Wireless IP access system for broadband access services

NTT developed the wireless IP access system (WIPAS), a point-to-multipoint fixed wireless access (FWA) system utilizing the 26-GHz frequency band for home and SOHO users to provide broadband Internet access service. WIPAS provides a best-effort-type IP service with the transmission rate of 80 Mbit/s. ADSL technology is rapidly expanding worldwide as a low-cost broadband Internet access infrastructure and fiber to the home (FTTH) is considered as a final form of data communications in light of its capacity, stability, and distance limitation. However, there still remains the "last mile" issue in some areas or buildings due to geographical or architectural limitations. Despite wireless systems that have advantages beyond those limitations, conventional FWA systems are burdened to provide broadband Internet access service to home or SOHO users due to cost and equipment size. The development of WIPAS was carried out taking this dilemma into consideration, and resulted in reductions in equipment cost and weight. The access point (AP, hub station) was downsized to a version that can be mounted on a telephone pole, and it has an omni-antenna for residential areas. The wireless terminal (WT, user equipment) was downsized to a volume of approximately two liters by using a planar antenna, application specific ICs (ASICs), and microwave monolithic ICs (MMICs). This paper describes the system concepts, specifications, and technologies of WIPAS.