User's Manual

Quatech, Inc. Company Confidential
Revision 1.0 100-8026-100G Airborne 802.11b/g Value Radio Databook 35
14.0 Glossary
Term Description
802.11 Wireless standards developed by the IEEE that specify an "over-the-air" interface for wireless Local Area
Networks. 802.11 is composed of several standards operating in different radio frequencies.
802.11a 802.11a is an IEEE specification for wireless networking that operates in the 5 GHz frequency range
(5.150 GHz to 5.825 GHz) with a maximum 54 Mbps data transfer rate. The 5 GHz frequency band is not
as crowded as the 2.4 GHz frequency, because the 802.11a specification offers more radio channels
than the 802.11b/g. These additional channels can help avoid radio and microwave interference.
802.11b 802.11b is the international standard for wireless networking that operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency
range (2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz) and provides a throughput of up to 11 Mbps.
802.11g 802.11g is similar to 802.11b, but this standard provides a throughput of up to 54 Mbps. It also operates
in the 2.4 GHz frequency band but uses OFDM radio technology in order to boost overall bandwidth.
Access Point An interface between a wireless network and a wired network Access Points can combine with a
distribution system such as Ethernet to create multiple radio cells (BSSs) that enable roaming throughout
a facility.
Ad-Hoc mode A wireless network composed of only stations and no Access Point. Also referred to as “peer-to-peer”
networks
Association service An IEEE 802.11 service that an enables the mapping of a wireless station to the distribution system via
an Access Point.
Asynchronous transmission Type of synchronization where there is no defined time relationship between transmission of frames.
Authentication The process a station uses to announce its identify to another station. IEEE 802.11 specifies two forms
of authentication: open system and shared key.
Bandwidth The amount of transmission capacity available on a network at any point in time. Available bandwidth
depends on several variables such as the rate of data transmission speed between networked devices,
network overhead, number of users, and the type of device used to connect PCs to a network.
Basic Service Set (BSS) A set of 802.11-compliant stations that operate as a connected wireless network.
Bits per second (bps) A measurement of data transmission speed over communication lines based on the number of bits that
can be sent or received per second.
BSSID Basic Service Set Identifier. A 48-bit identifier used by all stations in a BSS in frame headers. Usually
MAC address.
Clear channel assessment A function that determines the state of the wireless medium in an IEEE 802.11 network.
Client Any computer connected to a network that requests services (files, print capability) from another member
of the network.
Command Line Interface (CLI) A method of interacting with the Airborne WLN Module by sending it typed commands.
Direct sequence spread spectrum
(DSSS)
Combines a data signal at the sending station with a higher data rate bit sequence, which many refer to
as a chip sequence (also known as processing gain). A high processing gain increases the signal’s
resistance to interference. The minimum processing gain that the FCC allows is 10, and most products
operate under 20.
Disassociation service An IEEE 802.11 term that defines the process a station or Access Point uses to notify that it is
terminating an existing association.
Distribution service An IEEE 802.11 station uses the distribution service to send MAC frames across a distribution system.
GPIO General Purpose Input/Output refers to the digital I/O lines.
Host application The environment within which the Module is embedded - typically includes a processor, which forms part
of an OEM’s product and application.
Hot spot Same as an Access Point, usually found in public areas such as coffee shops and airports.
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, an international organization that develops standards for
electrical . The organization uses a series of numbers, like the Dewey Decimal system in libraries, to
differentiate between the various technology families.