WiMAX Access Architecture in a Multi-domain Network with Integrated Management

The IEEE/802.16/WiMAX new technology provides wireless wideband access both in rural and urban areas. While the 802.16/WiMAX architectures are already defined in standards and many studies exist, research is still needed, on integration of this access in end-to-end architectures. This paper proposes a flexible architecture for management and control of the IEEE 802.16/WiMAX, used for access to a multi-domain chain of IP core networks. The assembly is managed in an integrated way, at overlay level, assuring guaranteed QoS for multimedia delivery over networks with heterogeneous access. Specific solutions are proposed for seamless and flexible integration of the WiMAX resource management and in particular service flows, within an Integrated Management System (EIMS) developed in the ENTHRONE FP6 project.