IEEE P802.11g 54Mbps extension to 802.11b wireless local area networks - Standards

Mobile Internet, The, March, 2003

The IEEE P802.11g standard for wireless LANs, which will extend the data rate of the IEEE 802.11b-1999 to 54 Mbps from its current level of 11 Mbps, has been approved by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group. Two approval steps remain within the consensus process followed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers before IEEE 802.11g is completed. Final approval is expected in mid-June 2003 with publication in late July 2003.

The 802.11g Task Group, which is developing this standard, was formed in September 2000. It is a diverse body containing representatives from well over 100 computer, networking and software companies, as well as those from consultant organizations and academic institutions. The 802.11g Task Group updated their draft to version 6.1 at their meeting in January 2003. The 802.11g draft obtained the approval of the IEEE 802.11 Working Group on Draft 6.1 via balloting that closed on February 4, 2003. The IEEE 802 Executive Committee approved forwarding of the draft to the IEEE Standards Association for final balloting at the sponsor level.

Initial balloting results from the sponsor level are expected back before the IEEE 802.11g Task Group meets in Dallas in March 2003. At that session, the IEEE 802.11g Task Group plans to update the draft to version 7.0 based on submitted comments.

By using an enhanced protocol, 802.11g enables mixed network operation. This mixed operation allows legacy 802.11b devices to operate at 11Mbps while new 802. 11g devices operate at 54Mbps on the same network This simultaneous operation capability will give consumers a clean path to upgraded performance without having to be tethered to 802.11b performance when in a mixed network The extension will improve access to fixed-network LANs and internetwork infrastructures and will also create higher-performing ad-hoc networks. IEEE 802.11g maintains the spectral mask and carrier frequencies of the IEEE 802.11b standard.

IEEE P802.11g, which is being developed by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group for Wireless LANs, is sponsored by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee of the IEEE Computer Society. For further information, visit http://www.ieee802.org.