WiMAX Point-to-Multipoint and Mesh Network

In Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) mode, a single-hop network contains a central unit as a Base Station (BS) to makes decision to the entire nodes such as Subscriber Station (SS) within its cell that is a central geographic entity of a cellular structure.

In a mesh network, a number of SS are not in direct contact through the BS where a relay system is necessary on intermediary SS that resolve relay information toward other SS that are not in direct contact with the BS.

WiMAX IEEE 802.16 Standard

The worldwide Inter-operability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is a telecommunication  technology based on IEEE 802.16 standard. WiMAX supports two types of network topologies which is Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) and Mesh. In the PMP, the link connection is only between Base Station (BS) and Subscriber Station (SS).

The standard was designed to evolve with media access control (MAC) layer consists of three sub layers. The three sub layers are:

1. Service specific convergence sub layer (CS)
2. MAC common part sub layer (CPS)
3. Security sub layer