Wireless Network Standards
The technical standards for Wi-Fi technology are
being developed under the aegis of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE). The group of standards in which the principles for
interaction of the devices in a wireless network are currently defined
includes the standards IEEE 802.11а, 802.11b, and 802.11g. Each standard in
the group applies to networks operating in a specific frequency band. The
table below shows the characteristics of each of the standards in the 802.11
group.
|
|
|
| |
|
Frequency |
5 GHz |
2.4 GHz |
2.4 GHz |
|
Max. Data Transmission Speed |
54 Mbps |
11 Mbps |
54
Mbps* |
|
Backwards Compatibility |
802.11b/g |
802.11g |
802.11b |
*Can be increased to 108 Mbps using special software.
Standard 802.11b equipment and networks are
currently used more widely than 802.11a and 802.11g equipment and networks for
a number of reasons, including the following:
Equipment cost. IEEE 802.11b
technology was the first wireless network technology offered to consumers. The
manufacturers mass produced 802.11b equipment, making it possible to offer
lower prices.
Equipment compatibility. Equipment manufactured to comply with
the newer standards is backwards compatible with equipment manufactured under
the earlier standards. However, equipment manufactured under earlier standards
cannot be used as access points to connect equipment manufactured under the
newer standards. In the group of wireless communications standards, Standard
802.11b was released first, followed by 802.11g, and then 802.11а. Thus,
802.11g hardware devices used as access points support simultaneous connection
of 802.11g and 802.11b wireless devices to a network, but do not support
802.11а devices, while 802.11а access points support wireless equipment
complying with any standards in the 802.11 group.
Operating Range. As the frequency of the radio signal increases,
the operating range of the network equipment decreases, while the power drawn
by the transmitters increases. Equipment complying with Standards 802.11b and
802.11g provides more reliable communications over longer distances, since it
operates at a lower frequency than the 802.11а equipment.
More information:
Technology
