A comparative analysis of Mobile WiMAX 2.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz for freight railroad applications

Abstract

North America's railroads are exploring opportunities to modernize their wireless communication infrastructure. Mobile WiMAX is considered a candidate for such deployment. The Federal Communication Commission issues licenses for Mobile WiMAX in several bands, among which 2.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz are the most popular. 2.5 GHz provides less operating restrictions while 3.65 GHz has more attractive licensing requirements. Therefore, it is imperative to compare the performances for both spectrums to ascertain the best fit with regards to performance and cost. In this paper, we provide a thorough quantitative comparison between the two spectrums and an in-depth analysis of the results.