WiMAX Network Architecture

WiMAX Network Architecture developed by the WiMAX Forum

All IP network

• Existing IP standards used to avoid creating new network entities
• WiMAX Forum defines procedures that permit WiMAX to 3GPP and WiMAX to 3GPP2

Access Service Network (ASN)

• Provides the radio interface that connects the SS with the network
• Handles the radio interface and contains the base stations
• Contains the ASN Gateway which has a one-to-many relationship with base stations
• ASN Gateway handles mobility between base stations
• Foreign Agent function acts as proxy for authentication and mobile IP

Connectivity Service Network (CSN)

• Provides connectivity between the ASN and the Internet or Application Services
• Home Agent and AAA provide Authentication
• Home Agent and DHCP provide IP Address Management
• AAA provides billing records
• Home Agent supports mobility

Logical Interfaces

802.16 Interfaces

• R1 interface – SS to BS connection, radio link

WiMAX Forum Interfaces

• - R2 interface – SS to HA, supports roaming
• - R3 interface – ASN to CSN, supports authentication, billing, and MIP messages
• - R4 interface – ASN to ASN, defines mobility procedures when a SS crosses from one ASN to another
• - R5 interface – CSN to CSN, supports roaming
• - R6 interface – BS to ASN Gateway, supports mobility messages
• - R7 interface – Internal to the ASN Gateway, not shown
• - R8 interface – BS to BS, supports handoff