Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAXTM) is a broadband wireless technology standardized in IEEE 802.16-2004, or 802.16d, for fixed access and 802.16e for mobile access. WiMAX is based on an all IP network, enabling low latency, advanced security, quality of service and world-wide roaming. Key to WiMAX is OFDM technology, which allows non line of sight (NLOS) operation. WiMAX is a point-to-multipoint networking protocol for distances of up to 30 miles, and speeds up to 70Mbps. Mobile WiMAX will support lower data speeds, likely a maximum of 15Mbps in a 3-mile radius. Mobile WiMAX has higher throughput and spectrally efficiency than other mobile technologies, allowing more data to be transferred within a given bandwidth of frequency. Such technological advantages potentially allow WiMAX to provide broadband data service at a cheaper price than existing technologies. Mobile operators are expected to use WiMAX technology as an overlay to existing voice networks to provide new data-based services. DSL and cable operators will deploy WiMAX services in order to extend the reach of their wireline business.
MarketWiMAX technology will be employed in different market segments, most notably the backhaul market and the mobile market. The first fixed WiMAX products were certified in early 2006, and today there are over 175 deployments of 802.16d technology world-wide. Mobile WiMAX chipsets are sampling, with the first certified mobile WiMAX products expected in early 2007. The total WiMAX chipset market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 241% from 2005 to 2009, from 100,000 chipsets in 2005 to an estimated 10.8 million in 2009, according to Forward Concepts.
Design ChallengesWiMAX spans several application areas, from mobile handsets to consumer CPE and wireless base stations. While each type of design has its own unique challenges, common themes across platforms include integration, performance and power. ARM’s strength in WiMAX platforms is founded in the ability of our processor, software, tool and physical IP products to address the different needs of silicon and system designers in each of these application areas. Supported by our software and physical IP products, ARM’s processor roadmap spans the needs of the highest-performance applications, and scales down to satisfy the most cost and power-sensitive products. ARM-based designers also benefit from a well established design flow and a broad base of ARM partners with WiMAX IP and development tool offerings. One of the biggest integration challenges is designing the digital base band, and accompanying control logic. The WiMAX base band is built around OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology, a digital base band scheme that requires significant signal processing capacity. The fixed, 802.16d, version of WiMAX requires a 256 point FFT while the 802.16e standard employs OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access) with a 2048 point FFT, for further spectrum efficiency. Design flows incorporating ESL tools, enabling architectural trade-off analysis and concurrent software and hardware development, help dramatically in getting these complex chips to market at the right time, with the best performance and at the right cost point. Silicon SolutionsARM Partners with WiMAX silicon and reference designs. IP, Software and ServicesARM Connected Community Partners offering IP, Software and Services for WiMAX silicon and system implementers. | 
