IEEE 802.

11 Wireless
LAN
Wireless Links: High Bit Error Rate
Decreasing signal strength
Interference from other sources
Attenuates as it passes through matter
Electromagnetic noise
Multi-path propagation





A
B
C
Scenario #1: Infrastructure Mode
network
infrastructure
Base station connects
mobiles into wired
network
Scenario #2: Ad Hoc Networks
Ad hoc mode
No base stations
Nodes can only transmit to
other nodes within link
coverage
Nodes self-organize and
route among themselves
IEEE 802.11Wireless LAN
Wireless LAN standard defined in the unlicensed spectrum
Standards covers the MAC sublayer and PHY layers
The basic service set (BSS) is the basic building block of an IEEE 802.11
LAN
The primary goal of the standard was the specification of a simple and robust
WLAN which offers time-bounded and asynchronous services
802.11- Infrastructure Network
Station (STA)
terminal with access mechanisms
to the wireless medium and radio
contact to the access point
Basic Service Set (BSS)
group of stations using the same
radio frequency
Access Point
station integrated into the wireless
LAN and the distribution system
Portal
bridge to other (wired) networks
Distribution System
interconnection network to form
one logical network (ESS:
Extended Service Set) based
on several BSS
Distribution System
Portal
802.x LAN
Access
Point
802.11 LAN
BSS
2

802.11 LAN
BSS
1

Access
Point
STA
1

STA
2
STA
3

ESS
802.11- Ad hoc Network
802.11 LAN
BSS
2

BSS
1

STA
1

STA
4

STA
5

STA
2

STA
3

Direct communication within a
limited range
Station (STA):
terminal with access mechanisms to
the wireless medium
Basic Service Set (BSS):
group of stations using the same radio
frequency
IEEE 802.11Wireless LAN
Advantages
Flexibility: Radio waves can penetrate walls, senders and receivers can be
placed anywhere
Planning: Wireless ad-hoc networks allow for communication without
previous planning
Design: Wireless networks allow for the design of small, independent
devices which can for example be put into a pocket
Robustness: Wireless networks can survive disasters, e.g., earthquakes or
users pulling a plug
Cost: After providing wireless access to the infrastructure via an access point
for the first user, adding additional users to a wireless network will not
increase the cost

802.11 in the TCP/IP stack
802.11- layers and functions
PMD
PLCP
MAC
LLC
MAC Management
PHY Management
P
H
Y

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C

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M
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MAC
access mechanisms,
fragmentation, encryption
MAC Management
synchronization, roaming,
MIB, power management,

PLCP Physical Layer Convergence
Protocol
clear channel assessment
signal (carrier sense)
PMD Physical Medium Dependent
modulation, coding
PHY Management
channel selection, MIB
Station Management
coordination of all
management functions