As demand grows for more data, mobile web access, video on demand, and a number of other broadband wireless services, considerable engineering resources are now focused on developing the next big thing in wireless communication.
With goals set to exceed the limits of cellular and WLAN, the mobile WiMAX 802.16e standard will leverage improved spectral efficiency to support very high data rates, large coverage areas, quality of service, fast mobility (defined as good performance while moving with vehicle speeds up to 120 km/h), compatibility with Internet Protocol (internet access, diverse terminal types such as PC, PDA, phones, etc.) and broadband capabilities (10 MHz bandwidth, with users experiencing multi-Mbps data rates). In fact, market research predicts close to 20 million subscribers by 2010 with excellent growth potential in under-developed regions where last-mile infrastructure is often non-existent.
In this article we look at some of the technical challenges for these communication systems, especially as it applies to poweramplifiers and front-end modules (FEMs).
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