UNIT-IV

WIRELESS LAN & PAN

Introduction to Wireless LAN:- Wireless LAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. It is also called LAWN
(Local Area Wireless Network). WLAN is one in which a mobile user can connect to a Local Area Network (LAN)
through a wireless connection.

The IEEE 802.11 group of standards defines the technologies for wireless LANs. For path sharing, 802.11 standard
uses the Ethernet protocol and CSMA/CA (carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance). It also uses an
encryption method i.e. wired equivalent privacy algorithm. Wireless LANs provide high speed data communication in
small areas such as building or an office. WLANs allow users to move around in a confined area while they are still
connected to the network. In some instance wireless LAN technology is used to save costs and avoid laying cable,
while in other cases, it is the only option for providing high-speed internet access to the public. Whatever the reason,
wireless solutions are popping up everywhere. Examples of WLANs that are available today are NCR's waveLAN and
Motorola's ALTAIR.

Advantages of WLANs

 Flexibility: Within radio coverage, nodes can communicate without further restriction. Radio waves can
penetrate walls, senders and receivers can be placed anywhere (also non-visible, e.g., within devices, in walls
etc.).
 Planning: Only wireless ad-hoc networks allow for communication without previous planning, any wired
network needs wiring plans.
 Design: Wireless networks allow for the design of independent, small devices which can for example be put
into a pocket. Cables not only restrict users but also designers of small notepads, PDAs, etc.
 Robustness: Wireless networks can handle disasters, e.g., earthquakes, flood etc. whereas, networks requiring
a wired infrastructure will usually break down completely in disasters.
 Cost: The cost of installing and maintaining a wireless LAN is on average lower than the cost of installing and
maintaining a traditional wired LAN, for two reasons. First, after providing wireless access to the wireless
network via an access point for the first user, adding additional users to a network will not increase the cost.
And second, wireless LAN eliminates the direct costs of cabling and the labor associated with installing and
repairing it.
 Ease of Use: Wireless LAN is easy to use and the users need very little new information to take advantage of
WLANs.

Disadvantages of WLANs

 Quality of Services: Quality of wireless LAN is typically lower than wired networks. The main reason for this
is the lower bandwidth due to limitations is radio transmission, higher error rates due to interference and higher
delay/delay variation due to extensive error correction and detection mechanisms.
 Proprietary Solutions: Due to slow standardization procedures, many companies have come up with
proprietary solutions offering standardization functionality plus many enhanced features. Most components
today adhere to the basic standards IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b.
 Restrictions: Several govt. and non-govt. institutions world-wide regulate the operation and restrict
frequencies to minimize interference.
 Global operation: Wireless LAN products are sold in all countries so, national and international frequency
regulations have to be considered.
 Low Power: Devices communicating via a wireless LAN are typically power consuming, also wireless
devices running on battery power. Whereas the LAN design should take this into account and implement
special power saving modes and power management functions.
 License free operation: LAN operators don't want to apply for a special license to be able to use the product.
The equipment must operate in a license free band, such as the 2.4 GHz ISM band.
  Robust transmission technology: If wireless LAN uses radio transmission, many other electrical devices can
interfere with them (such as vacuum cleaner, train engines, hair dryers, etc.).Wireless LAN transceivers cannot
be adjusted for perfect transmission is a standard office or production environment

Fundamentals of WLANs

1. HiperLAN

 HiperLAN stands for High performance LAN. While all of the previous technologies have been designed
specifically for an adhoc environment, HiperLAN is derived from traditional LAN environments and can
support multimedia data and asynchronous data effectively at high rates (23.5 Mbps).
 A LAN extension via access points can be implemented using standard features of the HiperLAN/1
specification. However, HiperLAN does not necessarily require any type of access point infrastructure for its
operation.
 HiperLAN was started in 1992, and standards were published in 1995. It employs the 5.15GHz and 17.1 GHz
frequency bands and has a data rate of 23.5 Mbps with coverage of 50m and mobility< 10 m/s.
 It supports a packet-oriented structure, which can be used for networks with or without a central control (BS-
MS and ad-hoc). It supports 25 audio connections at 32kbps with a maximum latency of 10 ms, one video
connection of 2 Mbps with 100 ms latency, and a data rate of 13.4 Mbps.
 HiperLAN/1 is specifically designed to support adhoc computing for multimedia systems, where there is no
requirement to deploy a centralized infrastructure. It effectively supports MPEG or other state of the art real
time digital audio and video standards.
 The HiperLAN/1 MAC is compatible with the standard MAC service interface, enabling support for existing
applications to remain unchanged.
 HiperLAN 2 has been specifically developed to have a wired infrastructure, providing short-range wireless
access to wired networks such as IP and ATM.

The two main differences between HiperLAN types 1 and 2 are as follows:

 Type 1 has a distributed MAC with QoS provisions, whereas type 2 has a centralized schedule MAC.
 Type 1 is based on Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK), whereas type 2 is based on OFDM.
 HiperLAN/2 automatically performs handoff to the nearest access point. The access point is basically a radio
BS that covers an area of about 30 to 150 meters, depending on the environment. MANETs can also be created
easily.

The goals of HiperLAN are as follows:

 QoS (to build multiservice network)

 Strong security
 Handoff when moving between local area and wide areas
 Increased throughput
 Ease of use, deployment, and maintenance
 Affordability
 Scalability

One of the primary features of HiperLAN/2 is its high speed transmission rates (up to 54 Mbps). It uses a modulation
method called OFDM to transmit analog signals. It is connection oriented, and traffic is transmitted on bidirectional
links for unicast traffic and unidirectional links toward the MSs for multicast and broadcast traff

This connection oriented approach makes support for QoS easy, which in turn depends on how the HiperLAN/2
network incorporates with the fixed network using Ethernet, ATM, or IP.
The HiperLAN/2 architecture shown in the figure allows for interoperation with virtually any type of fixed network,
making the technology both network and application independent. HiperLAN/2 networks can be deployed at "hot spot"
areas such as airports and hotels, as an easy way of offering remote access and internet services.

2. Home RF Technology

 A typical home needs a network inside the house for access to a public network telephone and internet,
entertainment networks (cable television, digital audio and video with the IEEE 1394), transfer and sharing of
data and resources (printer, internet connection), and home control and automation.

 The device should be able to self-configure and maintain connectivity with the network. The devices need to
be plug and play enabled so that they are available to all other clients on the network as soon as they are
switched on, which requires automatic device discovery and identification in the system.
 Home networking technology should also be able to accommodate any and all lookup services, such as Jini.
Home RF products allow you to simultaneously share a single internet connection with all of your computers -
without the hassle of new wires, cables or jacks.
 Home RF visualizes a home network as shown in the figure:
  A network consists of resource providers, which are gateways to different resources like phone lines, cable
modem, satellite dish, and so on, and the devices connected to them such as cordless phone, printers and
fileservers, and TV.
 The goal of Home RF is to integrate all of these into a single network suitable for all applications and to
remove all wires and utilize RF links in the network suitable for all applications.
 This includes sharing PC, printer, fileserver, phone, internet connection, and so on, enabling multiplayer
gaming using different PCs and consoles inside the home, and providing complete control on all devices from
a single mobile controller.
 With Home RF, a cordless phone can connect to PSTN but also connect through a PC for enhanced services.
Home RF makes an assumption that simultaneous support for both voice and data is needed.

Advantages of Home RF

 In Home RF all devices can share the same connection, for voice or data at the same time.
 Home RF provides the foundation for a broad range of interoperable consumer devices for wireless digital
communication between PCs and consumer electronic devices anywhere in and around the home.
 The working group includes Compaq computer corp. Ericson enterprise network, IBM Intel corp., Motorola
corp. and other.
 A specification for wireless communication in the home called the shared wireless access protocol (SWAP)
has been developed.

3. IEEE 802.11 Standard:- IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for the wireless area network (WLAN), which was
implemented in 1997 and was used in the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. IEEE 802.11 was quickly
implemented throughout a wide region, but under its standards the network occasionally receives interference from
devices such as cordless phones and microwave ovens. The aim of IEEE 802.11 is to provide wireless network
connection for fixed, portable, and moving stations within ten to hundreds of meters with one medium access control
(MAC) and several physical layer specifications. This was later called 802.11a. The major protocols include IEEE
802.11n; their most significant differences lie in the specification of the PHY layer.

4. Bluetooth :- Bluetooth is one of the major wireless technologies developed to achieve WPAN (wireless personal
area network). It is used to connect devices of different functions such as telephones, computers (laptop or desktop),
notebooks, cameras, printers, and so on.

Architecture of Bluetooth
  Bluetooth devices can interact with other Bluetooth devices in several ways in the figure. In the simplest
scheme, one of the devices acts as the master and (up to) seven other slaves.
 A network with a master and one or more slaves associated with it is known as a piconet. A single channel
(and bandwidth) is shared among all devices in the piconet.
 Each of the active slaves has an assigned 3-bit active member address. many other slaves can remain
synchronized to the master though remaining inactive slaves, referred to as parked nodes.
 The master regulates channel access for all active nodes and parked nodes. Of two piconets are close to each
other, they have overlapping coverage areas.
 This scenario, in which nodes of two piconets intermingle, is called a scatternet. Slaves in one piconet can
participate in another piconet as either a master or slave through time division multiplexing.
 In a scatternet, the two (or more) piconets are not synchronized in either time or frequency. Each of the
piconets operates in its own frequency hopping channel, and any devices in multiple piconets participate at the
appropriate time via time division multiplexing.
 The Bluetooth baseband technology supports two link types. Synchronous connection oriented (SCO) types,
used primarily for voice, and asynchronous connectionless (ACL) type, essentially for packet data.

Infrared vs Radio Transmission

Infrared Transmission

 Infrared technology uses diffuse light reflected at walls, furniture etc. or a directed light if a line of sight (LOS)
exists between sender and receiver.
 Infrared light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and is an electromagnetic form of radiation. It comes
from the heat and thermal radiation, and it is not visible to the naked eyes.
 In infrared transmission, senders can be simple light emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes. Photodiodes act
as receivers.
 Infrared is used in wireless technology devices or systems that convey data through infrared radiation. Infrared
is electromagnetic energy at a wave length or wave lengths somewhat longer than those of red light.
 Infrared wireless is used for medium and short range communications and control. Infrared technology is used
in instruction detectors; robot control system, medium range line of sight laser communication, cordless
microphone, headsets, modems, and other peripheral devices.
 Infrared radiation is used in scientific, industrial, and medical application. Night vision devices using active
near infrared illumination allow people and animals to be observed without the observer being detected.
 Infrared transmission technology refers to energy in the region of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum at
wavelength longer than those of visible light but shorter than those of radio waves.
 Infrared technology allows computing devices to communicate via short range wireless signals. With infrared
transmission, computers can transfer files and other digital data bidirectional.

Advantages of infrared

 The main advantage of infrared technology is its simple and extremely cheap senders and receivers which are
integrated into nearly all mobile devices available today.
 No licenses are required for infrared and shielding is very simple.
 PDAs, laptops, notebooks, mobile phones etc. have an infrared data association (IrDA) interface.
 Electrical devices cannot interfere with infrared transmission.

Disadvantages of Infrared

 Disadvantages of infrared transmission are its low bandwidth compared to other LAN technologies.
 Limited transfer rates to 115 Kbit/s and we know that even 4 Mbit/s is not a particular high data rate.
 Their main disadvantage is that infrared is quite easily shielded.
 Infrared transmission cannot penetrate walls or other obstacles.
  Typically, for good transmission quality and high data rates a LOS (Line of site), i.e. direct connection is
needed.

Radio Transmission

 Almost all networks use radio waves for data transmission, e.g., GSM at 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz, DECT at
1880 MHz etc. Radio transmission technologies can be used to set up ad-hoc connections for work groups, to
connect, e.g., a desktop with a printer without a wire, or to support mobility within a small area.
 The two main types of radio transmission are AM (Amplitude Modulation) and (FM) Frequency Modulation.
 FM minimizes noise and provides greater reliability. Both AM and FM process sounds in patterns that are
always varying of electrical signals.
 In an AM transmission the carrier wave has a constant frequency, but the strength of the wave varies. The FM
transmission is just the opposite; the wave has constant amplitude but a varying frequency.
 Usually the radio transmission is used in the transmission of sounds and pictures. Such as, voice, music and
television.
 The images and sounds are converted into electrical signals by a microphone or video camera. The signals are
amplified, and transmitted. If the carrier is amplified it can be applied to an antenna.
 The antenna converts the electrical signals into electromagnetic waves and sends them out or they can be
received. The antenna consists commonly of a wire or set of wires.

Advantages of Radio Transmission

 Advantages of radio transmission include the long-term experiences made with radio transmission for wide
area networks (e.g. microwave links) and mobile cellular phones.
 Radio transmission can cover larger areas and can penetrate (thinner) walls, plants, furniture etc.
 Additional coverage is gained by reflection.
 Radio typically does not need a LOS (Line of Site) if the frequencies are not too high.
 Higher transmission rates (e.g. 54 Mbit/s) than infrared (directed laser links, which offer data rates well above
100 Mbit/s).

Disadvantages of Radio Transmission

 Radio transmission can be interfered with other senders, or electrical devices can destroy data transmitted via
radio.
 Bluetooth is simple than infrared.
 Radio is only permitted in certain frequency bands.
 Shielding is not so simple.
 Very limited ranges of license free bands are available worldwide and those that are available are not the same
in all countries.
 A lot harmonization is going on due to market pressure.

802.11 standard:- The 802.11 standard is defined through several specifications of WLANs. It defines an over-the-
air interface between a wireless client and a base station or between two wireless clients.

There are several specifications in the 802.11 family −

 802.11 − This pertains to wireless LANs and provides 1 - or 2-Mbps transmission in the 2.4-GHz band using
either frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS).
 802.11a − This is an extension to 802.11 that pertains to wireless LANs and goes as fast as 54 Mbps in the 5-
GHz band. 802.11a employs the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) encoding scheme as
opposed to either FHSS or DSSS.
 802.11b − The 802.11 high rate WiFi is an extension to 802.11 that pertains to wireless LANs and yields a
connection as fast as 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2, and 1 Mbps depending on strength of
 signal) in the 2.4-GHz band. The 802.11b specification uses only DSSS. Note that 802.11b was actually an
amendment to the original 802.11 standard added in 1999 to permit wireless functionality to be analogous to
hard-wired Ethernet connections.
 802.11g − This pertains to wireless LANs and provides 20+ Mbps in the 2.4-GHz band.

Here is the technical comparison between the three major WiFi standards.

Feature WiFi (802.11b) WiFi (802.11a/g)

PrimaryApplication Wireless LAN Wireless LAN
2.4 GHz ISM (g)
Frequency Band 2.4 GHz ISM
5 GHz U-NII (a)
Channel Bandwidth 25 MHz 20 MHz
Half/Full Duplex Half Half
Direct Sequence OFDM
Radio Technology
Spread Spectrum (64-channels)
Bandwidth <=0.44 bps/Hz ≤=2.7 bps/Hz
Efficiency
Modulation QPSK BPSK, QPSK, 16-, 64-QAM
FEC None Convolutional Code
Encryption Optional- RC4m (AES in 802.11i) Optional- RC4(AES in 802.11i)
Mobility In development In development
Mesh Vendor Proprietary Vendor Proprietary
Access Protocol CSMA/CA CSMA/CA

Wireless LAN and IEEE 802.11:- Wireless LANs are those Local Area Networks that use high frequency radio
waves instead of cables for connecting the devices in LAN. Users connected by WLANs can move around within the
area of network coverage. Most WLANs are based upon the standard IEEE 802.11 or WiFi. The components of an
IEEE 802.11 architecture are as follows

1) Stations (STA): Stations comprise all devices and equipments that are connected to the wireless LAN. A station can
be of two types:

1. Wireless Access Pointz (WAP): WAPs or simply access points (AP) are generally wireless routers that form
the base stations or access.
2. Client. : Clients are workstations, computers, laptops, printers, smartphones, etc. Each station has a wireless
network interface controller.

2) Basic Service Set (BSS): A basic service set is a group of stations communicating at physical layer level. BSS can
be of two categories depending upon mode of operation:

1. Infrastructure BSS: Here, the devices communicate with other devices through access points.
2. Independent BSS: Here, the devices communicate in peer-to-peer basis in an ad hoc manner.

3) Extended Service Set (ESS): It is a set of all connected BSS.

4) Distribution System (DS): It connects access points in ESS.

Advantages of WLANs

1. They provide clutter free homes, offices and other networked places.
2. The LANs are scalable in nature, i.e. devices may be added or removed from the network at a greater ease than
wired LANs.
3. The system is portable within the network coverage and access to the network is not bounded by the length of
the cables.
4. Installation and setup is much easier than wired counterparts.
5. The equipment and setup costs are reduced.

Disadvantages of WLANs

1. Since radio waves are used for communications, the signals are noisier with more interference from nearby
systems.
2. Greater care is needed for encrypting information. Also, they are more prone to errors. So, they require greater
bandwidth than the wired LANs.
3. WLANs are slower than wired LANs.

Ricochet (Internet service)

Ricochet was one of the pioneering wireless Internet access services in the United States, before Wi-Fi, 3G, and other
technologies were available to the general public. It was developed and first offered by Metricom Incorporated, which
shut down in 2001. The service was originally known as the Micro Cellular Data Network, or MCDN, gaining the
Ricochet name when opened to public use.

History

Metricom was founded in 1985, initially selling radios to electric, gas, oil, and water industrial customers. One of its
founders and its first President was Dr. David M. Elliott. Another of its founders was Paul Baran.[1] Paul Allen took a
controlling stake in Metricom in 1997.[2] Service began in 1994 in Cupertino, California, and was quickly deployed
throughout Silicon Valley (the northern part of Santa Clara Valley) by 1995, the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area by
1996, and to other cities throughout the end of the 1990s. By this time, the original network had been upgraded, via
firmware improvements, to almost twice its original throughput, and was operating at roughly the speed of a 56 kbit/s
dialup modem; in addition, Ricochet introduced a higher-speed (nominally 128 kbit/s, in practice often faster) service
in 1999; monthly fees for this service were more than double those for the original service. At its height, in early 2001,
Ricochet service was available in Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami,
Minneapolis, New York City and surrounding New Jersey, Philadelphia, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, San Diego,
San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Over 51,000 subscribers paid for the service. In July 2001, however,
Ricochet's owner, Metricom, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy[3] and shut down its service. Like many companies during
the dot-com boom, Metricom had spent more money than it took in and concentrated on a nationwide rollout and
marketing instead of developing select markets.[4]

Ricochet was reportedly officially utilized in the immediate disaster recovery situation of the September 11, 2001
terrorist attacks, partially operated by former employees as volunteers, when even cell phone networks were
overloaded.[5]