80216d2004

IEEE 802.16d-2004 is a standard in the IEEE 802.16 family, commonly referred to as fixed WiMAX. It was published in 2004 by the IEEE Standards Association and defines the air interface and related MAC layer mechanisms for fixed broadband wireless access (BWA) systems.

The standard targets fixed or nomadic point-to-multipoint networks operating in licensed microwave bands, typically in the 2 to 11 GHz range. It specifies the base-station to subscriber-station architecture, traffic scheduling, quality of service (QoS), security, and network management features required for broadband services. The design emphasizes fixed or stationary customer premises equipment and is intended to provide reliable high-capacity links to multiple subscribers from a single base station.

Technical components include MAC layer functions such as scheduling, service-flow management, admission control, and encryption, along with PHY-layer provisions that accommodate multiple channel bandwidths and modulation/coding schemes appropriate for fixed deployments. The standard supports flexible deployment scenarios within licensed spectrum and emphasizes interoperability among equipment from different vendors.

Impact and status: 802.16d-2004 served as a foundational fixed WiMAX standard, contributing to interoperability guidelines and the growth of fixed wireless access networks in the mid-2000s. It was later complemented and largely superseded by subsequent IEEE 802.16 revisions, including 802.16-2009 and the mobile-oriented 802.16e, which added mobility features while maintaining lineage from the fixed standard. The 802.16d-2004 specification remains of historical importance in the development of WiMAX technology and early broadband wireless deployments.