802.11

All the 802.11 specifications use the Ethernet protocol and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) for path sharing. The original modulation used in 802.11 was phase-shift keying (PSK). However, other schemes, such as complementary code keying (CCK), are used in some of the newer specifications. The newer modulation methods provide higher data speed and reduced vulnerability to interference.

The 802.11 specifications are summarized in our 802.xx Fast Reference, which includes a link to our definition of each specification.

Read more about 802.11: - The IEEE lets you freely download each of the 802.11 specifications from their Web site. - SearchNetworking.com offers a "Wireless Learning Guide." - "Inbuilding Wireless LANs," a paper by Raj Jain and Zhengping Zhuo of Ohio State University, provides more information.

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