Appendix B WiFi Fundamentals
802.11 specifications
WiFi Advisor Wireless LAN Analyzer User’s Guide
December 2014
22073751, Rev. 002
Page 51
802.11 specifications
802.11 is the “parent” of a family of Institute of Electronics and Electronic Engi-
neering (IEEE) specifications for wireless LAN.
The standard has undergone several revisions:
Spectrum Differences
Understanding the different spectrums and channel allocations can help identify
trouble areas.
2.4 GHz Spectrum
In North America, there are 11 channels, each 22 MHz wide. These channels
overlap, except for 1, 6 and 11. Thus, these channels are always preferred.
The rest of the world includes two additional channels (12 and 13).
provides a map of the channel allocation for the 2.4 Ghz spectrum. Indus-
trial, Science and Mechanical (ISM)” is the band that can be used by anything that
Protocol
Main
Frequency
Band
(GHz)
Max Data Rate
(Mbps)
BW
(MHz)
Modulation
MIMO
Support?
802.11a
5
54
20
OFDM
No
802.11b
2.4
11
22
DSSS
No
802.11g
2.4
54
20
OFDM/DSSS
No
802.11n
2.4/5
65/135
20/40
OFDM
4
802.11ac
5
86/180/390/780
20/40/80/160
OFDM
8
