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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fourth generation, or “4G,” wireless networks are quickly becoming a reality. Mobile WiMAX 802.16e-2005 (16e) high-
speed mobile broadband networks have been commercially operational since 2007, offering an alternative to proprietary
or cellular 3G technology. Now, WiMAX 802.16m networks (sometimes called WIMAX Release 2) are on the horizon
and cellular 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology is in trials. With the official standard slated for finalization by the
end of 2010, 16m technology is expected to be fully backward compatible with 16e and anticipated for rollout toward the
end of 2011, especially in emerging markets. One variant of LTE, Time Division LTE (TD-LTE), technology will also be
comparable to 16e or 16m, though commercial availability will follow sometime in 2012 or 2013. Given these scenarios,
16e operators have decisions to make about what migration route to take to evolve their networks: upgrade as soon as
possible to 16m, wait for TD-LTE, migrate to 16m while preserving a path to TD-LTE, when available, or maintain their
16e network, possibly with upgrades to “16e-Enhanced.” This Aviat Networks white paper examines service provider
options, weighing the advantages and caveats for each course of action.
JULY 2010
WHITE PAPER
WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Figure 1. WiMAX operators face three probable migration scenarios for transitioning their networks to the next
level of 4G telecom technology: move to 16m as soon as possible, upgrade to LTE from 16m or directly port from
16e to LTE or maintain current 16e functionality, with a possible boost from 16e Enhanced.
3 AVIAT NETWORKS JULY 2010
WHITE PAPER
WIMAX 16E: EVOLUTIONARY CHOICES BETWEEN 16M AND TD-LTE
BASESTATIONS
Throughout the history of the wireless industry, technology migrations have frequently required the
dreaded “forklift” upgrade. Virtually the entire basestation infrastructure of active components had to be
replaced. Little or no equipment that was previously installed could be used in the next stage of
technological progress.
Most recent RFPs from major WiMAX operators have required that most components have to be
capable of being upgraded and repurposed. For transitions to 4G, some major operators are already
making plans to potentially pursue the 16e-to-16m-to-TD-LTE upgrade path. For example, a leading
Southeast Asian WiMAX operator has stated that it will upgrade its 16e network infrastructure to 16m
and then examine its options for TD-LTE in two to three years. In establishing this objective, the carrier
is looking to reduce its migration risk for both technologies. It can continue to offer leading-edge access
services to its customers and minimize risk for 16m investment while delaying investment in TD-LTE
until conditions are optimal.
Figure 2. For a migration from WiMAX 16e to WiMAX 16m or TD-LTE technologies, a practical but smooth
and easy migration through a combination of software upgrades and straightforward blade server (i.e.,
base band card) changeout should be expected.
Other major operators plan to take advantage of an estimated 80 percent overlap in WiMAX and
TD-LTE technologies to future-proof their 16e networks against major upgrade costs for 4G
technology. For example, one North American operator regards the cost of moving from 16m to
TD-LTE as “inexpensive.” The 20 percent of technology that is changed out in conversion from 16e to
either 16m or TD-LTE can be accommodated by a combination of exchanging blade servers (i.e. base
band cards) and software upgrades. Aviat Networks has architected its 16e systems to support this
model of 4G changeout (Figure 2). In some scenarios, additional equipment would be added for
enhanced capacities or operating concurrent services during migration.
be architected to decompose, or separate, the control and data paths—referred to as the “R7” interface
in WiMAX architectures and “S11” interface in LTE architectures (Figure 3). Not only does this split
architecture for the ASN benefit from a clear upgrade path to TD-LTE it also allows for separate
redundancy and scalability of the separate elements. It could even enable “dual-mode” control paths in
an ASN for 16e and either 4G technology. In turn, this allows an operator to offer multiple services
from a single, converged IP core, reducing TCO. Then there is the matter of WiMAX Forum Network
Working Group (NWG) specifications for 16m. As these specs are still undergoing changes at this
point, any ASN gateway architectures have to be flexible enough to have direct applicability for
however the WiMAX Release 2 standard progresses.
Figure 3. Aviat Networks’ ASN gateway completely separates the control and data paths for a highly
scalable IP core capability. Taking advantage of the R7 and S11 interfaces, separation of control and data
paths is made possible, allowing operators to add redundancy or scalability as needed.
DECOMPOSED ARCHITECTURE
Just as important With separated control and data paths, a 4G wireless ASN gateway with a decomposed architecture
as the radio
can grow as the network grows. It’s important for a 16e network to be able to scale for the migration to
16m or TD-LTE where the subscriber support requirements will be much greater. An ASN gateway
components, the where the data and control paths are not separated will not scale as effectively and leads to vendor
IP-core lock in for both IP radio and router functions. Just as important as the radio components, the IP-core
components must
components must also be flexible enough to allow for migration.
also be flexible
CLEAR UPGRADE PATH TO TD-LTE
enough to allow for As the 4G market sorts itself out, 16e operators need to keep their options open. Depending on their
migration. rollout schedules and market aggressiveness, they should be enabled to benefit from an upgrade path
to TD-LTE, so it must be maintained. ASN gateways for 4G networks must be designed in order to
benefit from a migration to TD-LTE to leverage legacy investments in 16e infrastructure.
OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS
Most WiMAX operators contemplating upgrades will be at the mercy of the device vendors when it
comes to driving down the acquisition price for end users. Only the largest and most dominant
operators will be able to create and impose their own requirements for their device ecosystems. It will
be necessary for a sufficient number of vendors to come into the marketplace in order to create
competition to hold down device prices.
CONCLUSION
Whichever path is
As Mobile WiMAX operators plan their deployments, many anticipate making a full or partial migration
more appropriate to
to next-generation technology. In fact, it is not a question of whether to migrate, but rather of how to
follow, Aviat migrate. It is critical to anticipate and adequately plan for potential upgrade scenarios. The new 4G
Networks, the technologies are fast becoming reality. The WiMAX 16m standard will be finalized by the end of 2010
and the first production networks are expected roll out in 2011 if devices become available. TD-LTE
market leading IP
networks are only in very preliminary trials now with widespread commercial availability expected in
experts in 4G 2012 or 2013. The quandary for operators, which have to generate revenue now, is whether to migrate
wireless migration, to WiMAX 16m when it is available? Or do they wait until TD-LTE is out and pass on the first mover
advantage in the 4G market? Can they upgrade to 16m now but preserve an upgrade path to TD-LTE?
can serve as your
Is it better to maintain the network with 16e or 16e-Enhanced? As explained above, many Mobile
guide. WiMAX operators don’t have the appropriate range or amount of spectrum to migrate; or the costs and
complexity of migrating their installed base of user devices severely limit their options. Unless all
aspects are considered, an effective WiMAX migration strategy can’t be completed. Since each
operators’ circumstances and business goals are different, a reliable technology partner is vital to
mapping out the best strategy. Whichever path is more appropriate to follow, Aviat Networks, the
market leading IP experts in 4G wireless migration, can serve as your guide.
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Networks, Inc.
© Aviat Networks, Inc. 2010. All Rights Reserved.
Data subject to change without notice.
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