{This statement is also included in the PDF version of the PAR.}

Rationale for the WirelessHUMANTM Standard:
Meeting the Five Criteria

1. Broad Market Potential

A standards project authorized by IEEE 802 shall have a broad market potential. Specifically, it shall have the potential for:

a) Broad sets of applicability

Broadband Access networks in the unlicensed microwave region are a rapidly emerging technology worldwide. Such networks have the potential to compete with copper- and cable-based systems in terms of capacity, and they offer the advantages of quick nationwide deployment and not requiring the installation of wired infrastructure. This is particularly advantageous in countries where the infrastructure is not widely deployed. In the US, the FCC allocation of 300 Mhz of spectrum for Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) applications and the popularity of unlicensed communication equipment in the ISM bands testifies to the growing level of interest in broadband wireless. Similar allocation of unlicensed frequencies in the microwave region (below 11 GHz) is occurring in many other countries with attendant interest by potential operators.

b) Multiple vendors and numerous users

Although broadband wireless access networks have only recently been deployed, many users are already on-line using proprietary systems. In order to meet market demands, at least 15 manufacturers have created and at least 16 providers have deployed unlicensed systems. It is estimated that over $250 million worth of equipment will be sold in 2000 to address unlicensed radio MAN applications. Rapid growth of new operators and multiple unlicensed networks in many locations creates the need for coordination and coexistence through standards.

Although broadband wireless access networks have only recently been deployed, many users are already on-line using proprietary systems. For example, one service provider in the US currently has facilities operating in over 40 cities.

c) Balanced costs (LAN versus attached stations)

The use of unlicensed spectrum for wireless MAN applications has the potential for reduced operating cost and end user costs relative to licensed systems due the costs incurred from the purchase of licensed spectrum. In the United States, the use of unlicensed spectrum is pre-approved on a nationwide basis; this facilitates rapid service deployment leading to large market potential.

2. Compatibility

IEEE 802 defines a family of standards. All Standards shall be in conformance with the IEEE 802.1 Architecture, Management and Interworking documents as follows: 802 Overview and Architecture, 802.1D, 802.1Q and parts of 802.1f. If any variances in conformance emerge, they shall be thoroughly disclosed and reviewed with 802.

Each standard in the IEEE 802 family of standards shall include a definition of managed objects which are compatible with systems management standards.

The proposed standard will conform to the 802 Functional Requirements Document, with the possible exception of the Hamming distance.

3. Distinct Identity

Each 802 standard shall have a distinct identity. To achieve this, each authorized project shall be:

a) Substantially different from other IEEE 802 standards.

The WirelessHUMANTM standard occupies a distinct place in the family of standards. It is intended to provide public access to metropolitan area networks operated by a service provider using unlicensed spectrum. These providers include traditional providers such as a local or interexchange carrier or Internet service provider (ISP). In addition, the unlicensed nature of this network is expected to create new classes of service providers who do not have access to licensed spectrum. It also provides licensed service providers opportunities to expand service coverage, as well as create novel services by utilizing licensed and unlicensed spectrum in concert.

Compared to the IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN standard, this WirelessHUMANTM standard needs to accommodate greater range and a cell-based architecture. Key differences include the need for sectorization and frequency reuse, the unique design criteria for MAN channel characteristics (delay spread, multipath, frame synchronization, etc), user traffic characteristics, and provision for interference control in MAN environments. The WirelessHUMANTM standard is expected to differ from the IEEE 802.16.1 air interface specification currently under development for higher frequencies due to differing target markets, frequency, bandwidth, regulatory requirements and propagation conditions.

The WirelessHUMANTM standard is expected to differ from IEEE 802.16.3 because unlicensed MAN networks will require unique interference mitigation techniques (e.g. dynamic frequency selection, clear channel assessment, UPCS spectrum etiquette, etc) that are not required for licensed band operation. Furthermore, the bandwidth and regulatory requirements differ significantly.

b) One unique solution per problem (not two solutions to a problem).

The unique requirements of the WirelessHUMANTM standard are not currently met by any existing standard in its entirety. Hence the WirelessHUMANTM standard will utilize or modify applicable elements from the following:

c) Easy for the document reader to select the relevant specification.

The document title well represents its function.

4. Technical feasibility

For a project to be authorized, it shall be able to show its technical feasibility. At a minimum, the proposed project shall show:

a) Demonstrated system feasibility

The feasibility of radio metropolitan area networks at 2-11 GHz has been demonstrated by proprietary systems operating in unlicensed bands now in operation in many cities worldwide. Commercial deployment of unlicensed point-to-point and point-to-multipoint systems at microwave frequencies is evidence of proven technology.

b) Proven technology, reasonable testing

The radio technology in microwave systems has been demonstrated for many years in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint systems, as used in commercial and military environments. Many systems are now in commercial use.

c) Confidence in reliability

Commercial deployment of systems by carriers is evidence of proven reliability.

5. Economic feasibility

a) Equipment

The economic feasibility of the equipment has already been demonstrated at the level of proprietary systems now going into operation. Standardization will encourage additional economies of scale and provide an avenue for cost reduction.

b) Network

Use of the unlicensed spectrum minimizes market entry costs to the service providers. In the United States, the existence of a national footprint allows wide service coverage.

The use of such methods as point-to-multipoint communication provides substantial economies relative to earlier point-to-point technologies, particularly in handling data, which is characterized by high peak demands but bursty requirements overall. As demonstrated in many IEEE 802 standards over the years, such shared-media systems effectively serve users whose requirements vary over time, within the constraints of the total available data rate. The cost of a single base station is amortized over a large number of users.

c) Installation

Installation of any wireless customer-site system is relatively simple in that no offsite cabling need be installed. In contrast, with wireline networks the plant expense to connect the customer to the network is a very substantial part of the total cost and must be incurred for the first user in a coverage area. With wireless, the expenses can be incurred as customers come on-line. The siting of base stations is a more complex issue, but since one base station supports many users; the costs involved are very nominal on a per-user basis.
Return to PAR or Return to 802.16 Page
Roger Marks (r.b.marks@ieee.org)