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iBurst vs. WiFi
Mark Hughes ECE 510 Wireless Communications
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WiFi Basics

• What is it?
• Wireless broadband internet source using radio
  frequency waves
  
• Typically referred to a hub/spoke relationship
• WiFi short for Wireless Fidelity

Source http//computer.howstuffworks.com/wireless-
network.htm
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iBurst

• What is it?
• Wireless Broadband Internet Access Service
• Utilizes smart antennas to optimize bandwidth1
• Developed by ArrayComm adopted as a ATIS
  standard-High Capacity Spatial Division Multiple
  Access (September 2005)2

Source 1. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBurst
2. http//www.atis.org/PRESS/pressreleases2005/09
2605.htm
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iBurst Roots

• Current Customers
• Australia
• South Africa
• Azerbaijan
• Norway
• Canada
• Malaysia
• Lebanon
• Kenya
• Ghana
• Tanzania

• Prospective Markets
• Southern Europe
• Middle East

Source 1. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBurst
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Technical Specifications

• iBurst
• Specification 802.203
• Range 1-12km3
• Data Transfer 1Mbps3
• RF 1.9GHz3
• Band Width 5MHz3
• Transmission Adaptive3 Array Antenna Technology

• WiFi
• 802.111
• Range approx. 25-125 meters1
• Data Transfer up to 540Mbps (Cingular
  400-700kbps)1
  
• RF 2.4GHz or 5GHz1
• Band Width 50MHz
• Transmission Mesh2

Source 1. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802
.11 2. http//electronics.howstuffworks.com/muni
cipal-wifi1.htm 3. http//www.iburst.com.my/abo
ut_iburst_tech.html
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WiFi Mesh Transmission

• Series of radio transmitters able to communicate
  with at least two others1
  
• Signal hop until they arrive at a receiver with a
  direct connection to the internet1

Source 1. http//electronics.howstuffworks.com/m
unicipal-wifi1.htm
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Adaptive Array Antenna

• AAAs detect phase and amplitude of each antenna
  and user terminal1
  
• Concentrate signal power to send a stronger
  signal directly to the customer1
  
• Minimize interference by adjusting phase and
  amplitude1

Source 1. http//global.kyocera.com/prdct/teleco
m/office/iburst/aaa.html
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Adaptive Array Antenna

• Each base system can be configured to support up
  to 12 antennas1
  
• Designed for flexible deployment1
• Can self calibrate to most off-the-shelf antennas1

Source 1. http//www.iburst.com.my/about_iburst_
tech.html
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User Devices
Source 1. http//www.iburst.com.my/about_iburst_
tech.html
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iBurst System
Source 1. http//www.iburst.com.my/about_iburst_
tech.html
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Setup Costs

• iBurst
• Hardware
• Modem 385.091
• Laptop Card 288.821
• Activation
• Monthly Contract 15.681
• Lease 62.721

• WiFi
• Hardware
• Laptop Card 379.992
• Activation
• One Time 36.002

Source 1. Wireless Broadband Letting the
Cables Sleep, Els, Frik, et al, Finance Week,
June 8, 2005 2. http//www.cingular.com/home/
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Subscription Costs

• iBurst
• 64.50/mo. for a 1 Gb limit (30 day contract)1
• 151.15/mo. for a 9 Gb limit (30 day contract)1
• 79.63/mo for 1 Gb limit (2 year contract) free
  modem1

• WiFi
• 69.98/mo. for 10 Mb limit (2 year contract)2
• 79.98/mo. for 50 Mb limit (2 year contract)2
• 99.98 for unlimited access2

Source 1. Wireless Broadband Letting the
Cables Sleep, Els, Frik, et al, Finance Week,
June 8, 2005 2. http//www.cingular.com/home/
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Extra Costs

• iBurst
• Extra 1Gb after Initial Download Limit 24.621
• Otherwise limited to a download speed of 64kbs1

• WiFi
• Once limit is surpassed each additional Kb is
  0.0052
  

Source 1. Wireless Broadband Letting the
Cables Sleep, Els, Frik, et al, Finance Week,
June 8, 2005 2. http//www.cingular.com/home/
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Analysis
Source 1. http//www.iburst.com.my/about_iburst_
vs.html