Wireless Topologies and Site Surveys
< 24 > Falcon RF WaveLAN Supplement
>> Single-Cell Topology
A single
access point (AP)
can be used as a bridge between the
Ethernet and the radio network. This results in a
single-cell
wireless
network for
mobile units (MUs),
as shown in figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1: A Single AP on a Network
>> Multiple-Cell Topology
WaveLAN supports the ability to roam from one wireless communi-
cation range, or
cell
, to another while maintaining the same net-
work connection. APs establish cells similar in concept to those of a
cellular phone network. Any mobile unit (in this case, a Falcon RF
unit) will connect with any access point that is within range.
Multiple access points can also be used to increase the aggregate
throughput supported by the network. The APs can coexist as sepa-
rate, individual radio networks without interference. The total range
of communication of the cells is called the
coverage area
(see figure
3-2)
.
Overlapping cells in a coverage area ensure that there are no
gaps in coverage.
