Past , Present , and Future 802

This paper contains an exploration of how Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), or 802.11 standards, have changed over the years. It reviews the different technologies and procedures that have been implemented, such as data encoding, bandwidth modulation, encryption, data integrity preservation, and special streaming. It also addresses the benefits and costs associated with current and future generation standards. Included in the discussion are the original 802.11 standard released in 1997, the current 802.11ac and 802.11ad standards, and future standards such as 802.11ax and 802.11ay. Introduction: An integral part of modern life is everyone’s ability to communicate wirelessly on demand. Wireless communication is facilitated by Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), also known as WiFi networks, the many interconnected networks through which our mobile devices, laptops, and even desktops communicate and access the Internet. WiFi has had dramatic impact on how computers have been used over the years; it enabled the revolution of mobile devices and laptops. Because WiFi networks can coexist with the existing Ethernet (or wired) networks and copper cabling of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), it has become increasingly ubiquitous over the years, with consumers expecting WiFi on demand, anywhere, anytime. Characteristics of WiFi Networks: The basic characteristics of WiFi networks are simple. They are similar to the Ethernet networks described by the IEEE 802.3 standard. The basic unit of networking is a single WiFi network consisting of stations, or wireless clients, and an Access Point (AP). This is called a Basic Service Set (BSS). However, a WiFi network does not require a central access point—called an ad-hoc network, or an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)—where each station relays communications to all others [5]. While local networks are useful in transferring data between stations in the same general location, many of these BSS’s can be connected through cabling to create larger scale networks—such DS AP Stations