Contents at a Glance

Introduction xvi
Chapter 1 Introduction to Wireless LANs
Chapter 2 Radio Frequency (RF) Fundamentals
Chapter 3 Spread Spectrum Technology
Chapter 4 Wireless LAN Infrastructure Devices
Chapter 5 Antennas and Accessories
Chapter 6 Wireless LAN Organizations and Standards
Chapter 7 802.11 Network Architecture
Chapter 8 MAC and Physical Layers
Chapter 9 Troubleshooting Wireless LAN Installations
Chapter 10 Wireless LAN Security
Chapter 11 Site Survey Fundamentals
Appendix A RF in Perspective
Glossary 503
Index 525
Today’s Wireless LAN Standards
IEEE 802.11 - the original wireless LAN
standard that specifies the
slowest data transfer rates in both RF and
light-based transmission
technologies. This standard was ratified by
IEEE in 1997.
IEEE 802.11b – describes somewhat faster
data transfer rates and a more
restrictive scope of transmission
technologies. This standard is also
widely promoted as Wi-Fi™ by the Wi-Fi
Alliance. This standard was
ratified by IEEE in 1999 as an amendment
to the original IEEE 802.11
standard.
IEEE 802.11a - describes much faster data
transfer rate than (but lacks
backwards compatibility with) IEEE
802.11b, and uses the 5 GHz UNII
frequency bands. This standard was
ratified by IEEE in 1999 as an
amendment to the original IEEE 802.11
standard.
IEEE 802.11g - the most recent draft based
on the 802.11 standard that
describes data transfer rates equally as
fast as IEEE 802.11a, and boasts
the backward compatibility to 802.11b
required to make inexpensive
upgrades possible. This draft has not been
ratified by the IEEE, but
should be early in 2003.
 Extremely low frequency
Applications   ELF 3–30 Hz 100–10 Mm
Wavelength  
Frequency  
Symbol  
Name   Directly audible when converted
to sound (above ~20 Hz),
communication with submarines

Super low frequency SLF 30–300 Hz 10–1 Mm Directly audible when converted
to sound, AC power grids (50–
60 Hz)

Ultra low frequency ULF 300–3000 Hz 1000–100 km Directly audible when converted
to sound, communication within
mines

Very low frequency VLF 3–30 kHz 100–10 km Directly audible when converted
to sound (below ~20 kHz; or
ultrasound otherwise)
Low frequency LF 30–300 kHz 10–1 km AM broadcasting,
navigational beacons,
lowFER, amateur radio
Medium frequencyMF 300– 1000–100 mNavigational beacons,
3000 kHz AM broadcasting,
amateur radio, maritime
and aviation
communication
High frequency HF 3–30 MHz 100–10 m Shortwave, amateur radio,
citizens' band radio,
skywave propagation

Very high frequency

VHF 30–300 MHz 10–1 m FM broadcasting,
amateur radio,
broadcast television,
aviation, GPR, MRI
Ultra high frequency UHF 300– 100–10 cm Broadcast television,
3000 MHz amateur radio,
mobile telephones,
cordless telephones,
wireless networking,
remote keyless entry for
automobiles,
microwave ovens, GPR
Super high frequency SHF 3–30 GHz 10–1 cm Wireless networking,
satellite links,
amateur radio, microwave
links, satellite television,
door openers

Extremely high frequency

EHF 30–300 GHz 10–1 mm Microwave data links,
radio astronomy,
amateur radio,
remote sensing, advanced
weapons systems,
advanced
security scanning
:

or or

Where:
c = 299,792,458 m/s (speed of light in vacuum) and
h = 6.62606896(33)×10−34 J·s (Planck's constant
 U-NII

The Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII)[1] [2] radio band is part of
the radio frequency spectrum used by IEEE-802.11a devices and by many wireless
ISPs. It operates over three ranges:
U-NII Low (U-NII-1[3]): 5.15-5.25 GHz. Regulations require use of an integrated
antenna. Power limited to 50mW[4]
U-NII Mid (U-NII-2[3]): 5.25-5.35 GHz. Regulations allow for a user-installable antenna,
subject to Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS, or radar avoidance)[5]. Power limited to
250mW[4]
U-NII Worldwide: 5.47-5.725 GHz. Both outdoor and indoor use, subject to
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS, or radar avoidance)[5]. Power limited to 250mW[4].
This spectrum was added by the FCC in 2003 to "align the frequency bands used by U-
NII devices in the United States with bands in other parts of the world"[5].
U-NII Upper (U-NII-3[3]): 5.725 to 5.825 GHz. Sometimes referred to as U-NII / ISM due
to overlap with the ISM band. Regulations allow for a user-installable antenna. Power
limited to 1W[4]
Wireless ISPs generally use 5.725-5.825 GHz.
U-NII is an FCC regulatory domain for 5- GHz wireless devices. U-NII power limits are
defined by the United States CFR Title 47 (Telecommunication), Part 15 - Radio
Frequency Devices, Subpart E - Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure Devices,
Paragraph 15.407 - General technical requirements. Regulatory use in individual
countries may differ.
The European HiperLAN standard operates in the U-NII band