WLAN Technology Fundamentals (IT58-7-0)

SynopsisWireless local area networks (WLAN) have been deployed widely in place of the wired LAN. Almost all are based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. With the wide deployment comes along different needs, requirements and expectations. The standards are still evolving to cater for the different needs.

Mastering of the fundamentals and basic communication techniques of WLANs is essential for the in-depth understanding of the existing and future standards for WLANs. It is essential for device and system designers, WLANs designers and maintenance engineers, equipment and network test engineers etc.

What previous participants say about this course
Answers to the question 'what did you like most about the course'

• "Informatic source note / small gp size" - 8 Aug 05
• "MAC & PHY Layer" - 8 Aug 05
• "Graphical illustration, easier understood. Many examples" - 8 Aug 05
• "The course is informative and straight to the point" - 8 Aug 05
• "The explanation given by the instructor is very good and clear" - 6 Dec 05
• "IEEE standard WLAN system" - 6 Dec 05
• "The DSSS technique use in modulation" - 3 Feb 06
• "About Mac & PHY layer" - 3 Feb 06

What You Will Learn

• Concepts and overview of wireless data networking and standards
• Aspects of IEEE 802.11 standards for WLANs
• Radio propagation mechanism and characteristics
• IEEE 802.11 MAC layer - multiple access schemes, frame format, services, etc.
• IEEE 802.11 PHY layer - various variants such as IEEE 802.11b PHY, IEEE 802.11a PHY, IEEE 802.11g PHY, etc.
• Modulation techniques, channel coding, frame formats, etc. in PHY layer.

Who Should AttendEngineers and Technical Managers who are involved in product marketing, production, test and development of WLAN components, circuits and systems. It is also applicable for those deploying and maintaining such systems in the field.

PrerequisiteTechnical background in electrical, electronics, physics, mathematics at Diploma or Degree levels.

Course MethodologyThis course is presented classroom style, with short quizzes to re-enforce the concepts taught.

Course Duration2 days, 9am - 5pm

Course StructureDay 1
Concepts and overview

• Data networking overview
• Wireless data networking technology categorization: wireless personal area network (WPAN), wireless local area network (WLAN) and wireless and broadband wireless access (BBWA).
• IEEE802-based wireless standards overview WLAN standards overview
• Overview of standards - IEEE 802.11 MAC and PHY layers
• Aspects of WLANs - communications, security, network management, performance measurement, service and quality, etc.
• Other standards - HIPERLAN. Radio propagation and channel characteristics
• Line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) propagation
• Wireless propagation channels and characteristics
• Noise and channel impairments - AWGN, fadings, etc.
• Indoor radio propagation

• Overview
• MAC architecture
• DCF - CSMA/CA
• PCF
• Frame format
• Fragmentation and de-fragmentation
• Multi-rate support IEEE 802.11 PHY
• Overview
• IEEE 802.11b - carrier frequency spectrum and channel bandwidth, PLCP and PMD sub-layers, frame formats, supported bit rates and modulation schemes (BPSK, QPSK, CCK), channel coding, etc.
• IEEE 802.11a - carrier frequency spectrum and channel bandwidth, PLCP and PMD sub-layers, frame formats, supported bit rates and modulation schemes (BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, OFDM), channel coding, etc.
• IEEE 802.11g - carrier frequency spectrum and channel bandwidth, PLCP and PMD sub-layers, frame formats, supported bit rates and modulation schemes (BPSK, QPSK, CCK, PBCC, OFDM), channel coding, etc.
• IEEE 802.11n - overview Technology Outlook
• Wireless technology comparison
• Future trend