802.11 Wi-Fi Standards: Performance Metrics

ER. VENKATA RAMANAIAH CHINTHA; DR. KUMUD KUMAR AGRAWAL; ER. SHUBHAM JAIN

802.11 Wi-Fi Standards: Performance Metrics

Authors: ER. VENKATA RAMANAIAH CHINTHA, DR. KUMUD KUMAR AGRAWAL, ER. SHUBHAM JAIN

Unique Paper ID: 167456
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
PageNo: 879-890

Keywords: 802.11 Wi-Fi standards keywords: IEEE 802.11 wireless communication WLAN frequency bands data rates Wi-Fi protocols 802.11a 802.11b 802.11g 802.11n 802.11ac 802.11ax MIMO OFDM encryption security standards throughput backward compatibility.

Abstract:
The rapid evolution of wireless communication technologies has led to the development of various IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standards, each designed to enhance performance and meet the growing demands of modern connectivity. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the performance metrics associated with different 802.11 Wi-Fi standards, focusing on their impact on network efficiency, data throughput, and overall user experience. The IEEE 802.11 standards, commonly known as Wi-Fi, have undergone several iterations since their inception, each bringing improvements in speed, range, and capacity. These standards include 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and the latest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). Each generation introduces new technologies and enhancements aimed at addressing the limitations of previous standards and adapting to the evolving needs of wireless communication. 802.11a and 802.11b were among the earliest Wi-Fi standards, with 802.11a operating in the 5 GHz band and providing theoretical data rates of up to 54 Mbps, while 802.11b, operating in the 2.4 GHz band, offered data rates of up to 11 Mbps. Although 802.11a had the advantage of higher data rates and less interference due to the less crowded 5 GHz band, its adoption was limited by higher costs and lower range compared to 802.11b. 802.11g, introduced as an enhancement over 802.11b, operated in the 2.4 GHz band but significantly increased data rates up to 54 Mbps. This standard provided backward compatibility with 802.11b, allowing for broader adoption and improved network performance. However, it still faced challenges related to interference and congestion in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11n, also known as Wi-Fi 4, marked a significant advancement by introducing Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology and operating in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. With data rates reaching up to 600 Mbps, 802.11n improved network efficiency and capacity. The use of MIMO technology allowed for better spatial diversity and increased throughput, making it suitable for high-bandwidth applications. 802.11ac, or Wi-Fi 5, further advanced Wi-Fi performance by operating exclusively in the 5 GHz band and supporting data rates up to several gigabits per second. Key features of 802.11ac include wider channel bandwidths, higher modulation schemes (256-QAM), and advanced beamforming techniques. These enhancements significantly improved network performance, reduced latency, and supported a larger number of simultaneous connections. The latest standard, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), represents a major leap forward in Wi-Fi technology. It introduces Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Target Wake Time (TWT), and improved MIMO capabilities. OFDMA allows for more efficient spectrum usage by dividing channels into smaller sub-channels, enabling simultaneous data transmission for multiple devices. TWT optimizes power consumption by scheduling wake times for devices, enhancing battery life in IoT devices. Wi-Fi 6 also improves performance in dense environments with numerous connected devices, offering data rates up to 9.6 Gbps and increased network capacity.

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ISSN: 2349-6002
Volume: 9
Issue: 5
PageNo: 879-890

802.11 Wi-Fi Standards: Performance Metrics

Available: https://ijirt.org/Article?manuscript=164982

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