All-IP network architecture for mobile WiMAX

The mobile broadband wireless industry is in the midst of a significant transition in terms of capabilities and means of delivering multimedia IP services anytime, anywhere. This paper describes the network architecture for mobile WiMAX, a next-generation OFDMA-based broadband wireless technology developed and published by the IEEE as 802.16e-2005. The all-IP mobile network specification is being defined by the Network Working Group (NWG) in the WiMAX Forum. The adoption of all-IP functional architecture tenets and IETF-standardized protocols enables mobile WiMAX to deliver a wider selection of IP services while lowering capital and operational expenditures with a much faster time to market realization. This paper presents some of the inherent technical challenges and proposed solutions in developing the mobile WiMAX network architecture including support for both low-latency applications and non-real-time applications. We offer the details for some of the key functions realized in the network including handover and low-power idle mode operation. A sequel to this paper will address remaining key functions including network discovery and selection, radio resource management, QoS management and security that are integral to the initial network specification and more advanced IP services that will be supported in the next revision of the specification