The ultimate goal of the WiMAX Forum is to promote and accelerate the introduction of cost-effective conformant broadband wireless access services into the marketplace. This is achieved using standards-based, interoperable solutions that drive performance levels unachievable by proprietary approaches.
As the exclusive organization dedicated to certifying the interoperability of IEEE 802.16e products, the WiMAX Forum defines and conducts conformance and interoperability testing on differing vendor systems. Passing the suite of tests achieve the “WiMAX Forum Certified,” “WiGRID Certified,” and “WiMAX Forum Certified - AeroMACS” designation. WiMAX Forum Certified products attest to their conformance to IEEE 802.16e enabling complete interoperability worldwide. Certified products that have been through the certification program will reduce investment uncertainties for all parties in the access network value chain, from technology providers to service providers to end users.
Network operators yield more interoperability options,
Vendors claiming their equipment is “WiMAX-like,” WiMAX-compliant,” or just plain WiMAX are not WiMAX Forum Certified. This means that their equipment has no guarantee of interoperability with other vendors’ equipment. Equipment that is WiMAX Forum Certified, WiGRID Certified, or WiMAX Forum Certified - AeroMACS attests to the interoperability between WiMAX Forum Certified equipment. This gives network operators the confidence and flexibility of seamlessly deploying broadband wireless infrastructures from multiple vendors, thereby reducing the overall investment risk and creating a price-competitive marketplace.
The WiMAX Forum has Designated Certification Labs (WFDCLs) that can accept applications for Mobile and Fixed WiMAX product certification. APPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCT CERTIFICATION CAN ONLY BE SUBMITTED BY A MANUFACTURER MEMBER OF THE WIMAX FORUM.
The WiMAX Forum now offers certification for AeroMACS products at the AeroMACS Designated Certification Laboratory (ADCL) based on the requirements defined in aviation industry standards. AeroMACS is a broadband wireless communications system that can support the transmission of safety and regularity of flight data for both fixed and mobile applications on the airport surface. It is based on the mature WiMAX standard (IEEE 802.16e) and operates in the protected aviation spectrum band from 5091 MHz to 5150 MHz. To learn more about AeroMACS, please visit: AeroMACS Initiative.
WiGRID Certification is available at the WiGRID Designated Certification Laboratory (WDCL). WiGRID is an ideal wireless broadband communications technology optimized for Smart Grid network applications. To learn more about WiGRID, please visit: WiGRID Initiative.
A Manufacturer Member of the WiMAX Forum initiates the certification process by:
If you are re-certifying or utilizing a previously certified module you would add the following step:
WiMAX Forum Certified - AeroMACS, WiGRID Certified, and WiMAX Forum Certified products attest to their conformance to IEEE Std 802.16 ensuring interoperability worldwide. Certified products that have been through the certification program will reduce investment uncertainties for all parties in the access network value chain, from technology providers to service providers to end users.
The WiMAX Certification Body (WCB) are individuals who review and verify all DCL certification test results and manufacturer declarations against the requirements and make certification decisions based on the supplied objective evidence.
DCL or the WCB may remove from the testing queue any non-compliant hardware that is impeding the progress of testing other certification-ready products. A DCL may also charge a testing fee (with proper authorization) if a product requires additional troubleshoot testing because of non-compliance to a tested feature. At the completion of the troubleshooting, the DCL reverts back to the certification testing under the agreed project plan. It is the responsibility of the DCL, when needed, to subcontract and pay a foreign WCB for work.
Revised certified devices may not be required to go through the entire certification test suite. The chosen WCB will review the revision and make a decision as to the required degree of DCL re-certification testing. At the completion of the testing, the test results and manufacturers declarations are again submitted to the WCB for the certification decision.
Questions about the WiMAX Certification Tool, Certification pricing, Testing / Validation laboratories, WCBs, or the certification process should be directed to the Chair of the WiMAX Forum Technical Steering Committee, Declan Byrne, as well as to the particular DCL lab.
The necessary test cases are defined in the following WiMAX Forum specifications that have been derived from IEEE 802.16.
No. 19, Hwa Ya 2nd Rd, Wen Hwa Tsuen Kwei Shan Hsiang, Taoyuan Hsien 333 Taiwan
12388 - 88 Avenue Surrey, British Columbia Canada V3W 7R7
