IEEE+Standard+Family


 * 5.0 THE IEEE 802 STANDARDS FAMILY**

IEEE 802 primarily focuses on the physical (PHY) and media access (MAC) layer specifications of the 7-layer open systems interconnection (OSI) model context. Such standards in the IEEE 802 family include the IEEE 802.3 (wired Ethernet) standard, IEEE 802.1 (management) standard, IEEE 802.5 (token ring) standard, and the widely deployed IEEE 802.11 (wireless local area networks or WLAN) standard. WiMAX technology is primarily based on the IEEE 802.16 (wireless metropolitan area networks or WMAN) standard, while Bluetooth and ZigBee share similarities to some elements within the IEEE 802.15 standard.

With the recent success and wide adoption of IEEE 802.11 WLAN technology, IEEE 802 has developed other standards that aim to take the emerging wireless Internet architecture even further. IEEE 802.16 technology is aimed at providing high-speed metropolitan area level access (similar to cellular infrastructure but advertised as a fraction of the cost). The IEEE 802.16e standard aims to provide WMAN access to mobile users moving at vehicular speeds.

An IEEE 802.16 network is deployed to enable connectivity across a large area (on the order of a city, say around 100km2).Within the IEEE 802.16 network, users (known as subscriber stations or SS) may access base stations (BS) directly or gateways that bridge connections to other technologies (e.g., cellular, and wired infrastructure) may be employed. Three locations are shown where connections are bridged between the IEEE 802.16 network and IEEE 802.11 access point networks. Here, the IEEE 802.16 network acts as a backhaul network while the IEEE 802.11 networks provide localized coverage to individual users or other gateway nodes (on the order of a city block, perhaps 10km2). The gateway nodes shown in the IEEE 802.11 network bridge connections to IEEE 802.15 wireless personal area networks (WPANs). These IEEE 802.15 networks may provide micro-local coverage (on the order of 10 ft2) to devices such as cellular telephones, computer mice, or household appliances.



While the WiMAX Forum has been formed to promote IEEE 802.16, certified products are just now being released into the marketplace. WiMAX technology proliferation is expected to increase substantially as network service providers adopt the technology. Sprint Corporation announced in 2006 that it plans to deploy a full WiMAX network across its entire U.S. coverage area to be operational in 2007. Other corporations across the world have also announced plans to increasingly deploy WiMAX technology, especially to underserved areas such as developing countries with limited infrastructure options. Furthermore, Intel’s announcement to support WiMAX as part of its wireless networking chipset in future laptop computers has further solidified WiMAX as a likely technology candidate for the next generation of wireless network-enabled devices.

__**WiMAX**__ __**WiMAX Works**__