ABSTRACT
CONTENTS 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................. 78
5.1.1 High Transmission Rates in Wireless Networks......................... 78 5.1.2 Coverage........................................................................................... 78 5.1.3 Wi-Fi Technology............................................................................. 79 5.1.4 WiMAX Arrival................................................................................ 80
5.2 The Home Access Problem ....................................................................... 83 5.2.1 Monopoly of the Local Loop.......................................................... 83 5.2.2 Open Market in the Local Loop.................................................... 83 5.2.3 Structure of an FWA System.......................................................... 85 5.2.4 Modern Applications...................................................................... 87 5.2.5 Requirements................................................................................... 87
5.3 Propagation Conditions ............................................................................. 88 5.3.1 Line-of-Sight Conditions for FWA................................................ 88 5.3.2 Fading Phenomenon....................................................................... 90 5.3.3 Outdoor-to-Indoor Environment.................................................. 91 5.3.4 Propagation Models........................................................................ 92
5.4 Feasibility of WiMAX for Home Access .................................................. 93 5.4.1 Operation Frequencies for FWA and WiMAX............................. 93 5.4.2 Evaluation of WiMAX Coverage................................................... 94
5.4.2.1 Cell Radius ....................................................................... 94 5.4.2.2 Cell Planning .................................................................... 95 5.4.2.3 Hybrid Solution ............................................................... 96
5.4.3 Transmission Rates of WiMAX versus the FWA Requirements................................................................................... 97
5.5 Possible Improvements .............................................................................. 97 5.6 Conclusions ................................................................................................. 98 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................... 98 References ............................................................................................................. 99
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The home access problem has been studied by different authors for several years considering different wireless approaches, including mobile cellular and cordless standards plus satellite and proprietary technologies [1-7]. From these, the development implemented by Nortel at 3.5 GHz [1] perhaps is one of the best known practical examples. However, investment costs have limited the growth of wireless solutions for home access, mainly in highly competitive markets. Nevertheless, the possibility of providing wireless broadband Internet access to residential users has continued as a research topic, leading to the release of IEEE 802.16-2004 standard in 2004 [8], where two spectrum portions (2-11 and 10-66 GHz) were considered for the implementation of fixed broadband communication systems. This standard has received broad acceptation by the several companies that conform the WiMAX Forum (for worldwide interoperability microwave access). Thus, in this chapter we discuss issues related to the use of WiMAX technology as an alternative to provide broadband access to residential users.
