Measuring Data and VoIP Traffic in WiMAX Networks

TL;DR

This paper evaluates QoS configurations in WiMAX networks for VoIP traffic, comparing UGS and ertPS service classes to determine their effectiveness in handling delay-sensitive data and bandwidth fluctuations.

Contribution

It provides a comparative analysis of UGS and ertPS QoS configurations for VoIP in WiMAX, highlighting their impact on traffic performance and bandwidth management.

Findings

ertPS allows more flexible bandwidth allocation for delay-sensitive traffic.

ertPS supports better coexistence of VoIP and best-effort traffic.

UGS provides more consistent delay performance.

Abstract

Due to its large coverage area, low cost of deployment and high speed data rates, WiMAX is a promising technology for providing wireless last-mile connectivity. Physical and MAC layer of this technology refer to the IEEE 802.16e standard, which defines 5 different data delivery service classes that can be used in order to satisfy Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of different applications, such as VoIP, videoconference, FTP, Web, etc. The main aim of the paper is to examine a case of QoS deployment over a cellular WiMAX network. In particular, the paper compares the performance obtained using two different QoS configurations differing from the delivery service class used to transport VoIP traffic, i.e. UGS or ertPS. Results indicate that for delay-sensitive traffic that fluctuates beyond its nominal rate, having the possibility to give back some of its reserved bandwidth, ertPS has the advantage to permit the transmission of BE traffic.