The AT&T labs broadband fixed wireless field experiment

In this article, we describe an ongoing broadband fixed two-way wireless field experiment conducted by AT&T Laboratories Research in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Our experiment, which is one of the first two-way broadband fixed wireless systems, offers an end-to-end broadband packet access service, with telecommuting as the primary application for our employee users; it operates in the 2.6 GHz MMDS spectrum, and is based on cable modem technology. We have developed a Web-based network monitoring/management tool that greatly enhances the ability to manage, diagnose, and optimize the system. The lengthy period of operation has allowed us to make observations about user behavior, weather-related channel impairments, and equipment performance. We have identified several design issues related to the application of cable modem technology to the fixed wireless environment. Also, we have measured a significant path loss effect arising from a combination of rain and foliage.