Here is a comparison between Wi-Fi and Wi-Max technologies….
Wi-Fi | Wi-Max | |
Abbreviated Term: | Abbreviated for Wireless Fidelity | Abbreviated for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
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Official Release: | Launched in 1997 | Launched in 2004
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IEEE Standards: | IEEE 802.11x (x refers for various wi-fi versions) | IEEE 802.16y (y refers for various Wi-Max versions)
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Frequency Band: | Implemented using ISM bands where no extra charges to pay for these bands | Can be Implemented using ISM bands where no extra charges to pay for these bands or can use licensed frequency for which the user would be charged.
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Range: | Range : 100 meters Maximum | Range : 80-90 Kilometers
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Data Transfer Rates: | Can transfer data upto 54mbps | Can transfer data upto 40mbps
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Channel Bandwidth: | 20 MHz | Flexible bandwidth ranges from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz
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Bandwidth Efficiency:
Bits/sec/unit frequency |
upto 0.44bps/s/Hz for 802.11a and 2.7bps/s/Hz for b/g/n standards
|
upto 5bps/s/Hz |
Difference in MAC Layer: | CSMA/CA protocol which is not connection oriented | Uses connection oriented Protocol
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Encryption Techniques: | Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) and RC4 | Triple Data Encryption Algorithm and Advanced Encryption Standards
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Authentication: | Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security algorithms
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X.509 or PKMv2 |
Application:
|
End-user usability.
Serve for household and corporate needs for interconnectivity between pc, printers etc using wi-fi routers. |
Wi-Max serves a large inter-operable network. WiMax used to provide internet access to a large number of geographical areas for household, mobile phones, and even hotspots. |