Wireless LAN Standards and Applications


Contents

Preface    xi

Acknowledgments    xi

Introduction    1
I Introduction to wireless local area networks (LANS)    1
1.2 The need for standardization 2
1.3    Future trends 3
References 7
Selected Bibliography 8

The IRDA Standard    9
2.1    Introduction to the IRDA- General description    9
2.1.1    The standard protocol stack    11
2.2 Physical layer (SIR)    13
2.2.1    General description of the physical layer specification     13
2.2.2    Specifications for signals at bit rates from 2.4 kbps to 115.2 Kbps    14
2.2.3    Specifications for signals at bit rates of 0.576 Mbps and 1.152 Mbps    15
2.2.4    Specifications for signals at bit rates of 4 Mbps     17
2.2.5    Optical interface characteristics    21
2.3    Serial infrared link access protocol (IRLAP)    22
2.3.1    Services provided by IRLAP: Connectionless services 24
2.3.2    Services provided by IRLAP: Connection-oriented services     24
2.3.3    Configurations and operating characteristics    25
2.3.4    IRLAP frame structure    26
2.3.5    IRLAPfraMe types    26
2.4 IRDA link management protocol (IRLMP)    28
2.4.1 Link management iultiplexor (LM-MUX)    28
2.4.2 Information access service (IAS)    33
2.5 IRDA transport protocol: TinyTP    35
2.5.1 TinyTPframesformat    36
2.5.2 Flow control    36
2.6 LAN access extensions for link management protocol: IRLAN    38
2.6.1 IRLANgeneral description    38
2.6.2 Access methods    39
2.6.3 Frames size and format    41
References    43

The IEEE 802.11 Standard    45
3.1 Introduction to IEEE 802.1 1: General description    45
3.2 Medium access control (MAC) for the IEEE 802.11 wireless LANs (WLANS)     47
3.2.1 Expected features ofa WLAN MAC protocol    48
3.2.2 The structure of the IEEE standard MAC protocol    54
3.2.3 Comparison with the MAC protocol of other WLANs: HIPERLAN    65
3.2.4 Conclusions    69
3.3 Physical layer for IEEE 802.11 wireless LANS: Radio systems    69     3.3.1 Introduction    69
3.3.2 Spread spectrum techniques    71
3.3.3 Frequency hopping techniques    72
3.3.4 Direct sequence systems    75
3.3.5 IEEE 802.ll frequency hopping physical layer    83
3.3.6    IEEE 802.1 1 direct sequence physical layer    89
3.3.7    Comparison of the FHSS and DSSS physical layers     93
3.4 Physical layer for IEEE 802.11 wireless LANS: Infrared systems 96
3.4.1 Description    96
3.4.2 The physical layer convergence procedure (IR-PLCP) 97
3.4.3 TheIR physical medium sublayer (IR-PMD)    99
3.5 Conclusions and applications    104
References    105

The HIPERLAN Standard    109
4.1 Introduction: Terminology    109
4.2 Pbysical layer (PHY)    113
4.2.1 Introduction    113
4.2.2 Transmission characteristics    114
4.2.3 Data bursts    116
4.2.4 Channel access bursts    118
4.2.5 Receiver characteristics    115
4.2.6 Compatibility between transmitter and receiver classes    119
4.2.7 Establishing a defer threshold    119
4.3 HIPERLAN channel access control (CAC)    121
4.3.1 Generalities    121
4.3.2 HIPERLAN CAC protocol data units (HCPDUS)    122
4.3.3 Channel access    124
4.3.4 Channel access in the free channel condition    126
4.3.5 Channel access in the synchronized channel condition    127
4.3.6 Hidden node detection and operation    130
4.4 HIPERLAN rnedium access control (MAC)    131
4.4.1 HIPERLAN MACfunctions    131
4.4.2 HIPERLAN differentiation and addressing    132
4.4.3 Data encryption    133
4.4.4 Power-saving function    133
4.4.5 MAC information databases    135
4.4.6 Priorities and traffic lifetime    137
4.4.7 Types of HMPDUs    139
4.4.8 Look- up function: LR-HMPDU and LC-HMPDU    139
4.4.9 IP-HMPDU and GP- HMPDU    140
4.4.10 DT-HMPDU    140
4.4.11 TC-HMPDU and HO-HMPDU    141
4.4.12 Routing functions and information maintenance    142
4.5 Conclusions on HIPERLAN type 1    146
4.6 Future BRAN standards    147
References    148
Selected Bibliograpliy    149

Application Scenarios    151
5.1 Introduction    151
5.2 The application scenarios    152
5.2.1 Public buildings    152
5.2.2 Business environment    158
5.2.3 Domestic buildings (the home)    159
5.2.4 Industrial sector    160
5.3 Wireless LAN technologies and products    161
5.3.1 The RF market    161
5.3.2 The IR market    168
5.4 Conclusions    176
References    177
Selected Bibliography    177
Appendix 5A: IRDA membership    178

Upcoming Standards and Future Trends    183
6.1    Introduction: is the future wireless?    183
6.2 The evolution of HIPERLAN    186
6.3 The evolution of IEEE 802.11    188
6.4 Forthcoming IR standards    190
6.4.1 IRDA new techniques    190
6.4.2 Interconnection for wireless networks    195
6.4.3 New techniques for diffuse links: Spread spectrum    197
6.5    Other RF standards: DECT, Bluetooth, WATM, HomeRF, etc.     200
6.5.1    Introduction    200
6.5.2    Digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT)     201
6.5.3    Bluetooth    203
6.5.4    Wireless ATM    206
6.5.5    HomeRF    207
6.6 Conclusions    209
References    209

Glossary    213

About the Author    223

Index    225