IEEE 802.16: Enhanced Modes of Operation and Integration with Wired MANs

Abstract The evolution of wireless technologies allows users to be always connected to IP-based services through IP-based devices. Moreover the bandwidth available to wireless connected users is becoming comparable to the one provided by copper-based access technologies (e.g., xDSL). Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) is one of the wireless technologies that potentially allows users to utilize an access capacity in the order of tens of Mb/s. So far, WiMax (i.e., IEEE 802.16) has been exploited and investigated mainly in the Point-to-MultiPoint (PMP) mode, while IEEE 802.16 enhanced-modes of operation are still at their early research stages. Furthermore, how to integrate Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs) based on IEEE 802.16 and wired/optical MAN to guarantee seamless Quality of Service (QoS) across the two transport domains still remains an open issue. This chapter addresses the IEEE 802.16 enhanced-modes of operation and the wireless/wired Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) integration. The focus is on advanced physical layer technologies for wireless transmission such as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas and Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC), the optional IEEE 802.16 Mesh mode of operation, and the integration of wireless and wired/optical MANs. Current status and issues are presented and solutions are proposed.