In December 2005, the 802.16e (mobile WirelessMAN) standards development project reached completion. Its official ratification as a standard provides a system specification for combined fixed and mobile broadband wireless access (BWA) supporting subscriber stations moving at vehicular speeds in licensed bands under 6 GHz. WiMAX Forum certified products for 802.16-2004 have also begun to roll out. In fact, the certification of products from Aperto Networks (www.apertonet.com), Redline Communications (www.redlinecommunications.com), SEQUANS Communications (www.sequans.com) and Wavesat (www.wavesat.com), was announced in mid January. Additional certification announcements are forthcoming.

Key to keeping this momentum going is for all parties to have an understanding of the WiMAX specification, its potential applications and its implementation. An excellent source is the IEEE 802.16 Working Group on BWA standards (www.ieee802.org/16). The WiMAX Forum (www.wimaxforum.org) is another excellent source of information.

3^rd WiMAX Forum PlugFest — Test Methodology and Key Learnings

With the completion of the 3rd WiMAX Forum PlugFest, participating companies had the opportunity to participate in pre-certification testing of their equipment with other vendors before submitting to the laboratories for formal testing. PlugFests also trial new test procedures before they are incorporated into the formal testing process. This paper provides an overview of WiMAX PlugFest testing and the key learnings published at this event.
For the full article go to:
http://www.wimaxforum.org/news/downloads/3rdWiMAXPlugfest_WhitePaper.pdf

The New WiMAX Standard: Ready for Prime Time

With pre-WiMAX equipment shipments increasing, WiMAX is gaining momentum in the access market as the technology of choice for high-bandwidth wireless broadband access. This article details the efforts of the wireless industry to standardize and drive deployment of WiMAX networks.
For the full article go to:
http://www.symmetricom.com/media/pdf/app_notes/AB_WiMAX.pdf

OFDMA/TDD Operating System for Next Generation Wireless Broadband Networks

This paper provides an overview of an OFDMA/TDD technology platform and its differentiators to other broadband wireless technologies.
Read more at:
http://www.wimaxforum.org/news/downloads/Can_WiMAX_Address_Your_Applications_final.

Can WiMAX Address Your Applications?

This paper attempts to present the key technical features and applications of WiMAX, and illustrate them by providing examples in which WiMAX would be the preferred solution. It focuses on fixed and portable usage; however, some examples of mobility usage have been included.
Read more at:
http://www.wimaxforum.org/news/dowloads/Can_WiMAX_Address_Your_Applications_final.

OFDMA PHY SAP Interface Spec. for 802.16 BWA Base Stations

This paper details the OFDMA PHY SAP specification.
Read more at:
http://www.intel.com/netcomms/technologies/wimax/PHY_SAP_API_226.pdf

WiMAX Potential Premiers at Sundance Film Festival

This case study examines the deployment of a set of WiMAX-enabled broadband network experiences for attendees at the Sundance Film Festival. The network included more than 55 miles of point-to-point broadband wireless backhaul from Salt Lake City to Park City, Utah. Distribution within the Park City venue was accomplished by a point-to-multipoint broadband wireless network. The centerpiece of the effort was the first-ever wireless Internet streaming of a feature-length film to a live premier audience at a remote ski lodge.
http://www.intel.com/netcomms/technologies/wimax/17914_Sundance_CS_r06.pdf

Fixed and Mobile WiMAX

This presentation, originally presented at the Embedded Systems Conference, provides an overview of fixed and mobile WiMAX. It addresses broadband wireless access, 802.16 standards and features, OFDM basics, overview of WiMAX, the WiMAX Forum, certification, and applications. Presentation is available at:
http://www.fujitsu.com/downloads/MICRO/fma/pdf/esc_wimax06.pdf