Chapter 14.

Wireless LANs

1. IEEE 802.11
2. Bluetooth

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-1

 Basic Service Set (BSS)
• BSS
– The building block of a wireless LAN
• BSS with an AP
– Access Point (AP): central base station
• BSS without an AP
– Stand-alone network
– Cannot send data to other BSSs
– Ad hoc architecture
• BSS with an AP
– Called an infrastructure network

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-2

 BSS

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-3

 Extended Service Set (ESS)

• BSSs are connected through a distribution system: infrastructure

network (usually wired LAN)
• Station Types: No-transition, BSS-transition, and ESS-transition
mobility

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-4

 MAC Sublayer

• Two MAC sublayers: DCF and PCF

• DCF uses CSMA/CA as the access method

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-5

 CSMA/CA and NAV

• Network allocation vector (NAV) shows how much time must pass before
these stations are allowed to check the channel for idleness
• Collision During handshaking

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-6

 Point Coordination Function (PCF)
• An optional access method that can be implemented in an AP
• A centralized, contention-free polling access method
• To give priority to PCF over DCF, another set of interframe spaces has
been defined: PIFS and SIFS
• PIFS (PCF IFS) is shorter than the DIFS  AP using PCF has priority
• Repetition interval starts with a special control frame, called a beacon
frame

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-7

MAC Layer Frame Format

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-8

 Frame Types
• Three categories of frames
• Management frames for initial communication between stations and APs
• Control frames for accessing the channel and acknowledging frames
• Data frame for carrying data and control information

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-9

Addressing Mechanism

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-10

 Hidden Station Problems
• The CTS frame in CSMA/CA handshake can prevent collision from a
hidden station.

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-11

Exposed Station Problems

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-12

 Physical Layer

• Industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band which defines three unlicensed
bands in three ranges 902-928 MHz, 2.400-4.835 GHz, and 5.725-5.850 GHz

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-13

 Physical Layer
• IEEE 802.11 FHSS

• IEEE 802.11 DSSS

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-14

 Physical Layer
• IEEE 802.11 Infrared

• IEEE 802.11a OFDM

– Common data rates are 18 Mbps (PSK) and 54 Mbps (QAM)
• IEEE 802.11b DSSS
– High-rate direct sequence spread spectrum (HR-DSSS)
– Similar to DSSS method except for the encoding method called complementary
code keying (CCK), Four data rates; 1, 2, .5, 11 Mbps

• IEEE 802.11g
– Forward error correction and OFDM using 2.4 GHz ISM, 22- or 54-Mbps data rate

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-15

 Bluetooth: Piconet
• Bluetooth is a wireless LAN technology designed to connect devices
of different functions such as telephones, notebooks, computers,
cameras, printers, coffee makers, and so on. A Bluetooth LAN is an ad
hoc network, which means that the network is formed spontaneously
• Bluetooth network is called piconet, or a small net

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-16

 Bluetooth: Scatternet
• Piconet can be combined to form what is called a scatternet.

• Bluetooth device has a built-in short range radio transmitter with 2.4
GHz bandwidth. A possibility of interference with IEEE 802.11b

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-17

 Bluetooth Layers
• Radio layer
– 2.4 GHz ISM band divided into 79 channels of 1 MHz each
– FHSS: Bluetooth hops 1600 times per second, dwell time is
625 μsec (= 1/1600 sec)
– Modulation: GFSK (FSK with Gaussian bandwidth filtering)

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-18

 Bluetooth Layers
• Baseband layer
– TDD-TDMA (time division duplex TDMA): half-duplex
communication
– Single-secondary communication

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-19

 Bluetooth Layers
• Baseband layer
– TDD-TDMA: multiple-secondary communication

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-20

 Bluetooth Layers
• Physical links
– SCO (synchronous connection-oriented)
– ACL (asynchronous connectionless link)
• Frame format

• L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol)

– Multiplexing, segmentation and reassembly, QoS, group
management

Data Communications, Kwangwoon University 14-21