Sign in Subscribe

wlan types

Last updated on 


WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) refers to a wireless computer network that links two or more devices using wireless communication within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building. Over time, various WLAN standards have been developed to provide specific performance characteristics, frequency bands, and data rates. Here's a technical breakdown of some key WLAN types:

  1. 802.11b:
    • Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
    • Data Rate: Up to 11 Mbps
    • Modulation: Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
    • Description: 802.11b was one of the earliest standards and operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band. Due to its slower data rates and older technology, it's not commonly used today in new installations.
  2. 802.11a:
    • Frequency Band: 5 GHz
    • Data Rate: Up to 54 Mbps
    • Modulation: Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM)
    • Description: 802.11a operates in the 5 GHz frequency band. It provides higher data rates than 802.11b but has a shorter range due to the higher frequency. Its frequency band reduces interference with other devices operating in the 2.4 GHz range.
  3. 802.11g:
    • Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz
    • Data Rate: Up to 54 Mbps
    • Modulation: OFDM (though some early implementations used DSSS)
    • Description: 802.11g is backward compatible with 802.11b. It operates in the 2.4 GHz band and offers higher data rates, making it a popular choice in many home and business environments.
  4. 802.11n:
    • Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz (dual-band)
    • Data Rate: Up to 600 Mbps (with multiple streams)
    • Modulation: MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) with OFDM
    • Description: 802.11n introduced MIMO technology, allowing multiple antennas to send and receive data simultaneously. This results in improved throughput and range compared to earlier standards. It operates in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
  5. 802.11ac:
    • Frequency Band: 5 GHz
    • Data Rate: Up to several Gbps (depending on configuration)
    • Modulation: MIMO with OFDM
    • Description: 802.11ac is a significant advancement over 802.11n, primarily focusing on the 5 GHz band. It introduced wider channels (up to 160 MHz) and advanced MIMO configurations, including MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO), which enables simultaneous data transmission to multiple devices.
  6. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6):
    • Frequency Band: 2.4 GHz and/or 5 GHz (dual-band)
    • Data Rate: Up to several Gbps (depending on configuration)
    • Modulation: OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) with MIMO
    • Description: 802.11ax, known as Wi-Fi 6, is the successor to 802.11ac. It introduces OFDMA to improve efficiency in high-density environments. Wi-Fi 6 also supports technologies like Target Wake Time (TWT) to enhance battery life in connected devices and 1024-QAM for increased data rates.
  7. 802.11ay:
    • Frequency Band: 60 GHz
    • Data Rate: Up to 20 Gbps
    • Modulation: OFDM
    • Description: 802.11ay operates in the 60 GHz millimeter-wave frequency band, providing extremely high data rates suitable for specific applications like wireless backhaul and high-speed point-to-point links.