IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) Essentials

Course 153

Summary:

This two-day course covers the essentials of IEEE 802.11 short-range wireless communications. Participants will study indoor propagation characteristics and will be able to estimate range limits easily. The methods used by the various forms of 802.11 to modulate information are examined and compared. Next, the operation of 802.11b/g/a/n networks is presented and throughput comparisons are demonstrated. An overview of 802.11 security, along with strengths and weaknesses of various strategies, is shown. Finally, coexistence between 802.11 and other wireless networks such as Bluetooth is analyzed and interference solutions are presented.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing the course, the participant will be able to:

• Calculate signal range using large scale path loss models for the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands
• Compare the 802.11 a, b, g, and proposed 802.11n modulation processes
• Describe the channel-access methods used by 802.11
• Demonstrate the strengths and weakness of 802.11 security
• Show how coexistence can be improved between 802.11 and other wireless systems

Target Audience:

Professionals who are developing or deploying 802.11a/b/g/n systems will benefit from the discussion of methods for determining maximum useful range. Each system’s real-world throughput figures will provide insight into their respective capabilities. Application analysis of 802.11a/b/g/n will be especially useful to developers of low-cost short-range wireless networks. Security and coexistence issues will be of interest to designers, deployment engineers, and users alike.

Outline:

Day One

802.11 Physical Layer (PHY) Operations
• Review of decibels • Link budget equation and path loss model • Calculating maximum range • Multipath characteristics and mitigation • Advanced modulation methods for faster data rates
Direct sequence spread spectrum
• Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) • Error control • Channel sets, modulation,and radio performance • Packet structure and data rates
802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) Operations
• Carrier-sense multiple-access operation and throughput • Distributed coordination function (DCF) operation • Point coordination function (PCF) operation • MAC frame construction and examples • Throughput and frame transmission times • 802.11 management operations

Day Two

802.11 Upgrades and Enhancements
• 802.11i security implementation • IEEE 802.11e quality-of-service
Coexistence
• Consequences of interference • Wi-Fi deployment for interference-free operations • Coexisting with other wireless networks • Collocated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth nodes

Subject Areas Covered

Wireless LAN: IEEE 802.11 WiFi

Check the above links for other courses that may interest you based on subject matter.