphones, certified products will include support for soft handoffs, mobile VoIP, and real-time applications. Public Safety Communications application for 802.16e will probably evolve in 2007, with its establishment in the coming years.
We believe that the real WiMAX opportunity lies within 802.16e. We project over 7 million subscribers across the world will be using a 802.16e device by year 2010. 802.16e chips will be embedded first in laptops and will eventually appear in handsets. We believe that the majority of the larger vendors’ initial moves are geared towards this particular opportunity. Alcatel, for instance, is developing its 802.16e products in coordination with Intel and plans to commence trials by mid-2006. Nortel and LG recently announced that they are collaborating on their 802.16e solution and expect customer trials to begin in the second half of 2006.
It seems that the 802.16e technology will play an important role in Public Safety Communications. In particular, the national SAFECOM program refers to this technology as a primary for Jurisdictional Area Networks, which are the permanent network infrastructure in particular cities or areas that are dedicated to PSC, capable of connecting to larger area networks.
This report provides details of the 8002.16e technology, and our analysis of markets, including market forecast.
Research Methodology
Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed; evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.
The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.
Target Audience
This report is written for the IT staff of enterprises, technical and sales staff of service providers and management that need understanding of recent trends in wireless technologies. For vendors, this report provides an opportunity to examine competitive developments in the WiMAX technology.
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