Airspan Networks, a US-based provider of broadband wireless access networks, has demonstrated an uninterrupted handover from one frequency band on a mobile WiMAX network to another frequency band
A handover is the terminology used to define the seamless transfer of a wireless device from one base station to another without loss or interruption of service. A handover would be conducted when a user device is moving away from the area covered by one base station and entering the area covered by another.
According to the company, carriers and operators will benefit from the option to deploy a single, large mobile WiMAX network using two or more frequency bands. In many regions, the availably of 2.5GHz is limited. Now operators can aggregate spectrum to allow expansion of coverage and roaming capabilities.
The demonstration network is using the Airspan HiperMAX base station in 3.6GHz frequency band and the MacroMAXe base station in the 2.5GHz band communicating with a MiMAX Q-Series quad-band USB device connected to a laptop roaming between the two base stations. Staged in the UK, this test was performed with the collaboration with Freedom4 and Starent Networks, using their Access Service Network gateway for connection management, and Bridgewater Systems, using their subscriber management system that delivers carrier-grade authentication, authorization, and accounting services.
Paul Senior, chief technology officer of Airspan, said: We are very pleased to have succeeded in this world’s first demonstration with Freedom4. Confirming Airspan’s WiMAX innovation and technology leadership position, this achievement permanently changes the landscape of mobile WiMAX and its possibilities.
