IEEE 802.11

Working group 11 of IEEE 802 specializes in Wireless LAN standards, sometimes called "WiFi". The current IEEE standard is 802.11b, with a theoretical maximum throughput of 11 Megabits per second (Mbps); in practice the maximum throughput is about 7 Mbps. It runs in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. 802.11b network cards are becoming a commodity (as of Sept, 2001), thus for the first time wireless computer networks are becoming much more practical, as previously wireless computer networking had been a real niche market. Now with the proliferation of cable modems and DSL, there is an ever-increasing market of people who wish to establish small networks in their homes to share their high speed Internet connection. IEEE 802.11b can be used omnidirectionally for 150 feet in most cases. With antennas, it can be used in fixed point-to-point scenarios (5+ miles, maybe as far as 15) to replace costly leased lines, or in place of very cumbersome microwave communications gear. Current cards can operate at 11 Mbps, but will scale back to 5.5, then 2, then 1, if signal strength is an issue. Work is already underway for 802.11a, which will offer throughput speeds of 54 Mbps, but will operate in a higher 5 GHz frequency band, and as a result will probably be less useful for home owners as signal propogation through walls will be more troublesome, but may be more useful for those attempting to do fixed point-to-point connections.

The following standards and task groups exist with the working group:

• [IEEE 802.11a]? 54 Mbit/s, 5 GHz standard (forthcoming)
• [IEEE 802.11b]? 11 Mbit/s, 2.4 GHz standard (1999)
• [IEEE 802.11d]? new countries
• [IEEE 802.11e]? enhancements: QoS, security
• [IEEE 802.11f]? Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP)
• [IEEE 802.11g]? 20 Mbit/s, 2.4 GHz standard (forthcoming)
• [IEEE 802.11h]? 5 GHz power management

See the working groups's own website, http://www.ieee802.org/11/