LMDS

Abbreviations can be very misleading sometimes, as a single abbreviation can refer to many different thing, however with respect to the networking world the term LMDS is an acronym for Local Multipoint Distribution Services. LMDS is a wireless access technology that was originally designed for the DTV, that is, digital television transmission. It is a fixed point to point or point to multipoint technology that operates on the microwave frequencies across the 26 GHz and 29 GHz bands, however the data links can only be made up to few miles, as after that distance the link cannot be established. This technology can be used to deliver the data and telephony services to 80,000 customers from a single node present in the network.

The following material will explain the specifications of the LMDS. LMDS is the fixed wireless technology, and not mobile. No circuit or packets are made of the data that is sent over the link so the property of circuit and packet is non-applicable to it. With regards to the maximum bandwidth that can be achieved with LMDS is; 1.5Gb downstream and 200 Mb upstream. The range over which the data links can be maintained with the LMDS is 4 miles. The range of frequencies over which the LMDS works are, 27.5GHz – 28.35GHz, 29.1GHz – 29.25 GHz, 31.07 GHz – 31.225 GHz, 31 GHz – 31.075 GHz and 31.225 GHz – 31.3 GHz. With regards to functioning of the LMDS, it does not need any host network to operate, and this LMDS technology is defined by the IEEE.

The most commonly used in the world to bring the high-bandwidth services to home and offices within the “last mile” of connectivity, that is, an area where cable or optic fiber cannot be used to provide the connection as it may not be feasible or cost effective.