Reducing Power Consumption of Subscriber Stations in WiMAX Networks

WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e) is a broadband wireless technology for fixed and mobile wireless connectivity and has potential applications in public safety networks. In this paper, we study such a network in which speed-violation cameras use WiMAX technology to upload images of the violators. The speed-violation cameras are solar powered but use batteries for supplemental power. Extending the battery life of such devices by minimizing power consumption is often an important requirement. The WiMAX standard offers two approaches that can be employed to reduce power consumption: the use of power saving features and the use of relay stations (IEEE 802.16j). In this paper, we evaluate and compare the two approaches for reducing subscriber station power consumption in mobile WiMAX networks using the modeling and simulation environment in OPNET Modeler® Wireless Suite. Power consumed due to packet transmission and device operation can be independently impacted while using different WiMAX features. This paper compares results across different design configurations exhibiting different levels of power consumption while using power saving mode, relay stations, and combination of both.