Rising demand for multimedia applications and mobile usage requires new paradigm to shift voice-oriented cellular architecture into data-oriented networks in order to serve bandwidth hungry packet based applications which include but not limited to multimedia gaming, mobiTV, streaming media, P2P, etc. Data oriented network requires 20-fold fatter air link and backhaul as compared to typical voice communication.
The Access Service Network in WiMAX: The Role of ASN-GW Dr. Mustafa Ergen mustafaergen@wichorus.com WiChorus, Inc. Introduction
Rising demand for multimedia applications and mobile usage requires new paradigm to shift voice-oriented cellular architecture into data-oriented networks in order to serve bandwidth hungry packet based applications which include but not limited to multimedia gaming, mobiTV, streaming media, P2P, etc. Data oriented network requires 20-fold fatter air link and backhaul as compared to typical voice communication. To meet this demand, the next generation networks considers OFDMA with MIMO support for air link and all-IP end-to-end system for backhaul at the behest of lower OPEX and CAPEX requirement of operators.
These two coalesce in WiMAX. Long Term Evolution (LTE) out of Third Generation Partnership Project, and Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) out of 3GPP2 also clearly project toward the same direction, of course with slight deviations. It is considered that all three technologies form basis for 4G along with next generation Wi-Fi.
Key features desired from 4G wireless network include open architecture for productivity, increased end-user throughput, reduced latency, support for full mobility and end-to-end QoS.
The 4G networks will also make extensive use of femtocell, picocell and microcell technologies to deliver very high data rates in high-usage areas along with macro cells. These will facilitate to cover more limited areas, but at much greater throughput. Thanks to IP technology and access gateway, remotely maintaining different size of base stations and efficiently backhauling the 4G traffic will be feasible.
WiMAX Architecture
WiMAX is the pioneering and most talked OFDMA based IP technology and is ready to deploy worldwide. WiMAX is based on IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard and WiMAX Forum Network Working Group (NWG) specification. IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard specifies the PHY and MAC of the radio link. This alone is not adequate to build an interoperable broadband wireless network. Interoperable network deals with end-to-end service such as IP connectivity and session management, security, QoS, and mobility. Visited NSP Home NSPR2
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R1 R3 R5SS/ ASN CSN CSNMS
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ASP Network OR ASP Network ORAnother ASN Internet Internet
NAP legend of linesbearer planecontrol plane 1Figure 1 - Network Reference Model
The WiMAX NWG defines the end-to-end architecture in three-stage standard; stage 1 is for use case scenarios and service requirements and defined along with Service Provider Working Group; stage 2 describes the architecture; and stage 3 details the architecture.
Design principles that WiMAX considers include the following;
? The architecture shall be decomposed in to functions and well-defined reference points between functional entities for multivendor interoperability. ? The architecture shall provide modularity and flexibility in deployment. Multiple types of decomposition topologies may coexist such as distributed, centralized, and hybrid. ? The architecture shall support fixed, nomadic, portable, and mobile operation and evolution path to full mobility.
1 Dashed/Dotted line represents the Control Plane, Normal line represents Bearer Plane ? The architecture shall support decomposition of access network and connectivity network; access network is radio -agnostic and connectivity network provides IP connectivity. ? The architecture shall support sharing of the network with variety of business models; o Network Access Provider (NAP) owns the network and operates. o Network Service Provider (NSP) owns the subscriber and provides service. NSPs shares the NAP or a NSP uses multiple NAPs. o Application Service Provider (ASP) provides application services. ? The architecture shall support internetworking with 3GPP, 3GPP2, WiFi, and wireline networks using IETF protocols.
Service Level Agreement between WiMAX Subscriber and Home NSP
Chicago Contractual AgreementASN
WiMAX NAPSubscriber
LA NYC Contractual RoamingASN ASN Ag... [download for more]
