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Difference between WiMax and LTE

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1. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX): 

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) refers to a wireless communication standard based on IEEE 802.16 and it is a newer technology for point to multipoint wireless networking means it specifies how different wireless devices communicate over the air/network in a wide area. 

Two types of WiMAX specifications:

  • Fixed wireless WiMAX: In this Fixed Wireless WiMAX specification, a person accesses the Internet from a desktop computer at home or other permanent location.
  • Mobile wireless WiMAX: In this Mobile Wireless WiMAX specification, a person accesses the WiMAX network with mobile computers and mobile devices such as smartphones.

2. Long Term Evolution (LTE): 

Long Term Evolution (LTE) refers to a path followed to achieve 4G speed. It is a standard for wireless data transmission means it is behind 4G which is used worldwide for transferring data over cellular networks. Due to this, faster data transmission is possible for example, now downloading favorite music, websites, and video much faster as compared to previous 3G technology. It is the last step towards Fourth Generation (4G) which provides a high-performance air interface for cellular mobile communication systems. So before 2G, 3G was there and this LTE was marketed as 4G. 

Difference between WiMAX and LTE :

S.No. WIMAX LTE
01. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, in short, is referred to as WiMAX.  Long Term Evolution in short is referred to as LTE.
02. WiMAX is a wireless communication standard based on IEEE 802.16 and it is a newer technology for point to multipoint wireless networking means it specifies how wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area. LTE is not a technology rather it is a path followed to achieve 4G speed and a standard for wireless data transmission means it is behind 4G which is used worldwide for transferring data over cellular networks.
03. Its network architecture is Flat and IP-based, Access Service Network Gateway (ASN-GW).  Its network architecture is Very flat and IP-based, Evolved Node B (ENode B).
04. The subscriber is identified using EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol) protocol.  The subscriber is identified using the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card.
05. The range of frequency bands: 700 MHz – 2.2 GHz. The range of frequency bands:  2-11 GHz
06. It provides mobility with a target of up to 120km/h.  It provides mobility with a target of up to 350km/h.
07. Modulation Schemes:
Downlink: BPSK (optional for OFDMA-PHY) QPSK 16QAM 64QAM
Uplink: BPSK QPSK 16QAM 64QAM(optional)

Modulation Schemes:

Downlink: QPSK 16QAM 64QAM
Uplink: QPSK 16QAM 64QAM (optional)

08. The subcarrier spacing can be variable due to which capacity can be varied. Subcarrier spacing constant at 15Khz.
09. In this due to high channel utilization, processing that much information requires 1000 point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). In this due to organization of data into smaller chunks makes it process the information by lower point Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) like 16 point FFT.
10. Duplex mode mostly focus on Time Division Duplex (TDD). Duplex mode mostly focus on Frequency Division Duplex (FDD).
11. It mostly provides fixed bandwidth. It mostly provides flexible bandwidth.
12. The technology used to access is OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-division Multiple Access) for both downlink and uplink. The technology used to access for downlink is OFDMA and for uplink is SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access).
13. Multiple Antenna Techniques-
DL: 2X2 MIMO
UL: 2X2 MIMO

Multiple Antenna Techniques-
DL: 2X2 MIMO 4X4 MIMO
UL: 2X2 MIMO

DL: Downlink, UL: Uplink

14. WiMAX does not provide backward compatibility. LTE provides full backward compatibility with full 3GPP interoperability.

Last Updated : 08 Jul, 2022
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