N-WEST News #35
National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed (N-WEST)

11 April 2002

Topics:

IEEE Standard 802.16 Published

IEEE Standard 802.16 ("IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks - Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems") was published on 8 April 2002 (see ordering information). The document is an editorially-revised version of the one completed on 18 October 2001 and approved on 6 October 2001 by the Standards Board of the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA). The standard specifies the WirelessMAN-SCTM air interface. This includes the Working Group's basic medium access control layer (MAC), which will support multiple physical layer (PHY) specifications for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks. It also includes the group's first PHY specification, which addresses frequency bands from 10-66 GHz.

IEEE Standard 802.16.2 Available as Free Download

Through a trial program, IEEE 802 standards are available as a free download beginning six months after publication. IEEE Standard 802.16.2 ("IEEE Recommended Practice for Local and metropolitan area networks - Coexistence of Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems") was published on 10 September 2001 and is now available for download.

Progress in IEEE 802.16 Working Group

IEEE 802.16's Session #17 was held in Levi, Finland on 21-25 January 2002. Session #18 was held in St. Louis, Missouri, USA on 11-15 March 2002. For details, see the Session #17 Report and Session #18 Report.

New IEEE 802.16 Study Group on Mobile Broadband Wireless Access

On 15 March, the IEEE 802 Executive Committee created the IEEE 802.16 Working Group Study Group on Mobile Broadband Wireless Access. The proposal followed a Mobile Broadband Wireless Access Tutorial, the organizer of which, Mark Klerer, was appointed to Chair the Study Group. It will first meet at 802.16's Session #19. A Call for Contributions has been issued, with a deadline of 7 May.

Future 802.16 Meetings

Dr. Roger B. Marks
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado, USA